CHAPTER FOUR - ETHAN

By the time I got home, I had already made up my mind on what I wanted to do.

Stepping into my living room, I find Margaret, my childhood nana, who currently served as my house manager waiting for me.

“Good evening, Mr Vaughn.” No matter how much I had told her to call me by my name, she always insisted on referring to me as Mr Vaughn.

“Good evening to you too, Margaret. Where is she?” She didn't need me to further explain who I was referring to.

“She left already, sir.” Good, at least I didn't have to go through the stress of firing her myself.

“Where are the kids and how's Liam's leg?”I ask, making my way towards my in-house office.

“They had dinner and are already in bed. Lily insisted on waiting for you to get back, but she eventually fell asleep and Liam is doing okay. Dr. Cole was here earlier on to take a look at him.”

“Thank you, Margaret and I'm sorry for the stress of today.”

“Nonsense, there's no need for you to apologize. Those children are like my grandkids, so of course I'll take care of them.” I turn to her and offer her a genuine smile.

“I'll look for another nanny as soon as possible, so you don't have to bother looking after them.”

“Take as much time as you need, sir. I'll retire to bed now. Also, Dr. Cole asked that you put a call across to him when you get back. Good night sir.”

“Good night, Margaret.”

Entering into the safety of my office, I finally release a sigh of relief. Today definitely did not go as I had planned. I shouldn't have gone to the court with the kids in the first place. It was a disaster. The nanny had managed to lose them in the space of minutes and now I was back to where I started, without a nanny.

I pour myself a glass of whiskey, and lean into the chair. Just when I was revelling in the peace and quiet, I hear the landline connected to my office ring.

“What?”

“Well, hello to you too, gentleman.” Cole says from the other side of the line.

“And here I was thinking it was someone important.”

“That’s a beautiful way to greet your best friend,” he says.

“Why did you call?”

“What number was she and how long did she last?”

“Number 8, and she lasted all of 12 days.”

“Well, she lasted longer than most. Heard she quit by herself, depriving you of that honor.”

I pause, waiting for what was coming and exactly 10 seconds later, Cole's laughter filled my ears.

“You think that's funny?”

“I'm sorry.”

He's still laughing.

“You're not sorry.”

“No, I'm not.”

I rub my forehead.

“It's not funny.”

“Ethan, you've fired eight nannies in six months.”

“They were incompetent.”

“All eight?”

“Yes.”

“Every single one?”

“Yes.”

“Interesting.”

“What?”

“I'm starting to think you might be the problem.”

I sit upright.

“I am not the problem.”

“I genuinely believe that you are.”

“How?”

“You fired eight women in six months. That's almost impressive.”

“I don't need your commentary.”

“You absolutely do.”

I hear him chuckle.

“You know what your problem is?”

“I have several. Be specific.”

“You expect your nanny to be a nanny, a housekeeper, a teacher, a therapist, a security guard, a miracle worker and apparently a mind reader.”

“I expect her to watch two children.”

“Two children who have your personality.”

“My children do not have my personality.”

“Lily absolutely has your attitude.”

“She does not.”

“She looked me dead in the eye last week and told me I was annoying.”

I almost smile.

“She wasn't wrong.”

“See?”

“What?”

“You just proved my point.”

I shake my head.

“You're an idiot.”

“But honestly though, what do you intend to do about the situation? Have Margaret watch them?”

“Hell no. She spent most of days taking care of the both of us, I don't want her stressing herself out with my kids.” I look at the files spread out across my table of various applicants for the now vacant position.

“Then what do you intend to do?”

“Actually, I think I may have figured that out. There was a girl today, she helped out with Lily and with finding Liam.”

“Okay, that sounds nice. Have you run a check on her?” He knew me well enough to know that I already have.

“Yes, I have. I'm expecting her for an interview tomorrow. Hopefully it goes as planned.”

“And hopefully, you don't fire her before she's hired.”

“I never do that.”

He hums before bidding me good night and then ending the call. Soon enough, I'm done with my work for the night and head for my room, but not before seeing the kids and kissing them goodnight