Leah
Jason's nanny canceled last minute.
Today. Of all days!
The fundraiser was today!
When I noticed the nanny hadn't arrived at our agreed time, I'd called her immediately. Straight to voicemail. I called the agency next, but they had nobody available on such short notice. I reached out to every single person I knew who could possibly babysit, but it was as if the entire city had made plans.
Why wouldn't they, when you called last minute? my brain taunted mercilessly.
I was about to try the nanny one more time when a text message from her popped up on my screen.
She was down with the flu.
I slumped onto the couch in my tiny living room and stared at Jason, who was sprawled on the floor playing with his army toys, making explosion sounds as he smashed action figures together.
Grandma was almost always around. But today, she'd left for her monthly hospital checkup and would be there for a couple of days.
In a few minutes, I would be running late, and being late to this event could very well cost me my fragile job.
"Ahh, Rachel!"
I grabbed my phone and called the one person who always seemed to have solutions for everything, my best friend and colleague who'd just returned from maternity leave.
"Bring him over," she said without hesitation. "They set up a room for kids here for staff and guests' children. There are caregivers and everything."
And just like that, I was sprinting to work with my son tucked under one arm and his backpack slung over my shoulder.
***
"Ladies and gentlemen! The Thorne annual fundraiser for the orphaned and homeless has officially begun!" the MC announced in his smooth and practiced voice as he stood center stage in an impeccable black tuxedo.
The orchestra swelled behind him with an opening piece that was both elegant and powerful.
The hall was magnificent. Vaulted ceilings soared overhead, adorned with massive crystal chandeliers. Deep burgundy drapes framed floor-to-ceiling windows. Round tables draped in white linen were scattered throughout the space, each centerpiece featuring white roses and golden wares. A stage dominated one end of the room, complete with the orchestra, a live band on standby, and a DJ booth tucked to the side.
The room was packed with dignitaries dressed in elegant gowns and tailored tuxedos, clustered in small groups, laughing richly and discussing things I could only imagine, business deals, charity work, their next vacation to some exotic location I'd never see.
It was beautiful.
Me? I stood near the entrance in my well-tailored white shirt and black skirt, directing guests who needed help finding their tables or the restrooms.
"I heard the CEO of Thorne Group is actually coming tonight," Rachel whispered, appearing suddenly at my elbow.
I smiled when I saw her. She was one with the latest tea.
"Mmhmm." I glanced around to make sure no one needed assistance. "Don't you find it strange, though? Someone with that much power and influence deciding to stay completely anonymous, even to his own staff?"
"I heard something terrible happened to him years ago," Rachel whispered, leaning closer. "Ever since, he's kept a low profile. Stayed out of the public eye."
"Okay, but why show up now?"
"No idea. But..." She moved even closer, dropping her voice lower. "There are rumors that maybe he's not the real heir. Some people think his older brother was supposed to inherit, but after their father died, this guy took over." She paused dramatically. "Some even say he had a hand in his father's death."
I gasped, my hand flying to cover my mouth.
"Shh!" Rachel hissed, glancing around nervously.
"Gossip much?"
We both whipped around to find June standing there, glaring at us with her arms crossed.
"Your bestie's back, so now you can fill her in on all the juicy details," June said with a sneer. She was wearing the usual fitted uniform, though hers looked like it had been deliberately altered to be even tighter, her chest practically spilling out.
Really, who approves her uniform modifications?
"Go away, June," I said, rolling my eyes.
"And let you talk about me behind my back?" She stepped closer, narrowing her eyes. "I know what you're up to. I saw you in the VIP lounge, cozying up to... you know who."
My eyes widened.
Before I could respond, a guest tapped me gently on the shoulder. Rachel slipped away to her post as I turned to help. Someone had broken some glasses and spilled red wine in the center of the hall.
I signaled to the cleaning team on standby, who hurried over and began gathering the shards and blotting the stain while I supervised.
Right there, my mind went back to June.
What did June really see? Were the doors open? Did she see me run out? What exactly is she going to accuse me of now?
Things had supposedly calmed down. I hadn't run into Mr. T in days. It was as if he'd completely vanished, taking his demons with him.
I'd thought my problems were finally over. Matthew had a disciplinary hearing scheduled for next week, and I was planning to testify that he'd been defending me. Apparently, things were looking up for him. Aside from the bellboy's statement, no guest had filed a complaint against Matthew.
Which brought me back to the question that had been haunting me: Why didn't Mr. T report either of us yet harassed me?
Static from the speakers jolted me from my thoughts.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the moment we've all been waiting for!" The MC's voice boomed through the hall. "Please welcome the CEO of Thorne Group... Damien Thorne!"
That's when I realized the cleaners and I were still standing right in the middle of the hall.
I quickly touched their arm, urging them to move, which they did. I was about to follow when the massive double doors at the entrance groaned open.
The orchestra launched into an epic, sweeping piece.
The entire room erupted in applause, everyone turning toward the entrance. I looked up and saw him, the man walking through those doors like he owned the entire world.
He wore a black perfectly tailored tuxedo with a crisp white shirt underneath. His bow tie sat neatly at his throat, effortlessly expensive. Everything about him spoke of wealth, power, and a man who had control.
When my eyes finally traveled to his face, I felt the life drain from my entire body.