Chapter 2

I hated the thought of having to interview yet another nanny. I mean why the hell isn't there one person out there who doesn't just want to meet me. I have sat through at least a dozen different interviews, and each of the women would like to crawl into bed with me. I sure didn't think any of them were my taste especially when I have a submissive to keep me busy. Really are there no decent women in this city?

Ugh! The next interview is with a Blake Harper, 22. She is currently enrolled at the local University majoring in English. Good God, she is going to be the most boring person so far. Let's see what is on my schedule, nothing. I know I'll have Mrs. Gering do it. I walk into the kitchen and sit down next to Sydney at the island. She is currently eating her breakfast.

"How's my baby girl?" I question as I steal one of her grapes. She looks up from her cheerios.

"Daddy," she says as she smiles at me.

"Are you going to have a good day?" I ask as I tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

"I plan on it. I just hope Raven isn't on one of her trips," she whispers the last bit. Right Raven Dupree was a mean girl in her class. Her family was of old money, and they spoiled the little brat more than anything else. I thought that they would be friends, but nope, Raven drives her crazy.

"Mrs. Gering, I would like you to interview Blake Harper today. I would, but I am tired of the women drooling all over me," I say trying to sound very serious.

"Daddy, if you rub some mud on your face the women wouldn't look at you anymore," Sydney says as she crunches on her toast. I look to Mrs. Gering then to Alfred who both have huge smirks on their faces. Of course Sydney says the strangest things at times.

"I'll try to remember that the next time I have a problem," I say as I bend down to kiss her. There isn't a day that goes by that I would live without her. I know I work long hours, go out of town for business, but wouldn't trade anything about my life because I wouldn't have this little girl right now without it. Yes, my life sometimes hinders me from being the best dad, but it also helps me to cope with the need for control.

"Mr. Brandford, I would love to interview her for you. What time is it?" she says picking up Sydney's dishes.

"Alfred will be bringing her around 2:30; hopefully she'll last long enough to meet Sydney," I say sarcastically.

"Oh, Mr. Brandford, who knows she might just be the one we have been waiting for," she replies with a smile.

"Not going to hold my breath. You ready pumpkin?" I ask as I grab my briefcase and her bag.

"Yes," she says as she jumps down from the barstool.

"Come on, Weston," she calls out as she races by the security room. Weston peeks out the door just in time to see her fly by him. He is out the door following close behind her. I laugh at the fact that she keeps that man on his toes.

"I think she needs another person to keep her under control," Alfred says as he pushes the call button for the elevator. We just missed Sydney and Weston.

"I agree," I say as we get on the elevator. As it comes to a halt it lurches. I look to Alfred who is already on his phone talking fast and harshly toward someone. I look over to him and he just shrugs.

"Sydney, come on, and get in the car," Weston is saying to my daughter as she stands her ground. God, that child loves to drive that man crazy, but it does bring very funny remarks and endearing comments from him. I think though it's a game they have created without even knowing it.

"Sid," I say and she turns toward me smiling sweetly as she jumps into the car. Weston looks over at me, and then gets into the passenger side of the SUV. I give a little chuckle knowing Sid loves to drive him crazy. Alfred shuts the door as soon as I climb in. I strap Sid in her seat and then buckle myself in.

"Daddy, will I be going to grandma and grandpa's afterschool," she asks as she turns toward me.

"No sweetheart, there is one more nanny coming today. I was hoping for you to meet her. So Weston will be picking you up and bringing you back home," I say as I reach for my phone.

"Brandford," I snap.

"Eric, I just got off the phone with HR. Claudia Martinez is going ahead with the law suit," my VP informs me. I hate it when people think suing me is going to get them a quick buck.

"Jack, do me a favor end send the details to Robin and I'll talk with HR as soon as I’ve looked at the file," I say ending the call.

"Weston get me some intel on Miss Martinez, I think she was Sydney's nanny a few months ago," I say

"Sir, she was the one that was let go for sneaking her boyfriend into the condo," he says. That was what I thought, but wasn't sure. Sydney's nannies don't tend to last very long because they don't get along with her or just nag the hell out of me.

"Right, send me the tapes," I say just as we pull into Sydney's school.

"Bye daddy," she says as Alfred opens her door, and she kisses me bye. I watch her as she walks around the car.

"Sir," Alfred says as he renters the car.

"Manhattan," I say as I look over the information that was sent over to me about Blake Harper. She seems like a well-rounded lass; especially considering her childhood. I mean she lost her father when she was eleven, mom remarried several times till she finally decided to live with her step-father Ray Harper. She has a small bout of debt, and very little cash. She lives with a roommate; Sam Douglas. That name sounds so familiar. I am deep in thought as Alfred pulls the SUV into my parking spot at Brandford & Associates.

I get out and make my way to the elevator. Several people get on and off during the course of the 21 floors. I hate that I wanted to be normal when there really isn't anything normal about me. I should have had a private elevator installed so that I wouldn't have to watch the women drool over me as we share the elevator. Luckily for me the no one gets on after the 18th floor and I have the space all to myself. I jump at the sound of the doors opening as I see Robin standing close to her desk holding out the offending file.

"How are we looking?" I ask as I slip into my office and she follows closely.

"Good. Weston said he would have CCTV footage sent to your email. He also said that he went back to Sydney's school, that he had a strange feeling," she said as she placed a cup of coffee on my desk. A strange feeling always meant something to Weston. I know from experience that he is totally right for my daughter because the feeling is probably her getting into trouble.

"Thanks, let Carey know I am in if he needs anything, but if not don't interrupt me," I say opening up my desktop. I see that Weston indeed sent several videos to me. I spend the next four hours watching them, and making notes of all the different this Miss Martinez did or didn't do. I am about to view another clip when my phone rings.

"Brandford," I snap not even looking at the caller ID.

"Sir," Alfred says trying to gage my reaction.

"What Alfred," I question.

"Mrs. Gering called. Grace Redstone is at the condo and she refuses to leave without having an audience with you," he says. Then again this could be the feeling as well. God, I hate it when she invades my space, but she helped me out of a hard time in my life.

"Alright, I'll be done in five minutes," I say hanging up. Damn it can't I catch a little slack once in a while. The drive from the office to the condo wasn't long enough because before I knew it Alfred was pulling into the garage. Great! The ride up the elevator went a little better than it had earlier this morning, but still wasn't as smooth as it should have been.

I could smell her perfume before I even saw her. I hated it when she came over, and began to make me feel so out of control. She thought she owned me even when I told her otherwise. Ugh! What did I have to do to get her to understand I wasn't hers?

"Eric, darling," she purrs as she sees me enter the living room.

"What do you want?" I snap. I know she is just lonely, but God can't the woman take a hint that I didn't want her. Sure, there was a time I thought I was in love with her, but I outgrew that ludicrous notion a long time ago.

"Oh, not in a good mood. Well maybe I can help with that," she says as she walks toward me.

"No, I don't need your help. I will only ask once again, what do you want Grace," I snap again. I notice that both Sal and Alfred have disappeared, those deserters.

"Well I was wondering how the search for a new nanny was going. I mean you seem to let each one I have tried to help you with go," she says as she shuffles closer.

"Yeah, I have only because they have tried to get into my pants instead of doing their job. I mean they were hired to watch my daughter not me. Look, Grace, I have no time for you other than business. So tell me does this have anything to do with the Brandford because if it doesn't I’m afraid that’s all the time I have at the moment," I say as I walk toward the wine bottle on the counter.

"What has happened to us?" she snaps as she perches herself on the counter. Mental note; have Sal clean it before we eat on it again, I really don't need this right now.

"There is no us, Grace, and there hasn't been for six years. You helped me during a time in my life when I needed it, but all that is over now. I have a life and it doesn't involve you," I say as I walk out of the kitchen and into my study. I flip on the computer and watch her gather her belongings and leave. I hated it. I just wasn't into her the way she was in me. Ugh!

I watched a little while later as Alfred left. He would be going to get Miss Harper from her place. Sal must have sensed I wanted something because there was a soft rap on the door.

"Come in," I say. She enters the room carrying a small serving platter with fresh fruit and a sub along with another glass of wine. Oh God how she knew me. I got lucky when I hired the old bat. God bless her soul.

"Sir," she says as she places the platter on my desk.

"Mrs. Gering, would you be a darling and send Alfred and Weston in as soon as they get back," I say picking up the sub.

"Yes, sir," she says as she moves toward the door.

"Oh, I almost forgot, Mrs. Gering, please ask questions of Miss. Harper. I think the test will lie within Sydney," I say as she exits the office. Then I have nothing more to do but wait for everyone to come back. I am writing up a report to send to HR about Miss. Martinez when I see Alfred followed by Miss Harper. Shit, she was a brown haired girl. Damn it, I felt myself getting hard. Her eyes seemed to be frozen as I watched her on the screen.