Chapter 11
Time seems to stop and I even though I know I should remove myself from this situation. I can’t seem to move.
Adrian’s hands don’t release their hold on me, and his intense eyes darken. Like he’s remembering what I remember. Feverish kisses in a hotel room only a few days ago. We didn’t have much by the way of clothes then either. My skin flushes and my heart pounds.
I swear his grip tightens and my compulsion to run my hands over his body almost wins when I hear Grace’s voice call out “Hello, Julian!”
Now I’m panicking for a whole new reason. I clamber off Adrian and look over the gate to the fence around the pool to see Julian greeting Grace in the middle of the lawn. He’s too far away and his focus is on Grace. Before he can see me, I duck down behind the gate. The fence only stands to my waist, so I’m undeniably crouching and there’s no denying the fact that I’m hiding.
Adrian stands, glances at Julian, then back at me his brow furrowed in confusion. Then he seems to understand.
There’s no time to explain. What would I even say? Please don’t tell your son I’m hiding like a lunatic behind your fence, so he doesn’t get angry and makes me quit this job even though he’s the reason I’m broke to begin with?
I definitely can’t say any of that right now. So, I just give him a pleading look and hope he understands. He must because he calls out, “Grace, come get your towel. Julian, let’s talk in the study.”
I let out my breath and mouth, “Thank you”. But he just gives me a look that says we will definitely be discussing this later and walks up the path to intercept my boyfriend.
Grace comes bounding through the gate. “What are you doing?” she asks seeing me still crouched on the ground. “Were you trying to scare me?”
“You got me!” I laugh. “But you were too fast for me.”
She laughs and rushes for her towel. I peek over the gate to find that both Julian and Adrian have disappeared.
“You’re silly.” Grace giggles. “You could have met Julian.”
“Does Julian come here a lot?” I ask her.
“No. I’ve only seen him a few times.” Grace reports and takes my hand as we walk toward the house.
Good. I don’t really want to have to come up with more excuses to hide.
“Let’s hurry to the kitchen before all of the dessert is gone.” I say.
“Oh no!” Grace exclaims and laughs as she hurries toward her room to change out of her swimsuit for lunch.
I’m heading toward my own room when I hear raised voices behind a door.
“…ridiculous ceremony.” Julian sounds angry.
“It’s not my favorite tradition either, but it’s important and means a lot to the community.” Adrian’s voice is level and calm.
“You’ll be there representing our family. There’s no reason for me to go.” Julian shoots back.
“You’re an adult now. It’s time for you to take some responsibility. It will be up to you to carry on these traditions someday.” Adrian reasons with him.
“I’ll never do that.” Julian barks at him.
“Don’t do that.” Adrian’s voice rises a little, but he stays calm. “Don’t spurn your entire heritage just to spite me. This is your legacy, Julian. Don’t throw it all away.”
I hurry down the hall after that. If I know Julian, any second now, he’ll storm out of the room. The last thing I want is to be caught eavesdropping.
I change into my clothes and make my way to Grace’s room to escort her down to lunch. I find her already dressed in a smart looking jumpsuit and trying to get a comb through her wet hair.
“Let me help you.” I say, taking the comb from her and gently working on the knots. I’m just brushing it back to put it up with a bow when Thomas appears and knocks at the open door.
He surveys me, noting first Grace with a nod of approval, and then me. Clearly my jeans and plain gray T-shirt don’t meet his standards because he raises his chin so he can look down his nose at me.
“Miss Lily, Mr. Whitmore requests your presence in his office. I will escort Grace down to lunch.” He says stiffly.
I nod and finish tying Grace’s hair up. When I go to pass him, he whispers quietly, “I surely hope you didn’t settle in too much. I haven’t seen Mr. Whitmore this angry in ages.”
“You know Thomas, if you keep making that face it’s stick like that.” I whisper back, then give him a curious look. “Or did it already?”
He gives me an indignant look. “I knew you wouldn’t last here, girl. I just didn’t know it would only be a day.”
I glare at him and give Grace one last look before heading down the hall. She’s busily putting her hair ties away and singing softly to herself. If I am getting fired, would Adrian let me say goodbye?
I knock on the study door and open it to Adrian’s soft “Come in.”
I don’t get a chance to speak. “I take it you didn’t tell Julian you accepted a job here as Grace’s nanny?”
“I did not.” I say simply.
“And why was that?” His voice is emotionless, but I see a tense look in his eyes. He doesn’t like that I’m lying to his son.
I take a breath and decide to tell him the truth. “It’s no secret to you that Julian’s feelings toward you are a bit complicated. I know you love him, but he’s angry with you for some reason. So angry, he lied to me about you for as long as we’ve been together. I knew if I told him I was working here, it would infuriate him.”
Adrian’s face doesn’t change, and he doesn’t say anything, so I keep going. “He would try to force me to quit, and it would just make things worse between the two of you. I need this job. Without it, I don’t know what I’ll do next semester. It would derail all my plans. My entire future. Julian just wouldn’t understand.”
Adrian takes a deep breath. “Continuing this lie is going to be complicated. It will be worse if he finds out a different way. You should tell him the truth.”
“It won’t be for long. After the summer, I start back at school and I’ll be gone.” I hesitate. I see the hurt in Adrian’s eyes, and my heart breaks a little for him. I’m not sure why I say what I do next, but the words are out before I can second guess them. “I heard you arguing today. I don’t know what happened between you two, but I’ve seen you with Grace and I’ve heard you with him. You’re a good father. Julian is just angry. Give him time. Eventually, he’ll grow up a bit and things will get better.”
He just looks at me for a moment and I’m preparing myself for the instructions to pack my bags and go. Then he says, “You’re right. Julian and I’s relationship is basically non-existent at the moment. Thank you for understanding that. I won’t tell him you’re working here, so long as you keep that in mind and this lie doesn’t make things worse.”
“Thank you.” I say. “So, this means I’m not getting fired, right?”
“Not today.” He teases, ending the conversation. I give him a smile before I leave.
That night, I call Erica. After the usual gossip about what’s going on at the hotel, she asks, “So, how’s the new job? Who are you working for again?”
“Actually, I’m working for Adrian Whitmore.” I say, then cringe as she squeals in my ear.
“What?! This is wonderful! Amazing!” She gushes excitedly.
“Yeah, the money is pretty good, and the job is fun.” I say, trying to calm her down.
“Forget the money and the job! You’re working in close proximity to that incredibly sexy man! Tell me you’re flirting. You’re flirting, right?” She demands.
“No, I’m not flirting.” I roll my eyes. “This is job. I’m being professional.” I remember the incident at the pool, flush a bit, and decide Erica doesn’t need to know about that. That was an accident.
“Don’t be boring!” Erica chastises. “Make the most of this and take full advantage. Maybe you might even have some fun this summer.”
“By flirting with my boss?” I ask.
“By sleeping with your boss!” She corrects me and I groan. “Do it for science! We have to know if the rumors are true.”
“I’m going now.” I say and hang up on her protesting.
The next day I wake up, get Grace ready, and bring her down for breakfast. Adrian isn’t there. I go through the motions of the day, keeping to Grace’s schedule and engaging with her as much as I can. But I find myself constantly checking the door or looking around for that tall imposing figure, then feeling a little disappointed when he isn’t there.
“…gone for a few days.” Grace says.
“What’s that?” I ask her.
“Daddy told me last night he was going away for a little while.” Grace said from where she sat on her piano bench.
“I see. Well, I’m sure he’ll be back to see you soon.” I say, hoping I sound nonchalant. “Okay Chatterbox, back to your practice.”
Grace dutifully turns back around to play.
I don’t know what to think about the news she just gave me. Adrian didn’t say anything the day before and since I care for his ward, it would have been relevant for me to know.
It leads me to one conclusion after yesterday’s discussion. This time away wasn’t planned. He’s avoiding me.
