Chapter 4

Rex’s POV

Getting off his black G-wagon, Rex slammed the door of his car like it was part of his problems. It had been a week –seven damn days! and that nosy journalist hadn't returned.

Honestly, what annoyed him most was how he was proven wrong. He had predicted she'd return immediately, at least for the juicy offer.

And she had the audacity not to.

Walking into the lobby with a face that screamed ‘stay away’, he could see Camilla rushing towards him, with her tablet in her hands.

“Mr Hale, an email just came in from Worth Estates. They’re requesting a meeting. Should I arrange it?”. She said as she got close.

Worth Estates. Those bunch of good-for-nothings. He wasn't interested in any meeting, and even if he was, definitely not with them.

“Delete it”. He growled.

He knew what they wanted. Five years back in New York and his company, R-Tech, had become New York’s most powerful private tech company, overshadowing Worth Estates.

Over a decade old clients Worth Estates worked with changed the route the moment R-Tech offered tighter security and faster communication.

Obviously their meeting request only meant one thing.

A partnership. The nerve of them to still think they could stand a chance.

“Anything else I need to know?”. He hoped to get information concerning the journalist as they headed for the elevator.

Camilla shook her head steadily. “None for now”.

He exhaled sharply then clenched his jaw with his hand turning into a fist. This was beginning to frustrate him.

He wasn't used to being left on hold, or even being turned down. And this was exactly what that journalist had done.

A staff member who had just walked out of the elevator greeted him with a smiley face, but was met with his angry looks.

He pressed the close buttons hard on the elevator, making Camilla suspect something was wrong.

Without saying a word, he checked his watch from time to time as the elevator went up.

Bzzz.

The ring from Camilla's phone startled him. She checked the caller and answered quietly.

Few seconds later, she was done with the call and turned to him. “Sir…It's the receptionist. She's back”.

Finally!.

She showed up.

The elevator dinged and the door slid open. Slowly, his lips formed a smirk.

With one hand slid in his pocket, he stepped out –Camilla trailed behind him.

“I need you to cancel everything scheduled for today”. He said.

“Everything?. Does it include the meeting with the board members and the –”.

“Do as I say”. He didn't have the time to drag words.

Camilla nodded frantically, tapping quickly on her tablet as they approached Rex's office.

“Send her up”. He added, totally ignoring Camilla's surprised looks. “Now”.

She nodded again, taking out her phone and calling the receptionist.

Rex left her behind, then pushed open the door to his office. Walking straight to the coffee maker, he was ready for this journalist who made him wait.

****

“I told you before –you're easy. I knew you'd be back”. He said, acting like he hadn’t spent the last seven days getting bothered.

Emily scoffed, as if she could see right through him. “I returned for two reasons:My job and your son. He needs a nanny, I need my promotion”.

A smart mouth, huh?.

Leaning back with crossed arms, he stared at her. “What changed?. Last week you strongly refused my offer –this week, you're strongly accepting it”.

“Well, unlike you, I have a soft heart”. She said with sarcasm, as she folded her arms.

She had guts.

“Unlike me”. He muttered slowly, letting out a dry chuckle. “So this is about what? Pity?”.

“Compassion”. She snapped. “Your son's needs are caught up in a game you decided to play, just because you've refused to let your ego down and talk like a human”.

That hit hard.

Who does she think she is?.

“You say I'm playing games?”. Leaning forward.

“What do you call showing up out of nowhere and asking questions about my son just to get my attention?”. He barked.

Her eyes were fixated on him without looking away. He despised why she couldn't be like the others.

They trembled at his voice, some even got too scared to speak. But here she was, looking at him straight in the eyes.

He broke eye contact, letting out a deep breath.

“You resume tomorrow”. He said, pulling out a file and a pen from his drawer –placing it in front of Emily.

“Sign it”.

Emily took her time to go through the contract then stopped, looking up at him. “Your house?”.

He didn't respond, just kept glaring at her as he leaned back, swiveling on his chair.

“I'm supposed to live with you for a whole year?”. She said, not hiding the disgust in her voice.

“And you think I like it?”. He sneered. “If letting a stranger in my space means my son receives twenty four hours premium care, then so be it. I've got to cope”.

“Now sign the damn documents”. He was already tired of her face.

She signed it and he immediately snatched it back from her the moment she dropped her pen.

“You may leave”. He didn't bother looking up, just went on arranging the file back into his drawer.

Emily stood up quietly, heading for the door but was stopped by his voice.

“Have you ever worked inside someone else's home before?”. He asked.

She turned to him, slowly walking towards his table. “I've been around children”.

He shook his head slightly. “That doesn't answer my question. Do you understand what comes with working in my home?”.

Emily stood directly in front of him now, trying to process what he meant. “You tell me. Isn't your home entirely welcoming?”.

He leaned forward. “See, the thing is –my house reveals people's true intentions. No nanny ever lasts, because gradually, they forget their disguise and reveal who they truly are”.

She folded her arms, giving Rex the impression that she wasn't scared. “My intentions are clear, so I don't feel intimidated by what you just said”.

“Good”, he said standing, walking towards her. “Welcome to my home”.

With a voice almost like a whisper, he said, “Let's see how long you'd last”.