He's Hot And Cold.

Esther's POV.

“This is why you shouldn't be here. You're clumsy and weak,” James hissed, tilting me back to balance while at it.

My head throbbed faintly as the blood in my face flowed down to my body. My brows furrowed, my jaws clenching.

What the hell did he mean by that?

I squared my shoulders, staring him down even though my insides bubbled with anxiety.

“Sir, that was a mistake.”

“How convenient. If you make small mistakes like this, how will you take care of my niece?” He queried, narrowing his eyes at me.

Was he really being serious right now? I mean, I'd suspected he'd been wanting me out of the mansion. That was the only logical reason for him monitoring me whenever I was with Lily, but I never thought he'd be this open about it.

“I'm–I’m perfectly capable of taking care of Lily, Sir James. If I wasn't, Madam Patricia wouldn't have hired me,” I stated, making sure my tone sounded as firm as I imagined.

He shook his head in disapproval like those words didn't do enough to convince him.

“You should be more careful though. I derive no pleasure in saving clumsy workers,” he emphasized, slipping his hands into his pants as he headed towards his chair.

I bit the inside of my cheeks, trying to control the words bubbling at the end of my throat. I wanted to tell him I didn't need his help, but who was I kidding? My back would be aching by now if he didn't catch me in time.

But still, why did he have to be so arrogant about helping me? Gosh, this man!

“Thank you,” I breathed, not waiting for an answer as I attempted to walk.

Pain shot through my ankle like I was stabbed there, I limped immediately.

“Shit,” I cried, still trying to limp my way out of his home office but my efforts were futile.

The more I tried, the more the pain worsened.

I finally reached the door frame and as I held it for support, Lily ran into the room.

“Esther, are you done?”

A sharp gasp tore through her throat as her eyes moved from my face to my injured foot.

“Esther, what happened to you? Is your leg broken?” She questioned, worry etched in her soft tone.

I forced a smile, “no no, it's fine. It just hurts.”

Lily's lips curled downwards as she stared at my foot, “It looks reddish Esther, that must be painful,” she lifted her head, her eyes sparkling with disappointment, “does that mean we won't go to the grocery store anymore?”

I quickly shook my head, “of course not. We'd still go, I just–I’m gonna need a minute to get my ankle back in shape okay?”

Her eyes lit up as she nodded, staring at my leg like I would magically make it stop hurting. I tried to stand and at first, it was going great.

Relief washed through me until I tried to take a step.

“Ah–” I cried, lifting the leg back up.

My ankle was now throbbing like it was a second heart.

Fuck.

This was getting serious, and that meant I wouldn't be able to go to the grocery store with Lily.

I stared at her, watching the way her face sparkled with hope. I couldn't let her down. In that moment and for some strange reason, James came to mind.

I glanced over my shoulders, finding his gaze already on me. He stared at me like he'd been expecting me to turn to him.

I swallowed hard, “please, can you take her to the grocery store? She just needs ingredients for gingerbread cookies. I have the list,” I slipped a hand into my pants pocket, lifting it up, “here.”

James rose from his chair, his expression as icy as the first time he saw me in his room with decorations.

Dread licked up my spine.

Had I perhaps pissed him off by sending him on an errand? What was I even thinking?

Before I could finish processing the thought, he reached me but his gaze was fixated on Lily, crouching in front of her.

He cupped the side of her face, gliding his thumb back and forth on her cheek. A genuine smile spread across his lips and even now I wondered why he didn't just smile more often.

“Baby, can't it wait? I'm really busy right now and–”

Lily shook her head, cutting off the rest of his sentence.

She crossed her arms, a small frown splitting her features, “I want to learn how to make gingerbread cookies so I can surprise grandma on Christmas day. I want to learn it today,” she insisted.

James brows furrowed but he let out a defeating sigh, finding it hard to refuse her, “okay, I'll go get them with you. Now stop frowning.”

Lily's face brightened instantly, “thank you uncle. You're the best!”

He smiled as he pressed his lips on her cheeks and damn, he looked nothing like the grumpy man right now.

He looked like a sweet uncle whose weakness was his niece.

My insides squirmed with things I had no business feeling for my boss’s son but did my body care?

Hell, what was even wrong with me? Why was everything about him making me feel stupid butterflies?

James held Lily's hand, stepping out of the room. They'd only walked a few steps ahead when James suddenly stopped, glancing over his shoulders.

“Someone would get you an ointment for that. But make sure you're out of my office before I'm back,” he instructed, continuing his walk.

I didn't know what to think of that.

How did he manage to make caring about someone so formal? Jeez.

One minute he was nice, and the next he was cold.

Such a strange man.

The thought of his actions made me wonder if there was more to the CEO that I wasn't aware of.

And I really wanted to find out.