Chapter 6

Bradley’s POV

I was skimming through the quarterly logistics report when my alarm went off. 

8:00 p.m.

I had exactly thirty minutes to go read the kids a bedtime story, and kiss them good night.  

On other days, I'll be leaving the office at 7.30 p.m. in order to get home in time for the kids.

But today was different. I was working from home. Which isn't a regular occurrence, but I had to, as the final interview for the shortlisted candidates for the kids nanny was today, and this wasn't something I wanted to leave to anyone to handle.

Mrs. Roberts had done the difficult part, filtering out anyone she didn't feel was qualified. And I trust her judgement in matters like this, but I've got to admit her ability to be a good judge of character was becoming rusty.

I can't believe she screened out Miss Alexander.

Yes, she was human, and wasn't an overpriced degree holder with a fake accent, and an impressive portfolio. But she was a natural when it came to kids.

A knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts, and my Beta, Benjamin stepped in.

“Do you have a minute?” He asked.

“Yeah. What's this about?”

“Miss Alexander,” he said.

My brows furrowed slightly as she was just on my mind seconds ago.

“She's requesting a day off. Once a week. She says it's for an important personal engagement,” He explained. “Though she's also willing to take just a few hours–half a day, if that's easier.”

I leaned back in my chair.

 Was the request odd?

A little. Given her job description was for a live-in nanny position.

But I wasn't a stranger to people needing their space. I needed mine like oxygen.

“If you're not okay with it, I can tell her–”

“No,” I cut in. “She can have the day off,” I said, and Benjamin looked at me like I suddenly grew another head. 

“You sure?” He arched his brow.

I nodded. “Yeah.”

Benjamin didn't say anything else and just left.

I understand his concerns. Anyone would. But this involved my kids, and I trusted their instincts more than I trusted most adults.

Most people don't realize just how observant kids can be. Mine? They can smell fake from a mile away. 

I rounded up with the reports in my hand before heading to the kids room.

“Please Mercedes, just one story,” I overheard my son Carter say pleadingly, just as my hand rested on the door knob.

Mercedes chuckled nervously. “I don't think your dad would like that. He's probably on his way.”

I opened the door slightly, but not enough to draw their attention to me. I poked my head in, resting my weight on the door, and saw her helping the kids into their pyjamas. They just finished having their baths.

“Just one short story, please,” Penelope said next as she jumped on her bed, giving her that puppy dog eyes she usually used to get away with anything.

Mercedes sighed softly, and relented. “Fine. Just one.” 

The kids squealed triumphantly, as Mercedes grabbed a book from the shelf, and sat cross-legged on Penny's bed to read, giving each character a voice of their own, and making the kids laugh so hard, that I find myself feeling both happy and jealous.

They never laughed that hard with me whenever I read them stories.

‘That's because you make the stories sound like a eulogy,’ My wolf Axel snorted.

I rolled my eyes internally. ‘Thanks for the vote of confidence-’

The door suddenly opened and I staggered forward with no time to catch myself, and crashed right into Mercedes.

She gasped in shock as my full weigh crashed into her, sending her crashing down.

Instinct kicked in and I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her against me as I twisted at the last second, just in time to take the brunt of the fall myself 

Thud! My back hit the hardwood, knocking the wind out of me, but my brain barely registered the impact, as Mercedes lips pressed against mine.

She froze, her eyes widening for like two seconds, maybe less, before scrambling off to her feet, her cheeks flushed.

“Oh my God–! I'm–I didn't see–I swear I didn't mean–”

I pushed up to my elbows. “It's alright–”

“No, no, I wasn't even supposed to be in here right now” she cut it, her eyes darting to the kids who were sleeping, and her voice dropped to a whisper. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Ford. This is so unprofessional. I swear it won't happen again.

I sat up slowly. “It wasn't your fault, Miss Alexander,” I assured her, but that only made her more embarrassed.

She parted her lips to say something, and closed them

right back, before turning on her heels, and bolted down the hallway.