Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 76527 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76527 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
It was a little terrifying to sign so many legal documents, but it seemed like he just wanted to protect himself from someone taking advantage of him. Considering his position and his wealth, it was totally reasonable. “Do you have a pen?” I took the one she offered and signed everything.
Cleo seemed pleased that I didn’t make a fuss out of it. “And this is for you to keep.” She pushed a folder forward. “I have copies too if you ever lose it.”
I folded it and placed it in my purse.
“Now for the good stuff.” She pushed a folder toward me. “Here’s a checklist of the things an average client needs. There’s also a list of approved vendors that understand how these things go. So, don’t look online for a housecleaner or anything. For a client at this caliber, they need to be vetted. I know that’s why Derek doesn’t have a maid. He just doesn’t trust someone in his house when he’s not there.”
He was pretty paranoid.
“Since this is such an intimate role, you’re going to have to remember that your job is to service the client. When he’s difficult, be less difficult. When he’s angry, sheathe it. There are times when he’s going to piss you off and you feel inclined to defend yourself, but you need to win him over. Once you do, he’ll respect you—and things will be much smoother.”
That wasn’t me at all. I could barely keep my mouth shut sometimes.
“And I have no doubt you’ll win him over.” She gave my hand a gentle pat before she pulled away. “So, there’s a couple things I want to tell you about Derek. I understand he’s difficult and it might seem like he’s heartless at times, but he’s just been through a lot.” Her eyes filled with sadness, like she genuinely cared about her former client. “He has issues he’s never really resolved. He’s experienced some pretty traumatic things. He has his guard up all the time, and despite his ambition to help others, he doesn’t have a lot of faith in people in general.”
“What kind of things are we talking about?”
She shook her head slightly. “He can tell you that…if he’s ever comfortable enough to share. But he’s a good man underneath all that hardness, I promise you. So, whenever he’s difficult…just try to remember that.”
“You seem to really care about him.”
Her smile fell, and she studied me for a while, her eyes shifting back and forth slightly, as if a million thoughts were going through her mind. “I do…deeply.”
Eleven
Derek
Fleur hadn’t texted me again.
Thank fucking god.
I missed the sex and that kind of undeniable heat, but it was getting old having her head up my ass all the time. When I told a woman I just wanted sex and nothing more, they always thought they could catch me.
I didn’t change—for anyone.
Take me or leave me.
I was at the dining table working when my mom texted me. I’m coming by.
Alright. I got dressed in my room, and when I returned to the living room, she knocked. I opened the door.
She was cheery, like always. “Hey, honey.” She gave me a hug and kissed me on the cheek before she walked inside, holding a stack of folders. “I grabbed your mail while I was downstairs.”
“Mom, you don’t have to do that.” She’d taken care of me and raised me, and I didn’t want her to continue to do things for me as a grown man. She shouldn’t have to.
“It was no trouble.” She carried the mail to the dining table and took a seat. Then she set down her folder and pulled out a few papers.
I sat at the head of the table.
“Emerson had no problem signing everything. I have copies for my records, and here’s yours.”
“Thanks.” I put them into a pile and set them aside.
She watched me, like it drove her crazy that I’d just tossed them aside to be lost instead of being more organized. “Have you spoken to her?”
I shook my head. I’d never responded to her message that she’d sent a few days ago.
“She put in her two-week notice, so she’ll be available full time very soon.”
“Great…” I didn’t have high hopes for this experiment.
“Derek, keep an open mind. She’s only going to be as good as you help her to be.”
“I don’t want to spend my time training anybody—”
“You need to give her direction. With anyone, there’s going to be time invested up front, but that investment will pay off later. You’ve committed to a year, so you may as well work to make this as successful as possible.”
I didn’t commit to anything—she did.
“I’ve also decided not to tell her that I’m your mother.”
“Why?”
“I want her to feel comfortable coming to me with any issues she has. If she knows I’m your mother, she may censor herself and not ask for help in ways she normally would. My intention isn’t to deceive her. It’ll just change the relationship in a negative way.”