4. Gaining Nova

Theodore 

“What do you mean the investors are backing out?” I demand with my voice low and even.

My grip on the phone tightens as I listen to the anxious voice on the other end of the line. “Unfortunately sir, the latest projections indicate--” 

My patience is wearing thin so I cut off the associate, speaking through my teeth. “I don't pay you to tell me what's going wrong. I pay you to fix problems.”

I pace behind the desk, watching the city below as my mind races with thoughts of solutions and damage control. 

“I want a revised proposal on my desk by tomorrow morning. And Harrison?” 

“Yes sir.”

“Make it work.”

I end the call and collapse into my desk with my jaws clenched. The timing couldn't be worse. I might have to fly out once again to handle it all myself. 

Just as I am about to call my team and assemble an emergency meeting, the voice of my personal assistant comes through the intercom. 

“Mr Thompson, your guest has arrived.”

My expression softens a little as a fleeting distraction from chaos arrives. 

“Send her in,” I say as I compose myself.

Seconds later, the door opens and the security guards walk in with an uncooperative Nova Patel. 

I watch her every movement closely. 

As they enter, she struggles in the guard's grip trying to free herself, but when she notices me, she goes limp as shock flashes in her eyes. A wicked smile plays on my lips when her expression changes to distrust.

“Leave,” I say to the guards without breaking eye contact and we both wait quietly until we hear the sound of the door click close.

For a moment, she stares at me defiantly in the silence the guards left behind.

“Why am I here?” she finally says.

“Can't an employer request the presence of his latest employee?” I ask casually.

She sighs lightly. “About that. Thank you for the opportunity, but I have to apologize to you Mr Thompson…”

I raise an eyebrow at the way she addresses me but she continues, telling me her reasons for resigning.

As she speaks, my gaze drifts over her from head to toe, taking in all the things that have changed since I last saw her. 

She's dressed casually, in a fitted tee that hugs her body and a pair of joggers that does nothing to hide her soft curves. Her dark hair falls loosely around her soft face and I can't help but think about my hand running through it.

She has grown. Gone is the awkward young adult I once knew. Now, as her body screams out, now she is a woman. 

As she finishes speaking, I am distracted by the sudden downward rush of blood.

“...and so once again thank you for this opportunity. I will have my things out of your house by the end of the week,” she concludes politely, almost impersonally.

“You’re not wearing your glasses,” I remark. “You switched to contact lenses.”

She raises an eyebrow as confusion flickers on her face. “Pardon me?”

“I like the glasses. They made you look…vulnerable. Innocent.” My voice drops to a low murmur. “Like a lamb waiting to be devoured.”

I pay attention as the shock dances on her face, followed by a deep blush. Just like before, her face turns red at the smallest innuendo.

“I see no reason why we should talk about that,” she says flustered as she tries to compose herself. But I'm not ready to let the moment pass.

“Do you still have that birthmark? The one near your-”

Before I can finish, she cuts me off with embarrassment and annoyance flashing in her eyes. 

“Excuse me! Can you please maintain a professional image?” she says with a firm voice, but her cheeks are still burning with colour.

“Professional?” I say as my tone becomes grave. “Are you being professional? You're here in my office, dressed casually, when you're supposed to start your duties as nanny today.”

“I'm here to resign-”

I pull out a contract from my desk drawer and hold it up, my eyes locked on hers. 

“Do you remember signing this?” I ask as I slide it across the desk to her. 

She picks it up and nods her head as she scans the document. “Yes, I did. The day I accepted the job offer.”

“You might want to take a closer look at section 5, subsection 2.” 

A small smile graces my lips as she reads to herself and her eyes widen in disbelief. Years ago I was forced to let her go. Last night, I was too shocked at seeing Nova Patel standing in my house to stop her from leaving. But now, she won't be going anywhere. 

“I’m required to work a minimum of one year?” she asks in disbelief. 

I nod firmly. “I won't have my children go through a frequent change of nannies. Stability is crucial for their development,” I say as I lean back into my chair, my eyes never leaving hers.

“I could have sworn I went through this contract twice before signing,” she says as she flips page after page. “Is there no way to negotiate this clause? I haven't even started working yet.” 

I shrug absentmindedly. “If you want to leave so badly you can pay the penalty clause. It's there on the last page.” 

I watch as she frantically turns pages and her eyes widen at the number of zeroes.

There's a moment of silence as she comes to terms with the arrangement. Or so I thought until she speaks..

“Mr Thompson…please. Let me resign,” she pleads.

I feel a pang of surprise, followed by a hint of hurt at the desperation in her voice. Why is she so desperate to get away from me?

“Mr Thompson…” I say frowning as I stand up from my chair. “I can't say I like the sound of that, Nova.”

I notice a flicker of fear in her eyes and my frown deepens. I am surprised to realize how hurt I am that she would think of me as a threat. 

“Do I scare you?” I ask quietly as I move closer to her. She takes a step back, her eyes darting around the room and I can sense her unease. 

“Don't come any closer or I'll…I’ll report you to HR,” she warns and her voice trembles slightly. 

I stop in my tracks, surprised by her threat and a low, rumbling laughter builds in my chest. 

“You'll report me to HR?” I repeat as I get closer to her. Soon, she backs herself into a corner, leaving no room for her to escape from. 

My eyes are locked on hers as I slowly approach and the air in the room thickens with tension. When I close the distance, all that is left is a hair's breadth to make physical contact. I can feel the weight of the space left between us and as her lips slightly part, I know she can feel it too. 

Watching her like this, her chest falling in rapid breathes, my body responds. 

“You're breathing faster, Nova,” I say slowly, not wanting to break the spell we have on each other. “Are you scared…or aroused?”