TheBi

ll
ionar
eIf
elli
nlovewi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtOwner
'sRi
sk‼

Genr
e:Bi
ll
ionar
e,Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

BLURB.

AstoryofayoungladynamedI r
ishLevinewhohas
beenthr
oughenoughpr obl
emsinherlif
et ol
asther
i
nal i
feti
me.Shewasdesper at
elyinneedofjob
aft
ershelostherModelJob.

Sheappl
iedf
oraj
obandwasof
fer
edanannyJob
totheBil
li
onare'
sdaughter.Et
hanHar l
owWasi n
needforanannyf orhi
s6year solddaughterAri
n.
Arin'
sMotherwhoashi sexwi f
ehaddumpedhi m
foranot
herman.For t
unatelyI
ri
shhappenedt obe
therewhenhisdaughterwentintodepressi
onafter
beingbul
li
edinschool,Iri
shwasabl etocalm her
downwhennoonecan.

Thenannyandhi sdaughtergrowaver yst

rong
bond.Whathappenedwhent heystar
thavi
ng
uncontrol
labl
efeeli
ngsforeachother
?Wi l
lherex
wifeal
lowt hem t
obe?Wi l
ltheybeabletolookpast
thei
rfl
awsandpast s?
.
TheBi
ll
ionar
eIf
elli
nlovewi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtOwner
'sRi
sk‼
Genr
e:Bi
ll
ionar
e,Mai
d,Romance-
Supense.

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
One

Iri
shwokeupat7:36real i
zingshewaslateforher
newwor k,
WhatwasIthinking?"Shequesti
oned
herselfasshehur
ri
edof fthebedandf i
ndherway
i
nt othebathr
oom.Shetookhert imeinbrushi
ngher
teethandtaki
ngherbath.

Shewasl atefortheinter
viewbutshedoesn't
seem t
ocar e,Thisshouldbet he10thi
nter
view
she'
stryi
ngt hi
sweek, Howeveralloft
heinter
view
hadnonesuccessf ul.Shefeltwhyhurr
ywhenshe
wasgoingt okeepf ai
li
ng?

Sheact
ual
lydoesn'
twantt
ocal
lher
sel
faf
ail
ure
butshewast ir
ed.Shef i
ndherwayout sidethe
bathr
oom anddr iedherhairthenappl i
edherbody
l
oti
onbef oreputti
ngonhersi mpl ebrownskirtand
aplainwhiteshirt
.Shestaredather sel
fand
bel
ievedsheact uall
ydoesn'tneedamakeup.She
wasgoodt hewayshei sandi fonecan'tappreci
ate
herwithoutamakeupt hent heper sonisbor
et ogo
tohe*l.

I
ri
shwal kedoutoftheroom wit
hherhandbag
swingedonherleftshoul
der.Shecar
eful
lyl
ooked
herdoorandexitt
hehouse.

Twohourslater,
Iri
shwasseenwal kingi
ntoher
r
oom t
iredl
ycur si
ngotherherbr
eath.Itwasanother
f
ail
edinter
view.Nowshecancal lhersel
fafai
lur
e.

MeetI
ri
sh,
25year
sol
dyoungl
adywi
thambi
ti
on,
She'
sf r
om SingaporeandbasedinCali
for
nia.
Recentl
yshel osther3yearsol
djobbecauseshe
wasn'tr
eadyt oflowwithherol
dboss'
srule.Now
shecouldn'
tfindanyjobdespit
egoingtoeveryday
sear
ch.Shefel therexbosswashaunti
ngher.

Shelaidont hebedandr emovedherheel

st hen
star
edatnot hingi
nparti
cular
,Shesighed
occasional
lyasshereacheditforherphone.She
wasn'tsureifsheshoul
dcal l
hermotherbutshe
neededsomeonet ot
alkto,Hermotherwasherbest
fr
iend.

Shetookagl assofwatertocalm downherner ves

thendialonhermot her
'snumber .Allal
ongshewas
fi
ghti
nghertear sandimmediatelyhermot herhad
answeredshebr okedownt orealtears.Hermother
didn'
tstopher,sheall
owedhert oshedhersor rows
away.

"
Am Iaf
ail
uremot
her
?"Sheasked,
tryi
ngnott
o
cr
ymor
e.

"You'r
eIri
sh,Oneoft hemoststr
ongestand
i
ndependentl adyI
'veseen.I
'
dnotsuggestyou
call
ingyourselfaf
ail
urebecauseyou'
renot"

Ofcour
seshebeli
evedthat
'swhati
tshouldbe.No
onewil
ltal
ktoherfai
rl
yandsayshe'safail
ure.

"
Ohmot
her
!,It
hinkSi
rMor
gani
shaunt
ingme"
.

"I
fhe'shaunt
ingyouthenbestr
ongandl ethim
knowyou'ret
oostrongtobehaunted,Morgan
wantedanadvantageofyou.
.youturneditdown
becausethat
'
snotwhatyouwant ed..
..
."

"
Anyonewon'
thaveaccept
ed"shecuthershor
t.
"
Letmef
ini
shI
ri
sh"

Sil
encefoll
owedforthel
astf
ivesecondsandt
hen
hermothercont
inued.

'
ifyou'r
etoost
rongt
ot ur
ndownhisoff
ert
hen
you'vetobemorest
rongmydaughter
"

"WhatshouldIdomot her?If
eltl
ikeI'
m notper
fect
i
nallthi
s,I
naweekI 'veover10int
erviewthatwas
al
lunsuccessf
ul,If
eltl
ikeI'
m afai
lureli
kehehas
sai
d,Ibadl
ywant edtogiveup"

"
OhI
ri
sh!You'
renott
his"

"
I'
m sorr
ymother"
,shebr
okedownonceagai
n
unt
ilhermot
herspoke.
"
Comebackt
oSi
ngapor
e,I
ri
sh?
"

"Ican'
tmother
,Youknowfat
herf
orbi
dto,
he
beli
evedIst
olet
hejewel
ry"
.

"Iknowyoudi
dn't
,it
'
sbeenf i
veyears.
.af at
hercan'
t
stayangr
yandhisonlydaughtert
hatlong,Come
backhomeIri
sh.IandArushayourbrothermiss
youAlot"
.

"Icoul
dhavemot her
,Imissyoualltoomot herbut
Ican'
tcomebackhomel ikethismother.Ineedti
me,
i
t'
sbeenf i
veyear
sbutitsti
llseem l
ikeyester
dayto
me".

"
You'
repuni
shi
ngyoursel
fIr
ish"
.

"
Oh,
Mot
herI
'
m sor
ry"
Ther
ewassilenceexpectf
orI
ri
shsobsandher
mother
'ssi
gh.

"I
'
llt
alkl
aterMother
"sheendedthecall
edbef
ore
shecouldrepl
yandbrokecomplet
elydowntotear
s.

Whyisl
if
eunfai
rwithher?Thej
obhadbeenher
onl
ysour
ceofincome,shehadnoonet
or unt
o.

Shecouldclear
lyrememberwhatl
andedheri
n
Cali
for
nia,Shecouldhavebeeni
nSingapor
ewit
h
hercompletefamil
y,Happi
ly.

Shedoesn' twantt obelieveitwasasetupf orher

fathertohateher .Earl
yl astfi
veyear
s,herfather
hadl osthi
sjobaf t
erhewasconf i
rmedtohave
stolenami l
li
onwor thj
ewelf rom t
hecompany.The
j
ewel rywasf oundi nIr
ish'sBagandhowi tgotther
e
remai nedsomet hingIr
ishdi dn'
tknow.Herfather
hadbannedherf r
om bei ngherdaughter
.
 Theonl ywayshecouldsuppresst
hedepressi
on
andf eel
ingi
fbei
ngabandonedwast ol
ive
Singaporecomplet
ely,
She's25andshoul
df i
ndlif
e
herself.

Shepromisedher
selft
ocomebackhomeandproof
theherf
athert
hatshe'
snofai
lur
enorat
hief
.Oh
howmuchshemi sshome!

Remember i
ngthis,
Iri
shbrokedowntot ears.Her
fat
herdidn'
ttr
usther,i
fhedoeshewon' thave
bel
ieveshedidit
.Remember ingherpr
omi seto
comebackhomeasaf ai
lur
emadeherst ronger.

She'sgoingtotryagai
ntomorrow,Hermotherwas
ri
ght..she'
sstrongert
hanthi
s,Wit
htheconclusi
on
I
rishledont hebedandall
owherbodytodot he
work.
_
___
_

"I
sshecomi ngback?"Arushaaskedhermot
her
aft
ersheendedthecal lwit
hIr
ish.Themot
her
checkedherheadsideways.

"
Shehasn'
tgot
tenoveri
t"Mot
herr
epl
iedsadl
y.

"
It
'sbeenf
iveyear
s".

"
Itisn'
taseasyasyout hi
nkArushaespeci
all
yas
youknowI rishyoursi
steri
soveremoti
onal,
Istil
l
don'tunderstandwhyyourdadcouldhavebeli
eved
thecompany"

"
Don'
tyout
hinkt
hisi
sasetup?
"

"
Setup?Whowi
llt
ryt
osetI
ri
shup?Youknow
she'
snotthattypeofbadgir
l,Yourdadhavet
olet
thepastgoby.Ineedtotal
ktohim, i
shehome?"

"
Inhi
sroom"Ar
ushar
epl
iedandsi
ghedf
all
ingon
t
henewbycoach.

"Getsomet hingtoeat,Don'tover
thi
nk,IknowI '
ve
beent al
kingt ohim overthepastyearsbuthefelt
stubborn,thatisn'
tenoughr easontogiveup"I
rish'
s
Mot hertel
lhersonAr usha.

"
Ihopei
twor
ks"
.

"
Hmm"Themot
hersi
ghedandexi
stt
her
oom

Sheknewt hi
sisn'
tgoingtoworkbuthehastokeep
tr
ying.Sheknewherhusbandtobeaverystubborn
man.Butit'
sbeenfiveyear
s,hehaspuni
shedpoor
I
rishenough.
"
Areyouf
ree?
"Shesai
dassheknocksont
hedoor
.

Thefat
her,whowasreadi
ngamagazi
nedr
oppedi
t
onthedeskandtur
ned.

"
Iam.Why?
"Hesai
dst
ari
ngathi
swi
fe.

"Weneedtot
alk,
AboutIr
ish"Shewentst
artt
othe
poi
ntasshesatdown.

"
IthoughtIsai
dthi
snameshoul
dn'
tbement
ioned
i
nmyhome? "

"
OhFred!Ir
ishi
syourdaughter
,yourfi
rstandonl
y
daught
er.I
t'
sbeenf
iveyears,
Isn'
tthatenough?
"

"
Ineedsomer
est
"
 "
Somer unni
ngawayf r
om thetr
uthFr ed!I
t'
sbeen
fi
veyearsandyou'rebei
ngheart
lessnow.Lett he
pastbebygone!Youcan'teventrustyourdaughter
tobel
ieveher.Ihat
eyouforthi
s"Mot hercri
edas
shewalkedoutoftheroom.

"She'
spayingforhersi
n!Lethercomeoutt
rueand
I
'l
lfor
giveher
"Fatheryel
ledoverandf
acehi
s
magazineagai
n.

Sincer
elyhemi ssedherdaughter
,nomat t
erhow
hardhe'stryingtoplayHemi ssedhim dearly.Hi
m
andherdaught erhadcreat
edaver yst
rongbond
andhedi dn'tbeli
eveitt
oothatitwasIrish.

Itwasasetupheknew.Meanr easonhewanted
heroutofSingapor
e,forgoodandt heonlywayhe
couldwasmaki ngt
hem believedthathebel
ieved
Ir
ishtobetheculpr
it
.
OhI
ri
sh!HowmuchImi
ssyou"hel
ami
nat
ed

_
___
___
_

Itwasabout12noonthatIr
ishwokeup, feeli
ng
weakandhungry.Shesatupandrelaxedf orabout
twominut
es.Shecouldfeelsi
cknessinherbody, "
I
needsomepil
ls"shemutter
edtoherself
.

Noonewon' tfallsi
ckaft
erover t
hinki
ngandcryi
ng
tosleep.Whendonet aki
ngt hepil
ls,Shesatupand
existtheroom.Shewashungr yandneeded
somet hingtoeatbutwasl azytof i
xfoodforher
sel
f
soshemadei tdownt hetownt ooneoft hepopul
ar
restaurantnearbyandwaswel comedbyt he
Wai tr
ess.

"
Ir
ishyoudeci
dedtodropby,
Youl
ookl
ikeamess!
Haveyoubeencryi
ng?
"
"
NoIhaven'
t"

"You'
vegotEyebag.Si
tandt
alkt
ome,
I'
mready
t
ogiveyoualist
eni
ngear"

"
Mystomachhur
ts.Ineedsomet
hingt
oeatf
ir
st"
I
ri
shsai
dasshestartdown.

Shewasn'tactuallycl
oset otheWaitr
essi
nthe
rest
aurantbutthey'dgreetassheli
vednearbyand
alsoacustomer .Shewasgr atef
ulther
ewas
someonewho' sr eadyt
ol i
stentoherevenwit
hout
herasking.

Ir
ishwasanant
isoci
alt
ype,whi
chmakesi
thar
dfor
hertomakef
ri
endseasil
y.

Thewai
tr
essname"
Sar
ah"who'
sanAmer
ican
camebackwi
thatrayoff
oodcont
aini
ngchicken
andsomewhi
teri
cewithapi
neappl
ejuicet
osortit
downwit
h.

"Thanks"Ir
ishmanagedtosayasshebegantoeat
.
Allshewant ednowwastotakehersor
rowaway.
Tost opthi
nkingandonceagai
nbecomeherhappy
self
.

Sarahsatfrom af
arandst
aredatI
rishasshewait
forothercustomer
s.Wit
houtbei
ngtoldsheknew
Iri
shwashavi ngabadti
meandshe'dbegr at
efuli
f
shecanhel p.

Shewasasecretadmi
rerandhadal
waysadmired
I
ri
sh,Herbeaut
y,herl
if
estyl
eandever
ythi
ng.

Shewaitedpat
ient
lyforhertof
ini
shhermean
befor
eshecouldtalkt
oher ,
Shewasn'tsur
eifshe'
s
doi
ngt heri
ghtt
hingbutshewantto.
Ir
ishpickedonherfood,
nomat t
erhowmuchshe
tr
iedtoconcent
ratesheseem t
ohavealott
othink
of.Herheadwasfullasshewasoverthi
nki
ng.

Shehaspr omisedhersel
ftostaystrong,
shecoul
d
onlybehalfhappyifshesuccessfull
ygetajoband
them complet
elyhappyifherfathercoul
dcall
edher
back.

Ir
ishhavealwaysputherfatherfi
rst,Shel
ovedhim
mor ethananymateri
alofthewor l
d.Theybothhad
createdafat
heranddaught erbond,butwhat
actuall
yhappened?

"
Youdoseof
f?"Sar
ahsnapherf
ingerather
.

ShegaveSarahaqui
ckner
voussmi
leasshe
cont
inuedeat
ing.
"
Wil
lyoul
iket
otal
kabouti
t?"

"
Huh?

"
I'
mr eadytohelpyououtofIcan,
justspi
llt
he
beans"Sarahoff
ered.

I
ri
shdroppedherspoonandwi
pehermout
hbef
ore
l
ooki
ngatSarahandspeaki
ngup.

"
Idon'
tthi
nki
t'
sser
ious,
don'
tst
ressyour
sel
f"
!

"Youknowifyoudon'
tspeakupthenyou'
re
conti
nuel
ikethi
s"Sar
ahsaidandshesighed.

"Not
hingSar
ah,
I'mj
ustt
ir
edi
feveryt
hing.
..For
t
hepasttwomonthsI
'
vebeenI
deal
..EachdayI
sentoffawayfr
om homeinsearchofj
obbut
alwaysfai
lthei
nter
view.I
'
mjustti
red"
.

Sarahsuddenl
ylaughsandI
ri
shl
ooksather
confused.

"
It
'snotact
ual
lyf
unnyyouknow?
"

"Yeah,soyou'
vebeendyi
ngsl
owl
y?Asf
!Youcoul
d
havetal
kearl
ier
"

"
Ijustdi
d,notlikei
tchangedanyt
hingbutIfel
t
r
eli
evedaf t
ertal
kingoutmypaintosomeonenot
f
ami l
y"Ir
ishsaidandglumpdownherj ui
ce.

"WellI
ri
sh,
Justi
ncaseyoudon'
tknow,
XxIhave
alwaysadmir
edyou"
 "
Thanksbutwhyso?

"
You'r
eat
ruedef
ini
ti
onofast
rongwoman"Sar
ah
l
aughs

"I
'
m alady,BTW!Idon'
tknowwhyI
'mref
err
edas
astr
ongwomanwhi leel
seIseemysel
fafai
lur
e''
.
I
ri
shconfessed.

"
Becauseyoudon'
ttr
ustyoursel
f,AnywayHave
t
his"Sar
ahhandedheroverathi
cktinypaper
.

"
Placeacal
lonthenumber
,givei
tashot
,appl
yfor
t
hejobandlet
'sseei
fyoupassedt
heint
ervi
ew"

"
What
'st
hej
obabout
?"

"
Oneoft
hepopul
arCal
if
orni
aBi
ll
ionai
rei
s
comingbacktotownandneedsaNannyf orhi
s
daught
er,thepaymentishear
twarming,Youknow
howthisri
chstuffwor
k,Icoul
dhaveleavemywor k
andapplybutyouneeditmorethanIdo"

"
OhSarah.Thi
sisn'
tforme,
Ican'
tevenmakei
tto
t
hef
ir
stround"
.Shesays.

"
Again,you'
venotrustonyour
sel
f.Dot r
yitout
andtakemel at
er,
ifyoudon'
tmindI'
llhaveto
att
endtocostumersnow"

"ThankyouSarah,Ifeel
rel
ievedthoughdoubti
ng,
I
appreciat
eyouthough"Shecleanedthetear
s
threat
ening.

"
You'
rel
oved"
.

I
ri
shhur
ri
edl
ymadeof
fforhermealandwal
kedout
oftherestaur
antbackt
oherhouse.Amidst
everyt
hingSarahhadsai
dtoher,Onest
uckinher
mind.

"
nottrust
ingher
sel
f"aswel
l"cal
li
ngher
sel
fa
f
ail
ure"

Shesignedandopenedherl
aptopasshepri
ntout
t
henumberSar ahhadgi
veni
t.Shesubmit
tedher
f
orm andwait
ed.

Inlessthan20mi nutesher
ecei
vedanemail,
She
passedt hefi
rstr
eviewandwasneededi
ntheoff
ice
foranintervi
ewearlytomor
rowmorni
ng.

Coldchil
lsranherskinbutsheremindedherself
thatshecandoi t
,Withthatshepushedthelapt
op
awayandl edonthebedasherdog" Doll
y"j
umped
onher .
Shehadact ual
lyfor
got
tenshehadadog." hey
Doll
y!?Didyouplaywit
hf r
iendt
oday?Imissedit
"
shepattedi
tandshower edherwit
hkisses

Wishi
ngshehadsomeonetocar
eforhert
hismuch.
Soonshefal
lasl
eepwi
thherdogbesi
deher
TheBi
ll
ionar
eIf
elli
nlovewi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtOwner
'sRi
sk‼

Genr
e:Bi
ll
ionar
e,Mai
d,Romance-
Supense.

#Chapt
er_
Two

I
twas6:30inthemorni
ngwhenI r
ishmadeitout
ofherbed.Shehasagoodfeel
ingofsomethi
ng
new, Dol
lywaswri
ginghert
ailbesi
deher.I
ri
sh
pickedherupandki
ssedherasDol l
yli
ckedher
face.

"
GoodMor ni
ngDol
ly,Iseeyouhadani ceni
ght"
I
ri
shsaidasDoll
yonlystruckouthert
onguerani
ng
r
oundtheroom.

Ir
ishsmi l
edandsatup,shehadupto46mi nutesto
prepareforhernewint
ervi
ew.Hopeful
lyi
t'
sgoingto
besuccessful.Shemadeherwayintotheki
tchen
andpr epar
edsomepast eandsomehambur ger.
Shef i
shedoutherownaswel lasDoll
y'
sownand
servedher.

ShesatdownandMunchedonherbreakf
ast,
Halfwaythr
oughthef
ood,I
ri
shsatupandDr ewher
Laptopnewassheopenedherbr
owserandtyped.
"Bi
ll
ionar
eEthan"
.
TherewereaWholelotofEt
hanbutassheal r
eady
knewtheoneshe'
slookingfor
,"Ethanwit
ha
daught
er"i
twasn'
thardforherlocati
nghispr
ofi
le.

"
EthanHar
low"Wast
heday.

Shedroppedherf
oodont
hestandbydeskand
focusonthei
nfor
mati
oni
nfr
ontofher.

Hehada6year solddaughter,andwasdivor
ced5
yearsago,thatwaswhenhi sdaughterwas1year
old,Hiswifehadmadeawaywi thanothermanon
thei
rdaught er
sbir
thday.Itmustn'
thavebeeneasy
forhim"Ir
ishsympatheticl
ysaid.

HehadneverbeeninCali
for
niaf
orthepastf
ive
year
saf t
ert
hei
ncident
."Whowould?'
'I
ri
sh
mutter
ed.
 Andi
snowcomi ngbacktosaybutneedsaNanny
t
owatchoverhi
sdaughter"Ar
in"
.

Therewereoverthousandpeopl
ewho'veappli
ed
fort
hejobandthey'real
ldi
ehardfanofEthan.
Probabl
ytheyareapplyi
ngnottotakecar
eofthe
babybuttogetEthantonoti
cethem.

Seeingthecountofpeople,
Iri
shwant edtogiveup,
She'snomat chtothosecompetit
ives.Butshewas
determined,
remindingher
selft
hatshe'snota
fai
lure.

Ifshefail
edthenshecansuccessf ul
lycallhersel
fa
fai
lure,Shecl
earedthepl
atesoffthetableand
arrangedherroom bef
oregoingintothebat hr
oom
forahotbath.

_____
 Iri
sharr
ived20mi nutelatef
ortheinter
viewand
wasmetwi thalotofladi
eswai t
ingtobe
i
ntervi
ewed.Shefeltgoosebumpsal loverher,
Everyl
adywasdr essneat l
yandclassi
cunl i
keher
whowasonasi mpl epinkgown.

Shemadeherwayt othef i
rstbadgeandwr ote
downhernameandnecessar yinformat ion.Then
wentandsatdownbesi deal adywhosmi l
edather,
sheseemedj ovi
alunl
ikeotherl adieswi thmean
face.Pr
obablyhati
ngeachot herf orbeingi na
competit
ionofwhoget stobeEt handaught er
's
nanny.Thegirl
slookmor estandar dt hanapplying
foraNanny.Obviousl
yt heywer eappl yingnot
becausetheywereint
erestedi nthej obbutbecause
i
twasEt han.

Ihadn'
tmeethi m, I
'veli
vedi
nCalif
orni
aforfive
yearsanddidn'tactuall
yknowaboutthepopular
Bil
li
onare?Ilaughedatmyself.Hemusthavebeen
aquiettype.Ididn'
tgethispi
ctur
einmyr esearch
butwit
hwhatI'
m seei
ngam sur
ehemustbea
wholel
othandsomeandhot
.

"Areyouher
efort
hei
nter
view?
"Thegi
rlbesi
deher
asked.

"
Me?Oh,
Iam"
.Ir
ishr
epl
ied.

Sheseemedsur
pri
sedsomeoneact
ual
lyt
alkedt
o
her
.

"I
'm Sel
ina,
Youar
e?"Thel
adyst
ret
chedouther
handforashake

"I
'
mI r
ish,
nicemeetingyou"
.ShetookSel
ina'
shand
andshakeditgi
vingheranervousl
augh.

"
I'
m notact
ual
lyi
nter
est
edi
nthej
ob,
Iwasf
orced
toapply.I'
m afashi
ondesi
gnerandher
e'si
nmy
card,
Iwi shyouluck"

I
ri
shcol
lect
edt
hecar
dandst
aredati
tthensmi
led.

"
ThankYou"

"Ar
eyouIr
ish?"Aguyinbl
ackworkedovert
oher
asshewasfocusedonherphone.

"
Iam,
Why?
"

"
Thei
nter
viewer
swi
lll
iket
ohaveyou"
.

"Butit
'snotyetmyturn,
Mynamei s205andt
hey'
re
sti
lli
n155? "I
ri
shsaidsurpr
ised.
 "
Youshoul
dgo.
"Sel
inasmi
ledather
.

"Okay,
I'l
lgo"I
ri
shgr
abherhandbagandwasl
ed
outofthebytheman.Thecr
owdwasmurmuri
ng.

*Iwasher
ebef
oreher,
howcomeshe'
sgoi
ng
bef
oreme?*

*
Shej
ustar
ri
ved*

*Howcoul
dyouguyspi
ckupal
adydr
essedi
n
r
ags?*

Thepart
icul
arl
astcommenthit
sIri
shamill
ion
ti
mesthatshewishedshecoul
dsqueezel
if
eoutof
theper
sonthatcommentedonherwear.
 "
Thiswaypl
ease?
"Theguybr
oughtherbackf
rom
herzoom.

"
Thanks"
.

I
ri
shopenedthedoorasthemani nBl
ackhad
i
nstr
uctedher
,shemeettheint
ervi
ewer
sbutwas
sur
pri
sedtomeetSarahamongt hem.

"Whatthe?Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"Shef
orced
her
selftoask.

"We'
lldi
scussitl
ater
,Pl
easeki
ndlyfi
lli
nyou
i
nfor
mat i
on,asyou'
vepassedt
heinter
view"

OMyG!I r
ishwascl
oset
ocryi
ng,inasmuchasshe
wasexci
tedshewasal
socuri
oustoknowwhyand
howSarahwasamongthei
ntervi
ewer
s
NAME~I
ri
shLevi
ne
ADDRESS~Apar
tment87Cobi
tt
ainBui
ldi
ng,
Cal
if
orni
a.
AGE~25
PARENTS~Fr
edr
icksonLevi
ne-Forexj
ewel
ry
att
endant
.
~AnaLevi
ne~Fashi
onDesi
gnerf
orPoul
et
f
ashi
ons.
GPA~None.
DEGREE~None
JOB-ModelforPoul
etf
ashi
onsandexModelf
or
Ali
cia'
sFashi
ons.
HOBBI
ES-Sewi
ng,
Cooki
ng&Readi
ng.
MARTI
ALSTATUS-Si
ngl
e.

Theint
erviewer
ssi ghedsoftl
yaftertheywer
e
donereadingherfi
le, Theybot
hlookedat
themsel
vesanddi dt heeyecontactthing.
"
Congratul
ati
onsMs.
Ir
ish,
Youpassedt
he
i
nter
view"

OhmyGod!I r
ishnearl
yexclai
medastear
sfal
l
downhercheeks.Sarahsmil
edatherandsheknew
thati
twasSarah'
sdoing.There'
snowayshecould
havegott
enthejobadmitsallt
hecr
owdsoutsi
de
waiti
ng.

"
Ifyoudon' tMind,
Sarahwi l
ltakeyouuptoyour
workplaceandshar eyouthenecessary
i
nformation.Congrat
ulat
ionsonceagain"

Theint
ervi
ewerswalkedoutfol
lowedbyt he
guards,
SarahandIri
shwast hel
asttoexistthe
off
iceastheguardsl
edthem outunti
lthey've
enter
edthecar.

__
 "Sar
ahI'
m st
il
linbl
ank.Whathappened?How
comeyou'r
eoneofinter
viewers?It
houghtyou'
rea
waitr
ess?WhydidIgett
hej ob?"

"
Breat
hIr
ish"Sar
aht
oldherast
hecarr
oll
edby.

"
Okay,
I'
m cur
ious,
canyouspeakup?
"

"Actual
ly,I
'm notsupposedtosharethispi
eceof
i
nf or
mat i
onbutIhavet o,becauseit
'syou"
.Sar
ah
stoppedspeakingandl ookedatIri
shwhonodded.

"Uhm...Ethani sMycousi nbrother

,andaboutmy
waitr
essj ob, yeswe'reri
chbutIlovewor ki
ngonmy
one,Idon'twantt odependonmypar ent
smoneyt o
survi
ve.Al lthankst oIdi
dn'tgr
owupi nCalifor
nia
sonooner ecognizesme, besi
desmynamei s
Li
ndabutI '
m usi ngSarahasnott odi
sclosemy
i
dentit
y".
"Geez!That
'sabigri
sk.If
eelhonor
ed.Youmean
Ethanisyourbr
other?Whowouldbeli
evethat
"

Sarahjustsmi
led."
Youl
ookmor
ehappi
ert
han
yest
erday"

"
Iam.Whydi
dyouhel
pmegett
hej
ob?
"

"I
'vealwaysadmi redyouI r
ish.Yourpersonali
tyis
unique,Youmi ghtseeyourselfassomet hi
ngelse
butIadmi redyoualot,
Mybr otherandhi sdaughter
hadgonet hroughalot,Idon'
twantt hem coming
backandhavi ngabadnannyf or'"Ari
n"his
daughter.Idecidedsi
nceIknow, maybeabi tabout
you, t
henyou'requali
fiedforthejob".

"ThankyousomuchSar ah.Ididn'
tevenbeli
evein
myselfthatIwil
lgett
hejob, andIwon'thaveifnot
you"Ir
ishthankedher.
 Thecarpull
edoutataverybigMansionand
par
kedinthegarage,
Thedrivercamedowndown
andopenedthedoorforSar
ahaswel l
asIri
sh.

"
Thankyou"I
ri
shsmi
ledathi
m.

"
Youcancal
lmeCarl
"Thedri
verresponded."
Any
ot
hert
ime,Ma'
am?"Hewasref
erri
ngt oSarah.

"
Ir
ishwhynothandoveryourhousekeyt
oCar
l,he
wil
lgetyournecessar
ySt
uff
s?"

"
Huh?I
'
m Ist
art
ingi
mmedi
atel
y?"

"
GoodLor
d,yesyou'
re,
Iri
sh"
Sar
ahsai
dandwal
ked
i
ntot
hehouse.
 "
Here,
am Ial
lowedt
okeepmydogtoo?Ihavea
dog,
Doll
ybynameandIhavenoonetoadopthi
m".

"I
'
llbr
ingherinforyou,I
t'
sleftt
osi
rtodeci
dei
f
yourdogstays,
"Carlcol
lect
edthekeyandwal
ked
backint
othecar.

Ir
ishwal
kedint
ot hehousethewayshehadseen
Sarahgothr
ough,.Ever
ythi
ngwasnewt oheras
shehasneverbeeninsuchaplaceonceinherl
if
e.

Bil
li
onaret
heysay,
andnotmil
li
onai
re.Whatdoyou
expect
?Shequesti
onedher
sel
f.

"
ThiswayI
ri
sh!"Sarahqui
ckl
ydi
smissedt
he
mai
dsimmediat
elyIr
ishst
eppedi
n.

"SoI'
l
lstar
tbytaki
ngyour
oundt
hehouse.Youwil
l
getassi
gnedtoyourj
obbymybrot
herwhenhe'
s
backintwodayst
ime.You'
vetobeinyourbest
behavi
orasyouhavetopasshi
stestt
oo"

"
Oh.
"Ir
ishmut
ter
edasshet
rai
ledbehi
ndSar
ah.

"Thi
sisthefamil
ypersonaldi
ning,expectf
ami l
yno
oneelsehastheri
ghttodinethereexpectbei
ng
i
nvit
ed."I
ri
shnoddedassheadmi redthedini
ng.

"
ThisisEthan'
sreadi
ngr
oom"Sarahpointedtoa
doorast heywal
kedpasti
t."
Oncehe'
sthere,he'
s
thereforrest
"

"Doesthatmeanhedoesn'twantanysor
tof
dist
ract
ionorbei
ngdi
sturbed?"

"
Yes"
.
"
Thi
sisAr
in'
sroom"Sheopenedapar
ti
cul
ardoor
.

I
twassparkl
ingclearandt
heroom waspainted
pi
nkI'
m col
our,everythi
ngi
ntheroom waspinkor
pur
plei
ncolour.

"Youmustkeepancl oseeyeonAr i
n,she'
sagood
gir
landgetalongeasilybutshehatedCal
if
orni
a..
.
Shemaypl aceherruleforyou"Sar
ahlaughsand
wentalongasshowi ngherArin'
sBathr
oom...
Closet
,andother
s.

Expectf
ortheroom doort
her
earetwootherdoors
i
nsidetheroom whi
chonewast hebat
hroom door
.

"
I'
llshowyouyourroom,
beforethat.
..Thi
sdoori
sa
minidoor
..
.Icanal
soleadintot
heNanny' sr
oom
whichshoul
dbeyourroom, makingiteasyf
oryou
t
oat t
endtoherwhenneeded"Ir
ishnodded.
 "
Come, I
'l
ltakeyoutoyourr
oom"Theybot
h
walkedoutandwalkedint
othenextr
oom.

"
Isthi
smyr oom?"Iri
shaskedasshewasbaffl
ed
wit
hthebeautyoftheroom.Whatdoessheexpect
whenshe'
sinaBi l
li
onare'
shome.

"Yesiti
s.Themaidswillbri
nginyourfewst uf
fs
whenCar li
sback.Yourclosetneedstobechanged
too,AsEthanwon'tt
oler
ateyouwear ingt
his"Sarah
saidandsmi l
edsoIri
shwon' tf
ellbad.

Oh"Shemout
hed.

Justsoyousee,
Thisdoorl
edsdi
rectl
ytoAri
n's
r
oom soyoucanat t
endtoherf
ast
er".I
ri
shnodded.

"Nowt
hat
'sallf
ort
oday,
Youneedtor
est
..
.Ethan
andAr
inwil
lbebacki
ntwodaysti
mesoI'
m sure
bythenyoumayhavebeenf
ami
li
arwi
thal
lthe
thi
ngshere.
"

"
ThankyousomuchSar
ah"shesmi
led.

"Docalli
fyouneedanysor
tofsuppor
t"Sar
ah
droppedhercar
dandwalkedout.

I
ri
shsighedandhel
dherwai
stasshestart
ed
r
oundtheroom.Heaveni
nEart
h"shetel
lhersel
f.

Shewalkedint
othebathroom andtohaveabat
h
wasallsheneededasthebathroom wassmi
li
ngat
heri
nherimaginat
ions.

SheopenedthesupposedArin'
sat
tacheddoor
andSarahwasright
,itwi
llbeeasyt
oattendtoher
qui
ckl
yliket
his.
I
ri
shsmi l
ed,
andhopedAri
nandHerfat
herEthan
wil
ljustbeassweetasSar
ah.She'
snotgoodat
t
olerati
ngrudepeopl
e.

Sher
emovedherwear
sandwenti
ntot
heshower
f
oralongcol
dbath.

Sheshouldprobablycallhermotherafterthisand
i
nform herabouttheupdates.She'sgratef
ult hat
shedidn'
tgiveupandshepr omisedtodedi cateher
besti
nherwor ks."She'
sdealingwithaBi l
li
onar e"
sheremindedherself.
TheBi
ll
ionar
eIf
elli
nlovewi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtOwner
'sRi
sk‼

Genr
e:Bi
ll
ionar
e,Mai
d,Romance-
Supense
Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
Thr
ee

NAME~I
ri
shLevi
ne
ADDRESS~Apar
tment87Cobi
tt
ainBui
ldi
ng,
Cal
if
orni
a.
AGE~25
PARENTS~Fr
edr
icksonLevi
ne-Forexj
ewel
ry
att
endant
.
~AnaLevi
ne~Fashi
onDesi
gnerf
orPoul
et
f
ashi
ons.
GPA~None.
DEGREE~None
JOB-ModelforPoul
etf
ashi
onsandexModelf
or
Ali
cia'
sFashi
ons.
HOBBI
ES-Sewi
ng,
Cooki
ng&Readi
ng.
MARTI
ALSTATUS-Si
ngl
e.

Ethanr eadthef
ileSarahhadsenttohiminhis
email.Hewasokaywi t
hwhathesawbuthewasn' t
sati
sfied.Hehadtomeett henannyfi
rstbef
ore
concluding.Hedoesn'
tplaywithhi
sdaughterand
won'tstandherbeingmal t
reat
edorabusedbyher
nanny.

Hetr
ustSaraht
oappoi
ntagoodnannybuthehas
t
rut
hissue.

"
CanIcomeinDaddy."?HisangelAri
nknockedat
hi
sdoor.Heshuthi
slaptopandraisedhi
sface.

'
"comeher
eli
tt
leangel
"Ar
inr
anandhuggedhi
m.

"
Howwasyourni
ght
?"
 "I
tcoul
dhavebeengoodbutIwentt
obedwi
thout
you".

"
I'
m sor
ryangel
"

"Whathappened?Youdi
dn'
tcomebackhomel
ast
ni
ght"
!Ari
npouts.

"IwentforbusinessandIthoughti
twillendearl
y
butIwasmi staken,I
twaslatetocomebackt hat
nightsoILodgeahot el
.I'
m sorr
y"Ethanpeckedher
andshesqueezeherf ace.

"
Itol
dyounott
odr
inkal
coholi
nthemor
nings!
"

"
Itwasj
ustagl
ass"Et
hanl
aughed.

"
It
'sst
il
lthesame,
youdr
anki
tbef
orebr
eakf
ast
,
i
t'
sunheal
thy"
.

"I
'
m sorryDaught
er.Ij
ustneededt
ocal
m my
nerves"

"
Haveyoubeent
hinki
ng?
"

"Ar
in,you'
resi
xyearsandspeakmorethanyour
age.Comeherelet
'sgohavebreakf
ast
"

"
OkMrEt
han!
"

_
__

I
ri
shfini
shedt
aki
ngherbat
handwalkedoutoft
he
bat
hroom j
usti
nti
metohearaknockonherdoor
.

"
Ami
nut
epl
ease"Shesai
dandhur
ri
edl
yputont
he
onl
ycl
othshesawont
hecl
oset
.

Sheopenedthedoorandi twastwomai dswho

werecar
ryi
ngherl uggagesandanot hersetofnew
bagshecouldn'trecognized.Doll
ywaswi ththem
tooasshewr i
ggledhert ailandtheybothhugged.
"
PleaseComei
n"I
ri
sht
oldt
hemai
ds.

"
I'
llhel
par
ranget
hat
"

"
Nothanks,
Mi ssSarahdemandwel
eaveyout
o
r
est
"oneoft hemaidssaid.

"
Oh"I
ri
shmout
hed.

Themai
dhelpedf
il
ledt
heemptyclosetwit
hnew
wear
sandshoes,
andfl
ipf
lop.I
ri
shf el
thonour
ed.
 Inlessthat28mi nut
est hemai
dsweredoneand
existtheroom.Iri
shpickedupherphoneand
placedacal lonhermother.

"
Hel
loI
ri
sh"
.

"
Heymum:
-*
Guesswhat
?"

"Youseem exci
tedsoIhavenodoubtt
hatyou'
ve
gott
enajob?What '
sitabout
?"

"Yeahmum.Remembert hewait
ressgi
rlIt
oldyou
aboutl
astweek?Shehelpedmegett hej
ob"Iri
sh
wentonandont ot
ellhermotherhowSarahhad
hel
pedherpasstheinter
view.

"
AnannyJob?Ar
eyouhappywi
tht
hat
?You'
rea
Model
erI
ri
sh.
"
 "Mum..
.Ihavetr
ied,Modeli
snotsomethingone
candowithoutmoney.I'
mtir
ed,
MaybewhenIget
enoughmoneyfrom thi
snewjobIcandecidewhat
el
setodoinmyl i
fe.Besi
deI'
minabill
ionair
e's
home".

"Bi
ll
ionar
ewi
thachil
d?NannyJob?ItrustyouI
ri
sh
adIcandeci
deyourl
ifef
oryou.Justdowhat
makesyouhappy,
Haveyoumeett hem?"

"
NoMot
her
,Theywi
llbebacki
ntwodayst
ime"

"Okay"

"How'sDaddy?Iunder
standhe'
ssti
llmadatme
butdotel
lhim Imi
sshim andwil
lbebackwhenI
'
m
okay.Tal
klat
er"

I
ri
shendedt
hecal
landsi
ghed.Dol
lyl
ickedherf
ace
happil
yastheybothlaughed.Dol
lyseemedal
so
exci
tedaboutt
heirnewhome.

"
Stayher
eDol
ly,
I'
llgot
akeal
ookatt
hehouse"
.

Dollywr i
ggledhertai
lunderstandably.I
ri
shwalked
outoft heroom shutt
ingthedoorbehi nd.Thehouse
washugeandshecoul dgetlosteasilyi
fshe'snot
careful.Shefindherwayintot heki
tchenandmeet
anol derwomanbacki ngherandpr eparing
somet hing.

"
Hey"
?Shegreet
edandt
heolderwomanpr
obabl
y
i
nhermid-
for
ti
estur
nedt
ofaceher.

"
Hell
o?Ar
eyout henewmaid?Ican'
trecal
lyour
f
aceandIhear
dt her
ewer
etennewappoi nt
ed
mai
ds"
 "
NoI
'
m not
.I'
mtheNanny"

"Oh.That
'scool
,youjustar
ri
vedIguess.Pl
easesi
t
downwhileIprepar
edinner,
Idon'
tmindyou
keepi
ngmecompany" .

"
Isther
eanythi
ngIcanhel
pyouwi
th?
"Ir
ishasked
asshesatdown.

"Justhel
pcuttheoni
onsandthat
'sal
l,
I'
m almost
done"Iri
shst
oodupandgrabbedtheonionsthen
startcut
ti
ng.

"Howlonghaveyoubeenwor
kingher
eanddoyou
l
ivein?
"

"Forthepast16year
s,andyesIdo"t
hewoman
utter
edassheaddedsomespi cesi
ntoherpot
.Ir
ish
wowed.
 "Thathavebeenawholel
ongofyears,Al
one?Do
youhaveachild?Sor
ryI
'
mj ustcur
ious"

"It
'sf
ine.I'
m boredstayingalonewithnooneto
chartwith,I
'veasonhe' s18..I
'vebeenworki
ng
herethislongbecauset hat
'stheonlywayIcan
retur
nEt han'sf
avourtome.Hehadaskedmet o
takealeavebutIinsistedonst il
lworki
ngher
e".

"Afavour
.Doyoumindsharing",
Iri
shusedherl
eft
handtowipeofft
hetearsci
rclesi
nhereyesdueto
theonionshewascutt
ing.

"Yes,hehel
pedmewhenmybabywasst il
lamonth
old.Iwassentparki
ngandhadnowher etogo,but
hegavemeandmyboyshel ter
.Andf
orthepast17
yearshehadbeent aki
ngcareofmyneedsandt hat
ofmyboy.I'mforevergrat
efult
ohim"
.
"
Hemustbeani
ceman"
,Ir
ishsmi
led.

"Heis"Theot
herwomancl
osedherpot
."Youcan
cal
ledmeGabr i
ell
e"

"
I'
mI r
ish.Howcomeit'
sonl
yyouint
heki
tchen
whil
etheirar
elotofmai
dswhocanhel
pout?"

"
Ethanlovedhismealpreparedbyme.Hedoesn'
t
t
rustanyofhismaidsast heycanpoi
sonhi
ml i
ke
whathappenedyearsago".

"
WhatHappened?
"

"
Thatmightbeast
oryforanot
herday.Her
egi
ve
metheonionandt
hanks"

I
ri
shwentbackandsatasshewonder
edwhat
happened.

"Buthe'
snotar
oundnow.At
leastyoushoul
dhave
someonehelpi
ng.
"

"
I'
m alr
eadyusedt
oit
.Eveni
fhe'
sar
oundornot
"
Gabri
ell
esmil
ed.

Justt
henamai
dwalkedi
nandwenttothefri
dge.
Tooksomewat
erandwal
kedout
.Ir
ishstar
edather.

"Youshoul
dbecar ef
ulwi
thallofthemai
dsher
e,
Theyal
lhaveskel
etononthei
rcloset"

"
Thanksf
ort
headvi
ce"
.

"
You'
rewel
come.Helpmesetthedinnerwhi
leI
di
shoutt
hemeal,Sar
ahisst
il
laroundandwil
lwant
herf
oodr
eadybef
oreshel
eave"

"
I'
llhaveminehere,
andIwantedt oask,I
'veadog
"
Dolly"andIwaswonderi
ngifitcanlandmei nt
o
t
roubleorIshoul
dbeplacei
tforadopt i
on?"

"
Itwontbet
oobadforyou,I
fhe's.
..
"Ir
ishcor
rect
ed
heri
mmediat
ely."
She"shesmil
ed.

"Oh,
ifshe'
sagooddogthenit
'sokay.Ar
inl
oves
dogtooandyoucanwinherheartwit
hthat
".

"
Alrightthanks.I'
llsetthetabl
enow.Ihaveal
otof
questionsbutpr obablyI'
llaskt
omorr
ow".She
walkedoutaf terGabr i
ell
ehadnodded.

Gabr
iel
lestar
edbehindherasshetr
ail
edaway,
She'
salr
eadyinlovewit
hherunli
keothermaids
whoactli
kether
e'snooneliket
hem.Gabri
ell
ewas
sur
eEt
hanandherdaught
erwi
lll
ikeI
ri
sht
oo.

Shesmi
ledandwentonwi
tht
hedi
shi
ngoutoft
he
f
oods.

___

I
twasalr
eady8:26atni
ghtwhenIr
ishwalkedback
i
ntoherr
oom wit
hherdog'sf
ood.Gabri
ell
ehad
hel
pedheror
dersome.

Shewasgratef
ulandhappyther
e'ssomeoneint
he
houseshecoul
dtalkt
o.Anolderpersont
oo.She
wasn'
tsogoodatassoci
ati
ngwi t
hhermate.

I
nasmuchasshet r
iednott
ot hi
nkabouti
t,she
wassti
llcur
iousaboutthepoisonthi
ng.She'
sstil
l
new,
shet el
lhersel
f.Toworrymuchaboutthis.
"ComehereDol
ly!Si
t!
"Sheorderedherasshestuck
outhert
ongueandwr i
ggl
edhert ai
l.Shewasa
goodgir
l.I
ri
shpatt
edheranddishesoutthefood
thenser
vedher
.

Shestoodupaf t
eratt
endingtothedogand
walkedtoherunpackedbox.Themai dshadonly
changedt hecl
osetbutdi
dn'tunpacktheboxt
hey
gotfrom herol
dhouse.

Sosheopenedi tandunpackedi thersel

f.She
fi
nishedintwentymi nutesandthencli
mbedt he
bedwi thherlaptop.Shewant edtodomor e
researchaboutthef ami l
yofEthan.Shethought,i
f
Gabr i
ell
esaidhe'saki ndmanwhydi dhiswi f
elef
t
him?Ami sunderstanding?Wasi thi
m?Orher ?Or
dot heyonlyagreet ohaveachi l
dandpar tways?

Shewascur i
ous.Ver
ycurious,assheoper
atedher
l
aptopandtaponmor esearchaboutEt
han.Butthe
si
tewasblank."
Seemshe'sapr ivat
eman"I
rish
sai
ddi
sappoi
ntedl
y.

Sheshutherl
apt
opandl
edonthebedawai
ti
ng
sl
eep."
tomorr
owwil
lbeaqui
tel
ongday"

"
Dol
ly?
"Shecal
ledandt
hedogr
ushedupt
osi
ton
t
hebedwit
hher.

"Goodgi
rl
"sheki
ssedherandpat
tedherasDol
ly
dancedar
oundhappi
ly.

"
Iwantt oask.Doyout hi
nkEthanandher
daughterar
egoingtolikeme? "Thedogwri
ggled
hertai
landbarkjustonceinreturnt
oherquesti
on.

"
Yout hi
nkso?Thenwhyam Iner vous?"She
si
ghedandst oodupthenbroughtoutherownand
di
ary.Shewroteafewthings,pr
obablyabouther
day,thenshotthebookandledonthebed, her
eyesshot
.
TheBi
ll
ionar
eIf
elli
nlovewi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtOwner
'sRi
sk‼

Genr
e:Bi
ll
ionar
e,Mai
d,Romance-
Supense.

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
4

NextMorni
ng,I
ri
shwokeupal i
tt
lelat
e,Maybe
becauseshewassti
llenj
oyi
nghernewhome.

Shewal
kedt
othebat
hroom andchangedherni
ght
wearsthenbr ushherteeth,
Shedi dn'
thadtimeto
petDol
lywhoact ual
lydoesn'tseem l
ikeshecar
es.
Ir
ishwalkedoutoft heroom andwasmeetby
maidswal ki
ngupanddown.

Awhol elotofmai dsthatshedidn'

tseeyesterday.
Withoutbei ngtoldsheknewsomet hi
ngmustbe
goingonf orthemai dstobeinsuchhur r
y.Ari
n's
room wasbei ngcleanedandr ear
rangebythree
mai ds..
.Ot hermaidswer ebusytoo,ei
therbri
nging
i
ndi fferenttypeofdishes,Cl
eaning,andothers.

I
ri
shstoppedoneofthemaidt
houghnot
f
orget
ti
ngMs.Gabriel
laadvi
se.

"
Hey,
pleasewhat
'sgoi
ngon?
"

"Wegotareport
,MrEthanchangedhisarr
ival
ti
metotoday.Thedr
iversar
ealr
eadywaiti
ngatthe
ai
rpor
t."Themaidhurri
edl
yansweredandvanished
bef
oreshecoul
daskmor
equest
ions.

Ir
ishwasalwayshot,
Sheneedabathandsome
change.Herbosst
obeshouldn'
tmeetherl
iket
his,
soshehurri
edlywal
kedbackint
oherroom.

_
___
_

I
twas11:06whenEightcarsdr
oveint
othe
compoundofMrEthan,ever
ythi
ngwassetandthe
maidwereli
neduptowelcomehim andhi
sli
tt
le
angel
.

Ir
ishst
oodner
vouslybesi
deMsGabr i
ell
ewhowas
tr
yingt
omakeherlessnervous."
He'
sagoodman"
shehadtol
dher.

Et
hanandArinwaswel
comedbytheguar
ds,
Maids,
Dri
ver
setc,wi
thabow.Ar
inwas
smi
li
ngbandrushedt
ohugMsGabr
iel
le
i
mmediatel
y.

"
Imi
ssedyouAunt
!'shewhi
ned

"OhAri
n,howbigyou'
vegrown.ComeIprepar
ed
yourFavor
it
e"SheledAri
ntothedi
ningt
able.

"
Shesur
emi
ssedyou"Et
hanl
aughedandf
oll
owed
t
hem.

I
ri
shfeltthegroundwillswal
lowherimmediat
ely
MsGabriellel
efthersi
de.Themai dsal
l
di
sappearedtogetheri
mmedi atel
yMrEthanand
Ari
nsett
led.Theydidn'
tcamebackwi t
hmuch
l
uggage.

"
Who'sshe?"I
ri
shheardEthanwhisper
edtoMs
Gabr
iel
le,
Ari
ndidn'
tseem toheart
hem asshewas
j
ustsmi
li
ng.

WhatGabri
ell
erepl
iedwaswhatI
ri
shdidn'thear
.
Shetri
ll
edbehi
ndthemaidsandwalkedbacktoher
room

_
__

Aft
ermeal, Et
hansatinhisr
oom.Hemi ssed
Cali
for
niabuthe'
sbacknow, heonl
ymovedaway
tobeabletogetoverwit
hhisexwif
eleavinghi
m.

Talki
ngaboutt
heladyMs.Gabri
ell
atol
dhertobe
thenewnannyhissist
er,
Sarahemployed.
Theladyseemscal
m,beaut
if
ulandmostofal
l
nat
ural.
Shehadn'
tappl
iedmakeupyetshel
ooked
st
unni
ng.
Hedi
dn'
tknewt
her
easonsuchl
adyaccept
eda
nannyj
ob,
sheshoul
dbedoi
ngsomet
hingonher
own.

"Dadcanicomei
n?"Et
hanhear
dhi
sli
tt
leangel
asked.
Hesmi
ledbr
oadl
y.
"Comei
npr
incess"Hesai
dandhi
sbeaut
if
ulsi
x
year
sol
ddaughterj
umpedin.

Hel
aughedassher
ushedt
ohughi
m.
Hegent
lyhel
dherli
ttl
efr
ameagai
nsthi
shuge
body,
peckedheral
lovert
hef
aceandfi
nall
yher
hai
r.

"I'
vemissAuntGabr i
ell
emeal"Shegiggl
ed
droppi
ngtheleft
overstr
awberrycakeshehadj
ust
eateni
nherfather'
smout h.
"
Yummy"Et
hansmi
l
ed.
"Imi
ssedi
ttoo,
Butwe'
l
lbehavi
ngsomuchofi
t
nowaswe'r
ebackhome"Hesaidt
ohi
sdaught
er
whowasnowseatedonhi
sbed.
"Yes.I'
m happyandI'
m great
fulyouf
inal
ly
welcomedt heideaofcomingbackhome,"Shesai
d
poutingherli
tt
leli
ps.

"C'monAr i
n.Itol
dyouweneededt ogetsome
thingsover,besi
desMsGabriel
lest
ayedwithyou
ti
llyouturn3yearsbefor
eshedecidedtocome
backt oCali
forni
a..
.You'
re6now,It
'sbeenj
ust
threeyears"
"Iknowdad,andI'm goodatkeepi
ngmemories.
.
youjustdi
dn'tt
ellwhatwewer eget
ti
ngoverwit
h"
Arinfur
rowedherbrows.
"I
sitobvi
oust
hatI
'
m keepi
ngasecr
et?
"Et
han
asked.
"Ofcoursebutit
'sfi
ne,
iknowyou'l
ltel
lmethe
secretwhenyou'rer
eadyto"Ar
insai
d,knowingher
fat
herdeeply.
Et
hansmi
ledpr
oudl
yathi
sli
tt
legem.
Sosmartandbeautif
ul,
shehashermot
her'
s
smoot
hbr ownhairwhil
eshetookhi
sHazeleyes
andhi
scar amelski
ntone.
She'
sal
lhe'
sgot
.
Shehasbeenhi
sjoysi
nceshewasadayol
d.
Hehadf oughtsohar dforhercustodywhen
Cather
inedivorcedhim andhisgreatestj
oyi
nli
fei
s
thathewont hecustodyofhisdaught er
.

"Dad,
itol
dyousever
all
ynottoconsumetoomuch
winei
mmediatel
yaft
ereat
ing,
justal
it
tl
eshoul
dbe
okay"

Why?
"

"i
t'
sunheal
thyaswellasdon'
tconsumewi
nebef
ore
eati
ng.Rat
hergoforjui
ce"Ar
insai
d.
"Okay,
I
'llcal
loneoft
hemai
dst
otakei
tawaynow"
Ari
nsaid.
"Butyoualr
eadydr
ankhalfofit
,justl
ikeyoudi
d
yester
day"Ari
nsai
d,al
it
tl
epissed.
"I
'
m sorr
y,iwon'
ttakewi
neaf
terbr
eakfastand
befor
ebreakf
astanymor
e"Et
hansaid.
"
OkayEthanHar
low"Shesai
dandt
heybot
h
l
aughed.

Shecal
lshi
sful
lnamewhenshewant
sthem t
o
l
augh.

"Ar
inihavegr
eatnews"Hesai
dandshequi
ckl
ysat
uponthebed.
Et
hanchuckl
ed.
"
Igotanewnannyforyouandshewasamong
t
hosethatwel
comedus"Ethanannounced.
"Yaaaaay"shej
umpedexci
tedl
y,
herponyt
ail
bouncing.
Et
hansmi
ledseei
nghi
sdaught
ersohappy.
Shehadwant
edanewnannysi
ncehef
ir
edt
hel
ast
one.
Shel
oveshavi
ngpeopl
ear
oundher
,peopl
etocar
e
f
orher.

"
Butihopeshe'
snot
hingl
ikeNor
ah?
"Ar
insai
d
wor
ri
edly.
Norahhadbeenaverymeannannytoherand
Ethanhadfi
redherandsuedheri
mmediat
elyhe
foundout
.
"Hellno!You'l
lseef
oryour
sel
fwhenshe's
i
ntroduced,besidewe'
rei
nCali
for
niaandtheyhave
good,educatedNanny'
s"
"
Real
ly?
"Ar
inbeamed.
"
Yes"

Hedoesn'
tknowwhyhet
rustt
hel
ady,
hedoesn'
t
evenknowherwellenough.ButsinceSar
ahf
inds
herokay,
thensheseem tobetrusted.
Well
..
.he'
l
lstil
lneedt
omoni
torherar
oundhi
s
daught
erforsomedays.

"Ican'
twait
.ThanksDad"Shesai
dhappi
ly,
engulf
ingherdadinanot
herhug.
Hesmi
ledandki
ssedherhai
r.

_
__

"Arusha"I
ri
shcal
ledonhi
sbr
otheri
mmedi
atel
yhe
pickedupthecal
l.

Arushahadhear
dhismum sayIr
ishwant
edt
osay
hisohewalkedoutoft
heki
tchenwipi
nghi
shands
offanapki
n.
"HowareyoudoingArusha?Mom saidyou'
vebeen
givi
ngherheadache"I
reneaskedf
orei
gningf
uri
ous.
"
Ir
ish!
"Ar
ushal
aughed.
"
Speakup"
"Okay,Mum isl
ying,
I'
vebeental
kinggoodcar
eof
her,youneedtoseehowfatshehadbecome" .

"Youknowmum won'
tli
e,It
rustyoutot
akegood
careofher
..I
'
vemi
ssedyou,How'sdad?"

"Wemissyout
oo.Dadi
sokay,
Howar
eyouf
ari
ng
overt
her
e?Anymanyet
?"!

"
OhAr usha!Letherbe"
?I r
ishcouldhearhermum
t
ellAr
ushaf ol
lowedbyal aughter
.

"
She'
s25andget
ti
ngol
d"Ar
ushawentf
urt
her
.
 Nomatt
erhowSt ubbor
nandCrazyhisbr
other
Coul
dbe,
sheloveshim mor
eforthat
.

Shemi
ssedhim most."
You'
re17Ar
ushawhyi
sdad
andmum st
il
lfeedi
ngyou?"

"
I'
m st
il
lal
it
tl
eboy!
"
"Butt
henyouwon'
twantmecal
li
ngyoul
it
tl
e!"They
bothl
aughed
I
ri
shmi
ssedal
lthemoment
stheyhadt
oget
her
.

Shewishedherdadhadtrust
edhertoknowwhat
shecoul dandcoul
dnotdo.Whateverr
easonit
musthavebeen, I
ri
shhopedshedoesn'that
eher
fatheroneday.

"
Haveyoubeenhel
pingmot
heri
nki
tchen?Oryou
j
ustsi
tandeat
!.
 "Ohsis,
youKnowI'
m agoodchi
ld.Iwasi
nthe
ki
tchenwhenyoucal
led"
.

"
Youmust'
vegr
ownsobigthatIwon'tbeabl
eto
r
ecogni
zeyoui
fIcomeback"I
ri
shlaughed.

"Yeah,
andIknowyoumust'vebeenbeaut
if
ul
causeIwon'
thaveyour
eturnuglyher
e.Waithave
youstart
edweari
ngmakeup?

"
ArushaPl
ease.
..
."I
ri
shl
aughed.

ArushaandIri
shtal
kedalengt
haboutfamil
yand
other
s,Shereal
lymissedt
hem.Shetoldhi
m about
hernewjobandhewasexci t
edforher
.

_
__
 I
ri
shcli
mbeddownt hest
air
saf t
ershewas
i
nfor
medMrEt hanhadsentforher.Shewas
ner
vousandkeptbi
ti
ngherfi
ngers.

Somet
hingshedoeswhenshe'
sner
vous.

"
GoodDayMrEt
hanHar
low"I
renebowedal
it
tl
ein
r
espect
.
"
Pleasedonotbowt
ome.I
'
m notyourgod"Hesai
d.
"
Huh?
"Ir
ishaskedi
ncompl
etesur
pri
se.
"
Yeah"Et
hanr
epl
iesher
"
Ohh.
.okay"I
ri
shsai
dbi
ti
ngherl
ipsi
nner
vousness.

Ethandismi
ssedthewor
ker
sint
hel
ivi
ngr
oom and
thentur
nedtoIr
ish.

"
Sitpl
ease"het
oldherandI
ri
shobeyed.
"
Ihavereadyourf
il
e,Sarahsenti
ttomeandI
'
m
i
mpressedwithwhatIsee"Et
hansaid

"
Thanks"

"HowlonghaveyoubeenaNanny?Andwhydi
d
youchosethenannyj
ob."

Oh!Don'
taskaboutmyf
ami
ly!I
ri
shsai
dinher
mind.

"I
'
veneverbeenaNanny, it
'smyfi
rstti
meandIdo
appreciatei
fI'
m gi
venthechancetodot hewor k,I
l
oveki ds.Choosi
ngthenannyjobisnotsomet hing
Iwantt otal
kabout,For
givemeforthat"I
r i
shf
indit
hardbel i
evi
ngshewast heonesayingthis.

Et
hannoddedandpausest
odr
inkf
rom hi
sjui
ce.
"Sohowsur
eareyouyou'
l
ldoagreatjob?Iwon'
t
havemydaught
erbul
li
edormal
tr
eated".

"Inursedmyonl ybrot
her,Besi
desIbel
ieveIcan
andIhavenoi ntent
ionofhurt
ingher
.Il
ovekids"
Ir
ishsaidthelastwordagai
njusti
ncasehehadn't
hearditearl
ier
.

"
Hmm"Et hanstar
edatherf
orawhi
le.Nodoubthe
l
ovedherconf
idence.

"Wher
ear
eyouf r
om?
,thef
il
lonl
yment
ioned
wher
eyoul
ived"

"
Singapor
e"Sher
epl
iedandEt
hannodded.

"Sar
ahseemst oknowalotmor
eofyou,Shedi
dn'
t
askalotofquesti
on.
.wer
eyouint
ervi
ewed?'
"Sincerel
yNosir,Sarahwastheonethattol
dme
aboutt hi
sof
fer.Iwantedtorej
ectbutshetalkedt
o
meaboutmyf ears,Sheonlyaskedmetof i
llafor
m
thent ol
dbethatI'
m employed"

"I
nterest
ing.
..
!Whydidyouchosethenannyj
ob?
I
stherenoot herj
obstodo?I
'm guessi
ngyouhave
adegree?"
Ethanaskedagai
n.

Ir
ishwasn'
tokaywit
hthemuchQuest
ions,
butshe
didn'
tbl
amehim..
Hehavetoknowwhohe'
sempl
oyi
ngf
orhi
s
daught
er.
Hesur
emustr
eal
lyl
ovedher
.

"Nodegr
ee.IworkasaModelforacompanybutI
wasfi
red,
AndI '
dhelpmymotherwi
thhersewing
whenIwassti
llwit
hher"Shesai
dbi
ti
ngherlashes,
Somet
hingshedoeswhenshel
ies.
Et
handon'tknowhow,buthej
ustfel
tli
keshe
l
iedregardi
ngofthecont
inousl
ashbeat.Hewas
sureshewasn'tfi
red,
maybesomethi
ngelse
happened.

Butheknewthegi
rlhaveasecr
etshedoesn'
twant
toshar
e,andhedi
dn'twantt
opressanyfur
ther
.
Sheneedsherpr
ivacyandhei
sn'
tfor
cingher
.
Shecanopenupwhenshewant
edt
o.

"I
'
m wonder i
ngsir
,I'
veadog" Dol
ly"she'
sacute
l
itt
legi
rlbutIdon'
tknowifit
'sacceptabl
eher
e"Ir
ish
askedthatonequesti
onthathavebeeninherheart
.

Et
hancl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
.
"
I'
m notaf
anofdog,
I'
m scar
edofi
t"
 Ir
ishwassurpri
sedtheBil
li
onar
ebefor
ehercould
openupeasi
ly,Notr
udely.Shewant
edtolaugh,
but
managedtokeepahol dofher
sel
f.

"Oh"shemouthedsadly,"
thatmeansI'
vetogeti
t
adopted"sheadded.ShelovesDol
lyandhaveli
ved
i
nCal i
forni
awithher.

"
Arinl
ovesdogs,
Soyoucankeepit
,justdon'
tleti
t
getcl
osetome"Hiseyeswaspl
eadi
ng.

Iri
shwantedtol
aughagain,Hermotherhat
esDogs
too,that
'swhyshecoul
dn'tkeepsomewhileIn
Singapor
ebutimmediat
elyshearri
vedinCali
for
nia
shehadadoptedDoll
ywhenshewast wodaysold.

Shewasasweet
hear
tandI
ri
shwasgl
adshe
coul
dkeepher
.
"Mymotherhat
edDogst
oo,
thanksf
oral
lowi
ngme
keepi
t"

Et
hannodded,
anddr
ankhi
sjui
ce.

"NowIknowwhyyouai n'
tinahur ryt
ogof or
after
noonwal k,
Hell
oMissIri
shLevine,I
'
m Arinand
iguessyou' r
emynanny"Ar i
nsaidcli
mbingdown
from t
hest ai
rswit
hherglossybrownhairbounci
ng
andIrishcouldswearshefelli
nlovewit
hthegirl
immedi at
ely.
TheBi
ll
ionar
eIf
elli
nlovewi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e:Bi
ll
ionar
e,Mai
d,Romance-
Supense.
Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
5

"Nowif i
nall
yknowwhyyou' renotinahur r
ytogo
foraf
ternoonwalkbutt hat
'snotaproblem.Hello
MissIri
shLevine,I'
m Ar i
nandiguessyou' r
emy
nanny"Arinsaid,
cli
mbi ngdownf rom t
hestairswit
h
herglossybrownhai rbouncingandIrenecould
swearshef el
linlovewi t
hthegirlimmediatel
y.

"
YesI
'
m yournanny"I
ri
shsmi
ledatt
hel
it
tl
egi
rl
.
She'
snat
ural
lyi
nlovewi
thki
ds.
.

ButwhatMsGabri
ell
ehadtol
dyouherear
li
er
soundscar
lyt
oherears.
"
Therewer
eonceapoisonedsceneher
e?Ir
ish
wonder
edaboutHi
m bei
ngdivorcedwi
thAr
in'
s
Mother
.

Hashebeendi
vor
cedwi
thAr
in'
smot
herf
orsol
ong?

Heandhisdaughtermusthavehadahar
dti
me"
I
ri
shthoughtpi
ti
full
y.
She'
sbegi
nni
ngt
othi
nkagai
nhowsheendedup
get
ti
ngaNannyj
obinhi
shouse.

Abi
ll
ionai
re'
s!

Bil
li
onai
resal
wayswantt
hebestfort
heirf
amil
ies
andshewasn'tsur
eshewasanywhereneart
he
best.
Shedoesn'
tevenhavet
heexper
ience.
"So,
I'
m ArinHar
lowandyouar
e?"Ar
insai
d,maki
ng
anattemptofi
ntr
oduct
ion.

Sheal
waysseesherf
atherdothatwhenevershe
goeswi
thhi
mt ohi
scompani es.

Ethansmi
ledknowi
ngl
yathi
sdaught
erwhowi
nked
backathi
m.

Ir
ishwhowatchedtheexchangeadmi
redt
he
daught
erandfather
'sbond.

Sheremember edthedaysshewasal sovery

closetofather,
theywouldstaytogetherallni
ght
thinki
ngaboutwhatshewant st
obecome, most
ti
messhe' dsleepoffwhi
letheywer ediscussing
andherfatherwouldcoverherwi t
hbl ankets.
Somedays,
they'
l
lbot
hlaughoverherugl
yModel
poses.
Ir
ishputanendt ot
hememor
iesknowi
nghow
emotionalshecoul
dbe.

Shebr
eat
hedi
nandf
inal
lyr
epl
iedAr
in.

"
I'
mIr
ishLevi
ne,
yournewnanny"
"
Youl
ookbeaut
if
uland.
..
nat
ural
"Ar
insai
d.
"
Thankyou.Youl
ookbeaut
if
ult
oo"I
ri
shsmi
led.
I
ri
shnoddedandwal
kedovert
ohi
sdad.

"DaddycanIhavemor
estr
ewberrycake?Andyeah
IknowIhadonebefor
ebutIwantmore".

"No,youcan't
"Ethanpet
tedherhai
randshe
whinedfor
eigni
ngannoyance.

"
Ari
n,youcanr
etur
ntoyourr
oom"
Ethansai
d.
"
Wit
hIr
ishr
ight
?"Ar
inaskedexpect
ant
ly.
"
No.She'
stor
esumewor
kingt
omor
row"Et
hansai
d.

"
Huh?
"Ir
ishandAr
inchor
usedcoi
nci
dent
all
y.
"
Yeah"Et
hannodded.
"
Butwhy?
"Ar
inpout
ed.
"Ar
in,
youknowshehastoknowaboutyourl
ikes
anddisi
kes.Et
hansai
d.
"
Ohh"Ar
insi
ghed.
"Butshecandot
hatnow"Ar
inper
sist
ed.
"NoandI
'
venotevendi
scussedwi
thheryet
"Et
han
sai
d.

"You'venotdi
scussedwi
thheryet
?Howcome
she'shereasmynewnanny? "Ar
inasked.
"ImeanI'
venotdiscussedthepaywithheryet
,
She'sher
ebecauseyourAuntlikedher,
soIhavet
o
tal
ktohertoo"
.Ethansaid.
"Ohh,AboutmyAunt..
..
Imissedherandwil
lli
keto
meethersooner"Ar
insaid,
slowl
yretr
eat
ingtothe
stai
rssmil
ingbutst
opped.

"
Iheardaboutdog,
what
'st
hename?
"shewas
smil
ing.

"
Hernamei
sDol
ly"
.

"
Suchacutename.I'
lll
ovetomeetherlaterand
hopeshe'
snotgr
umpyandd. .i
rt
y"Ari
nsaidt helast
wordsl
owlysohernannyIr
ishwon'tf
eelinsult
ed.
"ByeIr
ishandihopeyouwil
laccepttheworkaf
ter
seei
ngr ul
es.
"Ari
nsaidbef
oredisappear
ingupt
he
stai
rs,
leavi
ngIr
isht
owonder.

Et
hanclear
edhi
sthr
oatnot
ici
ngI
ri
sh'
sconf
used
st
ate.
"
Whatdoesshemeansi
r?"I
ri
shasked.
"
Comewi
thme"Hesai
dandnot
icedherhesi
tat
ion.
"
I'
m notgoi
ngt
obi
teyou"Headded,
ali
tt
lepi
ssed.
"Ineversaidthat"I
ri
shwant
edt
osay,
buthavet
o
addr espectt
oi t
.

"
Okay"

Ethandi
dn'
trespond,
hewal
kedonl
eavi
nghert
o
fol
lowhi
m ornot.

Hewasst i
llwonder
inghowsuchagi
rlshoul
d
chosetobecomeaNanny.Wi t
hwhathewasseeing
i
tseemsshehadsomet hi
ngpr
eci
ousshe'ddone
befor
e.

Heturnedtoseeifshewasfol
lowi
nghi
m andI
rish
whowasst ar
ingathisbr
oadbackqui
ckl
yswit
ched
hergazetoherfeet
.
Ethanf
inal
lyl
edhert
ot hepol
lwheretheycoul
d
haveapeacef
uldi
scussionwi
thouti
nterr
upti
onas
thepol
lwascalm.
I
ri
shst
oodr
eal
lyamazed.

Ever
ypar
toft
hehousel
ooksl
ikei
t'
smadeofgol
d.
Howcanapol lbethisbeauti
ful
?Sar
ahandMs
Gabriel
lenevermentionedtherewasapol
l,
of
coursethereshouldbe..
..
Suchaamazinghouse
needsapol lt
ocompl etei
t.
"
Oh..
my..
.Ar
ethosebeaut
if
ulducksr
eal
"Ir
ish
t
hought
.

Shewassti
lltaki
nginthespl
endorofthepol
land
i
t'
scal
mnesswhenEt hanpoi
ntedtotheir
onbench
amil
efrom thepoll
.

"
Sit
"Hesai
dandshedi
d.
"
Youhaveabeaut
if
ulpol
l"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Thanks"Et
hanrepl
ieswonder
inghowshewasso
caref
reearoundhi
m.

Thegardenisactual
lyhisper
sonalpl
aceashe
enj
oystheserene,whil
ethepolli
swherehe
enj
oyedstayi
ngast hecalmnessandbeaut
ywas
amazing.
"Ar
inhasherr
ules,
you'
l
lrecei
vei
tbef
oreyougett
o
yourr
oom."
"Ohh.
..
whatt
hendi
dshemeanby.
..
"Ir
ishwas
sayi
ng.
"Ari
nr ulesarekindof.
..Well
,you'l
lknowaf t
eryou
got hroughit.Mostappli
cantf
indherr ul
estoo
diff
iculttofoll
owsotheyquitbeforetheyeven
start"Ethansaid.
"
Real
ly?
"
"
Yeah"
.

"Sorr
ybutdi
dShemadet
her
ulesher
sel
f?"I
ri
sh
asked.
"Ofcourseandi
t'
samustf ol
lowandthat'
swhyi
wantyout ogot
hroughitbef
oreyouresume,al
l
thi
sarewhatSarahshouldhaveinf
ormedyou
about.
"
"If
eelicantr
ustyouwit
hAr i
n,Si
nceSar
ah
acceptedyouevenwi
thoutanint
ervi
ew"
"Why?Youdon'
tevenknowme!Whatifit
urnoutto
beabadNan?Youshouldn'
ttr
ustsoeasi
ly,
I'
m not
evensomuchaboutmyself
"Ir
ishsai
d.

"Iknowyoucan' t
.Icant r
ustyouonthat
,Your
confidenceal
one...
."Et
hansaidst
il
limpr
essedwi
th
thesmi l
ethathadlitupherfacewhenshesawAri
n.
"
Withallr
espectsi
r,Idon'tt
hinki
t'
sokayforyou
t
rustsomeoneyoudon' tknowatall
"Ir
ishsai
d.
"
Let
'sl
eavet
hatasi
deanddi
scussyourpay"
"
Okay"

"Ther
e'saper
manentpaymentf
ornanni
es"Et
han
said.
"
Okay"
"
You'l
lbepai
donemill
ionweekl
ywhi
chamount
sto
t
hir
tymil
li
onmonthl
y"Ethansai
d.
Hehadl ied,t
hat '
snott
heoffi
cialpaymentfor
nannies,hedoesnotpayt hem asmuchast hatbut
Sarahhadt alkedtohim al
it
tl
eaboutIri
sh's
fi
nancialsit
uation.
Soheknewt hemoneywi l
lgoalongwayinIr
ish'
s
l
ife.Sheseemsl
ikesomeonewhoneedshelp, who
needsomemoney.Hewi l
lst
il
laskSar
ahhowshe
fi
ndherasSarahdidn'
ttel
lhi
m all
.MaybeSarah
willknowawhol
elotabouther.

Ir
ishwholookeddumbf
oundedf
oramomentf
inal
ly
spokeup.
"
What
!"Shescr
eamed.
"What?
"Ethanasked,
hehadexpect
edt
hat
expr
ession.
"
Isi
tli
tt
le?
"Het
eased.
"
That
'
swayt
oomuch"I
ri
shsai
d,st
il
lsur
pri
sed.
"
Thi
rt
ymi
ll
ionmont
hly!
Forananny?

"
Ist
hatr
eal
lyt
heamountyoupay?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
Yesandi
t'
sfi
xed,
itcan'
tbechanged"Et
hansai
d.
"
Howdoyou.
..nevermi
nd"I
ri
shsai
d.

Shewasexci
tedandgr
atef
ul,
shecoul
dn'
thi
dei
t.

Shehadwantedtoaskhowhecopeswi
tht
he
paymentf
orget
ti
nghe'sabi
ll
i
onai
re.

"
Ithinkthat
'
llbet
heendofourconver
sati
on.You'
re
t
or esumetomorr
ow"Ethansai
dandIri
shnodded.
"
You'l
lbegi
venther
ulesbookl
etonceyougett
othe
l
ivi
ngroom"Et
hanadded,get
ti
ngonhisfeet
.
I
ri
shwast
ednot
imei
nst
andi
ngupt
oo.
"
Iguessyoucanfi
ndyourwaybackt
othel
ivi
ng
r
oom"Ethansai
d.
"
Yessi
r.
"Ir
ishsai
d.
"
Okay"Et
hansai
dwal
kingcl
osert
othepool
.

Ir
ishshr
uggedandstart
edwalki
ngbacki
nthe
samedirect
ionEt
hanledheri
n.
Shegazedadmir
ingl
yatt
hepol
loncemor
ebef
ore
f
inal
lyl
eaving.
Hermi
ndwassooccupi
edthatshedi
dn'
teven
knewwhenshegot
otheedgeofapassageway.
Therewer
ethreedoorsandshestoodwonder
ing
whichwasthedoortothel
ivi
ngroom.
Ki
ndl
yHiNovel
sRepubli
con+2348055889183on
What
sApptogetaddedtoournovel
sgr
oupandget
PDFl
inks
"I
ri
shyoudeser
vesomeheavywhi
p!"Shesai
d
bit
ingherowel
ip.
Shehadbeenstar
ingathi
sbroadbackal
ltheway
tothegar
denandnowshe'sl
ostinthemi
ddleof
thr
eedoors.

Howcoul
dshenotevenknowwhi
chdoor
.
I
sshet
hatdumb?
Ordi
str
act
ed.

Shesi
ghedandmadet
otur
ntheknoboft
hedoor
onherl
eft
.

"That
'st
hedoort
oAr i
n'splayi
ngr oom"Et
han
suddenl
ysai
d,st
art
li
ngt hehelloutofI
ri
sh.
Shebr
eat
hedi
nandoutbef
oret
urni
ngt
ofacehi
m.
"Yousaidyouknewt
hewaybackt
othel
ivi
ngr
oom"
Ethansaid.
"
Wel
l.
.i
tgotconf
usi
ng"I
ri
shsai
d,embar
rassed.
Howl
onghashebeenbehi
ndher
?
Hemusthavebeenent
ert
ainedbyherstupi
dit
y"
I
ri
sht
hought,al
mostcur
singather
self
.
"
Youcanuset
hedooronyourr
ight"Et
hansai
dand
wal
kedi
ntohi
sroom.
"
Thankyou"I
ri
shmurmur
edandhopedhehear
d
t
hrought
hethi
ckdoor
.

_
__

"
Thi
rt
ymi
ll
ion?
"Ar
ushaaskedi
ndi
sbel
ief
.
"
Yes,
iwasshocked"
"
Oh.
.my.
.God!That
'shal
foft
hedebtdadsti
llowns
t
hej
ewel
rycompany"Damienbl
inkedrapi
dly.
"
Yes!
"Ir
ishexcl
aimedi
nsmi
les.
"
Whydidn'
tyoust
arti
mmedi
atel
y"Ar
ushasai
dand
I
ri
shl
aughed.
"
Iwant
edt
obuti
mtor
esumeaf
tergoi
ngt
hrough
t
hel
it
tl
egi
rl
'sr
ulesbookl
et"

"
Rul
esbookl
et?
"Hermot
herasked.
.
"Yeah,i
t'
sr i
ghtherei
nmydesk"I
ri
shsai
dr eaching
outforthebook.She,hermot
herandli
tt
lebrother
wereonvi deocall
.
Sheshowedt
hem t
hel
it
tl
ebook.
"
Thegi
rlmadet
her
ulesher
sel
f?"Ar
ushaasked.
"Ofcourseandtheli
tt
legi
rlsaidshewishiwon'
t
backoffaft
erreadi
ngherrulesbookl
et"
"
Real
ly?Ar
eherrul
esthathar
dtokeep?
"Her
mot
herwonder
edaloud.

"
Youknowt hat'
smeanreasonIhat
eBi l
li
onar
e's.
Theyexpectever
yonet
obowatt hei
rfeet
"

"
They'
renotbadorrudetomemot her
,Ever
yonehas
r
ulesbutyouknowrichki
dsrul
esarefardiff
erent
,
t
heysetthei
rrul
eswithsomekindofl
evel,buti
knowiwon'
tfi
ndt
her
ulesdi
ff
icul
t"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Doessheappearl
ikeaspoi
ltgi
rl
?"Ar
ushaasked.
"
Doyoumi ndl
owingyourvoi
ce?Herr oom isnextt
o
mine!
,Notatall
,She'
ssosmar tandabi tofa
t
alkat
ive,
ireal
lyl
ikeher
"Ir
ishsmiled.
"
Youl
ikeal
lki
ds"
Arushast
ated.

"
Yes"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Theworker
sinthehousearequi
temuchbutt
he
mansioniswideenoughtoaccommodat
ehundreds
ofpeopl
e.
Thelivi
ngroom al
oneiswidert
hanourent
ir
e
compound"Ir
ishsai
d,chewingont
hecheeseshe
gotontheway.

"
Wow!
"Ar
ushasai
dint
erest
ingl
y.
"
Ihopet
hemanwasni
cet
oyou?
"Heasked.
"Yeshewasandithinkhe'
sal
it
tl
ecr
eepy"I
ri
shsai
d
andtheybot
hlaughed.
"I
shisbehaviordif
fer
entfr
om other
bil
li
onar
es?"Arushaasked,r
aisi
ngabrowup.
"Tot
all
y!He'
shumble.Canyoubel
ievehetol
dme
nottobowtohim.Somethi
ngmostwealthypeopl
e
want"
"Iknewidi
dn'tmadeabadchoi cei
nchoosingthat
manasmyr olemodel.Iadmi
r eeveryt
hingabout
him andt
hef actt
hathe'saphilant
hropi
stmademe
admi r
ehi
m mor e.
"Arushasaid.

"Wt.
..
.youknowhim?Howcomeyouknowhi
m even
aft
erImentionedj
usthi
sname"

"
I'
m hi
sfan,
I'
mfol
lowi
nghi
m onI
nst
agr
am"
.
"
Butyounevert
oldmeabouthi
m"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Real
ly?Idoment
ionhi
m,t
omum t
hough"Ar
usha
said.
"
Ohh"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Sis!
"Ar
ushawhi
ned.
"
Bro!
"Ir
ishmi
micked.
"I
'
vereal
lymissedyouIri
sh,Ineverf
oronceexpect
ustosepar
atedforonce,Ihat
edadf ort
his"
.

"
HeyAr usha!Don'
tsaythat,
everyt
hinghappens
f
orreason.Dadmi ghthavehist
oo"

"
Areasonf
orchasi
nghi
sonl
ydaught
eraway?
"

"
I'
mfi
neAr
usha.Seeme?DoIl
ooksi
ck?
"

"
No"hepout
ed.

"Thenwhywor
ry,
I'
mfi
ne!Wher
e'smum?
"She
asked.

"
Shewasr
ightbehi
ndme"Ar
ushasai
dst
ari
ng
behi
ndhi
m.

"
Ineedtogocheckonher
"Ir
ishst
oodup,
sli
dinghi
s
f
eetint
ohisf
li
pflops.
Arushanodded,
"I
'
llhangupnow,
cal
lsomeot
her
t
imes"

"
Sur
e"

Ir
ishshookherheadandmutt
ered'
foodmonger'
underherbr
eathbefor
eendi
ngthecallandshut
ti
ng
herlapt
op.

Arushawalkedint
ot her
oom af
terthecallhad
ended,j
ustinti
met omeethi
smot hercrying.

"Mot
her?"Shet
urnedshar
plyandcl
eanedhert
ear
s
smil
ing.
"
Youokay?
"

"Yeah,Iam.
.areyoudonetal
kingwit
hIri
sh?"She
asked.AndArushast
aredathersuspect
ivel
y.

"
Ihavetoendthecal
laft
erIcan'
tfi
ndyou,
we
weremakingt
hecallt
ogether
,whydidyoul
eave?
Tocry?
"

"
NoAr
usha,
I'
m notcr
ying"

"
Isawyou.Youthoughtusnottoli
emot
her
,
r
ememberthat?You'r
elyingnow".

Thewomansi
ghed."
Imi
ssedI
ri
sh.
..Al
ot"
_
__
"
Ihear
dmybr
otherEt
hani
sbackt
oCal
if
orni
a,How
br
avehecouldbe"Tonysai
dli
ght
ingt
heci
gar
ett
e
i
nhishand.

"YoumeanEt hanisbacktoCali
for
nia?Wi
thmy
daughteranddidn'
teveninf
orm metocomeand
visi
ther?"Cat
heri
neyell
ed.

"
Yes"Herhusbandrepl
ied,
"Andhealsoappoi nt
ed
anewnannyforher,wit
houtyourper
mission"he
addedt
helastpartt
omakehermor eaggressive.

Hehadact uall
yseenthenewsont hewebsabout
hi
sar r
ivalandabouthishostofananny,
sohe's
guessi
nghemust '
veappoint
edananny.

"Howdarehim!,Getthecar
sreadyi
n5minut
es!
"
Cather
ineyel
ledattheguar
dsassheexi
stt
heli
ving
room.
Tonysmi
led.
..
..
.
TheBi
ll
ionar
eIf
elli
nlovewi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e:Bi
ll
ionar
e,Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
6

*
Don'
tuseswear
ingwor
dsonme*

*
Don'
thi
tmeoryel
latme*
*
Don'
ttouchmyhai
r,onl
ymydaddycan*

*Don'
tdr
essmeupal
ways,
teachmehowt
odoi
t
mysel
f*

*
Alwaysr
eadmeabedt
imeser
ies*

I
ri
shcontinuedreadi
ngandreadi
ngt her
ulesofa
sixyearsol
dchild.Theywer
etenrulesint
otaland
theydidn'
tseem tobehardt
okeep.

"Iwi
shI
'vejustst
artedi
mmedi
atel
y"I
ri
shsai
d,
t
hencont
inuedreading.

*
Pleasebeneat
,di
rt
ypeopl
emakesmepuke.

*
Youhavet
obeni
ce,
sweetandi
ntel
li
gent
.
*Youmustmakesur
eihavemyf
rui
tsbef
oreand
aft
ermynap.

*
Youshoul
dbeabl
etoansweranyquest
ionipose.

Ir
ishsi
ghed,t
herulesarequi
techal
lengi
ngbuti
t
shoul
dn'tbedif
fi
cultt
okeep.

_
__
"Ihear
dmybr ot
herEthanisbacktoCal
if
orni
a,How
bravehecouldbe"Tonysaidl
ight
ingt
hecigar
ette
i
nhi shand.

"YoumeanEt hanisbacktoCali
for
nia?Wi
thmy
daughteranddidn'
teveninf
orm metocomeand
visi
ther?"Cat
heri
neyell
ed.

"
Yes"Herhusbandrepl
ied,
"Andhealsoappoi
nted
anewnannyforher,
wi t
houtyourper
missi
on"he
addedt
hel
astpar
ttomakehermor
eaggr
essi
ve.

Hehadact uall
yseenthenewsont hewebsabout
hi
sar r
ivalandabouthishostofananny,
sohe's
guessi
nghemust '
veappoint
edananny.

"Howdarehim!,Getthecar
sreadyi
n5minut
es!
"
Cather
ineyel
ledattheguar
dsassheexi
stt
heli
ving
room.

Tonysmi
led.
..
..
.

"Isshenott
hesameladywhooncewor kedasa
modelinoneofhi
scompany?"TonyMor ganHarl
ow
thoughtasCat
her
inewasscr
eami ngal
loverthe
house.

Thatbast
ardl
ikest
aki
ngever
ythi
ngt
hati
shi
s!
 Hewasgr eatf
ultohavebeenabl
etorui
ned
Cather
inewithmoney,elsehewoul
dhavelosther
tohim.Howmuchhehat edthef
acttot
hinkthey
cameoutfrom thesamewomb.

Hehatesthef
actt
hathe'
sonebast
ardbi
ll
ionai
re
peopl
elovemuchmorethanhi
m.

EthanHarlowkeepget t
ingever ythi
ngonapl at
ter
ofgoldwhil
ehestrugglestoevengetadealdone,
Thefactt
hathewashi sbr otherwasonet hi
nghe
despi
seandwillal
wayscur setheirdiedpar
entsfor
makinghi
m ajuniorbrothertoEt han.

Hehaddevisedseveralmeanstobr
ingEthandown
butthemotherf
uckerkeptgoi
ngup,hehadtoqui
t
forawhil
esincenoneofhisplanworked.

Onsomanyoccasionshehadtri
edtokeepa
pr
ivat
espyonhi
mf oreasyupdat
es,butEt
han
seemst oal
waysknowhi smindashealwayssack
hisguardswit
houti
nformat
ionorreasons.He'
sjust
tooproudforhi
sli
king.

Andhet ookCat heri

nef rom himj usttohur thi
m,he
doesn'tloveCat heri
neandCat her i
nedoesn' tl
ove
himt oo, t
hat'
sonemeanpar ttheybot hknowabout ,
sheonl yloveshi smoneybutsof ar,
theirmar r
iage
hasbeengoodbuthest illcan'
tdowi t
houtcheat i
ng,
helovest otastedi f
ferentwomen.Yes!Hewon' t
feelbadt ocallhimselfaf l
ir
tcauset hat'
swhathei s,
tohim, astrongbr avemanshoul dn'
tdwel lineati
ng
onet ypeofmealever yday.

HeknowsCather
inewouldleavehimjustassheleft
Et
hanwhenshefindsanothergreatbi
ll
ionai
rebut
Et
hanandhim ar
ethetopbill
ionai
resi
nt hecit
y.

AllhewantedwastoseeEt haninpain.Hecoul
d
sti
llrememberhowthegirlhelovedduri
ngthei
r
collegedayshadmadeitcleartohimthatshe
doesn'
tlovehim andonlylovehi
sbr
otherEthan.
AndtothinkthatEthantur
neddowntheloveroff
er.
Oh!Howmuchhehat edhi
m.

"
Mor ganI'
l
lberi
ghtback"Cather
inesaidr
ushi
ng
outofthehousewit
hfivebodyguards.

"
Yeah,
godealwi
thhi
m"Mor
ganl
aughed.

Hewil
lpushever
ypossibl
efi
ghtsinEt
han'
sway,
Hewi
shedheneverexi
stedashisri
val
.
"
Getmemylapt
op"Mor
gansaidtooneofhi
s
wor
ker
swhobowedbef
orescurr
yingupt
hestai
rs.

Hepuffoutsmokef rom hi
scigar
ett
esandgulp
downtheglassofwinebef or
ehim,nexthecr
ossed
hi
slegstogetherandsmi l
ed.

Whoeverseeshi
mthi
shappywi
llknowhehas
al
oti
nmi
nd.Awhol
elot
.

"Heshouldhavej ustgott
enr i
dofthedamnAr i
n,
thatwil
lreal
lybri
ngdownEt han,everyoneknows
howmuchhel ovesandcher ishhisdaughter.
Takinghiswifewasnotpai nfulenough,nowhe
wouldgof orhisdaughter"Morgant hought
,smili
ng
andwonder i
ngwhyheneverhadt hatthought.

HeknewEthanast hetypethatcangoal ongway

todowhathecoul dn'
timaginetobedoneone- day
j
ustf orhi
sdaught
er"Arin"
.Andi ft
hatcoul
dpul l
him down,Morganwon'twon'thesit
atetodoit.

Hislapt
opwasbr oughtt
ohim andhequi
ckl
ymade
abackgroundcheckonIr
ishLevi
ne.

Hehadseenheronceathi
smodelCompanyand
t
hatfi
rstt
imehadmadehim cr
avet
ohaveher,even
i
fit
'sj
ustonet
imeandwhenhehadapproached
herf
oraquicki
e,shehadboldl
ytoldhimtogoto
hel
lwit
hthejobthatshewouldneversl
eepwit
h
hi
m.

Hecouldhavehertoj
ailatonesli
pofahand, he
couldevenmakeherhissxxtoywithoutany
dif
fcul
tyorstr
ess,
buthelethergo.Reasonsbest
knownt ohi
m.

Nowt othi
nkthatsamebi*chhewantedand
cravedf ori
sunderEthan'
sroofmadehim wantt
o
gocr azy.Ethani
squitesmart
!Toalwayshavea
wayt ogr abwhat'
shis.

Duri
ngthosepastyearshewasn'
tonCali
for
nia,
it
hasbeenpeacefulf
orhim.Nowthathe'
sback,
Morganwon'tl
ethim workwi
thhi
sbrain.

"
Ohh,herpar
entslivesi
nSi
ngaporeandhisf
ather
wasanexattendanttot
hebestsel
li
ngpopul
ar
j
ewelryst
oreandtherecor
dsaidhewasf i
redaft
er
aBil
li
onworthjewel
rywasfindinhi
sdaughter
's
bag.Andthedaught
eris"I
ri
sh".
Hethoughtal
oud.

Seemshehadsomehi st
orywi
ththedownfal
lof
I
rishLevi
nebutt
hat
'snoneofhi
sbusinessnow.
Ethanknowthi
sladyi
saThief
!Yetheempl
oyedher
.
Orhetrust
edhermuchnott
oevendoabackground
checkonher?

HeknowsEt
hanwouldneverempl
oyani
ndecent
per
sonashi
sdaught
ernannyandnowhewentfor
aThief
!
Whatcoul
dbehi
spl
an?Doesheknow?

"Getmeawi ne"Heorder
edandawor
kerwhowas
holdi
ngthedrinkqui
ckl
ypour
edsomeint
othe
glasscup.
Hehandedi
ttohi
m,f
orget
ti
ngt
obow.
"
You'
ref
ir
ed"Mor
gansai
dsi
mpl
y.
"
PleaseI
'
m sos.
..
"Thegi
rlwaspl
eadi
ng.

"Takeheroutt
hisofmysi
ghtandsendherl
uggage
afterher
"Heorder
edthet
wobodyguardsst
andi
ng
behindhim.

Theybowedbefor
ecarryi
ngouthi
sorder
.He
smil
ed,i
tfeel
sgoodtoberich,
youcanhavet
he
powertodoexact
lywhatyouwants.

Hepi
ckedhi
sphoneandpl
acedacal
lacr
ossCar
los

"
Boss"Car
losvoi
cebr
oket
hrought
hephone.

"
Mymi ser
abl
ebrot
heri
sbacki
nti
me,
youknow
whatt
hatmeans"
"
Yesboss.

"Fi
ndawaytogetaspyunderhisroof
,ei
thera
maidoraguar
doradriver
.Andyes!Iknowwe
havebeent
ryi
ngbutt
ryhardert
histi
me".

"
Okayboss,
i'
llmakesur
eif
il
lyoui
noncei
t'
sdone.

"
Okay,
Bye.

Morgangotonhi
sfeetandt
urnedt
ooneofhi
s
bodyguar
ds.

"Callthebarandinf
orm Madam Mort
hatI'
l
lbe
comi ngtoni
ght"Morgansai
dandgrabbedhisdr
ink
beforeheadingupstai
rs.
_
__

"Howdareyoudosuchacr uelt
hingEt
han"
Cather
ineyell
edbar
gingint
oEthan'
sli
vingr
oom
evenwhent heguar
dstri
edtostopher
.

"Theonlycruelt
hingi
nthi
sroom i
syou.Whatt
he
hellareyoudoinginmyhouseandhowdareyou
yellatmeatmyownhouse! "Et
hanasked,
equal
ly
pissed.

"Howdareyoutr
ytoempl
oyat
hiefandasl
utasmy
daught
er'
snanny!
"

"
Shoul
dthatbotheryou?Aslutgavebi
rt
htoher
r
emember"Ethantaunted.
Cather
ineswal
lowedhar
d,t
hewor
dspr
ici
ng
thr
oughherheart
.
 "Ohpleasesparemet hatEthan!Nomatterwhat
mighthavehappenedbet weenus, Ar
ini
smy
daughterandIhaveeveryr i
ghttodeci
dewhowi l
l
beinherlif
eandwhoshoul dn'
t!Howcanyoupick
upar andom st
reetgir
lyouknewnot hi
ngaboutto
bemydaught er'
sNanny. !Whatgoodmoralswil
l
sheteachandpr ovi
deforher?"

"Perhapsi
fyourmum hadt
aughtyoumorals,
you
won'thaveendedupinmybrot
her'
shouse"Ethan
said,si
ppi
nghisdri
nk.

"Areyoucr
azy?Don'
tdr
agmymum i
ntot
hissh*
t
Ethan!
"Cat
heri
neaskedangr
il
y.

"I
'
m notbutit
hinkyousoundl
iket
hecr
azyone"
Ethansai
d.

"
Arinnai
smydaughterEt
han!Idon'
tcar
ewhatyou
t
hinkorsay,
Icar
ri
edheri
nmywombandIdi dthe
pushingnotyou!Idecidewhathappensinherlif
e
andasIsai d,t
hatgirli
snotgoingtobemy
daughter'
snanny!I'l
lemploythenannymyselfand
i
fyoudr agitwithmeIpr omisetotaket
histocourt
"
Catheri
nethreatenedandEthanlaughedloud.

"Court?Haveyouf or
gott
enyoul osttheri
ghtover
Arinsixyearsago.Doyouevencar eabouther
?
Rememberyouchosemoneyandmanoverheri n
court.Youchose$50.6mi ll
iondol l
arsandmy
brotheroveryourdaught
erCat herineareyouevena
mot her?Andyoucameher etodr aghavingmoral
s
ornotwi thme"Et
hansaid,sti
llangeredoverthepast
i
ncident .

Cat
herineswal
lowedhardagain,
glar
ingatEthan.
Helookedsomuchbettert
hanhewasf i
veyears
agobeforet
heybothsepar
ated.

Shewon'
tdenyt
hef
actt
hatshest
il
lloveshi
m.
Hekeepsgr
owi
nghandsomeeachpassi
ngday.
Shemi
ssedhi
m andshesuddenl
yfeell
ikehuggi
ng
hi
m.

Shemi
ssedhi
shug.
Shemi
ssedbei
ngi
nhi
sar
ms.
Shemi
ssedhavi
nghi
mri
dher
.
Butsheneededmoney,
Noonecoul
dhaver
esi
sted.

"I
'mreadyifyouwanttot
akei
ttocour
tbutyou
knowI'l
lal
wayswi n,
you'
l
lonl
ystai
nyour
reput
ati
on"Ethansai
d.
"
Ethanyo.
..
"Cat
her
inewassayi
ng.
"Leavemyhouset
hisminut
e,idon'twantt
osee
youinmyhouseexceptonyourvisi
tat
iondays,
whichisonl
yonSatur
daysokay?"Ethansai
d
clearl
y.
"Shoul
diordermybodyguar dstopushyououtthe
wayyouor deredyourbodyguar
dstopushmeand
yourdaughteroutfi
veyearsago?"Ethanasked.
Cather
inet
ookonelastgl
anceathim bef
ore
sl
owlywalki
ngoutofthehousebutEt
hanst opped
her
.

"
Dosayhit
omybr
other
,Mor
ganyourhusband"
.

Cather
iner
oll
edhereyesandwal
kedoutoft
he
house.

"
Dad"Ar
incal
ledl
oudl
yfr
om upst
air
s.
"
Yesprincess"Ethanr
epl
iedquickl
ypour
ingt
he
winei
nhisgl asscupont
hefloor.
"
What'
swit
htheshout
?Andwhywon'tt
hemai
dsl
et
meoutaminut
esago"Shewhi
ned.

"I
'
m sorry,
itwasamaidwhoaccidental
lypour
ed
mywi neoff"Et
hansai
dandsighedknowingAri
nis
comingtobombardhim wi
thquesti
ons.

Ari
nst
aredatherf
athersuspect
ivel
ybutdi
dn'
tsay
anymoreword.

*
*Nextmor
ning.

Ir
ishwasputti
ngonasi mpleblueshirttuckedi
nto
ablackpenci
lskir
t,wi
thbluefli
pflops,shehad
seentheoutf
itonherclosetandlovedit.

Herhairwaspackedinherfavor
it
estyl
e,asi
mpl
e
ponyt
ailwi
thtendr
il
sframingherface.
Shehadwokeupwi thastart,
HerbossEthanas
whil
east hemai
dshadn'tdist
urbedherf
oronce
yest
erday.Andl
ikeEthanhadtoldher
,

Herj
obsst
art
stoday.
..
.

_
__
Ir
ishfi
ndherwaydownt hest
air
swhereshemet
Ethanandhi
sdaughter
'sgazefi
xedonthewal
l
cl
ock.

"Goodmor
ning"Shesai
daboutt
obowbutqui
ckl
y
gothol
dofherhead.

"Dad!She'
sHere,Lookwhofi
nall
ydeci
dedtocl
imb
down"Arinsmil
ed,happi
lysl
idi
ngherf
eeti
ntoher
bunnyfootwear
.

"
Ohh.
..Goodmor
ning"Et
hanr
epl
ied.
"Wet houghtyoul eftyest
erdaybutDadsai
dyou
didn't
,Iwant edt
ocomespendsomet i
mewi thyou
i
nyourr oom beforeyoucanbemynanny, butDad
i
nsistIl etyoube"Ar i
nsaid,hert
onguemoving
fasterthanpeople'sofherage.

"Oh.
..I
'm sor
ryaboutt
hat
,Ij
ustdon'
tknowwhatto
bedoingifIwal
koutofmyroom".Ir
ishsmi
led.

"
It
'sf
ine"Et
hansai
d.

"Haveyougonethroughmyr ulesbookl
et?I
twasn'
t
real
lymuchri
ght
? "Ari
nblinkedwaiti
ngeagerl
yfor
onewordshewishedt ohear.

"
Yes,
Idi
d.Yest
erdayni
ght
"Ir
ishsai
d.

"
And?
"Sheaskedeager
ly.
"Uhmmm, Therul
esar
enothar
dandIt
hinkIcan
cope"I
ri
shsaid.
.

"
SodoesthatmakeyounowmyNanny?Of f
ici
all
y?"
Ari
naskedexpect
ant
lyandI
ri
shnodded.

"Yay!
"Aringi
ggledandIr
ishsmiledanddi
dn'
tnot
ice
howEt han'
sfacehadli
ghtenedup.

Sher
eal
lyl
iket
heki
d.

"
Wel
comet
omywor
ldI
ri
sh"Ar
insai
dexci
tedl
y.
"
Thankyou"I
ri
shsmi
led.

"Soyou'r
enowof fi
ciall
yMydaught er
'sNanny,
what
I'
m abouttosayisalreadyi
nAr i
n'sbookl
etbutI'
l
l
sayitanyways..
.You' r
enotal
lowedt oyel
lather,
hit
herormakehercry.Onceyoudoanyoft
hat
,j
ust
knowyou'
refi
red"Ethansai
d.

"
Iwon'
tdot
hat
"Ir
ishsai
d.

"Okay.Andpleasetryasmuchaspossiblet
okeep
toherrules,
shedoesn'tl
ikeherr
ulesbei
ng
disr
egarded,Youarealsoall
owedtogoonweek
breaks,l
ikevi
sithome"Ethansai
d.

"Okay"Ir
ishsai
dandforcedherselfnottoweara
palefaceaboutthel
astword"Visi
ti
nghome"she
wishedshehadahomet ovisi
t,ohyeah!Shehada
home. .
.Ahomeshecan' tVi
sit
.

"
Andidon'
tthi
nkther
e'l
lbeprobl
em betweenyou
t
wo,youseem t
oli
keeachotheralr
eady"Et
hansai
d.

Hi
sdaught
erhadneverbeent
hisexci
tedwhena
newnannyresumes,
ori
sitbecausei
t'
sbeenl
ong
shehadananny?

Shehadbeent al
kingaboutIri
shsinceyesterday
andkeptinsi
sti
ngongoi ngtoherroom, butEthan
doesn'
twanthertodisturbI
rish.Shehadn'tstart
ed
theworkyetsosheshoul dgetsomer estandt i
me
todeci
deifshecandoi tornot.

Theladyisbeaut
if
ulpl
usshedressesni
cel
yand
decentl
ytooandshespeaksf
luentl
y.

"So,
I'
llbei
nmyroom now"Ethansai
d,pi
cki
nghi
s
phone,hewal
kedovert
oArinandpeckedher
.
Hegotonhisfeetandwasaboutheadi
ngtohi
s
room whenoneofhisf
emaleworker
swalkedi
n,
stoppi
nghim.

"
What
?"Et
hanasked.
"
MrsCat
her
inei
sher
e"Thewor
kersai
d.

"Whatthef
vck!Tell
theguardstofvckingthrowher
outthi
sminute!
"ThetoneofEthan'svoicesuddenl
y
changedfr
om beingcal
mt owhatIrishcouldn'
ttel
l.

Ir
ishbli
nkedsever
all
yinconfusi
onashowEt han'
s
voicecanchangeinasec,Ir
ishbentt
oconsoleAri
n
whenshesawt helit
tl
egir
lhadstart
edcr
ying.

Ethancur sedatCather
inebef
orewal
kingoutofthe
room, notspari
nganygazeatIri
shnotAri
n.His
expressionwas. .
.Mvd!

Ari
ncrygr
ewlouderandt
heconf
usedIr
ishbent
overt
oconsol
eher.Sher
ememberedt
hefir
strul
e.

*
Don'
tuseswear
ingwor
dsonme*
Damn!Iri
shbecamemor econfused,
Isshecr
ying
becauseherfat
herusedthesweari
ngwordsnear
her?OrbecauseofthenameCatheri
ne?

Ar
ghhh!Fi
rstdayi
sn'
tgoi
ngwel
l*
.
TheBi
ll
ionar
eIf
elli
nlovewi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e:Bi
ll
ionar
e,Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
7
Ari
n'scri
esgrewl
ouder
,andtheconf
usedIr
ishbent
overtoconsol
eher
.Sherememberedthef
ir
strul
e.

*
Don'
tuseswear
ingwor
dsonme*

Damn!Iri
shbecamemor econfused,
Isshecr
ying
becauseherfat
herusedthesweari
ngwordsnear
her?OrbecauseofthenameCatheri
ne?

Ar
gh!Fi
rstdayi
sn'
tgoi
ngwel
l·
.

I
renesi
ghed,
conf
used,
looki
ngar
ound.
Shedoesn'
tknowt
hebestwayt
oconsol
ethe
cr
yingAri
n.

Therul
esdidn'
tsaysheshouldn'tt
ouchAri
n,but
shedoesn'
tknowthebestwayt odothatwi
thout
Ari
nfeel
ingoff
ensi
ve.She'
shernannyandshould
doherbesttost
opherfrom cryi
ng.Butt
hen,i
twas
herf
ir
stday,andshedi
dn'
tknowi
fitwi
llbeokayt
o
pul
lherover
.

ShesighedasAr i
n'scri
esconti
nued,Howmuchi t
pier
cesherhear tseeingtheoncehappyArinin
tear
s.Shewant edt ohugherandt el
lheri
t'
sokay,
evenwhenshedoesn' tknowwhat '
sgoingon.
Furt
hermore,shecoul dn'
tresi
ttheurgeofhugging
theli
tt
legi
rl
.

Li
kewise,
shepull
edthesti
llcryi
nggi
rli
ntoher
armsandrockedherback,
wi shi
ngshe'
l
lquietdown
soon.
Shedoesn'
tli
keseei
ngki
dscr
y,i
tsomet
imeswant
s
tomakehercryt
oo.

Ir
ishgent
lysatonthecouchwit
hArini
nherar
ms,
patt
ingherbackandsingi
ngqui
etl
ytoher
.
Hercryhadqui
eteddown,
andshewasjust
sni
ff
ingnow.I
ri
shprai
sedher
sel
fforaj
obwell
did.
“Who'
sCather
ine?AndwhydidAr
inst
art
edcr
ying
al
lofasudden”Ir
isht
hought
.
Andwhydi dal
lthi
shadt
ohappent
hedayshe
resumed.

Ir
ishglancedatAri
nandnoticedshehadstar
tto
doze.Shepositi
onedherneckproper
lyandst
ared
admiri
nglyattheli
tt
legi
rl
.
Shewasalmosttemptedt
otouchhergl
ossybrown
hai
r,butt
hensherememberedhernumbersecond
rul
e.

*
Donott
ouchmyhai
r,Onl
yMydadcan*

Aaar
rgh,somuchrules,butshedidagoodj
obin
memorizi
ngthem,shehadmadesur eshe
memorizedt
hetenrulesthatseemssi
mplebut
ar
en'
t.
Ar
inhadsl
eptof
fcompl
etel
yinherar
ms.
Sheneverknewthesmartandtal
kat
iveArincoul
d
cr
ythatmuchandeasil
ytoo.Et
hanalsolookedpi
ss
whenhewalkedoutoft
hedoor.

Shehopedsomet
hinghasnotgonewr
ong.

_
“
Shoul
dn'tyoubeashamedofyour
self
,Cat
heri
ne?
Whatdoyouwant ?Moremoney?
”Ethanyel
led,
pi
ssedatCather
ine.

“
I'
m heretoseemydaughterEt
han!Andthat
wort
hlessthi
efandsl
utyouemployedasaNanny”
.

“Iwon'ttol
erat
eyoucomingthewayf r
om your
husband'shouset
omi neandinsul
tmywor ker
s!
Don'tyoudare”Hi
stonewassomet hi
ngCatheri
ne
coul
dn'
trecogni
ze,
andsheknewshehadgoneof
f
l
imit
s?

Shehi
ssedloudl
y,“
Idon'
tcar
e,Et
han.Iwantt
osee
mydaughter
”

“Iwon'tdenyyouseeingyourdaught
er,aswhileI
won'tal
lowyout oseeherwhenit'
snotyourvisi
ti
ng
day.Leavemyhouse, Cat
heri
ne,anddon'tr
eturn
unti
lyourvisi
ti
ngdays”.

“Onethi
ngaboutyouist
hatyou'
retooproud!No
onecouldhavewantedt
ostaywit
hamanl i
keyou.
That'
swhyyourbrot
herhat
esyou”Catheri
neyell
ed
back.

“Noonewi l
leverli
ketohaveyouasaMot her!I
curset
heverydayImetyou”Et hanbangedt he
doorather,
thenorderedtheguardsnevert
oal l
ow
hertoret
urnexpectit
'shervi
sit
ingday.
Fr
om i
nsi
de,
hecanst
il
lhearCat
her
ine'
sscr
eam”

Ethanwalkedbackint
othel i
vingroom,st
il
llooki
ng
outraged,
hewon'tdenyitt
hatt hewordCatheri
ne
saidtohim hur
tshi
m deeply.
Thel
adyi
sjustapai
nint
heass,
shepi
sseshi
m of
f
somuch.

Hi
sangermel
tedi
mmedi
atel
yatt
hesi
ghti
nfr
ontof
hi
m.

Ari
nwasheldsoper f
ect
lyinIr
ish'
sar
mt hathe
canbol
dlysayaf
terhim,t
hisist
henextpersonwho
hol
dsAri
nsoperfectl
y.

EvenCatheri
nedoesn'
tholdherdaughtert
hisway.
Hewouldgot oanyl
imitst
oprovideanythi
ngthat
Ar
inneeds,butonethi
nghehadt ri
edandcouldn'
t
pr
ovi
dewasAr
inhavingamother
lyl
oveandcare.
Howmuchhewishedhecoul
dprovi
dehert
hat.

Ir
ishwasn'
tawareofEt
han'
spr
esence,
shewassti
ll
star
ingadmi
ringl
yatAr
in.I
nAr
inshecont
inues
seeingt
heli
tt
leher.

Ethansmi l
ed,theangeri
nhi
mfadingaway,
hewas
gl
adhef inall
yhasanannywholoveshi
sdaught
er
genuinel
y.
He'l
lmakesurehedoeseveryt
hinghecantotake
herfami
lyoutoft
heanysingleprobl
em t
hey'
re
faci
ng.

Ir
ishglancedupnonchal
ant
lyandwasst
art
ledt
o
seeEthanstandi
ngbefor
eher.

Oh,
FQCK!
Thi
smani
ssur
ecr
eepy.
Et
hancl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
,lostf
orwor
ds.
“
Uhm mm,
Issheokay?
”Hef
inal
lyasked.
“
Yes,
sheshoul
dbe.Butt
oobadshecr
iedt
osl
eep”
I
ri
shanswer
ed.
“
Okay”Et
hansi
mpl
ysai
d.

“Ithi
nkIshoul
ddropherinherroom,soshe'
l
lbe
mor ecomfor
tabl
e”I
rishsai
dafteral
ongmomentof
steal
inggl
ancesateachother
.
“
That
'l
lbeokay.Comewi
thme”Et
hansai
d.
Ir
ishst
oodupwit
hArini
nherarmsbutst
agger
ed
backovert
hewei
ghtoft
heli
tt
legi
rl
.

Woodr
ow!

Et
hanqui
ckl
ytookAr
inf
rom her
.
“
I'
m sosor
ry”I
ri
shsai
d.
“Sorr
yforwhat?Youdidnot
hing.I
t'
snor
malforyou
nottobeabl
et ocar
ryAri
n,Ari
nhasweighedalot
sincebi
rt
h”Ethansai
d.

“Oh,nowondermyhandswerest
art
ingtoache”
Ir
ishsaidandwant
edtol
aughbutquickl
ygothol
d
ofhersel
f.
“You'r
efreetol
augh,I
ri
sh”Et hansai
dandIri
sh
blushedathowsmoothlyhernamemovedoutof
hismouth.Itwasthef
irstt
imehehadment ioned
hername, andI
ri
shhadear l
ierwonderedi
fheeven
knowshername.

“
Okay,weshoul
ddropherinherr
oom.Yourhands
mustbeachi
ng”I
ri
shsaid.
“
No,
I'
m usedt
oit
,butI
'
mjustwor
ri
ed”Et
hansai
d.
“Overwhat?
”Ir
ishaskedworri
edl
y,not
ici
ngt
hehi
nt
ofsadnessonEthan'
sface.
“
Yousai
dshecr
iedt
osl
eep,
,huh?
”
“
Yes”
“I
t'
snotnor
malf orkidst
ocryt osl
eepandArinfal
ls
si
ckwhenevershedoest hat.
,shestar
tsbur
ning
up”Et
hansaid,star
ingpi
tif
ull
yathisdaught
er.

“Oh…I '
m sosorr
yaboutthat.Whatcanwedot
o
preventit
?”I
ri
shasked,bl
inkingsever
all
y.

Shedoest
hatwhenevershe'
sconf
used,
wor
ri
edor
sur
pri
sed.

“Nothi
ng,
I'
llj
ustcal
lthedoct
oronceshewakesup”
Ethansai
d.
“Butwecanj ustr
ubherbodywithwetcl
oth,
orshe
shouldjustt
akeacoldbath”I
ri
shwantedtosaybut
couldn'
t.
Maybet
her
ichcal
lthedoct
orf
orever
ythi
ng.

“
Let
'st
akehert
oherr
oom f
ir
stf
oracomf
ort
abl
e
sl
eep”I
ri
shsai
d.
“
Oh.
yeah”Et
hansai
dandst
art
edl
eadi
ngt
heway.

EthanplacedAr
inonherbedandt
henki
ssedher
forehead.
Hepull
edherbl
anketoverherandt
hent
urnedt
o
I
ri
sh.
Hef
oundherst
ari
ngal
loverAr
in'
sroom.
kindl
yhinovelsr
epubli
conWhat sApponpl ust
wo
threefourei
ghtzerofi
vefi
veeighteightni
neone
ri
ghtthreetogetaddedtothenovelsgroup
Li
kewise,hei
sn'
tsurpr
isedbecausehemadehi
s
daughterr
oom moreli
keaprincess'
sroom.
She'
shi
spr
incess.

“
Wow!
”Ir
ishf
inal
lyexcl
aimed.
Thegi r
l'
sroom l
ookslikeaqueen'
s,t
hef i
rstti
me
shehadent er
editwit
hSar ah,
shedi
dn'tactual
ly
havethetimetolookaround.
Pi
nkcol
ordomi
nat
edt
hewhol
eroom.
Ari
nsshoerackamazedIri
sh.t
heshoesaredamn
much,andt
hey'r
eallbeaut
if
ul,
herwardr
obesizei
s
l
ikeanadul
t'
s.
Therewasagiantcr
yst
alchandel
ierhangi
ngf
rom
thecent
eroft
hewhitepai
ntedcei
ling.

Theroom wassowi
dethatitoccupi
edthr
eetwo-
seat
ercouchandaspar
kli
nggl asst
abl
einthe
middl
e.
Ther
ewasaTVpl
ast
eredont
hewal
l.
Thef
loorwasti
ledwi
thsparkl
ingwhi
temar
blet
il
es
andI
renecoul
dseeherref
lect
ion.

Sheevenhadami
nif
reezeri
nherr
oom.

I
fSarahhadn'
tsai
dtheroom bel
ongedtoArin,
she
woul
dhaveaskedEthanwhoseroom itwas.Onthe
wal
l,
Arin'
snamewasbol dl
ywrit
tenther
e.
I
ri
shalmostcr
iedatt
heamountofmoneyt hat
woul
dhavebeenusedtosetupthi
sroom alone.
Somethi
ngshehadneverhad.

“
Iri
sh”Et
hancal
led,
bri
ngi
ngherbackt
oreal
it
y.
“
Hu.
.h?
”Shest
utt
ered.

“
I'
m sor
ry.
Iwasal
it
tl
elost
,"Shesai
d.
“I
t'
sfine,whathappenedearl
ier
…thel
adycal
led
Catheri
neisArin'
smot her
”Et
hanpaused.

“Oh”I
ri
shbli
nked,nowgett
ingever
ythi
ng.Butwhy
didAr
inst
artcryi
ng?Becauseshedoesn'
tli
keher
mum?
“
Butwedi
vor
cedf
iveyear
sago”Et
hancont
inued.
“I
'm sosorr
yaboutt
hat
"Ir
ishsai
dandEt
han
shrugged.
I
thasbeenf
iveyear
s,andhegotoverheralr
eady.
“
Ari
ncri
edbecauseISweared,
shehatesthatalot
”
I
ri
shnodded.

“Idon'tal
lowheri nmyhouseexceptonher
visit
ati
ondays, whichistwiceamont hfor24hours.
Shecomesever ysecondweekoft hemontht o
checkonAr inandpleasewhenevershe'saround,
donothesi tatetocallmeimmedi at
elybecauseI
mi ghtbeatwor kandIdon'tleaveheralonewithmy
daught er
.”Ethansaid.

“Okay”Ir
ishnodded.Shehadal
ottoask,butshe
couldn'
teverdar
eopenhermouth.Cur
iosit
ywas
gett
ingthebestofher.

Arinshi
ft
edabi ti
nhersleepandthebl
anketfel
lof
f
hershoulder
.BothIri
shandEthanqui
ckl
ymadet o
drawtheblanketbackatthesameti
me,Ir
ish
r
eachedi
tfi
rst
.

Shepul
ledi
tpr
operl
yoverAr
inandt
henr
eal
ized
shehadbeat
enEthantoi
t.
Shesmi
ledt
oher
sel
f,
,butEt
hancaughther
.
“
Whyar
eyousmi
li
ng?
”Heasked.
“
Ibeatyout
oit
”Shesuddenl
ylaughed.
“
Damn!
Whatdi
dshej
ustdo?
”Shet
hought
.
“I
'
m sorry.I
twasnotmyi
ntent
iont
olaugh”She
quickl
yapologi
zed.
“
It
'sf
ine”
Ethansmi
led.
Hehadl
ovedt
hewayshel
aughedpl
ayf
ull
y.
Thi
swil
lbethefi
rstti
mehe'llseeherl
augh,
andshe
l
ookedmorebeauti
fulati
t.

“Youdon'
thavetobesorr
ycauseyoulaughed,
you
arefr
eetolaughanyt
imeyoupl
ease,You'
renotmy
sl
aveandIcan'
tpreventyouf
rom l
aughi
ng”
Ethan
sai
d,andshenodded.

“Ineedtogetinmyr oom nowandstar

tprepari
ng
forworktomorrow,youcangomeetGabr i
ell
e,so
she'l
lenl
ight
enyoumor eaboutthehappeni
ngs
aroundherebutpleaseyouneedtocheckonAr i
n
everyfi
ft
eenmi nut
es”

“
Okay,
iwi
lldoj
ustt
hat
”Ir
ishsai
d.
_
__
“
Doyoucareforanyt
hing?
”Ms.Gabr
iel
leasked
I
ri
shassheenter
edthekit
chen.
“No,Ar
ini
sasl
eepandMr .Et
hansaidIcancome
spendsometi
mewithyou”Ir
ishsai
d.
“Oh,
you'r
ewelcome”Gabr
iel
lesmi
led,
mot
ioni
ng
hert
ositopposi
teher
.

Theybot
hsatont
hebr
eakf
astbari
ntheki
tchen.
“
I'
m sur
eyou'
reenj
oyi
ngyourwor
k?”

“
Iam”I
ri
shsmi
led.

“ToldyouMr .Ethanisagoodman, het

reat
shis
worker
swi t
hal lther
espectt
heyneededunl
ike
somepr oudBil
lionar
e"

“
That'
ssoobvi ousandAri
ni salsoanicekid,
t
houghherrulesarenotverynice,Imeanisn'tshe
t
ooli
ttl
etoplacear ul
e?”I
ri
shsai dandGabr i
ell
e
l
aughed.

“
Ar i
ncanbeeccent ri
catt
imes.But
,oncesher eal
ly
l
ikesyou,she'
llbetheonetobr
eaktherulesshe
madef orher
self,
she'sagoodki
d”Gabri
ell
esaid.

“
Real
ly?
”Ir
ishasked.
“
Yes”

“Oh.my,Ineedt
ogocheckonAr
in”I
ri
shsai
d
glanci
ngatthewal
lcl
ock.

Shest
oodupandqui
ckl
ywal
kedoutoft
heki
tchen.

Gabri
ell
esmi led,shehadact
uall
yli
kedt
hel ady
fr
om thefi
rstdayandhadpr ayedandbel
ievedthat
Mr.Ethanwillli
kehertoo.

Arin'
spastnanni
eswereal
waysi
nter
est
edi
n
checki
ngoutthewhol
ehouse,
rat
hert
hansi
tand
tal
kwithher
.

Mostofthem doaskherwhatEthanl
ikesand
di
sli
kes,theyconcentr
atemor
eonEthanthanAr
in
whom theywereher efor
.
Butt
hisl
adyi
sdi
ff
erent
.

Anyonecant
ell
shegenuinel
ycar
esf
orAr
ineveni
f
shej
ustr
esumedtoday.

Gabriell
ehadwat chedherf r
om t heki
tchenwhi l
e
Arinwasst i
lli
nherarmsandshehadseenhow
Ir
ishbadlywant edtot
ouchAr in'shair
,,butshe
didn'
t.Arinwasasleepandwoul dn'
thaveknowni f
anyonetouchedherhai r
,,butI
rishdidn'tusethat
advantagetodisregar
dherr ul
es.Shekeptst rict
ly
totherules.
Gabr
iel
lehadbeenimpressedandhappyt
hey
fi
nal
lyhadadif
fer
entnanny.

“
She'
snotawakeyet
”Ir
ishsai
d,wal
kingbacki
nto
t
heki
tchen.
“
Oh”Gabr
iel
lesmi
led.
I
ri
sht
ookherseatopposi
teGabr
iel
le.
Shefoundthewomaninter
est
ing,she'
sshari
ngso
muchwi t
hher,
evenifshej
ustresumedtoday.She
hadbeentheonlyf
ri
endshehadmade.

“
CanIaskyousomet
hing?
”Ir
ishasked.
“
What
?”

“DoesMr .Ethanpayhisworker
sclosetoone
mill
iondollar
saweek? ”I
ri
shaskedthatone
questi
oni nhermind.

“Onemill
iondol
lar
saweek?
”Gabr
iel
lenear
ly
screamed.

Ir
ishnoddedandMs.Gabr
iel
lebl
inkedhereyesi
n
shock.
"
Hel
lNo!
'
.

QNA:There'
sabigdi
ff
erencebetweenst
eal
inga
bookAndrewri
ti
ngast
orywiththeAUTHOR'
S
PERMISSI
ON.

Di
ff
erence-I
reneneverhadadog-I
ri
shdoes
Harol
dhadnobr
other-Et
handoesandacousi
n
si
stert
oo.
I
renehadnopar
ent
sonl
yast
epmot
her-I
ri
shdoes.
I
renewasaf
ashi
oni
sta-I
ri
shi
saModel

Sowhat
'syourpr
obl
em?
?
TheBi
ll
ionar
eIf
elli
nlovewi
th

JustANanny
 CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e:Bi
ll
ionar
e,Mai
d,Romance-
Supense.

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
8

“DoesMr .Ethanpayhisworker
sclosetoone
mill
iondollar
saweek? ”I
ri
shaskedthatone
questi
oni nhermind.

“Onemill
iondol
lar
saweek?
”Gabr
iel
lenear
ly
screamed.

Ir
ishnoddedandMs.Gabr
iel
lebl
inkedhereyesi
n
shock.
"
Hel
lNo!
'
.

Aweek!
Notevenamont
h!

"Whydi
dyouask?I sEthanpayi
ngyouthat
amount?
"Gabri
ell
easkedIri
shandshehesi
tat
ed
bef
oreanswer
ing.

Shef
eelshecant
rustt
hewoman.

Gabri
ell
ehadtol
dhersomuchwit
houteven
consi
deri
ngthefactt
hatshe'
snew.
"
Yeah"I
ri
shr
epl
iedsl
owl
y.

"
Wow!
"Ms.Gabr
iel
leexcl
aimedi
nwar
dly.

ForEt
hant
opayanannyt
hatamount
,t
hen t
her
e's
somet
hingbehi
ndi
t.
Hedef
ini
tel
ywant
stohel
pher
.
I
sthel
adypr
obabl
ysuf
fer
ingf
rom apr
obl
em?

Et
hanshoul
dhavej ustsenthi
sphilant
hropy
companytodothejobinsteadofthathugepay.I
t'
ll
ofcour
serai
seeyebrows.

She'
l
lneedt
ocal
lhi
m anddi
scusswi
thhi
mlat
er.

Gabr
iel
lecl
ear
edhert
hroat
.

"I
ri
sh,tobesincere,idon'tt
hinkEthanpayshis
workerscl
osetot hatamountbuthe' ssomeone
whocandoanyt hinghewant s.Et
hanal wayshave
areasonforeverything.Hedefini
telyhaveareason
forwanti
ngtopayyout hatamount .Hewantsto
helpyou"Gabri
ell
esai d.
"
Hel
pme?Inevert
oldhi
m ineededhel
p."I
ri
shsai
d.

Apartf
rom gett
ingenoughmoneyt ocl
eart
hebad
i
maget hejewel
rycompanyhascr eat
edagai
nsther
fat
her,
Iri
shdon'tthi
nkshe'
sinneedofmoney.

"
Younevert
oldhi
m youneededhel
p?"
Gabr
iel
leasked.
"
Yes"I
ri
shanswer
ed.
"Well
..Et
hanhashi
swayofdoingt
hings,
justgo
alongwit
hhim"Gabr
iel
lesai
d.

"
Iwi
ll
"Ir
ishsai
dbuti
nsi
deher,
shewaswor
ri
ed.

"
Fif
teenmi
nutesalr
eady"Ir
ishst
oodupandqui
ckl
y
wal
kedoutoftheki
tchen.

Gabr
iel
lesmi
led,
shehopedI
ri
shwon'
tst
opt
his
di
li
gentactast
imegoeson.It'
sokaytostartanew
workwit
hgoodatti
tudeandt
hen, t
heatti
tudefades
awaywithti
me.ShehopedIr
ishwon'tbel
ikethat.

IfEt
hanpayshi swor ker
sonemi l
li
ondollar
sa
week,i
t'
spossiblecausehi sf
amil
yorigi
natedf r
om
wealt
h,theyarebilli
onai
resplust
hefactthatEthan
i
sabi l
li
onair
eonhi sownevenwithouthisfamily'
s
money,hehadwor kedveryhardr
egardl
essofhi s
famil
ystatusbutevenwi thhowgenerousEt hanis,
shehasneverhear dhepayhisemployeescloseto
onemi l
li
ondollarsaweek!.

Shesighedandf
ocusedont
hemealshewas
prepar
ing.

_
I
ri
shgottoAri
n'sr
oom andf
oundt
hel
it
tl
egi
rl
t
ryi
ngtoopenhereyes.
Shequi
ckl
ymovedcl
oset
oherandbentoverher
.
"Ar
in,
areyouokay?
"Sheaskedbef
oret
ouchi
ngher
body.

Whatt
he.
.!

She'
sbur
ningup!
Ari
nfi
nal
lyopenedhereyesandpl
acedhert
iny
pal
m onherfor
ehead.

"
Dad"Shewhi
mper
ed.
"
Ari
n,i
t'
syournanny"I
ri
shsai
d,bl
inki
ngsever
all
y.

"
Wher
e'smydaddy"hervoi
cewasweak.
"Heshoul
dbedownst
air
s,You'
rebur
ningup"I
ri
sh
sai
d.

"
Ineedmydad"At
raceoft
ear
sfal
lonhercheeks.
"I
'
llcal
lhimforyou"I
ri
shsai
dandmadet
orushout
oftheroom butbumpedi
ntoEt
han.
"
Issheawake?
"

"
Yes,she'
scall
ingf
oryou"I
ri
shsai
d,f
eel
ing
r
eli
evedthathewasther
e.

Ethanr
ushedtohisdaught
erwhohol
dhi
shand
fi
rmlyi
mmediatel
y.

"
Dad"
!
"
It
'sokayAri
n.Daddyi
sher
e"hepeckedher
f
orehead.

"
Daddy,
Myheadhur
ts"
Ari
ncr
ied.

"
You'
l
lbeokay,
Ipr
omi
se,
Isentf
oryourdoct
or
al
ready'
I
fthatf
reaki
ngCat
her
inehadn'
tappear
ed,
Thiswoul
dn'thavehappened.Howmuchhehat
ed
thesi
ghtofher!

"Thedoctorwil
lbeheresoonokay?
"Ethansai
dto
hisdaughterandshenoddedslowl
y.

Shedi
dn'
tletgoofhi
shandandhel
etherbe.
She'
sal
wayst
hatwaywhenevershe'
sil
l.

Ethansighedandwasaboutpicki
nghisphoneto
callthedoct
oragainwhenhesawIri
shwalkedint
o
ther oom wi
thwateri
nabowlandapieceofclean
cloth.

Hehadbeensoengrossedinhi
sdaught
ert
hathe
hadn'
tnot
icedwhenI
ri
shleftt
heroom.
 Hewatchedasshemovedcl
oset
oAr
inandt
hen
bentbef
oreher
.

"Thi
swil
lkeephelpinkeepi
nghert
emperat
urecool
ti
llt
hedoct
orarr
ives"I
ri
shsaidasshedi
ppedthe
clot
hint
othewater.
Aringlancedatherdadandhegavehera
reassuri
nglook.

I
ri
shsqueezedthewetclothandst
art
edby
dabbi
ngAri
n'sforeheadwit
hit.

Shemovedtoherbodyaft
erawhil
eandthatwent
onforacomplet
elyl
ongandsi
lentmoment.

Ethanfoundhimsel
fst
ari
ngatatherwhi
leshet
end
forhi
sdaughter.

Shehadpackedherhai
rupt
ightandt
het
endr
il
s
f
rami
ngherf
acewer
enol
ongert
her
e.
Shewasl
ooki
ngsoser
iousandwor
ri
ed.

Shel
ookedj
ustl
ikeawor
ri
edmot
her
.
Abeaut
if
uloneatt
hat
.

Hewasgl adt
here'
ssomeonewho'sreadytocar
e
forhi
sli
tt
leangelt
ender
ly.Hecoul
dn'
tthankSar
ah
enough.

Hewishedhehadfi
ndheral
lthi
syears.Hi
s
daught
er'
shappi
ness,
washishappi
ness.

"MrEthan,
seemsherbodytemper
atur
eisstar
ti
ngt
o
getcool"I
ri
shsai
d,i
nter
rupt
inghi
sthought
s.

"
Huh?
"Heasked,
notqui
teget
ti
ngwhatshej
ustsai
d.
"
Imean,
Ari
n'sbodyt
emper
atur
eisal
mostbackt
o
nor
mal
"Ir
ishsai
d.
"Ohh.
.real
ly?
"Ethanaskedandf
elthi
sdaught
er'
s
bodytemperatur
e.

"Oh.
.my!I
t'
snotalmostbacktonor
mal
,i
tisbackt
o
normal
"Et
hansaidinsurpr
ise.
Hegrinnedhappil
ywhichmadeI
ri
shsmi
ledt
oo.
Gladshewasabl etohel
p.

"
Ari
ndoyouf
eelbet
ternow?
"Et
hanasked.
"YesDad,Ifeelbet
terbutt
heheadachei
snot
complet
elygone".

"Doyouhavesomepainrel
iever?Shecanjustusea
pil
landshe'
l
lbefi
ne"I
ri
shsai dandAri
nfrowned.

I
ri
shsmi
led,
knowi
nghowmostki
dsdi
sli
kedr
ugs.
"Adoct
orshoul
dn'
tal
waysbecal
ledf
orever
ythi
ng"
Sheadded.

"JustI
magi ne!He'
snotevenher eyet,
mydaught er
wouldstil
lbeinthatpi
ti
fulstat
eifnotforyou.He's
defi
nit
elygonnahavesomet onguelashi
ngfrom me
whenhecomes"Et hansaid.

"Wasitamagi
cyouper
for
med?Ineverknewt
hat
works"

Ir
ishsmi
led."
Iwantsomecandy!
'Ar
ini
nter
rupt
ed
her.

"Oh!I
'l
laskGabri
ell
etogeti
tforyouthen"Et
han
saidandmadet ostandupbutIr
ishst
oppedhim
withherwords.

"
Ari
n,i
fyouwantDaddyt
ogetyousomecandyt
hen
youhavetopromisetot
akeyourpi
ll
s?It
'l
lmake
youbett
er,
thenyoucanhavel
otofcandi
es"

"
Okay,
I'
ll
"Ar
inr
epl
iedandI
ri
shnodded.

"I
'
llgett
heCandymysel
f,Yousi
tandwai
t"Wi
th
t
hatsheexist
sther
oom.

Et
hanst ar
edathisdaughterandsmil
edbefor
e
touchingherhair
,Ari
nhatesanyonetouchi
ngher
hairexpectherdadorMs.Gabr i
ell
e.

"Youactual
lyaccept
edtotaket
hepil
ls?
Ser
iousl
y,Wasitbecausei
t'
sIri
shorbecauseyou
wantCandy?"

"
Bot
h,Il
ikeI
ri
sh..
.She'
scar
ing"Thel
it
tl
egi
rlsay
maki
ngEthantosmil
emore.
Thatshoul
dbethefir
stt
imeherdaught
erwi
llsay
somethi
ngniceaboutaNanny.

"
Shei
s"henodded.

ThedooropenedandIr
ishwal
kedi
nwitht
he
Candy,shedr
oppeditonthet
abl
eandthenwentf
or
thePil
ls.

"Her
e,j
ustt
akeitdownwi
thwat
erandt
henyoucan
haveyourCandy"
.

Ari
nobeyed."
Goodgir
l"I
ri
shsmi
ledandmadeto
petherhai
rbutst
oppedandCl
ear
edherthr
oat
.

Et
hansmil
ed.Shewasactual
lygoodatkeepi
ng
t
herul
es.Hewashappythatf
oroncehisdaught
er
wasabl
etogetal
ongwit
hhernanny."
 "Sot
ellmethemagi
cyoudi
d..
..
,Ineverknewthat
canwork"Et
hanr
epeat
edhi
squesti
onagai n.

"
Itwasj
ustacommonact
"Ir
ishanswer
ed.
"Acommonact ?I
fitwassocommon,iwouldhave
beendoi
ngt hatanyti
mehertemperat
ureishi
gh
i
nsteadofcall
ingthedoct
or"
Ethansaid.

"Well
..
.i
t'
ssocommoninourhome,
myparentsdo
t
hattousanytimewehavehi
ghtemper
atur
e,t
hey
r
arel
ycallthedoct
or"

"
We?
"Et
hanasked.
"
Yeah,
ihaveayoungerbr
other
"Ir
ishsai
d.
"
Real
ly?
"Et
hanasked.

"Yes"I
rushsaidpr oudl
yandEt
hannot
icedthat
beauti
full
ightinhereyes,
shemustr
eall
yloveher
youngerbrother.
"
Hisname?
"Et
hanasked.

Ir
ishsmil
ed,knowi
nghowhappyArushawouldbe
sohappyifshetel
lshi
m Et
hanknewabouthim and
evenaskedforhi
sname.Hehadtol
dherhe'sa
hugefanofhim.

"
Arusha"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Sti
lli
nhi
ghschool
?"Et
hanasked.
"
Yeah"
"
Okay,
sendmyr
egar
dst
ohi
m"Et
hansai
d.

Wow!
Ar
ushawoul
dnear
lypeei
nhi
spant
s.

"Al
right
,iwi
ll
"Ir
ishsai
dandt
her
ewasanawkwar
d
sil
ence.
 Ari
nconcentrat
edmor eonhercandywhil
eEthan
andIr
ishcaughtthemsel
vessever
all
ysteal
ing
gl
ances.

"Ishoul
dreturnt
heglasscup"I
ri
shsai
dasan
excusetoleavet
heroom.
Thesi
lencewasjustsoawkwar
dandshecan'
t
st
opst
eali
ngglancesatt
heman.

"
No, someonewouldcomecleari
t"
Ar i
nsaidas
shecli
ckedaswitchbesi
deherbed,i
tsoundedli
ke
abellandIri
shwaswonderi
ngwhatwashappeni ng
unt
ilamai dcamerushi
nginsecondslater
.

"WhatdoyouneedAri
n?"Theyoungl
adyaskedand
i
twast henI
ri
shknewshehadusedthatswi
tcht
o
summonher .

Wow!
Shehadt
houghti
twasj
ustanor
malswi
tch.

"Shewant
syoutocl
eart
heglasscup"Et
hansai
d
andthemaiddi
dsowit
houthesi
tat
ion.
Shewalkedoutoftheroom al
mosti
mmedi
atel
y
whi
leI
ri
shsatthere,
blinki
ng.

"WheneverAri
npressestheswit
ch,youshouldtel
l
themaidwhatevershewants.Idon'tal
lowherorder
peopl
ewhoar eoldenoughtobirt
hherar ound,
so
youspeakforherinst
ead"Et
hansai dtoIri
shwho
noddednumbly.

Thesepeopl
ekeepsur
pri
singherever
ymi
nut
e.
She'
ssoimpr
essedt
hatEt
hani
sbr
ingi
nguphi
s
daught
eri
nagoodway.

Shehadt
houghtthegir
lcanorderanyonearound
asshewi
shes,sheneverknewshe'srest
ri
ctedfr
om
doi
ngso.

I
t'
llr
eal
lyhel
phergr
owi
ntoawel
lmanner
edl
ady.

"He'
ssuchagoodfat
her
"Ir
ishthoughtsmil
ing
admiri
ngl
yatEt
hanwhowast i
ckli
nghisdaughter
.
Theywerebot
hlaughi
ngandherhear
tmel
tedatt
he
scene.

Shet
ookhert
imei
nlooki
ngr
oundt
her
oom.

Aknockont
hedoorst
oppedever
ymovement
.

"
Who'
sther
e?"Et
hanasked.
"
DoctorLucasi
sher
eMrEt
han"Someonesai
d
t
hroughthedoor
.

"
Lethi
min"Et
hansai
dandt
hedooropenedt
o
revealachubbyman,neatl
ydressedinablueshi
rt
tuckedint
owhitepants,
blackshinyshoesandni
ce
haircut
.

"
GooddayMrEt
han"TheDoct
orgr
eet
ed.
Gooddaydoct
orLuc"Et
hanr
epl
ied.

"
Ithoughtyousai
dshe'
s.
..
"
"
Wel
lshe'
sfi
nenow"Et
hani
nter
rupt
edhi
m.
"
Real
ly?"Thedoct
oraskedmovingtotouchAr
in
whoscamperedawayfrom hi
stouch.
"
Don'
ttouchme!
"Shesai
d,r
oll
inghereyes.

"Ohh..
.I
'l
lgowashmyhandsr
ightaway.
..
"The
doctorsaiddr
oppi
nghi
sbag.

"Youdon'
thavet
odoso, asyoucansee,she'
s
f
inealr
eadysother
e'l
lbenoneedtoexamineher.I
wonderwhatt
ookyousol
ong!Whati
fshewas
dyi
ng!
"Ethanf
lar
edup.

"MrEt
han,
I'
m sosorr
yaboutthat
,anemergency
cameupatthehospi
talandir
eal
lyhadt
oattendto
i
t"

"Anemer gencycameup?Andyoucoul dn'tsend

anotherdoctort oattendt
oher ,whati fshe'ssti
ll
burningupt i
llt
hismoment ,doyout hi
nkherl i
tt
le
brai
ncanhandl esuchpai n.Ifanythinghad
happenedt oher ,Isweariwoul djailyouforli
fe!
Thisisn'
tthef i
rsttimeyou'l
ldosuch, whennexti t
happens,I'
llwithdrawyouasmyper sonaldoctor"
Ethansaidwi thaver yangrytone.

"
I'
m sosorr
yMrEt han,
pleasefor
giveme.Ipr
omi
se
i
twon'tr
epeati
tsel
f"Thedoctorpleaded.

"
Youcanl
eave,
mymanagersentsomemoneyi
nto
youraccountal
ready"Et
hansai
d.

"
Fordoi
ngnot
hing?
"Ir
ishwonder
ed,
almostal
oud.

"I
'
m sosor
ryMrEt
han"t
hedoct
orsai
d,pi
cki
nghi
s
bag.
"I
t'
sfi
ne,youcanl
eavenow"Et
hansai
dwi
thamor
e
calmtone.

"
I'
m sosor
ry"Thedoctorsai
donel
astt
imebef
ore
f
inal
lywal
kingoutoft
hedoor.

I
ri
shsi
ghed.
Arincont
inuedl
icki
nghernowsl
im candy,
looki
ng
unconcer
ned.

"Ihopet
heheadachehasrel
ievedyou?
"Et
han
askedherandshenodded.
"I
'
mf i
nenow,ionl
yneedmor ecandyandmaybea
sl
iceofst
rawber
rycake"Shesai
d.
"Okay,I
'
llcal
lGabr
iel
let
ogetitreadyf
oryou"Et
han
saidandquickl
ypl
acedacalltoGabri
ell
e.

Amaidcamei nmi
nutesl
ater
,Ir
ishnot
icedshe
wasn'
ttheonewhocameinearli
er

Shewasn'
tsur
pri
sedast
hei
rwer
esomanymai
ds.

Shegentlypl
acedthetr
aycontai
ningmore
candi
esandasl i
ceofst
rawber
rycakeonArin'
s
bedsi
detableandthent
urnedt
owal kout
.

"You'
llbeabl
etogot
ost
artschoolt
omor
rowr
ight
?"
Ethanasked.
"
Ofcour
se"Ar
inr
epl
iedpi
cki
nganot
hercandy.
 "I
ri
shwil
lhelpt
akeyout
oschoolt
omor
row,
"Et
han
saidandAri
nnodded.

"Ohh..
.i
t'
sti
meforl
unchalr
eady,nowondermy
stomachhasbeenrumbl
ing"Et
hansai
dglanci
ngat
hisexpensi
vel
ooki
ngwrist
watch.
"
Timefl
ies,
wasi
tnotj
ustnowshear
ri
ved"I
ri
sh
t
hought
.

"Let
'sgohavelunch,
I'
m star
vingal
ready"Et
han
saidstandi
ngonhisfeet
.
"
I'
m havi
ngmyl
unchal
ready"Ar
insai
d.
"
Ofcour
seiknow.Iwasr
efer
ri
ngt
oIr
ishEt
hansai
d.
"
Ohh.
..
me?
"Ir
ishaskedqui
ckl
yget
ti
ngonherf
eet
.

"
Yeah,
let
'sgohavel
unch"Et
hansai
d.
"
Okay"Shesai
dtr
ail
ingbehi
ndhi
mtot
hedoor
.
"
Ari
n,wi
llyoubef
ine?
"Et
hanasked.

"Ofcour
seDad,buthel
pmeswitchont
heTV
please"Ar
insai
d,she'
schewi
ngonherst
rawber
ry
cakeandcandyatthesameti
me.

"Okay"Ethansaidandgrabbedther emot econtr

ol.
Heswitchedont heTVandscr ol
ledthrought he
channel
sf orhi
sdaughter'
sfavori
te.Hef ounditand
cl
ickonitbefor
edr oppi
ngtheremot econt r
ol.

"ThanksDad"Ari
ncal
ledaf
terhi
m ashewal
kedout
ofthedoorwit
hIri
sh.

"Howoldi
sAri
n?"Ir
ishaskedEt
hanast
hey
appr
oachedt
hedini
ngroom.
Et
hanopenedt
hedoorandt
heyst
eppedi
n.
Thet
abl
ewassetal
readyandI
ri
shal
most
excl
aimedatt
hecl
assi
cset
ti
ngs.
Justl
ikehowsheseesi
tinmovi
es.
Sheshouldn'
tbesur
pri
sedbyanythi
ngi
nthis
house,
sheknowshe'sabi
ll
ionai
rewhocanaff
ord
anyt
hing.

"
Ari
nissi
x"Et
hananswer
ed.
"
Wow!Howcomeshe'
ssosmar
t?"I
ri
shasked.
"Well
..
.shegott
hesmar
tnessf
rom me"Et
han
boasted,smi
li
ng.
"
That
'
sobvi
ous"I
ri
shnodded.

"So,
thi
sismyper sonaldi
ni ngr
oom,ieather
ewith
mydaughterandGabr iel
le.Thewor
kershavethei
r
dini
ngroom"Ethansaid.

"
Ohh...
okay,Sarahal
readyi
nfor
medme, I
'l
lgomeet
Gabri
ell
etoshowmet hewaytothewor
kersdi
ning
room"Ir
ishsaid.
 "
Chi
ll
..
."Et
hanpausedandt
hencont
inued.
"
You'
l
lbeeat
ingher
ewi
thus"Hef
inal
lysai
d.
"
Huh?
"Ir
ishasked,
fur
rowi
ngherbr
ow.
"
Why?
"Shewonder
edal
oud.

Shouldn'
tshebehappyshe'
l
lbeeat
ingont
hesame
tabl
ewi t
hhim?
Somanypeopl
ewoul
djumpati
t.

"I
'
llbefineatthewor
ker
sdi
ningr
oom,
that
'swher
ei
belong"Ir
ishsai
d.

"Ofcoursethat'
swhereyoubel
ongcauseyou'
rea
workerhere"Et
hanagreed.
"
Yeah"I
ri
shsai
d.

"
ButAr
inwant
syouher
e"Et
hanl
ied.Hedoes,
not
Ar
in.
Hejustdoesn'
tknowwhyhewantt
okeepseei
ng
herever
ytime.

Whendi
dhet
urni
ntoal
iar
?

Andwhendi dheeverproposet
hisi
deatoanyof
hisworker
s?Eventhosethathasbeenwit
hhimfor
yearshavenevergott
hechancetoeatonthesame
tabl
ewithhim.

Andheevenhadtol
iet
hatAr
inwantherher
ejust
forhert
oaccept
.

Si
ncer el
yhehadl
ikedherfrom t
heveryf
ir
stsight
,
Shelookssodecent,j
ustashewanted.Buthe
doesn'tknowhowlongshe'
llst
aybefor
eshowing
herrealself
.
Butwithwhathehadseensof
ar,
itseemst
hatwho
shereall
yis.

"
Real
ly?WhydoesAr
inwantmeher
e?"I
ri
shasked.
"
Sheneedst
obecl
oset
ohernannyal
ways.
"

"Butt
hepastnanni
esdefini
tel
ydonoteatont
he
sametabl
ewithyouguys,whydoesAri
nsuddenl
y
wantmeto?"Ir
ishasked.

"Well.
.shet
oldme,
star
ti
ngfrom you,she'
sgonna
makeachange"Ethansaid,
hisconsci
encehit
ti
ng
him hard.

Li
esbr
ingsmor
eli
es.

"Ohh..
.okay"I
ri
shsai
d,feeli
ngsospeci
alshe'
l
lbe
dini
ngwi t
hEthanHar
low, t
hemosthandsome
bil
li
onair
einthewhol
eofCal i
for
niawhosome
peopl
ear
edyi
ngt
osee.

Shehadf
eltspecial
rightf
rom whenhetoldher
she'
l
lbedi
ningwiththem andshehadalmost
j
umpedattheofferbutagainshehadarethink.

"Let
'sgoeat
,enoughofthedi
ll
ydal
ly"Ethansai
d
andtheybot
hmovedt owardst
hediningtabl
e.

_
__

Theyhadal
mostfi
nishedeat
ingandEthankept
hopi
ngAri
nwon'tpopupanytimesoon.

She'sgoingtobesurpri
sedtoseeIr
ishdi
ningi
n
thei
rpersonaldi
ningroom andshe'
l
laskwhatshe'
s
doinghere.
Andt
henI
ri
shwoul
dknowhel
ied.
She'
l
lst
artseei
nghi
m asal
iarr
ightf
rom t
hat
moment.
Oh.
.no.

HestaredatI
ri
shwhowasobviousl
yenj
oyi
ngthe
meal,eveni
fhewantstost
andupanyt
imesoon,
he
knewshe'snotr
eadyatal
l.
Geez!

Shejustshi
ft
edanot
herbowloff
rui
tscl
osert
o
her
self.

Gabr
iel
lei
sdoneeating,
shepi
ckedaglasscupof
herf
avori
tef
rui
tjui
ceandstar
tedgul
pingi
tdown
hert
hroat
.

Shehadcommuni
catedwit
hEthanwithhereyes
whenshesawI
ri
shinthedini
ngroom andhehad
nodded,
meani
nghe'
l
lexpl
aint
hingst
oherl
ater
.

Ethanshi
ft
edinhisseatwhenhehear
dti
ny
f
ootstepsonthest
ep.

Hehopeditwasn'
tAri
nbutagai
nwhoamonghi
s
wor
kershassuchti
nysteps.

"Whycan'tyouj
uststayputinyourroom,
thi
sli
tt
le
gir
l"Hethought
,feel
inguneasythathi
scati
sabout
tobeletoutoft
hebag.

"Dad"HeheardAr
incal
ledbef
oret
hedi
ningr
oom
dooropened.

Hel
lno!

"
CeaseHer
!"Hesuddenl
yshout
ed,
scar
ing
ever
yoneoutoft
hei
rchai
r.
TheBi
ll
ionar
eIf
elli
nlovewi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e:Bi
ll
ionar
e,Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
9

"Ceaseher!
"Hesuddenl
yshout
ed,
scar
ingever
yone
outofthei
rchai
r.

Thet
wobodyguar
dswhost
oodi
nthedi
ningr
oom
qui
ckl
yr ant
owar
dsArintocarryoutEthan'
ssorder
,
whi
leI
risgandGabr
iel
lewatched,openmouthed.
Theywer
ebot
hconf
usedwi
thoutknowi
ngwhatt
o
say.

"
Don'
ttouchme!
!"Ar
inscr
eamed.
"
Don'
ttouchher
"Et
hanshout
ed,
conf
usi
ngever
yone
t
hemore.
"
Dad!What
'swr
ongwi
thyou?
"Ar
inwhi
ned.
"I
'
m sosorryever
yone,
ineverknewi
twasAr
in"
Ethanpl
eaded.

Anot
herl
ie!

"It
houghtasmuch"I
ri
shsaid,
breat
hingi
nrel
ief
befor
esit
ti
ngbackonthechai
r.

"
LookI
ri
sh,
Ifi
ndyourdogandshe'
ssocut
e.I
coul
dn'tpi
ckherupbecausei t
'sdi
srespectf
ult
odo
sowithoutyourper
mi ssi
on.CanIpl
aywi thher
l
ater
?"Arinaskedtenderl
y

I
ri
shnodded."
Ofcour
se"
"
Yaaaa!
"

Gabri
ell
eshookherheadandsighed."
Ethanyou
r
eal
lyneedaknockforshout
ingthatmuch.Evenif
i
twasn'tAr
in,
youshoul
dn'
thaveshoutedthat
much"

"Youknowhowmuchihat ebeinginter
ruptedwhen
I'
m eat
ing"Ethansaid,
hewasn' ttel
li
ngal i
ethi
s
ti
me.Het r
ulyhatesbeinginter
ruptedwheneat i
ng
andhisworkersrespectedthat
.

"Ofcour
seiknowbutweallhear
dAri
nsai
dDad
befor
eopeni
ngthedoor
"Gabri
ell
esai
d.
"
Real
ly?Idi
dn'
theart
hat
"hesai
d.

"
Mor
eli
es!Et
han!
"Hi
sinnermi
ndcr
ied.

Gabr
iell
ewhoknewhowshar pEt
hanear
sare,he
coul
dheartheti
niestsoundnott
otal
kofhowloud
andclearAr
in'
svoicewaswhensheshouteddaddy.

Ther
e'sdef
ini
tel
ysomet
hingwr
ong.
"Seemeintheki
tchenaf
teryou'
redoneeat
ing"
Gabri
ell
esai
dtoEthanwhonodded.
Sheshi
ft
edbackherchai
randst
art
edwal
kingt
o
t
hedoor.

"
Youl
eavi
ngal
ready?
"Ir
ishaskedaf
terher
.
"Yeah,I
'
m doneeating"Gabri
ell
esmil
ed,
she
draggedAri
n'scheeksplayf
ull
ybefor
efi
nal
ly
wal
kingoutt
hedoor
.

"
Thanksf
ort
hemeal
"Ir
ishshout
edaf
terher
.
"
You'
rewel
comeI
ri
sh"

"I
'
m sosorryiscar
edyououtofyourchai
r"Et
han
saidt
oIr
ish.
"
It
'sfi
ne"I
ri
shlaughedandEt
hanshouldhave
l
aughedtoobuthesawhowAr i
nlookedatI
ri
sh.

She'sconfusedthatshe'sseatedi
nt hei
rpersonal
dini
ng,sheknowsherf atherdoesnotallowany
worker.Shehadbeenf ocusedontel
lingIr
ishabout
herdogshef indthatit
'sjustdwel
li
ngonhert hat
Ir
ishwasi nthefamilydining.

"
Iri
shyou'
reher
e,igetnopr
oblem wi
tht
hatthough"
Ari
nsaidandEt
hancouldn'
texpl
ainhowrel
ievedhe
fel
t.
I
ri
shonl
ysmi
ledandbi
tint
oherchi
cken.

"DadmyTVjustswi
tchedoffal
lofasudden,
don'
t
knowwhat
'
swr ongwit
hit"Ar
inwhined.

"
Real
ly?
"
"
Yesdaddy"Ar
insai
d.
"Javadgocheckitoutf
orherandi
fit
'ssomet
hing
youcan'thandl
e,cal
lMrBri
an.

"
OkayMrEthan"Javadsai
dandf
oll
owedAr
inoutof
t
heroom.

Ir
ishfinal
lygulpedwat
erdownhert
hroataf
ter
sati
sfyinghersel
f.
"
Thanksf
ort
hemealMrEt
han"
Ir
ishsai
d.
"I
tsf
ine"Et
hansaidandI
ri
shst
oodupt
ost
art
cl
eari
ngthetabl
e.
Shewonderedwheretostar
tfr
om,
causet
het
abl
e
i
salmostfi
ll
edtothebri
m.

"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
"Et
hanaskedher
.
"
Iwantt
ocl
eart
het
abl
e"shesai
d.
"
No,
don'
tdot
hat
.That
'snotyourwor
k."Et
hansai
d.

"
Buticanhel
p"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Peoplethat'
l
ldot
hatar
ewai
ti
ngbyt
hedoor
al
ready"Ethansai
d.
"
Ohh"I
ri
shsai
d.

Et
hanstoodupandt
heybot
hwal
kedoutoft
he
di
ningr
oom.
"IshouldgojoinAr
ini
nthel
ibr
ary,
i
t'
s3pm
al
ready"I
ri
shsaid.
Sheknowshe'stoj
oinAri
ninthel
ibr
aryby3pm
ever
yday.Ar
inhadi
ncludedi
tinherbookl
et.
"Ohh..
.okaybuttodayisSundayandArinpr
epares
forschoolinst
ead.I'
vealr
eadyregi
ster
edher"Et
han
said.

"Ohh,I
'l
lgojoi
nheri
nherr
oom t
hen"I
ri
shsai
dand
star
tedwalki
ngtoAr
inr
oom.

Shemett
hebodyguardcal
ledJavadbyt
he
st
air
wayandt
heireyesmet.

Thewayhel ookedmadeherhaveabadf eeli

ng
abouthim,li
kehe'ssomesortofani nt
ruderbut
shejustshr
uggedi tof
fandproceededtoArins
room.It
'sherfi
rstdayandshe'salr
eadyknowing
who'sanintr
uderandwho'snot .

"
Itmi
ghtj
ustbemi
sconcept
ion"Shet
hought
.
Shewalkedi
ntoAr
in'
sroom andf
oundheronher
l
aptop.

Wow!Bi
ll
ionar
e'sdaught
er!

"
Ari
n"I
renecal
ledasshemadeherwayt
owar
dsher
.
Ar
inr
aisedupherheadandsmi
ledonseei
ngI
ri
sh.
"
I'
vebeenexpect
ingyou"Shesai
d.
"
Real
ly?
"

"Yes,t
ohelpmepr epareforschoolt
omor row,
Dad
saidhealr
eadyregist
eredme, soI
'l
ljustr
esume
tomorrow"Ar
insaiddroppingherlaptopandIri
sh
sawthatshehadbeenwat chi
nganimat i
ononit.

HerTVistot
all
ybl
ankandsheguessedi
ts
somet
hingJavadcoul
dn'
thandl
e.
"Thatman'
sfacecer
tai
nlyhadsomet
hingt
oit
"
I
ri
shthoughtwor
ri
edl
y,shedoesnotdoubther
f
eeli
ngs.

"Ari
n,t
hanksformaki
ngmedi neinyourpersonal
dini
ngroom.Igett
oknowi twaspersonalbecause
Sarahsai
dthattome"Ir
ishsai
d,smili
ng.

"
Me?Idon'
tget
"Ar
insai
d,conf
used.

"Yourdadsai
dyou'
retheonewhowant
edmet
o
dinewit
hyouguys"I
ri
shsaid.
"
Me?ohh.
.yeah!
"Ar
insai
d.

Shedi dnotremembersayi ngthatbutmaybeshe

mighthavesai dthatoutofexcit
ementwithout
reali
singitbutit
'sf
ine,
shewant sIr
ishint
heirdini
ng
room.I t
'snotsobadt obekindandt r
eateveryone
withoutdiff
erence.
"
Thankyou"I
ri
shsmi
led.

"
It
sfi
ne,somyschooluni f
ormisalr
eadyar
ranged
i
nmywar drobebythe..
.You'
llj
usthel
pmer evi
se
mynotebooks"
Ari
nsaid.
"
Alr
ight
,wher
ear
ethey?
"Ir
ishasked.
"I
nmybackpack,
whi
chi
sinsi
det
hewar
drobe.
"Ar
in
said.

Ir
ishsawanot
hersli
ceofst
rawber
rycakei
nal
it
tl
e
plat
ebesi
deherbed.
"
Youmustreal
lyl
ikest
rawber
ry"I
ri
shsai
d,wal
king
t
oAri
n'swardr
obe.
"
Ilovei
t!Ever
ythingaboutthatf
lavourexci
tesme.
I
t'
sthemostdeliciousf
lavoryouknoArinsaid.
"
Idon'
tthi
nkIagr
ee"I
ri
shpr
essedherl
ipst
oget
her
.

Shel
ovesvani
ll
amor
e.
"
Wel
lido"Ar
inbeamedbi
ti
ngsof
tl
yint
othecake.
"Whi
chfl
avordoyoupref
er?
"Ar
inaskedIr
ish,
who
hadpl
acedherhandonthewar
drobehandle.

"
Vani
l
la"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Geez!Vani
ll
atast
essour
"Ar
inf
rowned.

"
Wel
l.
..
it
'st
hebe..
"Ir
ishwassayi
ngbutthecont
ent
i
ngi
rl
'swardr
obehadlef
therspeechl
ess.

Ithadfourf
loors,
thefi
rstf
loorcont
ainedsparkl
y
ball
eri
nadresseswhichalmosttookArin'
sbreat
h
away.

Thesedr
essesl
ooksl
ikei
twor
thmi
ll
ions.
Shewon'
tdoubti
tift
heamountisuptoher
mont
hlypay,
theyaresobeaut
if
uli
tnear
lymade
hercr
y.

Ar
inhasever
ythi
nganyonewoul
deverwi
shf
or.

Thesecondfloorcontai
nedbeauti
fulandexpensive
l
ookinghomedr esses.Di
ff
erentdesi
gners,per
fect
st
yles,
classi
clook.

Ir
ishhadalwayswant edt oownaver ybigand
popularModelstor
e,herdr eam wastobecomea
veryfamousModelwhi chbot hri
chandt hepoor
canlookupto, shewantst obeonthel i
stof
famousModel sbutthedr eam shatt
eredaf t
erher
fat
herbannedherf r
om one, Andherloosingher
ModelJobatMrMor gan's.

Toownheri magi
nabl
eModelstoresheknowshow
muchi t
'sgonnacostherandshedoesn'
tevenhave
quart
erofit.Sheonl
ywantstofocusonherget
ti
ng
reuni
tedwithherfami
lyandherbrot
her
school
ing,
that
'sal
lthatmat
ter
stohernow.

Thet
hir
df l
oorcont
aineddi
ff
erentsortofschool
wear
s,neatl
yir
onedandperfect
lyorgani
zed.

"I
ri
sh,haven'
tyouf
oundmyschoolbag?
"Ar
in
asked.

"
Coul
dihavel
efti
tint
hel
ibr
ary"shesai
dtoher
sel
f.

"If
oundit
"Ir
ushsai
d,pi
ckingupthefancyschool
bagwhichhadadol
lball
erinaonthefr
ontcover
.

"
Ohh"Arinsmi
led,
gladshehadn'
tlef
titi
nthe
l
ibr
ary.

Ir
ishclosedthewardrobeandwal
kedtoAri
nwith
diff
erentthought
srunningi
nhermindandshe
al
mostwi
shedshewasi
nAr
in'
sshoes.

"
So,
I'
dlovet
ost
artf
rom ar
it
hmet
ics"Ar
insai
d.
"
Ohh.
..okay"I
ri
shsai
d,unzi
ppi
ngt
heschoolbag.

Sheplacedal
lofAri
n'snot
ebookonherbedsi
de
st
oolandthenstar
tedsear
chingf
orari
thmeti
cs.

_
___

"
Ial
readycal
ledMrBri
an"Javadsaidt
oEthanwho
wasonhiswaytoseeGabri
ell
eintheki
tchen.

"
Ohh,
fine"Et
hansmi
ledathi
m.

Javadishisoneofhisbestbodyguar
ds,hehast
his
di
li
gentnaturet
hatEthanadmir
esomuch.Hehad
walkedforhi
mf orqui
tealongtimenow.Even
whenhewasi nAust
ral
iahesti
llemployedhi
m and
neverputhi
mi nt
hel
istoft
hoset obechanged
everymonth.

"
Youcangohaveaniceti
me,I'
l
lbewi
thGabr
iel
lei
n
t
heki
tchen"Et
hansai
dtoJavad

"
Okay,
MrEt
han"Hesai
dandl
eft
.

*
Gabri
ell
elaughedhardintheki
tchenaf
terEthan
si
ncerel
ytoldherthereasonhehadscared
ever
yoneinthediningroom.

"Youshouldn'
thaveliedt
oher
"Shef
inal
lysai
daf
ter
herlaught
ersubsided.

"
Idi
dn'
twantedt
oli
etoherbutshewasquest
ioni
ng
meandicoul
dn'
tfi
ndabett
eranswer
"Et
hansaid.
"I
fimayask, whydoyouwantherinyourper sonal
dini
ng,you'
veneverwantedanyofArin'
spast
nanniesinyourdi
ningr
oom"Gabriel
lesaid.

"Wel
l.
..
idon'
tknow.Ij
ustwant
edhert
her
e"Et
han
sai
dandGabriel
lesi
ghed.

She'
sstart
ingtoseesomet
hingshehadn'
tseeni
n
hi
mf oryears.

"
Whyt
hesi
gh?
"Et
hanasked.
"There'
sanothert
hingiwantt
odi
scusswi
th
you"Ethansai
d.
"
What
?"Et
hanaskedandsi
ppedhi
swi
ne.
"Theamountyouwantt
obepayi
ngheri
sext
remel
y
high!
"Gabr
iel
lesai
d.
"
Shet
oldyou?
"Et
hanasked.
"Wel
l.
..
sheonlyaskedi
fyoupayyourworkersclose
tot
hatamount.Sheknowsthatamountis
out
rageousandshecouldn'
tkeepi
ttohersel
f"
she
sai
d.

"
Iwantt
ohel
pher
"Et
hansai
d.

"
Youcouldhavesentyourcompanyt
odot
hat
"
Gabr
iel
lesai
d..
.
"
I.
.iwantt
ohel
pherper
sonal
ly"
Ethansai
d.
"
Reall
y?Andhowdi
dyouknowsheneedshel
p?"
Gabr
iel
leaked.
"
That'
ssomethi
ngican'
ttel
lyounowGabr
iel
le.
Not
j
ustnow"Et
hansai
d.
"Okay,
shoul
dipouryoumor
ewi
ne?
"Gabr
iel
le
asked.

"
No,
I
'l
lbegoi
ngbackt
othel
ivi
ngr
oom now,
come
wi
thme"Et
hansai
d.
"
I'
mfi
neher
e"Gabr
iel
lesai
d.

"
C'monGabriel
le,youst
ayi
nt heki
tchenal
ldayl
ike
i
t'
syourroom"Ethancompl
ainedandGabri
ell
e
l
aughed.

"
It
'smyr
oom"shesai
d.
"Iwi
shyoucanj ustal
lowmeempl oyanothercook,
youreal
lyneedtorestaf
teral
ltheseyear
s.Please
Gabri
ell
e"Ethansaid.

Hehadt
ri
edtoemploymor ecooksbutGabr
iel
le
al
waysmakethem l
eave.

"Et
han.IlovewhatI'
m doi
ngandt hisistheonl
y
wayim ablerepayt
hehelpyour enderedmeyears
back.Wit
houtyou,imightsti
llbeinthestr
eets
str
uggli
ngwi t
hmydaught erbutyougaveusagood
l
if
e"Et
hansai
d.

"Gabriell
e,I'
vetoldyousever all
ytost opment i
oning
that.You'remyauntnow, you'
renol ongert he
strangeritoldmycompanyt ohel p.Itookyour
daught erasmysi sterandshet ookmeasher
cousin.You' verepayedmyhel penough, pleaselet
meempl oyanot hercook.I '
m notcomf ortablewith
thestressyougot hrougheveryday"Ethansai d.

"Cooki
ngi
snost
ressf
orme,
idoenj
oyi
t"Gabr
iel
le
said.
"
PleaseGabr
iel
le"Et
hansai
d.
"Okay,I
'
llt
hinkabouti
t"
Gabr
iel
ler
epl
iedandEt
han
sighed,
shakinghi
shead.
theybothknowshewon't.That
'sherwayof
shuff
li
ngthediscussi
onaway.
Et
hansi
ghed"I
'
llbei
nthel
ivi
ngr
oom"
"Ar
en'
tyougoi
ngwi
thyourwi
ne?
"Gabr
iel
leasked
aft
erhi
m.
"
No"Heanswer
ed.

_
__

EthanwaspassingbyArin'
sdoort
ohi
stotakea
nap,heal
readyspentenoughti
meint
hel
iving
room.
Hest oppedwhenhi searcaughtwhatArinsai
d.
Ari
nhat esitwhensomeonel i
stenedtoherwit
hout
herpermissionbuthecouldn'
tresist
.

"Sonowi '
vetol
dyoumydr eam i
stobecomet he
mostfamousbal l
eri
nainthewor l
dandalsohave
myballetcompany.What '
syourowndream? "Ari
n
askedandEthanshiftedcl
osertothedoor.
Hepressedhiseart
othedoorwhenI
ri
shf
inal
ly
spokeaft
eralongsil
ence.

"
Mydr
eam i
stobr
ingbackmypar
ent
sModel
company, andalsomakei tbigger,
famousandt
he
besti
nt hecit
y.Ialsowanttobecomeoneoft he
bestModel si
nthecount r
y,iwantmynamet o
appearintheModel stopli
stbutiguesssome
dream canneverbef ul
fi
ll
ed."Iri
shsaid.

Heknew.
Heknewherdr
eam andhowhef
oundouti
sbest
knownt
ohim.

"
Whydi
dyousayt
hat
?"Ar
inasked.
"Let
'sgobackt
oyourr
evi
sion"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Butyou'
venotanswer
edmyquest
ion"Ar
insai
d.
"
Idon'
twantt
o,pl
ease"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Okay"Ar
indr
awl
ed.

Et
hanl
eftt
hedoorandqui
etl
ywal
kedt
ohi
sroom.
_
__

"
PleasecanIpl
aywi
thyourdog?
"Ar
inasked.

Theyj
ustfi
nishedhavi
ngdi
nnerandAri
nhad
wal
kedi
ntoIri
sh'sr
oom wi
thherj
ustt
oseeherdog.

"
Yes"I
ri
shr
epl
ied.

Shesatonthebedasshewat chedAri
ntri
ed
touchingDol
lywhowaswringi
nghert ai
land
sticki
ngouthert
onguepl
ayful
ly.

Ari
nfinal
lytouchtoucht
hedog'sheadaft
ersome
seconds.Doll
yli
ckedhercheeksandshelaughed.

"
She'
ssobeaut
if
ulandIl
ikeher
"Ar
insai
dgi
ggl
ing.
"
Shei
s"I
ri
shconf
ir
med.

"
Hisol
disshe?
"Ar
inaskedst
andi
ngup
"
She'
sfi
ve"I
ri
shsai
d
"
Wow!Al mostmyage.I
'
m si
xandshe'
sfi
ve,
hehe"
Ari
nlaughed.
"
Yeah"
"
CanIcar
ryher
?"Ar
insai
d.
"
Yessur
e."

"
Thankyou"shesaidbefor
ecarr
yingupt
hedog
andplayedwi
thherforsometi
mewhi l
eIr
ish
arr
angedherr
oom fortheni
ght.

"I
'
m goi
ngtobednow,Comereadmeanightstor
y
andpl
easeI'
l
ltakeDol
lywi
thme?I
fyoudon'tmind"
Ari
nsai
dcarryi
ngDoll
yup.
"
Ofcour
se"I
ri
shst
oodupandt
heybot
hwal
kedi
nto
Ar
in'
sroom.

Ari
ncl
imbedherbedwit
hDoll
ybesideherwhil
e
I
ri
shsatdownandreadherabri
efshor
tstor
yabout
t
hemoon.
Soon,
Dol
lyf
all
edasl
eepi
nAr
in'
sar
m.
"GoodNi
ght
,Ir
ish"Ar
insai
dandsl
eepf
il
ledher
eyes.

"GoodNight
"Ir
ishsai
dandcover
edherwi
th
blanket
s.
Sheatt
emptedt
opeckherbutt
hel
astr
uler
eads
*Don'
tpeckmenomatt
erwhat*
Shedr
awback.
Ar
insmi
led."
Youcanpeckme"

"
Huh?Ohok"I
ri
shsai
d.
Thenpeckedherf
oreheadandmut
ter
edgoodni
ght
t
oher
.

From t
hedoor,
Ethanst
oodandwat chedthem.The
happi
nessinhi
sheartwasundescr
ibable.
Ari
nhadneveral
lowedherNanny'
stopeckherbut
shejustdi
d.

ToI
ri
sh.
..Onherf
ir
stday!

Ir
ishst
oodupaft
erensuri
ngAri
nwasasleep.She
madetowalktoherownroom t
hrought
hemi ni
doorwhenshesawEthan.

"
I'
m guessi
ngshe'
sasl
eep"Et
hanasked.
"
Yes"I
ri
shnodded.
Ethanmadetowalkt
oArinandpeckhergoodni
ght
butdrawbackandcl
ear
edhisthr
oat.
 I
rishst
aredatt
hebedandwi t
houtbei
ngt
oldshe
knewitwasbecauseofherdog.

"I
'
m sorryaboutDol
ly.Ar
ininsi
stedonsl
eepi
ngwi
th
her.I
'
llt
akeheroutnow"Iri
shsaid.

"No.Isokay,
I
'l
ljustl
eave.Goodni
ght
"Het
urnedand
disappear
edoutoftheroom.

I
ri
shholdhersel
fnott
olaugh."
hewasscar
edof
Dol
ly!
"
_

Ir
ishwal
kedt
oherownroom t
ir
edl
yandl
aidont
he
bedtosl
eepwhenhephoner
ang.
I
twashermot
her
.
Shepi
ckedi
tup.
"Hel
lomot
her
.I'
m sor
ryIdi
dn'
tcal
ltoday,
Iwasso
b..
..
"

"I
sokayI
ri
sh!I
'
veagr
eatnewsf
oryou"Hermot
her
said.

"
Okay,
what
?"

"Someonehadpr omi
sedtotakecar
eofyour
brother'
seducat
ionaswellasthemoneyyour
fathersti
llowet
hejewel
rycompany"hermother
said.

"
What
!
TheBi
ll
ionar
eIf
elli
nlovewi
th

JustANanny
 CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e:Bi
ll
ionar
e,Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
10

"Someonehadpr omi
sedtotakecar
eofyour
brother'
seducat
ionaswellasthemoneyyour
fathersti
llowet
hejewel
rycompany"hermother
said.

"
What
!

"
Wh.
.atar
eyousayi
ng?
"Ir
ishaskedi
ndi
sbel
ief
.
"
I'
m ser
iousher
e,I
ri
sh"Hermot
hersai
d.
"
Whowant
stopaymyFat
her
'sdebtandal
so
sponsormybr other
'seducat
ion?
"Ir
ishasked,
sti
l
l
fi
ndingever
ythingconfusi
ng.

"
Accordi
ngt othewomant hatcal
led,
shesai
dyou
wereherassistanti
ntheModelCompanyyouonce
workedfor
.Sheal sosai
dyournumberwasn'tgoing
t
hroughandsi nceyourfamil
ynumberwasincluded
i
nyourfil
e,shehadt ocall
".

"I
'
m guessi
ngthatEl
la,
Butshe'
ssti
llunder
someonetogivesuchoff
er"I
ri
shsai
d.

"
Well,I
'
m excit
ed.Shesai
difI
'
m abl
etobutyou
t
hroughthatyoushoul
ddropbyi
mmediatel
y"

"Don'
tbeexci
tedmot
her
.Thi
sisst
range,
I'
llget
backtoyou"
"I
'
llbewai
tingf
oryourcal
l"Hermot
hersai
dand
droppedt
hephone.
I
renesi
ghed.

Shegotupfrom t
hebedandraceddownstai
rs,
The
l
ivi
ngroom wasemptysoshewalkedoutsi
debut
theguar
dsstoppedher
.

"
Youcan'
tgoanywher
e"oneoft
hem sai
d.
"
Iknowbutit
'surgentandIneedtogett
her
e
i
mmediat
ely"hereyespleaded.
Theguar
dsst
aredateachot
herbef
oreal
lowi
ngher
out
.
"CanIdri
veyou?Eventhoughbosswon'tbehappy"
Alex,
thedri
vershehadmeetonherfi
rstdayatthe
houseoffer
ed.

"
Idon'
twantyout
ogetsacked"I
ri
shsai
d
"Oh,
please.Wai
ther
e,whi
leIgett
hecar
"Al
exsai
d
andIr
ishnodded.
"
Okay"I
ri
shsai
d
_
__

"Goodni
ghtandthankyou"Iri
shthankedthedr
iver
assheali
ghtedfrom t
hecar,i
nfrontofbarshe
knewherseniorexassist
antwil
lbe.

Whenshewasst i
llworkingwiththeModel
Company, El
lahadbeenassi gnedtoheras
someonesheshoul dlookupt o.Afterworkthey've
bothnormal l
ystayedint hebartogethert
il
lit
'slate
atnightbeforet
heydr i
vehome.

SoI
ri
shguessedshe'
l
lbeher
e.
Al
exonl
ynoddedbef
oredr
ivi
ngaway.

Thebarwasbuzzi
ngasusualwhenshewal
kedi
n.
Alleyesfel
lonherbutshewasl
essconcer
ned
aboutthat
.
 Shesight
edAlexMorganHar
lowintheVIPsect
ion
ofthebarandqui
ckl
yremovedhergaze.
"She'sonlyher
etoseeEl l
anotforanyot
her
businesss."Shethoughtassherushedt
oEll
a'
s
normallypri
vateLodge.
Shedidn'
tact
ual
lyknowmuchaboutMorgan,but
sheknewitwasbecauseofhi
m shel
ostherModel
Job.

I
ri
shhadmeethimt wi
ceattheModelcompany
andhercomodel
shavesaidhewast heboss.Aft
er
makingt
hesexapproachonher,
Iri
shlef
tthejob.
Shecan'
tgi
veoutherbodyformoney.
Shegott
her
eandknocked.

"Comei
nIr
ish"El
lasai
dandI r
ishopenedt
hedoor
andwal
kedint
othesmallbedroom.
"HiEl
la,
guessyouknowI '
l
lbeher
e"Shegr
eet
edas
shetookasitopposi
teher
.
Theroom i
sjustoccupiedwitht
hreechai
rs
sur
roundi
ngami ddletable,
aceil
ingf
ananda
wardr
obealongwithabed.

"SoI
'm sureyoumusthavebeensoexci
tedafter
hear
ingthenews,AndIapol
ogisef
orcal
lingyour
motherinst
ead"El
lasai
d.
Funnyenough,
shehadnotbeenexci
ted,
shehad
beenconfused.
El
lal
ooksl
ikeshe'
stheoneexci
tedher
e.
"
What
'st
hedeal
?Yougotmeconf
used"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Wel
l,
thisbil
li
onai
rej
ustcameinandoff
eredt
o
sol
veallofyourpr
obl
em"Ellasmi
led.

"Abi
ll
ionai
re?
"SheaskedandEt
hansuddenl
y
cametohermind.
I
t'
sjustbeenhour
sandshemi
ssedhi
sface
al
ready.
"Yes.MorganHar
low.Yourexboss"El
laannounced
happil
y.
"MorganHarlow?Wantstosolvemypr
obl
em?What
broughtaboutthat
?"I
ri
shasked.
Shedoesn'
tli
ketheman,shecoul
dvivi
dly
rememberhowhehadal waysappr
oachherto
sati
sfyhi
ssexurge.Howshehatedhi
m.

"Babygi
rl
!Aren'
tyouexci
ted?Ourbossi
ssoki
ndt
o
giveyousuchoffer
"El
laasked.
"Ican'
tbeyet,causeidon'tknowwhat '
sgoingon?
Youmeant hebi l
li
onai
reisourexboss?Andhe
suddenlyappearedtosolvemypr oblem.Whydoes
hewantt ohel
pme? Di
dyout ellhi
m anyt
hing?"I
ri
sh
asked.

"
Wel
l.
.yes.Idi
d"El
lasai
d.

El
laknowssomuchaboutI
ri
shasthey'
vecr
eat
ed
ali
tt
lebondi
nthemodelCompany.
"
Why?
"Ir
ishasked.
"Hewantedtoknowmor eaboutyouandif el
t
ther
e'snot
hingwronginincl
udingyourpr
oblems,
besi
deshe'stheboss.Ican'
tsaynotohim"

"Whydoeshesuddenl
ywantstoknowmor eabout
me?Andyouknowhowmuchihat eshar
ingmy
probl
ems!Ever
yonehasr
esponsi
bili
ti
est
oo"

"He'
sabill
ionair
e!Andifeel
hecanhelpyou.Icar
e
aboutyoubabygi r
landthat
'swhyidi
dthat.
Besi
desIdi dn'
tevenknowwhyyouwokeupone
dayanddeci dedtoqui
t"
"ThanksEl
labutidon'
tneedhi
shel
p.Il
eftt
hej
ob
becauseIwantedto"I
ri
shsai
d.
"What!Whatar
eyousayingIri
sh?I
sn'tt
hatthe
reasonyou'
vebeenst
ruggl
ing?"El
lasounded
surpri
se.

Shenevert
houghtI
ri
shcoul
drej
ectt
heof
fer
.
Shehadgi
venMorgant
her
eassur
ancet
hatI
ri
sh
woul
dbesoexci
ted.

"Whyishesuddenlyi nt
erestedinme?Howcanhe
off
ertohelpmewi thoutwant i
nganythingi
nr eturn?
Andican'tacceptt
hathugeamountofmoneyf rom
someoneallinthenameofhel p,youknowipr efer
toworkformoneyandt hatguylooksli
keallhe
wantsingir
lsissex!"Ir
ishsaid.

Shedidn'
tactual
lywantt
otellheroranyoneabout
hissexapproachtoher
.Shejustwanttokeepitto
hersel
f.

"Thenyoucanjusthavesexwit
hhim.That'
s
somethingyouwon'tr
egret
,youknow"El
lasai
d.

Ir
ishdidn'
tneedanyonet
otel
lherthatEl
lawasal
so
havingasexualaf
fai
rwit
hherboss.Morgan!
"
Thatwaswhathesuggest
ed?
"Ir
ishasked,
tryi
ng
nott
ospeakmuch.

"
Notr
eal
ly"
Ell
asai
dandI
ri
shl
aughed.
"Evenifhewantstogi
vemeal lthemoneyi nt
he
world,
icanneveral
lowhim have,notevena
gli
mpseofmybody! 'I
ri
shsaid,nowangr y.

"So,you'
rer
eject
ingt
hatsumpt
uoushel
p?"El
la
asked.
"I
t'
snol ongerhelpifyouwantsomet hi
nginr et
urn.I
don'ti
nvolvemyselfwi t
hsuchpeople.Evenifhe
hadwant ednothinginretur
n,ist
il
lwouldn'thave
acceptedhishelp"thepastwithhi
m sti
llhauntsher.

"Why?Butyour
eal
lyneedt
hismoneyI
ri
sh"El
la
sai
d.
"Ir
eal
lyneeditbutI
'
m notdesper
ate."I
ri
shsai
d
andIr
ishsighed.
"I
ri
sh,ever
yot
hergi
rlwoul
djumpatt
heof
fer
"El
la
said.
"
Iam I
ri
shLevi
ne"I
ri
shl
ickedherl
ips.
"Ir
ish,
thi
sjobyou'r
edoingwouldneverfetchyou
thedebtyourdadownsandyourbr otherf
ees.Al
so
youcanr et
urntoyourf
amil
y.Isn'
tthatwhatyou'
ve
alwayswanted?"
"
Wel
l.
..
"Ir
ishsmi
led.

"Inowhaveaj obthatcanpaymyDad'sDebt, as
wellasgetmymot her'sModelcompanyuptoand
alsohel
pwi thmybrother'
seducati
on"I
rishsaid
happil
y,she'
sgladshemeetSar ahwhohadhel ped
hergetthejobwit
houtstress,
shecan'
tjustwaitto
getbacktothemansi on.

"
Real
ly?
"
"
Yes,
inowwor
kasananny.
..
"
"
Ananny?
"El
lai
nter
rupt
edwi
thani
rr
it
atedl
ook.
"
Yes,
I'
m Ar
in'
snanny.Et
hanHar
low'
sdaught
er"
I
ri
shsai
dproudl
y.
"EthanHarlow?I
sn'
tthatMorgan'
selderbrother
!I
didn'tknowhe'
sbacktoCali
forni
a"El
laexclaimed.

Ir
ishhat
edthef
actthatagoodmanlikeEt
hanwas
birt
hedwit
hayoungerbrot
herwho'
sEvil
.

"Yesandmypayf
ort
womont
hsal
readycover
smy
dad'sdebt
"
"Oh..my,r
eal
ly?
"El
laaskedwi
thhereyeswi
del
y
opened.

"
Yes,I
'
m sor
ryidi
dn'
ttel
lyouear
li
er.Ij
ustr
esumed
t
oday"
"
No,
it'
sfi
ne"
Ell
asmi
led.
"Andcongr
atul
ati
onsonyournewj
ob"Sheadded.
"
Thanks,
ineedt
ogonow,anditseemsI'
l
lbe
wal
kingt
omyhousei
nst
ead.I
t'
slatetor
etur
n
t
her
e"I
ri
shsai
d.
Shegotonherf
eetandgl
ancedatt
hewal
lcl
ock.

"
Whoa,
it'
slat
eal
ready"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
I'
m sohappyf
oryouI
ri
sh"
Ell
asai
d,get
ti
ngonher
f
eet.
"
Thankyou"I
ri
shsmi
led.
"Anddotel
lMrEthantopatr
oni
zememor
eof
ten"
Ell
asai
d,smil
inghappi
ly.
SheknewEthani
smor
eweal
thyt
hanhi
syounger
brot
herMor
gan.

"Idon'
tthi
nkhe'
sthebargoi
ngt
ypet
hough"I
ri
sh
shrugged.
"
Well
..t
hanksf
orever
ythi
ngEl
la,
ireal
lyappr
eci
ate"
I
ri
shhuggedher
.
"I
t'
sfi
ne.Gonnamissyouhavi
ngyouar
oundher
e"
Ell
asai
d,abitsadl
y.
PeoplehadlikedIri
sh,t
hegi
rlwasalwaysfetchi
ng
moneyf orher.Shewassoni ceatshoot
ing.Butshe
di
dn'tknowt heyreasonshequit
ted.

Anyway,
she'
shappyandt
hat
'swhatmat
ter
s.

"
Bye"I
ri
shwavedbef
orewal
kingoutoft
heof
fi
ce.

_
__

Mor ganHarl
owsatintheVI
Psecti
onof
Persephone'
sbar,si
ppi
ngaquit
eexpensi
vewi
ne
wit
hf ourbodyguar
dsguar
dinghi
m.
HehadseenIri
shgoinandhewasimpat
ient
ly
wai
ti
ngforhertocomeoutwi
thEl
la.

Hehadmadet
hatof
fersoshecoul
dleaveEt
han'
s
mansi
on.
Javadhadtol
dhi
mitseemsEt
hanhasaspeci
al
l
iki
ngforI
ri
sh.
Hehadmadeherdi neinhispersonaldi
ningroom
andthatsaysalotcauseEthandoesnotallowhis
workersi
nther
e,hehatesbeingint
err
uptedwhile
eati
ng,heknewthatbecausetheyaregreatup
toget
her.

Hi
spl
anst
opul
lEt
handownt
hemudkeepsf
ail
ing!
So,
taki
ngever
ythi
nghel
ikesshoul
dhur
thi
m.
Heknowsthesocal
ledl
adywoul
daccepthisof
fer
,
al
lheneedst
odonowi sai
mforEthan'
sdaught
er.

Morganl
aughedoutloud,
imagi
ningwhatEt
han'
s
l
if
ewouldbeaft
erthat.
Hesomuchhatet
hefactt
hatpeopl
elovehi
s
brot
herEt
hant
hanhim.
Et
hanal
waysgett
hehi
ghestvot
einever
ythi
ng!
Morgancover
edthefrownonhisfacewi
thsmi
le
whenhesawI r
ishapproachi
ng.
Hewonder
edwhyEl
lawasnotwi
thher
.
Well
..
shel
ookssumpt
uousl
ysexyandhe'
sgonna
havehert
oni
ght
.
"Someonei
scomi
ngtosi
tonthatchai
r"Mor
gan
said,
poi
nti
ngt
oachai
ropposi
tehim.
Oneofhi
sbodyguar
dsqui
ckl
ywi
pedi
tcl
ean.

Ir
ishwalkedpasthi
stabl
ewi
thoutspar
inghi
ma
glance.

What
!

Heturnedt
oconf
ir
mifshe'
str
ulywal
kingoutoft
he
door
.

"
Whatt
hef
uck!
"Hecur
sedst
andi
ngup.
Heheadedtowar
dsEl
la'
slodgeandhi
sbodyguar
ds
t
rai
ledbehi
ndhim.
Hewascl
oset
oherr
oom whenEl
lawal
kedout
..

"
What'shappeni
ng?Thatl
adywalkedpastmyt
abl
e
wit
houtevenspari
ngmeaglance"
"
Wel
l,
Sir
..
."El
lasi
ghed.
"
Sher
eject
edyourof
fer
"Shesai
d.

"
What
?"Mor
ganHar
lowaskedi
ndi
sbel
ief
.
"
Yeah,
thatl
adyisnotl
ikemostl
adi
es.Shepr
efer
s
t
oworkformoney"
Ell
asaid.

MorganHarl
owlookedshocked,
hehadn'
teven
t
houghtshe'
l
lrej
ectthathugeof
fer
?
Whorej
ect
ssuchamountofmoneyt
ocont
inue
bei
ngananny.
"Doyouneedanyt
hingel
se?Ifnot,
Ithi
nkit'
sti
meI
star
theadi
nghome"El
lasai
d,wai
tedforfew
secondsandt
henwalkedaway.

MorganHarl
owstoodi
nawe,hehadt
houghtever
y
ot
herladywasl
ikeCat
her
inebut
..
.

"
Let
'smove"Hesai
dtohi
sbodyguar
ds.

_
__

I
r i
shknewitwil
lbeabadsi deofhert
ogobackt
o
Ethan'
smansion.He'
llst
artseei
ngherasat
ype
thatkeepsmenoutsi
de.

Yeah!Whatwi
llamant
hinkseei
ngawomancome
backsolat
e?
Besideshewasn'
tsureifEt
hanevenall
owshis
workerstost
epout,nottotal
kaboutst
eepi
ngout
atni
ght
.

Shehopesshehadn'
tbr
okenanyr
ule.
Shewasablet
ogetacabwhi
chdr
ovehert
oher
f
ormerhouse.

She'
llsleept
hereandr
ushupt
othemansi
onear
ly
tomorrowmor ni
ng.
I
ri
shpickedupherphoneonceshel
edont
hebed
anddai
lhermother
'snumber.

Shepi
ckedupaf
tersomet
ime.
"
Hel
loI
ri
sh"Hermot
hersai
d.
"
Hel
lomot
her
.I'
m guessi
ngIdi
stur
bed!
"Ir
ishsai
d.

"
NoIri
sh.Actual
lyAr
ushaandmehadbeenwaiti
ng
f
oryourcall
,Tel
lmewho'sthegoodSamar
it
an?"
Hermothersai
dandIri
shhadArushagi
ggl
edfr
om
t
hebackgr
ound.

Tear
sal
mostf
all
edf
rom hereyes.
Al
lshewi
lleveraskf
orwashermot
her
'sHappi
ness.

"
Ther
e'snogoodSamar
it
anmot
her
,"I
ri
shsai
d
"
Whatdoyoumean"
?Hermot
hersai
d.

"It
houghtIt
oldyouI
'
m wor
kingnowmot
her
?"I
ri
sh
sai
d.
"
Ineversai
dyouain'
tworki
ng.I
'
mtalki
ngaboutthe
manthatbadtheoff
ert
hatcoul
dchangeourl
if
e's"
Hermothersai
d.
"
Wel
lIt
urnedt
hesocal
ledof
ferdown"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
What
?Why.WhyhappenedI
ri
sh?
"

"List
enMother,t
hef
akeoff
erwasmyexbosswhol
e
planjustt
osleepwi
thme.Hewantmybodyi
n
r
etur
nfort
heof
fer
"Ir
ishsai
d.
"Oops!Idi
dn'
tknow,Howdidheknewaboutyour
need?"Hermotherasked.

"Idon'
tknowmot her
,he'
ssocr eepy.Andyouwon'
t
beli
evehe'smyboss'syoungerbrotherbutt
hey
ain'
tingoodter
ms"Iri
shexplai
ned.
"
I'
m sor
rydaught
er"Hermot
hersai
d.
"
Whatf
or?
"
"Outofexcit
ementwithoutconsi
derat
ion.Ialmost
pushyoui nt
ogetti
ngthemoneyf rom hi
m, Idon'
t
knowwhatel seIcouldaskfori
nadaught er.You'
re
sosmar t
"Hermot hersai
d.
"
Stopmum.Igetal
lthatf
rom you,
How'
sAr
usha?
"
"
He'
sfi
ne.Al
mostdozi
ngof
f"
"
Anddad?
"Ir
ishsai
d.
"Asl
eepal
ready.Thecompanyarest
il
lhardonhi
m,
i
t'sbeenf
iveyearsandt
hedebthadn'
tevengone
half
"Hermothertol
dher.
"
I'
m sor
rymother
,I'
l
ltr
ytomakeyoubot
hpr
oud"
I
ri
shpromi
sed.
"
Itr
ustyou"Hermot
hersai
d.

"I
'
vet ogomother.Icoul
dn'
tgobackt othemansion
aft
ermeeti
ngwi t
hEl l
a,soIdroppedoffatmyol d
apart
ment.Thankful
lymyrenthadn'texpi
red"I
ri
sh
said.

"
Alr
ightI
ri
sh.Goodni
ght
"
"
GoodNi
ghtmot
her
"Ir
ishsai
dandt
hel
inewentof
f.
_
_

I
renel
aidonherbedaf
terf
resheni
ngup.
Shewasscri
bbli
ngthedayeventint
oherdiar
y,
whichwasact
uall
yaphonedairy.She'
l
lrewri
tei
t
whenshegethermeandiar
yatthemansi on.
ShethoughtaboutMorganHarl
owandhi
sof
ferand
shecursedunderherbreat
h.
Shehat
eshi
m,Somuch!

_
__

"GoodmorningMrEt han"I
ri
shgreeted,
shehadjust
ali
ght
edfrom thecar,asthedr
ivercametopickher
upearl
yinthemor ni
ng.

Shewasn'
texpect
ingt
oseeAl
ext
hedr
ivert
hough.

Hel
ookedal
ldr
essedupf
orwor
k.
Shenevert
houghthegoest
owor
kthi
sear
ly.

"
GoodmorningMrEthan"Ir
ishgreetedagai
n
t
hinki
nghehadn'
theardthefi
rstti
me.
Buthej
ustent
eredhi
sli
mousi
nel
ikehehadn'
tseen
her
.

I
gnor
inghert
otal
ly!
What
tt
?
TheBi
ll
ionar
eIf
elli
nlovewi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e:Bi
ll
ionar
e,Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
11
"
GoodmorningMrEthan"Ir
ishgreetedagai
n
t
hinki
nghehadn'
theardthefi
rstti
me.
Buthej
ustent
eredhi
sli
mousi
nel
ikehehadn'
tseen
her
.

Li
keser
iousl
y?
Whaaat
?!

"
Whatcoul
dbewrong?
"Shet
houghtasshewal
ked
t
owar
dsthedoor
.
Shet
urnedandsawt
hatt
hel
imoi
sal
readyoutof
t
hecompound.
She'ssosurehemusthaveheardher
,heeven
glancedatherbutshecoul
dtel
lhewaspissedby
somet hi
ng.

Di
doneofhi
swor
ker
spi
ssedhi
m of
f?
I
sitbecauseshewasn'
ther
elastni
ght
?
"
Wel
l.
..
"Sheshr
ugged.

Shewal
kedi
ntot
hel
ivi
ngr
oom andmetGabr
iel
le.

"
Goodmor
ningGabr
iel
le"
Ir
ishgr
eet
ed.
"
Ir
ish,
goodmor
ning"Gabr
iel
lasmi
led.
"You'r
ehere.Ithoughtyouweresupposedt
ocome
downf rom yourroom?Didyouwentanywheret
his
mor ni
ng?"Gabri
ell
esaid.
"Yes.Iact
uallywentt
omyf or
merhouselastni
ght
afterdi
nner.Butdi
danyonepissedMrEt
han?"I
ri
sh
asked.

"
Yeah,
ithi
nkso.
"Gabr
iel
lesai
d.
"
Ohh"I
ri
shnoddedsl
owl
y.
"Hedidn'
trespondt
oyourgr
eet
ings?
"Gabr
iel
le
asked.
"
Yeah!Howdi
dyouknow?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
Ijustguessed"Gabriel
lesai
d,al
readyknowingIri
sh
i
stheonewhopi ssedhim of
f,Et
hanwon'trespond
t
oyourgr eet
ingswhenhe' spi
ssedwithyou.

ShewonderedwhatI
ri
shdi
dinthespaceon
yest
erdayni
ghtandt
hismor
ning.

"
Ishoul
dgomeetAr
in"
.Ir
ishsai
d.
"
Yeah,Themaidswil
lberearr
angingyourr
oom wi
th
asetofnewstuf
fsandyou'veresumedfor
mall
y"
Gabri
ell
esai
d.

"
Okay,thanks"I
ri
shsai
dandst
art
edwal
kingt
o
Ari
n'sr
oom.

Shemetsomewor
ker
sont
hewayandgr
eet
ed
them.
Theyallr
espondednicel
yandshecoul
dn'
twai
tto
gettoknowthem al
l.
Gabri
ell
ehadsaidt
her
ewillbeaf
ormal
i
ntr
oductiont
oday,
unl
iket
heoneSarahdi
d.

I
ri
shknockedgent
lywhenshegott
oAr
in'
sdoor
.
"
Who'
sther
e?"Ar
inasked.
"
Yournanny"I
ri
shsai
d.
"I
ri
sh,Comein"Ar
insai
dandIri
shsmi
ledasshe
openedthedoorandwalkedi
n.

"
Goodmor
ningt
oyou"Shesai
dtoAr
inwhosmi
led.
"GoodmorningIr
ish"Ar
insai
d,shehadjustf
ini
shed
taki
ngherbathandshehadat owelwr
apped
aroundherbody.

"Ohh.
.I
'm sor
ryiwasn'
ther
eear
lyenought
obat
h
you"I
ri
shsaid.
"No,ibathmysel
fandIbathedDol
lyt
oo.Youcan
onlydressmeup"Ari
nsaid.
"
Real
ly?I
sthati
nyourr
ulesbookl
et?
"Ir
ishsai
d.

ThenshesawDoll
ylayi
ngonthecar
petAr
inseem
t
ohavearrangedf
orher.Howcut
e!

"Ofcour
se,it
hinkyoureal
lyneedtogothroughit
oncemore.Iknewyoucan'ttakei
tinatonce.They
arewaytoomuch"Arinsaid.

"
Youknowt
hatt
oo?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
Ofcour
se"
"Thenwhydi
dyoumadet
hent
hatmuch?
"Ir
ish
asked.
"Somenanniesdopassthei
rboundsandt
hat'
swhy
ihadtosetaboundar
y"Ari
nsaid,
passi
ngI
rishher
bodycream.

"
Hmm.
..
I'
venotwashedmyhands"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Ohh..
.Justappl
ythi
sonmybodybutpleaseyou
shouldalwayswashyourhandsbef
orecomingi
nto
myr oom"Arinsai
d.

Therul
ehadn'tstatedt
hatsheshoul
duseher
handsal
ways, butsheknewthatf
orher
selft
hatshe
shoul
dalwayswashherhandsbef or
etouchi
ngArin.

Shehavenoprobl
em wi
thI
ri
sht
ouchi
ngherwi
thout
washi
ngherhands.
I
ri
shalwaysl
ookneat
,justl
ikeherdadand
Gabr
iel
le
"
Uh?Okay"I
ri
shsai
d.

Shetookt
hebodycream f
rom Ari
nandst
art
ed
appl
yingi
tsmoot
hlyonthegir
l'
sskin.
Shedi
dn'
tputpressureoni
t,Ar
in'
sski
nfel
tli
ke
di
amondbeneat
hhert ouch.
Herski
ngl
owedmor
eaf
terI
renewasdone.

Shepr
oceededtodr
essingherupandt
heywer
e
donei
namat t
erofminutes.
Ari
nworehershoeswhi
leI
ri
shgr
abbedoneofher
hai
rcombs.
"OnlyGabr
iel
leandmydadt
ouchesmyhai
r"Ar
in
said.
"Ohh..okay"I
ri
shsai
ddr
oppi
ngt
hecomb
disappoint
edl
y.
Shehadwant
edt
omakeaver
ybeaut
if
ulst
ylef
or
Ari
n.

Shepi
ckedAr
in'
sschoolbagandhel
pedherweari
t.
"
So.
.we'
reset
"Ir
ishsmi
led.
"
Yeah"Ar
insaid,
glanci
ngather
sel
fint
hemi
rr
or
wit
hasati
sfi
edlook.
I
ri
shhaddr
essedherupsoni
cel
y.
"Comegohaveyourbr
eakf
ast
"Ir
ishsai
d,gl
anci
ng
atthewal
lcl
ock.
Ar
innoddedandpickedacombbef
oret
heybot
h
wal
kedoutofther
oom.

*
*

Ari
nfi
nishedhavi
ngherbr
eakf
astandGabri
ell
e
hel
pedhercombandpackedherhairi
ntoasi
mple
ponyt
ail
.

Yeah!
Shewasr
eadyf
orschool
.

"ByeMs.Gabr
iel
le"ShewavedasI
ri
shl
edhert
othe
door.
"
ByeAri
n"Gabr
iel
lesmil
edandwat
chedt
hebot
hof
t
hem wal
kedoutofthedoor
.
I
ri
shsawabeaut
if
ulpi
nkBenzpar
kedast
hey
st
eppedout
.

Wow!
Shehadn'
tseent
hisi
nthecompound.
I
tmusthavebeeni
nthegar
age.

"
Ist
hisyourcar
?"SheaskedAr
inwhonodded.
"
It
'sbeaut
if
ul"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Yeahi
tis,
thanks"Ar
insai
d.

Ir
ishsawt hedr i
verwasi
nthecaral
ready,
the
backseatdoorwasopenedbyabodyguar dwho
l
ookedsof i
erce.
Shewonder
edwher
eMrEt
hanf
oundt
hesehar
d
l
ooki
ngmen.
Theycoul
dscar
eshi
toutofsomeone!

"Goodmor
ningAr
in"t
hemangr
eet
edi
nadeep
voice.
Hi
svoi
cei
sjustast
hickashi
sface.
"
Goodmor
ningCar
los"Ar
insmi
led.
Shegoti
ntot
hebackseatanddr
oppedherschool
bagbesi
deher.

"
Ir
ishar
en'
tyoucomi
ng?
"Ar
inasked.
"
Huh?Am isupposedt
ogowi
thyou?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
Ofcour
se!
"Ar
insai
d.
"Youreal
lyneedt
ost
udyt
her
ulesbookl
et"She
added.
"
Yeah"I
ri
shsai
dhopi
ngi
nbesi
deAr
in.

Thebodyguardclosedt
hecardoorandI
ri
sh
widenedhereyeswhenhegotint
othefr
ontseat
.
Thedr
iverdrovet
othegat
ewhi
chopened
aut
omatical
ly.
"
Ishesupposedtogowi
thus?
"Ir
ishwhi
sper
edt
o
Ari
nwholaughed.
"
Yeah,
Carli
smypersonalbodyguar
d,hegoeswi
th
meever
ywhere"Ar
inwhisper
edback.
"
Andhedoesn'
tscar
eyou?
"Ir
ishaskedi
nawhi
sper
.
"No,heactual
lyhasasoftsi
detohi
m.Hishearti
s
notasfi
erceashisface,
he'ssoni
ceandlovi
ng"
"
Real
ly?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
Yes.HeyCar
l,meetI
ri
sh,
mynewnanny"Ar
insai
d.
"
HiIr
ish,
ihear
dal
lyourwhi
sper
s"Hesmi
led
t
urni
ngtoher.

"
Huh?
"Ir
ishswal
lowedhar
d.
Twothi
ngssur
pri
sedher,t
hef actt
hathehear
dal
l
shewhi
sper
edandthefactthathesmiled.
Sheneverpict
uredhim asasmi
li
ngmanandshe
mustbesincerehelookedl
essf
ier
cenow.
"I
'
m sor
ryaboutt
hat
,inevermeantt
osayt
hat
behi
ndyou"I
ri
shsai
d.
"I
t'
sfi
ne.So, I'
m Carl
,Ari
n'spersonal
bodyguard"Carl
ossai
dstretchi
ngouthishand
eff
ort
lesslyfr
om thefr
ontseat.
"I
'
mI ri
sh,Ar
in'
snanny.Nicet
omeetyou"I
ri
shsai
d
accept
inghi
soutstr
etchedhand.

Damn!
St
ronghands!

She'
ssosurethosehandscoul
deasi
lybr
eak
obj
ectsi
ntot
wo.

"
Sameher
e"Car
lossai
d.
"Iknowyoudoagoodj
obi
npr
otect
ingAr
in"I
ri
sh
said.
"I
'
mt ryi
ngmybest
.Ar
ini
smyf r
iendandI
'
llmake
surenohar
m comest
oher"Car
lsai
d.
"Hehasbeenmyper
sonalbodyguardfort
hree
year
snowandhassavedmef rom bei
ngkidnapped
mult
ipl
eti
mes,
backi
nAustral
ia"Ari
nsaid.
"
Oh.
.my!Real
ly?
"Ir
ishasked.
"Yeah"Ari
nsaidandI
ri
shcoul
dseewhyEt
han
entrust
edAri
ntohim.

She'
ssti
llwor
ri
edt
hatEt
hanhadn'
trespondedt
o
hergr
eet
ings.

Evenifhewaspi ssedbysomeone,heshoul
dhave
respondedtohergreet
ings.Shewasn'
ttheonewho
pissedhim of
,Orwasshe?

"
MeetAl
ext
oo,
mychauf
feur
"Ar
insai
d.
"
HiAl
ex,
We'
vemeeteachot
herbef
ore"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
HiI
ri
sh,
wel
comet
oAr
in'
swor
ld"Al
exsai
d,f
ocused
ondr
ivi
ng.
"
Thankyou"I
ri
shsmi
led.

"
We'
real
mostatmyschool
"Ar
insai
dexci
tedl
y.
"
Real
ly?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
Yeah"Ar
insai
dput
ti
ngheri
Padbacki
nherbag.

Shesl
ippedonherschoolbagast
hedr
iverdr
ove
i
ntoawideopenedgate.
Car
lgotdowntoopent
hedoorf
ort
hem andt
hey
bot
hali
ghted.

I
ri
shmar
vel
edatt
hesi
ghtofAr
in'
sschool
.
Looki
ngati
tal
onewoul
dhavet
oldyoui
t'
saNO!f
or
thepoor
.
St
udent
sal
ight
edf
rom di
ff
erentposhcar
s.
Securi
ti
eswereever
ywher
eandthest
udentsl
ooked
wellor
gani
zedastheywal
kedi
ntoapassageway.
Thest
ruct
urei
sjust
..
.

Wow!

Theouterpar
thadl
eftherspeechl
ess,
andshe
wonder
edwhatthei
nnerpartwoulddotoher
.

"I
'
m gonnagowi
thyout
oyourcl
assr
ight
?"She
askedAri
n.
"
No,
youdon'
thavet
o.Car
lwi
ll
"Ar
insai
d.
"
Ohh..
okay"I
ri
shsaidandsatbacki
nthecarasshe
wat
chedthem l
eave.

Shesi
ghed,
wat
chi
ngt
hest
udent
sadmi
ri
ngl
y.
Ever
yonesur
ehasdi
ff
erentchi
ldhood.

"
Hi"Al
exj
olt
edheroutofhert
hought
s.
"
Hey"sher
esponded.
"
Youf
eel
ingbor
ed?
"
"
Notr
eal
ly"I
ri
shsmi
led.
"Shouldit
unei
nsomebeat
s?"HeaskedandI
ri
sh
shrugged.

She'
snotmuchofamusi
cper
son.

Alexst
art
edplayi
ngasoftmusi
candI
ri
shal
lowed
hermindtowanderaway.

*
*

TheygothomeandsheandCarl
osal
ight
edf
rom
thecarwhi
leAl
exdr
oveint
othegar
age.
"
Seeyoul
ater
"Car
lossai
d,wal
kingaway.
"
Yeah"I
ri
shr
epl
ied,
wal
kingt
othedoor
.

Shemi
ssedherMum.
Shewonder
edi
fshewasokaywi
thherr
eject
ingt
he
off
er.
Shehopesshei
s.Shecan'
tsel
lherbodyf
ormoney.

"
Hey,you'
reback"Gabri
ell
esai
dtoherasshe
wal
kedint
othelivi
ngroom.
"
Yeah"
"Yourroom hasbeenrear
ranged.Comet
akeal
ook
atit
".Gabri
ell
esaid.
"
Ohh...okay"I
ri
shsai
danxi
ousl
y,wal
kingbehi
nd
Gabr
iell
e.

Shewonder
edwhytheyhavet
orear
rangetheroom.
Shewascomfor
tabl
ewit
hthewaytheroom i
snow.

Aft
erthey'
vecl
imbedt
her
oom,
Gabr
iel
lest
opsat
I
ri
sh'sdoor.
ThedooropenedandI
ri
sht
ooki
nabr
eat
hbef
ore
st
eppi
ngin..
Thecozi
nessoft
her
oom embr
acedherf
ir
st.

Theroom waswellf
urni
shedandt
hewellspr
ead
bedlookssosof
tandinvi
ti
ng,t
her
e'sabedsi
de
tabl
eandalamp.
Thefloorist
il
edbutt
her
e'sacol
our
fulr
oundr
ug
placedinthemiddl
e.
Shehasadressingchai
randat
abl
e!Wi
thanoval
mir
rorbef
oreit
.
Thesi
zeoft
hewar
drobel
ooksj
ustsor
ightf
ort
he
room.
Thecurt
ainmatchedwiththecoloroft
hecenterr
ug
andthewallpai
ntedwit
hacoolbr owntot
all
y
matchedwithal
lthefur
nit
ures.
Theopenwi
ndowall
owedraysofsunshi
neand
ever
ythi
ngl
ooksj
ustsobeaut
if
ul.
 Ever
ythingseemssodi ff
erent
.Unliket
her
oom
befor
e,they'
veonlybeenabed, astandi
ngtabl
e
andthecloset.Butknoweveryt
hinghasbeen
arr
angedandset ted.Shefel
thonoured.

"
Ihopeyoul
ikei
tnow?Gabr
iel
leasked.
"
Itot
all
ylovei
t"I
ri
shgr
inned.
"Im gl
adyoudo,that
'st
hedoort
ot hebat
hroom and
that'
sthedoorconnect
ingt
oAri
n'sroom"Gabri
ell
e
said.
"YeahIknow,Ari
ntol
dmeyest
erdayandSar
ahhad
alsosai
dthattoo"
"Fi
nethen,I
'
lll
eaveyounowanddot akesomer est
,
comemeetmesoI '
lli
ntr
oduceyoutoot
hers
for
mallyandalsoshowyour oundt
hebuil
ding,I
'
m
guessi
ngSarahjustshowedyouaquarterofthe
bui
ldi
ng"Gabri
ell
esaid.

Quar
ter
?Notevenhal
f!
"
OkayGabr
iel
le,
thankssomuch"I
ri
shsai
d.
Gabr
iel
lesmil
edasshewal
kedoutoft
hedoorbut
I
ri
shstoppedher
.

"
Sor
ry,
HaveyouseenDol
ly?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
Dol
ly?Who?
"Gabr
iel
lesai
d.
"
Sor
ryImeanmydog,
hernamei
sDol
ly"
.
"
Oh!Ar
inor
der
edt
hatshe'
stakent
otheVet
..
"

"
What
?Butshei
sn'
tcol
d"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Wel
l.
..
..Ar
insai
dshecat
chcol
d"Gabr
iel
lasai
d.
"
Okayt
hanks"
Gabr
iel
lenoddedandwal
kedout
.

Shecatchcol
dandalreadytakentot
hevet
?!Ri
ch
peopl
eneverstopsamazingher!
_
__

Shehummedhappi
lyasshetransf
err
edherclot
hes
fr
om t
hecaset
othedrawerandthecloset.
Shegather
edhert
oil
etr
iesandf
reshcl
othesbef
ore
headi
ngtothebat
hroom.

Sheputonamor ecomf
ort
abl
ewearbef
oregoi
ng
tomeetGabr
iel
le.

_
__

I
ri
shretur
nedtoherr
oom aft
ershewasint
roduced
t
ootherworker
sandalsoshownherhal
fofthe
whol
ebuildi
ng.
Thebuil
dingi
sdamnhuge!Irishhadgott
ent
ir
ed
andtol
dGabriel
leshe'
l
lcont
inuetomorr
ow.
Thoughshehavet
oadmi
tthatallGabr
iel
le
showedheral
mostmadehercry.
Shewonderedt
heamountofmoneyusedt
osetup
thi
splaceandt
hisi
sn'
ttheonl
ybui
ldi
ngMrEt
han
has.

Gabri
ell
ehadadvi
sedhert
ogotakeanapbefor
e
Ari
ncomesbackandthat'
swhatshe'
sgonnado.

Shelai
donthesoftsi
lkybedandst
aredatt
hesky-
col
ouredcei
li
ng.

She'
sfi
nall
yresumed!She'
stheBi
ll
ionar
e
daught
er'
sNanny!

Ifshehadbeentoldshe'
l
lbeher
etoday,
shewoul
d
neverhavebel
ieved.
Fewdaysago,
sheneverevenpi
ctur
edher
sel
ftobe
anannyi
nabill
ionai
re'
shouse.
I
ttakesj
ustsecondsf
ort
hingst
ochange.
She'
ssohappyt
obeher
ebutshemi
ssedherf
ami
ly.
Shehadpr omisedherMot
herandAr
ushathatshe'
l
l
alwayscallt
hem int
hemorni
ngtomakesure
they'
ref
ine.

Shedoesn'
tknowwhyshef
eltsocomf
ort
abl
ebei
ng
her
e.
Shej
ustl
ovei
ther
e!

_
__

I
rishhelpedGabr
iel
lei
ntheki
tchenaf
tershe
f
inishednappi
ng.
Gabr
iel
lehadinsi
stedonmakingl
unchallby
her
sel
fandI r
ishhadalsoi
nsi
stedonhel
pingher
.
Theytal
kedandlaughedl
iket
hey'
veknowneach
otherf
oryear
s.

"
Ari
nwi
llbebacksoon"Gabri
ell
esai
dgl
anci
ngat
t
hewal
lclocki
ntheki
tchen.
"Yeah"I
ri
shsai
d,knowi
ngCar
lal
readywentt
opi
ck
her.

Lunchi
sreadyandt
heywer
est
art
ingt
odi
shi
tout
.

Gabriel
lecal
ledont
womai dstotakethel
uncht
o
t
heirdiningr
oom whi
leshestar
teddishi
ngout
t
heirs.

Theywer
eset
ti
ngt
hedi
ningt
abl
ewhenAr
inwal
ked
i
n.
"
I'
m back"Shesai
d.
I
ri
shsmi
led.

"
Wel
comegi
rl
ie"Gabr
iel
lesai
d.
"
Howwasschool
?"I
ri
shasked.
"
Great,
Imeetnewf
ri
ends"Ar
ingr
inned.
"
Come,
let
'sgogetyouchangedsoyoucanhave
yourl
unch"I
ri
shsai
dhol
dingAr
in'
swr
ist
.
"Iwashedmyhandsal
ready"SheaddedandAr
in
smiled.

Thebot
hst
art
edwal
kingupt
hest
air
s.

"
You'r
eroom hadbeenr
ear
rangedandsetwel
l
r
ight
?"Ari
nasked.
"
Yesandil
ovei
tbet
tert
hanbef
ore"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Real
ly?
"
"
Ofcour
se!i
t'
slovel
y"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
I'
m gl
adyoudo"
"
Gabr
iel
lesai
dyout
ookDol
lyt
otheVet
"Ir
ishsai
d.
"
Yes.Shel
ookedali
tt
lesick,she'
stooador
abl
eso
I
'
vetomakesureshe'
sfine".Ari
nsaid
"
Thanks"I
ri
shsai
dandAr
innodded.

_
__
Ari
nwasi ntheshowerwhi
leI
ri
shpr
epar
edwhat
she'
llwear
..
Shehelpedherselectapinkblouseandbl
ackmini
skir
t,
shepickedapinkfootweartomatchwit
hit
,
Pinkseemst obeherfavori
te

Ar
insteppedoutoft
hebat
hroom dr
yingherbody
wi
thtowel.
I
ri
shgr
abbedherbodycr
eam.

"Idon'
tusethecr
eam whenI'
m athome,
iusebody
oilandi
t'
sinmydr awer
"Ar
insaid.
"Ohh"I
ri
shsai
d,sheopenedAr
in'
sdr
awerand
pull
edoutt
hebodyoil
.

_
__
Theysati
nthedi
ningr
oom af
terAr
inwasdone
get
ti
ngchanged.
Gabr
iel
lest
art
eddi
shi
ngoutt
hemeal
.

"
Aren'
twegonnawai
tforMrEt
han?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
Hemi
ghtr
etur
nint
heni
ght
"Ar
inanswer
edher
.
"Yeah,
hedoesn'
thaveaspeci
fi
cti
me"Gabr
iel
le
added.
"
Ohh"i
ri
shsai
dandt
heyal
lst
art
edeat
ingi
nsi
lence.

Thedini
ngroom doorsuddenl
yopenedandEt
han
st
eppedin.
.
Ir
ishcoul
dn'
ttellwhyshesuddenl
yfeltner
vous,
andherpalm heatedt
hatshecoul
dn'tevenhol
dher
spoonwell
.

"
Daddy!
"Ar
incal
ledexci
tedl
yrushi
ngt
ohughi
m.
Hesmi
ledandpul
ledhi
sdaught
eri
ntoawar
m
embr
ace,
hepeckedhercheeks.
"
Howar
eyou?
"Heasked.
"I
'
mf i
ne.
"Ar
insai
d,shovi
ngapi
eceofmeat
loafi
n
hismout
h.
"
You'
redr
essedupsoni
cel
y"Et
hancomment
ed.
"
Yes,
Iri
shdi
dthej
ob"
Ari
nsai
d.

"
Ohh,
gocont
inueyourl
unch"Et
hansai
dtoAr
in
"Wel
comeEt
han,
you'
requi
teear
lyt
oday"Gabr
iel
le
sai
d.
"
Yes,
howar
eyouGabr
iel
le?
"Heasked.
"
I'
m goodandhowwaswor
k"Gabr
iel
leasked.
"
Okay"Har
oldsai
d.
"
Goodaf
ter
noonMrEt
han"I
ri
shgr
eet
ed.
"
Ishouldgochangeandj oi
nyouguys"Et
hansaid,
t
otal
lyignori
ngIri
shhewalkedoutoft
hedini
ng
r
oom leavingherconf
used.
"W..whatdi
didot
ohi
m?"SheaskedGabr
iel
le,
her
appeti
tegone.
"
Sincer
ely,
idon'
tknow"Gabr
iel
lesi
ghed.
I
ri
shswal
lowedhar
d,t
ryi
nghar
dnott
ocr
y.

Shestoodupandl
eftt
hedi
ningi
gnor
ingGabr
iel
le'
s
cal
l.

_
__

I
ri
shsatonherdr
essingchair
,st
ari
ngather
r
efl
ect
ioni
nthemirr
orafterputt
ingAr
intobed.

It
'sni
ghtal
readyandal
mostever
yonehasgonet
o
bedbutsheisn'
tevenf
eel
ingabi
tsleepy.
Hereyesl
itupwhensher emember
edGabr
iel
lehad
shownherEthan'
sli
brar
y.
Shel
ovesr
eadi
ngi
ntheni
ghtespeci
all
ybesi
det
he
f
ir
epl
ace!andt
hel
ibr
aryhasaf
ir
epl
ace.

Shequickl
ysl
ideherfeeti
ntoherf
oot
wearbef
ore
wal
kingoutofherroom.

Somanythoughtsfi
ll
edhermi
ndasshemadeher
wayt
othelibr
ary.
Whatdi
dshedot
oEt
hant
owar
rantsuchsi
lent
t
reat
ment?
Hewasal
lni
cet
oheryest
erday.

Sheprayedsil
entl
ythatitwasnotbecauseofher
l
eavingtheMansionlastnight.Shecouldhave
takenpermi
ssionfr
om him bef or
eleavi
ngbutshe
wasi nahurr
yandt ot
all
yf or
gotaboutinfor
ming
him.

Shewalkedint
othel
ibr
aryandqui
etl
ycl
osedt
he
dooraf
terher.
Shewasst
art
ledwhenshemetEt
hanseat
ed,
si
ppi
ngaredwinewit
habookinhand.

"
Whatdoyouwant
?"Heaskedwi
thoutgl
anci
ngup.
"
I.
.icoul
dn'
tsl
eepsoi
..
."I
ri
shst
ammer
ed.
"Di
dipi
ssedyouof?"Sheaskedonequest
ionshe
badl
yneededanswerto.

"I
fyouknowyou' l
lbesneakingoutatnightt
omeet
yourrandom boyf
riendsatabarthenquitbei
ngmy
daughter'
snanny!Ethanyel
ledangri
lyandit
dawnedonI r
ish.

Hi
sdriverhadobvi
ousl
ytol
dhi
m shedr
oppedof
fat
abar
.

"
Iti
sn'
twhatyout
hink"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Whatever
!Idon'tcar
e"Et
hansaid,
sl
ammedt he
bookclosed,
pickedhiswineandwalkedoutoft
he
l
ibr
ary.

Tear
sfal
lof
fIr
ish'
seyes.Shehadn'
tgonet
her
eto
meetaboyf
ri
end!
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12
"
Iti
sn'
twhatyout
hink"I
ri
shsai
d.

"Whatever
!Idon'tcar
e"Et
hansaid,
sl
ammedt he
bookclosed,
pickedhiswineandwalkedoutoft
he
l
ibr
ary.

"
MrEt
han"I
ri
shcal
led,
goi
ngaf
terhi
m.
"What?"Et
hanhalfyel
led.Hedoesn'
tknowwhyhe'
s
sopissedthatshewenttoabar!

I
t'sherli
fe,
heshoul
dn'tbeconcer
nedwi
thhowshe
l
ivesitbutwhydi
dithurtsomuch.
Hejustdoesn'
twanthert
obeabadi
nfl
uenceon
Ar
in.
Hewasn' tangr
ybecauseshedi dn'
ttakehis
permissi
onbeforeleavi
ng,orbecausesheslept
outsi
dethehouse,reasonsbecauseshet ol
dthe
guardsitwasurgent.Soprobablyshewasina
hur
ryandcoul
dn'
ttakeper
missi
on.

Hej
ustdi
dn'
tknowwhyhewasangr
yather
.

"
Iknowiwasa.
..
"Ir
ishpausedont
hever
geoft
ear
s.
"But,ionl
ywentther
et omeetaf r
iendandi twas
urgentthatIcoul
dn'
ttakeyourpermission"She
addedwi thashakyvoiceandEthanfeltbadhehad
yell
edandspokenhar shlyt
oher.
Hef
oundhi
msel
fal
mostapol
ogi
sing.
No,
hecan'
tdot
hat
.

"
Butyouwenttoabaryesterdaynight
.Tomeett
he
f
ri
end,andevensl
eptover?"Ethanstat
ed.

"
Ithi
nkweshoul
djustsi
tanddi
scusst
his,
please"
I
ri
shsai
d..
"
Let
'sgobackt
othel
ibr
aryt
hen"Et
hansai
dand
i
ri
shwassur
pri
sedathowcoolhi
svoi
cehadt
urned.

Theybot
hwal
kedbacki
ntot
hel
ibr
aryandEt
han
sat
.
"
Sit
"Het
oldherbutsheshookherhead.
"
Why?
"
"Idon'
tjustwantto,
maybeiwil
l,
aft
ericl
earmysel
f"
ShesaidandEt hanshr
ugged.

"So,you'rer i
ght.Iwentt oabaryest erdaynight,not
aboyf ri
endbutt omeetEl la,
whowasaseni orstaff
andmyf riendint hemodelCompanyIoncewor ked
i
t.Itwasver yur gentthatIdidn'tgetthet i
met otake
yourper mi ssi
on, Afterthediscussion,itwasnight
andIt houghti twoul dbesodi srespectfulofmet o
comebacksol ate.SoIj ustspenttheni ghtatmy
housesi ncemyl enthadn'texpired.IswearIdi dn't
wentther et omeetaboyf ri
endorspendt henight
withhim"I rishsai d.
Ethansighed" Well
..I
'
m sor
rytohavehadthewrong
i
mpr essi
on, butwhowouldn'
thavethoughtt
he
same."Et hansaid.

"
Ishoul
dbesor
ryf
orupset
ti
ngyou"I
ri
shsai
d.
"It
'sfi
neandyoushoul dn'tbl
amemydr i
verfor
tel
lingmeeveryt
hing.Iaskedhi m whohedr opped
offatthatt
imeoftheni ghtandheexplainedthatt
o
me.Heowemehi sloyal t
y"Ethansaid.

"Ofcourse,everywor kershoul
dbeloyaltothei
r
employee.But ,youshouldhavetol
dme
i
mmedi at el
yyousawmei nthemorni
ng,youmade
mewor ried,ikeptwonder i
nghowioffendedyouin
thespaceofyest er
nightandthi
smorning"I
rish
said.

"It
hinkyoushoul
dhaveknownal i
tt
lebi
tofmeby
now.WhenI '
m pi
ssedatyou,
itendtoi
gnoreyout
o
avoiddrama"Et
hansaid.
"Wow!I
'm gl
adtoknowthat
,I'
l
ltrynott
oupsetyou
anot
herti
me"Ir
ishsai
d,admir
ingthefi
repl
ace.
Shewi
shshecoul
dgocl
oser
.

"Wel
l.
..
upsetti
ngoneanotheri
sboundt ohappen
butwhatwillr
eal
lyupsetmeisyougoi ngt
othatbar
agai
n,orpl
anningtoconti
nueyourwor kwit
hthe
company.Ifyouneedanythi
ng,
justt
ellme,I
'm
goi
ngtoprovidei
tforyou"

Ir
ishwonderedwhyhesai dsheshouldn'tgot
obar
again.Wasitbecauseofhi
sbrotherEthan?Or
somet hi
ngelse?Shewavedthethoughtaway.

"Thankyoubutiwon'tbeneedinganyt
hing.Mypay
i
smor ethanenoughformetowantanyot hert
hing.
ThankssomuchMrEt hanforoff
eri
ngmesuch
pay,i
t'
sgonnagoal ongwayinmyl i
fe"I
rishsai
d,
appreciati
vel
y.
Ethansmil
ed.
.fi
nal
lyshesai
dthankyoui
nst
eadof
questi
oni
nghim.

"I
t'
sfi
neIr
ish,
I'
m sogladSarahfi
ndsomeonel
ike
youformydaughter
"Ethansai
d.
Iri
shcheekssuddenl
ytur
nedr
edasshel
ookedat
herboss.

"
Geez!I
ri
sh"Shescol
dedher
sel
finwar
dly.

"What'
swrong?"Et
hanaskedandI
ri
shr
eal
isedshe
hadthatsadl
ookon.
Herf
aci
alexpressi
onsi
sal
wayssadwhenevershe
r
emeberherfather
.
Hereall
ybrokeher
,sheplayedshedoesn'thatehi
m
wit
htime.Shehadalreadysuff
eredenoughfrom
t
hecrimeshedidn'
tcommi t.

"
Not
hing"I
ri
shr
epl
ied.
"
Yousur
e?"Et
hani
nsi
sted.
"
Yes"
"
So,
we'
recoolnowr
ight
?"Et
hanasked.
"
Ofcour
se"I
ri
shsmi
led.
"Let
'sgosi
tneart
hef
ir
epl
ace"
Ethansai
d,get
ti
ngon
hisfeet
.
I
ri
shf
oll
owedhi
m exci
tedl
y.
Sheenj
oyswat
chi
ngt
hef
ir
epl
ace.
Thatspeci
algl
owandwar
mthal
waysi
nter
esther
.

Theybothsati
nfr
ontoft
hef
ir
epl
acewi
tht
hei
rlegs
fol
ded.
Et
hannot
icedt
hesmi
leonI
ri
sh'
sface.

"
Youl
ovesi
tt
ingneart
hef
ir
epl
acet
oo?
"Heasked.
"Tot
all
y!Watchingthef
ir
ewoodscrackandburnto
small
ersizesamusesme.Thegl owofthef
ir
eand
thewarmthisjustsobeaut
if
ul.Andthi
spar
ticul
ar
onelooksmorebeauti
fult
hant
heonesI
'
veseen"
Ir
ishsaidadmi
ri
ngly.

Et
hansmi
led.
I
ri
shisthefi
rstper
sont
oeveradmi
ret
hef
ir
epl
ace
i
nhisli
brar
y.
Mostpeopl
ehavenoi
nter
esti
nevenseei
ngi
t.

"Il
over eadi
ngnovelsbesi
det hefir
epl
acetoo
causeitalwaysaddamagi caltouchtoi
t"I
ri
shsai
d,
beamingandEt hancoul
dn'thelpbutadmir
eher
beaut
yi ntheglowofthefi
re.

"
Wehavet hatincommon,il
over
eadi
ngbesi
det
he
f
ir
eplacetoo.Li
ke,i
t'
soneofmyf
avor
ite
t
hing"Et
hansaid.

"
Iknow"I
ri
shsmi
led.
"
Real
ly?How?
"Et
hanasked.
"Ibr
owsedyourpersonali
nfor
mati
onandreadi
ng
besi
dethefi
repl
aceisoneofyourhobbi
es"

"
Real
ly?Youbr
owsedmyper
sonali
nfor
mat
ion?
"

"Yeah,ihadtocauseikeptwonder
inghowIgot
here.Andhowyouevenaccept edmetobecome
yourdaughter'
snannyevenwhenitwasmyf i
rst
ti
me"I r
ishsai
d.
"
Like,
why?
"Sheasked.
"CauseYhasatai
landt
wobr
anches"Et
hansai
d
andIri
shl
aughed.

"It
hinkthisi
sthef
ir
stti
meI'l
lseeyoulaughso
hearti
ly,
youl
ookbeaut
if
ulati
tthough"Ethansai
d.
"
Thankyou"I
ri
shsai
d,pr
essi
ngherl
ipst
oget
her
.

Shesuddenl
yfeelsheshoul
dn'tbeher
ewithhi
m.
She'
sonlyanannyandtherateshe'
sstar
ti
ngto
enj
oyhi
scompanyi
stoof
ast
.

"Doyouhaveanythingagainstbei
ng
compli
mented?"Ethanasked,noti
cingt
hef
araway
l
ookinhereyes.
"
Huh?No"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Yousuddenl
ylookedwi
thdr
awn"Et
hansai
d.
"
Wel
l,
ithi
nkishoul
dleavenow"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Why?
"Et
hanasked,
wor
ri
edl
y..
.

Hecan'
tbel
ievehecar
est
hatshewannal
eave.
I
sheenj
oyi
nghercompanyt
hatmuch?

"MrEthan,
ishouldn'tbeherewi t
hyou.Imean. .
.
you'
remyempl oyee,I
'mjustyourdaughter'
snanny,
ishoul
dnott al
ksocomf ortablywit
hyou.Like,it
's
toosoon.itdoesn'tf
eelr
ight,idon'
tdeservetobe
herewithyou"Iri
shsaid,bl
inkinghard.
"You'remydaught er'snannydoesn'
tmeanican'tsi
t
ortalkwi t
hyou, I
'm abil
li
onair
edoesnotmeanyou
don'tdeser vet obeseatedbesideme.I'
m notagod!
I'
m ahumanl ikeyou.Iknowyouwoul dn'
thavesaid
thatifitwasnotmeyou' r
eseatedwit
h,idon'
twant
tostartseei ngyouassomeonewhomakesweal thy
peoplef eelbad"Et hansaid,
witharai
sedbrow.

"
No,butI'
m sur
eyoudon'tsi
twi
thyourwor
ker
sli
ke
t
his,
star
ingatt
hefi
repl
ace"

"That'
sbecausewedon' thavet hatincommon, i
don'trest
rictmywor ker
sf rom comi ngintomy
l
ibrarybutt heynevercome.Icansi therestar
ingat
thefir
eplacewi thanyofmywor kers,i
t'
snot
becausei t
'syou.I '
mr el
atingwi t
hyoul ikeiwouldto
anyofmywor kersandial sowantyout oputmy
wealthystat easideandr elat
ewi thmel ikeyou
wouldapoorper son" Et
hansai d,breathingout.
Hehatesmakingthel
esspr
ivi
legedf
eelunwor
thy,
it
makeshimfeelsobad.

"I
..
iwhyareyou..
.sodi
ff
erent?Youdef initel
ydon't
actli
keabil
li
onai
re.Mostofthem lovel eavinga
widegapbetweenthem andthelesspr ivi
leged,
It'
s
j
ustso..
.Thankyouforbeingdif
ferent"Iri
shsaid,
deeplyt
ouchedbyEthan'spersonali
ty...

"Pr
omisemeyouwon'
tfeel
unwor thywhenever
you'
rewit
hme.I
tmakesmef eelbad"Et
hansaid.

"Ipromi
se"I
ri
shsmil
ed,admiri
ngt
hewayt
hegl
ow
ofthefi
remadehi
shairgli
nt.

"
So.
..
wewer
etal
kingabout
?"Et
hanasked.
"
Huh?Yeahyouwer etel
li
ngmeast or
yabout'
Y'
Whi
chhasatailandtwobr anches"I
ri
shsai
dand
t
heybot
hlaughed.
"
Iloveyourcol
lect
ionofbooks"I
ri
shsai
dgl
anci
ng
r
oundthelibr
ary.
Onecanspendyear
sinr
eadi
ngal
loft
hebooks
her
e.

"Thankyou!Butmostofthenovel
shereareSpic-
fi
cnovels,youmi
ghtnotf
indthem i
nter
est
ing"
Ethansaid.

"
Yeah,isawthatwhenGabr
iel
leshowedmet
he
l
ibr
ary"I
ri
shsaid.
"Buttherearef
ewromancenovel
sthough.Iknow
you'l
lli
kethem"Et
hansaid.

"Howdoyouknowil
iker
omancenovel
s?"I
ri
sh
asked.
"
Youl
ookl
ikesomeonewhodoes"Et
hansai
d.
"
Real
ly?
"Ir
ishl
aughed.
"
No,
ionlyguessedyouwoul
d.Mostl
adi
esl
ove
r
omancenovelsi
sn'
tit
?"

"Hmm..
.ican'
tspeakf
orthem butI
'
m def
init
ely
amongtheladi
eswholoveromancenovels"

"Especi
all
ytheonesthatendwit
h"andtheyl
ived
happil
yeveraft
er"i
sn'tt
hatsochi
ldi
sh?
"Ethan
rol
ledhiseyes.

"
No,i
t'
snot
.There'
snot
hingmor esweett
han
r
eadi
nganovelwit
habeauti
fulendi
ng"Ir
ishsmi
led.

"
Butyouhavet
oadmi
tit
'schi
ldi
sh"Et
hansai
d.
"
Noi
t'
snot
"
"
Iti
s"
"
It
'snot
"
"
Iti
s!"
"
Isweari
t'
snot
"
"
Isweari
tis"

Theybot
hlaughedandsi
lencef
oll
owed.
Theystar
edatthefi
repl
acewi
thdi
ff
erentt
hought
s
runni
nginthei
rminds.

"
I'
m st
art
ingt
ofeel
sleepy"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Bedt
ime.We'
vespentenought
imeher
e"Et
hansai
d.

Theybothgotonthei
rfeetandI
ri
shwatchedt
he
fi
reoncemorewhileEthanputt
hebookonthetabl
e
backini
t'
splace.
"
Ready?
"Et
hanasked.
"
Ofcourse"Ir
ishyawnedast
heybot
hwal
kedoutof
t
heli
brary.

Et
hancl
osedt
hedoorbehi
ndt
hem andt
heyheaded
t
othei
rrooms.

"Goodni
ghtMrEt
han"I
ri
shsai
donget
ti
ngt
oher
door.
"
Night
"Et
hansai
dandwat
chedherwal
kint
oher
r
oom.

HecheckedonAr
inbef
oref
inal
lygoi
ngt
ohi
sroom.

_
__

"
Goodmor
ning"Ar
inhear
dfr
om hersl
eep.
Ir
ishhadwalkedi
ntoherr
oom t
hrought
he
adjoi
ningdoor
.

Shefr
ownedalit
tl
ebiti
nhersl
eep,knowi
ngt
he
voi
cedoesnotbel
ongtoherf
ather
.
He'
stheonewhowakesherup.
.
Shef i
nal
lyopenedhereyesaft
erf
ight
ingt
he
thoughtofgoi
ngbacktosleep.

ShesawI
ri
shbr
ingi
ngoutherschoolwear
s.
Sheplacedherpol
ishedshoesnexttoitandt
hen
openedthedrawerandbroughtoutherbodycream
wit
hherhaircomb.

"
Ir
ish"Ar
incal
ledwi
thasl
eepyvoi
ce.
"
Ohh.
..
you'
ref
inal
lyawake"I
ri
shsai
dtur
ningt
oher
.
"
Goodmor
ningt
oyou"I
ri
shgr
eet
edwi
thasmi
le.
"
Goodmor
ning"Ar
insai
d,si
tt
ingupont
hebed.

Thedooropenedandamai
dwal
kedi
nwi
thagl
ass
cupofwater
.
"
Goodmor
ning"t
hemai
dgr
eet
ed.
"
Goodmor
ning"I
ri
shandAr
inchor
used.
Ari
nt ookthegl
asscupofwaterandgulpedi
tdown
herthroat
,shepl
acedtheemptyglasscupbackon
thet
r ayandthemaidl
eft
.

"Di
dyouorderedf
orwat
eri
nyoursl
eep?
"Ir
ish
askedcur
iousl
y.
"
Oryourdaddi
dforyou?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
No,theMaidsareawareidrinkaglasscupof
wat
erever
ymor ningbeforeevenst
eppingdown
f
rom mybed.It
'sheal
thy,youshoul
dst ar
tdoi
ngso
t
oo"Ari
nsaid.

"
Ohh..okay,
sohowdidtheyknewyouwereawake.
Ourvoiceswer
en'
tsoloud"I
ri
shwonder
ed.
"
Mylight
sison,
youswit
chedi
tonaf
teryouwal
ked
i
ntomyroom"Ari
nsaid.
"
Ohh.
.yes!Idi
d"I
ri
shsmi
led.
Thedooropenedagai
n..

"
Ialr
eadyhadwate.
."Ar
inwassayi
ngbutst
opped
whenshesawitwasherfat
her
.
"
Daddy!
"Shesmi
ledget
ti
ngonherf
eet
.
"
Heypr i
ncess,goodmorni
ng"Ethansai
dandbent
t
opullhisdaughteri
ntoahug,
hekissedher
f
orehead.

Hehadn'
tnot
icedI
ri
sh'
spr
esencei
nther
oom.
"Goodmor
ningDad,
howwasyourni
ght
?"Ar
in
asked.

"
Awesome,isl
eptl
ikebabyAr
in"Et
hansai
dmaki
ng
Ari
nchuckl
es.

"
Butyoucameint
omyr
oom l
ate,
Iri
shbeatyout
oit
t
oday"Ar
inpout
ed.
"
Real
ly?Wher
e'sshe?
"Et
hanasked.

Hehadenj
oyedtheti
mehespentwithherl
astni
ght
andhet
houghtabouthert
il
lhewentt
osleep.
Hejustl
ikethef
actthatherper
sonal
it
yisdi
ff
erent
andtheysharet
hingsincommon.
Chatti
ngwi
thherhadf
eltl
ikehewaschat
ti
ngwi
tha
fr
iend.

"
She'
sri
ghtbehi
ndyou"Ar
ingi
ggl
ed.
"
Huh?
"Et
hanasked,
tur
ning.
"
Oh..
.my"Hesai
dobvi
ousl
ystar
tl
edwhenhesaw
I
ri
shtrul
yst
andi
ngbehi
ndhim.

I
ri
shl
aughed.
"
Howdi
dn'
tiseeyou?
"Heasked.
"
Iguessyounevert
houghtyou'
llfi
ndmehere,
that
's
whyyourgazewasgluedt
oAr i
n'sbedwhenyou
wal
kedi
n"I
ri
shsai
d.
"That
'
strue,iwasstar
ti
ngtowonderwhobr
ought
outAri
n'sschoolwear
s"Et
hansai
d.

"
Goodmor
ningMrEt
han"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Goodmor ni
ng,
ihopeyouenj
oyedyourni
ghther
e"
Ethanasked.
"
Tot
all
y,t
hankyousomuch"I
ri
shsmi
led.
"I
'
m gladyoudi
d.Ishoul
dbeonmywaynow"Et
han
saidgl
anci
ngathisgol
denwr
ist
wat
ch.

I
ri
shadmi
redhi
ssi
mpl
eyetcl
assi
cdr
essi
ng.
Hi
sgol
deneyessui
tedt
hegol
denbut
tonsonhi
s
pur
ebl
ackshi
rt.
Thesl
eeveswer
er oll
edt
ohi
sel
bowsr
eveal
inghi
s
smoot
hcaramelskin.
Hi
sst
yledhai
rreal
l
ydi
dagoodj
obt
ohi
slooks.
Thi
smani
sincr
edi
blygoodl
ooki
ng.

"Whichofyourcompani
esar
eyougoi
ngt
o?"Ar
in
asked.
"
RvCcommuni
cat
ions"Et
hansai
d.

"
Won'
tyouhaveyourbr
eakf
ast
?"Ar
inasked.
"
Iwi
llwhenigett
otheof
fi
ce"
"
Okay,
haveani
cedayDad"Ar
insai
d.

"
Yout
oo.Bye"Hewavedwal
kingt
othedoor
.
Hehel
dIr
ish'
sgazef
orsomesecondsbef
oref
inal
ly
st
eppi
ngout.

"ByeGabr
iel
le"Et
hancalledashewalkedpastt
he
kit
chenwi
tht wobodyguardsbehi
ndhim.
"
ByeEthan,
haveani
ceday"Gabr
iel
lesai
dloudl
y
f
rom t
hekit
chen.
"Youtoo,madam cook"Et
hansai
dandGabr
iel
le
chuckled.

Hewal
kedout
sideandsawt
hecarpar
ked.

"I
'
m notgoi
nginthi
sone,qui
ckl
ymakethebl
ack
Lamborghi
nir
eadyforme"Hesaidandt
hedr
iver
nodded.

_
__

I
rishledAr
intothedi
ningr
oom af
tershehad
f
inisheddr
essi
ngherup.
Shehandedherhai
rcombtoGabr
iel
lewhil
eshe
qui
ckl
ywalkedtoherr
oom t
ohaveaquickbat
h.
Shedri
edherbodyaft
ershewasdoneandgoti
nto
awhit
eflowyski
rtandyel
lowbl
ouse.
Shepackedherhairint
osimpl
eponyt
ailandt
hen
sl
ideherfeeti
ntoherfoot
wear,
shegr
abbedher
phoneandwal kedoutoft
heroom.

"Ihopeidi
dn'
ttookl
ong?
"Sheaskedget
ti
ngt
othe
dinni
ngarea.
"
No,
ijustf
ini
shedeat
ingal
so"Ar
insai
d.
Gabr
iell
ewascombi
ngherhai
randshepackedi
t
i
ntopigt
ail
s.

"
Ready!
"Ar
insai
d,gr
abbi
ngherbackpack.

Ari
nwasaboutmovingoutwhenthedoorf
lew
openedandoneoft
heguardswalkedi
nwithDoll
y.

Justli
kei
fAri
nwasherowner,Dol
lyr
ushedt
oher
ki
ssingandwri
ggl
inghi
stai
l.I
ri
shsmil
edatt
he
bondthetwoofthem havecr
eat
ed.Si
nceshehad
Doll
y,i
thasalwaysbeenDoll
yandHer,unt
ilAr
in
cametopict
ure.

"HeyDolly!
"Ari
nsaidandtouchedherhai
r.She
coul
dn'tcarr
yher,shewasalr
eadyonherScholl
wears.

"Takehert
omyr oom,
andpleaseGabri
ell
ecanyou
helpmeorderf
orDog'
sbed?Pleaseandthanks"
Arinsai
d.
"
Sur
e,I
'
ll
"Gabr
iel
lesai
d.

I
ri
shj
ustsmi
led.
"
ByeGabr
iel
le"Shewaved.
"
Byegi
rl
ie"Gabr
iel
lesai
d.
"
I'
llber
ightback"I
ri
shsai
dandGabr
iel
lenodded.
Theybot
hwal
kedoutoft
hedoor
.
Al
exandCar
loswer
ewai
ti
ngal
ready.

Ir
ishalmostexcl
aimedseeingacardif
fer
entfrom
yester
day'
s.It
'si
npinkcolort
oobuttotal
lyanother
shade.

"
Youownt
hisonet
oo?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
Yeah"Ar
insai
d.
"
Wow!
"Ir
ishexcl
aimedal
oud.

"Goodmorni
ngAri
n,Ir
ish"
Alexsai
dopeni
ngt
hecar
doorfort
hebot
hofthem.
"Goodmor
ningAl
ex"t
heychor
usedget
ti
ngi
ntot
he
car.

"
Goodmor ni
ng"Car
lal
sogr
eet
edandt
hey
r
esponded.
Car
lgoti
nandAl
exst
art
eddr
ivi
ng.

_
__

"
You'
redi
ffer
entf
rom Ar
in'
spastnanni
es"Car
lsai
d
t
oIr
ishastheydr
ovebackhomeaf t
erdroppi
ngAri
n
i
nschool
.

"
Real
ly?Howam idi
ff
erent
?"I
ri
shaskedcur
iousl
y.
Gabr
iel
lehadalsomentionedittohert
hatshe'
s
di
ff
erentf
rom Ari
n'spastnannies.

"
Fir
stl
y,
mostofthem l
ookli
ketheyhavepl
ans,
l
ike
t
heyhaveamission"Car
lsai
d.

"
Howdoyouknowtheyhaveplans,whati
ftheyjust
l
ookt
hatwaywi
thoutact
ual
lyhavinganyt
hingin
mi
nd"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Idon'
tknowbutithinkI'
m gif
tedinknowingwhen
someonehasami ssi
on.IwarnedMrEt hanabout
Lucy,oneofAri
n'snanny,several
lybef
orehefi
nall
y
outthedevi
lsheis."
Carlsai
d.
"
Real
ly?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
Yes"Car
lconf
ir
med.
"
Wow"I
ri
shsai
d,t
hinki
ngaboutJavad.

Shoul
dsheaskCar
lwhathet
hinksoft
hecr
eepy
man?

No.Sher
esumedher etwodaysagainandasking
whataworkert
hinkofanot
herdoesn'tsoundgood
t
oherear
s.
Sheshoul
dn'
tbebr
ingi
ngt
hisup.
Themanmightbeharmless,
itmayjustbehermind
misl
eadi
ngherbuthermindnevermisl
eadher.
"
Sowhatdoyout
hinkaboutme?
"Ir
ishasked.
"I
t'
sobvi
ousyou'
renothereonami ssi
on.Iwoul
dn'
t
havewel
comedyouifithoughtbadofyou"
"
Wow, I
'mrel
ieved"I
ri
shsai
ddr
amat
ical
lyandt
hey
l
aughed.

"Imustsayyou'r
enatur
all
ybeaut
if
ul"Alexsai
d,
glanci
ngatIr
ishint
herearvi
ewmi r
ror.
"Thatgotmebl ushi
ng,thankyou"I
ri
shsmi
ledand
t
heyallfel
lsi
lentagain.

Shewassi
tt
ingwi
thCar
lint
hebackseat
.

"SoAl
ex,f
orhowl onghaveyoubeenwithMrEthan?
IknowCarlhasbeenwithhi
mf orf
ouryear
s"I
ri
sh
sai
d.
"
I'
vebeenwi t
hMrEt
hanforf
iveyear
sandI
'
vebeen
Ari
n'sdr
iverf
ort
woyear
s"Al
exsaid.
"
Woah,
that
'squi
tel
ong"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Yeah,workingwithMrEthani
ssosatisf
yingthati
don'twishtoleaveanyti
mesoon,Butoccasi
onal l
y
hehadal wayssacksomewor ker
sthatain'
tserious
abouttheirworkwithi
namonthorso"Al exsaid.

"
That'
sobvi
ous,he'
soneofthef
ewbil
li
onai
reswho
t
reat
shisworker
sasfamil
yandhedoesn'
tseem t
o
t
oler
atel
azyworker
s"I
ri
shsaid.
"Ever
yoneworki
ngunderMrEthannowhavemor e
thanenoughmoneytosetupthei
rli
febutst
il
l,
no
onewantstol
eave"Car
lsaid.
"
Incl
udi
ngme"Headded.

"Evenifiresumedofficial
lytwodaysago, icant ell
thetypeofper sonheis"Iri
shsaidandcoul dn'thide
hersmi l
e,rememberingyest er
night
.Ithadf el
tli
ke
shewast alkingtoafriend,
notherempl oyee.

"
We'
rehome"Al
exsai
d,dr
ivi
ngi
ntot
heopengat
e.
I
ri
shsi
ghedandpi
ckedherphonewhi
chwas
l
ayi
ngonherski
rt
.
Al
exparkedandCar
lopenedthecardoorand
st
eppedout,
Iri
shal
ight
edaft
erhim.
"Ni
cetal
kingt
oyouguys,
til
ltomor
rowiguess"I
ri
sh
sai
d.

"No,i
fyou'r
ebor
ed,
youcancomeoutandt
alkt
o
us."
Carlsai
d.
"
okay.Bye"I
ri
shsai
dwal
kingt
othedoor
.

"
Hey!I
'veneverseenyousochatt
y.What
'sup?
"
Al
exaskedCarlandhesmiled.
Hecanboldl
ysayIr
ishi
stheonl
ynannyhel
ikes
outofAr
in'
snanni
es.
Sheactssodiff
erentf
rom other
s,socooland
responsi
bleandshedoesn'tgoaboutaskingf
or
howt oseduceMrEthan.

"
Ifeelgoodabouther
,that
'sal
l"
Car
lshr
ugged.
"
Real
ly?Yousur
e?"Al
ext
eased.
"
C'monman!Ihaveaf
iancee"
Car
lsai
dwi
thpr
ide.
"
Iknow,
iknow.Justt
easi
ng"Al
exsai
d.
"Ial
sofeelgoodabouther
,il
ikethef
actt
hatshe'
s
sodiff
erentf
rom Lucy"
Car
lsaid.
"
Met
oo"
"I'
l
lbeback"Alexsai
dstar
ti
ngt
hecar,hestar
ted
drivi
ngtowardsthegar
agewhi
leCar
lwalkedto
theirquar
ter
s.

_
__

Ir
ishpl
aceddi
shesint
hedishwasheraf
tershewas
doneeati
ngherbr
eakf
ast
.
"Onceyou'
redonewit
ht hat,
I'
llshowyout
her
est
ofthebui
ldi
ng"Gabr
iel
lesaid.
"
Okay"I
ri
shsai
d.
 Iri
shmi ssedspeakingt ohermother
,whenshe
wasl i
vingalonef orthepastfi
veyear
s,shehad
alwayst aketothem atleastt
wiceinaday.But
sinceshest ar
tedwor kasanannyshedoesn'thave
thetimeanymor e.Shehopehermom won' tf
e
offended.

WhenAr ushahadcalledherlastnight,hehadsaid
t
heirf
atherwasal it
tl
esick.Shewon' tdenythefact
t
hatshewaswor ri
ed,
butwhenAr ushahadsai di
t
wasn'
tserious,shebecamecal m andhopedi twas
j
ustami noril
lnessadhe'llbebettersoon.

"I
'
m doneGabr
iel
le"I
ri
shsai
dwi
pingherhandsof
fa
napki
n.
"Okaydear
"Gabr
iel
leadj
ust
edherapr
onasshe
stoodup.
"Yousomuchlovest
ayi
ngi
ntheki
tchen,
don'
t
you?"I
ri
shasked.
"
Ido.
.idon'
tknowwhent
heki
tchenbecamemy
bestf
ri
end"Gabr
iel
l
esai
dandI
ri
shl
aughed.

Theybothwalkedoutoftheki
tchent
ocont
inue
thei
rtouroft
hebuil
ding.

_
__

ThelastplaceGabr iell
eshowedherwast heGarden
andIri
shhadl ovedit.Shehadal sobeenshowed
thepool,
shet emptedt oswim butshedidn'
teven
whenGabr iell
et ol
dhert hatEt
hanhavenopr oblem
withhi
swor kersinhispool.

Shehadseent hepoolonce,
onherfir
stdaywi
thMr
Ethan,buti
tjustseemedtoherl
ikeshe'
sseei
ngit
forthefir
stti
me.

Thewat
erl
ookedsopur
eandf
ine.
"
So,
that
'sal
l"Gabr
iel
lesai
d.
"
Real
ly?"I
rishasked,
theyj
ustpassedt
hedoorofa
r
oom andIishexpect
edGabri
ell
etotel
lherwhose
r
oom itwas.
Though,I
tdoesn'tl
ookl
ikeanyoneisli
vingt
here
andthedoorlookssodi
ffer
entfrom t
heonesinthe
house.

"
Yes"Gabr
iel
lesai
d.
"
Whatoft
hatdoor
?"I
ri
shasked.
"Thatdoor
?Justt
hinkofi
tli
kei
tdoesn'
texi
st"
Gabri
ell
esai
d.
"
Why?
"Ir
ishaskedcur
iousl
yandGabr
iel
lesi
ghed.
"Al
liknowi
sit'
sasacredr oom andEt
hanhates
anyonegoi
ngthere,
he'
llsackyouimmediat
elyhe
fi
ndsyoupryi
ng."Gabri
ell
esaid.
"
Real
ly?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
Donott
ryt
ovi
olat
ehi
sor
der"Gabr
iel
lewar
ned.
AndasIr
ishtr
ail
edbehi
ndGabr
iel
leshecoul
dn'
t
hel
pbutgrowsocuri
ous.

Whatcoul
dbei
nthatr
oom?
[
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ll
ionar
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Genr
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essBer
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#Chapt
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13
AndasIr
ishtr
ail
edbehi
ndGabr
iel
leshecoul
dn'
t
hel
pbutgrowsocuri
ous.

Whatcoul
dbei
nthatr
oom?

Gabri
ell
ewi
lldef
ini
tel
yknowbecauseshehasbeen
wit
hEthanf
orlong.
"
Gabri
ell
e"I
ri
shcal
ledast
heyst
eppedi
ntot
he
l
ivi
ngroom.
"
Huh?
"
"
What
'si
nther
oom?
"Sheasked.
"
Idonotknow!
"Gabr
iel
ler
epl
iedbl
unt
ly.
"
Real
ly?
"
"Donotgoaboutpr
ying,i
tmayleadt
otheendof
yourworkher
e"Gabri
ell
ewarned.

"
Okay,
justcur
ious"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
I'
llbeupi
nmyr
oom"sheadded.
"
Okay,
I'
llbei
ntheki
tchen"Gabr
iel
lesai
d.
"
Okay"Ir
ishsai
dandt
heybot
hwentt
hei
rsepar
ate
ways.

Gabr
iel
lesi
ghedasshewal
kedi
ntot
heki
tchen.
Ever
yonehasalwaysbeencuri
ousaboutt
hatr
oom,
can'
ttheyj
ustactl
ikei
tdoesn'
texi
st?
.

Well
...
whowouldn'tbecurious?I
fshedidnotal
so
knowabouttheincidence,
shewouldhavebeen
curi
oustoo.

"Resti
npeaceCar
rl
e"Gabr
iel
l
emut
ter
edunderher
breat
h.

Shesatdownandshookherheadsadl
y.
Well
..
Carr
lehasbeengoneforyear
snowbuther
pr
esencesti
lll
inger
sint
hehouse.
Shewasalwaysintheki
tchenwi
thGabr
iel
ler
eady
tohel
p.Justl
ikeI
ri
shdoes.

Carrl
ehadbeenGabri
ell
e'
sclosef
ri
end,
theywere
alwaysi
nthekit
chenandift
heywerenotcooki
ng,
they'
l
lbechat
ti
ngandlaughi
ngatfunnythi
ngs.

ShewasEt
han'
sgodmot
herandhel
ovedherso
much.
Heevenspendsmor
eti
mewi
thhert
hanhi
spar
ent
s.
Thei
rbondwasunbreakabl
ethen,
anyonewoul
d
mist
akethem f
ormotherandson.
Shepractical
lyraisedEthant obehardwor ki
ngand
i
ndependent ,
sheal wayst ol
dEthannott odepend
onhisf at
her'
sweal thbutwor khardforhis,Unli
ke
hisyoungerbrotherMor gan,whohat edCar r
leso
much, andhadal waysdependedonhi sfather'
s
healt
handcoul dn'twaitforthepropert
ytobe
sharedimmedi atelyt
heirfat
her'sDeath.Ethanhad
shockedhi mtoboneswhenhesai dhecoul dhave
al
lthepr
oper
tyt
ohi
msel
f.

Car
rl
emadesur
ehedi
dn'
tgr
owupasaspoi
ltbr
at.
Ethanisthefi
rstchil
dofhisbi
ll
ionai
repar
entsand
theywerereadytospoilhi
m andhisbrot
herbut
Carrl
eprevent
edt hat
.

Carr
lehadalsowantedtorai
seMorgant
hesame
waysher ai
sedEthan,butMor
ganhavebl
unt
lyt
old
herhehatedher.

Gabr
iell
ecoul
dboldl
ysayEt
hanhol
dshi
ssuccess
t
oCar r
leandGod.

Hewassobr
okenwhenshedi
ed.
Shewaspoi sonedri
ghtinthi
shouseandt i
lldate,
theculpr
ithavenotbeenapprehended.Det
ectives
tri
edallt
heycouldbuttheycouldn'
tfi
shoutthe
person,i
nvesti
gat
ionwentonf oryear
sunti
lthey
f
inal
lywashedt
hei
rhandsof
fthecase.

Theydidn'
twantt osuspectMor
gantobe
responsi
blebecausehedoesn'tl
ivewi
tht
hem and
therewasnoonehecoul dfi
ndhi
swayint
othe
housewithoutbeingnoti
ced.

Despit
eMor gancal
li
ngEthanhisenemyandhad
warnedhim nott
otakehim asabrot
her,
Ethanhad
deepl
ylovedhisyoungerbr
other
.Reasonfort
he
suddenlyhatr
edwassomet hi
ngnooneknows.

Car
rl
ediedonthesamedayAri
ncamei nt
othe
wor
ldandEthanwasmoresadthanhappy.

Buthebeli
evedthatshecamebacktohi
mt hr
ough
Ari
nandhehadwant edtonameAri
n'Car
rl
ebut
Cather
inehadrefused.
Evenwitht
helovehehadforCar
rl
e,
hest
il
l
respect
edhi
swife'
sdeci
sion.
Buthemadesuret
hename'
Car
rl
e'wasamong
Ari
n'snames.

Evenaf
terCar
rl
e'
sdeat
h,Et
hanst
il
lgot
oherr
oom.
Butsuddenl
yhestopped!andwarnedever
yonenot
t
oeverstept
hei
rfeetint
otheroom.
Nooneknewwhathappened.

Mostpeopl
eweresocur i
ousandt heyt
ri
edfindi
ng
outwhat
'sgoi
ngon,theyt
riedvi
olati
nghisor
ders
andhehadthem sacked.
Other
slearnedf
rom i
tandnoonedar
edgoneart
he
room af
ter
wards.

From Carr
le'
sdeatht
oEthan'
ssuddenwar
ning.
..
ever
ythingsoundssomyster
ious.
..
"Car
rl
e"Gabr
iel
lesni
ff
edandsher
eal
isedshehad
beencryi
ng.

Shelovesst
ayi
ngint
hekit
chencausethat
'swher
e
shesharedmostmemor
ieswit
hCarrl
e.

Gabr
iel
ledabbedhert
earswit
hherapronandt
hen
pl
acedherheadonthetabl
efeel
ingsosad.

_
__

Ir
ishl
aidonherbackst
ari
ngathercei
li
ng,
complet
elyl
osti
nthought
.

"Al
liknowi
sit'
sasacredr oom andEthanhates
anyonegoi
ngthere,
he'
llsackyoui mmediat
elyhe
fi
ndsyoupryi
ng."Gabri
ell
e'swor dsechoedinher
ears.
Why?

"
Whathappenedi
nther
oom?
Whoser
oom i
sthat
?"I
ri
shwonder
ed.

C'
monI
ri
sh.
I
t'
snoneofyourbusi
ness.

Buthercur
iosi
tywoul
dn'
tletgoofher
.
"Remembercuriosi
tyki
ll
edt
hecat
"her
subconsci
ousnesstol
dher.
Whycan'tshej
ustactl
iket
her
oom i
snott
her
eli
ke
Gabr
iel
lehadsai
d.

Butwhywoul
dEt
hanr
est
ri
ctanyonef
rom goi
ng
i
ntot
hatr
oom?
Somet
hingi
sdef
ini
tel
yup.
"LetitgoI
ri
sh,everyonehast
hei
rli
tt
lesecr
et.Even
you!"Hermindscreamedather.
"
Okayokay"Sher
oll
edhereyes.

Shepi
ckedherphoneandpl
acedacal
lacr
ossher
Mum.
Sheneedst
odi
ver
thert
hought
s.

Ar
ushawoul
dhavegonet
oschoolandherMum
mi
ghtbemaki
ngnewdesi
gnsforsomemodels.

I
ri
sh"Hermum'
svoi
cebr
okei
ntohert
hought
s.

Mum,
howar
eyou?
"Ir
ishxsmi
led.

I
'
mfi
neI
ri
shandyou?

I
'
m goodmum.IhopeAr
ushal
eftyousomef
ood
bef
orel
eavi
ng.

"Ofcoursehedi
d,heevenmadeuslunchin
advance.Mysonissocari
ngandresponsi
bleyou
know"Mr sHel
engiggl
edandIr
ishl
aughed.

"
How'sDaddy'
sheal
th?Hopehe'
sget
ti
ngbet
ter
?"
I
ri
shsai
d.

Yeshei
s.Weal
lmi
ssyou"

"Metoomum,
I
'm guessi
ngyou'
l
lbesobor
ed,
"Ir
ish
sai
dsadl
y.

"Notreal
ly,il
istentosomemusi cwhileimakenew
modelwear sf orourol
dclient
s,andArushais
alwaysheretokeepmyCompany.Wai tit'
sbeen
fi
veyearsandsomemont hssinceyoumovedt o
Cali
forni
a,whyar eyousuddenlyacti
nglikeyoul
eft
homeyest
erdayorso?
"

"C'
monmum!I '
mj ustwor r
ied,
ImeanIspeaktoyou
almostever ydaywhenIwasnotwor ki
nghereyet
.I
don'tfeelli
keI '
m awayf rom homeexpectwhenI
thi
nkaboutDad.Butsi nceIstart
edworki
ng
here,I
'
vef el
tlikeIjustl
ef thome.Tel
lmedidArusha
bri
nganyonehomeyest erday?"

"
No"Mr
sHel
enl
ied.
"
Yousur
emum?

"
Ofcour
seI
ri
sh"Mr
sHel
ensai
d.
Ar
ushahadbeggedhernottotel
lIr
ishandshe
wasn'
tevengonnat
ellheri
nthefi
rstpl
ace.

SheknowIr
ishal
waysquar relwithArushaoverthe
gi
rl
shebri
ngshome, evenwhenhewasawayf rom
homethebothsi
bli
ngswi l
lsti
llactl
ikethey'
re
t
oget
her
.

Ihopeyou'
reenj
oyi
ngyourwor
kpl
ace?
"Hermot
her
asked.

"Total
lyMum,
itf
eel
ssogr
eatandever
yonei
sso
nicetome.

"
I'
m sohappytoheart
hat.I
'
llcal
lyoubackI
ri
sh.My
f
avori
teTVprogr
ammei sabouttostar
t.
"Ohh.
..
OkayMum.Bye.
"
"
Bye.

Herconver
sat
ionwit
hherMum t
ookhermi
ndof
f
t
heroom shewasthi
nki
ngabout
.

Sheyawnedandconsi
der
edt
aki
nganap.
_
__

"
Whatdeser
tar
ewehavi
ng?
"Ir
ishaskedGabr
iel
le.
Theywer
ebot
hpr
epar
ingl
unchi
ntheki
tchen.
"
Sal
adandcher
rycobbl
er"Gabr
iel
lesai
d.
"okay"I
ri
shsai
dandst
art
edbr
ingi
ngoutt
het
hings
neededfori
t.

Gabr
iel
lesti
rredtheboi
li
ngsoupont
hef
ir
eand
t
hencloseditback.

I
ri
shsni
ff
edt
hear
omaandsmi
led.
"
Your
eal
lyar
eagr
eatcook"Shesai
dtoGabr
iel
le
"You'
reonetooIr
ish,
we'r
egonnaexchangeideas
oncewe'redonemakingl
unch"Gabr
iel
lesai
dand
Iri
shnodded.

Shel
ovedcooki
ng.
 Shehadsomanyr eci
pesi
nherhead,
hermot
her
wasindeedagr
eatcookandIr
ishi
nher
it
edt
hat
f
rom her.

"Ishouldall
owyoutomaket
hemealsbutEt
han
doesn'tal
lowanyoneel
semakehi
smealbutme"
Gabriel
lesaid.
"Iunder
stand,he'ssomeonewhoneedt
ohavea
cookher eal
lytrusts.
"Ir
ishsai
d.
"Yes,ther
earesomanymai dsi
nthehousebuti
don'tevenal
lowthem j
oinmeintheki
tchen.Noone
i
st obet r
ust
ed"Gabri
ell
esai
d.

Shehadst
oppedt
rust
ingt
hewor
ker
saf
terCar
rl
e
waspoi
soned.
Sheknewi twasoneoft hem.Def i
nit
elyoneofthem
worki
ngwi thMor ganbutther
ewasnopr oofand
knowingthepersonwhohadki l
ledCarrl
eissti
lli
n
house,t
erri
fiesher.
"
Anyt
hingwr
ong?
"Ir
ishaskedGabr
iel
le
"
No,justthi
nki
ngaboutwhatt
omakef
ordi
nner
"
Gabr
iell
esaid.
"Ohh..
.i
fit
'st
hat
,ther
e'samealihavei
nmi
nd"I
ri
sh
smiled.
"
Real
ly?Whi
chmeal
ist
hat
?"Gabr
iel
leasked.
"
Spikypickl
erel
ish"I
ri
shsai
dandGabr
iel
leeyes
widened.
"
Wow!I'
vebeenwatchi
ngvi
deosont
hatmealand
I
'
venevergot
teni
t"
"
I'
llbegl
adt
oteachyou"I
ri
shsai
d.
"AndI'
l
lbegladtolear
n"Gabr
iel
lesmi
ledgl
adt
hat
herl
iehadturnedoutwel
l.

She'
sgonnal
ear
nsomet
hing!
Somel
iesdot
urnoutgoodt
hough.

Buti
t'
sdef
ini
tel
ynotgoodt
oli
e.
_
__

Ir
ishsel
ectedAr
in'
shousewearwhi
leAr
in
showered.

She'
sbackfrom schoolandshehadbeensohappy
toannouncetot
hem thatshegotthehi
ghestscor
e
i
nhertest.
Sheboast edt
oIr
isht
hatshehadal
waysscor
ed
t
hehi ghestandwi
llmakesur
eitr
emainst
hatway
t
illshegraduat
ed.

Ari
nissuchani
ntel
li
gentki
d,she'
sachi
ldany
par
entswoul
dpraytohave.

Ir
ishsett
ledf
orablackl
eggingsandbl
uet
anktop,
sheshutthewar
drobecloseaft
erpi
cki
ngoutAri
n's
undies.
 Sheturnedtotheshoerackandselect
edapai
rof
bluesl
ipperswhichhaswhitedesi
gnsonit
.

Shedroppedt
heclot
hesont
hebedandt
hesl
ipper
s
sl
owlytothef
loor
.
ShethenopenedAr
in'
sdr
awerandpi
ckedherbody
oi
l.

"Ari
nareyouokay?
"Sheaskedaf
terwai
ti
ngf
or
almostt
hir
tyminut
es.
"Yesiam.Someonet ouchedmewi t
houtwashi
ng
hishands,ihavetoscrubhisfi
lt
hyhandsoffmy
body"Ari
nr espondedfrom t
hebathroom.

I
ri
shsi
ghed.

"
Whot
ouchedyou?
"Sheasked.
.
"Aclassmateandhealwaysl
ooksounkempt"Ar
in
breathedoutangr
il
y.
"Ohh.
.butithi
nkyou'vescr
ubbedhist
ouchof
fyour
bodyenough.You'vespentcl
osetoanhourt
her
e"
Ir
ishsaid.
"I
'
llbedonesoon"Ar
insai
dandshewasoutoft
he
bathr
oom f
iveminut
eslat
er.

"What!
"Ir
ishexcl
aimedseei
ngAr
in'
sski
nhadgone
pinkf
rom scr
ubbing.
"
What
?"Ar
inasked,
pout
ing.
"
Ari
n,doyouhat
epeopl
etouchi
ngyout
hatmuch?
"
I
ri
shasked.
"
Yes,
wit
houtwashi
ngt
hei
rhands!
"
"Youshouldn'
tinj
ureyoursel
fcausesomeone
touchedyou,l
ookatyourskin.Sopinki
sh.Doesi
t
hurt?"I
ri
shaskedworriedl
y.
"No,buttheyknowI '
m all
ergi
ctopeopletouching
mewi thoutwashingtheirhands.Theydi
dthatj ust
togetonmyner ves,t
heywer esojeal
ousihadt he
highestscoreagain"Ari
nroll
edhereyes,dryi
ngher
body.
"
Real
ly?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
Yes,
they'
real
ldumbass!
"
"
Doest
hatmeansyouhavenof
ri
end?
"
"Ihavef
ewfri
endswhounder
standsmyper
sonal
it
y
butther
estdoclai
mI'
m pr
oud"Ari
nsai
d.
"
Areyou?
"Ir
isht
eased.
"OfcourseI'
m not
.It
alktowhoevert
alkst
ome,i
acceptanyonewhowant stobemyfri
end,
ipl
ay
withwhoeverwantstoplaywit
hmeandinever
object
edtoanyonetouchingmeaslongasyou
washyourhands.Doest hatmakemeproud?
"Ari
n
asked.

"Umm. .
no,itdoesn't.Everyoneact uall
yhave
somethingthey'realler
gict o.I
ftheylikeyou,
they
shouldrespectyouandhavenopr oblem wit
hthat
buty'
allaresti
llkids.You'llunderstandyoursel
ves
bett
erwhenyou' remat ured"I r
ishsaid.
"
I'
m gonnatel
lthem t
hatwhenigett
oschool
t
omorrow"Ari
nsaid.
"Fi
ne,
let
'sgetyoudr
essedandgohavel
unch"I
ri
sh
sai
d.
"
Ilovet
hewear
syoupi
ckedf
orme"Ar
ingr
inned.

She'
sgl
adhernannyhasagr
eatf
ashi
onsense.

"Whydoyoual l
owmedr essyouupevenafter
stat
ingishoul
dnot
,inyourrul
es?"I
ri
shasked.
"
Iownmyr
ules,
don'
ti?
"Ar
inasked.
"
Ofcour
seyoudo"I
ri
shsai
d.

_
_

Gabri
ell
e,I
ri
shandAr
inat
ethei
rlunchqui
etl
yint
he
di
ningroom.
Et
hani
snotbackyet
.

I
ri
shmi
ssedhi
spr
esence.
Sincesheresumed,thi
swil
lbet
hef
ir
stt
ime,
he'
l
lbe
absentfr
om thedi
ningroom.
ButitseemsAr
inandGabr
iel
lear
eusedt
oit
al
ready.

Theyat
ethei
rdeser
taf
tert
hei
rmeal
.

Ir
ishmadesur
eAr
inr
ooksomef
rui
tsbef
oret
aki
ng
hernap.

Shepreparedtheoneshe'l
lbetaki
ngaf
ternapand
thenwalkedoutoftheki
tchen.
Gabr
iel
lewast
aki
nghernapt
oo.
I
ri
shwal
kedtowardst
hedoort
ogospendsome
t
imewi
thAlexandCarl
.
Sheneededt
oaskt
hem aboutt
hatr
oom t
oo.
I
t'
sreal
lybot
her
ingher
.

Sheopenedt
hedoorandst
eppedout
.

She'
sgl
adshemett
hem seat
edi
nthecompound.
Looksl
iket
heywer
eenj
oyi
ngt
hecoolbr
eezeaf
ter
l
unch.

"
Heyguys"shecal
led.
"
Hi,
you'
reher
e"Al
exsai
dwhi
leCar
lsmi
led.
"
Sit
"Car
lpoi
ntedt
othechai
rbesi
dehi
m.
"
Thankyou"I
ri
shsai
d,si
tt
ing.
"Youfinal
lycamet
ospendsomet
imewi
thus"Car
l
said.
"
Yeah,
Ari
nandGabr
iel
lear
ehavi
ngt
hei
rnap"
"
Ohh"
"
Ihopeyoubot
henj
oyedyourl
unch?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
Ofcour
sei
twasgr
eat
"Al
exsai
d.
"
Dinnerwi
llbemor
egr
eat
"Ir
ishsai
d.

"I
'
m sti
llsur
pri
sedGabriel
leal
lowedyoutoassist
heri
ncooking,shedoesn'
tall
owanyone"Carlsai
d.
"
Ithi
nkt
hat
'
sbecauseofMrEt
han"I
ri
shsai
d.
"No,MrEt
hanhadpleadedwit
hherseverall
yto
all
owoneoft
hemaidshelpherintheki
tchenbut
shehadal
waysref
used"Car
lsaid.
"
Real
ly?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
Yesandsheal
lowedyoujustadayaft
eryou
r
esumed.Shemustr
eall
yli
keyou"Al
exsaid.
"I
'
m gladshedoes.Iwanttoaskyouguysa
quest
ionthough"I
ri
shsaid.
"
Goahead"Theybot
hsai
dandI
ri
shhesi
tat
ed.
Shesi
ghedbef
oref
inal
lyspeaki
ngup.
"Ther
e'sar
oom i
nthi
shouset
hatever
yoneis
rest
ri
ctedt
o.Whyist
hat
?Whoseroom isi
t?"I
ri
sh
asked.
"
Oh.
.my,
thatsacr
edr
oom?
"Al
exasked.
"
Yeah"

"
Well
,
wewereal
sotol
dwear
erest
ri
ctedt
othat
r
oom whenwer
esumed.

Butihear
dfr
om otherworkersthatther
oom
bel
ongedtoEthan'
sgodmot her
's.Shewas
poi
sonedtodeath"
Carlsai
d.
"
What
!"I
ri
shscr
eamed.
_
__

I
ri
shwasunset
tl
edassher
eadt
oAr
ini
nherl
ibr
ary.
Shewasabi
tscar
edoverwhatCar
ltol
dher
.
Sheshouldhavej
ustkeptshutandt
ameher
cur
iosi
ty.
Nowshehadt odealwit
hknowi ngsomeonewas
poi
sonedt odeathinthi
shouseandt hecul
pri
tis
notapprehendedyet,
probablysti
lll
urki
ngi
nthe
house.Wast hatwhatGabriel
lemeantwhensaid
aboutpoisonscenethefir
stdayshecameher e?

"
Ir
ish!
"Ar
incal
ledput
ti
nganendt
ohert
hought
.
"
Huh?
"
"
Youj
ustski
ppedal
ine"Ar
insai
d.
"
I'
m sosorr
y"shepl
eadedandqui
ckl
ypushedaway
t
hethoughtdi
str
act
ingher
.
_
__

I
ri
shtaughtGabri
ell
ehowtomakespi
cypickl
e
r
eli
shandGabriel
lewassogl
adshefi
nal
lygotit
.

Theyhaditf
ordinnerandI
ri
shwassecr
etl
ygl
ad
Ethanwaspresent
.
Hehadobvi
ousl
yenj
oyedt
hemealast
her
estof
t
heworker
sdid.

Ar
inf
ini
shedeat
ingandsai
dgoodni
ghtt
oever
yone.

Ir
ishal
sost
oodup,knowi
ngshehavet
oreadAr
in
somebedti
mestor
ies.
Ir
ishwal
kedt
oherr
oom andheadedst
rai
ghtt
othe
bathr
oom.
Shebrushedhert
eethandtookherni
ghtbat
h,she
goti
ntoherni
ghtwearbef
orewalki
ngint
oArin'
s
room t
oreadherbedt
imestori
es.
Ari
nhadincl
udediti
nherrul
esthatshedoesn'
tli
ke
thesmel
loffoodonhernannybefor
eputt
ingherto
bed.

"
HeyAr
in"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Hi,
beenexpect
ingyou"Ar
insai
d.
Shewasl
ayi
ngonherbed,changedint
oher
ni
ght
wear
,obvi
ousl
ywait
ingforIr
ish.
"
Sorryitooklong"Ir
ishsai
d,si
tt
ingont
hecouch
r
ightbesideArin'
sbed.

"
Onceuponat
ime.
..
..
"Shest
art
ed.

*
*

"
Thepr i
ncesswasturnedi
ntoamousebyt he
wizar
d..
."I
ri
shwasnar r
ati
ngthethir
dbedti
mest
ory
whenshenot i
cedAri
nhadf al
lenasl
eep.
Shest
oodup,
shewasst
art
ingt
ofeelsl
eepyt
oo.

Shecover edAri
nproper
lywithherbl
anket
,swi
tched
offtheli
ghtsandthenenter
edherroom t
hroughthe
adjoini
ngdoor.
Shel
aidonherbedandcl
osedhereyes
i
mmediatel
y.

*
Midni
ght
_

I
ri
shf
eltt
apsonhershoul
derf
rom hersl
eep.
Thetapsgr
ewmor
efi
erceandshehadt
oopenher
eyes.

"
Ari
n"shecal
ledseei
ngt
hel
it
tl
egi
rli
nherr
oom.
Sher
ubbedherfacewithherpal
m andcoul
dsee
howworr
iedAri
nlooked.
"
What
'swr
ong?
"Sheaskedsi
tt
ingupont
hebed.
"Somethi
ng.
..
isinm..yr
oom"Ari
nsai
dandt
hehai
rs
atthebackofIr
ish'
sneckst
ood.
"Wh.
.whatisinyourr
oom?
"Sheasked,
herhear
t
beat
ingfast
.
"
Aghost
."Ar
inbur
stedouti
ntear
s.
I
ri
shsuddenl
yremember
edwhatCar
lhadt
oldher
.

Herbodyshooki
nfearandshescr
eamedhuggi
ng
Ari
nverycl
osetoher
.

Thenshehear
dDol
lybar
kedcont
inousl
yinAr
in'
s
room.
Shehadseent
heghostt
oo!

I
'
m act
ual
lyl
aughi
ng
Car
rl
e'
s,ghost
[
05/09,07:
03]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionar
eIfel
linlovewi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e:Bi
ll
ionar
e,Mai
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Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
14

"
Don'
ttel
lmet
hatCat
her
ine!
"Mor
ganbar
ked.

Theywer
eint
hei
rroom,
sett
osl
eepwhenCat
her
ine
br
oughtupEt
han'
smat
ter
.
Shehadover
headhi
m pl
anni
ngf
orEt
hanagai
n!

"Morgani
t'
shi
ghti
meyouletgoofEthanpl
ease!
He'
syourbrot
herf
orChr
ist
'ssake!
"Cat
heri
nehal
f
yel
led.
"
Iwon'
t!
andhe'snotmybrot
her
!Mybr
otherdi
ed
l
ongti
meago!"Ethansai
d.
"Why?Hedi dn'
toffendyouinanywayandt helast
ti
meIchecked, youoffendedhiminst
ead.Yout ook
hiswi f
e!Becauseyouenvyhi m!Damn
Mor gan,Ethanisyourelderbrot
her
.Whatever
happenedbet weenyout wothatmadeyoudespise
himt hismuch,issomet hi
ngyoushouldgetover
with!"Catheri
nesaid.

"JustshutupCatheri
ne,i
t'
snotli
keyou'vel
etgoof
him.youstil
lhavefeel
ingsforhi
m andmehat i
ng
megotnot hingtodowi t
hyou!"Morgansai
dangri
ly,
getti
ngupf r
om thebed.
"Et
hanwasmyhusbandf
oryearsandilovedhi
m,
hewassogoodt
ome"Catheri
nesaid.
"
Ifhewassogoodt
oyou,
youwoul
dn'
thavecome
t
ome"
"I
..iwasn'
tthi
nki
ngst
rai
ghtt
hen"Cat
her
ine
defended.
"Youthinkidon'
tknowyousti
lll
oveEthan,youonly
camet omef ormymoney!"Morgansaid,pour
ing
himselfsomewine.

"Andyout hi
nkidon'tknowyoumar ri
edmej ustt
o
hur tyourbrot
her,Et
hanwhatt hehel
ldidhedoto
you?Icanst i
llr
emembert hebadthi
ngsyoumade
medoj usttohurthim.Istol
ehismostcheri
shed
treasureforyou"Catheri
nesaid,f
eel
ingsobad.

"
Icompensatedyouforeverythi
ngyoudid!I
t'
snot
l
ikeyoudi
dthosethingsfornothi
ng.Youcoll
ect
ed
mil
li
onsofdoll
arsCather
ine.!
"
Well
..
.idi
d,ineededt
oboostmybusi
ness"Cat
her
i
ecl
aimed.
"It
'sfair
,wedi
dbusinessandipai
dyouokay?Don't
talkl
ikeyoudi
ditcauseyoulovedme,iknowyou
don'tloveme,
youlovemymoneymor e"Morgan
said.

"I
fitwasformoney, iwoul
dhavestuckto
Ethan,
he'
sricherthanyouandyouknowi tbuthe
j
ustacttoocool,heactalmostl
ikeapoorperson,i
neededsomeonewhoshowsof fhiswealt
h,i
neededthatformybusiness.
"Cather
inesaid.
"That
'
sit
!Andyou'r
esti
llaski
ngmewhyihat
ehi
m
somuch?"Morgansai
d, gr
it
ti
nghi
steet
h.
"Morgan!Youhat
eyourbr
other
,Et
hanj
ustcause
he'
sr i
cher?
"
"
He'
snotonlyri
cher,al
mostever
yonepref
ershi
m
t
ome!It
'sj
ustsoannoying"Morgansai
dgulpi
ng
t
hewhol
eoft hewineinthegl
asscup.
Cat
heri
nesighed."
Mor gan,Ethani
sjustsomeone
whocarr
iesaspecialgrace,peopl
ejustl
ovehis
per
sonal
ity."
"Andwhat'swrongwithmyownper sonal
it
y?He'sa
phil
anthr
opistandI'
m onet
oo,it
rytodoever yt
hing
hedoesyether ecei
vesmorel
ove!i
fnotforthat
fool
ishCarrl
edoyout hi
nkhewil
lbebettert
hanme?

"Mor
ganyouwon' tal
waysgeteverythi
ngyouwant
.
Youshouldbegladyouarewealt
hyenough.Peopl
e
don'
thavetol
ikeyou"Cat
heri
nesai d.

"He'salwaysgetti
ngtheawar dfortheri
chestman
i
nCal if
orniaeveryyearandI'
venevergottenany.
He'sjusttooproudthathecan'tevensupportmeas
hisbrother"Morgansaidti
ghteninghisgri
ponthe
glasscup.

"
That'
sbecausehe'
sri
chert
hanyou.Justaccept
t
hatandmoveon.Stophurt
inghi
m pl
ease.It
's
enough"Cat
her
inesai
d.

"Youwil
lwantt
ohur
thi
m mor
eifyouwer
einmy
shoes"
"No!I'
dratherst
epupmygame.Workharderand
tr
ytobr i
ngtheawardisomuchcher
ishhome"
Catheri
nesaid.
"Areyousayi
ngthatt omockme?Youknowt here'
s
nohowit ryt
owor khar dt
hatI'
dber icherthan
Ethan.He'
saBill
ionare!AndIthinkthere'
s
somethinghugeinamountt hatbelongstoour
parentt
hathedidn'tgiveme.HowmuchIhat ed
him!"Morgansai
dandCat her
inenodded, knowing
thatwasalmosttrue.

Et
han'
swealtharetoomuchforhimtogetallby
hi
msel
f.Despit
egivingMor
ganallt
heirf
ather'
s
pr
oper
ty,
He'ssti
llr
icher
.

"
Canyoupl
easer
eleaseyourhol
dont
hatpoor
gl
asscup"Cat
her
inesai
dknowingt
hecupmi
ght
br
eakanymomentfrom now.
Hi
sgr
ipi
stoot
ightoni
t.

Mor
ganslowl
yreleasedhi
sgrip,
hedr
oppedi
ton
t
hetabl
eandfacedCather
ine

"
Yousti
lll
oveEthanr
ight
? "HeaskedCat
her
inewho
f
oldedi
nherli
psandstaredathim.
"
Besi
ncer
e"Mor
ganur
ged.
"
Maybe"Cat
her
ineanswer
ed.
"
Andyoust
il
lwanthi
m back?
"Mor
ganasked.
"
Maybe"Cat
her
inesai
dbutherhear
tscr
eamed
"
yes!
"

"IknowyourmaybemeansYesCather
ine,
Youst
il
l
wantEthanbackandicanhel
pyougethim
back"Morgansai
d.
"
Real
ly?
"
"
Yesbutwewi
llneedt
owor
ktoget
her
"
"
I'
mready"Cat
her
inesai
d.

"Accor
dingt
oJavad'
sfeedback,
seemsEthani
s
star
ti
ngtoli
ket
henewnanny"Mor gansai
d.
"
What
!"Cat
her
inepani
cked.
"
Yes,t
hefir
stni
ghtsheresumed,
shespenthour
s
wit
hEthaninhi
sli
brar
y"
"
Real
ly?
"Cat
her
inesatupont
hebed.
"
Yeah,
heevenmadeherdi
nei
nhi
sper
sonaldi
ning
r
oom"
"
Whatt
hef
uck!
"Cat
her
inecur
sed.

SheknewdamnwellthatEt
handoesn'
tal
lowany
workeri
nhi
sdini
ngroom excepti
fher
eal
lyli
kes
thedamnper
son!
I
sthenannymor
ebeaut
if
ult
hanshei
s?
"
What
'syourpl
an?
"Cat
her
ineasked.
"Ifhegett
olikehermore,t
henyouwillst
andno
chanceanymor e,
sowhatwe'regonnadoistost
op
thatfr
om happening"
Morgansai
d.
"How?"Cather
ineaskedanxi
ousl
yandMor
gan
smil
edinwardl
y.

Cat
her
inethoughtheonl
ywantstohel
pherget
Et
hanbackbuthehashisreasonst
oo.

He'sgl
adhenowhavehercooper
ati
on,
i
t'
llmake
t
hingseasi
er.

_
__

I
tspastmi
dni
ghtandEt
hant
ossedi
nhi
sbed.
Hi
seyesar
ewi
deopened,
gluedt
othewal
l.
Hecouldn'
tsl
eep,
thought
sofCar
rl
ecoul
dn'
tlethi
m
sl
eep.
Thefactthathecoul
dn'
tgetj
ust
icef
orherkeeps
hunt
inghim.
Yeah..
.shehasbeendeadforyear
snowbuthe
neverstoppedt
hinki
ngabouther.

Shehasdi
edunj
ust
ly.
Shehadbeenmur der
edandhecoul
dn'
tevendo
anyt
hingabouti
t.
She'
stoogoodnottogetj
usti
cebutt
hedetect
ives
real
lyt
ri
edthei
rbestf
oryear
sandtheycoul
dn'
t
evenfi
ndaclue.

Heremember
edtheagonyshehadgonethr
oughi
n
herl
astmi
nut
esandtearsf
il
ledhi
seyes.
Onl
yift
heyhadn'
ttakenhert
othehospi
talabi
tlat
e.
Shewaspoi
sonedi
ntheni
ghtandshehad
str
uggledti
llmor
ningj
ustsoshecoul
dseehi
mfor
thelastt
ime.
Bythet
imetheyf
oundher
,itwasl
ateandshedi
ed
assoonasshewaswheel
edintot
hehospi
tal
.
Hiswor l
dshatt
eredatthatmomentthathiswi
fe'
s
del
iver
yhadn'tevenexcit
edunti
lhesawt he
beauti
fulti
nybabygir
landfel
linlovewit
hher
i
mmedi atel
y.
HeknewthatCar
rl
ehadcomebacktohi
m buther
deat
hhur
thim somuch,
event
il
lthi
smoment.

"
Ethan,dowearthi
swheneveryougoi ntomy
r
oom,thatwayyou'l
lfeel
mypr esence."Shehad
t
oldhim weakl
yontheirwaytothehospi taland
t
henhandedhimt henecklaceshecher i
shedmost
i
nthewor l
d.

Hergrandmotherhadgi
venitt
ohermother
,her
motherhadgivenitt
oheranditwastobepassed
t
hatwaybutshegavei tt
oEthanevenwhenshe
hadachi
ld.

Thatmadet heneckl
aceEthan'
smostcher ished
tr
easure,
andevenaf t
erherdeath,
wheneverhe
worethatneckl
ace,hedofeelherpresence.

Andthentheneckl
acewasst olen!Orwasi t
mispl
aced,al
lheknewwast hathewasdr unkt
hat
ni
ghtandthenextmorning,
hecoul dn'
tfi
nditagain.
Hehadcombedt heenti
rebuildingwit
hhiswor kers
andhehadcriedwhenher eal
izeditwasgone.
Knowingthatt
heonl ythi
ngthatconnectedhi
mto
Carr
lewasgone, knowingCarrl
ehadt rust
edhi
m
enoughtogivehimt heneckl
aceinsteadofher
daught
er,knowi
nghewassocar el
essmadehim
angrywit
hhimsel ff
oryears.
Ari
nwasthreewhentheneckl
acewasst
olenand
t
il
lnow,
he'ssti
llangr
yathi
mself
.

Outofr
age,
hehador
der
edever
yonet
ost
ayaway
f
rom t
her
oom.
Healwaysfeel
ssobadwheneverhegoesi
ntoher
r
oom wit
houttheneckl
ace.
Herpresencewassuddenl
ylostwi
thoutthe
neckl
aceandhestoppedgoingtoherroom.

Hefeelssobaduntilnowandi ft
here'
sanyt
hinghe
everwishfor
,it
'st
of i
ndthatneckl
ace.Hemissed
Carrl
e'
spresence.
Hemi
ssedhersomuch.

Et
hangotupf
rom hi
sbed,
wipi
nghi
seyes.
Her
arel
ycrybutthet
ear
sjustf
lowwheneverhe
r
emembersCarr
le.
Shebroughthim uptobehardworki
ngand
busi
nessmi nded,
toalwayshel
pthepoorandbe
humble.

"
Hust
lel
ikeyou'
ret
hepoor
estmanonEar
th"She
al
waystoldhi
m andt
hosewor
dswaswhatmade
hi
m successf
ul.

Car
rl
ealwaystol
dhim nott
orel
yonhi
spar
ent
s
weal
thandstr
ugglet
ogethisown.
Carr
lewor
dsmadehi
m abi
ll
ionai
reonhi
sowneven
wit
houthi
spar
ent
sweal
th.
Shemadehi
m haveal
if
eofhi
sown.
Shewashisbackbone,hismot
ivator,
hisbest
advi
serandhe'
llf
oreverremai
nt hankfult
oher.

Ethanadjust
edhisrobeandsl
idehisfeeti
ntohi
s
footwear,
hewalkedtothesmallbal
conywhichwas
outsidehi
sbedr
oom.

Herest
edhi
shandsont
her
ail
sandst
aredatt
he
sky.
I
t'
sabeaut
if
ulmi
dni
ghtandt
hesi
lencei
squi
te
over
whel
ming.
Et
hanwi
shedCar
rl
ehadmetAr
in.
Therewoul
dhavebeennoneedt
oevenempl
oyany
nanny.
Carrl
ehadplannedonhowshewouldt
akecareof
Arin,
shehadspentmostofhert
imemaki
ngti
ny
dressesf
orhisunbor
ndaughter
.

"Bri
ngheruplikeibr
oughtyouup"Car
rl
ehadtol
d
him,l
ikesheknewshewasn'tgoi
ngtobether
e.
Hehadl
aughedandt
oldhershe'
l
lbet
heonet
o
br
ingAr
inup.

Hewonder
edwhatCar
rl
ewoul
dthi
nkofI
ri
shi
fshe
washer
e.
Hehadwai t
edforhertoshowupi ntheli
brar
ybut
shedidn'tappear
edandt heli
brarywassuddenly
bori
ngt ohim,hecouldn'
tread,heendedupleavi
ng
thel
ibrary.
Carrl
ewouldhavel
ikedI r
ish,
shel
ovedr
esponsi
ble
l
adiesandshehadn'tbeenhappywhenhemar r
ied
Catheri
ne,
sheandCat heri
nequar
rel
edmostofthe
ti
me.

"
Ethan,youshoul
dn'
ttr
ustt
hatl
ady"Sheal
ways
t
oldhim.
"
Car
rl
eshe'
smywi
feandil
oveher
"Hewoul
drepl
y.
Ki
ndl
yHiNovel
sRepubli
con+2348055889183on
What
sApptogetaddedtoournovel
sgr
oupandget
PDFl
inks
"Ishouldn'
thavetrustedherli
keyousai
dCarr
le.
Sheleftme, wit
htheki d"Et
hansaid,
anot
herr
ound
oftearsbuil
dingupi nhiseyes.
HewishedCarrl
ewassti
llal
ive,
hewoul
dn'
thave
beent
hatbrokenwhenCat
herinelef
t.
He'
ssogl
adhehasGabr
iel
le,
shewast
her
eforhi
m.
Ethanf
urr
owedhi
sbr
owwhenhet
houghthehear
d
someonescr
eam.
Butheshr
uggedi
tof
fknowi
ngever
yonei
sasl
eep.

_
__

"Somet
hing.
..
i.
.si
nm..yr
oom"Ari
nsai
dandt
he
hair
satthebackofI
ri
sh'
sneckst
ood.
"Wh.
.whatisinyourr
oom?
"Sheasked,
herhear
t
beat
ingfast
.
"
Aghost
."Ar
inbur
stedouti
ntear
s.
I
ri
shsuddenl
yremember
edwhatCar
lhadt
oldher
.
Herbodyshooki
nfearandshescr
eamedhuggi
ng
Ari
nverycl
osetoher
.

Thent
heyhear
dDoll
ybar
kCont
inousl
yint
he
r
oom.Shetrembl
ed.
Hadsheseent
heghostt
oo?
Shequickl
yputahaltt
oherscream,
knowi
ngi
t
mightwaketheent
ir
ebuil
ding.
Ar
insobbedqui
etl
yinherar
ms.

I
ri
shcalmedherdownevenifsheher
sel
fwas
r
estl
essanddamnscared.
"
Butwhati
fit
'snotaghost
?"Shet
hought
.

Dol
lyappearedi
nther
oom andcl
imbedbesi
de
Ari
n,whi
pping.

"Wh..howdidithappen?Howdi
dyouknowi
t'
sa
ghost?"SheaskedArin
"
I.
.i
twasknocki
ngatmywi
ndow"Ar
insni
ff
ed.
"
Real
ly?
"Ir
ishaskedandt
hel
it
tl
egi
rlnodded.
"
Didi
tcal
loutyourname?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
Itdi
dn'
t,
you'
rescar
ingme!
"Ar
incr
ied.
"
Ohh.
..
I'
m sor
ry"I
ri
shsai
d.

"Comehel
pmecheckitout,
itwasr eal
lyknocki
ng
atmywindow.Whati
fit
'salostpuppy"Arinsai
d.
"
Butyousai
ditwasaghost
!"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Maybei
tis"Ar
insai
d.
"Anddoyoureal
lymeanwhatyousaidthatishoul
d
comehelpyouchecki
tout
?"Ir
ishaskedinfear.
"
Yes"Ar
insai
d.
Iri
shbreat
hedi
nandoutst
art
ingt
ogetr
eal
ly
scared.
"Ar
en'
tyoubr
aveenough?Thencomewi
thme,
l
et'
s
gogetmydad"Ar
insaid.
"I
'
lldoit
"Ir
ishsai
dnotwant
ingtodi
stur
bhim,he
havetogot owor
kinthemorni
ngandhe'l
lbe
sl
eepingbynow.

"
Dol
lycomewi
thme"I
ri
shsai
d
Sheslowlystoodupfrom t
hebedandheldAri
n's
handtight
ly,
theybot
hwalkedtotheadj
oini
ngdoor
andIri
shswal l
owedhard,t
ryi
ngnottomakeher
fearobvi
ous.
"Yeah,I
'm br
ave"shesai
dinwar
dlyr
eassur
ing
hersel
f.
I
ttooksol
ongbef
oreshef
inal
lyopenedt
hedoor
.
Theyst
eppedintoAri
n'r
oom andI
ri
sh'
shear
tbeat
al
mostlostcont
rol
.
Theroom wasdarkandshetr
iedt
ofindt
heswit
ch
wit
hshakyhands,shefoundi
tandtr
iedt
otur
niton
buti
twasn'twor
king.
Shebreat
hedi
nandt
ri
edagai
nwi
thamor
est
abl
e
hand.

Theli
ghtsweren'
tcomi
ngon!Andt
henshehear
d
theknocki
ngsoundonthewi
ndow.
.
Herhear
tjumpedinherchestandherf
eetwas
r
ootedtothespot
.
Shecoul
dn'
tmoveandshebadl
ywant
edt
oscr
eam.
Ar
incl
ungt
oherl
egs,
cryi
ng.

Theknockcont
inuedandI
ri
shnot
icedi
twasn'
t
soundi
ngli
keahumanknock.
Herf
earr
oseandshest
art
edcr
yingt
oo.
Theywer
ebothst
uckt
othespot
,noneoft
hem
coul
dmove.
Shewasl
oosi
nghermi
nd.

"
Hel
p"I
ri
shscr
eamedl
oudl
y.
"
Hel
puspl
ease"Ar
inscr
eamedi
ntear
s.

Soon,theyheardf
oot
stepsandt
hedoort
oAr
in'
s
room opened.

"
Whathappened?
"Et
hanaskedr
ushi
ngi
n.
"
M..
mywi
ndow.Aghosti
sknocki
ng"Ar
incr
ied.
Et
hanwassoal
armedt
oseeI
ri
shi
ntear
stoo.
I
sitt
hatser
ious?
"
Aghost
?"Heaskedandt
heybot
hnodded.
Hemovedtothewi
ndowandtrul
yhear
daknocki
ng
sound,
hesi
ghedbef
orepul
li
ngthecur
tai
n.

ArinandI ri
shscreamed,
cli
ngi
ngtoeachotherl
i
ke
thei
rlivesdependedonitandEt
hansuddenly
start
edl aughi
nghard.
.

Noghostwasknocki
ng!
.
It'
sthemidni
ghtbr
eezemaki
ngt
het
reebr
ancht
o
hi
tthewindow.
[
05/09,07:
03]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionar
eIfel
linlovewi
th

JustANanny
 CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e:Bi
ll
ionar
e,Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
15

Noghostwasknocki
ng.
It'
sthemidni
ghtbr
eezemaki
ngt
het
reebr
anch
hi
tthewindow.

ArinandIr
ishst
oppedscr
eami
ngwhent
hey
reali
sedi
twasnoghost.
Thei
reyeswidenedi
ndi
sbeli
efandtheybot
h
st
art
edlaughi
nghardwi
thtearsst
il
lonthei
rfaces.

Bodyguar
dsal
readyf
il
edi
ntot
her
oom i
n
dozens,
thei
rgunscocked.
Oneoft
hem swi
tchedont
hel
ight
.

"
It
'snothi
ngguys"Et
hant
oldt
hem,
ther
ewasst
il
l
l
aughteri
nhiseyes.
HesatonAr
in'
sbedwat
chi
ngt
hebot
hoft
hem
l
augh.
Theylooksobeaut
if
ulandseei
ngthem i
ntear
s
ear
li
erhadalmostbrokenhi
shear
t.
Wat
chi
ngt
hem l
aughnowmadehi
m smi
le.

Hefoundhiseyest
rai
li
ngdownI r
ish'
sbodyandhe
mustadmithehasneverseenherinhernight
wear
,
i
tlooksso.
..
sexyonher,
almosttr
ansparent.

Heglancedathi
sbodyguar
dsandsawt
hei
rlust
ful
gazesonherbody.
I
ri
shwasunawar
easshewasst
il
llaughi
ngwi
th
Ari
n
Ethanqui
ckl
yhandedherhi
srobeandsenthi
s
bodyguar
dsahardglar
e.
Theystareddownatthei
rfeetknowinghehad
caughtthem.Theyknewtheywer egoi
ngtobe
repr
imandedinthemorning.

"
Ohh..
.t
hanks"I
rishsai
dembar
rassedasshet
ook
t
herobefrom Et
han.

"Youguyscanl
eavenow"Et
hansai
dtohi
s
bodyguar
ds.
Theyt
urnedandl
eftt
her
oom.
.

I
ri
shtight
enedtherobearoundherbodyand
mutt
eredthankst
oEt hanagai
n.
"
It
'sfi
ne,
ist
il
lhavemyshort
sanyway"Ethansai
d
andIr
ishf
oundhergazeonhi
sbreat
htaki
ngbody.
Sheswal
lowedhard,admir
inghismasculi
nechest
l
acedwit
hblackcurl
yhairwhichtr
avel
lednar
rowly
downhi
sfl
atst
omachandt
heni
ntohi
sshor
ts.

Sheglancedupathisfaceandsawhisbl
ackcur
ly
hai
rlookedmessy,hi
seyeswerekindofr
edtooli
ke
hecri
ed.
No,she'
stheonewhocri
ed,she'
stheonewhohad
almostgonecr
azycauseatr
eebranchwashit
ti
ng
thewindow.

"
Youtol
dmeyouwer
ebr
aveenoughI
ri
sh"Ar
insai
d
mocki
ngl
y.
"
Ithoughtiwas"I
ri
shsai
dandEt
hanl
aughed.
"
Likeser
iousl
y?Youbothcri
edcauseofaghost
t
hatwasnoteventher
e"Ethanl
aughedharderand
I
ri
shbitherli
psi
nembar r
assment.

Shemustr
eal
lyst
opt
hisactofcr
yingl
ikeababy.
Gosh!Shemusthavelookedsof
unnywhi
lecr
ying
andscreami
ngatthesamet i
me.
"Thetreehasover
grown,
I'
llmakesurethe
branchesaremendedbythegardenert
omorr
ow"
Ethansaid.
"
Ican'
tbel
ievei
twasjustat
reebr
anch"I
ri
sh
l
aughedandAri
njoi
nedher.
Theywer
est
il
lfi
ndi
ngt
hewhol
ethi
ngf
unny.
Thewayt heyhadbehavedshowedt heywoul
dhave
probabl
yfaint
edifi
twasar ealghost.

"
Okay,nowt hatweknowit'
sjustat
reebr
anch,
can
weallgobackt osl
eep"Et
hansaidevent
houghhe
wasn'
tfeel
ingsleepyyet
.
Hehadbeenthi
nki
ngofCar
rl
ewhenhehear
dthe
scr
eam t
hesecondti
me.

"
I'
m notf
eel
ingsl
eepy"Ar
inpout
.
"Metoo"I
ri
shsai
d,l
ovi
ngthefeelofEt
han'srobeon
herbody,
itf
eel
ssowarm agai
nstherski
n,l
ikeshe
wasi
nhi
sar
ms.
Ifhi
srobemadeherfeelt
hisway,
howwi
llhi
sbar
e
bodymakeherfeel
?.

Geez!
Whatt
hehel
liswr
ongwi
thher
.
Shecan'
tbel
ieveshe'
sthi
nki
ngt
hisway.

"It
hinki
m notsl
eepyt
oo,
whatdowedo?
"Et
han
asked.
"Anyt
hing,I
'mfinewit
hanyt
hingaslongasI'
m wi
th
youboth,ican'
tspendther
estoft
henightal
one"
Ari
nsaid.
"
Whydon'twe..
."I
ri
shpausedandbot
hEt
hanand
Ari
ngazedather.
"
Whydon'
twewhat
?"Et
hanask.
"Whydon'tweal
lsi
tinf
rontoft
hef
ir
epl
ace"I
ri
sh
suggest
ed.
"
Goodi
dea!
"Ar
insai
d.
"Okay,
youbothshouldl
eadtheway,
ihavet
ogo
putonsomethi
ng"Ethansai
d.
"
Okaydad.Let
'sgoI
ri
sh"Ar
insai
d.

Ethani
ssosur pr
isedathowf
astAr
ini
sget
ti
ng
usedtoIr
ish.
Hewonderedwhatwasi
nvol
vedcauseAr
indon'
t
j
ustgetal
ongwit
hhernanni
es.

Heshr
uggedashewal
kedoutaf
tert
hem.
"
I'
llj
oinyouguyssoon"hesai
dashemadef
orhi
s
r
oom.
"
Okay"I
ri
shandAr
inchor
used.

_
__

I
ri
shar
rangedt
hewoodsi
nthef
ir
epl
aceandt
henl
it
i
t.
"
Whydon'twegetsomecakeandjui
ceint
he
ki
tchenwhi
let
hewoodsburn"Ari
nsaid.
"
Wil
lyourdadbef
inewi
thi
t?"I
ri
shasked.
"
Ofcour
se"Ar
insai
d.

Theybothwal
kedoutoft
hel
i
brar
yandt
heni
ntot
he
ki
tchen.
Ir
ishswit
chedontheli
ghtandalmostscr
eamed
whenshesawGabr i
ell
eseatedwit
hherhead
placedonthet
abl
e.
Looksl
ikeshe'
sasl
eep.

"
Oh..no!Gabr
iel
lef
ellasl
eepi
ntheki
tchenagai
n"
Ari
nsaid.

Thi
sisn'
tthef
ir
stt
imeshe'
l
ldot
hat
.
Gabr
iel
ledopl
aceherheadont
heki
tchent
abl
e
af
terdi
nner
,andendupsl
eepi
ngof
f.

SoEthanhadmadeitadutyt
oalwayscheckthe
ki
tchenbef
orehesl
eepsbuthewassodistur
bed
yest
erni
ght
.
Hedi
dn'
tevencheckedonAr
in.

"
Shesl
eepsi
ntheki
tchen?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
No,
I
'm sur
eshesl
eptof
fwhi
ler
est
ing"Ar
insai
d.
"
Ohh"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Mydaddocheckt hekit
chenever
ynightt
omake
sureshe'si
nherr
oom, iwonderwhatwentwr
ong
yester
night
"Ar
insaid.
"What'
sgoingon?Ithoughtyouguyswouldbein
theli
..
"Et
hanwassayi ngashewalkedi
ntothe
kit
chenbutstoppedwhenhesawGabr i
ell
e.

"Whydi
dn'
tyoucheckonGabri
ell
ebef
oregoi
ngto
bed?Nowherneckwoul
dhurtfr
om sl
eepi
ngthat
way"Ar
insaid,
feel
ingsor
ryf
orGabr
iel
leandabi
t
pi
ssedatherDad.
"I
'm sosorr
yaboutt
hat,
iwasquit
edi
stur
bed
yester
night
"Et
hansaidwal
kingt
oGabri
ell
etowake
herup.

"Di
sturbed?Doesthatmeanshet
rul
ycr
iedl
ikeshe
suspected"I
ri
shthought
.
"Bytheway,
ithoughtyouwoul
dbei
nthel
ibr
ary"
Ethansai
d.
"
Iwantedsomecakeandj ui
cesowecamet
ogeti
t.
I
ri
shli
tthefi
rewoodsal
ready"Ar
insai
d.
"Yeah,isawt
hat
"Ethansai
d,t
appi
ngGabr
iel
le
gentl
yonhershoul
der.

Sheyawned,obvi
ouslyawake.Sherai
sedupher
headandlookedatever
yoneoft hem.
Shewasaboutpl
aci
ngherheadbackont
het
abl
e
whenEthanqui
ckl
yheldher
.
Hemadeherst
andonherf
eetandt
henst
art
ed
l
eadi
nghert
othedoor
.
Shel
ooksmor
eli
keadr
unkper
son.

"
I'
m gonnat
akehert
oherr
oom,
"Et
hansai
dand
I
ri
shnodded.
Sheopenedt
hef
ri
dgeandsawcakesondi
spl
ay.
"Iwantt
hest rawberryfl
avor,
cutasl
iceof
chocol
ateflavorformydadandihopet her
e's
vani
ll
aflavorthere,
foryou"Ari
nsai
d.
"
Yes"I
ri
shsmi
led.
Ar
inpi
ckedoutt
hreedi
shesandhandedi
ttoI
ri
sh
"
Ohh..
.t
hankyou"I
ri
shsaid,
shepickedt
hekni
fe
t
hatwasalr
eadybesi
dethecakes.

Shecutoutasl
iceeachf
rom t
het
hreef
lavor
s.
"
Iwantt
wosl
ices"Ar
insai
d.
"
Okay"I
ri
shsai
dandcutonemor
esl
icef
orAr
in.
Shebroughtoutacr
anber
ryj
uiceaf
ter
war
dswi
th
thr
eeglasscups.
"
Dadi
sgonnat
akewi
ne"Ar
insai
d.
"
Alr
ight
,whi
choft
hem?
"Ir
ishasked.

"
1945chat
eaumout son-
rot
hschi
ld"Ar
insai
dand
I
ri
shwasimpressed.
Sheknewherf
ather
'sf
avor
it
ewi
ne.
"
It
'sal
waysinthef
reezerthough,
nott
hefr
idge"
Ari
nsai
dplaci
ngtheglasscupsinatr
ay.
"
Ohh.
.okay"I
ri
shsai
d.

Shecl
osedt
hef
ri
dgeandmovedt
othef
reezer
.

_
__

I
ri
shandAr
insati
nfr
ontoft
hef
ir
epl
acewai
ti
ngf
or
Et
han.
Thecakes,
jui
ce,
wineandgl
asscupswer
epl
aced
i
nfrontoft
hem.

I
ri
shsmi
ledenj
oyi
ngf
ir
epl
acevi
ew.
Sobeaut
if
ul.

"
Doyouenjoystar
ingatt
hef
ir
epl
acet
hatmuch?
"
Ari
naskedher
.
"
Yes"
"
Why?
"Ar
inasked.
"Ij
ustl
ovei
t,doesn'
titl
ookmagi
calt
oyou?
"Ir
ish
asked.
"
No,
i
t'
sjustanor
malbur
ningf
ir
etome"Ar
insai
d.

"
Sorr
yforkeepi
ngyouwai t
ing"Et
hanf
inal
lywal
ked
i
n,maki
nghispresenceknown.
Hehadstoodbythedoorf
orminut
eswatchingthe
backvi
ewofhisdaught
erandhernanny,
thoughhe
hadconcent
rat
edmor
eonI
ri
sh'
sback.
Helovedhowhi
srobel
ookedonher,
evenifitt
rai
led
behi
ndherli
keaweddi
nggown,
itst
il
llookedso
goodonher.

"
Final
lyyou'
reher
e"Ar
insai
d.
"
Wow!"Et
hanexcl
aimed,
sight
ingt
hecakeandhi
s
f
avor
it
ewine.
Hequi
cklysatdownont
hel
eftsi
deofAr
in,
Iri
sh
wasontheright
.

"Ihadtomakesur eGabr
iel
leisasl
eep,
youknow
shecanjustgetupandgobackt otheki
tchent
o
conti
nuehersleep"Et
hansaid.
"
True"Ar
inl
aughed,
cut
ti
ngi
ntohercakewi
thaf
ork.

Ethanpour
edhi
msel
fsomewi
nebef
oreeat
ingt
he
cake.
Theyat
eanddr
anki
nsi
lence,
allst
ari
ngatt
he
fi
repl
aceandbytheti
met heyweredoneeat
ingAr
in
andIri
shwereal
readyfeel
ingsl
eepy.
Et
hanret
urnedt
hedi
shest
otheki
tchenand
washedt
hem.
whenheret
urnedtotheli
brar
y,hef
oundt
hem l
ayi
ng
besi
deeachother
,asl
eep.
ThewayI r
ishhel
dArini
nherar
mswhi let
hey
sl
eep,onewouldt
hinkshewasprot
ect
ingher
daughter
.

Shewoul
dbesoper
fectasamot
her
.
She'
snotoneyetbutanyonewoul
dthi
nkshei
s
whenevershe'
swi
thArin

Ethanwal
kedint
ohisroom andpi
ckedhi
sblanket
fr
om hi
sbed,hecover
edthem bot
hwithi
t.
Headdedmorewoodsi
nthef
ir
eandt
hen
sat
,st
ari
ngatt
hem.
Hesmi
led,
theset
woar
ejustsobeaut
if
uland
ador
abl
e,
eveni
nthei
rsl
eep.

Ishesti
llgoi
ngt
odenyt
hef
actt
hather
eal
ly
admir
eIr i
sh?

*
*Mor
ning*
*

"Ari
ngetup.I
t'
slat
ealr
eady"I
ri
shsai
d,st
ari
ngat
thewal
lcl
ockinthel
ibr
aryasshet
appedAri
n
gent
ly.
Looksl
iket
heybot
hfel
lasl
eephere,
shewonder
ed
whereEt
hanwasandwhyhedidn'twaket
hem.

Ar
inst
ir
redawake,
yawni
ngl
oudl
y.
"GetupAri
n,l
et'
sgogetyoureadyf
orschool
.
There'
snomucht i
meleft
"Ir
ishsai
dgett
ingupon
herfeet
.
Shepull
edAri
nwi
thherandt
heybot
hwal
kedoutof
thel
ibr
ary.
_
__Si
ngapor
e__

"
Byemum"Ar
ushapeckedhi
smum.
Healreadygotreadyforschoolandhehashel
ped
herprepareherbreakf
astandlunchandhemade
sureeveryt
hingshe'l
lbeneedingiscl
oset
oher.
"
ByeAr
usha"Mr
sHel
ensmi
led.

Hewavedbef
orewal
kingoutofherr
oom andt
hen
t
othedoor
.
Hegotout
sideandgent
lycl
osedt
hedoorbehi
nd
hi
m.

Herushedtothebusst
ati
onandl
ucki
lyf
orhi
m,he
caughtabus.
Allat
tent
ionwasonhim ashewalkedin,
mostoft
he
passengerswer
estudent
sandjustfewwerefr
om
hi
sschool .
Thegi
rl
sstyl
ishl
ycl
earedt
heseatbesi
dethem f
or
hi
m whil
etheguysst
aredagger
sathim.
I
t'
snotsur
pri
sing,
heal
waysgett
hatr
eact
ion.
Hetookanemptyseatatt
hebackandt
henst
ared
outoft
hewindowasthebusmoved.

Hemi
ssedI
ri
sh,
somuch.
Hecan'twai
tforweekend,
he'
salr
eadysavi
ng
chocolat
echi
pcookiesforher
,hehadpl
annedto
vi
sitheri
nCali
forni
abyweekend.
Hesmi
ledknowi
ngshe'
l
lbesoexci
ted.

"
Hey"hehear
daf
emi
ninevoi
cesai
d.
Gi
rl
sal
ways"
hey"hi
m ever
yti
me.
"
Hi"Hesai
dtur
ningt
othegi
rl
.

She'
spr
ett
ywi
thsof
tbr
owneyes,
highcheekbones
andaproudnose,
herbl
ondehai
rfel
ldownher
shoul
der
sandhersmalll
ipswer
einasmil
e.
From heruni
for
m,hecoul
dtel
lshewasn'
ta
st
udentofthei
rschool
.

"
I'
m Mi
l"shesai
d.
"
Arusha"Hesai
d,l
icki
nghi
sli
psandt
hegi
rlal
most
wentcrazy.
"
Canit
ouchyou?
"SheaskedandAr
ushasmi
led.
"Oh.
.my,
yoursmil
eismakingmybrokenheart
comebacktoget
her"Thegi
rlsai
dandArusha
l
aughed.
"Pl
easemakemeyour
sal
ready"Mi
lsai
d,f
all
ing
complet
elyf
orhi
m.

Ar
ushai
snotsur
pri
sed,
ithappensal
lthet
ime.

"Mi
l!
"Aguysuddenl
yshout
ed,
hewasi
nmi
l'
s
uni
for
m.
Heapproachedt
hebot
hoft
hem att
hebackseat
wi
thti
ghtenedfi
st.
Ever
yonet
urnedt
othem expect
ant
ly.

"
She'
smygirlf
ri
end!St
ayawayf r
om heroriwil
l
makeyourf
aceapunchingbag"Theguythreat
ened.
"You'
renotmyboyfri
endAl
len!Webr
okeup
alr
eady"Milshout
ed.
"Youbrokeupwithmejustnowt hatt
histhi
ng
enter
edthebus.Ifhedoesn'
tgetupbesideyou
now,iswearI
'
llbeathi
m up"Theguysaidangri
ly.

"
You'
l
lbeatmeup?
"Ar
ushal
aughed.
"IswearI'
l
lmakeyoul
ickyourass!"Ar
ushasai
d
calmly,
winni
ngthegi
rl
sheartmore.
"
Ohh..
.real
ly?Real
ly?Yout
hisni
ncompoop!r
eal
ly?
"
Al
lensaid.
"Justshutupal
ready,
am nott
obl
amet hatyou
shareresembl
ancewithamonkey"
Arushasaidand
st
oodup,
leavi
ngAl
lenspeechl
ess.

Laughterer
upt
edi
nthebusandAr
ushawal
kedt
o
thedoor.
He'
sgoi
ngt
oal
ighti
nthenextbusst
op.

_
__

Hewalkedi
ntohi
scl
assandgazesf
allonhi
m as
usual
.
Somet
imeshej
ustgetf
edupwi
tht
hewhol
ethi
ng.

Herepli
edt
othe"hi
's"and"
hey'
s"f
rom t
hegi
rl
sas
hewalkedt
ohisseat.
Hesatdownanddr
oppedhi
sbackpack.
Openi
nghi
slocker
,lovel
ett
erspour
edout
.

"
Notagai
n!"Hegr
oaned.
_
__

It
'sl
unchti
meandDozensofgi
rl
sof
fer
edt
obuy
himlunch.
Mostoft
hem gi
vethemselvesfr
eel
ytohi
m and
somewoul
djustpl
eadtokisshim.

I
t'
sjustsocr
azy.
Hehadnomalefri
end,
theguysi
ntheschool
hat
edhi
m causehehasthegi
rl
sat
tent
ionthemost
.
Sometimes,
hewishedal
ltheat
tent
ionhe'
salways
gett
ingwoul
djustst
opandsometimeshe'
llwi
shit
neverst
ops.

_
__

School
'
soverandAr
ushaqui
ckl
ypi
ckedhi
s
backpackandsneakedout
.
Hedoesn'
twantanygi
rlt
ofol
lowhi
m home,
he
want
stospendenoughti
mewi t
hhi
sMum.

Hegott
ot hegat
eandthegat
ekeeperopenedi
tfor
hi
m.Hesteppedoutandsi
ghedinrel
ieft
hatnone
oft
hegi
rlshadseenhim.

"HeyArusha"hehear
dashest
art
edwal
kingt
o
catchabus.
I
twasnof
emi
ninevoi
ce,
it'
sdef
ini
tel
yamal
evoi
ce.
Het
urnedandsawt heman,he'
sahugemancl
adi
n
abl
acksui
t,
blackeyegl
assandbal
dhead.
Buthowdi
dheknowhi
sname?

"
What
?"Ar
ushaasked.
"
Woul
dyoul
iket
ocomewi
thme?
"Themanasked.
"
No!
"Ar
ushar
epl
iedbl
unt
lyandst
art
edwal
king
away.
"
It
'saboutyoursi
ster
"Themansai
dandt
hatmade
Arushast
op.
"Mysi
steri
snotevenher
e,sowhatdoyouabout
her
?"
"
Iknow,
she'
sinCal
if
orni
a?"
Hest
aredbackt
othemanal
mosti
mmedi
atel
y.
"
Sowouldyoul
iketocomewithmenow?
"Theman
r
epeat
edandArushanodded.
[
05/09,07:
04]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionar
eIfel
linlovewi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e:Bi
ll
ionar
e,Mai
d,Romance-
Supense
Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
16

MrsHel
enpani
ckedasshegl
ancedatt
hewal
l
cl
ockf
ortheni
net
eent
htime.

Ar
ushai
snotyetback.

I
t'
ssever
alhour
spastcl
osi
ngt
ime.
He'
snotsomeonewhostaysoutl
ateandnotnow
t
hatheknowsshe'
stheonlyoneathome.
EvenifArushawantstogoout,
hedoesn' tgooutin
hisschoolwear
s,he'
llcomehome,getchanged,t
ell
everyoneofhi
smovementandt henleave.

He'
snotevenpicki
nghi
scal
ls,
whi
chmadeher
moreworr
ied.
Hehadpr
omi
sedhert
hathe'
l
lbehomeear
ly.
She'sf
eel
ingsopressed,
shecoul
dn'
thel
pher
sel
f
tothebat
hroom.

Thepai
ninherl
egwassti
llt
omuchforhert
obe
abl
etowal
konherown.Shewasonawheelchai
r.
Tearsfi
ll
edhereyesasshethoughtabouthowIri
sh
wil
lfeel
ingwhentheyfi
nal
lybreakthenewstoher.
Arushahadinsi
stedonlet
ti
ngIri
shknow,butshe
hadsaidno.

MrsHel enandherhusbandhadbeeninvol
vedina
motoraccidentt
wodaysago,herHusbandwasn't
l
uckyashedi edonthespotandshe,MrsHelen,
hadaver ydeepcutt
hatparal
yzedherl
eftl
eg.
Arushahadtoranal
lthewayfr
om schoolt
othe
hospit
alshewasadmitt
edandhadcriedbi
tt
erl
y.
 Thei
njur
ytheaccidentl
eftonherl
egwasn'ther
pr
oblem.Herprobl
em wasthescartheacci
dentlef
t
i
nherheart
,byt
akingawayherbelovedhusband.

Ar
ushawantedtocallIr
ishi
mmedi
atel
ybutshehad
pl
eadedwi
thhim notto.
"I
rishdeservesabet
terl
if
e.Howdoyouthinkshe'
ll
feelifyoubreakt
henewsofyourf
ather
'sdeat
ht o
her?"
MrsHelenref
usedt ost
ayint
hehospitalf
orl
ong
soshewasassignedonawheel chai
randthe
doct
orshaveinformedher,
sheneededtoundergo
asurger
y.Where'sthemoney?
.

Tearsr
andownhercheeks, shehadact
uallyl
iedto
Ir
ishonherlastcal
lthatherfat
herwasjustalit
tl
e
si
ckandwillbeokay.
Whendi
dshebecameal
ier
?
Shehadplannedonleavi
ngSi
ngapor
eandmove
t
oCalif
orni
a,whereshecanuni
tewit
hIri
shand
maybet
rybei
nghappyagai
n.

Butsti
ll
,oneday,Ir
ishisgoi
ngtor eal
izeherfat
her
wasnomor e,andshe,hermotherwaspar al
yzed.
ThefearofIr
ishhat
ingherforhi
dingitfrom her
ki
ll
sherheart.

Shedryhertear
s,shewaspi ssedbutcan'
tmove
outf
rom thebedroom.Shewasonawheel chai
r
andthathadcompl et
elychangedherl
ifeasshe
can'
twalkonherownagai n.

Shegl
ancedatt
hewal
lcl
ockoncemor
e.

"
Ithi
nkI
'
m goi
ngt
ocal
lir
ish"Shesai
dsowor
ri
edl
y.
Sher
eal
izedherphonewasont
hebed.
Shehaddr
oppeditther
ewhenshet
ri
edwheel
ing
her
sel
ftot
hebathroom.
Shewasaboutwheel
ingher
sel
ftowardsherbed
whenshehear
dthefr
ontdooropenedandclosed.
Shequi
ckl
ytur
nedt
othedoorhopi
ngi
t'
sAr
usha.

Whoel
se?
I
tshoul
dbehi
m.

Herr
oom dooropenedandAr
ushar
ushedi
n.
Shecoul
dn'
thel
pbutf
eel
rel
ieved.

"
Mum I
'
m sosor
ry"Hesai
d.
Hi
sfacewasn'
tsobr
ightl
ikeal
ways.
"I
t'
sfine,
takemet
obebat
hroom f
ir
st"Mr
sHel
en
said.

_
__
Mr
sGabr
iel
lel
aughedhar
d.

Shewaspr epar
ingdi
nnerwi
thI
ri
shandir
ishwas
fi
ll
ingheri
nonwhathappenedi
nthemidnight
..
.

"Myheartal
mostlef
tmybodywhenMrEt han
yankedthecur
tai
nopen"I
ri
shsai
d,sl
ici
ngthe
onions.
MrsGabr
iel
lel
aughedhar
derandI
ri
shst
art
ed
l
aughi
ngtoo.

"Am imi
ssingsomet
hing?
"Ethanwal
kedi
ntot
he
kit
cheni
nterr
upti
ngt
heirl
aughter
.
Heworeawhi t
etee-
shir
twhichdidn'
tdoagood
j
obinconceal
inghisabs,
theyshowedeffor
tl
essl
y
andI
ri
shblushedwhenhereyescaughtwi t
hhis.
Hehadcaughtherst
ari
ngathi
m.
Damn!Nowhe'
sgonnat
hinkshe'
sli
ket
hose
nanni
es.
Shebli
nkedsever
all
yandf acedt
heonionsshewas
di
cingbuthekeptappear
inginherhead.
Heworebl
ueshort
swhichreveal
edhi
sper
fect
ly
l
onglegsl
acedwit
hblackcur
lyhair
.
Et
hani
sdropdeadgor
geousandshewoul
dn'
t
bl
ameanyonef
orbei
ngatt
ract
edtohi
m.
Anyonewould,
butshe'
sher
etowor
knott
ofi
nd
anyoneat
tr
acti
ve.

She'
sjustgonnast
opcrushi
ngonhim,
workti
llher
Mother
'ssurger
ybi
lli
scomplet
edandt
henleave!

Funnyenough,Arushabrokethenewstohertwo
daysagoandI ri
shhadaskedhermum abouther
dad'sheal
th,notbecauseshedidn'
tknowwhat
happenedbutbecauseArushapleadedwit
hhernot
tobeupsetthathermotherhadn'
tinf
ormedher.
..
Arushapleadedwit
hhertojustkeepitt
hatdadwas
sick.
 Shehadn'ttakenthenewseasily.Shehadwept
!
Notforherfather
,butforherpoormother.
Thespacei nherhear t
hforherf
atherwasj
ustt oo
l
itt
le,Herfat
herexistencei
nherli
fehadbeenlike
thatofadied.Shelivedli
keonewithoutaf
atherbut
yet,t
hat'
sherfatherandshewasgoi ngtomisshim.

Shefel
tsobr okenwhenArushaannouncedt hather
motherwaspar al
yzedandhadt oundergosurger
y
which,
ther
ewasnomoneyf or.Nowshehadher
mother'
ssurgerybil
landherfather
'sdebtt
otake
car
eof.

Ir
ishcan'
twai
ttohermotherandArushat
omove
t
oCalif
orni
awit
hher,shemissedthem.
Shehadint
endedfort
hem tol
ivei
nherold
apar
tmentandthenbyweekendsuchwil
lbeher
dayoffwor
k,she'
sgoingt
obevisi
ti
ngthem.
Shej
ustcan'
twai
t.Notl
ikeshewashappyherdad
wasdi
ed,
shef
eltt
hepai
ntoo.
Thi
sisherfat
her
,nomatterwhatt
ranspi
red
bet
weenthem,he'sherf
ather
!

"
Real
ly?I
ri
sh"Hermi
ndt
aunt
edher
.

"
Ir
ishwastel
li
ngmewhathappenedi
nthe
midni
ght
"Gabri
ell
elaughed.
"Ohh.
..
itwassuchaf unnyinci
dence.Ir
ishdi
dyou
tol
dhert hepartwemetherasl eepintheki
tchen?
"
EthanteasedandI r
ishstart
edlaughingwhil
e
Gabri
ellesenthim aplayf
ulglare.
"
Sil
lyyou!LeaveorI'
l
lhityouwit
hthi
sspat
ula"
Gabri
ell
ethreat
enedplayf
ull
y.
"OkayI
'l
lleave,
I
'mj
usther
etogr
abmywi
ne"Et
han
chuckl
ed..

"
What
'sf
ordeser
t?"Heaskedopeni
ngt
hef
reezer
.
"
Str
awber
ryshor
tcake"I
ri
shr
epl
ied.
"
Ohh.
..
that
'
sgonnamakeAr
insohappy"Hesmi
led.
"
Isshest
il
lwat
chi
ngmovi
e?"I
ri
shasked.
"
Yeah,
she'
sst
il
lati
t.
"Et
hansai
d.
Hepi
ckedhi
sfavor
it
ewi
neandt
hengl
asscup.

Ir
ishwonder
edwhyhecametopicki
thi
msel
fwhen
hecoul
dhaveeasi
lysentamai
d.

"Mypati
enceisact
uall
yrunningout
"Mr sGabr
iel
le
sai
d,weari
ngalookthat'
smeanandf unnyatt
he
sameti
me, shesl
owlygrabbedaspatul
a.
Ethanlaughedandquickl
yheadedf
ort
hedoor
.
"Chil
l,
I'
ml eavi
ngal
ready"

"Ihopedinnerisgonnagetr
eadysoon,
sl
eeper
Gabriel
le"Heteasedandqui
cklyr
anoffl
aughi
ng
beforeGabri
ell
ecouldpounceonhim.
I
ri
shsmi
led,
arebi
ll
ionai
resal
wayst
hispl
ayf
ul?
Com'onI
ri
sh,
theyar
ejusthumansli
keyouandt
hey
havebl
oodfl
owingt
hroughthei
rvei
ns.

"I
fonlyihadhithi
m wit
hitl
astt
ime,hewouldn'
t
haveteasedmeagain"MrsGabri
ell
esighedand
rol
ledhereyes.
"
Heal
lowsyouhi
thi
m?"I
ri
shasked.
"
Whynot
?You'
resur
pri
sed?
"Gabr
iel
lel
aughed.
"
Yeah"
"Youdon'tthinkabil
li
onair
ecanbet hi
splayful?
Wel l
..
notEthan,heplaysalotbutwhenhedoesn' t
feelli
keit
,you'dthi
nkhe'sthemostboringbeingon
earth"

"
Ohh,butyou'
ret
heonl
yonehecanbet
hatpl
ayf
ul
wit
h"Ir
ishsai
d.
"
Notreal
ly,
heplayswit
heveryofhisworker
sbut
t
her
e'sakindofli
mitt
oit"Gabr
iel
lesai
d.
"
Butcer
tai
nly,
ther
e'snol
imi
ttoyour
s"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Iguess"Gabr
iel
lesmi
led.
"
I'
mjealous"Ir
ishadmi
tt
edpl
ayf
ull
yandMr
s
Gabr
iel
lelaughed.
..
"
Com'
on,
youknowI
'
vebeenwi
thEt
hanf
oryear
s"
"Yeahido,
youbot
har
evi
rt
ual
lyf
ami
li
esnow"I
ri
sh
said.

"Mydaughterwil
lbecominghomebysummer,i
can'
twaitf
oryout obot
htomeeteachot
heragai
n"
Gabri
ell
esaid.
"
Ican'
twai
ttoo,
"Ir
ishsmi
led.
"Icantel
lshe'
sreal
lygonnal
ikeyoumor
e
once"Gabri
ell
asai
d.
"
Real
ly?
"Ir
ishasked.
"Yeah,t
houghshewasal waysquar
rel
ingwit
hArin
nanniesbutyou'
renotl
ikethem"MrsGabri
ell
esai
d.
"
I'
m gl
ad"I
ri
shgr
inned.
"I
'
llconti
nuewit
ht heoni
ons,youneedt
ost
art
prepar
ingthedesert
"Gabri
ell
esai
d.
"
Ohh.
.okay"I
ri
shsai
d.

_
__

Et
hansmi
ledt
ohi
msel
fashesi
ppedhi
swi
ne.

Wassher
eal
lyst
ari
ngathi
m orhewasmi
staken.

Hewasnotmi
staken!
Shewasi ndeedstar
ingathi
m andhe'
snot
surpr
isedaboutthat.
Whi
chl
adywon'
tst
areathi
m?

He'
sEt
hanHar
low.
Butwhyi
shesohappyhehadcaughtherst
ari
ngat
hi
m.
Thi
sisnotthefi
rstt
imeladieswoul
dst
areathi
m
buthenevergetexci
tedoverit
.

What
'sshedoi
ngt
ohi
m?

_
__

Ir
ishlef
tAr
in'
sroom af
terr
eadi
ngherbedt
ime
stor
ies.

ShepickedEt
han'
srobeandwor
eitoverher
ni
ghtwear.
Sheknowsheshoul dret
urnhi
srobebutshe
l
ovesthefeelonherski
n.
Shesmi
ledasshesl
idherf
eeti
ntoherf
oot
wear
.
She'
sgoi
ngt
othel
ibr
aryt
oreadbesi
det
he
f
ir
epl
ace,
shedoesn'
tfeel
sleepyyet
.
*
Shewalkedint
othel
ibr
aryandheadedst
rai
ghtf
or
thef
ir
eplace.
.
Shear
rangedl
ogsofwoodsi
ntoi
tandt
henl
iti
t.

Whilethel
ogswereburni
ngup,
sheheadedt
othe
novelsect
ionandst
art
edsear
chingf
oraromant
ic
genre.
Shefoundoneandt
henwal
kedbackt
othe
fi
repl
ace.
Thefi
rehadci
rcul
atedandi
tmadet
hel
ibr
ary
bri
ght
er.

I
ri
shset
tl
eddownandst
art
edr
eadi
ng.

*
Ethanwalkedint
ot hel
ibr
aryandwassurpri
sedto
seethefi
repl
acelitup,
hesawI r
ishseat
edbesidei
t,
withanovelinhandandt hensi
ghedinr
eli
ef.
Hesmi
lednot
ici
ngshewasput
ti
ngonhi
srobe.
Whydoesshel
ookt
hatamazi
ngeveni
nar
obe!
Herhai
rgl
owedbr
ight
lyandl
ashesmovedsl
owl
y.
Shewasobvi
ousl
yenj
oyi
ngt
henovel
.

He'
sgonnagetmor
eforher
.

"
Hey!
"Hesai
dmaki
nghi
spr
esenceknown.
Shegl
ancedupf
rom t
henovelandsawhi
m.
"
HiMrEthan.Iknowishouldhaveret
urnedyour
r
obeear
li
erbutI'm sor
ry"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
No,
it'
sfi
ne.Youcankeepi
t"Et
hansai
d.
"
Huh?
"
"Yeah,
keepi
t .Ihavedozensofthem andyoudon't
haveany,i
t'
llbeselfi
shofmet ocoll
ectitbackf
rom
you"
Ethansai
d.
"Ohh.
..
ThankssomuchMrEt han"Ir
ishsmi
ledgl
ad
shewouldfi
nall
ykeepi
tforhersel
f.

Shel
ovest
her
obe.

Et
hanpickedoutoneofhi
smyst
erynovel
sand
wentt
ositbesi
deIri
sh.

Thei
rgazesweregl
uedtothei
rnovel
sbutt
hei
r
mindsweregl
uedtoeachother
.

*
NextMor
ning
*

Theywerer
etur
ninghomeaf
terdr
oppi
ngAr
ini
n
school
.
"
Youscaredmet
oot
hef
ir
stt
imeisawyou"I
ri
sh
l
aughed.
Befor
etheylef
tAri
n'sschool
,al
it
tl
egi
rlhadcr
ied
atthesi
ghtofAlex.
He'
ssohuge.

"Myheightact
ual
lyscar
esbadpeopl
eaway"
Alex
boast
ed.
"
Yout
hink?
"Car
lasked.
"Of
c..
"Al
exwassayingwhenhesuddenlysaw
someonewhol i
ft
edahigh-
poweredr
if
letohi
s
shoul
der
,taki
ngaim att
hei
rcar
.

"
Headsdown!
"Heshout
edbuti
twast
ool
ate.
Gunshot
sechoedinthecarandAl
exf
eltt
heheat
ofthebul
letgr
azehi
scheek.
HeheardI
rishscr
eam i
npai
nandt
henknewshe
hadbeenshot.

Oh.
.no!
[
05/09,07:
04]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionar
eIfel
linlovewi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e:Bi
ll
ionar
e,Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
17
"Theotherf
ir
mi sascompet entaswearesowe
havetoputinallourbest
.Thecont r
actwor
thlot
s
ofmoneyandy' al
lknowyou'llgetsomanyti
psoff
i
t"Ethansai
d,addressi
nghisstaffsi
nthemeeti
ng
room.

Theysati
nacir
clecorporatel
ydressed,Et
hanwas
seat
edonahighchair
,facingthem all
.
Theyli
stenedashespokeprofessi
onal
lyandmost
ofthefemaleemployeesgushedoverhim asusual
.
Ethanmanagestoavoi
dthei
rgazesallt
heti
me
causetheydonot
hingt
hancastseducti
vegl
ances
towardshi
m.

"Soihopeweallwor
kver
yhar
dfort
hisupcomi
ng
proj
ect"Et
hansai
d.
"
Wewi
llMrEt
han"Theychor
used.
"
Haveagreatday,I
'l
lfi
llyouinonmore
i
nfor
mat
ionslater
"Et
hansai d,di
smi
ssi
ngt
hem.
Theyal
llef
tfort
hei
rof
fi
cesandEt
hansi
ghed.
Heloosenedthet
opofhi
sshir
tandpull
edtheknot
ofhi
ssilver
-gr
eyt
ieawayfr
om hi
scol
lar.

Hepickedthebott
leofwat
eront
het
abl
eandt
hen
headedforthedoor.
He'
ssti
llgonnadr
opbyEt
han'
sconst
ruct
ionsl
ater
i
ntheafter
noon.
Ther
e'sanot
hercont
ractt
her
etoo.

Heexchangedsmileswi
thThel
ma,
hissecr
etar
yas
hewalkedpasther
.
Shehasbeenwor ki
ngwit
hhimforthepastfi
ve
years,
she'soneofthef
emaleshe'
ssureofthat
doesn'thaveeyesonhi
m.
Maybebecauseshe'
sinherear
lyfor
tiesorbecause
she'
shappi
lymarri
edwit
hfourkids.
Asidefr
om nothavi
ngeyesonhim,
shehasbeena
gr
eatsecret
ary,
sodi
li
gent
.Alwaysr
eadyt
owor k.
Theglassdooropenedautomati
cal
lyandEthan
walkedint
ohismassivel
yfurni
shedoff
ice.
Hedroppedthebott
leofwat
eront
het
abl
eandt
hen
headedfort
hebathroom.
Her
insedhi
sfacei
nthesi
nkandsi
ghedcal
mly.
Thewat
err
efr
eshedhi
m.

Hewipedhishandsoffacleannapki
nbefor
e
wal
kingbackint
ohisoff
iceandthensatonhissof
t
l
eat
hercouch.

Heopenedhi
slapt
opandpower
edi
t.
I
tcamei
ntol
if
eandhescr
oll
edt
ohi
sfi
les.
Hecl
ickedoni
tandcont
inuedwor
kingf
rom wher
e
hest
opped.

"
Cof
fee!
"Thel
maannounced,
wal
kingi
n.
Et
hant
urnedt
oherandsal
ivat
edatt
hesi
ghtoft
he
st
eami
ngcof
feeandhambur
ger
.
Shehadmadeitadutytobr
ingt
hatt
ohim
wheneverhe'
swor
kingandheenj
oysi
tsomuch.

"
Thankyou"Et
hansai
dasshepl
acedi
tri
ghti
n
f
rontofhi
m.
"You'
rewel
come"Shesmi
led."
How'
sAr
in?
"She
added.
"
She'
sgood"Et
hansmi
led.
"
Myr
egar
dst
oher
"Thel
masai
d.
"
Alr
ight
".
*
Hewasstil
lonhishambur
gerandcof
feewhent
he
i
nter
com buzzed.
Hescowl
edandpr
essedt
heanswer
ingbut
ton.

"
Yeah?
"Heasked.
"
You'
vegotacal
lMrHar
old"Thel
masai
d.
"
From who?
"Heasked.
"
Car
l"

"
Car
l?'
Ethanwonder
ed.

Car
lhasnevercal
ledhi
m onwor
kinghour
s.

"
Puthi
m on"Hesai
d.
"
YesMrEt
han"Thel
masaidandthel
inewentdead
f
oramomentandthenavoi
cesaid'
Hell
oMrEthan"
I
t'
str
ulyCar
l'
svoi
ce.
"
Car
l"Et
hansai
d.
"
Ourcarwasshotat
"Hesai
d.
"
What
!"Et
hanexcl
aimed,
get
ti
ngupf
rom t
hecouch.
Hi
slegshi
tthetabl
eint
heprocessandt
hewhole
cof
feespi
ll
edbuthewaslessconcer
nedaboutt
hat
now.
Hi
smi
ndr
oseoverwhatCar
ljustt
oldhi
m.

"
Ihopenoone'
shur
t?"Et
hanf
inal
lyasked.
"
Ir
ish.
..i
sint
hehospi
tal
"Car
lsai
d.
"
Oh..
myGod!"Et
hanexcl
aimedsl
ammi
ngt
he
r
ecei
verbef
orer
ushi
ngout.

*
*

Et
hansati
nDocLucof
fi
ce,
hej
ustcheckedonI
ri
sh.
She'
sasl
eep.

Hehadl
eftAl
exandCar
latt
her
ecept
ion,
he'
sgl
ad
t
heywer
enothurt
.
Alexj
usthadasli
ghtcutonhischeekwher
ethe
heatoft
hebul
lethadgrazedhim.

"
Doct
orLucky,
how'
sherheal
th?
"Et
hanaskedhi
s
pr
ivat
edoct
orwhowasseat
edi
nfr
ontofhi
m.
He'
ssowor
ri
ed,
gui
lt
yandhur
t.
Whati
fshehadgot
tenki
ll
ed?
Gosh!
That
'ssohar
dtot
hinknow.

"She'sf
ine,
thebull
etdi
dn'tgett
oher
.Theshock
onlymadeherpassout "DocLucsai
dandEthan
sighedincomplet
ereli
ef.
"Ihopet
heshockdi
dn'
tgetdeepi
ntoher
"Et
han
asked.
"I
talmostdi
dbutwecontr
oll
edital
ready,
she'
l
lbe
dischar
gedonceshe'
sawake"
"
Ohh.
..
thankssomuchLuc"Et
hansai
d.
"
You'
rewel
come.How'
sAr
in?
"Doct
orLucasked.
"
She'sperf
ectl
yf ine,I
'
m gl
adshedidn'
tgett
o
wit
nesstheincidence.Youknowhowsensit
iveshe
i
s"Ethansaid,breathi
ngoutl
oudl
y.
"Ofcour
se,it
'sgonnabeonhermindforsol
ong
anditmightaff
ecther
"DocLucsaid.

Al
exandCar
lwal
kedi
ntot
heof
fi
ce.
Ofcour
set
heybot
hlookedunhappyandwor
ri
ed.

"Si
t"DocLuctol
dthem,poi
nti
ngt
otheempt
ychai
rs
butAlexshookhi
shead.
"Why?Youshouldr
elaxevenifyour
efusedt
oal
low
usadmityou"docLucsaid.
"
Real
ly?
"Et
hanasked.
"
Yes,heref
usedtobeadmitt
ed.Hejusti
nsi
stedwe
t
reathi
scheekandleavehi
m al
one"DocLucsaid.

Et
hannodst
hought
ful
ly,
heknewAl
ext
obet
hat
way.

"
Shoul
dwei
nvol
vet
hecops?
"Car
lasked.
"Ofcourse,howelsewi
lliknowwhoshotatmy
daughter'
scar"Et
hansaid.
"Tel
lme,howdidithappened?Whatr
eal
ly
happened?"Et
hanasked.
That'
sthef i
rstthi
ngheshouldhaveaskedwhenhe
camer ushi
ngi ntothehospi
talbuthehadheadedt
o
Ir
ish'
swar dinstead.

"Wewereonourwayhomewhenisuddenl ysawa
manpointhisri
fl
eatthecar
,lookedli
ke,
hehad
beenwait
ingforus."Al
exsai
dwhi leCar
lcont
act
ed
thecop.
Et
hansi
ghedandr
akedunst
eadyf
inger
sthr
ough
hi
shai
r.

Heknowssomeoneisaf
terhi
m andthatmeans
t
hey'
llhur
tpeopl
ecl
oset
ohi mtoo.
Hewon'tfor
givehimselfi
fanyofhi
swor
ker
sget
hur
torkil
ledjustbecauseofhi
m.
Whot
hehel
lisaf
terhi
sli
feagai
n!

"Thecopsar
eont
hei
rwaywi
tht
woFBIagent
s"Car
l
said.
"
Good!
"Et
hansai
d.
"Noneofyoushouldspi
llwhathappenedtoArinor
anyone"Et
hansaidandAlexandCar lnodded.

"I
'
m sureyouhaveot herpat
ient
st oat
tendto,we'
ll
beattherecept
ion"Ethansaid,
risi
ngtohisfeet
.
"Youshouldstayher
e,youknowyou'r
eapubli
c
fi
gure.Iwon'
twantyoucausinghul
labal
ooi
nthe
hospit
al"DocLucaughed.
"Carlgetmysungl
assandfacecapf
rom mycar
"
EthansaidandCarll
eftqui
ckl
y.
*
"Tel
lthecopstoholdon.Wehavetogethome
befor
ediscussing"Et
hansai
dtoAlexwhocamet
o
i
nform hi
mt hatthecopswer
earound.
"
OkayMrEt
han"Al
exsai
dandwal
kedout
side.

Ethanwasseatedi
ntherecept
iondi
sgui
sedi
nhi
s
facecapandsungl
ass.
Hi
sheadwasbentandhehadt
oldhi
sbodyguar
ds
t
ostayout
side.

He'
ssowor
ri
edevenaf
terknowi
ngshe'
sfi
ne.
Hecan'tj
ustwaitf
orhert
obeawakesoshecan
t
ellhi
m she'
str
ulyfi
ne.

Hehavet
obesuperatal
ertnow.
Especi
all
ywi
thAri
n,i
fthi
ngsgetwor
stt
henshe'
l
l
behomeschool
ing.

"
She'
sawake"Et
hanhear
dandgl
ancedup.
DocLucwassmi
li
ngi
nfr
ontofhi
m.
"
Real
ly?
"Et
hanr
oset
ohi
sfeet
.
"
Yeah,
comewi
thme"DocLucsai
d.

_
__

"
Doyour
ecogni
zet
heshoot
er?
"AnFBIagentasked
Al
ex.
"
Damnwel
l!I
'
drecogni
zehi
m anywher
e"Al
exsai
d.

Theywerenowathomeandhewasdi
scussi
ngwi
th
thecopsout
side.
Hewasf
il
li
ngt
hem i
nont
hei
nci
dence.
Ot
herworker
slookedoncur
iousl
y,notknowi
ng
whatwasgoi
ngon.

Et
hanwal
kedout
,he'
schangedi
ntohousewear
.
HehadwatchedIri
shsleepi
nherr
oom bef
ore
comi
ngtojointhecops.
She'
sst
il
lweakandLucsai
dal
lsheneedsi
srest
.
Ethani
ssogladshe'
sfi
ne,hehadal
mosthugged
herwhenhesawherawake.

"
Howi
sitgoi
ng?
"Et
hanasked~appr
oachi
ngt
hem.
"
Wesentt
hebul
lett
othel
abal
ready"Acopsai
d.
"We'l
lcheckouttheCCTVf oot
ageoft
hestreet
whichtheinci
denthappenedandwe'l
lgetbackto
youMrEt han"anFBIagentsaid.
"Okay,t
hankssomuch,
youmayl
eavenow"Et
han
said.

_
__

Ar
ushasati
ncl
ass,
compl
etel
ylost
.
Whathappenedyest
erdaykeptr
epl
ayi
ngi
nhi
s
head.

*
Flashback*
"
Sowouldyoul
iketocomewithmenow?
"Theman
r
epeat
edandArushanodded.

Hef
oll
owedt
hemanwi
thhi
shear
tbeat
ingf
ast
.
"
Whathadhappenedt
oIr
ish?
"Het
houghtf
ear
ful
ly.
"
Didsomethinghappened?
"Ar
ushaaskedbutt
he
mandidn'
trespond.
Hewasalmostf
orcedt
ogobackbutt
hisi
sabout
hi
ssi
ster
..

Hi
ssi
ster
!
Theonl
yonehel
ovesmosti
nthewor
ld.

Thecreepymant
urnedi
ntoast
reetandAr
usha
fol
lowed.

I
shedoi
ngt
her
ightt
hing?
Fol
lowi
ngast
rangercausehement
ionedhi
ssi
ster
?
Andhehadn'
tevenment
ionedI
ri
sh'
sname.

Arushasuddenl
yst
oppedwal
kingandt
heman
noti
cedthati
mmediat
ely.
Het
urnedt
ohi
m.
"
Whydi
dyoust
op?
"Themanasked.
"
What
'smysi
ster
'sname?"Ar
ushasai
d,pr
epar
edt
o
r
uni
fhement
ionsthewrongname.
"I
ri
shLevi
neworki
ngasanannyf
orEt
hanHar
low'
s
daught
er"Themansai
d.

I
t'
sreal
lyhi
ssi
ster
!

"
Canwegonow?
"Themanasked.
"Whathappenedtoher?"Ar
ushaaskedbutagai
n
themani gnor
edhim andhehadnochoicebutt
o
keepfol
lowinghi
m.
*
Hewassur
pri
sedhewast
akent
oabearwher
ehe
metMor
ganHarl
ow.

Thi
swil
lbet
hef
ir
stt
imeshe'
l
lbeseei
nghi
mface
tof
ace.
"
Buthedoesn'
tlookni
ce"Ar
ushanot
iced.

"Iof
fer
edyoursistert
osponsoryoureducati
onand
payforyourdad'
sdebtbutsherefused"Morgan
Harl
owsai d,
toyi
ngwithhi
sglasscupofwi ne.
"
So?
"Ar
ushaasked.
Hedoesn'twanttot
hinkaboutthefactt
hathis
fatherwasnomorebutthedebtwasst i
llt
hereand
againther
e'shi
smother'
ssurgery'
sbil
ltofocuson
too.
"Shechosethatnannyjobovermygreatoffer
"
Morgansaidandeveni fAr
ushawasj ustseei
ng
himf ort
hefi
rstt
ime,hecanseethatcruell
ookon
hisface.
"
Whydi dyougavehert
heof
feroutoft
hebl
ue?
"
Arushaasked.
Thebodyguar
dssur
roundi
ngt
hem wasal
most
choki
nghim.
"
Causeiwanthertol
eaveMyBrot
her
'shouse"
Morganpuf
fedoutsmokefr
om hi
sci
garet
te.
"
Why?
"Ar
ushaasked.

"
Qui
tthef
ooli
shquest
ionsboyandhaveyourdr
ink"
Mor
gansai
d.
"
I'
mfi
ne,
whydi
dyouwantmeher
e?"Heasked.
"Toconvi
nceyoursi
sterofcour
se,ifoundoutyou
guysarequi
tecl
ose"Mor gangr
inned.
"
Wel
l,
ican'
t"Ar
ushasai
d.
"
Whatdoyoumeanyoucan't?Justconvi
nceherto
l
eavethatj
obandyou'
l
lgetsomethi
nginret
urntoo"
Morganwinked.
"Ican'
tconvi
nceIr
ishcauseshecan'tbefor
cedt
o
dowhatshedoesn'
twantto"Arushasaid.
"
Real
ly?
"Mor
gan'
sfacegr
ewangr
y.
"
Yes"Ar
ushasai
d.
"
Thatmeansyoucan'
tconvi
nceher
!"
"
Yes"
"Thenyoushouldacceptt
hef
actthatshe'
llbei
n
dangerstart
ingfr
om now!
"Morganthr
eatenedand
Arushalookedlost
..

Hehadcr
iedonhiswayhomeknowi
ngal
lthi
swas
hi
sfat
her
'sfaul
t.
I
fhehadf orgi
venIr
ishandthey'
vebothl
ivedl
ikea
f
ami l
y,al
lthi
swon'thavehappen.I
ri
shwon'thave
l
efthome.Andnow, herl
ifewasindanger
.
Heandhermot herwil
lbemovingoutfr
om
Singaporet
oCali
for
niatomorr
ow.He'l
lgett
omeet
hi
ssi st
erasof
tenaspossibl
eandcanalsoprot
ect
her

It
'squi
teobvi
oust
here'
saf eudbet
weent
het
wo
brot
hers,
MorganandEthan.
Mor
ganhadl
ookedl
ikeadesper
ateper
son.
Hecandoanyt
hing.

HehadsentArushaoutoft
hebarandhehadt
o
st
artt
rekki
ng.
Knowi
ngI
ri
shi
sindangerr
eal
lymadehi
m si
ck.

But,
DidMorgantr
avel
ledal
lthewayf
rom Cal
if
orni
a
toSi
ngapor
ejustt
otel
lhimthis?
Hewaswor
ri
ed.
~Endoff
lashback~
"
Arusha,
youhaven'
tanswer
edthequestioniposed
t
oyou"Mr sMaxi
ne,t
heEngl
ishteachersai
d.
"
Huh?
"Ar
ushaasked.

"Di
dshejustaskedhim somet
hing?
"Hewondered
unti
loneofthegir
lscr
ushingonhim whi
sper
edthe
answertohi
m.

_
__

"Aft
erwhathappenedtoday,ir
eali
sedthatj
ustone
bodyguar
disnotenough,youguyssafetymatt
ersa
l
ot.Anotherbodyguar
dwi l
lbejoi
ningyouCarl
'
'
Ethansai
d.

Hewasintheli
vingr
oom withIr
ish,
AlexandCar
l
whil
eJavadandoneotherbodyguardst
oodbehi
nd
hi
m.
"Javad,
you'
llbet
heonet
ojoi
nCar
l"Et
han
announced.
[
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ll
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eIfel
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th

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hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
18

Javad,
you'
l
lbet
heonet
ojoi
nCar
l"Et
han
announced.

"
Huh?"I
ri
shdar
tedhereyest
oEt
hanandever
yone
t
urnedt
oher
.
"
What
?"Et
hanasked.
"
Uhm.
.not
hing"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Areyousureyouaref
ine?Wi
llyougobackt
o
r
est?
"Ethanasked.
"It
hinkiwil
lgoback"I
ri
shsai
d,herheartsuddenl
y
beati
ngfastwhenshesawthesternlookJavad
gaveher.

Shehasbeenr
ightal
lal
ong.
Ther
e'ssomet
hingabouthi
m.

"
Icangobymysel
f"I
ri
shsai
dwhenEt
hanof
fer
ed
t
ohelpher
.
"
Yousur
e?"
"Yeah"I
ri
shsai
dandst
art
edwal
kingt
owar
dst
he
stai
rs.

"What'
swit
hthi
sladyl
ooki
ngsuspici
ousl
yathi
m
everyt
ime,
doessheknowshe'saspyorwhat?
"
Javadwonder
edasIri
shwalkedt
oherroom.
Andshehadappear edunhappywhenMrEthan
announcedthathe'
sgonnabethebackup
bodyguard.
Seemsshe'sst
art
ingtosuspecthim buthehasnot
beenact
ingsuspi
cious.Hehasbeenverycaref
ul
overt
heyearsandnoonehaveeversuspectedhim.

EvenEt
hant
rust
shi
m somuch.
Butt
hisli
tt
let
hingsuddenlycomesf
rom nowher
e
andchangedeveryt
hing!
Whati
fEthannoti
cesherbehavi
ortowar
dshi
m,
he'
l
ldef
ini
tel
ystar
twatchi
nghimt oo.
Hemuststar
twatchi
ngherever
ymovef rom now
oncausehedoesn'
tli
ket
helookoft
hings.

Maybet
heyshoul
del
imi
nat
eherbef
oreEt
han.
Causeshemi
ghtbl
owhi
scover
.
He'
sgonnat
ellMor
ganabouti
t.

Buthe'
sgl
adhe'
snowgonnaj
oinCar
l.
I
t'
sgonnamakeever
ythi
ngmuchmor
eeasi
er.
Thei
nfor
mat
ionswi
llf
lowf
reel
y.
ThoughhehatesCarl
,theguydobehaveli
kehe'
s
bett
erthananyoneel
seandithur
tstoseeEthan
cheri
shedhimtooandevenArinwhorarel
yli
kes
anyone.
Ther
earesomanypeopl
eonhi
sdeat
hli
standof
cour
seCarl
isoneoft
hem.

"
So,
Javad,
Star
ti
ngf
rom t
omor
row,
you'
l
lbej
oini
ng
Carl
,
PleasemakesureyouandCar
lpr
otect
s
ever
yone."Et
hansai
d.
"
I'
lldomybestsi
r"Javadsai
d.
"
Itr
ustyoubot
htodoagoodj
ob.
"Et
hansmi
led.

Hedidn'
tnot
icedt
hel
ookexchangebet
weenCar
l
andJavad.
Car
lhat
edt
hef
actt
hatJavadwi
llbej
oini
nghi
m.
Theybot
hknowt
heydon'
tli
keeachot
her.
Carlhasal
wayshadabadfeel
ingabouthi
m,he
wantedtotel
lMrEt
hansever
alti
mesbuthehadno
proof.

Joini
nghimisn'
tbadaf
teral
l,
he'l
lfi
nall
ygetto
studyhi
m andconfi
rmifhi
sthoughtsaboutJavad
aretr
ue.

"Youcanal
lleavenow,
ihavet
ogof
il
lAr
ini
n"Et
han
said.
"
OkayMrEt
han"t
heysai
dandl
eft
.

Et
hansi
ghedandwal
kedt
owar
dst
hest
air
s.

_
__

I
ri
shbr
eat
hedoutl
oudl
yasshet
ossedi
nherbed.
She'
syett
oful
lyr
ecoverf
rom t
heshock.

WhyJavad?
Di
dMrEt
hant
rusthi
mthatmuch?
Whyi
sshef
indi
ngi
tsodi
ff
icul
ttot
rusthi
m.

Why' sshesobotheredevenwhent here'

snoproof
thattheguyisactuall
ybadlikeshethoughtbutthe
l
ookhehadgi venherbefor
eshel ef
ttheli
vingroom
almostconfi
rmedhert houghtsabouthim butt
hat'
s
sti
llnoproof
.
 Herminddoseem unset
tl
edwheneverhe'
saround
andthathappenst
oherwheneversomeonehasa
badaura.

Javadsuredoesbutshedoesn'
tthi
nkEt
han
noti
ced.
Shoul
dsheaskCar
lwhathef
eel
saboutJavad?
.
No.Sheshoul
dn'
tdot
hat
.
Sheresumedjustf
ewdaysago,
sheshoul
dn'
tgo
aboutproddi
ng.

Hermi
ndt
rai
ledbackt
othei
nci
dence.
Shehadbeensoshockedtot
hebonewhen
gunshotechoedi
nthecar
.
Shedi
dn'
tknowwhenshepassedout
.
What
everi
tis,
someonei
sobvi
ousl
yaf
tert
hem.
Et
hanhadsaidhe'
stheonetheyareaf
terandt
hat
meansever
yonearoundhi
mi snotsaf
e.
She'
sjustsogl
adAr
inhadn'
tbeeni
nthecart
hen.

Why'sal
lthesesuddenl
yhappeni
ngf
ewdaysshe
gother
e.
I
t'
ssincerel
ymakingherf
eelbadevenafterEt
han
hadassuredhert
hatshe'
snotresponsi
blefori
t.

Arushaandhermum must
n'theart
hisort
hat
'l
lbe
t
heendofherworkher
e.
Especial
lyArusha,i
fhehear sshewasnear
lyshot
,
he'
lldoeverythi
ngtogetheroutofhereandher
mum' ssurgerybil
lisn'
tevencomplet
eyet
.

Ever
ythi
ngwasgoingfineandt
hisi
nci
dencej
ust
havetospoi
lever
ythi
ng.
Nowt
hey'
renotsaf
eanymor
e.
Knowi
nghersel
f,she'
sgonnast
artpani
cki
ngat
ever
yli
tt
let
hing.
Shehopedt
hegunshott
hinghadbeenami
stake
andi
twasn'
treal
lyai
medatthei
rcar
..
.

Butwhowasshedecei
ving?
I
thadbeenai
medatt
hei
rcar
!

_
__

"
No!No!Dad"Ar
inshookherhead.
"
Com'
onpr
incess"Et
hansai
d.

Hewassi
tt
ingbesi
deheront
hebed.

"Idon'
twantJavadt
ojoi
nCar
l.I
'
m okaywi
thCar
l
alone"Ar
insai
d.
"
Javadneedst
o.Justal
lowhi
m pl
ease"Et
hansai
d.
"Whydoesheneedtojoi
nCarl
.What
'swr
ong?
"Ar
in
asked,
droppi
nghercandy.
"
Nothing,
absolut
elynothi
ng.Ij
ustf
eell
ike
t
ight
eningyoursecuri
ty"
"Why?Youwer
esat
isf
iedwi
thj
ustCar
lal
one"Ar
in
sai
d.
"
IwasbutnowI
'
m not
"Et
hansai
d.
"
Isther
eanythingyou'
rehi
dingf
rom meagai
n?"
Ari
naskedf
urrowingherbr
ows.

"Wel
l.
..t
here'
snothi
ng.Buthavi
ngtwobodyguar
ds
i
snotbad.Somanyki dnappersar
eallovert
heci
ty
now"Etnansaid.
"
OkaybutnotJavad!
"Ar
inf
rowned.
"
Why?
"Et
hanaskedi
nsur
pri
se.
Ari
nheverhadissuewi
thJavadandshehasnever
compl
ainedabouthim.

"
I.
.doseehi
m wit
hNor
aht
hen.Theywer
eal
ways
t
ogether
"Ar
insai
d.
"
Real
ly?
"
"
Yesdad"Ar
insai
d.
"
Ist
hatwhyyoudon'
twanthi
m?"Et
hanasked.
"Yes,Norahi
sabadpersonandanyonewho
associat
eswithheri
soneal
so"Arinscof
fed.

"Com'onAri
n,theymightbespendingtimewith
eachothercausethey'
rebothbored.Thatdoesn'
t
makeJavadabadper sontoo.He'
saver ygoodguy
andyouknowhowmuchit rusthi
m"Ethansaidand
Arinshr
ugged.

"
So.
..
?"Et
hanasked.
"Fi
ne,hecanbemysecondbodyguar
d"Ar
inr
oll
ed
hereyesandpi
ckedhercandy.
"That
'
smybabygi rl
!I'
m sur
eyouwi
llr
eal
lyenj
oy
hispr
esence"
Ethansmiled.
"
Ican'
t,
ionl
ysai
dyest
oobeyyou.
"Ar
insai
dpl
ainl
y.
"
Thankyou"Et
hansi
ghed.
"
Idon'
twantmycarget
ti
ngst
uff
yandal
l!
"Ar
in
compl
ained.

"Ishoul
dchangeyourcar
stobi
ggeronest
hen"
Ethansaid.
"No,
it'
sfi
ne.We'
rehavi
ngball
etcl
asst
omor
row
andineedtopr
acti
ce"Ari
nsai
d.
"Ohh.
..
ishoul
dleaveyout
oi tt
hen"Et
hanpecked
hercheeksandroset
ohisfeet.

"
IsI
ri
shst
il
lasl
eep?
"Ar
inasked.
Shewasmi
ssi
nghernannyal
ready.
Shehadsel ect
edherwearsherselfwhenshegot
backfrom schoolandshedi
dn'tfeelsoexci
tedl
i
ke
shefeelswheneverIr
ishsel
ect
sherwear s.

"Yeah,
ithinkshe'
sabi
til
l.Sheneedsal
otofr
est
"
Ethansaid.
"Real
ly?Butyoudidn'
ttoldmeshewasill
.Youonl
y
saidshewasasleep"Arinsai
dworr
iedl
y,get
ti
ngto
herf
eet
.
"
Wher
eto?
"Et
hanasked.
"Ineedtocheckonher
"Ari
nsaidandEthan
watchedashisdaught
erhur
ri
edthroughthe
adjoi
ningdoor.

Thenhehear
dadog'
sbar
k,l
ookl
ikeshej
ust
welcomedAr
in.

_
__

"Whatdoyouwantf
ordinner?wi
llyoucome
downstai
rs?
"Et
hanaskedIri
shashewal kedi
nto
herr
oom.

Hemadesur ethatt
hedogwassl
eepi
ng,hecan'
t
st
andthatdog.Andhehadevenf
eelscar
edthathe
mightwakeup.
HesawAr
inwi
thherandsi
ghed,
shehadr
efused
t
oleaveI
ri
sh'
sroom si
ncet
henanditl
ooksl
iket
hey
wer
ebothworki
ngonherhomework.

"
No,
ithi
nkI
'
llj
usthavef
rui
ts"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Yousure?Youdi dn'thavel
uncht
oo"Ethansaid
worr
iedl
y,hedoesn'tli
kethenewI
rish,
shelooks
weakandbothered.
Well
..
.whowoul
dn'
tlookbot
her
edaf
terwhat
happened.

"
Ar i
n,it
hinkil
eftmywr
ist
wat
chi
nyourr
oom"Et
han
l
ied.
"
Real
ly?
"Ar
inasked.
"
Yeah,
gohel
pmesear
chyourbedf
ori
t"
"Okaydad"Ari
nsaid,
shegotdownfrom I
rish'
sbed
carr
yingDol
lyalongwit
hherbef
orehurr
yingtoher
room.

"
Ifyou'
rebot
her
edaboutwhathappenedear
li
er
thenthere'
snothi
ngtoworr
yabout
,I'
l
lmakesure
everyoneissaf
eokay?"Et
hansai
dreassur
ingl
yand
Iri
shnodded.
"Itr
ustyout
odot
hat
"Shesmi
ledandEt
hanwas
glad.
"Nowt hat'
swhatI
'
mt al
kingabout
!Youjustsmi
led,
yourfacehasbeensadallal
ong"Ethansai
d,
smil
ingt oo.
"
Yeah"I
ri
shbl
ushed.

Thesuddenl
ight
nessofhermoodamazedher
.
Theweaknessshewasf
eel
ingwassl
owl
y
di
mini
shi
ng..
Sheknewi
twasbecauseofEt
han.
Hehadlightenedhermoodonlywit
hhispresence,
shehadbeenf eel
ingsodownthatAri
nnoti
cedand
thel
it
tl
egirlhaveaskedwhat
'swrongseveral
ly.

"
Ifyou'
rest
il
lfeel
ingweakbyt
omor
row,
thendon'
t
bot
hergoi
ngwi
thAr
int
oschoolokay?
"Et
hansai
d.
"
No,
I'
llbef
ine.Li
ke,
I'
mfi
neal
ready"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Yousur
e?"
"
Ofcour
seMrEt han,
thankssomuchf
oryourcar
e"
I
ri
shsai
d,deepl
ytouched.
"Com'onyouwer eal
mosthurti
nmypossessi on,
andI'
m sti
llsosorr
yaboutthat
,I'
vecheckedon
AlexandCar lt
ooandtheyseem fi
ne"Et
hansaid.
"
I'
m gl
ad"I
ri
shsai
d.

"
Soshoul
dwegoeatdi
nnernow?
"Et
hanasked.
"
Yes"I
ri
shnodded.
"
Great
!"Et
hansmi
led.

Theadjoi
ningdooropenedandAr
inst
eppedi
nto
I
rish'
sroom pout
ing.

"
What
?"Et
hanasked.
"Isearchedever
ywhereforyourwri
stwat
chbut
couldn'tf
indi
t.Def
ini
tel
yit'
snotinmyroom"Ar
in
frowned.
"
Ohh..
imusthaveleftiti
nmypr i
vat
eli
vingr
oom
t
hen"Ethansai
dscratchinghi
shead.
I
ri
shsmi
ledknowi
nghehaddecei
vedAr
in.

Ther
ewasnol
ostwr
ist
wat
chanywher
e.
Heonl
ytol
dhert
hatsoshecoul
dexcuset
hem.

"
Ohh..
soshoul
dwegot
othedi
ning?
"Et
hanasked
Ari
n
"
No,I
'l
ljusthavef
rui
ts"Ar
insai
d,si
tt
ingbackon
I
ri
sh'
sbed.
"
What
?"Et
hanasked.
"
Yeah"sheconf
ir
med.
"Okayt
hen,si
ther
ealoneandhaveyourf
ruit
s.I
ri
sh
andiwil
lgotot
hedini
ng"Et
hansaidandIr
ish
l
aughed.
"
What
!Isn'
tsheal
sot
aki
ngf
rui
ts?
"Ar
inf
rowned.
"
Ichangedmymi
ndAr
in"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Huh?
"Ar
inasked,
glanci
ngatherdad.
"
Yes"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Let
'sal
lgot
othedi
ningr
oom t
hen"Ar
inbi
therl
ips.
"
Yousaidyou'
regonnast
ayhereandhaveyour
f
rui
ts.I
t'
snotbad"
Ethant
eased.
"Ichangedmymi nd"Ar
inr
oll
edhereyesandgot
downf rom t
hebed.
Shesli
dehert
inyf
eeti
ntohersl
ipper
sandwal
ked
outoft
heroom.

"
Copycat
"Et
hanl
aughedandI
ri
shj
oinedhi
m.
"
Ari
n,I
sDol
lyasl
eep?
".
"
Yes.Il
eftheri
nherbed,
inmyr
oom"Ar
insai
d.

"
Oh.
.okay"
_
__

Ir
ishwal
kedoutoft
hedoorwi
thAr
inandsawCar
l
and..
.

Damn!
Shehadevenf
orgot
tenJavadwi
llbej
oini
ngt
hem.

Carlst
ret
chedhi
shandt
oopent
hecardoorbut
Javadbeathi
mtoit
.
Heopenedthecardoorwi
thaf
akegr
inwhi
ch
annoyedI
ri
shsomuch.
Ari
nent
eredt
hecarandI
ri
shgotbesi
deher
,t
hen
Carl
.

Javadgoti
nthef
rontandAl
exst
art
eddr
ivi
ng.
Thecarseemedt
ensedand
I
ri
shnot
icednoonehadsai
dgoodmor
ning.
Javadpr
esencei
ssuchabadone.
Hermi
ndi
sst
art
ingt
ogetunset
tl
ed.

"
AndwhyisCar
lwat
chi
ngJavadt
hatway?
"Ir
ish
wonder
ed.
Shenot
icedAr
indoesn'
tlookhappyt
oo.
EvenAl
ext
hatdomaket
hem l
aughj
ustkeptmut
e.

Uhmm.

_
__

TheygottoAr i
n'sschoolaf
terl
ongmi
nut
esof
tensedsi
lence.
.

"
I'
llt
akehert
ohercl
ass"Javadof
fer
ed.
"
No!Car
lwi
ll
"Ar
insai
d,gr
abbi
ngherbackpack.
Car
lgr
innedandhel
dAr
in'
sli
tt
lehandi
nhi
s.
Hewi
nkedmocki
ngl
yatJavadbef
orel
eadi
ngAr
in
t
ohercl
ass.

Ir
ishandAlexsawwhathappenedandI
ri
shcoul
dn'
t
holdherl
aughter
.
Al
exdi
dagoodj
obi
nhi
dinghi
sthough.
Javadworeavi
sibl
eangryl
ookandIr
ishcoul
dsee
howcruelt
hoseeyesl
ookedatt
hatmoment.

Li
ke,
that
'st
her
ealhi
m.

Car
lret
urned,
sti
llgr
inni
ng.

Theyal
lgoti
ntot
hecar
.
I
ri
shandCar
latt
hebackseat
.

*
I
ri
shsmi
ledasshesawAr
usha'
sincomi
ngcal
l.
Shehadr ecei
vedt
hemessaget hatt
hey'
rein
Cali
for
niaandshehadgiventhem t
headdressof
herhouse.Shewasgladthey'
ref
ine.
She'
l
lbegoi
nghomeonweekendst
omeett
hem
andshej
ustcan'
twai
t!
.
Af
termanyyearsshewasgoingtoleavet
oget
her
wi
thherfami
ly.
..
.Expectherf
ather
.

Arushahadt oldhert
hathegotawr it
tennotefrom
hisfor
merschooli nSingapor
eandt hey'
ve
tr
ansferredhimt ot
heschoolinCali
forni
a
i
mmedi at el
ysinceheannouncedtothem thathe'l
l
bemovi ngoutf r
om Si
ngapore.

Itwasjusteasy.He'
l
ljustcont
inueschool
ingl
ike
nothi
nghappened.
Theywer
est
il
lint
hecar
,ont
hei
rwayhome.
HeyArusha"shesaidandthoughtshesawJavad
shi
ft
edinhisseatbutsheshruggedi
toff
.

"
Sis"Ar
ushasai
d.

Howareyou?Why'
syourvoi
cedown?Shoul
dn't
youbewit
hmum?isanythi
ngwrong?
"Ir
ishasked.

"Onequesti
onatat i
mesi
s.Okay,
ithi
nkI'
mf i
ne
Ir
ish.I
'
m actuall
yonmywaytoschoolbutihave
somethingt
ot el
lyou.
"

Youhavesomethingtot
ellme?"I
ri
shaskedand
Javadsuddenl
yturnedi
nhisseatbutI
ri
shhadnot
noti
ced.

Shewaswor
ri
edaboutherbr
other
.
Arushadoesn'
tsoundt
hiswayexcepti
fsomet
hing
i
sextremelywrong.

"
Fir
st,
ihopeyouandmum ar
efi
ne?
"Sheasked.

"Yeswe'
reperf
ect
lyf
ine"Ar
ushasai
dandshe
sighedi
nrel
ief
.

"Okay,
sowhatdoyouwantt
otel
lme?
"Ir
ishasked
andsil
encef
oll
owed.

"Ar
usha?"Shecall
edandnot
icedt
hecal
lwas
suddenl
ydisconnect
ed.
.
[
05/09,07:
19]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionar
eIfel
linlovewi
th

JustANanny
 CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e:Bi
ll
ionar
e,Mai
d,Romance-
Supense.

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
19

"Whythehellareyoustal
kingme!
"Ar
ushayel
ledat
t
hemanwhosuddenl ygrabbedhi
sphonewhi
lehe
wasspeaki
ngt oIr
ish.
Itwasthesamemanwhohadt
ookhi
mtoabar
backinSingapor
e.

Wai
t,what
?Didtheyalsof
oll
owhi
m al
ltheway
f
rom Si
ngapor
etohere?
Yes.
.itwassai
dMor
ganbasedi
nCal
if
orni
a,but
..
..
.
Heshakeshi
shead.Ever
ythi
ngi
sconf
usi
ng.
Ar
ushaj
erkedhi
sphonebackf
rom hi
m.

Theywereonabusystr
eetsopeopl
edi
dn'
treal
ly
noti
cedwhatwasgoi
ngon.
Hehadthei
rnewhousetocheckonhisnewschool
whichi
sri
ghtbyt
hecornerofthest
reetbuthehad
st
oppedheret
ospeaktoIr
ish.
Thati
ssuehadbeenbot
heri
nghim andhe'
snot
someonetohi
desomethi
ngfrom hi
ssist
er.
Thoughheknowsshe'scomi
nghomef
ort
he
weekendbuthecan'
twait
.
Heknewhe'
l
lfeel
bet
teraf
tert
alki
ngt
oher
.

Butt
hent
hismanj
ustappear
ed.
.

"Donoteveri
nyourli
feint
err
uptmycal
l
agai
n!"
Arushayel
led,
pissed.
"
Geti
ntot
hecar
"Themanor
der
edcal
mly.
"
Youmustbei nsanet ot
hinkI'
l
lfol
lowyoul i
keidi
d
t
heotherday,
Wt f!Howcanyouguysbecr eepyto
f
oll
owmeher e?"Ar ushasaidregr
ett
inghefoll
owed
t
hemant heotherday.
"Mindyourwordsboy!I
twon'
ttakemeasecondt
o
breakyourwr
ist"Themanthr
eatened,
looki
ng
around.

"Anditwon'
ttakemeasecondtocal
lthecops.St
ay
clearofmeandmysist
er!"
Arushagr
it
tedhisteet
h.

"
Wewi
lli
fshequi
tst
hatj
ob"Themansai
d.
"Wel
l.
..
she'
snotquit
ti
ngt
hatj
ob!Shewi
llwhenever
shewantsto"Ar
ushasai
d.
"Whatever!BossMor gansaidtocomemeetyou
onemor etimeandconf ir
mi fyou'
l
lagreet
o
convinceyoursisterorheshouldcarr
youthi
s
thr
eat,wenot i
cedyoumovedoutal r
eadyandwe
successfull
ytrackyoudownt hist
own"
"I
'm notgoingtoconvi
nceher,
iwon'tevensuggest
i
tt oherbuttel
lyourboss,
abil
li
onair
ewhobehaves
l
ikeaf rust
rat
edpoorman.Ifhedareshurtmy
sister
..
."
"
You'
l
lcal
lthecops?
"Themanmocked.
"Cops?Hellno!Hedefi
nit
elyhavethecopswr apped
roundhisfi
ngersbuttr
ustmewhenisayI '
l
lkill
everyoneofyouwithmybar ehandsifanyt
hing
shouldhappentoIr
ish"Arushathr
eatened.

"
Real
ly?
"Themanl
aughedmocki
ngl
y.
"
Yout
hinkican'
tdoi
t.Thent
ryme"Ar
ushasai
d.
"Asisai
dearl
ier
,icanbr
eakyourwr
isti
nasecond"
Themansaid.
"
Ofcourseal
lfool
ishpeopl
eknowsbesti
stot
hrow
f
ist
"Arushasaid.
Hedi
dn'
tknowwher
ehegott
hecour
aget
ospeak
f
rom.
Thewor
dsj
ustkeptf
lowi
ngf
rom hi
smout
h.

"
What
!"Themanl
ookedpi
ssed.
"
What?"
Arushaasked."Doest
hatmeanyou'
re
f
ool
ish,
ifyou'
renot,
thenyouwon'
tbebot
heredby
mywords"Arushasaid.
"
Shutup!
"Themanbar
ked,
looki
ngmor
epi
ssed.
"Don'ttakemef oraf oolcauseif ol
lowedyout he
l
asttime, idi
dt hatcauseyoument ionedmysi ster
andthatshoul dtellyout hel engt
hicangof orher .i
f
youhur therli
keisai dear l
ier..
.t
henbepr eparedf or
me.Ir arel
ygivet hr
eatsbutonceido, imakesur ei
carr
yi tout"Arushasmi led, sli
ppinghisphoneback
i
nhi spocket.

Themanlookedathi
minawe,
henevert
houghthe
wasthi
sbold.
Theyhadal
lthi
shewasaweakass.
"AndGuy!Youshoul dknowli
feisn'
taboutbeen
bulky,ifyougoaboutthreat
eningpeopl
ewi t
hyour
buil
d, you'
llonedaymeetyourmat chandyouwon't
fi
ndi tfunny"Arushasai
dglancingathi
swr i
stwat
ch.

"Ishoul
dgot oclassnowandifyou'r
ewi seenough,
youshouldrelaymymessageto" yourboss""
Arushasaidbeforewalki
ngaway.

Themanst
aredaf
terhi
m ashel
eft
.
"
Woah!
"Heexcl
aimed.

Whatapsychopat
h!
*
Arushabroughtouthi
sphoneandqui
ckl
ypl
aceda
callacr
ossIr
ish.
Shehadbeenr
ingi
nghi
m whi
lehewaswi t
hthat
manandhehadnochoi
cebuttokeepr
ejecti
ngt
he
cal
ls.
"
Heysi
s.

"Dam!Areyouokay?
"Iri
shaskedandhecoul
d
senset
hewor r
yinhervoice.

"
Yeahiam,
igoti
nter
rupt
ed.

"
Bywhat
?

Alar
gemouse"Arushal
aughedandI
ri
shl
aughed
att
heotherendt
oo.

"I
'
m gl
adyou'r
efi
ne,
soyouwant
edt
otel
lme
somet
hing.
"

"
Yeahbutthat
'l
lbewhenyoucomehomef
orthe
weekend,
iknowhere,
peopl
eareni
cet
ousand
yourhouseisni
cetoo.Can'
twai
ttoseeyou,
it'
s
beenfi
vefreaki
ngyears!
"

"
Ican'
twai
ttoo,
how'
smum?
"

"
She'
sfi
ne,
andathome.
..I
'
vet
ogot
ocl
assnow"

"
Ohh.
.okay,
haveani
ceday.

"
Andyout
oosi
s.Il
oveyou.

"
Iloveyoumor
e"I
ri
shsmi
ledbef
oredi
sconnect
ing
t
hecall.

She'sgl
adhe'
sokay,herhear
thadbeeninher
thr
oatwhenthecal
lwassuddenlyi
nter
rupt
ed.

"
It
'smybr
other
"Ir
ishl
aughed,
aft
ernot
ici
ngCar
l'
s
cur
iousl
ook.

Theywerejustar
rivi
nghomeandshecan'
twai
tto
beoutofJavadview.
"
Ohh,
youhaveabr
other
"Car
lsai
d.
"Yeah,t
heyj
ustmovedint
otownandIcan'
twai
tto
seethem"Ir
ishsmi
led.

Al
expar
kedt
hecarandtheyal
lali
ghtedexceptAl
ex
whomovedt
othecart
othegarage..
"
Seeyoul
aterI
ri
sh"Car
lsai
d.
"
Okaybye"I
ri
shsai
dandheadedf
ort
hedoor
.
Shenoti
cedJavadwasfol
lowi
ngherandherhear
t
ski
ppedabeatbutt
hensherememberedhe'
sone
oft
hebodyguardsmeantt
obeinsi
dethehouse.

Theydidn'
tspeakt
oeachot
herast
heywal
kedi
nto
thehouse.
 I
ri
shheadedt
otheki
tchenwhi
leJavadheaded
t
owherever
.

"
Heyyo!
"Ir
ishsai
dent
eri
ngt
heki
tchen.
"
Hol
la!
"Gabr
iel
lesmi
led,
seei
ngI
ri
sh'
sback.
"
I'
m hungr
y"I
ri
shsai
dpi
cki
ngapl
ate.
Shest
art
eddi
shi
ngoutherbr
eakf
ast
.
"
Ofcour
seyoushoul
dbe.Sohowwast her
idewi
th
t
henewbodyguar
d?"Gabr
iel
leasked.

"
Itwasokay,
evenifnoonespoket
ooneanotheri
n
t
hecar"I
ri
shsaid,
placi
nghermealont
hetabl
e.
Shewalkedt
othef
ri
dget
ogr
abachi
ll
edbot
tl
eof
water
.
"
Real
ly?
"Gabr
iel
leasked.
"Ofcour
se,
itwassobor i
ng.Thoughiwoul
dn'
t
evenhavej
oinedint
heconversat
ioni
fhehad
att
emptedi
t.
"Iri
shshrugged.
"Icancl
ear
lyseeyoudon'
tli
keJavad"
.Gabr
iel
le
noted.
"
Maybe"I
ri
shsai
d,t
aki
ngaseatopposi
teGabr
iel
le.
"
Why?
"Gabr
iel
leasked.
"
Idon'
tknowbut
..
.never
mind"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Javadisact
ual
lyagoodguy,
you'
l
lgett
oli
kehi
m"
Gabr
iel
lesai
d.
"
Uhmm"I
ri
shsai
dwi
thhermout
hful
l.

"
Slowdownwi t
hthefood,i
tdoesn'
thavel
egs"
Gabr
iel
lesai
dandIri
shlaughed.
"
Alr
ight
"Ir
ishsai
dpour
ingher
sel
fsomewat
er.
"
I'
mjustsogladyouwer
en'
thur
tyest
erday"
Gabr
iel
lesai
d.
ThoughEthanhadsai
dnottol
eakwhathappened
toanyonebutGabr
iel
lei
sanexcept
ion.
Et
hanhadnar
rat
edt
hei
nci
dencet
oherhi
msel
f.
"
Itwasanear
-deat
hexper
ience,
theshock
was.
..
damn!
"Ir
ishshookherhead.
"Sosorryaboutthat
,butthati
nci
dencewasn'
tto
hurtyoubutEthan.I
'm soworri
edforhim,
somany
peopleareaft
erhisli
fe,
"Gabri
ell
esaid.
"
Real
ly?
"Ir
ishdr
oppedherspoonsl
owl
y.
"
Yes"Gabr
iel
lesi
ghed.

Ir
ish'
smoistmout
hwentdr y,
herhear
tpounded
sl
owlyandshecouldt
ellshe'
sstar
ti
ngtogetreal
ly
worri
edt
oo.
Not
hingmusthappent
ohi
m.
kindl
yhinovelsr
epubli
conWhat sApponpl ust
wo
threefourei
ghtzerofi
vefi
veeighteightni
neone
ri
ghtthreetogetaddedtothenovelsgroup
"
Doeshegetdeat
hthr
eat
s?"SheaskedGabr
iel
le
"Several
lybutEthanloveskeepi
ngt hi
ngstohimsel
f,
I'
m surehewoul dn'
thavebeenbot her
edifitwas
himt hei
ncidencehadhappenedt o"
"
What
!,t
hat
'snotgood"I
ri
shsai
d.
Shewoul
dtal
ktohi
m whenhe'
sbackf
rom wor
k.

"Et
hanjusthavet
hisspeci
algrace,causethe
amountofdeadthreat
shereceivesisenoughto
haveki
ll
edhim"
"
Wow!
"Ir
ishbl
i
nked.
"Idon'
tknowwho' ssowi ckedtotheext entoft
ryi
ng
tokil
lamanwhohasbeenbenevol ental lhi
sli
fe,
Ethandoesn'thur
tpeople,andidon'tgetwhy
peoplewouldwanttohur thim,
Meanr easonhis
parentsarej
ustoutofblue.Peoplebel i
evehis
parentsaredeadandhej ustkeptitl
iket hat
,Et
han's
parentishal
eandHealthy"Gabr i
ell
esai d.
"Thisli
feisjustsofuckedup,badt hi
ngstendto
happent ogoodpeopl e.MrEthanthanhasbeen
nothingbutnicet omeallal
ong.It'
s...I
t'
sjustso,i
..
i
don'twanttol oseanyonecl
oset omeagai n"Ir
ish
said,
herbrightfaceturni
ngdark.

"
Agai
n?"Gabr
iel
leasked.
"
Yes"I
ri
shsai
d,t
ear
ingup.
"
"
Whathappened?
"Gabr
iel
leasked.
"
Ilostmyf
athert
hreedayago"I
ri
shbur
stedi
nto
t
ears.
"
Oh.
..
my"Gabr
ielqui
ckl
yroset
oherf
eetandwal
ked
t
oher.
"I'
m sosorryaboutthatdear
,youdi
dn'teven
considertel
li
nganyone"shesaidwi
pingI r
ish'
s
tearswithherapron.

Sosad.
SheneverknewI
ri
shwasi
npai
n.
Shemusthavegonet
hroughal
ot.

"
Whatreall
yhappened?Wasi
tanacci
dent
?"
Gabr
iel
leasked,
sadly.
"Yes,accordi
ngt
omybr otherwhocall
ed,My
mot herandmyfatherwer
ei nvol
vedi
nanaccident
,
unfortunat
elymydadcouldn'tmakei
toutwhi
leas
mum gotpar
alyzedfrom t
heacci
dent
.Tot
hinkmy
f
atherdi
edsti
llhat
ingme"Iri
shsai
d.
"
Hat
ingyou?Gabr
iel
leasked.
I
ri
shnodded.
"Fiveyearsago,Mydadwasamanageratt hemost
popularjewelr
yst orei
nSi
ngaporebutsuddenly
therewasasetup, andaver
yexpensivejewelr
y
wasf indinmybagwhenIvi sit
edhim.Mydadwas
sackedi mmediatelyandt
heytendhehavet opaya
hugesum f orthedamages.Mydadwassoangr y
thathecouldn'thearmeout,Idi
dn'
tdoit.Buthe
refusedtohearandsentmeoutnott oeverreturn
again.ThatwashowIsawmysel fi
nCal i
for
nia"
"
That'
ssosad,I
'm sosorr
yaboutthatI
rish,
y..
you
musthavegonethroughalot
"Gabri
ell
esaid,
cl
ose
t
otearstoo.
"Of
cour
se"Ir
ishsmiledsadl
y."Butt
hankful
lyi
t'
sa
phr
asewe'vepassed"Ir
ishcl
eanedhertear
s.

"
We?Youhavesi
bli
ngs?
"Gabr
iel
leasked.
"
Justone,myyoungerbrot
her
.Arushaandmy
mothertoo,Theyent
eredCal
if
orni
awiththi
s
morning"I
ri
shsmil
ed.
"
Real
ly?
"
"
Yes"
"
Ihopeyourbr
otheri
sn'
tabadboy?Gabr
iel
leasked.
"
Notatal
l,
he'
sbeenagoodboy"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Wow,
I'
m gl
ad"Gabr
iel
lesmi
led.
"
Com'
onst
opt
het
ear
s"Sheur
gedI
ri
shwhonodded.

"Lif
ehasi t
'supsanddownsIri
sh,
onejusthaveto
l
ivewi t
hwhatl i
fehastoof
fer
.I'
m nowyourbig
sisterI
ri
shandyoucanconf i
deinmeanytimeany
dayokay? "Gabri
ell
esai
dandIri
shnodded.
"
ThanksGabr
iel
le"shesni
ff
ed.
"
You'
remostwel
comedar
li
ng"Gabr
iel
lesai
d.
"Weshoul ddosomet hi
ngaboutMrEthan,I
'm af
rai
d
thosepeoplesendingdeaththr
eat
smightendup
carryi
ngitout
"Iri
shsaid,pushi
ngherfoodaway.
Shel
ostherappet
it
eal
ready.

"
Sowhatar
ewegonnado?
"Gabr
iel
leasked.

_
__

"
Youmeanthatl
it
tl
eboysai
dso?
!"Mor
gan
t
hunder
ed.
"YesbossMorgan"Mar
k,t
hebodyguar
dwhohad
approachedAr
ushasai
d.
"
Andhewassoser i
ous,he'
snotweakaswe
t
houghtboss"Mi
keadded.

"Shutup!Ar
eyounowaf r
aidofhim?Someoneyou
shouldhaveki
ll
edr
ightonthatspot
!"Mor
gan
hissed.
"
I'
m sor
ryboss"Mi
kebowed.
"Sor
ryf
oryour
sel
f!Gett
hefuckoutofmysight
!"
Morgansai
dandMikebowedbeforescur
ryi
ng
away.

Mor
ganpacedhi
sroom wi
thaf
ier
cel
ook.

Howcant
hatpoort
hingt
hreat
enhi
m?
Li
ke.
..
whatt
hef
uck!

"
Nowi st
hetimetocar
ryoutt
her
ealt
hreat
"He
l
aughedwickedl
y.
"
Aboutt
henannyr
ight
?"Cat
her
ineasked.
Shewasf ul
lymadeup,appl
yingmor
eli
pgloss,
she
permedherlipst
oget
herandsmil
ed,
sati
sfi
edwith
herlook.

Herbreastwer
ealmostspi
ll
ingf
rom thescar
let
bust
iersheworebeneat
haredmi nigown.
 Shewaswearingr
edheelst
omat
chandherdyed
blondehai
rwaswellper
med.
Shel
ookedseduct
ivel
ybeaut
if
ul.

"Yesthenanny,Javadtol
dmeshe' snoteven
preparedtol
eavethatjobevenaft
erwescaredher
withthegunshot"Morgansaid,
hisbodyhardeni
ng
atCatheri
ne'
ssight.
Hef
eltl
ikehavi
ngherr
ightnow.
"
Ohh,f
inet
hen"Cart
her
inesmi
ledasshesel
ect
eda
l
it
tl
ebl
ackpurse.
Shegr
abbedherphonet
oo.

"
Howdoil
ook?
"SheaskedMor
gan.
"
Sexy!
"Mor
gandr
awl
ed.
"Don'
tgi
vemet
hatlook,youcan'
thavemenow.
Ethani
sgoi
ngt
ofir
st"shegiggl
ed.
Yes!
Shewasgoi
ngt
oseduceEt
han.
I
twast
hei
rsecondpl
an.

"Okayokay,j
ustgo"Morgansaid,
planni
ngt
ocal
la
sexworkeroverwhenshe'sgone.
"
Okay,
bye"shegr
inned.

Shegl
ancedather
sel
ffort
hel
astt
imei
nthemi
rr
or.

"
Ohh..
.my!Hewon'tbeabl
etor
esi
stme"She
t
houghtexci
tedl
y.
I
'
mfi
nal
lyget
ti
nghi
m back.

_
__

"Getthehelloutofmyof f
ice!Youwench!!!
"Ethan
yell
ed,chasingtheshockedCat her
ineoutofhis
of
fi
ce.
[
05/09,07:
20]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionar
eIfel
linlovewi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e:Bi
ll
ionar
e,Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
20

"Getthehelloutofmyoffi
ce!Youwench!!
!"Et
han
yel
led,chasi
ngtheshockedCather
ineoutofhis
off
ice.
 Hewonder
edwhoal
lowedheri
n.
I
fitwasathispapercompany,
he'
ssosur
eThel
ma
wouldn'
thaveal
lowedheri
n.

Buther
e,t
heyst
il
lregar
dedherashi
swi
fe!

"Et
han!,You'
resendingmeoutofyouroff
ice,
aft
er
everyt
hingwe'veshared"Cat
her
ine'
svoi
cetrembled.
Shesti
llcan'
tbel
ieveEt
hanr
eject
edheraf
teral
lher
ef
for
ts.
.
Hehadn'tevenspar
edhermuchglance,herbr
easts
whichhehadalwayslovedl
ookedworthl
esstohim
now.

"Ican'
tbel
ieveyoutobet hi
scheap!You'
veact
uall
y
gottenworstcat
heru.Thatbrot
herofminei
sdoing
younogood!"Et hansaidbeati
nghisfi
nger
sonhis
glasstabl
e.
"
Howdar
eyousayI
'
m cheap!
"Cat
her
inesai
d.
"Becauseyouare,i
t'
ssoobviousthatyoucame
heretoseduceme.Whot hehellseducest
heman
shedivorced"Et
hansai
dflat
ly.

"
I.
.iwasn'
tinmyri
ghtsensesthen"Cather
inesai
d,
l
ookingdownatherf
eetinfakeremorse.
"Wel
l,t
hankGodyougatyoursensesback,wi
llyou
ki
ndlyl
eavenoworii
nvolvethesecur
it
ies"Et
han
sai
d.
"
EthanI'
m sorr
y"Cat
her
inesai
d,t
ryi
ngdesper
atel
y
f
ortear
stoflow.
Ethanal
waysfallf
orhertear
s.Then,
she'
duseher
tear
stogett
hingsfrom hi
m.

"MrsHarl
ow"Et
hanmockedandCat
her
ineswor
e
underherbr
eat
h.
Shet
rul
yregr
ett
edheract
ions.
"
Don'ttr
ytofakeyourt
ear
scauseiwi
llneverf
allf
or
i
t'agai
n'"Et
hansaid.
Cather
inesni
ffedandpret
endedt osearchherpur
se
foranhandker
chief
,shedeli
beratel
ymadehercar
keyfal
landthenbenttopi
ckitslowlywi t
hallt
he
seduct
ivemoveshecanevert hi
nkof .

Et
hanlaughedandpunchedsomenumber
sinhi
s
i
nter
com.
Hepl
acedt
her
ecei
veronhi
sear
.

"Heyyou!Igatanunwantedpersoninmy
off
ice,
comeleadheroutplease"Hesaidint
othe
phoneandCat her
inequi
cklystr
aight
enedupfrom
herseduct
ivepost.

"
Okaysi
r.

Et
handroppedt
her
ecei
verandgl
ancedat
Cat
her
ine.
"Whatawaste,youshoul
dhavetriedal
lthese
seduct
ivemoveswhenihaven'tgott
enoveryou"
Ethansai
d,pr
essinghisl
ipst
ogether.
"
Iwasn'
ttr
yingtoseduceyou!"Cat
her
inesnapped.
"
Mycarkeyf el
ldown"
"
Wel
l.
..onl
yaf
oolwoul
dbel
i
evet
hat
"Et
hansai
d.

Thedooropenedandt
hreesecur
it
ieswal
kedi
n.

"Ar
eyouser i
ousl
ygonnaal
lowthem l
eadmeout
?"
Cather
ineasked,
embarr
assed.
Shehadcompl
etel
ymadeaf
oolofher
sel
f.
Nowt
hel
it
tl
epr
ideshehadwasgone.
Sheshouldn'
thavesuggestedt
hisi
nthefi
rstpl
ace
butshehadn'
tknownEt hanwouldbeabl
etoresi
st
her.

"
Youbet
terl
eavegentlywit
hthem,theyhaveno
mer
cyatall
,they'
l
lpushyououtifyoulastone
mor
emi
nut
e"Et
hansai
d,set
tl
ingbackonhi
schai
r.
Cather
inewal
kedoutwi
tht
hesecur
it
iesandt
he
doorwasshut.

Et
hansi
ghedandst
aredatt
hef
il
esi
nfr
ontofhi
m.
Whatifshehadtri
edthi
swhenhehadn'tgot
ten
overher,
thenhewouldhavef
ellf
ori
tandofcourse
acceptherback.
Thankgoodnesst
hat
'si
nthepastnow.

Hedoesn'
tevenwantanyt
hingt
odowi
thheragai
n.
Hehadpl annedt
omaket hecourtcompl
etel
ydeny
heraccesstoherdaught
erbutthat'
l
lbeunfai
r.
Nomatterhowbadsheis,
shest
il
ldeser
vest
osee
herAr
inonceinawhil
e.

"
Butdidheseri
ouslyr
esi
stt
hosebr
east
s?"He
t
houghtandlaughed.
Thosebr
east
sthatal
waysmadehi
m cr
azyt
hen.

Well.
..Heshoul
dcal
lCar
landaskhowt
hemor
ning
went.
Her
eal
lyhopednot
hingunusualhappenedagai
n.

TheFBIagent
spr
omi
sedt
ogetbackt
ohi
m
t
omorrow.

Hesuddenl
ysmi
led,
thi
nki
ngofI
ri
sh.
Hedoubti
fhehaseverseenal
adyasdecentand
r
esponsi
bleasshei
s.

"Looksliket
heCEOi sdeepi
nthought"Lucy,
his
secret
aryatEthan'
scosmeti
csint
erruptedhi
s
thoughts.
"
Ohh.
..Lucy"Et
hansatupr
ight
.
"
Isanyt
hingwr
ong?
"Sheasked.
"
Def
ini
tel
ynot
hing.I
'
mfi
ne"
"
Youdi
dn'
tevenstir
redwheniwalkedi
nandyou
wer
esobusystar
ingint
ospace"Lucysai
d.
"
Well.
..yeah,iwast
hinki
ngaboutsomet
hing"Et
han
f
inal
lyadmi t
ted.
"
Ohh"Lucysmi
led.

UnlikeThel
ma,Lucywasunmar
ri
ed.Engaged
thoughandherfi
ancedocomepickherf
rom wor
k
everyday.
Lucy'
sabeauti
fulyoungl
ady,
smar
tandgoodat
whatshedoes.

He'
salwayssoluckyabouthisemployees,
they'
re
al
lsogoodinthei
rrespect
ivefi
elds.

"
So,
doyouneedanyt
hing?
"Et
hansai
d.
"Well
..
.yougotsomel
ett
ers"Lucyhandedt
hree
envel
opestohim.
"
Whydi
dn'
tyouchecki
toutf
orme?
"Et
hanasked.
"Iwoul
dhavedonesobutI
t'
shi
ghl
yconf
ident
ial
"
Lucysai
d.
"
Ohh"Et
hansai
dtaki
ngt
heenvel
opesf
rom her
.

"
Thanks"Hedr
oppedt
hem onhi
stabl
e.
"Youneedcof
fee?
"Lucyaskedasshewal
kedt
othe
door.
"
Uhm.
..
no,
thanks"Et
hansai
d.
"
Alr
ightMrEt
han"shesai
dandf
inal
lywal
kedoutof
t
hedoor.

Ohh.
.yes!
Hehavet
ocal
lAl
ex.

_
__

I
ri
shyawnedasshewokeupf
rom hernap.
Shelai
donherbedandst
aredatt
her
efl
ect
ionof
thesunonherwal
l.

"
It
'sabri
ghtaf
ternoon"Shemur
mur
edf
eel
ingt
oo
l
azytogetonherfeet.
SheknowsheshouldgohelpGabri
ell
eint
he
ki
tchenbutshe'
ski
ndafeel
ingt
ir
edandmaybe
weak.
Shelaidst
il
landtr
iedget
ti
ngmor
esl
eepbuti
t
wasn'tcoming.
Shestar
edattheceili
ngandst art
edimagini
nghow
shewantsherfutur
etobe, shesawRudy'smodel
Fashi
onhomebei ngsetupagai n,
shesaweveryone
happyandful
fi
lledbutthenit'
sjusti
maginat
ion.
Eveni
fsheknowst heki
ndoffutur
eshewishesf
or
i
snotpossibl
e,shecanatl
eastenjoyt
he
i
maginat
ion.

Ir
ish'
smum wasafashi
ondesi
gnerandIri
shhad
l
earnedal
otf
rom her
.They'
vebot
hwor ked
toget
hert
il
ltheshopcol
lapse.I
ri
shcoul
dn'
tgetthe
shoptogrowagainandsoshewentintoModell
ing.
Deeply.
..Shewi
shedshecoul
dsetupherown
fashi
onhouse,someday.

Shesmi
ledasheri
magi
nat
ionswentonandon.

"
Fai
ryf
air
ygr
antmywi
sh"Shesangandl
aughed.
Sheremember
edshedosi
ngt
hatwhenshewas
sti
llachi
ld.

Hermindsuddenl
ydraft
edbackt oprevi
ousModel
workatMorgan'
s.Thenightshegotdrunkand
wokeupalmost.
..
..
Sheshakesherhead.Nothi
nghappened!Shehad
hopednothinghadhappenedandsopushthe
thoughtawayeversi
ncethen.

"
Enoughoft
hei
magi
nat
ionsI
ri
sh"Shechi
ded
her
sel
fandt
hensatup.
Herf
eetsear
chedforhersl
ipper
sandshewor
eit
bef
orefi
nal
lyri
singt
oherfeet.
Shewal
kedi
ntot
hebat
hroom andmadef
ort
he
si
nk.
Shetur
nedonthef
aucetandspl
ashedsomewat
er
onherface.

Shegrabbedacleantowelandwipedherf
acewi
th
i
tbeforewalki
ngbacktoherroom .
Shestoodi
nfr
ontoft
hemi
rr
orandmadeher
ponyt
ailmor
eti
ght
.

"Sosor
ryiarrivedl
ate,
chefGabr
iel
le"Ir
ishj
okedas
sheent
er edthekit
chenandmetGabr i
ell
emaking
l
unchalready.
"I
t'
sf i
neapprent
iceI
ri
sh,iknewyouwereso
enjoyi
ngthatnap"Gabri
ell
esai
dandtheyboth
chuckled.
"Yeah,
ienj
oyedi
t."I
ri
shsai
dwhi
leshewashedher
hands.
"ThankGodyou'
reher
e,I
'mfeel
ingpressed.Pl
ease
conti
nuewit
hthecooki
ng"Gabr
iel
lesaid.
"
Okay"I
ri
shsai
dgr
abbi
ngacl
eanapr
on.

Sheworeitoverherbl
uesati
nygownwhi
le
Gabr
iel
lewalkedoutoftheki
tchen.
I
ri
sht
ookovergl
adl
y.

_
__

Ar
ingr
innedasI
ri
shhel
pedherdr
essup.
She'
sbackfr
om schoolandI
ri
shsel
ect
edher
wear
sforher.

It
'saflor
alj
umpsui
twhi
chsui
tedAr
in'
scar
amel
skin.
 I
rishmadeherwearpi
nkfootwearandthentri
ed
combherhairbutt
hensheremember edshe'
snot
al
lowedto.
Shegent
lydr
oppedt
hecomb.
"Idon'tneedtocombmyhai
r,myponyt
aili
sst
il
lin
place"Arinsai
d.
"
Ohh.
.yeah"I
ri
shnodded.

"You'
vebeengri
nni
ngsi
nceyouar
ri
vedf
rom
school
"Ir
ishnot
ed.
"
Yeah,
I'
llcl
ocksevennextmont
h"Ar
insai
dhappi
ly.
"Ohh,happybi
rt
hdayi
nadvancesweet
hear
t"I
ri
sh
smiled.
"
Thankyou"Ar
insai
d.
"Myyoungerbrot
heral
sogetexci
tedamont
htohi
s
bir
thmonth"I
ri
shsaid.
"Youhaveayoungerbr
other
?"Ar
inaskedi
n
surpr
ise.
"
Ofcour
se"I
ri
shsmi
led.
"
Ishemyagemate?Wil
lyoubri
nghi
m overtopl
ay
wit
hme?"
Ari
naskedexci
tedl
yandI
ri
shlaughed.
"
No!He'
ssevent
een"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Ohh"Ar
insai
ddi
sappoi
ntedl
y.

"
Sor
ry"I
ri
shsmi
led.
"
Howcomeyounevert
alkedabouthi
m"Ar
inpout
ed.
"
Youneverasked"I
ri
shsai
d.

"
NowI
'
m aski
ng"Ar
insai
d.
"
Hisnamei
sAr
ushaLevi
neandhe'
sinhi
ghschool
"
I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Whenar
eyoubr
ingi
nghi
m over
?"Ar
inasked.
"I
'
m notbri
nginghim over
,event
hought
hey'
rei
n
Cali
for
nianow"Ir
ishsaid.
"
Whynot
?"Ar
inasked.
"
Thisi
smywor kpl
aceAr
in,
notsomepl
aygr
ound"
I
ri
shsaidcal
mly.
"I
fyou'
rewor
riedaboutDad,
I'
m sur
ehewon'
tbe
agai
nstit
"Ar
insaid.
"No,Arushacan'tcomehereAr
in,
ican'
ttake
advantageofthefactt
hatyouguysarenicetome
andt henst
artinvi
ti
ngever
ymemberofmyf amil
y
over"Iri
shsai
d.
"
Youdon'
thavetoi
nvi
teyourpar
ents"Ar
insai
dand
I
ri
shf
eltast
ingi
ngpai
ninherheart
.
Shedi
dn'tknowitwasj
ustMot
herorshewoul
dn'
t
havementionedt
hem.
"
Justyourbr
other
"Ar
insai
dandI
ri
shsi
ghed.

"
Youwantt
omeethi
mthatbadl
y?"I
ri
shasked.
"
Yes"Ar
insai
d.
"
Youwi
ll
,oneday"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Byf
ate"Sheaddedi
nwar
dly.

"Let
'sgohavelunch"Shesai
dtaki
ngAr
in'
sti
ny
handinhers.
_
__

Ir
ishpackedt
hel
eft
overf
rui
tsonAr
in'
sbedsi
de
stool
.
Shehadhadt
hef
rui
tsbef
oret
aki
nghernap.

ShecoveredAri
nproper
lybef
oret
aki
ngt
hel
eft
over
fr
uit
stothekit
chen.

Theyhadl
unchminutesagoandAr
inandGabr
iel
le
werenowt
akingt
heirnap.
Onecanseeshe'
sbor
edasshewal
kedoutoft
he
ki
tchen.

Shet
ri
edtowatcht
hequi
zshowthatwasbeing
di
spl
ayedont
heTVbutshehadnoint
erest
.
Shest
oodupf
rom t
hecouch,
shedoesn'
tfeell
ike
r
eadi
ngt
oo.
Shoul
dshegochatwi
thAl
exandCar
l?
No.

Sheshouldgocheckoutt
hebuil
dingagai
nthen
andprobabl
ystopbythepool
.

_
_

"
Wow!
"Ir
ishgr
innedonsi
ght
ingt
hepool
.
Thisi
sn'
tthefi
rstt
imeshe'
l
lbeseei
ngitbuti
t
keepsappear
ingmoreandmorebeaut
if
ul.
Theref
lect
ionoft
hesunevenmadet
hewat
er
spar
klebri
ghtl
y.

I
ri
shsmi
ledwal
kingt
owar
dsi
t.
Shepassedthel
ateCar
rl
e'
sroom wit
houteven
not
ici
ng,al
lhermindwasonthepool
.
Shefinal
lystoodinfr
ontoft
hewat
erandshewas
aboutbendingtoscoopthewat
eri
nherpal
m when
sheheardast ar
tl
ingsound.
Shepausedbutthoughti
tcoul
dbeoneoft
he
worker
s,notunt
ilshesawashadowint
hewater
.

Someonewasbehindherandwhomevert
hatwas,
shecoul
dtel
litwasawoman.

Shewasaboutt
urni
ngtofi
ndoutwhoiti
swhent
he
per
songr
abbedherneckwit
hcoldf
inger
s.

I
ri
shscreamedbuttheunknownwomandidn'
t
makeherscream f
orlongbef
orepushi
ngheri
nto
t
hewater.
[
05/09,07:
21]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionar
eIfel
linlove
 JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e:Bi
ll
ionar
e,Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er21_
22

I
ri
shscreamedbuttheunknownwomandidn'
t
makeherscr
eam forl
ongbefor
epushi
ngherint
o
t
hewater.

Shewasagoodswimmerbutt heshockal
most
madeherdrownandwhenshecouldf i
nal
ly
managetobri
ngoutherhead.
Al
lthatescapedf
rom hermout
hwas"
Hel
p"
Goingunconsci
ous,t
hel
astt
hingshehear
dwas
runni
ngfootst
eps.

"I
ri
sh,I
ri
sh"Sheheardf
aintl
y.Itf
eltl
ikeshewasina
darkencl
osedstat
eandt r
yingtoopenhereyes
ki
ndaseemedi mpossi
ble.
"She'
sbreat
hing"Sheheardafamili
arvoicesai
d
andthenshefeltawarm handtouchhers.
Hereyesopenedalmosti
nst
antl
yandshesaw
pai
rsofeyesstar
ingdownather
.

What
?

Thef
ir
stper
sonsher
ecogni
zedwasEt
han.
He'
swearingsuchaworri
edlook,samewith
Gabr
iel
laandthenCar
l,Al
ex,
ArinandJavad.
Sherememberedwhathadhappenedinani
nst
ant
andhermouthwentunpl
easant
lydry.

"
Ir
ish!
"Arincall
edandshereal
isedi
twasthegi
rl
's
warm handthathadt
akenheroutofthedar
kst
ate.
Hereyeswer
efil
ledwi
thunshedt
ear
sandshet
ri
ed
nott
ohugArin.

"
Areyouokay?
"Et
hanaskedher
.
Shenodded.
He'
ssti
llcl
adi
nhisoff
icewear
sandhi
sti
ewast
he
onl
ythi
ngoutofpl
ace.
Shefel
tbad,
knowi
ngshemusthavewor
ri
ed
ever
yone.
"Whathappened?
"Gabr
iel
laasked,
star
ingdownat
heri
npity.
"Wherewassheanyway?
"Ir
ishwonder
edasshe
star
edatthecei
li
ng.
Thisi
sn'
therroom cei
li
ngandt
hebedshewas
l
yingondoesn'tf
eelli
keher
sei
ther
.

Shecouldn'tgett
olookar
oundproper
lycauset
hey
wereallhoveri
ngoverher
,bl
ocki
ngherviewint
he
process.
Sheneededspacebutofcourseshecouldn'
ttel
l
them t
hatandshewassti
llsoconfused.

Whathadhappenedt
oher
?
Didsomeonereal
lypushedherorwasi
tjust
hall
uci
nat
ion?
Hadshesl
ipped?
Shebli
nkedinconf
usi
on,notwant
ingt
obel
ieve
someonehadpushedher
.
Sheshudder
edatt
het
hought
.
"
Y'al
lshoul
dleave"Et
hansai
dsensi
ngI
ri
shneeded
t
imetohersel
f.
"AndJavad,
giveDocLucacal
lnott
obot
her
anymore"Et
hansaid.
"
OkayMrEt
han"Javadsai
d.
Theyal
llef
tbutAr
inr
efusedt
o.
"
Ari
n,i
ncl
udi
ngyou"Et
hansai
dandshepout
ed.
"
C'mon"Et
hansai
d.
Shehesi
tat
ed"
Wil
lshebef
ine?
"
"Yesshe'
l
lbe,
justgoj
oinGabr
iel
lai
ntheki
tchen"
Ethansai
dandshewalkedaway.

"Idon'tknowwhatyoudidt
omydaught
er"Et
han
saidandI ri
sh,
event
houghi
naconf
usedstat
e,
smiled.
Shenot
icedshewasn'
tlayi
ngonabedaf
teral
l
,she
wasonacouchi nt
heli
vingroom.
At hi
cktowelwasdrapedoverherandi
tshi
ft
ed
sl
ight
lyasshesatup.
Shewasstil
lcl
adi
nherwear
swhi
chcl
ungt
ight
lyt
o
herbody.

Har
oldsatgent
lybesi
deherandsi
ghed.
"So,whatr
eal
lyhappened?
"HeaskedandI
ri
sh
star
edathim beneat
hherl
ashes.

Shehat
esbot
her
inganyone.
Sheresumeddaysagoandshe'
sal
readykeepi
ng
ever
yoneonthei
rtoes.
Whatt
hehel
liswr
ongwi
thher
?
Wasi
tcl
umsi
ness?
No,
shewasnevercl
umsy.

"
I'
m sor
ryt
ohavebot
her
edyouMrEt
han"Shesai
d
f
eeli
ngsobad.
"
No, don'
tbesorr
yovert
hat
.Ishoul
dbegl
adyou'
re
f
ine"Ethansai
d.
I
ri
shwhocoul
dn'
tignor
ehowherheartkeptbeat
ing
f
astsi
mpl
ybecauseofhowcl
oseEthanis.
Herwholebodywasatal
ertandshehat
edher
sel
f
f
orfeel
ingthatway.

"Di
dyou..
rusheddownhomebecauseofme?
"Ir
ish
asked.
"Notreal
ly,iwasactual
lydoneatworkwhenigot
thecall
"Ethansaidrubbingt
hebackofhisneckon
sight
inghowI ri
sh'
svesthadclungtoherbr
easts.
It
'sal
mostt
urni
nghi
m onandhesecr
etl
ycur
sed
himsel
f.

Heshoul
dn'
tbet
hinki
ngoft
his!
Thi
sladyj
ustgotr
escuedf
rom dr
owni
ng!
Hesighedandunbot
tenedt
hef
ir
stbut
tononhi
s
shi
rt
.

"
Ir
ish,
youshoul
dn'
thaveswi
mifyou'
renotver
y
goodatit.Oryoushoul
dhavecal
ledCar
ltoputyou
thr
ough"Ethansai
d.
Hehadalmostt
ri
ppedwhi
lerushi
ngoutofhi
s
of
fi
ceaft
erhegotCar
l'
scal
l.

"
Im agoodswi
mmerbutI
..
ihadn'
tevenat
tempt
ed
t
oswim"Iri
shsai
d.
Ethannoti
cedthatwastr
uecauseshewasbr
ought
outofthepoolful
lycl
ad.
I
fshehadwantedtoswi
m,shewoul
dhavechanged
i
ntosomet
hingel
se.
"
Sowhathappened?
"Ethanaskedandobser
ved
I
ri
shhadafarawayl
ookinhereyes.

"I
..
so..
iwasstandingbytheedgeofthepool
..
."I
ri
sh
pausedsti
llf
ail
ingtobel
ievesomeonehadactual
ly
pushedher.
"
And?
"Et
hanpr
ompt
ed.
"
Ithi
nkisl
ippedandf
elli
ntot
hepool
"Ir
ish
concl
uded.
"
Yout
hink?You'
renotsur
e?"Et
hanasked.
"
Iam.I
'
m sur
eisl
ipped"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Ohh,I
'm gl
adyou'
ref
inenow.Youhavetobeextr
a
caref
ulfr
om nowon"Ethansai
dandIri
shnodded.
"ThanksMrEthanandI'
m sorr
yforbot
her
ing
everyoneonceagai
n"I
renesai
d.
"Com'on,i
t'
scool."Et
hansmi
ledandherhear
t
skippedabeat.

Ever
ythi
ngabouthi
misj
ustsodesi
rabl
e.
Hi
ssmil
eal
onecanmelthundr
edsofhear
t
i
ncl
udi
ngher
sevenisshe'
snotreadyt
oadmiti
t.
Whyhadn'
tshenot
icedi
tbef
ore?
Shehadbeent r
yingsohar
dt oignor
ehowhe
makesherfeelj
ustinashortperi
odoft
ime.

"
Gogetchangedi
ntoadr
ywear
,soyou'
l
lfeelbet
ter
"
Et
hansuggest
ed.
"
Ohh"I
ri
shst
areddownatherbody.
"
Thanks"Shesai
d,sl
owl
yri
singt
oherf
eet
"
At hi
ckstr
andofwethai
rcl
ungtoherf
oreheadand
Ethanfoundhi
mselfr
eachi
ngoutt
otuckitbehi
nd
herear.
Hesmi
ledatheraf
tershel
ookedathi
minsur
pri
se.

Di
dhej
ustt
uckherhai
rbehi
ndherear
?
Abi
ll
ionai
rehadj
ust
..
.
Andshehadt
rembl
edunderhi
stouch.
No,
shehadt
rembl
edbecauseoft
hecol
dri
ght
?

"
I'
llwal
kyout
oyourr
oom"Et
hanof
fer
ed.
"
Nevermi
ndMrEt
han,
I
'l
lbef
ine"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Areyousur
e?"
"
Yes"Shesai
d,huggi
ngt
het
owelt
ight
ly.
She'
sfeel
ingsocol
d.
"We'
llmeetoverdi
nnert
hen"Et
hansai
dandI
ri
sh
nodded.

Shewal
kedupt
hest
air
swi
thhermi
ndoccupi
ed.

Hersuddenfeel
ingsandwhathadhappenedatt
he
poolr
eall
ypuzzl
edher .
What
'sgoi
ngonwi
thher
?
Sheshouldbeabl et
orememberifshehadsl
ipped
butthethoughtofsomeonepushi
ngherkept
repl
ayinginhermemory.

I
fsomeonedi
dpushedher
.
Whocoul
ditbe?

No,
noonehadpushedher
.
Sheshoul
djustl
eavei
tthatway.
Shewal
kedint
oherr
oom andcl
osedt
hedoor
behi
ndher
.
Shedroppedthet
owelandsl
ippedoutofher
cl
othesbefor
ewalki
ngint
othebathr
oom.
*
Shefel
tincr
edi
blyr
efr
eshedaf
tert
aki
ngawar
m
bat
h.
Shedri
edherbodyassheri
ff
ledt
hroughher
wardr
obeforasi
mplewear.
Shef
inal
lyset
tl
edf orathi
ckcream sweat
erher
Mum hadmadef orherandblueshort
s.

Shestoodinfr
ontoft
heovalmi
rr
ordr
yingherhai
r
af
tergett
ingdr
essed.
Itwasn'
tcompl
etel
ydr
ysoshel
efti
ttof
alldown
herwaist
.

Sheshoul
drestasshe'
shavi
ngsi
gnsofheadache
butsheneededt
ogohel
pNol
awi
thdi
nner
.
SheknewGabri
ell
ewouldn'
tmindifshedoesn'
t
hel
pherbutshej
ustwanttobewi t
hsomeoneand
engagei
nahealt
hyconversat
ion.
Shehat
est
othi
nkaboutwhatj
usthappenedt
oher
.

I
t'
ssowei
rd.

Shesli
deherf
eeti
ntoherf
oot
wearandwal
kedout
ofherr
oom .

_
__

"Heyther
e"Gabr
iel
lesai
dasI
ri
shwal
kedi
ntot
he
kit
chen.
Shewassetti
ngdowni
ngr
edi
ent
s,aboutt
ost
art
prepar
ingdi
nner
.
I
ri
shgaveashor
tsmi
le.
"
Ihopeyou'
ref
inenow?
"Gabr
iel
lesai
d.
"
YesGabr
iel
le"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Youshoul
dhavejustr
ested,
iwoul
dhavecal
ledon
youwhendinneri
sready"
"No,idon'
twantt
obeal
one"I
ri
shsai
dwashi
ngher
handsinthesi
nk.
"Ohh.Ethantol
dmeyousl i
ppedi
ntothepool,
pleasenextt
ime,youshoul
dbeverycaref
ul"
Gabriel
lesai
d.
"ThanksGabr
iel
le"I
ri
shsai
dasshewi
pedher
handsoffacl
eannapkin.

"
So,
whatar
ewehavi
ngf
ordi
nner
?"

_
__

"
Yummy"Ar
ingi
ggl
ed.
Theywer
ehavi
ngdi
nnerandat
mospher
eseems
cool
.
"
Yeah,
imustadmi
tthemeal
'
sgr
eat
"Et
hansmi
led.
"
Ir
ish,
iloveyoursweat
er"Ar
insai
d.
"
Ohh.
..r
eal
ly?Thanks"I
ri
shsmi
led.
"
Dadiwantonet
oo"Ar
insai
d.
"
Okay.I
ri
shwhi
chdesi
gnermadei
t?"Et
hanasked.
"Well
..
.i
t'
shandmade.Mymum madei
t"I
ri
shsai
d
proudl
y.
"
Wow!
"
"
She'
ssot
alent
ed!
"Gabr
iel
leexcl
aimed.
"
Yes,she'
sextr
emelygoodatkni
tt
ing,
sheper
for
ms
wonderswit
hherhands"I
ri
shsai
d.

"
Uhmm,
thatsoundsni
ce"
Ethansai
d.
"Canyoupl
easet
ellyourmum iwantonet
oo"Ar
in
said.
"
Ari
n”Et
hanchi
ded.
"Ohh..
.nevermi
ndI
ri
sh"Ar
insai
d,not
ingt
hel
ook
herfat
hergaveher
.
"No,i
t'
scompletel
yfi
neMrEt han,mymum woul
d
gladl
ymakeitforher
"Ir
ishsaid.
"
That
'
llbest
ressf
ul,
nevermi
ndI
ri
sh”Et
hansai
d.
"No!IwantAri
ntohaveonetoo"I
ri
shinsi
stedand
Ethansighedgl
anci
ngathi
sdaughterwhosomuch
admiredthesweat
er.

"Okaythen,
youshouldtel
lmet hepr
icel
ater
"Et
han
said,
biti
ngint
oaspicychicken.
"Howcanipossiblychar
geAri
nforjustasweat
er?I
can'
tandI'
m suremymum woul devenscoldmefor
thechar
ges.It
'sfr
eeandmymum woul dgl
adl
y
makemor eforyouifyouwant
"Ir
ishsaid.
"
Yaay"Ar
ingi
ggl
ed.
"ThanksIrish"SheaddedandEthansi
ghedin
resi
gnation,leavi
ngthem t
oconti
nuet
heir
conversati
on.
_
__

"
Thanksf
oryourcar
eear
li
erAr
in"I
ri
shsai
dasshe
t
uckedAr
ini
nbed.
Ar
innodded"Dadsai
dyousl
ippedi
ntot
hepool
"
"
Yes"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Areyousur
e?"Ar
inaskedcur
iousl
y.
"
Huh?"
"Noonehaseverslippedintothepool
,thoughi
havemyownpoolandcan' tbesosurebutI've
neverhear
danyonesl i
pintodad'spoolbutther
e'sa
fi
rstt
imeforever
ythingri
ght?"Ari
nsmi l
edandI r
ish
nodded.

Shedef
ini
tel
yhadn'
tsl
ipped!

"
Someonehadpushedher
!"I
ri
shbr
eat
hing
hast
enedassheaccept
edt
hecol
dtr
uth.

"
Sot
oourbedt
imest
ori
es"Ar
ingr
inned.
"
Ohh.
.yeah"I
ri
sjsai
d.

I
ri
shwal
kedi
ntoherr
oom sl
owl
y.

She'
sscar
ed.
Thosecol
dhandst
hatgr
ippedherneck.
.
"
Ohno!
"Sheswal
lowed,
qui
ckl
ysi
tt
ingonherbed.
Thi
nki
ngofi
tal
onemadeherkneesweak.
Someonei
saf
terher
.

Thatgunshoti
nthecart
oo.
..
I
thadn'
tbeenforEt
han,
thatgunshothadbeen
meantf
orher.
Al
lthesest
art
edt
hemomentsher
esumedher
e.
Noonehasevert
ri
edt
ohur
therorevent
ri
edt
oki
ll
her
.

Theonl
yti
mesheknewshewasthr
eatenedwas
whenshest
il
lwor
kedf
orMorganHarl
ow.
OtherModelwor
kershadthr
eat
enedheroutof
j
ealousybutt
hat
'sdef
ini
tel
ynott
hecasenow.
Whocoul
dbeaf
terherl
if
e?

I
ssheal
sogonnadi
eli
keherDad?
"
Who'sgonnatakecareofherArushaandher
mum"Shethought,
tear
sburningthebackofher
t
hroat
.

ShehuggedEthan'
srobear
oundherbody,
tryi
ng
har
dnottocry.
"You'r
estr
ongI
ri
sh,
you'
rest
rong"Shewhi
sper
edt
o
hersel
f.

Shesni
ffedbackhert
ear
swhenshehear
daknock
onherdoor.
"HeyIr
ishi
t'
sme"Shehear
dEt
hansayandshesat
upri
ght.
"
Huh?
Whatdoeshewant
?"shet
houghtasshest
oodup.

Shewal
kedt
othedoorandsi
ghedbef
oreopeni
ngi
t.

Andtrul
y,hewasst
andi
ngt
her
einanot
hercool
robeofhi
s.
He'
sobvi
ousl
yreadyt
osl
eep.
"
Hey"Hesai
d.
"
Hi"I
ri
shr
epl
iedner
vousl
y.
"
IsAr
inasl
eep?
"Et
hanaskedr
ubbi
ngt
hebackof
hi
sneck.
"
Yesshei
s"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Okay"Et
hansaid,
sti
llnotknowi
nghowt
oaskI
ri
sh
t
ojoi
nhimintheli
brary.
Healr
eadysett
hef
ir
epl
aceandpl
acedwi
nesand
gl
asscups.

"Doyouwantmet
odoanyt
hingf
oryou?
"Ir
ish
asked.
"
Notreal
lybutar
eyour
eadyt
ogot
obednow?
"
Wit
hasked.
"
Imightsti
llst
ayupforsomemi nutes,
I'
m not
f
eeli
ngsleepyyet
"Ir
ishsai
d,t
hinkingofgoingt
othe
l
ibr
ary.
Readi
ngwillatl
eastt
akehermi
ndof
fthose
t
houghts.
"Okay,wil
lyoucomewithmetothel
ibr
ary?Il
itt
he
fi
repl
acealready"Et
hansai
dandsawIri
sh'
seyes
bri
ghtened.
Hesmi
led,
knowi
ngshewon'
tref
usehi
m.

"Yes!
"Ir
ishsai
d,embar
rassedshehadal
lowedher
excit
ementshow.
"Youshoul
datleasthavesomepr
ideI
ri
sh!
"She
scol
dedhersel
finwardl
y.
"Okay,
comewi t
hme"Ethansai
dandIr
ishst
epped
outofthedoorandcl
osedi
tbehi
ndher
.
Shewal
kedsidebysidewi
thEt
hanandshehavet
o
admi
tshefel
tinf
eri
or.
Ethaniswaytal
lerandhugert
hanher
,onecoul
d
easil
yfeelhi
spr
esenceanywhere.

_
__

"
Wow! "I
ri
shexcl
aimedasshest
eppedi
ntot
he
l
ibr
ary.
"
Younevertol
dmet herearewi
nest
oo"Shesmi
l
ed,
wal
kingcl
osertot
hef i
repl
ace.
"Yeah,j
ustt
okeepusawakewhi
ler
eadi
ng"Et
han
said.
"Thankyou"I
ri
shsai
dwonder
ingwhyhe'
sbei
ngso
nicetoher
.
He'
sni
cet
oot
herwor
ker
stopbuthe'
sni
cert
oher
.

Shesearchedt
hecol
lect
ionofbooksf
ort
heone
she'
l
lread.
JustsosadEt
hanador
esmyst
eryandSpi
-f
ic
novel
s.
Shedoesn'
tenj
oyt
hem.

"Here,
iboughtyousomer
omanct
icnovel
s"Et
han
saidbehi
ndher.
"
Huh?
"Shesai
dtur
ningi
nthepr
ocess.
Herhandsfl
ewtohermout
hwhenshesawt
he
novel
sonthetabl
e.
Notone,nott
wo, nei
thert
hreebutmorethan
dozenswhichshecouldn'
tevencountbyjust
st
andinghereandlooksli
ketheywereal
lher
wri
ttenbyherfavori
teaut
hor.

Bi
ll
sandBoon!
.

"
Oh.
..
my"shesai
dsl
owl
y.
Shedi
dn'
tknowwhatt
osayordonext
.
Thenextminut
eshef oundher
selfscr
eami
ngi
n
exci
tementandfl
yingint
ohisarms.

Shehear
dhi
mlaughandwashehuggi
ngherback?

Wel
l.
..
shedi
dn'
tcar
eatt
hatmoment
.
Shewasj
ustt
ooexci
tedt
othi
nkofanyot
hert
hing.

"
Javadwhatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"I
ri
shhear
dEt
han
sai
dandherexci
tementdi
eddowni
mmedi
atel
y.

_
___
__22_
___
__

"Javadwhatareyoudoinghere?
"Ir
ishhear
dEthan
saidandherexci
tementdieddownimmediatel
y.

Shet
urnedt
oseeJavadst
andi
ngbyt
hedoor
.

"Iwasjustchecki
ngr oundthehouse,
tomakesur
e
everyone'
ssafe"Javadsaid,f
aki
ngasmile.
"Youdon'thavetosmil
eifyoudon'
twantt
o.why
areyoufakingit
?"I
ri
shwonderedindi
sappr
oval
.
Can'
tEt
hanj
ustseet
hismani
sfake!

"Ohh"Et
hansmil
ed."
YouimpressmealotJavad
andihavesomet
hingbi
gforyou.Justwai
tfori
t"
"
ThankssomuchMrEt
hanbuti
t'
smydut
yto
ensureeveryone'
ssaf
e,idon'
tneedtober
ewarded
fori
t"Javadsaidcal
mly,
winni
ngEthan'
shear
tthe
more.
"You'
reagoodpersonJavadandi
mr eal
lyl
uckyt
o
haveyouaround"Et
hansaidandI
ri
shgrowled
i
nwardly.
"
ThankyouMrEt
han"Javadsai
d.
"Waitf
orwhatI
'
m gonnagi
veyou.I
t'
llbesoon"
Ethansai
d.
"
OkayMrEthan.Thanks"Javadsmi
ledbef
ore
wal
kingaway.

I
ri
shsi
ghed,
dist
urbedbywhatEt
hanhasf
orJavad.
It
'sdef
ini
telyahuget
hingandshe'
ssobot
her
ed
someonel i
keJavadi
sgonnagetit
.
Hedoesn'
tdeser
vei
t,shej
usthopeEt
hanr
eal
ises
soon.

"
Javadi
ssuchagr
eatguy"Et
hansai
d.
"
Uh?Of
cour
se"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
ThankssomuchMrEthan,
I'
m..i
mI'
m speechl
ess"
I
ri
shsaidst
il
lst
ari
ngatt
henovel
s.

"
Theyar
ewaytoomuch.Youmusthavespental
ot"
I
ri
shsai
d,al
mostf
orget
ti
nghe'
sabil
li
onai
re.
"
It
'snot
hing.
"Et
hanshr
ugged.
"
I'
m sur
pri
sedyoucoul
ddot
his"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Whynot
?Idon'
twantyoubor
ed"Et
hansai
d.
"H..
howdi dyouknowmyf avor
it
eauthorwasMi
ll
s
&Boon? "Ir
ishasked,
knowingshehasnever
discussedthatwit
hhim.
"
Wel
l.
.ihavemywayofknowi
ngt
hings"Et
hansai
d.
"
Real
ly?
"
"Yeah,
youshoul
dn'
tbebotheredbythat
.Checkout
yournovel
s,
I'
l
lbebythef
ir
eplace"Et
hansaid.
"
Ohh.
.okay.Thankssomuch"I
ri
shgr
inned.
_
__

"
I'
llbegoi
nghomet omor
rowmor
ning!
"Ir
ish
t
houghtexci
tedl
y.
Shereall
ymi ssedArushaandhermum.I t
'sbeen
Fiveyearsandthey'
veonlyseeneachothervi
a
Videocall
s.Shewasexci t
edshe'
sgoingtomet
them again.
Shewasdonewit
hhermorni
ngrouti
ne,
shestoodin
fr
ontoft
hemir
rorandpul
lahai
rbandonherhair
.

Nowsheshoul
dgogetAr
inr
eadyf
orschool
.

*
*

"
ByeGabr
iel
le"Ar
inwaved.
"
ByeArin,
haveani ceday"Gabr
iel
ler
esponded
f
rom t
hekitchen.
"
Yout
oo"Ar
insai
d.
"
Wil
lber
ightbackGabr
iel
le"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
OkayI
ri
sh"Gabr
iel
lesai
d.

TheywalkedoutofthedoorandsawJavadand
Alexst
andingbythecar.
"
Goodmor
ning"
Alexsai
d.
"
Goodmor
ningAl
ex"Ar
inandI
ri
shchor
used.
"Javad,youonlysaygoodmorni
ngtomewhenmy
dadisar ound"Ar
incomplai
nedandJavad'
seyes
widened.
"Oh..
no,iwasaboutsayi
nggoodmor
ning"He
quickl
ydefended.
"
That
'sali
e!youdi
dn'
tsaygoodmor
ningyest
erday
t
oo"Ari
nsaid.

Wow!
I
ri
shsmi
led,
lovi
ngAr
inmor
eforbei
ngobser
vant
.
"Hey!Lit
tl
emug!Youshoul dn'
tgoaboutexpecti
ng
greet
ingsfrom ol
deronesjustbecauseyouthi
nk
yourfathercanbuytheworld!
"Javadsaidinwar
dly,
wishinghecanspititout
.
Hesomuchwi
shhecandealwi
tht
hespoi
ltbr
at.

"Noonesai
dgoodmorningyest
erday"Javadsaid
gri
mlyandI
rishi
mmediatel
ynot
icedthatlooki
nhis
eyes.
Thi
sguyi
ssodecept
ive!

"Youjustj
oinedusandyoushoul
dgreetusfi
rstand
i
ntroduceyoursel
fbutyoudi
dnoneofthat
"Arin
said.
"Well
..
.yest
erdayisgoneisn'
tit
?"Javadsai
d
smili
ng,whenallhewishedwast osnaptheli
tt
le
gir
l'
sneck.
"
You'l
lbetheonetoal
waysopenthecardoor,
Alex
wil
ldothejoboft
aki
ngmetoclass"Ar
insaid.
"
Huh?
"Javadaskedi
nhi
ddencont
empt
.
"Al
exdoesal
lthatwhenyouweren'
tevenher
e,he
shoul
dtakearestt
oo"Ari
nsai
d.

"
Ofcour
se"Javadsai
dti
ght
ly.

Sher
eal
lydeser
vedal
lNor
ahdi
dtoher
!
Hewi
shhecandomor
e.

"I
fyou'
renotcomfor
tabl
ewi
thi
t,youshoul
dlay
yourcomplai
ntst
omydad"Ari
nsaid.
"Ofcourseyourdumbfat
herwi
llal
wayssuppor
t
you!"Javadthought
.
"Noneedf
orthat.
..
I'
m comfor
tabl
ewi
thi
t"Javad
sai
dandglancedatIr
ish.

Shehadamocker
ylookon.
Damn!
Notonl
yher
,butAl
ext
oo!

"
Fucky'
al
l"Het
houghti
nrage.

"
Ari
n,you'
rer
unni
ngl
ate"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Javad,
thedoor
"Ar
inr
emi
ndedandheopenedt
he
cardoor.
Theysati
nthebackseatwhi
leJavadt
ookt
hef
ront
.
"
Goodmor
ning"Car
lgr
eet
edashest
art
edt
hecar
.
"
Goodmor
ningCar
l”Ar
inandI
ri
shchor
used.

_
__

"
Youl
ooksoexcit
edcauseyou'
regoi
nghome
t
omor
row"Gabr
iel
lesai
d.
"Yes,ir
eal
lymissmybrot
herandmymum"I r
ish
smil
ed,eat
ingatt
hebr
eakfastbari
ntheki
tchen.
Gabr
iel
lesatbesi
dehersippi
ngapi
neappl
ejui
ce.
Shehadherbreakf
astal
ready.

"Anyonewhoseeshowexcit
edyouarenowwould
thi
nkyou'r
enothappyher
eandthat
'swhyyou'
reso
excit
edtogohome"Gabri
ell
esai
d.
"
Nah!I'm morethanhappyher eeveryone'st
reati
ng
merightbutyouknow, I'
vebeensepar atedfrom
myfami l
yforfi
veyears,I'
llbemeeti
ngt hem and
I
'vemissedthem badl
yal r
eady,Ican'twaitt
osee
t
hem"I r
isbsai
dempt yingt hewhol
et eainher
mouth.

"Ioncefel
tthatwaytoo,
whenAllywasfi
rstt
akent
o
Spain.Idomissherbadlyandsomet
imesicry
secret
ly"Gabri
ell
esai
d.
"
Real
ly?
"Ir
ishasked.
"Yes,whenyou'real
wayswithsomeoneor
somet hi
ngandit'
ssuddenl
ytakenawayf
rom you,
you'l
lfeelt
heabsence"
Gabri
ell
esai
d.
"
Exact
ly!
"Ir
ishsai
d.

"Makesur eyouprepar
eAr infortheweekendbef ore
youleavetomor r
owmor ning.Doever yt
hingyou
shouldtonightandyoucanr etur
nbySunday
eveni
ngorMondaymor ning.Iknowyou' llwantto
ret
urnbyMondaymor ningthough, you'
veobviously
missedyourf amil
y"Gabri
ellesai
dandI rish
chuckled.
"So,onMondaymorning,
youknowyouhavet
obe
veryear
ly"
Gabr
iel
lesaid.
"
Ofcour
seido.ThanksGabr
iel
le”
"
Forwhat
?"Gabr
iel
leasked.
"Forbei
ngsoni
cet
ome.
..
fo.
.f
orever
ythi
ng"I
ri
sh
said.

"Com'onI
ri
sh,
you'
vebeenni
cet
omet
oo"Gabr
iel
le
said.
"Well
ishoul
dbethankf
ul.Noteveryonecanbethi
s
hospi
tabl
e.Yout
reat
edmel i
keaf amilyr
ightf
rom
whenir
esumed"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Andwhatbroughtaboutallt
hist
alk?
"Gabriel
le
f
urr
owedherbrowplayful
lyandIr
ishlaughed.
"Tellmesomet
hingmor
eint
erest
inggi
rl
!"Gabr
iel
le
said.

"
Okay!
"Ir
ishsi
ghed.
"
MrEt
hanboughtl
otsofnovel
sforme!
"Ir
ishsai
d.
"
Wow!Real
ly?
"
"Yes,
thatwasyest er
nightandiwassohappy.The
novel
swer emyf avori
tegenreandtheaut
horwas
alsomyfavori
te"Iri
shsaidexci
tedl
y.

Shecoul
dn'
twaitt
obedonewi
thbr
eakf
astandgo
resumet
hosenovel
s.
Shereadt
hreeoft
hem yest
erni
ghtbef
oreshewent
tobed.
Shecoul
dn'
twai
ttor
eadmor
etoday.
"
Youwer
esur
pri
sedr
ight
?"Gabr
iel
lesmi
led.
"Yeah,i
twasclosetoshockcauseicoul
dn'
teven
beli
eveitatf
ir
st"I
ri
shsaid.
"Youshoul
dn'
tbe,Ethanissogener
ous,
ever
yone
knowsthat
"Gabr
iel
lesaid.
"
Yeahhei
s"
"Youmusthavetol
dhim yourf
avor
it
egenr
eand
author
"Gabr
iel
lesai
d.
"Idi
dtol
dhim myf
avori
tegenrebutidon'
tknow
howhefoundoutmyfavori
teauthor
"Ir
ishsai
d.
"
Real
ly?
"
"Yeahcauseasi
desf
rom myfami
lyand.
..
mydi
ary,
nooneelseknowsmyfavor
it
eauthor
"
"Youmighthavement
ionedi
twi
thouteven
knowi
ng"Gabri
ell
esai
d.
"
Yout
hinkso?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
Yes"Gabr
iel
lesai
dandI
ri
shshr
ugged.
Shest
oodupandpl
acedt
hedi
shesi
nthe
di
shwasher
.

"Novels.
..
idon'
tjustf
indt
hem i
nter
est
ing"Gabr
iel
le
said.
"Butyoudef
ini
tel
yfi
ndcooki
ngi
nter
est
ing"i
ri
sh
said.
"
Ofcour
se"Gabr
iel
l
esmi
led.
"
That'
sit
!,ever
yonesur ehasdiffer
entint
erest
s.
Howiwishyouf indreadingint
eresti
ngthough,
we
woul
dhaver eadinthelibrar
ytogetherwhenever
we'
renotcooking"Ir
ishsaid.

"
Ofcour
seicanst
il
lbei
nthel
ibr
arywi
thyou"
Gabr
iel
lesai
d.
"
Real
ly?
"
"
Yes,dr
ummi ngandsi
ngingf
oryouwhileyouread"
Gabr
iel
let
easedandIr
ishbur
stedoutl
aughing.
*
Mor
ganAl
exHar
low'
sresi
dence
*

"Morgan!Youcan'thur
tmydaught
er!Youcan
choosetohurtanyonebutnotmydaught
er!
"
Cather
inesparkedup.
"Youwer
eherewhenJavadcall
edmeyourl
it
tl
e
brati
smaki
ngli
fedi
ff
icul
tforhi
m!"Mor
gansaid.
"Andso?Youwannahur
therbecauseoft
hat
?"
Cather
ineasked.
"Butyouknowifsheconti
nuestomakeJaved
uncomfort
abl
e,
thenhe'l
lwanttoqui
t!Andhe'
sthe
onlyspywehaveinthathouse!
"Morganhal
fyell
ed.

"Well
..
.he'
snott
heonlyspywehaveinthathouse"
Cather
inesai
ddroppi
ngherci
garet
te.
"
Huh?
"Mor
ganasked.
"Yes,ihaveaspytoo.Shehasbeenwor
kingfor
Ethanevenbefor
eigotmar r
iedt
ohim"Cather
ine
said.
"
Howcomeyounevert
oldme!
"Mor
ganasked.
"Causeiwasn'
tmakinguseofherunt
ilr
ecent
ly"
Cather
ineadj
ustedherhai
rcl
ip.
"
Ohh,
great
!Shegoesbyt
hename?
"Mor
ganasked.
"
You'
l
lknowwhensheget
sher
e"Cat
her
inesmi
led.
"
Wow!Sowenowhavetwospies.Weshoul
d
i
ntr
oducet
hem t
oeachot
her
"Javadsmil
ed.
"Ofcourse,
she'
sonherwayherenow.Placeacal
l
acrossJavadtobeher
etoo"Cat
heri
nesaid.
"
I'
lldot
hatnow"Mor
gansai
d.

"
So,
ournextpl
an?
"Cat
her
ineasked.
"Ist
il
lcan'tbeli
eveEthanrej
ectedyouthatday.No
mani nhisrightsenseswoulddothat"Morgansai
d
andCather i
neburnedwithrage.
She'
sst
il
lsopi
ssedshegotembar
rassedand
r
eject
ed!Sheneverexpect
edt
hatt
ohappen.

"He'
sgonnapayforwhathedid"Cather
inesai
d
puff
ingoutsmokefr
om herci
garet
te.
"
Ofcour
sehewi
ll
"
"
So,
nextpl
an?
"Cat
her
ineasked.
"I
twil
lbebet
tert
odi
scussi
twhenourspi
esar
e
here"
"Yeahbutr
emember.Donott
ouchmydaught
er"
Cather
inewar
ned.
"
Okayyyy"Mor
gandr
awl
ed.

_
__

"
Ir
ishcomet otheli
braryaf
terdi
nner
,ihavesome
t
hingstot
ellyou"Ethansai
d.
"OkayMrEt
han"I
ri
shsai
d,herwhol
emi
ndgr
owi
ng
curi
ous.
Theywer
ehavi
ngt
hei
rdi
nner
.

"
Soyou'
rel
eavi
ngt
omor
row"Ar
insul
k.
"
Arin!Howmanyt i
mesar
eyougonnaaskt
hat
.
Don'tyouwanthert
obewit
hherf
amil
y"Et
hansai
d.
"Ar
in,com'
oni
t'
snotl
ikeI
'
llbegonef
orever
"Ir
ish
smiled.
"
Andipromi
setobringyoursweat
eral
ongon
Mondaymor
ning"sheaddedandArin'
sfacel
itup.
"
Yaaaaay"Shegi
ggl
edandI
ri
shsmi
led.

ShealreadypreparedAr
infortheweekend,
her
homewor khasbeendone,herschoolbagarranged
proper
ly,heroutf
it
shanged..
.

"ThanksIr
ishandyoushoul
dhelpmethankyour
mum t ooandsayhit
oyourbrot
herf
orme"Arin
said.
"
Okay"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Moremeatbal
ls"Ar
ingri
nnedandI
ri
shlaughed
whenshesawthesurpr
isel
ookonEthan'
sface.

_
__

"TheFBIagentsgotbacktometoday"
Ethansai
d
andIri
shlookedoncuriousl
y.

Theywereseatedopposi
teeachot
heri
nthel
ibr
ary
andforoncethefi
repl
acewasn'
tli
t.

"Thebull
etwasexaminedbuti
tdoesn'
tevenhavea
source,
thatmeansthegunusedwasnotlicensed"
Ethansaid.
"
Wow!That
'sanot
hercr
ime"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Ofcourse"Et
hansaid."
Andt heCCTVfoot
agei
n
thatst
reetwashackedinto,
everythi
ngt
hat
happenedbyt hatt
imewascl ear
ed."
"
What
!"I
ri
shexcl
aimed.
"YesbuttrustourFBIagent
s,t
heyr
estor
edthe
footageandgottheshooter
'sf
aceeveni
fiti
sn'
tso
clear"Et
hansaid.
"
Thanksgoodness"I
ri
shsi
ghedi
nrel
ief
.

Et
hanbroughtouthi
sphoneandcl
ickedont
he
pi
ctur
etheagentssentt
ohi
m.

"
Her
e'st
heman"HeshowedI
ri
sh
"
What
!"I
ri
shexcl
aimedi
nshock.
[
05/09,07:
22]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIfel
linl
ovewi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼
Genr
e:Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
23

"
Her
e'st
heman"HeshowedI
ri
sh
"
What
!"I
ri
shexcl
aimedi
nshock.
"
What
?"Et
hanasked,
star
tl
ed.
"Doyouknowhi
m?"Heasked,
droppi
nghi
sphone
gent
ly.
"
I.
.i
"Ir
ishst
ammer
ed.

SheneverknewthehateMorganhaveforHarol
dis
thi
smucht otheext
entofhur
ti
ngthosearoundhim.
Sherecognizedt
hatmanasoneofMorgan'
s
bodyguardsthedayshehadwentt
oseeEll
a.
Butshecan'
ttel
lEt
han,
canshe?
"
No,idon'
tknowhim.I
'
mjustsoshockeda
r
esponsi
blel
ooki
ngmancanbethatcall
ous"I
ri
sh
l
ied.
She'
sjustsoconf
usedr
ightnow.

"Ohh..buthedoesn'
tlookresponsi
blet
ome.He
l
ookscr uel
"Et
hanshruggedglanci
ngatthepi
ctur
e
alloveragain.
"
Well
..
ihopet
heFBIagent
spr
omi
sedt
ofi
ndhi
m"
I
ri
shsaid.
"Ofcour
se,onl
ythatt
heydi
dn'
tgethi
sfacecl
ear
ly
enoughtobescanned"
"
Ouch!
"Ir
ishshookherhead.
"
ButI'
l
lbehavinganothermeet
ingwi
tht
hem
t
omorrow,I
'l
lgetbacktoyouwhenyour
esumeon
Monday"
Ethansaid.

"
Okay,
MrEt
han"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Whydoesthat'
Mr'
soundoddt
omyear
s?"Et
han
r
aisedabr
ow.
"
Huh?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
Yeah,
youshoul
dst
opaddi
ng'
mr'
toi
t.
"
"
What?No,ican'
tdothat
"Ir
ishswal
lowed,
wonder
ingwhatEthani
supt o.
"
Whynot
?"Heasked,
smi
li
ngl
ikei
t'
snobi
gdeal
.
"
Otherwor
ker
scal
lyou.
..
"
"
You'
renototherwor
ker
sandi tdoesn'
tsoundr i
ght
t
omyearswhenyoucal lmethat.Idon'
tjustknow
whybutI
'm notcomf
ort
ablewithit
"Ethansaid.

"I
t'
llbedi
srespect
fulofmet
ocal
lyou.
..
E..
than"I
ri
sh
said.
"
Good!Thatsoundsbet
ter
"
"
Ican'
tcal
lyout
hat
"Ir
ishsai
d.
"
That
'
swhatiwantyout
ocal
lme"Et
hani
nsi
sted.
"
You'
ret
alki
ngl
ikei
t'
snobi
gdeal
"Ir
ishsai
d.
"
It
'snot
"Et
hansai
d.
"
Well
..
idon'
tthi
nkI
'
llevergetusedt
ocal
li
ngyou
t
hat"I
ri
shsaid.
"Youwil
l,
thewayyougotusedtocal
li
ngmeMr
Ethan"
Ethansai
dairquot
ingt
heMr .
"
I.
..
ican'
t,
pleaseMrEt
han.
."
"
C'mon!"Et
hani
nter
rupt
edher
.

"Thisi
sgonnabehard"Ir
ishsai
d,wonder
ingwhat
otherwor
kerswoul
dthink.
Shewon'tdenyshelovedhowthenameEt
han
fl
owedsmoothlyoutofhermout
hbutsheshoul
d
consi
derherworkst
ate.
Call
ingherbossbyhi
snamei
sn'
tri
ght
,whatwoul
d
peoplet
hink?
Thoughshe'
snotsomeonewhocar
esaboutwhat
other
sthi
nkbut
..
.

"
I'
m yourboss,
iempl
oyedyou.Youshoul
ddowhat
iwantregar
dlessofwhatot
her
sthi
nk"Et
hansai
d
andIr
ishgaveadeepsigh.
"
Isi
tthatdi
ff
icul
ttodo?
"Heasked.
"Yes"I
ri
shsaid."
Whowouldbel
ievenothi
ngis
goingon.
..
.between.
..
usi
fij
uststar
tcall
ingyouby
yourname"
Ethanlaughed"Don'
tyouwantsomet
hingt
ogoon
betweenus? "
"Huh?"Ir
ishasked,
hercheeksgoi
ngr
edandher
heartbeati
ngfast.
"
Justj
oking"Et
hansai
devent
houghher
eal
ly
meanti
t.
"
Ohh"I
ri
shsai
ddeepl
yembar
rassed.

I
twasaj
okeandherwhol
ebodyhadr
espondedt
o
i
t.
She'
ssuchafoolandaweakass,shefall
seasi
l
y
andherhear
tendsupget
ti
ngbrokenalltheti
me.
Shehadmadeuphermi
ndandpr
omi
sedher
sel
f
nott
ofal
lforanyoneagai
nafterHar
ri
sbrokeher
hear
tandshehadkepttothatpromi
seunti
l.
..

Unt
ilnow.

"
What
'swr
ong?
"Et
hanasked.
"
Uh?Not
hingr
eal
ly"I
ri
shsai
d.
"So,
dowenowagr eethatyoushoul
dcal
lmebymy
name?"Et
hanasked.
"
Yeah"Sheanswer
edknowi
nghowt
ogoabouti
t.
She'
l
ltr
ynottoevencallhisnamei
nthepr
esence
ofot
hersbuti
sthatpossibl
e?
Whati
fshewant
stot
alkt
ohi
m?
Woul
dsher
efert
ohi
m asf
lowerorgr
ass?
Ar
rrhh!

"Ohhgreat
!"Et
hansmi
led."Iwannahearyoucal
l
Ethannow"
"
Huh?
"Ir
ishasked.
"Di
dn'
twej
ustagr
eedt
hatyou'
l
lcal
lmebymy
name?"
"
Ohh.
.yesE.
.t
han”Shesai
d.
"
Wow.Agai
n"Et
hangr
inned.
"
Ethan"I
ri
shcal
led.
"
Agai
n"
"
Ethan"
"
Agai
n"
"
Ethan"
"
Agai
n"
"
Ethan"

Theybot
hbur
stedoutl
aughi
ng.
.
"
Shuu.
.we'r
egonnawakeot
her
s"I
ri
shsai
d,st
il
l
l
aughi
ng.
*
*

"Weshouldgot
obednow"Et
hansai
dwhenhe
hear
dIri
shyawn.
Theywerereadi
nginthel
ibr
aryi
nfr
ontoft
he
al
readyl
itf
irepl
ace.
"
Yeah"I
ri
shsai
dcl
osi
nghernovel
.
Theybot hst
oodupandputt
hei
rnovel
sint
hei
r
respect
ivepl
aces.
..

"You'
rel
eavingt
omorr
owmor ni
ngri
ght?"Et
han
askedastheyst
eppedoutoft
heli
brar
y.
"
Yes"I
ri
shsai
d,cl
osi
ngt
hel
ibr
arydoor
.
"
Myregardstoyourfamil
y,imighthavegoneto
wor
kbeforeyouleavetomorr
ow"Et hansai
d.
"Whydoyoust i
llworksohardevenwhenyou
alreadyhaveeverythi
ng,
ifyoudon'tevenworkatal
l,
youst i
llhavel
otsofmoneyt hat
'l
llastyouf
ora
l
ifeti
me"I r
ishsaidandEthansmiled.
Theywer
ewal
kingt
othei
rroom.

"You'r
enotthef
irstpersontotel
lmethatbutithi
nk
I'
m usedtowork,ican'tdowit
houtworki
ng.It
'spart
ofmeal r
eadyallthanksto.
.Carr
le"Et
hanpaused
sadly.
"Car
rl
e?"Ir
ishthought
,sheshr
uggedt
hinki
ngi
t'
s
oneofhisex's.
"Ican'
trel
yont hefactt
hatihaveenoughmoneyt o
l
astmef orali
feti
meandt henstopworki
ng.I
ttakes
j
ustsecondsforthingst
ochange.Anythi
ngcan
happen.
"Ethansaid.

"Thatstr
uebuthowdoyoucope?Youhaveso
manycompani es.Don'
tyouhaveaper sonal
assist
antorsomethi
ng?"Ir
ishasked.

Theywer
ecl
oset
oherdoor
.
"Ihadsever
alPA'sinthepastbutt heyal
lendedup
betrayi
ngme.Ihatebetrayals"Et
hansaidwithso
muchemot i
onthatIri
shgl ancedupt ol
ookathim.
Helookedhur
t,l
ikehehadbeenbet
rayedsever
al
t
imes.

Herhear
tsof
tenedandshef
oundher
sel
fhol
ding
hi
shands.
"Idon'tknowwhyI '
m sayi
ngthisbut.
..I
'l
lnever
betrayyou"Ir
ishsaidandEthancouldseethe
sinceri
tyinhereyes.Hisf
eeli
ngsforherdoubledup
andhehadt oresi
sthimsel
ffrom pul
li
ngherintoa
ti
ghthug.
"
Thankyou"Hesai
d.

Shenoddedandsl
owl
ypul
ledherhandsf
rom hi
s.

"
Goodni
ght
"Shesai
dopeni
ngherdoor
.
"Et
han"Sheaddedwi
thasmi
lebef
orecl
osi
ngt
he
door.

Hewasf
ullofsmi
lesashewal
kedt
ohi
sroom.
Hedoesn'
tknowhowhe'sfeel
ing,
butheknows
t
hefeel
ingi
sdefi
nit
elyagoodoneandhedoesn't
wanti
ttost
op.

_
__

"
Ir
ish!"Arushascreamedhappi
lyasshewal
kedi
nto
t
helivingroom..
Shehaddel
iber
atel
ydeci
dednott
oknock.

Shelaughedasherbr
otherpul
ledheri
ntoat
ight
hug.
Heki
ssedherf
aceoverandoveragai
nwhi
leshe
j
ustgi
ggled.
Damn!
Sher
eal
lymi
ssedhi
m.

"
Arus"Shef
inal
lysai
d,gr
inni
ng.
"
Imissedyou"Arushapout
ed,heonl
ygettoactl
ike
ababywheneverhe'sar
oundhissi
sterorMum.
"
Met
oo"I
ri
shsmi
led.
"Ihopeyouhaven'
tbeendist
urbi
ngMum"she
askeddraggi
nghischeeksplayf
ull
y.
"
No,i
'
vebeenthebestAr
ushasof
ar."Heboast
ed.
"
Youcanaskmum"Hesmi l
ed.
"
Wher
e'sshe?I
nherr
oom?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
Ofcour
se"
"Ineedt
ogocheckonher,ir
eal
lymissher"I
ri
sh
saidpul
li
ngof
fhershoes,
shedroppedherhandbag
too.
"
Wehavealottotal
kabout"Ar
ushasai
dandIri
sh
t
houghthewasjoki
ngunti
lshegl
ancedupathi
m.
Hel
ookedser
ious!
Hehadactual
lyt
oldherhehadsomet
hingt
otel
lher
overt
hephone.

"
Okay,
gowaitformei
nmyr
oom,
I'
llbequi
ckwi
th
mum"shesai
d.
"
Okaysi
s"Ar
ushasai
dpi
cki
ngherbagandshoes.

_
__

"Whydidn'
tyoutol
dmeaboutMor gan'
soffer
?Have
westart
edhidi
ngthingsf
rom eachot
her?
"Arusha
asked.

Theyweresi
tt
ingonherbedaf
terI
ri
shwasf
ull
y
set
tl
ed.
They'
vejustfi
nisheddiscussingabouthowl
if
ehad
beenforthepastfiveyears.
Shehavereal
lymi
ssedthem andwashappythey'
re
toget
hernowandwil
lbeseei
ngeachother.

"
H..
howdi
dyouf
oundout
?"I
ri
shasked.
"Youhaven'tansweredmyquest i
onIrish"Arusha
said,hewassopi ssedIr
ishhadhiddent hatfr
om
him butthenheknewshecan' tkeeptell
inghim
everythi
nggoingoni nherl
if
e.

"
Well
..
.Morgandi
dmadethatoff
erbutifel
tther
e
wasnoneedtotel
lyousi
nceidi
dn'
tagreetoit"
I
ri
shsaid.
"
Ohh"
"
Yeah,
howdi dyouf
oundout
?Di
dEl
lat
oldyou?
"
I
ri
shasked.
"No,shedidn'
t.Mor
gansummonedmebacki
n
Singapor
e"Arushasai
d.
"What
!"I
ri
shexcl
aimed,dr
oppi
ngt
hepackof
cooki
esshewasholdi
ng.
"Chi
llsi
s"Arushasai
d,hepi
ckedthepackof
cookiesandplacedi
tonherbedsi
detabl
e.

"
What
?How?When?
"Ir
ishasked.
"Thereyougowithyourquest
ions.Now,
si
tletme
explai
nital
l"Ar
ushasaidandittookawhil
ebefor
e
Iri
shsatbackonthebed.

SheknewMor
ganwasadanger
ousman!
Whyhadhesummonedherbr
other
!

*
*

"
Whatt
hehel
l!
"Ir
ishswor
e,get
ti
ngt
oherf
eetonce
mor
e.
Ar
ushaj
ustf
ini
shednar
rat
ingt
heor
dealt
oherand
shecoul
dswearshewasaf
rai
d.
Ever
ythi
ngi
sst
art
ingt
ogetcl
eart
oher
.
TheywantheroutofEt
han'
sli
fesohecoul
dbesad!
Andt heyhadpr
obablyscar
edherwi
tht
hat
gunshotsoshecoul
dleave.

Whatt
hehel
l!

"
Weneedt orepor
thi
mtot
hepol
ice"I
ri
shsai
dand
Arushal
aughed.
"
Police?Hehavethem al
lwrappedaroundhi
s
f
ingers"Ar
ushasaidandIri
shsighed.

She'
syettotel
lhi
m aboutt
hei
nci
dence,
she
doesn'
tevenwantto.
Arushawouldwanthertostopthejobcausehe'l
l
t
hinkherl
if
eisbeingt
hreatenedandifsheleaves!
Morgan'
splanwil
lbeaccompl i
shed.
"
WhydoeshehateEthanHar
low,
hisbr
other
,t
hat
much?
"Arushaasked.
"Idon'tknowt oo,
whydoeshewantt
ohurthi
s
fel
lowbei ng,notj
ustaf
ell
owbei
ngbuthi
sblood
brother!
?Iri
shsaidinwonder
ment
.
"
Whatdowedo?
"Ar
ushaasked.
"
Do?Wel l
..
ithi
nkweshouldmakesureidon'
tleave
Harl
ow'sbuil
dingcauset
hat
'sobvi
ousl
ywhatt hey
want"
"Exact
lybutwhataboutthet
hreat
.Idon'twant
anyonehurti
ngyou"Arushasaidworr
iedly.
"C'
mon, i
t'
sjustamer ethr
eat.Thesecur
it
yin
Ethan'
shousei sdamnt i
ght.DonotworryAr
us,
I'
ll
befineokay?"I
rishsaidandArushanodded.

"Sohowwasyourstayint
heHarl
ow'sbuil
ding?I
hopeyouwer
en'
ttreat
edbadl
y?"Arushaasked.
"No.Mystayi
nthatMansi
onwasgreat!Inever
expect
edever
yonetot
reatmet
hatnicely.Il
ear
nt
notal
lbi
ll
ionai
resarethesame.Thethi
ngisican'
t
waitt
ogoback"I r
ishsaid,
smil
inghappi
ly.
"
I'
m gl
ad"Ar
ushasai
d.
"Ther
earest
il
lmor
etot
ellbutt
hat
'l
lbel
ater
"Ir
ish
gri
nned.
"
Can'
twai
t"Ar
ushasai
d.
"
Guesswhat
"Ir
ishsai
d.
"
What
?"Ar
ushaasked.

"Ar
inandEt
hanaskedofyouandt
heyt
oldmet
o
sayhi
"
"
Wow!
"Ar
ushascr
eamed.

"Et
hanHar
lowknowsaboutme?
"Heaskedt
obe
sure.
"
Yes,
heevenaskedmet
osayhi
"Ir
ishsai
d.

"
Yaaaaay!
"Ar
ushaj
umpedont
hebedexci
tedl
y.
"
Stopj
umpi
ngonmybed"I
ri
shl
aughed.
.
I
twasgoodt
oseeherbr
otheragai
n,happy.
Shehadr
eal
lymi
ssedt
hem!
.
[
05/09,07:
23]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e:Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
24

"
Yaaaaay!
"Ar
ushaj
umpedont
hebedexci
tedl
y.
"
Stopj
umpi
ngonmybed"I
ri
shl
aughed.
.

Hisexci
tementwentonandonwhi
leI
ri
shj
ustsat
eati
nghercooki
esandwatchi
nghi
m.

Shemissedt
hishousel
ike,
somuch,
especi
all
yher
room.

Thoughshecan'
tcompareitt
oherroom atEt
han'
s
butthi
sst
il
lremai
nsthebestforher
.
Ther
e'snoroom t
hatcanevermakeherf
eel
comfort
abl
eliket
hisone.

Shehadl
eftDoll
ywithAri
n,asAri
nhadpl
eaded
wit
hhert
ogiftherDoll
yasherbuddy.

"
Dam t
hat
'senough"Shesai
d.
Hewasst
il
ljumpi
ngl
ikeaki
d.
"Ar
rrhh!
"Sheshookherhead."C'mon"sheprompt
ed
andhestoppedbuthewasst i
llgri
nni
nghard.
Shewonder
edwher
ethel
ovef
orEt
hancamef
rom.

"
Doyougett
otouchhi
m?"Ar
ushaasked.
"
Several
ly"Iri
shshr
ugged,memor
iesf
rom t
he
l
ibr
aryreplayi
nginherhead.
"
Wow!Youdot
ouchEt
hanHar
low!
"
"
Arus!I
t'
snobi
gdeal
.MrEt
hani
sahumant
oo"
I
ri
shsaid.
"Iknowbut
,heal
lowsyout
ouchhi
m?"Ar
usha
asked.
"
Ofcour
seanddoyouknowwhat
?"
"
What
?"Ar
ushaasked.
"Hedoesn' tli
keitwhenonef eeli
nfer
ioraroundhim,
hehatei twhenyout hinkyou'r
enotwor t
hyt obe
closetohim.He' llbetheonet oencourageyout o
movecl oserandr el
atewithhimlikeyouwoul d
anotherper son"Iri
shsaid.
"
Woah!Li
keser
iousl
y?"
"
Yes,iwassurpr
isedt
oo.He'
ssohumbl
e,
tr
eat
shi
s
wor
kersl
ikef
amili
es"I
ri
shsai
d.
"That
'
ssoni
ceofhi
m,i
t'
sjustsosadtherearest
il
l
somepeopl
ewhowant
stohurthi
m? "Arushasai
d.
"I
sn'
tthathowli
fei
s?Nomatterhowgoodyou
are,
notever
yonewoul
dli
keyou"Ir
ishsai
d.
"That'
struebutithi
nkpeopl
ewhoarebenton
seeingthedownfallofot
her
sshoul
dberefer
redt
o
apsychiatri
st"Ar
ushasaid.
"
Ofcour
se"I
ri
shsai
d.

*
*

"Oh..
.my"Ar
ushalaughedoutloudaf
terI
ri
sh
fi
nishednar
rat
ingthe'
ghost-
knocki
ng'i
ncidencet
o
him.
"
Iknewyouwoul
dmockme"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Yougetsoscar edeasil
y,youdidn'
tevenconfi
rmi
f
i
twast r
ulyaghostbeforescreamingforhel
p"
ArushalaughedandIr
ishkickedhim.
Hel
aughedmor
e,hol
dinghi
sst
omach.

"Ishoul
dn'
thavet
oldhi
m "I
ri
shsi
ghed,
rol
li
ngher
eyes.

"
Thanksf
ort
hecooki
est
hough"Shesmi
led.
Arushahadboughtf
ivepacksofchocol
atechi
p
cookiesf
orher
.
Hehadbeensavi
ngi
tupt
il
lsher
etur
n.
"
Iknowyouwoul
dhavebeencr
avi
ngf
ori
t"
"
Badl
y"I
ri
shsai
d,openi
ngt
hef
our
thpack.
"
Youshoul
dkeepsomef
orl
ater
"Ar
ushasai
d.
"Ishoul
dbutI'
m notgoi
ngt
o"Shesai
d,obvi
ousl
y
enjoyi
ngthecooki
es.
"
Ishoul
dhavej
ustgi
venyout
wot
odayandt
hen
t
hreet
omor
row"
"
Youshoul
dhavebutyoudi
dn'
t"I
ri
shshr
ugged.

Ar
ushasi
ghedandshookhi
shead.

"
What
?"I
ri
shl
aughed.
"You'
resoimpossi
ble"Hebr
eat
hedbef
orel
ayi
ngon
hisback.
"Ohh.
..ial
mostfor
got.Ineedt
ot el
lmum t
omakea
sweaterforAr
in"I
ri
shsaidget
tingonherfeet
.
"Real
ly?Haveyouguysgot
tent
hatcl
ose?
"Ar
usha
asked.
"
Wel
l.
..
yes"I
ri
shsmi
led,
missi
ngAr
inal
ready.
"I
stheli
tt
legi
rlspoi
lt
?"Ar
ushaasked,hehad
al
waysheardrichki
dsarespoi
lt
,rude,pr
oud,
thi
s
andthat.

"
She'
snotact
ual
lyspoi
lt
,norr
ude.Funt
obewi
th.
Justabi
tofat
alkat
ivet
hough"I
ri
shl
aughed.
"
Real
ly?
"
"Yeah,you'
l
lreal
lyl
ikeherwhenyoumeether
"Ir
ish
said.
"Woah,
thenwhat
'swi
tht
hoser
ulesofher
s?"Ar
usha
asked.
"
Thet
hingisshedoesn'
treal
lykeeptomostof
t
hem,
Ar i
nbreaksherr
uleshersel
f"
"
Thenwhydi
dshemadet
hem?
"
"
Sohernanni
escanknowt
hei
rbounds"
"
Doesshebr
eakt
her
uleswi
tht
hepastnanni
es
t
oo?"
"
Idon'
tthi
nkso"I
ri
shsai
d,wear
ingherf
oot
wear
.
"
Shemustr
eal
lyl
ikeyout
hen"Ar
ushasmi
led.
"
Iguess"I
ri
shsai
d,wal
kingt
othedoor
.

"
Yourphonei
sinyourbagr
ight
?"Ar
ushaasked.
"
Yes"I
ri
shanswer
edasshewal
kedoutoft
hedoor
.
_
__

"
Dad,
let
'scal
lir
ish"Ar
insai
d,pul
li
ngEt
han'
shands.
Hesi
ghed,
hej
ustf
reshenedupaft
erret
urni
ngf
rom
wor
kandshewon'
tevenall
owhimrest.
.
"
Ari
n..
"Hewassayi
ng.
"
PleaseDaddy"Shei
nter
rupt
edhi
m.
"Shel
eftj
ustt
hismor
ning"Hesai
d,t
houghhewon'
t
denyhemisshert
oo.
"
Iknow,
justwantt
ohearhervoi
ce"Ar
inpout
ed.
"
Shehasnotbeenwit
hherfamil
yfordays,gi
veher
t
imetowarm uptot
hem"Ethansai
dwhi l
eArin
f
rownedandsatonhisbed.

Sheki
ckedherl
egsi
ntheai
randEt
hansi
ghed.

"
We'
regonnacal
lhert
omor
row"Et
hansai
d.
"
Ist
hatapr
omi
se?
"Ar
inasked.
"Yes,i
tis.Nowwillyoust
opsul
kingandgeton
daddy'sback"Et
hansmi l
ed,
knowingshecan'
t
tradet
hatforanyt
hing.
"Yaaaaay"shel
aughedj
umpi
ngf
rom t
hebedt
ohi
s
back.

"Gabri
ell
e"Et
hancal
ledashewal
kedi
ntot
he
kit
chen.
Hewassur
pri
sednott
ofi
ndhert
her
e.
That
'sunusual
.Gabr
iel
lei
sal
waysi
ntheki
tchen.
"Wel
l.
..
shemightbeintherest
room"Het
houghtas
heopenedt
hef r
idgeforadri
nk.

Ari
nistaki
nghernapal
readyandhe'
sjustf
eel
ing
sobored.
I
ri
shwoul
dhaveent
ert
ainedhi
m.

"
Ir
ishagai
n!"Hi
smi
ndscol
ded.

_
__

"
She'
l
lbeher
esoon"Cat
her
inesai
d.
"
Javadwi
llbeher
esoont
oo"Mor
gansmi
led.

Theywereseatedinthemassivel
yfurni
shedlivi
ng
room wi
thbodyguardsal
loverthem l
ikefl
ies.
Cather
inewasbusywi
thherphone,
order
ing
expensi
vewear
sonli
ne.
"Socheap"Shehi
ssed,scr
oll
i
ngt
hroughapur
ple
gownwor t
h450doll
ars.
"Thedesignermustbesopoor
"Shelaughedt
o
hersel
f,motioni
nghermai
dtopassherdri
nk.
Morganthoughtoft
heplanhedevised.Hecan'
t
wai
tfori
ttobecarri
edout.I
t'
llr
eal
lywreckEt
han.

Thei
rspi
eshadn'
tbeenher
eyest
erdaycauseJavad
hadsai
dthenewnannywassuspi
ciousofhis
movement.
She'
lldefi
nitel
yknowsomet hi
ngwasgoingonifhe
suddenlyleavethebuil
dingsotheyhadmadet
he
meetingtodayaftert
henannyhadgone..

"
BossMorgan"Abodyguar
dcal
led,
wal
kingi
ntot
he
l
ivi
ngr
oom.
HebowedasMor
gangl
ancedup.
"
What
?"Mor
ganasked.
"Yourguest
sar
eher
e"Hesai
dandMor
gansat
upri
ght.

Cat
her
inedr
oppedherphoneandsmi
led."
Final
ly"
_
___
_
ExpectAnot
herChapt
er.
[
05/09,07:
23]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense.

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
25

"Iwentt
ot hegr
ocer
ystore"Gabr
iel
lesai
daf
ter
Ethanaskedherwhereshewas.
"Youshouldhavesentoneofthemai
dsorbet
ter
sti
llt
ellmetoorderwhat
everyouwantt
obuy"
Ethansaid.
"
Youknowhowmuchil i
kebuyingt
hingsmysel
f.I
s
Ari
nst
il
lasl
eep?
"Gabr
iel
leasked.
"Iguess.Shehasn'tcomedown"Ethansaid,
hewas
watchingamovi ei
nt heli
vingr
oom,healr
eady
dismissedhisbodyguards.

"Ishouldst
artpr
epari
ngdi
nner
"Gabr
iel
lesai
d,
hurryi
ngtotheki
tchen"
"
Cal
loneoft
hemai
dst
ohel
pyou"
"
No,
I'
llbef
inebymysel
f"Gabr
iel
lesai
d.
"
You'r
enotall
owingt
hesemaidsdot
heirwor
k,they
j
ustcl
eanthehouseandrest
"Et
hancomplai
ned.
"Butcl
eani
ngt
hehousei
spartofworki
ngtoo.I
've
beencooki
ngf
oryear
swit
houtanyoneassi
sti
ng
me"
"Butyouall
owedIr
ishassi
styouwit
houthesi
tat
ion.
Isitt
hatyoudon'
tli
kethemaidsorwhat
?"Ethan
said.
"
Ofcourseil
ikethem,idon'
tjustt
rustanyofthem.
RememberCar rl
ewaspoisonedandwedon' tknow
t
heculpri
tti
llnow"Gabri
ell
esaidsadly.
Et
hansighedanddr
oppedtheremotecontr
ol,
wonder
ingwhyshebroughtCar
rl
eintot
his.

"
Yetyout
rustI
ri
shsomuch"Et
hansai
d.
"
Yout
rusthert
ooEt
han”Gabr
iel
lesai
d.
"Whydowetrusther
?"Et
hanaskedr
ubbi
ngt
he
backofhi
sneck.
"Idon'
tknowtoo,maybeit'
sbecausesheobvi
ousl
y
hasacleanheart
"Gabri
ell
esaid.
"
Ofcourse,
she'swortht
hetr
ust
"Et
hansai
d,
t
hinki
ngofIr
ishyetagai
n.

"
I'
llbei
ntheki
tchenEt
han"Gabr
iel
lesai
d.
"
Okay"

Et
hanr
oset
ohi
sfeetandwal
kedt
owar
dst
hest
air
s.

He'
sgoi
ngt
ohaveani
cet
imei
nthegar
den.
Bor
edom i
ski
ll
inghi
m al
ready.
..
Normal
lyhewor ksonhiscomputer
,sl
eepsortakea
walkwhenhe'sboredbuthedoesn'
tfeell
ikedoi
ng
anyofthosenow.

Hej
ustwantt
obeal
oneandt
hink.
Hedoesn'tevenknowwhatt
othi
nkaboutbutat
l
eastbei
ngi nthegar
denwoul
dgivehi
mthingst
o
t
hinkabout.
Looki
ngatthetr
eesandwat
chi
ngt
hebut
ter
fl
iesf
ly
arei
ndeedbeauti
ful
.

_
__
"
Beauti
ful
!"I
ri
shgr
innedasshewal
kedi
ntoher
mum'sroom.
Shel
eftAr
ushaintheki
tchent
ocheckonherand
shewassogladshemetherkni
tt
ingAr
in'
ssweat
er.
Shehaddescr
ibedAri
n'ssi
zeforherandherMum
hadbeensogl
adt ost
artkni
tt
ingi
t.

Thekni
tt
ingwooli
spi
nkandwhi
te.
I
ri
shknowAr
inwoul
dlovei
t.
Herf
avor
it
ecol
ori
spi
nk.

"
C'mon,
I'
m notdonewi
thi
tyet
"Mr
sHel
ensai
d.
"Iknowbuti
t'
sgoodlooki
ngalr
eady,i
t'
sgonnabe
greatwhenyou'
ref
inal
lydonewit
hit
"
"Ofcourse,
iwasbornwiththi
stal
ent
"Mr
sHel
en
boastedandIr
ishl
aughed.
Whenshecamehomeandsawhermot herint
he
wheelchairshealmostbr
okedown.Buthermother
neededtheirsuppor
tnow.
They'
vebothsi
tandt
alkedabouthowl
if
ehasbeen
wit
houteachot
her
.
"You'
ret
hear
chi
tectbehi
ndAr
usha'
sboast
ing"I
ri
sh
said.
"
Ofcoursemysoni
nher
it
edt
hatf
rom me"Mr
s
Hel
enlaughed.

"
Okay,di
nnerwi
llber
eadysoon.Youneedt
oput
t
hisdown"
"
Buti
t'
snotr
eadyyet
"Mr
sHel
enshr
ugged.
"
Itwi
l
lber
eadysoon"
"I'
llputi
tdownoncei
t'
sready"Mr
sHel
ensai
dand
Ir
ishsighed.

Sheenj
oyskni
tt
ingal
ot.
"
Iknewyouwoul
dn'
tsuccumb"I
ri
shpr
essedher
l
ipst
oget
her
..
.
"
Thenwhydi
dyousuggesti
ttome"Mr
sHel
ensai
d.
"Mum,youcancontinuetomor
row,
justt
akear
est
bef
oredinner
"Ir
ishsaid.
"I
'
lltakeal lt
her estiwantafterdinnerbutf
ornow,i
shouldf ocusont hi
s.Thatfamilyhasbeengoodt o
youasyousai dandishoul dmakesur etheli
tt
le
gir
l'
ssweat ercomesoutni ce.It
'sawayof
appreciati
on"Mr sHelensaid.
"Ofcourseiknowmum butyou'vebeenonthi
s
since.
..
.aft
ernoon,
it'
seveni
ngalr
eady"I
ri
shsaid.

"Ri
sh,goatt
endtodi
nner
.YouknowAr ushawoul
d
beonhisphoneandwon'tevenknowwhenthe
mealstar
tsbur
ning"
"
Oh.
.my,t
hat
'st
rue"I
ri
shsai
d,hur
ryi
ngoutoft
he
r
oom .
Mr
sHel
ensmi
ledaf
terherandcont
inuedkni
tt
ing.
*

"Whyar
eyoueat ingsoslowl
y?It
'snotl
iket
hefood
i
snotdeli
cious"Arushasai
d,al
mostdonewithhi
s
ownmeal.
"
That
'
str
ue,
Iri
shwhat
'swr
ong?
"Mr
sHel
enasked.
"
Uh?Am ir
eal
lyeat
ingsl
owl
y?"I
ri
shasked.
"
Ofcour
sesi
s"Ar
ushasai
d.
"
Iwi
lleatnor
mal
lyt
hen"I
ri
shsai
d.

She'
sreal
lymi
ssi
ngEt
han'
sbui
ldi
ng.
ShemissedAri
n'snonstopt
alkdur
ingmeal
,the
l
aught
ertheysharedatt
hedini
ng,t
he..
.
Andsher
eall
ymi
ssedhowshesecretl
yglanceat
Et
hanandsomet
imescat
chhi
m st
aringathertoo.

Gosh.
"I
sther
eanotherHarr
isi
nthepi
ctur
e?"Ar
usha
asked,
ser
vinghimsel
fanot
herr
oundofmeal.
"Uh?
"Ir
ishasked.
"Youkeepsmili
ngtoyour
sel
fandj
ustnowyou
blushed"Ar
ushasai
d.
"
Justshutupandeat
"Ir
ishsai
d.
"I
fthere'
sanotherHar
risinthepi
ctur
e,iwon'
t
hesit
atetopunchhim overandoveragai
n"Arusha
stat
ed.
"Ther
e'snoot
herHar
ri
sint
hepi
ctur
eokay?
"Ir
ish
said.
"
OhhKay"Ar
ushashr
ugged.

"And,ial
mostfor
got.Ihopethoseti
nyt
eensof
yoursdidn'
tst
epthei
rfeeti
ntothi
shouse?Yesit
's
beentwodaysherebutyoucanbesuchaf li
rt
"Ir
ish
said.
"
Wel
l.
..t
heydi
dn'
t"Ar
ushal
ied.
"
Likeyouwoul
dhavet
oldt
het
rut
h"I
ri
shsai
d
"I
'
mt el
li
ngthetr
uth,youcanaskMum"Ar
usha
pushedouthi
slips.
"Li
keyoudon'tknowshe'
llcoveryouup.Youbot
h
arejust
..
..
arr
rgh!
"Ir
ishr
oll
edhereyes.

"DoesthatmeanI'
m notal
lowedt
odat
e.I
'
m
sevent
een!"Ar
ushafrowned.
"Of
cour
seyou'
real
l
owedtodat
ebutnotall
owedto
havet
onsofgi
rl
sandkeepmaki
ngthem cr
y"I
ri
sh
sai
d.
"
Theykeepcomingtomeand.
..idon'
twantt
ohur
t
t
hei
rfeel
ingsbyref
usi
ngt
hem"
"
Can'tyoujustchoosetheoneyoureal
lyl
ikeandl
et
t
her estoft
hem go!Thi
sisnotSi
ngapore
Arusha"I
ri
shsaid.
"
Wel
l.
..
idon'
treal
lyl
ikeanyoneoft
hem f
ornow"
"
Yetyoukeephavingsexwi ththem!That'
smore
l
iketaki
ngadvant
ageoft hei
rfeeli
ngsforyouand
Arushayou'
venotarr
ivedatyourlegalageyet
.
Whatyou'r
edoingisi
llegal
!"
"
Iusepr
otect
ion"Ar
ushadef
ended.
"
What
ever
!"I
ri
shshr
ugged.

"I
'
llbesl
eepi
ngi
nyourr
oom t
il
lyoul
eave"Ar
usha
said.
"
What
ever
!"
"
Areyoupi
ssedatme?
"
"
What
ever
!"
"
OkayI
'
m sor
ry!
"
"
What
ever
!"
"
Ir
ish!
"
"
What
ever
!"

Mr
sHel
enwat
chedt
hei
rexchange,
laughi
ng.

_
_NEXTDAY_
_
"Hel
lo"Et
han'
sbari
tonevoicepi
ercedi
ntoherear
andherheart
beati
ncreased.
Shehadbeensonervouswhenshesawhi
scall
andithadt
ooksecondsbef
oreshecoul
dansweri
t.
I
shecal
li
ngcausehemi
ssedheral
ready?
Hercheeksfl
ushedatt
hatt
houghtandshecoul
dn'
t
hel
pbutgrin.

"
H..
hi"Shesai
dcal
mly.

"
Howhaveyoubeen?

"
Fine,
thankyou.

"Wel
l.
..
Ari
nwantstospeakt
oyou"Et
hansai
dand
shef
eltdi
sappoi
nted.

Hehadn'
tcal
ledcausehemi
ssedher
,hehad,
cause
Ar
inwant
edt
ospeakt
oher
.
Whatt
hehel
lisshet
hinki
ng?
Whywoul
dhemi
ssher
?.

"
You'r
ejusthi
sdaughter
'snannyandnot
hing
more!
!"Hermindscr
eamedather.

Ethanlef
tAr
int
ospeakwit
hIr
ishwhi
lehewal
kedt
o
thewindow,
peer
ingout
.
Hervoi
cehadl
ithi
sbor
edhear
t.
Hehadn'tonl
ycal
ledherbecauseAr
inwantedto
speakt
oher ,
hehadwantedtohearhervoi
cetoo.

Hemissherpresencei
nthel
ibr
ary,
dini
ngr
oom and
al
lovert
heplace.
Damn!She'
sonlygonef
ortwodays,
youdon'
teven
t
hinkofot
hernanni
eswhentheygoforaweek!
Hesighed,
wat
chi
nghowpeopl
emovedabouti
nthe
st
reet.
Ari
nwassti
llont
hephonewi
thI
ri
shandshewas
soundi
ngsoexci
ted.
Shedoesn'
tevensoundthisexci
tedwhenshe'
s
speaki
ngwit
hhermot her
.

Tal
koft
hedevi
l!

HesawCather
ine'
scarpar
kedr
ighti
nfr
ontoft
he
bui
ldi
ng.
Whatt
hehelldoesshewant!I
t'
snotti
met ovi
sit
Ari
nyetbuthewassurpr
isedandalmostshocked
t
oseeJavadstepoutofthecarandnotonl
yJavad
..
..
..
.

Whatt
he.
..
..
!!
!
[
05/09,07:
24]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th
 JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e:Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
26

HesawCather
ine'
scarpar
kedr
ighti
nfr
ontofhi
s
bui
ldi
ng.
Whatthehel
ldoesshewant!I
t'
snotti
met ovi
sit
Ari
nyetbuthewassurpr
isedandalmostshocked
toseeJavadst
epoutofthecarandnotonl
y
Javad.
..
Gl
adyst
oo,
oneofhi
smai
dst
oo.

"
Whatt
hehel
l!
"Hecur
sed.
Hel
eftAr
int
oconti
nuetoconver
sewi
thIr
ishover
t
hephonewhil
ehelef
tther
oom i
narush.

Hegott
otheli
vingr
oom andJavadandGl
adys
wal
kedi
natthesameti
me.

"
Whatwasthat
?"Har
oldaskedhar
shl
yandJavad
wassur
pri
sed.
Et
hanhadneverspokent
ohi
mint
hatmanner
.
"Wh..
atMrEt
han?"Gladysaskedhopi
ngt
hecat
hadn'
tbeenl
etoutofthebag.
Theywerej
ustr
etur
ningfr
om Mor
gan'
sbui
ldi
ng
aft
erhat
chi
nganewpl an.
Cat
her
inehadpr
omisedheralotifshecoul
dhurt
I
ri
shandshe'
smorethanpleasedtodothejob.
Fi
rst
,fr
om t
hel
ookofthi
ngsEt
hani
sst
art
ingt
oli
ke
I
ri
shandshehat
edthat.
ShehadlovedEt
hanri
ghtfr
om t
imebuthehad
beensobli
ndtoseet
hat.

Shewant edhi
mf orhersel
fandshehadt r
ied
several
lytomakehim seethatbutno!Hedoesn'
t
alwayslookherway.
Andnowshefinal
lygettodealwit
ht hel
adywho
hasbeenget
ti
nghisattent
ionlat
ely!

"
Whyt
hehel
ldi
dCat
her
inedr
opyou!
?"Et
hanseet
he.

"
What
!Hehadseent
hat
?"Javadpani
ckedi
nwar
dly.
"
H..
howdi
dyou.
..
seet
hatMrJavad?
"Gl
adysasked.
"Iwasstandingbymywi
ndow!Now,
answermy
quest
ion"Ethansai
d.
"
Shegavemeal
if
t"
Javadsai
d.
"
Met
oo"Gl
adyssai
d.

"How?Like..
.whatar
eyousayi ng.?Ali
ft
?Whendi d
youbothgoout?Howcoul dyougooutwi t
hout
i
nf or
mingmeandeveni fyouwant edtogoout,why
didn'
tyoutakeoneofthecars"Ethansaid.

"I.
.Iwasbor ed,ionlytookawal kandididn'
teven
knewihadgonef arunti
liheardt hehornofacar.It
wasCat heri
neandsheof feredt odropmeathome
sinceshewasgoi ngthrought hesamer oute.I
refusedofcoursebutshei nsisted.Ongetti
nginto
thecar,isawGl adys"Gladyssai d,gladhi
sliehad
comeoutsmoot hl
y.
HehopedEt
hanbel
i
eveshi
m..
.

"Ohh..
.soGl
adys,whatwereyoudoi
ngi
n
Catheri
ne'
scar?"Et
hanasked.
Shecl
ear
edhert
hroatandsi
ghed.
Whati
sshegonnat
ellhi
m?
Whatwoul
dshesayshewasdoi
ngi
nCat
her
ine'
s
car
?
Sheshoul
dhavej ustdecli
nedtheof
ferofCatheri
ne
droppi
ngthem athomebutt heywer
epinpointi
ng
waystoexecut
et hei
rplans.
Shewasgl
adEthanhadn'
tseenhi
sbr
other
,Mor
gan
whohadbeeni
nthecartoo.

"
Gladys!
"Et
hanhal
fyel
led.
"
Sheof
fer
edmear
idet
ooMrEt
han"
Gladyssai
d.
"
Whendidyoul
eftt
hehouse?Youl
eftwi
thout
i
nfor
mingme?"
"I
..
iqui
cklywenttosayhit
omymum. .
.and
Cather
ineoff
eredtogivemeal
if
t"Gl
adyslied.
"I'
m notagai
nstyoucheckingonyourmot
herbut
youshouldinfor
m mefirstandt
henwhydidn'
tyou
takeoneofthecars?
"Ethanasked.

"
I.
.di
dn'
twantt
odi
stur
byou,
allipl
annedwasj
ust
t
osayhiandr et
urn.I
'
m sorryMrEt
han"Gl
adyssai
d,
l
icki
ngherl
ipsintheprocess.
"
I'
m sor
ryMrEt
han"Javadsai
d.
"
It
'sf
ine"Et
hansai
dcal
mly.

"Butyoubot
hshouldknowCather
ineisn'
t
welcomedhere.Y'
al
lknowhowsheal most
destr
oyedme.Iwantever
yoneworkingformeto
stayawayfr
om her.She'
sdanger
ousandevil!
"
Ethansai
d.
"
OkayMrEthan"JavadandGladyschorused,
i
ncl
udi
ngthebodyguardsi
nthelivi
ngroom.

"
HowcomeCat her
inegavethebothofyouari
de
t
ogether,t
hesameday!almostthesamet i
me!
"
Gabr
iell
esaid,
walkingoutoft
hekitchen.
Shehadheardeverythingandsheknewsomet hi
ng
wasoffbutshedoubt editcauseshet r
usted
Hand,
hewouldn'
tli
e.ButGl adys.
..
.t
heladyishel
li
sh!
She'
soneofthemai dsGl adysdoesn'ttr
ust.
Gladysknowsalmostal
lthemaidshavefeel
ings
forEthanbutsheknewGladyst
obeextreme.
Shehadonceapproachedhert
ohel
pconvi
nce
Ethant
odateher
!

"
Gabr
iel
le,
theyj
ustexpl
ainedt
ome"Et
hansai
d.
"
Iknow!Ihear
dital
l"Gabr
iel
lesai
d.
"Catheri
negivinguslif
tthesameday..
.iguessi
t'
s
coincidence"Gladyssai
dwithafakesmi l
e.

Shehat
edGabr
iel
lewi
thpassi
on!
Al
waysbehavi
ngl
iket
hel
adyoft
hehouse.
Ethanl i
stenstoeverythi
ngshesays!Andshehad
oncet ol
dGabr iel
letohelpi
nmakingEthannot
ice
herfeelingsforhim butt
hederangedwomanhad
refused.
"
Coi
nci
dence?Sobei
tthen"Gabr
iel
leshr
ugged.
"
DadI'
m donespeaki
ngtoIr
ish"Ari
ngrinnedasshe
wal
keddownthestai
rswit
hEt han'
sphoneinhand.
"What
'sgoi
ngon?
"Shef
rowned,
seei
ngt
he
gat
heri
ng.
"Nothi
ng,
pri
ncess.We'r
ejusthavingadiscussi
on"
Ethansai
dbendingtohisdaughter'
shei
ght.
"Ohh..
.i
sthatwhyyoul
eftt
her
oom i
nar
ush?
"Ar
in
asked.
"
Yes"Et
hansai
d.
"
Aren'
tyoudonewi
tht
heconver
sat
ional
ready?
"
Ari
nasked.
"
Wear
e"Et
hansai
d.

"Di
smissthem"shewhi
sper
edi
ntoherdad'
sear
andhelaughed.
"Youallcanl
eave"Et
hanorder
edandtheyal
l
obeyed,excl
udi
ngGabri
ell
ethough.
"
Hisf
acesucks!
"Ar
inr
oll
edhereyes.
"
Who?
"Et
hanandGabr
iel
leaskedatt
hesamet
ime.
"
J..
.avad"Ar
insai
dandEt
hansi
ghed.
"
Javadi
sagoodguyAr
in"
Gabr
iel
lesai
d.
"Whatever
,haveyourphonedad"Shesai
dand
Ethangentl
ytookhisphonefr
om her
.

"I
ri
shsaidherMum madethesweat
erf
orme
al
ready"Ar
insai
dexci
tedl
y.
"
Real
ly?
"Et
hanasked.
"
Sof
ast
"Gabr
iel
lesai
d.
"
Yeahyeah,
ican'
twai
ttoputi
ton"Ar
ingr
inned.
"
Imi
ssheral
ready"Sheadded.
"She'
l
lbecomi
ngtomorr
owmorni
ng"Gabri
ell
esai
d,
shesomuchmissedI
ri
shint
heki
tchen.

Though,
shehadbeenalonei
ntheki
tchenforyears
wit
houtfeel
ingl
onel
ybutj
ustf
ewdaysIri
shleft,
she
wasst
art
ingt
omi
ssherpr
esence.

"
What
'sf
orl
unch?
"Et
hanasked.

"
Fri
ednoodl
es,st
eameddumplings,
Mil
letgr
ueland
r
edbeancake"Gabr
iel
lesai
d.
"
Ohhokay"Et
hansai
d.
"
Dad,pl
easetel
lsomeonet
obr
ingsomeicecream
t
omyr oom,myfavor
it
eani
mati
onisst
art
ingsoon"
Ari
nsaid.
"
Okay"Et
hansai
d.

*
Nextmor
ning
*

"
Goodmor
ningMr
..Et
han"I
ri
shsmi
leddel
ight
edl
y.
Shewassohappyt
ohaver
esumedandshewas
mor
ehappyt
oseet
hef
aceshemi
ssedmost
.
Shewasjustwalki
ngi
ntothel
ivi
ngr
oom andshe
hadseenEthanreadyt
oleavef
orwor
k.

"
Mr?
"Et
hanr
aisedabr
ow.
"
Ohh..
goodmorni
ngE. .
than"Ir
ishsaidandt
he
wor
kersar
oundglancedupi nsurpr
ise.
"Good.How'
reyouIr
ish?
"Et
hanasked,
tryi
ngnott
o
showhisexci
tement
.
He'
ssogladtoseeheragai
nanddamn!Shel
ooks
morebeaut
if
ul.
She'sputt
ingonanaquasi l
ktopandblackti
ght
fi
tt
ingjeans,andherhai
rispackedinaponytai
l
wit
ht endr
il
sf r
aminghersmoothface.

Nomakeup!YetShelookedst
unni
ng,
thatmadehi
s
hear
tyear
nforhermore.

"
How'
sAr
usha?
"Et
hanaskedandI
ri
shwas
sur
pri
sedher
emember
edherbr
other
'sname.
"
He'
sfi
ne"Shesai
d.
"
Yourmum t
oo?
"Heasked.
"
She'
sfi
net
ooandt
heybot
hsentt
hei
rgr
eet
ings"
"
Ohh.
.okay"Et
hansai
d.

"
Ari
nisi
nherr
oom"Headded.
"
Okay,
iwi
llgoseehernow"I
ri
shsmi
led.
"
Bye"Et
hansai
d.
"
Byeandhaveani
ceday"I
ri
shsai
d.

Ethanwalkedoutoft
hedoorsmi
li
ngwi
tht
wo
bodyguar
dsbehindhim.

Heknowhe'
sgonnahaveagoodday.

*
Ir
ishexchangedgreeti
ngswithGabr
iel
leint
he
ki
tchenandt heychatt
edforsomeminutesbef
ore
shefinal
lyl
eftforAri
n'sr
oom.
Shedroppedherbaginherroom andt
henwal
kedi
n
thr
oughtheadjoi
ningdoor
.

"
Ari
n,I
'
m her
e!"Shecal
ledhappi
ly.
Ari
n,whojustf
ini
shedbat
hingr
ani
ntoherar
msi
n
exci
tement.

_
__

Iri
shsatwithGabr i
ell
ei nt
hekit
chen,shehadjust
retur
nedfrom droppingArininschoolandwas
havingherbreakfast,chat
ti
ngwithGabriel
leatt
he
samet i
me.

"
How'
syourbr
otherandmum?
"Gabr
iel
leasked.
"Theyarebothf
ine,t
heysentt
hei
rgr
eet
ingst
o
everyone"I
ri
shsaid.
"
IguessAr
ingothersweat
eral
ready"Gabr
iel
lesai
d.
"Yes,ishowedittoheral
readyandshewasso
excit
ed.She'sgonnaputitonwhenshe'
sbackfr
om
school"Iri
shsmiled.
"Shetal
kedaboutt
hesweat
ernonst
op"Gabr
iel
le
said.
"
Real
ly?
"Ir
ishl
aughed.
"
Yes"
"
Anddoyouknowwhatmadeherl
ovei
tmor
e?"
I
ri
shasked.
"
What
?"Gabr
iel
leasked.
"
Thecol
or.I
t'
sherf
avor
it
ecol
or"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Wow!She'
dbecompl
etel
yinl
ovewi
thi
t"Gabr
iel
le
chuckl
ed.
"Yeah,
shewo..
"Ir
ishwassayi
ngbutgoti
nter
rupt
ed
byamai dwhowalkedi
n.
"
Hi"I
ri
shsai
d.
Themaidnoddedi
nr esponseandI
ri
shwonder
ed
what
'swit
htheatt
it
ude.
Thi
sisn'
tthef
ir
stti
methi
spar
ti
cul
armai
dwoul
d
gi
vehersuchatt
it
ude.
Wel
l.
..
whocar
es?

"
Whatdoyouwant
?"Gabr
iel
leaskedGl
adys.
"Am inotal
lowedtotakeabot
tl
eofwat
er?
"Gl
adys
askedinameant one.
"
Ineversai
dthat,
ionl
yaskedwhatyouwant
"
Gabr
iel
lesai
d,i
namoremeantone.

Ir
ishwonderedwhyt
heybot
hsoundedmeant
o
eachother
.

Gl
adyspickedabot
tl
eofwaterf
rom t
hef
ri
dgeand
t
henwalkedoutoft
heki
tchen.
"
What
'swi
thher
?"I
ri
shasked.
"
Ijustdon'
ttr
usther
"Gabr
iel
lesai
d.
"Real
ly?
"Ir
ishaskedandt
hatmadehert
hinkof
Javad.
ShewonderedwhyGabr
iel
lewasn'
tseei
ngJavad
thewayshewas.
Maybehei sn'
tthatbadbuthermi
ndkeep
suspect
inghim.

She'
sst
il
ldel
iber
ati
ngonwar
ningEt
hanabouthi
s
cr
uelbr
other
,Morgan.
Her
eal
lyneedst
obemor
ecar
eful
.

_
__

"Il
oveit
!!
"Ar
ingi
ggledhappi
lyaf
terput
ti
ngont
he
beaut
if
ulsweat
er.
MrsHel
enhadappl
iedsomepr
ett
ypear
lbut
tonson
i
t.

I
ri
shsmi
led,t
hesweaterf
it
tedArinper
fect
lyand
t
hepi
nkcolormadehercaramelski
nstandout.
Shehadmadeherwearwhi
temi
niski
rtandpi
nk
foot
weart
omatch.
Awhitehair
bandwasholdi
ngherhairl
oosel
yand
I
ri
shreall
yfeltpr
oudofher
sel
ftohavemadeArin
t
hisbeauti
ful
.

Shef
eltl
ikeamot
her
.

Thelit
tl
egi
rlst
oodinfrontofherl
argemi
rr
or,
checki
ngouthersel
f.

"Ineedtotakesomepi
ctur
es.Myi
Podpl
ease"Ar
in
grinned.
*

Theyendedupt aki
ngsomanybeaut
if
ulpi
ctures
toget
herandtheywerei
nsmil
esastheywalked
downstai
rsforl
unch.
Ari
nshowedof
fhernewsweat
ert
oever
yonewhi
le
I
rishsmi
led.
.

ToIri
sh'sdel
ight
,Et
hanwasear
lyenought
ojoi
n
them f
orlunch.
Hesomuchlovedthesweat
eronAr
inandhe
t
hankedI
ri
shseveral
ly.
Ever
yoneadmir
edthesweat
erandt
hatmadeAr
in
showeditof
fpr
oudly.
Shet
ookmor
epi
ctur
eswi
thi
t.

_
Et
hansati
nthel
ibr
aryaf
terdi
nner
,wai
ti
ngf
orI
ri
sh
Hewassonervous,
hedidn'
tknowhowhe'sgonna
tel
lhert
oaccompanyhi
mt oadinnerpar
tywhich
hewasinvi
tedt
obyoneofhisbusinesspar
tners.

I
t'
sadayaf
tert
omor
row.

Normal l
y,hewouldhavetakennoonewithhi
m but
thedinnerpart
yisstr
ictl
yforcoupl
esandhe
doesn'tevenhaveawi f
e.
Shoul
dhet
akeoneoft
hemai
ds?
No.Hewant
sIr
ish

Whatifshehadnotstar
tedwor
kingwi
thhi
m,won'
t
hehaveotherchoi
ces?

*
I
ri
shgent
lywal
kedoutofAr
in'
sroom af
terput
ti
ng
hert
osl
eepandheadedt
othel
ibr
ary.
Shewasi nherni
ght
wear,nott
heoneAr
ushachose
forhert
hough,amoredecentone.
Ar
ushahadi nsi
stedonbeingtheonet
opi
ck
ni
ghtwearforherevenaft
ershetol
dhi
mthatt
he
maidsboughtsomef orher
.

Shehopedt
omeetEt
hani
nthel
ibr
ary.
Shereall
ymissedhowt
heyr
eadt
oget
heri
nfr
ontof
thef
irepl
ace.

Shewasdescendi
ngthest
airswhenshenot
iced
howsl
ipper
ythegroundf
eltbeneat
hherf
ootwear.
Thenextst
epshet
ooksentherf
eetof
fthegr
ound
andherbodyi
ntot
heai
r.
Shecouldn'tscr
eam,andhermindshookatthe
dreadedthoughtthatanypar
tofherbodycanget
broken.
Sheresi
gnedt of
atewait
ingfort
hepainshe'
s
gonnafeelonceherbodyhit
sthehar
dground.

_
___
_

Expectanot
herchapt
er.
[
05/09,07:
25]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e:Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie
#Chapt
er_
27

Et
hanst
eppedoutoft
hel
ibr
aryaf
terhegott
ir
edof
wai
ti
ng.
SeemsI
ri
shi
sn'
tjoi
ninghi
mtoni
ght
.
He'
sgonnat
ellheraboutt
hedi
nnerpar
tyt
omor
row.
*
Ir
ishr
esignedtofat
ewaiti
ngforthepai
nshe's
gonnafeelonceherbodyhit
sthehardground.
Shecl
osedhereyest
ight
lyasshef
eltherbodyhi
t
t
heground.
.

It
'shar
dbutnotashardasshehadthoughtandshe
couldt
ellnopar
tofherbodyi
shur
t.
Shewassurpri
sedshecoul
dlandt
hissaf
ely.
.and
whatt
hefuck!
Shef
eltt
hegr
oundbr
eat
hing.
Thegr
oundi
sbr
eat
hing!
!

Wasshedr
eami
ng?

Hereyesweresti
llcl
osedandt heysnappedopen
t
hemomentshehear dthevoi
ceshedi dn'
teven
t
hinkshecouldhearatthatst
rangemoment .

"
Areyouokay?
"Et
hanasked.

I
rishr
eal
isedshewasi
nhi
sar
msandnotont
he
f
loor!
Nowondershehadn'
tsust
ainedanyi
njur
y.
Shesi
ghedi
nrel
iefst
il
llooki
ngi
ntoEt
han'
seyes.

Hesavedher
!

I
sitwor
ryshecoul
dseei
nhi
seyesorhewast
rul
y
l
ooki
ngi
ntensel
yather
.

"Thankyou"Shesai
dashesl
owl
yputherdownon
herfeet
.
Herfeetweren'
tstableforawhi
leandshehadt
o
hol
dt hest
airsr
ailforsuppor
t.

"
Areyouokay?
"Heaskedagai
nandshenodded.
Shedidn'
tknowifther
esultofherhear
tbeati
ngso
fasti
sbecauseEthani
ssonearort hefactt
hatshe
hadnearl
ybrokenherbones.

"Come,comehavesomewat
ert
ocal
m yourner
ves"
Ethansai
d.

*
*

"
Whatr
eal
lyhappened?
"Et
hanaskedandI
ri
sh
si
ghed.
Shef
eltbett
eraft
ershehadtakenwaterandwas
nowseatedinthel
ibr
arywi
thEthan.

"I.
.iwascomi ngtotheli
brar
yaf t
erisucceededin
put t
ingArintobed..
.wheni.
.sli
pped,buthowdi d
youcaughtme?Ineverexpect edsomeonewoul d
comet omyr escue"I
ri
shsaidandEt hansmiled
proudly,eventhoughhishearthadbeeninhis
throatwhenhesawI ri
shfal
li
ngandhehadmade
sur ehewasf astenoughtopreventherbodyf r
om
hitti
ngtheground.

"Iwasretur
ningtomyroom wheni.
..
sawyou.
..i
didn'
tevenknowwhereigotthatst
rengt
hand
speedfrom"Ethansai
d.
"Thanksanyway,
ican'
tevenimaginewhatwould
havehappenedtome"Ir
ishsaiddeepl
ybother
ed.
"
Mystai
rsi
snotalwayst
hatsl
ipper
y,ispeci
all
y
madei
tnonsl
ipper
ybecauseofAri
n.Didyouhad
some..t
hingsbeneat
hyourfoot
wearorwer
eyou
walki
ngsof astont
hest
air
s?"

"No,
nothi
ngwasbeneat
hmyf oot
wear,ithi
nkithas
somethi
ngtodowit
hthest
air
s"Ir
ishsaid,
sosureof
whatshe'
ssayi
ng.

I
fsomethi
ngsli
pperywastrul
ybeneat
hher
f
ootwear
,shewouldhavesli
ppedthemomentshe
wal
kedoutofAri
n'sroom.
Et
hanhadgonebacktothestai
rst
ofindwhat
madehersl
ipbuthehadn'
tfoundanyt
hing.

Shewasalsopushedint
othepoolt
heot
herday,
whowantsherdeadinthi
shouse?
Sheshoul
dleavebut.
..shehaven'
tevengot
tenher
mum'ssurger
ybil
ls.

"
Ithi
nksomeonemi
ghthavemi
stakenl
yspi
ll
ed
wat
eront
hest
air
s"Et
hansai
d.
"Theyshoul
dhavecl
eanedi
tdr
yknowi
ngi
t'
sgonna
hurtsomeone"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Of
course,
I'
m gonnacal
lthem t
ogethert
omorrow
butwearen'
tevensur
esomeonet rul
yspil
ledwater
oranyt
hingsl
ipper
yonthestai
rs"Ethansaid.
"
Justl
eti
tgo."I
ri
shsi
ghed.
"
Real
ly?
"
"
Sur
e"sheshr
ugged.

"Ar
eyouf eel
ingbett
ernow?"Et
hanaskedandshe
noddedeveni fshewasst
il
lshakenbywhat
happened.
"Iact
ual
lythoughtyouwoul
dn'tbejoi
ningmeinthe
l
ibrar
ytoni
ghtbut..
.asf
atewouldhaveit"Et
hansai
d
complet
inghisstat
ementwit
hasmi l
e.
I
ri
shf
oundher
sel
fsmi
li
ngt
oo.

"
Imi
ssedr
eadi
ngi
nfr
ontoft
hef
ir
epl
aceandal
l
"
I
ri
shsai
d..
"
Ohh..
.iwouldbesi
ncer
e,iact
ual
lymi
ssedr
eadi
ng
wit
hyou"Ethansai
d.
"
Hmm...
I'
mf l
att
ered"I
ri
shsai
ddr
amat
ical
lyand
t
heyl
aughed.

"So,
I'
mi nvi
tedt
oadinnerpar
tyst
ri
ctl
yforcoupl
es
andit'
samustgoforme"Ethansai
d.
"
Ohh. .
.don'
tworr
yaboutleavingAr
ini
nmycar
e,i
wil
ltakegoodcareofher
"I r
ishsai
d.
"Ofcourseiknowbutt
hepar
tyi
s..st
ri
ctl
yfor
couples"Et
hansai
d.
"
Yousaidthatear
li
er"I
ri
shsai
d,notr
eal
lyget
ti
ng
t
hepi
cture.

"
Ther
e'snoonet
ogowi
thme"Et
hansai
d.
Normal
lyhewoul
dhavetakenonehi
sst
aff
sbuthe
wantsI
ri
shtogowit
hhimthisti
me.
"
Ohh"I
ri
shpr
essedherl
ipst
oget
her
.
"Yeah"Ethansai dexpect
inghert
ooff
ertogowith
him.Ot herladi
eswouldhavejumpedatthe
opportunitybutsheisn'
tevensayi
nganythi
ng.

"
Sowhatdowedo?
"Ir
ishf
inal
lyasked.
"
Idon'
tknow"Et
hansai
d.
"
Youcanaskoneofyourwor
ker
stogowi
thyou"
I
ri
shsai
d.
"
That
'
swhatI
'
m gonnado"Et
hansai
d.
"
Ohh.
..okayt
hen,
I'
m gonnat
akegoodcar
eof
..
."
"
Wil
lyougowi
thme?
"Et
hancutt
hroughherwor
ds.
"
Please"Headded.

"
Huh?
"Sheasked,
blushi
ngt
err
ibl
y.
"
Yes,
iwantyout
ogowi
thme"
Ethansai
d.
"
Who'
sgo.
.nna.
..
takeca.
.r
eofAr
in?
"Ir
ishst
utt
ered.
Abi
ll
ionai
rei
saski
nghert
obehi
sdat
e!
Sheknowsi t'
sjustf
oranightbutdamn!She'
s
feeli
ngtinygymnastsdanci
nginherst
omach
already.
She'
sfeel
ingsohonor
ed.
Et
hanhadchosenheroverhundr
edsofhi
sfemal
e
st
aff
s.

"
Ir
ish,
it'
sadi
nnerpar
tyandyouwouldhaveput
Ari
ntobedbef
oreweleave"
Ethansai
d.
"
O..
kay.Iwi
llgowi
thyou"Shesai
d.
"Thankyou"Et
hansmi
led,
conceal
inghi
s
excit
ement.

"
Yes!
.
Noladycanr
efusehim.
..
he'
sEt
hanHar
low"He
boast
edtohi
mself.
"So,i
nputyourshoeanddresssizeinhere,
and
choosethemakeupar t
istyou'
dliketomakeyouup.
"Ethansaid,
str
etchi
nghisphonet oher
.

"
No,idon'
tneedadr
essnorshoes.Ihavel
otsof
t
hem"Iri
shsaid.
"
Huh?
"Et
hanaskedandI
ri
shsmi
led.
"You'
reprobabl
ythi
nkingtheywon'tbebeauti
ful
enoughforthepart
y.Iknowabill
ionai
redatehasto
appearst
unning"Ir
ishsaid.
"
Exact
ly"Et
hansai
d.
"Well.
.,I
'vegotbeauti
fuldr
essesimadef ormyself
thatevenmostf emaleswoul dki
llt
oown.I'ma
fashiondesignerandwheni tcomestodresses.
..
i
rock.Meanr easonIModel .Imadethedressabout
twoyear sagobutI'veneverworeit"I
ri
shboasted
andEt hanstaredatherindisbel
ief
.
Hewaswowed.

Heneverknowhert
obet
hisboast
fulandf
orhert
o
haveboast
edri
ghtnow,
itmeansshe'
ssosur
eof
whatshe'
ssayi
ng.

Shelookedsopr oudwhenshementi
onedbei
nga
fashi
ondesignerandaModel,t
hatpassi
onshowed
deepl
yinhereyes.

"Andasf
orshoes,i
havenopr obl
em wit
hthattoo.
Donotbot
heraboutinvit
ingamakeuparti
stover,
i
domymakeupmysel feveni
fidon'
thavethebest
equi
pment"
"
Wow!
"Et
hansmi
led."
Whatofyourhai
r?"
"Leavethatt
ome"I
ri
shsmi
ledandEt
hanf
eltl
ike
huggingher.
"
Thankyou"Hesai
d.
"
Forwhat
?"I
ri
shasked.
"
Forbei
ngsodi
ff
erent
"Et
hansai
dandshesmi
led.

"
So,
whatdayi
sthepar
ty?
"Sheasked.
"
Wednesday"Et
hanr
esponded.
"
I'
llbegoi
nghomet
omor
row"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Why?
"Heasked.
"
Topi ckt
hedr ess,
shoesandot
hernecessar
y
t
hings"Ir
ishsaid.
"
Youdon'
thavet
hem her
e?"
"
No,
whowoul
dhavet houghtabi
ll
ionai
rewouldask
met
obehi
sdate"ShesaidandEthanlaughed.
"
Abi
ll
ionai
rei
sn'
tmynamet
hough"Hesai
d.
"Butit
'st
hest
atusyouhol
d"I
ri
shsai
dandhe
shrugged.
"Soyouwoul
dgohomeaf
terdr
oppi
ngAr
ini
n
school
"
"
Yes"
"Iknowyouwoul dwanttospendsomet
imewit
h
yourmum butpl easebehomebefor
eAr
inar
ri
ves
from school
"Et
hansaid.
"
Ofcour
se"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Woah,ti
meisf
arspent
"Et
hansai
dgl
anci
ngatt
he
wal
lcl
ock.
"
Geez!Weshoul
dgot
obed"I
ri
shsai
d.

_
___
_

"
Bye"I
ri
shwavedt
oAr
inasCar
lledhert
ohercl
ass.
"
Bye"Shewavedback.

Theysatbacki
nthecari
nsi
lence,
wai
ti
ngf
orCar
l.
Al
ext
unedi
nsomemusi
cwhi
let
heywai
ted.

"
Youdon'
twannapassthatst
reet
?It
'sashor
ter
r
out
e"Car
lsai
dtoAlex.
"MrEthansai
dtodr
opIri
shi
nherhouseaf
terwe'
ve
droppedAri
n"Al
exsai
d.
"
Ohh"
Car
lsai
d.

Theywereheadi
nghomeaf
terdr
oppi
ngAr
ini
n
school
.

"Huh?Idon'
tthi
nkthere'
l
lbeaneedf ort
hat
"Iri
sh
said,
shehadplannedtotakecabcauseshewanted
tobuysomefoodstuff
salongwithherandJavadis
gonnaknowherhomeaddr ess?

Hel
l.
.no.

"
Why?
"Al
exasked.
"
Ineedt
opi
cksomet
hings"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Ohh.
..okayt
hen"Al
exsai
d,her
ever
sedt
hecarand
t
ookt
heshorterr
out
e.
"Oryou'r
esoashamedofanyoneseei
nghowpoor
l
ookingyourhousei
s"Javadl
aughedshocki
ng
everyonewi
thhiswor
ds.

"Ar
eyoucrazy!
!"Ir
ishsai
dinashakyvoi
ce,
deepl
y
hurtbywhathejustsai
d.
"
Javad!That
'snotani
cet
hingt
osay"Al
exsai
d.
"
Howcouldyousaythat
!INeverknewyouwer
e
t
hisbi
tt
er"Car
lsai
dangri
ly.
"
Keepshutman!
"Javadsai
d.
"Li
keyouhaveabet
terhouse"Car
lsai
dandt
hatgot
Javadri
ledup.

Heunbuckl
edhi
sseatbel
tandt
urnedt
opunchCar
l
i
ntheface.
Carlr
eturnedhi
spunchandtheyst
art
ed
exchangingpunchesi
nthecar
.

I
ri
shwhoseeyeswer
elacedwi
tht
ear
sbywhat
Javadhadsai
d,st
art
edcr
ying,
beggi
ngt
hem t
ost
op.

Alexquickl
ybroughtthecartoahal
tandtri
ed
separat
ingthem butgotpunchedi
ntheface.

Looksl
iket
hebothofthem wereunl
eashingt
he
angert
hey'
vehadforeachotherf
oryears.

"I
'
m goingt
ocallMrEt
han!"I
ri
shwipedhert
ear
s,
grabbi
ngherphonewi
thshakyhands.

Javadsnappedi
tfr
om herhandandt
ossedi
toutof
thewindow.
Carlgrabbedhi
m byt
heneckandsl
appedhi
min
theface.

Anotherroundoffi
ghtstart
ed.Theywer ebot
hmen
wit
hhugebui ldandthecarcouldn'
tcontai
nthem
anylonger,t
hedoorburstedopenandt heyboth
f
oughtoutofthecar
.Al
exwasgl
adtheywer
en'
ton
t
hehighway,
theywerei
naqui
etst
reet
.

"Dosomethi
ngAl
ex!"I
ri
shscreamedwhenshesaw
Javadbr
ingi
ngoutasmallkni
fe.

OhNo!
!
[
05/09,07:
25]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th

JustANanny

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sk‼

Genr
e:Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie
#Chapt
er_
28.

"Dosomethi
ngAl
ex!"I
ri
shscreamedwhenshesaw
Javadbr
ingi
ngoutasmallkni
fe.

EvenbeforeAlexcoul
dmakeamove, Carlwasf
ast
enoughtojerkthekni
fefrom Javad'
shand.He
tossedi
tfarawayandI r
ishsighedinrel
ief
.

ButTheywer
est
il
lfi
ght
ing!

Alexwhowastryi
ngt
oregai
nhissi
ghtfr
om t
he
punchhegot
,st
agger
edoutoft
hecar.
Hewasdet erminedtosepar at
ethem t
hist
ime
eventhoughhissightwasn'tbalanced,
hedidn'
t
evenknowwhogavehi mthatpunchbet weenCarl
andJavad,allheknewwast hathewentbli
ndfor
minut
es.
Woul
dCar
ldot
hatt
ohi
m?

No!
Javadshoul
dbet
heonewhodi
dbutwhati
fit
'sCar
l.
Anyonecandoanyt
hingwhenannoyed.

Al
expushedhi
mselfsohar
dbet weent
hef
ight
ing
menandtheyal
lfel
ltot
heground.
JavadandCar
lst
oodupal
mosti
mmedi
atel
yto
cont
inuet
hei
rfi
ght
.
Theywer ebothbleedi
ngfr
om t
heli
ps,wit
hcut
son
thei
rfaces,Javadappear
edmorehurtt
hough.
AlexknewCarli
saverygoodf i
ght
er,t
hisi
sn'tt
he
fi
rstti
mehewouldseeCarlusehisfi
st,he'
sjust
afrai
dJavadmightpassoutsoonwiththewayhe
waspant i
ng.

"
Stop!
"Al
exshout
ed,
hewasst
il
lont
hef
loor
.
Hecouldn'
tbel
ieveJavadandCarlwer
eonthei
r
f
eetal
readytostartanot
herr
oundoffi
ght
.

Heknewt
heydi
dn'
tli
keeachot
herbuti
sitt
othi
s
ext
ent
?
Theywer
ebot
hpr
epar
edt
ogi
veeachot
hermor
e
cuts!

"
Isweardown,ifyouconti
nuethi
swor t
hlessfi
ght
,
I
'
m gonnacallMrEthanandyoubot hknowwhat
t
hatmeans"Alexthreat
ened,
gett
ingupsl owl
y.
Hewasn'
ttheonef
ight
ingbuthef
eltsoweak.

Hi
st hr
eatmadeJavadandCarlstopandt
heybot
h
gl
aredateachot
her,pant
ingheavi
ly.
Ir
ishgotoutofthecarandwasgladt
oseeher
phoneonthefloor,
nott
oofarf
rom t
hecar
.

Shehadt
houghtJavadhadt
ossedi
tfaraway.
Sheslowlypi
ckedi
tupandr
eal
isedt
hef
rontscr
een
i
scracked.

Shesi
ghedandt
urnedt
ofacet
hemen.
JavadandCar
lwer
est
il
lgl
ari
ngateachot
her
.
Tothinkshecausedt
hef
ightmadeherf
eelso
ter
ri
ble.

Carlgotacutonhi
scheekandabrokenl
ipj
ust
becauseofher
.Shefel
tmoret
err
ibl
e.
AndtothinkJavadhadbroughtoutakni
fet
ost
ab
Car
l.
..
thatthoughtmadehershudder
Hewouldhavest
abbedCar
lifCar
lwasn'
tfast
enough.

Thi
smani
str
ulydanger
ousl
ikeshet
hought
.
Carl
hadapi
stoli
nhispocketbuthedidn'
teven
att
emptt
obri
ngitoutdur
ingthefi
ght.
"Bot
hofyoushoul
djuststopgl
ari
ngateachother
andgeti
ntot
hecar"Alexsai
dster
nlyandtheybot
h
ref
usedt
omove.
"
Wel l
..
.MrEthanshoul
dn'
tbethatdi
ff
icultt
ocall
"
Alexsaidal
oud,br
ingi
ngouthi
sphonef r
om the
fr
ontpocket.

Theyal
lknewthepenal
tyoff
ighti
sasacklet
ter!
Andnoonetaughtt
hebothofthem t
ogeti
ntothe
car
.

*
*

"
Car
l,I
'
m sosor
r.
."I
ri
shwassayi
ng.
"
No.
.i
t'
sfi
ne"
Car
lcuthershor
t.

Alexwasdri
vingthem tothehospit
alandthecar
hadbeenintotalsi
lenceunti
lIr
ishspokeup.
"Youdon'
thavetofeeli
t'
syourfaul
t,I
'
vebeen
wait
ingsolongforthedayI
'l
lfi
nall
ygett opunch
hisdamnface!
"Carlsai
d,obvi
ouslysti
llangry.
"
Ohh"I
ri
shsai
d,shewassur
pri
sedJavadcoul
dbe
t
hismut
e.
Shehadexpect
edaheatedreplyf
rom hi
m
i
mmediatel
yCarlspokebutshehadn'
tgott
enany.

Shoul
dshesayt
hef
ightt
ookat
ollonhi
m?
Shegi
ggl
edsi
lent
lyt
oher
sel
f.

Fi
nal
ly!

Butshewassowor
ri
edCar
lsust
ainedsomecut
s.
SheknowsI
t'
sgonnahur
twheni
t'
sbeent
reat
ed.

"
We'
renotgoi
ngt
oMrEt
hanper
sonalhospi
tal
"Al
ex
sai
d.
"
Why?
"Ir
ishasked.
"DocLucisgonnablowthecoverandCar
land
Javadisgonnaleave!
"Al
exsaid.
"
What
?"I
ri
shasked,
conf
used.
"Theybothknowthepenal
tyf
orf
ighti
sasackl
ett
er
each!"Al
exsaid.
"
Whoa!
"Ir
ishexcl
aimed.

"Sorr
y"Ir
ishkeptmumbl
ingasCar
l'
scut
swer
e
beingtr
eated.
Javad'
swasbeingt
reat
edtooandhegl
aredather
asanti
sept
icwasbei
ngappl
iedonhi
scuts.
Hehasbeensendi
ngglar
esherwayandshei
sn'
t
gonnat
akeitanyl
onger
!
 Shegl
aredbackathi
m andhi
ssedasshet
urned
backt
oAl ex.

Javadwassurpr
isedbyhersuddenr
etal
iat
ionbut
hedidn'
tshowit
.

"Youbothshouldbett
erknowtheexcusetogiveMr
Ethanconcerni
ngyourfacesandgetreadyt
opay
thebil
ls"Al
exsaid,
notsonicel
y.
"
Look.
..
iknowyou'
reangr
yorpr
obabl
y
di
sappoi
ntedbut
..
"Car
lwassayi
ng.
"
Youdi
sappoi
ntedmebuddy!
"Al
excuthi
m shor
t.
"
Hepunchedmef
ir
st!
"Car
ldef
ended.
"
What
ever
!"Al
exshr
ugged.
"Ican'
tjustsi
tbackandwatchhim punchmeAl ex,
youknowt hatandI'
m sor
rytohavedisappoi
nted
you.Ineverint
endedtofi
ght"
Carlsai
d.
"I
t'
sfinebuddy,
iunder
standyou"Al
exsai
d,and
patt
edhisback.
Ir
ishwasgl
ad,
sheknewAl
exwaspi
ssedatCar
land
nowtheyj
ustset
tl
edit
.
Theybot
hjustact
edl
iket
wol
over
s.
"
Ihopet
hecut
sdoesn'
thur
tsomuch?
"Sheasked.
"
No"Car
lsmi
led.
"I'
m suretheseli
tt
lecutsmeansnot
hingt
oCarl
,i
f
hegoesshi rtl
essyou'
dseethathehadgone
throughthingsworstthant
his"
"
Hehasscar
s?"I
ri
shasked.
"
Somany"Al
exsai
dandI
ri
shshookherheadsadl
y.

Nowonderhehadn'
tevenwi
ncedwhenant
isept
ic
wasbei
ngappl
iedonthecut
s..
Shehadwonder
edwhatsor
tofbei
nghewas.
..

*
_
Mor
ganHar
low'
sbui
ldi
ng_
*

"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
"Mor
ganaskedwal
kingi
nto
t
her
oom.
"
Watchi
ngmoreseducti
ont
ips"Cat
her
inesai
dnot
gl
anci
ngupfr
om herlapt
op.

Shewasbentont
ryi
ngt
hesecondt
ime.
Shefeltshehadn'
tpreparedsowellandthatwas
whyEt hanhadresi
stedher!Sheknowshewoul dn'
t
evendar er
esi
staft
ertryi
ngouttheseonesshejust
watched.
Sheshoul
dhavej
ustdonet
hist
hef
ir
stt
ime.

"Ohh..
ifor
gotyou'
repl
anni
ngt
otr
yagai
n"Mor
gan
said.
"
Yeah"Cat
her
inemur
mur
ed.
"
Haveyouorderedthedressyou'
regonnaweart
o
t
omorr
ow'sdinnerpart
y?Youknowwehavet olook
best
"Mor
gansai
d.
"Ohh.
..
yeah!Iwil
ldothatonceI
'm done.Yougot
yourt
uxalready?"Cat
heri
neasked.
"Ofcourseandij
ustor
der
edthemostexpensive
shoesin'Anna'
sfashi
onst
ore'
"Morgansmiled.
Anna'
sfashi
onstor
eisthetoponeint
hecit
y,and
i
t'
swellknownt
hatonlytheri
chcanaf
for
dit.
Totopital
l,
Annai sCat
herine'
sfr
iendandshe's
gonnabeattendi
ngthedinnerpar
tywithherf
iance
too.

"
Wow!Nodoubtwe'llbethebestlooki
ngcoupl
ein
t
hatDi
nnerpar
ty"Cather
inechuckled.
"Of
course,
wearealwaysl
ooki
ngt
hebesti
never
y
par
ty"Morgansai
d.
"
Ofcour
se"Cat
her
ine'
ssai
d.

"Whataboutt
heModel
li
ngCompany?Anypr ogr
ess
yet
?I'
vebeensobusyt
hatIhaven'
tbeenchecki
ng
i
n"Cat
her
inesai
d.
"Ever
ythi
ng'
sgood.We'
rest
il
latt
het
op3"Mor
gan
said.

Shegr
innedwhenshesawGl
ady'
sincomi
ngcal
l.

"Gl
ady'
scal
li
ng,
iguesst
heplanwor
kedout"She
sai
dtoMorganbef
orepi
cki
ngupthecal
l.

"
HeyGl
adys?
"
"
HiMr
sCat
her
ine"Gl
adyssai
dfr
om t
heot
herend.
"Iknowtheplanworkedout,shehasbrokenher
bonesright
?Whi chone?Herspinalcor
d?"
Cather
inelaughed.

"
Wel
l..
."Gl
adysdr
awl
ed.
"
What
?"Cat
her
ineasked.
"
Thepl
andi
dn'
twor
kout
"Shef
inal
lydr
oppedt
he
bomb.

"What!
"Cat
her
ineexclai
med."
Didn'
tyoudo
ever
ythi
ngasplanned?"
"
MrEt
hansavedher
!"Gl
adyssai
d.
"
What
..
.t
he"Cat
her
inegr
oaned.

_
___

"
Ineedtor et
urntot
hehousebef
oreAr
ingetback
f
rom school"I
ri
shsaidt
oherMum whotol
dherto
wai
ttil
lArusha'
sback.
Hewoul
dhavel
ovedt
oseeher
..

"
Ohh...
that'
strue.You'
llneedtobether
ebefor
ethe
l
it
tl
egirl'
sbacksoyoucant akecar
eofher"Mrs
Helensaid.Shewassogl adwhenIrishtol
dherhow
muchAr i
nappr eci
atedthesweater
.
"
Ispentenought
imewi
thyour
ight
?"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Ofcour
se"Mr
sHel
ensmi
led.

I
ri
shhadcooked,
washedthedishesandcleaned
t
hehouseduri
ngthefewhoursshe'sbeenhere.
Ar
ushawoul
dbesohappywhenhe'sback,
hewas
al
waysf
rowni
ngaboutdoi
nghousechor
es.

"Ar
eyousurethedressandt
heshoesare
beaut
if
ul?
"Ir
ishaskedherMum f
orthef
if
tht
ime.
Shedoesn'
twantt
odi
sappoi
ntEt
han.

"Ofcour seIr
ish.Thatreddinnergownisthemost
beautifulI'
veeverseenandt heshoesar
ejusttoo
great.Don'tfeellessaboutitcauseyoumadeit.I
t'
s
beautifulandifitwasonsal e,i
twouldbesol
doutin
minut es."MrsHel ensai
dandI ri
shbeamedlikea
j
ollypanda.
"
ThanksMum"shesaidandgr
abbedthepaperbag
t
hatcont
ainedt
hedr
essandshoes.
.

"Youshoul
dtellArushaimadel
unchalready,
he
j
ustneedstomi cr
owaveitanddi
shitoutwhenhe'
s
back"I
ri
shsaid.
"
Ohh,
you'
rel
eavi
ngnow"Mr
sHel
ensai
d.

Shehasbeenenj
oyingI
rish'
scompanyallal
ong,
shewassoboredandIr
ishhadsurpr
isedherbyher
suddenshow-
up.
"
YesMum"I
ri
shpeckedheronbot
hcheeks.
"
Okay,
befor
eyoul
eave,
getmemyj
ewel
ryboxf
rom
t
hewardr
obe"
"Okaymum"I
ri
shsai
dandshequi
ckl
yfet
chedt
he
box.

Sheopenedi
tinf
rontofherMum andwat
chedher
handsroam t
hebox,
def
ini
tel
ysear
chi
ngf
or
somethi
ng.
Shewonder
edwhatshewasl
ooki
ngf
or.

Agri
nappearedonMrsHelen'
sfaceasshef
inal
ly
f
oundherti
nydiamondneckl
ace.

"
Wow!
"Ir
ishexcl
aimed.

_
Nextni
ght
_

Et
hanstoodinthel
ivi
ngr
oom al
ldr
essedupfort
he
di
nnerpart
y,hewasobvi
ousl
ywait
ingf
orIr
ishwho
wasyettojoi
nhim.

Hesighedner vously,notthathecaresabouthow
she'
lllooktonightbuthe'sstart
ingt
ogetwor ri
edhe
hadn'torderedadr essforher.
Thoughshehadsaidheshouldn'
tworr
yaboutt
he
dressbutt
hisi
sn'
tjustanydi
nnerpar
ty.
Hewon'twantt
heot
herwomenatt
hepar
tyt
omock
herwear.

Hebr
eathedout.
..
whywashehavi
ngt
hist
houghti
n
t
hever
ylastminute.
Heheardthecli
ckofheel
sont
hest
air
sandhi
s
hear
tbeataccel
erat
ed.
Hequi
ckl
yst
areddownathi
sfeet
.

Damni
t!

Why'shebei
ngsonervous?Thi
sisj
usthis
daught
er'
snanny.Whyisheact
ingl
ikehejustmeet
hi
slongti
mecrushandwasgoingtopropose??
Ar
gh!
"
Com'onEthan!"Hesai
dtohimsel
freassur
ingl
yand
t
hatgavehim somecourage.

Heglancedupthestai
rsandthemomenthedi
d,t
he
si
ghtbef
orehi
mt ookhisbreat
haway.
[
05/09,07:
26]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
29
Heglancedupandthemomenthedi
d,t
hesi
ght
bef
orehimtookhi
sbreat
haway.

I
ri
sh.

Shewasdazzli
ngi
nabeautif
ulreddinnergown,
si
mpleyetwit
hatouchofspl
endourthatonlyf
ew
cout
uri
ersi
ntheworl
dcanachieve.
Hecouldseewhyshewasbei ngboast
fuloverher
wear
, t
hisdressissolovely,i
tal
sohasawel l
embroidedv-neckthatexposedtheswell
ofher
cr
eamyl ookingbreasts.
Heknewifthi
ssortofdressweret
obeonsal e,i
t'
ll
besol
doutinminutes,hedoubti
fthi
ssortofwear
i
seveninthetoponefashionst
oreintheci
ty.

Athinnecklacewit
hadi
amondneckl
acel
aidon
herneckelegantl
y.
Shecarr
iedapl
ainbl
ackl
it
tl
epur
seandal
sowor
e
bl
ackheels.

Et
han'
sgazet
rai
ledbackt
oherf
ace.
Hehasneverseenherappl
ymakeupandseeingi
t
onherf
acenowal mostmadehi
m droolont
hespot.
Herfacei
st hemostat
tracti
vepar tofherbody,
the
makeupwassosi mpl
ebutel egant,helovedhow
hersmalll
ipsshonewit
hl i
pgl oss.

Herhai
rwaspackedinabeautif
ulbunwithcurl
y
t
endri
lsfr
ami
ngherface,hernatur
all
onglashes
f
li
ppedasshebli
nkedhereyesnervousl
y.

Hef
elthi
shear
tbeati
ncr
easemer
elyst
ari
ngather
.

"Damn!"Hecur
sedwhenhereali
zedhehasbeen
star
ingfort
ool
ongandtoohard.
"
Youl
ook.
..
"Hepausedandsi
ghed.
"I
..
isthedressnotgoodenough?"I
rishasked
nervousl
ywi shi
ngshehadn'
tboastedthatmuch
buthermum hadsai dt
hedresswasgoodandshe
al
soknewi twasgood.
"
Wasi thermakeup?
"Shet
hought
,hercheeks
f
lushedalready.
Sheswall
owedhar
d,knowi
ngsher
eal
lyt
ri
edhar
d
toi
mpresshi
m.

"No!Yourdressisact
ual
lyt
hemostbeaut
if
ulI
'
ve
everseen"Ethansai
dandherf
aceli
tup
i
mmedi atel
y.

"
Thankyou"Shesmi
led.
"Andyoulookdashing,
I'
m sur
pri
sedyoucouldlook
thi
sway.I '
m sorr
yimeannoinsul
tbut
..
.I
'mjustso
surpr
ised"Ethansai
d.
"
Ithoughtyouwerenotsati
sfi
edwi
thmylookwi
th
t
hewayyoust ar
edsohar datme"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Yourlookrender
edmet hatway"Ethansai
d,
makingI r
ish'
scheeksgored,hercheekswas
almostthesamecol ourwi
thherdressandshet
ri
ed
topreventhersel
ffr
om gri
nni
nghar d.

Shewassohappyhe'
ssat
isf
iedwi
thherl
ook.
Herboast
inghadn'
tbeeni
nvai
naf
teral
l.

"
Youl
ookgoodt
oo"I
ri
shsai
d.

"
Good!
!?"I
ri
shscr
eamedi
nwar
dly.
'
Good'
didnoj
ust
icet
oEt
han'
slookandsheknewi
t.

Hewasdr essedinaneatblacktuxwhichdidn'
thi
d
hisper
fectl
ybuil
tbody.Theblackcur
lyhaironhis
broadchestpeepedseduct
ivel
youtofthewhi t
e
shir
tcuff
.
 Heworeapairofwellpol
ishedbl
ackshoest
o
matchandhi
swr i
stshonewi thadi
amond
wri
stwat
ch.
Hislong,cur
lybl
ackhai
rwaspart
edathisf
orehead
gi
vinghisfaceamorehandsomelookandhe
smelledsonicel
y.

Helookedsi
mpl
ebutanyonewhoseeshi
m wi
ll
knowheemanat
edfrom weal
th.
Thewor
d"r
iches"wasspel
tal
loverhi
m.

Ethanl
ickedhi
sal
readymoi
stl
ipsandI
ri
sh'
sinsi
de
coil
ed.

"
Thankyou"Hesai
dandshenodded.
"
Shal
lwe?
"Hest
ret
chedouthi
shandwi
thasmi
le.
Herhear
tdancedinherchestandsheheaveda
si
ghbeforet
akinghi
shand.
Herhandal
readyi
nhi
sgaveheranot
herbur
stof
f
eel
ingsshecan'
tevenexpl
ain,
buti
tfel
tsogood.

Hi
shandf
eltsowar
m agai
nsther
s.
Sher
arel
ygett
ohol
dhi
mthi
sway.

"Youguysdon'thavetogowithus"Et
hansai
dto
hisbodyguar
dsandt heynodded.
Hewantedtobefreetoni
ght
,hewouldhavet
old
hi
sdri
vertostaybacktoobuthe'
snotsur
ehe
woul
dbeablet odr
iveonthei
rwayback.

Hewi shedtheydi
dn'
tgettohi
slimososoon,he
doesn'twantthef
eel
ingherhandgavehi
mt ost
op.
I
twasj
ustt
oogood.

+
Themomentt heybot
hwal kedint
othepart
yhandi
n
hand,
everyt
hingseemstost op,
gazesf
lewint
hei
r
di
rect
ionandjawsdropped.

Ethannot
icedhowuneasyI
ri
shis.Het
ight
enedhi
s
holdonherhandandshegl
ancedupathim.
"
Beatease"Hewhi
sper
edandshenodded.
Sheloosenedupaf
tert
hatevent
houghgazeswer
e
st
il
lonthem.

Ever
ywheregleamedbr
ight
lyandt
her
ewer
eso
muchentert
ainment
.
Onecouldt el
limmediatelythatt hedinnerpart
y
wasf i
ll
edwi thinfl
uenti
alpeopl e,differ
ent
expensivewear sshonef r
om di ff
er entcor
nersof
theroom,jewelri
essparkledandI r enenotedmostof
theladi
esl ookedoverdressed,shewassur pr
isedat
theheavymakeupmostoft hem wor e.
Thehostqui
ckl
yrushedf
orwar
dtowel
comet
hem.
Hel
edthem toaseatandmadesur
etheywer
e
wel
lcomfor
table.

Theladi
esrushedtothei
rseatimmediat
elyt
hehost
l
eftt
hem andIri
shglancedup,al
armedatthe
numberofeyesstari
ngdownather .

"
Whi
chf
ashi
ondesi
gnermadeyourdr
ess?
"

"
Iwantone"

"
It
'ssobeaut
if
ul"

"
Youboughti
tfr
om Ana'
sfashi
onst
ore?

"
Wow!Justl
ookatt
heHem"
"
Ana'
slogoi
sn'
toni
t!
"

"
Who'
syourf
ashi
ondesi
gner
!!
!!
!?"
Theladiesbombardedt
hestunnedIr
ishwit
hmor
e
questi
onsfli
rt
ingwit
hEthaninthepr
ocess.

"
Chi
ll
"Et
hansai
dtoI
ri
sh.
"I
'
llanswerthem"Headded,
knowi
ngI
ri
shwast
oo
stunnedtospeak.

Shedoseemostoft
hesel
adiesi
nmagazi
ne'
s
cover
.Thear
efr
eaki
ngwealt
hy!
Andthesur
pri
seofseei
ngt
hem i
nreal
it
yal
one
al
readymadehermute.
Nott
otal
koft
hef
actt
hatt
heyl
oveherdr
ess.
Hercheapdr
ess!

"
Shemadet
hedr
essher
sel
f"Et
hansai
d.
"
Wow!
"Thel
adi
eschor
used.
"She'
sagr eatfashi
ondesigner
,what'
st henameof
herfashi
onst ore,
wewil
llovetopat
ronizeher"one
ofthem spoke.
"
Yes"Ther
estchor
used.
Et
hancl
ear
edhi
sthr
oatandgl
ancedatI
ri
sh.
"Levi
ne'
sfashions"Hef
inal
lysai
dandI
ri
shst
ared
athimindisbeli
ef.
No.
..
HeknewaboutLevi
ne'
sfashi
ons?
Sherememberedshet
oldAr
inabouti
t,
nothi
m.
Coul
dArinhavetol
dhi
m?

"
Levi
ne'
sfashi
ons?
"Thel
adi
eschor
used.
"
Itdoesn'
tri
ngasingl
ebel
l"oneoft
hem sai
dand
t
herestagreed.
"That
'
sbecausei
t'
slocat
edi
nmyhouse"Et
han
answered.
"
Wow!Real
ly?
"
"Yes,
youcanhavehercont
actandpl
aceyour
order
s"Et
hansaid.
"
Harol
d,idon'
tevenhaveamachi
ne!
"Ir
ish
whi
speredtohi
m.
"Lett
hem haveyourcontact
,theyar
ewil
li
ngtopay
anyamount"Ethanwhi sper
edbacktoher.
"
Buthowwi
lli
?..
."Shewassayi
ng.

"
She'sreadytogivey'
al
lhercont
act
"Et
han
i
nter
ruptedher.
.
"
What
!"Sheexcl
aimedi
nwar
dly.
Shegl
ancedupatt
hewai
ti
ngf
acesoft
hel
adi
es
andsi
ghed.

Sheshar
edhercont
actbef
oret
hel
adi
esdi
sper
sed.
Mostoft
hem openl
yfl
ir
twi
thEt
hanbef
orel
eavi
ng.
I
ri
sh'
ssosur
eeachoft
hem ar
eher
ewi
tht
hei
r
par
tneryett
heyf
li
rtopenl
ywi
thanot
herman!

"Ethan,youshouldn'
thavemademegi vet hem my
contact .I
t'
str
uemyMot heronceownaf ashion
storeandishoul dhaveamachi nebut.
..
wesol d
everythingalr
eady,not
hingislef
t"I
ri
shsai d.
Theyhadsol
dthei
rmother
'smachi
nessevenyear
s
agotopayAr
usha'
sfeesandsomeotherbi
ll
s.
"Whenwegethome,we'l
lknowhowtogoabouti
t.
Let
'senj
oyt
hepart
y"Ethansmil
ed.

Ethanwaswel lr
espect ed,di
fferentinf
luenti
al
peoplegotupfrom theirseatst osayhitohim.
Mostofthem proposedbusi nesst ohim, hesimpl
y
gavethem appointment sandt oldthem t
hey
couldn'
tdi
scusst hathere.Hewassohumbl eabout
thewholethi
ngt hatIr
ishf el
tsopr oudofhim.

Shei
gnoredthejeal
ousgazescastedi
nthei
r
dir
ect
ionandslowlysi
ppedherwine.
Catheri
nebur
nedwi t
hragei
nherseatasshest
ared
atEthanandIr
ish.

Shehadstoodupwit
hMor ganearl
iert
oalso
glanceatt
hecoupl
ewhoset hei
rent
rancecaused
somanygazesandseeingitwasEthanandal ady
brokeherhear
tcompl
etel
y.a

Shewouldn'tdenyt
hef
actthatt
heybot
hlookgood.
Well
..Et
hani sal
waysl
ooki
nggoodbutwhothehell
wasthatlady.

Shecouldn'
tbel
ievei
twhenMor
gant
oldheri
twas
Ari
n'snanny.
Sheoncesawthel
ady'
spi
ctur
ebutshewasn'
tthi
s
beaut
if
uli
nit.

Cat
her
ineswor
eunderherbr
eat
h,wi
shi
ngsheand
Morganhaddressedupmorethanthi
scauseit
'sso
obvi
ousthatEt
hanandthewretchednannywonthe
bestdr
essedcouple.
Tothi
nktheblogswoul
dcar
ryi
ttomor
rowgave
herheadache.

Shecan'
tjustbel
ievet
his!

Thel
ady'
swearlooksouniqueandshewassosur
e
i
twasn'
tfr
om Ana'sst
ore.
Anawoul
dhaveshowedi
ttoherf
ir
stbef
oresel
l
ing
i
tout
.

Wher
ethehel
lwasAnaanyway!

"
Hel
lo!
"Ir
ishhear
daf
emi
ninevoi
cesai
d.
Sheglancedupatthesameti
mewi t
hEthant
osee
awomanwhosedr esswassot i
ghtt
otheext
ent
thati
twasalmostchoki
ngher.

Ir
ishshi
ftedi
nherseatasshesawMor
ganHar
low
besidet
hewoman.

"
HeyCat
her
ineHar
low"Et
hansmi
led.
Har
low?Thi
sCasanovaevenhasawif
e!Howmuch
hehadhat
edEt
hanaf t
erworki
ngwi
thhim.
Andshouldn'
theatleastsayhit
ohiselderbr
other?
Ethanal
sodoesn'tseem l
ikehecar
e,hedidn'
teven
sparehi
m aglance.

"
Cat
her
ine?
"Ir
isht
hought
.
Thenamer
ingsabel
l.

"
Ir
ish,
meetAr
in'
smot
her
"Et
hansai
d.
What
!
She'
sAr
in'
smot
her
?
Ohno!

"
H..hi
"Ir
ishsaidandt
hewoman'
slookal
most
madehershiver.
Hergazewassopenet
rat
ingt
hatI
ri
shf
elti
t.

"Ethan,
howcouldyoubri
nganannyt
oaninf
luent
ial
dinnerpar
ty.That
'sani
nsul
ttot
hehost
"Cat
heri
ne
said.

"That'
sani nsultt
othehost?Eventhehostiscool
withit
,idon'tgetwhyyou'
rebother
ed.You'r
enotthe
host"Ethansai dandI
ri
shwasgl adheputherinher
place.
Thel
ookonherf
acewassobi
tt
er.
Thewor
dsr
eal
lygott
oher
.

"Youshouldl
eavenow,
mor
epeopl
ewi
llbeher
eto
sayhi"Et
hansaid.

"Iwasnotstayingei
ther
.Myhusband, yourbr
other
,
andi havetobeonourseatstoo.Somanypeopl e
havebeencomi ngtosayhi,
ijustthoughti
t
wouldn'tbenicetoi
gnoremybaby' sf
ather
!"
Catheri
nesaid.
"
Ohh.
..
thankyou"Et
hansi
ppedhi
sjui
ce.

I
ri
shsawthecol
dglanceMorgandi
rect
edt
owar
ds
Et
hanwhowasn'
tevenlooki
ngathi
m.
Shenot
icedt
heydi
dn'
tevensayhitoeachother
,it
showst
heybothhavemutualdi
sli
keforeachot
her.

Whateverhappenedbet
weent
hist
wobr
other
sis
somethingser
ious.
Thecoupl
ewal
kedawayandEt
hanl
aughed.

"
Whyar
eyoul
aughi
ng?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
Didn'
tyouseehowover
dressedt
hey'
re"Hesai
d.
"Ohh.
..yeah!AndCather
ine'
sdressi
salmost
choki
ngherpl ushermakeupistooheavy"I
ri
shsai
d,
shaki
ngherhead.

"
Cather
inehasalwaysbeenl i
kethat.She'
sapar
ty
f
reak,
shelovesshowi
ngof fandlovesspendi
ng
moneyonwor thl
esst
hings."Ethansaid.
"Ohh..
.shel
ooksl
ikeit
.But.
..
howcomeshe'
s
...
marriedt
oyour
...
.br
otherMor
ganHar
low!
?"I
ri
sh
asked.
"That'
sthepat
hshechosef
orher
sel
f"Et
han
shrugged.

I
ri
shsi
ghedwonder
ingi
fEt
hanknowshow
danger
oushi
sbr
other
,Mor
gani
s.
Sheshoul
dtel
lhi
m but
..

"
Let
'sdance"Et
hanst
ret
chedouthi
shandandI
ri
sh
t
ookit
..

Theyj
oinedt
hef
ewpeopl
eonthedancef
loorand
st
art
eddanci
ngt
othewal
tz.
Theyweren'tt
heonl
yonesonthedancefloorbut
theywer
et heonl
yonespeopl
ewerestar
ingat.

Slowl
y,coupl
esstar
tedj
oini
ngi nandt
he
dancef
loorwasfi
ll
edinminutes.
Ir
ishsmil
ed,
shewasenjoyi
ngthedancesomuch
evenifshehadst
eppedonEthan'
sshoessever
all
y.
Themomentwasmagi
cal
forherasshest
aredi
nto
hi
seyes.
..
Hewastheonlyoneshesawdespi
tet
hedozensof
peopl
eonthedancef
loor
.
Hehel
dontohergazeandi
tfel
tli
kehewasf
eel
i
ng
t
hesamethi
ngasshewas.

Theirdanci
ngstepssl
oweddownandthenext
second,t
hei
rli
pswereinchesapar
t.
Shewonder
edhowt
hathappened.
Shewi
shedshecoul
dpullbackbutherhear
tdi
dn'
t
agr
eewit
hher,
itpul
ledhercl
oser
.

Damn!

Andjustwhent
heirli
pswereabouttot
ouch,she
fel
tsomethi
ngsharppier
ceherbythesi
de.
.

Ouch!
[
05/09,07:
26]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th
 JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
30

Andjustwhent
heirli
pswereabouttot
ouch,she
fel
tsomethi
ngsharppier
ceherbythesi
de.

Et
hannoti
cedhermovementsuddenl
ystoppedand
hecoul
dhearhergr
oaneventhr
oughthemusic.

"What'
swr
ong?
"Hepani
ckedl
ooki
ngi
ntoherdul
l
eyes.
"
I.
.i"Sheswal
lowedhar
dandst
art
edbr
eat
hingf
ast
.
"
Ir
ish"Et
hanj
erkedher
.

Hewasgl
adnooneseemst
onot
icewhatwas
goi
ngon.

"
I'
mfi
ne"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Shoul
dwegohome?
"Heaskedandsheshookher
head.
Hereyeswer
est
il
llooki
ngsodul
l,
li
keshe'
sinpai
ns.
"
Whathappened?
"Et
hanaskedwor
ri
edl
y.
Hehel
dhert
ight
ly,
afr
aidshemi
ghtf
all
.
"I
..
ithi
nksomeonehitmebythesi
de"I
ri
shl
ied.
Someonehadn'thi
ther
,shehadbeent
o
piercedwi
thaver
ysharpobjectandnowshecoul
d
feelshewasbl
eedingf
rom t
hesi de.

Shet
hankedherst
arsshewasput
ti
ngonar
ed
gown.
Shecoul
dn'tl
etEt
hanknoworhewoul
dmaket
hem
l
eavethepart
yimmedi
atel
y.

"
Letgosi
t"Et
hansai
dandshequi
ckl
ynodded.
Shewasstarti
ngtof
eelweakandsheheldhersi
de
ti
ght
lyasEthangent
lyl
edhertothei
rseat
.
Shewonder
edi
fsomeonehaddel
iber
atel
ypi
erced
hersi
de.

Haditbeenamistake?Orprobabl
yoneofthepi
ns
ontheladi
escl
othhadstruckherbythesi
de.
Thepier
cinghadjustfel
tli
kei
twasaneedl
e
pi
erci
ngbutitaf
fectedherbadl
y.

"Canigetwater
?"SheaskedEt
han,
tr
yingt
omake
hervoi
cesteady.
Ethangr
abbedaglasscupf
rom t
het
rayandpour
ed
somewaterforher
.
Shegul
pedi
tdownhert
hroatandt
hepai
nsr
eli
eved
herabi
t.
.
Sheaskedf
ormor
eandEt
hangl
adl
ypour
edmor
e
forher
.

"Ar
eyousur eyou'
ref
ine?Wecangohomei
fyou'
re
notfeel
ingsowell
"Et
hansai
d.
"
No,
I'
mfi
ne"I
ri
shsmi
led.
Shef
eltr
eli
evedaf
tergul
pingt
hewat
er.
Shet
ouchedhersi
deandal
mostwi
ncedi
npai
n.
I
t'
shur
ti
ngbadl
y.

"Youcanret
urntot
hedancef
loor
,anyl
adywoul
d
gladl
ydancewit
hyou"I
ri
shsaid.
Shecan'
tdenyhim ofenj
oymentj
ustbecauseshe
wasfeel
ingdown.
"
No,
I'
mfi
neher
ewi
thyou"Et
hansai
d.
"No,youcamet othi
spartytohavefun,ican'tki
l
l
thatfunjustbecauseI'm notf
eel
ingtoowell.Just
goenj oyyoursel
f"Ir
ishsaid.
"
I'
mfi
neher
ewi
thyouI
ri
sh"
Ethansai
d.
"No,i
t'
smaki
ngmef
eel
gui
lt
yfordepr
ivi
ngyouof
yourfun"
"
Idon'
t.
..
"Et
hanwassayi
ng.
"
Youwantmet
ofeel
gui
lt
y?"I
ri
shi
nter
rupt
edhi
m.
"
No"Et
hansai
d.
"
Thengodance,
please"I
ri
shi
nsi
sted.
"
Andievenwannavi
sitt
her
est
room"I
ri
shadded.
Sheneededt
owasof
fthebl
oodbyhersi
de.

"Iactual
lydon'tf
eell
ikedanci
nganymore,itdoesn'
t
meanI 'm nothavi
ngfun.Iam,merel
ylooki
ngat
thoseont hedancefl
oor"Et
hansai
dandI ri
sh
sighed.
"
Don'
tfeelgui
lt
yokay?
"Hesai
dandshenodded.
"
So,where'
sthewaytotherest
room.
"Ir
ish
wonder
edlooki
ngaround.
"
I'
llcomewi
thyou"Et
hansai
d.
"
Huh?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
ImeanI
'
llshowyout
heway"Et
hansai
d.
"
Ohh.
..okay"Shesai
dandt
heybot
hst
oodup.

"You'
vebeentherebef
ore?
"Ir
ishaskedasEt
han
knowingl
yledtheway.
"
Yeah,I
'vebeenhereforsever
albusi
nesss
meet
ings"Ethansai
d.
"Ohh.
..
"Ir
ishsai
d,gl
adEt
hanwaswal
kingaheadof
her.
Shegott
hechancetopeepathersi
deandshe
coul
dseehowsoakedherdresswas.

"
Wow"shemumbl
edt
oher
sel
f.
"
Thankyou"Shesai
dtoEt
hanwhenheshowedher
t
herest
room.
Shewal
kedi
nandshutt
hedooraf
terher
.
Hernextmovewasl
ooki
ngatherr
efl
ect
ioni
nthe
mir
ror.

Shegl
ancedathersi
deandshookherhead.
Shenevert
houghtshe'
l
lleavet
hispar
tywi
tha
wound.
Shesl
owlypul
ledhergownandf
inal
lyhadacl
ear
l
ookathersi
de.
Thewoundi
ssot
iny,
andi
tlooksdeep.
.

Def
ini
tel
yithadn'
tbeenanacci
dent
!
I
fitwas,
itwoul
dhavejustbeenascr atchbutt
his
i
ssodeepwhichclear
lyshowst hatsomeonehad
i
ndeedpier
cedasharpobjecti
nhersi de.
Coul
dithavebeenMor
gan'
sbodyguar
ds?
No,
shesawnobodyguar
dwi
thhi
m.
Coul
dithavebeenMor
ganhi
msel
f.

Andwhatwassheaboutt
odowi
thEt
hanbef
ore
t
heinci
dence?

Gosh!
Whatt
hehel
lisgoi
ngonwi
thher
?

*
*

Ir
ishwalkedoutoftherestr
oom af
tershewasdone,
sheglancedaroundforEthanbutcoul
dn'tf
indhi
m.
Shesawal adyr
est
ingont hewal
lbesi
dethe
restroom,shewassurpr
isedcauseshehadn'
teven
noticedtheladywhowasst andi
ngsoclosetoher
.
Herdinnergownwasblackwit
hsi
lvergl
itt
ersal
l
overit
,hermakeuplookspr
etr
yheavyjustli
ket
he
otherl
adiesi
nthepart
y.
Thei
rgazesl
ockedandI
ri
shcoul
dtel
lshel
ooks
fami
li
ar.

Why'
sshest
andi
ngher
eal
one?
Wel
l.
..
shemi
ghtbewai
ti
ngf
orsomeone.
I
ri
sht
urnedt
owal
kawaywhent
hel
adyspokeup.

"
Hey!
"Shesai
dandI
ri
sht
urnedbackt
oher
.
"
What
?"I
ri
shasked.
"
I'
m Ana,t
heowneroft
hebiggestf
ashi
onst
orei
n
t
hecit
y"Thel
adysaidpr
oudly.

"
Ohh..
."Iri
shsmi
led,nowonderherf
acel
ooked
f
amili
ar.Shehadseenheroncountl
essf
ashi
on
magazines.
Onl
ytheri
chpatr
oni
zeshercauseherwear
sar
e
damnexpensi
ve.
Ir
ishdohopet ohaveafashi
onstor
easbigas
Ana'sonedaybutshe'l
lmakesurethel
ess
privi
legedcanaf
fordherwear
s.

"
W..
whatcanidof
oryou?
"Ir
ishasked.
"Imademostoft
hedr
essest
hel
adi
esar
eput
ti
ng
onri
ghtnow"
"
So?
"Ir
ishasked.
"Howdareyoucomeint
othispar
tyt
oshowof
fyour
cheapwear!
"Anasai
dfuri
ousl
y.
"
Excuseme!
"Ir
ishsai
d.
"Whatar
eyousayi
ng?Ishoul
dhavecomet
othe
par
tynaked?
"SheaskedAna.
"Thatisn'
twhatimean!Ifyoudareatt
ractmy
customer switht
hischeapwearofyours,iswear
downI 'm gonnarui
nyou.Gett
ingpi
ercedbyt he
sideisjustawarning"Anasai
d.
Ir
ishl
ookedshockedasshewat
chedAnawal
k
away.

"
Oh.
.no"Shemumbl
edaf
tersomeseconds.
Shewast r
yingtogett
hewor
dsi
ntoherheadwhen
Ethanappeared.

"Ar
eyouokay?"Heaskedandshenodded,
sti
lli
n
shockt
hough.
"Ohh..
youmusthavebeenwait
ingf
orme,
ial
so
visi
tedther
est
room"Ethansai
d.
"
Ohh.
.okay"I
ri
shsai
dsl
owl
y.
"
Areyouokay?
"Et
hanaskedagai
n.
"
Sur
e"I
ri
shsai
d.

_
__
Theywer
eont
hei
rwayhomebyt
woam.
I
ri
shrel
axedinthel
imowi thEthanbesideher
.A
gl
asswaswassepar at
ingthem from t
hedri
ver,
whichmeansthedri
vercan'tseeorhearwhat'
s
goi
ngonbehind.
I
ri
shwasgl
ad.

"
Thanksf
orcomi
ngwi
thme"Et
hansai
d.
"
Mypl
easur
e"I
ri
shsmi
led
"
Ihopeyouhadf
un?
"Et
hanasked.
"
Yeah,
somuchf
un"I
ri
shsai
d.

Shecoul
dn'
ttel
lEt
hanshewast
hreat
ened.
Andhedi
dn'
tevenknowaboutt
hewoundbyher
si
de.
I
t'
shur
ti
ngt
err
ibl
y,she'
l
lneedt
ovi
sitt
hehospi
tal
t
omorr
ow.
"Yourdressissobeauti
ful
,you'
reoneoft hebest
fashi
ondesigneriknow.Whydi dn'tyoushowcase
thi
sgiftofyours?Youwouldhavemadehuge
amount sofmoney,mostLadieslovebeauti
ful
thi
ngs"Ethansaid.

"Well
..
.si
ncemyfather'sissueatthejewel
rystore
heonceworkedfor,Iandmymot herdidn'
teven
makeanymovet ocont i
nuesewinganddesi gning
clot
hesaswesoldtheonl ymachinewehad.Idon' t
evenknowhowtogoaboutt hel
adiesigavemy
contactt
o"I
ri
shsighed.

Remember
ingAna'
swor
dsbr
oughtaachet
oher
hear
t.

"We'
llknowhowtogoaboutitokay,
don'
tbother
aboutthat
"Et
hansai
d,havi
nghisplanal
ready.
"
Okay"
Ther
ewassilenceaft
erwar
dsandt
heybot
hst
ole
gl
ancesateachother
.

"
Uhmmm.
."Et
hanhel
dhi
shandupt
ohi
shead.
"
Mm?I
ri
shst
aredathi
m.

Howithappenedsof
astwassomet
hingt
hatI
ri
sh
coul
dn'
ttel
l.
"
I'
m sor
ry,coul
dn'tresistanymore"Ethansai
dand
t
henextsecond,hislipswer et
ouchingIri
sh'
s.

Ir
ishwant
edtobackoutbutsheenj
oyedt
heteast
ofthewhi
skeyi
nhismouthandsoshekissedback.
Ethan'
shandslowlyt
ravel
eddowntoherfi
rm
breastandsqueezedi
t,I
ri
shmoanedinhi
smonth.

Hepusheddownthecarseat,notdi
sengagi
ng
fr
om t
hekiss,
heslowlyr
aisehergownupabove
herwai
standthenki
ssedherthi
ghs.
I
ri
sh'
smoangr
owl
ouderi
mmedi
atel
yEt
handr
ove
i
ntoher
.

Sh*
*!!
!
Somebodyshoul
dcomeandt
eachmehowt
owr
it
e
smut
s sheyIknowItri
ed.
Kai,
ThisNannyjobdondeyhungr
ymeoh Expect
anotherchapt
er
[
05/09,07:
26]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie
#Chapt
er_
31

They'vgothomewavedeachot
herbyeast
hey
walkedint
othei
rrooms.
I
ri
shsighedasshedr
oppedherpur
seonher
dr
essi
ngt abl
e.

Shesatonthechairandst
artedpul
li
nghershoes,
smil
ingal
ltoher
selfassheremember edt
hekiss
andsexmoment .

Herhearthadal
mostst oppedcausei
twasj
ustso
sudden,
shehadn'texpectedit
.
I
fithadbeenwhentheywer
eont hedanci
ngfl
oor
t
hathekissedher
,i
twoul
dn'
thaveshockedherl
ike
i
tdidint
hecar.

Neverhadaki
ssbeensoel
ect
ri
fyi
ng.
Ifanyotherpersonhadkissedher
,shewoul
dhave
pull
edawaybutshedi dn'tevenf
oundher
sel
f
pull
ingawayf r
om Ethan
Shehadl
eanedi
nmor
e.
Itwasn'
tjustaki
ss.Thesexmomentlef
the
shocked,
shecouldn'
tbackout.Hermi
ndsayNo
buthebodyspeaksunderwise.

Butwhyhashekissedher?Whyhadhesexedher?
Hisdaught
er'
snanny?Allofasudden,
outoft
he
bl
ue!?
Becausehecoul
dn'
tresi
stl
ikehesai
d?
Orwashedr
unk?
Evenifhewas,
shewasn'
tandshecoul
dhave
stoppedhi
m.

Thisi
ssounl i
keher,havi
ngsexwit
hherboss!He
hadkissedherthoughbuthowcouldshecheapl
y
ret
urntheki
ss?Andt henall
owhim dr
oveint
oher?
Damni
t.
Shemustbedr
unkt
oo.
..
yeah.

Theywer
ebot
hdr
unk.

Sheyawnedassher
oset
oherf
eet
.
*
Shefel
lint
obedassoonasshe f
ini
shedcleani
ng
herf
aceandchangi
ngint
oherni
ghtwear.

_
__

"
Goodmor
ningAr
in"I
ri
shsai
dwal
kingi
ntoAr
in'
s'
s
r
oom.
"
Goodmor
ningI
ri
sh"
Ari
nsai
d.
Shejustfi
nishedbat
hingandwasdryi
ngherbody
wit
hat owelwhilewai
tingf
orI
ri
shtocomejoi
nher.
Dol
lywassi
tt
ingont
opofherbedandshehad
dr
essedherwi
thoneofhercl
othes.

Ari
ndidn'
tknowoft
hepar
tyt
heyat
tended
yest
erni
ght.

"Howwasyournight
?"I
rishaskedherasshepat
ted
Doll
yandgivehi
m ki
sses,thenbr
oughtoutAr
in'
'
s
bodycream.
"
Itwasj
ustf
ine,
thankyou"Ar
insai
d.
"
DidJavadgotat
tacked?
"Ar
insuddenl
yasked.
"Huh?Whatmadeyout hi
nkso?"I
ri
shasked,
helpi
ngheri
ntoherunder
wear.
"Hi
sfacelooksbrui
sedupandinoticedhe'
shi
ding
i
tbeneathhisfacecap.Hedoesn'
twantmydadt o
know?"
"
Ohh..
.well
,hegoti
ntoaf
ightwi
thCar
l"
.Ir
ish
whi
spered.
"
Wow!
"Ar
inexcl
aimed.
"
Youmustpr
omi
senott
otel
lEt
h..MrEt
hanyou
knowt hepuni
shmentforfi
ghti
ngright
?andI'
m
sureyoudon'twantnei
therJavadnorCar
ltol
eave
anyti
mesoon"Iri
shsaidandAr i
nnodded.
"
Fight
ingi
sn'
tagoodt
hing"Ar
insai
d.
"
Ofcour
sei
tisn'
t.
"Ir
ishsai
d.

BynowIr
ishwasdonemaki
ngAr
inputonher
uni
for
m.
Shewaswear
inghershoeswhenEt
hanwal
kedi
n.

"
Daddy!
"Ar
insmi
ledashebentt
ohugher
.
"
Goodmor
ningpr
incess"heki
ssedherf
orehead.

I
ri
shwassur
pri
sedhewasn'
tdr
essedf
orwor
k.
Hewasst
il
linhi
sni
ght
wear
.
Sheswal
lowedhar
dremember
ingt
hel
astni
ght
.
Shewatchedhi
m gi
ggl
ewit
hAr
inandwonderhow
shewasgoingt
ofacehi
m.
"
Youar
en'
tgoi
ngt
owor
ktoday"Ar
insai
d.
"
Yes"Et
hansai
d,r
isi
ngt
ohi
sfeet
.
Hecoul
dn'
tmeetI
ri
sh'
seyescauseheknewwhat
hedi
dwaswrong.
Hehadki ssedherwi
thoutherpermi
ssion.And
hadn'
tstoppedther
e,i
tcould'
vebeenbetteri
fitwas
j
ustakiss.Sheshouldhavejustsl
appedhisstupi
d
assoffandpushedhim away.
Moreli
kehetookadvant
ageofher
.Andshi
t!He
hadn'
tusedprot
ect
ion.

Washedr
unk?
Neverf
oroncehadhetriedt
oki
ssorsexappr
oach
anyofhi
sdaughter
'snanny.
Hej
ustcoul
dn'
tresi
stI
ri
shyest
erni
ght
.

"
Wil
lyour
idewi
thmet
oschoolt
hen?
"Ar
inasked.
"
Youwantmet
o?"Et
hanasked.
"
Yesdad,
it'
sbeenl
ong"Ar
inpout
ed.
"
Okayiwi
ll
"Et
hansai
d.
"
IloveyouDad"Ar
insai
dinexci
tement
.
"
But
,we'
l
lbegoi
ngi
nmyl
imousi
ne"Et
hansai
d.
"
Thepi
nkone"Ar
inst
atedandEt
hannodded.

"Goodmorni
ngMrEthan"I
ri
shsai
daf
terf
inal
ly
summoningcour
age.
"Goodmor ningIri
sh,
howwasyourni
ght
?"Et
han
asked,
final
lylooki
ngather.
Thegazesl ockedf
orsecondsandt
heybot
h
quickl
ylookedaway.
"
Itwasgreat
,thanks"I
ri
shsai
dasshemadet
opi
ck
Ari
n'scomb.

"Ishoul
dgogetchanged,youguysshoul
dber eady
bytheti
meI'
m done"Ethansaidbef
orewalki
ngout
oft
hedoor
.

_
__

"Dad,you'
l
lbedr
ivingal
lbyyour
self
?"Ari
naskedas
Ethancoll
ect
edhiscarkeyf
rom hi
sdri
ver.
"Yeah,y'
al
lshouldstayback.I
'
llbedr
oppi
ngAr
ini
n
schoolmyself"Ethansai
d.
"
Areyousur
eyou'
l
lbef
ineMrEt
han?
"Car
lasked.
"
Ofcour
se"Et
hansmi
led.
"
Geti
nAr
inand.
..I
ri
sht
oo"
"
Huh?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
What
?"Et
hanasked.
"You..
yousaidever
yoneshoul
dstayback"Ir
ishsai
d,
thethoughtofbei
ngalonei
nthecarwithhim af
ter
droppingAri
nmadeherheartbeatf
aster.

Af
tert
hesexl
astni
ght
,shedoesnott
hinkshe'
l
l
wantt
obeal
onewi
thEt
hanagai
n.
Shedoesn'
ttr
ustherf
eel
ings.

"
Iwantyout
ogowi
thus"Ar
insai
d.
"Ohh..okay"I
ri
shsai
d,get
ti
ngi
ntot
hebackseat
besideArin.

_
__

"
I'
m sosor
ryaboutlastni
ght
"Et
hanapol
ogi
sedt
o
I
ri
shastheyheadedbackhome.
"
I.
.it
'sf
ine"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Inevermeantt
o"Et
hansai
d.
"
Youwer
epr
obabl
ydr
unk"I
ri
shsai
d.
"No,iwasn'
t,iguess.
..
ijustcoul
dn'
tresist
"Et
han
saidandIri
shclearedherthroat
,bl
ushinghar
d.

"
Ari
nseemedsoexci
tedaboutyoudr
oppi
ngheri
n
school"I
ri
shsaid,
obvi
ousl
ychangingtopi
c,she
wasn'tcomfor
tabl
ewit
hthe'Sext
alk'

"Yeah,ir
arelydr
opmydaught erinschoolandwhen
idecideto,
shegoesallexci
ted,shelovesbeingi
n
thecarwi t
hme"Ethansmi l
ed.
Hel
ovesAr
insomuch.
"
Ohh.
..so,
youdecidednott
ogot
owor
ktoday.
Why?
?"I r
ishsked.
"Ineededt
orestandal
soapol
ogi
set
oyou"Et
han
said.
"
Ohh"I
ri
shdr
awl
ed.
"
Remembert
hosel
adi
esatt
hepar
ty?
"Sheasked.
"Yeah,
theonesimadeyougi
veyourcont
actt
o"
Ethansaid.
"
Exact
ly!
"Ir
ishsi
ghed.
"
Iguessthey'
vefi
ll
edyourphonewi
th
messages"
Ethanl
aughed.
"
Tonsoft
hem"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Don'tbesurpr
isedtofindyoursel
ftr
endingaft
er
l
astni ght
,somanyot herladi
esthatwerenoteven
i
nt hepartywil
lwantyout omaket hedressfor
them,soasI'm speaki
ngnow.Yourcont acti
sbeing
sharedwor l
dwide"Ethansaid.
"
What
!Oh.
.my"I
ri
shexcl
aimed.

"Yeah,
soyoushouldmakethatabusi
nesscont
act
andgetamoreprivat
eone"Ethansai
d.
"Butidon'
tevenhaveamachi
ne!
!"I
ri
shnear
ly
screamed.
She'
ssof
rust
rat
edbyt
hewhol
ethi
ng.
"We'
llsor
tthatoutwhenwegethome.I '
m sor
ryi
f
that
'smakingyousoupset,ishoul
dn'
thavemade
yougivethem yourcont
act
"Ethansai
d.
"
No,
it'
sfi
ne"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Yousur
e?"Et
hanasked.
"
Ofcour
se"I
ri
shsai
d.
_
__

"
Real
ly?
"Ir
ishasked.

Shesati
nthekit
chenwi t
hGabri
ell
ewhoj ustt
old
heral
mostal
ltheworkerswerepeepingl
astnight
whensheandEthanleftfort
hepart
y.

"
Youwer
elooki
ngsost
unni
ngal
ongsi
deMrEt
han
t
oo"
"
Youwer
epeepi
ngt
oo?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
Ofcour
se"Gabr
iel
l
elaughed.
"
Wow"I
ri
shl
aughedt
oo.
"Don'
tbesur
pri
sedmostoft
hefemaleworker
swi
ll
begivi
ngyouakindanewl
ook"Gabr
iel
lesai
d.
"
Wel
lidon'
tcar
e"I
ri
shr
oll
edhereyes.
"
That'
sthespi
ri
tgi
rl
!"Gabr
iel
lesai
dandt
heybot
h
l
aughed.
_
__

"
Heysi
s"Ar
ushacal
ledi
ntot
hephone.
"Arus,
what
'sup?
"Ir
ishasked,
wal
kingoutoft
he
kit
chen.

Shewashelpi
ngGabri
ell
etomakel
unchwhen
Arusha'
scal
lcamei
n.

"
I'
mfi
neandconf
usedashel
l
"Ar
ushasai
d.

"
Why?
"Ir
ishasked.

"
Ar eyoutheladybesi
deEt
hanHar
lowl
astni
ght
?"
Arushaasked.

"
Yeah,
Mum t
oldyour
ight
?"I
ri
shsmi
led.
"No!Sis,
you'r
etr
endi
ng.Yourpi
ctur
eis
everywhere!
"

"
What
!"I
ri
shexcl
aimed.

No!Si
s,you'
ret
rendi
ng.Yourpi
ctur
eisever
ywher
e!

"
What
!"I
ri
shexcl
aimed.

"
Youmeanyoudon'
tknow?
"Ar
ushaasked.

"Idon'tknowanythi
ng!Iswi
tchedoffmyphone
causeoft hecountl
essmessagesiwasrecei
ving
andi onlyswit
cheditonfewminutesbef
oreyou
call
ed."

"
Count
lessmessages?
"Ar
ushaasked.
"
Arusha,
rightnow.I
'
m st
uck!
"
What
'swr
ong?
"I
..igaveoutmycontacttosomel adi
esatthe
dinnerpartywhoadmiredmydr essandwantmeto
maket hesamefort
hem"I r
ishsatworri
edl
yonthe
couch.

"Wow!That'
sagoodthi
ngbutIri
shyoudon'
teven
haveequi
pmentsanymore.H.
.howareyougonna
doit
?

"
Idon'
tknowt
oo!
"Youshoul
dn'
thaveshar
edyourcont
act
"Ar
usha
said.
"
Idi
dal
ready,
idon'
tknowwhatt
odo.
"

"Howaboutyouchargethem andrecei
vehal
foft
he
payment
,witheveyt
hingputt
ogether,
youcanget
someequi
pmentand"

Ir
ishwasli
steni
ngt
oArushawhenshesawtwo
unfami
li
armenwalkedi
n,goi
ngtowar
dsthest
air
s.

"Arusha,I
'm gonnacal
lyoul
ater
"Ir
ishsai
d,
disconnect
ingthecall
.

"
Hel
lo!Whoar
eyouguys?
"Sheasked,
risi
ngt
oher
f
eet
.
Shewalkedclosert
othem andt
rul
yshehasnever
seent
heirf
acesaroundhere.

"Won'tyouguyssaysomethi
ng?"Sheaskedthe
bodyguardsint
heli
vingroom andj
ustwhenoneof
them wasabouttospeak.
Et
hanspokeup,
slowl
ydescendi
ngt
hest
air
s.
"
Iinvi
tedt
hem over
"hesai
d.
"
Ohh.
..
okay"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
But
..
."Shewassayi
ngwhenshest
opped.
Invi
ti
ngthem overdoesn'
tmeantheyshoul
djust
comei nandnotsayhitoanyoneandevenproceed
towardsthestai
rs.
That
'sunr
uly!

"
I'
llbewi
thGabr
iel
lei
ntheki
tchen"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Okay"Et
hansai
d.
"
Comewithmetot
hegardenguys"headdedand
I
ri
shwonder
edwhatwasgoingon.
Ethanr
arel
yal
lowanyonei
ntohi
sgar
den,
noteven
her.

Sheshr
uggedandwal
kedi
ntot
heki
tchen.

"
I'
m sosor
ryGabr
iel
le"
"
It
'sf
ine,
iknewyoubr
otherwasont
hephone"
"
Yeah"I
ri
shr
insedherhandsi
nthesi
nk.

Sheconti
nuedhel
pingGabri
ell
ewhi
leshegave
Arusha'
sadvi
seathought
.

Yeah.
That
'swhatshe'
sgonnado.

Notl
ikeshehasanyot
herchoi
ce.

_
__

"
Iwantyoutorepeatt
hesecondst
oryt
ome.I
t'
sso
i
nter
est
ing"Ar
inyawned.
Shewaslayi
ngonherbedwit
hherblanketdr
aped
overherwhi
leI
ri
shr
eadbedti
mestori
estoher.
"
Okay"I
ri
shsai
d,r
epeat
ingt
hesecondst
ory.
Shewashal
fwaywhenshef
oundoutAr
inal
ready
sl
eptof
f.
Shesi
ghedandsl
owlyrosetoherf
eetandpat
ted
Dol
lywholai
donAri
n'sleg.
They'
vebothbeensocal
ledthatshecannowsays
Ari
nistheownerofDol
lynother.

Shehadf
orgot
tencount
lesst
imest
hatshe'
dhada
dog.
ShewalkedoutofAri
n'sroom i
ntohersandshe
del
iber
atedift
ochangeintohernight
wearorjust
l
eaveArin'
srobeon.
Shebroughtmoreni
ghtwearf
rom t
hehousebut
st
il
llovesput
ti
ngonhisrobe.
It
'ssocomfort
abl
eonherbodyandthebl
issf
ul
dreamsshedohavewhil
eweari
ngthisr
obetobed
i
sj ustsomagi
cal
.
Sheshr
uggedanddeci
dedt
oleavet
her
obeon.
Notl
ikehe'
sgonnaquest
ionher
.
I
t'
sher
snow,
hegavei
ttoheral
ready.
.

I
rishfel
tsodi
sappoint
edwhenshewal
kedi
ntot
he
l
ibrar
yandcouldn'
tfi
ndEt
han.
Thefi
repl
acewasnotl
itandsheknewEt
hanmi
ght
notbecomingi
ntot
helibr
aryt
onight
.

I
shegoi
ngt
ost
artavoi
dingherbecauseoft
hesex?

"
Wel
l.
."sheshr
ugged,
movi
ngcl
osert
othef
ir
epl
ace.
Shear
rangedsomel
ogsofwoodi
ntoi
tandt
henl
it
i
t.

Et
hanmi
ghtst
il
lcome,
hecan'
tpossi
blybeasl
eep
byt
hist
ime.
I
t'
snotsol
ate.
She'
sjustgonnar
eadwhi
lewai
ti
ngf
orhi
m.
Sheselect
edanovelandwentt
osi
tinf
rontoft
he
fi
repl
ace.

"
Wow"I
ri
shyawned.

Shewasdoner
eadi
ngt
henovelandEt
hani
sn'
t
her
eyet
.
Shestoodupandputthenovelbackt
oit
'spl
ace
befor
ewalki
ngoutoftheli
brar
y.

"Whatt
he..
."Shesai
daft
erseei
ngt
het
wo
unf
amili
armenagain.
Theywer
est
ari
ngatherl
ikeshecaughtt
hem doi
ng
somet
hingbad.
Andwhyar
etheyl
ooki
ngsodust
y.

"I
ri
sh,youaren'
tasl
eepyet
"Et
hansai
dbehi
ndher
andsheturned.

Shewassur
pri
sedhewasl
ooki
ngdust
yast
hemen.

What
'sgoi
ngon?
.
[
05/09,07:
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Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th

JustANanny

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sk‼

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e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
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d,Romance-
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Aut
hor
essBer
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#Chapt
er_
32

Shewassur
pri
sedhewasl
ooki
ngdust
yast
hemen.

What
'sgoi
ngon?

"Yeah.
.I
'm notasl
eepyet
,iwasatt
hel
ibr
ary"I
ri
sh
said.
"
Wai
ti
ngf
orme?
"Et
hanasked,
smi
li
ng.
"
No"I
ri
shl
ied.
"
Yes"Et
hant
eased.
"
Wel
l.
..
whyyoul
ooki
ngsodust
y?"I
ri
shasked.
"That
'ssomet
hingi
can'
ttel
lyouf
ornow"Et
han
said.
"
Why?
"Ir
ishaskedwi
thf
urr
owedbr
ows.
"
It
'snotabadt
hing,
sodon'
tbewor
ri
ed"Et
hansai
d.

"
Okay"I
ri
shsi
ghedgl
anci
ngatt
hemenoncemor
e.
"Youshoul
dgot
obednow,
it'
ssol
ateal
ready"
Ethansai
d.
"
Youshoul
dtoo"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Ofcour
seiwi
ll
.Soon"Et
hansai
d.
"
Goodni
ght
"Ir
ishsai
d.
"Sl
eept i
ght
"Et
hanwinkedsocut
elyt
hatI
ri
sh'
s
heartski
ppedabeat
.

"I
sshegoi
ngtokeepdenyi
ngt
his?
"Shet
houghtas
shewal
kedtoherr
oom.

"
Goodmor
ning,
goodmor
ning,
goodmor
ning"I
ri
sh
sang,
wal
kingi
ntoAr
in'
sroom.

Shedi
dn'
tseeAri
nbutsheknewshewasbathi
ng
whenshehear
dthesoundofther
unni
ngshower.
.

Sheopenedherwardrobeandbr
oughtoutherwel
l
i
ronedschooluni
for
m.
I
t'
sawonderthatEt
hanemployedsomeonej
ustt
o
t
akecar
eofhisdaughter
'swear
s.
I
t'
sat
hingshecandoal
ongsi
dehernannydut
ies.

Shedoubti
fAr
inwoul
deverf
aceanyhar
dshi
pin
herl
if
eti
me.
Herf
atherdi
dal
ready,
hewor
kedf
orheral
ready.
Theli
tt
legi
rlnowhasever
ythi
ngatherbeckand
cal
l.

Shedoesn'
tpr
ayherchi
ldr
ensuf
fer
sthesame
har
dshi
passhedi
d.
She'
sal sogonnamakesuresheworksver
yhard
soherchildr
enwon'
tlackanyt
hingandl
ivet
hei
r
bestl
ives.

Andt
hatst
art
snow!

OnceshedropsAr i
ninschool
,
she'sgonnast
art
accept
ingeveryor
deronherphone,she'
sgonna
repl
ythosetextmessagesonherphoneandbil
lthe
l
adies.
Arusha'
sadvisei
sgonnawor
kforherandt
hat
's
whatshe'
llf
oll
ow.

Butwherewi
llshepl
acehermachi
neandmat
eri
als
af
terbuyi
ngt
hem.
Thereshouldbespacei
nherr
oom butwi
llEt
han
acceptsuch?
"Il
ovethatdet
erminedlook"I
ri
shf
li
nchedwhenshe
heardEthansaybehindher.
Sheturnedtolookathi
m andwassur
pri
sedhewas
st
il
linhispajamas.
"
Goodmor
ning"shegr
eet
ed.
"Goodmor ni
ng,youhadthatdeter
minedl
ookon
yourface.Whatwereyouthinki
ng?"Et
hanasked.
"
Ohh.
.abouttheorder
s,it
hinkI
'
m gonnaaccept
t
hem"Ir
ishsaid.
"
Yes!That
'l
lbesoni
ce"Et
hansmi
led.
"I
'
m gonnacol
lecthal
fpaymentf
rom eachofthem
anduseiti
nbuyingamachineandthemateri
alsI
'l
l
need"I
ri
shsai
d.

"Whydon'
twediscusst
hatwhenyou'
rebackf
rom
droppi
ngAri
n?,
Ethansai
d.
"
Seemsyou'
renotgoi
ngtoworktoday,
won'
tyoube
t
heonet
odropher?"I
ri
shasked.
"
Imi
ghtgot
owor
k,I
'
m st
il
lqui
tebusyf
ornow"
"
Ohh"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Doi
ngwhat
?"Sheasked.
"
Nevermi
nd"Et
hansmi
led.
"
Thosemenar
est
il
lar
ound?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
Yes"

"
Daddy!
"Ar
incal
led,
wal
kingoutoft
hebat
hroom.
"Howareyouprincess?
"Et
hanaskedbendi
ngt
o
peckherf
orehead.
"
Finedaddy"shesmi
led.
"
Aren'
tyougoi
ngt
owor
ktoday?
"
"
Imi
ght
,butI
'
m st
il
lbusyf
ornow"
"
Busy?Doi
ngwhat
?"Ar
inasked.
"
Wor
king"
"
Wor
king?Onyourl
apt
op?
"
"
Ohh"Et
hanhesi
tat
ed"
Yeah"hequi
ckl
yadded.
"
You'
ret
ell
ingl
ies"Ar
inf
rowned.
"
Yes!
"Ir
ishal
mostsai
dal
oud.
"
Wel
l.
..
I'
m act
ual
lywor
king"Et
hansai
d.
"Whatt
ypeofwor
k?Housechor
es?
"Ar
inr
aisedher
brow.
"C'
moni '
m notr
eadytot
ellyouyet.You'
llseef
or
yoursel
fwhenyou'r
ebackfrom school
"Ethan
gri
nned.
"
Ohh.
.okay"Ar
insai
ddr
yingherbody.
"Goodmor
ningAr
in,
howwasyourni
ght
?"I
ri
sh
asked.
"Ohh.
.I
'm sosor
ry,
mydad'ssohuge.Idi
dn'tsee
you"Ari
nsaidandIri
shl
etoutashor
tlaugh.

"
C'mon,you'
rer
unni
ngl
ateal
ready"I
ri
shsai
dand
Ari
nnodded.
"
Iwi
lll
eaveyouguyst
odoyourt
hing"Et
hansai
d.
"
Dadwi
llyoudr
opmei
nschool
?"Ar
insai
d.
"
Nopr
incess,
I'
m sobusyr
ightnow"Et
hansai
d.
"
Okay"Shef
rowned.
"ButI
'l
lcomepickyou"Et
hansaid,
hopi
ngt
hat
'l
l
sof
tenhisdaught
er'
shardlook.
"
Ist
hatapr
omi
se?
"Ar
inaskedme.
"
Yes"Et
hanpeckedhercheeksandshesmi
led.

"Theset
woar esoadorabl
e"Ir
ishsmi
ledt
oher
sel
f
asshepickedAri
n'sshoes.

_
__

Ir
ishandGabr
iel
lelookedupasoneofEt
han'
s
bodyguar
dswalkedin.

"
Ir
ish,
MrEthanwant
stoseeyoui
nhispr
ivat
eliving
r
oom now"Hesai
dandtur
nedtol
eavei
mmedi ately.
"I
'
llber
ightbackGabr
iel
le"I
ri
shsai
d,dr
oppi
ngher
penandnotepad.
Shewasl
ist
ingt
hemat
eri
alsshe'
sgonnaget
.

Shewalkedoutoft
heki
tchendoorwonder
ingwhy
Ethanwantst
oseeher.

Ohh.
..
hemightwantthem t
ocont
inuet
he
di
scussi
onaboutherget
ti
nghermater
ial
sandal
l.
Sheshoul
dtaket
henot
epadwi
thhert
hen.

Shewalkedbacki
ntot
hekitchenandcaught
Gabr
iel
lesmil
ingt
ohersel
f.

"Goodmemor
ies?
"Shet
easedasshepi
ckedher
notepad.
"
Uh?You'
ver
etur
nedsoqui
ckl
y?"Gabr
iel
leasked.
"
No,
icamet
opi
ckt
his"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Ohh.
.okay"Gabr
iel
lesai
d.
ShewatchedIri
shwal
ktot
hedoorandshesmi
led
toher
selfagai
n.
Shewoul
dbesosur
pri
sedt
oseewhatEt
hanhas
f
orher.

_
__

"
HiMrEthan"I
ri
shsai
d,wal
kingi
ntohi
spr
ivat
e
l
ivi
ngr
oom.
"
Ethan"
Hecor
rect
edandI
ri
shsmi
led.
"
Hi.
..Et
han"Shesai
d.
"Good,haveyourseat
"hesai
d,dr
oppi
ngt
her
emot
e
contr
olbesidehi
m.

I
ri
shsatgent
ly,
wonder
ingwhatal
lthi
sisabout
.
Her
arel
yinvi
tepeopl
etohi
spr
ivat
eli
vingr
oom.

"
Sowhatar
eyourpl
ansconcer
ningt
hehugeor
der
s
yougot
?"Et
hanasked.
"
Ithoughtasmuch"I
ri
shsmi
led.
"
Huh?
"Et
hanasked.
"Yeah,
iknewyoucall
edmebecauseofthat
.But
whyarewehavingthi
sconver
sat
ionher
e?"Iri
sh
asked.
"That'
showiwanti
t,i
t'
smyhouser
ight
?"Et
han
smiledproudl
y.
"
Yeah,
iti
s"I
ri
shagr
eed.

"
Soideci
dedt
ogett
hehal
fpayment
sand.
..
"
"
Howmuchwi
llyoubebi
ll
ingt
hem?
"Et
hanasked.
"
Ohh.
.wel
li.
.don'
tknowyet
"Ir
ishsi
ghed.
Shehadn'teventhoughtofit
,al
lshethoughtwas
thatshewon'tl
iketochargethem much.
"Youdon'tknowtheamountt
obil
lthem andyou'
re
alr
eadythinki
ngofhal
fpayment
"Ethanlaughed.
"
Iwon'
tbechar
gingt
hem mucht
hough"I
ri
shsai
d..
"Ir
ishthesepeoplear
enotpaupers,don'
tchar
ge
them withasmallamount.Mostofthem woul
dcal
l
offtheorderbecausetheamountyoucall
edfor
them istoosmall!
"Ethansai
d.

"
Real
ly?
"
"Yes,causethey'l
lbeli
eveyou'l
lbeusi
ngcheapand
fakemat eri
alsfort
hem.Theysomuchl oveand
preferexpensivestuf
fs.Soyoushouldbett
erknow
howt obillt
hem"Et hansaid.
"
Ohh.
..
okay.t
hanks"I
ri
shsai
d.

"
Comewi
thme"Et
hansai
d,get
ti
ngup.
"
wher
eto?
"Ir
ishasked,
risi
ngt
oherf
eet
.
"Justcomewithme"Et
hansaidandst
arted
headingtowar
dsthedi
rect
ionoft
hegarden.
Thesamewayhehadl
edt
hosest
rangement
o
yest
erday.
Shefol
lowedhi
m wi
thdi
ff
erentt
hought
sfi
ll
ingher
mind.

Theywal
kedi
ntot
hegar
denandshesi
ghed.
Thi
swi
llbet
hesecondt
imeshe'
l
lbecomi
ngher
e.
Sheshoul
dvi
sitt
hisbeaut
if
ulpl
acemor
eof
ten.

Ethanledhertoasmallbui
ldi
ngwhi
chwas
constr
uctedinthegar
den.
Shesawitthel
astti
meandshehadwonder
edwho
occupi
edthebui
ldi
ng.

"
Goi
n"Et
hant
oldher
.
"
Why?
"Sheasked,
sur
pri
sed.
"Justgoi
n"Hesai
dandshest
il
lremai
nedont
hat
spot.
"
Com'
onI
'
m notgoi
ngt
ohur
tyou"Et
hanl
aughed
sensi
ngherhesi
tat
ion.
"
Ithi
nkyoushoul
dgoi
nfi
rst
"Ir
ishswal
lowedhar
d.
"C'mon"Ethansai
dandshet ookastepf
orwar
d,she
glancedbackathim andcaughthi
m smi
li
ngto
himselfj
ustli
keGabriel
lewas.

"
What
'sgoi
ngon?
"Sheasked.
"Youwil
lknowaf
terwal
kingi
ntot
hatbui
ldi
ng"
Ethansai
d.
"Okay"I
ri
shsaidandwi
thashr
ug,
sheopenedt
he
doorandwalkedin.

Thesightbef
oreherl
efthershockedandifshe
hadn'
theldonthearmchairbesi
deher,shewould
havehitt
heground.

"Ever
ythi
nginther
eisyour
s"Et
hansai
dtoherand
t
earsfi
ll
edhereyes.
Theli
tt
ler
oom shet
houghtwoul
dprobabl
ybean
unusedpl
acei
snowsetupbeautif
ull
y.
Andthemostsur
pri
singpar
tisi
twassetupt
o
be.
.t
obeafashi
ondesigni
ngworkshop!

Shecoul
dsi
ghtwor
kingt
ool
satever
ycor
neroft
he
room.

Tapemeasur e, t
hreads,needles,asketch
pad,
scissors!Acar dscissors,li
ghtweightsci
ssor
s
andshearsci ssorswhichhasal waysbeenher
fat
her'
sf avor
ite,eventhoughshepr ef
ers
l
ightweightscissors.
Therei
saweavingmachine,embroi
derymachi
ne,
dressmakerdummyandt ai
lor
schalk,
pearHead
pi
nsandacompl et
esetofsewingmachine!

Thewal
lpaperdi
spl
ayedf
ashi
onabl
eit
ems.
Looki
ngati
tal
onei
sagr
eatmot
ivat
ion.
Damn!
Ther
e'sacomput
ert
oo!

Shest
oodont
hatr
ootf
orsol
ong,
dumf
ounded.
Andwhenshefi
nal
lygother
self,
shef
oundher
sel
f
scr
eami
ngandjumpi
ngintoEthan'
sarm.

Shefeltspeechl
essforsomanysecondsandshe
j
uststayedinhisarmsnotbel
ievi
nghereyes.
"Thankyousomuchbut .
..
"Ir
ishpausedt
obreat
h"i
can'tacceptt
his"sheadded,
pull
ingawayfr
om hi
m
slowly.
"
W..
why?
"Et
hanasked.
"
Tthi
sisjustt
oomuch,i
t'snot
..
li
kei
'
vedoneso
muchtodeser
vet
his.
"Ir
ishsai
d.
"
Iunder
standyou"Et
hansmil
ed"butdoyouhave
t
odoanythingformebef
oreicanhel
pyou?
"
"
No.
.but
..
.!
"Ir
ishsi
ghed.
"Idon'texpectanyonet odoanyt hi
ngf ormebefore
helpi
ngt hem.Idoi tcauseiwantto,ididwhatidid
foryouwi ll
ingly,
iwoul dn'
tletyougiveyourcontact
tothosel adieswithouthavingaplan.Mypl an
start
edr i
ghtf r
om thatparty.Soplease,youneedto
acceptitexceptyouwantmyef for
tstogot owaste.
"Ethanf akedaf rown

"
VeryseeI
'
llseewhat
'l
lIwi
lldoaboutyou
Model
li
ngforthet
oppopul
arbrands"Et
hansai
d.

"ThankyousomuchEt han,
you'
vedonesomuchf or
me.Youpaymeal otandnowthis.Ir
eal
ly
appreci
ateyoureffort
sandipromisetopayyou
backineverylit
tl
ewayican.Thankssomuch"Irish
wipedhertears..

"
Aww.St
op"Et
handr
ewhercl
ose.
Herheadwasonhi
schestasshecr
ied,
mumbl
ing
t
hankyou.
.

*
**

"Sowheredowest ar
tfr
om?"I
ri
shsmiled,
checki
ng
outherworkshopaft
ersomeminut
es.
Et
hanhadl
efthert
odot
het
our
.

She'
ssogr
atef
ul.

Ever
ythi
ngsheneedsishere!Evenmor
ethi
ngsshe
knowsshecan'
tevenbuyherself
.
Shehadpl
annedtobuyj
ustf
ewnecessar
ythi
ngs
butEt
hanboughtsomuch.
She'
ssohappyandf
eel
sindebt
edt
ohi
m.

Shechuckl
ed,i
magi
ninghowshockedhermum and
Arushawoul
dbewhenshetel
lsthem .
Shewouldhavecal
l
edAr
ushai
mmedi
atel
ybuthe'
l
l
beinschool
.

Gabr
iel
lehadsai
dshewoul
dcheckonherl
ateron.
Shehadtol
dhersheknewaboutt
hewhol
ethi
ng,
shehel
pedEthani
ntheplan.
AndIri
shnowknewwhyshehadcaughtGabr
iel
le
smi
li
ng.

Thesepeopl
ear
eful
lofsur
pri
ses.
Okay,
fir
stt
hingi
saccept
ingt
heor
der
s.

Shepulledt
hecomf
ychaircl
osert
othet
abl
e,
grabbedapenandanot
epad.
Sheunlockedherphoneandstart
edaccept
ingt
he
order
swithsmilesonherface.

_
__
"How'sI
ri
sh?
"Ar
inaskedhopi
ngi
ntoEt
han'
scar
exci
tedl
y.
Et
hanhoppedi
naf
terher
.
Hehadcomet
opi
ckherupl
ikehepr
omi
sed.

"
Ir
ish'
sathome"Et
hansai
d,pecki
ngherf
orehead.
Hehelpedherpul
loffherbackpackandt
hen
or
deredthedri
vert
ost ar
tdri
ving.

"
Whydi
dn'
tshecomewi
thyou?
"Ar
inasked.
"
Wel
l.
.she'
sbusy"Et
hansai
d.
"
Ohh.
..
wit
hGabr
iel
le?Ar
inasked.
"
No,
I'
m sorr
yidi
dn'
ttel
lyout
hisear
li
er,
iwant
edi
t
t
obeasurpri
set
hough"
"
Real
ly?
"Ar
insmi
led.
"
Yespr
incess"
"
Whati
sit
?"Sheaskedcur
iousl
y.
"Youknowt
hel
it
tl
ebuil
dinginthegar
dent
hatwas
onceusedt
ost
orefl
owers?"Et
hanasked.
"
Yesdaddy"
"Ifurni
shediti
ntoafashi
ondesi
gni
ngwor
kshop
forIr
ish"Et
hansaid.

"
Wow!
!!
"Ar
inscr
eamedi
nexci
tement
.
Ir
ishhadtol
dherhowwor r
iedshewasaft
ergi
ving
outhercont
actt
othoseladieswi
thnohopebut
nowherdadjustgaveherhope!
"
Thankyoudaddy"Ar
insmi
ledhappi
ly.

Ethangri
nned,
wonderi
ngthetypeofl
ovet
hat
exi
stsbet
weenIri
shandhisdaught
er.

"
Shewassohappyr
ight
?"Ar
inasked.
"
Yesshewas"Et
hansai
d.
"
She'
swor
kingal
ready"Et
hanadded.
"
Real
ly?
"Ar
insmi
ledwi
del
y.
"
Yeah"
"
Ican'
twai
ttogethome"Shegr
innedhappi
ly.

_
__

Ir
ishhadwentt
ogetthecl
othmat
eri
alaf
ter
accept
ingt
heorder
s.
Shejot
teddownthei
rmeasur
ement
sandst
art
ed
cut
ti
ngandsewing.

Shesomuchl
ovet
hesewi
ngmachi
ne.
I
tgavehert
heper
fectst
it
chi
ng.
Shesewfivedr
essesal
readyandi
tjustneedst
o
bepackagedanddeli
ver
ed.

Yes,
she'
sthatf
astatsewi
ng.
Thoughshest
il
lhavesomuchmor
etogobutshe'
s
upfori
t.

Shesmi
ledwhi
leati
t.

Sewingagainaft
ersolongbr
oughtsomuchjoyto
her
.Shewi shedherdadhadseenhermaki
ngitt
his
bi
g.

Mayhi
ssoulr
eston!

Gabri
ell
ehadbroughthercoff
eewhil
eshecameto
checkonherandshehadl ef
ttopr
eparel
unch.
I
ri
shhadoff
eredt
ohelpherbutshedecl
ined,
i
nsi
sti
ngI
ri
shshouldcont
inuewit
hherwor kand
I
ri
shwhohassomucht ododidn'
tref
used.
Thi
sisj
ustl
ikeadr
eam.

Whowoul
dhavethoughtshe'
l
lbe.
..
sewi
ngi
nher
ownwor
kshopt
oday!
It
'sj
ustsounbeli
evabl
e,shewouldhavear
gued
vehementl
yifsomeonehadt ol
dherthat
.

Sher
eal
lyneedt
othankEt
hanoverandoveragai
n.
Hemadeherl
if
echangef
orbet
terj
usti
nfew
minut
es.

Hercli
entsarestar
ti
ngtotr
ansferthei
rbi
ll
stoher
andsheknowst hat'
sgonnagoal ongwayinher
mother'
ssurgeryandherbr
otherfees.

She'
sjustsohappyr
ightnow.

"
Ir
ish!
!!Ar
incal
ledhappi
lyr
ushi
ngi
ntoI
ri
sh'
sli
tt
le
wor
kshop.
"Ai
n,"I
ri
shbeamedhappi
ly,
stoppi
ngwhatshewas
doi
ngt ohugthel
it
tl
egi
rl
.

Shef
eel
smor
ehappyt
oseeAr
in

_
__

I
ri
shandAr
insteppedi
ntothedi
ningroom af
ter
I
ri
shhaddr
essedherupfortheaf
ternoon.
Ethanlovedt
hewayI
ri
shdi
dn'
tnegl
ectAr
in
despi
tehowbusyshei
s.

Hehadt ol
dhertoconti
nuewi
thherworkthathe'
s
j
ustgonnat akecar
eofAri
nbutshehadrefused
andrushedt ot
akecar
eofAri
nbefor
ehecoul d
per
sist
.
"Looki
nggood"Et
hansmi
ledathi
sdaught
erwho
smiledback.
"
Wher
e'sGabr
iel
le?
"Ar
inasked.
"Shewentt
ogett
hemeal
"Et
hansai
dandAr
in
nodded.

"
So,how'
sworkgoi
ng?
"EthanaskedI
ri
sh,
whohad
want
edtogohel
pGabri
ell
e.
"
Great
,thanks"shesmi
led,
sit
ti
ngback.
"
ThankyousomuchEt
han"
.Ir
ishadded.
"St
opit.You'vet
hankedmemor
ethanicancount
alr
eady"Ethansaid.

"Et
han,Jessi
caiscominghome"Gabr i
ell
esai
d
exci
tedl
y,wal
kingoutoftheki
tchen.
"
Wit
hyourpar
ent
s,andSar
ah.
"Sheadded.

_
_
TomyTopf
anwhosai
dshe'
ssad.Thi
schapt
eri
s
foryou
[
05/09,07:
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ll
ionai
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#Chapt
er_
33

"
Ethan,
Jessi
cai
scomi
nghome"Gabr
iel
lesai
d
exci
tedl
y,wal
kingoutoft
heki
tchen.
"
Wit
hyourpar
ent
s,andSar
ah"Sheadded.

"
Yaaaaay"Ar
insqueal
edhappi
lywhi
leEt
hansmi
led.
"
Whenwi
llt
heybecomi
ng?
"Heasked.
"
Nextweekend"Gabr
iel
lesai
d,dr
oppi
ngt
het
rayon
t
hedini
ngtable.
"Okaythen,wewoul
dbegl
adl
yexpect
ingt
hem"
Ethansaid.
"
Ican'
twai
ttoseet
hem"Ar
ingr
inned.

I
ri
shsmi
led,
notsayi
ngawor
d..

Shecan'tact
uall
ywaitt
oseeSar ah,
tothankherfor
whatshedid,andthenshealsocan'
twaittosee
Gabr
iel
le'sdaught
erandEthan'
sparent
st oo.

Shehadt
houghtEt
han'
spar
ent
swer
edeadas
Et
hanhaveneverspeakaboutt
hem.Nobodyhave.

"
Let
'seat
"Et
hansai
d.

I
ri
shmadeAr
inhavehernapaf
tereat
ingl
unch.
Sheretur
nedhappi
lyt
oherwor
kshopt
ocont
inue
herwork.

Sheshoul
dcal
lArushat
hatshewon'
tbecomi
ng
homefort
heweekend.
Ther
e'ssomucht
odoher
e.

Shesatont
hechai
randgr
abbedherphone.

*
"
Whywon' tyoubecominghomefort
heweekend!
"
Arushaf
rownedovert
hephone.
"
Chi
llAr
usha,
ihaveal
ott
odo.
"

"
Alot
?Ist
henannywor
kthatst
ressf
ul?

"Nott
henannywor
k"I
ri
shsmi
led."
Myownwor
k"
sheadded.

"
Yourown?

"YesArusha,I
'
m goingtosendyouapict
urenow
andmakesur eyoushowi tt
omum too"I
ri
shsai
d
befor
edisconnect
ingthecal
l.

Shest
art
edt
aki
ngpi
ctur
esofherwor
kshop.

*
"Oh.
.my!MrEt
handidal
lthatf
oryou?
"Ar
usha
near
lyscr
eamedovert
hephone.

"
That
'sunbeli
evabl
e..
."I
ri
shhear
dhermum sai
din
t
hebackground.

"
Yeshedi
d."
"D.
.doeshewantsomet
hingi
nret
urn?
"Ar
usha
askedcuri
ousl
y.

"
No,
hedoesn't
"Ir
ishsai
d,movedt
otear
sagai
n.
"
He'
sjustsoni
ce"sheadded.

"Canwecomeovert
othankhi
m?"I
ri
sh'
smum
asked.

"
NoMum,
donotbot
her
.I'
l
ljustsendyourgr
eet
ings
t
ohi
m.

"I'
m sosograt
efultohi
m.Iwishicanjustseehi
m
andthankhi
m profusel
y"Ar
ushasaid.

"
Thi
sissososur
pri
sing"Mr
sHel
ensai
d.

"Yeah"Ar
ushaconceded.
"
Weshoul
dleaveyout
owor
know"

"Okay,
bye.

*
*

"
Thesci
ssorsisgonnahur
tyouAr
in"I
ri
shwar
ned
f
ort
hethir
dtime.
Theyhadbothret
urnedt
oherworkshopaft
erAri
n
wokeupfrom hernapandsher
eadtoherinthe
l
ibr
ary.

"
Whatdoyouuset
hisf
orI
ri
sh?
"Ar
inaskedand
I
ri
shsi
ghed.
Shejustcan'
tcounttheamountofquest
ionsAr
in
hasaskedduringherstayher
e.

"
Wellthat
'st
apemeasure,i
t'
susedtogetpeopl
e'
s
measurementsbef
oresewi
ng"Ir
ishsai
d.
"Ohh..
.soyouwentt
othei
rhousesoneaft
erthe
othert
ot aket
hei
rmeasur
ements?"Ar
inasked.
"
No,
theysentt
hei
rmeasur
ement
stome"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Ohh.
..
"Ar
insai
d.
"
Whatshoul
dihel
pyouwi
th"Sheadded.
"
Absol
utel
ynot
hingdear
"Ir
ishsai
d.
"
Areyousur
e?"Ar
inasked.
"
Yes,
youcanj
ustwat
chme"I
ri
shsmi
led.
"
Okay"Ar
insai
d.
"Mydadsai
dyoucanal
soModel
,i
sthatt
rue?
"Ar
in
added.
"
Yes"I
ri
shsmi
led.
"
Iwantyoutoteachmehowt
odoallt
hosest
yli
sh
wal
kthatbi
gladiesdoi
nmyTVshow"Ari
nsai
d.
I
ri
shlaughedatt
hewayt
hel
it
tl
egi
rlhadsai
dthe
word.
"
Doyoul
iket
hem?
"
"
Yah,
Ido"Ar
insai
d.
"
Alr
ightt
hen"I
ri
shsmi
led.

_
___

Daysf
lewpastandI
ri
shwasdonewi
tht
heor
der
s.

Shegotmor
eor
der
sbutshe'
syett
oacceptt
hem.
Sheneededt
ofi
nisht
hef
ir
stsetandnowshe'
s
done.
Whenshe'
sbackfrom del
iver
ingthi
slastone,
she
mi
ghtstar
taccept
ingthenewor der
s.

She'
ssohappyLevi
ne'
sfashi
onsi
sget
ti
ngknown
l
it
tl
ebyli
tt
le.
Sheal
readyopenedapagef
orpeopl
etocont
act
her
.
Shedopostsamplesofherwear
sandsheal
ways
gotgr
eatr
eviewsandrecommendat
ion.
Notonl
ythat
,herbankaccounti
sget
ti
ngf
at.

She'
sjustsogr
atef
ult
oGodandEt
han.
Shehasbeenworki
ngwit
hhimforf
ewweeksnow
andshecan'
tdenyherf
eel
ingsf
orhi
m anyl
onger
.
Shehasf
eel
ingsf
orEt
hanandshe'
saf
rai
dto
admi
tit
.
 Shehadn'tpl
annedthi
sfrom t
hest
art
,shedi
dn'
t
evenseeitcoming,
itj
ustcameandshecan'tst
opi
t.
Thef
eel
ing'
sgood.
Ithadbeensol
ongshef
eltherhear
trace,
sol
ong
shefel
tthi
sgood.
Shecan'
tbel
ieveshe'
str
ippi
ngoverherboss,
who
woul
dn't
?
Sheal
wayslookf
orwar
dtoever
yni
ghtwi
thhi
m
i
nthel
ibr
ary.
Yeah..t
heysti
llspentni
ghtsi
nthel
ibr
aryand
they'
vegottensoclosethanshewoul
dhaveever
i
magi ned.

Shenowfeel
ssocomfor
tabl
ear
oundhi
m,shef
eel
s
sofr
eetocal
lhi
m Et
han
Otherwor
ker
sdor ai
seeyebr
owswhenshedoes
t
hatbutshedoesn'
tcar
eanymore.

Shesi
ghedbef
orepi
cki
ngupt
hel
astwearshe'
sto
del
iver
.
I
t'
swel
lpackedal
ready.

Shewalkedoutofherwor
kshopandcl
osedt
he
doorbehi
ndher.

"
I'
llberi
ghtbackGabri
ell
e"shecal
ledoutasshe
walkedpastt
hekit
chen.
"
Goi
ngt
odel
iver
?"Gabr
iel
leasked.
"
Yeah,
thel
astpi
ece"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Ohh.
.okay"

_
__

"
Let
'sgotoyourworkshop"Ar
insai
dtoI
ri
shaf
ter
t
heyweredonewit
hl unch.
Ar
inwascar
ryi
ngDol
lyi
nherar
m.

"No,you'
llneedtotakeyournap.BesidesI
'
m done
withtheordersandI'm gonnarestf
orfewdays
beforeaccepti
ngthependi ngones"
"
Uh.
.huh"Ar
inpr
essedherl
ipst
oget
her
.
"I
'
llhavemynapt
hen"shesai
dandI
ri
shl
edhert
o
herroom.

Shetuckedheri
nbedandpeckedherf
orehead
bef
oremovingint
oherownroom.
I
t'
sbeenl
ongshehadanapandshedeci
dedt
odo
sonow.

Shesi
ghedsof
tl
yasshef
ell
onherbed.
Shecan'
twai
ttogohomef
ort
heweekend.
Shemi
ssesAr
ushaandherMum.
HerDad'
sdebtandhermum'
ssur
ger
ybi
lli
sal
most
r
eady.
Shecan'
twai
ttoseeherbackonhert
wof
eet
sand
herhear
twor
kingper
fect
lyagai
n.
Thehugepayshereceivedfrom Ethanandthe
moneysherecei
vedfrom theordershelpedi
n
al
mostcompleti
ngthesurgerybill
.
Fewyearsago,
sheneverbel
ievedshe'
l
lgetmor
e
t
hanhalfofherdad'
sDebt.

Whenshegotthenewsabouthermot herdisabi
li
ty,
sheknewthebil
lsar eonherandt hathadalso
madeherworri
edsi ckthatshedidn'tbel
ieveshe
gonnagetaquarterofitsooner
.

Thi
ngsar
ejustsounpr
edi
ctabl
e.
She'
ssogl
adt
ohavemetEt
han.

He'
ssl
owl
ymaki
ngherdr
eamscomet
rue.
Thedream shenevert
houghtwoul
devenbe
ful
fi
ll
ed.

_
__

Theyl
aughedoverdi
nnerasGabr
iel
lecr
ackedj
okes.
"
Dad.
..
tabl
emanner
s"Ar
inr
emi
ndedevent
hough
shehadl
aughedt
oo.
"
Ohh.
..
igotcar
ri
edawayiguess"Et
hansmi
led.
Ir
ishgulpedwat
er,
sti
llf
eel
ingt
heur
get
olaugh
again.

"Suchjokesshoul
dn'
tbecr
ackedovermeals,
it
almostchokedme"Ethanl
aughedandIr
ish
fol
lowed.
Ar
inal
sogi
ggl
edwhi
leGabr
iel
lesmi
led.
Theyconti
nuedwiththei
rmeali
nsi
lenceandt
hey
werealmostdonewhenabodyguar
dcamet o
whisperi
ntoJavad'
sear.
Henoddedandwal
kedupt
oEt
han.

"Iapologi
sefori
nterr
upti
ngyourdi
nnerMrEt
han
butiwast ol
dnowt hataguynamedArushai
shere
seekingtoir
ish,
hissi
ster
"Ar
ushasaid.

"
What
!"I
ri
shexcl
aimedr
isi
ngt
oherf
eet
.
"I
'm sosorr
yEt han,Arushamustbeoutofhismind
tovisi
tmeher e,I'
m sosorry,
I'
llgochast
isehi
m
i
mmedi atel
y"Shesai dabouttomakeamovewhen
Ethanstoppedher .

"
Hecouldbeher
etot
ellyousomet
hingi
mpor
tant
"
Hesai
d.
"That
'swhyihavemyphon. .
"Ir
ishwassayi
ngwhen
shereal
isedshel
eftherphoneupstai
rs.
Butst
il
l..

"Evenifhecameonavi si
t,
I'
l
lgl
adl
ywel
comehi
m.
BringhiminJavad"Et
hanorder
ed.
"
Huh?
"Javadasked.
"Youheardme"Ethansai
dandJavadqui
ckl
y
carr
iedouthi
sorder.

I
ri
shsatdownsl
owl
y,unset
tl
ed.

Thedi
ningr
oom dooropenedandAr
ushawal
kedi
n.
He'
sjustbeeninCal
if
orni
afort
hreedays,
how
comehef i
ndhiswayhere?
I
ri
shst
oodupqui
ckl
yseei
ngt
hel
ookonhi
sface.
Sheknewsomet
hinghadgonewr
ong.

"
Whathappened?
"Sheaskedi
nashakyvoi
ce.
"I
t'
sMum..
"Ar
ushasai
d,st
oppi
ngt
ocat
chhi
s
breat
h.
"
Whathappenedt
omum?
"Ir
ishal
mostscr
eamed.
"She.
.'
s.
.not
..movi
nganymor
e"Hebur
stedout
cryi
ng.
Ir
ishstoodroot
edt
othespott
ryi
ngt
opr
ocesswhat
hejustsai
d.
Shescr
eamedl
oudl
ywhenr
eal
it
ydawnedonher
.

"
Let
'sgohome"shecr
iedt
aki
ngAr
usha'
shand.
Et
hanst
oodupdr
oppi
nghi
sfor
kint
hepr
ocess.
"
Youguysshoul
dgotosleep,Don'
twai
tupokay?
"
Hesai
dtoGabri
ell
eandArin

Theynoddedworr
iedl
yandwat
chedasEt
han
rushedoutoft
hedoor.
HemetI
ri
shandAr
ushaatt
hegat
eaboutt
ost
ep
out
.
"
Ir
ish"Hecal
ledl
oudl
yandshet
urned.
Hi
shear
tbr
okeathowr
edhereyesl
ooked.
Hercheekswer
ewet
.

Her
eal
lyf
eltf
ort
hem.

"Wai
t,we'
l
lgoinmycar"Hesai
dandhi
sdr
iver
qui
ckl
ygotbehindt
hewheel
s.
Hegoti
nandhi
sdri
verdrovetot
hegat
ewher
e
Ar
ushaandI
ri
shwerestandi
ng.
Theyhoppedinsl
owl
y.I
ri
shwassobbi
ngwhi
le
Arushaj
uststar
edon.
Evenwithhowredhi
seyesalsol
ooked,Et
hancoul
d
tel
lhe'
sahandsomeguy,he'
sgatthel
ooks.

"Ever
ythingwil
lbef
ineokay?Justkeepcal
m"Et
han
comfortedthem.
"
S..
she'
stheonl
yfami
lywehavel
eft
,she'
stheonl
y
onewhot r
ulycaredaboutmeaf termyli
ttl
eissue
wit
hmydad.I t'
snotbeenaweekt hatmydaddi ed!
she'
sinthatstat
ebecauseofus, I'm wor
kingsoi
coul
dpayf orhersurgerybil
ls.Shemustnot
l
eave..
..
"Ir
ishsaidintearsandEt hanwasdeeply
moved.

Iri
shhadt oldhi
m abouthermum duri
ngoneof
theirni
ghtsintheli
brary,
butshehadnevert
oldhi
m
aboutthe" l
it
tl
eissue"wit
hherdadnei
therhadshe
toldhim aboutherfat
her'
sdeath.

"
It
'sokayIr
ish"Ar
ushacomfor
tedhi
ssi
stereven
t
houghtearswasrol
li
ngdownhisowneyestoo.

"
I.
.i
sshereall
ynotmoving?"I
ri
shaskedwipi
ngher
t
ears,
hopingArushawouldsayhe'
sjustj
oki
ng.
"Yes,she'
snot
.Ical
ledyousever
all
yanditri
ed
hir
ingacabtotakehertot
hehospit
albutidi
dn'
t
haveenoughwithme"Arushasai
d.
"
Pleasedr
ivef
ast
"Et
hanur
gedhi
sdr
iver
.
*
Thedr
ivercamet
oahal
tinf
rontofI
ri
sh'
shouse.

I
ri
shandArushar
ushedoutoft
hecarandEt
han
r
anaft
ert
hem.
Theyent
eredt
heapartmentandtrul
ythewoman
waslayi
ngunconsci
ousl
yont hecouch.

I
ri
shshookhercr
yingl
oudl
y.

"
Holdon"Et
hansai
dandt
ri
edt
ogeti
ri
shoutoft
he
way.
Hef
eltMr
sHel
enpul
seandsi
ghedi
nrel
ief
.

"
She'
snotdead"Heannounced.
I
ri
shwi
pedhert
ear
sandsni
ff
edasshemoved
cl
oser
.
Shefel
tMrsHel
en'
spul
set
ooandr
eli
efr
an
t
hroughherbl
ood.
"
Butherpul
seisgett
ingweak.Let
'squi
ckl
ygether
t
othehospi
tal
"Ethansai
d.

"
Mypr
ivat
ehospi
tal
"Headded,
li
ft
ingMr
sHel
en.
I
ri
shandAr
ushahur
ri
edaf
terhi
m.

_
__

"
Herheal
thisdeter
ior
ati
ng,whatt
ookyousolong
t
ogethertodothesurgery?
"DocLucquest
ioned
i
ri
sh.
"I
..
iwaswait
ingforthemo..
neytocompl et
ebut
nowihavemor ethanhal
fofthebil
lsI'
l
lpayit,
the
surger
ycanconti
nuewhileigolookfortherest"
Shesaid.
"MrEt
hanpai
dal
loft
heexpensesal
ready"DocLuc
sai
d.
"
What!
"Ir
ishexcl
aimed,tur
ningt
olookatEt
hanwho
wasl
ooki
ngathisfeet.
Hedoesn'
twantt
obeseenbypeopl
eort
her
e'dbea
scene.
"Nothankyou.Pl
ease"Hesai
d,notr
aisi
nguphi
s
head.

Et
hanst
aredathi
mindi
sbel
ief
.

"Luc,thesurgeri
esshoul
dbeassoonaspossi
ble
please,i
ncludingherl
eg'
stoo"Et
hansai
d.
"
Yeah,t
hespeci
ali
stswil
lbefl
yingi
ntomorr
ow
morni
ng,we'
vest
abili
sedhernow"DocLucsai
d.
"Okay,
thankyousomuch.Canwegoseehernow?
"
Ethanasked.

I
ri
shandEt
hanwer
est
il
lst
unnedbyEt
han'
sactof
ki
ndness.
Hereyeswer
elacedwi
tht
ear
sasshef
eltso
grat
efult
ohi
m.
Thesur
gerybi
lli
sawhol
elotofmoneyandhe
set
tl
edit
?

Whyi
shebei
ngsoni
cet
oher
?

He'
saphi
lant
hropi
st,
sheknowsbut
..
.t
hisi
sjust
t
oomuch.

"
No,
unt
ilaf
tert
hesur
ger
iesar
edone"DocLucsai
d.
"
Ohh.
.okay"Et
hansai
d.
"
Permitmetogocheckonot
herpat
ient
sMrEt
han"
DocLucsai
d.
"
Alr
ightDoc"Et
hansai
d.
"Andyoui
nsi
stonnotst
ayi
ngi
nmyof
fi
ce"DocLuc
said.
"
Yeah,
I'
mfi
neher
e"Et
hani
nsi
sted.
"MrHarol
dyou'reapubl
icfigur
e,assoonasyouget
fi
guredout
,report
erswi
llbuzzinli
kefl
ies"DocLuc
sai
d.
"
Don'
tDoct
orLuc,
it'
sni
ghtal
ready"Et
hansai
d.
"
Thatdoesn'
tstoppeopl
efrom f
igur
ingyououtbut
i
t'
sfi
neifyouinsi
st"DocLucshr
uggedbefor
e
wal
kingaway.

"Thankyou,thankyou,t
hankyousomuchMr
Ethan"Arushasaidaboutgoi
ngonhi
skneesbef
ore
Ethanstoppedhim.
"
C'monAr
usha,
it'
sfi
ne"Hesai
dandAr
ushasmi
led.

'
Abi l
li
onair
ejusttouchedhim andcal
ledhisname
andnotjustabill
ionai
rebuthisrol
emodel,the
personhehasbeenaspi ri
ngtomeet '
Arusha
thoughthappi
ly.
He'sjustr
eali
singEt
han'
spresencenowaf
ter
conf
irminghismum'sheal
th.
Hewascompl
etel
ybl
indbef
ore.

"
Ethan,
notagai
n"I
ri
shsai
dcl
eani
nghert
ear
s.
"
It
'sokayI
ri
sh"Et
hansai
ddr
awi
nghercl
ose.
'
Real
ly?
'Ar
ushagr
inned.

"Shecanbeacrybabyatt
imes"Ar
ushasai
dto
Ethanandhenodded.
"Iknowri
ght
"Heteasedherdr
aggingherwet
cheekspl
ayf
ull
yandshelaughed.
"
Thankyou.
..
somuch"Shemut
ter
ed.
"
Wer
eal
lyappr
eci
ate,
MrEt
han"Et
hanadded.
"I
t'
sfine.
..enoughoft
he'
thankyou'
her
eandt
her
e"
Ethansaid.
"
Thankyou"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Arr
gh"Et
hangr
oanedpl
ayf
ull
yandt
heyl
aughed.

"
Doyoumi
ndusi
ngmyf
acecap,
peopl
emi
ght
actual
lyf
igur
eyououtasdocLucsaidandit
s
gonnacauseahugescene.Iknowi
t'
s..
.f
adedbu.
..
"
Arushawassayi
ng.
"
Idon'
tmind"Ethanint
err
upt
edhim andcol
lect
ed
t
hefacecapfrom hi
m wit
houtsecondt
hought.

Ar
ushast
aredathi
m wi
thmout
hwi
deopenedashe
woret
hef
acecap.
Ir
ishlaughedseei
ngt
hesur
pri
sedl
ookonher
brot
her'sface.

'
Oh..
no.Et
hanHarlowi
sput
ti
ngonmyf
acecap'
he
scr
eamedinwar
dly.
Hebl
inkedsever
all
yst
il
ltr
yingt
otakei
tin.
HeneverthoughtEthanHarl
owwillaccepti
t,he
wasreadyforhisrej
ecti
onbuthesurpri
sedhim
i
nst
ead.

"
Is.
..t
hatmyf
acecapyou'
reput
ti
ngon?
"Ar
usha
askedEt
han,
hecoul
dn'
tbel
ievei
t,hehavet
obe
sure.
"
Yougavei
ttome"
Ethansai
d..
"He'
sjustsoshockedyoucanbeput
ti
ngonhi
sface
cap"I
rishsai
d.
"
Real
ly?
"Et
hanasked.
"
Yeah"I
ri
shnodded.

"
Thankyou"Ar
ushasai
d.
"
Enoughoft
het
hankyou"Et
hansai
d.
"
I'
m notthankingyouf
orset
tl
ingmymum'
sbi
ll
s"
Arushasaid.
"
Whatar
eyout
hanki
ngmef
or?
"Et
hanasked.
"
Put
ti
ngonmyf
acecap"
Arushasai
d.
"
No.
.ishoul
dthankyoui
nst
ead"Et
hansai
d.

"
IknowmyIri
shmi
ghthavenottol
dyouhowlong
I
'
vebeenaspi
ri
ngt
omeetyou,you'
remyrol
emodel,
meetingyouphysi call
yhasal waysbeeni nmy
dreams,evenbef oreI r
ishtol
dmeshe' sworki
ngfor
youorevenknowt her e'
saEthan, Iknewaboutyou,
I'
vebeenl ooki
ngupt oyou,ialsowanttobeagreat
phil
anthropist
,you' vebeingagr eati
nspi
rati
onto
meMrEt hanHar low"Ar ushasai dandEthanst
ared
athim speechless.

"
Wow!Thankyouforlooki
ngupt ome.Comeboy,
weneedtot
alk"Et
hanheldArushabythehandand
t
heybothwal
kedtothechair
s.
Ir
ishwatchedthem andseei
ngt
hehappyl
ookon
herbrot
her'
sfacemadehersmil
e.

"
Ir
ishl
ook!
"Arushal
ookedupfrom hi
sphoneashe
madetoshowhersi
sterhi
sphone.
I
ri
shstaredatthephoneandwasshocked.I
twasa
messagefrom thej
ewel
rycompany!
"CONGRATULATIONSLevin'
s!You'
vesuccessf
ull
y
clear
edyourf
ather
'sDebt
.
Si
gned.
Hemi
'
sjewel
rycompany,
Singapor
e".

"
O,M,G!"Tear
srusheddownI
ri
sheyesasshe
l
ookedupatEthan.
"
Didyoudot
hat
?'I
ri
shsai
d.
"
What
?"Et
hansmi
led.

_
__

"Thegir
lisal
onenow,seemsherdadandt henanny
won'tbecomingbackhometonight"Gl
adys
contact
edMor ganHarl
owsecr
etly.

"
Okay,
thankyou"Mor
gansmi
ledwi
ckedl
ybef
ore
sl
owl
yget
ti
ngupbesi
det
hesl
eepi
ngCat
her
ine.

Het
hent
ipt
oedoutoft
her
oom.
[
05/09,07:
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Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
34

"
Thegi
rli
sal
onenow,
seemsherdadandt
henanny
won'
tbecomi
ngbackhometonight"Gl
adys
cont
act
edMorganHar
lowsecr
etly.

"Okay,t
hankyou"Mor
gansmil
edwickedl
ybefor
e
slowlyget
ti
ngupbesi
dethesl
eepi
ngCather
ine.
Het
hent
ipt
oedoutoft
her
oom.

*
*

"Youhaven'
tslept?"Gabri
ell
easkedAr i
nwho
walkedi
ntothekitcheninhernightwear,huggi
ng
herhugeteddybeart oherchest,
Dollywas
fol
lowi
ngherar oundtoo.
Sheshookherhead"Ican'
t"
"
Why?"Gabri
ell
easked,
almostdonewi
thcl
eani
ng
t
heki
tchen.
Shewasaboutt
ogosleepwit
hArini
nherbedr
oom
causeever
ywor
kerher
eisnottobet
rust
ed.
"
I'
m wor
ri
ed"Ar
insai
dsadl
y.
"
I'
m wor r
iedt
oo"Gabri
ell
esai
d,shehasbeen
t
hinki
ngaboutIri
sh'
smum' sheal
thasshecl
eaned
t
hekitchen.

"Comehere"Sheconsol
edAr
inbyput
ti
ngheri
na
hugandrubbingherhai
r.
"
Ever
ythi
ngwi
llbef
ine"Shemut
ter
ed.
"
Idon'
twantt
osleepal
onet
oni
ght
,I'
m scar
ed.I
missI
ri
sh"Ar
insai
d.

"Ofcourseyouwon' tbesleepi
ngalone,l
etmefini
sh
cleani
ngthekitchenandwe' l
lbot
hgot omyroom.
I'
llr
eadyouinterest
ingbedtimestori
es"Gabr
iel
le
saidandArinnoddedwi thasmi l
e.

"
Whatshoul
dihel
pyouwi
th?
"Sheasked.
"I
'
m almostdoneAr
in,
ther
e'snot
hingl
eftf
oryout
o
do"Gabr
iel
lesai
d.
"
OkayGabr
iel
le"Ar
insai
d,t
oyi
ngwi
thhert
eddy
bear
.
"Gositi
nthediningroom whil
eiroundup,Atl
east
Doll
yiswithyou"Gabriel
lesai
d,knowingshe
neededti
met othinkaboutthebedti
mestori
esto
tel
lAri
n.
"
Okay"Ar
inhoppedt
othedi
ningr
oom.
"
Comeher
eDol
ly"

Shedroppedherteddybearonthetabl
eandsli
pped
herf
ootwearoffherfeet
.Shepatt
edDollyal
it
tl
e
andplayedwi
thhertoo.
Shest
oodinthemiddleoft
hespaciousdi
ning
r
oom andstar
tedpract
ici
ngthebal
lett
heywere
t
aughtear
li
erintheday.
Itseemsmoredif
fi
cultwit
houtmusicbutbei
ng
Arin,
shei
maginedthemusicplayi
nginherhead
andstart
eddanci
ngperfectl
y.

Shesomuchlovedanci
ng,
shecan'
twai
ttobea
grownupsoshecanshowtheworl
dhowmuchofa
gem bal
leti
s.

"
Ari
n"Someonecal
l
edherbutshedi
dn'
tst
opped.
Sheknewitwasn'
tGabri
ell
e,Gabr
iel
lewoul
dnever
havedi
stur
bedherwhil
eshe'sdanci
ng.
"Ari
n,"Shehear
dagai
nandgr
oanedbef
ore
stopping.

Shesawitwasoneofthemaidsnamed.
.Gl
adys
thr
ought
henamet agonherdress.

"
Whatdoyouwant
?Howdar
eyoui
nter
ruptme?
"
Ari
nyel
led.
Sheknewherdadwouldhaverepr
imandedheri
fhe
washerebutsomet
imesthesemaidsneedst
obe
yel
ledat
.

"I
'
m sorryf
oryel
li
ngbutwhatdoyouwant
?"Ar
in
asked.
"
Whyhaven'
tyougonet
obed?Got
obednow"
Gl
adysor
der
ed.
"Excuseme?"Ar
inaskedwonderi
ngwhythelady
hadsomuchcommandi nhervoi
ce.I
ri
shwho'sher
nannydoesn'
tevenspeakt
oherinthatmanner.

"Hey!You'
renotmynannyandyoudon' thavethe
ri
ghttoordermearound,
yourjobher
ei stotake
careofthehouseandnotme!"Ari
nsaid.
"Shutupyoul
it
tl
e..
.Justgot
obed"Gl
adyssai
d
ster
nly."
Now"Sheadded.

"AreyououtofyoursensesGladys?
"Gabr
iel
le
askedwalki
ngoutofthekitchen.
Gladysfumedonseeingher
,sheneverknew
Gabri
ell
ewasintheki
tchen.
"HowdareyouspeaktoArinthatway,you'r
enot
all
owedtodothatokay?You'
rejustacommon
maidhere,
getthati
ntoyourhead!
"Gabr i
ell
e
warned.
"Iwasonl
ytr
yingt
ogethert
obed.
..
."Gl
adyswas
sayi
ng.
"
Byf
orci
ngher
?"Gabr
iel
leasked.

Sheneverl
ikedGl
adysf
rom t
hest
art
.

"
It
'sl
ateal
ready"Gal
dyssai
d.
"
You'
renotsupposedtoorderhert
ogot obedinthe
f
ir
stplaceokay?I
fyoutrythi
sagain,I
'
llhavet
o
r
eportyoutoMrEthan"Gabri
ell
esaidandGladys
wal
kedawayangril
y.

"Let
'sgot
obedAr
in"Gabr
iel
lesai
dandt
ookAr
in'
s
hand.

*
*

"
Ifyoucan'
tdoi
t,j
ustgocal
lonJavad.
"
"Well
,i
t'
snotl
ikeican'
t.I
'
ddoanyt hi
ngtohurtt
he
gir
l,
she'
ssorudeandspoiltbutt
hethi
ngis.
."

"
What
?..hur
ryup,
Cat
her
inemust
n'twakeup.
."
"Thegi
rlisnoti
nherroom anymor
e,Gabr
iel
le
alr
eadytookhertoherroom.

"What!Whydi
dyoual
lowt
hathappen?
"Mor
gan
yel
led.

Iwa.
."Gl
adyswassayi
ng.

"
Youknowwhat?You'r
esodumb!Gett
hehelloff
myphone"Mor
gandisconnect
edt
hecal
langri
ly.

"
Damn!
"Gl
adysswor
e.
_
_NextMor
ning_
_

"
Arushajustgoprepar
eforschool
,I
'l
lbewi
thMum"
I
ri
shsaidfortheumpteent
htime.
"
Idon'
twantt
oleave"Ar
ushasai
d.
"Mum willbefi
ne,shewon'
tbegl
adyoumi
ssed
classesbecauseofher
"

"Youshoul
dgot oschool ,you'l
lst
il
lgettocheckon
herwhenyou'r
eback, evenifyouwai t
,youwon'tbe
ablet
oseehertillthey'r
edonewi t
ht hesurger
ies
andiguessit
'l
ltakemor ethanadaysoj ustgoto
school
,she'
l
lbef ine"Ethansaid.

"
Okay"Ar
ushasai
d,st
eppi
ngdownf
rom t
hebed.
Thehadsl
epti
nanempt
ywar
dcont
aini
ngt
wo
beds.
Ethansl
epti
nonewhi
leI
ri
shandAr
ushashar
ed
one.
"Gotel
lmydr i
vertot
akeyouhomeanddr opyoui
n
schoolaf
teryou'
redoneprepar
ing"Et
hansai
d.
Hisdr
iverhadwenthomeyest
erni
ghtandcame
backt
hismor ni
ng.
"Huh?Heshoul
ddr
opmei
nschoolt
oo?
"Et
han
asked.
"
Yeah"Et
hansai
d.
Ar
ushagl
ancedathi
ssi
sterandsheshr
ugged.
"Thankyou"Arushagri
nned,al
readyi
magini
ngthe
l
ookt hat'
l
lbeonhiseveryone'
sfacewhenhest
eps
downf rom t
heli
mousine.
"
Ishoul
dleavenow"Hehuggedhi
ssi
sterand
wavedt
o.

Hebeamedashewalkedtothedoor
,the
conver
sat
ionhehadwit
hEthanyest
erni
ghthad
beenawesome.
Et
hanHar
lowi
sevenmor
eint
ell
igentt
hanAr
usha
t
houghthe'
dbe,
hepr
ovedhi
msel
fwor
thyt
obea
r
olemodel.
He'
severythi
ngI
ri
shhadment
ionedandhedi
dn'
t
r
egretchoosi
ngt
olookupt
ohim.

"
Wi l
limeetyouherewhenI'
m backfr
om school
?"
Arushaasked,
holdi
ngthedoorknob.
"
Ofcour
se"Et
hansai
d.
"No,he'
llbegoi
ngt
owor
k"I
ri
shsai
dandEt
han
glancedather.
"
Ohh"Ar
ushasai
d,abi
tsadl
y.
"
Bye"Headdedbef
orewal
kingoutoft
hedoor
.

"
Inevert
oldyouiwasgoi
ngt
owor
k"Et
hanf
aced
I
ri
sh.
"
Yougotoworkeverydayandiwoul
dn'
tal
lowyou
misswor
ktodaybecauseofmymum"
"Iownthewor
kyou'retal
kingabout.Icandecide
nottogoandever
ythingwillst
il
lbeinplace"
"Iknowbutpleaseyoucan'tmisswor
kjustbecause
ofus.Youdidsomuchal ready"I
ri
shsai
d.

"
Goodmor ni
ngMrEthan,
Iri
sh"DocLucsai
d,
wal
kingi
ntothewar
d.
"
Goodmor
ning"
"Iknowyoumusthavef
eltsouncomf
ort
ableonthe
bed,
youshoul
dgohomenowandhavear est"Doc
Lucsai
dtoEthan.
"
No,
it'
sfi
ne"Et
hansai
d.

"Ohh.
..
okay,t
hesurgeri
eswillbegi
noncethe
speci
ali
stsar
ehere,
soI '
l
lwantyoubothtogo
home,cl
eanupandpr obabl
yeatbefor
etheyarr
ive"
"Ohh.
.okay,ishoul
dcallAl
exyodr
iveher
eaf
terhe
dropsArin"Ethansai
dandIri
shsmil
ed.
Theyhadt al
kedt
oAr i
nandGabriel
leovert
he
phonethi
smor ni
ngandshemi sstheli
tt
legi
rl
over
night
,shemisseddressi
ngherupforschoolt
oo.

"
HeyAl
ex.
"Et
hansai
dint
othephone.

"Goodmor
ningMrEt
han"
.
"Goodmorning,
dri
vest
rai
ghtt
othehospi
talaf
ter
youdropAr
in"

"
Idr
oppedheral
ready,
I'
llbecomi
ngr
ightaway.
"

"
Ohh.
..okay.

"
Doyouneedanythi
ngbef
oreyourdr
iverar
ri
ve?
"
DocLucasked.
"No,we'
ref
ine.
..I
ri
shdoyouneedanyt
hing?
"Et
han
asked.
"
No"Ir
ishshookherheadevent
houghshebadl
y
want
edtotakewater
.
"Iguesst
heyoungsi
rhasgonet
oschool
"DocLuc
said.
"
Yeah"I
ri
shsmi
led.
"Al
ri
ghtt
hen"DocLucsai
dbef
orewal
kingoutoft
he
door.

"
Alexwil
lgether
esoon"Et
hansai
dtoi
ri
shwhowas
r
epacki
ngherhair.
Hesmi
ledast
hei
rgazesl
ocked.

"
Why.
.ar
eyoubei
ngsoni
cet
ome?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
Yout
hinkt
her
e'sar
eason?
"Et
hanasked.
"Iknowyou'
reaphi
lant
hropi
stEt hanbutdoyou
wantanythi
ngfr
om me..
.I'
ll
..
gladlygi
veyou"Ir
ish
said.
"
Youwi
ll
?"Et
hanasked.
"
Yes"I
ri
shshi
ft
edcl
osert
ohi
m.
Shehasfeeli
ngsforEthanandatthi
spointshe
doesn'
tevencareifhefi
ndsoutornot.
Whatl
ingersinhermi
ndr
ightnowi
sifhef
eel
sthe
samewayf orher.

Shehadcaughthim st
areathersever
alt
imes.
..
.but
thatdoesn'
tmeanhefeel
sthesamewayf orhertoo.

"Whatiwantfrom youi
snotthereasonI'
m doi
ngal
l
these,ihel
pedyoubecauseiwantedto,
nothi
ng
attached.
"
"
Okay,I
'
m gladyoureal
lywantsomethi
ngf
rom me,
I
'
llgl
adlydoanythi
ngforyou?"I
ri
shsai
d.

"Il
ikeyouI
ri
sh.Ihavef
eel
ingsforyou"Et
hansai
d
andherheartpumpedt
wicefaster
.
"Andiwanttoknowifyoutrustmeenoughtoput
yourhear
tinmycare"EthanaddedandIri
shfel
ther
worl
dspin.

Sheswal
lowedhar
d,wonder
ingi
fthi
swasadr
eam.
'
Yes.
..
yes.
..
yes'
Hermi ndscreamedbuthereyes
andmouthremainedpinned.

Hercheekswer
eal
mostt
hesamecol
ourasr
ed
r
oses.

"
Goodmor
ningMrEt
han"Thedooropened.

Alex,JavadandCarlst
eppedi
nandwit
honegl
ance
atIri
sh..Javadknewwhatwasgoi
ngon.

_
___
Let
'sAwwsmi
le
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35

"
Goodmor
ningMrEt
han"Thedooropened.
Alex,JavadandCarlst
eppedi
nandwi
thonegl
ance
atIri
sh..
.Javadknewwhatwasgoi
ngon.
"Ohh.
..
iguesswej usti
nterr
upt
edsomet
hing.We'
re
sorr
yMrEt han"Javadsaid.
"
Not
hing.
..not
hingatal
l"Et
hansmi
led.
"
How'syourmum'
sheal
th?
"Al
exandCar
lasked
I
ri
sh.
"Ohh.
..
"Shesai
dgetti
ngher
sel
foutoft
heshock
shewasthrownint
o.
"She'sget
ti
ngbet t
er.
..
imeanhersurger
ieswi
llbe
performedtoday.Thanksguys"I
ri
shsaid.
"
sur
ger
ies?
"Javadasked.
"
Yeah"I
ri
shanswer
edr
eluct
ant
ly.
"
Thespeci
ali
stsar
efl
yingi
nsoon"Et
hansai
d.
"
Ohh"Javadsai
d.

"Let
'sgetmovi
ng"Ethansai
d,hefel
tabi
tbadhe
musthavemadeI r
ishuncomfort
ablewi
thhi
s
confessi
on.
Buthe'
sgladhef i
nall
ymadehisf
eel
ingsknownt
o
her
,hecan'tkeepitanyl
onger
.
He'
smadl yi
nlovewi
thherandhedi
dn'
tevenknew
howithappened.
Hedidn'
tevenregrett
hefactt
hathedevel
oped
f
eel
ingsforIr
ish,she'
sworthi
t.
Af
teral
ltheseyears,
he'
sgl
adhi
shear
t'
s
f
inal
lyworki
ngperfect
ly.

NotjustonanyonebutI
ri
sh,
hehasneverf
eltt
hat
wayaroundanylady.
NotevenCat
her
ine.
Hehadhadsomet hi
ngforI
ri
shsincehesawher
buthedi
dn'
tjustadmit
tedi
tunt
ilrecent
ly.

Theygotout
sidet
hehospi
talandEt
hanadj
ust
ed
hi
sfacecap.
Theyal
lsatint
hecarwai
ti
ngf
orJavadwhot
old
t
hem hewantedtopee.
.

"
Whyi
shet
aki
ngsol
ong?
"Et
hanasked.
Ir
ishhadnoti
cedtoobutshedi
dn'
twanttospeak
up,shesuddenl
yfeel
ssoshyaroundEt
han.
"Ineedt
ogett
owor
k.Car
l,gocheckhi
m"Et
han
order
ed.
"
OkayMrEthan"Car
lali
ght
edfrom t
hecarand
wal
kedbackint
othehospi
tal
.

Heheadedtot
herest
room ar
eaandsawJavad
appr
oachi
ng,t
ucki
nghisphonei
nhispocket
.

"
What
?"Hequer
iedCar
lwi
thast
ernl
ook.
"Don'
teverthi
nkI
'l
lbel
ooki
ngoutf oryou,MrEt
han
askedmet owhenyou'
ret
akingforeverl
iket
he
rest
room i
syournewhome"Carlsaid.

"Justshushoranot
herroundoff
ightwi
llbur
stnow"
Javadgrit
tedhi
steeth.
"
I'
m al
waysreadyt
oburstyourf
acewithpunches,
t
hankyourst
arsMrEt
hani sout
sidewait
ingf
orus"
Car
lgr
innedbef
orewal
kingaway.
Javadcur
sedhi
m underhi
sbr
eat
hbef
orewal
king
aft
erhi
m.

Hehadact
uall
ycall
edMrMorgant
oinf
orm hi
m
aboutt
her
ecenthappeni
ngs.

"
I'
m sor
ryMrEt
hanf
ordel
ayi
ngyou,
ine.
."Javaf
wassayi
ng.
"I
t'
sokay"Et
hancuthi
m shor
t."MoveAl
ex"He
addedandAlextur
nedontheigni
ti
onandstar
ted
dri
ving.

*
*

"
Goodnews"Mor
gansai
dtoCat
her
ineashewal
ked
i
ntot
heswi
mmi
ngar
ea.
Catherinewasbyt heedgeofthepool
,cl
adina
pinkbikiniandsippi
ngwi newhi
chshehandedt o
oneoft hemai dsstandi
ngatherbeckandcallwhen
shehear dMor gan'
swor ds.
"
Real
ly?
"Sheasked,
hereyesl
it
ti
ngup.

Sheknewt henewswoul dcent erar

oundEt han,
sher eal
lywanthi m back.Alt
houghMor ganisnotin
anywaydepr i
vingherofanyt hingbutshej ust
want edEthanagain, shemissedhowhemakesher
feel,hewassogent leandr omant ict
othecor e,
a
perfectdefi
nit
ionofanhumbl eman, onewoul dn'
t
knowhe' sweal t
hyifonehasn' tseenhimi nthe
news.
Peopleobvi
ousl
ylovedhi
m morethanMor
gan
becauseofhi
shumblewayofli
fe.

"
Youbot
hshouldexcuseus"Morgansai
dtot
he
mai
dsashesatbesideCat
heri
ne.
 Theyl
efti
mmedi
atel
yaf
terbowi
ng.

"
Sowhat '
sup?"Cat
heri
neasked,
ignor
ingMor
gan'
'
s
l
ust
fulgazeonherbody.
Et
handoesn'
tlookatherwit
hl ustbutwi
thlove
t
hatal
waysmakehergi veherselft
ohim al
ltheti
me.
Hi
seyesar
elovi
ng,yougetst
uckwhenstar
ingat
Et
han,
hedoesn'
tevenknowwhathedoestolot
sof
womenwit
hthoseeyes.

"Whysmili
ng?DoyouknowwhatI
'
m aboutt
osay
alr
eady?
"Morganasked.
"
Huh?No,
buti
t'
sgoodnewsr
ight
?"
"
Yeah,
it'
saboutyourdaught
er.
..
"
"Whatdi
dyoudot
omydaught
er!
?"Cat
her
ine
spar
kedup.
"Chi
llCat
heri
ne,
iwasaboutt
osayyourdaught
er'
s
nanny"Morgansai
d.
"
Ohh"Shesai
dmor
ecal
mly.
"
Youjustkeepsurpr
isi
ngmewi t
hyourbehavi
or
wheneveriment
ionyourdaught
er"Mor
ganstated.

"CauseiknowwhatyoucandoMorgan,youwoul
d
doanythingt
ohurtEthanandmydaughteri
shi
s
weaknesshere"Cat
herinesai
d.
"Iwon'
thur tyourdaught
ercauseiknowhowmuch
youlovehert oo"Morgansai
d,wishi
ngAri
nwas
deadalready..
"Lessifor
get
,I
'
llbegoi
ngt
ocheckonhersoon"
Cather
inesai
d.
"
Ohh..
.yourvi
sit
ati
on.Youwoul
dn'
tevenl
etme
meether"
"
Ethanisgonnachopof
fmyhead"Cat
her
ine
l
aughed.

"Okay,thegoodnewsisaboutIr
ish.Hermot heris
hospital
izedandherheal
thhasdeteri
oratedtothe
extentthatsheneedssomespecial
ist
st ofl
yover"
"
Wow.
..
"Cat
her
iner
aisedherbr
ow.
"
Sowher
edowecomei
n?"Sheasked.
"Westopthespeci al
ist
sfrom get
tingt
othe
hospital
,accordingtothenurseJavadmade
enquiryfr
om, t
hewomanwoul ddiei
fshe'
snot
attendedtoasf astaspossibleandyouknowifshe
dies,I
ri
shwoul dbesosadandt hat'
swhatyou'
ve
al
wayswant ed..
.tomakehersad".

"Yes!Thatgir
lisjustsoannoying,
shepi
ssesmeoff
anddoyouknowshe' sst
art
ingtorobAna'
sofher
customers?"Catheri
neasked.
"
Real
ly?
"
"
Yeah.
..Anaissopissedathert
oo,whenit
ellherof
t
hispl
an,she'
llbesohappy"Cather
inesmi
led.

Shehatesthefactt
hatIri
shgotmoreattent
ionat
thepart
y,t
heladi
esfocusedonheraloneandkept
rant
ingonhowbeaut i
fulshel
ooked.
Someevensai
dsheandEt
hanl
ookedper
fect
t
oget
her
.
Li
kewhatt
hehel
l!

"That
'scool
,
wear
en'
tal
onei
nthi
s"Mor
gan
l
aughed.
"
Yeahsowhendoest
hepl
anst
art
?"
"I
tst
art
edalr
eady,
wef
oundt
hei
rlocat
ionandisent
outmyboys"

"
Wow!You'
resokeenont
his"Cat
her
inel
aughed.
"
Anyt
hingt
omakeyouhappy"Mor
gansai
d.
"
Thanks"Cat
her
inesmi
led.

"
Youl
ookhot
"Mor
ganwi
nked.
"
Iknowr
ight
"Cat
her
inesai
dpr
oudl
y.
"
Ifeell
ikehavi
ngyour
ightnow"
Mor
gansai
d.
"
Nah"Cat
heri
neshookherheadmot
ioni
ngoneof
t
hemaidstobri
ngherwi
ne.
"
Ohh.
..
doyouknowwhatel
seJavadt
oldme?
"
Mor
ganasked.
"
What
?"Cat
her
inesi
ppedherwi
ne.
"Et
hansl
eptoveratt
hehospi
talwi
thI
ri
sh"Mor
gan
sai
d.

"
What
!"Cat
her
ineexcl
aimed.

*
*

Ir
ishr
etur
nedt
othehospi
talaftershewasdone
cl
eani
ngupandeati
ngbreakfast.
ShewavedAl
exbyeashedr
oveof
f.
Ethanlef
tforworkal
readyandti
llhedi
d,she
couldn'
tevenlookhi
mi nt
heface.
She'
syettorecoverf
rom t
heshockthatEt
hanhas
feel
ingsf
orher,i
t'
ssounbeli
evabl
e.
 She'
sjustanobody,
hisdaught
er'
snanny.

Shewal kedint
othehospit
alandmetDoctorLuc
comingoutoft hehal
lway,t
helookonhisface
wasn'tsonice,hedi
dn'tl
ookli
kethecheer
fulDoc
Luc.

"
HiDoc"I
ri
shappr
oachedhi
m..
.
"
Ir
ish.
..
"Hesai
d,si
ghi
ng.
"Thesurger
iesar
egoi
ngonal
readyr
ight
?"I
ri
sh
asked.
Sheknowi twouldhavebeengoingonthough
causetheylef
tthehospi
talby9am andit'
s12pm
al
ready,t
hespecial
ist
swoul dhavegott
enhere
causetheywerealmostatthehospit
alwhenthey
l
eft.

"
Ther
e'sapr
obl
em"DocLucsai
d.
"
Whati
sit
?"I
ri
shswal
lowedhar
d.
"
Thespeci
ali
stsar
enother
eyet
"
"
What
!"I
ri
shpani
cked.
"Yes,I'
vebeentr
yingt
hem tocontactthem f
or
hoursnowandi t'
snotconnect
ingandt heworst
thi
ngi syourmum'shealt
hcareshouldn'tbe
delayedor..
"
"
Orwhat
?"I
ri
shasked,
hol
dingherbr
eat
h.
"
We'
l
lloseher
"
"
Oh.
.no!
"Ir
ishbur
stedi
ntot
ear
s.

*
**

"Icancl
ear
lyseeyou'
vegonei
nsaneagai
n"Et
han
saidtoCat
heri
ne.
Hehadal
lowedheri
ntohi
sof
fi
cet
hinki
ngshe'
l
lbe
morer
easonabl
ethi
sti
me.
"Ican'
tbel
ieveyoul
eftyourdaughteralonetosl
eep
overinahospit
alwi
thasl ut
!"Cat
herinebarked.
"JustshutupCatherine,
you'r
ethesluther
eandl ast
ti
meicheckedAr i
ndidn'
tcomplainaboutit
,shewas
evengladistoodbyhernannysowhatt hefuckis
yourproblem"Ethansaid,r
egret
ti
ngwhyhehadl et
herininthefi
rstplace.
Cat
her
ineboi
ledi
nangerbr
eat
hingl
oudl
y..
..

"Icanseeyouhavenot
hinglef
ttosay,
that
'st
he
door"Hesaidt
oCather
ine.
"
Mygr
eet
ingst
oMor
gan"Et
hanaddedmocki
ngl
y.
"
Fuckyou!
"Cat
her
ineswor
e,seet
hingt
err
ibl
y.
Hisphonestart
edri
ngi
ngandhepi
ckedi
tupt
o
checkthecal
ler
'sI
D.

"
Ir
ish"HesaidaloudandCat
her
inewhowasabout
l
eaving,
stopped.
Heaccept
edt
hecal
landI
ri
sh'
stear
sbr
oket
hrough
hi
sear
s.
Hest
oodupi
mmedi
atel
y.

"
Whathappened?
"Heasked.

"Et
han,thespeci
ali
stsar
enowher etobef ound!Doc
Lucsaidifmymum' shealt
hcar ei
sdelayedany
fur
ther
,he'
safrai
dwemi ghtloseher.Idon'twantt
o
l
oseher "I
ri
shcri
ed.

"
Oh..
my!I
'm onmyway"Ethandr
oppedt
hecal
l,
hepi
ckedt
henecessar
ythi
ngs.

Hehasfor
got
tenCat
her
inewast
her
eunt
ilshe
bl
ockedhi
sway.

"
GetoutofmywayCat
her
ine!
"Heyel
led.
"
You'
regoi
ngnowher
e"Sheyel
ledback,
droppi
ng
herbag.

"MoveCather
ine,
iwon'
twantt
opushyou"
Ethan
sai
dthreat
eni
ngly.

"
Goahead, pushyourdaughter'
smotheroutoft
he
wayjustbecauseofafreaki
ngnannywhose
motherisgonnadiesoon"Catheri
nesai
d.
"
Don'
tsayt
hatCat
her
ine,
!Don'
t!
"Et
hanwar
ned.
"
Wel
l.
..
idi
dal
ready"Shesai
d.
"
Outofmyway"
Ethansai
d,get
ti
ngi
mpat
ient
.
"You'
llhavetopushmeli
keyousaidtogett
othat
door"Cather
inesai
dandEthanswore,r
esi
sti
ngthe
urgetopushher.

HeknewCather
inet
obesoi mpli
cat
ing,
shecango
f
il
earepor
tthathepushedherandt
hatmightgett
o
t
hemedia!
Het
urnedandpunchedsomenumber
sinhi
s
t
elephoneandt
henpl
acedt
her
ecei
veronhi
sear
.

"You,getinherenowandtaket
wootherper
son
withyou.There'
sawildani
malher
e"Ethansai
d
befor
edr oppi
ngthecall
.
Hesighedi
mpatient
ly,
deepl
yregret
ti
ngwhyhe
hadal
lowedCather
ineint
ohisoff
ice.
"Youwannagetyourbodyguardstopushmeout
ri
ght,you'
resuchaweakl
ing!Doityour
sel
f"
Catheri
nesaid.
"I
'
m notasvi
olentasyour'husband'
okay?
"Et
han
saidandt
hatshutCather
ineup.

Fewsecondsl
ater
,t
hemenf
il
edi
n.
"Getheroutofmywayfir
st"Et
hanorderedandt
hey
pull
edtheranti
ngCat
heri
neawaywhi l
eEthan
rushedtothedoor
,heopeneditandst
eppedout
.

"
Gett
hecarr
eady"Hecal
ledhi
sdr
iverwhi
le
hur
ryi
ngt
othepar
kingl
ot.
"OkayMrEt
han.

_
__

"What'
sgoi
ngon? "Et
hanasked, breathi
ngheavily
ashewalkedtoIri
shinthehospitalrecept
ion,her
eyeswereswoll
enwithtear
sandhi sheartfel
t
heavy,
seei
ngheri nt
hatcondi
tion.

Shesnif
fedandhandedhi m afacecapwhenshe
sawhowpeoplewer estar
ti
ngtogazeathim,he
wasunawarethough,hecol
lect
edt hef
acecapand
worei
t.

"
Ir
ish.
..
"Hecal
led.
"Thespeci
ali
stsar
enowher
etobef
ound"Shesai
d
slowl
y.
"
DocLucsai
dmymum i
sgonnadi
eanymoment
f
rom now"Sheaddedbur
sti
ngi
ntot
ear
sagai
n.
"
Damn!Come,
let
'
sgot
ohi
sof
fi
ce"Et
hansai
d.
"
He'
snoti
nhi
sof
fi
cer
ightnow"Anur
sest
opped
t
hem.
"
Gett
hehelloutofthewayandgogetDocucfor
meanywhereheisnow"Ethansai
dster
nlyandthe
nur
senodded,movingoutoft
heway.

"Ever
ythi
ngisgonnabefi
ne"Et
hanrubbedIr
ish'
s
backastheywaitedf
ordocLucinhi
soffi
ce.
"I
'
m sosorr
yf orkeepi
ngyouwai
ti
ngMrEt
han"Doc
Lucsai
d,walkingin.

"
Luckywhat
'sgoi
ngon?
"Et
hanasked.
DocLucsighed"MrEthan,t
hespeci
ali
stsare
nowheretobefound,
I'
vetr
iedcont
act
ingthem
sever
all
y,
ical
ledthehospi
talt
heywerecoming
from i
nIndi
aandwast oldtheyl
eftal
readysi
nce
yester
dayandtheyevencalledt
hem hoursagot
hat
they'
vegott
entoCali
forni
aheadingtomyhospit
al"

"
Sowher
ethef
uckar
ethey!
"Et
hansai
d.
"Idon'
tknowtoo,nooneknowsandhermum's
healt
hisdeter
ior
ati
ng,
I'
m af
rai
dshehasli
tt
let
ime
l
eft"

"St
opsayi
ngt
hat
,what
'st
henextst
ep?
"Et
han
asked.
"
I'
llpayanyt
hing"Headded.

"
We'l
lhavet
of l
yhertoI
ndia,
thesamehospi
tal
t
hosespeci
ali
stsar
ecomingf r
om"DocLucsaid.
"Ar
eyousur ethey'
recompetent
?Theactoft
he
speci
ali
stsalr
eadysaidthey'
renot
"Et
hansai
d.
"
Theyar
e,MrEt
han.Thathospit
ali
sthebesti
n
I
ndi
aand80%ofsurger
iestheyper
form ar
eal
ways
successf
ul"
"
Okayt
hen,
weshoul
dhur
ry"Et
hansai
d.
"
Thepr
obl
em i
s..
."DocLucpaused.
"
What
?"I
ri
shspokeup.
"I'
m notsureshe'
llbeabl
etosurvivet
hroughthe
fl
ight,
youknowshehasver yl
imitedti
mel ef
tand
thefli
ghtprocessmightt
akealotofti
me"DocLuc
saidsadly.

"Gosh!I
sn'tt
her
eanyt
hingyoucandot
ohel
p?"
Ethanasked.
"
Please"I
ri
shpl
eaded.
"
Arr
rgh!
"DocLucsi
ghed,
thi
nki
ng.
"
Theonlythingicandoi stoplaceheronsedati
ves
t
hroughoutthefl
ightbutherchanceofsurvi
vingti
ll
wegetthereis40%"

"Okay,
sohowmuchi
sthebi
l
ls?I
'
m gonnapayi
t"
Ethansai
d.
"No,
I'
llpayi
t.Ist
il
lhavesomemoneyinmybank
account"I
ri
shsaidandDocLucsmil
ed,knowi
ng
Ir
ishwon'tbeabletoaff
ordt
hemoney.
.
"
I'
m af
rai
dyouwon'
tbeabl
etocovert
hebi
ll
sIr
ish"
DocLucsai
d.
"
Ir
ishI
'
llpayi
t"Et
hanof
fer
ed.
"No,
you'vedonemorethanenough.Iwon'
tletyou
paythebil
lsagai
n"I
ri
shsaid.
"I
m notcompl
ainingabouti
t,I
'
m per
fect
lyf
inewi
th
payi
ngthebil
ls"

"No..
.no,you'
renotpayi
ngi
tEthan.Youspental
ot
alr
eady,ican'
tkeepmakingyouspendandspend"
"
Imfi
newit
hit
,justl
etmeset
tl
ethebi
ll
spl
ease"
Et
hansai
d.
"You'
renotevenmyf amilytotakesuch
responsi
bil
it
ies,youpai
df oreveryt
hingsi
ncewe
gothereandI '
m sograt
efulforthatbutiwon'
tall
ow
youtakeresponsibi
li
tyanymor e.No,pl
ease"I
ri
sh
said.
kindl
yhinovelsr
epubli
conWhat sApponpl ust
wo
threefourei
ghtzerofi
vefi
veeighteightni
neone
ri
ghtthreetogetaddedtothenovelsgrou
"Caniseeyouraccountbal
anceMi
ssI
ri
sh?
"Doc
Lucasked.
"Ofcourse"I
ri
shsai
dbri
ngi
ngoutherphone,she
i
mput edsomecodesandherbankaccountbal
ance
poppedup.

"I
t'
llbeenoughr
ight
?"Sheasked,
handi
ngher
phonetoDocLuc.
Hel
aughedwhenhesawheraccountbal
ance.
"
I'
m sor
ryforl
aughingbutthi
sissososmall
,i
t
won'
tevencoverquart
erofthebi
ll
s"DocLucsai
d.
"
What!Real
ly?
"Ir
ishasked,
shehadt
houghti
t'
dbe
mor
ethanenough.
Thepayshehasbeenr eceivi
ngfrom Ethanplus
al
lthemoneysher ecei
vedfrom hercustomers.It
shoul
dbemor ethanenough.
"
Whyi
sitsocost
ly?
"Ir
ishasked.
"Yourmum isn'tj
ustdoi
ngasurger
yIr
ishbutt
wo,
otherexpensestoo"DocLucsai
d.

"
Ohh.
..
"Ir
ishsi
ghedandglancedatEt
hanwhi
le
r
ubbi
ngthebackofherneck.

"
I'
llset
tl
ethebi
ll
sDocLuc,
gett
owor
k.Ther
e'sno
mucht i
melef
t"Et
hansai
d.
"
No"Ir
ishsai
d."
You'
rejustgonnabor
rowmet
he
moneyandI'
l
lpayback.
"
Real
ly?That
'snotnecessar
y"Et
hansai
d.
"I
tis,
Ethan.I
'
llcol
lectmor
eor
der
s,ineedt
opay
youback"
"I
t'
sf i
nethen.Luc,
tal
ktomymanageraboutt
he
bil
ls"Ethansai
d.

"
Okay,
soI
'
llbef
lyi
ngwi
thMr
sHel
en.
..
"
"
Won'
ticomewi
thyou?
"Ir
ishasked.
"No,no.
..
thatmightt
akealotofpr
ocessandshe
needstobeattendedtoassoonaspossi
ble"
"
Ohh"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Wil
lyougoinmyprivatejet
?Thestr
essofstar
ti
ng
tobookafli
ghtandall
.It
'sgonnat
akealotofti
me"
Ethansai
d.
"
That
'
llbegr
eat
!MrEt
han"
.DocLucsmi
led.
"Letmecontactmyair
craf
tpilot
,youshoul
dgoget
readywi
ththenecessar
ythings"Ethansai
dtoDoc
Lucwhonoddedandhur ri
edoutoftheoffi
ce.

"
Thankyou,
somuch"I
ri
shsai
dtoEt
hant
ear
il
y.
"I
t'
sfine"Hepul
ledheri
ntoasi
dehugwhi
lehe
contactedhi
spi
lot.

Thecarwasincompl
etesi
lenceast
heyheaded
homeafterl
eavi
ngt
heair
port.
DocLucandMr
sHel
enl
efti
nhi
spr
ivat
ejetal
ready.

"She'
l
lbefi
ne"Et
hanbroket
hesil
enceint
hecar
aft
ernot
ici
nghowtroubl
edI
rishl
ooks.
"
Thankyou"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Areyougoi
ngbackt
owor
k?"Sheasked.
"
No,
I
'vecl
osedf
ort
heday"
"
Yeah,
youneedt
orest
"Ir
ishsai
d.
"Youtoo"Et
hansai
dandI
ri
shnodded,knowi
ngshe
hastogettoworkt
obeabl
etopaybackEthan'
s
money.
"Youshoul
dst
opgi
vingmemypayf
ornow"I
ri
sh
said.
"
Why?
"Et
hanasked.
"
I'
m gonnabeusi
ngitt
opayfort
hedebtl
it
tl
eby
l
it
tl
e,i
t'
llgoal
ongwayinr
efundi
ngyourmoney"
"Ar
rrgh"Et
hangr
oaned."
Areyouser
iousabout
payi
ngback?"Heasked.
"Ofcour
se"Ir
ishsai
d,"
Andpl
easedonotr
efuse"
Sheadded.

"I
'
m gonnakeepgivi
ngyouyourpayandyoucan
saveityour
sel
ftopaymebackwhenit'
scomplet
e"
Ethansaid.
"
Finet
hen"I
ri
shsai
d.
"You'
remakingmefeelbadforwant
ingt
opayback,
ineveraskedyout
oo"Ethansai
d.
"
Iknowbutiwantt
o.Pl
ease"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Okaythen,anyt
hingt
hatmakesyouf
eelokay"
Ethansaid.

Thecarfel
lbacki
ntosi
lenceandEt
hancan'
thel
p
butst
ealgl
ancesather
.
Eveninherwor
ri
edst
ate,
shest
il
llooked
beaut
if
ul.
Hekindawishedhehadn'
tconf
essedhi
sfeel
ingsto
heratl
eastnoti
nthemidstoft
hispr
obl
ems,cause
i
tseemsshe'
snol
ongercomf
ort
abl
ewi
thhi
m.

"Arusha,
donotgot ot
hehospi
talaf
terl
eaving
school..
..
"Ir
ishsai
dtoAr
ushaasshewal kedupt
he
stair
s.
Theyjustar
ri
vedhomeandsheknowsheneeded
t
of i
llAr
ushainontherecenthappeni
ngs.

"Wow!Younevercant el
lwhatmi ghthave
happenedtothosespecial
ists?Idon'
tthinkt
hey'll
deli
berat
elyabandonsomeonewhoneedsur gent
medicalcarewit
houtareason"Gabr i
ell
esaidafter
Ethanhadnarratedever
ythingtoher.

"
Ithi
nkyou'
rer
ightandit
hinkt
heyar
e
i
ncompetenttoo,
I'l
lhavethensuedwhenevert
hey
appear
"Ethansaid,si
ppinghisf
avori
tewi
ne,he
wasseatedwithGabriel
lei
nthekit
chenaft
ereati
ng.
"Com'onEthan,
youdon'
tknowwhatmighthave
gonewr ongwit
hthem.Youshoul
dbehoping
they'
refi
neinst
eadofhavi
ngthi
smindset
"Gabriel
la
saidandheshrugged.
"Ihopetheyarefi
nethough.Anyways,
I'
m gl
adwe
didn'
tevenwaitfort
hem anylonger
,ij
usthope
Iri
sh'
sMum sur vi
vethr
oughthefli
ghtandthent
he
surger
y"Ethansaid.
"
Shewil
l,
iknow.Ir
isht
oldmeshe' sastrong
womanandibel
ieveshe'
llf
ightt
his"Gabri
ell
esai
d.
"
Wher
e'sI
ri
shbyt
heway?
"Sheadded.
"Probabl
yinherr
oom,idon'
twanttodi
stur
b
her,sheobvi
ousl
yneedssometimetoher
self
"
Ethansaid.

"
Yeah,
poorgi
rl
"Gabr
iel
leshookherhead.
"
I'
mthi
nki
ngofchangi
ngherbr
other
'sschool
,
we
bothhadadi scussi
onanddamn!He' ssointel
li
gent
,
idon'tthi
nktheschoolheattendsknowshis
worth,heneedsabetterschoolandI'
m gonnado
thatforhim"
"That'
l
lbegreatandhe'sgatt
hel ookst
oo,
the
maidsarest
il
ltal
kingabouthi
mt i
llnow"
"
Real
ly?
"Et
hanl
aughed.
"
Yeah"

"
So,thi
nkingofthebestschool
shereinCali
forni
a,i
t
hinkyoushouldchoosetheoneJessicaattends
whenevershe'
shereforsummer "Gabr
iel
lesaid.
"
Yes!That
'l
lbefi
ne.I
'l
lstar
tmakingmovesonceall
t
hisi
sover,youknowMr sHelenhavetogetwel
l
f
ir
stbefor
eicanproceedwithmyplans"
"
Yes,
ofcour
se"
"Ineedt
ogohaveanapbeforeAri
ncomesback"
Ethansai
dandGabr
iel
lechuckl
ed.
"
I'
llst
artpr
epar
ingl
unchal
so"Gabr
iel
lesai
d.
"
OkayWorl
dbestchef
"Ethanteasedandl
aughed
whi
leGabr
iel
ler
oll
edhiseyesathim.

_
__

"
Ir
ish"Et
hancal
ledwal
kingi
ntoherwor
kshop.
"Hi
"Shesmiled.Shej
ustl
eftAr
in'
sroom who'
s
alr
eadyhavi
nghernap.
"It
houghtyou'
dbeinyourr
oom"Ethansai
d,
drawi
ngachaircl
osetoherbef
oresi
tt
ing.
"
Nah,
ineedt
owor
k"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Well
..
.DocLucj
ustcal
ledmenow, t
heyar
ri
ved
I
ndi
asafel
yandt
hesurgeonsal
readygott
owork"
"
Thankgoodness"I
ri
shbr
eat
hedoutasi
ghofr
eli
ef.

Hermum sur
vivedt
hef
li
ght
!
Shehadbeenunsett
led,
prayinghermum woul
dat
l
eastsur
vivet
hefl
ightcausethestat
eshehadbeen
i
nwhent
heyl
eftf
orI
ndi
awast
err
ibl
e.
Keepf
ight
ingmum.
.you'
l
lsur
vivet
hesur
ger
iest
oo.

"
I'
m sogl
ad"I
ri
shsmi
led.
"
Met
oo"
Ethansai
d.

"Ohh.
..DocLuc'
scal
li
ngback"Et
hansai
dpi
cki
ng
upthecall
..
.
"
HiDocLuc.

Ir
ishpi
ckedupherphonet
ocallAr
ushaandt
ellhi
m
aboutt
henewpieceofnews.

"
What
!"Et
han'
sexcl
amat
ionst
oppedhi
m.

"
What
?"I
ri
shaskedwor
ri
edl
y.
"Canyoubel i
evethespeciali
ststhatwereassi
gned
toCalif
orniatotakecareofyourmum, wer
e
kidnapped!Thatwaswhyt heycouldn'
tmakeitto
thehospital
"Ethansaid,
alarmed.

"
What
!"
[
05/09,07:
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#Chapt
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36
Et
hanandIr
ishr
ushedint
oDocLuchospi
taland
wasl
edint
ohisoff
icebythet
wonur
ses.

"Wherearet
hey?
"Et
hanasked,notseei
ngt
he
speci
ali
stst
heycamethem f
or.
"Theyarecleani
ngup,t
hey'l
lbeoutsoon"oneof
t
henur sessaidbef
orewal
kingout.

"
Gabri
ell
ewasr i
ghtwhenshesai
dwedon'tknow
whatmighthavegonewrongwi
ththem"Et
hansaid.
"Yeah"I
r i
shnodded,st
il
lstar
tl
edbyt
hef
actt
hatt
he
special
istswer
ekidnapped.

"
Hii
"Theyheard,
andtur
nedt
oseetwoladi
es
wal
kingoutofDocLuc'
sper
sonalr
est
room.
I
ri
shnevert
houghtt
hespecial
istswouldbeladi
es
andtheyl
ooksobeaut
if
ul,
sherarelyseeIndi
ans.
"
I'
m Suni
l"
"I
'
m Shreedah"Thel
adiesst
ret
chedoutt
hehands
andEthanandIri
shgladl
ytookit
.

"
We'r
esosor
ryaboutwhathappenedt
oyoubot
h"
I
ri
shsai
dandEthannoddedi
naf f
ir
mati
ve.
"Ohh..
my.Aren'
tyouEthanHarl
ow?
"Thel
adycal
led
SunilaskedandEthannodded.
"
Canihugyou?
"Suni
laskedexpect
ant
ly.
"
Yeah"Et
hansmi
ledandSuni
lpul
ledhi
mint
oahug.

Shr
eedahsmi
ledandt
ookaseat
.
Shewastir
edfrom t
hestressandal
l,
theynever
thoughtt
hey'
dhavethisexperi
enceontheirf
ir
st
dayinCali
forni
a.
Theyhadbeenlooki
ngsoforwar
dt othesurger
ies
notunt
ilt
heywerewaylai
dandkidnapped.Herears
st
il
lhurtf
rom t
heslapsshehadrecei
ved.
"Il
ikeyousomuch, you'r
eoneoft hefew
bil
li
onairesthatassistspeopleinever ywaythey
can,ifihadknowni twasyourmot herwewer e
comingt operform surgeryon,iwoul dhavefought
thosekidnapperswi thallmyst rength"Suni
lsaid
andEt hanlaughed..TheirEnglishwasobvi ously
dif
ferentfr
om their
s, thei
rssoundedf unnyt
ot he
ears.

"So.
..
howdidi
tal
l.
.happened?
"Ir
ishasked
curi
ousl
y.
"Wewer ejustf
ewmi nutesawayf rom t
hishospit
al
whenacarcr ossedour sandt ookoverthe
wheels,
wewer eblindfol
dedt hroughoutthejour
ney
andevenwhenwegott owher evertheytookus
to,
weonl yheardvoiceswi t
houtevenseei ng
anyone"Shreedahsai d.
"
Wow!
"Et
hanexcl
aimed.
"
Shr
eedahwassl appedsever
all
ycausesher
efused
t
ocooper
ate"Sunilsai
d.
"
Ohh.
.mynowonderhercheeksl
ookssor
ed.Sor
ry
Shr
eedah"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Sor
ryShr
eedah"Et
hansai
d.
"
Thankyou"Shr
eedahsai
d.

"
Weshoul
dinvol
vet
hecops"Et
hansai
d.
"
No!
"Theybot
hexcl
aimed,
star
tl
ingEt
hanandI
ri
sh
"
Why?Weshoul
dinvol
vet
hecops"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Theyt
hreat
enedtocomeaft
erusi
fwedo.They
knowihaveachil
dandtheythr
eat
enedtoki
llherif
weevergotothecops.
"Shr
eedahbli
nkedr
apidly.
"
Ohhh"I
ri
shandEt
hansi
ghed.
"Moreover
,t
heydi
dn'
thurtus.
"Suni
lsai
d,st
illbei
ng
cl
ingytoEt
hanandIr
ishdoesn'
tknowwhyi tupsets
hersomuch.

"Doyoupr obabl
yknowthereasonyoubothwere
kidnappedorcouldi
tbemistakeni
dent
it
y?"Et
han
asked.
 "
Idon'
tthi
nkso..
.ir
emember
edwhattheysaid
whenShreedahsai
dwehavealif
etosave"Suni
l
sai
d.
"
Whatdi
dtheysay?
"Ir
ishaskedcur
iousl
y.
"
Theysai
d..
.wewereki
dnappedbecauseoft
hel
if
e
wewantt
osave..
."Shr
eedahanswered.
"
What
!!
"Et
hanandI
ri
shexcl
aimed.
"Andshe'
llbeconfi
rmeddeadbefor
ewe'
re
rel
eased.
"Sunilsai
dandIr
ishf
eltsi
ckt
othe
stomach.
"Iguesst
heyr
eleasedusaft
erknowingthe
womanhadbeenflowntoIndi
a"Shreedahsai
d.

"I
..
m..mymum,t
heywer
eaf
termymum"I
ri
shsai
d
shocki
ngl
y..
"Ohh..
she'
syourmum?
"Suni
lsai
d,ki
ndof
disappoi
nted.
"
Yeah"Et
hansai
dandt
urnedt
oIr
ish.
"
W..why?
"Ir
ishf
rowned.
"Whywoul
danyonewantmymum dead?
"She
added.
"
Wow.
."Suni
lsi
ghed.
"Justchi
ll
,we'l
lgetbacktoit
.Let'
sgetSuni
land
Shreedahtothehotel,
sotheycanrestandl
eaveby
tomorrowmor ni
ng"Ethansaid.
"
Okay"I
ri
shsai
d,deepl
ywor
ri
ed.

"
I.
.don'
tthi
nkwe'llbesafeatthehot
el.Yourhouse
woul
dbebetter"Sunilsmi
led,
handbrushingher
l
ongsil
kyhair
.

"No,idon'
treall
yall
owpeopleinmyhouse.You'
ll
bef i
neatthehotel.I
t'
smyhotelact
ual
lyandyou'l
l
havebodyguar dssurr
oundi
ngthewhol
eplace"
Ethansaid.
"Ohh.
..that
'sfinethen"Suni
lsai
d,sl
ight
ly
embarrassedandI ri
shwouldhavelaughedi
fnot
becauseoft hesit
uation.
"We'
resosorryaboutever
ythi
ng.Youguyswouldn'
t
havegot
tenintothi
smessi fwehadn'
taskedyouto
comeover.
..
"Ethansaid.
"
No,that
'sourjob.Tosavel
ives,
you'
renott
obl
ame
f
ori
t"Sunilsai
d.

"
Canwemovetothehot
elpl
ease,mybody.
..
is
achi
ngandI
'
llr
eal
lyli
ket
oeat"Shr
eedahsai
d.
"
Ofcour
se,
imessagedthechauf
feural
ready,
he
woul
dbeheresoon"Et
hansai
d.

'
i
tsget
ti
ngdark'
Iri
sht
houghtaf
terpeer
ingoutof
t
hewindow.
.

'
wil
lAr
ushabef
ine?
'shet
houghtwor
ri
edl
y.
Hemustbefeeli
ngsolonely,
shewi shshecanj ust
gobewithhimti
llt
heirmum isbackbutshecan' t
l
eaveherwork,
sheknowEt hanwilldefi
nit
elyal
low
hergobutshecan'
ttakeadvantageofthat,i
t'
snot
sofai
r.
Ar
ushawoul
dbef
ine.
..

"Hey,what
'swr
ong?
"Et
hanaskedI
ri
sh,
movi
ng
besideher
..
"
Not
hing.
..
"Shel
etoutasmal
lsmi
le.
" C'mon, icantel
lyou'r
everywor r
iedabout
somethingandiunder st
andcauset her
e'ssomuch
goingonatt hemomentbutj ustknowandbelieve
everyt
hingwi l
lbefi
neokay?"Ethanassuredand
Ir
ishnodded.
"
Thankyou"Shesai
d.

"Okayso,don'
tyouthi
nkweshoul dtakel
egal
acti
ons,
it
'ssoobvi
oust hoseki
dnapperswanted
yourmum dead!I'
m prett
ysurethat
'swhatyou'
re
sobother
edabout"Ethansaid.

"No,iwasthinki
ngaboutArushaactual
ly.Andyeah,
knowingthereissomeoneoutther
ewhowant smy
mum deadi senoughtoworryaboutbutrightnow
I'
mjustsoworri
edaboutmum'
sheal
thmor
ethan
anyt
hing.
"Ir
ishsai
d.

"Ofcour
se,youshoul
dbe.Weallar
e.Butdon'
tyou
thi
nkweshoul di
nvol
vethecopsnowsotheywon't
comeafterherwhenshe'
sfull
ywell
"

"
Involvi
ngthecopswi l
lwor
senthesi
tuat
ionEt
han,
I
'l
lmakesur eigetanewapart
mentformum and
Arushaifshesurvi
ves"
"
Ir
ish,
get
ti
nganewapart
mentforherdoesn'
tst
op
t
hebadguysf
rom comi
ngaf
terher"Et
hansaid.
"
Iknowbutsheneedstosurvi
vefi
rstandwehave
t
oconsi
derShreedah'
sdaught
er"I
rishsai
d.

Et
han'
sphonebeepedandhest
aredatt
hescr
een.

"Thechauf
feuri
sher
e"Hesaidt
oSuni
land
Shreedahwhoweredi
scussi
ng.
"
Ohh.
.okay"t
heybot
hpi
ckedt
hei
rbags.

Theyal
lwal
kedoutofDocLuc'
sof
fi
ce.

"
Ir
ish,
get
ti
nganewapar t
mentf orherdoesn'
tst
op
t
hebadguysfrom comingafterher"Et
han'swor
ds
r
anginherear
sast heywalked.
Whydoesshefeel
it'
sbecauseofhertheywanther
mum deadandwhyishermindpoint
ingatMorgan
Har
low?

Sheblewoutabreat
handwat chedEt
hantal
kedto
thechauf
feur,
Suni
landShreedahhadgot
tenint
o
thecaral
readywi
thtwobodyguardswi
tht
hem.
Ir
ishwasi
rr
it
atedwi
thhowSuni
lkeptt
ouchi
ng
Et
han.

Whatacl
ingyt
hing!
Et
hanwavedthem byeandwat
chedt
hecardr
ive
of
fbef
orej
oini
ngIri
sh.
Hel
etoutabr
eat
h..
.

Ir
ishopenedtheli
modoorandgoti
n,Et
hangotin
afterherandor
deredhi
sdr
ivert
ost
artdr
ivi
ng.
"
Youupsetaboutsomethi
ng?
"Et
hanasked,
not
ici
ng
t
hefr
ownonherf ace.
"
Uh?
..not
hing"Shesai
d.

'
Dontfr
eaki
ngt
ellmet
hisi
sjeal
ousyI
ri
sh!
'hermi
nd
scol
dedher
.

*
**

"We'vebeenwai
ti
ngf orages"Ari
ncomplai
nedas
EthanandIri
shwalkedintothedi
ningr
oom.
SheandGabr
iel
lehavebeenwai
ti
ngf
ort
hem
bef
orehavi
ngt
hei
rdi
nner
.

"
We'
resor
ry"I
ri
shsmi
led.
"Forages?Takeiteasywitht
heexagger
ati
onV"
Ethansaidandtheylaughed.
"
Youbothshouldgowashyourhandsf
ir
stbef
ore
j
oini
ngushere"Ari
nsai
d.
"
Ofcour
sewewi
ll
"Et
hansai
d.
"
How'
syourmum I
ri
sh?
"Gabr
iel
leasked.
"Thesurger
y'ssti
llongoi
ng,
wehaven'
thear
d
anythi
ngyet"Ir
ishsaid.
"I
'
m goingtoprayt
oGodtomakehersurvi
ve
becauseshemademeasweat eril
ovesomuch"
Ari
nsaidpett
ingDoll
yandI
ri
shsmiled.
"Youdon'thavetoreadmebedti
mestori
es
toni
ght,
youmustbesot ir
edfrom t
hest
ressyou'
ve
gonethroughtoday"Sheadded.
"
Wow.
..
"Ir
ishl
aughed.
"
ThanksAr
in"Shesai
d.
"
Gowashyourhandsl
et'
seatpl
ease"Gabr
iel
lesai
d.
"
Oh..
myWorldbestchefi
sstar
vingser
iousl
y"Et
han
j
okedandt
heyalll
aughed.

"
Ari
n,Mannerspl
ease.Canyout
aket
hedogoutof
t
hedinni
ng?'
"
AhDad!
"Ar
inwhi
ned.

_
__

"
Goodni
ghtAr
in"I
ri
shpeckedhercheek.
"
Goodni
ghtI
ri
sh"Ar
insai
dsl
eepi
ly.

Ir
ishgent
lyl
eftt
her
oom andwal
kedt
owar
dst
he
stai
rs.
Et
hanhadt
oldhert
ocomet
othel
ivi
ngonceshe'
s
donewi
thAr
in.
Shedescendedt
hest
air
ssl
owl
y.
Hergazemetwit
hJavad'
sswhowasst
andi
ngby
t
heendofthestai
rs.
Shewasn'
tint
hemoodt
oret
urnhi
sgl
are,
shej
ust
wal
kedon.

Shegott
othel
ivi
ngr
oom andi
nst
eadofmeet
ing
Et
han,
shemetAr
usha.

"
What
!"Sheexcl
aimed,
wal
kingt
ohi
m.
"What'
swr
ong?Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"She
asked.
"
Isentadr i
vert
ogopi
ckhi
m"Et
hansai
dwal
king
i
ntotheli
ving.
I
ri
sht
urned.
"Causest
art
ingfr
om now,
he'
l
lbest
ayi
ngher
eti
ll
yourmum'sretur
n"
"
Huh?
"
"
Yeah"Ar
ushagr
inned.

"
Iknowyou'
resoworri
edabouthi
m bei
ngal
onei
n
t
hehouse,i
t'
snotsaf
e"Et
hansaid.
"
Yeah,
thankyou.
..
thankyousomuch"I
ri
shsai
d.
Shefeel
ssoreli
eved,nowshewon'thavet
owor
ry
anymoreaboutArushacauseshe'
l
lbeseei
nghi
m
ever
yday!
Thef
iveyear
sawayf
rom hi
misenoughal
ready.
Sheglancedatherbrot
herwhowasgr
inni
ng
happi
lyandshesmi l
edtoo.

"
ThankyouMrEt
han,
I
'm sogr
atef
ul"Ar
ushasai
d.
"
It
'sf
ine,
boy!Haveyouhaddi
nner
?"Et
hanasked.
"
Yes"
"
Okay,
Gladyswi
llshowyout
oyourr
oom"Et
han
saidandi
twasthenArushaandI
ri
shnot
iced
Gladyswasi
ntheli
vingroom.

"
Wecanshar
emyr
oom"I
ri
shsai
d.
"No,ial
readymadethem pr
eparehi
sroom,
ther
ear
e
enoughr oomsher
e"Ethansai
d.
"
Ohh.
.okay"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Donotcauseanytroubl
ehereandjustshowerand
gotobedimmediatelyyougett
oyourroom.We' l
l
tal
ktomorrow"I
ri
shsaidtoArushaashef ol
lowed
Gladys.
"Okaysi
s"Hewi
nkedandpl
ayf
ull
ydr
aggedher
cheeks.
Shesmi
ledandwat
chedhi
mleave.

"Geez!Hisl
uggagemadeitseem l
ikehe'
l
lbe
spendingyear
shere"I
ri
shsaidandEthanlaughed.
"
Thankyousomuch"Shesai
dtohi
m agai
n.
"
Arr
rgh"Hegr
oaned.
..
"Enoughoft
hatI
ri
sh"
"No,al
lowmethankyou.That
'st
heonl
ywayt
hat
showshowgratef
uliam"
"Okayfi
ne..
.I
'm goi
ngt
othel
ibr
ary,
car
etoj
oinme?
"
Ethanasked.
"Idon'
tmind,iwon'
tbeabl
etogetanysleepi
fi
shouldret
urntomyroom now"I
ri
shsaid.

_
__

"
No"Et
hansai
dwhenI
ri
shpi
ckedanovelt
oread.
Theyj
ustf
ini
shedl
i
tti
ngt
hef
ir
epl
ace.
"
What
?"I
ri
shasked.
"
Let
'snotr
ead,
let
'sj
ustdi
scuss"Hesai
d.
"
Ohh.
..
fi
net
hen"I
ri
shdr
oppedt
henovel
.

Theybot
hsati
nfr
ontoft
hef
ir
epl
ace,
noonespoke
up.
"
Hey!Ar
en'
tyoutheonesupposedt
ospeakup.You
want
edtodi
scuss!
"Ir
ishsai
dinwar
dly.
"
I'
m sur
eGabriel
lewoul
dhavetol
dyounott
oent er
t
heroom besi
dethepool
"Ethanbroket
hesi
lence.
"Ohh..
yes!Shedi
dwhenshewasshowingme
aroundthehouseandiwonder
edwhatwasi
n
there"
"Nothi
ngisinthere,
it
'sjustanormalr
oom t
hat
belongedtoCarrl
e,whowasmygodmot her
..
.car
eto
l
istentosomest ori
es?"Ethanasked.
"
Ofcour
se"I
ri
shsai
deager
ly.

"Okay..
.ilovedCarrl
esomuch.Shet oppedthelist
ofpeopl ewhohel pedmebecomesuccessf ul,
her
wordsandadvi sesgroomedmei nt
othemaniam
today.Shet oldmenott odependonmypar ents
wealthbutwor khardformine,'
Hustl
eli
keyou're
poorestmanonEar t
h'Shealwayst
oldme,ourbond
wasunbr eakableandalotofpeopl
edomi stakeher
formymot her"
"
Wow"I
ri
shsmi
led.

"Youshoul dknowmypar entsar ebil

li
onai r
esand
theywer ereadyt ospoilmeandmybr otherbut
Carrlepreventedthat,orlet'
ssayshesuccessedi n
savingmef r
om beingaspoi lbrat,Mybr otherwasa
expection.ShewasGabr i
ell
e'sclosefriendandt hey
dost ayinthekitchentoget her.Ishouldt el
lyou
thi
s,thereasonGabr iel
leneverwantt oleavet he
kit
cheni sbecauset hat'
swher emostofher
memor i
eswi t
hCar rl
ear e.I
t'sbeenyear snowbut
noneofushavegot t
enoverherdeat h"
"
I'
m sosor
ryaboutt
hat
"Ir
ishsai
dsadl
y.

"Shediedoff oodpoi soning,shewaspoi sonedright

i
nt hi
shouseandt i
lldate,thecul pri
thavenotbeen
apprehended.Detectivestriedalltheycoul dbut
theycouldn'
tfishoutt heper son,invest
igations
wentonf oryearsuntiltheyf inal
lywashedt hei
r
handsof ft
hecase.
Shedi edont
hesamedaymydaught
erarri
vedt
he
world.Shedi
dn'
tgett
oseeAr
inwhom shehad
preparedsomuchtomeet
"Et
hansai
d.
I
ri
shtookhi
spalminher
s,seei
nghowhar
dhewas
r
estr
aini
nghi
stear
s.
Shewant
edt
ocr
ytoo.
Shedi
dn'
tsayanyt
hingandal
lowedhi
m goon.

"Iwasmoresadthanhappybutthebel
iefthat
Carrl
ecamebackt omethr
oughArinconsoledmea
bit
.'Br
ingherupl
ikeibr
oughtyouup"Shehadt ol
d
me,li
kesheknewshewasn'tgoi
ngtobet her
e.
Shewaspoisonedinthenightandshehad
struggl
edti
llmorni
ngjustsoshecouldseemef
or
thelastt
ime.
Bythet
imewefoundher,i
twaslat
eandshedi ed
assoonasshewaswheeledi
ntothehospit
al.My
worl
dshat
ter
edatthatmoment"Et
hanfinal
lyletout
hi
stear
s.
Iri
shf el
thert
hroatt
ight
en,sheknowshe'
sgonna
startcryi
nganymomentf r
om nowknowinghowit
feelstolosesomeonesodearandcloset
oyou.

"
Anddoyouknowmywor
str
egr
et?
"Et
hanasked.
"
What
?"I
ri
shasked,
bli
nki
nghar
dtost
ophert
ear
s.
"Fewmi nutesbef
oreherdeat h.
.shegavemet he
necklaceshecher i
shedmosti ntheworl
d,her
grandmot herhadgi venittohermother,
hermother
hadgi venittoherandi twastobepassedt hatway
butshegavei tt
omeevenwhenshehadadaught er
andi fuckingmisplacedit!Iwassocareless!
"Ethan
said,andI r
ishwipedhist ear
swi t
hherpalm.

Sherubbedhi
sbackandhadt
oresi
stt
heur
geof
huggi
nghimti
ghtl
y.
Shebadl
ywantto,shehadneverseenhimthi
sway
andshefel
ttheneedtopr
otectandconsol
ehim.

"
Ethan,
doweart
hiswheneveryougoi
ntomy
room,
thatwayyou' l
lfeelmypr esence-Shehadt old
meandI ndeed,af
terherdeath,idofeelherpresence
wheneveriweartheneckl ace,icheri
sheditso
muchunt i
lonenight,igotdrunk,ir
arelygetdrunk.I
wonderhowi thappened.Thent henextmor ning,
I'
m
surei
twasst ol
encauseihadsear chedever y
nooksandcranniesint hi
shousebutcoul dn'tfi
ndit
"

"Whowaswi
thyouwhenyougotdr
unk?
"Ir
ish
asked.
"
Cat
her
ine"Et
hansai
d.
"
Ohh"
"
SheandCar rl
enevergotalongandshehaddeni ed
t
aki
ngtheneckl aceanditwasaftershegotmarr
ied
t
omybr other,Morganthatshetoldmet omyface
t
hatshetookit."
"
What
!Whatdi
dyoudo?
"Ir
ishasked.
"Not
hing,
icouldn'
tdoanythi
ngcauset
herewasnot
enoughevidencet
obackitup.Car
rl
ewarnedme
abouther,
shewarnedmenottotr
ustCat
heri
nebut
ineverl
ist
ened,
ifonl
yihadknown"Et
hansai
d.
"
Damn!
"Ir
ishshookherheadsl
owl
y.

"Andknowingtheonlythingthatki
ndofconnected
met oCarr
lewasgone, knowingiwassocareless
withwhatCarr
lecheri
shedmostmademesoangr y
andi or
der
edeveryonet ostayawayfr
om herroom.
Idofeelbadwheni gointoherroom wit
houther
neckl
ace,ir
eali
sedidonotfeelherpresence
anymorewi t
houttheneckl
acesoistoppedgoing
i
ntoherroom.
Ift
here'
sanythi
ngieverwishfor
,i
t'
sformet
oget
theneckl
aceback.ImissCarr
lesomuch"Et
han
smiledsadl
y.

I
ri
shsighed"Whatasadstor
y,Nowiunder
stand
t
hereasonnooneisal
lowedint
othatr
oom"
"Yeah,
iwonderwhatCarr
lewoul
dthi
nkofyoui
fshe
hadmetyou"EthansaidandIri
shsmil
ed.
"I
'
m pl
anni
ngonvi
sit
ingherr
oom soon,
wil
lyou
comewit
hme?"Et
hanasked.
"Ofcour
se,
j
ustt
ellmewheneveryouwantt
o"I
ri
sh
said.

"Okay,
ifeelsoembar
rassedt
ohavecr
iedi
nfr
ont
ofyou"Ethansai
d.
"
Com'on,I
'm gl
adyout
rust
edmeenought
otel
lme
t
his,
thankyou"
"If
eelrel
ieved,
ifeelf
reel
ett
ingoutwhathasbeen
bott
ledinsidemeforyear
s"
"Comeher
e"Ir
ishst
ret
chedopenedherar
msf
ora
hugandHarol
dhappil
yhuggedher.
I
ri
shpeckedhi
m onhi
shai
r.
"
Howcomenoonei nthi
shouseeverbr
ingsupa
t
opi
caboutyourbr
other
?"
"Wel
l.
..Maybebecausehei
sn'
tmybr
other
"Et
han
sai
d.
"
What
?"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Morganmi ghtnotbemybl oodbr otherbutIsti
ll
takehim asabr other
.AccordingtomyDad, Morgan
wasadopt edintoourfamil
ywhenhewas6year sof
age,Iwas14t henandhadwant edalit
tl
ebr ot
her,
thendadconsi deredadopt
ingMor gansincemy
mum isn'treadytohaveanot herbaby".Ethansai
d.

"Oh,sowhathappened?Li
ket
hehat
red?
"Ir
ish
asked.
"IandMorganfoughtalotduri
ngourdaysinhigh
school"Et
hanstoppedandlaughed,
usinghispal
m
toclearhi
stear
s.
"Mor gani
saf l
ir
tandI'mthequit,shyone.His
hatredformestartedwhenIreportedhi
mt oMy
dadbackt henthathegotaladypregnantandgave
hermoneyt oadoptit,
Theladydiedintheprocess"
Ethansaid.
"
That
'
scr
uel
!"I
ri
shexcl
aimed.

"
Yeah.WemoveoutofSanFr
anci
scoandcame
downt oAust r
ali
atost artanewl i
fe,andImustsay
sincethen, Morganandmebecamet heworst
enemi es.ItgetWor stwhent heladyhehadcr ush
onmadei tcl
eartohi mt hatIwast heoneshel oved.
Heaccusedmeonbackst abbinghim, Idi
dn'targue
causet hatwasal i
e.Theonmy23t hbirt
hdayni ght,
Idon'tknowhowbutMor ganfindthedocument s
thatstatshewasadopt edandwasnot" Harl
ow' s
blood.Eversi ncethen,WeneverhadofMor gan
again.Her anoutofhomeandmypar entcouldn't
doanyt hingabouti t.Wemovedonandi t'
sbeen12
yearssi ncethen.Igatt oseehi mt hedayCat herine
l
ef tmef orhim.AndIguesshedi dthatforpay
back!"

"
Oh.He'
ssocr
uelandungr
atef
ul!
"

_
___

"
Goodmor ni
ngAri
n"Ir
ishsai
dwalki
ngi nt
oAr i
n's
r
oom t
hroughtheadj
oini
ngdoor
,shejustfi
nished
bat
hinganddr
essi
ngup.
Shewonderedwher
eAri
nwaswhenshecoul dn'
t
fi
ndheronthebedandt
heshowerwasn'
trunning
ei
ther
..
.

Shemi
ghtbepoopi
ng.

SheopenedArin'
swar
drobeandst
art
edsel
ect
ing
herschoolwear
s.

Shehadgonet oseeAr ushaal r

eady,
hewasget ti
ng
readyforschoolandhewassoexci tedwhenEthan
tol
dhim he'l
lbegetti
ngdr oppedinschoolever
y
mor ni
ngandhe'llbepickedupt oo.

Thedooropenedandshet houghti
twasEthant
hat
walkedin,
buti
twasAr i
n.Sheenter
edther
oom
gri
nningwithDol
lybesi
deher.
Al
ways!
"Ithoughtyouwerei
nthebat
hroom andwheni
didn'thear
dtheshowerr
unni
ng,ideci
dedyouwer
e
poopi ng"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Poopi
ng?No"Ar
inr
oll
edhereyes.
"
Youdon'
tpoop?
"Ir
isht
eased.
"Idobut.
..
arr
rgh,
stopt
hispooptal
kal
ready.I
t'
s
embarrassi
ng"Ari
nsaidandIr
ishl
aughed.
"
Sowher
edi
dyougot
o?"Sheasked.
"
Dadt
ookmet
oseeAr
usha"
"
Huh?
"
"
Yes"
Ari
ngr
inned.
"I
'
m sogladhe'
llbewi
thusforawhil
e,
hesaidhe'
l
l
behelpi
ngmewi thmyhomeworkespeci
all
y
ari
thmeti
cs"
Ari
ngiggl
edandIri
shsmil
ed.

"
Wel
l.
..
let
'sgetyour
eadyf
orschool
"

*
"Aren'tyouguyseat
ing?
"Et
hanaskedwhenhe
noticedIri
shandEthanwer
enotsi
tti
ngwit
hthem
forbreakfast
.
"
We'
l
leati
n..
.t
heki
tchen"I
ri
shsai
d
.
"Yeah"Ar
ushasai
d.
"
What
?Why?
"Et
hanasked.
"
Huh. .I
ri
shsaidi
t'
syourpr
ivat
edi
ningr
oom"
Arushasaid.
"
Ir
ishcom'
on!
"Et
hansai
d.
"
I.
.wewon'
tli
keust
oover
crowdt
hedi
ningr
oom"
I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Over
crowd?You'
rej
ustt
wo!
"Gabr
iel
lesai
d.
"Trul
y,
thi
sismypri
vat
ediningroom butidon'
tmind
Arushaeati
ngwi
thus,haveyourseatsandlet
'seat
"
Ethansai
d.
"Thankyou"I
ri
shandAr
ushasai
dandEt
han
groaned.
Ir
ishneverst
opsamazinghi
m wi
thherwel
l
disci
pli
nedchar
act
er.
_
__
*

"Iri
sh,
itot
all
yforgotCat
heri
newil
lbecomingt
o
checkonArintoday.Pl
easewher
evershewant
sto
takeAri
nto,
makesur eyougowit
hherokay?

"OkayEt
han.

"Dr
essherupnicel
y,Cat
heri
necanbeso.
..
never
mind.Justt
akecare.
"

"Al
ri
ght
,bye.
*
**

"
Cat
her
inei
sher
e,ineedt
ogo.Youshoul
dcont
inue
wi
tht
hedr
ess"I
ri
shsai
dtoAr
ushawhonodded.
He'
sbackfr
om schoolandt
heywer
ebot
hinher
wor
kshop,
talki
ngandworki
ng.
Arushahadbeensohappysoseethewor kshop,
he
l
oveditandwouldn'
tst
optal
kingabouthowgood
Et
hani s.
"OkayI r
ish,
don'tbel
ong"
Arushasai
d,hewas
enjoyinghisti
mehereand..
.hehadseensever
al
mai dseyehim.

Thi
sisgonnabef
un.
.

"
Areyoucrazy?Whatdoyoumeanyou' r
ecomi ng
wit
hus?"Cather
ineasked,
irr
it
atedwi
thI
rish'
ssight
.
"I
'
m hernannyandi wasor
der
edt
odosobymy
employer
"Ir
ishsai
d.
"
Noti
nmycar
!"Cat
her
inesai
d.
 "That
'sf
ine,
I'
llgoi
nanot
hercar"I
ri
shsai
dandif
l
ookscouldkil
l,
shewoul
dhavediedbyCather
ine'
s
gl
ares.
"
Mum,
iwantI
ri
sht
ocomewi
thuspl
ease"Ar
insai
d.

Cather
inehadchangedArin'
sdresstoamor e
beauti
fulpi
nkgownandgl i
tt
erywhit
eshoes,her
hai
rwaspackedinpigtai
lswithpi
nkhairband.
Ar
inl
ookedsouncomfort
ableandI
ri
shwas
al
mostfor
cedtot
ellCat
heri
ne.

"Babygir
l,we'
llbegoi
ngt
oanicecream parlor
!"
Cather
inesaidtoAri
nwhodi
dn'tseem exci
ted.

"
Well.
..
thecaryou'
ll
becomi
ngwi t
hshoul
dbe
t
rai
li
ngbehindours.
"Cat
her
inescoff
edatI
ri
sh.
"Andi st
hishowyou'l
lbedressed,
you'
llbecomi
ng
withmedr essedt
hatway?"Cather
ineasked,
pretendi
ngtoalmostthr
owup.
Thebodyguar
dsandmai
dswi
thherl
aughed.

"Howdoyouwantmetogetdressed?"I
ri
sh
quest
ioned,
ref
usi
ngt
obeint
imidated.
"Getintoaballgownwi thfeathersbecausewe're
goingt oanicecream shop?Youshoul dbet t
er
hurry,you'
reallowedtospendj ustfewhourswith
her"Iri
shsai dandittookallCatheri
ne'
smi ghtnot
toslapherint heface.

"Herebabygirl
,
haveyouricecream"Cat her
inesaid
toArinstr
etchi
ngavanill
aicecream toher,Ir
ish
sighedinwardl
y,knowi
ngAr i
ndoesn'ttakevanil
la
fl
avor.
TheI
cecream par
lori
sabigandexpensi
veone
andCather
ine'
sent
rancehadcausedst
ir
s.
Cat
her
inei
sapubl
icf
igur
e.
"
Ican'
ttaket
his"Ar
insai
d.
"
Why?
"Cat
her
ineasked.
"
Idon'
twantt
his"Ar
insai
d.
"Shedoesn'tt
akeanyotherf
lavorasi
des
str
awberry"Ir
ishsai
d.
"Willyoushutup!Anddoneveri
nter
ferei
nour
business!
"Catherinesai
d,sl
ammi
ngt hevani
ll
aice
cream onIri
sh'sface.

Ther
ewereloudgaspandt
henextt
hingI
ri
shhear
d
wascameracli
cks.

What
!!
[
05/09,07:
28]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th

JustANanny
 CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
37

Ther
ewereloudgaspandt
henextt
hingI
ri
shhear
d
wascameracli
cks.

What
!!
!

"
Mum!Whathaveyoudone!
"Ar
inscr
eamed.
"Wow!"I
rishsighed,shequi
ckl
ywipedthei
cecr
eam
offherf
ace,t
hecol dnesswaspai
nful
.
"
Ir
ish,
I
'm sosor
ry"Ar
incr
ied.
Cameraswerest
il
lonthem andI
ri
sht
ri
edhardnot
tocr
y,theembar
rassmentwassohar
dtotake.

Shestoodupsl
owl
yandst
aredatt
hef
umi
ng
Cather
ine
"Nextti
me, youdon'tint
erfer
einourconversati
on.
You'r
ejustananny!You' renotworthytolookmei n
thefacenott otalkofint
erf
eri
nginmyconver sati
on.
Heyeveryone,thisistheCEOofAna' sfashi
onsand
l
ookhowshe' sdressed..
inrags!
"Catheri
nelaughed
l
oudt ogetherwithherbodyguards.
"
Mum!St
opal
ready!
"Ar
inyel
led.
"Byebabygi
rl,
seeyousomeotherday.Gl
adt o
knowyourfavori
tef
lavori
sst
rawberr
y"Catheri
ne
smiled.

"
Poorbit
ch!
"Cat
her
inesaidtoIr
ish'
sfacebef
ore
wal
kingawaywi
thherbodyguards.
I
ri
shst
oodst
il
l,
star
ingon.
"I
'
m sosor r
yI ri
sh"Ari
nrubbedherhand.
Wil
lyouall
dropthosefreakingphones!
?"Car
lyel
ledwal
king
i
ntotheicecr eam par
lor
.
Hehadf
oll
owedI
ri
shher
etoget
herwi
thAl
ex.
Ever
yonedr
oppedthei
rphones,sat
isf
iedt
heyhad
t
akenenoughpi
ctur
esandvideos.

HeledIri
shoutoft
heshop,wi
shi
nghehadbeenin
t
heparlorwit
hthem,Cat
her
inewoul
dn'
thavepul
led
t
hatstunt.
Nowit
'sallovert
heint
ernet,
hehadseeni tbef
ore
comingintotheshop,
somet hi
ngthathappenedjust
fewminutesago!

Hefel
tsosor
ryf
orIr
ishfort
hebadpubl
ici
ty
Cat
heri
nehadgi
venher.
"I
'
m sosorr
yaboutt
hatI
ri
sh"Car
lsai
dwhent
hey
goti
ntot
hecar.
"
It
'sf
ine"I
ri
shsmi
ledsadl
y.
"
Her
e"Al
expassedherhandker
chi
ef.
Shetooki
tandburst
edint
otear
s,Ar
int
art
edcr
ying
tooandCarlandAl
exsi
ghed.

Hehadact
uall
ygivenhert
hehandker
chi
eft
o
cl
eant
hei
cecream onherhai
r.

"
ThatwassobadofCather
ine"Al
exf
umedashe
t
urnedont
heigni
ti
on.

"
It
'sf
ineI
ri
sh"
Car
lconsol
edher
.
"
Com'
on,
stopcr
ying"I
ri
shsai
dtoAr
ini
ntear
s.
"
Iwon'
tst
opi
fyoudon'
t"Ar
insni
ff
ed.
I
ri
shwi
pedhert
ear
s"Look,
I'
vest
opped"
Ar
in'
stear
scamet oahal
tandshewi
pedof
fthei
ce
cr
eam onIr
ish'
shair
..

"
Myhai
randf
acesur
eneedst
hor
oughwash"I
ri
sh
smi
ledandAr
innodded.
"
Iwon'
tal
lowherseemeanymor
e"Ar
insai
d.
"
What
?"I
ri
shasked.
"Iwon'
tall
owmymum seemeanymor
e,iwi
llst
op
goingoutwit
hher
"Ar
insai
d.
"NoAri
n,she'
syourmum andshedoesn'
tseeyou
ever
yti
me,youshoul
dn'
tdothat
"
"
Iwi
ll
!"Ar
insai
d.
"
Com'
on.
..
"
"
She'
ssomean"Ar
insai
d.
"
No!That'
sdisrespect
ful
,donotsayt
hatt
oyour
mum okay.
"Ir
ishscolded.
"OkayI
ri
shbutiwon'
tall
owherseemeanymor
e
andwon'tgooutwi
thheragai
n"

"
Ari
n..
."
"
Donott
ryt
ochangemymi
nd"Ar
incuthershor
t.
"
Ari
n,she'
syourm.
..
"
"Rul
enumber9!Donott
ryt
omakemechangemy
mindonceii
nsi
stonsomet
hing"Ar
insai
dandI
ri
sh
smil
ed.

I
t'
sbeenl
ongAr
inr
eadoutar
ulet
oher
.

_
__

#Cat
her
ineHar
lowi
nDr
eam i
cecr
eam par
lor
!

#Cart
heri
neHarl
owempt
iedi
cecr
eam on
daught
er'
snanny!

#"
Poorbi
tch!
"Cat
her
inebl
ast
sdaught
er'
snanny!

#TheCEOofAna'
sfashi
onsi
sananny!

#Tr
oubl
ebet
weenCat
her
ineHar
lowanddaught
er'
s
nanny!

#Ari
n,bi
ll
ionair
eEt
hanHar
low'
sdaught
erdef
ends
nannyagainstmot
her
!

#di
sagr
eement
sint
heHar
low'
sfami
ly.

#Cat
her
inesl
apsdaught
er'
snanny!

#Ar
inHarlow'
s'
snannyl
eavesi
cecr
eam par
lori
n
embar
rassment!

#CEOofAnafashionsdr
essedi
nwhatCat
her
ine
West
onref
err
edt oasrags!
!!

"
What
!!
!"Et
hanexcl
aimed.
Hissecr
etar
yhadj
ustshowedhi
mtheongoi
ng
t
rend.
"
Oh.
..
myGod!
"Hepi
ckedhi
sbl
azer
.
"
You'
regoi
ng?
"Hi
ssecr
etar
yaskedhi
m.
"Ofcourse,Cat
her
ineisgoi
ngtopayf
orthi
s"Ethan
saidangril
ywonderi
nghowiri
shmustbefeel
ing
now.
"
Damn!
"Heswor
e.

_
__

"Carl
,
pleasedon'
tlethi
m out
,st
ophi
m"I
ri
shsai
dto
CarlwhoblockedArushaway.
They'
vegot
tenhomeandArushaal
readygotwi
nd
ofthenews,
hewassoangr
yandhe'sreadytogo
confr
ontCat
heri
ne.

"Howdareshedothatt
oyou!"Ar
ushat
akedhi
s
handst
hroughhi
shairangr
il
y.
"
Noooo!
"Hescr
eamed."
Iwi
llf
ucki
ngki
llher
!"
"
Arusha!
"Ir
ishyel
ledathi
m.
"
Geti
nsi
deyourr
oom now!
"Sheor
der
ed.
"Imeannow!"Sher
epeat
edher
sel
fwhenAr
usha
didn'
tmove.
Ir
ishmovedbackabi
t,sur
pri
sedt
oseeAr
ushat
his
angry.

"
Arushapl
ease"I
ri
sht
ookhi
shandi
nher
s.
"Howcouldyoual l
owsomeonedot hattoyou.Ir
ish,
you'
realloverthesocialmedi
a,peoplearemocking
you,yourpictur
ei sever
ywher
e!Ifuckingknow
wherethebi t
chlive,r
ememberherhusbandonce
abductedme.Justl etmego..
.fi
ghtforyouplease."
Arushasaid.

"
Arusha,
no!I '
m okay.I
'
m compl
etel
yfi
ne,
l
et'
sjust
l
eti
tgo,please"
"
Ahhh!
"Ar
ushabi
thi
slowerl
i
p..
"
Com'
onbr
o"I
ri
ahsmi
led,
huggi
nghi
m.
"
Geez,
you'
regett
ingt
all
er"Shet
easedhi
m andt
hat
madehim smi
le.

Heki
ssedherf
orehead.

"
Anyonethathur
tsyoushouldgetr
eadytoface
me.
..
"Arushasai
dandGl adysandJavadcr
inged
f
rom wheret
heywerewat chi
ng.
"I
'
mj ustl
etti
ngthi
sgobecauseidonowanttohur
t
yourfeel
ings"Ar
ushasai
dandIri
shnodded.
"Come,l
et'
sgowashyourhai
r"het
ookI
ri
sh'
shand
andtheybothwal
kedin.

Theworker
slef
toneaf
tert
heot
herast
oni
shedby
thedr
ama..

*
*
"
Ir
ish,
I'
m sosor
ry"Et
hansai
dwal
kingi
ntoherr
oom.
"I
'
llmakeCat
heri
nepayf
ort
his,
ipr
omi
se.She'
s
gonnagetar
rest
ed!
"
"
No!"I
ri
shst
oodupfrom herdr
essingchai
r,she
wasbl
owdryi
ngherhai
rwhenEt hanwalkedin.
Ar
ushasatonherbedwi
thherphonei
nhand.

"
I'
mfi
ne,
youdon'
thavet
odot
hatEt
han"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Shefr
eakingembar
rassedyou,
she'
l
lpayf
ori
t"
Ethani
nsisted.
"I
'
mf inewi
thwhat
evershedidtome,idon'
twant
anyonetot
akeanyacti
onplease"I
ri
shsaid.
"
Ir
ish.
..
"
"MrEthan,
justl
eti
tgo.Shewon'
tal
lowanyonedo
anyt
hing"Arushabsai
d.
"
Ahhh!
"Et
hansi
ghed.
"I
'
m sorryaboutthisI
ri
sh,ifyouhadn'tbeen
worki
ngf orme,youwouldn'thavebeen
embarrassedthatway"
"
It
'sokay"I
ri
ahsai
d.
"Youshoul
dgochangeandfreshenup,
youlook
kindaf
unny"I
ri
shlaughedandEthansmil
ed.

"Ican'tbeli
evepeoplear
estart
ingt
oorderf
orthe
dressCat heri
necall
edrags"I
ri
shsmil
ed,wal
king
i
nt othelivi
ngroom.

"DocLucjustcal
led"Shehear
dEt
hansai
dand
glancedathi
m.
Hi
sfaci
alexpr
essi
onchangedhermood
i
mmediatel
y.
"
Whathappened?
"Sheasked.
"
Ther
e'sapr
obl
em"Hesai
d.

"
What
?"I
ri
shaskedcal
mlybutshewasl
oosi
ngher
mi
ndal
ready.

"Yourmum survi
vedtheli
versur
gery!
!!
"Et
han
announcedhappil
yandIri
shscreamed,hi
tt
ing
Ethanal
loverhischest
.
"You'
resuchadick!
"Shelaughedandt
he
bodyguardsr
aisedt
heirbrows.
"
Huh!
"Sheexcl
aimedr
eal
isi
ngwhatshej
ustsai
d.
"I
'
m sosorr
y,idi
dn'
tmeant
osayt
hat
"ir
ishqui
ckl
y
apol
ogi
zed.
"
Com'
on"
Ethanl
aughed.
"
I'
m adi
ck"Heagr
eed.
"
You'
renot
"Ir
ishsai
d.

"Il
ikedi
twhenyoucall
edmet hat,
youdon'thaveto
apologi
sef
orit
.Lookathowcut eyouare,
withyour
handsonmychest "Et
hangr
innedandIrish'
scheek
grewhotandpink.
Shesl
owl
yremovedherhandsf
rom hi
schest
,
swal
l
owi
nghar
d.

"
Wel
l.
..
"Shesai
d.
"Mymum' sl
iversur
ger
ywassuccessful
"She
scr
eamedhappi l
y,j
umpingandshaki
ngthe
bodyguar
dsoneaf t
ert
heother.
Et
hanl
aughedhar
d.
"
Arusha"Sheshout
edhappi
ly,
rushi
ngoutoft
he
l
ivi
ngroom.
Sheclimbedthest
air
shur r
iedl
y,
almostt
ri
ppi
ngi
n
t
hepr ocessbutshedi
dn'tseem t
ocare.

"
Arusha"
Shecal
led,
runni
ngi
ntohi
sroom.
"Ow!Youshoul
dalwaysknock"Arushasai
d
cover
inghi
sbuttf
rom hersi
ght.
"
Wow"I
ri
shl
aughed,
hol
dinghi
sdr
essi
ngchai
r.
"
Likeyoual
waysknockbef
orecomi
ngi
ntomy
r
oom"Shesaidwit
hapout.
"
Well
..
.idon'
tbutI
'
m aguy,youshoul
dn'
tbargei
non
me,
I
'm amat ur
edguy"Ar
usharoll
edhiseyes.
"Ohh.
..Mrmat ured,I
'm happytoannouncetoyou
thatMum survivedherl i
versur
geryyyy"I
ri
sh
announcedinsmi les.

"Yes!
"Arushasai
dhappil
y,wrappi
nghi
stowel
proper
lyaroundhi
swaistbef
orehuggi
ngIr
ish.
Theyj
umpedal
lovert
her
oom,
shout
inghappi
ly.
Ethanheardthem shouti
ngf
rom t
hel
ivi
ngr
oom
andsmiledtohimself.

"MrEthan,
aren'
ttheydi
stur
bingt
hewhol
ehouse"
Javadsai
dtoEthan.
"
No,
lett
hem be"
Ethansmi
led.
"
Okay"Javadsai
dthr
oughgr
it
tedt
eet
h.

"
I'
m sohappy!
"Ar
ushasai
d.
They'
vestoppedscr
eami
ng,
theywer
enowsi
tt
ing
onthebed.
"I
'
m sohappytoo.DoyouknowEt
hani
ssucha
dick"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Huh?Yourboss?
"Ar
ushaasked.
"
Oh.
.my, canyoubeli
eveiactuall
ycal
ledhi
mthati
n
t
hepresenceofotheremployees"
"
Geez!
"Ar
ushachuckl
ed.
"
Yeahandheagr
eedhe'
sadi
ck"
"
What
?"Ar
ushal
aughed.

"Yeah,iwasonmywayt otellhi
m peopl
ehave
start
edor der
ingfort
heclothCatheri
neref
erredt
o
asrags!Whenhet ol
dmeDocLucj ustcal
ledme
andt here'
saproblem,onl
yforhimt oannouncet
hat
thesur ger
ywassuccessful"
"
Wow"Ar
ushal
aughed.
"
Butareyouseri
ous?Peopl
earestar
ti
ngt
oor
der
f
orthedresst
hatwascall
edrags?
"
"YesArusha!I'
vest
art
edget
ti
ngor
der
sfori
t."I
ri
sh
smiledhappil
y.
"Thedressisbeaut
iful
,Cat
heri
neisj
ustbl
indedby
hateandenvy!Sheevenhelpedyouadver
tiseyour
product"Ar
ushalaughed.
"Yeah,
whatafooli
shl ady.Ihadmyr easonswheni
saidnooneshouldtakeact i
onagainsther,she'
s
notworthi
t,
she'
sgener al
lyknownasabadbi t
chso
whyshouldwebot herourselves?
"Ir
ishsaid.
"Ohh.
..yeah!Thi
sist
heI
ri
shiknow"Ar
ushasai
d
andIr
ishlaughed.

"Andmoreover,
iwasmorebot
heredbymum'
s
heal
tht
hanf i
ghti
ngher
"Iri
shsai
d.
"Ihopeyou'
veacceptedtheor
der
s,acceptasmany
asyoucan.I'm her
et ohel
pyou"
Arushasaid.
"Notyet
,butI
'
m gonnaacceptthem assoonasI
'
ve
complet
edtheonesinmywor kshop"

"
I'
m sogr
atef
ult
oMrEt
han,
he'
sal
if
echanger
"
Ar
ushasai
d.
"
YesAr
usha,
I'
llf
oreverbegr
atef
ult
ohi
m"
"
Ifther
e'sanywayt
orepayhi
m,wesur
elywi
ll
"
Arushasaid.

Andi
sn'
tshesor
eadyt
oacceptEt
han'
spr
oposal
?
Shef r
eakingl ovehi
m, anyonewoul dthi
nkshe
want stodat ehim becauseoft hehelpherendered
toherf amil
ybuthel lno!Shef ucki
nglovedEt han
from thebegi nningbutshehadf ail
edtoadmi tit
andj ustwhensheadmi ttedit
,Ethanprofessedhis
feeli
ngst oher !
I
sn'
tthatsogr
eat
.
Shehadn'thadti
metothinkabouti
tcauseofher
mum'spr edi
camentbutnowthathermum i
s
okay,
thoughtsar
enowwel come!

"Hey!
"Ar
ushasnappedhi
sfingeri
nfrontofherf
ace
af
ternot
ici
nghowdeepinthoughtsheis.
"
Heybr
o"Shesmi
led.
"Wel
comebackfrom whateverj
ourneyyou
embarkedon"Heteasedandshelaughed.
"Wi
thblushescreepingi
ntoyourcheeks.Whoar
e
youthi
nkingabout?"Heasked.

"SomeoneofcoursebutI
'm notgonnat
ellyou
anythi
ngyet
,t
il
lideci
de"
"
Hmm, I
'mf
inewit
hthat
.Sogoodtoseeyoubl
ush,
i
t'
sbeenal
ongti
me"Arushasai
d.
"Yeah..
it
'sbeenalongtimeyousawmeblush"I
ri
sh
said,knowingsheblushesal
mostever
yti
meshe's
withEthan.

"So,wheni
smum r
etur
ningt
oCal
if
orni
a?"Ar
usha
asked.
"
Dunder
headt
her
e'sst
il
lonemor
esur
ger
ytogo"
I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Ohh.
..
herl
eg'
s?"
"
Yeah"
.
"
Ipr
ayi
tcomesoutsuccessf
ult
oo"Ar
ushasai
d.
"Amen,
I'
mj ustsogl
adthemostimportantsur
ger
y
i
ssuccessf
ul,mum won'
thavetowrit
heinpain
anymor
e"Ir
ishsaidandArushanodded.

Headj
ust
edhi
stowelandI
ri
shgl
aredathi
m.
"Whatt
hefuckar
eyoukeepingoutofmysi
ght
?Ido
bat
hyou,r
emember"Shegroaned.
"Thatwasthen,notanymor
e"Ar
ushagr
inned,
gett
ingtohisfeet
.
Andbefor
ehecoul
dsayJack,
Iri
shpul
ledhi
stowel
away.

"Ahhhhhhhhh"Hescr
eamedbef
orer
unni
ngi
ntot
he
bathr
oom.
I
ri
sh'
slaughf
il
ledhi
sroom.
..
_
__

"Let'
stoastt
othesuccessfulsurgeryofMr sHel
en"
Ethansaidandtheyal
lraisedtheirglassesofwi
ne
exceptArinwhorai
sedaconeofst rawberryi
ce
cream.
Theyjustfi
nishedhavingdinnerandEt
han
wantedthem totoastt
ot hesuccessoft
hesur
ger
y
bef
oretheyallgotobed.

"I
'
m sohappymyprayer
swor
ked"Ar
insmi
led,
enjoyi
ngheri
cecr
eam.
Arushasi
ppedhiswi
nebeamingli
keajol
lypanda,
hehasneverhadawinesoexpensi
veasthi
s.
I
ri
shwat
chedhi
m,gl
adt
hewi
newasn'
tal
cohol
ic.

"Ar
in,
she'sgonnahaveherl
egssur
ger
ytoo,
pray
huh?"Arushasai
d.
"
OkayAr
us,
iwi
ll
"Ar
insmi
led.
"Dad,ihadt
hehi
ghestscor
einar
it
hmet
ics"Ar
in
said.
"
Real
ly?
"
"YesDad, Ar
ushaexpl
ainedaneasymet hodtome
andi evenhadtoexpl
ainitt
omyarithmetics
teacher,t
henshemadeeveryonestartusi
ngitt
oo,
weal ll
ovedit
"Ari
nsaid.

"
Wow!"Ethansmi
led,
glanci
ngt
owar
dsAr
ushawho
j
ustsmi
led.
Ar
int
oldhi
m al
ready.
"
ThanksAr
usha"Et
hansai
d.
"
For
?"Ar
ushaasked,
sti
llnotl
ett
inggooft
hewi
ne.
"
Fort
eachi
ngAr
inaneasi
ermet
hod"
"That
'
stheleasticandoMrEthan,
i
tcan'tevenbe
comparedtowhatyou'vedonef
orus.Thankyouso
much"Arushasaid.
"
Ther
eyougoagai
n"Et
hansai
d.
"
Ir
ish,
I'
mreadyt
ogot
obed"Ar
inyawnedsl
ight
ly.
"Ohh.
..
babygi
rl
"Ir
ishgott
oherf
eetanddr
opped
hergl
asscupofwine.
"
Goodni
ghtever
yone"Ar
inwaved.
"
Goodni
ght
"
"
Goodni
ghtpr
incess"Et
hanpeckedhercheeks.
"
NightDad"Ar
insai
d.

I
ri
sht
ookherhandandt
heybot
hheadedt
oher
r
oom.

"
Arusha,
makesur
eyougot
obedsoonokay?
"
"
Okaysi
s".
.

_
___
__

"Idon'
tfr
eakingknowwhyeveryt
hingi
sn'
tworki
ng
out,I
'mjustsoti
redofpl
anni
ngplanni
ngplanni
ng
andattheend,
theplandoesn'twor
kout!"Cat
heri
ne
complai
nedbit
terl
yafterJavadhadcall
edthem t
hat
Ir
ish'
smum surgerywassuccessfulandthewhole
houseisthr
ownintoacel ebr
ati
onmood.
Mor
gansai
dtheyhadt
omakeanot
herpl
an.

"
Chil
lCatherine,
wejusthavet
obemorestr
ategi
c
t
histi
me, ibeli
evethi
snewplanwi
llwor
kout"
Morganassur ed.

"That'
swhatyousayever yt
ime,justl
ook. .
.ican't
beli
evepeoplearestar
ti
ngtolikethoser agst hat
bastardputon.I
t'
sjustli
keiworkedi nherf avour
andI'mfreaki
ngannoyedabouti t.
.ar
rrgh!"
Catheri
negroaned.

"Whothehelli
scall
ingme...
"Shesai
dpicki
ngher
phone,st
ari
ngatthescreen,
shegasped.

"
Ethan"Shewhi
sper
edt
oMor
ganwhor
aiseda
br
ow.
"
Whatcouldhewant..
oh.
.my!I
shestart
ingt
ofi
nd
meat
tract
iveagai
n?"Cat
heri
negr
inned.
Shequi
ckl
yrecei
vedt
hecal
landpl
acedi
nonher
ear
.

"Don'
tever
!tr
ywhatyoudi
dtodayagai
n"Et
han
shout
ed.

Hejustf
inishedchangi
ngi
ntohispajamasand
knewhehadt ocal
lCat
her
inet
owar nhernott
odo
suchtoI
rishagain.

"
Whatdi
dif
reaki
ngdo?
"Cat
her
inebar
ked.

"
Slammi nganicecream onsomeone'
sfacei
sso
i
nhumaneofyou, j
ustbecauseshetol
dyouthe
f
lavoryourdaught
erprefer
red.
"
"Soyoucal
ledt
otel
lmethathuh?Youcalledtotel
l
meanannyisri
ghtt
oint
erf
ereinourconversat
ion
huh?
"

"Whydoyoumaket hejob'nanny' l
ooklikeafi
lt
hy
thi
ngtodo.Anyways,ididn'tcallt
obatterwords
withyou.Ical
ledt
owar nyou.Il oveIri
shandifyou
daretr
ytohurtheragain,I
'
llmakeyoupayf orit
!"
Ethanwarnedster
nlybeforedi sconnecti
ngthecal
l.

"
What
!"Cat
her
ineexcl
aimed.
..
Shehadn'texcl
aimedbecauseEthanshout
edather
butbecausehesaidheloveIr
ish!

Wast
hataMi
stake?

_
___
__

Et
handr
oppedhi
sphoneont
het
abl
eandsi
ghed.
 Heheardasmal
lknockonhi
sdoorandwonder
ed
whothatwas.
Ar
inhasobvi
ousl
ygonet
obed.

Hewal kedtothedoorandpull
editopen.Hewas
surpr
isedtoseeI r
ishst
andi
ngtherecladint
hat
night
gownt hat'
dmakeanymanl oosehi smind.
Herskinlookedsocreamyandsmoot handsome
str
andsofherwethai rcl
ungtoherforehead,
her
softl
ookingli
pswer epar
tedsl
ightl
yandher
i
ncredibl
eeyesstaredint
ohis,gi
vinghishear
t
j
itt
ers.

Heswal
lowedhardtr
yingnottogetcar
ri
edaway
wi
thhowdeli
ciousI
ri
shlooked.
Shel
ookedl
ikeani
ghtf
air
y.

Sonat
ural
lybeaut
if
ul.
Abi
li
tyt
oseducewi
thoutevenmovi
ng.
"
Ican'
t.
..
sleep,
let
'sgoi
ntot
hel
ibr
ary"
"
Comei
n"Et
hansai
d.
"Huh?.
.imeant
hel
ib..
"Shewassayi
ngbef
oreEt
han
shutherupwit
hasizzl
ingki
ss.
[
05/09,07:
28]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

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hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
38
"
Ican'
t.
..
sleep,
let
'sgoi
ntot
hel
ibr
ary"
"
Comei
n"Et
hansai
d.
"
Huh?..
imeantheli
b..
"Shewassayi
ngbef
ore
Har
oldshutherupwit
hasizzl
ingki
ss.

Hereyeswidenedinsurpr
iseandherhear
twas
alr
eadybeati
ngfastagai
nstherchest
,al
most
knocki
ngitoff
.
Shecoul
dfeelherfaceheatupandshetr
iedso
muchnottor
eturnthekissbutshecoul
dn'
thol
d
her
sel
fanymore.

Shemelt
edi
nhisar
msassheki ssedhi
m backand
att
hatmoment
,al
lthatexi
stedt
othem waspur
e
l
ove.
Iri
shgaveher
sel
fincompl
etel
yloosi
ngcont
rol
overhermi
nd.
Aki
sshasnevermadeherf
eelt
hisway.

Theki
sswentonandonunt
ilt
heybot
hhadt
ost
op
tocat
cht
hei
rbreat
h.
I
rishsi
ghed,
notablet
olookup, shefel
tsoshy
thatshewishedshehadmagi c,shewoul
dhavejust
disappear
edtoherroom causeshecan'tevenl
ook
Ethaninthefacer
ightnowandshe' ssosureher
cheeksmusthavelostit
'scolour.

Theybot
hdi
dn'
tsayanyt
hingt
oeachot
herf
ora
whi
le.

Et
hansmi
ledandl
ickedhi
sli
ps,
not
ici
nghowshy
I
ri
shwas.
"
Isn'
tyourneckhur
ti
ng"Hesai
d,r
aisi
ngherhead
wi
thhispal
ms.
Hemadeherl
ooki
ntohi
seyesandt
hensmi
led.
"
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ulandI
'
ddoanyt
hingt
oki
ssyou
overandoveragai
n"Hesai
d.
Iri
sh'
sstomachcur
ledashebr
oughthi
sli
ps
cl
oseragai
n.

Andshecoul
dn'
tevenst
ophi
m!
Shedi
dn'
tseeher
sel
fst
oppi
nghi
m.
Shewant
edi
tto!

"
Comei
n"Hewhi
sper
edt
oherear
.

Di
ng!

Shewal
kedi
ntohi
sroom andsmi
led.
Thisi
snott
hefi
rstti
meshe'
l
lbeherebuteveryt
ime
shecomesher
e,she'
sal
ways i
mpressedwithhow
nicet
hepl
acel
ooks..
.
"Yourr
oom al
waysl
ookssoneatandbeaut
if
ul
ever
yday"I
ri
shsai
d.
Et
hancl
osedt
hedoorbehi
ndt
hem.
"
Thankyou"hesai
d.

"Youl
ooksocutewhenbl
ushi
ng,
ial
mostki
ssed
youagai
n"Et
hansai
d.
"Canwenottal
kaboutthe'
kiss'"I
ri
shsai
d,her
cheeksst
art
ingtoheatupagain.
Shesatherbuttonthebed,
inwar
dlyscol
ding
her
sel
foverthekiss.
"
Fine"Et
hansai
dbesi
deher
.
"
So,
youwer
en'
tabl
etosl
eep?
"Heasked.
"Yeah,ij
ustkeptt
ossi
ngi
nbed.MaybebecauseI'
m
overj
oyedaboutmymum'shealt
h"I
ri
shsmiled.
"
Ohh,
soyouwant
edust
ogoi
ntot
hel
ibr
ary"
"
Yeahand.
..
"Shepaused.
"
What
?"Et
hanasked.

"
Iknowi
tmusthavet
akenal
otofcour
agef
oryou
to.
..pr
ofessyourlovetomeandI '
m sor
ryfor
delayi
ngananswercauseiknowyoudeser veone,
i
j
ustwantt oputthingsinplacefir
st,
I'
m sogladyou
fi
ndmeat t
ract
iveorratherim sur
pri
sedyoudo...
"

"
Sur
pri
sed?Why?
"
"Inevert
houghtyou'
dfi
ndsomeonel
ikeme
at
tr
acti
ve"
"
Someonel
ikeyou?
"
"
Imean.
..
ananny"I
ri
shsai
d.

"
Andbei nganannymeansyou' renotatt
racti
ve?
Donott hi
nkthatwayIrish,
you'r
eactuall
ythemost
beauti
fulnannyI'
veevermet ,you'
retheonly
l
ady..
I'
veeverhadf eel
ingsforsinceCatheri
nelef
t,
l
oveisnotbasedonone' soccupati
on,i
t'
sbasedon
onesel
f"EthanSai
d.
"
You'
rer
ight
"Ir
ishsmi
led.
"
Doyouwantadr
ink?
"Et
hanaskedwal
kingt
othe
f
reezer
."
"
Idon'
tmi
nd"I
ri
shsai
d.

"
Here"Et
hanhandedagl
asscupofchi
ll
edor
ange
j
uicet
oher.
"
Thankyou"
"
Come"Het
ookherhandandl
edhert
othe
ver
andah.

"
Wow,
whatavi
ew"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Yeah,
i
t'
sabeaut
if
ulni
ght
"Et
hansmi
led.
"I
'
veneverbeenher
e,you'
resol
uckywi
tht
hisgr
eat
vi
ew"I
rishsi
ppedherjui
ce.
"
Andwhydidyoupour
edjui
cef
ormebutpour
ed
wi
nef
oryour
self
"Shepout
ed.
"
Idon'twantyouget
ti
ngti
psyitmi
ghtinf
luence
whateveryouwannasayandyouknowyouget
t
ipsyeasil
y"
"
Ohh,
howdi
dyougott
oknowsomuchaboutme?
"
"Byst
udyi
ngyouofcour
se,
andyou'
resoeasyt
o
r
ead"
"
Real
ly?
"Ir
ishf
rowned.
"YeahbutiguessI'
mt heonl
yonet
hatf
indyouso
easytoread"Ethansaid.
"
Iguesssotoo,
you'
resodif
fer
ent,
fardi
ff
erentf
rom
t
hepeopleI
'
vemet,beingwi
thyoualwaysmakeme
f
eell
ikeI
'minadif
fer
entworl
d"Ir
ishsai
d.
"
Wow.
..r
eal
ly?
"Et
hanchuckl
ed.
"
Yeah"

Theybothrestedtheirhandsontherai
lsandstar
ed
attheskywithdif
ferentthought
srunni
ngthrough
thei
rminds.

"Doyouwantt
oseeCar
rl
e'
sroom?
"Et
hansuddenl
y
asked.
_
__

"Wow!"I
ri
shexcl
aimedasshewal
kedi
ntoCar
rel
'
s
r
oom wit
hEthan.
Theyhadt
obr
ushof
fcobwebsast
heyst
eppedi
n
f
urt
her.
"Forhowl
onghaveyouavoi
dedt
hisr
oom?
"Ir
ish
asked.
"
For
..
.year
snow"Et
hansai
d,f
eel
ingsobad.
Thatgui
lt
yfeel
ingi
sback.

"Youshoul
dn'
thavecomeinher
ewi
thouther
neckl
ace"Et
han'
smindhunthi
m.

"
Youshouldhaveatleastmaket
hecl
eaner
scl
ean
t
heroom ever
yday"I
rishsai
d.
Theroom l
ookssodust
y..dustcover
edevery
f
urnit
ureandcobwebshangingateverycor
nerof
t
heroom, t
herewasaastalesmellint
heair.
"
Youknowwhat?Weneedt
ocl
eanupt
hisr
oom
f
ir
st"I
ri
shsai
d.

*
*

Theybot
hsett
owor
kaf
terget
ti
ngcl
eani
ngt
ool
s.
"Ithi
nkyoushouldcl
eart
hecobwebswhi
leit
end
t
ot hedust
"Ir
ishsaidt
oEthan
"
Ohh.
..
okay"Hesai
d.
*
Aft
ersomuchef f
orts,
theyfinal
lymadetheroom
l
ookbet t
er,
thedustsandcobwebsgone, everyt
hing
l
ookingsookaynowandI r
ishcouldseehow
beauti
fult
heroom is.

"I
'
llmakethemai
dst
endt
othebat
hroom t
omor
row"
Ethansai
d.
"Ohh..
.okay.Car
rl
eadagr eatt
ast
e,herr
oom looks
socoolandbeaut i
ful
"Ir
ishcommented,
hereyes
dart
ingallovert
heplace.
Shesi
ghtedapi
ctur
efr
ameont
hewal
land
movedcl
osert
oit
.

Shewi
peditcl
eanwitht
henapki
nandst
aredatt
he
womanint
hepictur
e.
Shelooksprett
yincur
lygol
denhai
randshar
p
blueeyes,
fi
nenoseandmodestli
pswhichhel
da
beauti
fulsmil
e.

"
Isthi
sCarr
le?"I
ri
shaskedEthanandhenodded
wit
houtl
ookingatt
hepict
ure.
"
Andt
hat
's.
..
theneckl
aceonherneck"Et
hansai
d.
Ir
ish'seyesmovedtoherneckimmedi
atelyandshe
staredatthet
inyneckl
acewit
hheldscrystal
pendant..
.
Whydoesi
tlooksof
ami
li
ar?
Li
keshehasseeni
t.
..somewher
e?
Wel
l.
..

"Et
hanareyouokay?
"Sheasked,
not
ici
nghow
uneasyhefel
t.
"
Ineedt
ogoout
side"hesai
d.
"Okay"I
ri
shsai
dandwatchedhiml eave,shecan
underst
andhowhefeelr
ightnow,shesomuchwi sh
shecanhelphi
m gett
henecklacefrom Cather
ine.

Ir
ishsighedandsatont
hechai
r,
thepi
ctur
efr
ame
sti
lli
nherhand.
Shewasst i
llst
ari
ngati
twhensheheardasound,
sheraisedupherheadsl
owlyandsawthe
bathr
oom doorcreaki
ngopen.
Shesatsti
lli
nfear
,herhear
tal
mostj
umpi
ngoutof
herchest
.
Shecoul
dn'texpl
ainhowshescr
eamedandf
lewt
o
t
hedoor,
tossingt
hepict
urefr
ameaway

Sheopenedt
hedoorandrushedout
side,
star
tl
ing
Ethanwhowasi
ndeepthought.
"
What
?"Heasked.

"T.
.thethebat
hroom doorsuddenl
yopeneditsel
f
anditmadeascar ysound"I
ri
shsaid,
breat
hing
heavil
y.
"Chil
l.
..
wer eyouseatedwhent
hedoorst
art
ed
openi
ng? "Ethanasked.
"
Yeah,
Iwas"
"
Ohh.
..
ont
hedr
essi
ngchai
rri
ght
?"
"
Exact
ly"
"Wel
l.
.idon'
tknowhowthathappensbutwhenever
Carr
lesit
sonherdressi
ngchai
r,
herbathr
oom door
aut
omat i
cal
lyopens.
"
Wow!That
's.
..
that
'scr
eepy"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Yeahi
tis"Et
hansai
d.
"
Let
'sl
eaveher
e"I
ri
shsai
d,st
il
lscar
ed.

Whatgoti
ntoher
?
Howcouldshegoint
oadeadpersonroom i
nthe
middl
eoftheni
ghtandevensi
tonthechai
r!
Sheknowherselftobescar
edatever
ysli
ghtest
thi
ngbutthecourageshehadwhenenter
ing
Carrl
e'
sroom st
il
lamazesher.

Ethantookherhandandt
heybot
hwal
kedbacki
nto
thehouse.
Astheypassedthel
ivi
ngroom,
Iri
shsawadar
k
i
mage..
someone'sshadow.
Shest
oppedwal
king.
"
What
?"Et
hanasked.
"Ther
e'ssomeonei
nthel
ivi
ngr
oom"Shesai
d
slowl
y.
"
Bythist
imeofthenight
?"Ethanraisedhisbrow,
t
urni
ngandwalkingbacktowardsthelivi
ngroom.

I
ri
shdidn'tmove,
shewasst
il
lsoscar
edaboutt
he
Car
rl
ething..
"Javad,
whatar
eyoudoingher
e?"SheheardEt
han
askandsheturnedandwal
kedtojoi
nEthan.
Javad'sf
acereel
edofshockwhenhesawIri
sh
wit
hEt hanandhejustst
aredatt
hem,
notknowing
whattosay.

"Whatareyoudoingher
ebyt
hist
imeoft
heni
ght
?"
Ethanrepeat
ed.
"I
..
imjustwat
chingoutfort
hewholehouse"Javad
saidandIri
shcouldt
ellhewast
ell
ingl
ies.
"
Byt
hist
imeoft
heni
ght
?"Et
hanasked.
"
Yeah,
byt
hist
imeoft
heni
ght
?"I
ri
shaskedt
oo.
"Myjobi
stoprot
ectt
hehouseandt
hat
'swhatI
'
m
doi
ng"Javadsai
d.
"Si
ncewhenhaveyoust art
eddoi ngt
his?
"Et
han
asked,
touchedbyJavad'sdil
igence.
"
Forsol
ongMrEt
han"Javadsai
d,i
ntent
ional
ly
l
ooki
ngpi
ti
ful
.

"
Damn!
"Ir
ishcur
sedi
nwar
dly.
..
.
"Javad,
imustcommendyouref f
ort
s,you'vebeen
suchagoodbodyguardtothi
shouse, you'r
ethe
mosthardwor
kingofal
l.GoodjobJav"Et hansai
d.

"
Sh*
*!I
sEt
hangoi
ngt
obel
ievet
hisbr
at?
!"I
ri
sh
f
umed.
"
ThankyouMrEt han"Javadsmi
led,
mocki
ngI
ri
sh
i
ntheprocess.
"
Mot
her
fucker
!"I
ri
shcur
sedunderherbr
eat
h.
"I
nasmuchasyouwanttoprotectt
hehouse,i
don'
twantyout
okeepmissi
ngyoursleep,
sleepi
ng
goesalongwayi
none'
shealt
hokay? "
"
OkayMrEt
han"Javadsai
d.
"
Got
obednow"
Ethansai
dandJavadnodded.

"
Suchadi
li
gentman"Et
hansai
daf
terJavadl
eft
.
"
Whydoyout
rusthi
m somuch?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
Hepr
ovedhi
msel
fwor
thyofmyt
rust
"
"Iper
sonal
lydon'
tthi
nkheshoul
dbet
rust
ed"I
ri
sh
said.
"Reall
y?Why?
"Et
hanaskedast
heycl
imbedt
he
stai
rs.
"Heseemscr eepyandidohaveabadf
eel
ingabout
him ever
yti
me! "

"Ohhwow!Iguessthat
'sbecauseyouhaven'
t
gottent
oknowhim sowell.
.Javadisagr
eat
person"
Ethansai
dandIri
shshrugged.
Shewi
shshehadevi
dencet
obackupheri
ntui
ti
ons.

"
Goodni
ghtEt
han"Ir
ishsai
d,st
oppi
ngi
nthe
mi
ddl
eofthest
air
s.
"
Youar
en'
tgoi
ngt
oyourr
oom?
"Heasked.

"
Yeah,
I'
m notfeel
ingabitsl
eepyyetsoithought
i
t'
dbegreati
figoconti
nuewi t
hmysewi ng"
"Ohh..
.I
'm notal
sof
eel
ingabi
tsl
eepyyet
"Et
han
smiled.
"
So.
..you'
l
lbecomi
ngwi
thme?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
Yeah!
"Et
hansai
d.
"
Great
!Let
'sgo"I
ri
shgr
inned.

*
*

"
Thi
sissomuchf
un"Et
hansai
dashehel
pedI
ri
sh
cutoutcl
othpi
eceswhi
leshesew.
She'samazedhecoul
dcutsowel
l
,shej
ustt
aught
him onceandhegr
abbedi
t.
"
Yeah,
sewi
ngi
ssomuchf
un"

"
I'
lll
iket
odot
hismor
eof
ten"Et
hangr
inned.
"Wel
l.
..
newor
der
swi
llbecomi
ngi
ntomor
row"I
ri
sj
sai
d.
"
Real
ly?
"
"Yeah,I
'
m almostdonewit
hthis,
idon'
taccept
orderswhenI'
m notdonewit
haset.I'
m gl
ad
Arushaisheret
ohelpme"

"Ar
ushaisgonnahelpyouinthedaywhi
leihel
p
youint
henight"Et
hanwinkedandIri
shf
elther
worl
dspin.
"
DoesthatmeanI
'
llst
artcomi
ngher
eint
heni
ght
t
oo"I
ri
shsaid.
"
That
sifyouhavesomucht
odo.
.justcal
lonme
wheneveryou'
recomi
ngher
eint
heni
ght
"Et
han
sai
d.
"
Ohh.
.okay"I
ri
shsai
d.

Spendi
ngti
mewi t
hEthangi
veshergr
eatj
oyand
makesherf
orgetherwor
ri
es.
Shesomuchlikeseei
nghishandsomeface
everyt
ime,
shereall
ycounther
sel
fluckyt
obe
aroundEt
han.
Somanypeopl
ear
edi
eingf
ort
hisoppor
tuni
ty.

"Thesedr
essesaresobeaut
if
ul"Et
hansaid
admiri
ngthedressesI
ri
shpl
acedonthetable.
"Thankyou,I
'mj
ustgonnapackt
hem anddel
iver
them tomor
row,
thenI
'
llgogetmater
ial
sfort
henew
orders"

"It
hinkishoul
dgetyouacarofyourown"Et
han
sai
d.
"
What
!No,
I'
m okaywi
thAr
in'
scar
"
"
Yousur
e?"Et
hanasked.
"
Ofcour
se"

"Youcantakeadifferentcari
nthegaraget
hough,
anycarofyourchoiceanddon'tyouthi
nkyou'
llbe
needi
ngadr i
ver
?I'l
lassignJavadtobeyourdri
ver"

"
What
!Noti
nthi
swor
ld"I
ri
shscof
fed.
Ethanl
aughed"
Iwasonl
yjoki
ng,
didyoudi
sli
kehi
m
thatmuch?
"

"Idon't
,ij
ust.
..
ther
e'st
hisbadaur
asurr
oundi
nghi
m,
ijustdon'
tknow"Iri
shsaidandEt
hansi
ghed.

"It
hinkI
'm gonnahavetokeepaclosewat
chon
himthencauseyou'veneversai
dthist
omeabout
anyworker"Ethansai
dthoughtf
ull
y.
"Youshoul
d,pl
ease"I
ri
shsai
d,get
ti
ngupt
opi
ck
hertapemeasur
e.
"Youshoul
dhavet
oldmet
opi
cki
tforyou"Et
han
said.
"
Ican'
tor
dermybossar
ound"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Ohh.
..
butidon'
tmi
nd"Et
hansai
d.
"Idon'
tknowwhyyoutreatmedi
ff
erent
lyf
rom
otherworker
s"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Causeil
ikeyou.
..
somuch"Et
hansai
dandshef
elt
herfaceheat
ingup.

Damnyouf
ace!
Youkeepembar
rassi
ngmeever
yti
me.

"
Ther
e'st
hisdr
essI
'
llber
eleasi
ngsoon.
..
"
"Reall
y?"
Ethan'
seyeslitup,
he'
ssogladI
ri
shis
seri
ousandf ocusedaboutthewhol
ethi
ng,she'
sa
realbusi
nesswoman.
 "
YesbutI'm notdonewi t
hthedr awingyet,
I'
m
gonnamakesur eit
'seyecatchi
ngandi r
resi
sti
ble,
i
m gladpeopl earegetti
ngtoknowLevi ne's
fashionsandithinkit
'sti
met oprovethatskil
lsare
notbasedont hesizeofone'swor kshop"Iri
shsaid
confident
ly.

."
Wow!You' veprovedt hatt
omeal readyandnow
i
t'
st imefortheworldtoseeyourunbeat abl
e
skil
ls,
yousewsowel landI'
m afrai
dyou'regonna
stealsomanycust omer sfr
om thetopfashion
storesinCali
for
nia"Ethanlaughed.
"
Wel
l.
..
"Ir
ishsai
dandhermi
ndt
rai
ledbackt
oAna.
Thewomanhadt
hreat
enedherevenbef
oreshe
st
art
edget
ti
ngor
ders.

"HowmuchdoyouknowaboutAna'
sfashi
on
stor
e?"I
ri
shaskedEt
han.
"
Anna?Wel
l.
.iknowherwear
stobesocost
ly,
even
atthat
,herfashionstoreisthetopinCal
if
ornia,
i
fi
shouldjudge,you'r
ef arbet
tert
hanherinter
msof
sewing.Andal so,
she'sCatheri
nesbestf
ri
end"
"
Car
rl
e'
sbestf
ri
end?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
Yeah,
isanyt
hingwr
ong?
"Et
hanasked.

"
Wel
l.
."I
ri
shswal
lowedhar
d.
Sheshoul
dtel
lEt
hanabouti
t.

"Anathr
eatenedmeat.
.att
hedi
nnerpar
tyi
accompani
edyouto.
"
"
What
!Whydi
dn'
tyout
ellmesooner
?"Et
hanasked.
"It
hinki
t'
sjustathr
eatcauseshecamet omeafter
seei
ngpeoplegetmycontact,she'
sjustscaredi
mightover
takeherint
hebusinessandt hat
's
complet
elynormal"

"
Yeahiti
sbutit
hinkshewentext
ramil
ewiththe
t
hreat
.I'
l
lgot
oherstoret
omorrowandjustgi
veher
awar
ning"
"No!Pleasedon'
t,
ifeelweshoul
dletherbe.
.she
hasn'
tcomet omet hesecondti
me,i
twasjustonce
soit'
sbettert
ooverl
ookit"

"I
fshecomestoyouthesecondt
ime,
promi
seme
you'
regonnat
ellme"
"
Ipr
omi
se"I
ri
shsmi
led.

"
You'
rest
il
lgonnar
ecei
vemor
ethr
eatf
rom ot
her
s
t
oo"Et
hansaid.
"
Real
ly?
"Ir
ishr
aisedabr
ow.
"Yeahbutwe'
llputthem i
nthei
rpl
aceoneaf
tert
he
other
"Ethansmiled.
"Somanypeoplearestar
ti
ngtofol
lowmypageand
I'
m st
art
ingtorecei
vel
otsofmessages,or
dersand
enqui
ri
es.Ithi
nkineedamanager"Ir
ishsaid
dramati
cal
lyandtheybothl
aughed.
"
Shuu..
.t
hewholehouseisasl
eep"Et
hansai
dand
t
heyloweredt
hei
rvoices.

_
___
_

"Ouch!
"Ir
ishsaidfr
om hersl
eep,
shewasasl
eep
butshefeltashar
ppaininherar
m.
Shewasforcedtoopenhereyesandhereyes
wentst
rai
ghttoherar
m.
Shebl
inkedandsawi
twasaneedl
e.
Damn.

Shepushedt
heneedl
eawayandr
ubbedherar
m.
Shewonderhowneedl
esgoti
ntoherr
oom.
"
Huh!
"Shegaspedwhenr
eal
i
sat
iondawnedonher
.

"
What
!"Sheexcl
aimedl
oudl
y,gl
anci
ngar
ound.
Theyhadsl
eptof
finherwor
kshopandwor
stofal
l.
..
I
t'
s10am.

"
OMG!Et
han"I
ri
shshookhi
m..
Hewasdeepl
yasl
eep,
spr
awl
edont
hechai
r.
"
Ethan"I
ri
shcal
ledagai
nasshegott
oherf
eet
.
Sheshookhi
m andhef
inal
lymoved,
openi
nghi
s
eyesl
it
tl
ebyli
tt
le.
"
Pleasewakeup.I
t'
s10am!
"Ir
idhsai
d.
"
Huh?
"Hi
seyesspr
ungopen.
"
What
!"Heexcl
aimedgl
anci
ngatt
hewal
lcl
ock.
"
Ari
n!"I
ri
shsai
dbef
orer
unni
ngoutoft
hewor
kshop.

Et
hangotupandr
anaf
terher
..
.

_
"
Shel
eftf
orschoolal
ready?
"Ir
ishaskedGabr
iel
l
e.
"Real
ly?
"Et
hanaskedbehi
ndherandGabr
iel
le
nodded.
"Ofcourse,
sheleftf
orschooll
ongagowi t
hAr usha.
Can'tyoubothseeit
's10am al
ready"Gabr
iel
lesaid.
"
Whogotherr
eadyf
orschool
?"I
ri
shasked.
"Arushadidwhenhef oundoutbothofyouwer e
asleepintheworkshop,hegotAri
nreadyforschool
andt heyatebr
eakfastandlef
t"Gabr
iel
lesai
dand
Ir
ishsighed.

"
I'
m gl
adhedid.Di
dAr
ingott
oseemebef
oreshe
l
eft
?"Et
hanasked.
"
Yeah,
shecamet
opeckyou"Gabr
iel
lesmi
led.
"Ohh.
..
iknowshewoul
dn'
tleavewi
thoutseei
ngme"
Ethansmil
ed.
"
Howcouldwesleepoffi
nthewor
kshop"I
ri
sh
l
aughedandEt
hanjoi
nedher.
"Youshoul
dgogetdr
essedf
orwor
k"I
ri
sht
old
Ethan.
"
Ohh.
.Yes!
"

*
*

"Madam Anna.Et
hanHar
lowi
sher
e"Anna'
s
secr
etar
ytoldher
.
"
What
!"Annasmil
edknowi
ngi
t'
sahonourf
orEt
han
t
obei
nherstor
e.
Hehasnevershoppedinherst
oreandshehas
beenl
ookingf
orwardtothedayhewil
landnow
he'
shere!

"Ihopeeveryt
hingisperfect
lyarranged?Ihopethe
storeiswel
lkept.Ordereveryoneshoppingtoleave
ti
llEthanHarl
owi sdone"Anasai d.
"
Okayma'
am"Di
anel
eftt
ocar
ryoutAnna'
sor
der
.
Tbc

_
___

Ipi
tyAna
[
05/09,07:
28]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
39
"Huh?I
'm notact
uall
ybuyi
nganyt
hing,
I'
m hereto
seeAna"EthansaidtoDi
anewhenhisbodyguard
tol
dhimthecustomersarebei
ngt
oldtoleave.

"
Cal
lthecust
omer
sback"Et
hanur
ged.
"
Ohh...
"Di
anesai
d,knowi
nghowdi
sappoi
ntedAna
wil
lbe.
Shequi
ckl
yorderedthesecur
it
ytomaket
he
cust
omersret
urnint
othestor
e.

"Andevenifiwasgonnabuysomething,i
t'
snot
niceforyoutot
ellt
hecust
omerst
ol eave"Ethan
said.

"Uh.
.we'
reafr
aidtheymightgett
oseeyourf
ace
and.
.yunno,
star
ttaki
ngpict
ures"
"I
'
m disgui
sedinmyf acecapandsunglass,t
hey
can'
tpossi
blynot
ice.Isthatdi
rtonyourhai
r"Et
han
sai
d,r
emovi
ngapi
eceofdi
rthesi
ght
edonDi
ane'
s
hai
r.

Dianeblushedter
ri
bly,
shecoul
dneverhave
i
magi nedEthanHarl
owwouldtalkt
ohernottot
alk
oftouchingherhai
r.
Shefeel
sli
kescr
eami
ngoutl
oudandhuggi
ng
hi
mtight
.
He'sobvi
ousl
ymostoftheladi
escrushandDiane
neveri
maginedhe'
dbemor ehandsomeinreal
it
y.
Helookssocuteandf
resh.

Shewishestoseethosebr
eat
htaki
ngeyeshe'
s
hi
dingbeneat
hthosesungl
ass.

"
I.
.i
..
i.
..
."Di
anest
ammer
ed.
"
What
?Anai
snotar
ound?
"Et
hanasked.
"
Sheis.
.ofcour
sesheis.I
'm goi
ngtocal
lhernow
t
hatyouwanttoseeher"Dianesai
d.
"
Pleasedo"Et
hansai
d.

"Ma'
am,
MrEthanwantstoseeper
sonal
ly"Di
ane
sai
dtoAnaonthephone.

"
Oh.
.my!Br
inghi
mini
mmedi
atel
y."

"Okayma'
am.

"
I'm goi
ngtoleadyouinMrEt
han"Dianel
ickedher
l
ips,dif
fer
entmovesrunni
ngt
hroughherhead.

'
Thi
smi
ghtbeherchancet
ohavehi
m'Shet
hought
.

"Youguyscantakeanythi
ngyouwantwhi
leigo
tal
ktoAna.Takeanythi
ng"Ethansai
dtot
hetwo
bodyguar
dsthatfol
lowedhim.
"
ThankyouMrEt
han"t
heybot
hsmi
led.
Di
aneledEt
hant
oAna'
s'
sof
fi
ceshaki
ngherbut
t
t
err
ibl
y.
Et
hansmi
ledt
ohi
msel
fandheal
mostl
aughed.

Whymustt
heyal
waysdot
hisar
oundhi
m?
I
ri
shisoneoft
heladieshecanpr
oudlysaynever
per
for
medanystunttogethi
satt
enti
on.

"Youcangoinsi
r"Di
anesmi
led,
openi
ngAna'
s
offi
cedoor
.

"Youshouldn'tdothatagain,t
hatwasacheap
thingtodo,you'rebeauti
fulandyoudon'
thaveto
swi ngyourbuttforanymant onoti
ceyou.I
'm
disappoint
ed"EthansaidandDi anest
aredather
feetinembarrassment .

Hewal
kedi
ntoAnaof
fi
ceandcl
osedt
hedoor
behi
ndhi
m.
"Hel
loAna"Ethanr
emovedhi
ssungl
assandAna
almostmelt
edonherseat
.

Damn!
Shehasbeenadmiri
ngEthanevenbef
oreherbest
fr
iendCat
her
inegotmarr
iedtohim.
Heusedtosetherbodyonf
ir
ewi
thj
usthi
seyes
andi
thasn'
tst
opped!

"Hel
loEthan"Shesmi
led,
poi
nti
ngt
othechai
r
opposi
tehers.
"Idon'
tknowifineedt
osi
t,ij
ustwantt
obequi
ck
andleave"Et
hansaid.
"
Iinsi
st.
..
Haveyourseat
"Anasai
dandheshr
ugged.
"I
t'
sanhonort
ohaveyouher
e"Anasai
dwhenhe
sat.
"
Anhonor
?Wel
lthankyou"
"Doyouneedanywear ?Justdescri
beitandwe'r
e
gonnamakei ti
ntoreal
it
y,we'
llmakesureyou'
rethe
onl
yonet hathaveit
skindint
hewhol eof
Cali
for
nia"Anasaidwit
hasmi le.

"Ohh.
.t
hat'
sni
cebutI
'
m nother
etobuyanyt
hing"
Ethansai
d.
"
Ohh"Anaf
akedasmi
lei
nembar
rassment
.

Well
..
.i
fhe'
snother
etobuyanyt
hing,
coul
dhebe
her
eto???
Oh.
.my!
She'
sgonnabr
eakupwi
thRyani
mmedi
atel
y.

"
I'
lldoanyt
hingforyouEthan,
anyt
hing"Anasai
das
r
omant i
cal
lyasshecould.
"
Anyt
hingyoumean?
"Et
hanasked.
"
Yes!Whateveri
tis,
I
'l
lgladl
ydoit
"Anasaid,
slowl
y
r
emovingRyan'sengagementri
ngfr
om herfi
nger
.
"
Whyar
eyour
emovi
ngt
hat
?"Et
hanasked.
"
Well
..
it
'sstar
ti
ngtohurtmyf i
nger
.It
'sj
usta
f
ashi
onr i
ng,not
hingat
tached"Anasmil
ed.
"
Ithoughtyouwer
eengaged"Et
hansai
d.

"Engaged!Hel
lno,
I'
m not
.I'
m assi
ngl
easal
ett
er'
I
'
"Anasaid.
"
Real
ly?
"
"
Ofcour
se"Anasai
d.

"Okay.
.yousai
dyou'
l
ldoanyt
hinggotmer
ight
?"
Ethanasked.
"Anyt
hingEthan,anyt
hing"Anabeamed,
herhear
t
almostbur
stingopen.

"
LeaveI
ri
shal
one!
"Har
oldsai
dandAna'
ssmi
le
f
aded.
"
Huh?
"Sheasked,
hopi
ngshehear
dwr
ong.

"I'
m awareyouthr
eatenedher ,i
fyoucarryoutthat
threatt
henisweariwon' tspar
eyou.Thoughshe
neverwantedmet ocomewar nyoubutif eeli
shouldcauseyoumi ghtwanttost r
ikesoon.Iknow
yout obeavici
ousper son"EthansaidandAna
staredathi
m speechlessly.

"Ana, youhaveaf ashi

onstoreasbi gast hisandyet
yout hreat
enedsomeonewhodoesn' tevenhavea
fashionstoreyet!Whatexactl
ymadeyouf eel
threatened?YeahiknowI r
ish'
sf arbetterthanyou
i
nt ermsoff ashionbutdi
dyouhavet ot hreatenher
?
Thatwasapet t
ythi
ngtodo"Ethansai dandAna
wishedt hefloorcanpavewayf orhert ofallin.

Shef
eltsoembar
rassedandr
idi
cul
ed.
"Justsoyouknow, I
ri
shmeanssomucht ome.I
fuckingl
oveherandifyoudar ehurtasmuchasa
strandofherhairt
henI'l
lmakesureyourbody
decaysinjai
l"Et
hansaidwi t
hallseri
ousnessand
Anaal mostshookinfear.

HeknowAnat obever
ycruel
,i
fhedi
dn'
tthr
eaten
hert
hisway,
she'l
lgoaft
eri
ri
shandhur
therterr
ibl
y.
Ki
ndl
yHiNovel
sRepubli
con+2348055889183on
What
sApptogetaddedtoournovel
sgr
oupandget
PDFl
inks
"Iwarnedyouandi t
'sbett
eryouheed, you'r
eabig
womanAna. .
..
youdon'tneedallthat,
I'
m
disappoint
edyoucouldbet hatpettybutanywayi
toldmyguyst opickwhatevertheywantf r
om your
store,
idon'
twanttocomeher ewithoutbuyi
nga
thing,
thatwouldbeunf ai
rofme"Et hansaid,
getti
ngtohisfeet
.

"Ni
ceoff
icethough"Hesaidgl
anci
ngar
ound"
and
youhavenicewearstoo"
.
"
Bye"Et
hansai
dwal
kingt
othedoor.
"Andyoubet t
erputonyourengagementri
ngback
onyourf i
nger,Ryanwoul
dn'
tli
ketoseeitont
he
table.
"Ethanwinkedbef
oreopeni
ngthedoorand
steppingout.

Anali
psshookinanger,
shesentthingsfl
yingi
n
di
ff
erentdi
rect
ionofherof
fi
ce,screaming.

_
___
_

"
Car
l,
I'
m soser
iousabouti
t"I
ri
shsai
dtoCar
l.
Theywereinthecar
,headi
ngbackhomeafterI
ri
sh
madeherdeli
ver
iesandgotsomemater
ial
s.

Al
excoul
dn'taccompanyt
hem,
hewassl
eepi
ng
whent
heyleft.
I
ri
ah'ssogl
adCarlcoul
ddr
iveevenwi
tht
hel
it
tl
e
woundonhispal
m.

"
Ial
waysf
eelt
her
e'sat
hingaboutJavad"Car
lsai
d.

"Exactl
y!Hewassoshockedwhenhesawus, i
fhe
wast r
ulyprot
ecti
ngthehouseli
kehesaid,
he
shouldn'
tevenhavedelayedananswer
.Ethanhad
toasktwicebefor
ehecoul dcameupwiththat
answer."

"
MrEt
handi
dn'
tnot
icet
hat
?"Car
lasked.
"
Hedidn'
t,
hetr
ust
sJavadsomuch,
sof
reaki
ng
much"I
ri
shsai
dandsi
ghed.
"
Javadhasbeenworki
ngf
orMrEt
hanf
orqui
tea
l
ongti
menow"Carlsai
d.
"
What
ever
"Ir
ishr
oll
edhereyes.
"It
hinki
fwecanpr ovi
deanevi
dencethatJavadis
nottheper
soneveryonet
houghthimtobethenMr
Ethancanbel
ieveusandlookdeepint
ohim"Carl
suggest
ed.

"Exactl
y,
sost
art
ingfr
om t
oday,
we'regonnabe
keepingacl
osewatchonhim"I
rishsai
d.

"Yeah,
I'm gl
adI'
m nottheonlyonet hatseesJavad
asweird,ikeept
ell
ingAlexther
e'ssomet hingabout
Javadbuthedoesn'tbeli
eve"Carlsaid.

"That'
sbecauseAlexissofake,heactsallniceand
someonewi thoutagoodint
uiti
onwillf
allforhis
facade.
"Ir
ishsaid.

"Yeah,
sothatmeanswebot hhavegr
eati
ntui
ti
ons"
Carlwi
nkedandtheylaughed.
"
So...
wil
lyounowt el
lmethereasonyoudi
dn'
tgo
wit
hustoAr i
n'sschoolt
hismorni
ng?"
"
Youwon'tbeli
eveEthanandisl
eptof
finmy
wor
kshop"Ir
ishlaughed.
"
Real
ly?
"Car
laskedi
nsur
pri
se.
"
Yes"
"
Mmm"Hesi
ghed.
"
What
?"I
ri
shasked.

"What'
sbr ewi
ngupbet
weenyouandMrEt
han?
"
Carlasked.
"
Cof
fee"I
ri
sht
easedandt
heyl
aughed.

"Okay,now.
.onaser
iousnot
e,what
'sgoi
ngon?
"
Carlasked.
"
Not
hing"I
ri
shshr
ugged.
"Theclosenessbetweenyout
woi squi
teal
armi
ng
andeverywor keri
sstar
ti
ngtotal
kaboutit
"Car
l
said.
.
"
Real
ly?
"
"
Yeah"
"Iwonderwhypeoplewon'tst
ickt
hei
rnosest
otheir
business,
theyt
alkaboutever
ythi
nggoi
ngon"Ir
ish
furr
owedherbrows.

"
Althoughthey'
vestoppedtal
kingabouti
tsi
nce
Arushaarr
ived"Car
lsaid.
"
Real
ly?Why?
"
"Theladi
esaremorefocusedonArushanow,t
hey
wantto'haveatast
eofhissmacki
nglips'
li
kei
heardthough"Car
lsai
d.
"
What
!"I
ri
shf
rowned.
"
Yeah"
"
Butt
hey'
real
lol
derthanhi
m!"Iri
shsai
d,soti
redof
f
emal
esgett
ingat
tr
actedtoArushal
ikebees.
"Ar
ushadoesn'tl
ookl
ikehe'ssevent
een,
he'
sso
bui
ltandhandsome"Carlsmil
ed.
"
Theyshoul
datl
eastseehe'
sst
il
linhi
ghschool
"
"Well.
.idon'
tthi
nktheycareaboutthat
.Justwar
n
himt ostayawayfrom t
hem"Car lsai
dandIri
sh
sighed,knowinghowAr ushai
s.
Hewon'
tst
ayaway.

"Uh..
.We'
rehomealr
eady"Ir
ishsai
dasCarldr
ive
i
ntothebuil
ding,
heparkedthecarandt
heyboth
ali
ghted.
Ir
ishgrabbedt
hemat
eri
alssheboughtf
rom t
he
backseat.

"Canicomewithyout
oyourwor
kshop?I
'
llgetso
boredher
e"Car
lsai
d.
"Ofcour
se!"I
rishsmiled."
Ineedallt
hecompanyi
canget,besi
desican'tgetenoughofyourgi
st"she
saidandCarlsmiled.
"
I'
llhavet
hemat
eri
alst
hen"Hecol
lect
edt
hem f
rom
I
ri
sh.
"
Thankyou"I
ri
shsmi
led.
*
"
Hecan'
tgowi
thyou!
"Javadst
oodhi
sgr
ound.
"I
t'
smyworkshop,
notyour
s!Youcan'
ttel
lmewho
shoul
dgother
ewithmeandwhoshoul dn'
t"I
ri
sh
ret
ort
ed.

JavadhadstoppedCar
lfr
om f
oll
owi
ngI
ri
sht
oher
workshop.

"Andhaveyouforgot
tenyourworkshopisi
nMr
Ethan'
sgardenandthatgar
denissopr i
vat
etohi
m!
Hedoesn'tal
lowassholesi
nther
e!"Javadsai
dand
Carlbi
thi
slowerli
p.
Hetightenedhi
sfi
standqui
ckl
ystoppedhi
msel
f
f
rom givi
ngJavadwhathedeser
ves.

"Ohh..
"ir
iahsaid,r
eali
singherworkshopistr
ulyi
n
Ethan'
sgar denandthegardenissopr i
vat
etohim.
Hedoesn' tal
lowworkersinther
easidehersel
f
though.
"HavethisIr
ish,
I'
llr
etur
nbacktomyquar
ter
s"Car
l
said,
stret
chingthemateri
alst
oIr
ish.
"
Wai
t"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
I'
m gonnacal
lEthanandaskhi mifit
'sfi
neforyou
t
okeepmycompanyi nt
hewor kshop"Ir
iahsai
d,
f
etchi
ngherphonefrom herpocket
.
Shepl
acedacal
lacr
osshi
m.

Javadglar
edather
,ir
ri
tat
edbyt
hewayshecal
ls
Ethanbyhisname.
Heknowsit
'st
hefool
ishmant
hatwoul
dhavet
old
hert
ocal
lhi
m byhi
sname.

"
Heyyo!
"Ir
ishsai
dint
othephone.

"
Ir
ish"Et
hansmi
led.
"
How'
swor
kgoi
ng?

"Smoot
hly.
.i
sever
ythi
ngf
ine?

"Well
..
.yeah,ij
ustwantedtoaskifit
'sf
ineforCarl
tokeepmycompanyi ntheworkshop.I
'l
lbeso
boredworkingaloneandhesaidhe'dbesobor edat
hisquart
erstoo.
"

"
Ohh.
.Car
l,ofcour
sehecan"Et
hansai
d.

"Thankyou!
"Ir
ishsai
dhappi
ly,
rai
singherar
min
theai
r.

"
Takecar
eokay?
"

"
Yout
oo.Bye.
"
Bye.

"
Hesai
dyoucan!
"Ir
ishsai
d.
"Woah"Car
lsmiled,
hesuddenl
ylaughedseei
ng
howJavadlooked.

"
Iknowyou'reabitt
erpersonbutyoudon'thavet
o
l
ookbi
tter,
i
tdoesn'tsui
tyouabit"Car
llaughed
mocki
ngly,st
icki
ngouthistongue.
"
Ohh.
.Car
l,you'
resochi
ldi
sh"I
ri
shl
aughed.
"
Let
'sgo"Shesai
dandt
heybot
hwal
kedaway.

Javadfumedser
iousl
ythatheal
mosthi
tGl
adys
whotouchedhi
m.

"
Oh.
.I
'm sosor
ry,
didn'
tknowi
twasyou"
"
Wel
l.
..
ther
e'sapl
an"Shewhi
sper
ed.
_
___

"
AreyououtofyoursensesAr
usha!Whatwas
t
hat!
?"I
ri
shyell
edatArushawhom shehadcaught
t
ryi
ngtogeti
nti
matewi t
haworker
.
"
Ir
i.
..
"
"
Shutt
hef
uckup"I
ri
shi
nter
rupt
edhi
m.
"Itol
dyout obehaveyourself
!If
reaki
ngtol
dyout o.
Li
sten,t
hisisnotourhouse,youcan'
tdoasyou
wishhere,Ethangaveuslotsofchancedoesn'
t
meanweshoul dmisusei
t.Howdar eyoutr
ytokiss
her!Ar
usha!"

"
She.
.shecamet
ome!
"Ar
ushasai
d.
"
Andsowhat
?"I
ri
shasked.
"
Shebeggedmet
oki
ssherand.
..
"
"
Whatt
hef
uck!
"Ir
idhsi
ghed.
"
Andyoucouldn'
tref
use?Can'
tyoust
ayawayf
rom
l
adi
esforonceinyourl
if
eti
me?"
"
Theyal
wayscomet
omeetme!
"Ar
ushasai
d.
"
Shutup"I
ri
shsl
ammed.
"
I'
m sor
rysi
s"Ar
ushasai
d.

"
Arusha,
stayawayfr
om t
hem!Fuckingstayaway
f
rom t
hem!"Iri
shsai
dobvi
ousl
yfrustr
atedbythe
whol
ething.
"
I'
m sor
rysi
ster
"Ar
ushasai
d,r
emor
sef
ul.
"That
'
swhatyousayever yt
imeandyoukeepgoi ng
backtodot hesamething.IfEthanshouldknow
aboutthi
s,he'l
lbesodisappointedinyou.You
knowhowmuchhel ikesyouhuh? "

"Ipromi
sei
m goi
ngt
ost
ayawayf
rom t
hem"
Arusha
said.
"
Ican'
tcountt
heamountofpr
omi
sesyou'
vemade!
"
"
I'
m ser
ioust
hist
imeI
ri
sh"
"What
ever!
"Ir
ishsai
dandwal
kedoutofhi
sroom,
bangi
ngthedooraft
erher
.
Geez!

"
Likeialwaysgotomeett
hem, t
heykeepcomi
ngto
me!"Arushasai
dtohi
mself,
ti
redoft
hewholet
hing.
"
NowI
ri
shi
ssopi
ssedatme"Hesi
ghed.

He'sgonnagobegheraf
terhe'
schangedi
ntohi
s
housewear.
He'sj
ustgett
inghomefrom schoolandhewas
aboutf
resheningupbef
orethefreaki
ngmaidcame
i
n..
..

Arushaopenedt
hedoort
oIr
ish'
sroom ashe'
sfond
ofnotknocki
ng.
Hewal
kedi
nandsawamanst
andi
ngandf
aci
ng
thewindow,hewouldhavesai
ditwasMrEt
hanbut
he'smorebuil
tthant
hisper
son.

"
Hey, Whatareyoudoi
ngi
nmysi
ster
'sr
oom?
"
Arushaasked.
Themandi
dn'
tmove.
"
Hell
o"Ar
ushasai
danditwasthenthemanst
art
ed
t
urni
ngsl
owlyt
il
lhewasfaci
ngArusha.
Arushamovedbackabi
t,shockedt
oseet
heman
putt
ingonamask.
Somet
hingaboutt
hehai
rseemsf
ami
li
art
hough.

'
I
sthi
ssomesor
tofpr
ank?
'Ar
ushat
hought
.

"Hey,i
sthi
ssomesor
tofprank?"Arushaaskedt
he
anonymousmanandhehadn'tevenseentheknif
e
themanwasholdi
ngunt
ili
twasai meditathim.
_
___
___
_

Oops!

Onesweetchapt
er,
onesadchapt
er
S.
O.R.
R.Y.
Y.Y
[
05/09,07:
29]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie
#Chapt
er_
40

"Hey,i
sthi
ssomesor
tofprank?"Arushaaskedt
he
anonymousmanandhehadn'tevenseenthekni
fe
themanwasholdi
ngunt
ili
twasai medathim.

Hegaspedasthemanapproachedhim andhe
didn'
tknowwheret
hest
rengthtoopenthedoorand
runoutcamefr
om.
Hej
ustf
oundhi
msel
font
hest
air
s.
Hewasbreat
hingheavi
lyasher
ant
oIr
ish'
s
wor
kshop.
"
Whatwast
hat
?"Heaskedhi
msel
f.
Hehasneverexper
iencedsuchsi
ncehehasbeen
her
e.

"
Ir
ish"Hecal
ledasher
ushedi
ntoherwor
kshop.
"
What
'swr
ong?
"Ir
ishasked,
star
tl
ed.
"I.
.icheckedyouinyourroom"Ar ushasai
d,pi
cki
ng
thegl asscuponwateront hetable,
hegul
pedit
downhi sthr
oatandhisnervescalmedabit.

"Dude!Idi
dn'
tpourt
hatwat
erf
oryou"I
ri
shr
oll
ed
hereyes.
"
Yourr
oom.
..
."Ar
ushasai
d,t
aki
ngaseat
.
"Yeah,
iwasn'ti
nmyr oom .Iwenttowarnt hathel
l
ofamai dtostayawayfrom youbeforeicamet o
theworkshop"Ir
ishsai
d,chewingchipswhi l
eshe
resumedherwor k.

Ar
ushasi
ghed,wonder
ingi
fit
'sokayt
otel
lIr
ish
whathej
ustsaw.
Shemightneverwantt
ogointot
hatr
oom agai
n
andhedidn'
tevenwanthert
o.
Heshoul
dbet
tert
ellhersoshe'
l
lbemor e
caref
ulandt
heyhavetoinfor
m MrEthanabouti
t
too.
"
Ir
ish"Ar
ushacal
led.
"
Huh?Ohh..don'tgi
vemethosepuppyeyes,
I'
ve
f
orgi
venyoualready"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
It
'snotaboutt
hat
,thoughI
'
m gl
adyou'
vef
orgi
ven
me"
"What
'swrong?
"Ir
ishturnedt
ofacehim,
not
ici
ng
howseri
ousandbotheredhelooked.
"Iwentt
oyourr
oom wheniwasdonef
resheni
ngup
andthenisawaman..
."
"
Aman?I
sEt
hanback?
"Ir
ishwonder
edal
oud.
"I
t'
snotMrEt hanIsawamanwithhi
sface
concealedunderamask"Arushasai
dandIr
ish'
s
heartskippedabit.

"Iaskedhi
m whathewasdoinginyourr
oom andi
didn'
tgetaresponse,
hepul
ledakni
feonme. .
."

"
What
!"I
ri
shscr
eamed,
get
ti
ngt
oherf
eet
.
"
SitI
ri
sh"Ar
ushasai
d.
"
I'
m notsi
tt
ing"I
ri
shpacedherwor
kshopwor
ri
edl
y.
"Ihopeyouaren'
thur
t?"SheaskedAr
ushawho
shookhishead.
"
Iwasabl etoopent
hedoor
,ir
anal
lthewayher
e"
Arushasaid.

Whatifshehadbeent heone,sheknowshe
woul
dn' tevenhadhadthestr
engthtoopent
hedoor
,
nott
ot alkofrunni
ngout.
Someonei
saf
terherl
if
e?
She'
snotsaf
eanymor
e!

Thatt
houghtal
onemadehershi
ver
..
..

"
Let
'sgot
oCar
l"I
ri
shsai
dandAr
ushagott
ohi
s
f
eet
.
Theybot
hwal
kedoutoft
hewor
kshop,
handi
n
hand.
Ar
ushacoul
dfeel
howshakyherhandswer
e.
"Ipr
omiseI'
m goingt
opr ot
ectyouwi t
hallihave.I
won'tal
lowanyonehurtyou"Arushareassuredher
andshenoddedbutshewasst illdamnscared.

"
Real
ly?"Car
laskedaf
terAr
ushanar
rat
edt
he
i
nci
dencetohim.
"YesCar
l,
didanyonecomei ntothehouse?Di
dyou
openedt
hegatef oranyone?"I
ri
shasked.
"No,t
hegatehasn'tbeenopenedsinceAr ushaand
Ari
nretur
nedf r
om schoolandift
hef encedoesn't
havesecuri
tyalar
ms,iwouldhavesaidtheper son
cameinthroughthefence"Car
lsaid.
"
I'
m notsaf
eanymor
e"I
ri
shsai
d,ont
hever
geof
t
ears.
"
C'monsi
s"Ar
ushahuggedher.
"
Noonehadcomei
n,t
hatmeanst
heper
soni
sin
t
hishouse,t
hatmakesitmoreri
sky.Icanj
ustbei
n
t
hecorri
dorandthepersonwoul
dgr abmyneck.
..
"
I
ri
shburstedint
otear
s.

"
Ir
ish,
youhavet ocalm downf i
rstsowe'llbeabl
eto
worktogetherokay?"
CarlsaidandIri
shnodded
whil
eAr ushahelpedhercleanhertears.

"
Butwhocouldi
tbe?Whocouldwantt
ohurtyou?
I
nthi
shouse?Maybesomeonehadsneakedri
ght
i
ntot
hegatewhi
leourcardr
ovei
n"
"
Noandtoconfi
rmthat
,l
et'
sgocheckt
heCCTV
f
oot
age"Car
lsai
d.
"Gr
eat
!IsthereaCCTVi
nIri
sh'
sroom t
oo?Wecan
knowthepersoni
fwecheckherr
oom's"Ar
usha
sai
d.
"
No,t
her
e'snoCCTVinanyroom i
nthi
sbui
ldi
ng,
r
oomsarepri
vat
e"Ar
ushasaid.
"
Ohh"Ar
ushasai
d.
"
Let
'sgocheckt
hef
oot
ageandt
henwe'
l
lconf
ir
mif
t
hepersoni
sinthi
sbuildi
ngornot
"Car
lsaid,
l
eadi
ngthem t
oanothersect
oroft
hehouse.

"
Itoldyounoonecamein"Carlsai
dtoIr
ishand
Arushaastheyal
lst
eppedoutofthef
ootageroom.

"
It
'sconf
ir
medt
hecr
ooki
sint
hishouse!
"Ar
usha
f
umed.
Hewishestheper
sonknowshowcr
uelhecanbe
whenitcomestohissi
ster
.
"
I'
m notsaf
e"I
ri
shsni
ff
ed.
"
Donotcr
y!Pl
ease"Ar
ushasai
dandshenodded.
"
Wehavet
oinf
orm MrEt
hanaboutt
his"Car
lsai
d.
"
Ofcour
se"Ar
ushaagr
eed.
"ButI'
l
lneedtocheckoutyourr
oom fi
rstt
houghthe
personwouldhavebeenlonggonebutwemi ghtbe
l
uckyt
ogetsomecl
ues"Car
lsai
d.
"
Weshouldn'
tgoalone,
l
et'
shavemorebodyguar
ds
wit
hus"I
ri
shsaidandCarlsmi
led.
"Tr
ustmetohandl
eithuh?
"Car
lsai
dandI
ri
sh
nodded.

_
_

Arushasighed.."t
here'
snosignoff
orcedentr
y,t
he
personhadcomei nthr
oughthedoorwhichal
so
confir
medt hatthedudeisi
ndeedinthi
shouse.You
shouldal
waysl ockyourdoor"

"
Iwon'
tevenbesl
eepi
ngher
eanymor
e"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Andisn'
tyourr
oom adj
oini
ngt
oAr
in'
s?'
Arusha
asked.
"OMG!Ar
in!
"Ir
ishexcl
aimedandt
heyal
lrushedi
nto
herr
oom.
Theycouldn'
texpressther
eli
eft
heyf
eltwhent
hey
foundhersti
llpeacef
ull
yasl
eep.

"
I'
m sogl
adshe'
sfi
ne"Ar
ushasai
d.
"
She'
salightsl
eeper
,let
'sgetoutofher
e"I
ri
sh
whi
sper
edandt heyal
lwalkedbacktoherr
oom.

"Surel
y,
youaren'
tsafeanymoreandidon'tt
hinki
t'
s
onlyyou,nooneissafeint
hishouseanymor e
causethere'
sasnit
chinthehouse"Carlsai
d.
"Ar
usha,youshouldbeabletopi
ckoutsomepar
ts
ofhisbodysinceit
'sconf
ir
medthepersoni
sint
his
house"Ir
ishsaid.
"Hishai
rseemswei
rdl
yfami
li
art
hough"Ar
usha
sighed.
"
Real
ly?
"Car
landI
ri
shasked.
"Yeahbutidon'tt
hinkt
hatwi l
lhelp,
youbothknow
howbr ownspikyhairi
scommonar oundhere,
it'
l
l
bediff
icul
ttogettheperson"Arushasai
d.
"Ahh!"Car
lsi
ghed."
Whatwasheput
ti
ngon?How
buil
tishe?"
"Hewasi nallblack,nopartofisbodywasexposed
andiinit
ial
lythoughti twasMrEt hanbutt
his
anonymousper soni snotasbui l
tasMrEthanis,
he'
stallt
hough"Ar ushasaid.

"Thatseemsmorecompli
cated,mostoft
hemale
wor ker
sher
ear
et al
landhasbrownspikyhai
r"Car
l
said.
"
We'
l
lneedt
owai
tti
llMrEt
han'
sback"Ar
ushasai
d.
"
Andwear en'
tleavi
ngAr
in,wewil
lbeheret
il
lshe
wakesupandthenwe'l
lallgodownst
air
stoget
her"
I
ri
shsaid.
"
Ofcour
se"
Car
lsai
d.
"I
shermaindoorl
ocked?
"Ar
ushaaskedandI
ri
sh
nodded.

Di
ffer
entthought
srant
hroughhermindandshe
wonderedwhocouldbeaft
erherl
if
e.
I
nthi
shouse!

_
___
__

"
What !I
nmyhouse?"Et
handr oppedhi
sfor
kaf
ter
Arushatol
dhi
m whathappened.
Hehadnot
icedt
heywer
ebothpi
cki
ngatt
hei
r
meal
sandhadaskedwhatwaswr
ong.
I
ri
shcoul
dn'
tspeakupsoAr
ushadi
d.

"YesMrEt
han,i
fihadn'
tranout
,iwoul
dhavebeen
hurt
"Ar
ushasai
d.
"
Ohh.
..
my!"Et
hansi
ghed.
"Howwast heper
sonabl
etoent
ert
hisbui
ldi
ng?
"
Ethanaskedal
oud.
"Noonecamei ntothebui
ldi
ng,wewenttomeet
Carlaf
teri
thappenedandhet ookustocheckt
he
CCTVf oot
age,noonecamei n..
theper
sonisi
nthi
s
house!
"Iri
shsaid.
"Areyousur
eofwhatyou'
resayi
ng?
"Gabr
iel
le
asked.
"
Iam!Noonecamei
n"I
ri
shsai
d.
EthanwasgladArinhasherearphoneson,
shewas
movingtothebeatofthemusicshewasl i
steni
ng
to.Shewasn'
tpayingatt
ent
iontothem.

"Gofet
chCarlforme"Ethanorder
edoneoft
he
bodyguar
dsstandingi
nt hedi
ningroom.
"
Okay,
MrEt
han"Thebodyguar
dlef
t.

"
Whydidn'
tyoubot
htellmei
mmedi
atel
yiar
ri
ved
f
rom wor
k?"Et
hanasked.
"Youwereobviousl
ystressedoutandiwoul
dwant
youtofi
nishyourdinnerbefor
etel
li
ngyou"I
ri
sh
said.

"
Youmustbesobot
her
ed"Et
hansai
d,st
ari
ngat
I
ri
shpi
ti
ful
ly.
"Ofcourseiam,knowingsomeoneisaf
termyl
if
eis
theworstfeel
ingever
"Ir
ishsai
d,t
ear
srushi
ngi
nto
hereyes.
Arushapassedhert
issueandEt
hanqui
ckl
ypul
led
herint
oasidehug.

Shef el
tsuddenl
ysaf
einhi
sar
m andal
lherwor
ri
es
rel
ievedher.
Shewoul
ddoanyt
hingt
obei
nhi
sar
msf
orever
.

"
MrEt
han"Car
lsai
d,wal
kingi
ntot
hedi
ningr
oom.
"
Car
l,iwasj
ustt
oldwhathappened"Et
hansai
d.
"I
stheper
sont
rul
yint
hishouse?
"Gabr
iel
leasked,
shehadal
sost
oppedeati
ng.
"I
thasbeenconfir
medthatt
heanonymousper
son
i
sint hi
shouse,
I'
m hundr
edper
centsur
eMrEthan"
Carlsai
d.
"
Woah!
"Gabr
iel
leexcl
aimed.
"WecheckedtheCCTVf ootageimmediatel
yit
happenedandnoonehadcomei nt
hroughthegat e,
thesecuri
tyal
arm onthefencewouldhavewar ned
usifsomeoneistryi
ngtocomei nthr
ought hefence.
It'
sconfi
rmedthepersonisinthi
sbuil
ding"Car
l
said.

"
SummonJavadf
orme"Et
hanor
der
ed.
"Javadshouldknowwhoi ti
ssi
ncehe'
stheheadof
thebodyguardsint
hehouseandheguardst
he
housewell,
heshouldnot
icei
fsomeonemadea
move"Ethansaid.

"AndAr ushahadseentheperson'
shair
,it
'sbr
own
andspikyandt heper
sonistall
.Thatmadeitmor
e
complicatedcauseal
mostallthemaleworker
shere
aretal
lwi t
hbrownspikyhai
r"
"
What
'sgoi
ngon!
"Et
hansi
ghed.
"
Thi
shasneverhappened"
Ethansai
dwor
ri
edl
y.
"There'
sasnit
chint
hishouseandi
tmeans
everybodyi
snotsaf
e"Carlsai
d.

"
I'
m her
eMrEt
han"Javadr
ushedi
n.

Arusha'
seyescaughthi
shairandheightandhe
st
aredatJavad,havi
ngafeel
inghe'stheonebut
howsureishe?Whenalmostallthemaleworker
s
l
ookedthesame.
Butt
hehairhadbeenexact
lyl
iket
his.
..or
..coul
dhe
bewrong?

EthantoldJavadofwhathappenedandaskedi
fhe
suspectedanyone.

"NoMrEthan,iwaswatchi
ngalldayandi f
someonehadmadeamove, iwouldhaveknown.I
don'
tthi
nkthepersoni
sinthishouse,
itshoul
dbe
anoutsi
der
"
"
It
'sani
nsi
der
!"
Car
ldi
sagr
eed.
"
Howsur
ear
eyou?
"Javadaskedhar
shl
y.
"
Hundredper
centsure!Ever
yonecancomewi
thme
t
ocheckthesecur
it
yf oot
age"Car
lsai
d.

"Whyareyouglar
ingatmehuh?
"Ar
ushasuddenl
y
askedJavad.
"
I'
m not
!"Javaddeni
ed.
"
Youwer
eJavad"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Youwer
egl
ari
ngatmet
oo"Javadsai
dtoAr
usha.
"Iwasn'
t,iwasj
uststar
ingatyoucauseyoulookso
muchl i
ketheanonymousman!Yourhairand
height
"Arushasai
dandeverywherefel
lsi
lent
.

"
Whatdoyoumean!
"Javadyel
led.
"Am nott
heonlyworkerher
ewhohasbr
ownspiky
hai
randthishei
ght
!Alexdoest
oo,somanyot
her
workersdoest
oo.Iknowyouhat
emeandwoulddo
anythi
ngtoimpl
icat
eme"Javadsai
dangr
il
y.

"Youdon'thavet
ogetsowor
kedupoveri
tifyou
aren'
ttheone"Carlsai
d.
"Justshutup,
iknewyouwoul
dtakesi
des!
"Javad
said.
"
What
'sgoi
ngon?
"Ar
inr
emovedherheadphones.
"Wearejusthavi
ngadiscussi
onpri
ncess,
youcan
putyourheadphonesbackon"Et
hansaid.
"
OkayDad"Javadsai
d.

"Idon'
tthi
nkI'
llbeablet
osl
eepi
nmyr
oom
anymore"Ir
ishsaid.
"You'
l
lsleepi
nmi neandiwannaseeany
motherf
uckerthat
'l
lcomehurtyou,I
'm gonnabr
eak
someone'sheadint
opieces"Arushasaid.

"
No,
star
ti
ngf
rom now.I
ri
sh,
you'
l
lhaveyourown
bodyguards,
they'
llbestayi
ngbyyourdoorand
Arin'
sandthey'
llfol
lowyoueverywher
eyougo.Carl
,
you'l
lbeamongt hem.Itrustyout
okeepIr
ishsaf
e"
Ethansai
d.
"
YesMrEt
han,
I
'l
ldomybest
"Car
lsmi
led.

"
I'
llassi
gnthreemor
ebodyguar
ds"Et
hansai
d,
l
ookingaround.
"Javadshoul
dn'
tbeassignedpl
ease"I
ri
shsai
d,
carel
essabouthi
spresence.
"Ohh.
.okay"Et
hansaid,hewoul
dn'thaveassi
gned
Javadinthefi
rstpl
acecauseheknowI r
ishdoesn'
t
l
ikehim.

Et
hanassi
gnedthr
eemor
ebodyguar
dsandasked
i
fIr
ishwasokaywi
tht
hem.
Shenodded.

"
Doyouwantmeempl
oyaf
emal
ebodyguar
dthat
'l
l
bewi
thyoui
nyourr
oom?
"Et
hanasked
"No,I'
mf i
newithCar
l.Iknowhe'
sgonnakeepme
safe"I
rishsai
d.
"It
rusthimtodosotoo.SoCarl
,st
arti
ngf r
om now
you'l
lhavearoom i
nthemainhouse"Ethansaid.
"
OkayMrEt
han"Car
lsai
d.

"Summonallthemaleworker
sint
hehouset
ot he
l
ivingr
oom now,ever
yoneneedst
obequest
ioned"
Ethansai
d.
"
OkayMrEt
han"Javadsai
d.
"
Incl
udi
ngyouJavad"Et
hansai
d,shocki
ngJavadt
o
t
hebone.

_
___
__

TBC
[
05/
09,
07:
29]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
41

"Summonallt
hemal eworker
sinthehousetothe
l
ivingr
oom now,ever
yoneneedstobequesti
oned"
Ethansai
d.
"
OkayMrEt
han"Javadsai
d.
"
Incl
udi
ngyouJavad"Et
hansai
d,shocki
ngJavadt
o
t
hebone.
Hef eel
ssobadt hatEthandoesn'
tseem tot
rust
him anymore!Andthat'
sgonnamaket hi
ngsmor e
dif
fi
cultcauseobviouslyhe'
l
lstar
tquest
ioni
nghis
everymove.
Andhehadt oldMorgant
ochanget heplanbut
Catheri
nehadi nsi
stedont
akingIr
ishoutoftheway
fi
rstcauseshe'sbeingapaininherass.
Arushahadenter
edi nsteadofherandhewouldn'
t
havemindtokil
lhim alongsideIr
ishbutt
heboyhad
beensmartenoughtor unout .

NowitseemsEt hanl
osthi
strusti
nhi
m al
readyand
obvi
ousl
yMor ganisgonnabemadathimforthe
pl
anfail
ure.

Ar
rrgh!

_
_*_
_
Ethanf
inishedaddr
essi
ngt
hemal
ewor
ker
sand
theyal
lleft
.
Ar
inandAr
ushawentt
obedal
ready.

"Doyouthi
nkt
heper
sonwi
llcomet
oyou?
"Ir
ish
asked.
Ethanhadt oldtheworker
softheinci
denceandthe
perpet
ratorbeinginthehouse,hehadthr
eatened
theanonymousper pet
rat
ortocometohim befor
e
heinvolvesthecops.

"
Idon'
tknow"Et
hansi
ghed.
"
Andinvolvi
ngthecops.
..ever
ythi
ngwi
llbespi
ll
ed
t
othepress"Ir
ishsai
d.
"Exact
ly!Andihat
ebei
ngi
nthenews.I
treal
ly
sucks!"Ethansai
d.
"
Youdon'
thavet
oinvol
vet
hecops"
"
Yourl
if
eisatst
akeher
e"Et
hansai
d.
"Andyourr eputat
ionisaswel l
..
.i
fitgetstothe
newst hatyourdaughter'
snannyal mostgotki ll
ed
by..
byananonymousper sonwhoobvi ousl
ystays
i
nt hi
shouse, i
t'
sgonnasoi lyourreputati
onandnot
onlythat,butal
soaf f
ectyourbusinessesal lover
thewor l
d"

"
It
'snotl
ikel
oosingbusi
nesspar
tner
swoul
daf
fect
me..
..
"Et
hanshrugged.
Hehasenoughmoneytolasthi
mforhi
sli
fet
ime
wi
thoutevenwor
kinganymore.

"Iknowbutiwon'tbet
hereasonfort
hat.Let
'sj
ust
l
etitgo.I'
m sur
ewhoeveri
tiswouldhaveseenthe
handwriti
ngonthewal
landwon'ttr
ysuchagain"
Iri
shsaid.

"Youalwayswanttoletgoofever
ything,
it'
l
lbe
self
ishofmetoprotectmyownbusi nesswhil
e
putt
ingyourl
if
eatstake"Et
hansaid.
"MrEthan,invol
vingthecopsmi ghttr
ulysoi
lyour
reput
ation,
I
'm goingtostartprotecti
ngIri
shfr
om
now,theincidencewon'trepeatitsel
fanymore.I
promise"CarlsaidandEthansi gheddeeply.
"
It
'sst
il
lhardtobeli
evesomeone'
saf
teryourl
if
ein
t
hishouse.
..
"Ethansaid.
"I
t'
sallsoconf
usi
ng,
I'
m scar
edoutofmywi
ts"I
ri
sh
said.

"
Ofcourseyoushoul
dbe.I
m sosor
ryyou'
rei
nthi
s
mess"
"No,youshouldn'
tbeplease.Goi
ngt
hroughall
theseisnotevenenoughtopayyouforal
lyou'
ve
doneforme"

"Idon'
twantyoutofeelokaywitheveryt
hingt
hat
happenstoyouinthi
shousej ustbecauseyoufeel
i
ndebtedtomeokay? "Ethansaid.
I
ri
shnodded.
"GomeetGladystoshowyout oyourr
oom andi
madesureit'
sopposi
teI
ri
sh's.Haveyougott
en
yourl
uggages?"Et
hanasked.

"NoMrEt
han,
iwi
llaf
tericheckoutmyr
oom"Car
l
sai
d.
"
Ohh.
..okay"Et
hansai
d.
*
"
Haveyouhear
dfr
om DocLuc?
"Ir
ishasked.
"No,hehasn'
tcal
ledandical
ledhim,
he'
snot
picki
ngupneit
herisherepl
yingt
omymessages"

"
Real
ly?
"
"
Yeah"
"
He.
.mi
ghtbebusybuti
sn'
tmum'
slegssur
ger
y..
."
"Exact
lywhyiwantedt
ohearfr
om hi
m,ij
usthope
everyt
hing'
sfi
ne"Et
hansai
d.
"
Met
oo"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Let
'sgotosleep,
I'l
ltr
ytocontacthiminthe
mor ni
ng,
I'
m surehewoul dhavesolvedwhatever
i
ssuei ti
sandber estassur
ed,you'
l
lbefineokay?"
EthansaidandIri
shnodded.

_
__

"
Let'
sgetyoudressedf
orschoolAr
in"I
ri
shsai
dto
Ari
nwhowasr eluct
ant
.
"What
'swrong?"I
ri
shaskedknowingAr
ini
sn'
taki
d
whodoesn'
tli
kegoingt
oschool.
Shewoul
dhavebeenint
hebat
hroom byt
het
ime
shecomesi
ntoherr
oom.

"What'
sgoi
ngon?Whyar ether
ebodyguar
ds
suddenl
yatourdoor
,why?"Ari
nasked.
"Ij
ustf
eltwehavet
ostr
engt
henoursecur
it
y"
Ethanwalkedi
nbef
oreI
ri
shcoul
danswerandshe
si
ghedi
nrel
ief
.
"
Goodmor
ningDad"Ar
inwal
kedupt
ohi
m.
"
Goodmor ni
ngpr
incess"Hebentt
oki
ssher
f
orehead.
"
Goodmor
ning.
..
"Ir
ishsai
d.
"
Goodmor
ningI
ri
sh"Et
hansmi
led.

"Dad,
Whydoyoufeelwehavetost
rengt
henour
secur
it
y?Di
danyt
hinghappen?
"Ari
nasked.
"
Not
hing,
bel
ievemepr
incess"Et
hansai
d.
"
OkayDad"
"Gogetr
eadyf
orschool
,
timei
srunni
ngf
ast
"Et
han
sai
d.
"
I'
m pi
ssedatJessyandgr
andma"Ar
inf
rowned.
"
Why?
"
"
Theypost
ponedt
hei
rvi
sitagai
n!"Ar
insai
d.
"
Real
ly?
"Et
hanasked.
"
Yeah,
Gabr
iel
let
oldmet
hatyest
erni
ght
.Theykeep
postponi
ngthei
rvi
sitandmybi
rt
hdayi
sinf
ew
days"Ari
ngr
oaned.

"Ohh.
..
theymi
ghtbeher
ebefor
eyourbi
rt
hday,you
knowJessywon'
tmissyourbi
rt
hdayf
oranyt
hing"
"
Buti
..
."
"Let
'scont
inuet
hisafteryou'
rebackf
rom school
,
you'
rerunningl
ateal
ready"Ethansai
d.
"
OkayDad"Ar
insai
dandwal
kedi
ntot
hebat
hroom.

"Howwasyournight
?Ihopeyouhadasound
sleep?
"Et
hanaskedIr
ish.
"Yeah,it
ri
edasmuchaspossibl
enottoal
lowthe
i
ncidenceaff
ectmysl
eepandknowingCarli
sright
atmydoorgavememor erel
ief
"

"I
'
m gladyousl
eptwell
,iwantyout
omakesur
e
yourdaygoeswel
ltoookay?"
"
Ievenhavel
otsofwor
ktodo,
iwon'
thavet
het
ime
tot
hinkofanyt
hingHaveyoucont
act
edDocLuc
yet
?"
"He'sst
il
lnotpi
cki
ngup"Et
hansai
dandI
ri
sh
sighed.
"I
sthereanywaywecancontactSuni
land
Shreedah?
"Ir
ishaskedwor
ri
edly.
"
No,
ber
estassur
ed.I
'
m sur
eever
ythi
ngi
sfi
ne.
"
"
I'
m sur
eever
ythi
ngi
sn'
t.Ij
usthopeMum i
sfi
ne"
"I
'm goi
ngtokeeptryi
ngtoreachDocLuc,i
tmight
bepoorserviceorsomet
hing,youknowIndi
aisso
faraway"Ethansaid.

"
Ishoul
dbri
ngoutAri
n'sschoolwear
s"Iri
shsai
d
whenshehear
dtheshowerstoppedrunni
ng.
Shemovedt
oAr
in'
swar
drobe.
"
Okay,
I'
m goi
ngt
odr
essupf
orwor
k"
"
Bye,
haveani
ceday"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Yout
oo"
_
__

"So.
.t
hisi
showi
tfeel
stohavebodyguar
ds"I
ri
sh
smil
ed.
"
Imustadmi
tMrEt
hanr
eal
lyl
ikesyou"
Car
lsai
d.

Theywer
ebothseatedi
nherworkshopwhil
ethe
twoot
herbodyguar
dsoff
eredt
ostandbythedoor.

"
Imustadmi
tthef
eel
ingi
smut
ual
,il
ikeEt
hant
oo"
I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Iknewi
t!
"Car
llaughed.
"
What
?Isitt
hatobvi
ous?
"Ir
ishasked,
stoppi
ngi
n
t
hemi
ddleofhersewi
ng.
"
Iti
s.I
tisal
lwr
it
tenal
loveryourf
ace"
Car
lsai
d.
"
Real
ly?
"
"
Ofcour
sebuti
tsal
lgood,
iknowt
het
ypeofl
ady
youare,you'r
ethebestl
adyMrEthaneverf
elt
att
ract
edt o.You'
rel
ovedbysomanypeopleinthi
s
houseexceptpeoplewhoareenvi
ousofyou"

"
Geez!Youj
ustf
lat
ter
edme"I
ri
shl
aughed.
"
No,
it'
sjustsomer
eal
fact
s"Car
lsai
d.
"
Wher
e'sAl
ex?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
Int
hequar
ter
s"
"
Don'
tyout
hinkhe'
l
lbef
eel
ingl
onel
y?"
"
No,
probabl
ysl
eepi
ng"
Car
lsai
d.
"
He'
sasl
eepf
reak"I
ri
shl
aughed.
"
Yeahyeah"

"Higuys,
comei
n.You'
renotmeantt
ost
and"I
ri
sh
said.
"Pl
easedon'
tref
usethi
sti
me"Shequi
ckl
yadded
bef
oretheycoul
dtur
ndownheroff
er.
They'
vebeenst
andi
ngandshef
eel
sso
uncomf
ort
abl
ewi
thi
t.
"
Comeinguys,
si
t"
Carlsai
dtot
hem andt
heyf
inal
ly
wal
kedi
nandgotseated.
"
Ther
e'snorul
ethatsaysyoumust
n'tsi
tri
ght
?"
I
ri
shasked.
"
Yeah"
"Thenwhymustyoualwaysst
and?Yourl
egs
doesn'
tache?
"Ir
ishasked.

"We'vegot
tenusedt
oit
.Haveievert
oldyouthe
stor
yofwheniwasabodyguardforapresi
dent
?"
"
Real
ly?No"I
ri
shsai
d,t
urni
ngt
oCar
leager
ly.

*
*Twodaysl
ater
**

"Youmeanhesaidweshouldst
artcomingtohis
hospi
talnow?
"Ir
ishaskedEt
hanforthethi
rdt
ime.
"
Yeah,
DocLucj
ustcal
ledmenowandt
oldmet
hat
"
"
They'
rei
nCal
if
orni
aal
ready?
"Ar
ushaasked.
"
How'
smum?Washerl
egssur
ger
ysuccessf
ul?
"

"
Hedi
dn'
ttel
lmeanythi
ng,
heonlywantust
ocome
t
ohi
shospit
alnow"Et
hansai
d.

"Thatmeanmum'ssecondsur
ger
ywasnot
successf
ul"I
ri
shsai
dsadl
y.
"I
'
m gl
adt hemostimport
antonewassuccessful
,
shewon'thavetol
ivewi
ththefearofdi
eingsoon
anymore,andwearen'
tti
redofpushi
ngher
wheel
chair,
arewe?
"
"
No"

"Mum i
sal i
ve,that
'st
hebiggestgr
ace,
anyot
her
thi
ngwillbetendtolat
er.Let
'sgo,
ican'
twai
ttosee
her"Ar
ushasai d.

Et
hansmi
led,
int
ri
guedbyAr
usha'
swor
ds.
 Heknowsforsur
ethatAr
ushai
sgoi
ngplacesand
he'
sgonnahelphi
m asmuchashecan.

_
___

"We'
vebeent ryi
ngtoreachyouforthepastf ew
daysbutyouwer en'
trespondi
ng,onlytocallus
suddenlyandsummonust othehospital"I
rish
sai
d,af
tertheywalkedint
othehospitalrecept i
on
andsawDocLuc.

"Gooddaytoyoual
l"DocLucsai
dkeepi
nga
str
aightf
ace.
"
Wher
e'smum?"Ar
ushaasked.
"
Wast
hesur
ger
ysuccessf
ul?
"Et
hanasked.
"
Iguessyou'
l
lhavet
oseef
oryour
sel
f"DocLucsai
d.
"
GobringMrsHel
en"Hesai
dtoanur
sewhoqui
ckl
y
wentt
ocarr
youthi
sorder
.
"
Well
..
iguessshe'
sonherwheelchai
rbutwhycan'
t
wegotoseeher?"I
ri
shasked.
"What
'sgoi
ngonLucky?
"Et
hanwasaski
ngwhen
hesawMr sHel
en.
.

Walki
ng.
..onherf
eetwi
thsmi
les,
rightbesi
det
he
nur
se.

Surpri
sewasallwr
it
tenovert
hei
rfacesasshe
approachedt
hem.

"Mummy!!
"Ar
ushawast
hef
ir
stt
osnapoutoft
he
shock.
Her
anr
ighti
ntoherar
ms.
.

I
ri
shf
oll
owedandEt
hanj
ustst
ood,
smi
li
nghappi
ly.

Damn!
Thi
sissogr
eat
.

Thei
rembracewassot
ouchi
ngandhewoul
dn'
tli
ke
toi
nter
ruptt
hem.
"
Itmusthavebeensolongt
heysawt
hei
rmum on
herf
eet"DocLucsmil
ed.
"Notreal
ly,shehadn'tseenherforalongt
imeand
j
ustwhensheget stoseeher, shedoesn'
twalk,I'
m
sohappybuthey, youcouldhavesimplypickedour
call
sorreplyourmessages, wewer eworr
ied,iwas
extr
awor ri
edthinki
ngsomet hi
nghadgonewr ong"
EthansaidtoLuc.
"
Ithoughtal
it
tl
esur
pri
sewi
llhel
p"Lucchuckl
ed.
"
Itdi
d..
.i
treal
lydi
d"Et
hansmi
led.
"Andishoul
dn'
tforget
.DocSuni
landShr
eedah
sentt
heirgr
eet
ings"DocLucsai
d.
"
Ohh.
..
great
"Et
hansmi
led.

"
Didyoui
nfor
mthecopsaboutt
hei
rki
dnapyet
?"
DocLucasked.
"
No"
"
Why?Youshoul
d"
"Wecan't,Shr
eedah'sdaughterl
if
eisatstakehere,
they'l
lgoaft
erherifwedaregot othecopsandi
defini
tel
ydon'twantthat
.Shecan'tlooseherchi
ld
j
ustbecausewewantj ust
ice.
"
"
Oh.
..
Damn!Thosebadasswil
lsur
elygetmeett
hei
r
mat
chsoon"DocLucsaid.
"
Ihopesot
oo"

"Seemstheyar
edone"Lucsai
dandEt
hanwal
ked
uptothem.
"
GooddayMr
sHel
en"Et
hansai
dbowi
ngabi
t.
Headj
ust
edhi
sfacecapasher
aisedhi
shead.
"Thankyousomuch"Wasthef
ir
stwordMrsHel
en
saidtohi
m bef
orepul
li
nghi
mintoahug.
"
It
'sf
ine"Et
hansmi
l
ed.
"Iwoul dn'
tbeonmyf eeti
fnotforyou,Myf amil
y
could'vesti
llgett
ingdragoveradebtweknow
nothingabout ,
iwon'thavetoli
vewi t
hthesadness
ofdieinganyt i
mesoonanymor e.Thankyouso
muchMrEt han"MrsHelensaid,st
il
lembracinghim.

"I
'
m gladyou'
refi
nenow,I
'
m sohappytoseeyou
backonyourfeetl
ooki
ngasener
geti
casever"
Ethansmil
ed.
"
Allthankst
oyou"MrsHelensmiledt
ooasshe
r
eleasedhimfr
om herembrace.

"
Enoughoft
he'
thankyou'
ma'
am"Et
hansai
d.
"Ihavetothankyoucauseim sograt
eful
,youdid
mor ethanenoughtoensuremyhealthisbackt
o
normal.Wemaynothaveenought opayyouback
butipromisewe'l
ldoeveryli
tt
let
hingwecant o
makeyouhappyt oo"

"
Yes"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
We'
rer
eal
lygr
atef
ul"Ar
ushasai
d.

"I
t'
sbeingsol
ongisawyoul
ooki
ngt
hisf
it
,youl
ook
greatMum"Ir
ishsmi
led.
"
Ifeelgr
eatal
so"Mr
sHel
ensmi
led.
"
Yousawl
otsofI
ndi
ansr
ight
?"Ar
ushaasked.
"Lot
softhem,iwouldhavel
ovedt
ogoonat
ourbut
icoul
dn'
twaittoseeyouguys"

"DocLuchadal
luswor
ried,weneverknewhewas
cooki
ngupsomethi
ngdeli
cious"I
ri
shsaid.
"
Youcannowcallmeworl
dbestsur
pri
sepl
anner
"
DocLucsai
dandtheyl
aughed.

"So,
wecangohomewi
thhernowr
ight
?"Ar
usha
asked.
"No,
she'sgonnabeint
hehospi
talf
orsomedayst
o
complet
ehertreat
ment
"DocLucsaid.
"
Real
ly?
"Ar
ushaasked.
"
Yeah"
"
That
'sbett
ert
hen,
it'
sgonnagi
vememor
eti
mef
or
t
heapart
menthunt
ing"
"
Apar
tmenthunt
ing?
"Mr
sHel
enasked.
"Yeah,wewon'tbestayinginthatapart
ment
anymor e,
we'l
lbeget
t i
ngabet terandsafer
apartment"Ar
ushagrinnedandanyonewoul dt
hink
he'stheonegoingt
opayf ort
heapar t
ment.

"Let'
sgotoyourwar
dtoconti
nueourdi
scussi
on,i
don'twantcamer
asonEthananyt
imesoon"Ir
ish
said.
"
Ohh.
..
yeah"

_
__

"
Thi
sisbet
terandwi
der!
"Arushasai
dtoI
rishas
t
heybot
hcheckedpi
ctur
esofapart
mentputupfor
sal
eonherphone"

Theywer
ebackhomeaf
terspendi
ngmucht
ime
thei
rmum.
Ari
nandGabr
iel
lewil
lbegoi
ngwi
tht
hem t
omor
row
t
ocheckonMrsHelen.

"
Didn'
tyouseet
hepr
ice?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
Ohh"Ar
ushar
aisedhi
sbr
ow.
"
Let
'scont
inuesear
chi
ng"Ar
ushasai
dandt
heydi
d.

"
Thi
sissot
ir
ing!
"Ar
ushal
aidonI
ri
sh'
sbed.
Theywer
eyett
ofi
ndanapar
tmentt
heycanaf
for
d.
"AreyouokayMissI
ri
sh?"Oneofherbodyguar
ds
askedthr
oughthedoor
.
"
Yesiam"I
ri
shshout
edandAr
ushal
aughed.
"
Yourbodyguar
dsar
esof
unny"Hesai
d.
"
Someti
mesidoforgetievenhavebodyguar
ds,i
f
eelsouncomf
ort
ablewiththem"Ir
ishsi
ghed.
"That'
sbecauseyou'
renotusedt
ohavi
ngt
hem
around"Arushasai
d.

"Wow!Comecheckt
hisapar
tmentAr
us"I
ri
sh
smil
ed.
"Gr
eat!Wef
inal
lyf
oundaper
fectonewi
thaper
fect
pri
ce"
"Andthel
ocat
ionisnotsof
arfr
om her
e,we'r
e
gonnagocheckitoutt
omorr
owaft
erleavi
ngthe
hospi
tal
"
"
Andt
henwemovei
nwhen?
"Ar
ushaasked.
"
Let
'sgochecki
toutf
ir
st"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
I'
m sogonnami
sst
hispl
ace"Ar
ushasai
dsadl
y.
"Man!Wehaven'
tevenpaidf
ort
henewapar
tment
yet
"Ir
ishr
oll
edhereyes.
"
Iknowr
ight
"Ar
ushal
aughed.
"
Mayicomei
n?"Et
hanaskedt
hrought
hedoor
.
"
Yes"I
ri
shsai
d.

Hewal
kedi
nandcl
osedt
hedoorbehi
ndhi
m.
"
What
'sup?
"Heasked,
set
tl
ingont
hechai
r.
"
Wef
oundanapar
tment
"Ar
ushasai
d.
"Yeahandwe'
l
lbechecki
ngi
toutt
omor
row"I
ri
sh
said.
"
Ohh.
..
great
,ihopet
hepr
icei
sn'
ttoohi
gh?
"
"
Iti
sn'
tandevenifi
tis,
icanaf
fordi
t.I
'm aweal
thy
womanyunno"Ir
ishsai
ddramati
cal
lyandthey
l
aughed.

"
Thepr
icei
sn'
ttoohi
gh,
it'
saf
for
dabl
e"I
ri
shsmi
l
ed.
"
Ohh.
.okay"Et
hansai
d.

"
Arusha,
howwoul
ditf
eel
tor
esumeI
vyRoyal
shi
gh
schoolonMonday?
"Et
hanasked.
"
Huh?
"Ar
ushaasked,
sur
ehehadhear
dwr
ong.
"
What
!"I
ri
shexcl
aimedunderherbr
eat
h.

I
vyRoyal
s?
Oneoft
het
opschool
sinCal
if
orni
a?
Hehasonl yseent heschool'
spict
ureonceandhe
hadskippedaf terseeingthemanifi
cenceandt he
wealthlavishedoni t
,heknewhewoul dn'
tevendare
dream beingacl eanerintheschoolnottotal
kof
beingast udent.
Thegr
andeuri
ssodi
ff
erentf
rom ever
yschool
'
s.
Theyal
wayscomef
ir
sti
never
yfr
eaki
ngt
hing.
Itwasalsosai
dthattheirt
eacher
sallgraduat
ed
fr
om t
hebestuniver
siti
esacrossthestat
eswitht
he
hi
ghestGPS.
IvyRoyal
sisaschooloftheri
ch,i
t'
snoteven
affor
dabl
eformiddl
eclass,
nottomenti
onthepoor
.
Thei
rschoolf
eesi
sn'
treveal
edt
othepubl
icbuti
tis
sai
dthatt
heydopayhugeamountofmoney.

"
I.
.idon'
tun.
.under
stand"Ar
ushast
ammer
ed.
"Well
..
.I'
vewant edtochangeyourschoolsi ncethe
fi
rstti
mewedi scussedbutif elti
t'
dbebet t
erifyour
mum sur vivesfi
rstandI'
m gladshedi d.I'
m sorryi
didn'
tinformedyoubef orehandbutyou' l
lbe
resumingI vyRoyalshighschoolonMondayasa
student,yourschoolwear swillbedel
iveredtoyou
today"EthansaidandAr ushawasl ef
t
dumbf ounded.

Hehel
dIri
shwhowasal
sospeechl
essf
rom t
he
pi
eceofnewst
okeephi
m st
abl
e.

"
MrEt han.
."Ar
ushasai
dtear
il
ybef
orehuggi
nghi
m
t
ight
.
"
I.
.i
..
."Ar
ushawassayi
ng.
"Youdon'
thavet
osayanythi
ngAr
usha,"Ethan
smil
ed,knowi
nghecan'
tfi
ndther
ightwordstosay.
He'sbei
ngsoemot
ionalr
ightnowandheper
fect
ly
underst
ands.

"
I'
m sogr
atef
ul"Ar
ushasni
ff
edbackt
ear
s.
"But
..
wai
t.
..
I'
l
lberesumingIvyRoyal
s?"Ar
usha
askedwai
ti
ngforthel
astconfi
rmati
on.
"Yes"Et
hannoddedandArusha'
sscr
eam of
excit
ementechoedt
hroughthewhol
ebui
ldi
ng.

I
ri
shj
ustst
ooddumbf
ounded.

*
*NextDay*
**

"
You'
l
lber
esumingIvyRoyal
shi
ghschool
t
omorr
ow?MrsHelenaskedi
ndi
sbel
ief
.
"
YesMum"Ar
ushasmi
led.
"Myschoolwear
shasbeendel
iver
edal
ready"He
added.
Ari
nandGabri
ell
elef
tjustnowandI
ri
shwal
ked
t
hem t
othecar.
Ar
inagr
eedtoleaveafterMrsHelenpr
omi
sedt
o
kni
tmorebeaut
ifulsweater
sforher.
She'
sgoi
ngt
omakef
orGabr
iel
let
oo.
Theyallenjoyedoneanot
her
'scompanyandt
hey
chat
tedlikefamil
ies.

"Theschooloft
her
ich.
..
how?
"Mr
sHel
enaskedi
n
surpr
ise.
"MrEt
hani
sgoi
ngt
obesponsor
ingme"Ar
usha
sai
d.
"Oh.
.my!Wow!Ireal
lyneedt
othankhi
m,whyi
sn'
t
heheretodayt
hough?"
"Ithi
nkhehasanur gentmeetingtoatt
end.Idi
dn't
sleepawi nkl
astnight,iwasupcheckingmor e
i
nf or
mationsaboutt heschoolonl
ineandI'
m so
amazed, ist
il
lcan'
tbel i
eveI'
l
lstepint
othat.
..
school
tomorrow"Arushasi ghedhappil
y.
"
You'
resur
egonnami
ssyourf
ri
ends"
"Fri
ends?Youknowidon' thaveaf r
iendinmy
presentschool
,theguysdon'teverwanttotal
kto
mecauseicanhavet hei
rgir
lswithjustawinkand
ofcoursebecauseofmybr ains"Arushasai
dwi t
h
pri
de.

"Youdon'
teverst
optalkingaboutgi
rl
s"Mr
sHel
en
draggedhi
scheekpainfull
y.
"
Ouch.
.Mum!
"Hepout
ed,
rubbi
nghi
scheek.
Mr
sHel
enl
aughed.
."I
'
m sor
ryaboutt
hat
"
"
Yourapol
ogyi
sn'
taccept
ed"Ar
ushaf
rowned.
"
Iguessyouneedmor
echeekdr
aggi
ngt
hen.
."
"
No..
.no"Ar
ushast
oodupf
rom herbedandwal
ked
t
othechair
.

Mr
sHel
enl
aughedhear
ti
ly"
Com'
on"
.
"
So.
.howareyougonnacopet her
e?Youknowit'
s
f
ardi
ffer
entf
rom yourpr
esentschool
"Shesai
d.
"
Iknowbutt
rustmeI
'
m gonnacope"Ar
ushasai
d.
"
Iknowyouwi
ll
"
"Youneedtoseetheact
ivi
ti
esper
for
medinthat
school
,thei
rgar
den..
"Ar
ushawassaying.

"
Enoughoft
heschoolt
alkal
readyMrI
vyRoyal
s"
I
ri
shsai
dwalki
ngint
otheward.
"
Haveyoutol
dmum we'
vef
oundanapar
tment?
"
Sheasked.
"
Real
ly?
"
"
YesMum, we'l
lbegoi
ngt
ochecki
toutaf
terwe
l
eaveher
e"Ir
ishsai
d.
"Ohh.
..okay.Andimustsayyoust
aywi
thamazi
ng
peopl
e,theyareasni
ceasEthan"
"
Yes!Theyar
e"I
ri
shsmi
led.
"
Iwouldneverhavebel
ievedifiwastol
dI'
llever
meetEthanHarl
ow.Everythi
nghappenedsof ast
"
Arushasai
d.
"
Yes,
sof
ast
"Mr
sHel
enagr
eed.
"
Andiwouldn'
thavebel
ievedi
fiwastol
dI'
l
lat
tend
I
vyRoyal
shighschool
"Arushagri
nned.
"
Arr
rgh!
"Ir
ishsi
ghed.

"I
'
m sohappyforyouIr
ish,
I'
m pr
oudofyouandI
knowyourdadwillbet
oo"MrHelensai
d.

I
ri
shandAr
ushaf
allsi
lent
.
"Don'
tst
artmum,
Allt
hisaret
hepast
"Arushasai
d
huggi
ngherasMr
sHel enpat
shi
shair.

I
ri
sht
ri
edt
ofor
cebackt
het
ear
sthr
eat
eni
ngt
ofel
l.
"Comeher
e"Mr
sHel
ensai
dandt
heyal
lhugged
eachot
her
.
Cr
ying.

*
*

"Weshoul
dn'
ttakelongincheckingoutthe
apar
tment
,ineedtogogetr eadyforSCHOOL
tomorr
ow"Arushasmiled.

"
Geez!
"Ir
ishgr
oanedandhel
aughed.

Tbc
[
05/09,07:
29]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼
Genr
e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
42

Arushast
eppedoutoft
hecar
,i
naweashest
aredat
t
heschoolbuildi
ngwhi
chl
ookedmor
ebeaut
if
ul
t
hani npi
ctur
es.
Themagnif
icencemadehi
mfeelsol
it
tl
eand
ki
ndascar
ed.
Theschoolbui
ldi
ngi
sasl
argeasawhol
est
reet
.

Studentswal
kedpasthi
m withthei
rheadsheld
high,somegi
rlsspar
edhim asecondglancebuti
t
seemsmor eofalookofcontempt.
 Hebar elyhadanideaofhowr ichkidsbehave
causeAr inhadbeensohumbl ebutseei ngkidsyell
attheirdriver
sfornotopeningt hecardoorf ast
enough, seeingent
ouragesf ol
lowst udentsintot
he
school,seeingmaidsrunningaf tersomeki dswith
theirschoolbagsmadehi m havear ethi
nk.

Thegi
rl
swer eextr
emelyhot
,they'
l
lmakeany
ot
herguydroolbutnothi
mthough.
He'ssur
ehe'snotl
ooki
ngbadeit
her,
hehadmade
surehetookext
rati
metodressupandevenMr
Ethanhadcommendedhisl
ook.

"Areyougoingtostandther
eforever
?"Thedri
ver
askedArusha,snappinghi
m outofhist
houghts.
"
Uh"hesi
ghedandcl
osedhi
scardoor
.
"Ihopeyouenj
oyyourf
ir
stdayher
e"hi
sdr
iver
shouted.
"
Ihopesot
oo,
bye"Ar
ushawaved.
Hewalkedint
otheschoolbui
ldi
ngaf
terbei
ng
scr
uti
nizedbyacamera.
Hebroughtouthi smapwhi chhadbeen
deliveredalongsidehisschoolwear sandstart
ed
tracinghisclassr oom,tr
yinghar dnottocr
yatt he
sightoft hemor ebeautif
ulinter
ior,
he'sget
ting
car r
iedawaywi tht hebeauti
fulandexpensive
thingshe' sseei
ng.
Noneoft
hestudent
sseemedamazedbyi
t,t
hey
j
ustwal
kedpast.
Wel
l.
.t
heymusthavebeenusedtoitorr
athert
hey
musthaveseent
onsofmorebeauti
fult
hingsat
t
hei
rhomet obei
nter
est
edinthese.
Almostal
lthest
udent
sher
ear
efr
om i
nfl
uent
ial
homes.

Hecont
inuedwi
thtr
aci
nghi
sclassr
oom unt
ilhe
al
mostbumpedint
osomeone.
"
I'
m sosor
ry"hehear
dat
inyvoi
cesai
dbef
ore
l
ooki
ngup.
 "
It
'sfi
ne,ishoul
dbesor
ry"Ar
ushasai
dtot
hegi
rl
wholookedshy.
Shehasastunni
ngbeaut
yanddoesn'tl
ookas
proudandr
udeasthegir
lshehasbeencoming
across.
She'
sput
ti
ngonapairofpal
ebl
uesapphir
e
ear
ri
ngswhichwast
hesamecolorashereyes.
Hesmil
edseeingshehadpackedherhai
rthesame
wayI
ri
shlovedpacki
nghers.

Herschooluni
form si
gni
fi
edshe'
sastudentofI
vy
Royal
sandi nherhandwasamapt oo.

"Areyoual
solooki
ngforyourcl
assr
oom?"Arusha
askedbutgoti
gnoredasthegir
lwal
kedpasthim.

"
What
!!
"Hi
smi
ndscr
eamed.
"Justwhenhewasst
art
ingtothi
nkshe'
sdi
ff
erent
,
shecangotohell
!Hedoesn'
tcar
e"Hemumbledto
himself.
Hefi
nallyfoundhisclassafterr
oamingthe
buil
dingandaskingstudent
swhocompl etel
y
snubbedhim andfewwhodi dn'
taskedwhohi s
fat
herwasbef or
etheycant alktohi
m.

Heneverknewt
houghtt
hest
udent
swoul
dbet
his
way.

Hesi
ghedashewal
kedi
ntohi
scl
assr
oom.
Hegotcarri
edawaywi ththebeautyofhiscl
ass
thathedi
dn'tevennot
icedhowt hestudent
sstar
ed
athim.
Thef
emalesweremesmeri
zedbyhislookswhi
le
t
hemaleswerest
arti
ngt
ofeelt
hreat
ened.
"Oh.
.my."Ar
ushamutt
eredbr
eat
hlessl
y,t
aki
ngi
n
ever
yinchofhi
scl
assr
oom.
Ifi
twasn'tforthechai
rsandl ocker
s,hewouldn'
t
havethoughtthiswasacl assroom,hefel
tsogood,
hefel
tlikescreaming,
he'ssohappyt obehere,t
obe
i
nadif f
erentworldenti
rely,
it'
dbenicetospend
t
imewi
tht
heseval
uabl
es.

Thisi
sjustsobreat
htaki
ng,
he'
sgonnacr
yifhe
keepsst
aring.
Hi
seyesarestarti
ngt
ohur
tfr
om t
hebeaut
if
ul
t
hingshe'
sseeing.

"Eventhechai
rsandlocker
sar e.
."Ar
ushawas
sayinginwar
dlywhenhenoticedthedozensofeyes
onhi m.
Hest
aredbackatthem andtheyallsl
owlystar
ted
wit
hdr
awingthei
rgazes,hewalkedtothelocker
anddr
oppedhisbag,notmindingthestudent
s.
Healr
eadymadeuphismindtoignorethem as
muchashecan,t
heywon'twanttorel
atewithhim
anyway,
he'
sasonofanobody.

Arushacheckedf
ort
henumberwri
tt
enonhis
schoolI
Doneachdesksandhefi
nal
lyf
oundhisat
themiddl
erow.
 "
Wow"Hesmiled,
seei
nghi
snamecust
omi
zed
bol
dlyonhi
sdesk.
Hewasover
exci
tedt
hati
fhecoul
djump,
hewoul
d.
Hegent
lyt
ookhi
sseatandwai
tedf
orwhat
's
comi
ngnext.

Heknowthey'
regonnabehavi
ngt
hei
rfi
rstcl
assf
or
t
hedaysoon.
Hecont
inuedf
eedi
nghi
seyeswi
tht
hespl
endour
ofhi
scl
ass.

"
Goodmorni
ngstudent
s"Afemal
eteacherwal
ked
i
n,smar
tl
ydr
essedandlooki
nggood.
"
HiMi
ssMi
tchel
l"Thest
udent
schor
used.
"Let'
sbeginourcl
ass"MissMi tchel
lsai
d,placi
ng
herlaptoponthetabl
e.Arushaknewshe' l
lbe
teachinggeometr
ycauset hat
'sthefi
rstonthe
ti
met abl
e.
 Hewasabi tconf
usedasst udentsbr
oughtout
l
aptops,secondsl
aterever
yone'sdeskcontai
neda
l
aptopeachexcepthisandhesi ghedst
arti
ngtoget
nervous.
Hehadt
houghtt
hey'
l
lbeusi
ngnot
epadandpen!

"Yoursi
si nyourdesk"Af
amili
art
inyvoi
cesai
dto
him andhet ur
nedtosee.
.theshygir
lhehad
bumpedi nto.
Herchai
rwasr
ightbesi
dehi
s,howcoul
dn'
thehave
seenher
.
"
Uh?
"Hewi
denedhi
seyes.
"
Yourlaptopi
sinyourdesk"Thegi
rlsai
dand
Arushati
lt
edhishead.
Hef
etchedabrandnewlapt
opf
rom hi
sdeskwi
tha
smi
lepl
aster
edonhisl
ips.
"Thankyou.
..
"Hewassayi
ngbutr
eal
izedhedi
dn'
t
evenknowhername.
"Ol
ivi
a"Headdedaf
tergl
anci
ngathernameonher
desk.
 Herlastnamei
sn'
tonherdeskl
ikeever
yone
el
seandhewonderedi
fshedoesn'
thavealast
name.
Wel
l.
..
whodoesn'
thaveal
astname.

"ThankyouOli
via"Her
epeat
edandgoti
gnor
ed
onceagain.
"Fuck!
"Hecursedunderhisbr
eat
hbef
oret
urni
ngto
operat
eonhislapt
opwi t
hthehel
poft
hemanual.

"Ohh..
beforewestart
,ther
earet
wonewstudent
s
andI'l
lurgethem t
ocomef or
wardnow"Mi
ss
Mitchel
lsaid.
Ar
ushastoodupwi
thOli
viaandtheybot
hwal
kedt
o
Mi
ssMitchel
landf
acedthestudent
s.

Ar
ushacoul
dsenseOli
viawasnervousandhe
want
edtohol
dherhandtoreassur
eherbuthe
st
oppedhi
mself
.
"
Int
roduceyour
sel
vespl
ease"Mi
ssMi
tchel
lsai
d.
"
I'
m Ar
ushaLevi
ne,
nicet
omeety'
al
l"Ar
usha
sai
d.
"
Well
..
it
'snotnicetomeetyou"Ast
udentsai
dand
mostofthem nodded.
"Iknewhewasanobody"Anothermalestudent
saidandmostoft
hem bur
stintol
aughter
.

Hesmi l
edwhenhenoti
cedi
twasmost
lymal
e
st
udent
sthatmockedhi
m.
Heknewt
heyf
eel
thr
eat
enedbyhi
slook.

"Andiguessyou'r
easomebody!Justfor
warning,
donotcrossmypathforanyreasonor
you'l
lhaveyour
selfbl
amed,I'
l
lbeforcedtoshow
youhowcr azyanobodycanbe"Arushasaidand
thestudent
sgaspedinsur
pri
seincludi
ngMi ss
Mitchel
l.
 Nonewstudenthadst
oodupf
orhi
msel
ftheway
Ar
ushahas.
Shewasgl adAr ushahadsett hem str
aight
,they'
l
l
begintorespecthim andmakesur etheydon' t
crosshispathli
kehehadsai d,t
hey'r
eall
cowards,t
heirmout hsjustr
un.

"
Intr
oduceyour
sel
fpl
ease"Mi
ssMi
tchel
lsai
dto
Oli
via.
"
I'
m Ol
ivi
a"Shesai
dshyl
y,st
ari
ngatherf
eet
.
"Shemustbehereonschol
arship"Afemal
est
udent
saidandt
heyallbur
stedi
ntolaught
er.

Arushawasalmostforcedt
oreplythem buthe
j
ustkeptmute,
wonder i
ngwhyOlivi
ahadn't
menti
onedherlastname.
"
Youdon'thaveal
astname?
"Ast
udentposedt
he
quest
ion.
"Maybeherdadisoneinfamoussafecr
acker"A
studentsai
dandlaught
erechoedthewholeclass
again.

"
It
'simpoli
teandr
udetosaysuchaboutherf
ather
!"
Arushasai
dandthel
aughtersubsi
ded.
.
"
Youshouldcaut
iont
hem"Ar
ushasai
dtoMi
ss
Mit
chel
l.
"
Iwon'
twantt
olosemyj
ob"Shesai
dtoAr
ushaon
alowt
one.
"
Ohh"Ar
ushasi
ghed.

"
I'
m MissMit
chel
l,
yourgeomet
ryt
eacher
.It
'sniceto
meetyoubot
h.Youcanbothgobacktoyourseats"

_
__

Ar
ushasatint
hecafet
eri
adur
inglunchbr
eak,
si
tt
ingandeat
ingwi
thtwogi
rl
sfrom hi
sclass.
 Thegirl
saremor enicet
ohimt hantheguys,he'
s
t
ryingtoavoi
danycl oserel
ati
onshipwithanyof
t
hem asmuchashecancauset heyareobviousl
y
mor eni
cetohim becauseofhislooks.

Hedoesn'
twantf
ri
endsl
iket
hat
,pl
ust
hey'
reso
pr
oud.

"So,
whatdoesyourdaddo?
"Oneoft
hegi
rl
sasked
him.
"
Mydadi
sdead"Ar
ushar
epl
iedpl
ainl
y.
"
Ohh.
..
I'
m sosor
ryaboutt
hat
"Thegi
rl
schor
used.
"
Yourmum?
"
"St
il
lget
ti
ngovermydad"Ar ushasi
mplysay
avoi
dingthequest
ionofwhathermotherdoes.
"
Oh.
..
my!Sosad.Sososor
ryaboutt
hat
"
"
Thankyou,i
t'
sbeenlonganyway"Ar
ushasai
d,
t
ryi
ngnottothi
nkabouthi
sfather
.
"
I'
m Annabel
lebyt
heway"
"
I'
m Dani
ell
eandAnnabell
eismyf
ri
end.Webot
h
wantt
obef r
iendswi
thyou"

"
Ohh.
..
fi
ne"Ar
ushasai
dwi
thal
it
tl
esmi
le.
"Thewayyouanswer edquest
ionsinclasstoday
wassomi ndbl
owingandyou'
vegotgr eatl
ookstoo,
idon'tmindyourbackgr
ound,
ijustwanttobe
fri
endswi t
hyouandmaybemor ee"Ar
ushasmi l
ed
andwi nked.

"
Countyourselfl
uckywewantyouasourf
ri
end"
Annabel
lesaidandDamienchuckl
ed.

"
Let'
sobser
vetabl
emannersplease"Hesai
d,st
il
l
l
ooki
ngforOli
viai
nthecaf
eter
ia.
Seemsshe'
snother
e.

*
*
Ol
ivi
aappearedaft
erl
unchbr
eakcausetheclass
pr
efectwasorder
edtoshowt
hem roundtheschool
.
Shel
ookedr
eser
vedassheappr
oachedt
hem.
Hehasnevermetsomeoneasqui
etasOl
ivi
a.
She'
sobvi
ousl
ysomeoneoff
ewwor
ds.

Hewantedtoaskwhyshewasn'ti
nthecaf
eter
ia
buthedoesn'
twantt
ogeti
gnoredagai
n.

_
__

Theyret
urnedt
ocl
assaf
tert
our
ingt
hewhol
e
bui
ldi
ng.
Ther
e'ssomucht
otel
lIr
ishwhenhegethome.
Thi
sschooli
sanot
herwor
ldent
ir
elyoni
t'
sown!

Ar
ushasi
ght
edanempt
yseatashewal
kedt
ohi
s
seat
,wi
thJessicaGBcustomi
zedboldyonthedesk
andhewonderedift
her
e'sanot
hernewstudent
.
Whydi
dn'
thenot
icet
hedeskbef
ore.

"
Arusha"AnnaandDaniel
lewavedathi
m andhe
wavedback,smil
ing.

Hehadal
mostf
orgot
tenaboutt
hem.
..
..

_
___

"Howwasschoolt oday?I
'
m sur
etodayisoneof
yourbestdays"I
ri
shsaidasshewelcomedArusha
"
Arr
rgh"Hegr
oaned,
fal
li
ngf
latont
hecouch.

I
ri
shl
aughedaf
terAr
ushaf
ini
shednar
rat
inghi
s
f
ir
stdayatI
vyRoyal
s.

"I
'
mj ustsot
ir
edandst
arvedr
ightnow"Hesai
d,
pull
inghissocks.
"
Lunchi
sready,
Gabr
iel
laandimadepast
a"
"Ican'
twai
ttodevourit
,soannoyingI
'
llhavet
o
fr
eshenupfi
rst
"Arushagroaned.
"Andt
othinkyouweresoexci
tedt
oresumet
he
school
"Ir
ishl
aughed.
"Iwasandst il
lam,theschoolisgr
eat,
theteachers
areintellectual
,t
heacti
vit
iesaremindblowing.In
short,
t heschooli saworldonit'
sownbutt he
student s..
.arr
rgh!
"Ar
ushagotonhi sfeetandpicked
hisshoesandsocks.

"
I'
m gl
adyouputt
hem i
nthei
rpl
acet
hough"
"Ihadt
oandthegir
ls.
..
arehot
"Arushawhisper
ed
andrantowar
dsthestai
rsbef
oreIr
ishcoul
dscold
him.
"crazyass!
"Ir
ishlaughedassheal
sogotupt
ogo
dishoutArusha'slunch.

Ari
nisbackf
rom schoolal
ready,
nowt
aki
ngher
nap.

Arushat
houghtofOl
ivi
aashecli
mbedthestai
rs,
hewonder
edwhyhedidn'tment
ionhert
oIr
ish.

_
__

"I
'
vepai
dfort
heapar
tment
"Ir
ishsai
dtoAr
ushaas
heat
ehisl
unch.
"
Real
ly?
"Hi
sfacel
itup.

"Yesandwecanmovei nanyt
imewewant ,iwant
thehousef ul
lysetupbeforemum i sdi
scharged,
i
alr
eadyhiredsomeonet odoit,igavehersome
moneyf ornewf ur
nit
urestoo,onceshe'sdone,we'l
l
j
ustmovei
nourl
uggages"I
ri
shsmi
led.

"ThankssomuchI r
ishforcateri
ngforusdespi t
e
howdadt reatedyouevenwhenyouwer einnocent
,
you'vebeenpl ayi
ngaf atherl
yroletomeeven
withoutknowi ngandyou' r
ethest r
ongestladyI'
ve
everseen, I'
m sogratef
ulsisterandiloveyouso
much" ArushahuggedI ri
shovert hetable.

Shehadt
ear
sinhereyesasshehuggedhi
m back.

"Com'on,
iknowyou'
reacr
ybabybutidon'
tli
ke
seei
ngyoucry"Ar
ushasai
dashewipedhertear
s.
Shesmiledandpour
edmor
ejui
cef
orhi
m whi
lehe
cont
inuedeati
ng.

"
We'regonnagocheckonmum af
terI
'
m done
r
ight
?"Arushaasked.
"
No,
icamebackf
rom t
hehospi
talj
ustf
ewmi
nut
es
befor
eyouarr
ivef
rom school
.We'
regonnago
checkonhert
omorrow"
"
Ohh"Ar
ushasul
ked.
"Sheneedstorest,
ifwekeepgoi
ngeveryt
ime,
she
won'thavetheti
met oanddi
dn'
tyoutol
dmeyou
havelotsofhomewor kt
odo?"
"
Yeah"

"
Youshoul
dgett
oitaf
tereat
ing"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Okay"Ar
ushasai
d.

"
Areyoudonewi
thyouror
der
s?"Ar
ushaasked.
"
Notatal
l"I
ri
shsi
ghed.
"Why?
"Arushaasked,
knowi
nghowf
astI
ri
shcoul
d
bewit
hherorder
s.
"Idon'
tknowbutigett
ir
edeasi
lyt
hisdays.
..
"Ir
ish
said.
"
Iguessyouneedr
est
,you'
vebeent
hroughl
otof
st
ressl
atel
y"Ar
ushasai
dpi
ti
ful
ly.
"Yeah,I
'm def
ini
tel
ygonnar
estaf
tert
hissetof
order"I
ri
shsaid.
"
Youshouldpl
ease"Gabr
iel
lesai
d,wal
kingoutof
t
heki
tchen.
I
ri
shsmi
led.

"
HowwasschoolAr
usha?
"Sheasked.
"
Wel
l.
..
great
"hepr
essedhi
sli
pst
oget
her
.
"Mm..
seems,
i
tdi
dn'
tgowell"Gabr
iel
lesai
drest
ing
herar
msonthedi
ningchai
r.
"Itdi
d,thestudentsar
ej ustsorudeandpr oud.I
guessit'snormalconsideringt
heirstat
us.Asides
from t
hat ,
isomuchl ovet heschool,
everythi
ng
aboutitelatesmesomuch.We' llbeswimr aci
ng
tomorrow"Ar ushagri
nned.
"I
'
m gladyouli
ketheschool,
it'
sactual
lyoneoft
he
best
..
ifnott
hebestinCali
for
nia"Gabri
ell
esai
d.
"
Yeah,
Cal
if
orni
aisabeaut
if
ulpl
ace"Ar
usha
noddedasheat
e.
"
Youmustbeenj
oyi
ngyourpast
a"Gabr
iel
lesmi
led.
"
Somuch"
Arushasai
d.

"
Ithi
nkI
'
llmakeuseofanapmysel
f"I
ri
shyawned.
Shegul
pedsomeoutofAr
usha'
sjui
ceandgoton
herf
eet
.
"Hel
pmecheckonAri
nfrom t
imetot
ime,
shesai
d
you'
dhel
pherwit
hherhomework"
"
Ohh.
..okay"Ar
ushasai
d.

"
Youdon'thavetof
oll
owme,I
'
mjustgoingtobed"
Arushahear
dIri
shsayi
ngt
oherbodyguards.
"Wehavetof
oll
owMrEt
hani
nst
ruct
ionsma'
am"
Theyr
epli
edher
.
"Carl
,tel
lthem t
heydon'
thavet
ofol
lowme"I
ri
sh
said,
obviouslyfr
ust
rat
ed.
"
Im sosor
ryI
ri
shbutt
heyhavet
ofol
lowMrEt
han'
s
i
nst
ruct
ions"Car
lsai
d.
"
Arr
rgh!
"Ir
ishgr
oaned.

_
___

"
I'
m gl
adAr
ushal
ikeshi
snewschool
"Et
hansai
d.
Hewassit
ti
ngwit
hIri
shint
helibr
ary,
theywere
bot
hstar
ingatt
hefi
repl
acewit
hnovelsonthei
r
l
egs.
I
ri
shhadcomet
ojoi
nhi
m af
tersheputAr
int
obed.
Heini
ti
all
ywant edthem togot oherworkshopbut
sheseemst i
redanddoesn' thavethest
rengthto
seworcutclothestonight
.

"
Hereal
lylikesi
tandwon'
tst
opt
alki
ngabouti
t"
I
ri
shsmiled.
"
Thankyousomuch"Sheadded.
"Arusha'
slookisactuall
yanadvantageforhi
mi n
thatschool
, nor
mally.
.t
hosestudentsdonot
i
nt er
actwit
hpeoplewhom t heyfeeli
sn'
tuptothei
r
standardbutArushagott wofr
iendsalr
eady,
onthe
fi
rstday"Ethansaid.

"
Andt
heyar
egi
rl
s"I
ri
shr
oll
edhereyes.
"
Theyaskedhi
mtobet
hei
rfr
iend"Et
hansai
d.
"Ireal
l
ywi
shAr ushawouldhaveamalef
ri
end,
a
closemal
efr
iend"Ir
ishsai
dworri
edl
y.
"
Hedoesn'
t?
"Ar
ushaasked.
"Yeah,hehadtoldmet heydon'
talwayswantt obe
fri
endswithhimjustbecauseofhislooks,
they
alwaysfeelt
hreatenedandinf
eri
ortohiminl ooks"
"
Wow"Et
hansi
ghed.

"He'sgonnahavemal
efr
iendsi
nIvyRoyal
sfor
sure"Headded.
"
Idon'
tthi
nkso,
hesai
dtheguysi
nhi
scl
ass
st
art
edcast
inghi
m badl
ooksal
ready"
"
Real
ly?
"Et
hanl
aughed.
"
Yeah"

"Andtothi
nkhe'sinJessi
ca'sclasswher
ethe
malesarealsogoodlooki
ngl i
keJessi
cadosay.I
'
m
surpr
isedt
hey'r
efeel
ingthreatenedbyAr
usha'
s
l
ook"
"
Jessi
ca'
scl
ass?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
Yeah,
Gabr
iel
le'
sdaught
er.
"
"
Woah!Sheat
tendsI
vyRoyal
s?"
"
Whenevershe'
sher
eforsummer
"Et
hansmi
led.
"
Andshe'
sinAr
usha'
scl
ass?
"
"
Yeah"
"
Ohh.
..Iwi
shshe'
sher
eal
ready"I
ri
shsmi
led.
"
She'
l
lbecomi
nghomesoon"Et
hansai
d.

"
Wheni
syourmum gonnagetdi
schar
ged?
"He
asked.
"
DocLuchasn'
ttol
dusyet
"
"
Okayandhow'
stheapar
tmentgoi
ng?
"
"Ial
readypaidforitandihir
edsomeonef ortheset
up,iboughtsomenewf urni
turest
oosoright
now...
it
'si
npr ogr
essandihopeshef ini
shesi t
beforeMum getdischarged,iknowshewill
,she'
s
fastanddil
igentatwhatshedoes"Iri
shsaid.

"That
'
snice"Ethansai
d,i
mpressedwi
thIr
ishgoi
ng
outofherwayt omakehermum andbr
other
comfort
able.
Sheobvi
ousl
ycar
esf
orherf
ami
lyenough.

"Wewer esoluckywit
ht hepriceoft
heapart
ment
causeitseemsbigfortheprice,i
thast
hree
bedrooms,adini
ngroom, aki
tchenandaspacious
l
ivi
ngr oom pl
usthestr
eetissosecure"
"
Wow,
ishoul
dchecki
toutsoon"Et
hansmi
led.
"
Yeah"I
ri
shsmi
led.

"Andtheapar
tmenti
sn'tgonnast
opmefrom
payi
ngyouback,iwi
llassoonasthemoney'
s
complet
e"
"Asyouwish.
..
"Ethansai
d,knowi
nghei
sn'
tgonna
acceptt
hepayback.
I
ri
shseemsser
iousabouti
tandhewonder
edwhy.
He'
shel
pingherl
ikehewoul
danyot
herper
son.
Orcouldshebethi
nkinghehel
pedhercausehe
hasfeel
ingsf
orher?

"I
ri
sh,
idon'twantyoutothinkihel
pedyoucausei
havefeel
ingsforyou.
..
"Ethanwassaying.
"No!Ineverthoughtofthesi
tuati
onasthat
,iknow
you'
reaphi l
anthropi
st.
..
youhelppeopl
eregardl
ess
ofwhatyouf eelfort
hem"
"
Thenwhyar
eyoui
nsi
sti
ngonpayi
ngback?
"
"Causeiwantt
o,ihavet
o"I
ri
shsai
dandEt
han
sighed.

Therewassi
lencef
orawhi
lebef
oreI
renef
inal
ly
spokeup.

"I
'
mi nlovewithyouEthan"Shesai
daf
tergat
her
ing
al
lthestrengt
hinher.
"
Uh?
"Et
hanasked,
hopi
nghehadnothear
dwr
ong.

"Yes,ihavef eel
ingsforyout oo,you'r
enott heonl
y
onewhof eelsthatway, if
eelthatwayt oo.I
'
ve
alwaysdeni edthefeelingsihavef oryoubutwheni
fi
nall
yadmi t
tedit,
ireali
sedI'veli
kedyouf or
l
ong,from thever yf
irstday..
."Ir
ishpaused.

Ethanwasspeechl
essbuthi
ssmi
lecoul
dli
ghtup
theworl
d.
I
ri
shsmi
ledt
ooasshecont
inued.

"Iwoul
dn'twantyout
othinkiadmi
tt
edlovingyou
becauseyouhelpedwit
hmymum' sbil
ls.
..
no,i
l
ovedyouf rom t
hest
art
"

"Ist
hatwhyyoual
waysst
ealgl
ancesatme?
"
Et
hanaskedwit
hagri
nandIr
ishnodded.
Hepul
ledheri
ntoahugandshemel
tedi
nhi
sar
ms.
Thei
rembracetoni
ghtf
eelsspecial
,i
tfeel
sli
kethei
r
hear
tsconnect
edandtheyfel
titdeepdownintheir
soul
s.

"
Youdost
ealgl
ancesatmetoo"I
ri
shsaidaft
er
t
heysl
owl
ypull
edawayfrom t
hei
rembrace.
Ethanheldt
heur
get
oki
ssher
,hedoesn'
twantt
o
rushthi
ngs.
"
Yesido,
webot
hcaughteachot
her
"Et
hanl
aughed.
"
Youdon'
tknowhowhappyiam r
ightnow"Et
han
sai
d,hol
dingI
ri
sh'
shands.

"
Ohh"Shesi
ghed.
"
What
'swr
ong?
"
"Ipour
edoutmyf eel
ingscauseyoudeser
veto
knowthaticaref
oryout oo.I
tdoesn'
tmeaniwant
ustobetogether
"Iri
shdroppedthebombshel
l.
"Wh..
wh..what
?"Et
hanaskedandI
ri
shpul
li
ngher
handsfr
om hismadei
tworst.
"
I'
m heretobeyourdaughter'
snannynott
ocatch
f
eeli
ngs,moreoverwe'
rejustl
iket
wodiff
erent
worl
ds"Ir
ishsai
dsadly.

"
Ir
i.
..
"Et
hanwassayi
ng.
"No, enoughoft he"loveisnotbasedonone'
s
status,it'
sbasedononesel f"you'
remyemployer,
i
shoul dn'thaveanythingint
imatetodowit
hyou.I
can'tst andbeinglabeledasagolddigger
,ir
espect
youal otandiwon' twanttotarni
shyouri
mage
also."
"*Bil
li
onai
reEthanHar l
owhasst art
edgoingout
withhisdaughter
'snanny*"thatheadl
inewil
lmake
youlosetherespectpeopl
ehavef oryouandidon'
t
wantthat,
I'
m sureyoudon'twantthattoo"

"
I.
..
"
"
Goodni
ghtEt
han"I
ri
shcuthi
m shor
tandgott
oher
f
eet
.
"
Ihopeyouhaveagoodnightrest
"Shesai
dbef
ore
wal
kingoutoft
hel
ibr
arywithhereyesl
acedwi
th
t
ears.
[
05/09,07:
29]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼
Genr
e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
43

"
Goodni
ghtEt
han"I
ri
shcuthi
m shutandgott
oher
f
eet
.
"
Ihopeyouhaveagoodnightrest
"Shesai
dbef
ore
wal
kingoutoft
hel
ibr
arywithhereyesl
acedwi
th
t
ears.

_
'__
Twodaysl
ater
___
_

"
Wow!"Ar
ushajumpedar
oundt
hel
ivi
ngr
oom of
t
hei
rnewapar
tment.
Hewasamazedwi tht
heworkofthehouse
decor
ator
,hesmi
ledhappi
lyashecheckedoutt
hei
r
newf
urni
tur
esoneaf
tert
heot
her
.

Thecei
li
ngswer eatl
easttenfeethighint
he
l
ivi
ngroom andthedini
ngr oom,thefanwascircl
ing
l
azil
yontheceil
ing,movinglit
tl
eairbutthel
ivi
ng
r
oom wasr el
ati
vel
ycool.
Ther
e'saf
ir
epl
acet
oo.

Theapar
tmenthasthr
eeroomsandAr
usha
coul
dn'
twai
ttocheckhisout
.
Hewassosatisf
iedwit
htheworkofthelady.t
hat
healr
eadyst
art
edpict
uri
nghimsel
fallovert
he
house.

I
ri
shwal
kedi
nwi
thherl
uggageandwaswowedt
oo.
Al
though,
thedecor atorhadsentt
hepict
uretoher
butthepi
ctur
est hatwassentt oherdi
dnojusti
ce
tothi
sbeauti
fulapar t
ment .
Ever
ythi
ngi
sexact
lyt
hewayshewant
edi
t.
Coolandador
abl
e.

"Ishouldgocheckoutmyroom"Arushasai
d
grabbingthecar
dboardboxcont
aini
nghisbooks.
Her
eal
lywi
sht
her
e'l
lbeashel
finhi
sroom.
Ift
herei
sn'
t,t
henthat
'stheonlyt
hinghe'
l
lmi
ss
abouthi
sroom i
nSingapore.

"
Yourroom i
stheoneint
hemi ddl
e,mum'
sont
he
l
eftandmineontheri
ght
"Ir
ishsai
d.
"
Okaysis"Ar
ushagr
inned,
wal
kingt
owar
dsa
passage.
"
I'
llcheckoutt
heki
tchen"I
ri
shsai
daf
terhi
m.
"
Okay"Ar
ushashout
edashel
ocat
edhi
sroom.
Hepushedt
hedooropenandgent
lywal
kedi
n.

"
Woah"Hebeamed.
Hi
sbedroom wasdecor
atedi
nshinybr
ownsat
in
wi
thcur
tainst
omatchthebedspr
eadandf
urni
tur
e.
Hedroppedhiscardboardboxonthebedand
per
cei
vedthefragranceofexoti
cfl
owers,
hewalked
tot
hewindowandsawt heviewofagarden.
..

"
Wow!
"Hescr
eamedi
nexci
tement
.
Heneverknewt
her
ewasagar
deni
nthi
shouse.
He'ssoexci
tedabouti
tbuthedoesn'tknowift
he
gardenbel
ongstooneoftheirnei
ghborsandthey
probabl
ywon'tall
owanyoneinthere.

Thecaretakerhadn'
tmenti
onedtheycoul
dusethe
garden,
itmustbelongtosomeonewhodoesn'
tli
ke
shari
ngit.
.
Well.
..
.He'
sgladhecanbeseei
ngitf
rom t
he
windowanytimehewants.Het
urnedar
oundto
conti
nuechecki
ngouthi
sroom.
Si
mpl
eandf
asci
nat
ingt
olookat
.
Thecolour
'scoolandcal
m pl
ust
her
oom i
squi
te
cozy.

"
Yes!
"Heshout
edexci
tedl
ywhenhesi
ght
edashel
f.
Hequi
ckl
yst
art
edar
rangi
nghi
sbooksi
nther
e.

"Arusha,
l
et'
sgogetot
hert
hings"I
ri
shsai
dout
side
hisdoor.
Shewassat
isf
iedwi
thhowt
heki
tchenl
ookedt
oo.
"
Haveyoucheckedyourr
oom?
"Ar
ushaasked.
"
Notyet
,weneedt
ogoof
fl
oadt
hevan,
thedr
iveri
s
wai
ti
ng.
"
Ohh.
..okay"
Arushasai
d.

"
Ilovemyroom!Damn!
"Hesai
dexci
tedl
ytoI
ri
shas
t
heywalkedoutoft
hedoor
.
"
I'
m gl
adyoudo"I
ri
shsmi
led.
"Thanksf
ort
heshel
f,t
hanksf
orever
ythi
ng"Ar
usha
said.
"Iknowyou'l
ldefi
nit
elyneedashel
fforyourbooks
andi t
houghtofbri
nginginmyoldonebutI'vebeen
usingitf
oryearsandit'
sstar
ti
ngtocreak"

"
Whatar eyougoi
ngtodowithourol
dfur
nit
ures?
"
Arushaaskedast
heypackedinsi
de.
Thedr
iverhel
pedt
hem t
hist
imet
oo.
"
I'
m goi
ngt
osel
lthem"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Ohh.
.t
hat
'sf
inet
hen"Ar
ushasai
d.
"And..
.don'
tinanywaydiscl
oseournewhome
addresstoanyoneokay?
"
"Okaysi
s"Arushasai
dandt
heywal
kedout
sidet
o
packmoreluggage.

*
**
"
Thehousei
sfinal
lyset
,ican'
twaitformum t
osee
i
t"Ar
ushasmil
edastheyatedinner.

Theygotbackt
oEt
han'
shousei
ntheni
ght
,t
ir
ed.
I
twasawholel
otofworkt
hant
heyhadt
houghtbut
t
heywer
egladever
ythi
ngi
sset
.

"You'
resoundi
ngsohappyli
keyoubadl
ywantto
l
eavehereandwon'tmissmewhenyouleave"Ar
in
sai
dsadlytoArusha.
Arusha'
seyestur
nsomberi
mmediatel
y,
hehadn'
t
eventhoughtoft
hat
.Al
lhehadbei
ngexcit
edabout
washisnewhome.
Damn!He'
sfr
eaki
nggonnami
ssAr
inandt
his
house.

"Ar
in,iam goi
ngtomissyousomuch,I
'
mj ustso
happybecauseinowhaveanewhomewhi chis
l
oveli
erandbettert
hanourhomei
nSingapore,
comeher eA"Arushadr
ewhercl
oseandshe
bur
stedi
ntot
ear
s,huggi
nghi
mti
ght
ly.

Arushalookedhel
plessandal
lhecoul
ddowas
gent
lyrubherback.

Et
hansi
ghed,
hehadst
oppedeat
ing.
HethoughtI
ri
shwastheonlyonewho'si
nAri
n's
goodbook,
henevert
houghtArushai
snowinvol
ved
too.

"
Whatar
ewegonnado?
"Ir
ishaskedEt
han
wor
ri
edl
y.
"Andshemustn'
tcr
ytosleeporshe'
llf
allsi
ck"
Ethansai
dunhappi
ly,
pushinghi
sfoodaway.
"Thenweneedtodosomethingt
omakeherhappy
befor
eshesleeps"I
ri
shsai
d.

Et
hansi
ghed,
wat
chi
nghi
scr
yingdaught
er.
"Youbot hwillbegoingtoschooli
nt hesamecar
andbedr oppedinyourhouseswhenschooli sover
,
you'l
lgett obeseeingArushaeverydaythatway.
Carlwil
lbepi ckingArushaathi
shouseandyou
bothwillbegoi ngtoschoolt
ogetherokay?"

"
OkayDad"Ari
nsnif
fedandAr
ushacl
eanedher
t
ear
swithti
ssue.
WhatEthansai
dseemedtohaveconsol
edher
causeshewasnowsmili
ngandeati
ngherfood.
"Thatmeanswe'l
lhavet
ochangeyourcart
oa
biggerone"Et
hansai
d.
"YesDad,col
orpi
nk"Ar
insai
dwi
thamout
hfulof
applepi
e.

"Ofcour
se,
iwoul
dn'
thavegot
tenanyot
hercol
or"
Ethansai
d.
Hehadbeenini
ti
allypl
anningt
ogetArushaacar
andadr
ivert
hat'
llbepicki
nghi
m uptoschooland
dr
oppi
nghi
m athomebutAr
inchangedhi
spl
an.

"Andwe'l
lgett
odoyourari
thmet
ichomewor
kint
he
car"Ar
ushasmiledt
oAri
nwhonodded.

Ir
ishwal
kedoutofAr
in'
sroom af
terput
ti
nghert
o
sl
eep.
Sheshouldal
sogotoherroom thr
oughthe
adjourni
ngdoorbutshe'
sfeel
ingsothi
rst
yaft
er
readingAri
nfourbedt
imestor
ies.

Sheneedstogetagl
asscupofwat
erf
rom t
he
ki
tchenbef
oreshegoest
obed.
Twobodyguardswal
kedbehi
ndher
,Maxandt
he
ot
herbodyguardwasonshi
ft
.
 "
Hey!
"Shehear
dbehi
ndherandt
urned.
Sheal
readyknewi
twasEt
han.
Shestoppedgoingtotheli
brar
yatnightf
rom t
he
dayshemadet hingscl
eartohim andi
t'
snowlike
they'
reavoi
dingeachother
.

"
What
'sup?Wher
eto?
"Et
hanasked.
"
Togetwat
er"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Whyar
en'
tyouasl
eepyet
?"Sheadded.
"IguessI
'
m usedt
ost
ayi
ngupl
atei
nthel
ibr
ary"
Ethansai
d.
"
That
'
swher
eyou'
reheaded?
"Ir
ishasked.
"No,icameoutofmyr
oom af
terihear
dAr
in'
sdoor
open"
"
Ohh"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Goodni
ght
"Sheaddedasshest
art
edwal
kingaway.
Hi
seyesdoesmagict
oherbodyandshedoesn'
t
wantt
okeepst
ari
ngathi
m.
They'
renotgoodt
oget
herorr
ather
,she'
snott
he
perf
ectl
adyforhi
m.

Shewasawar
ehef
oll
owedherdownt
otheki
tchen.
Thebodyguardsstoodbythedoorofthekit
chen
whileI
ri
shpouredwat eri
ntoaglasscup.Et
han
stoodstar
ingatherandshesigheduncomfortabl
y.
Hercheekswer
estar
ti
ngtoheatupandshewas
f
orcedtoaskhi
m whathewants.

"
Iwantyout
ohangoutwi
thmet
omor
row"Hesai
d.
"
Hangout
?Youwon'
tbegoi
ngt
owor
k?"
"
Yeah"
"
Ohh"Shegul
peddownherwat
er.
"
So,
whyme?
"
"Idon'tknow"
Ethanshrugged.Hemissedherand
hewant edtospendsomet imewit
hheralone,she
hasbeenavoi di
nghim andit'
sst
art
ingtoki
llhi
m
slowly.
"
Please,don'tr
efuse.Iunder
standwecan'
tbeina
r
omant i
crelati
onshipbutareyouagai
nstf
ri
endshi
p
t
oo?"Ethanasked.
"
No"
"So..
.wil
lyougooutwi
thme?
"Et
hanaskedwi
th
pleadingeyes.
"
Yes"I
ri
shsmi
ledi
nwar
dly.

Shereal
lywantst
obealonewi
thhi
mtoo,
she
missedhim somuch.

_
__

Et
hanpar
kedt
hecarandt
heybot
hgotout
.
Theyar
ebothonthei
rout
ingwi
thoutnobodyguard
andofcour
seEt
hanwasusinghisshadesandface
cap.
Shewasput
ti
ngonasheepskincoatinacream
andbr
owncolorandgoodl
ooki
ngblackbootswit
h
j
eansandsweater
.
Et
hanhadt
oldhert
odr
esswar
m.
Shewonder
edwher
ehewast
aki
ngher
.
Hest
ret
chedouthi
shandandshehesi
tat
edbef
ore
pl
aci
nghersi
nit
.

Shewasstunnedt
odi
scovert
heywer
ewal
kingi
nto
anai
rpor
t.
Theywal
kedupt
ohi
spl
ane,
i
twashuge.
Shest
aredatt
hepl
anebef
oref
aci
nghi
m.
"
W..
wha.
.wher
..
"Shest
ammer
ed.
"
Chi
ll
"Et
hanl
aughed.
"
Wher
ear
eyout
aki
ngme?
"Ir
ishasked.

"It
houghtwe'
dgotoVermontfort
heday,
ther
ear
e
somebeauti
fulwal
ks,
pret
tyi
nnswherewecan
havel
unch,
we'
l
lbebackt
hisaf
ter
noon"Et
hansai
d.
"
Ohh,
ihopei
t'
snotsoooexpensi
ve?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
Com'
on"Et
hansai
d.
"
Okay"I
ri
shf
inal
lysmi
led.
..

She'
ssoexci
ted.

Shesti
lll
ookedstunnedasshewalkedupt he
st
air
wayt oEthan'
splanewher
eapur seranda
st
ewardesswai t
edtowelcomethem.

Thecaptainandcopi
lothadclear
ancef ortakeoff
andsaidthey'
dbeleavi
nginfewmi nutes,asthey
satdowninthebigcomf or
tableseat
s.

Afewminut
esl
ater
,theytookoffandt
he
st
ewar
dessser
vedthem breakf
ast.
Thebreakf
astwasdel i
cious,t
heybothhad
scrambl
edeggs,blueberrymuffi
ns,cappucci
no.
Ethanhadblackcoff
eeinsteadofcappuccino
though.
Theybothchat
tedont
hebrieffl
ightandt
hey
l
andedinVermonttwohour
sl at
eratanair
str
ipnear
ati
nyvil
lage.

"
Wow!
"Ir
ishexcl
aimedwi
thasmi
le.
Thel
eaveswer
eor
angeandr
edandyel
low.

Thepi
lothadrentedacarfort
hem t
hatwaswait
ing
whent
heyl andedsotheycoul
ddri
vearoundal
one.

Theygoti
ntot
hecarandEt
hanst
art
eddr
ivi
ngt
o
whereonl
yhim knows.
Ir
ishwasobvi
ousl
yexci
tedasshesqueal
edl
ikea
ki
d.
Et
hanf
eltsohappyhemadehersmi
le.
Hepar
kedthecaratedgeofafor
est
,andt
her
ewas
asmal
llakewi
thswansonit.
I
ri
shsmi
ledast
heybot
hgotout
.
I
twaschi
ll
y,aut
umnhadalreadycomet
oVer
mont
,
i
twasn'
tascoldyeti
nCal
if
ornia.

"Let
'ssi
t"Et
hansai
d,spr
eadi
ngal
it
tl
emathehad
gott
enfrom t
hecar
.

_
___
_

"Woah"Jessi
casmi
ledasshest
eppedoutoft
he
planewi
thMrsHarl
ow.

Theywer
ebacki
nCal
if
orni
a.

_
___
_
Et
hanandI
rishl
aughedathi
sjoke,
whil
ethey
wander
edi
ntoabookstor
einVermont
.

Theyhadlef
ttheswanlakeaft
erspendi
ngsome
ti
meandnowt heywerejustwal
kingwhenthey
si
ghtedt
hebookstor
e.
I
treal
l
yst
ruckherhowt
hepeopl
ear
esof
ri
endl
y.

Thesal
espeopl
ewer
epl
easantandanxi
oust
ohel
p
them.
*
Theyl
eftt
hebookst
oret
wohour
slat
erandEt
han
l
edhertoahotel
.

"We'r
egoingtohavel
unchi
nahot
elr
oom
because.
."Et
hanwassayi
ng.
"Becauseyoudon'tli
keeat
ingwit
hyoursunshades
onandi fyoushouldputi
toffi
nar est
aur
ant
,you'l
l
befiguredoutandi
t'
llbeal
lovert
henewsina
second"Iri
shcompl
et edhi
swordsforhi
m wi
tha
smile.
"
Thanksf
orunder
standi
ng"Et
hanl
aughed.

Theygott
othehot
el,
bookedar
oom andor
der
ed
l
unch.

Theycheckedint
ot heirr
oom,i
twasabeaut
iful
l
it
tl
eroom withafi
replaceandf
lower
edchi
ntz.

Ther
ewasalar
gebedwit
hwhi
tebedspr
eadanda
si
ngl
echai
randtabl
e.
Ar
oundmi
rr
orwasf
aci
ngadr
essi
ngchai
r.

Ther
oom lookst
idyandsmal
lwi
thapr
ett
yni
ce
smel
ltoo.
I
ri
shsi
ghedasshel
aidont
hebedonherback.
Ethanwasseat
edont
hecouch,
str
aight
eni
ngout
hi
slongl
egs.
Her
emovedhi
ssunshadeandsi
ghed.

"
Ourout
inghasbeenenj
oyabl
esof
ar"I
ri
shsmi
led,
t
urni
ngt
of aceEt
han.
"I
'
m gladyouf
oundi
tenjoyabl
e,ij
ustneededtodo
somethi
ngtomakeyoustopignor
ingme"Ethan
said.
"Ohh"I
rishsai
dremor
sef
ull
yasshepul
ledof
fher
boots.
"I
mt r
yingsohar
dnottosoilyourreputat
ion"She
addedasshestr
etchedoutherlegstoo.
"Youcareaboutwhattheworldwil
lsaythanyour
ownf eel
ings?
"Ethanaskedwithali
tt
lefr
ownand
theknockont hedoorsavedI
ri
shfrom answer
ing.

Et
hanwhohadcompl
etel
yfor
got
tenhe'
snol
onger
onhi
ssunshadeswentt
oanswert
hedoor
.
"Ohh..t
hankyou"hesaidopeningthedoorf
ort
he
hotel
workertobri
nginthei
rlunch.
Hehear
dhergaspandt
hengazedather
.

"
Ethan.
..
..
Har
low?
"Thel
adynear
lyscr
eamed.
"Damn!"I
ri
shexcl
aimedasshequi
ckl
ycl
imbedout
ofthebed.
Shegottot
hedoorandsawhowhel
plessEt
han
l
ooked.
Iri
shcoll
ect
edthel
unchfrom thel
adybef
oreshe
couldpouri
tawayoutofexci
tement.

"
Look,canyoupleasekeepmuteaboutt
his?Idon'
t
wantanyoneknowingI'
m her
e"Et
hansaidandthe
l
adynodded,smili
ngbroadl
y.
Ethanfetchedsomedol
larbi
ll
sfr
om hi
spocketand
handedittoher.
"
Oh.
.my.
.God!
"Thel
adyexcl
aimedasshet
ooki
t.
"
Thankyou"Shesmi
led.
"Idon'
twantanyoneknowi
ngI
'
m her
epl
ease"Et
han
said.
"
Ipr
omi
seiwon'
ttel
lanyone"Shesai
d.

I
ri
shcoul
dseeshe'
sMar
yfr
om hernamet
ag.

"Canitouchyoupl
ease?
"Mar
yaskedEt
hanwho
nodded.

"Oh.
..
my!Canijustdi
enow"Mar
ysai
ddr
amat
ical
ly
aft
ertouchi
ngEthan.
Et
hanandI
ri
shgl
ancedateachot
herandl
aughed.
"Ishoul
dgonow,
bef
oret
hemanagerst
art
s
screaming"

"
Ohh"Ethansai
d,gl
adshe'
sleavi
ng.Hisst
omachis
r
umbli
ngandhecan' twai
ttodi
gintohisl
unch.
"
Yeahhe'
samaddog"Mar
yhuf
fed.
"
Uh.
..
uh"I
ri
shandEt
hansai
dinuni
son.
Marywavedatt
hem happi
lybef
oret
urni
ngt
o
wal
kaway.

Theysi
ghedast
heycl
osedt
hedoor
.

"
Doyouthi
nkshecankeephermouthshutabout
mebeingher
e?"Et
hanaskedastheysatt
oeatthei
r
l
unch.
"Shelooksli
kesomeonewhost
andsbyherwords,
i
j
usthopeherexcit
ementwon'
tmakeherspi
llt
he
beans"Iri
shsai
d.

"Woah..
thi
sisawhol
elot
"Ir
ishsai
d,openi
ngt
he
var
iet
iesofmeal
s.
"
We'
regonnagosai
li
ngaf
terl
unch"
"
Wow.
..
can'
twai
t"I
ri
shsai
deager
ly.
"
Youupf
ori
t?"Et
hanasked.
"
Ofcour
se"Shesmi
led.

"
I'
m soenj
oyi
ngt
his"Et
hansai
d,wi
thamout
hful
.
"
Met
oo"I
ri
shsai
d.

Theturkeywasn'tdry,
thestuf
fi
ngwasper fect
,t
her
e
wascranberryjell
y,
anassortmentofvegetabl
es,
mashedpot at
oesandpecanandappl epiefor
desser
twi t
hwhi ppedcream.

_
_

Theyleftt
hehot
elal
mostimmediatel
ytheyf
ini
shed
thei
rlunchandwasgl
adtheydi
dn'tcomeacross
Maryagain.

Theboat
manwaswai
ti
ngatt
hel
ake,
standi
ngnear
abeaut
if
ulol
dwoodencl
assi
csai
lboat
.
Hebowedingr
eet
ingst
oEt
hanandI
ri
shandt
hey
r
esponded.
Ir
ishl
ookedexci
tedandcoul
dn'
twai
ttocl
imb
aboar
d.
Theboat
mant
ookt
het
arpsof
fandt
heyal
lcl
imbed
aboar
d.

Heshowedt
hem t
hecabi
nbel
owdecksi
ftheygot
t
oocold.

"
Woah!"I
ri
shshout
edexci
tedl
yast
heypul
ledaway
f
rom t
hedocki
nthecol
dair.
Theyspentt
henextt
hreehour
ssai
li
ngar
oundt
he
l
ake.
Theywerebot
hecst
ati
c,
theyhadf
unandt
ook
pict
ures.
I
ri
shwoul
dn'tst
opshouti
nginexci
tementand
Et
hanl
aughedwhenevershedi
dso.
Theywer
ebot
hsadt
oendt
hegr
eatsai
laf
tert
hree
hour
s.
Theyt
hankedtheboatmanandEt
hanhandedhi
m
agener
oustipbefor
etheywal
kedbackt
othecar
.

"Ihadsomuchf
un,thankyou"I
ri
shgri
nnedas
Ethanst
art
eddr
ivi
ngbacktotheair
por
t.
"
I'
m gl
adyouhadf
un"Et
hansmi
led.

"Aren'
twegoi
ngbacktotheai
rpor
t?"I
ri
shaskedas
Ethantookadi
ff
erentt
urn.
"
No,we'
regoi
ngshoppi
ng!
!"Et
hansai
d,st
unni
ng
I
ri
shoncemore.
"
Wedon'
thavet
o"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Wel
l.
.wehavet
o"Et
haysmi
led.
"
Ari
n..
."
"
Gabr
iel
lei
sgonnat
akecar
eofher
"Et
hanwi
nked.
"Andyou'r
egonnaof f
endmebynotpi
cki
ng
anyt
hing"EthanaddedandI
ri
shsi
ghed.
"
They'
vegotni
cet
hingsher
e,t
rustme"Hesai
d.
_
___

Theyheadedt
otheai
rpor
taf
tershoppi
ng.
Ir
ishhadpickedagr
eatj
acketwi
ththr
eepai
rsof
shoes,notwanti
ngt
ooff
endEthan.

_
___

I
ri
shsmil
edasshecheckedt
hepi
ctur
est
heyt
ook
whi
lesai
li
ng.
Theywereonfl
ighttoCal
if
orni
aal
readyandshe
andEthanwassitt
ingsi
debysidei
nhisplane,
si
ppingwine.
Ethanlookedli
kehe'
sengrossedinthemagazi
ne
hewashol ding,
buthehadbeensteali
nggl
ancesat
Ir
ishallal
ong.
Heenj
oyswat
chi
nghersmi
le.

"Ari
n'sbir
thdayist
omorr
ow"I
ri
shsaid,
faci
ng
Harold.Hercheeksgr
ewhotwhenshecaughthi
m
star
ingathim.

"
Yes"Et
hansai
d.
"
Andsher
eal
lywant
sJessi
cat
obet
her
e"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Iwon'
tbesur
pri
sedi
fJessi
caandmymum
appear
stomorr
ow"
"
Real
ly?
"
"
Yeah.
"
"Ohh"I
rishsmil
ed,hopingAri
nwilll
ikethepi
nk
dressshehadsewnf orher.Hermum wantedhert
o
giveAri
nawhi t
esweat ert
ooandAr ushahad
boughtpinkshoesforher.

Arushawon'
tbether
etogi
vehertomor
rowcause
he'
llbegoi
ngtothei
rnewhouseoncehe'
sback
fr
om schoolt
odaysoshe'
sgonnahel
phi
m pr
esent
hi
sgiftt
oAr i
n.
Hemi
ghtcomear
oundt
omor
rowt
hough.

"I
'
m gladtomor rowisaSat urday,iwanttotakemy
pri
ncesstosomanybeaut i
fulplaces,
I'
m gonnabuy
herlot
soft hi
ngsandr estockherwar drobewi t
h
newballetdresses,
I'
lltr
ansform herballetroom
i
ntoamor eadvancedoneandI '
lldoeverythingshe
wantsforher,tomorrow"Ethansmi l
ed.

Ir
ishwastoucheddeepl
ybyhowmuchhel
oveshi
s
daught
er.
Thelighti
nhiseyeswhenhesai
dthoset
hings
wasjustsoadorabl
e.
Thej
oyofbei
ngapar
ent
..
.

_
___
__
I
twasdar
kwhent
heyr
etur
nedt
othehouse.
I
ri
shwasal
lsmi
les,
sher
eal
lyenj
oyedherday.

"Thankyou,
ireal
lyenj
oyedmyday"Shesai
dto
Ethanm
"I
'
m gladyoudid"Ethansai
dandshesur
pri
singl
y
gavehim at
ighthug.
Hehuggedherback,
smi
li
ng.

Shedidn'
tmi
ndtheworker
sstandi
ngar
oundas
shestoodonhert
oesandpeckedhi
m onbot
h
cheeks.

Ethaywasstunned,hewouldneverhavethought
Ir
ishwouldkisshi
mi nfrontofhi
sworkers,
shewas
alwayscaref
ulnottoevencallhi
m byhisnamein
fr
ontofhisworkersandnowshehadki ssedhim!
I
tfel
tsogood.
"
Goodni
ghtandt
hankyou"Shesai
dshyl
yasshe
r
etr
eat
edtogetr
oom wi
thhershoppi
ngbags.

_
___
_

Jessi
caandMr sHarlowbookedintoEt
han'shot
el,
theywantedtosurpr
iseAri
ntomorr
ow,whichwas
herbi
rthdayandtheywarnedthemanagernott
o
sayawor dtoEthanthatt
heywereher
e.

Theywentt
obedaftereat
ingdinnerandJessi
ca
sl
eptaf
tert
alki
ngt
oGr ay,
herboyfr
iend.

_
___

Oli
viast
oodatherbedroom window,l
ookingdown
atthehi
ll
sideint
hepouringrain,
shewaswatchi
ng
herdogsoakingwetanddiggingexci
tedl
yinthe
mud.
 Shesmiledashewaggedhist
ailandl
ookedup
ather
,her
eturnedt
odi
ggingagai
n.

HisnamewasJax,anameOlivi
ahadgivenhi
mthe
momentherfat
hergavei
ttoher
,si
xyearsagoon
hert
enthbi
rt
hday.

Jaxwasheronl
ybestf
ri
endandcompani
on.
Hekeepshercompanyandpr
event
sherf
rom
get
ti
ngboredt
odeath.
Shel
edani
sol
atedl
if
eandal
wayshad.

Ol
ivi
alaughedasshewat
chedJaxchasedar
abbi
t
t
hateludedhi
m andswi
ft
lydi
sappear
ed.
Hebarkedandsplashedhappil
ythr
oughthemud
again,
hewashavingagr eatt
imeasOli
viawas,
watchi
nghim.
Shelaughedagai
n,t
hinki
ngnoonewouldbel
ieve
thatt
hismuddybrowndogwasactual
lywhit
e.

Aknockonherdoormadehert
urn.
"
Comei
n"Ol
ivi
asai
d,adj
ust
inghert
iar
a.

Thedooropenedandamai
dwal
kedi
n.

"
I'
m sor
rytoi
nter
ruptyou,
yourExcel
lency,
Dinneri
s
r
eady"Themaidbowed.

"
OkayRobbi
e,I
'
llbedowni
nami
nut
e"Ol
ivi
asai
d.

_
___

Youguys.
..
.
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essBer
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#Chapt
er_
44

"
Happybi
rt
hday""Wishesfi
ll
edt
hewholehouseas
Ari
nandEt
hansteppedint
othel
ivi
ngr
oom.

Thewholewor
kersstoodther
ewi
thdi
ff
erent
wrappedgi
ft
sinthei
rhands.
Gabr
iel
leal
readymadecakeandi
twassi
tt
ing
pr
ett
il
yonthetabl
e..

Et
hancar
ri
edheri
nhi
sar
msast
heysangf
orher
.
Shewasst i
lli
nherpajamas,
sheonl
ybr ushed
befor
ecomi ngdownstair
swit
hEthanwhohadbeen
thefi
rstper
sontowishherhappybir
thday.

Hehadgivenherati
nyandexpensiveneckl
aceasa
gi
ftt
houghhestil
lhadmoregi
ftsforher.

Ir
ishcoul
dseethebeaut
if
ulneckl
ace,
layi
ngcutel
y
onArin'
sneckandsheknewEthanhadgiveni
tto
her.
ShehopedAr
inwoul
dli
ket
hedr
essshemadef
or
her
.
Shei
ssoner
vous.

Theyf
ini
shedsi
ngi
ngandwi
shedherHappy
bi
rthdayoncemor
e,Ethandroppedhergentl
yon
herfeett
oblowof
ftheli
tcandlesonhercake.
Shedi
dandever
yonecl
appedhappi
ly.

"I
'
m sevennow"Shegi
ggl
ed,
cut
ti
nghercakeand
eati
ngit
.
"
Thankseveryone,il
oveyouall
"Ar
insai
dwi
tha
mouthf
ulofstrawberr
ycake.
Whippedcream wassmearedonhercheeksand
Et
hanhelpedherwipeitof
fwit
hasmi l
e.

Everyonedroppedtheirgif
tsf
orherandshe
thankedthem oneaftertheot
her
.
Theyal
llef
ttogobacktoworkaft
erEthan
promisedeveryonet
hey'
regonnahaveanicet
reat
today.
Theywer
eal
lhappy,
knowi
nghowf
unt
oday'
s
gonnabe.
Ir
iahandGabr
iel
lewer
ethel
astpeopl
etodr
opt
hei
r
gift
s.
"
Arushasaidishoul
dgiveyouthisandMum sai
di
shouldgiveyouthi
s"I
rishsai
d,handi
ngtwo
wrappedgift
stoArinwhosmi l
edandt ol
dhert
o
thankthem.
"
Andthi
sismine"I
ri
shsai
d,st
ret
chi
ngal
argebox
t
oAri
n,i
twasn'twr
apped.
"Happybir
thdayonceagai
n"I
ri
shpeckedher
cheeksandAr i
nsmil
edHappi
ly.

Ari
nopenedGabri
ell
e'
sgif
tfi
rstandi
twasa
st
unni
nghairbandthatAr
inworeonherhai
r
i
mmediatel
y.
Shesqueal
edasshehuggedGabr
iel
le
"
ThanksGab,
ilovei
t"Ar
ingr
inned.
"
I'
m gl
adyoudo"
Gabr
iel
lesmi
led.

"
I'
m gonnaopenyour
snext
"Ar
insai
dasshesai
d
down,
draggi
ngI
ri
sh'
sgi
ftt
ohert
inyl
eg.

Et
hancoul
dseehowhopef
ulI
ri
shl
ooked.
Shewasobviousl
yhopingAr
inwoul
dlikethegi
ft
andhecoul
dn'twaitt
oseewhatwasinthere
hi
mself
.

Theywat chedArinassheopenedt heboxandt her

e
l
aidast unningpi
nkdresswithcrystalsaroundthe
neckl
ine,it'
sakneelengt
hgown, itwaspl ai
ndown
tothewai standwasgather
edfrom t hewaistdown
totheknee, t
hebott
om wascover edwi t
hpr eci
ous
pearl
s.

I
tlookedj
ustl
ikeal
it
tl
epr
incessdr
ess.
Itwassoel
egantandeyecat
chi
ngt
hatt
heyal
l
gasped.
t
he
Ar
inr
ani
ntoI
ri
sh'
sar
m,deepl
yast
oni
shedbyt
he
gi
ft
.
Shehasbeaut
ifuldr
essesbutt
hisdr
essI
ri
shhad
gi
venhersur
passedthem al
l.
I
t'
ssosi
mpleyetwi
thatouchofr
oyal
tywhi
ch
madeAr
inf
eelsospeci
al.

"
I'
m gl
adyoul
ikei
t"I
ri
shsmi
led,
rel
ieved.
EthanandGabri
ell
eal
socomment
edonhow
beauti
fult
hedr
essis.

"
Happybir
thday"Unf
ami
li
arvoi
cessai
dandt
heyal
l
t
urnedt
othedoor.

I
ri
shlookedconf
usedcauseshehasneverseen
t
hem before.
Abeauti
fult
eenagerandast
unni
ngwomanwhose
out
fi
tscreamed'wealt
h'.
Ari
njumpedupwi
thascr
eam andr
ant
othem
happi
ly.
"
That
'sJessi
caandmymot
her
"Et
hansai
dtoI
ri
sh.
"
Oh.
.my!
"Shegasped.
Howcoul
dn'
tshehaveknown?Ethanhadsaiditon
t
hepl
anethatt
heymightappeart
odayandtheydid.

Jessi
cal
ookedmor
ebeaut
if
ult
hanGabr
iel
le
al
wayssai
d.
Shewasi naj umpsuit
,redheelsandleopard
coat,
wit
hhugedi amondear r
ingsandasilver
neckl
ace,herhairwasdyedr edandpackedi nt
oa
ti
ghtponytailwhichaccentuatedherf
ace.
Bri
ghtgr
eeneyes,
point
ednoseandthi
nli
pswhi
ch
shehadobvi
ouslyappli
edr
edli
pglosson.
Shelookedli
keamodel,
astr
iki
ngmodelwhocan
appearinf
rontofamagazi
newithoutquest
ion.

"
Arul
es"Jessi
cat
easedAr
inandl
aughed.
I
ri
shnot
icedshehasani
cevoi
cet
oo.
"Ithoughtyoubot
hwer
en'
tgonnacome,
I'
llbeso
pissed"Ari
nsaidi
nMrsHar
low'
sarm.
"Oh.
.my,you'
veaddedsomuchweight
,whathas
Gabri
ell
ebeenfeedi
ngyouwit
h"MrsHarlowasked
asshegentlypl
acedAri
nbacktoherf
eet.

Jessicawasr euni
ti
ngwithherMum, huggi
ngher
andki ssi
ngherallovert
heface,
theybothgiggl
ed,
obviouslyhappytoseeeachother.

"
Grandma,
Wher
e'sSar
ah?
"Ar
insai
d.
"Ohbaby,Shecoul
dn'
tmakei
tbutIknowshe'
l
l
surel
ysayHi".
"
Oh.
.okay"Ar
insai
d.

I
ri
shcouldbol
dlysayEt
hangothi
sst
ri
kingl
ooks
f
rom hi
smum.
Shel
ooksf
aryoungert
hanherageandwoul
d
easi
lypassf
orEt
han'
ssi
ster
.

Shedi dn'
tlookoldenoughtohaveasonhis
age,
shest i
llhadatri
mf i
gure,Et
hanoncet
oldher
sheplaysgol fandt
enniswithhi
sfat
heron
weekends,shewasat hl
eti
candingoodshape.

Shewaswear ingabl ackchannelcockt

aildress
withsmal lsil
verear r
ings.Shehaswar m blue
eyes,herstraightblondehairwaspulledbackand
therewast hisgr aceful
nesshoveredaroundher ,
j
ustwi thal ook,onewoul dknowshe'simmensel y
ri
ch!

"Youguysshouldchatoutsi
dewithothers"Mrs
Harl
owt oldthef
ourbodyguardsstandi
ngbehind
her,
theylookedsohugeandmeant hanEthan'
s
bodyguards.
Theybowedandl
eft
.
MrsHarl
owstr
etchedoutherar
msandEt
hanknew
whatt
hatmeans.
Hepul
ledhi
smum i
ntoahugwi
thabr
oadsmi
le.
"
Bil
li
onai
reEt
hanHar
low"
Shet
easedandt
heybot
h
l
aughed.
Jessicawasst
il
lwit
hhermum andEt
hanwaswi
th
hi
st oo,
wit
hAri
ntaggingal
ong.

I
ri
shstoodalonenervousl
y,
sheli
kest
hem andhope
t
hey'
lll
ikeheri
nreturnandshehasbeenwanti
ngto
meetJessi
ca.
Et
hanki
ssedhi
sMum ont
hecheeksandshedi
d
t
hesame.

Jessi
caj
umpedonEthan'
sbackaf
terhi
sembr
ace
withhi
sMum wasover
.
Theybot
hfel
lonthecouch,
laughi
ngast
hey
t
easedeachot
her
.
Gabr
iel
leandMrsHarlowhuggedeachot
hert
oo
andf
inall
ythegr
eet
ingswasover.

Mr
sHar
lowandJessi
cast
aredatI
ri
sh.
Theyknewwhoshewasaf t
erthescandalwi
th
Cather
ineatt
heI
cecream par
lor
.
Jessi
cawasst ari
nghardatherandI ri
shknew
i
mmedi at
elythatthegi
rldoesn'tl
ikeher
,Mrs
Harl
ow'sfacewasexpressionless.

"
MeetI
ri
sh,
she'
sAr
in'
snannyand.
."
"
Blahbl
ahbl
ah"Jessi
car
oll
edhereyes.
"
Thatwasr
ude"Et
hanscol
dedst
ernl
y.
"I
'
m sorr
ybrot
her
"Jessi
casai
d,gi
vingI
ri
sha
scor
nfull
ook.
MrsHarl
owhadn'tcastheranybadlooksbutthe
l
ooksshewasgivingherwasn'twar
m eit
her.
I
ri
shf
eltl
ikecr
ying.
"I
ri
shisaver
ygoodper
son,
il
ikehersomuch"Ar
in
said.
"
Yesshei
s"Gabr
iel
leagr
eed.
"
She'
sagr
eatf
ri
endofmi
ne"Et
hansai
d.
"That'
swhatyousayuntilshet
urnsoutt
obe
anothermonsteragai
n"Jessi
casaid.
Shestar
tedhat i
ngonAr i
nnanniescauset heyare
ei
therheretoseduceEt hanorendupt r
eati
ngAr i
n
badlyandthisl
adyher edidn'tl
ookdiff
erent,t
hough
shehavetoadmi tIr
ish'
sver ybeauti
fulandshe
l
ookscalmt oobutlookscanbedamndecei ving!
Thepastnannieshadl ookedcalmerbutt heyended
updoingsomet hi
ngwor st
.

"Ial
readyhaveyourr
oomscleanedpr
oper
ly"Et
han
saidtohismum andJessi
ca.
"
Youknewwe'
l
lbecomi
ng?
"Mr
sHar
lowasked.
"Ofcourse,
youbothcan'tmissAr
in'sbi
rt
hdayfor
anythi
ng"Ethansai
d,nothappywiththewayIr
ish
wast
reat
ed.
Shehadbeenlooki
ngfor
wardt
omeet
ingt
hem and
theyendedupdoi
ngthi
stoher
.

"
Wow!
"Jessi
cascr
eamed,
star
tl
ingever
yone.
Sheli
ft
edt
hedr
essIr
ishhadgi
ft
edAr
inandMr
s
Harl
owwaswowedtoo.

"
Thi
sisbeaut
if
ul"Mr
sHar
lowmout
hed.
"
Brot
hergavethistoyou?
"Jessi
caasked,
admi
ri
ng
t
hedressgreat
ly.
"
No"Ar
ingi
ggl
ed.
"
Ir
ishdi
d"Sheadded.
"Ohh.
..
itmusthavecostafortune,ibetsheusedal
l
ofhersavi
ngs..
."Jessi
casaid."Justtoimpress
Harol
d"Sheaddedi nwardl
y.
Womenli
kedoi
ngthingsforAr
inj
ustt
oimpress
Et
hanandshe'
snotsurpr
isedI
ri
shisi
nthatl
eague.
"
No"Ar
inl
aughedt
hist
ime.
"I
ri
shmadethedress,
she'
safashi
ondesi
gner"Ar
in
addedsur
pri
singMrsHarl
owandJessi
cafur
ther.
TheybothknewIr
ishi
sfashi
ondesi
gnerbutt
hey
neverknewshewasthi
sgood.

"Wel
l.
..
"Jessi
cadr
oppedthedr
essl
ikeshehadn'
t
admir
editint
hefi
rstpl
ace.
"
Wewi
llr
etr
eatt
oourr
ooms"Mr
sHar
lowsai
d.
"
Comeforyourgi
ftl
ater
"Jessi
cawi
nkedatAr
in
whonoddedandsmil
ed.

Theyleftf
orthei
rroomsandGabr
iel
ler
etur
nedt
o
theki
tchentostar
tcooki
ng.
"
I'
m sosor
ryI
ri
sh"Et
hansai
d.
"
It
'sf
ine"I
ri
shsai
d,t
ryi
ngt
osmi
le.
"
Ishoul
dgodr
essAr
inup"Shesai
dasshet
ook
Ar
in'
shand.

Et
hansi
ghed,
seei
nghowunhappyI
ri
shl
ooked.

_
__

Ari
nst
eppedoutaf
terget
ti
ngdressedi
nthepi
nk
gownI
ri
sjgi
ft
edherwhichfi
tt
edhersoperf
ect
ly.
ShehadaskedifI
ri
shtookhermeasur
ementswhi
le
shewasasleepandIri
shsai
dshehadusedoneof
herdr
essformeasurement.
Ever
yoneadmir
edt
hedr
essonAr
inandt
heyal
l
commented.

Onherneatl
ypackedhairwastheti
araGabr
iel
le
hadgift
edher,
sheworepret
tywhit
eshoesandtiny
si
lverear
ri
ngswitht
henecklaceEt
hanhadgiven
her.
Shel
ookedsobeaut
if
ull
ikear
ealpr
incess.
 Et
hanwasal
sodr
essedupni
cel
y.
Theybot
hsai
dgoodbyet
oever
yone.

Et
hanhadsai
dthey'
llbegoi
ngt
oPar
isf
ir
stand
Ar
inwassoexci
ted.
Theyl
eftandt
hewhol
ehousewast
hrowni
nto
f
ullcel
ebr
ati
onmood.
Everyonewashappy,exceptI
ri
shwhosl
owly
walkedbacktoherworkshopaft
erbi
ddi
ngEt
han
andAr i
nbye.

_
___
_

EthanandArinr
etur
nedatni
ghtandAr
inwasso
exhaust
edthatI
ri
shhadtoputheri
nbed
i
mmedi at
ely.

ShewalkedoutofAr
in'
sroom andgent
lycl
osedt
he
doorbehi
ndher.
 She'
sdamnhungry,
sheneedst
ogoj
oinot
her
sin
t
hedini
ngroom f
ordi
nner
.
Theyar
eeat
ingal
ready.
Shehadhadherlunchi
nherworkshop,notf
eel
ing
comfor
tabl
eenoughtoeatwi
thJessicaandMrs
Harl
owwi t
houtEt
han.
Herbodyguar
dsstoodbythedooroft
hedi
ning
r
oom whil
eshewalkedin.
They'
veal
lst
artedeat
ing,exceptEt
hanwhowas
obvi
ousl
ywait
ingforher.
Shewast
ouchedandshef
eltherhear
treach
outtohi
m more.

Shedi
dn'
tnot
iceJessyndMr
sHar
low'
sgazeon
her
.
Theywerewonderi
ngwhatshewasdoi
ngi
n
Ethan'
spr
ivat
edini
ngroom.

"
Thanksf
orwai
ti
ng"I
ri
shsai
dtoEt
hanbef
ore
si
tt
ingbesi
dehi
m.
"
What
!"Mr
sHar
lowexcl
aimedst
art
li
ngever
yone.
"Whatdoyouwant
?"JessyaskedI
ri
shwhol
ooked
conf
used.
"
Ir
ishdi
neswi
thus"
Gabr
iel
lesai
d.
"Whogavethatr
ule?
"Jessi
caasked,
obvi
ousl
y
annoyed.
"Idi
d"Et
hansai
d,ur
gingI
ri
sht
ost
arteat
ingbutshe
coul
dn't
.
Shecoul
dn'
tevenbr
ingher
sel
ftodi
shoutt
he
meal.

"
Thisi
sn'
thappeni
ng!Et
han,
youwantmetodine
wit
hananny?"MrsHarl
owasked,
looki
ngi
nsul
ted.
Ethansi
ghed.
..
"Andwhat
'swr
ongi
nbei
nga
nanny?"
"Thi
sisn'
thappeni
ng!
"Mr
sHar
lowdr
oppedher
spoonloudl
y.
"
Brot
her
,It
'shi
ghl
ydi
srespect
fulofhert
oeatont
he
samet
abl
ewi
thgodmot
her
"Jessi
casai
d.
"Whyi si
tdisr
espect
ful
?Shedidn'
tbr
inghersel
f
here!Iper
sonall
ytol
dheriwanthert
oalwaysdine
wit
hmeandsheal wayshaveandArini
sfinewith
i
t"Ethansaidasgentl
yashecould.
Hedoesn'
twantt
oyel
l.

"
Sheneedstogetupandleavenow,ican'
tdi
neon
t
hesametablewit
hher"MrsHarlowsaid.
"
Yeah"Jessi
casi
ghed.

I
ri
sh'
shandst
rembl
edasshesl
owl
yst
oodup.

"Si
t!
"Et
hansai
dinat
oneshehasneverhear
dhi
m
usebefor
e.
Heseemspi
ssed.
"
Sit
"Hesai
dinacal
mert
one.
"
Please"Headdedt
othesur
pri
seofJessi
caand
Mr
sHar
low.
"
Icanj
ustgohavedi
nneri
ntheki
tchen,
I
'l
lbef
ine"
I
ri
shsai
d.
"No,
you'
rehavi
ngyourdi
nnerher
e.Si
t"Et
hansai
d
andshef
inal
lydi
d.

Aft
erallEt
hani
sherbossnotMr
sHar
lowor
Jessi
ca.

"Mum!Thisismyhouse, I'
m sorryt
osayt hisbut
you'
renotenti
tl
edtoopposet ohowitreatmystaff
,
iemployedherandiwanthert oal
waysdi newit
h
me,evenArinhadn'tcomplained.Icaninvite
whomeveriwantt omydi ningroom.It
'smydi ni
ng
room"Ethanstat
edcl ear
ly.

MrsHarl
owsighedknowingshecan'
tgetEt
hant
o
changehi
smind,sheonl
yfumedassheconti
nued
eati
ng.
"Butshewasn'ther
ef orlunch!Whydidshe
suddenlywantstodinewi t
husnow.Because
you'r
ehere?"Jessi
car ol
ledhereyes.

"Becauseshewasn'tcomfor
tablewit
hyouguys,
you'venotbeenni
cetohersinceyouarr
ivedandt
o
thi
nkshehasbeenl ooki
ngsof orwar
dtomeeti
ng
youmadei tworst
"Ethansai
d.
"Ican'
tbelieveyouwantust obenicetoherdespi
te
whatAr i
n'spastnannieshavedoneandwhywas
shelookingf or
wardtomeetus,i
sthereanymot i
ve
behindit
? "Jessyasked,f
aci
ngIri
shwhohadher
eyesgluedt othetabl
e.

Sheneverexpect
edal
lthese.
..
it
'sj
ustsomucht
o
takei
n.

"She'
snotAri
n'spastnanni
esJessi
ca!She'
s
dif
fer
ent
"Ethansaid.
"
Andshewasl
ooki
ngsof
orwar
dtomeetyoucause
it
oldheralotaboutyou.Stopbei
ngrude!Eat!And
gotobed!
"Gabr i
ell
echasti
sedJessywhof r
owned
assheconti
nuedeat i
ngherfood.

"
Dishoutyourmeal
Iri
shandeatup"Et
hansai
d.
"
Ohh.
.okay"I
ri
shsai
d.
Et
hanstrokeherhai
r,hopingthat'
l
lmakeherf
eel
bet
teranditdi
d!shefel
tincredi
blybet
ter
.

"What!
"Jessi
camout
hedwhi
leMr
sHar
lowj
ust
star
ed.
Gabr
iel
lewasnotsurpri
sed,knowingI
ri
shand
Et
hanfeltsomet
hingforeachother
.

"Andhowwasyourdaywit
hArin,
,
sheseemedti
red
buthappy"I
ri
shsmi
led,
ret
urni
ngtoherol
dsel
f.
Et
han'
shandsr
eal
l
ydoesmagi
c.
"I
twastot
all
ygreat
,wehadaniceti
me,shesai
d
shecan'
twaitt
oshowyouthepict
ures
t
omor
row"
Ethansmi
led.
"
Ican'
twai
ttoo"I
ri
shsmi
led.
"Andyou'
reyettoshowherherbal
letr
oom.
.she'
l
l
besohappy"Iri
shsaid.

"Yes,
andshereal
lyl
ikesthedressyoumadef
orher
.
Iwantyoutomakemor eofitf
orherandl
etme
knowthepri
ce"Et
hansaid.

Ir
ishnodded,
knowi
ngshe'
l
lneverchar
geEt
hanf
or
anythi
ng.
Hehasdonesomuchforherandshe'
llf
eel
ungrat
efult
ochar
gehi
mforjustmaki
ngdresses
forAri
n.
"
I.
..
"Ir
ishwassayi
ng.

"
Youmustbesot
ir
ed"Jessi
casai
dtoEt
han,
cut
ti
ng
i
n.
"
Notr
eal
ly"Et
hansai
d.
"Butiwon'
tmindsomeofyourmassagest
hough"
EthanaddedandJessi
cal
aughed.
Shelookedli
keasweetsoulwhenlaughi
ngand
I
rishwonderedwhyshe'
sbeingtreat
edthi
sway.
Well
..
.she'
sst
art
ingt
ounderst
andit
'spr
obabl
y
becauseofthewayAri
npastnanni
eshadbeen.
Butshe'
snott
hem.

"Jessica,whenisawyou, it
houghtyouwer ea
stri
kingmodelwho' dappearonthecoverofa
magazi newithoutquest
ion,
you'
resobeautiful
"Ir
ish
saidbef or
eshecouldstopherselfandJessica
l
ookedsur pr
ised.
Shenevert
houghtt
hel
adywoul
dcompli
menther
beaut
ydespit
ehowmeanshehasbeent
oher.
Shemustadmitshe'sabi
ttouchedbutt
hat
won'tmakehersof
tentowar
dsher.
i
tmi
ghtbepar
tofherst
rat
egy.
She'
snotgonnagetherl
ikeshegotEt
han,
Ari
nand
herMum.
"
Ofcour
se,
I
'm beaut
if
ul"Jessi
cashr
ugged.
"
Ther
eyougoagai
n"Et
hansai
dandJessi
casmi
led.
"
Ican'
twai
ttogett
oschoolonMonday"Jessysai
d.

She'
stheQueenofI
vyRoyal
sandshe'
sgr
eat
ly
admir
ed.
She'sgoodatal mostalltheacti
vit
ies,she'sso
i
nt ell
igentthatnoonehasbeenabl et obeather
resultsof ar,shestandsoutamongt hefemale
student swithherunmat chedbeautyandt hemale
student salwayscl i
ngtoherlikemagnet .She'
s
alwayst hecent erofatt
racti
onandever yonestri
ves
har dtobeherf r
iend.

Et
handeci
dednott
oment
ionAr
ushat
oher
.
Hewant
shert
oseef
orher
sel
fthoughshewoul
dn'
t
knowwhohei
s.
He'
shavi
ngdoubt
saboutwho'
smor
ebr
il
li
ant
bet
weent
hebot
hoft
hem.
Heknowsther
e'sgonnabesomer
ealcompet
it
ion
bet
weenthem.

Theyallf
ini
sheddinnerandeveryoner
etur
nedt
o
thei
rroomsaftersayi
nggoodnight.

_
___
MONDAY_
__

Ar
ushast
eppedoutoft
hecarandbi
dthedr
iverbye.
Hest
art
edwalkingtohiscl
asswhensomeone
al
mostknockedhim over
.

Heturnedandhiseyeslockedwi
thagi
rl
'swhose
beaut
ywasal mostbreat
htaki
ng.
.
"
Wow"Ar
ushasai
dinwar
dly.
Hergr
eeneyeswascapt
ivat
ingandherr
edhai
r
al
mostmatchedwi
thherthi
nli
ps.
 She'
slookingsoattr
act
iveandhecoul
dn't
rememberseeingherfaceduri
ngthet
imehe's
beingher
e.
Wel
l.
.shemi
ghtbei
nanot
hercl
ass.
Herschooluni
for
m cl
ungtoherbodyli
kesecond
ski
nandhemustadmi tever
ypartofherbodywas
att
ract
ive.

Sherol
ledhereyesasshewal
kedpasthi
m wi
thher
headhi
gh.

"Youshoul
datl
eastapol
ogize"Heshoutedaf
terher
andsheshowedhim amiddlefi
ngerbef
orewalki
ng
away.
"
Wow!
"Ar
ushasi
ghed.

Di
ff
erentchar
act
ersi
nIvyRoyal
s!

*
**
"OMG!!Jessicaisi
nschool
!"Astudentannounced
tothewholeclassandeveryonel
ookedexcit
ed
exceptArushaandOli
viawhowereconfused.
Theywer
ewai
ti
ngf
ort
hei
rfi
rstcl
asst
ost
art
.
"
Who'
sJessi
ca?
"Ar
ushaaskedOl
ivi
a.
"Idon'
tknoweither
"Shesai
dandhesmi
led,
glad
shedidn'
tignor
ehimthist
ime.

Hel
ikedst
ari
ngatherandtal
kingt
ohereven
t
houghshedoesn'
tgi
vehim at
tent
ion.
Hereal
lywantst
obeherfr
iend,
butsheseemsl
i
ke
averyshyandti
midper
son.

Socoolandreser
vedandwel
lmanner
ed,
her
eal
l
y
l
ikedt
hatabouther.
She'
sbeaut
if
ulandpr
ett
yint
ell
igentt
oo.
There'
sthi
sthi
ngabouthert
hatkeepsdr
awi
nghi
m
toher.
There'
ssomethi
nginthosebl
ueeyesofher
s,he
real
lywantt
ogettoknowher.
Andsheal
waysr
emi
ndhi
m ofI
ri
sh.
Theydopackt
hei
rhai
rthesameway.

Theclassfellsi
lentandheturnedtot
hefrontoft
he
cl
ass,thi
nkingat eacherhadenter
edbuthewas
wrong.
I
twast
hegi
rlt
hathadal
mostknockedhi
m over
.

"
Jessi
ca!
"Thest
udent
scheer
ed.
"
Ohh"Ar
ushasi
ghedandf
acedhi
slapt
op.
Seemssheownst
heempt
yseatt
hathasJessi
ca
wri
tt
enonit
.
Arushawonderedi
fhe'
sfat
edwit
hbumpingi
nto
peoplet
hat
'l
lendupbei
nghiscl
assmat
e.

"
She'
sbeaut
if
ul"Ol
i
viasai
dandAr
ushat
urnedt
o
her
,sur
pri
sedt
ohearhersayt
hat
.Shebar
elyt
alks.
"
Yesshei
s"Dami
ensai
d.

Anddeepinsi
dehim, heknowshe'
llchooseOl
ivi
a'
s
coolbeaut
yoverJessica'
sanyt
ime.

Jessi
cawasbegi nni
ngt
ohugherclassmat
esone
aft
ertheotherandsher
oll
edhereyeswhenshegot
toArusha.
Shesi
ght
edOl
ivi
atooandsi
ghed.
"
Iguesswehavenewstudents"Shesaid,
excl
udi
ng
Ol
ivi
aandArushaf
rom her'
hugsession'

"I
'
m pretti
erthanheranyway"Jessicasaidto
hersel
f,deeplydi
stur
bedaboutOlivia'
sbeauty.

Everyoneset
tl
eddowni mmediat
elyat
eacher
walkedinandclassst
arted.
_
_

ArushaandJessi
carai
sedupthei
rhandswhent
he
t
eacheraskedadif
fi
cul
tquest
ion.

Jessi
cawhothoughtshewast heonl
yoner aisi
ng
herhandwonder
edwhyt heteacherwastakinglong
toaskhert
oanswerthequestion,
unt
ilshesaw
Arusha'
shanduptoo.

"
What
!"Shescr
eamedi
nwar
dly.
.

_
___

Thanksf
oryourt
ext
sandCal
ls!
[
05/09,07:
30]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th
 JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
45

Jessi
cawhothoughtshewast heonl
yoner aisi
ng
herhandwonder
edwhyt heteacherwastakinglong
toaskhert
oanswerthequestion,
unt
ilshesaw
Arusha'
shanduptoo.

"
What
!"Shescr
eamedi
nwar
dly.
.
Wel
l.
..
hemi
ghtj
ustwanthert
onot
icehi
m.
 Shehadbeensot hri
ll
edtof i
ndouthewasi nher
class,he'
sgotgr
eatlooksthatal
mostmadeher
drool,
shehadint
enti
onall
yknockedhim overjustt
o
feelhi
sbroadback.

Shehasneverseenaguyasgoodlooki
ngas
him,
shealwaysthoughtGr
ayist
hemostgood
l
ookingguyshehaseverseenbutAr
ushaproved
herwrong.

Shehadgavehim ami
ddl
efi
ngercauseshe
r
eal
lywant
edtofuckhim.

Shecoul
dn'
tbel
ieveshefeltbut
terf
li
esinher
st
omachwhenhel ookedintohereyes.
He'
sat
tr
act
edt
oherofcour
se,
ever
yguywant
sher
.

Shecanhavehi
mi fshewantscauseshe'
ssosure
noonecanresi
stherbeaut
y,guysal
waysfal
lather
feet
.
 Butshehadn'tcaughthi
m steal
inggl
ancesather
l
ikeotherguysdo,hehadconcentrat
edonhis
l
aptop.Maybehehadst ealgl
anceswhenshe
wasn'tl
ooking.

Pari
sandJanehadtoldherthegir
lswer
eheadover
heel
swithhi
m butcoul
dn'tappr
oachhim cause
he'
sfrom af
reaki
ngpoorhome.
Andshe'
safrai
dthatmightbet
heonlyprobl
em
whenheasksheroutcauseshedoesn'
twantto
dat
esomeonefrom apoorhomeeither
.

Thet
eachersi
ghedsof
tl
y..

"Ihonest
lydon'
tknowwhot
ochoose"Mi
ssMeg
said.
"
Ohh"Ar
ushasai
d,seei
ngJessi
ca'
shandupt
oo.
Heslowlybr
oughtdownhishandandOl
ivi
a
wonderedwhyhedidthat
.
Theycanbot
hanswert
hequest
ion.

"Okay...Jessi
cagoahead"MissMegsai
dand
Jessicast ooduppr
oudlyandanswer
edthe
question.
Thewholecl
assclappedandArushacouldn'
thel
p
butf
eelki
ndabad,theynevercl
apforhi
m whenever
heanswersaquesti
on.
Heshouldn'
tbebother
edbyitthough,
i
t'
s
obviousmostofthest
udentsdonotwantto
associat
ewithhi
m becausehi
slastnamedoesn'
t
ri
ngabel l
.

Howpet
ty.

Hemustadmithe'
simpressedwithJessi
ca,
she'
s
notonl
ybeaut
if
ul,
she'
sint
ell
igentt
oo.

"
Wel
l.
..Jessi
ca,
you'
recor
rectbutyoudi
dn'
tgi
ve
meadetai
ledanswer
,I'
dli
keAr
ushat
otr
ytoo"Mi
ss
Megsai
d.
"Whatdoyoumeanmyanswerwasn'
tdet
ail
ed?
"
Jessi
caaskedt
heteacher
.
"Youonl ymaderef
erencetoit,youdidn'
tgoi nt
o
detai
ls.Thatwasnotasat i
sfactoryanswer,
though
youtired.I
'
dlikeAr
ushatomakeat t
empttoo"Mr s
Megsai dandeventheblindcoul dseeJessicawas
fuming.

Arushastoodonhisfeetandansweredthe
quest
ion,
hegavethebestexplanat
ionhecouldand
wit
hthesmi l
eonMissMeg' sface,
youcouldsee
she'
si mpr
essed.
"That
'si
t!Exactl
ythedet
ailiwant
"Mr
sMegsai
d
andArushawasaboutsi t
ti
ngwhenhehear
d
someonecl ap.
Thewhol
ecl
asst
urnedandAr
ushal
if
teduphi
s
headt
oo.
I
twasOl
ivi
a.

Hest
aredatheri
nsur
pri
sesoast
heot
herst
udent
s.
Theyal lknewAr ushadi
dhisbestwitht
heanswer
butthefactt hathe'snoti
nthei
rcali
bremadeitf
eel
horr
ifi
ctocl apf orhim.
ButOl
ivi
ahad.

"
Ibetshe'
saspoorashei
s"Ast
udentwhi
sper
edt
o
t
heother.
"
Ofcourse,poorpeopleappr
eciat
etheirki
nd"
Anot
herstudentrespondedandtheylaughed.

"
Thankyou"Ar
ushasmi
led,
deepl
ytouched.
Ol
ivi
anoddedandf
acedherl
apt
op.
Shehadn'tclappedforArushaoutofpi
ty,
his
answerwasel oquentandimpressi
veandshelear
nt
oneortwot hingsfr
om it
,i
tmadeherunderst
andthe
subj
ectbetter.
 Al
thoughhisanswershavealwaysbeing
i
mpressiveandshehasneverclappedforhi
m,what
pr
omptedherwast hatshecouldseehowhisface
waswhenJessicawascl appedfor
.
Shehadn'tcl
appedforJessicacauseshecould
seeheranswerwasn'tdetai
ledli
keMr sMeghad
said,
shedoesn'tevencl
apforanyoner egar
dlessof
whot heyar
e,she'
snotusedt oit
.Arushahadbeen
thefi
rstper
sonshewoul dclapforinIvyRoyal
s.
Shef eel
sthest
udent
sarejustbei
ngunfai
rtohi
m
becauseofhisstat
usandthat'
swhatkeeps
drawinghertohi
m.

Unli
keotherst
udents,
healwayst
ri
est
otal
ktoher
evenifshemostl
yignorehim.
Hedoesn'
tmockherf
orhidi
ngherlastnamenor
i
gnor
eherandhehasstoodupforheronce.

Hi
slooksar
eki
ll
er!Andshemustadmi
tshef
elther
hear
tpumpt
hemomentshebumpedi
ntohi
m.
Hehasthemostbeauti
fulsetofeyesshehasever
seenandshealwaysst
ealglancesathi
m when
he'
snotlooki
ng.
Shefreaki
ngli
kesi
twhenhetalkstoherand
someti
messhewasalwaystoostunnedand
ner
voustorepl
yhim.
Shelooksfor
wardtoseeinghim everymor ni
ngand
wheneverhewalksint
otheclass,she'l
lcoverher
smil
ewi t
hafakefrown.

Shehasal
waysl
ikedherl
if
ewit
houtf
ri
endsbut
nowshewant
stohaveafri
end.

"
Okayt
hen,
let
'scont
inuet
hecl
ass"Mi
ssMegsai
d.

_
LUNCHBREAK_

Ar
ushasatbacki
ncl
assdet
ermi
nedt
ofi
ndoutwhy
Ol
ivi
adoesn'
tgot
othecaf
eter
ia.
Shehasnevervi
sit
edt
hecaf
eter
ia.

St
udentsl
eftt
heclassoneaf
tert
heot
herunt
ilt
hey
werebot
halone.

Minutespassedinsil
enceunt
ilOl
ivi
ast
oodupand
walkedtoherlocker
.
Sheunlockedi
tandcar
ri
edhermealf
rom her
backpack.
Shehadwai t
edf orArushatol
eavebutseems
he'
snotl
eavinganyt i
mesooncausehe'sobviousl
y
busywi
thhislaptop,shecouldn'
twai
t
anymor
e,she'
sstarving.

Sheretur
nedtoherseatwit
hhermealandabot
tl
e
ofwater,
shest
art
edeating.
Arushawhohadpretendedt
obewor
kingonhi
s
l
aptoptur
nedtoher.
"
Eati
nginthecl
assr
oom i
spr
ohi
bit
ed"Hesai
dand
Ol
ivi
anodded.
"
Whydon'tyouevergothecafeteri
a?"Heasked,
t
hinki
ngshewasfearl
ess,
anyt eachercoul
dcome
i
nandhaveherpunishedfori
tbutagai nshe
i
gnoredhi
m.
"
Anyonecouldcomeinand.
..
haveyoupuni
shed"
Arushapr
oceeded.
"Theschoolpr
opri
etorwoul
dn'tsayawordi
fhe
seesmer i
ghtnow"Olivi
asai
d,twist
ingt
hecapof
thewater
.
"
Reall
y?"Arushaasked,
wonder
ingwhatt
hatcoul
d
mean.
..ohh.

"
Youhaveaphobiaforeat
ingi
nthesameroom
wit
halotofpeopl
e?"Ar
ushaaskedt
hought
ful
ly.
"
Yes"Ol
ivi
ali
ed.
Sheisthepresi
dent
'sdaught
erandal
soRoyaland
herfamil
ytr
adit
ionfor
bidshert
oeatwit
hsomany
people.
"
Ohh.
.nowiknow"
Arushasai
d..
"Andthanksforcl
appi
ngear
li
er,
i
tmademef
eelso
happy"Arushasmil
ed.
"I
sthatwhyyoudi
dn'
tgot
othecaf
eter
ia?
"Ol
ivi
a
asked.
"Notreal
ly,
iwantedtofi
ndoutwhyyoudon't
alwaysvisi
tthecaf
eter
iatoo"Ar
ushasai
d.
"Ohh"Ol
ivi
aal
mostsmi
led,
butshequi
ckl
yst
opped
hersel
f.

"Byt
heway..
.whydidyoudr oppedyourhandearl
ier
?
Youcoul
dhavewaitedfortheteachertochoose
whotoanswerthequest
ion"Olivi
asaid.
"
Well
..
.if
eltishoul
dgivesomeoneelset
hechance
t
oanswert hequest
ion"
Arushasai
d.
"Shecoul
dhavedonet hesamet oo,ihear
dshe's
veryi
ntel
li
gentandanswersquestionsinclassal
l
theti
me,shecouldhavegivenyout hechancetoo"
"
So,
youdol
ist
ent
ogossi
p"Ar
ushat
eased.
"
No,
iover
hear
doneoft
hest
udent
ssayi
t"
"Idi
dthebestthi
ngbydroppi
ngmyhand.
..
asa
gentl
eman"Arushasai
d,pr
oudofhi
msel
f.

"
I'
m gl
adyoudon'
tignor
emeanymor
e"Ar
ushasai
d.
"
Idi
d..r
ecent
ly"Ol
ivi
asai
d.
"I
t'
snotasmuchasyoudobef ore..
.thoughi
underst
andyou'reareser
vedpersonandyour eall
y
appreci
atebeingonyourown"Arushasai dandfor
onceOlivi
alookedathiseyesdi
rectl
y.
"
Thankyou"Shesai
d,t
ouched.

Somanypeopl eleaveherandevenhur labusive

wordsatheraftershehasi gnoredt
hem forsome
ti
mebutAr ushaneverlefther,heunder
standsher
andneverstoppedtalki
ngt oher.
Shecan'
tcont
inuei
gnor
inghi
m,i
t'
snotf
air.

"
I'
m gl
adyouunder
standmeandI
'
m sor
ryf
ort
he
t
imesI'
veignor
edyou"Oli
viasai
dandAr
usha
t
houghthewasdreaming.
Hebli
nkedl
ikeaner
vouspuppyandOl
ivi
aal
most
l
aughed.

"
I'
m..
I'
m sur
pri
sed"Hef
inal
lysai
d.
"
Youshoul
dbe"Ol
ivi
ashr
ugged.
"
ButI'
m sogl
adif
inal
lygotyout
ost
opi
gnor
ingme,
t
alki
ngtoyoui
sgreat
"
"
It
snotmythi
ngtotal
ktopeopl
eormakefr
iends,
i
'
vebeenl
iket
hisf
orsolong"Ol
ivi
asai
d.
"
Ohh.
.youmusthavebeenl
onel
y"
"No,
ihavemybrotherandcousint
oalwaystal
kto
andihaveadogtoo.Hisname'sJax"Ol
ivi
asmil
ed
andshequi
ckl
ystopped.
"
Wow"Ar
ushasai
d,obvi
ousl
ysmi
tt
en.
Shehasabeaut
if
ulsmil
eandhe'
dpayhi
slast
pennyt
oseehersmil
eagai
n.
Ol
ivi
asi
ghed,
thi
nki
ngshehadsai
dtoomuch.
She'snotalwaysthisopentopeopl
ebutshehad
tol
dAr ushawithoutevent
hinki
ng.

"Ihaveasi
stert
oo,
Andshehasadogt
oo"Ar
usha
smiled.
"Reall
y?"Ol
ivi
aasked,knowi
nghemustlovehi
s
sist
ersomuchwi ththewayhisf
acehadli
tup
whenhement ionedher.
"Yes,
hernameisI
ri
sh,
she'smyworld,
iloveherso
muchandI '
l
lgl
adl
ydoanythi
ngforheranddoyou
knowwhat?"Ar
ushaasked.
"
What
?"Ol
ivi
aaskedi
nter
est
ingl
y.
"
Shepacksherhai
r,
justt
hewayyoudo"
"
Wow"Ol
ivi
asai
d,i
ntr
igued.
Sherar
elyseef
emal
esst
ylet
hei
rhai
rthesame
wayshedoes.

Shecont
inuedeat
ingandt
hengl
ancedatAr
usha.
"
Doyoucar
eforsome?
"Sheasked.
"No,t
hankyou.I
'l
ljustgogetpast
afr
om the
cafet
eri
a"Ar
ushasaid,get
ti
ngonhisfeet
.
He'
sstarvi
ngal
readythoughhedoesn'
twantt
o
st
optalki
ngtoOli
via.

She'
ssoi
nter
est
ingt
otal
kto.

"
Youshoul
dgoqui
ckl
ybef
orel
unchbr
eaki
sover
"
Ol
ivi
asai
d.
"
Yeah"Ar
ushasai
d,hur
ryi
ngt
othedoorwi
thsmi
les.
I
fhehadt
urned,
hewoul
dhaveseenOl
ivi
asmi
let
oo.

Atthatmoment
,t
heybot
hknewanewchapt
erhad
openedint
hei
rli
ves.

_
___
"Whyareyoul
ooki
ngatt
hedoor
?"Janeasked
Jessi
ca
Shewassitt
ingwit
hJaneandPari
sinthe
cafet
eri
aandshewaskindawonder
ingwhen
Arushawouldappear
,asmuchasshehatesto
admitit
..
shehasbeenwai
ti
ngforhi
mt owalki
n.

Hewalkedi
njustt
henandJessi
cabl
ewouta
br
eat
h.

JaneandPar
ist
urned,
asot
hergi
rl
sdi
d.
It
'sobviousmostofthegir
lsf
indJessi
ca
attr
act
ive,t
hei
rgazesfol
lowedhi
m downtowher
e
hedishedsomepast a.

"If
ell
hislooksarejustwast
edcausehe'
ssopoor.
Chandlershoul
dhavesuchlooksinst
ead,
he'
sri
ch"
Janeroll
edhiseyes.
"Atthispoint,i
don'tthi
nkicareabouthisstat
us
anymor e,
he'ssogoodl ooki
ngandf r
eaking
i
ntelli
gent.Ithinkilovehim"Pari
ssaidalmost
breathlesslyandJessicaglaredather.
"Whatdoyoumeanhe' ssointell
igent
?Isanyone
moreintel
li
gentt
haniam inthisschool?"Jessi
ca
asked,watchi
ngArushafr
om thecor nerofhereyes.

Hewasholdi
ngapl
ateofsteamingpastaashe
wal
kedtowar
dsanemptytablebutbef
orehegot
t
her
e,AnnaandDani
ell
einvi
tedhimtotheirt
abl
e.
Hewentt
osi
twi
tht
hem.

"Asmuchasihat etoadmitit
,Ar
ushaisso
i
ntell
igent
.Idon'
tevenknowwho'smoreint
ell
igent
betweenyoutwo"JanesighedandJessi
cafel
tlike
hit
ti
ngherheadwi t
hafork.

"Andwhatdoyoumeanbyyoul ovehi
m?"Jessi
ca
askedPar
is,
bit
ingherupperl
ip.
"
Yesido"Par
isconf
ir
med,
star
ingatAr
usha.
"
Youshoul
dbet
terbackof
f.
..
"Jessi
casai
d.
"He'
smine"Sheaddedinwar
dlyandgr
oanedwhen
shesawChandlerappr
oachi
ngherwit
hroses.

_
___
_

"
Jessi
ca"Gabr
iel
lecal
led.
"Justl
etmebe.Mum!"Jessi
cayell
ed,
droppi
ngher
backpackont
hest
air
sandwal ki
ngangri
lyt
oher
room.
Gabr
iel
lesi
ghedasshepi
ckedupt hebackpack
wonder
ingwhomusthavepissedheroff
.

_
___

Ol
ivi
agr
innedasJaxbar
kedatheri
ngr
eet
ings.
 Twomaidscol
lect
edherbackpackasshepl
ayed
wit
hJax.
Hel
ickedherf
aceandshegi
ggl
ed.

"Let
'sgoi
n"Shesai
dtohi
m andhet
rai
ledbehi
nd
her.
Worker
sbowedasshewal
kedpastt
hem andshe
noddedingr
eet
ing.
"
Robbi
e,
canihaveaglasscupofjui
cepl
ease"sai
d
t
oRobbieasshesatonthecouch.
"
Okay,
yourhi
ghness"Robbi
ebowedandhur
ri
ed
i
ntot
hekit
chen.

Robbi
eisherper
sonalmai
dandt
hey'
rebot
hqui
te
cl
ose.
Sheunder
standshermorethananyoft
he
worker
sandshealwaysknowswhattodoatal
l
t
imes.
Shehasbeenamazi
nganddi
li
gentandhonest
.
Ol
ivi
arest
edherheadonthecouchandsmi
led
whensherememberedAr
usha.

Whatasweetsoul
.

"What'
swi t
ht hatsmile?Ar
eyouupt osomet
hing
naughty?"
Oliviaheardthevoiceshewoul
dnever
havemi st
akenf oranyoneelse.
Shehadn'
tevent
urnedt
olookathi
m whenshe
screamedhi
sname.

"Char
lest
on!
"Shef
lewint
oherbr
other
'sar
msand
heheldherf
orqui
tel
ong.

"Whendi dyougetback?
"Sheaskedaf
tert
hey
disengagedfr
om thehug.
Shereal
lymissedherbrot
her
,he'
sinOxfor
dand
she'
ssuretheyweren'
tonabreakyet
,soshehadn'
t
evenexpect
edhi
m.

"Hey!
"Char
lestonalmostyel
ledatJaxwhoqui
ckl
y
hidbehi
ndOlivi
a'sback.
"
Tel
lyourl
it
tl
efr
iendtogetaway"Char
lest
onsai
d
t
oOli
viaandshelaughed.

JaxandChar
lestonhasnevergot
tenal
ong,
they
wereal
waysbarkingandscreami
ngateachother
.

"YoushouldtrytogetalongwithJax.
..
he'
sanice
dog"Oli
viasmi l
ed,st
rokingJaxwhoscampered
awayafterseeingCharlest
onglar
eathim.
"Haveyouf or
gott
enhowhealmostchoppedoffmy
ear?"Charl
estonr
emindedOli
viaandshel
aughed
hard,fal
li
ngbackonthecouch.
"Thatwasbecauseyout
ri
edtostealmycarkey"
Shesaid,col
lect
ingt
hej
uicef
rom Robbi
e.
Shegul
pedi
tdownhert
hroatanddr
oppedt
he
gl
asscupont
het
abl
e.

Amai
dcl
ear
edi
timmedi
atel
y.
"
Iwasn'
tgonnasteal
it,
iwasgonnatakeitbutt
hat
wil
ddogleapedonme!"Char
lest
ongroaned.
"
Youweregonnat akei
t?Wi
thoutmyconsent
?"
Ol
ivi
arol
ledhereyes.

"Wel
l.
..
ineededt
ogooutwi t
hf r
iendsandyouknow
Dadseizedmycarkey"Char
lestonsai
dashesat
besi
deher.
Hehasal waysbei ngnaught yandt roublesome,he
i
sn'tr
esponsibleabi tandtheirf
at herwasal ways
yel
li
ngathim, scoldi
nghi m andr emindinghim he'l
l
onedaybecomet her ei
gningPrinceofKi ngCity.
Andheshouldal sor espectthefactthathisfather
wasthepresidenttoo.

FunwasChar
lest
onj
obf
ornow,
aful
l-
ti
mecar
eer
forhi
m.
 Hel
oveschasi
nggi
rl
sandhe'
saf
ullt
imePl
ayboy.

Whowoul dn'
tfal
lforhi
scharm?Char lest
onwas
evenmor egoodlooki
ngthantheirDadwhoi s
consi
deredthemostgoodl ooki
ngprincetohave
everr
eigned.
Andsometi
mesOlivi
awishedhewasn'tthi
s
handsome,
hisl
ooksobvi
ouslygoti
ntohishead.

Healwaysl
ookshotwi t
hhisspi
kyblackhai
rand
adiamondearr
ingwhichthei
rfat
herhad
complai
nedaboutami l
li
onti
mes.
Andheevenhasat at
tooonhi
schestt
hatt
hei
r
fat
herdoesn'
tknowabout
.
Hehasbi
gbr
owneyesj
ustl
iket
hei
rMum.
Andhe'sast al
landbuil
tast hei
rDad,t
hough
Char
lestonisonlyfouryearsoldert
hanherbuthe
hasanincredibl
erapidgrowth.
"Oli
via"Charl
estoncall
edgent
lybli
nki
ngthosebig
browneyest hatcouldmakeagirlmel
t,nother
thoughandshei nst
ant
lyknewhehasgot t
enint
o
anothertroubl
e.
"
Whathappenedagai
n?"Shesi
ghed.

"I.
.wear enotonabr eak,icamehomebecause
thosemot herf
uckercopssei zedmycar .
.whil
eiwas
drivi
nghomef rom apar t
y,t
heyf r
eaki
ngcl ai
medi
wasdr ivingrecklesslyandidr aggeditoutwith
them forawhi le,
theyr efusedtoletgoofmycar
evenaf teritol
dthem I '
mt hecr ownprinceofKing
Citybutt heydidn'tbeli
eveandi nsist
edtheywanted
aletterfrom Dadt hathast heRoyalsignatureon
i
t..
..beforetheywoul dr el
easemycar "

"
Damn!
"Ol
ivi
agr
oaned.
"
Youdi
dn'
tshowt
hem yourRoyalI
D?"Sheasked.
"Dadsei
zedi
tlongago!
"Char
lest
ont
hrewbackhi
s
head.
"Becauseyouwer eal
waysshowi ngoffand
throwingtantr
umsinpubl
ic,causingscandal
s,you
wer ealwaysonthenewsforonebadt hingort
he
other"Olivi
asaid.

"Well
..
.yeah,i
wantyoutohel
pmetalkt
oDad.He
shoul
dgi vemethel
ett
erwit
hhissi
gnat
ureoni
t
andI'
lll
eave"

"
That
'
llbedi
ff
icul
t"Ol
ivi
asai
d.
"Iknowbutdadwoulddoanyt
hingf
oryou"
Charlest
onsai
d,knowi
nghowmucht hei
rDadl
oves
Olivi
a.
"
I'
lldot
hatononecondi
ti
on.
..
"Ol
ivi
asai
d.
"
What
?"Char
lest
onf
rowned.
"You'
llneedtomakeapr
omi
seyouwon'
tgeti
nto
anothertroubl
e..
"

"
Ipr
omi
se"Char
lest
onpout
edaf
terhesi
tat
ingf
ora
whi
le.
"Easi
ersaidthandone"Oli
viagl
aredathim."
Ifyou
shouldgetint
oanothertr
oubleagai
n,iwon'
thelp
you!"
"Iwon'
tgeti
ntoanothertr
ouble.Ipr
omise"
Charl
est
onsaid,st
rokinghissist
er'
shai
r.

"
Robbi
e..
.i
sDadout
?"Ol
ivi
aasked.
"
No,
hei
sn'
t.Ij
ustser
vedhi
m soup"
"
Ohh"Ol
ivi
asai
d.
"
Helpmewit
hmyshoesChar
lest
on"Ol
ivi
asai
d
t
ir
edly"
Andmysockst
oo"
"
Areyougoi
ngt
omeetdadnow?
"Char
lest
onasked.
"No,ist
il
lhavetofr
eshenup.Ij
usthopeiwon'
tfal
l
asleepintheshower"shet
easedCharl
est
on.

"Com'on,youneedt
ohelpmetal
ktoDadassoon
aspossibleort
hosecopsar
egonnadosomethi
ng
crazytomycarandyouknowit'
smyfavor
it
e"
Char
lest
onsai
d,handi
ngOl
ivi
a'
ssocksandshoes
toamaid.

"Getonmyback"Char
lest
oncrouchedbef
oreher
andshequi
ckl
yclimbedonhisback.
Hepiggybackedhert
oherroom andsheal
most
f
ellasl
eeponhi ssmoothbr
oadback.
Shekickedhert
inyl
egsint
heai
rbef
oreChar
lest
on
droppedheronherbed.

"Whatareyousoexci
tedabout
?"Char
lest
onasked
suspi
ciousl
y.
"
Huh?I
sitt
hatobvi
ous?
"Ol
ivi
aasked.
"Ofcourse.
..
isthereanotherPr
inceHansinthe
pict
ure?
"Char l
estonteasedandOlivi
arol
ledher
eyes.

Hanswasherexbutshehadn'
tlovedhi
m abi
t.
Hewast
hecr
ownpr
inceofTexasandhi
sfat
her
dovi
sitherf
atherf
rom t
imet
oti
me.
Heli
kedher
,thoughshewasat
tract
edtohi
slooks
too.
.i
twasmor eli
keshehadal
it
tl
ebitofcr
ushon
him.
Theydat edfort hr
eeweeksandhewasal ways
buyingexpensivet hi
ngsforher,
hedidnotmi nd
spendinglavishlyonherandshedoesn' tevenenj
oy
stuf
fslikethat,sheprefer
sreadi
ngwi t
hhi m or
watchingmovi eswhi chhealwaysconsidered
'
boring'.
She'
snotsoint
oshoppi
ngcauseshehasenough
i
nhercloset
.
Hewasherf
ir
stboyf
ri
end.
Shebrokeupwit
hhi
m whenhetr
iedt
ofor
ceher
i
ntobedwithhi
m.Onl
yCharl
est
onknewabouti
t.

"
Getint
omyclosetandfet
chmesomesimple
wear
s."Ol
ivi
asaidtoChar
lest
onasshegotonher
f
eetandhefr
owned.
"
Can'
tyoudoi
t?"Sheasked,
smi
li
ngsecr
etl
y
knowingshe'
staki
ngadvant
ageoft
hef
actt
hat
she'
sgonnahelphim.
Shecan'
ttel
lhi
mtodothatonanormal
day,
he'
sgonnadragherhai
randgi
veherapai
nful
knock.

"
Icandoi
tofcour
se"Char
lest
onsai
d.
AndjustthenJaxjumpedoutfrom undert
hebed,
st
artl
ingCharl
est
ont ot
heextentthathescreamed
soloudandscurri
edtothefarendofthebed.
Oli
viacouldn'
thol
dherlaught
er,
shelaughedso
hardthatshehadtoquickl
yholdachairsoshe
won'tcol
lapseonthef
loorinl
aughter.

Thedooropenedandbodyguar
dsf
il
edi
n.

"Cr
ownpri
nce,
pri
ncessOl
ivi
a..ar
eyouokay?
"They
asked.
"
Yeahwear
e"Ol
ivi
asai
fst
il
llaughi
ng.
Char
lest
ongl
aredatJaxandJaxbar
kedathi
m.

Thebodyguar
dswal
kedoutandcl
osedt
hedoor
behi
ndthem.

"Wi
llyoustopl
aughi
ng?"Charl
estonr
oll
edhi
seyes
atOli
viaandshel
aughedharder.
Jaxwentbackundert
hebedaf
terOl
ivi
ast
roked
hi
m.
"Okay.
..
"Shesmi
led."
I'
m goi
ngt
ofr
eshenupnow,
helpmewithmywears"

Shewalkedintothebathroom andpeel
edoffher
schoolwears,
shegotintothetubandminutes
l
ater,
shewaslaughinghar d,
heari
ngJaxand
Charl
estonbarkandscream ateachother
.

_
___
Olivi
aboundedupthebackstai
rsi
nblackjeansand
cream col
ouredt
-shi
rtt
hatshehadsel
ectedfor
herself
.
Char
lest
onhadsel
ect
edabal
lgownf
orher
!

Herhairwassti
llwetsoshel
eti
tdownherwaist
anditdancedasshehurri
edt
oherDad'
soffi
ce.

Shewalkedinandmethim por
ingoverast
ackof
paper
swi t
haseri
ouslookonhisface.
Hehadn'
thear
dhercomei
n.
"
Papa"Ol
ivi
asmil
edasshewalkedint
ohisof
fi
ce
whi
chhadbodyguar
dsatever
ycorner.
Hegl
ancedupandsmi
ledasshesl
ippedqui
etl
y
i
ntot
hechai
rbesi
dehi
m.
Hewaspl
easedt
oseeher
,heal
wayswas.
She'
shi sl
it
tl
epri
ncessandhel ovesandadoreher
somuch, shehasbeenwellbehavedovert
he
year
s,shehasalwaysfi
llt
hevoidofCharl
estonwho
i
ssoi
rr
esponsi
blet
hati
tmakeshi
m si
ck.

Hewishedwomenwereall
owedtorei
gninKing
ci
ty,
hewoul
dhavehandedther
eignstoOl
ivi
a

"Haveyoueat
en?Ol
i"Heaskedandsheshookher
head.
"
Why?
"Heaskedi
nconcer
n.
"Ar
eyoubusypapa?"Ol
ivi
aaskedbur
yingherhead
i
nthecrookofhi
sneckandheknewshewant ed
somet
hing.
"No.
.f
ornowbutihaveameetingwiththefi
nance
mini
steri
nafewminutes"Hesaidpushingt
he
paper
sawaywithasigh.

Heexpl
ainedhi
slat
estendeavor
sandshel
ist
ened
wi
thint
erest
.

Herf
atherwasamanofi
ntegr
it
y,compassi
onand
courage,
hewasregar
dedwit
hgr
eataf
fect
ionbyal
l
thepeoplewhoknewhim.
KingCityhasexperi
encedsloweconomicgr
owth
fort
hepastfif
tyyearsbutther
ehasbeengreat
i
mpr ovementsinceherfat
hertookovert
her
eigns
andthatmadet hepeoplel
ovehim more.

Oli
viaalwaysl
istent
owhat everhesaysbut
Charl
estonwasf armoreself
-indul
gentandpai
dno
aff
ectiontohi
sfather
'swisdom .
Sheknewhowdi sappoi
ntedherfat
herwasi
n
Char
lest
onandsheal waysfel
tshehadtomakei
t
uptohim somehow.

"Whatar
eyoubot
heredabout
?don'
tyoul
ikeyour
newschool
?"Heasked.
"
No!Il
ovei
t"Ol
ivi
aqui
ckl
ysai
d.
"Hasyouri
dent
it
ybeenreveal
ed?
"Heasked,
knowinghowmuchOli
viadoesn'
tli
keexposi
ngher
ti
tl
e.
"No"Ol
ivi
asaid,
shehadleftherf
ormerschool
causeherident
it
ywasrevealed.
Shelovesi twhenpeoplehavenoideawhoshe
was,shel ovestobet
reatedl
ikeever
yother
person,somet i
messhegetstir
edofbeengi
ven
specialtr
eat ment
.
Shel ovest
obefreefr
om rest
ri
cti
onsand
obl
igat
ionsofther
oyalpal
ace.

Shenevertol
dpeopl
ethatherf
ami
lyhomewasa
royalpal
acei
nKingCit
y..

"
It
'saboutChar
lest
onDad"Shef
inal
lysai
d.

_
___
___
[
05/09,07:
30]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th

JustANanny
 CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
46

"Hegoti
ntot
roubl
eagai
n?"Heaskedandshe
nodded.
Ol
ivi
aexpl
ainedever
ythi
ngt
ohi
m andsi
ghed.
Hewasnotsur
pri
sed,
Char
lest
onwasal
ways
get
ti
ngi
ntoonetr
oubl
eort
heother
.
"Pleasepapa,j
ustgethi
m alett
erwithyour
signatureonit
.Imadehim promisehewon'tcause
troubleagai
n"Oli
viasai
dandherf at
herwassilent
.
"
Papa"Ol
ivi
ahel
dhi
shandandgavehi
m oneofher
sadl
ooks.
Hehat
esseei
nghersad.

"Heshoul
dleavet
hecarwi
tht
hecops,
I
'l
lget
anot
heroneforhi
m."
"Papa,that'
shi
sfavor
it
ecar..
.please"Oli
via
pleaded, pl
aci
ngherheadinhispalms,hesmil
edas
het ouchedhersi
lkyhai
r.

She'
stheyoungerver
sionofhermot
herand
wheneverheseesher
,hismindwander
stohiswi
fe
i
mmedi at
ely.
"
Okay.
.I'
l
lgett
hel
ett
erandsi
gnat
uref
orhi
m
t
omorr
ow"
"
ThankyouPapa!
"Ol
ivi
asai
dhappi
ly.
"
Iloveyou"sheki
ssedhi
m onbot
hcheeks.

"
How'
smum?
"Sheasked.
"
She'
l
lbebackbyweekend,
haven'
tyoucal
ledher
?"
"
Iwasgoi
ngt
o,whenil
eaveher
e"
Hermum wasr
epresent
ingherDadi
naRoyal
f
uncti
oni
nEngland.

Hermother
'sancestor
sweremost l
yGermanwith
cousi
nsinEngl
and,hermother'
snati
vetonguewas
GermanbutshespeaksIt
alian,
SpanishandEngl
ish
aswell
.
Ol
ivi
aissti
llt
ryi
ngt ol
ear
nSpani
sh,
sheknows
Fr
enchquitewellandshewasal
mostfl
uenti
n
Germantoo.
HerfatherisFrench,he'
sfrom t
hetwoRoyal
famil
iesofFrancewhohadbeenr ul
ingmonar
chy
befor
et heFrenchrevol
uti
on.
Ol
ivi
adescendedf
rom Royalf
ami
li
esonal
lsi
des.
Itwaslessli
kel
ythatshewoul
dmarryanyonenot
ofRoyalbir
th,
herfat
herwoul
dneveral
lowit
.
 TheBourbonsandOrl
eanswereal
lroyal
hi
ghnessesonhermother
'ssi
de.
Hermot
her
'sf
atherhadbeenar
oyalhi
ghnessas
wel
l.

Therei
gni
ngPri
nceofKingCi
tyPrinceAlexandr
e
Loui
swhoisherfat
her
,isaSerenehighness.
Oli
viawasbothRoyalandSerenehi
ghness,her
off
ici
alt
it
lewasSerene,t
heywererel
atedtothe
Windsor
sinEngland,
thequeenofEngl
andwast hei
r
secondcousi
n.
Everysi
ngl
eoneofthei
rrel
ati
vesandt
hei
r
ancestor
swereal
lofRoyalbi
rt
h.

PrinceAlexandreLouis'
sassi
stantenter
edthe
room astheyfinishedthecof
feethefootmanhad
served.
HesmiledatOlivi
aandshesmi ledbackathim,he
wasjustli
keanuncl et
oher,hehadbeenwor ki
ng
f
orherfatherevenbeforeshewasbor n.
"I
'
m sosor
ryt
oint
err
uptyouYourHi
ghness"Ar
thur
said.
"Youhaveanappointmentwi
ththefinanceminst
er
i
nt enminut
es,i
ntheWhi t
eHouseandwehave
somenewr epor
tsthatyoumighthavetoread
beforemeet
inghim"

Ol
ivi
aknewherf
atherwoul
dbebusyunt
ildi
nner
.
Someti
messhewentwithhi
m andmostt
imesshe
appear
satsi
mil
arevent
sasthepri
ncesst
hatshei
s.

"ThankyouArthur,
I'
l
lbedownst
air
sinafew
minutes"herf
athersai
dandArt
hurbowedtobot
h
ofthem andsil
entl
ylef
tther
oom.
Oli
vial
ookedatherf
atherandsi
ghed,
herchi
nin
herhands.
Herf
athersmil
ed,hewassopr
oudtohavesucha
pr
ett
ydaughterandaver
ygoodgi
rl
.
"Don'tyougetti
redofwhatyoudopapa,youbarel
y
havet i
metorest"OkI'
vecomplai
nedwi t
hafrown,
thoughherfatherhadnevercompl
ainedabouti
t.
"Ienjoywhatidot
houghihat
editatfi
rstbuti
t'
s
anobl i
gati
onandmygreat
estj
oyistoseemyci t
y
pr
ogr ess"Hesai
dashegottohi
sfeet.
Ol
ivi
afol
lowedsui
t.

"Woul
dyouliket
ojoi
nmeatthemeet
ingwi
thour
ambassadortot
heUNtomor
row?"
"
No,
ihavet
ocutar
ibbonatahospi
tal
"Ol
ivi
asai
d.
That
'soneofherdut
iesasapr
incess.
Sheonlyappearedi
nthepressatstat
eoccasions
wit
hherf at
herorwhenopeninghospit
alsor
l
ibrar
iesandwhenshewasoutwi thherBrit
ish
cousi
ns,t
herewasoneofheri nabal
lgowntooinan
art
icl
eaboutyoungRoyals.
Shel
oveskeepi
ngl
owpr
ofi
le.
..
Herfatherhadwar nedCharlest
onthati
fkeeps
appearinginthepressforbadreasons,
he'
sgonna
cutoffhisall
owanceandt hatwaswhatmade
Charl
est ontobehave.

"I
'
llseeyout
oni
ght
"Hesai
dashehuggedhi
s
daughter
.
"
Okaypapa"Ol
ivi
asai
d.

_
_

"
He'
sgoingt
ogetyout helet
terandsi
gnatur
e
t
omorr
ow"Oli
viaannouncestoCharl
eston.
Hesweptheri
ntohisar
msl i
keababyandcar
ri
ed
herr
oundthehousehappi
ly.
Shewaslaughi
nghar
dbyt
het
imehef
inal
ly
droppedher
.
"Jaxi
ssayi
nghitoyou"Shet
easedasJax
appear
edinthel
ivi
ngroom.
Char
lest
ongr
oanedandOl
ivi
alaughed.
Jaxbar
ked.

_
___
_

"Cather
ine,
countmeoutofthi
s"Anasai
dto
Catheri
neoverthephone.

"Whyareyouspeakingthi
sway?Don'
tyouhat
eher?
Yousaidtoinf
orm youwhenwehaveanewplan.
Whyallthi
s?"Cat
herineasked.
"I
'
m outoft
hisCather
ine,Et
hancamet omystor
eto
warnmenottotrytohurtIr
ishorI
'
llpayf
ori
t!
"Ana
si
ghed.
"
What
!"Cat
her
ineexcl
aimed.
"YeahandyouknowhowEt hani sright?Hei syour
exhusbandandyoual wayst oldmehekeepst ohis
wor ds,ifanyt
hingshouldgowr ongwi ththatlady,
he'llholdmer esponsi
bleforitandimi ghtnotget
outofj ail
,t
hat
'sgonnat ai
ntmybusi ness,idon't
wantabadpubl i
cit
y.I
'l
ladviseyout ost opwhat ever
plansyouhavef orheroryou'llhavetof aceEthan's
wr ath,
heseemedsoi nlovewi ththatlady"

"Wh..
wow.thi
siscrazy"Cat
heri
nel
oosenedher
ponyt
ail
,notwant
ingtobeli
evewhatshej
usthear
d.
"Heseemedt obeinl
ovewi t
hher ?That '
sthe
reasonI'
m gonnahur
ther!Idon'tfuckingcare
aboutwhatEthan'
sgonnado, atleastiwouldhave
hurtherbef
orehemakesamove"Cat heri
nesaid
wickedl
y.
"Cather
ine,
Et hanhastherightt
oloveanyoneafter
allt
hisyears.Hewasal oneforsixyear
sCatheri
ne.
Six!Hedeservest hi
s.You'
remar r
iedandheseems
fi
newi t
hit,
whydon' tyoujustl
eavehim al
one,
even
i
fyoust ophimf rom l
ovingthi
sladywhichiknow
wi
llbei
mpossible,
hewon'tcomebackt
oyou,
so
whyareyoudoingallt
hese?"

"
Becauseist
il
llovehi
m!"
"
Thenyoushoul
dneverhavel
efthi
m!"
"
Andidi
d,I
'
mreadyt
oamendt
hingsnow"
"I'
m afrai
dit'
st oolat
e,Et
hanisheadoverheelswit
h
thatlady.Didn'tyouevenseehowhewasal lover
heratt hatdinnerpart
y?Giveupal
readyCatheri
ne.
Thisisal ostbattl
e"

"I
tisnotal
ostbat
tl
eformeandyoushouldbet
ter
j
oinusbefor
eshehaveallyourcust
omer
sto
hersel
f"
"
Donoti
nvol
vemeCatheri
ne,I
'
m out
."Anasai
d
wit
hanot
eoffi
nal
it
yinhervoi
ce.
"
Mor
gani
sgonnapr
otectusi
fanyt
hinghappens"
Anal
aughed"Ther
e'snowayMorgancanpr
otect
youf
rom Et
han,
haveyoufor
got
tenhowhefought
fort
hecustodyofhisdaughter?Youshouldknow
onceEthanisdet
ermined,nothi
ngisgoingtostop
himfrom doi
ngwhathewant s.YouknowEt han
bett
erthanidoCather
ineandyoust i
llwannago
aheadwiththi
spl
anofyour s?"

"Justt
ogethim backofcour
se,
I
'l
ldoanyt
hingt
o
gethim back!
"
"Iper
sonall
ythinkyoushoul
ddesistfr
om it,you
andMor ganhadsomanypl ansf
ort heladyright
from t
hebeginningandnoneworkedout .
..
"
"
Thi
sonei
sgonnawor
kout
!"Cat
her
inei
nter
rupt
ed.
"
Goodl
uckCat
her
ine."Anadi
sconnect
edt
hecal
l.

"
Fuck!"Cat
her
inepacedt
her
oom angr
il
y.
Shef
eltl
ike.
..
shef
eltl
iker
uini
ngsomet
hing.
Shewassopi
ssedt
hatherhandsshook.
Shegr
abbedthemirr
orf
acingherdr
essi
ngchai
r
andsmasheditont
hefl
oorwit
hascream.
_
___
_

"What'
sgoingonbr
other
?Whydoesshehave
bodyguar
dsofherown?"Jessi
caaskedoverdi
nner
.
"
Youdi
dn'
tnot
iceal
lthi
swhi
le?
"Et
hangul
pedwat
er.
"
No"
"
Dadsaidi
t'
stostr
engt
henoursecur
it
y"Ar
insai
d,
t
hrowi
ngfr
iesi
ntohermout
h.

"
Wel
l.
..
yeah"Et
hanagr
eed.
"Tostr
engthensecuri
ty?Andshehasf our
bodyguardstohersel
falone!Anannyhasfour
bodyguardstohersel
falone?"Jessi
casai
dand
Iri
shwincedinherchair
.
Jessi
casi
ghed,st
art
ingt
ogetreal
lyi
rr
it
atedwi
thal
l
thenewhappeni
ngsinEt
han'
shouse.
"Ther
e'smorereasonfori
tthanj
uststr
engt
heni
ng
secur
ity,
I'
m gonnatel
lyouabouti
tlat
er"Et
hansai
d.
"Ther
e'snoreasonforanannytohavefour
bodyguards"Jessi
cadroppedherspoon.
"St
opt al
kingaboutthejob'
nanny'
li
kei
tsthe
fi
lt
hiestj
obonEar th.I
t'
sadecentj
obwithadecent
earni
ng"Et hanchi
ded.

"
What
ever
"Jessi
car
oll
edhereyes.
"
Thatwasr
ude"Gabr
iel
lesai
d.
"
I'
m sor
rybr
other
"Jessi
casai
d.
"Iwasneverrudetomybrotherunt
ilyoucame
along!
!"Jessi
cayel
ledatI
ri
shwhowasl ooki
ngl
i
ke
alostsheep.
"
Jessi
ca!
"Et
hanwar
ned.
"
I'
m doneeat
ing!
"Shesai
d,pushi
ngherf
oodaway.
"
Sheevenbri
nginhersocall
edDoll
ydogi
ntoyour
houseandyouwel
comedit.Argh!
"
Shewal
kedawayaf
tergi
vingI
ri
shaheat
edgl
are.
"
Whydi
dyoupissheroff?"MrsHarl
owasked
f
aci
ngEt
hanbutindi
rect
lyref
err
ingtoI
ri
sh.
Shehasbeensil
ental
lthewhil
ecauseshewasst
il
l
fumi
ngabouteati
ngont hesametabl
ewit
hananny.
I
t'
sabl
owt
oherego.
"Ididnotpi
ssherof
fmum!Shewasr
ude!
"Et
han
said.
"
Iwasn'
ttal
kingt
oyou"MrsHar
lowsai
dandf
aced
I
ri
shwhopressedherl
ipst
oget
her
.

"
Whydidyoupissheroff?Sherar
elyget
spissed
whenyouweren'
there?Areyouademon? "Mrs
Harl
owaskedIr
ish.

"
Mum,
leaveI
ri
shoutoft
his"Et
hansai
d.
"Ofcour
se"Mr
sHar l
owsmi
ledwi
thj
ustonecor
ner
ofhermouthl
if
ted.
"
Gabr
iel
le,
haveamai
dbr
ingmemydi
nner
."Mr
s
Har
lowst
oodup.
"I
ri
sh,
I'
m notbeingmeanbutI'
m notusedtoeat
ing
onthesamet ablewithal
owl
if
e"Mr sHarl
owsaid,
walki
ngawaybr iskl
y.

"Gr
andma,what'
sal
owli
fe?"Ar
inaskedr
unni
ng
aft
erMrsHarl
owbef
oreEthancoul
dstopher
.
Gabri
ell
equi
ckl
yor
deredamai
dtot
akeMr
s
Harl
ow'smealt
oher
.

"I
'
m sosor ryaboutt
hatI
ri
sh"Et
hansai
d,
disappoi
ntedathisMum.
He'
sjustsogl
adshewasn'
ttheonewhor
aised
hi
m.

"
It
'sf
ine"Ir
ishsmi
led,
sur
pri
singEt
hanand
Gabr
iel
le
"
Thatwast
hefi
rstt
imeyourMum act
ual
lycal
led
myname"Shel
aughed.
"
Areyouokay?
"Gabr
iel
leasked.
"
I'
mf i
ne"Ir
ishnodded,
tryi
nghar
dnott
omakeher
t
earsfal
l.

She'
sal
owl
if
eobvi
ousl
y.
Thenwhyi
sshebei
ngsosadaboutbei
ngcal
led
one.

Et
hancoul
dseeshewashur
tbeneat
hhersmi
l
e.
Healmostwi
shedhi
smum andJessi
cahadn'
t
come.

"
Doyouthinkishoul
dcontinueeati
ngatthedi
ning?
,
I
'
llbef
ineeati
ngintheki
tchen"Ir
ishsai
d.
"
NO"Et
handi
sagr
eed.
"Idon'
twantt
obethereasonMr
sHar
lowwon'
teat
atthedini
nganymor
e"
"
Shewi
ll
,she'
sjustpi
ssedt
oni
ght
"
"
No,
she'
strul
ynotcomfort
ablewi
theati
ngwi
th
me,
she'
snotusedtoitt
rul
y,
maybeikeepwant
ing
t
omakeherpuke"I
rishsmil
edsadl
y.
"Com'on,
don'
tsayt
hatIr
isj
,youknowidon'tl
ikei
t
whenonethi
nklowofonesel
f,I
'
mf inewi
thyou
eati
ngwit
hme,t
hat'
sal
lthatmatter
s"
Et
hansai
d.

"Jessi
caandMr sHarl
owarebothaf
fectedbywhat
Arin'
spastnanni
eshavedone,
theyarenotalways
thi
sway.Theyar eoneoft
heni
cestpeopleyou'
ll
evermeet"Gabri
ell
esai
dandEthanlaughed.
"No,t
heyarenotnice.Truly,theymightbeaffect
ed
bywhatAri
n'spastnanni eshavedonebutt hose
l
adiesar
enotnice,theyarepar tner
sincri
me,idon't
j
ustknowwhyil ovet hem somuch"Et hangroaned
andGabri
ell
eandI ri
shsmi led.

"Ishoul
dn'
tbesurpr
isedbyMrsrbehavi
or,
she'
sa
bil
li
onai
reforGod'
ssakeandshealwaysdi
neswit
h
wel ltodopeopl e,sheshouldn'tbebl amedf or
fi
ndi ngmypr esenceher eannoying,that '
st ypicalof
weal thywomen, sheseesmeatot herpar toft he
houseandnevercompl ain,
she'snotj ustusedt o
havi ngpeoplel i
kemeeatwi thher.Iper f
ect ly
under standher .ButJessica,idon'tknowwhyshe' s
treatingmet hatway, i
fshedoesn' tcar eaboutmy
feelings,sheshoul datleastconsidert hef actt hat
I'
mf arolderthanher "Ir
ishsaid,bli
nkingbackt ear
s.

"I
'
m sosorr
yaboutt
hat
"Gabr
iel
ler
ubbedher
shoul
der
.
"Justgi
vehert
imeIr
ish,
she'
sgonnagetusedt
o
youandstopbeingmean"Et
hansai
d.

"
It
'sf
ine"I
ri
shsai
d.

"ShemusthavemetAr
usha"Et
hansai
d,t
ryi
ngt
o
changet
hetopic.
I
ri
sh'
sfacel
itupatt
hement
ionofherbr
other
's
name.
"
Shecamehomet
oday,
ver
ypi
ssed"Gabr
iel
lesai
d.
"Iguesscompet
it
ionhasst
art
ed"Et
hanl
aughed.
"
Compet
it
ion?
"Gabr
iel
leasked.
"
Yeah,iguessyoudon'
tknowhowi
ntel
li
gent
Arushai
s"Ethansai
d.
"
IdobutyouknowJessi
cai
sint
ell
igentaswel
l
"
Gabr
iel
lesai
d.
"
Yeah"Et
hanagr
eed.

"Don'
tyouthi
nkweshoul
dtel
lheraboutArusha?
Sothey'
llwor
khandi
nhandinclass"Nol
asmi l
ed.
"No!
"Iri
shsaidi
nwar
dly,
notwant
ingt
hatgi
rlar
ound
herbrot
her.
"No,it
hinkweshoul
dleavet
hem f
ornow"Et
han
said.
"
Yout
hinkso?
"Gabr
iel
leasked.
"
Yeah"
"Wil
lyoucomewi
thmetomyworkshoptoni
ght
?I
havesomanyworkt
odo"I
ri
shwhisper
edto
Gabri
ell
e.
"
Yes!
"Hegr
inned.
"Ihopebothofyoudon'
tspendthenightt
her
e
again"Gabri
ell
esai
dandtheylaughed.

_
___
_

Jessi
castoodi
nf r
ontofhermir
rorassheappl
ied
makeup,sheputonherschoolwearsaf
tert
hatand
l
etdownherhair.
Shebrushedi
tandmovedi
ttoonepar
tofher
shoul
der.

"
Per
fect
"shegr
inned.
Sheindeedl
ookedstunni
ngasshewal
keddown
thestai
rswi
thherbackpack.
Shemetever
yonehavi
ngbreakf
ast
,her
godmot
herwasn'tt
her
ethough.

"Goodmor ni
ngever
yone"Shesai
dmaki
ngher
presenceknown.
Gabr
iel
lesmi
ledseei
nghowpr
ett
yherdaught
er
l
ooked.
"
Howwasyourni
ght
?"Et
hanasked.
"
Normal
"shepeckedhi
m andwentt
oki
sshermum
t
oo.
"Arul
es,
howwasyourni
ght
?"Jessi
casmi
ledas
sheki
ssedAr
in.
Shecall
sAri
nthatbecauseAr
inlovesgivi
ng
rul
es,
sheownsherownr ul
ebookletandalwaysl
ike
tol
ivebyherr
ules.

"
Great
"Ar
insmi
led.
There'
ssomethingfamil
iaraboutthewayI
ri
sh
packsherhai
r.
..Jessi
cat hought
.
I
tseemsshehasseent
hest
ylesomewher
e..
.
I
t'
sabeaut
if
ulst
ylet
hough.
.

Jessi
cagulpedoutofEthan'
scoff
eeandtookhi
s
l
asttoast
,hegroanedandshelaughed.
"
Bye"Shewaved,
eat
ingt
het
oastasshewal
ked
away.
"
Bye"
Shedoesn'
tsi
ttoeatbr
eakf
astathome,
shel
oves
bei
ngearl
ytoschool
.

Shegotout
sideandthedoorofherSUVwas
openedbyoneofherbodyguar
ds.
Shegoti
ntohercarandt
wobodyguar
dsgoti
n
aft
erher
.
Thedrivert
urnedont
hei
gni
ti
onandst
art
ed
dri
ving.
Shebr
oughtoutherphone,
sti
lleat
ingt
het
oast
.
"Heywai
t!"Shesai
dbef
oret
hedr
iverdr
ivesoutof
t
hegate.
"Gogetmeabot t
leofwateri
nsi
debef
oreweleave"
Shesaidtooneofherbodyguar
dsandhequi
ckly
carr
iedoutheror
der.

_
___
_

"
Yourhi
ghness.
..
"
"Don'
tcal
lmet
hather
e!"Ol
ivi
aqui
ckl
yshuther
bodyguar
d.
"
I'
m sor
ryherExcel
lency"hequi
ckl
yapol
ogi
zed.
"Ar
rrgh!Don'
tcallmethatei
ther
!Anyonecanhear
you.Please"
Oli
viasai
d.
"Okay,ij
ustwantedtoaskifishoul
dhel
pyouwit
h
yourbackpacktoyourclass"Tony,
oneofher
personalbodyguar
dsasked.
"Tony,youcanonlydoallthatwhenI'minthe
palaceoratthewhitehouse,nother
eplease"She
pickedherbackpack.
"
Okayexc..
"Tonyqui
ckl
yzi
ppedhi
smout
hand
Ol
ivi
alaughed.
"Bye"shewavedathi
m asshewal
kedi
ntot
he
school.

She'
ssoashamedshe' slookingsof orwardto
seei
ngArusha,t
heyjuststar
tedt al
kingyester
day
andshecan'twaitt
oseehi mt odayandt al
ktohi
m.
Andsheevenbroughtdoubleofherl
unch,
she'
s
gonnagi
veArushaonesot heycanbothst
ayinthe
cl
assandtal
kduringlunchbreak.

Shefel
tsomeone'shandatthebackofherneck
andqui
cklyt
urned,st
art
led.
Shesighedi
nreli
efandal
mostbl
ushedwhenshe
sawitwasArusha.
"
Hey"Shesai
d.
"
Ihopeidi
dn'
tst
art
leyou?
"Ar
ushaasked.
"
Notr
eal
ly"
"
Howareyou?
"Heaskedwi
thasmi
least
heybot
h
wal
kedt
othei
rcl
ass.

"
I'
m gr
eat
,icanseeyouar
easwel
l
"
"
Yeah...andithi
nkyoul
ooklikeapri
ncessinsome
fai
ryt
ale.You'
vegotacalm andbeaut
if
ulface"
Arushasaid..
.
"
Huh?
"Ol
ivi
awi
denedhereyes.

"
I'
m sor
ryi
fyouar
en'
tokaywi
tht
hat
"Ar
ushasai
d.
"
No,
iam.
.absol
utel
y"Ol
ivi
asi
ghedsof
tl
y.

Whenshehear
d'pr
incess'
shet
houghtAr
usha
knewheri
dent
it
yal
ready.
Thel
astt
hingshewant
sisf
oranyonet
oknowher
i
dent
it
y.
She'
snotr
eadyf
ori
tyet
.

"
Areyouokay?"Arushaasked,
afr
aidhemusthave
t
ri
ggeredsomethi
nginher.
"I
'
mf i
ne,
mymi ndj
ustwander
edof
f"Ol
ivi
asmi
led
andhenodded.
He'salwayshappyt
oseehersmileandhedi
dn'
t
evenknowwhenhest ar
tedgr
inni
ng.

"
Didisai
dsomet
hingf
unny?
"Ol
ivi
aasked.
"Uh?..
ohh,no.Icanjustbestupi
datt i
mes"Ar usha
saidandshel aughed,
theyweresteppingint
ot he
classjustt
henandt hewholeclassstaredatthem.

Theydroppedtheirbackpacksandwalkedt
owards
thei
rseat
s,ignor
ingthegazesandmur mur,t
hey
wereusedtoitanyway, t
heclassi
salwaysmocking
them.
 Dani
ell
eandAnnasai dhitoArushaashewal ked
pastt
heirseat
s,her
etur
nedt hei
rgreeti
ngsandhe
wassurpri
sedtoseeagirlwaveathi m.

Hedoseeherfaceint
heclassbuthedoesn'
t
evenknowhername,hest
oleaquickgl
anceather
deskandsawthatshewasParis.
Hewavedbackatherwit
hasmi leandPar
isnear
ly
gr
ippedJane'
shandoutofexci
tement.

"
What '
swrongwit
hyou?Youshoul
dbet
terbackof
f
l
ikeJessi
casai
d"Janeadvi
sed.

"No!Iwon'
tletJessi
cacont
rolmeanymor
e"Pari
s
said,
wit
havoi cet
hattol
dJaneshe'
sdamnseri
ous.
"
Allbecauseofaguy?Apoorguy?
"Janeasked.

"
Idon'
tmi
nd,
I'
m gonnamakehi
mri
ch,
I'
m gonna
getacarforhi
m andtakehim ont
ri
ps"Par
issai
d
dreami
lyandJanestaredatherwi
thhermouth
wideopened.

Par
isdadwasanassemblymanwhousedt obea
j
udge,he'
sfamousandi
ncredi
blyweal
thy.
He'
samongt
het
opt
enweal
thi
esti
nCal
if
orni
a.
EthanHar
lowist
hesecondi
sthefi
rstandhe'
s
Jessi
ca'
sbrot
her
,t
hatear
nedJessi
camorerespect
.

"Par
isbackof
f,Jessi
cawant
shi
mtoo"Janesai
d
caut
iousl
y.

"
Lett
hebestgi
rlwi
n"Par
issai
dwi
thadet
ermi
ned
l
ook.

_
___
[
05/09,07:
31]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th
 JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
47_
48

I
ri
shsati
nherr
oom wi
thherl
apt
oponherl
aps.
Shewasaccept
ingnewor
der
sandj
ott
ingal
lshe
needst
obuy.
She'
ssohappymor
eor
der
sar
ecomi
ngi
n.
Hersal
esisincr
easi
ngandherfashi
onst
orei
s
st
art
ingtogetmorepubl
ici
ty.
She'
sgonnalaunchanewwearsoonandshe'
l
l
makesurei
t'
seyecatchi
ng.
Shehadtol
dEt
hanabouti
tal
readyandhe'
sal
so
exci
ted.

I
t'
s11am al
ready.

Shesmil
edasnewmessagespoppedi
nonher
page.
Mor eorderswerecomingi
n,andsomewere
sendingfeedbacksfort
hedr
essesshehad
deli
vered,t
heylovedit
.
Theyal
waysl oveherwears,noonehasseem t
o
complai
nsinceshestarted,
shealwaysmakesure
shedoeseverythi
ngaccuratel
y,
gett
hebestfabr
ics
andshedoesn'tgooverboardwit
hherpri
ces.
Peopl
elovedherf
ori
t.

"
Comei
n"I
ri
shsai
d,af
terhear
ingaknockonher
door
.
Shedi
dn'tr
aiseupherhead,
shet
houghti
twas
oneofherbodyguar
ds.

"Hey"Shehear
dthest
eel
voi
ceofMr
sHar
lowand
herheadfl
ewup.
"Hima,
doyouwantanyt
hing?
"Sheasked,
droppi
ng
herl
apt
op.
Shegott
oherfeetner
vousl
y,wonder
ingwhatt
he
womanwants.

MrsHarl
owlookedroundtheroom,
shewas
i
mpressedbyIr
ish'
sneatnessandsenseof
ar
rangement
,nothi
ngwasoutofplace.
"
Haveyourseatma"I
ri
shsai
d,cl
ear
ingherl
apt
op
f
rom t
hebed.
Shesmoot
henedt
hebedspr
ead.

Mr
sHar
lowswi
ngedoutt
hedr
essi
ngchai
r,andsat
down.
Ir
ishswal
lowedandgent
lydr
oppedherl
apt
opback
onthebed.

"
Mysonsaidhelovesyou"Mr
sHar
lowsai
d,l
ooki
ng
l
essconcer
ned.
"Uhh.
.yes,and..
.i
..
lo.
..
youdon'
thavet
obewor ri
ed
aboutthatma, I
'm notgoi
ngtobeinarel
ati
onship
withEthan..
."
"
Why?
"Mr
sHar
lowasked.
"
Huh?
"Ir
ishl
ookedsur
pri
sed.
"Answermyquest
ion"Mr
sHar
lowmai
ntai
nedher
coldvoi
ce.
"
Well.
..we'
vebothagr eedtokeepbeingf
ri
ends,
i
won'
twanttotainthisreputat
ion"I
ri
shsai
dandMrs
Harl
ow'seyesnarrowedatherwor ds.

"
Seemsshe'
str
ulydi
ffer
entl
ikeEt
hanhadsai
d."
MrsHar
lowt
hought.
 Mostladi
eswoul dn'
thavecar edaboutEt
han'
s
r
eputati
on.Ir
ish'
sselfl
essandMr sHarl
owisgl
ad
t
hatIri
shrespectedthefactthatherson'
s
r
eputati
onmi ghtbeblemished.
Shedoesn'
tlookl
ikeagol
ddi
ggerl
ikeJessyal
ways
say.

"
Wel
l.
..
I'
m nother
efort
hat
"Mr
sHar
lowsai
d.
"
Youwantsomet
hingma'
am?"I
ri
shasked.
"
MyhusbandiscomingherenextweekTuesday"
MrsHar
low smi
ledandIr
ishalmostsmil
edtoo.
Therewassomuchl oveinhereyeswhenshe
mentionedherhusband,shelookedli
keasi
xteen
yearoldgir
l,goi
ngonherf i
rstdate.

"
That
'
sni
ce"I
ri
shsai
d,notknowi
ngwhatel
set
osay.
Shewonder
edwhyMr
sHar
lowt
oldhert
hat
?

"
Andiwantyout
omakeabeaut
if
uldr
essf
orme"
Mr
sHar
lowsai
dandI
ri
shwasst
unned.
Shest
aredatMr
sHar
lowl
ikeshewasj
oki
ng.
"Ionlypickedfewdresseswhenwelef
tPari
sand
allofthem arenotsui
tabl
eenought
owelcomemy
husband"

"
Ohh"I
ri
shsai
dreasonabl
y.
"Thoughiusemor eexpensi
veandexoti
cf ashi
on
designersbutI'
m gonnagiveyouthejobcauset hi
s
cameonashor tnoti
ce"Mr sHar
lowsaid,shehad
actuall
yvisi
tedIr
ish'
spageearli
erandwasdeepl y
i
mpr essedwi t
hwhatshesaw.
Thef
eedbacksfrom hercust
omer
swereamazi
ng,
I
ri
shmakesperfectdr
essesandshewant
sonetoo.

Thoughshehassuitabl
edressestowel comeher
husbandbutshewantsonef r
om Iri
sh,shewant sto
examineherhandworkcl
oselyandifshe's
i
mpr essed,
she'
llmakeherherpersonalfashion
desi
gnerandMr sHarl
ow'spersonaldesignergets
pai
dmont hl
y,asi
defrom themoneyshepays
wheneversheorder
sadr ess.

"Okayma' am,doyouwantmet oshowyouthe

pict
uresofsomebeaut i
fuldr
essesimadeordoyou
haveanyonei nmind?"Ir
ishasked,
soundi
ng
professi
onal.
"Ihaveapi
ctur
e"MrsHarl
owbr
oughtoutherphone
andshowedIri
shthedr
ess.
I
ri
shpani
ckedabi
t,seei
ngi
twasf
rom Ana'
s
f
ashi
onstor
e..
MrsHarl
owcanj
ustor
deri
tandi
t'
llgetdel
iver
edby
t
omorrow.
"Whydon'
tyouwantt
oor deri
tfr
om Anaf
ashi
on
stor
e?Ma'
am"Ir
ishasked.
"Andwhoar eyout ot
ellmewher etoor
dermy
dressfrom?Sit
tingherewit
hyoumustbegi vi
ng
yout heaudaci
tytosuggestt
hingstome"Mr s
Harlowsaidinanalmostharshvoice.
"
I'
m sor
ryMr
sHar
low"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Or.
.youcan'tmakeit?Isi
ttoodif
ficul
tforyouto
make?Iguessi t
'smorethanyoucanhandl e.I
'
ll
l
eavet hen"MrsHarlowsaid,makingamovet o
standupbutI r
ishquickl
ystoppedher.
"No!It
'sact
ual
lyaverysimpledresstomake.I'
l
l
fi
nishiti
nhoursonceigetthefabri
csfori
t"I
ri
sh
said,
studyi
ngthedress.

It
'sapalefisht
ailIt
ali
andresswithahalterneck,i
t
wasgather edbythewaist,
thebackwasabi topen
andcrystalsgracedtheedgeofthedress,i t'
sa
si
mpledr essandyetwi t
hat ouchofsplendour.

Thef
abr
icsl
ookedcost
lyandt
hecr
yst
alst
oo.

"
Okayso,
what
'syourpr
ice?
"Mr
sHar
lowasked.
"Huh?
"Iri
shasked,
shehadn'
tbeenpr
epar
edf
ort
hat
quest
ion.
"
Yourpr
ice?
"
"
I.
.I'
l
lgetbackt
oyouma"Sheanswer
ed.
"Dothatfastcauseiwantthedr
essreadyby
Sunday,ineedtobuymat chi
ngshoes"MrsHar
low
sai
d,getti
ngonherf eet
.
"
Thanksf
orpat
roni
zingma'
am"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Iwouldn'
thavei
fithadn'tbeenonshortnot
ice,
i
havemyownper sonaldesi
gner.Andgetbackto
mef astonthepri
ce"Mr sHarlowsai
dbefore
walkingoutoft
hedoor .

I
ri
shsi
ghed.
.
Shecan'
tpossi
blygi
veherahugepr
ice,
canshe?
Ofcour
seno.
Well
..
todayi
sThursday,
shehasenoughdaysto
makethedressr
eadyshe'l
lmakesur
eit'
sready
bef
oreSunday.
I
t'
snotr
eal
lyahar
ddr
esst
omake.
Andthi
smightbeherchancetoprovetoMrs
Har
lowthathert
alenti
sfarbi
ggerthanhercut
e
smal
lwor
kshop.

ShehadcheckedMr sHarl
ow'spost
sonInst
agram
evenbef
oreshecameher eandshemustsayher
desi
gneri
sdoingagr eatj
obbutsheknowsshe'
s
gonnadoabetterj
ob.
She'
sgladthel
essonsshet
ookfr
om herMot
her
aboutf
ashiondi
dnotgoinvai
n.

"
Ihopeyou'
ref
ine?
"Car
lskedashewal
kedi
n.
I
ri
shl
aughed"
Shedi
dn'
tki
llme,
I'
mfi
ne"

Shewantedtotel
lhimthatMrsHarl
owordereda
dressbutEt
hanisthef
irstper
sonshe'
sgonna
i
nform.
Carl
walkedoutoft
hedoorandI
renepi
ckedher
phone.

"
Heyyo"Shegr
innedasEt
hanpi
ckedup.
"I
ri
sh,howyoudoi
ng?
"Et
hanasked,
gladt
ohearher
voice.
"
Great
!Ihopewor
k'sgoi
ngsmoot
hly?
"
"
Yeah,
justsi
tt
ingandgoi
ngt
hroughsomef
il
es.

"
Ohh.
.ther
e'sal
it
tl
epi
eceofnews"
"
Real
ly?
"
"Et
han,yourmum j
ustpat
roni
sedme!
"Ir
ish
squeal
ed.
"
Huh?
"Et
hanaskedi
ndi
sbel
ief
.
"
Yeah.
"
MrsVeroni
caHarl
owpatronisedLeveni
'
s
f
ashi
ons?"Et
hanaskedagain.
"
Yesyesyes"

"
Wow"Et
hansmi
led.
"
Shewant
smet omakeadr esst
hat
'l
lsui
tabl
eto
wel
comeyourDadnextweek.
"Ohh.
.yeah,Dadt
oldmehe'
l
lbecomi
ngon
Tuesday."
"
Ther
e'sani
ssuet
hough.
..
"Ir
ishsi
ghed.

"
What
'st
hat
?"
"
She'
saski
ngf
orpr
iceandidon'
tknow.
..
"C'mon.Thisi
sbusinessIrish,
youneedtoset
famil
iar
it
yapartf
ornow, besidesMum hasnotbeen
nicetoyousochargeherasmuchasyoucan"
EthansaidandIr
ishlaughed.
"Ican'
tdot
hat
.Howmuchdoyout
hinkwi
llbe
okay?"
"
Idon'tknowhowcostl
ythefabri
csandever
ythi
ng
wil
lbe..
.youshoul
dcal
cul
ateitandgi
vehert
ripl
eof
t
heprice.
"
C'mon"I
ri
shl
aughed.
"
Thefabri
csandever
ythi
ngshoul
dbeaboutf
our
t
housanddol
lar
s."
"
Good!Tel
lheryourpr
icei
stwent
ythousand
dol
lar
s.

"
What
!"I
ri
shal
mostscr
eamed.
"
What
?"Et
hanasked.
"That
'
stoomuch,iwon'tevenspendhal
fofi
tto
buyever
ythi
ngI
'
llneed.
"
"I
fyoument i
onalesserpricetoMum,ibetshe'
s
gonnacanceltheorder
,she'l
lthi
nkyou'
regonnabe
usingcheapandfakemat eri
alsf
orher"
.

"
Real
ly?
"
Yes.
"Ithi
nktent
housanddol
lar
sisokay,t
wenty
thousanddol
lar
sisout
rageousf
orthatdr
ess"I
ri
sh
said.
"
Yout
hinkso?Et
hanasked.
"
Yeah.
"Mum canaff
ordanyamountyoument i
ontoher
.
Herper
sonaldesi
gnerchar
gemorethanthat
amountandsheevenpaythem mont
hly.
"
Wow"I
ri
shsi
ghed.
"Yeah,
ij
usthopeshewon'tcancelt
heorder
becauseshefeel
sthepr
iceissoless."Et
hansai
d.
"
Ihopesot
oo"I
ri
shsi
ghed.

"
Got
tago.Wor
khar
d"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Alr
ight
,bye"Et
hansmi
led.

I
ri
shsmi
ledasshet
uckherphonei
nherpocket
.
Shealwaysfeelgoodwhenevershespeakst
o
Ethan,hi
scooldeepvoi
cehasawayofcal mingher
nerves.
*
"It
houghtyoucametomecauseyoual
readyhave
aprice?"Mr
sHarl
owaskedI
ri
sh,whost
oodbefore
her,shewoul
dn'
ttal
k.
ShehadapproachedMrsHar
lowinthel
ivi
ngr
oom
wher
eherfeetwasbeingmassaged.

"
Yesma'
am"
"
Thenspeak!
"Mr
sHar
lowsai
d,get
ti
ngannoyed.
"Thepr i
ceist
enthousanddol
lar
sma'am"I
ri
shsai
d,
stari
ngathersli
ppersandtwi
sti
nghert
oes
together.
"Why'sitsocheap.I
'
llgi
veyoufi
ft
ythousand
doll
ars.Usethebestoft
hemateri
alsf
orme.Your
accountdetai
ls?"MrsHarl
owaskedandIri
shst
ared
atherinshock.

"Doyouprobablysufferf
rom somesor tofdi sease?
Youkeepmoppi ngatmewheneverit al
kt oyou,
that
'sannoyi
ng!Iloveimmediateresponsewhen
I
'mtalki
ngtosomeone"Mr sHarl
owsai d,pissed.
"
Oh.
.my.I
'
m sosor
ryma,
igotcar
ri
edaway.
"
"
Bywhat
?"
"
Byt
hepr
iceyoument
ioned"
"I
fyoufeeli
t'
stoosmal
l
,icanaddt
oit
"Mr
sHar
low
said.

"
No!It
'st
oomuchma.Let'
sjustst
ickt
othet
en
t
housanddol
lar
s"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Areyoubyanymeanstr
yingt
ousecheapf
abr
ics
f
orme?"MrsHar
lowfur
rowedherbr
ows.
"
No,
I'
m gonnauset
hebestf
abr
icf
oryouma'
am"
"
Areyousur
e?"
"You'
l
lseeforyour
sel
fwhenI
'
m done"I
ri
shsai
d
confi
dent
ly.
"Ar
eyousur
ethatr
idi
cul
ouspr
icewi
llbeokayfor
you?"Mr
sHarl
owaskedwit
hademeaninglook.
"
Mor
ethanokayma'
am"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Ohh.
..
ihopeyoudi
dn'
tdot
hatcauseI
'
m your
employer
'sMum?"
"No,idon'
tmi xbusi
nesswit
hf ami
li
ari
tyma'am"
I
rishsaidandsmi l
edinwar
dly.Shehadjustused
Ethan'
swor ds.
"
Ilovet
hat
"Mr
sHar
lowsmi
led.

"
Yourmeasur
ement
sma'
am.Ar
eyougonnasendi
t
t
omeor..
."
"You'
regonnahavet
ot akemymeasur
ement
sof
course,
iaddwei
ghteveryday"
"
Okayma'am,
I'
llgobr
ingt
het
apemeasur
ement
"
I
ri
shsai
d.
"I
'
llcometoyourwor
kshop"Mr
sHar
lowsai
d."
Aft
er
al
lI'
m acust
omer"
Mr
sHar
lowkeepssur
pri
singher
.
"O..
okayma'am"shequi
ckl
yrespondedbef
oreshe
pissesherof
fagai
n.
Ki
ndl
yHiNovel
sRepubli
con+2348055889183on
What
sApptogetaddedtoournovel
sgr
oupandget
PDFl
inks
"
Youshoul
dgi
vemeyouraccountdet
ail
s"
"
Ohh.
.okay"

*
IvyRoyal
shi
ghSchool
*

Hedidn'
tcometothecafet
eri
ayest
erday"Jessi
ca
sai
dtoParisandJane.
Theywereeat
ingi
nthecaf
eter
iaandJessi
cahas
beenst
ari
ngatthedoor
.
"Yeah,
inot
icedtoo"Par
issai
d.Shehadsaidhit
o
him hi
smor ni
ngandhehadr espondedwi
thasmil
e
again.
She'
sthr
il
led.

"
Theguyshasneverbul
li
edhi
m"Jessi
casai
d.
Herpl
anhadbeent oalwayssavehim whenevert
he
guystr
ytobull
yhim,sheknowshe'snotwelltodo
andhehasthelooks,
theguysaredefi
nit
elygonna
bul
lyhi
mf ort
hatandt hat
'swher
eshe'sgonna
comei
nbutsur
pri
singl
ynoonehasbul
li
edhi
m so
far
.

"Bull
yhim?Heclear
lywar nedeveryonenott
otry
thatwit
hhim ort
hey'
llseethecrazysideofhi
m"
Janesaid.
"
Real
ly?
"Jessi
caaskedi
nsur
pri
se.
"
Yes,
he'
ssobol
dandf
ear
less"Par
issai
d.
"
Wow!
"Jessi
casmi
l
ed.

Hewaswinningherhear
tthemor
e,heshoul
djust
appr
oachheralr
eady.

Lunchbreakwasal
mostoverandAr
ushawasn'
tin
thecaf
eteri
a.

"Iwanttogetsomet
hing,
I
'l
lbeback"Jessi
casai
dto
herfr
iends.
Shewalkedoutoft
hecaf
eter
iaandheadedf
ort
hei
r
cl
ass.

_
___

"
Oh...
my.She'
ssoprett
y"Ol
ivi
asai
d,scr
oll
ing
t
hroughIr
ish'
spi
ctur
es.
Shesawhowshepul ledherhairinabunwi t
h
tendri
lsframi
ngherf ace,exact
lythewayshedoes
herstoobutitseemsI ri
shismor eexper
iencedthan
her,shewouldliket
ot akelessonsonthehairstyl
e
from I
rishcauseitl
ookssoper fectandbeauti
fulon
her.

"
She'
ssobeaut
if
ul"Ol
ivi
asai
dadmi
ri
ngl
y.
Shehasalwayswantedabi
gsi
stert
hatshewoul
d
shar
eint
imatethi
ngswit
h.
Ar
ushadoesn'
tknowhowl
uckyhei
s.
"
Hereyesar
est
ri
king"Ol
ivi
asai
dandAr
usha
smi
led.
"
Thankyoubutenoughofthecomment
sOl
i,
the
meali
sgett
ingcol
d"Arushasai
d.
"Justonemore"Ol
ivi
agri
nned,
sheli
kedtheway
Arushahadcall
edherOli
,
shelikedt
henameandit
soundedper
fectcomingoutofhismout
h.
"I
sthisyourMum? "Ol
ivi
aasked,st
ari
ngatthe
pict
ureofapret
tywomanwhowasseat edona
wheelchai
randIr
ishbesideher
.
Ar
ushapeepedi
ntot
hepi
ctur
e.
Itwasapi
ctureI
ri
sht
ooktoget
herwi
thmum when
shewassti
llont
hewheel
chair
.
"Yesbutthankf
ull
yshe'
snotonwheelchai
r
anymore"Arushasmil
edgrat
eful
ly.
"Ohh.
.ThankGod"Ol i
viasai
dandshewasr eadyt
o
l
ookatIrish'
spict
uresalloveragainbutAr
usha
slowl
ycol l
ect
edhisphonef rom her
.
Shel
aughed."
I'
m sorry,
ij
ustcouldn'
tavoi
d
admi
ri
ngtheperfect
ionofherlooks"
Ther
e'sonemor
ethi
ngt
hatdr
ewOl
ivi
atoher
.
Herdecency.
Shedr
esseddecent
lyi
nallofherpi
ctur
esandi
t
di
dn'
tevenhi
dehergreatf
igur
e.

"
I'
m gonnatel
lhert
hatwheniseeheronSat
urday"
Arushasai
d.
"
Shedoesn'
tst
aywi
thyou?
"
"Yes,she'
swor
kingasali
ve-i
nnanny,sheonly
comehomeonweekendsbutidon'tthinkshe'
llbe
cominghomeforthi
sweekendsoI'
m goingtomeet
her."
"
Ohhkaybutwhyisn'
tshecomi
nghomet
his
weekend?
"Ol
ivi
aasked.
They'
vest
art
edeat
ing.
"She'
saf
ashiondesi
gnerandherempl
oyerhadset
upaworkshopforheri
nhishouse"
"
Wow"Ol
ivi
awast
ouched.
"
Yeahshewor
ksi
nherwor
kshopwhenevershe'
s
nottakingcar
eofhisdaughterandithinkshe'
snow
star
tingtogetmoreorder
s,soshe'
llhavetostay
ther
et owork"Ar
ushasaid.

"That'
sterr
ifi
c,ilovethat
.Everyt
hingaboutyour
sist
erisjustsocool .Shekeepsmakingmeyear n
forabigsister"Oli
viapoutedandArushasmi l
ed.
"Shewon'
tmindbei
ngyourbi
gsi
steri
fshemeet
s
you..
"Ar
ushasai
d.
"
Real
ly?
"Ol
ivi
a'
seyeswi
dened.
"
Yeah"
"
Whenam i
..
."Ol
ivi
awassayi
ng.

"What
'sgoingonhere?"Arushaaskedi
nhor
roras
shewalkedclosert
othethem.
"Youbothareeati
ngi
nthecl
ass?"Sheal
most
screamed,bl
indedwi
thj
eal
ousy.
Shenevert
houghtJessi
cawasat hr
eatbutnow
sheknowsbett
er!Ol
ivi
aalwayshaveArusha'
s
att
ent
iontoher
sel
fal
one,hedoesn'
ttal
ktoot
her
peopl
eli
kehedotoOli
via.
Howcoul
dn'
tshehavenot
icedt
his!
?

"
I.
.ishehasaphobi
a..
"Ar
ushasai
d,pani
cki
ng.
Ol
ivi
apat
tedhi
shand.
"Youknowt hisi
sprohibi
tedi
nIvyRoyalsandyet
youwentaheadwi thit
?Iguessyouhaven'tbeen
punishedinIvyRoyal
s"Jessi
calaughed."
I'
m going
toreportyoubothnow!"

"Goahead"Ol
ivi
abiti
ntoachi
ckenandAr
usha
star
edather,
bewil
dered.
Shel
ookedsor
elaxedandf
ear
less.
"
Goaheadbitch!Whyar
eyoust
il
lst
andi
ngt
her
e?"
Ol
ivi
aasked.
"
Youjustcal
ledmeabitch?"Arushaaskednot
want
ingtobeli
evewhatshejusthear
d.
"
Hey!Idon'
tgi
veaf
uckaboutyou.You'
rea
queent ootherstudentswho'llgl
adlyfal
latyour
feetanddoever ythingyouwantbutnotme. I
f
anything,
I
'mt herealqueenher e,ir
ockwithar eal
crown"Olivi
asaidandal mostslappedhermout h
forreveal
ingtoomuchbutJessi caandAr usha
seemednott onot icethetr
uthbehindherwor ds.

Jessi
cast
aredatOl
ivi
aspeechl
essl
y.
Partofherwasscaredshefinal
lyfoundsomeone
thatdoesn'
tgi
veaf uckaboutherandanotherpar
t
ofherwantedtotearOli
viai
ntopieces.

"Mar
l!Weshouldpleadwit
hhernott
ogor epor
t,
you
don'
thavetodothispl
ease"Ar
ushasai
d,hewas
scar
edofthepunishmental
ooming.
"
Plead?
"Ol
ivi
alaughed.

"Youdaughterofaninf
amoussafecr
acker
"Jessi
ca
saidangr
il
yandOl i
vial
aughedhard.
"
Ber
eadyt
orecei
veyourpuni
shmenti
ntenf
olds"
Jessi
casai
dandwal
kedoutoft
hecl
ass.
Shewassopi
ssed!
Shehadbeenworri
edArushai
sgonnabepuni
shed
toobutnowshedoesn'
tgi
veafuck!
Shecan'
twaitt
oseeOl
ivi
agetpuni
shed,
noone
getawaywit
hspeaki
ngt
oherthatway!

"Ol
ivi
a,t
heschoolaut
hor i
ti
esknowyouhavethe
phobiaforeat
ingamongsomanypeopl e,
youwon't
getpunishedbutiwi
llbe"Arushasai
dworr
iedl
y.
"Youwon' t
,don'
tworryI'
m gonnaset
tl
eitoncethe
propri
etorgetshere,
j
ustdon'
tsayanythi
ng,
I'
lldo
thetal
king"Oli
viasai
d.
"Youl
ooksofear
less.
.wel
l.
.youwon'
tbepuni
shed
anyway"Ar
ushasaid.

"Andyouwon'tbetoo,st
oppani
cki
ngandl
et'
s
conti
nueeat
ing"Ol
ivi
asaid.
"
Eat
?Ican'
tcont
inuewi
tht
hemeal
"Ar
ushasai
d.
"
Com'
on,
youwon'
tgetpuni
shed"
"I
'
m gonnaconti
nuewiththemealaf
tert
he
propr
iet
orsayst
hat"
Arushasai
dandOl i
viasi
ghed.

Shecover
edthemeal
andt
heybot
hst
aredatt
he
doori
nsil
ence.
Arusha'
sheartpoundedinfear
,MrEthanmight
probabl
yhearaboutit
,hehadpromisedhi
m heisn'
t
gonnadisappoi
nthim andgoagainstt
heschool
rul
es.
Hewoul
dbesodi
sappoi
nted.
Fewmi nut
esl
ater
,Al
lysi
awal
kedi
nwi
tht
he
propr
iet
or.
Dami
ensi
gheddi
sappoi
ntedshehadact
ual
lywent
t
ocal
lhi
m.
She'
snotni
ceabi
t,
she'
sameani
e.

_
___
"Theret
heyare"Jessi
casai
dwithatr
iumphant
smileassheapproachedt
hem wit
hMrNatali
e.
Ar
ushagott
ohi
sfeet
,soasOl
ivi
a.
"
Donotsayanyt
hing"sher
emi
ndedhi
m.
"Yourhigh..
.Ol
ivi
a,Ineverknewyouweretheone
shecamet omefor.Sheonlysai
dtwostudent
s
werebr eaki
ngoneoftheschoolrul
esbyeati
ngin
theclass."MrNatal
iesai
dandJessicast
aredonin
confusion.
Arushawasn'
tsur
pri
sed,
hethoughtMrNatal
iesai
d
t
hatcauseheknewOlivi
ahasaphobia.
..

"
Iknowyouwouldn'thavefoll
owedheri fyouknew
i
twasme,lunchbreakwi l
lbeoversoon.Canyou
l
eaveust
ocontinueeating?"Oli
viaasked.
"Ofcour
sebuthe.
..
hast
obepuni
shed.
..
"MrNat
ali
a
said.
"
For
?"Ol
ivi
aasked.
"You'
retheonl
yoneallowedt
oeati
ntheclass
duri
nglunchbreak,
nothi
m"MrNatal
iesai
d.
"Okaythen,
ifyou'
regonnapuni
shhim,t
henyou
havetoincl
udemei nthepuni
shment"Oli
viasai
d.
"
No..
no...
"MrNatal
iesi
ghed,
hegl
ancedatJessi
ca
wholookedconf
usedbythewhol
ethi
ng.
SheknowsMrNat ali
easano-nonsensemanwho
doesn'
tjokewi
thdisci
pli
nar
yacti
ons.
Shehadexpect edhimtostartwiththepunishment
i
mmedi atelybutherehei
s, speaki
nglikeaten
monthsol dbaby.."
Imadehi m eatwit
hmebecause
he'
smyf riend,
ifeell
onel
ywheneverieatbymysel f
.
He'snotgoingtogetpunishedMrNat alieoryou'
l
l
havemepuni shedtoo"Oli
viasaid.
"OfcourseI
'
m notgoingtopuni
shhim,youboth
cansitandconti
nueyourmeal,
it
'sj
ustf
ewmi nut
es
l
eftforl
unchbreaktobeover"MrNatal
iesmi
led.

Ol
ivi
asatandAr
ushawasst
il
lst
andi
ngi
nsur
pri
se.
Hewaswonder
inghowOl
ivi
awaseasi
lyabl
eto
convi
nceMrNat
ali
e.
Shedi
ditwi
thoutst
resst
hathest
art
edwonder
ing
i
ftheywer
erel
atedi
nanyway.

Ol
ivi
apul
ledhi
shandandhesatdown.
"
Howdi
dyoudot
hat
?"Heaskedher
.
"
Jazz!
"Shewhi
sper
edandt
heyl
aughed.

"Whati
nthewor
ldi
sgoi
ngon?
"Jessi
caf
inal
ly
asked.
Shehadn'
twant
edtobeli
evet
hatMrNat
ali
ewas
goi
ngtospar
eOlivi
abutnowi
tseemsso.

"LookJessy,donotthinkever
yonenowhast he
righttoeati
ntheclass.OnlyOl
ivi
adoesbecause
she..."MrNatal
iewassaying.
"Hasaphobiaforeat
ingamongsomany
peopl
e"Jessi
cacompleted.
"
Ohh.
..yeah!
"MrNat
ali
equi
ckl
ysai
d.
Jessi
caangri
lypul
ledherhai
rbandof
fherhai
rand
l
etitdownherback.
Shewassof
ucki
ngpi
ssed.
"You'
regoi
ngt
ospareher
?"Sheasked,
almost
goingcr
azywi
thanger
.
"
Ther
e'sar
easont
othatJessi
ca"MrNat
ali
esai
d.
"
Thisi
s..
.unbel
ievabl
e!"Jessi
cagl
aredatOl
ivi
a
whohadconti
nuedeating.
Ar
ushawaspi
cki
ngatt
hemeal
.
"MrNatal
ie,
whointheworl
dhasaphobi
aforeat
ing
amongsomanypeopl e?Thi
sissocr
azymehn!"
Jessi
cablewoutraspedbr
eath.

"
Eat
!"Ol
ivi
asai
dtoAr
usha.
"
Iam eat
ing"
"
No,
you'
repi
cki
ngatyourmeal
"Ol
ivi
asai
d.
"
Ohh"Ar
ushasi
ghed.
"
Yousai
dyouwi
llcont
inueeat
ingaf
terMrNat
ali
e
conf
ir
mst
hatyou'
renotgonnabepuni
shed"
"
Ithi
nkil
ostmyappet
it
eal
lofasudden"
"Dar
n.You'
resuchacowar
d"Ol
ivi
arol
ledhereyes
andArushalaughed.

"
What?I
'
m pi
ssedatyou"Shesai
d,packi
ngt
he
meal
.
"I
'
m sorr
yaboutthatOl
ibutthi
sisthefi
rstt
imeI
'l
l
seeyourol
lyoureyesandit
'sact
uallyf
unnyand
cuteatt
hesamet i
me"Arushasmiled.
"
Tch!"
Oli
viar
oll
edhereyesagai
nandAr
usha
l
aughed.
Shestar
tedlaughi
ngtoo,t
heywer
ebot
hobli
vious
t
ot hef
actthatMrNatali
eandJessi
cawer
ethere.

"
Hey!
!"Jessi
cascr
eamedandt
heyt
urnedt
oher
.
"Thispsychoi
sst
il
lher
e"Ol
ivi
amut
ter
edunderher
breath.
"MrNatali
e,di
dshebr
ibedyouorsomething?I
neverknewyouweret
hiscorr
upt"Jessi
casaid
rudel
y.
"Don'tt
alkt
omethatwayJessi
ca!OrI
'
llhaveyou
punished"MrNat
ali
esai
d.
Jessi
cal
aughed"
Real
ly?
"
"Yeah,don'tt
hinkyoucanal sogetawaywith
anythingbecauseI'
m sparingOli
via,
there'
sa
reasonididso.Cautionyourmout hsoitwon'
tget
youi nt
otroubl
e"MrNat al
iewarnedandJessica
staredathimindisbeli
ef.

Ther
e'sar
easonhedi
dso?
Shewassosur
eitwasn'
tthephobi
athi
ng.
Ther
emustbeamor
esol
idr
eason.

MrNat
ali
eal
mostbowedtoOli
viabefor
eleavi
ng
t
hecl
assbuthequi
ckl
ycaut
ionedhimself
.
Jessi
cabangedadeski
nangerandst
areddagger
s
atMarlene.
.

"Youshouldn'
tdest
roythatdeskoryou'
regonna
payforthedamage,it
'sbett
ertohi
tthewall
i
nstead"Oli
viasai
dasshewal kedtoherlocker
.
Jessi
carest
rai
nedherselff
rom dr
aggingherback
andgivi
ngherthebeati
ngofherli
fe.
"It
oldyouOl i
viahasaphobiaforeat
ingamongso
manypeopl ebutyoustil
lwentaheadtor epor
t,
we'r
ecl assmatesandwe'remeanttoprotectone
anotherweaknesses,t
hatwassounf airof
you"ArushasaidandJessicafel
thiswordsdeepin
herhear t
.
[
05/09,07:
31]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th

JustANanny
 CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
49

Shest
aredathi
m andherangerdi
ssol
vedal
most
i
mmediatel
y.
Arushacoul
dseethatJessi
cahasasof
tandcar
ing
partt
oherbutherf
ier
cenessover
whel
medital
l.

Hestoppedst
ari
ngather
,wi
ththewayshestar
edat
hi
m,hecouldf
eelshef
oundhim at
tr
act
ive.
Hewouldlovetohaveherasafri
endthough,
he
wouldl
ovetobringinhersof
tandcar
ingpartand
t
hrashherfer
ociousness.
Sheneedssomeonet
ohel
pherpul
lheract
s
toget
her
.

Al
oudsoundi
ndi
cat
edt
hatl
unchbr
eakwasover
.
Jessicaslowlyr
eturnedt
oherseat
,shewasn'
t
feel
ingremorsef
ul,
shewasenthr
all
edbyArusha'
s
charm.
Looki
ngi
ntohi
seyeshadalmostst
olenherbr
eat
h
awayandhehadst
aredathert
oo.

Sheglancedathisseatandsawhimtal
kingt
o
Oli
via,
theyl
aughedandshef el
tpai
ned.
Hehadn'
tlookedatherthewayhelooksatOl
ivi
a,he
hadl
ookedatherpit
iful
ly,
notwi
thl
ove.

Whot
hehel
lisOl
ivi
a?
She'
ssureashellt
hatsheisn'
tthedaught
erofan
i
nfamoussafecr
ackerl
ikepeoplecal
lher,
ther
e's
obvi
ousl
ymor et
oher.
 MrNat
ali
ehasneveract
edt
hatway,
heact
edl
ike
hewasscaredofher
.
Andwhot
hehel
ldoesn'
thaveal
astname?
Ther
e'sdef
ini
tel
ysomet
hingabouther
!

"Whydidn'
tyour
etur
ntot
hecaf
eter
iaJessy?
"Jane
asked.
Shest
oodi
nfr
ontofJessi
ca'
sseat
,wi
thPar
is.
"
Idi
dn'
tfeell
ike"Jessi
car
espondedsul
lenl
y.
"
Ohh"Janesai
d.
"
DidyoumeetArushaint
hecl
asswhenyoucame
i
n?"Par
isaskedJessi
cawhogl
aredather
.

_
___

"Youneedt
ostoprol
li
ngthoseeyesoryou'
regonna
crackmyri
bswit
hlaught
er"Arushasai
dtoOli
via.
"
Okay,
iwi
llst
opbutononecondi
ti
on"shesai
d,al
l
smi
les.
"
What
?"Ar
ushaaskedcur
iousl
y.
"Iwantt
ovi
ewI
ri
sh'
spi
ctur
esagai
n..pl
ease"Ol
i
via
said.
"
Woah..
.you'
veal
sobeenchar
medbymysi
ster
"He
l
aughed.

"I
'
m gonnatel
lheraboutyouonSatur
day,she'
l
lbe
sohappytoseeifi
nall
yhaveaclosefr
iend"Ar
usha
gri
nned.
"Youdon'thavef
ri
ends?
"Ol
ivi
aaskedandAr
usha
shookhishead.
"Gi
rl
sjustwannahaveat
ast
eofmeandt
heyl
eave
aft
ertheygeti
t"
"Theyleaveoryoudi
scar
dthem?"Oli
viaasked.She
knowst hegamepret
tywell
,
herbr
otherisafullt
ime
playboy.

"
Wel
l.
.yeah"Ar
ushaadmi
tt
edpl
ainl
y.
"That
'snotfairArusha,
girl
sarenotobj
ects,
we
shouldbetreatedwithrespect
"Ol
ivi
asaidand
Arushabli
nkedi nsurpr
ise.
Shesoundsl
ikei
ri
shj
ustnow,
Iri
sht
ell
shi
mthat
too.
"Iknowbutidoenj
oyit
..
.idon'
tdi
scardgi
rl
s
though,
theyl
eavewhentheyseeI
'm goi
ngoutwi
th
anotherper
son"
"
That'smor
elikei
t"Ol
ivi
arol
ledhereyesand
Arushal
aughed.
"
Ihadsomuchf unwit
hgi r
lsatmyoldschool
,
they
wereal
lovermeandsomest ickstomeevenwhen
I
'm goi
ngoutwithanotherperson"Ar
ushasmil
edat
t
hememor ies.

"
That
'
snothar
dtobel
ieve,
yourl
ookssaysi
tal
l"
"Someti
mes,iwishI'
m nott
hisgoodlooking,maybe
iwouldhavehadtonsofmalefri
ends.Ireall
ywant
one"Arushasai
dsadly.
"
Doyouknowt
her
easonmostoft
heguysdon'
t
wannaassoci
atewi
thyou?
"Ol
ivi
aasked.
"
Myl
ooks"
"Exactl
y!Theyarescaredyoumi ghtt
akethei
rgir
l"
Olivi
alaughed."Notforanyotherr
eason,
soyou
shouldn'tbebother
edbyt hat
,t
heyfeelt
hreat
ened
byyourl ooksArusha,
youdon'thavetohaveamale
fri
end,I
'm heref
oryou"

"Thankyou"Ar
ushawasemot
ionalashest
aredat
her.
Hef
eltl
ikegi
vingherbi
ghug.

Shet al
kswisel
yjustli
keIri
sh, di
ffer
entfrom other
girl
shehasmet ,andshe'sthef i
rstgir
lhegenui nel
y
feelsomethi
ngfor.Hedoesn' tknowwhati tisand
hedoesn'tevencaretoknow, hejustwanttobe
aroundheralways,everyt
hingaboutherexci teshim.
Shemakeshi mr ememberI ri
shoccasi onal
ly.
Thei
rtr
ait
sar
eal
mostt
hesame.
Asi
desOl
ivi
a'
sbeaut
y,shehasagr
eatper
sonal
it
y.
"Doihavesomethi
ngonmyf ace?
"Oli
viateased
Arusha,
hercheekswereal
mostpinkcauseArusha
hasbeenstar
ingather
.
Shewast
ryi
nghar
dnott
obl
ush.

"
I'
mjustsogl
adihaveyouasmyf
ri
end"Ol
ivi
asai
d.
"
Met oo,I
'm notl
onel
yanymore,andil
ookforward
t
ocomi ngtoschoolever
ydayj
ustbecauseofyou"
Arushasmil
ed.
"I
'
mf l
att
ered"Ol
ivi
abl
inkeddr
amat
ical
lyandt
hey
l
aughed.

"Ibetyoumusthavehear
dthatsever
all
y,gi
rl
smust
havet ol
dyout
heycometoschoolbecauseofyou"
Olivi
asaid.
"
Yeah,sever
ally"
Arushasai
dbuthear
ingi
tfr
om
Arushahadhitdif
fer
entl
y.
Hehadi
ndeedf
eltf
lat
ter
ed.
"
Idon'tf
eell
ikeapl
ayboyanymor
e,gi
rl
sdon'
t
i
nter
estmeanymore"
"
Real
ly?
"
"Yeahoriwoul
dhavemadeoutwit
halmostal
lthe
gir
lsinher
e"Ar
ushasai
dandOli
viacover
edher
ears.
Theybothl
aughedl
oudl
yanddi
dn'
tevennot
icet
he
st
udentsst
ari
ngatt
hem.
"
Damn!I
'
ver
eal
lychanged"Ar
ushasi
ghedsof
tl
y.
"
I'
m gl
adyouhave"Ol
ivi
asai
d.
"
It
'sagoodt
hingt
otr
eatgi
rl
swi
thr
espect
..
."
"
Theykeepcomi
ngt
omet
hough"Ar
ushasai
d.
"
Then,
yougent
lyr
efuset
hem"Ol
ivi
asai
d.
"
Whati
ftheykeepcomi
ng?
"
"
Then..theywil
lhavet
ofaceme"Oli
viasai
dand
widenedhereyesinafi
erceway.
Ar
ushal
aughed.
"Youl
ooksocoolt
hatiwassurpr
isedyoucoul
dcal
l
someoneabi
tch"Arushasai
d.
"Ididn'tmeanto,
butsheneedssomeonetosether
straight,shet
hinkssohi
ghlyofher
sel
f"Ol
ivi
asaid.
"'I
fanythi
ng,I
'
mt herealqueenher e,
irockwi
tha
realcr
own'"Ar
ushami mickedOliviaanditwasso
funnythatt
heybothburstedint
ol aughter
.

"
Didir
eal
lysayt
hat
?"Ol
ivi
aasked,
sti
lll
aughi
ng.
Ar
ushanodded.

"Shuu.
..
MissMegi si
nclassalr
eady"Ar
ushasai
d
andtheybothgotser
iousforcl
ass.

_
Sat
urday_
"
I'
llbel
eavi
ngonceim donewi
thbr
eakf
ast
"Ar
usha
t
oldMrsHelenandshenodded.
"
Ikni
tt
edapinkangorasweaterf
orAri
n,comegeti
t
whenyou'
reaboutt
oleave"MrsHel
ensai d.
"
OkayMum"Ar
ushasai
d.

Hesmi
ledasOl
ivi
a'
scal
lcamei
n.

"
Hey.
"
Areyout
her
eyet
?"Sheasked.
Hehadpromisedtoputheronphonewi
thI
ri
sh
whenhegetstoher.
"
Youdi
dn'
tevensayhit
ome"Ar
ushapout
ed.
"
I'
m sor
ry.
..
iguessiwantt
ospeakt
oIr
ishbadl
y"
Ol
ivi
asmil
ed.
"
Youwi
ll
,soon"
Arushasmi
ledt
oo.

"
Youeat
ing?
"Ol
ivi
aasked.
"Yeah,
I
'm gonnal
eaveonceI
'
m done.
"shoul
dleaveyout
oeatt
hen.Byeee.
"
Bye.

Hedr
oppedhi
sphone,
smi
li
ngbr
oadl
y.

"
Tch!Youlookl
ikeapumpki
nwi
tht
hatsmi
le"Mr
s
Hel
ensaid.
"
What
!"Ar
ushaexcl
aimed.

_
___

Arushawasall
owedi
ntoEt
han'smansi
onwithout
questi
on,
hegreet
edt
heworker
sashewalkedinto
themainhouse.

"
They'
reatt
hedi
ningr
oom"Javadt
oldhi
m.
"
Thankyou"Ar
ushasai
dandwal
kedt
owar
dst
he
di
ning.

Hewalkedint
othedi
ningr
oom t
hemomentJessi
ca
wasyell
ingatI
ri
sh.

"
Donotfucki
ngyel
latmysi
ster
!!
"Ar
ushashout
ed
i
nanger
.
Hewassosurpr
isedtoseei
twasJessi
cabuthe
di
dn'
tcar
eaboutthatatt
hemoment.
HedroppedthesweaterMrsHel
enkni
tt
edf
orAr
in
andapproachedherangri
ly.

She'
sMrsGabr
iel
le'
sdaught
er,
theoneAr
inhadt
old
hi
m about
.

"Youcanbef uckingrudetoanyoneelsebutnotmy
sister!Icanbepr et
tyviol
entwhenitcomest o
her,youbet t
erbewar ned"Arushasai
dthrough
clenchedt eeth.
Hewassoangr
y.
"What.
..
areyoudoi
ngi
nmyhouse?
"Jessi
caasked
slowl
y,i
nshock.
I
tdawnedonhert
hatAr
ushai
sIr
ish'
sbr
other
.

"
I'
m nother
eforyou,
I
'm her
eformysist
erandt
his
i
snotyourhouse!
"Arushast
atedcl
earl
y.

"I
rishhowcouldyouallowhertotalktoyouthat
way?Howcoul dyouall
owheryellatyou!?
forhow
l
onghast hi
sbeengoingon?Thisissofucking
crazy,ican'
tbel
ievet
his!
"Ar
usharakedbackhi s
hairwithanangryhand.

"
MrsGabr
iel
le!
"Heyel
ledandI
ri
shqui
ckl
yst
oodup.
"
Arus.
."Shewassayi
ng.
"
Donotcal lme!Howdoesi tf
eelt
obeyel
ledat
?"
ArushaaskedMr sGabr
iel
lewhowasstunned.
"
Don'
tber
udeAr
usha!
"Ir
ishchast
ised.
"
Shewat
chedherdaught
eryel
latyouanddidn'
tsay
awor
d!Whatani
cewayt orai
seachil
d"Arusha
t
aunt
edandMrsGabri
ell
ewast oost
unnedtospeak.

"Donottal
ktomymotherthatway!
"Jessi
cast
ood
up,st
abbingherf
orki
ntohermealangr
il
y.
"Donott
alktomysist
ert
hatwayeither
!Whatever
youdotoIri
sh,
yourmum get
sthesame"Arusha
sai
d.

Et
hanwat
chedtheexchangesi
lentl
y,
he'
ssogl
ad
Ar
ini
sherroom,wat
chingani
mat i
on.

"
Getoutt
hismi
nut
e"Jessi
casai
dmenaci
ngl
y.
"Thelasttimeichecked,yourlastnameisn'
tHar l
ow.
It'
ssof unnyhowpeopl etendt ochangeoncegiven
theoppor tuni
tytohaveat ast
eofweal t
h.You'
rean
opportunistJessica.Qui
tacti
ngl i
keyouowni tall
!"
Arushasai dandI ri
shwantedt otakehi
m outbut
Ethanst oppedher .
Jessi
cashookwithanger
,Arusha'
swordshadhit
herbadl
y,
herhandstrembl
edassheslowlypi
cked
anemptyglasscup.
Sheai
medi tatArushabef
oret
heycoul
dst
opher
andhelucki
lydodgedit.

Arushapickedaglasscupt ooandaimeditst
rai
ght
ather,
theystar
tedthrowingt hi
ngsateachot
herand
thebodyguardsquicklysteppedin.

Et
hanorderedtheguardst
otakeJessi
cat
oher
r
oom andlockherdoor.
Andshedidn'
tmadeiteasyf
orthem,t
heyhadt
o
t
aketofor
ceful
lyt
akehertoherroom.

Theylockedheri
nandshescr
eamed,
bangi
ngt
he
door
.
Shet
hrewt
hingsi
ndi
ff
erentdi
rect
ionsand
shat
ter
edt
heexpensi
veovalmi
rr
or.
Herj
awgotbr uisedwhensheanddamienwer
e
t
hrowingt
hingsateachotherbutnowt
heshat
ter
ed
mir
rorhadbruisedherpal
m.
Sheshout
ed.

Arushaont
heot
herhandal
mostgotsl
appedby
I
ri
sj.
ButEthanstoppedher,
shewasbreat
hingf
asti
n
anger
,disappoi
ntedatwhatAr
ushahaddone.
Hehadstoodupforherbutshef
eelhewent
over
boar
dwithi
t.

Bloodseepedoutofhisnoseandhehadasmal
l
cutonhi sf
orehead,
hiswhol
efacewasr
edandhe
didn'
tlookremorsef
ulabit
.
"
Donothithi
mforexpr
essi
nghi
msel
f"Et
hansai
d
t
oIrene.
Themai
dswer
ecl
eani
ngupt
hewhol
epl
ace,
the
di
ningr
oom i
sat
otalmess!

"Takehi
mt ohi
sroom"Et
hansai
dtohis
bodyguar
dsandArushawasal
sotakent
ohi
sroom.
.
Hebentt
opi
ckthesweaterhehadbeenaskedt
o
gi
veAri
nbef
orefol
lowi
ngthem.
Hewassopissedt hathefel
tli
kepunchi
ng
someone,
herestr
ainedhimselfandf
oll
owedt
he
bodyguar
dsquiet
ly.

"Javad,
cal
ldocLucri
ghtnow"Ethansai
dand
Javadnoddedandlef
ttocar
ryouttheor
der
.

I
ri
shst
oodt
her
e,notknowi
ngwhatt
odo.
"
I'm sosorr
yMrsGabr iel
le,I
'
m sosorr
yArushawas
rudetoyou"Sheapologizedonhisbehal
fandMrs
Gabriel
leonl
ynodded,stunnedbythewhole
i
ncidence.
Hercheekswer
esmear
edwi
thj
am whenJessi
ca
andAr
ushawer
ethr
owi
ngt
hingsateachot
her
.

"I
syourbr
otheral
wayst
hisvi
olent
?"Mr
sHar
low
askedi
ndisgust
.
"He'snotalwaysvi
olent
,Jessi
camadethevi
olence
movef ir
st,
shethr
ewagl asscupathi
m!"I
ri
shsaid,
a
bitster
nlyfort
hefi
rstti
me.
Shewasdef
ensi
veofAr
usha.

Sheal
wayshaveherbr
other
'sbackj
ustl
ikehe
al
wayshaveher
s.
Shemightnotbeabl
etostandupforher
sel
fbut
shewon'twat
chherbrot
hergeti
nsult
ed.

MrsHarl
owwasabi tsurpr
isedatt
hetoneofI
ri
sh'
s
voi
ce,
shehadneverspokentohert
hatway.
Sheal
waysspeakl
ikeascar
edcat
.
"Ar
ushashouldatleasthaverespect
edthef actt
hat
she'
salady!Heclearl
ydoesn'thaverespectfor
whomever"MrsGabr i
ell
esaid,spi
tef
ull
y.
"Arushalosest otalcont
rolwheni tcomesto
me,hedoesn' tcareaboutgender.Ifihadknowhe
wascomi ng,iwoul dhavewar nedJessica
befor
ehand.Andheshoul dn'tbeblamedf orthi
s,
he
wouldneverhaveat tempt
edt ohitherifshehadn'
t
hi
thimf i
rst"Iri
shsai d.

"
Hehasnomanner
s,hewassor
udet
ome"Mr
s
Gabr
iel
lesai
d.
"Iapol
ogi
zedMrsGabr
iel
le,
I
'm sosor
ry.Hewas
bli
ndedwit
hfur
y"I
ri
shsaid.
"Jessi
cahasalwaysbeenrudetoI
rishtoo.Doyou
nowf eelt
hewayJessicamakesIr
ishfeel?"Et
han
asked,surpr
isi
ngever
yone.

"I
ri
shdoesn'toweyouanapol
ogyneitherdoArusha,
youneverapologi
zedt
oIr
ishwheneverJessi
cawas
rudetoher
.AndMum, your
aisedJessi
cat
he
perf
ectway"Et
hancl
appedmockingly.
Hegott
ohisf
eetandt
oldI
ri
sht
oret
urnt
oher
wor
kshop.
MrsHar
lowandGabr
iel
lest
aredathi
m ashe
wal
kedt
othedoor
.

"DocLucwi l
lbeher etogetArushaandJessica
treatedandever yoneofyoushouldstayoutofit.I
don' twantanyonei nei
therJessi
ca'
sroom or
Ar usha'
s,l
eavethem tosortthemsel
vesout"Ethan
sai dbefor
ewal kingoutofthedoor.
Theyal
lknewhewaspissedaboutt
hewhol
et hi
ng
buthewasobviousl
ymorepi
ssedathisMum and
MrsGabri
ell
e.

Hewalkedtowar
dshi
sgar
denandhi
sbodyguar
ds
st
ayedback.
Hel
ovesbei
ngal
onei
nther
e.
Ir
ishwasbackinherworkshopalso,
shecoul
dn'
tdo
anythi
ng,
shesatandst
aredintospace.
Herbodyguar
dsweret
her
ewit
hherandnoone
spokeaword,
awar
eofwhatj
usthappened.
I
thadspr
eadamongt
hewor
ker
s.
ShewantedtogoseeAr
ushabutEt
hanhad
or
deredever
yonenott
o.

Ethanwalkedi
ntoIri
sh'
swor
kshopandher
bodyguar
dsgreetedhim.
"
Youallshoul
dleave"Hesai
dwi
thaver
yser
ious
f
ace.
I
ri
shhasneverseenhi
mlookt
hisway.
Helookedangr
yandshepanicked,hewaspr obabl
y
angryatAr
ushaforcausi
ngf
ussi nhishouse.

I
ri
sh'
sbodyguar
dsl
efti
mmedi
atel
y.
"Carl
,
getmemylaptopf
rom myr
oom"Et
hansai
dto
Carlbef
orehel
eft
.
Hepacedherwor
kshopwithouttal
kingt
oherand
t
hensatwhenCarlbr
oughthislapt
op.
Shetur
nedt
ohi
m andbl
inkedl
ikeaner
vous
puppy.
Heknewshewasst
ari
ngathi
m buthedi
dn'
trai
se
uphi
shead.
Ir
ishfel
tsadhedidn'
tlookatherl
ovi
ngl
yli
kehe
alwaysdo,
shewasconvi ncedhe'
spr
obabl
yangr
y
atherandArusha.

Shedidn'
tsayawor d,sheonlyconti
nuedstari
ng,
hopinghewouldlookupatherandsaysomet hing
orevenkissher
,sheisn'tgonnaref
usethi
st i
me.
Hesatt
her
ecal
mly,
busywi
thhi
slapt
op.
Her
egardedherf
rom beneat
hhi
slashesand
smi
ledt
ohimself
.

I
twashar
dtost
opst
ari
ngathi
m.
 Hewasput t
ingonasimpleT-
shir
tthatr
eveal
ed
hispower
fulmusclest
hatbunchedandfl
exedashe
typedf
ast
.
Theblueshort
shewor edidn'
tdoagoodjobi
n
hidi
nghisl
onglegsei
ther,
hehasagreatbodyand
shealmostdr
ooledst
ari
ngathim.
Ofcoursethi
sisn'
tthef
ir
stt
imeshe'
l
lbestar
ing
buthelooksmoreappeali
ngt
oherri
ghtnow.

Geez!
Shecan'
tbel
ieveshef
indshi
m mor
eappeal
ing
whenhe'
spissed.
Ther
e'st
hissexi
nesst
ohi
spi
ssedst
ate.

Thewayhearchedhi
sbrowal
mostmadeher
i
maginenaught
ythi
ngs.
Hergazel
efthi
sbodyandmovedt
ohi
sface.
Hislongcurl
yhairwaspart
edathisfor
ehead,
his
narr
owst r
aightnosewasperf
ectandhist
hin
l
ips.
..
Ohh.
.God.

Whyar
eyoudoi
ngt
hist
omeEt
han?

Shekeptst
ari
ngathi
m,i
magi
ningnaught
ythi
ngs.
Shealmostfor
gott
helat
esti
nci
denceashermind
wentbacktowhentheyhadsexi
nthecaraf
tert
he
dinnerni
ght
.
Geez!
She'
ssoashamedofher
sel
ftobet
hinki
ngoft
hat
now.

"Youreyesmightpopoutoft
hesocketfrom
stari
ng"Et
hanfinal
lysai
dandlookedatherwi
thhi
s
softgol
deneyes.
Shepout
ed.
..
"Ar
eyoupi
ssedatAr
ushaandI
?I'
m
sorr
y"
Ethansi
ghedsof
tl
yanddr
oppedhi
slapt
opbesi
de
hersewi
ngmachine.
Hedrewhercl
osertohi
mtoget
herwi
tht
hesi
ngl
e
chai
rshewassit
ti
ngon.
Hest
aredint
ohereyesandhewasl ostf
ora
moment,
healmostki
ssedherbutr
estrai
nedhi
msel
f.
Shelookedli
keascaredl
it
tl
ethi
nghesuddenl
yfel
t
theurgetoprot
ecther
.

Herci
rcl
edhi
sar
m ar
oundherwai
st.
Hecan'
tjustexpl
ainwhathereyesdoest
ohi
m.
"
Stopl
ooki
ngli
kethat
..
.i
t'
skil
li
ngme.Imightj
ust
r
apeyou"Hesai
djoki
nglyandshesmil
ed.

Hecaughtastr
andofhersi
lkyhai
randt
uckedi
t
gent
lybehi
ndherear
.
"AndI'
m notpi
ssedatArushabutyou.Ar
ushadi
d
nothi
ngwrong,
youstar
tedital
l"
"
How?
"Ir
ishwonder
edl
oudl
y.
"I
'
m pissedatyoucauseyougaveJessi
cathe
chancetotal
ktoyourudel
yri
ghtfr
om thestar
t,you
madeherf eelit
'snor maltotalkt oyouanyhowshe
l
ikes, ikeepmut emostt imescauseiwant edyout o
standupf oryour self,
iwantedyout oshutherup, i
want edyout oyel lbackather, iwant edyout o
breakf reef r
om herchai nbutyouneverf oronce
repri
mandedher ,youwat chheryel l atyouallthe
ti
mewi thoutsayi ngawor d,youmi ghtbe
respect i
ngherf orbei ngGabr iell
e'sdaughterbut
therear eli
mi tstot hosethings."Et hansaidand
Iri
shst aredathi m wi t
houtsayi ngawor d.

Shenowunder
standswhyhe'
ssopi
ssed.
He'
spi
ssedatherdumbness.
Maybei
t'
sfinal
lyt
imetobr
eakfreef
rom Jessi
ca'
s
chai
nandteachhersomel
essons.

"IwashappyArushacame,iwasmor ehappyhe
metJessicayel
li
ngatyou.Iknewther
ewasnoway
hewouldallowthatandheprovedmeright
"Et
han
smiled.
"Jessicaismyyoungersi st
erandist i
llfeelsadtil
l
datethatihadal lowedmymum r aiseher ,
mymum
playedahuger olei nwhatJessi cabecame
today,shespoi lther .Shedidn'tgett ospoi lmesoi
guessJessi car eceiveditallbutt heniwon' tbl
ame
mymum t otal
ly, Jessicaisnowol denought oknow
what '
srightandwr ong,she'sol denought ochange
herspoi l
tbehavi or,
she'srudeandsheknowsi tbut
shehasr efusedt ochangedespi tet hecount l
ess
l
ongsessi onsi '
vehadwi thher .I'm goingt ohaveto
sendhert oAf r
icat ohelpwi tht heout breakgoi ng
ont hereifsher ef usestochange"Et hansai d.
"No!Please,she'ssti
llsoyoungforthatand
besides,hel
pingwi t
ht heoutbr
eakisvolunt
ary,
you
can'
tf or
cehert ogot here"I
ri
shsaid.

"IknowbutI'
m gonnat hreatenherwiththattoseeif
she'sr
eall
ygonnat urnanewl eafandyouneedt o
stopbeingl
enientwi t
hher,sheneedsourhel pto
becomeabet t
erper son"EthansaidandI r
ish
nodded.
"I
'
m gonnatal
ktoMrsGabriel
letooandmymum.I
won'
tall
owhertakeherbacktoPari
s.Jessicawi
ll
beherewit
huspermanentl
yandshe'llonl
ygetto
gotoPari
sduri
ngholi
days"Ethansai
dandhe
l
ookedli
kehemeantit.

"
How'
syourmum gonnat
akei
t?"I
ri
shasked.
"
Idon'
tcar
e,shespoi
ltherenoughal
readyandI
'm
r
eadytost
epinnow"EthansaidandIri
shsmil
ed.
He'swill
ingt
omakeJessi
caabetterperson,
he
didn'
tevencarei
fshei
sn'
thisbl
ood,helovesher
regardl
ess.
He'sasel
fl
esscharmingman,he'salwayswill
ingto
gooutofhiswayforother
s,henevergetsti
redof
hel
pingpeopl
eandhe'ssohar dworki
ngregardless
oftheamountofwealt
hhehasr equired,
hehasa
goodheart
.
Someonel
ikehi
mi sr
aretocomeacr
ossandshe'
s
sogl
adtohavehiminherli
fe.
Notonl
ythat
,he'
sinl
ovewi
thherasshei
swi
th
hi
m andthei
rloveseemstobei
ncr
easi
ngatt
he
passi
ngofeachmoment .

Hi
sarmswassti
llci
rcl
edaroundherwai
standshe
bl
ushedashest
aredather
.
"Iguessi
t'
syourt
urnf
oryoureyest
opopout
"She
saidandhegri
nned.

_
___
_
[
05/09,07:
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ll
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Aut
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essBer
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50

"IbetArushamusthaveunner
vedyou"Et
han
smiled.
"
Yeah"I
ri
shagr
eed.
She'
sworri
edabouthi
mthough,shehasseenblood
seepoutofhi
snoseandshereall
yhopehe'l
lbe
fi
ne.
"You'
reworr
iedabouthi
mri
ght
?"Et
hanaskedand
shenodded.
"He'
llbef
ine,
he'
sasstrongasiam"Et
hanshowed
offhismuscl
esandIr
ishlaughed.

Shetouchedhismuscl
esandherhandcoul
dbar
ely
coveri
tfi
rmly.
"
Geez!
"Shesi
ghed.
"
Youmustbewor
kingoutr
ealwel
l
"Sheadded.
"
Notr
eal
ly"Et
hanshr
ugged.
"Imustlookl
ikeanantcompar
edt
oyou"She
sighedandroll
edhereyes.
Ethanlaughed.
..
"Il
ovei
tthatway,
itmakesmef
eel
theurgetoprot
ectyou"

"
Woah"I
ri
shbl
ushed.
"Ithi
nkI
'm gonnabebreaki
ngarul
enow"Ethan
saidanddidn'
tgiveI
ri
shtoaskwhatr
ulei
tisbefor
e
placi
nghisli
psonhers.
I
tli
nger
edforamoment,
shedidn'
tpushhi
m away
andshewastoost
unnedtoret
urntheki
ss.

"I
'
m sorr
y,coul
dn'
tresi
st"Et
hanmut
ter
edagai
nst
herl
ipsanddeepenedtheki
ss.
Hehadwantedtobegent
lebuthi
shor
monesgot
t
hebett
erpartofhi
m.
Ir
ishki
ssedhim backasfier
cel
yashedidandthey
bothburst
edint
olaughterwhentheyst
oppedt
o
catcht
heirbr
eath.

_
___

Arusha'
snoseal
readystoppedbl
eedi
ngbef
oreDoc
Lucwalkedi
ntohisroom.
Hehadwashedhi
sfaceandpull
edoffhi
sT-
shi
rt
t
ocleanandst
opthebloodf
rom hi
snose.

"
HiDocLuc"Hesai
d.
"Arusha,
howar eyou?Icanseeyouarenotf
ine
though.Let'
sgetyoutreat
edfi
rst
"DocLucsaid,
he
hadcomewi t
hayoungnur sewhostar
edat
Arusha'schesti
nlust.
Hewaspi ssedtohaveoff
endedIr
ishbuthedi
dn'
t
feelabi
tremorseaboutwhathadhappened
betweenhim andJessi
ca.
"Yourcutsareli
ttl
e,comparedtothatofJessi
ca,her
j
awi sbruisedandbr okengl
asseshadbr ui
sedher
palm andfoot,
it
'sprett
yseri
ous,she'
llhavet
olimp
foracoupleofdays"DocLucsai dandAr ushafelt
sorryforher.
Hehadn'tmeantohitherbackbuthehadbeenso
fur
ious,
hecan'
tseem tocontr
olhi
mselfwheni
t
comestoIri
sh.
Heknewhewasr esponsi
blef
orthebrui
seonher
j
awbutdef
ini
tel
ynott heoneonherpalm andf
oot
.
Hest
il
lfel
tsor
ryf
orhert
hough.
.

DocLucdi dn'
twast
et i
meinat
tendi
ngt
ohis
wounds,hegavehim somemedsaft
ert
hatandl
eft
hi
mt orest.
Jessi
cawasasl
eepbyt
henandherr
oom has
beencl
eaned.

Ar
ushal
aidonhi
sbedandst
aredatt
hecei
li
ng.
Hehadn'
tthoughtanyoft
hiswoul
dhappen.
Hehadn'tevenexpectedanyt
hingcl
osetoit,
he
wassti
llsurpr
isedJessicawastheoneAri
nalways
t
oldhi
m about .

Oli
viahadcal
ledandhefel
tbadhehadn'
tret
urned
hercal
l,
shebadlywant
stospeakt
oIri
shandhe's
notsureI
ri
sji
sintheri
ghtmoodtodothatnow.
Hewal
kedoutofhi
sroom shi
rt
lessandheadedt
o
I
ri
sh'
sworkshop.

Headsturnedashewal
kedpastbodyguar
dsand
f
emal eworkers.
Thei
rjawli
ter
all
ydr
oppedi
nwonder
mentast
hey
st
aredathi
m.
Heseemsnott onot
icet
hest
irhewascausi
ngas
hekeptwal
king.

Hewal
kedi
ntoI
ri
sh'
swor
kshopandEt
hansmi
led
onseei
nghi
m.
"
Ir
ish,
I
'm sor
ry"Ar
ushasai
dandI
ri
shgott
oherf
eet
.
"No,
Youdi
dnothingwr
ong"Shesai
dandpul
led
himint
oat
ighthug.
"Thanksforst
andi
ngupf
orme"Sheki
ssedhi
s
cheeks.

"
Butyoushouldn'
tber
udet
oanol
derper
sonnext
t
ime"I
ri
shsaid.
"Idi
dn'tmeant obutiwasjustsopi ssedshe
couldn'treprimandherdaught er,isawherwheni
walkedi n,shewasl ookinglessconcernedandeven
continuedeat ingwhenJessi cawasyel l
ingatyou"
Arushasai d,
stil
lupsetaboutGabr i
ell
e'
sbehavior
.

Ir
isht
ouchedt
heli
ttl
epl
ast
eronhi
sfor
eheadand
hewincedi
npain.
Shef
eltl
ikecr
ying.
"
Doesi
thur
t?"Sheaskedandhenodded.
"
I'
m sosor
ryAr
usha"Shesai
d,f
eel
ingsobad.
Hehadgot
tenhur
tbecauseofher
.
"Don'tbe,
andihavesomet
hingt
otel
lyou"Ar
usha
smiled.
"
Real
ly?
"Ir
ishaskedeager
ly.

"
Myhusbandisarr
ivi
ngtomorrow"MrsHarlow
r
ushedi
ntoI
ri
sh'sworkshop,
almostbreat
hless.
Ever
yonet
urnedt
oher
.

"
Ismydr
essr
eady?
"SheaskedI
ri
shanxi
ousl
y.
Shehadexpect
edIr
enetosayno,because
tomor
rowwasactual
lyt
hedeadli
neshegaveher
.
Soshehadcometohast
enherupcauseher
husbandi
scomi
ngtomorrow.
"
Yesma'
am,
it'
sready"I
ri
shsmi
led.
"
Wow"Mr
sHar
lowwasi
mpr
essed.
Ar
ushawonder
edwhoshewas.
"Mymum"Ethansai
dtoArusha,
seei
ngt
he
conf
usedl
ookonhisface.
.
"
Ohh.
..
Hell
oma"Ar ushabowedi
ngr
eet
ingwhi
le
I
ri
shwenttogett
hedr ess.

Mr
sHar
lowst
udi
edhi
m keenl
yforf
ewmoment
s.

"You'
rejustl
ikeEthanwhenhewasyounger
"she
saidandpattedhisbackandevent
hebli
ndcoul
d
seethatshelikesArusha.
"
Yeah,
he'
smi
nime"Et
hansai
dandt
heyl
aughed.

I
ri
shheldoutthebeaut
if
uldr
essinfrontofMrs
Harlowandnotonl
yherwasstunned,Ethanand
Arushawastoo.
Noonecoul
dexpl
ainhowMr
sHar
lowendedup
huggi
ngI
ri
sh.
I
ri
shwasshocked,
soasEt
han.

"Thankyousomuch"Mr
sGabr
iel
lesqueal
edl
ikea
kid.
"
Ohh.
.my"I
ri
shsai
d,st
il
lshockedbyt
hehug.
"Thi
sissobeaut
if
ul"MrsHarlowadmi
redt
hedr
ess
andstudi
editwi
thkeenint
erest
.
SheneverthoughtIr
ishwoul
dhavecomplet
edit
andnotonlythat
,shemadeitl
ooksoneatand
beaut
if
ul.
Shewassoimpr
essedandI
ri
shwasgl
adshehad
i
mpressedher
.

"Mysi
steri
sstil
lthebestfashi
ondesi
gnerI
'
veever
comeacross"Arushagri
nned.
"
Shej
ustpr
ovedt
hatt
omet
oo"Mr
sHar
lowsmi
led.
"
Youar
esogoodatwhatyoudoI
ri
sh,
I
'm gr
eat
ly
i
mpr essedandyouevenfi
nishedi
tbef
orethe
deadli
ne,t
hat
'sagoodqual
ityofabusi
ness
woman. "

"
Thankyouma'
am"I
ri
shbowed.
Herf
acewasf
ullofsmi
les.
"Ineedtogoor deramat chingpairofshoes.Iwon't
besurprisedifWalt
erarrivestonight
"MrsHar l
ow
sighedsoftl
yandwal kedoutoft heworkshopaf t
er
Iri
shhelpedherpackt hedr ess.

"
Woah!
"Ir
ishsi
ghedi
nrel
ief
,dr
oppi
ngont
hechai
r.
Et
hanl
aughed.
"
I'
m sogladsheli
kesi
tandshehuggedme?
"Ir
ish
wassti
llst
unned.
Asfarasshecoul
dremember
,Mr
sHar
lownever
l
ikedher
.
Maybeshewasj
ustsoi
mpr
essedwi
tht
hedr
ess.
"
She'
sst
art
ingt
oli
keyouI
ri
sh"Et
hansai
d
t
hought
ful
ly.
HeknewhisMum,shehadn'
thuggedI
ri
shbecause
oft
hedressal
one.
"It
hinksotooandI
'm sojeal
ousofArusha,
she
l
ikedhim al
mosti
mmedi atel
y"I
ri
shsaidandAr
usha
smiled.

"
I'
m cut
eandlikeabl
e"Ar
ushaboast
edandI
ri
sh
r
oll
edhereyes.
"
Ihopeyou'venotst
art
edcausi
ngt
roubl
einI
vy
Royal
s?"Sheasked.
"Notatal
l,
I'
vebeensocoolthatievenfi
ndit
surpr
isi
ng.Lot
sofgirl
sareeyeingmebutI '
venot
beddedanyofthem yetandthat'
sbecauseidon'
t
feelt
heurgetoanymoreandyes...t
her
e'sonemore
thi
ng"Arushagri
nned.

"What?"I
rishaskedcuri
ousl
y,sheremember
edhe
hadwant edtotel
lhersomethingbefor
eMrsHar
low
walkedinearl
ier.
"
Ihaveanewf
ri
end"Ar
ushaannounced.
"
Aguy? "I
ri
shaskedandwasdi
sappoi
ntedwhen
Arushashookhi
shead.
"I
ri
sh,nothavingafr
iendhi
sgenderdoesn'
tmean
anyt
hing"Ethancl
eared.
"
AndiwouldchooseOli
viaoverhundr
edsofmal
e
f
ri
ends"Ar
ushasaid.
Et
hanandI
ri
shst
aredathi
m wi
thi
nter
est
.

'
Oli
via?
'Et
hant
hought
.
Thenamesoundedf
ami
li
art
ohi
m.

"
Shemustbeoneofyournumer
ousgir
lfr
iends"
I
ri
shsai
dandEthannoddedi
nagreement.
"Numerous?
"Ar
ushagr
oaned."
Itol
dyoui
'
ve
changed!
"
"
Ican'
tcountt
henumberoft
imesyou'
vesai
dthat
Arusha,
ij
usthopeyouhaven'
ttakenanygi
rlt
oour
newapartment"I
ri
shwidenedhereyes.
"No!"Arushasai
dandI
ri
shar
chedabr
owi
n
disbel
ief
.
"
Bel
ievemeI
ri
sh,
youcanaskMum"Hesai
d.
"
Sheal
wayscoverupf
oryou"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Well
..yeahbutsi
ncerel
yihaven'
ttakenanygi
rl
t
her
eyet "Ar
ushasaid.
"
Yet
?Ar
eyoupl
anni
ngt
o?"I
ri
shasked.

"Noandeveni
fiwantt
o,i
t'
sgonnabeOl
ivi
a"Ar
usha
smil
ed.
"
She'
syourgi
rl
fr
iend!
"Ir
ishaccused.
"
She'
snot
!"Ar
ushadeni
ed.
"Ibel
ievehi
m,she'
snot
"Et
hansai
dandI
ri
sjr
oll
ed
hereyesatthebot
hoft
hem.

"
Ili
kehert
houghbutshe'
snotmygi
rl
fr
iendyet
"
Ar
ushasai
d.
"Real
ly?You'
venothadanyt
hingwi
thher
?"I
ri
sh
askedandArushanodded.
"Sur
pri
sing"I
ri
shsi
ghed,she'
sgl
adAr
ushai
s
star
ti
ngtoturnanewleaf.
"Ol
ivi
aisfardecentf r
om anygir
lI'
vecomeacr oss,
shedoesn'tcli
ngt omeli
kemagnet ,she'
snotso
aff
ectedbymyl ooksandifsheis,
shedoesn'tshow
i
t,she'
sfunt obewi t
handshe'ssogener ouswith
herthi
ngs..
."ArushasaidandIri
shlist
enedtohim
ashecontinued.

Thi
sist
hef
ir
stt
imehewoul
dtal
kaboutagi
rlt
his
way.
Shecancl
ear
lyseet
hegi
rlmeansal
ott
ohi
m.

"She'
ssobeautif
ulandcal
m,funny,
sweet
,int
ell
igent
,
humbletothecoreandshealwaysmakemehappy"
ArushasaidandIri
shandEthanwasstar
ti
ngt o
pict
ureOli
viai
ntheirmi
nd.
Theybot
hsmi
led.
Ir
ishisgl
adhef
inal
l
yhasafri
end.Andwit
htheway
hespeakshi
ghl
yofher
,sheknowsOli
viai
sagreat
person.
She'
sthef
ir
stgi
rlAr
ushahaseverspokenhi
ghl
yof
.

"Peoplemockmeatschoolf ornotbeingupt otheir

standardbutsheneverj oinedt hem andshedi dn't
evenmi ndbeingmyf r
ienddespi t
ehowmostoft he
studentsavoi
dedme.Thegi rlschatwi t
hmet hough
butthat'
sbecauseofmyl ooks.Ol i
viaisalways
mockedt oofornothavingal astname,theydocal l
herfatheraninf
amoussaf ecracker"
"
That
'
smean"I
ri
shf
rowned.
"Shedoesn'thavealastname?"Ethanasked,
knowingpeopleintheRoyalfamil
iesusuall
yhi
de
thei
rlastnamesinordertokeepidenti
ty.
"
Yeah,I'
m goi
ngt
oaskherabouti
tsomeday"
Arushasai
d.
"
Yousaidhernamei
sOl
ivi
ari
ght
?"Et
hanaskedand
Arushanodded.
Ethanwasthought
fulf
orawhi
leknowi
ngt
hename
soundsfamil
iar
.
Yes!
She'sPr i
ncessOli
viaofKi
ngCi tyandalsothe
president'
sdaughter
,Herfatherisaki
nganda
President.Ethancoul
drecallhesawherwhen
PrinceAlexandreLoui
sinvit
edhi mfordinneri
nthe
RoyalPal acemonthsago.

Shehadsatwi tht hem i

nthedini
ngtabl
eincl
uding
hermot her
,brotherandsomeofherf at
her'
s
assist
ants,
she'stheappleofherfat
her'
seyes,
he
real
lycheri
shedherandt r
ulyshewascalmjustli
ke
Arushasaid.
Aft
ershehadgreet
edhi
m,shedi
dn'tsayawordt
il
l
thedi
nnerwasover,
shewassoquietnotasl
oudas
herbrot
her
.
He'ssosur
eshe'
stheoneArushai
stal
kingabout
causeonl
yther
oyalf
amil
ieshidet
hei
rlastnames.
Arushaissoluckyt
ohaveherasaf ri
endandfr
om
t
hel ooksoft
hings,
thei
rfri
endshi
pisgonnagr
ow
i
ntosomet hi
ngmoreserioussoon.
Shemustbereal
lyhumble,t
ohavemadeArusha
herf
ri
endevenaft
erknowinghe'
snotwel
ltodo.

Heevenr
ememberedOli
viahadst
yledherhai
rjust
t
hewayIr
ishst
yleher
s.

Hereal
lyf
eelsorr
yforthosecal
li
ngherf
atheran
i
nfamoussafecr
acker
.

"Doyouknowher?"
ArushaaskedEt
hanandhe
qui
cklyshookhi
shead.
Ol
ivi
aisgonnarevealheri
dent
ityt
ohim herself
,
whenevershef
eelsisri
ght
,heisn'
tgonnaintrude.
"
Idon'
tknowher
,iwasj
ustt
hinki
ngofsome
busi
nesspl
ans"Et
hansmi
led.

"Ohh.
..
andIri
sh,
shestyl
esthesamest
ylej
ustas
youdo"Arushacont
inued.
"
Real
ly?
"Ir
ishasked.
Et
hansmi
led.
..
"
Yes"
Arushasmi
led.
"
Wow,
iwantt
omeether
"Ir
ishsai
dgl
eef
ull
y.
ShewasactingthewayOl
ivi
ahadact
edwhenhe
tol
dheraboutIr
ish
Arushawonderedi
fther
e'ssomesor
tofbond
pull
ingt
hem t
oeachother.
Arushahadn'
tevent
oldI
ri
sht
hatOl
ivi
aisdyi
ngt
o
speaktoher.

"Shebadlywantstomeetyoutoo,shehasal
ways
yearnedforabigsi
sterandit
oldheryouwon'
t
mindbeinghers"
"
Oh.
..
my"I
ri
shwasover
joyed.
"
Hey,
youhaven'
tevenmetheryet
"Ar
ushasai
d.
"Iwantayoungersist
eralso!I
'm gonnahelpki
ckof
f
theassesofthosecall
ingherfat
herani nf
amous
safecr
acker
."Ir
ishsai
dandt heylaughed.

"It
oldherI
'
llbecomingtoyoutodayandshesai
dto
putyouonthephone,shewant
stospeakwit
hyou"
Arushasai
d.
"
Real
ly?
"Ir
ishwasst
unnedandEt
hanwast
oo.

"Cal
lheri
mmedi
atel
y"I
ri
shsai
dandAr
ushaeager
ly
didso.

IfI
ri
shhadknownOlivi
awasapr i
ncess,i
twould
havebeenconcl
udedthatt
hat'
sthereasonshe'
s
acti
ngthi
swaybutshehasnoknowl edgeofherat
all
,
yetshe'
schar
medbyOl ivi
a
_
__

Ol
ivi
asatonherbed,
eat
ingt
hesl
icesoff
rui
tsshe
wasser
ved.
Shehasbeenchecki
ngherphone,wai
ti
ngfor
Arusha'
scal
l,
shehadevencal
ledhi
m,hehadn'
t
pi
ckednorhadheretur
nedthecal
l.

Coul
ditbet
hatI
ri
shdoesnotwantt
ospeakt
oher
.
Notwhenshehadbeensoexci
tedabouthavi
nga
bi
gsist
er.

Jaxstr
uttedint
oherr
oom andproceededtogr
eet
herbyli
ckingherf
acebutshest
oppedhi m.
"Jax,
I
'm noti
nagoodmoodri
ghtnow"shesai
d
unhappi
lyandtol
dRobbi
etot
akethefr
uit
saway.

Shewasaboutsul
kingunderherbl
anketwhenher
phoner
ang,
shepickedi
tupimmediatel
yandshe
wasf
il
ledwi
thj
oywhenshesawi
twasAr
usha.
Shesatupont
hebedandr
ecei
vedt
hecal
l.

"
Arusha,
I
've.
..
"Shewassayi
ng.

"
HiOlivi
a,i
t'
sIr
ish"Ol
ivi
ahear
dandi
ttookal
lher
mightnott
oscream i
njoy.

_
___

"
Don'
tyout hi
nkthey'
resi
bli
ngsthatgotsepar
ated
f
rom chi
ldhood?
"Arushasaidj
okingl
ytoEthan.
"
Ithinksotoo"Ethansai
d,f
aki
ngasuspect
ingbr
ow.
Arushalaughed.

I
ri
shandOli
viahadbeent
alki
ngont
hephonef
or
minut
es.
Laughi
ng,
l
iket
hey'
veknowneachot
herf
orages.
"Weshouldleavethem toenj
oythei
rnewfound
'
sist
ershi
p'haveyouandJessicaeverspokent
o
eachotheri
nclass?"Ethanasked.
"Notreall
ybutidon'
tthi
nksheli
kesme,sheviews
measot herst
udent
sdoandnotonlythat,
ithi
nk
shealsoseesmeasacompet i
ti
on"Ar
ushasmi l
ed.
"
Ohh.
.Iknewi
twasgonnahappen"Et
hansai
d.
"Whydi
dn'
tanyonet
ellmeaboutJessi
ca?andit
seemsnoonetol
dheraboutmealso"Arushasai
d.
"
Yeah,wefel
tther
ewasnoneed,besi
desJessica
wasrudet
oIri
shsoidon'
tthi
nkIr
ishwouldhave
l
ikedyout
oknowabouther"Et
hansaid.
"Ohh..
.Iwonderhowshe'
sfeel
ingnow.DocLuc
saidshe'spr
ettyhur
t"Ar
ushasaidandEt
han
sighed.
"She'
ssost
ubborn,
Shemustbesleepi
ngnow,
i'
ll
gocheckonherwhenshe'
sawake"Hesai
d.

"
Ineedt
oapol
ogi
sef
orhur
ti
ngheral
so"Ar
usha
sai
d.
Hehasbeenf
eel
ingbadabouti
t.
Ar
ushanodded,
thoughhedoubt
edi
fJessi
cawoul
d
al
lowhi
mintoherroom.
"
Mum saidtogi
veAr
inasweat
er,
it'
sinmyr
oom"
Arushasai
d.
"Ohh.
..
"Ethansmil
ed."
Saythankyout
oherf
orme
andtel
lherineedonetoo"
"OkayMrEt
han"Ar
ushasmil
ed,
he'
sgl
adEt
han'
s
nowsocomfort
abl
ewit
hhisMum.

I
ri
shfi
nal
lyret
urnedt
oArushaandEt
hanaf
tert
he
l
ongcal
lsessi
onended.
Shewasgri
nni
ngasshehandedAr
usha'
sphone
backt
ohim.
"
She'
sasweet
hear
t"I
ri
sjsai
d,el
ated.
"Ineedt
ogocheckonAr
in"Shesai
dandqui
ckl
y
headedfort
hedoor
.
"
Won'
tyout
ellmewhatyoubot
htal
kedabout
?"
Ar
ushashout
edaf
terher
.
"
Youdon'
thavet
oknow"I
ri
shshout
edback.
"
Please"Ar
ushashout
ed.
"Okay.
.wet
alkedaboutyourbl
ackass"I
ri
shsai
d
andEthanl
aughed.
"
Gross!
"

"
IthinkOl
ivi
aisgonnat
akeI
ri
shfr
om mesoon"
Arushapani
ckedandEt
hanl
aughedhar
der
.

_
___
_

Arusharetur
nedhomel at
eintheni
ghtandhe
wishedhisMum wouldbeasleepsoshewon' thave
toseehisplast
eredf
oreheadandbrokennosebut
shewasf ull
yawake,
wai t
ingf
orhimintheli
ving
room.
Shescr
eamedandr
ushedt
ohi
m ashewal
kedi
n.
"Whathappened?
"Sheasked,
deepl
ywor
ri
edand
scar
ed.
"Mum,I
'mf
ine"
Arushasi
ghedasshel
edhi
mtot
he
couch.
Shemadehi
m si
tandqui
ckl
ywentt
ogetI
ce
cubes.
"
Mum,
igott
reat
edal
ready"Ar
ushasai
d.
"
It
'l
lhel
ptof
urt
herr
eli
evet
hepai
n"Shesai
d.
"
No,it
'
sgonnahurt.If
eel
col
dal
readyandij
ust
wantt
osl
eep"Arushasai
d.
"Idemandtoknowwhathappened,
whohur
tyou?
"
Mr sHel
enaskedandArushaknewhecoul
dn'
t
escapeit
.

Hegr
oanedashest
art
edhi
sexpl
anat
ion.
..

_
___
Jessi
cadi
dn'
tal
lowanyonei
ntoherr
oom.
Shehadlockedher
sel
finandonl
ywentdownst
air
s
fordi
nner
.
Everyonewasatt
hedi
ningt
abl
eal
ready,
wai
ti
ngf
or
her.

Herj
awwaspl
ast
ered,
herpal
m al
soandshe
l
imped.
"
Oh.
.my.
."Gabr
iel
leki
ssedherasshesatdown.
"
Areyouf
ine?
"SheaskedandJessi
canodded.
Shewoul
dn'
thavecomedownst
air
sifshewasn'
t
st
arvi
ng.

Shehat
edAr
ushasomuchnow.
Shehadtor
etheapol
ogyl
ett
erhet
oldamai
dto
gi
vetoher.
MrsHarl
owexaminedherbr
uiseswor
ri
edl
y,
mutt
eri
ngsor
ry.
"
Howar
eyouf
eel
ingnowJessy"Et
hanasked.
"
I'
mfi
ne!
"Sheal
mostsnapped.
"
Whathappenedt
oJessi
ca?
"Ar
inaskedwor
ri
edl
y.
"
Homeacci
dent
..
.iguess"Et
hansai
d.
"I
'm sosorryaboutt
hatJessi
ca"Ari
nsaidand
Jessicanodded,shehasstar
tedeat
ing.Shewant
ed
toeatfastandgetbacktoherroom.

I
ri
shatequi
etl
y,
shehadwant
edtoaskhowJessi
ca
wasf
eeli
ngbutshedeci
dedi
twasbett
ernott
o.
Andi
flookscoul
dki
ll
,shewouldhavebeendead
bynowwiththewayJessi
caglaredather
.
She'
sgladshehadmadeAr ushaapol
ogi
zetoMrs
Gabri
ell
ebef
orehelef
tandMr sHarl
owseemstobe
overi
t,
shehadpat
tedhisbackandwavedhi
m bye.

"
Yourf
atheri
sanasshol
e,
ican'
tbel
ievehet
ri
cked
meint
obel
ievi
nghe'
scominghomet omorr
ow"Mr
s
Har
lowsai
d,cr
ossedandEthanl
aughed.
MrHar l
owhadt
ri
ckedher
,hewascomi
nghomeon
Tuesday..
.
"I
'
m gonnaki
ckhi
sassoncehear
ri
vesi
nTuesday"
Shesai
d.
"
Kissyoumean"Ethant
easedandgotst
onedwi
th
f
ri
esbyMrsHarlow.

"Ihaven'
thear
df rom Sar
ah,
Shedoesn'
twantt
o
seeme"Ar inwhined.
"Sar
ahhadabusi
nessathand.Hopeful
lyshe'l
l
comearoundwi
thGrandpa"MrsHarl
owsmi led.

"Okaythen.Shealr
eadycall
edtowi
shmehappy
bir
thdaywithoutagif
t"Ar
insai
d.
"
Sar
ahhadneverfor
gottent
ogetyouagiftno
mat
terhowl
atesheis.Soshewi
ll
"Ethansaid.
"
Okaydad"Ar
insai
d.
_
_

Jessi
caremainedinherroom t
henextday,
her
mum broughtherbreakf
astandlunch.
Shewassti
llsopi
ssed,
shef
eltl
ikeki
ll
ing
someone.
.Arushaofcour
se.

Shestoodupandstoodinfr
ontofhermi
rr
orwhi
ch
hadbeenrepl
acedbyEthan.
Sheexami
nedherpl
ast
eredj
aw.
"
Damn!Istil
lcan'
tbel
ievethatmotherfuckerwi
ll
makemehaveascaronmyj aw!Myf acewasso
per
fect
!"Shegroanedi
ngr eatannoyance.

Aknocksoundedonherdoor
.

"
Idon'
twantt
oseeanyo.
..
"Shewassayi
ng.
"
It
'sJavad"Shehear
dandwonder
edwhathewant
s.
He'sEt
han'
spersonalbodyguardandtheyhave
neverr
eal
lyhadaseriousconversat
ion.

Sheopenedthedoor
,thi
nki
ngEt
hanmusthavesent
hi
mt oher.

"Hi
"Hesai dalmostbr
eathl
essl
y,l
ooki
ngoverhi
s
shoulder
slikehedoesn'
twantanyonetoseehi
m
here.
"
Whatdoyouwant
?"Jessi
caasked.
"Pl
easeletmecomei n,
ihavesomethingtotel
lyou"
Javadsaid,
sti
lll
ooki
ngoverhi
sshoulders.
Jessi
cawasaboutsl
ammi
ngt
hedooronhi
sface.
"It
'saboutAr
usha,
Iri
sh,
thei
rmum.Everyfr
eaking
thingaboutt
hem"JavadsaidandJessi
castaredat
himf orawhi
lebef
oreopeni
ngherdoorwidely.
Sheal
lowedhi
minandqui
ckl
ycl
osedt
hedoor
.
_
__

"Iknewmybr ot
heristheonesponsori
nghis
education,
hissi
sternorhisMum coul
dhaveaf f
ord
IvyRoyals,
theyarewr et
chedandeveryoneknows
that"Jessi
casaidafterJavadt
oldherMrEthanis
theonesponsor i
ngAr ushainI
vyRoyals.

_
__
[
05/09,07:
31]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense
Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
51

"Iknewmybr ot
heristheonesponsori
nghis
education,
hissi
sternorhisMum coul
dhaveaf f
ord
IvyRoyals,
theyarewr et
chedandeveryoneknows
that"Jessi
casaidafterJavadt
oldherMrEthanis
theonesponsor i
ngAr ushainI
vyRoyals.

"
Andyoucanjustt
ellt
hewhol eschool
,
yourbrot
her
i
stheonesponsor
ingArusha"Javadsuggest
ed.
"OfcourseI
'm goingtodoj ustt
hat,I
'
m goingto
embar r
asshim somucht hathe'
llr
egretevercal
li
ng
meanoppor tunist"Jessi
casmi l
ed,she'
sgladshe
fi
nallyhassomet hingtouseagainstArusha.

"
Ther
e'sanot
hert
hingal
so"Javadsai
d.
"
What
?"Jessi
caasked.
"Rememberyoupr omi
sednott omenti
ontoMr
Ethant
haticamet oyou.Pleasedonotl
etMrEt
han
knowofthi
s."Javadsaid.
"
Iwon'
t,
tr
ustme"Jessi
casai
d.
"ArushaandI ri
sh'sMum hadanacci dentandher
l
egswer ebroken,
shewasonwheel chair
.Ithi
nk
Iri
shtalkedMrEt hanintoitcausehepai dthe
surgerybill
sandever yotherexpensest hatcame
alongwi t
hitandi twasawhol elotofmoney, heal
so
rentedanewapar tmentforthem andf urni
shedi
t
i
mmensel y"Javadsaid.
"
What
!"Jessi
cascr
eamedasshegott
oherf
eet
.

"Theyaretherealopport
uni
stshereJessy,youcan
usethosethingsitol
dyouagainstthem.Ifel
tsorry
foryouwhent hatopport
uni
stcall
edyouan
opport
unistcauseiknowyou'renot,you'
reMr
Ethan'
syoungersister
.Youneedtodosomet hi
ng
Jessy.
..
"Javadwassayi ngbutJessicaalr
eadyflee
outoftheroom.
Hel
aughedhar
d"Thi
sisgonnabef
un"
Hequi ckl
ygott
ohisfeetandwal
kedoutof
Jessica'
sroom.Heneededtogoseewhatdrama
she'
llperf
orm.

I
r i
shdescendedt
hestai
rs,Shejustlef
tAr
in'
s
room,shewasheadedtotheli
vingroom t
ojoi
n
EthanwhensheheardJessicascreamed.
Shel
impedtowar
dsherandI
ri
shwonder
edwhat
wasgoingon.

"Youandyourbr otheraretherealoppor
tuni
sts
here!
!Youmademybr otherpayforyourmum' s
surgerybil
lsandalsomadehi mr entanapart
ment
foryou,youtookadvantageofhisweakspotf ory.
..
"
"
Shutup!
!!
"Ir
ishshout
edatherf
ort
hef
ir
stt
ime.

EthanandMr sHar
lowwhowereseat
edi nt
heli
ving
room,r
ushedtowar
dsthest
air
sandMr sGabri
ell
e
alsol
eftwhatshewasdoi
ngintheki
tchent
osee
what
'sgoi
ngon.

Jessi
calookedshocked,
shehadn'
texpect
edI
ri
sht
o
shutherup.

"Ineverf oronceusedEt han'

sweakspotf ormeas
anadvant age,he'shere.Youcanaskhi mt hat.And
aboutt hesur gerybill
s,
I'
m wor ki
ngsohar dt opay
him back, heneverr entedanapar tmentf orme, i
renteditmysel f ,
wit
hmymoney!Jessi cayou' rejust
alit
tlerudegi rlwhoneedsser i
ouscounsel li
ng,I'
m
donet olerati
ngyouri nsensit
ivebehavi orandi fyou
getonmyner vesonemor etime, i
'
llhavet ot each
yousomel essonsandt rustmemyl essonsar enot
ascal m asiam, youdefini
tel
ywon' tli
ket ot astemy
venom.Bewar nedJessica."Iri
shsaidangr il
y.

Shewalkedoutoft
hesceneandJavadwas
di
sappoint
edfr
om wher
ehewaswat chi
ng.
"
Whot
oldyoual
lthatJessi
ca?
"Et
hanaskedangr
il
y.
"Who!
"Heyel
ledatherf
ort
hef
ir
stt
imeandshe
shi
ft
edbacki
nf ear
.
"
I.
.i
..
."Shest
ammer
ed,
hereyesheavywi
tht
ear
s.
Shenevert
houghtEt
hanwoul deveryel
lather
,she
wasmor ef
uri
ousatI
rishcauseshehadcaused
thi
s.

"Speakup!Causet her
e'snowayyouwouldever
knowt hatihandledMrsHelen'
ssur
gerybi
ll
s,
you
weren'
tevenar oundattheti
me.Whotoldyouhuh?
"
EthanaskedandJessi cakeptmut
e.
Shecoul
dn'
tbet
rayJavad,
nomat
terwhat
.
Shehadpromi
sedhi
m andshewon'
twanthi
mto
l
osehisj
ob.
Het
oldhert
hatbecausehecar
edf
orher
.

Javadbr
okei
ntocol
dsweatandhi
slegsshook.
Thel
ooki
nJessi
ca'
seyesf
eltl
ikeshe'
sreadyt
o
sayt
het
rut
h.
Whowouldn'
tspil
lthet
rut
hwi
tht
hewayEt
hanwas
gl
ari
nghardather.

Jessicastar
tedcryi
ngandlookedovert
ohermum
forhelpandMr sGabri
ell
esi
ghed.
Shewasf
edupwi
tht
hewhol
ethi
ng!
Thi
ngskeepsprout
ingf
rom di
ff
erentdi
rect
ionsand
i
thasJessi
cainvol
vedi
nit.

"It
oldher,
Et han"Mr
sGabr
iel
lebr
oket
heseemi
ngl
y
endlesssi
lence.
"Andididn'tmeani tthewaysheconf ront
edIr
ish
overi
t.I
twasn' tevent odayit ol
dher,i
twasaday
aft
ersher etur
nedf rom Par i
s.Itol
dherhowkind
youweret opayMr sHel en'
ssur ger
ybill
s."Mr
s
Gabri
ell
eliedtoEt han,forthefir
stti
mei nyear
s.
Shewon'twantherdaught
ertogetintoEthan'
sbad
book,shest
il
lwonderedwhot ol
dJessicathough.
.
she'
sgoingtofi
ndoutfrom herl
ater
.
Javadsi
ghedi
nrel
i
eff
rom t
het
opofst
air
s.
Hesmi
ledandwi
pedoutt
hesweatof
fhi
sface.

Et
hanst
aredatMr
sGabr
iel
le,
sear
chi
nghereyes.
"Youshoul
dknowt hisJessi
ca..
.i
tismymoney!And
iwoulddowhateveriwantwithit
.Donever
questi
onwhat
everi usemymoneyf oragai
n!"Et
han
warnedandal
sowal kedoutofthescene.

"
Jessica,
i
t'sti
meyoust oppedallthese.Donot
makeyourhat r
edf orIr
ishandherf amilygetyou
i
ntoEthan'sbadbook, beli
eveme, you' r
enotgoing
t
ofinditfunny.Justquittr
oubli
ngI ri
sh,she'
snot
whowet hinksheis,she'sfardi
fferent,Jessi
ca",
Mrs
Harl
owsai dandJessi staredatheri ndisbel
ief.
MrsHarlowwalkedbackt
othel
ivi
ngroom t
o
cont
inuethemovieshewaswat
chingwit
hEthan.
Jessi
cacan'
tbel
ieveMr
sHar
lowi
sst
art
ingt
otake
Ir
ish'
ssi
detoo.
'
Shemusthaveenchant
edhert
oo'Jessi
cat
hought
andbr
okei
ntoanotherr
oundoft
ears.
She'
snotasstr
ongasshebehaves,
shebr
eaks
downeasi
ly.

"Comewi t
hmet othekit
chen.Now"MrsGabr
iel
le
saidst
ernlyandJessi
calimpedaft
erher
.
Shewassti
llbat
tl
ingwi
tht
heshockofI
rene
t
alki
ngbackather.
She'
ssogonnahumi
li
ateherbr
othert
omor
row.

"Thereyouare!Li
mping!Butcausingtr
oubleal
l
overthehouse"MrsGabriel
leobviousl
yin
disappr
ovalofJessi
cabehavior.
"
Sitdownandt el
lmewhot hehel
ltol
dyouabout
MrsHel en"MrsGabr
iel
lesai
dandJessica
r
eluctantl
ysatdown.
Thearomaofthesoupshewasprepar
ingwaft
thr
oughJessi
ca'
snostr
il
sandshesnif
fedi
t,
with
hereyescl
osed.

"I'
m wait
ing"Mr
sGabriel
lesai
d,r
esti
ngherbackon
thekit
chencounter
,wi
thherarmsfol
dedbeneat
h
herbreasts.
Jessi
cast aredathermum mut el
y,seei
ngthe
deter
minedl ookonMr sGabriel
le'sface,
sheknows
shecan'tescapeexplaini
ng.Thisisoneoft hefew
ti
mesMr sGabr i
ell
eisbei
ngst r
ictonher.

"Thankyouforcover
ingupformemummy"Jessi
ca
said,
hervoi
cesoundingl
ikethatofaki
d.
Shetot
all
yact
sli
keababywhenevershe'
sal
one
wit
hherMum.

"I
fyoudon'
ttell
mewhot ol
dyou,I'
l
lgobackt o
Ethanandt
ellhim iwasn'
ttheonewhot oldyou
aboutMrsHelenandt r
ustme,you'
llhavesomuch
f
unt
ell
inghi
m whodi
d"Mr
sGabr
iel
let
hreat
ened.
"
Mum!
"Jessi
capout
ed.
"SpeakupJessi
ca"MrsGabr
iel
lesai
dandqui
ckl
y
checkedonthesoupshewasprepar
ing.

ShehadpromisedJavadnott
otel
lEthan,sotel
li
ng
herMum doesnotmeanshebrokethepromise.
Hermum wasn'
tEt
hanaf
teral
l.

"
Javaddi
d"Jessi
caf
inal
lysai
d.
"Ethan'
sper
sonalbodyguar
d?"Mr
sGabr
iel
lewas
stunnedandJessi
canodded.
"Hedidthatbecausehecar edaboutme,hewas
pai
nedwheniwascal l
edanopportuni
stcausei
m
not,
hewant edtomakemeseet heyarethereal
opport
unists,notme"Jessi
casaid.
Al
lshesai
dfel
lonGabr
iel
ledeafear
s.
Shewonder
edwhatwasgoi
ngon.
Whati
sJavadt
ryi
ngt
odo?
SherememberedwhenIri
shtol
dherther
e's
somethi
ngf
ishyaboutJavadbutshehaddeni
ed
then.
Now,
itseemsI
ri
shi
sri
ght
.
WhyhadhetoldJessicat
hat,
knowi
ngJessi
caand
I
ri
sharenoti
ngoodt erms.
Hewant
stocr
eat
eenmi
ty?
Andheal
mostmadeJessi
caf
alli
ntoEt
han'
sbad
book!

Sher
eal
lyneedstokeepacloseeyeonhi
mfr
om
nowj
ustli
keIr
ishhadsuggestedt
hen.
Ther
e'sdef
ini
tel
ysomet
hingwr
ongsomewher
e.

"Donotl
ist
ent
owhateverJavadt
ellyouf
rom now
onokay?
"Shesai
dtoJessica.
"
OkayMum"Jessi
canodded.
"Andwhateverhetel
lsyou,
comet
omef
ir
stbef
ore
doinganyt
hingokay?"
Jessi
canoddedagai
n.
"Youshouldbeverycarefularoundhi
m, i
nfact,
i
wantyout ostayawayfrom him.HemadeEt han
yellatyouforthef
ir
stt
ime"Mr sGabr
iel
lesaidand
Iri
sh'seyeswasonceagai nlacedwit
htears.

MrsGabriel
lesighedandpassedherher
handker
chief.
Shewi
pedhert
ear
sgr
umpi
ly.

"I
shegoingtoapol
ogi
seforyel
li
ngatme?
"Jessi
ca
askedhermum,hopef
ull
y.
"
Ican'
ttel
l.Heseemspi
ssed"Mr
sGabr
iel
lesai
d
t
rut
hful
ly.
Jessi
cablewhernosei
ntothehandkerchi
ef."
It
'sal
l
becauseoft
hosepeopl
e,heneveryel
ledatme
whentheyweren'
ther
e.I
ri
shandherf
ami
lyhas
enchant
edyouall
"

"Com'on!Don'
tsaythat.I
ri
shhasanat
ural
charm,she'
saveryniceladywhohadl
ookedso
forwardtomeetyou,
iwonderwhyyoudonotli
ke
her"MrsGabri
ell
esaid.
"Becauseshe'
sagol ddi
ggerMum,sheis.I
'
m so
sure.Herni
cenessandsmilesar
eallf
acade"
Jessicasai
d,l
ikeshewassosureofwhatshewas
saying.

MrsGabriel
lesi
ghedsoftl
y."She'snot
,can'tyou
seeMr sHarl
owisstar
ti
ngt oli
kehertoo.That'
s
becauseshe'sagr
eatperson.AndIri
shreallyl
ikes
you,i
fyouhadbeennicetoher ,
youwouldhave
gott
endozensofbeauti
fuldresses"
"Idon'twantanythi
ngfrom her!Shecan'twinme
overwi t
hdresses"Jessi
casaidevent houghshe'
s
start
ingtoimaginehowt err
if
icshewoul dlooki
n
thosedresses.Ir
ish'
sreall
ygoodatwhatshedoes.
Gabri
ell
esmi
led,
shehopesJessi
cawoul
dseeI
rene
forwhoshei
ssoon.

"
Andhowar
eyouf
eel
ing?
"Sheasked.
"Terri
ble!Ican'
tbel
ievet
hatni
ncompoopscarr
ed
myj aw!"Jessicabl
ewoutashakybreat
h,shewas
pissed.
"No,yourj
awisn'
tgonnabescarred,
thebrui
seisso
l
itt
leandonceitheal
s,
it
'sgonnapeeloff
.You'l
lget
backyoursmoothskini
nnot i
me"Mr sGabri
ell
e
assured.
"
Real
ly?
"Jessi
cawasecst
ati
c.
"Yeah"MrsGabri
ell
esaid,
thesoupwasr
eadyand
shebroughti
tdownf r
om thecooker
.

"
Willyoubeabletogot
oschoolt
omor
row?
"
Gabri
ell
easked.
"
Yeah,
ineedt
ogetsomet
hingdone"Jessi
casai
d
andGabr
iel
lest
aredathersuspi
ciousl
y.
"
Idon'twantyout odoanythi
ngtoArushaatschool
t
omor row,heapol
ogizedt
oyoualready"Mrs
Gabr
iellesaid,
knowingwhatJessyiscapabl
eof.
Jessi
cashr
uggedi
nresponset
owhatherMum
sai
d.
She'
sgonnadowhatshehasi
nmi
ndandnoone
canstopher
.

"
IwantsomesoupMum"Jessi
casai
d.
"
OkayJessy"

_
___

Oli
viaal
mostjumpedi
ntoAr
usha'
sar
mswhenshe
sawhim appr
oachher
.
Shewaswaiti
ngf
orhi
mi ntheschoolhal
lwayj
ust
aft
ersheal
ight
edf
rom herRol
lRoyce.
I
t'
sMondaymor ni
ngandshehadbeenexci
tedal
l
weekendbecauseshegott
ospeaktoIr
ishwho
t
urnedouttobeagem!
Theyspokeatl
engthandithadf
eltl
iket
heyhad
knowneachotherf
orages.

"
Hey"Ar
ushasmi
led.
"
Hi"Shebl
inkedwar
mlyathi
m,hi
shear
tmel
ted.
Shewaslooki
ngmor
ebeaut
if
ult
hismor
ning.
..
he
not
iced.
"Howwasyourweekend"Ar
ushaaskedast
hey
headedt
othecl
ass.
Hef
elthappy,
j
ustbei
ngbesi
deher
.
"
Great
!AndIri
shisagem!It
otal
lyenj
oyedspeaki
ng
t
oher"Ol
ivi
agrinned.
"Shehadsaidthesame"Ar ushasmiled"
Andshe
refusedt
otellmewhatyoubot htal
kedabout.She
tol
dmeyoubot ht
alkedaboutmyblackass."
ArushagroanedandOlivi
abur st
edintol
aughter
,she
heldhimforsuppor
tandAr ushasmi l
edwhil
ehe
wat
chedherl
aughhear
ti
ly.

Herbeaut
ytr
appedhi
mri
ghtonthespot,
andhef el
t
l
ikehewasontheai
rbyj
ustwat
chingherlaugh.
Hisheartdancedtotherhyt
hm ofherlaughterand
hecouldn'
tevenexplai
nwhathef eel
sf orher,he
hasneverfeltt
hiswaybefore.

Ol
ivi
ast
oppedlaughi
ngandshebl
ushed,
seei
ng
Ar
ushastar
eather.
Shegott
ost udyhisfacecloselythenandgasped
whenshesawhi sbruisedforehead.Shehadn'
t
evennot
icedit,
outofexci
tement .
Arushawonder
edwhatmadeherhavet
hiski
ndof
expressi
on.

"
Oh.
.my.
.wh.
.yourf
orehead!
"Sheexcl
aimed.
"
Ohh"Ar
ushasi
ghed.
"
Whathappened?
"Ol
ivi
aaskedwor
ri
edl
y,
shegent
ly
car
essedt
hewoundandhet ri
ednott
owi
ncei
n
pai
nbutshecoul
dtel
lithur
ts.
Theplasterhadgott
enwetthi
smorningwhil
ehe
wastakinghisbathandhehadtoremoveitandhe
tot
all
yforgottouseanot
heronebefor
eleavi
ngthe
house.
MrsHel
enhadn'
tseenhi
mleavet
hehouseorshe
woul
dhaveremi
ndedhim.

"
Whathappened?
"Ol
ivi
arepeat
ed.
"Idon'
twanttoli
etoyou.I
'
m notreadyt
otal
kabout
i
tnow"Ar ushasai
dandOlivi
anoddedin
underst
anding.

"We'
rel
ateforcl
ass,
let
'shurr
y"Ar
ushat
ookher
handandtheybothcouldn'
ti
gnor
ethef
eel
ingt
hat
sweptt
hroughthem.
I
twast
oobl
issf
ult
oignor
e.
Theystar
edl
ovingl
yateachot
herf
orawhi
lebef
ore
runni
ngtocl
ass.
_
___
_

Thet
eacherwasnoti
ncl
asswhent
heywal
kedi
n.
Jessi
castar
edatArushawithhat
redashewal
ked
t
ohisseatwit
hthebuffoonbesi
dehim.
Shereal
isedshehadn'
tlovedhim af
teral
l,
sheonl
y
hadacrushonhim andnowi thasended,
shefeel
s
rawhateforhi
m now.
Shesmi
led,
thi
nki
ngaboutherpl
an.

ArushaandOli
viai
gnoredtheusualcomments
fr
om thest
udentsastheywalkedtothei
rseat
s.
Someoft hemalestudent
sfoundOli
viaatt
ract
ive
toobutnoonewantst ogooutwit
hagi r
lwhose
fat
herisan'i
nfamoussafecr
acker
'
Arushaturnedhi
sgazetoOl i
viaashesatdown
andhecoul dseetheangerburninginhereyes,
he
fel
tdisappoint
edshehasn'tf
orgivenhim.
I
ri
shhadtoldhi
m shef
oundhisapol
ogyl
ett
eri
nthe
t
hrash,
shr
eddedint
opi
eces.
He'
sgonnaapol
ogi
set
oheragai
nregar
dless.
Herj
awwasst
il
lpl
ast
eredandhef
eltbad,
seei
ngi
t.
It
'ssoir
responsibl
etohur
tal
ady,
hehadl
ost
contr
olandhef eel
ssobadnow.

Ol
ivi
abroughtoutherl
apt
opandr
eal
isedAr
usha
di
dnotbri
ngouthis.
Shenot
icedhisgazewasfocusedonsomething
andshetracedi
ttoseehewasstari
ngatJessica.
Shenoti
cedthepl
ast
eronJessica'
sjawand
wonder
edwhatitwasaboutthoughshewasmad
shehadcaughtAr
ushastar
ingather.

Mad?
Jeal
ousshoul
dbet
her
ightwor
d.
Doeshef
indherat
tr
act
ive?

"
I'
llbebackOl
i"Ar
ushasai
dtoOl
ivi
aandgott
ohi
s
f
eet.
Heheadedt
oJessi
ca'
sseatandOl
ivi
acoul
dn'
t
bel
ievehowj
eal
ousshefel
t.
Hewasj
ustherf
ri
endbutwhatt
hehecki
sgoi
ng
on!
?

"Jessi
cai'
m sosorr
ytohavehurtyou,
ilosecontr
ol
wheneveritcomestoIr
ish,
ican'
tst
andanyonehurt
herorberudetoher"Arushasai
dapol
ogeti
call
y.
"Leavemyseat,idon'
thaveanythi
ngtosayt
oyou"
Jessicasai
d,herfaceemoti
onless.
"Iknowitwasi
rr
esponsi
bleofmet
ohi
tyouback,
i
apolo.
."Ar
ushawassayi
ng.
"Leavemeal
one!
"Jessi
cayel
ledl
oudl
y,bangi
ngher
desk.
Ever
yonet
urnedt
othem andi
mmedi
atel
ybegan
whi
sper
ingandmocki
ngAr
usha

__Ican'
tbeli
evesomeonelikehim want
st odate
Jessicat
oo"Agirlsai
dloudlyandtheclasserupted
i
ntolaughter
.

Ar
ushar
etur
nedt
ohi
sseat
,gr
eat
lyembar
rassed.
Ol
ivi
afeltembar
rassedf
orhi
m,shewonder
edwhat
wasgoingon.
Shecoul
dtellAr
ushahadn'
tgonetoaskJessi
ca
outorwhat
ever,
somethi
ngmor eser
iouswasgoi
ng
on.

"
What
'sgoi
ngon?
"Ol
ivi
aaskedasAr
ushasatdown.
Helookedpi
ssedandembar
rassedatt
hesame
t
ime..
Thet
eacherwal
kedi
nbef
orehecoul
dexpl
ain.
"Dur
ingl
unchbr
eak.
..
"Ar
ushasai
dtoherandshe
nodded.

_
___

"
Woah. .
.That'
sgr
oss!!
"Ol
iviaexcl
aimedaft
er
Arushaexplai
nedthewholeinci
dencetoher
.
Theywer
eonbreakandt
hestudentshadn'
tlef
tthe
cl
asscompl
etel
y,
someweresti
llhangi
ngaround.
"
Andt hatwaswhyicoul
dn'
tret
urnyourcal
l
i
mmedi atel
y,t
hehousewasheat
edatthatmoment
"
Arushasaid.

"Ican'
tbel
ieveIr
ishagreedtospeaktomeaf t
eral
l
thatandnoneofi tevenshowedinhervoice!She
wasextremelynicetome"Ol i
viasai
d,st
il
lstunned
bywhatAr ushajustnarr
ated.
Shenowunderst
andsthewholer easonbehi
nd
Arushagoi
ngtoJessi
ca'sseat
,thewoundonhis
for
ehead,
herj
aw,
palm andfoot
.
ThoughArushahadomi tt
edEthan'namefrom t
he
wholet
hing,
herespectedthefactt
hatEt
hanHar l
ow
i
sapublicfi
gure.Oli
viadoesn'
tknowyetthatEt
han
Harl
owishissister
'semployer
.

"Jessicadoesn' tdeserveanyofyourapol ogy!

Yet ,
sheshr eddedyourapol ogyletterand
embar r
assedyoui nfrontofeveryone,shewas
def endingherMum andyouwer edef endi
ngyour
sister,
that'
sequal .Besides,shehityoufir
st,she'
s
wr ongi neverywayandsheshoul dapologizeto
youi nstead"Olivi
awasupset .
"
Iknowbutifeeli
t'
sst
il
lir
responsi
bleofmet
ohi
ta
l
ady"
Arushasaid.
"Youdi dn'
thither!Youbot hwer ethr
owingthi ngsat
eachot her.Okay,agreedthatyouf eeli
t'
s
i
rresponsibleofyout oretali
ate.Youapologized
already.Twice!youal r
eadypr ovedthatyou'
re
responsibl
ewhi chi feeli
twasunnecessar yt hough
causeiknowyouar e.It
'suptohernow"Ol iviasaid,
i
rritat
edwit hJessicabehavior.
SheneverknewJessi
cawast
hatmean.

"
Don'tfeelwor
ri
edabouti
tokay.
..
"Ol
ivi
aconsol
ed
Arusha
"I
'
mr eli
evediapol
ogi
sedthough,
i
t'
supt
ohert
o
accepti
tornot"Ar
ushasaid.
"Yeah!Weshouldn'
ttal
kabouther.Ameanper son
l
ikeherdoesn'
tdeserveourpreci
ousti
me, l
et'
seat
Arushaanddiscussbett
erthi
ngs"Oli
viasai
dandhe
smiled.

_
___

Lunchbr
eakwasoverandst udent
swalkedintothe
cl
ass,Ar
ushaandOlivi
anoticedhowtheypointed
athi
m,whisper
edandlaughedoutloud.
Theyal
waysmockhi
m butt
hisseemsdi
ff
erent
.
Hegl
ancedatOl
ivi
aandsawt
hatshewaswor
ri
ed
t
oo.

"
Whatdoyout
hinki
sgoi
ngon?
"Ol
ivi
aasked.
"
Idon'tknow, youshouldaskthosetwogir
ls,
your
fr
iends"Ol
ivi
asaid,ref
erri
ngtoDaniel
leand
Anna,shebeli
evesthey'l
lknowsomet hi
ng.

Ever
yonewasi
ntheclassbyt
henandt
hemocker
y
hadgonet
otheext
reme.
Somewer
eevensneer
ingathi
m.
Ar
ushadef
ini
tel
yknewsomet
hingwaswr
ong.
Hecall
edonAnnaandDaniel
leandt
heywer
e
r
eluct
antt
ogotohim atf
ir
st.

"
What
'sgoi
ngon?
"Heaskedt
hem.
Theywerealsolooki
ngathimliket
heywon'
twant
toassoci
atewit
hhi m anymor
e.
"Ineverthoughtyouwerethispoor,
ithoughtyou
mightbemi ddleclassandthatwaswhyiwas
crushingonyoubutnowi t
'sal
lover"Annasnort
ed
andOl ivi
awantedt ogi
veherthereplyshedeserves
butArushast oppedher.

"Whati
sshedri
vingat?"HeaskedDaniel
lacausei
t
seemsAnnaisnotint
erest
edintal
kingtohim
anymore.
"
Wel
l.
..
"Dani
ell
erol
ledhereyes.
"Jessicat oldever yoneinthecaf eter
iathather
brotherist her easonyou'reint hi
sschool ,
he'
syour
sponsorandt hatyoursistercoaxedhi mi nt
opaying
yourmot her'ssurger ybi
ll
s,yoursistert
ook
advant ageofhi sweakspotf orher !That'
s
mani pulativeandunf ai
r!
"Dani ell
egroanedand
Arushawentnumbandpal e.

"All
ysiat
oldeveryonei
nt hecafeter
iat
hather
brotheri
sthereasonyou'reinthi
sschool
,he'
syour
sponsorandthatyoursistercoaxedhi
mi nt
opaying
yourmother
'ssur
gerybi
ll
s,
yoursistert
ook
advant
ageofhisweakspotf
orher !That
's
manipul
ati
veandunfai
r!
"Daniel
legroanedand
Arushawentnumbandpale.

Yeah...MrEthanissponsori
nghim but
..
..
hissi
ster
hadn'tcoaxedhimintopayingthei
rmum'ssurgery
bil
ls,
Iri
shwoul dneverdosuchanddi dt
histhi
ng
j
ustsaidhissisteri
smani pul
ati
ve.

"Di
dyouj ustsaymysi
steri
smanipul
ati
ve?
"Ar
usha
asked,
tighteni
nghi
sfi
stashegotupandhewasn'
t
awarehiseyeshadtur
nedbeast
-l
ike.
Al
lhef
eltwasr
age.
Hi
sheadspi
nashet
ri
edt
ocont
rolhi
msel
f.
He'
syettodigesteveryt
hingandhe'
str
yingtobut
someonejustsai
dhi ssi
steri
smanipul
ative.

"No.
..
"Dani
ell
eshi
ftedback,
shehasneverseen
himlookt
hisway.
 Hiseyesshonewi
thrageandhi
smuscl
es
ti
ghtenedli
kehe'
str
yingtor
est
rai
nhi
msel
ffr
om
hit
ti
ngher.
"Idi
dn'
tsaythat.Jessi
cadi
d"Shesai
dandqui
ckl
y
headedforherseat.

Arushabadlywant
edtoscream anddest
roy
everyt
hinghecoul
dlayhi
shandson.
Heneededt
oventouthi
sanger
.
Ifonl
yJessicawasamal
e,
hewoul
dhavepunched
herti
llshebleeds.
Hewoul
dn'
tmi
ndbeenexpel
led.

"Br
eatheinandout"
Olivi
a'
ssai
dqui
etl
yandhear
ing
hersmallvoi
cesoothehisr
ageal
it
tl
e.
Shewasf umingherselfbutsheknewArushawas
moreangrythanshewasandshecoul dseehowhe
wastryi
ngtorest
rai
nhi mselfandhiseyes.
..hehas
neverl
ookedthi
sway.
"
Breathei
nandout
"Sherepeat
ed,t
hatwastheonl
y
t
hingshecoul
dsayatt
hetime,shewaslostf
or
words.
Hehadt
oldherhecoul
dbepr
ett
yvi
olentwheni
t
comest
oIri
sh.
Sheglar
edatJessi
cawhowor
eat
ri
umphant
smil
e.
She'sprobabl
ythi
nki
ngshewouldgetawaywi th
thi
s,Oli
viapat
ient
lywai
ti
ngforArushatobe
cal
m, t
henshe'l
lmakeJessi
caregretwhatshedid.

Arushaslowl
ysatdown,hehadbreat
hedi
nandout
l
ikeOli
viasai
dandithel
pedhim abit
.
Henevert
houghtJessi
cacoul
dbet
hiscr
uel
.
Atfi
rst
,hehadwant edt
otel
lthewholeschoolthat
shewasn'tevenEthan'
srel
ati
ve,she'
snotrel
atedto
himinanyway,hermotherwasonl yacl
assymai d
i
nhishousebuthewoul dn'
tstoopsolowtodot hat
ri
ght
?
Hethoughtshewassomeonewhoneededpeople'
s
hel
ptochangebutnowitseemsshecanneverbe
cur
ed.
Hat
redsui
tsherl
ikesecondski
n..Ol
ivi
atookhi
s
pal
mi nher
s,hopi
nghewouldlookatherandhedid.
Hiseyeswerealmostbacktonormalbutshecoul
d
seesomet r
acesofhurti
nit
,itdi
dn'
tsparkl
easit
usedto,
itwasdarkandgri
m.
Hewasi
ndeedhur
tbywhatt
hatbeasthadsai
d.
Hel
aughedandOl
ivi
afacel
itup.
Shesawthespar
klei
nhi
seyesasqui
ckl
yasi
t
di
sappear
ed.

Hehadl
augh,thi
nki
ngshel ooksli
keamother
comf
ort
inghersonfornotbuyinghimi
cecream.
Hereyesl
ookedsor
ryl
ikeshewast
heonewho
of
fendedhi
m.
He'
ssogl
adt
her
e'satl
eastsomeonewhocar
es
f
orhi
mint
hisschool
.
Someonewhodidn'
ttur
nhisbackonhi
m even
whenever
yotherper
sondid.

"
ThankyouOl
i"Hesmi
ledsadl
y.

"Ican'tbel
ievethathei
s,smil
ingandl
aughi
ngl
ike
nothinghappened"Jessicat
houghtgl
anci
ngat
ArushaandOl i
via

Shewant
edt
omakehi
m sadl
ikehehadmadeher
.

_
__
[
05/09,07:
32]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th

JustANanny
 CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
52

"Iwon'
tlethergetawaywit
hthisArusha,
sheneeds
someonet ospeaksomesensesintoherskull
"
Oli
viasaidtoArushaandhedidn'
tbotherst
opping
her.

Jessica'
sheartski
ppedabeatwhenshesawOl
i
via
approachingher.
Shecan'
tpossi
blybescar
edoft
hisshi
t.
.canshe?
Thoughshecan'tdenyOli
viahast
hebiggestgut
s
shehaseverseen,she'
stheonlyt
oeverstoodupto
herandevencal
ledherabi
tcht
oherf
ace.

"Hey!
"Ol
ivi
abangedJessi
ca'
sdesk,
int
ent
ional
l
y
br
ingi
ngatt
ent
iontot
hem .

"I
ffightwasn'
tprohibi
tedint hi
sschool,
iwouldhave
scratchedoutyoureyes,grabbedyourhairandslam
yourheadont hewal l
!"Oli
viasaidandeveryone
gasped.
Jessicagl
aredatherli
keshewoul
ddot
hesamet
o
heriffi
ghtwasn'
tprohi
bit
ed.

"Ioncetoldyouthi
s..
idon'tgiveadamnaboutyou,
you'r
enot hi
ngtomet houghyouj ustpr
ovedwhat
youare,you'r
eabeastJessi ca"Ol
ivi
asaidand
anotherroundofgaspsechoedi ntheclass.

"Ti
mespentt r
yingtodimi
nishsomeoneelse'
s
val
ue,doesnothingtoi
ncreaseyour
s"Ol
ivi
asaid
andthewordhi tJessi
cadeeply.
 "
Andwhyact inglikeani pper?Youl ookmor e
mat uredt hanyouact .Mocki ngAr ushaf ornot
beingupt oyourst andar di snotnecessar y,
any
sensibleper sonwoul dchoosehi m overyou, noti
n
termsofweal thbutbr ains.Youcl ai mt obeso
i
ntel l
igentyethecr ushesyoui ncl asswi t
hhi s
i
ntel l
igence,teacher spr ef ertohearhi m speakeven
afteryou' vespoken.Thatshoul dtel lyout hisso
calledweal t
hi sn'tever ything!Everyonecl aimshe's
notupt ot heirstandar d,yetnoonei sabl et o
surpasshi mi nlooksandi ntel
li
gence, y'allshould
beashamedofyour sel ves, "Ol
ivi
al aughedandt r
uly
theyf eltashamed.

"He'snotupt oyourstandard,yetheanswer
questi
onsnoneofyoucanevenat tempt.
.wow.if
anyoneshoul dbemocked, itshouldbeyoual l
,
Arushashoul dbetheonet omockever yoneofyou
forbeingsodumb!Hewoul dgetal otof
opportunit
iesandthere'
sawi derangeofchance
thathe'l
lbewealthy,butthere'snohopef ordumb
brainsl
ikey'
all
"Oli
viasai
dandtheyal
llooked
pissedandinsul
ted,
yetnoonewasabletostandup
toher.

Theywer esur
pri
sed,t
heyal
waysthoughthert
obe
socalm andgent
le,someonet
heycouldpush
around.
Theyalwaysmockhert hantheymock
Arusha,
shedoesn'tsayanyt
hingbuther
eshei
s
putt
ingthem al
linthei
rpl
aces.

MrsMegsmi l
ed,shehasbeenl i
steni
ngallt
he
whil
e,st
andi
ngbyt hedoorandshei sn'
teven
pl
anningtoi
nter
ruptOli
viaunt
ilshe'sdone.
Thosest
udent
shavesomewakeni
ngupt
odo.

"
Y'al
lcal
lmyfat
heraninf
amoussaf
ecr
acker
"Ol
ivi
a
l
aughedasshesai
dit.
Shewassitt
ingonJessi
ca'
sdeskbyt
henand
Jessi
caknewshedidn'
tevendar
etot
ellhert
oget
of
f.
"If
eelsorryforyoual lcausemyf at
hermi ght
j
ust...
hemi ghtjustcrackint
oyoursaf esandcart
awaywi t
hever yvaluablethingyouhave, Myf at
her
i
snotonl yani nfamoussaf ecrackerbutawr estl
er,
i
fanyoneofyoudar emesseswi t
hAr ushaagain,I
'
ll
cal
lhimt okickyourasses"Ol ivi
ayelledandAr usha
smiled.

Oli
viat
urnedtohim andwinked.andonecan'
thel
p
butgetj
ealousofthei
rrel
ati
onship.

"
Well.
.I
'm donepassi
ngmymessageacr
ossyoual
l"
Ol
ivi
aroll
edhereyesandt
urnedt
oJessi
ca.
"Youreall
ywentsol owwi thwhatyoudid,
thatwas
sopetty,il
ikedyouatfirst
,it
houghtwecould
probablybef r
iendsbutyouri
nsensit
ivebehavi
or
provedotherwise"Ol
ivi
asaidandArushawas
surpri
sed.
Henevert
houghtOl
i
viawant
edJessi
cat
obeher
f
ri
end.
Jessi
cawassur
pri
sedal
so.

"Whatdi dyougai nf r
om exposi ngittoever yone?
Not hing!youonl ymadeaf oolofyour self
,it hink
youal l
owedyourl ooksandi ntell
igencegeti nto
yourhead.Jessi ca, youhavet obecomeabet ter
per sonbef orei t'
st ool at
e.You'rehappyt ohave
peopl esur roundyou, peoplearer eadyt owor ship
youbutwat cht hem al lturnawaywhenyouhave
not hing.You'r ebeaut i
ful
,intel
li
gentandofcour se
weal t
hy,whowoul dn'twantt oassoci atewi t
hyou?
Excl udingmet houghaf t
erwat chingyourbehavi or.
I'
m notal waysi mpr essedwi thjobt i
tl
e,soci al
stat us,
thingsyoucanbuy, I'
m alwaysi mpr essedby
waysomeonet reatsot hers.I'
m noteasi lytriggered
byweal th,maybei t'
sbecauseihavemor et han
enough. .
imeanyoual lknowmyf atherisan
i
nf amoussaf ecrackersowe' r
ekindaweal thy"Ol ivi
a
grinned.
"Iwantyout
osnapoutofyourobl
ivi
onJessyand
getagoodli
fe"Ol
ivi
asai
dandheadedtowardsher
seat.

Arushaf
eltsopr
oudofhert
hathehuggedher
befor
eshesatdown.
Hewasal
mostcl
oset
otear
swhenshedef
ended
hi
m.
Shestoodupforhim anddef
endedhi
m whenhe
coul
dn'tdoanyt
hing.
"
Howwasi
t?"Ol
ivi
aaskedAr
usha,
l
ooki
nggl
eef
ul.
"
Perf
ect
!Youshouldbeanact
ress"Hesai
dand
t
heybot
hlaughed.
"Thanksf
orstandi
ngupf
orme"Ar
ushat
ookher
handinhis.
"It
'st
hel easticandof oryou,
youstoodupforme
thefi
rstdaywi thoutevenknowingme"Oli
viasai
d
andAr ushasmi led.
"Tur
nsoutwebot
hst oodupforeachot
herdur
ing
ourweakmoments"Arushasai
dandOlivi
anodded.
"
Isyourfat
herreal
lyawrest
ler
?"Ar
ushaaskedand
Ol
ivi
alaughedoutloud.

Jessi
capi
ckedatherf
inger
s,al
mosti
ntear
s.
Oli
via'
swordr eal
lygott
oher,sheregrett
eddoing
whatshedidt oArusha,
sheregret
tedbeingrudeto
I
rish,
sheregrett
edeverybadthi
ngshedi dtothe
i
nnocentlady.
Howcoul
dshehavebeensounf
air
.
Shoul
dn'
tshebegladherbr
otheri
shel
pingpeopl
e?
Whendidshetur
nthis?
Whendi
dshet
urnedi
ntoamonst
er!

Olivi
awordsrepeat
edi
nherheadandshef
inal
l
ylet
outhert
ears.
Shel
ookedoveratAr
ushaandr
eal
lyf
eltbad.
Shesoashamedt
oevenapol
ogi
set
ohi
m.
Shehadwentaheadtocar
ryoutherpl
anseven
af
terheapol
ogi
zedtoher,
twi
ce.
Shefeel
ssoremorsef
ulthatshewi
shedshehadn'
t
donethati
nthef
ir
stplace.
-
-snapoutofyourobl
ivi
onJessyandgetagoodl
if
e
-
-Olivi
a'
swordsranginherear
s.
Shet
otal
lyf
eltl
ikeanewper
sonaf
terOl
ivi
aspoke
t
oher.
Herwordsopenedanot
hersi
deofhert
hatshe
di
dn'
tknewexisted.

Jessi
cagl
ancedather
..
"Di
disaytoomucht
oher
"SheaskedAr
ushawho
shookhi
shead.
"Yousaidenoughtosnapheroutofherobl
ivi
on,
youhelpedherOli
".
"
Areyousure?Butshe'
sint
ear
s"Ar
ushasai
d
wor
ri
edly.
Sheli
kesJessi
cari
ghtfr
om t
hef
ir
stt
imebuther
behavi
orhadputherof
f.
"No,
she'
sbeingr
emor
sef
ul."Ar
ushagl
ancedat
Jessi
catoo.
"Weshouldbehopi
ngforabet
terJessi
caf
rom
now"
Olivi
asaidandAr
ushanodded.

"I
..
ither
e'ssomethi
ngiwantt
osay"
Jessi
ca
suddenlysai
dloudl
y.
Ever
yonet
urnedt
oher.
Heyeyeswer
eredandAr
ushaf
eltsor
ryf
orher
.
Sheseemsl i
keaver
ysof
thear
tedper
sonbutwi
th
aharshfacade.

"Youal
lknowEthanHar
lowasmybr
other
..
"
Jessi
castar
ted.
"Et
hanHar l
owisherbrot
her?"Jessi
cawas
surpr
isedandArushanodded.
"Andsheactsli
kethi
s,hewasver yhumblewhenhe
camef ordi
nneratt
hepalace"Ol
iviasai
d,not
real
isi
ngwhatshejustsai
d.
"
Dinner
?Pal
ace?
"Ar
ushaaskedandOl
ivi
awasl
ost
f
orwordsf
oramoment.
"
Yeah,
imeanpalace,
mymum wor kst
her
esoigo
wit
hhermostt
imes"Oli
vial
ied.
"
Ohh..
.yourmum mustbewor ki
ngasacook,
no
wonderyoubri
ngdeli
ciousmeals"Ar
ushasai
dand
Ol
ivi
anodded,smil
ingfai
ntl
y.

Damn!
Sheal
mostspi
ll
edheri
dent
it
y.

"Et
hanHarlowi
snotmybrother,
we'
renotrel
atedi
n
anyway"Jessi
casai
dandtherewasalouduproar
i
ntheclass.
"Heaccommodat edmymum andiwhenmymum
waskickedoutoft hehouseaf
termyf ather'
sdeath,
iwasstil
lveryli
tt
lethenandigrewupt oknowhi m
asmybr other,
hetoldmetosti
llcal
lhi
m br other
evenaft
ermymum t oldmewe'renotbloodr el
ated,
he'
ssponsor i
ngmyeducat i
onjustl
ikehe's
sponsor
ingAr
usha'
sandsomanyot
herpeopl
e'
s"
Theyal
lst
aredatJessi
cai
nshock.
Arushawassur
pri
sedal
so,henevert
hought
Jessi
cawouldr
eveal
thi
stothem her
sel
f.

Thestudentslookofshockl at
ertur
nedt
odisgust
andtheystaredatherjustli
ketheyhadal
ways
star
edatArushaandOl i
via.
"Howdareyoudecei
veever yoneforyear
sthat
you'
reEt
hanHarlowsist
er!"Agirlsai
daloudand
ever
yonenoddedinapproval.
"Youmustbesuchaf ooltohavebei ngdeceived,
doestheirl
astnamescor rel
ate?Shouldn'tyouhave
fi
guredityour
selvessincealltheseyears,
ican't
beli
eveyouallaredumbt othatextent"Jessicasai
d,
shutt
ingthegir
lup.

"Anyway..
isai
dwhatisai
d,I
'
m notr
elat
edt
oEthan
Harlowinanyway,wewereonl
yaccommodat
ed"
Jessicasai
dandsatdown.
"I
'
m donewi t
ht hi
sfr
iendshi
p!Iwasonlywit
hyou
causeibeli
evedyouwer eEthanHar
low'ssi
ster
.
Li
ar!"Janeyel
ledandJessicawasshockedtothe
bone.
J.
.j
anewasherbestf
ri
end.

Sheplacedherheadont
hedesk,
shecouldn'
tcope
wit
hthedozensofeyesgl
ari
ngatherl
ikeshe'
s
thr
ash.
Itl
ookedl
ikeever
yonesuddenl
ytur
nedt
hei
rback
onher.
Shecoul
dn'
tcryanymor
e,sheonl
ywant
edt
o
scr
eam i
ndisbel
ief
.
Not
hisi
snothappeni
ngt
oher
.

--
You'
rehappyt
ohavepeopl
esurr
oundyou,peopl
e
arer
eadytoworshi
pyoubutwat
chthem t
urnaway
whenyouhavenothi
ng-
-
"
No!
"Shesi
ghed.
ShehopedJanehadn'
tmeantwhatshesai
d.

"If
eelsosorryforhercausemostofherf
ri
endsar
e
goingtodeserther
,ihopeshe'
l
lbeabletocope
wit
ht hepai
n"Olivi
asaid.
"
Ihopesot
oo"Ar
ushagl
ancedatJessi
cawor
ri
edl
y.
Herheadwasst
il
lonherdesk.
"That
'sther
easonineverwantedtohavefri
ends,
i
t'ssoraret
oseeonethat'
llst
ickwit
hyoudur i
nga
hardti
me.It
'sbet
terof
fbeingalone"Ol
ivi
asaid.

"
Gooddaycl
ass"Mr
sMegwal
kedi
n.

_
__

I
ri
shwasi
nthel
ivi
ngr
oom whenJessi
cawal
kedi
n.
Hereyeswer
eredandshel
ookedsosad.
I
ri
shwonder
edwhatmusthavegonewr
ong.
Jessi
caneverret
urnedhomelooki
ngthisway,her
shoul
der
swer eslumpedandnotonlydoeshereyes
l
ooksad,
shelooksscaredtoo.

Iri
shwaswor ri
edasshewatchedJessicawal
kedt o
thestai
rs,t
houghshedoesn'
tli
kei
twhenJessi ca
glareather
,shepref
ersi
ttothi
sherpresentl
ook.
I
ri
shheadedtotheki
tcheni
mmedi
atel
yJessi
ca
wasoutofsi
ght.

ShemetGabr
iel
lesl
ici
ngcabbage.

"Gabr
iel
le,
ithi
nkther
e'ssomet
hingwr
ongwi
th
Jessi
ca"Ir
shsaid.
"
She'
sback?
"Gabr
iel
leasked.
"
Yeah"I
ri
shsaidandGabr
iel
leknewsomet
hingwas
i
ndeedwrong.
Jessi
cacomest ogreetherf
ir
sti
mmedi
atel
yshe'
s
backfr
om school.
"Hereyesl
ookedsor edl
ikeshehasbeencr
ying
andshelookedreal
lysad,shedi
dn'
tevenglareat
me"Iri
shsaid.

MrsGabri
ell
edroppedthekni
fe,
ri
nsedherhands
andheadedforJessi
ca'
sroom wit
hIr
ishbehi
ndher
.

_
___

ArushaandMrsHelenatest
eami
ngpi
zzar
oll
sas
t
heywat chedamovie.
Hej
ustf
ini
shedcompl
eti
nghi
shomewor
k.
Hecouldn'
thel
pbutt
hinkaboutwhathappenedi
n
cl
asstoday.
Hewasn'
tevenconcent
rat
ingont
hemovi
eandMr
s
Hel
ennot
icedit
.

"
What
'swr
ong?
"Sheasked.
"Somethi
nghappenedi
nthecl
asst
oday"Hesai
d
dri
ly.
"Doyouwantt
otal
kabouti
t?"Sheaskedandhe
shookhi
shead.
"
Ever
ythi
ngwi
llbef
ine"Sher
ubbedhi
sback.

Theyhear
daknockont
hedoorandwonder
edwho
i
twas.
"I
'
llgogeti
t"Ar
ushasai
d,hegotupandheadedt
o
t
hedoor.
Hepul
ledi
topenandsawaguyabouthi
sageat
t
hedoor,wi
thabasket
bal
linhand.

"
Hi,
I'
m Ryan"Hesmi
led.
"
I'
m Ar
usha"
"I'
m yourneighborandiwasjustawar
erecent
ly
thatthere'
saguymyage.I '
vebeensoboredall
along"Ryansaid.
"
Ohh"Ar
ushasmi
led,
event
houghhehasnever
seenhi
m bef
ore.
Heonl
ygoest
oschoolandcomebacki
n.
"
Iwantt
ogoplaybasket
bal
l,
wil
lyoucomewit
h
me?
"RyanaskedandArusha'
sfacel
itup.
"
Ofcour
se,
I'
llbeback,
iwantt
oinf
orm mymum"
"
Okay"
Ryansai
dandwai
ted.

_
___

Jessi
cachangedi
ntoalambswoolsweaterand
palegr
eenli
nenshor
tsaft
ershefi
nished
fr
esheni
ngup.
Shesatonherbedandst
aredbl
ankl
yatt
hedoor
.
Hermum hadcomebutshehadr
efusedt
oopen
t
hedoor.

Herhear
twasnotonl
ybr
okenbutshat
ter
ed.
Ever
yoneavoi
dedhert
il
lschoolwasoverand
JaneandPar
ishadn'
tevenwai
tedf
orheraf
ter
school
.
Chandl
erhadt
oldherhewasn'
tinter
estedi
nher
anymoreandt
hatsheshoul
dgot ohell
.
Al
mosteveryonehadshutheroutofthei
rli
vesand
i
tseemstheywerefri
endswithherbecausethey
t
houghtshewasHarold'
ssist
er.

ThatwashowAr ushamusthavef
eltwhenpeopl
e
di
dn'twanttoassoci
atewi
thhi
m,shewasevenpart
ofthosepeopl
ethatmockedhi
m.
Shewaspartoft
hosethatdi
dn'
twantt
oassoci
ate
wit
hhi
m becausehe'
spoor.
Ser
vesherr
ightt
ofeel
thesamepai
nhehadf
elt
.

'
Gray'
Shet
houghtandpi
ckedupherphone.
Shepl
acedacal
lacr
ossGr
ay,
herboyf
ri
endi
nPar
is.

"
Jeasy.
..
howar
eyou?
"HeaskedandJessi
caknew
hehasbeendr
inki
ng.
"
Let
'sbr
eakup"Shesai
dcur
tl
y.
"
Wh..
why?Di diof
fendyou,
I
'm sosor
ryi
fidi
dJessy.
I
'
m sorr
y,ILoveyousomuch"
*Youdidnothi
ngGraybut
..
i.
.I
'm notEthanHar
low'
s
sist
erasyouthought
,we'
renotrelat
edinanyway.
Heonlyaccommodatedmymum andi .
"
Wh.
.what
!Ar
eyouj
oki
ng?
"
"
I'
m ser
iousG.

"
Ohh..
iguessweshoul
dreal
lybr
eakupthen.Have
ani
celif
e'Gr
aydi
sconnect
edthecal
l.

'
I
sthatreal
lyhowpeopl
eare?'
Shet
houghtand
l
aughedatthesadr
eali
tyofl
if
e.

Howcomeever
ythi
ngchangedi
njustl
esst
hana
day.
 Shehadbeensohappyt ogettoschoolt
his
morningandtarni
shArusha'
simagenotknowing
herswil
lbetarni
shedal
ong.
Andhehadn'teventol
dtheworl
dEthanHarl
owis
notherbr
otherevenaft
ersheembarr
assedhi
m
deepl
y.

Oli
viawasri
ghtandJessicaissogr
atef
ulshe
snappedheroutofherobli
vion.
Shemadeherr
eal
iseshehasnof
ri
endsaf
teral
l.
Noneatal
l.

Howcanshecopewi
thoutJaneandPar
is?
NotwhenEthant
oldhershe'
l
lbest
ayi
ng
per
manentl
yinCali
for
nia.

Thi
sisadr
eam r
ight
?
"
Cansomeonewakemeupal
ready!
"Shescr
eamed
i
ntear
s.
_
___

Jessi
cast
agger
edi
ntot
hedi
ningr
oom f
ordi
nner
.
Shewasweak,shehadcri
edsomucht
hatshe
coul
dn'
tevencr
yanymore.
Shewast
ooweakt
ocr
y.
Shef
elthel
pless.

Herhai
rlookeddi
sheveledandsomeofitst
uckto
herf
ace,
hereyeswereredandswollenandher
wholef
acewaspale,l
ikeshewouldpassout
anyt
imesoon.
Shel
ookedl
ikeshewashi
tbyat
ruck.
Shefel
tmiserabl
e..
.shehadneverknewwhat
bet
rayalf
eltl
ike.

"
Oh.
.my.
.God!
"Theyal
lrushedt
oherast
heysaw
her
.
Shefel
lint
oEt
han'sar
msi
mmedi
atel
y,herl
egs
wereshaki
ngal
ready.
"
Cal
lDocLuc!
""Et
hanal
mostyel
ledatJavad.

"
I.
.iwa.
.ntwat
er"Shesai
dandMrsGabri
ell
ewasi
n
t
earsasshequickl
ypour
edherwat
er.

"Whati
nthewor
ldwentwr
ong!"Mr
sHarl
ow
pani
ckedast
heymadeJessi
cadri
nkt
hewater
.
"Ever
yonelef
tme"Jessi
casai
d,af
terdr
inki
ngwat
er,
shefeltabi
tbet
ter
.
Hereyesachedter
ri
blyasanot
herroundoft
ear
s
t
hreat
enedtostr
eam downherface.
"We'
reheref
oryouJessi
ca"I
ri
shsai
d,t
ryi
ngt
ofi
ght
backherowntear
s.
Ari
nwascr yi
nguncontrol
labl
yal
ready,
Jessi
cahas
neverl
ookedsohorri
ble.
Shel
ookedpal
eandt
hinal
lofasudden.
"Ever
yonelef
tme"Sher
epeat
edasEt
hancar
ri
ed
hertoherr
oom.

Hereal
lyhopedwhateveri
swr ongwit
hherr
ight
nowwon'taff
ecthermentalhealt
h.

"
Ever
yonel
eftme"
_
__

"
Uhm"DocLucsi
ghed.
Hepackedhi
sthi
ngsbacki
ntot
hebox.
Ever
yonest
art
edathi
m expect
ant
ly.Jessi
caf
ell
asl
eepminut
esaft
ershewasinj
ect
ed.

"
Isedat
edher
..
"DocLucsai
d.
"I
'
m af
raidshemi
ghtbeneedi
ngapsychi
atr
istonce
shewakesup"Headdedandt
heyal
lstar
edathim
i
ndi
sbel
ief
.

"Andshemi ghtnot.
..
butseeinghowshebehaved
nottoolongago,itseemsherbr ai
nisinshock,
i
don'tknowhowmuchshocki tis..
that
'st
hereason
I'
m notsoclearabouthervisi
tingapsychi at
ri
stor
notonceshewakesup.
Ifihadn'
tsedatedher
,shewouldhavegoneonand
onandt hatwil
lbeter
ri
ble.She'
sinaweakst
ateof
mindr i
ghtnow"

MrsGabri
ell
estrokedJessica'
shair
,shehadn'
t
evenpai
dfullat
tenti
ontothedoctor.
Shewassowor
ri
edaboutherdaught
er.
Ever
yonewas.

"She'
llbeawakebyt omorrowmorningandI'
llmake
sureI'
m her ebef
oreshewakes, soiwouldknowif
she'l
lneedt obetransfer
redtoapsychi
atri
st
i
mmedi at
ely"
"Youcansl
eepher
e,ar
oom wi
llbepr
epar
edf
or
you"Et
hansai
d.
"Iwouldhavelovedt
obutI '
m onnightshi
ft
,the
hospit
alneedsme.I'
llbeherefi
rstthi
nginthe
morning"DocLuccarriedhi
sbox.

"
I'
llbookappoi
ntmentwi
tht
hepsychi
atr
ist
t
onight.
..
"Hesaid.
"
Isi
tthatser
ious?
"Mr
sHar
lowpani
cked.
"Wenevercoul dt
ell.
..
ifi
tdoesn'
tturnoutbadli
ke
I'
mthinki
ngt henI'
llcancel
theappointmentbutifit
does,
andshedoesn' tseeapsychiatri
st
i
mmedi at
ely,itmi
ghtgobeyondwhatapsychi atri
st
canhandle.Weshoul dhopeshe'sintheri
ghtframe
ofmindbyt omorrow."DocLucsai d.
"
Whatcoul
dhavegonewr
ongi
nschool
?"I
ri
sh
t
hought
.
"
I'
llt
akemyl
eavenowMrEt
han"
"
Alr
ightLuc,
thankssomuch"Et
hansai
d.
"Ar
in,
youneedtogotobedoryou'
llbelat
eto
schoolt
omorrow"Et
hansai
d,minutesaft
erDocLuc
l
eft.
"No,I'
llbesl
eepi
ngwithjessy"Ari
nsaidandEt
han
sighed,knowi
ngther
e'snopoi nti
nargui
ngwit
hher.
"Alr
ight
,gowit
hIr
ishtogetyour
eadyf
orsl
eep"
EthansaidandIr
ishgott
oherfeet
.
Shet
ookAr
in'
shandandt
heybot
hlef
tther
oom.

Ir
ishworeAr
inherpyj
amasaf
tersheshower
edand
brushed.
ShetookherbacktoJessy'
sroom af
tert
heywer
e
doneandAri
nlaiddowngentlybesi
deJessi
ca.

"
Whatr
eal
lyhappened?
"Et
hanasked.
"Nooneknows.Shereturnedfrom schoollooki
ng
sadanditoldMrsGabriel
leaboutit.Jessi
ca
ref
usedtoopenthedoor ,
shesaidshe' sfi
neunti
l
thi
snight
..
."I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Whydi
dn'
tanyonet
oldmet
hat
?"Et
hanasked.
"
YouknowJessica!It
houghti
twasoneofhersil
ly
moodswings,
inevert
houghti
ttobet
hisseri
ous"
MrsGabr
iel
leblewhernoseint
oahandkerchi
ef.
Shehadcr
iedsohar
d.

"
Somet
hingmighthavehappenedi
nschooloron
t
hewayhome"Mr sHarl
owsaid.
"Et
han,I'
l
lcal
lArushatoaskhim,
youshoul
daskher
bodyguardsi
fanythi
nghappenedontheway"I
ri
sh
sai
d.
"I
sn'ti
ttool
atet
ocal
lAr
usha?Hemi
ghtbeasl
eep"
Ethansaid.
"
No"Ir
ishgl
ancedatt
hewal
lcl
ock."
He'
l
lbe
wat
chingmovi
enow"

"Okay,
I'l
lgoaskherbodyguar
ds"Et
hanwal
kedout
oftheroom.
I
ri
shal
sowal
kedoutaf
terhi
m.
Sheplacedacal
lacr
ossAr
ushawhenshegoti
nto
thel
ivi
ngroom.

"Si
ster
"Ar
ushasai
d,i
mmedi
atel
yher
ecei
vedt
he
cal
l.
Hewonderedwhatmadehercallbyt
hishour
andhewant
edtotel
lherheal
readyhasafri
end!A
malef
ri
end!
He'
ssohappy.

"Arusha,
whathappenedt
oJessicai
nschool
today?"I
ri
shaskedandArushacoul
dsenset
he
panicinhervoi
ce.
Hesatupont
hecouchandlower
edt
hevol
umeof
t
hemoviehewaswatchi
ng.
'
What
'
swr
ong?
"Heasked.
"
Answermeasshol
e!"I
ri
shsai
dandhesi
ghed.
"Okay..
.Jessicatol
deveryoneinschoolt
hatshe
wasn'tMrEt han'
ssisterl
iket
heythought,
heonl
y
accommodat edherandherMum andyouwon' t
beli
eveherf r
iends,ever
yonecutti
eswithher
i
mmedi at
ely,shewasmockedandavoi dedli
kea
plague"Arushasaidsadly.
"That'
ster
ri
ble!
"Ir
ishexcl
aimed,
get
ti
ngt
hewhol
e
pict
urenow.

Shenowunderst
andswhyJessi
cakeptmut
ter
ing
'
ever
yonel
eftme'
[
05/09,07:
32]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense
Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
53

"Di
dsomethi
nghappentoher?Howdi dyouknow
somethi
nghappenedi
nschooltoday?
"Arusha
asked.
"Hereyeswer
esoredandshel
ookedsosadwhen
shecamehome"Ir
ishsai
d.
"
Whatreal
lypr
omptedhertotel
lever
yonet
hat
Har
oldi
sn'
therbr
other
?"Ir
ishasked.
"Idon'
tknowhonestl
y,
iwassurpr
isedwhenshedi
d
sobutithinkOl
ivi
a'
swordspushedhert
osaythat
"
Arushasaid.

"
Real
ly?Whatdi
dOl
ivi
asai
dtoher
?"
"
Sheonl
yadvi
sedheropenl
y"Ar
ushasai
d.
"
Why?
"
Ar
ushagr
oaned"Youasksomuchquest
ion!
"
"
Justanswermebl ackass!
"Ir
ishsai
dandAr
usha
l
aughedoutloud.
"
Whydi
dOl
ivi
aadvi
sedher'
openl
y'?
"Ir
ishasked.
"It
hinkshegotfedupofJessi
ca'
sbehavi
or,
she
neededtoputherinherpl
ace"
"
Ohh"I
ri
shsi
ghed.
"
IsJessi
caf
ine?
"Ar
ushaasked.
"
Shewi
llbe.Goodni
ght
"Ir
ishsai
d.
"Goodni
ghtI
ri
sh"Ar
ushasai
danddr
oppedhi
s
phone.

Hecoul
dn'tt
ellheraboutRyancausehesensed
somet
hingwaswr ong.
Thi
sisnott
her
ightt
imet
odoso.

_
_
"Whatdidhesay?"
Ethanasked,
hewasjust
ret
urni
ngfr
om herbodyguar
dsandtheysai
d
nothi
nghappenedonthewayhome,shewasjust
awfull
yqui
et.

"Somet
hingi
ndeedhappenedinschool
"Iri
sh
si
ghedandshetol
dhim al
lArushahadsaid.

"
Woah!
"Et
hansi
ghed,
droppi
ngonacouch.
"Jessicaonl yhasahardcover,she'
sasweakasa
feather,shehast hesoft
estheartandshet ear
sup
quickly,
shedoesn' thavethehearttodealwiththe
betrayal
s, idoubtshehaseverbeenbetrayed"Ethan
saidsadl y.
"Shemusthavef
eltsot
err
ibl
e"I
ri
shsatdown
besi
dehim.
She'
sfeel
ingsosor
ryf
orJessi
ca.
"Forsomeonel i
keJessica,
it
'sj
usttoomucht otake
i
n.Ican'tbeli
eveherfr
iendsandeveryonear eall
overherjustbecauseofme!That'ssocr azy.I
'm
gladOli
viamadeherseeshehasnof r
iendaf t
erall
"
Ethansaid,
sodisappoi
nt edwit
hhowpeopl eusuall
y
turnouttobe.
"I
t'
sjustsor
aretoseesomeonei
nahi
ghposi
ti
on
haveatruef
riend"I
ri
shsai
d.

"Isomuchpr efertobeal onethanhaveaf r

iend,
Mor ganHar
lowwasmybr ot
herIdon'tknowwher e
hecouldbebynowi fIdidn'tbegmypar ent
st opi
ck
him upfr
om theor phanagehome, butheendedup
betr
ayingme" Ethansmiledsadly.
"
Idon'
tkeepf
ri
endstoo,ican'
thandl
eever
ythi
ng
t
hatcomeswit
hit
,iguessI'm usedt
obei
ngalone"
I
ri
shsaid.

"I
'
m gladMorgant
ookCat
her
ineawayf
rom me"
Ethansmi
led.
"
Uh?Why?
"Ir
isjwassur
pri
sed.
"
Iwoul
dn'
thavemetyou"Hesai
dandI
ri
shbl
ushed.

"
Let
'sgocheckonJessi
ca"Shet
ookhi
shand.
"Ihopeshe'
llbef
inebytomorr
ow,iwon'
twantmy
sist
ertovi
sitapsychi
atr
ist
"Et
hansai
dworri
edl
y.
"
Shewon'
t,
she'
l
lbef
ine"I
ri
shassur
ed.
"
ThanksI
ri
sh"Et
hansai
d.
"
For
?"Sheaskedast
heycl
imbedt
hest
air
s.
"Forcari
ngaboutJessicawit
houtmindi
ngtheway
shehast r
eat
edyou"Ethansaid,
hewasdeeply
touchedwhenhesawI r i
shcr
yforJessi
ca.

"
Iunder
standJessi
ca"I
ri
shsai
d.

Theygotbackint
oJessi
ca'
sroom andmetAr
inf
ast
asl
eepbesideher
.
_
___

Ar
ushawasgl
adt
omeetOl
ivi
aincl
asswhenhe
wal
kedi
n.
Hecoul
dn'
twai
ttot
ellherabouthi
snewf
ri
end.
Ryan.

Hedroppedhi
sbackpacki
nthel
ockerandheaded
t
ohisseat.
"
Hey"Hesai
dtoAr
usha.
"
Youl
ookhappy"shenot
iced.
"Inowhaveamal
efr
iend"Hesai
d,evenbef
ore
sit
ti
ngdown.
"
Real
ly?
"Ol
ivi
asmi
led,
shewashappyf
orhi
m.
"Yes,he'
smynei ghbor.Hecamear oundyesterday
toaskmet oplaybasketballwit
hhi m andwhi l
ewe
wereatthef i
eld,
het ol
dmet hi
ngsabouthi m,vi
ce
versa.We'regoingtothepl aystati
ontodayaf t
er
school"Arushasai dexcit
edly,
final
lysitt
ingdown.
"Wow!Hei
sn'
tthr
eat
enedbyyourl
ooks?
"Ol
ivi
a
asked.
"
Notatal
l,maybei
t'
sbecausehe'
squi
tegood
l
ooki
ngtoo"
"
I'
m sohappyf
oryou"Ol
ivi
asmi
led.
"
Butj
eal
oust
oo"Shef
rowned.

"Com'onyoustil
lremai
nmybestf
ri
end,
ievent
old
him aboutyou"
Arushasai
d.
"
Real
ly?
"Ol
ivi
asmi
led.
"Yeah,
wewerebothgl
adt
ofindeachother
,i
tseems
hedoesn'
thavesomanyf
ri
endsalso"
"
Ohh.
.soyoubot
hcl
ickedi
mmedi
atel
y"Ol
ivi
asai
d.
"Yeah,
he'
sagr eatper
son,
funt
obewi
th.Ienj
oyed
hiscompany"Arushasmil
ed.

"
Enough"Ol
ivi
arol
ledhereyesandhel
aughed.
"
Someonei
sjeal
ous"Het
eased.
"Ol
i,you'
remorethanafr
iendtomeandiwoul dn'
t
eventradeyouforanymalefr
iend,
notevenRyan"
Arushasaidandhewassur pr
isedwhenOlivi
a
pull
edhimintoahug.
"
Thankyou"Shesai
d.
"
For
?"
"Ever
ythi
ng"Olivi
asai
dandhenoddedevent
hough
hewasconf used.

Thest
udent
sseemedt
omi
ndt
hei
rbusi
nesst
his
morni
ng.
Haha..
.Oli
viar
eal
lyt
aughtt
hem somel
essons
yest
erday.

Hebroughtouthi
slapt
opandgl
ancedt
owar
ds
Jessi
ca'
sseat.
Shewasnott
her
e.
"
Jessi
cai
sn'
tinschoolyet
?"HeaskedOl
ivi
a.
"
No"Ol
ivi
aanswer
ed.
"I
t'
sunli
keher,she'
sknownf
orcomi
ngt
oschool
earl
y"Arushasaid.
"
Shemightwanttodigesteveryt
hing.
.i
t'
stoomuch
t
otakei
n"Oli
viasai
dandAr ushanodded

_
__

"
Ithi
nkshe'
snotcomi ngt
oday"Arushasai
daf
ter
t
hesecondteacherf
orthedaylef
t.
"
Obvi
ousl
y"Ol
ivi
asai
d.

_
___

"Thankgoodness!
"Theyal
lexcl
aimedaft
erDocLuc
saidJessi
cawon'thavet
oseeapsychiat
rist
.

Shewokeupby11am andDocLucwasar
ound
bef
oret
hen.
Jessi
caj
ustpul
ledherMum i
ntoahugandcr
ied.
Theywereallawareofwhathappenedi
nschool
andtheyconsoledher
.

"I
'
m sur
pri
sedshepul
ledt
hrough,
she'
sst
rong"Doc
Lucsmil
ed.
Hepr
escr
ibedsomemedi
cat
ionsf
orherandl
eft
.

"
I'
m gl
adyou'
ref
inenow"Mr
sGabr
iel
lesai
d.
"Theyalll
eftme,
idon'
tevenhaveaf
ri
endanymor
e"
Jessicasai
d.
"
Youdo"I
ri
shsai
dandJessi
cat
urnedt
oher
.
Shef
eelssoashamedtofaceI
ri
shbecauseoft
he
wayshehadtr
eatedher
.
"Idon'
thavef
ri
endsanymore"Jessi
caasaidand
hertonewassurpr
isi
ngl
ycooltowar
dsIr
ish.
Theywer
eal
lsur
pri
sed.
"Ol
ivi
aandAr ushaaret
heref
oryou,
theywi
llgl
adl
y
beyourfr
iend"Iri
shsai
d.
"Theywon't.
..I'
vebeensobadt ot
hem.I ri
shI'
m
sorrytohavetreatedyouwrongl
yallalong,
I'
m so
sorry,
wil
lyouf or
giveme?"Jessi
casaid,
remorseful
lyandt hi
stime,ever
yonewasmor e
thansurpri
sed.
Mr
sGabr
iel
lesmi
ledhappi
ly.
.

"
Ifor
gaveyoual
readyJessi
,it
otal
lydo"I
ri
shsmi
led.
"I
'vewant edtohugyouforsoool
ong"Jessi
casaid
toIri
sh,hervoi
cechil
dli
keasshestr
etchedouther
armst owardsIri
sh
"
Wow"I
ri
shwasal
lsmi
lesasshehuggedJessi
ca.

"
Oh..
my.f
inal
ly"Et
hanf
eltsohappyandMr
s
Har
lowgr
inned.
"
Whydoesitf
eelsoweird,
imissyourgl
areandal
l"
I
ri
shj
okedandtheyal
llaughed.
"I
'
m sorr
yimadeever
yonewor
ri
edyest
erni
ght
"
Jessi
casai
d.
"
It
'sf
ine"

"
I'
m hungr
ymum"Jessi
casai
d.
"
Yes,
weal
lar
e"Mr
sHar
lowsai
d.
Theyal
lski
ppeddi
nner
.
"
I'
llgomakesomet
hingf
orever
yonenow"Mr
s
Gabri
ell
esai
d.
"
I'
llhel
pyoui
ntheki
tchen"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
I'
llt
akecar
eofJessi
ca"Mr
sHar
lowsai
d.
"I
'
lldri
nkmyfavori
tewi
nei
nthel
ivi
ngr
oom Et
han
saidandt
heylaughed.

_
___
"
Ir
ishsoundedworr
iedwhenshecal
ledyest
erni
ght
"
Arushasai
dtoOl
ivi
a.
It
'sl
unchbr
eakandt
heywer
ebot
heat
ingi
nthe
cl
ass.
"
Real
ly?
"
"Yes,
sheaskedwhathappenedtoJessicainschool
anditol
dherever
ythi
ngbutisensedtherewas
somethi
ngwrongwithJessi
ca"Arushasaid.
"
Oh..
my,coul
dthatbet
her
easonshe'
sabsent
t
oday?"
"Iguessso.I'
m goi
ngt
ocal
lIr
isht
oni
ghtandf
ind
out"Arushasai
d.
"
Youshoul
d"Ol
ivi
asai
d.

_
__

I
ri
shwasinherwor
kshop,
wor
kingal
oneaf
ter
t
hey'
veal
leat
en.
Twoofherbodyguar
dswer
esentt
owai
tandpi
ck
MrHarl
owatt
heai
rpor
tandonevi
sit
edt
he
r
est
room.

I
ri
shi
ssohappyaboutJessi
ca'
schange.
She'
sreal
lyasweetgi
rl
.

"Hi
"Jessi
cawalkedint
oIr
ene'
sworkshopi
napink
shor
tgown,whi
tefl
ipfl
opsandherhai
rwasst
yled
i
naponytail
.
Shel
ookedpr
ett
ygoodandhereyesl
ookedbet
ter
.

"
Jessy"I
ri
shsmi
led.
"Iwasbor
edsoideci
dedtowatchyouwork,andi
mustcommendyou,you'
resogoodatt
his"Jessi
ca
saidandI
ri
shsmil
ed.
"
Thankyou"
"Wow!Ar
eyoudonewit
hthi
sones?
"Jessi
ca
poi
ntedt
oasetofnewl
ymadewears.
"Yesiam,I
'
mj ustgonnapackt
hem andhavet
hem
deli
ver
ed"I
ri
shsaid.
"Theyarebeauti
ful
,howdoyoupackthem.I'
m
goingtohel
pyouwi thi
t"Jessi
cadr
oppedher
phoneandIrishwastouchedbyherki
ndgestur
e.
"ThankyouJessi
ca"I
ri
shsaidandquickl
yshowed
herhowt hedr
essesar
ebeingpacked.
Jessicagoti
tal
mosti
mmedi
atel
yandt
heybot
h
star
tedworki
ng.

_
___

"Thi
sissoint
erest
ing"Jessi
casai
denj
oyi
ngwhat
she'
sdoing.
.
"
It
'sf
unwhenonest
art
s"I
ri
sjsai
d.
"
Andyoushoul
dsendyourmeasur
ement
stome"
I
ri
shadded.
"
Huh?
"Jediasked.
"
You'
rej
ustl
ikemyyoungersi
sternow,
ineedt
o
makebeauti
fuldr
essesforyou"I
ri
shsaidand
Jessyscr
eamedhappilybefor
efl
yingi
ntoherar
ms.

_
__

"I
ri
sh,doyouthinkAr
ushaandOl i
viawoul
dwantto
bemyf r
iend?Ihavenofr
iendanymoreandiknow
noonewi l
lspeaktomeinschoolagai
n"Jessi
ca
said.
Shewasdonepacki
ngt
hedr
esses,
shewat
ched
I
ri
shascutandsew.

"Ofcour
seJessi
ca,t
rustmet
hey'
l
lgladl
yfor
give
youandkeepyourcompanyi
nschool"I
ri
shsaid.
"
I'
m goi
ngt
oapol
ogi
set
othem t
omor
row"
"Good!Passmethesci
ssor
splease"I
ri
shsai
dand
Jessi
cagladl
yhandedi
ttoher
.

Shewasenj
oyi
ngt
hisnewpat
hshehadchosen.
"
I'
vebeenwanti
ngtotel
lyouthi
s,
you'resobeaut
if
ul
I
ri
shandilovehowyougoallnatur
al"Jessi
casai
d.
I
ri
shsmi
led.
..
"ThanksJessy"
"Iapol
ogi
seagainforanyi
nconveni
enceimi
ght
havecausedyou"
"
Com'
onJessi
ca.I
t'
sfi
ne"I
ri
shsai
d.

"Ican'
tbel
ievethatmanisar
ri
vingintheni
ght
,he
j
ustkeepget t
ingonmynerves"MrsHarlowsi
ghed
asshewalkedi nt
oIri
sh'
sworkshop.
Jessi
caandIri
shtur
nedtoher
,t
heybot
hknewshe
wastalki
ngaboutMrEt
han.
Theysmi
led.

"Ohh..you'
reher
eJessy"Mr
sHar
lowsatont
he
chair
.
"YesgodmotherandIri
shisgoi
ngtomakesomany
beauti
fuldr
essesforme"Jessi
caannouncedt
o
Mr
sHar
lowhappi
ly.
"That'
soneofthethi
ngsyouenjoy,
havingaf
ashi
on
designercl
osetoyou"MrsHar
lowsmiled.

ShehaddecidedtomakeI
ri
shherpersonalf
ashi
on
desi
gnerbutshe'
snotr
eadytot
ellheryet
.

"AndI
ri
sh,
theoli
viayou'
ret
alki
ngabout,
doyou
knowherl
astname?"MrsHar l
owasked.
ThenameOl i
viai
squi
ter
areinCal
if
orni
aandt he
onlyOli
viasheknewwasOlivi
aMail
s.thepr
incess
ofKingcity.

"No,Arushasai
dshedoesn'
thaveal
astname"I
ri
sh
said.
"Oh.
.my.
.God!
"MrsHarl
owexcl
aimed,
get
ti
ngon
herf
eeti
mmediat
ely.

"
What
'swr
ong?
"Jessi
caandI
ri
shasked.
 "Uh..nothi
ng.Imean,
ijustr
emember
ed
something.Ineedt
ogo"Mr sHarl
owsai
dand
hurr
iedoutofIri
shworkshop.

Royal
ti
eshidethei
rlastnamesi
nor
dert
okeept
hei
r
i
denti
tybutnotmanypeopleknowt
hat
..
MrsHar
lowissosuret
heOli
viai
nJessi
ca'
sschool
i
sthepr
incessofKi
ngCit
yorwhyel
sewon'tshe
haveal
astname.
Whodoesn'
thaveal
astname!

"
Ethan"Mr
sHar
lowcal
ledasshewal
kedi
ntohi
s
r
oom.
Hewassi
tt
ingonhi
sbed,
wor
kingonhi
slapt
op.
"
Mum"Hesai
d,wi
thoutr
aisi
nguphi
shead.
Shesatont
hebedbesi
dehi
m..
.
"Ij
ustmadeadiscover
y"Mr
sHar
lowsai
d,shewas
sti
llst
unned.
"
Real
ly?
'what
'st
hat
?"Et
hanasked.
"Pr
incessOli
viaMail
sofKingCi
tyist
heonein
Jessica'
scl
ass!"Shesai
dandEthandi
dn'
tact
surpr
ised.

"
Youknew?
!"Mr
sHar
lowaskedandhenodded.
"Wait
..
ihopeyoudidn'
ttel
lanyoneshe'
sa
pri
ncess?"
Ethanasked.
"
Ofcoursenot,
iknowhowmuchtheyl
ovehidi
ng
t
hei
rident
it
ies,
iwoul
dn'
tdot
hat
"Mr sHar
lowsaid.

"Iwasinvit
edf
ordi
nneri
ntheRoyalPal
acemonths
agoandimeteverymemberoftheRoyalf
ami
ly.
"
Ethansaid.
"
Oh..my!Youwer
ei nvi
tedt
othepal
ace?
"Mr
s
Har
lowwassurpr
ised.
"
Yeah"Et
hannodded.
"Andyoudidn'tsayanyt
hing!Youshoul
dhave
uploadedpict
uresandmakepeopleknowyou
visi
tedthepal
ace"MrsHar l
owsaidandEthan
l
aughed.
"Youknowidon'
tdothi
ngsliket
hat
.ThoughPri
nce
Alexandr
eLoui
sanditooksomepict
uresbuti
neverupl
oadedi
t"Et
hansaid.
"Real
ly?
"Mr
sHar
lowaskedandEt
hanf
etchedhi
s
phone.
Heunl
ockedi
tandshowedhert
hepi
ctur
es.
"
OMG!Et han,you'
reanasshole!Youknowhow
muchireall
ycherishr
oyalt
ies,I
'vebeendyingtoget
i
nvit
edtotheRoyalPalace!I'
veonlyvisi
tedthe
whit
ehouseonce"Mr sHarlowsai dasshescroll
ed
t
hroughthepictur
es.
Shewasamazedandhappy.

"Youshoul
dhel
pmegetachancet
ovisitt
hepal
ace
foronceEt
han,
iknowyoucandoi
t"MrsHarl
ow
said.
Ethansighed."Ther
e'saRoyalbal
lcomi
ngup,
ifi
getinvi
ted.I
'l
ltakeyoual
ong"
"
Yes!
"Mr
sHar
lowscr
eamed.
"
Mum!
"Et
hanchi
ded.
"
I'
m sor
ry,
I
'mj
ustsoexci
ted"Shesqueal
edl
ikeaki
d.

"I
'
m goingtomeett hequeenandwe' llt
akesome
pict
urestoget
her,
I'
l
lgettotourthatexquisi
te
Palace,
I'
l
lgettospeaktoroyal
tiesandevenmake
fr
iendswithqueens.OMG!"Mr sHarlowsaid
dreamil
y.
"Mum!
"Et
hangr
oaned."
I'
m notsur
eI'
l
lbei
nvi
ted
yet
"
"
Whowouldn'
tinvi
tebi
ll
ionair
eEthanHar
low,
your
i
nvi
tei
sonthewayson"Mr sHar
lowgri
nned.

"
Ishoul
dgotel
lIr
isht
omakemeabeaut if
uldr
ess"
MrsHarl
owsai
d,hurr
yingoutofEt
han'
sroom.
Sheslammedthedooroutofexci
tementand
Ethanshookhi
shead.

Hi
sdadshoul
dcomet
akeherawayt
oPar
isal
ready.
_
___

Jessi
caandIr
ishhelpedMrsGabriel
lei
nthe
ki
tchenassheprepareddi
ff
erentt
ypesofmeal
sfor
MrHarlow'
sarri
val
.
Thehousewasbeingcl
eanedbytheworker
s,
everyonewasdoi
ngonet
hingort
heotherto
welcomehim.
I
twasl
ikeaki
ngwascomi
nghome.

Ethanhadsai
dhe'sgonnatakehalfoft
he
bodyguar
dsandworkersi
nt hehousetothe
quart
ers,
MrEthandoesn'
tli
kebeingsurroundedby
somanypeople.
Hel
oveshi
spr
ivacy.

"
Ican'
twai
ttoseeGodf
atheragai
n"Jessi
casmi
l
ed.
"
Met
oo"Mr
sGabr
iel
lesai
d.
"
Hemustbeani
ceper
son"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
He'sj
ustli
ketheolderver
sionofEt
han,
i
fnotni
cer
"
MrsGabr
iel
lesaid.
"
Real
ly?
"Ir
ishasked.
"Yes,he'
ssoni ce,
funny,downtoeart
h,he'
sa
disci
pli
naryanddoesn' tcondoneanyactof
nonsense,somanywor kerswouldbefir
eddur
ing
hisstayhere"Jessicasaid.
"
Woah!
"Ir
ishexcl
aimed.
"Andhecanbepr et
tybluntt
oo,hesayst
hingsas
theyare"MrsGabri
ell
esuppli
edandever
ythingt
hey
saidgotIr
ishner
vous.

Sher
eal
lyhopehe'
sgoi
ngt
obeni
cet
oher
.
Shecan'
tdealwi
thanot
herr
oundofr
est
lessness.
Mr
sHar
lowandJessi
cawer
emor
ethanahandf
ul.

"IhavetogocheckonAr
in"
Ir
ishsai
dandwal
ked
outoftheki
tchen.
Arinwassti
llasl
eepbytheti
meIri
shgott
oher
room andshecoveredherpr
oper
lywi
thherbl
anket
befor
eleavi
ng..
ShemetEt
hanonherwaybackt
otheki
tchen.
"
Heythere,
youlookt
ir
ed"Hecuppedhercheeks
wit
hhispal
ms,shesmil
ed.
"
I'
m not
,ij
ustfeel
..
.ner
vousaboutmeet
ingMr
Harl
ow"Shesaid.
"
Ohh..you'
rehavi
ngMrHarl
ow'
sfever
"Ethan
l
aughedandledhert
oacouchi
nhispri
vatel
ivi
ng
r
oom.

"Well
..
.mydaddoesn'tbit
e,he'
sjustabitblunt
.He'
s
veryni
ceandI'm surehe'
sgonnal i
keyou,donot
worryabouthi
m beinganotherver
sionofMum and
Jessi
ca"Et
hansaidandI r
isjl
aughed.
"
AndJessi
casai
dalotofworker
saregonnaget
f
ir
edduri
nghi
sstayher
e"Ir
ishsai
dworri
edl
y.
"
Yes,
Dadl
ikest
hingsdonewi
tht
otalcompet
ence,
hedoesn'tli
keerr
orsandhe'ssoquickinfi
ri
ng
workers.Thoughidotel
lhim hedoesn'
thavethe
ri
ghttofir
emywor kers,
ihopenoneofthewould
misbehavethough"Et
hansaid.
"
Woah!
"Ir
ishsi
ghed.
"
Chi
ll
..
"Et
hanassur
ed.

"Ar
inisawake,ineedt
ogo"I
ri
shsai
daf
tera
heari
ngabellsound.

_
___

"Hey,
l
ookatyou"MrsHelensai
dt oArushaand
Ryanastheywalkedi
ntothehouse,
dampwi t
h
sweat.
Ar
ushagr
innedashewal
kedt
othecouch.
HeandRyanhadpl
ayedfoot
balli
nthef
iel
daf
ter
t
heyweredonei
nthepl
aystati
on.
"
Hi,
MrsHel
en"Ryanbowedi
ngr
eet
ings.
"
Ryan,
howar
eyou?
"Mr
sHel
enasked.
"
I'
mfi
nema'
am"Ryansmi
led.
"
Youbothreekofsweat
,gogetf
reshenedup.Ij
ust
madesoup"MrsHelensai
d.
"Thankgoodness!Iwasstar
ving,
I'
m notgonna
freshenup,iwantmi
nenow"Ar ushasaidandMr s
Hel enmadet ogi
vehi
m acorrect
ionalknockbuthe
quicklyhi
dbehindRyan.

"
Sil
lyboy!
"Shesai
dwhi
leRyanl
aughed.
"
Buddy,
I'
llgogetf
reshenedup"Ryansai
d.
"
You'
l
lbebackr
ight
?"Ar
ushaasked.
"
Yes,
fort
hesoup"Ryansmi
l
ed.
Hewasn'
tashyper
son,hedoesn'
tpr
etendandMr
s
Hel
enli
kedhi
mforthat.

"
Okay"Ar
ushasai
dandhur
ri
edt
ohi
sroom af
ter
Ryanl
eft
.

_
__

"
He'sonhiswayal
ready,
ishoul
dgogetdressed"
MrsHarl
owgiggl
edhappil
yandheadedt
oherr oom.
I
rishhelpedMrsGabri
ell
esett
het ablewhi
le
JessicaandAri
nwaitedinthel
ivi
ngr oom.

"Howisitgoi
ng?
"Et
hanasked,
steppi
ngi
ntot
he
dini
ngroom.
"
Ever
ythi
ngi
sset
"Mr
sGabr
iel
lesmi
led.
"IhopeMrHar l
ow'
sroom i
spr
epar
edal
ready?
"
Jessicaasked.
"No,hesl
eepsi
nthesameroom wi
thhi
swi
fe"
Ethansai
dandIr
ishsmi
led.

"
Grandpa!
"Theyhear
dAr
inscr
eam happi
lyand
t
heyheadedt
othel
i
vingr
oom.
I
ri
shner
vousl
ywal
kedbehi
ndMr
sGabr
iel
leand
Et
han.
Herner
vousnessr
educedwhenshesi
ght
edSar
ah.

Theygott
othel
ivi
ngroom andI
ri
shwasi
nst
ant
ly
awareofMrHar
low'shei
ght.
Wow!
He'
sahugeman,t
allandpowerf
ull
ybui
lt
,hi
s
pr
esencewasal
mostoverpoweri
ng.
Hewassur
prisi
ngl
ylooki
ngyoung,
hecoul
dpass
f
orEt
han'
selderbr
other.
Hehadhugegoldeneyes,
justl
ikeEt
han'
s,
hisf
ace
wasper
fect
lychisel
ed.
Hisbl
ackhairt
ouchedhi
sshoul
der
sandhel
ooked
l
ikeanIt
ali
an.

Hewasputt
ingonareal
tuxedo,
thatl
ooked
i
ncr
edi
blyexpensi
ve.
Wow!
Thi
smani
smor
ethangoodl
ooki
ng.
NowonderMr
sHar
lowi
stot
all
yent
hral
ledbyhi
m.

Ari
nwasi nhisar
msandhecar r
iedherl
ikeshe
weighsnothi
ng,
hewasstil
lki
ssi
nghisgrand
daughteranddi
dn'
tseem t
onoti
ceanyoneyet.
"
Ari
n,howhaveyoubeen?
"HeaskedAr
in.
"I
'
vebeenfi
negrandpa,
imissedyou"Ar
insai
dand
giggl
edashet
ickl
edher.

Et
hansmi
led,
seei
nghowner
vousI
ri
shl
ooks.

"
Heysi
ster
!"Jessi
cahuggedSar
ah.
"
Imissedyouall
"Sar
ahwhi
nedhuggi
ngEt
hanand
MrsGabri
ell
e.
Shesmi
ledatI
ri
sh.

MrHarl
owfi
nal
lydr
oppedAr
inandJessi
car
ani
nto
hi
sarms.
Whi
leSar
ahcar
ri
edAr
in.
"Jes!
"Hesmi
ledasheki
ssedJessi
ca'
sfor
ehead.
"Ihopeyoudi
dn'
tcauset
roubl
e?"HeaskedJessi
ca
andsheshookherhead.
"Youdi
d..
.iknowyoudi
d"Hepi
nchedJessi
ca'
s
nose.
"
Ouch!Godf
ather
"Jessi
cawhi
ned.

"
MrsGabr
iel
le,
comeher
e"MrHar
lowgavehera
hugt
oo.
"
It
'ssoni
cet
oseeyouagai
n"Mr
sGabr
iel
lesmi
led.

"
Sist
eryoudi
dn'
tgetmeagi
ft
"Ar
inwhi
ned.
"
Idi
d,I
'
llgi
vei
tlat
er"Sar
ahsmi
ledpecki
ngAr
in.
"Imissyourmeal
ssomuchandican'
twaitt
odown
i
t"MrHar l
owsaidtoMr
sGabri
ell
eandGabri
ell
e
gri
nned.

"Bil
li
onair
eEthanHar low!
"MrHarlowsmi l
ed
proudly,
hewasal waysproudofhisson,
Ethan'
s
successhadsur passedhisandhe'ssogladhehas
averyhar dworkingson.
"Ther
ealHarl
ow"Ethansmil
edastheyhugged
eachother
,hepat
tedEthan'
sbackaf
fect
ionat
ely.

I
ri
shnot
iced,
nobodyguar
dorwor
kerwasar
ound.

"
Dad,
meetAr
in'
snanny.I
ri
..
"
"I
ri
shLevine"MrHarl
owcomplet
edEt
han'
swor
ds
andEthanwasn'tsur
pri
sed.
Hi
smum mi
ghthavet
oldhi
m aboutI
ri
sh.
"
Hi.
.MrHar
low,
it'
ssoni
ce.
.t
omeetyou"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Eachofthem toldmehowgoodyouare,ihopeyou
areastheysaid,donotdi
sappoi
ntme"MrHarlow
said.
"
Iwon'
tSi
r"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Bytheway,
youlookbeauti
ful
,if
indyouperf
ect
ly
okaytobeEthan'
sf ut
urewi
fe"MrHarlowsai
dand
Ir
ishstar
edathim wit
hhermouthwideopened.
"Dad,don'
tmakeherf
eel
uncomf
ort
abl
e"Et
han
sighed.

"
Comeher
e,comegi
vemeahug"MrHar
lowt
old
I
ri
sh,
hewasimpr
essedwi
thher
.
NoneofAri
n'snannyhaseverdressedsodecent
ly
pl
usshelookedcalm,beaut
if
ulandnatural
.

I
ri
shwentt
ohughi
m eveni
fshewassosur
pri
sed.
Hi
sperf
umefil
ledhernost
ri
lsandshesmi
ledat
Et
hanasshehuggedhisfat
her.
Hewi
nkedandsmi
ledbackather
.
"
Byt
heway,
wher
e'smywi
fe?
"MrHar
lowsai
d.
"
She'
shere"MrsHarl
owsaidwal
kingi
ntot
hel
ivi
ng
r
oom,shelef
tever
yonest
unned.

ThedressIri
shmadef orherl
ookssobeaut
if
ulon
her
,i
tsuit
sherl i
kesecondskinandshowedher
ent
ici
ngfigure.Thecrystal
sgli
tt
eredhar
dandclear
.
Herhairwasst
yledi
nacomplet
elydif
ferent
way,
thatmadeherfacemor
eatt
racti
ve,shehad
appl
iedali
tt
lemakeup.

Mr
sHar
lowsi
mpl
ylookedspect
acul
ar!

"Darl
ing..
comeher e"MrHarl
owwhowas
speechlessfinal
lyspokeupandMr
sHar
lowal
most
knockedhi m overwit
hherhug.

"
Let
'sheadt
othedi
ning,
they'
l
ljoi
nus"Et
hansai
d,
knowi
nghisparentshadnoshamewhat
soeveri
n
showcasi
ngthei
rlove.

_
___
__
Ant
ici
pat
efort
henextchapt
er
[
05/09,07:
32]+2349060830987: The
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ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th

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e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
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d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
54
"
Tonydi
dagreatj
obwithyourdr
ess,
ilovei
t"Mr
Har
lowsai
doverdi
nner
.
"Wel
l.
.Tonydi
dn'
tmakei
t.I
ri
shdid"MrsHarl
ow
smil
ed,
shewasglowi
ngsi
nceherhusband'
sret
urn.
"Reall
y!Oh.
.my!You'
resot
alent
ed."MrHarl
owsaid,
onecouldtel
lhewasdeepl
yi mpressedwi
thIr
ish.
Helikedher.
"
Thankyou"I
ri
shsmi
led.

Shewasgr eat
lyenjoyi
nghi
scompany,hehad
crackedj
okesandmadet hem l
aughandhedidn'
t
seem tomindthatshe'
seati
ngwit
hthem.

"
She'
ssogoodatwhatshedoes,
she'
sjustt
hebest
f
ashi
ondesi
gnerI
'
veevercomeat"MrsHarlowsai
d.
"What'
sthenameofyourfashi
onstor
e?I'
lll
inkyou
upwithsomeofmyf ri
endsandboom yourfashi
on
stor
ewouldgoworldwide"MrHarl
owsaidandI ri
sh
wasstunnedassheansweredhim.
"
Levi
nef
ashi
ons"

"Wait
!Fr
edLevineisyourfat
her?
"MrHarl
owasked
andhisspoondroppedfr
om hishandwhenshe
nodded.

"
What
!"Heexcl
aimed.

Ever
yonel
ookedathi
m anxi
ousl
ywonder
ingwhy
hedidt
hat
.
Iri
shwasthemostanxi ous,sheknewherfather
wasn'
tabadper sonbutherhear
tcouldn'
thelpbut
beatf
astinfear.Hisfat
herwasn'tabadpersonthe
Jewelr
ycompanyhadt arni
shedhisreput
ati
onover
thest
olengoldennecklace.
Theexpr
essi
ononMrEt
hanf
acewasi
nexpl
icabl
e.

"
Comeheredarl
ing"HesaidtoIri
shandshef
elt
r
eli
evedal
ongsi
deeveryoneelse.
 Shewentt
ohi
m andhesur
pri
singl
yhuggedher
t
ight
.

"
How'
shedoi
ng?
"MrHar
lowasked.
"
Uhmm,Mydad,he'
sdied.Hedi
edi
nacaracci
dent
amont
hago"I
ri
shsaid.

"Oh!I
'
m sosorr
yaboutthat
"MrHarlowandot
her
s
sympathi
zeandIr
ishsmil
edthennodded.
MrHar
lowhadknownherf
ather
?

"
Howdi
dyougett
oknowhi
m?"Et
hanasked.
"WhenIoncebasedi nSingapore,Iuset oorderfor
Jewelri
esatoneoft hemostexpensi vestoryin
Singapore.Fredwast heonedel i
veri
ngi tt
omeand
hehadsor oyalthatI'
venor easont ocompl ai
n.He
alwaysdel i
verexactl
ywhatIor deredfor.He'snot
j
ustadel iver
ymant ome, butaf ri
endt oo".Mr
Harlowsai d.
 "He'sthemosthonestmani '
veeverseen,
ri
ght eous,i
ncor rupt,selfl
ess.Despi tebei ngmy
fri
end,heneveraskedf oranyf avour ,het urnedme
downmanyt imeswheneveriwant edt ogi vehi m
money.He' st her easonist il
lhavemypaper
companyt i
lldate, het oldmehowmyempl oyees
werepl anningont akingovert hecompanyandi
quicklytookact i
onagai nstthem.I'llforeverbe
gratefultohim.Butsuddenl yhestoppeddel iveri
ng
andt henewwor kerswhonowdel i
versai dhe
quitted.Rersi ncet henI 'ventbeensat i
fiedwi th
theirdeli
veryandI '
veneverseenFr edsi ncet hen''
MrHar l
owsai d.
Ir
ish'
seyesweref
il
ledwi
thtear
sal
readyand
everyoneel
sel
ookedemoti
onal
.

"Heevenstoppedcomi ngtomycompanyal lofa

sudden,
icall
edhim, heneverpicked,
ididn'
teven
knowhishomeaddr essbyt hen.Suddenly,
his
numberstoppedconnecting,
ihadnewempl oyees
thenandnoneoft hem knewsomuchabout
Fred, he'
saver ypr ivat
eman, her arelydi vul
ges
i
nf ormat ionabouthi mselforhi sfami l
y,thoughhe
toldmehehadt wochi l
drenandhi swi fehasa
fashi onst ore'l
evine"af t
erthem.Ivi sit
edmyol d
empl oyeesoneaf t
ertheotherandnooneknewhi s
homeaddr ess,Ilearnedhewasat hi efandhad
stolent hemostexpensi vejewel r
yf rom t he
company, ayearl aterwhenoneofmyol d
empl oyeest oldmehecameacr osshi swi fe.Idi
dn'
t
believet henbecauseI '
vetr
uestFr edsomuch"Mr
Har lowwasf i
ghtingbackhi st earsashespokeand
Ethancoul dseehowmuchI r
ish'sf athermeantt o
him.
Thi
sisoneofthef
ewt
imeshe'
l
lseehi
sfat
her
cl
osetotear
s.

"
Iknowiopenedupanol
dwoundinyou,I
'm sor
ry"
MrHarl
owsaidtoI
ri
shandshenodded.
MrsGabri
ell
ehadpassedherahandker
chi
eft
o
wipehert
ears.
"I
'm sosorr
yaboutyourfat
her
'sdeat
hIr
ish"
everyonesai
dinunison.
"
Thankyou"I
ri
shsni
ff
ed.
"
MayFred'
sgentl
esoulresti
nper
fectpeace"Mr
Har
lowandtheyal
lchor
usedAmen.

Aminut
esil
encewasobser
vedf
orhi
m bef
oreMr
Har
lowcont
inued.

"Youdon'tknowhowhappyiam t omeetyou,
everyt
hingiwasn'tabl
et odoforFred,I
'mm gladl
y
doitforyou.Levi
ne'sfashi
onsisgonnago
worldwideli
keyourfatheral
wayswant ed,you'
ll
havethemostpr ominentcustomers,iwastoldyou
haveal i
tt
leworkshopinmyson' sgarden.I'
m
gonnatransfor
mi ti
nto..
"
"
Dad,
stop"Et
hansuddenl
ysai
d.
"
What
?Why?
"MrHar
lowasked.
Ethansighed.
..
"Idi
dn'tpl
antorevealt
his,thi
sway
butihaveplansforLeveni
'sf
ashionsalready.I
'
m
goi
ngt
ohandl
eitdad"
"
Webot
hcanhandl
eit
"MrHar
lowsai
d.
Iri
shwasst il
lst
unned.
..
shecoul
dn'
tevenprocess
everyt
hing,shewassti
llsadi
nremembranceofher
father
'sdeathandtear
swon'tst
opstr
eamingdown
herface.

Sherecal
ledher
selft
ryi
ngtohatehi
sfat
her,but
shedidn'
tknowhowmuchhef at
herhadsacr
ifi
ced
forherandmother,
andArushatoo.

"
Canile..
ave?Ineedt
o,ineedsomet
imet
omysel
f"
I
ri
shsaid.
"Yesyoucanl
eave,
wil
lyoubef
ine?
"Et
hanasked
andshenodded.
"
I'
llt
akecareofAri
n"Jessi
casai
dandIri
sh
mutter
edthanksbef
orewalki
ngtoherr
oom.

"
Dad,
weal
lknowt
her
e'l
lbenot
hingl
eftf
ormet
o
doi
fyoust
epi
n."
Ethansai
d.
"
Iwanttodosomet
hingf
orFr
ed"MrHar
low
i
nsi
sted.
"Medoingit
,ist
hesameasyoudoi ngit,I
'
m your
sonandIri
shisMrFred'
sdaughter
,l
eaveitformet o
handleDad,
ihavesomanyplansalready,pl
ease"
Ethansai
d.
"Al
ri
ght,t
herear
eotherwaysicanhel
ptoo,
I'
llt
hink
ofotherthi
ngstodofort
hem"MrHarlowsaid.

"
Ifeelsor
ryf
orher
,shemusthavegonet
hrougha
l
ot"
Sarahsai
d.
"
Awhol
elot
"Et
hansai
d.
"Sarah,
Theonlypersonwhoneededt obepl eased
herisyou.You'
rethereasonwhyAr inhasthebest
Nannynow, Thankyouf oryourcar
eSarah"Ethan
said.
"
C'monbr
other
.It
'snot
hing"Sar
ahsmi
led.
"Icoul
dstil
lrecal
lhowmessyshelookedwhenI
sawher ,
Shewasal mostgoi
ngint
odepressi
on,
I
l
ikedheratf i
rstsightandthoughshe'dbegood
enoughf orArin,butIdi
dn'twantthi
ngstogowrong
, soforweeksIkeptacl oselookatherandsaw
thatdefini
tel
yshe'sagoodgi rl
,Shehadeven
droppedoutofschoolt ogiveherbrotheragood
education.
"Sar ahsaid.

"Youwon'
tbel
ieveI
rishi
sinsi
sti
ngonpayi
ngme
backthemoneyispentonhermum'ssur
gery"
Ethansai
d.
"
Real
ly?
"MrHar
lowasked.
"
Yes"
"
Isn'
tshej
ustl
ikeherf
ather
"MrHar
lowwonder
ed.
"Sheis,Dad,nowiknowwher
eshegott
hatr
are
behaviorfr
om"Ethansai
d.
"Youaren'
tgoi
ngt
oacceptthemoneybackf
rom
her,
areyou"MrHarl
ow asked.
"
Iwasn'
tgoi
ngt
o.Iwoul
dneverdot
hat
"Et
hansai
d.
"
Good!
"MrHarl
owsighed.He'
ssohappytohave
metFr
ed'
sdaught
erandknowingshehasthesame
behavi
orasherf
athermadehi
m happi
er.

"Ari
nisyawningal
ready"MrHar
lowsmi
ledathi
s
granddaught
er.

"
HereAri
n,Happybir
thday!Sor
ryI'
mlatethoughI
gotyout
hisgi
ft
"Sarahsaidhandingheraparcel
.
"
Thankyousi
ster
"Ar
inhuggedher
.

"
Youmi
ghtnotseemewhenyouwakeup!
"
"
Why?
"
"Ar
in,Sar
ahhast ogohome, Herfat
her,youruncle
needhertofixsomethingforhisupcomi ngproj
ect.
She'l
lcomeandst aylongerwheni t
'sover"Mr
Harl
owsai dandAr i
nnodded.
"Let
'sgetyoutobedAr
in"Jessi
casai
dand
everyoneki
ssedAri
ngoodnight
.
"
Ishoul
dgocheckonI
ri
shal
so"
Ethansai
dandgot
t
ohisfeet
.

_
___

Iri
shsteppedoutoftheshowerandgrabbeda
towel,
shewrappeditaroundherbodyandwal
kedt
o
herroom.
Shejustfi
nishedhavi
nghernightshoweraf
ter
cryi
nginremembr anceofherf
ather.
Shefel
tali
tt
lebet
ternowandshepr
oceededt
o
wearherpaj
amas.

Sheletherhai
rdownherbackaft
erweari
ngher
paj
amasandt hengotundert
hebl
anket
.
Shehear
daknockont
hedoorandsomehowknew
i
twasEthan.
"
EthanI
'
mfi
ne"Shesai
d.
"
Areyousur
e?"Heaskedout
sideherdoor
.
"
Yes,
ineedt
osl
eepnow"Shesai
d.
"
Okay,
goodni
ght
"
"
Goodni
ght
"Ir
ishsai
d.

Shewasn' tevenfeel
ingsl
eepy,
sheonl
ystared
blanklyi
ntospaceandmadet hememoriesofher
fatheroccupyherhead.
Tear
sst
art
edst
reami
ngdownherf
acebef
ore
sheknewi
t.

__Youcannotst
ayi nSingaporewi t
hme!Youcan' t
geti
ntothesamemessIgeti nto.Youneedt ogeta
l
ifeI
ri
sh!Tommor owyou'releavingSingapore,
andI
don'
twantyoutocomebackeveragai n!Gooutand
getali
fe__
_Herfather
'swor dranginhermi nd.
Shenowunder st
andwhatherfathermeantby
t
hosewor ds.Hedidn'
that
eher,
hewasonl yt
ryi
ng
t
oprotectherandmakeherseet heoutsi
deworld.
Theringtoneofherphonej
olt
edherf
rom her
thought,
shesatupandshecheckedthecall
erI
D.

Ar
usha.

Shesi ghedandalloweditst
opringi
ngbefor
e
switchingoffherphone,t
here'
snohowshe'llpi
ck
thathewouldn'tsensethatsomethi
ngiswrongwith
her.

Shewasf inal
lyst
art
ingtof
eelsl
eepy,shegotout
ofthebedandwal kedint
oAri
n'sroom t
hroughthe
adjoi
ningdoor,
shewassleepi
ngbeautif
ull
yand
Ir
ishsmiledasshesawherstiri
nherbed.
I
ri
shhadt
akenDol
lyovert
oherownhouse.
Shecover
edherproper
lywi
thherbl
anketand
wal
kedbacktoherroom.

_
Newday.
_
"Ical
l
edIreneyest
ernightbutshedidn'tpi
ck,i
guessedshewasasl eep"ArushasaidtoOlivi
aaf
ter
sheaskedwhatIri
shsai daboutJessica.
"
Ohh"Ol
ivi
asai
d.
"I
fshedoesn'
tcomet oschoolt
oday,t
hen
somethi
ngisdefi
nit
elywrong"Arushasai
d.

Theywer
eyett
oseeJessi
ca.

"Shemusthavebeensoaf f
ectedbywhat
happened.
..
iunder
stand"Ol
ivi
asaid.
"Uh.
..
She'
sher
e"Ar
ushasai
dandOl
ivi
arai
sedup
herhead.

Jessi
cawalkedi
ntotheclassandtherewassi
lence
forawhi
lebefor
ethestudentsst
artedmurmur
ing
andmockingher.
Noonegr
eet
edherl
iket
heyusedt
obutshe
l
ookedl
ikeshedi
dn'
tcar
e.
Shedroppedherbackpacki
nherl
ockerandheaded
toherseat
.

Sur
pri
singlyshewasn'tonmakeupandshest
il
l
l
ookedflawlessl
ybeauti
ful
.
Herhairwaspackedinasimpleponyt
ailandshe
di
dn'tevenhadthatar
rogantl
ookanymor e.

Hereyesmetwi
thOl
ivi
a'
sandAr
usha'
sasshesat
down.

"
Woah"Ol
ivi
asai
d.
"
I'
m wowedtoo,t
hisisthef
ir
stt
imei
'
llbeseei
ngher
wit
houtmakeup"Arushasai
d.
"
Andshel ookedsobeaut
if
ulst
il
l"
Oli
viasai
dand
Arushanodded.
"Di
dn'
tyouseeshe'
schangedalit
tl
e..
.t
here'
s
somet
hingaboutherf
acethatl
ookedcalm,didyou
not
iced?
"Ar
ushaasked.
"
Ofcour
seidid,ihopeshehasreal
lychanged
t
hough.
.f
orbett
er"Oli
viasai
d.

"
I'
m gl
adnot
hingseemswr
ongwi
thher
"Ol
ivi
asai
d.
"
Met
oo"Ar
ushasai
d.

_
_

"Ar
usha,
,comewit
hme,MrNatal
iewant
stosee
you"MrsGinaSai
dassher
oundeduphercl
ass.
Ar
ushagotupandf
oll
owedher
.

Oli
viast
art
edgoi
ngt
hrought
hesubj
ectal
lover
agai
n.
Mr
sGi
nahasawayofexpl
aini
ngsof
ast
.
Shewashalfwayt
hroughi
twhenshehear
da
fami
li
arvoi
ce.
Cool
ert
hough.

"Hi
"Jessi
casai
dandOl
ivi
asl
owl
yrai
sedupher
head.
Jessi
cawasst
andi
ngbef
oreher
,andOl
ivi
awasn'
t
surpr
ised.

"
Hi"Jessi
car
epeat
ed.
"
Hey"
Oli
viasai
d.
"Iknowishouldhavewai tedti
lll
unchbreakbefor
e
doingthi
sbut..
ijusthavetodoi tnowthatihavet
he
courageto.I
'
m sosor ry"Jessi
casaid.
"
For
?"Ol
ivi
aasked.
"
Ever
ythi
ng"Jessi
casai
d.
"I
'
m notpi
ssedatyouoveranythi
ng,Arushaist
he
onewhodeservesyourapol
ogy"Oli
viasaid.
"
Iknow,I
'm gonnaapol
ogiset
ohimt oobutdoyou
t
hinkhe'
sgoingtofor
giveme?"Jessi
caaskedand
Ol
ivi
asmiled.
"Di
dyoupur
posel
ywai
tedf
orhi
mtol
eavebef
ore
coming?
"
"
Well
..
yes"Jessi
caadmi
tt
ed,
she'
ssoashamedt
o
f
acehim.
"Youthi
nkhemightyel
latyouorsomet
hing?
"Ol
ivi
a
askedandJessi
canodded.

"Hewon't,heforgaveyoual r
eady.Hedoesn'
thol
d
grudge.I
'm gl
adyouf inall
ysnappedoutofyour
obli
vionJessy"Oli
viasaid.
"
Allt
hankst
oyouont
hat
"Jessi
casai
d.
"Al
lthankstoyout oocauseifeelnomatterhow
muchispeakt oyou,
ifyoudon'twantt
ochange,you
wouldn'thave.Changeisapersonaldeci
sion"Ol
ivi
a
sai
dandJessi cat
houghtshespeaksso
i
ntel
ligentl
y.
"I'
m sohappyimadeyouconsiderchangi
ngcause
icouldn'
teveni
magi
neyougoingthatwayf or
ever
"
Oli
viasigh.
"
Imusthavebeensuchabadgi
rl
"Jessi
casai
d.
"
Yeah,
youshoul
dbecall
edbadgi
rlJessi
ca"Ol
ivi
a
j
okedandt
heychuckl
ed.

"
Thankyou"Jessi
casai
dandOl
ivi
anodded.
Arushawalkedintot
heclassandwassur
pri
sedt
o
seethem t
ogether
,notonl
yhim was.
Thewhol
ecl
asswas.
They'
vebeenmonit
ori
ngJessi
ca'
sever
ymovement
andtheyweresopai
nedshedi
dn'
tseem t
omind
them.
I
ri
shhadact
ual
lyt
oldhernott
omi
ndt
hem atal
l
.

"So.
."Jessi
cacl
earedhert
hroatandr
ubbedt
he
backofherneck.
"Doyoustil
lwantt
obemyf
ri
end?
"SheaskedOl
ivi
a
nervousl
y.
Shewoul
dunder
standi
fshesaysnot
hough.
"Ihavetogo"Jessi
casai
dwhenshesawAr usha
approachi
ngandshehadgott
entoherseatbefor
e
Ol
ivi
acoul
dst
opher
.

"Hey,what
'sgoi
ngon?
"Ar
ushaaskedOl
ivi
aashe
satdown.
"Shecametoapologi
setomeandshe'sworr
ied
youmightyel
latherornotf
orgi
veheri
fshecomes
toyou"Ol
ivi
asaid.
"Ohh.
..
ist
hatwhyshewal
kedtoherseatwhenshe
sawmeappr oachi
ng?
"Ar
ushaaskedandOlivi
a
nodded.
Shenoticedtherewasadi f
fer
entl
ooki
nhiseyes
though,
li
kehej ustdi
scover
edsomepieceofnews
he'snothappywi t
h.

"
AndsheaskedmeifI
'
m st
il
li
nter
est
edi
nbei
ngher
f
ri
end"Ol
ivi
asai
d.
"
Areyou?
"Ar
ushaasked.
"Ofcourse,
sher
eali
sedhermist
akesalready,
she
hasturnanewleafpl
usshe'
ssolonely.Iwouldn'
t
wanttomakeherfeelbadbyt
urningherdown"
Ol
ivi
asai
d.
"
That
'
scool
"Ar
ushasai
d.
"Andi
t'
sti
mef ormetoalsohaveafemal
efr
iend,
youhaveRyanalr
eady"Oli
viasai
dandAr
usha
l
aughed.
"
Youhavet
ost
opget
ti
ngj
eal
ousOl
ivi
a"Hesai
d.
"I
'
m not "Oli
viasai
dandAr
ushaar
chedabr
owi
n
disbel
ief.
Hel
ookedcut
eandAr
ushaf
eltheri
nsi
def
lut
ter
.

"
Anyway,ist
il
lremai
nyourbestfri
end,
remember
t
hat
"ArushasaidanditwasOli
via'
stur
ntolaugh.
"
You'
ret
heoneget
ti
ngj
eal
ousher
e"Shesai
d.
"I
'
m not "Arushasai
dandOl
ivi
ashookherheadi
n
disbel
ief.

"Di
dMrNatal
iedi
scussedanyt
hingwi
thyou?"Ol
ivi
a
askedandAr
ushahesit
atedf
orawhil
ebefor
e
speaki
ngup.
"Ol
ivi
a,i
sthereanyt
hingyouaren'
ttel
li
ngmeabout
you?"HeaskedandOl i
viaf
elti
nst
antl
yalar
med.
"W.
.whatmadeyouaskt hat?Di
dMrNatali
etol
d
youanyt
hing?
"Oli
viapanickedi
nwar
dly.
"Notr
eal
ly.
..
heonl
ytol
dmetoprotectyouandi
keepwonderi
ngwhyhesai
dthat
"Ar ushasai
d.

'
fuck!
'

"Couldi
tbebecauseofmyphobi a?Hemi ghtbe
askingyoutoprot
ectmefrom ot
herstudentsso
theywon'tfi
ndoutand.
..
ahh"Oli
viasi
ghed.She
hatedli
eingtohi
m butshehasnochoiceher e.
Shedoesn'
twantanyonet
oknowabouther
i
dent
it
yyet.
Arusha'
slookshowedhedi
dn'
tbel
ieveherandshe
fel
tsobadf orl
iei
ngt
ohim.

"
Anyt
hingi
tis,
youshoul
dtel
lmesoon,
imi
ghtget
pissedwheni findoutmyself
.We'r
efri
endsandi
toldyoueverythingaboutmealr
eady,
it
'snotni
ceto
hidethi
ngsaboutyouf r
om mewhenyoual r
eady
knoweverythingaboutme"Ar ushasai
dandall
Olivi
acoulddowasnod.
Hewasobvi
ousl
yst
art
ingt
osuspect
.
"Ievenaskedyouseveral
lywhyyoudon'
thavea
l
astnamebutyour efusedtotel
lme"Ar
ushasai
d
unhappil
y.
"
I'
m sorr
y,I
'
m goingtot
ellyouever
ythi
ngonceI
'
m
r
eadyto"Arushasai
dandhenodded. .

"Hey,smi
le"Shesai
dandt
hef
rownl
efthi
sfacebut
hedidn'
tsmile.
"
Com'
on"Shewhi
nedandt
henst
art
ert
ickl
inghi
m.
"
Okay.
.St
.op"Hesai
dinbet
weenl
aught
er.

_
___
"IfeelsoashamedtocometoyouAr ushabuti
mustapologize,
I'
m sosor
ryforeveryt
hing,
forthe
painsI'
vecausedyou,t
heembarrassment..
the.
."
Jessicawassaying.
Shehadf
inal
lysummonedcour
aget
oappr
oach
hi
m.
St
udentswer
eleavi
ngt
hecl
asst
othecaf
eter
ia
al
ready.
"
You'
ref
orgi
venJessy,
forever
ythi
ng"Ar
ushasai
d.
"
Real
ly?
"Jessi
caasked.
"
Yes"Ar
ushasmi
led.

"
Thankyou"Jessi
casmi
ledshyl
y.

"Iapol
ogizedtoI
ri
shalsoandshef or
gaveme,
she
promisedtomakebeautif
uldressesf
orme"Jessi
ca
added,herfacef
ullofsmil
es.
Shel
ovesdr
esses.
"
Woah,
luckyyou"Ar
ushasmi
led.
"
AndMrHar l
owisar
ound,wil
lyoucomeoverdur
ing
weekendt
oseehim?"Jessi
caasked.
"Wow,he'
sfinal
lyar
ound.I'
m notsur
eicancome
overbyweekendthough"Arushasai
d.
"
IpromiseI
'm notgonnathr
owthingsatyou,
you'l
l
l
eavethehouseinonepiece"
Jessicasai
dandthey
l
aughed.
"
Okay,
I'
llt
ryt
ocomeovert
hen"
Arushasai
d.
"
Alr
ight
"Jessi
casai
dandt
urnt
oOl
ivi
a,
"I
..
iaskedyouaquesti
onbefor
eleavi
ngear
li
er"
Jessi
capickedherf
inger
sanxi
ously.

Shehasnof r
iendsanymoreandcomingtoschool
andleavi
ngwi thouthavi
nganyonet
otalktowould
besot er
ri
ble,
notwhenshe'susedtohavingpeopl
e
aroundher.

"
YesJessy,
We'
ref
ri
ends"Ol
i
viasmi
led.
"
Oh.
.my!Thankyou"Jessi
cawast
ouched,
shehad
t
houghtOl
ivi
awoul
dref
use.
"Whythanki
ngme?I '
mt heonehappyheretohavea
beaut
if
ulandint
ell
igentgi
rlasafr
iend"Ol
ivi
asaid
asshegottoherfeet.
Shest
ret
chedoutherar
msf
orahug.
Jessi
ca'
seyesgli
stenedwit
htearsandshetr
iedt
o
sni
ffbackhert
earsbefor
ehuggingOli
via.
Hert
earsdroppedonOl i
via'
sclothedbackand
Ol
ivi
afelti
t,t
earsrushedtoherfacetoobutshedi
d
agoodjobinstoppingit
.

Ar
ushawonder
edhoweasi
lyf
emal
escr
y.
I
t'
sjustl
iket
heyhaveapoolofwat
eri
nthei
reyes,
r
eadytopouroutanyt
ime.

Theydi
sengagedf
rom t
hehugandJessi
cacl
eaned
hert
ear
s.

"
Aren'
tyougonnaaskmet
obeyourf
ri
endt
oo?
"
Ar
ushaasked.
"
Hey!Sti
ckt
oRyan"Ol
ivi
asai
dst
ernl
yandhe
l
aughed.
"Punchyourphonenumberinher
e"Jessi
cahanded
herphonehappil
ytoOli
viaandOl
ivi
agladl
y
punchedhernumber.
"
Your
stoo"Shesai
dAr
ushaandhedi
dthesame.

"I
'
m goingtot
hecafet
eri
a,youbotharegoi
ngto
waitformewhenschool
'soverr
ight
?"Jessi
ca
asked.
"Ofcour
se,we'
l
ltalksomemor
eandgett
oknow
oneanother
"Arushasai
d.
"Whydon'
tyoujoi
nusforlunchbreak,I
'
m afr
aidof
howyou'r
egonnabeinthecafet
eria"Ol
ivi
asaid.
"
Ohh.
.yes,
thest
udent
scanbesi
ll
y"Ar
ushasai
d.

"Youmean..
icanjoinyou?"Jessi
cawasawed.She
alsowasn'
treadyforwhatshe'sgonnaf
aceatt
he
caf
eter
ia.
"
Yes"
ArushaandOl
ivi
asai
dinuni
son.
"
Thankyousomuch.
.but
,MrNat
ali
e"Ar
ushasai
d
wor
ri
edly.
"Nopr
obl
em,it
oldyoutojoi
nusr
ight
?Youdon'
t
havet
obeworr
ied"
Oli
viasai
d.
"
MrNatali
e'
sdaughter
"Ar
ushaj
okedandOl
ivi
a
r
oll
edhereyesathi
m.
Hel
aughed.
"
Areyour
elat
edt
ohi
m?"Jessi
caaskedOl
ivi
a.
"No,
butyou'
l
lknowwhoiam t
ohi
m soon"Ol
ivi
a
smil
ed.

_
___
_

Fewminutesl
ater
,Ol
ivi
aandJessi
cawer
echat
ti
ng
l
ikel
onglostf
ri
ends.
"
Arr
gh!
"Ar
ushagr
oaned.
"
I'
m gonnaaskRyantost
artat
tendi
ngI
vyRoyal
s"
Headdedandtheyl
aughed.

_
___

"
Ohh..you'
reback?
"Ir
ishsmi
l
edasJessi
cawal
ked
i
ntoherworkshop.
"
Yesiam"Jessi
cagr
inned.
Shenotevenchangedi
ntoherhousewearyet
.
Shecouldn'
twaitt
otel
lIr
isht
hatArushaandOli
via
hadfor
givenherandshewasoffi
cial
lyt
heirf
ri
end
now.

"
Youl
ookhappy"I
ri
shsensed.
"
Iam!Theyf
orgaveme"Jessysai
d.
"Iknewtheywoul
d"I
ri
ahsmiled,
thisshowsOl
ivi
ais
alsosomeonewhodoesn'
tholdgrudge.
"
Andnotonl
ythat
..
."Jessi
caspr
awl
edont
hechai
r.
"
What
?"I
ri
sht
urnedt
ohercur
iousl
y.
"
I'
m of
fi
cial
lyt
hei
rfr
iend!
"Shesai
dexci
tedl
y.
"
Woah!That
'sgr
eat
,youguyswi
llmakegr
eatpeer
s"
I
ri
shsai
d.
"Theyevenmademeeatwi ththem i
ntheclass,
theystoppedmef rom goi
ngtothecafet
eri
a
becauseimi ghtbemocked."

"
Eati
nthecl
ass?I
sn'
tthatpr
ohi
bit
ed?
"Ir
ishasked.
"I
tisbut.
.Oli
viahasaphobiaofeat
ingamongstso
manypeople.She'sall
owedtoeati
ntheclass
duri
nglunchbreak,shemadeArushajoi
nherand
I'
mi ncl
udednowt oo!
"
"
Ohh"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Yeah...
Schoolwasmuchfunthanithoughtit
'dbe,i
thoughtI'dbeboredwi
thnoonetotalktobutOlivi
a
andAr ushakeptmycompanyandt heyarethe
funniestpeopl
eoneart
h"Jessi
calaughed.
"
Rel
atabl
e"I
ri
shsmi
led.

"Ineedtogof reshenup..
.andyou'
vedel
iver
edthose
dresses?"Jessicaasked,seei
ngthedr
essesshe
packedwasn' tthereanymore.
"Yesihaveandigotgreatf
eedbacks"I
ri
shgr
inned,
she'sgl
adshe'
sstart
ingtocreat
eanamef or
hersel
f.

"Thefeedbacksshouldbegr
eat
,you'
regr
eat
yoursel
f"Jessi
casaid.
"
Thankyou"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Ar
eyouokayI
ri
sh?
"Jessi
caasked,
not
ici
nghow
pal
eshel
ooked.
"
Yesiam"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Areyousur
e?"Jessi
caasked.
"
Ofcour
se"I
ri
shsmi
led.
"
Okayt
hen,
I'
m of
f,
I'
l
lbeback.
"Jessi
casai
d.
"
Okay"I
ri
shwat
chedherl
eaveandsmi
ledt
oher
sel
f.
I
t'
sunbel
ievabl
etot
hinkt
hisi
sJessi
ca.
Woah..
.whenpeopl
echange,
they'
rehar
dly
r
ecognizabl
e.

Sar
ahal
readyl
eftear
lyi
nthemor
ning.

Shesi
ghedandrest
edherhead,
shedoesn'
tknow
whyshehasbeenfeel
ingdown.

_
___
[
05/09,07:
32]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼
Genr
e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
55

"I
t'
sHall
oween!"Aringi
ggledhappi
lyr
ushi
ngdown
t
hestai
rs,
looki
ngsocut einhermousecost
ume
wit
hthepi
nkballetshoesandtutu.

Someonehadpai ntedmousewhiskersonherface,
shewasgr i
nningandbouncingasshemadeher
wayt hroughtheemployees,
shewascar r
yinga
plasti
cHal l
oweenpumpkintobefil
ledwit
h
mi ni
aturescandybars.
Et
hanhadbeent
hef
ir
stt
odr
opacandyi
nit
,t
hen
I
ri
sh.

Ot
her
swer
epr
epar
ed,
theydr
oppedcandybar
sint
o
herpumpki
nasshepassedthem .
Herpl
ast
ic
Hall
oweenpumpki
nwerealmostful
lwhenshewas
done.
Somanypeopl
ehadcontr
ibut
edt
ohercandyst
ash
andshewassohappy.

"Ican'
twaitt
oseeother
sHall
oweencost
umes"she
saidastheyhadbr
eakfast
.
"I
'
m sureyour
sisgonnabeoneoft
hebest"I
ri
sh
said.
"
Yes,
I
'm sur
eoft
hatt
oo"MrHar
lowsai
d.

"
Ibetther
e'sgonnabecommot
ioni
nAr
in'
sschool
t
oday"Jessical
aughed.
"
How?
"
"Thepeopl
ewi
thwit
chandvampirecost
umes"
Jessi
caemphasi
sedandt
heylaughed.
"I
'
m gonnagoi
nawi
tchcost
umenextyear
"Ar
in
said.
"Youshouldgoinavampirecostumewithbl
ood
dri
ppi
ngfrom yourmout
h"Jessi
casaid.
"
Gross!
"Ar
ingr
oanedandshel
aughed.

"Ican'
twai
tforAr
usha'
scandybars,hepr
omisedt
o
putaloti
nmyHal l
oweenpumpkin"Ari
nsmil
ed.
"
Real
ly?
"Jessi
caasked.
"
Yeah"
"
Wel l
..st
art
ingfrom today,we'
llbegoi
ngt
opi
ck
Arushatogether"Jessicaannounced.
"
Real
ly?
"Ar
inasked.
"
Yes,
we'
ref
ri
endsnow"Jessi
casmi
led.
"Woah"
Ethan,
MrsHar
lowandGabr
iel
lesai
din
uni
son.

"
Iwon'
thavet obegoi
ngwi
thyouguysagai
nthen"
I
ri
shsai
d,rel
ieved.
"
Yeah,
youneedt
orestaf
teral
l"Jessi
casai
d.
"
That'
syourbr
othert
heyaretal
kingaboutri
ght
?"Mr
Har
lowaskedandIri
shnoddedwi t
hasmi l
e.
"He'
scomingoverbyweekend,
you'
l
lgett
omeet
him"Jessi
casai
d.
"
Ican'
twai
t,ihear
dhe'
sabr
ani
ac"MrHar
lowsai
d.
"
Heis,Godfat
her.Ihatet
oadmi ti
tbutithi
nkhe'
s
morei
ntel
li
gentt
haniam, j
ustwithali
tt
legap
t
hough"Jessi
capressedherli
pstoget
her.
"Real
ly?
"MrHar
lowwasst
unnedandJessi
ca
nodded.

Forsomeonet
obemor ei
ntel
li
gentt
hatJessy,
then
i
tmeanshe'sareal
geni
us.
He'
ssoi
mpr
essedwi
thFr
ed'
schi
ldr
en.

"
Goodbyeever
yone"Jessi
caandAr
inwaved.
"
Bye"Ot
her
ssai
dinuni
son.
"I
ri
sh,
areyouokay?
"Et
hanaskedherqui
etl
yand
shenodded.

"You'r
elookingsopal
e"Hetouchedherf
orehead
butitwasn'tbur
ningup,
herbodytemper
aturewas
normal.
"
I'
mfi
ne"I
ri
shi
nsi
sted.
"Youreal
lyneedt
orest
,you'
vebeenworkingso
hard.Don'
tbesohardonyoursel
fpl
ease"Ethan
saidworri
edl
y.
"
Okay,
I'
m goi
ngt
orest
"Shesai
d.

Heki
ssedherf
oreheadandshesmi
led.
"Don'
tworr
yaboutme,
I'
llbef
ine"Shesai
dandhe
nodded.

_
___
Jessi
cawonderedifMrsHel
eni
sgoi
ngt
otel
lhert
o
getoutofherhouse.
She'
ssosureArushawoul
dhavet
oldherwhat
happenedbet
weenthem.
Shesighed.
..
evenifhehadn'
ttol
dher
,whowoul
dn'
t
askseeinghersoncomebackwi t
habrui
se
for
eheadandbr okennose.

"
Ari
n,i
sMr
sHel
en.
..
nice?
"Jessi
caaskedAr
in.
Shewasner
vous,
theywer
eal
mostatAr
usha'
s
house.
"
Sheis,il
ikeher
,shemakesni
cesweat
ersf
or
me"
Arinsmi l
ed.
"
Ohh"Jessi
casai
d.
"Youmustbewor r
iedaboutt
hef
ightbet
weenyou
andAr usha,
i'
m sureMrsHeleni
sn'
tgonnahol
dit
againstyou"
Carlassur
ed.
CarlandJavadwer
eguar
dingt
hem whi
leAl
exwas
dri
ving.
"
Ihopeso"Jessi
casi
ghed.
"We'
rether
e"Al
exsai
d,par
kingt
hecari
nfr
ontofa
bui
ldi
ng.

Ari
nsmil
edandgr abbedherHal
loween
pumpki
n,sheal
ightedfr
om t
hecarandJessi
ca
gi
nger
lyfoll
owedbehindher.
"
Hel
pmeopent
hegat
eJessy"Ar
insai
d.
"Theyhavenogatekeeper
?"Jessi
caaskedandAr
in
shookherhead.
"
Ohh"Shesai
dandopenedthegate,
sheall
owed
Ari
nst
epinfi
rstbef
orest
eppi
nginaft
erher
.

Itwasabi
gcl
eancompoundandJessi
cawonder
ed
howmanyapart
mentwer
ethere.
Ari
nwalkedtoArusha'
sapar
tmentl
ikeshehas
l
ivedther
eallherl
if
e.
Shegott
othedoorandknocked.
Jessi
cast
aredatherf
eetandpi
ckedatherf
inger
s.

JavadandCarlwasstandingatar
easonabl
e
di
stance,
watchi
ngoverthem.

Thedooropenedandsherai
sedupherhead,
expect
ingt
oseeArusha.
TherestoodaguyaboutAr usha'sagelooki
ngtall
andcute,hi
sfullandthickeyebrowswer e
noti
ceable,
narr
owst r
aightnose, exoti
chigh
cheekbonesandeyes, t
hecolorofl i
quidhoney.
Hehadbl
ackcur
lst
hatl
ookedmessybutat
tr
act
ive.
Hi
sski
nisnotonl
ycr
eamybutsmoot
h.
Jessi
cadidn'tr
eal
iseherhear
thadbeenbeat
ing
crazi
lyal
lthewhil
eunti
lsheheardhi
svoi
ce.So
cool.

"
Ari
n,howar
eyou?
"Heaskedbuthi
sgazewas
f
ocusedonJessi
ca.
Shehadgott
enahol dofher
sel
fandl
ookedli
keshe
di
dn'
tcarebutherhear
twasbeati
ngcr
azil
yfort
his
guy.
..
damn!
"
I'
mfi
neRyan"Ar
insai
d.

Oh.
.my!
He'
sRyan!
!.
..Jessi
car
eal
ised.

Ari
nstret
chedherHall
oweenpumpkintoRyanand
hedroppedsomecandybarsint
hereli
kehehad
beenwaiti
ngforher
.
"
Thankyou"Ar
ingr
inned.
"
I'
m of
fbuddy"Ryansai
d.
"
Alr
ight
,bye"Jessi
cahearAr
usha'
svoi
ce.

Ryansteppedout
,mesmeri
zedbyJessi
ca'
s
beaut
y,hecoul
dn'
thel
pbutkeepst
ari
ngatherashe
wal
kedaway.
Hewasal
mostt
empt
edt
osayhi
.

Jessi
cabl
ushedhar
d,knowi
nghehadbeenst
ari
ng
ather
.
She'
susedtoguysst
ari
ngatherbutwhydoest
his
feel
ssospeci
al.

"
Jessi
caisatt
hedoor
"Ar
insai
dtoAr
ushaasshe
wal
kedin.
"Real
ly?Whyisn'
tshecomi
ngi
n?"Heaskedand
headedtothedoor.
"Mycandybar
sfir
st"Ari
nsaidandhesmiled,
he
droppedsomanycandybarsinherHal
loween
pumpkinandi
tgotful
l.
"
Woah!Thankyou"Ar
inwashappy.
"Youl
ookcut
ebytheway...
Mum want stogi
veyou
sometoo,
she'
sinherroom"ArushasaidtoAr
in
whonoddedandhurr
iedofft
oMr sHelenroom.
Arushaopenedt
hedoorandmetJessicast
anding
t
here,seei
nghowredhercheekswas,
hesmiled.

"Iguessyou'
vemetRyan"Hesai
dandopenedt
he
doorwidelyf
orhert
ocomein.

_
___

"
Ithi
nkt
heymi
ghtbegoodt
oget
her
"Ol
ivi
asmi
led.
Arushat
oldherabouthowf
lushedJessi
cahad
l
ookedaft
ermeeti
ngRyan
"
I'
m sureRyanwast
wiceasf
lushedasshewas"
Arushasai
d.

Theywerewait
ingfort
henextt
eacher
,t
heyj
ust
fi
nishedt
hei
rsecondsubj
ectoft
heday.
"Di
dyou..
.setthem up?YouknewJessi
cawas
coming?Oli
viaasked.
"No!Ididn'
tevenexpectedhert
obether
ethi
s
mor ni
ng,iwassur
prisedwhenArint
oldme"Arusha
said.
"
Theniguessi
t'
sfat
e..
."Ol
ivi
asmi
led.
"
Yesi
tis.
."
Arushasai
d.
"
WeshouldwaitforwhatJessi
cai
sgonnasay"
Ol
ivi
asai
d,expectant
ly.
"Yeah"Ar
ushaagr
eed,hi
sfacemetwi
thJessi
ca
andhewinkedather
.
Shesmi
ledathi
m andt
urnedbackt
oherl
apt
op.

Mr sHelenhadbeennicetoher,
shehadn'teven
actedli
keshewasawar eofthefi
ghtthathappened
betweenherandArusha,shewassohappyt osee
herthi
smor ni
ngandsheevenof fer
edtomakea
nicesweaterf
orher.
Ar
usha'
sfami
lyhasani
cechar
m aboutt
hem.
Andi
ssheser
iousl
ythi
nki
ngaboutRyan?

Ar
rgh.

_
__

"Whatdi
dshesaid?
"Oli
viaaskedAr
ushaashe
appr
oachedherandJessi
ca
I
t'
slunchbreakandPari
shadcal
ledAr
ushaasi
de
t
otellhi
m somethi
ng.
Ar
ushasi
ghedandsatdown.
..

"Wasitaboutme?
"Jessi
caaskedandheshookhi
s
head.
"
Shel i
kesmeandwantust
obei
nar
elat
ionshi
p"
Arushasai
d.
"
Ohh"Jessi
cawasn'
tsur
pri
sed.
Ol
ivi
alookedj
eal
ous.
..
"Whatwasyourr
epl
y?"
"No,idon'
thavef
eel
ingsf
orheranditoldhert
hat
butshesaidshei
sn'
tgonnagiveup"Arushasmil
ed.
Pari
sissoluckyhe'
schangedorhe'
l
lgl
adl
ytake
advant
ageofheranddumpherassoonashe's
donewithher.

"Soshamel
ess"Ol
ivi
ahissedandJessicat
hought
shewasacti
ngli
keArusha'sgi
rl
fr
iend.
"
Noshe'
snot
,shewasbr
aveenoughtowalkupt
o
me.Notmanygi
rl
scandothat
"Arushasai
d.
"Iknow,butshe'
ssoshamelesstosaysheisn'
t
gonnagiveupevenafteryoutur
nedherdown"
Olivi
asaid.
"Ohh.
..
shedoesn'twannagi
veupsoeasi l
yon
somethingshewants.Andit
'snotl
ikeyou'
ret
aken
orareyou?"Jessi
caasked.

"Uh..
well
"Ar
ushar
ubbedhisneckandstoleaqui
ck
glanceatOl
ivi
awholookedl
ikeshewantedtoki
ll
Par
is.
"
No,
butsoon"
Arushasai
d.

Jessi
caf
eltsheshoul
dtel
lhi
m aboutI
ri
sh,
she
l
ooksunwellt
oher.
ButI
ri
shmightj
ustneedsomer
est
..
.sheshoul
dn'
t
bot
herAr
ushaoverthat
..

_
__

MrHarlowlookedt
hought
fulashesati
nEt
han'
s
pr
ivat
elivi
ngroom.
Hej
ustl
ear
nedthatIri
sh'
saunthaddi
edofcancer
andI
ri
sh'
sgrandmotherhadt
oo.
Hewassoworri
ed,
hefeareditmightbe
her
edi
tar
y,i
tmi
ghtbepassedtoIri
shtoo.

I
ri
shshoul
dgof
orcheckupsoon.
"
Hey,what
'sbother
ingyou?
"Mr
sHar
lowwal
ked
i
ntot
heli
vingroom.
Shesatbesi
deherhusbandandhandedhi
m acup
ofj
uice.

"
Justthi
nki
ngaboutbusi
nessandal
l"MrHar
low
l
ied.
Heli
kedIri
shsomuchandwoul
dn'
twant
somethi
ngtogowrongwi
thher
.
"Li
ar!ButI
'
m gonnaspareyou,iknowyou'
llt
ellme
whateveri
sbother
ingyouwheneveryou'
rereadyt
o"
ShesaidandMrHar l
owsmi l
edsoftl
yather.
"
Thankyou"Hesai
d.

"
Stopact
ingcheesy"Sher
oll
edhereyes.
"Wai
t..
.ihopeyou'
renotgonnadiesoon?Ar
eyou?
"
Shefeignedawarenessandhelaughed.
Hecoul
dn'
thaveaskedf
orabet
terwi
fe.

_
_NOON_
_

"Haydenhadscaredeveryonewithhisvampi re
costume,fakebl
oodwasdr ippi
ngfrom hisfaceand
mout handweallendedupr unni
ngoffthest age"
Ari
nnar r
atedtoI
rishandIri
shsmiledfaint
ly.
Shewasfeel
ingsoweakandshecoul
dn'
teven
expl
ainwhy.
She'
sgonnarestaf
terhel
pingAr
ingetchangedand
set
tl
einherhousewears.

Shegottoherf
eetaf
tersel
ect
ingAr
in'
swear
sfor
thataf
ter
noon.

"I
ri
sh,
areyouokay?
"Arinasked,
shecoul
dnot
ice
howpaleIr
ishhadgone.
"
I'
mfi
..
"Ir
ishwassayi
ngbutshewasn'
tst
rongt
o
hol
ditanyl
onger
.
Shef el
tsickanddi
zzy,
herhandstr
embledandshe
reall
ytri
edtogetagri
pofhersel
fbefor
eloosi
ng
balance.

Sheheardechoesofhernamebef
oredar
kness
sur
roundedherli
kefog.

_
__

Ethanrushedint
othehospi
talandheadedf
orDoc
Luc'soff
ice.
Hewascal
ledI
ri
shwentunconsci
ous.

Heopenedthedoorandmethi
spar
ent
sandMr
s
Gabr
iel
lei
nthere.
"
How'
sshe?
"HeaskedDocLuci
mmedi
atel
y.
"
She'
sasl
eepf
ornowandt
het
estr
esul
tisyett
obe
out.She'
l
lbef
ine"DocLucsai
dandEt
hansi
ghedi
n
rel
ief
.
"
Whatr
eal
lyhappened?
"Heasked.
"Ar
incametomet ot
ellmeIr
ishcol
lapsedandi
act
uall
ynot
icedshehasbeenlooki
ngpalefordays
now"MrsHarlowsai
d.
"
Itoldhersheneededr
est
,sheseemstobeover
workinghersel
f"Mr
sGabr
iel
lesai
dbutMrHarl
ow
wasqui et
.

Ther
eseemst
obesomet
hinggoi
ngoni
nhi
smi
nd.
Hel
ookedmor
ewor
ri
edt
hanever
yoneel
se.

"
Caniseehernow?
"Et
hanasked.
"No,unt
ilshe'sawake.Anydi
stur
bancenowwoul
d
aff
ecthertreatment
"DocLucsaid.
"Doctor
,coul
ditbecancer
?"MrHar
lowsuddenl
y
asked.
"
Tony!Whatt
hehel
lar
eyousayi
ng!
"Mr
sHar
low
screamedathi
m.Whil
eMr sGabr
iel
leandEt
han
staredathi
minsur
pri
se.
"
I'
mjustwor
ri
ed"MrHar
lowsai
d.
"
Thatwasanunf
ort
unat
echoi
ceofwor
ds"Mr
s
Har
lowsai
d.
"
Ir
ish'
sauntandgrandmot
herdi
edofcancer
!"Mr
Harl
owreveal
edandther
ewasdeafeni
ngsil
ence.

Et
hanal
mostgr
abbedt
hechai
rforsuppor
t.

"
W..
whe..
when?H.
.owd.
.i
dyouknowt
hat
?"Mr
s
Har
lowst
ammered.
"IknewwhenI r
ish'
sgrandmotherdi
ed,Fredtol dme
thenthatshediedofcancerandiwaschecki ngint
o
Iri
sh'
sfamilywhenisawhermot her
'ssisterdiedof
cancertoo"MrHarlowsaid.
"
Oh.
.my.
.God!
"Mr
sHar
lowexcl
aimed.
Mr
sGabr
iel
lecover
edhermout
hwi
thherpal
m.
Et
hanonl
yst
aredi
ntospace,
heknewherauntdi
ed
ofcancerbuthedi
dn'
tknowofhergr
andmot
her
.

"
Couldi
..
tbethatt
hecanceri
sher
edi
tar
y?"Mr
s
Har
lowasked.
"Idon'
tthi
nkIri
shhascancer
,shel
ookedli
keshe
didn'
thaveenoughrestwhenshewasbroughti
n"
DocLucsai d.
"
Whati
fshedoes?
"Mr
sHar
lowasked.
"Thenweshoul
dhopeit
'si
ntheear
lyst
agesowe
canquickl
ycur
eit
"DocLucsai
d.
"I
'
llgi
veyouanyamount,I'
l
lpayanyt
hing.Just
makesureshe'
sfi
neorI'm goi
ngtodi
ewi t
hher!"
Ethansai
dandhelookedli
kehemeanteverythi
ng
hesaid.

MrsHar
lowpani
ckedknowi
ngEt
hancandoashe
sai
d.
"
Isti
lldon'
tthi
nki
t'
scancer"DocLucwassayi
ng
whent hei
nter
com buzzed.
Her
ecei
vedt
hecal
l.
.

"Whydi
dn'
tyoutel
lmeimmedi
atel
yyoufoundout
?
"MrsHarl
owqueri
ed,
faci
ngMrHarlow.
"
Ifoundoutnotl
ongago"MrHar
lowsai
d.
"Enoughofthi
stalk!Shedoesnothavecancer
!!
"
Ethanalmostyel
ledathisparent
s.

Hel
oosenedthetopbut
tonofhi
sshirtandpul
led
t
heknotofhi
sgreyti
eawayfrom hi
scollar
.
Hel
ookst
ir
edandwor
ri
ed.
Heshoul
dhavest
ayedwithherandmadesure
sher
estswhenhedi
scover
edhowpal eshewas
l
ooki
ng.
Heshoul
dhavemadehercomef
orcheckup.

"
How'
sAr
in?
""HeaskedMr
sGabr
iel
le.
"Jessi
caiswi
thherathome"Mr
sGabr
iel
le
answered.
"
IhopeJessi
cai
sn'
tgonnacal
lAr
usha"Et
hansai
d.
"
Itol
dhernott
o"Mr
sGabr
iel
lesai
d.

"There'
sapr
obl
em"DocLucsai
daf
terdr
oppi
ngt
he
call
.
"
Wh.
.at
?"Et
hanaskedwi
thashakyvoi
ce.
"
Thepressar
eoutsi
de,
idon'
tknowhowt
heyknew
MrEt
hanishere"
"
Fuck!"MrsHar
lowcur
sed,knowi
ngt
her
e'snoway
t
hey'
llbeabl
etogooutther
e.
"
You'
l
lneedt
oleavet
hrought
hebackdoor
"
"There'
sabackdoor
?Thankgoodness!
"They
sighed.

"
Weshouldwai
tti
llt
het
estr
esul
tisout
"Mr
s
Har
lowsai
d.
"Itmi
ghtnotbeouttoday,
it'
sgett
ingl
ate.Besi
des,
i
toldt
hem t
ocarryoutvari
oustest
sonher,soit
's
gonnataketi
me"DocLucsai d.
"Iwoul
dbewit
hIr
ish,youal
lcanl
eave.It
'sget
ti
ng
l
ateandiwon'
twantJessi
caandAri
nt obealone.
Gohomeandassurethem I
ri
shwouldbef i
ne"
Ethansai
d.

"
Cal
lusimmedi
atel
ythetestr
esul
tisoutokay?
"Mr
Har
lowsai
dandEthannodded.
Hehat
edt
oadmi
titbuthewasdamnscar
edf
or
I
ri
sh.

"I
'
lll
eadyout
hrought
hebackdoor
"DocLucst
ood
up.
"
ByeEt
han"Theysai
dinuni
son.
"We'
l
lbeheretomorr
owmorni
ng"Mr
sHar
lowsai
d
andallEt
hancoul
ddowasnod.
Hebl
ewoutabr
eat
himmedi
atel
ytheyl
eft
.
"
Ir
ishpl
easebef
inef
orme"Hepr
ayedsi
lent
ly.

DocLucwal
kedbacki
nfewmi
nut
esl
ater
.
"
Theyar
egone?
"Et
hanasked.
"Yeah,iwat
chedt
hem ent
erthecar
"DocLucsai
d
beforesit
ti
ngonhischai
r.
"
Lucky,
tal
ktomeplease.Whatdoyout
hinki
s
wrongwit
hher
?"Et
hanasked.
"Idi
dn'
twantt
osaythi
sinfrontofyourpar
entsbut
ithi
nkshe'
spr
egnant
"DocLucsai dandEthan
star
edathi
mlikehewasjoking.

"Ionl
ythink.
.I
'm notsurebutwi
thmyyearsof
experi
ence,myintuit
ionmightber
ight
."DocLuc
said.

"
Pregnant
?"Ethanfur
rowedhi
sbr
ows,
he'
sfi
ndi
ng
i
thardtobel
ieve.
"No,
we'renotsur
eaboutt
hatyett
il
ltheresul
tisout
sowe'r
ejustgonnawai
t"DocLucsaid.
"
Butshe'
l
lbef
iner
ight
?"Et
hanasked.
"
Ofcour
se,
shewi
llbe.
"DocLucsai
d.

Et
hanset
tl
edont
hecouchi
nDocLuc'
sof
fi
ce.
I
ri
shdoesn'
tlookl
ikeshe'
spr
egnant
.
Not
hinghadchangedi
nherbody.
Whati
fshe'
sindeedpr
egnant
?.
He'ssurehe'
stheonlymanIri
shhadinherli
fe.She
hadn'
ttoldhim so,
butEt
hanknewIri
shneverhada
boyfr
iend.I
fshedidhedidn'
tknow.
Her ecal
ledthey'
vehadanunprot
ect
edsexi nt
he
carbuthedidn'texpecti
ttol
eadt
opregnancy.

Hegroaned,
hisheadal
mostbur
sti
ngwi
thdi
ff
erent
t
houghts.
"
Ist
hetestresultser
iousl
ygonnabeout
t
omorr
ow? "Ethanasked.
"No,
tonight
.Idi
dn'
twantyourpar
ent
stostay
behi
nd,t
hatwaswhyisaidthat
"Lucsai
d.
"
Ohh"Et
hansi
ghed.

Hecoul
dn'
tunder
standwhyhe'
ssoscar
ed.
Hesomuchhopedi
twasn'
tcancer
.
That
'sgonnashat
terhi
m!

"I
'
m goingt
oattendt
oot
herpat
ient
s"DocLuc
grabbedhi
scoat.
"Alr
ightandyoushoul
dtel
lyournur
sesnott
o
dist
urbmei nher
e"Ethansai
d.
"
Okay"DocLucsmi
led.

"And,
mybodyguar
ds.
..t
hey'
reintherecept
ion.You
shoul
dhel
pmemaket hem f
eelcomfortabl
e"Ethan
sai
dandDocLucnodded.

_
NEXTMORNI
NG_

"Don'
tyouthi
nkishoul
dtel
lArushaaboutIr
ish?
"
Jessi
caaskedworri
edl
yastheyatebreakf
ast.
Shewaspr
epar
edt
ogot
oschoolwi
thAr
in.
"Idon'
tthi
nkit'
snecessar ytodoso, I
ri
sh'
sisfi
ne,
sheonlyneedsbedr estandidon'tthi
nkyoushoul
d
botherArushaoverthat,youknowhowwor r
iedhe
canbeoverhi ssi
ster"Mr sGabr
iell
esaid.
"
I'
m gladshe'
sfine,
she'
l
lbebackhometoday
r
ight
?"ArinaskedandMrsGabri
ell
enodded.

MrandMr
sGabr
iel
lewer
equi
etoverbr
eakf
ast
.
Theybothdreadedcal
lingEthanthi
smor ni
ng,
they
don'
twanttoconfir
mt hei
rfearsofIr
ishhavi
ng
cancerandt
heyar esoworriedheisyettocal
l.
"I'
m surehehasn'
tcall
edbecausethet
estresul
tis
notoutyet"MrHarlowhadassuredVeroni
cain
theirr
oom ear
li
erthatmorni
ng.
"
Whati
fit
'sout
?Buthedoesn'
twantt
ocal
lus?
"
"Hewoul
dn'
tdot
hat,
berestassur
ed"MrHar
low
sai
dbuthewasdamnscaredhimsel
f.

"Godmotherar
eyouokay?"Jessi
caaskednot
ici
ng
howlostMrsHarl
owlookedoverdinner
.
"
I'
mfi
ne,
Jessy"Mr
sHar
lowsai
d.
"I
s..
issomethi
ngwr
ongwi
thI
ri
sh?
"Jessi
ca
suspected.
"
No,
Iri
sh'
sper
fect
lyf
ine.
"Mr
sGabr
iel
lequi
ckl
ysai
d.
"
Yeah"Mr
sHar
lowagr
eed.

Theyat
ether
estoft
hei
rbr
eakf
asti
nsi
lence.

Jessi
caandAr
inl
eftf
orschoolaf
terbi
ddi
ngt
hem
bye.

"
Whenareweleavi
ngf
orthehospit
al?Et
hani
syet
t
ocal
l"MrsHarl
owsai
d,great
lyworr
ied.

"
Ifhedoesn'
tcal
linthenextonehour,
thenwe'
l
l
l
eavefort
hehospital
"MrHarlowsaid.

*
*

Ar
ushawaswaiti
ngout
sidehi
sgat
ebyt
het
ime
Al
exdrovet
her
e.
Hehoppedi
ntot
hecarandgr
eet
edever
yonewi
th
smi
les.

"Ar
in"Hedr
aggedhercheekspl
ayf
ull
yandshe
smiled.
"
Howwasyourni
ght
?"HeaskedJessi
ca.
"
Great
."Shesai
dandhenot
icedshel
ooked
t
roubl
ed.
"How'
sRyan?"Ari
naskedandJessy'
shear
tal
most
ski
ppedabithear
inghi
sname.
Shewi
shedshehadseenhi
mthi
smor
ningt
hough.
"Heleftforschooljustnow,wewer estandi
ng
outsi
det ogether"Arushasaidandsmi l
ed,
remember inghowRyanhadwant edtoseeJessi
ca
beforeleaving,buthewasr unni
ngl at
eandhadto
l
eave.

"
Wher
e'sJavad?
"Ar
ushaasked.
"
He'
sint
hehospi
tal
"Ar
insai
d.
'
damn!
'Jessi
caswor
e.
"
Hospi
tal
?Who'
ssi
ck?
"Ar
ushaaskedwor
ri
edl
y.
"Hi
m,Javadi
stheonesi ck"Jessi
casai
dandAr
in
gavehera'
you'
re-
a-badass'l
ook.
"
Ohh"
Arushasi
ghed.
"Bytheway,
whydoyoul
ooksotroubl
ed?Didyou
probabl
ywantedt
oseeRyant
hismorning?
"Arusha
teased.
"
Fuckyou"Jessi
cahi
thi
m andt
heyl
aughed.

_
___

"
Oh.
.my"Et
hanyawnedl
oudl
y..
Hereal
izedhewasinDocLuc'
soff
icewhenhis
eyesgotcl
earandever
ythi
ngcamerushi
ngbackt
o
him.
Hehadbeenwai
ti
ngf
ort
het
estr
esul
tbef
orehe
f
ellasl
eep

Hest
oodupandt
hedooropenedj
ustt
hen.
DocLucwal
kedi
n.
"
You'
reawake.Goodmor
ning"Lucsai
d.
"
How'
sIr
ish?
"Et
hanasked.
"
She'
sfi
ne"DocLucsmi
led
"
She'
sawake,
wai
ti
ngf
oryou"
"Real
ly?
"Et
hansmi
led,
almostpushi
ngDocLucout
oftheway.

"Holdon,youneedtofreshenup.Sometoi
let
ri
es
havebeenpr ovi
dedforyouinmypersonal
bathroom"DocLucsaid.
"
Ohh"Et
hansai
d,pul
li
nghi
sshi
rtal
ready.
"Howaremybodyguar
ds?Ihopet
heywer
e
comfor
tabl
e"Et
hansai
d.
"Yes,
imadesur
et heywer
e.Oneoft
hem lef
tto
bri
ngyousomefreshwears,
he'
l
lbebacksoon"
"Ohh.
.okay"Et
hansai
d,hehur
riedi
ntothe
bathr
oom.Hecouldn'
twai
ttoseeIr
ish.
Hehadevenf
orgot
tent
oaskf
ort
het
estr
esul
t.

_
__
"
Shejustcol
lapsed.
..
"Javadsai
dtoMor
ganover
t
hephone.
Hewasdr
ivi
ngbackt
othehospi
talaf
terpi
cki
ng
Et
han'
swear
s.

"
Reall
y?Areyousur
eyou'
venotusedt
hepoi
son?
"
Morganasked.
"Idi
dn'
t,
ipl
annedt
oputitinherdri
nkaf
tershe'
s
donecari
ngforAr
inbutshefai
nted.
"
Woah.
..how'
sshenow?
"
"
She'
sawakeal
readyandf
ine"

"Youhavenoi
deawhathappenedt
oher
?"Mor
gan
asked.
"Notreall
ybutiover
headMrEthansayIrish'
s
grandmot herandmotherdi
edofcancer
,itmightbe
heredit
ary"
"
Wow!I
fshehascancer
,wedon'
thavet
ouset
he
poi
sonagai
n"Mor
gangr
inned.
"Yeahbutt
hetestr
esulti
syettobeannounced,i
needtor
ushtothehospit
alsoiwon'
tmissit"Javad
sai
d.

"
Alr
ightanddonotf
orgett
opl
antt
het
aper
ecor
der
i
nhiscar"Mor
gansaid.
"
I'
m goi
ngt
odot
hataf
terdr
oppi
ngt
hiscal
l"
"
Bye.

Javadpar
kedEt
han'
scarandqui
ckl
ypl
ant
edat
ape
recor
deri
nit
.

Hesmi
ledbef
orezoomi
ngof
f.

_
___

"
Ir
ish"Et
hanr
ushedt
opul
lheri
ntoahug
i
mmedi
atel
yhewal
kedi
ntoherwar
d.
Shesmi
ledandhuggedhi
m backt
ight
ly.

"
Itol
dyout
orest
,whydi
dn'
tyou?
"Et
hanasked.
"
I'
mfi
nenow"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Areyousur
e?"Har
oldaskedandshenodded.
Thehospi
talweardi
dn'
tevenmadeherl
ookl
ess
beaut
if
ul.
Heki
ssedhercheeks.
..
"Iwasscar
ed.Ever
yone
was"
"
I'
m sor
ryimadeever
yonewor
ri
ed"I
ri
shsai
d.
"DidDocLucsayanythi
ngiswrongwi
thme?Ij
ust
needbedrestri
ght
?"SheaskedandEt
han'
ssmil
e
fadedsl
owly.

He'syettor
eceivethetestr
esul
tbuther
eal
ly
hopedit'
snotcancer.
"
Theresul
tisnotoutyet
..
"Et
hanwassayi
ngwhen
DocLucwalkedint
otheward.
"Theresul
tisout"DocLucsai
dandEt
hanhear
t
skippedabeat.
Javadst
oodbyt
hedoor
,st
yli
shl
ypl
aci
nghi
searon
thedoor
.
"I
t'
snotcancer
"DocLucsaidandEt
hancoul
dn'
t
expl
ainhowrel
ievedhef
elt
.

"
Thankgoodness!
"Heal
mostscr
eamed.
HehuggedI
ri
sht
ight
lyandshel
ookedconf
used.

"
Cancer
?"Sheasked,
conf
used.
"Er
r.
.youknowyourgr
andmot
herandAuntdi
edof
cancerso.
."
"Yout
houghti
tmi
ghtbeheredi
tar
y?"I
ri
sh
compl
etedandEt
hannodded.
"I
t'
snot ,mygrandmot
herandmum wasj
ust
unlucky"Ir
ishsai
d.
"Ther
e'snotr
aceofcancerinI
ri
sh'
sbodysyst
em
butwediscover
edsomethingel
se"DocLucsmil
ed.
"
What
?"Et
hanasked.
"
Ir
ishi
sTenweekspr
egnant
"DocLucannounced.

_
___
_
[
05/09,07:
33]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie
#Chapt
er_
56

"
Youmustbej
oki
ng"I
ri
shl
aughed.
"
I'
m not
"DocLucsai
d.
"Sorr
ytosaybutyoumustbecr
azy"I
ri
shsai
d,
breat
hingheavi
ly.
"
Ir
ish.
..
"Et
hanwassayi
ng.
"That
'
snotmyt estr
esul
t!Youmustbemi
staken!
!"
Shescreamed.
DocLucwasabi
tshakenbyherbehavi
or.

"I
rishLevine,I
'm notmi
staken.Thisisyourt
est
result
.You'reTenweekspr egnant.Whyareyou
beinglikethi
s,you'r
enottooyoung"DocLucsaid
andI r
ishrefusedtobel
ievehim but.
.
DocLuci
sdamnser
ious!
Tenweeks?
Exact
lyTwomont
hsandt
woweeks.

"
No!It
akecont
racept
ivepi
ll
saf
tersex!
"Ir
ishyel
led.
"
Didyoucheckedtheexpi
rydateoft
hepi
ll
sthel
ast
t
imeyouusedit?"DocLucasked.
"No,ididn'
t.I
..
itookanant
ibiot
icforaneari
nfect
ion,
couldithavecancell
edoutmypi l
ls?"I
ri
shsai
dand
tear
sf i
ll
edhereyeswhenr eali
sat
iondawnedonher .
"
Itdi
d!"DocLucconf
ir
med.
"
No!Thereami stakesomewher
e,ist
illseemy
menst
rualperi
od"Iri
shsai
ddesperatelyhopi
ngshe
wasn'
tpregnant.
"That
'scomplet
elynor
mal,i
thappens.
"DocLuc
saidandIr
ishknewthatwastr
ue.
"Mystomach..
.it
'sst
il
ldamnflat
.Nobabyisin
here!
"Ir
ishpul
ledthehospi
talgown,
reveal
ingher
stomach.
Et
hanl
ookedati
tcl
osel
yandnot
icedaver
ysmal
l
bump.
"
Ir
ishl
ook.
..
ababyi
si nt
her
e"Hesmi
ledandI
ri
sh
l
ookedcl
osel
yati
ttoo.

Howcoul
dn'
tshehavenot
iced.
..

"
No,
itwaspr
obabl
ysomet
hingiat
e"Shecr
ied.
"I
'm notpregnantDocLuc,ineverhadmorning
si
ckness,ididn'
teventhr
ewupf oronce,no
sympt omsatall.Youneedtodot het
estagain"I
ri
sh
said.
"Thetestwasdonet wi ceandIri
sh,womenhave
diff
erentsympt oms,somedoesn' tevenf eel
anythingatall
,yourbabybumpi syettobeobvious
becauset hepregnancyisjustthr
eemont hsand
twoweeksandit hi
nkyouhaveaf l
atstomachright
from thestar
t.Evenifyourpregnancycl ocksni
ne
mont hs,
thebumpi sgonnal ookli
keaf ivemonth's"
DocLucexpl ained.
"Wait
..
.i
sthatwhy.
.mybr
east
sar
eful
ler
?"I
ri
sj
asked.
"
Exact
ly!
"DocLucsai
d.
"
Oh.
.no"I
ri
shcr
ied,
she'
sindeedpr
egnant
.

"I
ri
sj,
wehadsextenweeksagor
ight
?"Et
hanasked
andshenodded.
"
I'
lll
eavenow"DocLucwal
kedoutoft
her
oom.
"I
..
wasthelastper
sonyouhadsexwit
hri
ght
?"
Ethanaskedandshenoddedagai
n.

"
Ther
e'snowayel
se.
!"I
ri
shsai
d
"I
ri
shwe'rehavi
ngababy!
"Ethanscreamedi
n
exci
tementandshewastoucheddeeply.

"I
ri
sh,com'onI'mreadytoacceptt
hebaby.I '
l
lgladl
y
acceptit
.Il
oveyouI r
ishandberestassured,i
m
goingtomarryyoubef or
eyougivebir
th"Ethan
smiledandkissedherfull
yontheli
ps.
"
Ethan.
.idon'
twantt
hebaby"shebur
stedi
ntot
ear
s.
"What!Why?Don'tyouloveme?Ar i
nwoul dbe
happyabouti
tandmypar ent
stoo.Youknowhow
muchmydadl ikesyou,I'
m goi
ngtot akecar
eof
ever
ythi
ngsweetheart.
"Ethanassured.

"
No,
i
t'
snott
hat
"Ir
ishwi
pedhert
ear
s.
"I
t'
swhat?Wai t
..
.di
dyousl eepwit
hsomeoneel se
befor
ethenightwewer etogether
?"Ethanasked
andhesighedwhenI r
ishwentquiet.

"Idi
dn'
tsleepwithanyoneEt
han!Si
nceI'
vebeenin
Cali
for
nia,I
'veonl
yhadsex,twi
ceanditwaswit
h
myexwhi chis2yearsago"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Thenwhat
'st
hepr
obl
em?
"Et
hanasked

_
__

"She'
spr
egnant
!?"Mor
ganasked.
"Yesboss,Tenmont
hsandt woweeks.Ithi
nkMr
Ethanhadsomethi
ngwi t
hherexact
lytwomonths
andtwoweeksago..
looksli
kehe'
sresponsi
blef
or
thepregnancy.
"

"ThenwhyonEar
thar
eyoutel
li
ngmethis?
!Ist
his
supposedt
obeagoodnewsorsomet
hing"Morgan
asked.

"
I'
m sor
ryboos"
"DamnitJavad!Wehavet odosomet hing.Idon't
carewhatitisbutwedefini
tel
yhavet osomet hing!
Howcomet hingskeepgett
ingbet
terandbet terfor
them whil
ewekeepl osi
ng?"Morgansai d.

"Il
ovet hatladyalso,
andihadmyeyesonhereven
beforeEt han.She'
ssobeaut i
fulandsweetthatI'
ve
fal
leninl ovewithherfr
om theveryfi
rstdayshe
walkedi ntomyModelcompany!Butdamn.Et han
wasf astenought owinher"Mor gansaid.
 "
Forthemeant
ime.Keepthepoi
sonawayunt
ilI
f
igur
eoutsomet
hingnext
"
"Okayboss,
I'
llf
il
lyoui
nlat
erboss,
ineedt
ogo
now.
"
Alr
ightJavad,
thanks.

Morgandroppedt
hecal
l,
fli
ppi
nghi
sphonet
o
wherever
.
Damni
t!

"What'
sgoingon?Ihear
dyousayi
ngthepoison
shoul
dbet hr
ownfaraway"Cat
her
inesai
d,walki
ng
outofthebathr
oom i
narobe.
At
owelwast
iedr
oundherwethert
oo.

"Don'
ttel
lmeyou'
repl
anni
ngonspar
ingt
hatsl
ut"
Shesaid.
 "I
'
m not !Butr
ightnowI'
mreadytodest
royherand
everyt
hingshel ove!
"Mor
ganroar
ed.
"
Cal
m downMor
gan,
whatHappened?
"
"
Ir
ishi
sfucki
ngpr
egnant
"
"
What
!"Cat
her
inescr
eamed."
Pregnantf
orwho?
"

"
ForEt
han!Goddamni
t.
"Mor
gancur
sed.
Cat
her
inefal
lont
hecouchf
orawhi
lepar
alyzed.
Thi
scan'
tbehappeni
ng.

Ift
hat'
str
uethenshehaddefi
nit
elyl
ostEthan.No!
Itmustbeajoke!Thi
smustbeajoke.Butthelook
onEthan'
sfacesaidi
t'
str
ue.

"
Howdi
dyouknow?
"Cat
her
ineasked.
"Howar eyousosureEthanisthefather?Shecould
havesleptwit
hhernumer ousboyf
riend's"Cat
heri
ne
saidhopingandpr
ayingwhatshehear dwasn'tt
rue.
"Javadsai
dso.AndEt
hanwasexci
ted"Mor
gan
said.
"
SoEthanhadbeensleepingwit
hthatslut
!Mor
gan
wehavetodosomething.You'
vetohelpmeget
t
hatbi
tchoutoft
heway! "Cat
heri
nesaid.

MorganrubbedhisPal
mi nanger
.Hehadalways
wantedI
rishal
ltohi
mselfandheari
ngshe'
s
pr
egnantforEt
hanistheworstnewsever
!.

Nomatterwhat
,he'
sgoingtogetIr
ish.Nomatter
whati
ttakeshi
m!He'sgoingtogetherdef
ini
tel
y!
Andhe'
sgoingtousehertohauntEthan.
_
__

"I
ri
sh..
..
why?Whyareyoudoi
ngt
hist
ome"Et
han
asked,
closet
otear
s.
Hewasspeaki
ngupaf
teral
ongsi
lence.
"Et
hanI'm sor
ry.I'mjustnotr
eadyfort
his.I
'
mjust
21Ethan!Ican'thandlethi
s.Thi
sisn'
twhatI
wanted"Ir
ishcried.
"
I'
m notgoingtoabandonyouI
ri
sh.Let
'sr
aiset
he
ki
dtogether
"Ethansaid.

"Ethan.
..Ican'
t.I
'
m goingt
oter
minat
ethe
pregnancy..
Ican'
t..
."
"
Don'
tyoudar
e!"Et
hanal
mostyel
led.
"
Whyar emaki
ngmef eell
ikethebadoneher e.
Yout ol
dmeyoulovedmeI ri
sh.Youfuckingtoldme
thatshi
ts!Wast
hatal
lalie?Wer eyoul
ying!!
!"Ethan
yell
ed.

"NoEt han!Iloveyou.Imeani twhenIsayitandI'

m
goingt osayingitagai
n!IloveyouEt hanbutno!I
can'tkeepthebaby.Ican' tstanditEt
han,I
'mt oo
youngf orthat.Ican'
tinasanannyandnowasa
pregnantlady!Whatwi llpeoplesay?Whatwi l
lthe
presssay?Whatwillyoufamil
yt hi
nkaboutme?
Yourreput
ati
onEthan!Myr eputati
on!I'
mjusta
nannyforChri
stsakeEthan!"I
ri
shsai d.

Thist
imetearswasroll
ingfr
om Ethan'sel
se.He
wassodisappoi
ntedinIri
sh,shecouldn'
tkeephi
s
babybecauseofwhatpeoplewillt
hink?

HehadthoughtIr
ishi
sgoi
ngt
obedif
fer
entand
wil
lbehappytorai
seachil
dwi
thhi
m.Butno!He
j
uststoodandstar
edather
.

_
__

"Javad.Fi
ndawaytocomearound,
Wewi
llbe
hostinganewpl
an"Morgansai
d.

"
Okayboss"
_
__
"
Youneedl
otofr
estI
ri
sh"
"I
fyouar
ethisweak,
ther
e'snopossi
blewayyou
canrai
sethi
sbaby"DocLucsaid
Iri
shwasn'
tli
steni
ng.Sheknowt
her
e'snoway
she'
sgoi
ngtokeept hebaby.
Shewasreadyt
obedischar
gedbutEt
hanhad
i
nsist
edonhear
ingwhatDocLuchastosay.
Hewasn'
tevenl
ooki
ngatherort
alki
ngt
oher
.

"
Okay,t
hankyouLuc"Et
hansai
dandst
oodupt
o
l
eave.
I
ri
shst
oodupaf
terhi
m.
"Youneedtoli
mitthet
ears,anysl
ight
estt hi
ngcan
makeyouhavemi scar
ri
agebecausei t
'sstil
latan
earl
ystage"DocLucsai
dt oIri
shandshedi dn't
evenrespondbef
orewalki
ngoutwi t
hEt han.
That'
swhatshewant
ed.Mi
scar
ri
ageofgetl
aidof
thebabyher
sel
f.
Hereyeswer
etwi
cet
hesi
zei
twasandt
heyl
ooked
sored.

DocLucshookhisheadsadl
y,hehadthoughtI
ri
sh
wil
levent
hinkofget
ti
nglai
dofthebaby.
MrandMr sHar lowhadcomearoundbuthehad
tol
dthem it
'snotcancerandhadadvi
sedthem t
o
gohome, EthanandIri
shwasn'
tobvi
ousl
yreadyto
seeanyonet hen.
Hereal
lyI
ri
shget
ssomeonet
otal
ksomesense
i
ntoher.

Et
hanhadgonet
hroughenoughal
ready.
*
*

"Cat
chacabandgohome"Et
hant
hrewdol
larbi
ll
s
athi
sbodyguar
ds.
I
ri
shhasneverseenhi
m dothatbutshei
sn'
tgoi
ng
t
obesurpr
isedatanyt
hinghedoesatthi
smoment.
Hisbodyguardswereastonishedt
oobutt
heyknew
bett
erthantoarguewit
hhi m.

Hegoti
ntot
hedr
iverseatofhi
scarandI
ri
shgoti
n
besi
dehi
m.
Theywerebot
hsi
lentashedr
oveoutoft
he
hospi
tal
.
Hewasdri
vingsor
oughandf
astt
hatI
ri
sh
panicked.
Hedi dn'
tseem t
oknowwhathe'
sdoi
ng,
hejust
droveon,bumpingi
ntopot
hol
esheshoul
dhave
avoided.

Hef
eltl
ikescreaminganddestroyt
hings,hewant
ed
t
ocryti
llhecouldnolongercr
yanymor e.Thi
sis
t
hewomanhehadl oved!
.

"Et
hanpl
easesl
owdown"I
ri
shsai
d,r
ubbi
nghi
s
back.
"
Don'ttouchmeIr
ish.
..Pl
ease"hesai
dandshe
wit
hdrewherhandlooki
ngsohurt.
"Ethan,
I'
m goi
ngtoter
minatet
hepregnancy,Youof
allpeopl
eshouldunder
standwhy!
"Ir
ishsaid.
Hedi
dn'tseem t
oli
stent
oherwor
ds,
hisexpr
essi
on
di
dn'
tchangeabit.
I
tonl
yhar
dened.

I
twasst
art
ingt
odr
izzl
e.
I
ri
shwasscar
edatt
her
atehewasdr
ivi
ng.
Shest
art
edcryi
ngsi
lent
ly,
shecoul
dn'
tbel
ievet
he
monst
ershehadtur
nedhimint
o.
Thoseeyeswer
emonstrous,
theycoul
donly
belongt
oamonster,
thosewerenotEthan'
slovi
ng
eyes.

"I
ri
shI'
m sodisappoint
edi
nyou!Howcanyou
car
eaboutmyr eputat
ionmoret
hanhowIfeel
?I
l
oveyouIri
sh!I
'
veal waysdi
dandevenwhenyou
saidwecan'tbeinarelat
ionshi
p,Iacceptedthat
becauseIcaredforyou!Idon'
twantt oseeyousad.
Howcanyouevent hi
nkofsuchcr uelactof
abort
inganinnocentbaby?Areyout hatcruel
?"
Ethanyel
led.

Hehadsl
oweddown.
"I
'
m notcr
uelEt
han.I
'
mjustpr
otect
ingyou"I
ri
sh
said.
"Youneedtoprotectyour
selffi
rst!I
ri
shwhatdi
dI
everdidtoyou?Didn'
tIdeservetobehappytoo?
Whycan' tt
hewomenIl ove,lovemeback?Why
can'tyouhaveababywi t
hmeI r
ishLevi
ne!
!"He
screamed.

Thatwast
hef
ir
stt
imehewi
llyel
landcal
lIr
ish'
sful
l
name.
"
Ethan.I
'
m sor
ry"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Ir
ishgetoutofmycar
"Hesai
dsl
owl
y.
"
Ethanwhatar
eyousayi
ng?
"Ir
ishasked,
hereyes
achet
err
ibl
y.
"
Please,
getout.Idon'twantt
ohurtyou"Hesai
d,
l
ookingstr
aightahead,hehadn'
teventur
nedto
l
ookather.
"
Ethan.
..
"
"
Getout!
"Heyel
led,
slammi
nghi
shandont
he
wheel
.

Sheunfastenedherseatbel
tandslowl
yopenedt
he
cardoor,
hopinghe'l
ltel
lhertost
ayback.
"
Ethan,
i
t'
sraining.IsaidI'
m sor
ry"Shesai
d,hergaze
wasgett
ingblurrywithtear
s.
Hegrabbedanumbrel
lafr
om t
hebackseatand
handeditt
oherwi
thoutawor
d.
Shefi
nall
yali
ght
edf
rom thecar
,notevenbot
her
ing
tousethedamnumbrel
la.Hesl
ammedt hedoor
.

"Yourl
uggagewi l
lbebroughtt
oyourhouse"He
saidbef
oredri
vingoff
.
Shewat
chedhi
scart
il
litwasoutofsi
ght
.
Shest
oppedcr
yingt
henandst
aredatt
heumbr
ell
a.
Shenoticedhehadaddedsomedol
larnot
est
o
i
t.
..
totakeacabhomeofcourse.
Hehadn'
tbeensohear
tl
essaf
teral
l.
Atl
easthehadn'
tthr
ownt
hemoneyather
.

Shesneezed,
ther
ainwasget
ti
ngt
oher
.
Shejusthopedshefoundacabsoon,shecouldn'
t
evenbri
nghersel
ftousetheumbrel
la.Ethanhad
l
eftherhandstr
embling.
Thi
swasjustaterr
ibl
eni
ghtmareandshe'
sgonna
keepupwi
thitunti
lsomeonewakesherup.

Shehai
ledanoncomi
ngcabt
oast
op.
Shegoti
naf
terment
ioni
ngherhomeaddr
esst
o
t
hecabman.
Shehadn'
tevennot
icedhowhervoi
ceshook.

"Whydidn'
tyouusedtheumbrel
lawi
thyou?Inst
ead
ofget
ti
ngthisdr
enched?Thecabmanaskedher,
shedi
dn'tr
espondandhenoti
cedhowf arawayher
eyesl
ooked.
Hesighed,wonder
ingwhatmadeherl
ookt
hissad
andscared.
She'
sdr
enchedandsheshi
ver
ed.

"Heleftbecausehewassopi ssed,
hedoesn'
twant
tohurtmer ight
?"Ir
ishaskednooneinpar
ti
cul
ar
andthedr i
verthoughtshewasgoingcr
azy.
"
U..
uh?Mi
ss?
"Heasked.
"Maybeishouldhavest
ayedthere,hewasgoi
ngto
dri
vebacktopickme.Canyout akemebackto
whereyoupickedme?"I
rishaskedthecabman.

"
It
'sr
aini
ngpr
ett
yheavi
lyandwhoeverdr
oppedyou
therei
sn'tcomi
ngbackf oryou.Imustsayit
'squit
e
i
rresponsibl
eofhi
mt odropyouof fi
ntherain"The
cabmansai dandI
rish'
seyeswer efi
ll
edwithtears
again.

"Iunderst
andifyoudon'thaveanymoneytopay
me, you'
repr
obablystr
anded.."Thecabmanwas
saying.
"
Heleftmesomemoney, he'
snotsohear
tl
ess.He's
j
ustpi
ssedfornow.He'
sgoinggocomebackf or
me"Ir
ishwi
pedhertear
s.
Thecabmannoddedandsi
ghed.
Hecouldn'
tbel
ieveshewasdefendi
ngsomeone
whodroppedheroffint
herai
n.

Whoevert
heper
soni
s,he'
ssol
uckyt
ohaveher
.

_
___
"We'
vear
ri
vedyourhousemi
ss"Thecabmant
old
her
.
"Reall
y?"Shesaid,
shewasn'tt
oof ami
li
arwit
ht he
neighborhoodandshewassol ostint
hought
,she
didn'
tevenknowwhent hecabcamet oastop.

Shedroppedal
lthedol
larbi
ll
sEt
hanl
eftf
orherand
st
eppedoutofthecab.
"Youshoul
dtakecareMiss"Thecabmanshout
ed
aft
erherbef
oredri
vingaway.
Shewal kedi
ntothegat e,
i
twassti
llr
aini
ngpret
ty
heavil
y,
shedidn'tcaredtouset
heumbr el
laasshe
draggedherfeettothedoor.
Sheknockedonthedoor,hopi
ngMr sGabriel
leor
anybodyguardwi
llbet
heonet oopenitforherbut
MrsHelenstoodt
here,
lookingatherdaughteri
n
shock.

"
Oh.
.my.
.goodness!
"Sheexcl
aimedi
nshock.
"
Whathappened?
"SheaskedandI
ri
shwal
kedi
n.
 Shedr oppedtheumbrel
laandheadedf
orthe
couch,herlegswereshaki
ngandshewasfeeli
ng
socold.
MrsHel
enqui
ckl
ycl
osedt
hedoorandhur
ri
edaf
ter
her
.

"
Whathappened?
"Sheasked.
"
I'
mfi
ne"I
ri
shsai
d,dr
oppi
ngont
hecouch.
"Youdon'
tlookf
ine!Howcomeyou'redrenched
whenyouhaveanumbr el
lawithyou?Andyou're
supposedt
obeatyourwor kpl
ace"MrsHelensaid.
"
I'
m pr
egnantandf
ir
ed"I
ri
shl
aughed.
"
What
!"Mr
sHel
enexcl
aimed.

Sheknowsf orsureEthani
sresponsibl
eforthe
pregnancysi
ncet hi
ngsseemsseriousbetweenhi
m
andIri
sh..
butfi
red?
Ohh.
.Hemi
ghtnotwantherst
ressi
ngher
sel
f.
"Iunderst
andallofi
tbuthowcomeyou'rel
ooking
sodejected?Youreyesaresoredandswol
lenli
ke
you'vecri
edalot.I
ri
shwhat'swrong?
"MrsHelen
askedwor ri
edl
y.

"Nothingiswrongmummy, i
t'
sjustater
ri
ble
nightmarethatiwil
lwakeupfr
om soon"Ir
ish
smiled,feel
ingt
hiscan'
tbehappeni
ngforreal
.
No.I
tcan'
t.

"Youneedtopullof
fyourwears,
haveawar m bat
h,
I'
lll
itt
hef
ir
eplaceforyou"MrsHelensai
d,she
unti
edherapronanddr oppedi
tonthecouch.
Shehadbeenmaki
ngl
unchbef
oreI
ri
shknocked.

"
Pullmydresses?Awar
m bat
h?Hel
lno"I
ri
sh
l
aughedandMr sHel
enwonder
edi
fshewasdrunk.
"
I'
m goi
ngt
obed"I
ri
shgotonherf
eet
.
"
Youcan'
tgot
obedi
nthi
swetcl
othesoryou'
re
gonnawakeupwi
thaf
ever
"Mr
sHel
ensai
d.
"No,
I
'm goi
ngtowakeupinEthan'
sar
ms"I
ri
sh
smil
ed,andwalkedt
oherroom.

_
___

MrsHel
entoweledI
ri
sh'
sbodydr
yaf
terget
ti
ngher
t
otakeawarm shower
.
I
ri
shwasr eadyt
ogot obedinthatwetclot
hingand
MrsHelenhadstoppedherandforcedhertohavea
warm bat
h.
Shesmil
edwhenshenot i
cedthesmallti
ght
bump,she'
sgoi
ngt obeagrandmothersoonbut
she'
ssoconfusedwithever
ythi
nghere,I
renei
snot
expl
aini
nganythi
ng.

Mr sHel
enmadeherputonat hi
cksweaterandblue
baggyjeanswi
thsocks.
..
sheneededeveryt
hingt
o
feelwarm.
"
Youshoul
dn'
tdothi
s..
.t
hisisj
ustadream"I
ri
sh
r
ant
edwhil
eMr sHel
endriedherhai
r.

MrsHelendidn'
trespond,
knowi
ngI
ri
shwoul
dbei
n
abet
tercondit
ionwhenshewakesup.
Sheputheri
nbedanddr
apedherbl
anketoverher
.

Shel
itt
hefir
eplacei
nIr
ish'sr
oom,watchedher
sl
eepbefor
efinal
lywal
kingoutofherroom.
Shewassowor
ri
ed,
knowi
ngsomet
hingwas
wrong.

*
**

"
HiMum"Ar
ushasmi
led,
wal
kingi
ntot
heki
tchen.
"
Arusha,
howar
eyou?
"Mr
sHel
enasked.
"
I'
mfi
ne,
star
ving"Hegr
oaned.
"
Lunchi
sready,
I'
mjustcl
eani
ngt
heki
tchen"Mr
s
Hel
ensai
d.
"Thankgoodness,
ishoul
dgof
reshenup"Ar
usha
said.
"I
ri
shisaround"Mr
sHelenannouncedandArusha
smil
edbuthewonderedwhyMr sHeleni
slooki
ng
unhappy.
"
Shecamet osayhi
tous.She'
sinherr
oom r
ight
?"
Heasked.
"
She'
spr
egnant
"Mr
sHel
ensai
dsl
owl
y.
"
Huh?
"Ar
ushaaskedi
nsur
pri
se.
Buthewashappy,
knowingMrEthanisr
esponsi
ble,
that
'l
lmakeI
ri
shfi
nal
lybecomehis.
"
And.
..
fi
red"Mr
sHel
enadded.
"
What
!"Ar
ushashout
ed.

_
___

I
ri
shsl
eptf
orhour
sandwhenshef
inal
lywokeup,
shedr
eadedopeni
nghereyes.
Sheprayedever
ythi
nghadbeenani
ght
mar
e,she
can'
tpossi
blybeinherhouse.
Pr
egnantandf
ir
ed?
No!
Shesi
ghedandhereyesf
inal
lyf
lewopen.

Tearsrushedtohereyes,
seei
ngt
hiswasn'
ther
room i
nEt han'
smansion.
ShecouldseeArushaandMr sHel
enstar
ingdown
atherandshekneweveryt
hingshehadthoughtt
o
beanightmarewasreal
.
Shewaspr
egnantandshewasn'
treadyt
okeept
he
baby.
AndEthanhaddr oppedherof
finther
ainand
dri
venoffaft
ersayingherl
uggagewil
lbebrought
toherhouse.
She'
sfi
redal
so!
"
Whyar eyoucryi
ng?Di
dsomeonehur
tyou?
"
Arushaasked.
Hewasstil
linhisschoolwear
s,hehadref
usedto
fr
eshenuporeatafterMrsHelent
oldhi
mI r
ish
camehomedr enchedandsad.

"I
..i
stherereall
yabumpdownther
e?"Ir
ish
asked,hervoicewasl
owasshepoint
edt oher
stomach.
Arushapul
leduphersweat
erandnoddedwi
tha
smile.
Hehasn'
tseenanyt
hingmor
ebeaut
if
ult
hant
his.
"Ababy?"Heaskedinavoi
ceal
mostcloseto
whisper
,hewasint
ri
guedandi
ttookal
lhismight
nottocry.
"
It
'snotababyyet
"Mr
sHel
ensai
d.
"What
everi
tis,
thisisbeauti
ful
"Ar
ushasaidand
qui
ckl
ywipedat earthatdr
oppedf
rom hi
seyes.
I
ri
sjsatupandki
ssedhi
sfor
ehead.
"
IloveyouI
ri
sh"Hesaid,huggi
ngherti
ght
,he
l
oosenedhi
sgri
p,notwanti
ngtohurtt
heti
nybaby.

~Ir
ish,we'
rehavi
ngababy!
~Ethan'
swor
dsrangin
herheadandhishappyf
acewhenhehadsai
dthat
fl
ashedinhereyes.
Hehadlookedl
ikehej
ustdiscoveredahugebox
fi
ll
edwit
hgemstonesunt
ilshetoldhim shewant
keepi
ngit
.

Arushalookssoi
ntr
iguedt
oo,shewonderedhow
he'
sgoingt of
eel
whenshet el
lshi
m aboutwhat
happened.

~Iri
shIlovedyou!Whycan'
tthewomenI'
veloved,
l
ovemeback.Whycan' tyouhaveababywit
hme~
Ethan'swordsandsadf
acefil
ledhermi
ndandshe
burstedint
otear
s.
Hehadl
ookedsohur
tandhel
pless.
"
Whyar eyoucr
ying?I'
m sureMrEthandoesn'
t
wantyoutogothroughstr
ess,
thatwaswhyhe
madeyoustopyourjob"
Arushasaid.
"
It
snott
hat
..
."I
ri
shsni
ff
ed.
"I
t'
swhat
?"Arushaasked,
hisheartwasbr
eaki
ngat
seei
nghi
ssistercr
y.Hehatesitsomuch.

"It
oldEthan..
..
.It
oldhi
m Iwasgoingt
oter
mi nat
e
thepregnancy.It
oldhi
m Ican'
tkeept
hebaby"Ir
ish
saidi
nt ear
s.
"Whatt
hehel
lareyousayi
ngI
ri
sh.
"Ar
ushagr
owl
ed,
get
ti
ngtohi
sfeet.
Mr
sHel enwasst
art
ledal
so.Shecan'
tbel
ieveI
ri
sh
wi
llsaysuch.

"
You'
rej
oki
ngr
ight
?Whywi
llyousayt
hatt
ohi
m!"
"
BecauseIcan'tmother!Ikeept
oit.I
tfeelwei
rd.
I
'
m notreadyforallt
his.I'
m notr
eadytobea
mother
!I'
m notr
eadyf
oranydamnt
hing!
"Ir
ish
cr
ied.

Mr
sHel
enbr
oughthercl
oserandhuggedher
.
"I
'
m sor
rymot
her
."Shesni
ff
edandAr
ushahugged
hert
oo.
"I
'm sorr
ytooIr
ish.Forput
ti
ngthr
oughallt
his.I
f
we'r
einSingapor
e, t
hiswon'
tbehappeni
ng.I
underst
andhowyouf eel
"MrsHel
encri
ed.

"
We'resor
ryI
ri
sh.Formaki
ngyougot
hroughal
l
t
his"Ar
ushasai
d.

"Hey!Whatt hehecki swrongwi t

hthebothofyou?I
don'tregretwor kingtocareforyouboth.Mum, you
caredf oruswhenyoucoul dandArushaiknow
you'regoi ngtocar eformewhenyougetol derand
havet hecapaci tyto.Noneofyoucausedt his,
do
notfeelbad.I t
'smeantt ohappenandI '
llbe
ter
mi natingthepr egnancyanyway"Ir
ishsaid.
"What!It
houghtyou'
rej
ustj
oki
ng"Mr
sHel
en
excl
aimed.
"
Why?Youshoul
dn'
tdot
hatpl
ease"Ar
ushasai
d.

"
Mot
her.Et
han'
sreput
ati
onisatsake!Whatwi
l
l
t
hepr
esssay?Andhisfamil
y?Andother!
"

"
Ir
ish,youarenotterminati
ngt hi
spr
egnancy.Your
l
if
eisatstakehere!Thi
si sEthan'
sbabywear e
t
alki
ngabout!."MrsHel ensaidandArushanodded
i
nagreement.
"Et
hanishur
ti
ngal
ot.Can'
tbel
ieveIsai
dthoset
o
him"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Youshoul
dn'
thavedonet
hat
"Mr
sHel
enscol
ded.
"
Hewassohappywhent hedoct
orannouncedi
waspregnantandhetol
dmehe'sgoingtomarr
y
me"I
ri
shbl ushedandAr
ushasmiled,
seei
ngher
l
ooksohappy.
She'
scrazi
lyi
nlovewit
hEt
han,shewonderwhyshe
hadref
usedtodatehi
m.Andtothink.
..Di
dshe
evensai
dthoset
rash'
s?

"
Im notgoi
ngt
oter
minat
eit"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Woown!If
eelr
eli
evednow,
"Ar
ushal
aughed.
"Di
dMrEt hanf
ir
eyou?
"Ar
ushaaskedandI
ri
sh
nodded.
"Hel
eftyoui
ntherai
n?"HeaskedandI
ri
sh
hesi
tat
edbef
orenodding.
Arushafumed,br
ushi
nghi
shai
rbackwi
thhi
s
fi
ngersangr
il
y.
"Heleftmewithanumbr el
laanddol l
arsbill
sfor
cab,I'
mt obl
amefornotusingt heumbr el
la.I
i
ntenti
onall
ygotdrenched"Ir
ishsaid.

"Whatever!I
twassocr uelofhi
mt odropyouoffli
ke
that
!hemusthavegoneoutofhi smind,he'
sso
l
uckyt ohavetakenadvantageofmylikenessfor
him,i
fithadn'
tbeenforthat,
iwon'
tsparehim abi
t"
Arushasaidangril
y.
"Wow,t
hisisactual
lyt
hefir
stt
imeyou'
l
lbespar
ing
someonethattr
iestohur
tme"Iri
shsmi
led.

Shewon'
tbl
ameEt han.Hehadgonet
hroughal
ot
ofhear
tbr
eaksal
ready.
"Ili
keMrEt han.he'
sjustoneoft hemostkind-
hear t
edpersoni '
vemet.Irespecthi
m alotori
woul dneversparesomeonet hatdroppedoffmy
sisterint
herain"Arushasaid.
"Ethani
sn'tinthebestofmood,youshoul d
understandhewoul dneverdothisonanor malday.
Youwoul dhavedonet hesamei fyouhear
someoneyouwi shedtohaveaf amilywi
this
pregnantforyouandwasgoi ngt otermi
natei
t"I
rish
said.

"
Wel
l.
..
.That
'st
rue"Theyagr
eed.

"
I'
m surehe'
sgoingtocomegetyoubackt
ohis
mansiononcehe'scal
m.Andyouneedtoapol
ogi
se
t
oo"
Arushasai
d.
"Yeah"I
risjhopedsobutthel
ookt hathadbeenon
Ethanfacedoesn'tassur
eherthathe'sgoi
ngto
comebackf orher
.

"
Anyway,ineedt
oint
roducemyf
ri
endt
oyou
"
Arushasaid.
"
Ohh..
.doesshest
ayaround?
"Ir
ishasked,
thi
nki
ng
i
t'
sanotherf
emal
efri
end.
"
Hisnamei
sRyan"Ar
ushasmi
led.
"
OMG!Fi
nal
ly"

_
__Twodaysl
ater
___

I
ri
shcheckedherphonef
ort
het
ent
housandt
hti
me.

Not
hing.
ShehadsentEt hantonsofapol
ogymessagesand
thousandsofcallbutheneverr
esponded.
Shehadwant
edtogot
ohi
smansi
onbutMr
sHel
en
hadst
oppedher
.
Shewassosadandbr
oken.Shemusthavebeen
sobadtosayt
hosewor
dstohim.Whatwasshe
thi
nki
ng?
Shecan'tevenbaretol
ookatherstomach
whenevershe'st
akingherbat
h,shefeelshe'
s
al
readyabadmum t ot
heunbornchil
d.

Arushaandhisf
ri
endhadkepthercompanyduring
theweekend,
andtheyhadmadeherlaughed
duri
nghersadmomentsbuttodayisMonday,
they
hadtogotoschool
.

She'
ssi
tt
ingwit
hMrsHeleni
ntheli
vingroom anda
movi
ewasplayi
ngbutI
ri
shwasn'ti
nterest
ed.
Shemi
ssedAr
insomuch.
Shet
houghtabouthersweetmoment
swi
thEt
han
andshewascl
oset
otear
sagai
n.

Shehopehe'sfine,
sheknowshe'sst
il
lgonna
comearound,
sheonlyneedstogivehi
mt i
meto
absor
beveryt
hing.

"
Mum,onceit
'st
imetomakel unch,
comegetmei
n
myr
oom"Iri
shsaid,
prepar
ingtostandup.
"SitIr
ish,
iwon'
tal
lowyougoi nthereandst
art
crying.You'
l
lbeherewithme.It
'snotyourf
aul
t,
everyYoungmum wi l
lthinkt
hesame"Mr sHel
en
said.
"
Butiwantt
osl
eep"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Thensleeponthecouch,
youcanplaceyourhead
onmyl aps"MrsHelensai
dandIr
ishgroaned.

_
___

I
ri
shandMr
sHel
enwer
eset
ti
ngt
het
abl
ewhen
Ar
ushaar
ri
vedf
rom school
.

Heappr
oachedt
hem i
nthedi
ningr
oom,
breat
hing
har
d.
"
Areyout
hathungr
y?"I
ri
shasked.

"MrEthanhasbeenincomafortwodays,hehad
acci
dentnotlongaft
erhedr
oppedyouoffon
Fri
day!"Ar
ushasaidwit
hashakyvoi
ce.

_
___
_
[
05/09,07:
33]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼
Genr
e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
57

I
ri
shrushedi
ntot
hehospi
talr
ecept
ionandshe
l
ucki
lysawDocLuc.

"
Doct
orLuc.How'
sEt
han?
"Sheasked,
pant
ing.
"
Slowdown, youshoul
dn'
tdot
hingsl
iket
his.I
t
mighthur
tthebaby"
"
How'
sEt
han"Shehal
fyel
led.
"Ohh..
.Thankf
ull
y,MrEthangotoutofcomanot
quit
elongago,j
ustl
ikeamiracl
e"DocLucsmil
ed.
"Ahhh"Shesi
ghedi
nrel
ief
,rest
ingherbodyont
he
counter
.
Shehadbeensot
err
if
ied.
"
Caniseehi
m?"Sheasked.
"
Uh..
I'
l
lhavetoi
nfor
m hi
mf i
rst
.I'
l
lber
ightback"
DocLucsai
dandIri
shnodded.
Shesatonachai
randpat
ient
lywai
ted.

DocLucappr
oachedherf
ewmi
nut
esl
ater
.
Shegott
oherf
eet
,r
eadyt
ofol
lowhi
mint
oEt
han'
s
ward.
"I
'
m sorr
y..
.hedoesn'
twanttoseeyou"DocLucsai
d
andIr
ishstar
edathimindisbel
ief
.
"Hedoesn'
twantt
oseeme?"Sheconf
ir
medi
na
shakyvoi
ceandDocLucnodded.

Sheswal l
owedhardandreal
lyt
riedholdi
ngher
tear
s,coupl
edwit
hanotherhear
tbreak.
"
Okay.
.wi
llhebef
ine?
"Sheasked.
"Ofcour
se,
he'
srecover
ingr
apidl
y.Thanksf
or
checki
ngonhim"DocLucsaid.
"
Canidr
opmynumberincasehewantst
oseeme"
I
ri
shsai
dhopef
ull
yandDocLucshookhi
shead.
"He'
sgoi
ngtocal
lyouifhewantstoseeyou"Doc
Lucsai
d,hebi
dherbyeandwalkedaway.

Shest
oodi
nther
ecept
ionf
orawhi
lebef
orel
eavi
ng.
Hereyeswer
efi
ll
edwi
tht
ear
sbyt
het
imeshe
walkedout
.

"Oh.
.my..God!Who'
smakingtheloveofmyl
if
e
cry?
"Ir
ishhadavoiceandstooduptomeetMorgan
Harl
ow.

Whati
shedoi
ngher
e?
"
HowareyouIr
ish?
.It
'ssoni
cet
omeetyouagai
n"
Hegr
inned.

_
___
"
Wher
e'sshe?
"Et
hanaskedJavad
Hehadtol
dhimt ogocal
lIr
ishbackandnowhe'
s
r
etur
ningwit
houther
.

"
I.
.i
..
isawherget t
ingi
ntoMorganHarl
owcar,
they
l
eftal
ready"Javadsai
d,gr
inni
nginwar
dly.

"You'
rej
okingri
ght?WhatisMorgandoingher
e?"
Ethanaskedindi
sbel
ieforrat
hershock.
"
No,
MrEt
han,
isawt
hem cl
ear
ly"Javadsai
d.
"Well
..
goodforher"Ethansai
d,l
ooki
ng
unconcernedeventhoughhewasgreat
lybot
her
ed.

Whati
sIr
ishdoi
ngwit
hthatmonst
erMorgan!He
gr
ewscaredhewasgoi
ngtotakeI
ri
shawayfrom
hi
mtoo.
"
Darnit
!Et
hani
fyouloset
hatl
ady,iwoul
dnever
f
orgi
veyou!
"MrHar
lowyell
edathi
m.
 Hewasalr
eadypissedi
mmediatelyhehear
d
Morgan'
sname.Thatungr
atef
ulbrat!
"I
fyoudidn'
thadthatbandageonyourhead,iwould
havesl
appedsomesensesi ntoyou!Whyt hehel
l
wouldyoubehavethiswaywhenyouknowhow
hardwomencouldbe?I '
m sodisappoi
ntedinyou"
MrsHarlowshoutedathim.

"
Iwantt
obeal
one"Et
hansai
d.
"
What
?"MrHar
lowasked.
"Getout
!"Et
hanyel
ledatt
hem andt
heyal
lmar
ched
outofhi
swar d.

"That'
snotmyson"Mr
sHar
lowcr
iedandHar
low
sighed.
Hecoul
dn'
tbel
ievet
hist
oo.

_
___
"Whatareyoudoi
ngher
eMor
gan"I
ri
shasked
standi
ngup.
Shehadhat edhi
m afterhi
ssexual
abusewhen
shewaswor kingunderme.Andthenshehadhat
ed
him moreaft
erseeingandknowinghowmuchhe
hadhurtEthan.
Shewor
ri
edwhyhewasher
eandt
alki
ngt
oher
!
"Ij
ustwantt
ocomesayhit oEt
han'snewbaby.I
can'
twaitf
ori
ttobedel
iver
ed"Morgansmir
ked.

"What
..
..
howdo.
.whot
oldyout
his?
"Ir
ish
stammered.
"
Ihavemywaysdarl
ing.Youknowit'
ssurpri
sing
howyouchoseEt
hanwhot reat
syouli
keananny
whil
eIcanmakeyoumyqueen"Mor gansaid.

Hewantedtostar
toffbyexpressi
nghisl
oveforher
.
HewasgladwhenJavadt ol
dhi mIri
shsai
dshe
wasgoingt
oabortthebaby.Thatmeanshedoesn't
l
oveEthan!
.Great
.
 "IchosewhoIwantt
obewi
th"I
ri
shr
oll
edher
eyes.
"Please,
I'
m goingtodoanyt hi
ngf oryou,whatever
Ethandidtomakeyoul ovehim, I
'
lldomor et
han
that.Idon'
tcareifyou'
recar r
yinghisbastar
dbaby, i
wantyou.Et hancan'tt
reatyoul i
keaqueenyouar e"
Mor gansaidandi twasIri
sh'sturntolaughoutloud.

"Idon'
tknowwhat everst
untyou' r
epul l
ingbutI'
m
notreadyforitnowandonedoesn' thavetodo
anythi
ngt oearnotherpeopl e'
slove.AndIdo
appreciat
eitifyoudon'tcallmybabyabast ard
again!
!."I
rishsaidandwal kedaway.
Shewasst
il
lsodi
str
aughtoverwhatEt
hanhad
done.
He'sobvi ousl
ysti
llpi
ssedather
,hehadrefusedt
o
l
etherseehi m.Shehadevenapologi
zeand
promi sedtotakebackherwordsbutEthanhad
refused.
"Icandropyouoffathome"Morganshout
edaf
ter
herbutsheignor
edhim andl
eft
.
"Letmeseehowl
ongyoubot
hcancope"Mor
gan
smirked.

_
__

"
That'
snotmyson"Mr
sHar
lowcr
iedandMr
Har
lowsighed.
Hecoul
dn'
tbel
ievet
hist
oo.

Ethanhadful
lyexpl
ainedt
othem ever
ythi
ngt
hat
hadhappenedandtheybothfel
tsosorryf
orI
ri
sh.
Shehadgonet
hroughal
ot.
MrHarlowwishedhehadmethersoonerbutFred
MeyerLeveniwassodi
scr
eetabouthi
sfamily.
"
Butist
erminat
ingthepregnancyt
heonlyopt
ion?I
t
houghtsheandEthanlovedthemsel
ves"Mr
Har
lowsaid.

"
IthinkIunderstandIr
ish.She'
sonlyt
ryi
ngto
prot
ectEthan'sreput
ati
on.Shecaresabouthi
m,
andshe'sjustthi
sladywhoi sscar
edofbeinga
mother".MrsHar l
owsaid.

"Ij
usthopet
heygetoverwhat
everi
tis"MrHar
low
sai
d.
"Et
hanshouldhearheroutalr
eady.Shemi
ghthave
changedhermind.Shejustneededti
meand
someonetotal
ktoher"
"YoucanseehowadamantEt
hani
s,t
hatboyi
sso
stubbor
n"
"Justlikeyou.Youcan'
tgethimt
odoanyt
hing
duringt hi
smomentunt i
lhe'
scal
m.Whowouldn'
t
bepi ssedoffatsuch.
"
"
Yea"
"Anddidt heysaidMor gancamear oundher eand
droveoffwi t
hIrish?Aretheyseeingeachot her
?
Howcoul dhehavet heaudacity.Af
teralmost
blackmaili
ngourf ami l
yandhijacki
ngCat heri
ne
awayf r
om Et han.Wi t
houtEthanIdon'tknowwhere
hecould'vebeennow.Et hangaveherlife!
"Mr s
Harlowsai dangr i
ly.

"Hedidn'
thi
jackedCat
heri
ne,Cather
inewil
li
ngly
andgreedi
lylef
twit
hhim andicanvouchI r
ish
won'tdoso.Evenabli
ndcanseet helovebetween
herandEthan"MrHarl
owsaid.

"
Ihopehe'
l
lbef
inethough,
hel
ookspr
ett
yhur
t"Mr
s
Har
lowsai
dworri
edl
y.
"It
houghtyouwant
edtoslapsomesensesi
ntohi
s
head"MrHarlowt
eased.
"
Iwouldneverdot
hat
"Mr
sHar
lowsai
dandt
hey
l
aughed.
_
___

"Cal
lCarlt
ogetIri
sh'
sluggager
eadyandtakei
tto
herhouse"Ethansai
dtoJavadwhonoddedand
wenttocarryoutt
heorder.

Hisheadachedt
erri
blyandi
twasst
arti
ngt
obl
eed
agai
nbecauseofthewayhehadyel
led.

"
Andt
othi
nkit
rust
edher
"Et
hansai
dangr
il
y.
I
thadhurthim somuchthatIr
ishwi
lleventhi
nkof
t
erminat
ingthebabynott
ot al
kofsayingitout
.
Andhowdar
esheent
erMor
gan'
scar
?
Wasshedoingthattomakehi m mor
ehurt?Was
sheonamissionjustl
ikeJessi
casaiddaysback?
Ar
gh
Hehadt
houghtshewoul
dneverdot
hat
.
Hefel
tsobadfordr
oppi
ngheroffintherai
nbuthe
coul
dn'
thel
pit
,hecoul
dn'
thurthercauseheknew
thewayhi
shandswereshaki
ngwhi l
eholdi
ngthe
wheel
,he'
l
lenduprammingthecarintosomethi
ng.

Ir
ishwoul
dhaveprobabl
yneverhavesur
vivedi
f
shewasinthecarwit
hhim.

Hewouldn'tdenyt
hathe'
spissedwi
thherbuthe
st
il
lwantedtoseeherbadl
yandshehadwentoff
wi
thhim again!
Whatt
hef
uck!
He'
sjustsopi
ssedr
ightnow.
Perhapsshemighthavechangedhermi
nd,
nott
o
havehim backbutf
orreal
!

Buthowcoul
dsheent
erMor
gan'
scar
?!
KnowingwhatMorganoncemadehim got
hrough
butJavadcoul
dn'
thavel
iedei
ther
.
Shehadi
ndeedgonei
ntoMor
gan'
scar
.

Whydi
dever
ythi
nghadt
ochangeover
night
!
Thi
sissohear
tsi
ckeni
ng.

_
___

"Ican'
tbeli
eveyouref
usedtoeatjustbecausehe
didn'
tall
owyoui nt
ohisward!What'
swr ongwit
h
youIri
sh!"MrsHelenshout
ed.
"I
'
m notreadytoeatyet
.I'
m okay"I
ri
shsai
d,huggi
ng
herkneestoherchest
.
"
Youwer
ereadyt
oeatbef
oregoi
ngt
othehospi
tal
I
ri
sh"
"I
'
m notreadyanymore,
I'
mj ustgonnat
hrowupi
fi
eatanyt
hing.Letmebe!
"Ir
ishsaidandMrsHel
en
si
ghed.
"
Shestil
ldoesn'
twantt
oeat
?"Ar
ushaasked,
wal
kingoutofhisr
oom.
"
Yes"
"I
rish,
youcan' tmakedecisionsforyourselfal
one
anymor e,
youhavet oconsideryourbaby, i
t'
s
probablystarvi
ng.I'
m sureyouandEt hanwon' t
wantthebabyt odevelopunhealt
hil
y.Regar dl
essof
whateverpr oblem youandEt hanarehaving,i
t
doesn'tdeservetostarvePleaseIr
ish"Arushasaid
calmlyandI r
ishstaredint
ospace.

"
Mum,pl
easecanyoudishoutt
hemeal
,she'
s
goi
ngt
oeatit
"Arushasai
d.
"
Ofcour
se"Mr
sHel
ensai
dandqui
ckl
ywentt
o.

"
Youneedt ostopt
hinki
ngaboutMrEt han,hedidn'
t
l
etyouinbecausehe'syettoabsorbeveryt
hing,
it
's
t
oohardf orhi
m.Youknowwhatheoncewent
t
hrough,youcan'
tbl
amehi m,he'sgoi
ngtogetback
t
oyouwhenhe' scal
m.I fyoufeell
onelyhere?Ican
ski
pschoolf
orsomedaysandspendt
imewi
thyou"

"No,bl
ackass.Idon'tneedyourcompany"I
ri
sh
saidandArushalaughed.
"
Ismyassr
eal
lybl
ack?
"Heaskedwi
thapl
ayf
ul
f
rown.
"Ver
yblack"Ir
ishwidenedhereyesdr
amat
ical
ly
andtheylaughed.

"YouseeAr usha,
I'm notsowor ri
edabouthi m not
all
owingmei ntohiswar d,ofcour seiunderstand
him,I'
mj ustworri
edabouthi sheal thandiknow
Ethanhadpr obablydroppedmeof fbecausehe
knewhi shandscoul dn'
tcontrolthewheelf orlong
anymore, hehadn'twantedmet ogethur t
,hest i
ll
caredaboutmeevenwhenhewasbl i
ndedwi th
rage"I
rishsaid,
closetotears.

"Ij
ustwonderhowhe'
sfeel
ingnow,
iwantt
osee
him,iwantt
oknowhowmuchdamaget heacci
dent
hadcausedhim.Iwantt
oseehe'
sfi
ne,
iwantt
o..
."
Ir
ishpausedwit
hasigh.
"
Iunderst
andyouIr
ish.Ever
ythi
ngwi
llbef
inesoon"
Arushaassur
ed.

MrsHelenser
vedI
ri
shherl
unchandt
heywat
ched
hereat
..

_
__

Theywer
ewatchi
ngamoviehour
slat
erwhent
hey
hear
daknockonthedoor
.
"
Comei
n"Ar
ushasai
d,t
hinki
ngi
twasRyan.
ThedooropenedandCar
lwal
kedi
n.

I
ri
shburst
edi
ntot
ear
swhenshesawherl
uggage
wit
hhi
m.
_
___
_

"Daddy!
"Ar
insqueal
edhappi
lyj
umpi
ngi
ntoEt
han'
s
arms.
He'
sjustgett
ingdi
schar
gedaft
ert
hreedaysand
hehadinsi
stedhewantedtogohome.
Theonl
yper
sonhehadallowedi
ntohi
sward
dur
ingt
hepastt
hreedayswashi
sdaught
er.
Hewassopi
ssedatever
yoneel
se.
kindl
yhinovelsr
epubli
conWhat sApponpl ust
wo
threefourei
ghtzerofi
vefi
veeighteightni
neone
ri
ghtthreetogetaddedtothenovelsgroup
"
Son,
howar
eyou?
"Mr
sHar
lowsked.
"
I'
mfi
ne"Hesai
dweakl
y.
"
Areyousur
e?"
"Yes"Et
hanrepl
ied,Ari
nwasst i
lli
nhisar
msand
shewasmassagi ngtheplast
eronhisheadand
l
ookingathi
ml i
keacur i
ouscat.
Sheknewhehadacci
dentandshedogocheck
hi
minthehospit
aleverydayaf
terschoolbuthe
hadbandageonhisheadthenbutnowit'
splast
er.

"
Wher
e'st
hebandage.
"Sheaskedi
nconf
usi
on.
"
Itwasr
epl
acedwi
thpl
ast
er"Et
hansai
d.
"
Why?
"
"
It
'sofnouseanymor
e"
"
Areyoust
il
linpai
ns?
"Ar
inaskedsadl
y.
"
No"Heshookhi
shead.
"Youarelooki
ngsad,
youdon'tevensmileatme
anymore"Arincompl
ained,
buryingherheadint
he
crookofhisneck.
"
I'
m sor
rypr
incess,
I
'm sosor
ry"
Ethansai
d.
Hecoul
dn'
tbel
ievehehadal
lowedthemattergett
o
hi
mtotheext
entofnotsmil
ingathi
spri
ncess!
"
I'
m sor
ry"Heki
ssedhercheeksandshenodded.
Shegr
innedathi
m andhegr
innedbackather
.
"
Let
'sgot
omyr
oom,
ihavet
ogof
reshenup"He
sai
d.

Shepl
ayedwi
thhi
shai
rast
heypr
oceededt
ohi
s
room.
MrsHar
lowsi
ghed,knowi
ngt
hisi
snott
hebest
momentt
otal
ktoherson.
He'
sst
il
llooki
ngsad.

_
___

EthanmetAr
insobbi
ngonhi
sbedaf
terhewal
ked
outoft
hebat
hroom.
Hef
eltsor
eli
eved,
havi
ngf
reshenedup.

"
OhmyGod!What
'swr
ong?
"Her
ushedt
oher
.
"
Ir
ish.
..
i.
.imi
ssher.Whydi
dyoumakeherl
eave?I
wantt
oseeher,iwantt
otal
ktoher
"Shecr
ied.
"
Damn!
"Et
hancur
sed.
"
Justst
opcr
yingokay?
"Hesai
drubbi
ngherhai
r.
"Iwantt
otal
ktoher"Ari
ncr
iedandEthanknewshe
won'tst
opcr
yinganyti
mesoonifhedoesn'
tdo
somethi
ng.
"Doyouwantmet ocallherf
oryou,wi
llyouspeak
toherovert
hephone?"Ethanaskedandshe
noddedeagerl
y.

Hesi
ghedandr
eachedf
orhi
sphone.
I
twasbadl ycrackedduetot heaccident,
he'
sjust
sogladit'
ssti
llworki
ngfine,
therearesome
i
mpor t
antfil
esoni tt
hatheshoul dhavetransfer
red
tohisl
aptopandoncehedoest hat
,he'sgoingto
thr
ashit.Hegotanewoneal ready.
Hehadseenthecountl
essmessagesandcal
ls
f
rom I
ri
shandhewast ouched.
Heal
mostfel
tbadbuthedidn'
tal
lowi
tgettohi
m,
hewasst
il
lsopissedshehadwentof
fwit
hMor gan.
Hewasst
il
lbur
ningwi
thr
age.
Hecli
ckedonIri
sh'
scont
act,hishear
thasn'
traced
thi
sfastf
ordaysnowbutjustseei
ngher
name..
gosh.

Heplacedt
hephoneonhi
searandwai
tedf
orher
t
opickup.

"
Ethan"Shesai
dandhi
sangermel
tedi
nst
ant
ly.
Hecouldn'
tbel
ievehowhishear
tpoundedwi
thl
ove
forher
,hecoul
dn'tspeakf
oramoment,
heonl
y
swall
owedhard.
Damn!
Her
eal
lymi
ssher
.

"Ar
eyouf i
ne?Howar eyoufeel
ingnow?Areyou
okay?Doyouwantmet ocome?"Sheasked,
get
ting
onherfeetal
ready.

"
Idi
dn'
tcal
ltospeakt
oyou,
Ari
nwant
edt
ohear
fr
om you"Hesai
dandqui
ckl
yhandedhi
sphonet
o
Ari
n.
Hi
sheartr
acedf
astandhef
eltl
ikeset
ti
nghi
seyes
onher
.

Hecoul
dn'tbeli
evehear
inghervoi
cet
onedhi
m
downt
othisextent.
Shewasonlyscar
edofbei
ngamot
her
.Sheonl
y
expr
essedherf
eel
ings.
Shewasj ustafr
aidofbei
ngamot herandthat'
sit
.
Shewasn'tpreparedfori
t,Hewasn'
tprepared
ei
ther
.Ir
ishjustcarednottospoi
lhi
sreputati
on.
Hesuddenl
yfeelssosorryf
orthewayhehad
t
reat
edher,
her eal
lyneedstoapol
ogi
setoher
.It
's
f
inei
fshedoesn'twanttohaveababyyet
.Maybe
t
heycanmakeanot herbabylat
er.
Butthatshoul
dbecruelofherf
orthi
nki
ngabout
ki
ll
ingtheunbor
ninnocentbabywit
hnoexpr
ession
atall
.
Hewat
chedasAr
in'
sfacel
itupasshespoket
o
Ir
ish,Ari
nnevercri
edforanyofhernanny,
shenever
want edanyofhernannybackbutdamn!Ir
ish'
s
diff
erent
.

Shehasbeenlooki
ngsodullfort
hepastfewdays
nowandseeingherlooksohappynowfil
ledhi
s
hear
twit
hjoy.

"Ar
in,
I'
m goi
ngtogetIr
ishback"
Ethanai
dtoher
aft
ershedi
sconnect
edthecall
.
"ThanksDaddy"Shef
lewi
ntohi
sar
msandhe
smiled.

And.
.ohh,
her
eal
lyneedst
oapol
ogi
set
ohi
spar
ent
s
al
so.
Hehadal
lowedangert
aket
hebestpar
tofhi
m.

_
___
NextDay_
__
I
ri
shwal
kedoutoft
hephar
macyi
nherst
reet
.
Shehadwentt
ogetsomemedi cat
ionsf
orher
Mum,whowasdownwi t
hfever
.

Shecoul
dn'tbel
ieveshehadcr
iedi
nthephar
macy,
remember
ingEthan.
Shehadbeensoexcit
edseeinghi
scall
yest
erdaybutheonl
ydashedherhope.
Thoughshewasgladtohavespokent
oAr
inbut
shereal
lymi
ssesEthan.
She'
sst ar
ti
ngtogetpissedathimt hough.She's
carr
yingherbabyforChristsakeandshej ust
expressedher
sel
f!
Shesni
ff
edandwipedhert
ear
sasshest
eppedout
oft
hepharmacy.

"Getinthecar
,I'
l
ltakeyouhome"Sheheardt
he
voice,
shewouldrecogni
zeeveni
nherdream.
Shel
ookedupt
oseeEt
han,
hewasl
ooki
ngas
handsomeaseverevenwiththehugepl
asteronhi
s
foreheadbutshewassopissedathi
m!even
thoughittookal
lhermi
ghtnottohughi
m.
Herhear
twasr
eachi
ngoutt
ohi
m andherbody
t
oo.
Butno!
Shei
sn'
tgoi
ngt
ogi
vei
ntot
hat
.
Hehadputallt
heblameonherandevenshunned
heroutofhi
sli
fe,
hemadehercryandfeelbad.

Shehi
ssedandt
ri
edt
owal
kaway.
"Doyoureal
lywantt
owalkdownt hestr
eetwith
yourmakeupsmearedalloveryourf
ace?"He
askedwit
hagr i
nandshebadlywantedtokisshim.
"Yes,i
fthealternat
iveisgett
ingali
ftf
rom you!
"She
saidcurtl
y,t
ryingtowal kawayagainandbefor
e
shecouldguesshi sintenti
on,hest
oopedand
snatchedherof fherfeett
ocar r
yheracr
ossthe
str
eet.
"
Letgoofme"Sheyel
ledbuthei
gnor
edher
compl
etel
y.
Shestar
tedthumpi
nghi
m sohar
dwi
thher
cl
enchedfi
st.

"
You'r
eaviolentli
tt
let
hing,ar
en'
tyou?Fightal
lyou
wantbutdon'thur
tmybaby"Hesai d,
stuff
ingheri
n
t
hebackseatofawai t
ingli
mo.

"
Gooutf
oramoment
"Et
hansai
dtohi
sdr
iver
.

Ir
ish'
sstomachchur
nedi
nexci
tementandabi
g
smilel
itupherf
ace.
Sheknewhewasgoi
ngt
ocomear
ound.
Sheknewhewasnevergoi
ngt
oabandonher
.
Sheknewhewasgoi
ngt
ocomebackf
orher
.
Et
hanl
oveshert
hant
oabandonher
.

"
Ir
ish,
I
'm sor
ry.Forever
ythi
ng"Hesai
d,hol
dingher
hands.
"Inowunderstandhowyoufeel
.Youwereonl
y
scaredofbeingayoungMother,I
'mr
eal
lysorr
yfor
notunderst
andinghowyoufeel.
"

Shelookedl
ikeababyher
sel
fasshest
aredi
ntohi
s
eyes.
"
Comeher
e"Shesai
d,huggi
nghi
mti
ght
ly.
Nodoubtherbr
okenheartmendedal
ready,
it'
s
st
art
ingt
opoundperfect
ly.
"Iknewyouweregoi
ngtocomebackforme"She
sobbedonhisshoul
der
sandherubbedherback
gently.
Hekissedherhair"Icanneverabandonyou,
iwas
sobrokenthenthatididn'
tevenknewwhatiwas
doi
ng"

"Iunderst
andyouEthan,Ididn'
tevenknowwhat
comeoverme.Can' tbel
ieveIsaidallt
hosestuff
s,I
thi
nkI'm al
readyababymot her
"Iri
shsaidstari
ngat
herbel
ly.
"Noyou'
renot,
andI r
ish,
Ihadn'
tmeantt
odr
opyou
offi
ntherai
n..
."Et
hanwassaying.
"Youdidthatcauseyoudidn'
twantmet ogethurt
withyou,youknewyourhandscouldn'tcont
rolt
he
wheelforlonganymore"I
rishcomplet
edhis
stat
ementandhest aredatherinawe.

"H.
.howcouldyouunderst
andmet hi
smuch?
You'veonl
yspentmonthswit
hmeandyou' ve
knownsomuchaboutme. "Ethanwastouched
deeply.
I fhedoesn'
tendupwi
thI
ri
sh,
he'
sjustgoi
ngt
o
ki
llhimsel
f.
"Ofcourseiknowyou'
renott
hathear
tl
ess.
"Ir
ish
smiled.
She'
ssohappyhe'
sri
ghther
ewi
thher
.
Shehadthoughthewasn'
tgoi
ngtocomeback
anymorebutherehei
smakingherhear
tbeatf
ast
er
thannor
mal.
"Iknowhowqui
ckl
yyougetemot
ional
,youmust
havecri
edal
ot"Et
hansai
dandshenoddedwit
ha
pout.
"
I'
m sor
ry"Hesai
dcuppi
nghercheeksi
nhi
spal
ms.
"Iknowyouar
e.Iwastheonet
hatmadeyouso
angry?Youal
mostbr
okethewheel
"Ir
ishsai
d.
"
Iwasjustpi
ssed.I
'
veneverbeenbrokenli
ket
hat
bef
ore,
Youalmostkil
ledmysoul"Et
hansaid.
"
Oh.I
'm sor
ry,
I'
m keepi
ngthebaby,
youokaynow?
"
I
ri
shsai
dandEt hannodded.

"Whatwer
eyoudoi
ngwi
thMor
gan?
"Et
han
suddenl
yasked.
"Huh?Hecamet omei nthehospit
altotel
lmehe
l
ovesmeandwantme, thatyouaren'
tgonnat r
eat
mer i
ght.Heevencongrat
ulateonbeingpregnant
buthesaidhe'sr
eadytoraisethebabywithmei fI
canjustsayyestohi
m"
"
ThatDevi
l!
"Et
hansai
dinanger
.
"
Isokay"I
ri
shsmi
led.
"
Butyouent
eredhi
scar
,wher
edi
dhet
akeyou?
"
"No,Idi
dn'
t!Iwal
kedaway"I
ri
shsai
dandEt
han
nodded.
"
It
'sf
unnyhowMor
ganfindoutI
'
m pr
egnanteven"
I
ri
shsai
dandEt
hanrai
sedabrow.
"
Mor
ganhavehi
swayoff
indi
ngoutt
hings"
"
No,mypregnancyhaven'
tevenbeenannounced,i
t
wasj
ustyouandmypar ent
s.Maybeyourparents
t
oo"I
ri
shsaid.

"
Sowhatar
eyout
ryi
ngt
osay?
"Et
hanasked.
"Don'
tyouthi
nk.
..
..I
t'
saspy?Imeani
twas
someonethattol
dhim so"
"
Aspy?
"Et
hanasked.
"Butitwasjustusi
ntheroom whent
hedoct
or
di
sclosedit
"Ethanadded.
"
Thensomeonewhowasaroundusatt
hatmoment
i
nfor
medhim,t
her
e'snowayhecoul
dhaveknown"
I
ri
shsai
d.

"Wait
..
inevert
houghtoft
hat
,youmi
ghtber
ight
!"
Ethansai
d.
"
Aspy..
.Whower ethosearoundusthemoment
DocLucannouncedittous?"I
ri
shasked.
"Noone,exceptmybodyguar
dswhost oodbythe
doorandwer eonl
ydoi
ngtheirdut
y,ievendoubt
theyover
hearduscauseDocLucwasn' tsol
oud"
Ethansai
d.
"
Whoar
ethebodyguar
ds?
"Ir
ishasked.
"Hey!Stopbei
ngadet
ect
ive"
Ethant
easedandt
hey
smiled.
"
JavadandRobbi
ns"Et
hansai
d..
"Javad?
?"Ir
ishasked,
hermi
ndgi
vinghert
he
answeralr
eady.
Coul
dJavadbeaspy?
Orwasshet
hinki
ngt
hiswaybecauseshedoesn'
t
l
ikehi
m.

_
___
__
[
05/09,07:
33]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
58
"Li
stenI r
ish,
iknowyoudonotl i
keJavadbut
there'
snowayhewoul dbet
rayme,it
rusthi
m so
muchl ikeitr
usteveryofmybodyguards,ever
yone
ofthem hasbeenl oyaltomeforyear
snow"Et han
said.

"Younevercant el
l,
Ethan!Youdon'tknowwhat '
s
goingoninsidethem,youdonotknowwhatt heyar
e
doingbehindyou,don'tbesosurenoneoft hem
canbetrayyou,weliveinafunnyworld"I
ri
shsaid
andEthanstaredathert hought
ful
ly.

Hetrul
yshouldn'
ttr
ustpeopl
esodeeplybuthecan
vouchforhi
sbodyguardsespeci
all
yJavad.
.

"Butisti
llt
hinkyourdi
sli
keforJavadi
scl
oudi
ng
yourjudgement"Ethansaid.
"No..
well
,notr
eal
ly.Whydi
dyousayt
hat
?"She
asked.
"
Javadwasn'
ttheonl
yoneatt
hedoor
.Robbi
nswas
t
oo"
"Okaywel
l.
.t
heyarebothsuspectsbutidon'
tknow
whyJavadcamet omymi ndfi
rstandtrustme
Ethan,
myintui
ti
onsarealwaysri
ght"Ir
ishsai
d.

"Whati
fit
'sneitherJavadnorRobbi ns.Whati
fit'
sa
nur
sethatagreedt oalwayskeept abonusafter
Morganprobablypromi sedt
ogi veherawholelot
ofmoney.Mor ganknowsidon' tuseanyhospital
asi
desLuc's"Ethansaid.

"Morganwon'tt
ipanursejustsohewi llknow
what'
swr ongwithme!It'
sdefinitelysomeonebutI
don'
tthinkit
'sanur
se.Hedi dn'tevenknowI 'm si
ck
nottotalkofgoi
ngtothehospi tal.It
'sdefini
tel
y
someonenearyouEt han"Ir
ishsai d.

"
Youmightber
ight
!.I
tcouldbethatt
oo,
whatar
e
wegoi
ngtodo?"Et
hansighed.
"Ican'
tsaycausewe'r
enotevensur
eaboutt
he
suspectyet
"Ethanadded
"
We'r
egoingt
ocheckt
hehospi
tal
'
sCCTVf
oot
age!
"
I
ri
shsai
d
"Hmm..
.goodthought
"Et
hansmi
led,
hersmar
tness
amazeshim att
imes.
Hehadn'
tevent
houghtoft
hat
.

"Andafterchecki
ngt hefoot
age,we'dknowatl east
someonewhoseemssuspi ci
ous,we'l
ltel
lthe
detect
ivesaboutitandinvest
igat
ionwouldbegi n"
Ir
ishsaid.
"
Goodbuti
sthatr
eal
lynecessar
y?"Et
hanasked.
"Yes!Ethan,aspycanbedanger ous,theymostly
destroythingsbehindcloseddoorsandwhat ever
theyarebentondest r
oyingwouldhavegoneoutof
repai
rbef orethevict
imfindsout.Idon'
twant
anyonehur tingyou,pl
ease"Ir
ishsaidandEthan
nodded.
"
I'
m goi
ngt
omeetwi
tht
hesecur
it
ydepar
tmentof
Luc'
shospi
tal
"Et
hansai
d.

"Howcomeyou' r
elooki
ngmor epr
ett
y,i
sitmybaby?
"Ethanaskedandshelaughed.
Forthef
ir
stt
ime,
shewashappyt
obecar
ryi
nga
baby.
"Idi
dn'texpectyout olookthi
shandsomet oo.I
thoughttheaccidentwoul dhavel
eftsomeugly
scrat
chesonyourf ace"Ir
ishscof
fedplayf
ull
y.
"Ipr
otect
edmyf ace,iwouldn'
twantmybabyt o
growupt oanugl yfather
"Ethansai
dandifthere
wasanythingIri
shwi shedformost,i
t'
stospendher
l
ifewithEthan
Seeinghowhappyhel
ooksnowbr
oughtt
ear
sto
hereyes.

"
Com'on,youhavet ostopcryingeverynowand
t
hen,you'r
ehurti
ngthebaby" Ethandabbedher
t
earswithhishandkerchi
efandt henkissedher
l
ight
lyontheli
ps.
Shebeamedbr
ight
ly.

"
Damn!You'renottryi
ngt
omakemybreat
hseize
wit
hyourbeauty,
areyou?
"Et
hangr
oanedandshe
l
aughed.
Shef
eltsoatpeacenow.

Et
hanl
eanedfor
wardtoki
ssheragai
nandt
hist
ime
i
twasalongsi
zzl
ingki
ss.
Theybot
hstoppedt
ocatcht
heirbr
eat
handthey
l
aughedseei
nghowflushedt
heybothl
ook.

"Geez!Mymum'
smedi
cat
ions.Ihavet
ogo"I
ri
sh
said.
"Wai
t.
..
youdi
dn'tevenaskedhowiknewyouwer
e
att
hepharmacy."
Ethansaid.
"Ineedt
ogetthi
smedi
cat
iont
omymum f
ir
st"I
ri
sh
saidworr
iedl
y.
"
DocLuci
sinyourhousenow,
taki
ngcar
eofyour
mum"Et
hansai
d.
"
What
?How?
"Ir
ishasked.
"IwenttoyourhouseandMr sHelenansweredt
he
door,inoti
cedshewasdownwi thfeverandshe
confi
rmedi tevent
hough,
ical
ledDocLuci mmediy"
Ethansaid.
"If
orwardedyourhomeaddresst
ohim andi
madesurehearri
vedbef
orecomingtof
indyou"
"
Ohh"Ir
ishsai
d,r
eli
evedherMum i
sget
ti
ng
t
reat
ment.
"
ThankyouEt
han"Shesmi
led.
"So,howdi
dyouknowiwasatt
hephar
macy?
"Ir
ish
asked.
"
Yourmum t
oldme,
event
houghsheseemedangr
y
wit
hme"Et
hansmil
ed.

"
Yeahshei
s"I
ri
shsi
ghed.
"IbetAr
ushamustbeangr
ywi
thmet oo.He
probabl
ydidn'
tcomet
omebecauseiwasatthe
hospi
tal
"Et
hanl
aughed.
"Arushawasnotsoangryandthatwasbecausehe
l
ikesyousomuch, heunderst
andsyouandhehad
evenadvisedmetobepatient
,t
hatyou'
regoi
ngto
comear oundsoon"I
ri
shsaid.
"
Real
ly?Wow!"Et
hansmi
led.
"
Youwonhi
shear
tal
ready"I
ri
shchuckl
ed.
"
Obvi
ousl
y"Et
hansai
d.

"I
rish,
I'
m sorr
ytohavenotl
etyoui
ntomyward
whenyoucamet ocheckonme.Iwassti
llpi
ssed"
Ethansaid.
"
It
'sf
ine,Iknewyouwer
en'
treadyt
oseemet
hen"
I
ri
shsaid.
"Iwassti
llbur
ningwithragethenbutit
oldJavadto
comegetyoubackbutyoual r
eadywentoutwith
Morgan"Ethanhissedjeal
ously.
"
Wentof
fwi
thMor
gan?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
Yeah,
Javadr
etur
nedt
omeandsai
dyouwentof
f
wi
thMor
gan"Et
hansai
d.
"ImetMorganoutsidethehospi
talt
rulybutidi
dn'
t
wentoffwithme,didyouactual
lybel
ievedient
ered
hiscar
?"Ir
ishasked.

"
Youmean,
youdi
dn'
t?
"Et
hanasked.
"Ididn't
!ThoughtI'
vesai
di tbef
ore!Heonlysaid
somet hrashaboutwant
ingmeasherl overandi
didn'tevengaveenoughchancet ohaveal ong
convowi thmebeforewalki
ngaway" .
"Uhhhh"Et
hansai
dslowl
y, wonder
ingwhyJavad
hadtoldhi
m adi
ff
erentt
hing.
"
Iseri
ousl
ydon'tknowwhatsortofgameJavadi s
t
ryi
ngtoplay,
I'
m star
ti
ngt
ot hi
nkhe'sthesuspect
"
I
ri
shsaid.
"Com'on,
iguesshewasmi st
aken.Youknowhow
muchMor ganwomanizes,
hemi ghthavemade
anotherl
adygeti
ntohi
scarafteryouleftandJavad
hadthoughti
twasyou"Ethansaid.
"
Oh.
..r
eal
ly?
"Ir
ishsai
dthought
ful
ly.
"
Yeah.I
'm sor
eli
evedyouhadn'
tgot
teni
ntohi
scar
wit
hhimthough"Hesaid.

Shesmiledeventhoughshehadn'
tagr
eedt
othe
excuseEthangave.
Javadhadl
ied!
Butwhy?
?

"
Mypar entsar
eawar
e"Et
hansai
dandI
ri
sh'
seyes
widened.
"
Ofever
ythi
ng"Headded.
"
Huh?
"Ir
ishasked,
pani
cky.
"Yeahandtheyt
ooki
tbet
tert
hanithought
,theyar
e
sti
llokaywi
thmeget
ti
ngmarri
edtoyou"Ethansai
d.
"What!Ar
eyoubei
ngser
ious?
"Ir
ishaskedand
Ethannoddedwi
thasmi
le.
"
Iwassur
pri
sedal
so"Hesai
d.
"
Wit
hyourMum t
oo?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
Yes!
"Et
hansai
d.
"
Oh.
.my.
.God!
"Ir
ishscr
eamed,
shewasst
unned!

TheHar
low'
sstil
laccept
edherevenwi
thher
hur
ti
ngthei
rson!
Shewasbeyondhappy.

Ethanlaughed"Com'on,
eveniftheyhadn'
taccepted
you,i
twouldn'
thavestoppedmef r
om t
aki
ngt hi
ngs
furt
herwithyou.Theywon'thaveanyotherchoice
thantorespectmydecisi
on"
"Butt
hei
rapprovalr
eal
lymeansalotandI'
m gl
ad
wegotital
ready"I
ri
shbeamed,f
il
ledwit
h
happi
ness.
"Yeahri
ght
..
.sowi
llyoucomebackt
othehouse
please?
"Et
hanasked.
"IwouldlovetobutithinktheMorgani sgoingto
startt
ell
ingtohurtyouoryourfamily.Idon'tknow
whyhecameupwi ththeloveaf
fectionjustnow,
he'scookingupsomet hingandstayinginyour
housemi
ghtaf
fectusal
l"I
ri
shsai
d

"I
rishstop,
,i
t'l
lbesafetoret
urntomyhouse, he
won'twanttohur tyoucauseIguesshelovesyou,
Youknowhi m somuch, Mor ganlovest
otaunt
people.Ibel
ieveyou'r
eneverleavingmeforhim"
Ethansaid.

"
Never
"I
ri
shsai
d.

_
___
IvyRoyal
s__
_

"Iser
iousl
ydon'
tknowwhat'sgoingonalso"
Jessi
casaidtoArushadur
inglunchbreak.

They'
vebothbeenunhappyoverwhat'
sgoingon
betweenEthanandIri
sh,
Oli
viawasunhappytoo
causenei
therJessi
canorArushal
ookshappy.
"Shedoesn'
teatunt
ilwehavetofor
ceher
,shecr
ies
allt
heti
me"Arushasaidworr
iedl
y.
Ol
ivi
asighed."
Doyouwantmetoplaceacall
t
hroughherandmakeherhappyf
oratleasta
moment?"
"
NoOl
i,
thankyou"Ar
ushasai
d.
"Hewasdi
schargedyester
dayandI'm notsur
ehe
cameoutofhi
sr oom"Jessi
casighed.

"
Bel
ievemeguys,
thi
sisnor
mal
."Ol
ivi
asai
d.
SheandJessi
cawaswellawar
eoft
hewhol est
ory,
Arushahadt
oldt
hem,t
heywereal
lunhappy.
"Idon'twanttogetangryatMrEt hanformaking
mysistergot hr
oughallthi
s,butonethi
ngihateso
muchi sseeinghercry,
itbreaksmyhear t
"Arusha
sai
dpushi nghislunchaway.
Oli
viar
ubbedhisback."Ever
ythi
ngwil
lbefi
ne.They
bothneedsometi
meal one"Sheassur
ed.
"
Thankyou"Arushasai
d.Hewassogl
adt
ohave
Ol
ivi
ainhi
slif
e.
Shewasalwaysreadytocomfor
thi
m and
Jessi
ca,
sheshar
edt hei
rsadmomentswi
tht
hem
l
ikeagoodfr
iendshould.

Hisfeel
ingsforherdidn'tf
alt
erforonce,itkeeps
i
ncreasi
ngt ohissurpriseandhehadpl annedt o
askheroutbeforeallthishappened.

"
Okay..
.t
hebothofyouhavetoeat,
youwon'twant
t
olookli
kebroomsti
cksoncetheyfi
nal
lyr
econci
le"
Ol
ivi
asaidandtheyl
aughed.

_
____
_

Et
hansati
nhi
sof
fi
ce,
wor
king.
Hehasnothadar
estoreat
ensi
ncemor
ning.
Hehastocatchuponal
lthewor
kst
hathasbeen
l
eftbehi
ndfordays.
Hi
smanagercandot
hatbutEt
hanl
ovesdoi
ng
thi
ngshimself,
hel
ovesdoi
ngt
hingst
ohi
sown
sati
sfact
ion.

Andthegreatt
imehehadspentwit
hIr
ish
yest
erday,
madehim wor
khappi
ly.

Thei
nter
com buzzedandhepi
ckedi
tup.

"
Hey"Hesai
d.
"MrEthan,
Mor ganHar
lowi
sher
etoseeyou"Hi
s
secr
etar
ysaid.
"
Ohh.
..r
eal
ly?
"Et
hanasked,
notsur
pri
sedabi
t.
"Butit
oldhi
mt her
e'snowayhecan, her
efusedto
l
eavebutthesecuri
ti
esareont hei
rwaytoleadhi
m
out.Ij
ustwant
edtoi nf
orm you.
"
Lethi
min"Et
hansai
d.
"
Sir
??
"
Lethi
min"Et
hanr
epeat
ed.
"
Ohh.
..
okaysi
r"

Thecal
ldi
sconnect
edandthesecr
etar
yt ur
nedt
o
faceMor
ganandhismult
ipl
ebodyguards.

"
Uhh.
.Hesai
dyoucancomein"Shesai
dand
Mor
gangaveheraonesi
dedsmil
ed.
"It
oldyouhewon'
tdar
eref
uset
oletmei
n."Mor
gan
gri
nned.
"
You'
l
lbel
edt
ohi
sof
fi
ce"Shesai
d.
"
Iknowmyway"Mor gansai
dandt henwal
kedt
o
t
heelevat
orwi
thhi
sbodyguards.
HehadgrownupwithEthanf oryear
sandeven
t
houghhat
estoadmiti
t,Ethanhadahandin
maki
nghimthi
ssuccessfultoday.

"
Haveyougot
tent
hatstuf
fready?
"Morgan
whi
sper
edtooneofhi
sbodyguards.
"
Yesboss"Thebodyguar
dbowedandMor
gan
l
aughedashegoti
ntot
heel
evat
or.

_
___

"
I'
m sor
rybutyoucan'
tgoi
nwi t
hyourbodyguar
ds!
"
Robbi
nssai
dsternl
ytoMorgan.
"
Sayswho?
"Mor
ganasked.
"
It
'snotal
lowed,noonegoesi
ntomyboss'
sof
fi
ce
wit
hbodyguards"Robbi
nssai
d.
"
Moveoutoft
heway"Mor
gansai
dmenaci
ngl
y.
"MorganHar l
ow,youreall
yneedtogi veyoursel
f
somer espect
.I'
m sureyourbodyguar dsdofoll
ow
everyt
hi ngyoutellt
hem,youdon'texpectmet o
disobeymybosst oo.Javadwhyar en'tyousaying
anything?!"Robbi
nsasked, qui
tesurprisedby
Javad'ssuddenbehavi or
.

Theywer
ebot
hassi
gnedt
ost
aybyMrEt
han'
sdoor
.
"
Yourbosswouldn'
tdar
etel
lmenottocomeinwi
th
mybodyguar
ds.Moveoutoftheway"Mor
gansai
d.
"Idaret
ellyouMorganHar l
ow, nottocomeintomy
offi
cewithanybodyguard.Ifyoui nsi
st,
thenyou
cantakeyourleave"Et
hansai d,appeari
ngatthe
door.
"Ohh.
..
icanseeyougaveyourbodyguar
dthe
oppor
tunit
ytost
andbefor
emeandsayt hr
ash"
Morgansaid.
"
Yougaveyourbodyguar
dst
hef
reedom t
ogl
areat
metoo"Et
hanasked.
"Whydotheylooksomalnouri
shed?IbetRobbi
ns
canbeatupthetenoft
hem injustf
ewmi nut
es"
Ethanl
aughed.

Morganlookedannoyed"
Areyoumocki
ngmy
bodyguar
ds?"
"Ofcoursenotbutyoushouldn'
teatal
lthemeals
alone,
maket hem f
eedwellandwor kout,
youknow
theyaretheonesmeanttopr ot
ectyouwhenever
you'
reindanger
,t
heylooksostarvedtheycould
passforgat
ekeeper
sandevenmygat ekeeperi
s
notasmalnouri
shedast heyar
e."Et
hansaid,
weari
ngamocker ysmile.

Morgansawhi
sbodyguar
dsstar
eatt
hei
rfeetand
hewassoangr
ytheyhadall
owedEt
hanwordsget
tot
hem.
Hegri
ttedhi
steet
handgl ar
edhar
datEthanwho
doesn'
tevenseem af
fect
edbyanyt
hing.

"Andwhydoyouhavet ogooutwi thten

bodyguards?Areyourbaddeedst hatmucht hat
youneedt enbodyguardstofol
lowyouwher ever
yougo.Youdon' tf
eelsafecauseyou'vehurtso
manypeopl eandyou'r
eaf r
aidofbeinghurttoo.I
gooutwi t
hjusttwobodyguardsornoneatal l,don'
t
youfeelchokedwithallt
hesepeoplearoundyou? "
Ethanasked.
"
Keepshut
!Fool
"Mor
ganbar
kedangr
il
y.
"
Okaykidbrot
her
"Et
hanl
aughedandRobbi
ns
l
aughedtoo.
Morganhadi
nit
ial
lythoughthe'
dbetheoneto
makemocker
yofEt hanbuttabl
esar
eturned
al
ready.

"Damn!Lookatthatoneattheback.I
she
eight
een?"Et
hanaskedpointi
ngtoabodyguar
d
wholookedsothinandfrai
l.

"Matchai
sseventeenboss"Robbinsreminded
Ethanandtheybothburst
edoutlaughing.
"Ri
ght!Mat
chaisseventeenandhe' sevenmore
buil
tthant
hisguy.Helooksmat ured,
ithi
nkheonly
needssomediet.
"Ethansaidfeeli
ngsosor r
yfor
him.
"Beforetheyl
eave,
makeAnnawr i
teachequeof
$200,000andgivei
ttohi
m secr
etl
y"Et
han
whisperedtoRobbi
nswhonodded.
"I
'
m sosorryguards,
ididn'
tmeant omockyouall
"
Ethanapol
ogizedandtheyallst
aredi
nsurpr
ise.
"I
fyou'
resti
llinsi
sti
ngoncominginwi
thyour
bodyguar
ds,thenyoumayleave"Et
hansai
d,maki
ng
tocl
osethedoor .
"
Fine,
I'
llcomei
nal
one"Mor
gansai
dthr
oughgr
it
ted
t
eeth.
Hewassomadhi
spl
anj
ustgotr
uined.

Et
hanwasseatedcomf
ort
abl
eonhi
sseatwhen
Morganwal
kedin.
"
Sit
"Heof
fer
ed.
"
Idon'
tneedt
o"Mor
gansai
d.
"Youcanstandthen.Whyareyouhere?"Et
han
asked,
hewouldn'tal
lowMorganthr
eatenhim and
pushhim ar
oundl i
keabushbabyanymore.

"
Ir
ish"Mor
gansai
dandEt
hanbur
stedi
ntoal
oud
l
aught
er.
"
IfIcant
hinkwe, mynameisnotI
ri
sh,andIr
ishisa
l
ady.DoIlookli
kealady?Et
hanasked,t
ouchinghi
s
f
acedramatical
ly.
"
I'
m notheret
ojokeEt
han!
"Mor
ganyel
led,
bangi
ng
t
hetable.
Hesentsomefi
lesf
lyi
ngintheairandt
hatal
most
pi
ssedEthanof
fbutheremainedcalm.

Hepickedhi
sphoneandpl
acedacal
lacr
oss
Robbins.
"
SendoneofMor
gan'
sbodyguar
dsi
nnow.
"
OkayMrEt
han.

Thedooropenedandabodyguar
dwal
kedi
n.

"Cl
eanyourboss'smess"Et
hansai
dtohim point
ing
tothefil
esonthefl
oorandt
hebodyguar
ddi dn'
t
hesit
ate,hepi
ckedthef
il
esandarr
angeditneatl
y
onEt
han'
stabl
e.
Hesomuchwi
shedhewaswor
kingf
orEt
han.
"Thankyou,
youcanl
eave"Et
hansmi
ledandt
he
bodyguardl
eft
.
Morgan'
seyesdi
mmedwi
thanger"Whatdi
dyou
j
ustdo?"
"
Youwerenotbl
ind,
yousawi
tal
landdi
dn'
tst
op
me"Et
hansai
d.

"Youdonothavet
heri
ghtt
oor
dermybodyguar
d
around"Mor
gansai
d.
"
Ididnot,
ionl
yaskedhi
mtocleanyourmess.I
sn'
t
i
tpartoft
hei
rdut
y?"Et
hanasked.
"Whatever!IwantI r
ish.I
'
vebeeni nt
erest
edinher
fr
om dayone, andI'
vecomet oletyouknowt hatI
l
oveherandr eadytohaveherasmywi f
e,not
mindi
ngt hat.
.t hi
ng,orbabyshe'scarryi
ng"Morgan
gri
nned.
"Okay,
haveyoutoldher
?"Ethanasked,
looki
ngso
unmovedthati
tpissedMorganoff.
Hehadwantedt
oseeEt hanlookthreatenedand
scar
edbutt
hefooli
slookingotherwise.

"Whatexact
lydoyouwant
?Areyouheretotal
k
aboutyoursocal
ledl
ovef
orIr
ishorsomet
hingel
se?
Ihavesomanywor kt
odo."Et
hansaid.
"
Likeioncesai
d,I
'
m donewi
thCat
her
ineandnow
I
'
m movi ngt
oIri
sh"
"Youmustbeadunder headtothinkyoucanwin
Iri
shovert hateasi
ly.Doyouknowheratal l
?Evenif
youof ferherthewholeweal t
hintheworld,
shei
s
goingt oremainonherst and.Ishoul
dgiveyoua
hint,youcan'twinIri
shoverwi t
hwealth,
ormateri
al
things"Ethansmi l
ed.

"Whatgamear eyout
ryi
ngt
opl
ayEt
han?
"Mor
gan
askedsuspi
ciousl
y.
"Game?Idonotneedtopl
ayanygame, Ir
ish'
smi ne
alr
eadybutyouar
efreet
o'shootyourshot't
hough"
Ethanl
aughed.
"Thi
swasexactl
yhowyoucl ai
medCat
herinewas
yourst
henbefor
eitookherawayfr
om you"Morgan
l
aughed.
"Iknowrightbutcan'
tyouseeIr
ish'
sdif
fer
entfrom
Catheri
ne,areyouthatf
ool
ish?Howmanyt imes
haveyouappr oachedherf
orsexualaf
fai
r?Ethan
groaned.
"You'
rethefool
ishonehereEthan.What
everyou
saywon'tmakemest opf
ighti
ngformrI
rishand
youknowhowbl oodymyfightscanbe,i
t'
llbe
bett
erforyoutostepdownnow"Mor gansaid.

"Oh.
.my..God!I
'
m scar
ed"Ethanshi
vered
dramat
icall
ybefor
eburst
ingintol
aughter
.
"Youshouldreal
lydesistfrom t
hreat
eningpeopl
e
Morgan,you'vebeendoi ngthi
sforyear
snoweven
whenwewer eli
tt
le,
ithoughtyou'dbemor ematur
ed
bynow.I'm sodisappointed"
Ethanshookhishead.
"St
epdownnowEt han!Oryou'
l
lfacethe
consequences,
youknowhowdanger ousiam"
Morgansaid.
"You'
redanger
ousri
ght
?Then,youshouldn'
tbeso
scar
edofaweakli
ngli
keme..
.gosh"Ethansaid.
"Scared?
"Morganlaughed."
I'
m notscared,ij
ust
don'twantt
ohurtyouorpeopleclosetoyou.
Especial
lyt
hatmiserabl
eparent
sofyour s.
"

"Icouldn'
tfi
ghtforCat her
ine,
butnowiwanttoknow
howi tfeel
storeall
yf i
ghtforwhatyouwant.I
'l
lbe
fighti
ngforIr
ishandishoul dwarnyoutoget
ready,I
'l
lnotbesoni ce.Andjustsoyouknow,she'
s
carryi
ngmybaby" Ethansai dandfort
hefir
stti
me
everMor ganfel
tthreatened.
"
Okay,
thebatt
lel
inei
sdr
awn"Mor
gansai
dwi
thal
l
t
hecouragehecoul
dmuster
.
"You'
resogoodi
ndoi
ngt
hingsl
iket
hisr
ight
?"
Ethanasked.
"
Ofcourse,
areyouget
ti
ngscar
edal
ready?
"Mor
gan
l
aughed.
"Scared?Hel
lnobutdon'
tbesorel
axedthinki
ng
you'r
egoingtowinthi
sti
mecauseI'
m goingto
makeyoutastemyvenom"Et hansai
d,hi
seyes
dar
kenedt
ot hedeepestshadeofJade.
Mor
gancover
edhi
sfearwi
thascar
ylaught
er.
"
Reall
y?Thenthebestshoul
dthr
owt
hebestpi
tch"
Morgansai
d.
"Andstart
ingnow,I
'm gonnabepi
tchi
ngknivesand
spares"
Ethansmil
edslowlyandMorganti
ghtened
hisf
ist.

Damn!
Et
hanmadehi
m scar
edf
ort
hef
ir
stt
imei
nhi
sli
fe.

"
Ifyouhavenothingmoretosay,
youmayleave.I
wasworkingbeforeyoucameinher
e"Et
hansaid.
"Andifyoudarehurtanyonecloset ome,I'
llwipe
offyourent
iregenerat
ionandmakeyoul osethe
hutsyoucallcompanies,youknowwi thjustawor d
from metothepress,you'r
eruined.Thebattl
eis
betweenus,donotletitexceedtoourclose
ones"Et
hansaid.
Morgangavehi m onel
astl
ookbef
orewalki
ngout
ofhisoffi
ce,
Javadwassurpri
sedt
oseeMor gan
l
ookt hatwayashewalkedawaywithhi
s
bodyguards.
Whatcoul
dEt
hanhavesai
dtohi
m.

Robbi
nswal
kedi
ntoEt
han'
sof
fi
ceaf
terhe
summonedhi
m.

"Di
dyougi
vet
hebodyguar
dthecheque?
"Et
han
asked.
"
YesMrEt
han,
hewassogr
atef
ul"Robbi
nssai
d.
"
He'
stheworstl
ooki
ngoft
hem al
landiknowhe
r
eal
lyneedst
hemoney"Et
hansai
d.
"
Ihopethi
ngswentf
inebet
weenyouandMor
gan?
"
Robbi
nsasked.
"Ver
yfine!I
'
m soproudofmysel
f,
I'
veneverf
eltt
his
good"Ethansmil
ed.
"
I'
m gl
ad"Robbi
nssmi
ledt
oo.
"
I'
m st
arvi
ngal
ready"Et
hansai
d.
"I
'
m goingt
oorderl
unchr
ightawaysi
r"Robbi
ns
saidandEt
hannoddedwi
thasmi l
e.

Hewi shedhehadnevermadehi spar

ent
spi
ckup
Morganf r
om t
hefi
rstplace,
whoknowswherehe
coul
d'vebeennow.Intheguitar
?

_
__

"
OMG!"I
ri
shlaughedsohar
datt
hemovi
eshewas
wat
chi
ngwit
hherstepmum.
MrHel
enst
aredatherandsmi
led.
I
ri
shhasbeensohappysi
nceEt
hancamear
ound.
Shesmiledandlaughedateveryt
hing,
sheevenat
e
toherf
ull,
clai
mingshedoesn'twantherbabyt
o
star
ve.
Ar
ushawassohappyt
oo.

Et
han'
'
spr
esencer
eal
lyl
itupI
ri
sh.
Sheevenl ooksmor ebeaut
if
ulnow,shehadworna
bri
ghtcoloureddresstodayandpackedherhai
rin
herfavor
itestyl
e.
Howshequickl
ychangedaf
terseei
ngEthandidn'
t
sur
pri
seMrsHelen,
shewasonceinlovetoo.

Heronlypr
ayernowwasforEt
hant
ost
andbyher
whichsheknowhe'
scapabl
eof.
Andshe'
sgoi
ngt
ost
artkni
tt
ingl
it
tl
ewear
sfort
he
baby.

I
ri
shsniff
edt
hebunchofflowersEt
hanhassent
t
oherthismorni
ng,shesmi
ledandcont
inued
watchi
ngthemovie.

Mr
sHel
enchuckl
edsof
tl
yknowi
ngshecan'
teven
counttheamountoft
imeI
ri
shhadsni
ff
edt
he
fl
owers.
Herdaught
eri
ssoi
nlove.
.

"Shoul
dimakesomepi
zzar
oll
sforyou?
"Mr
sHel
en
asked.
"
No,youreall
yneedtorestsot
hemedicat
ionscan
wor
kandij ustf
ini
shedabagofpot
atochipsnot
l
ongago"Ir
ishsaid.
"
Oh.
.okay"Mr
sHel
ensmi
led.
"
Doyouwantsomet
hing?
"Ir
ishasked.
"No,I
'm okay"MrsHel
ensai
dandIr
ishnodded
befor
eturningbackt
othemovi
e.
"Ishoul
dswi t
chtoanotherchannelal
ready,t
his
movieisgoingtocrackmyr i
bs"Ir
ishlaughedhard
andquickl
ygr abbedther
emot econtr
ol.

_
___
IvyRoyal
s__
_
"I
'
m sohappy"Ol
ivi
agr
innedafterArushaand
Jessi
cat
oldhert
hecouplereconci
ledalr
eady.
"Ist
illcan'
tbeli
evehowI r
ishchangedafterMr
Ethancamear ound,
itwassosurpri
sing.Sheate
everythingshecouldlayherhandsonyest er
day
andweevenhadt ostopheratsomepoi nt
"Arusha
saidandt heylaughed.
"
Thi
sisagr
eatnews!
"Ol
ivi
asai
d.
"
Yesi
tis.I
'
m sohappy"Jessi
casai
d.
"
AndMrEt hanevensentf
lowerstoherbef
oreil
eft
f
orschoolthi
smorni
ng"Arushasai
d.

"
Awwwn"Ol
ivi
aandJessi
casai
dinuni
son.
"Geez!Ladi
esdohavecommont r
aits.Thatwas
whatIri
shsaidafterr
eceivingtheflowerandi
almostthoughtshehadt urnedintoacat "Ar
usha
saidandJessicaandOlivialaughedhar d.
"
Damn!You'
resof
unny"Jessi
casai
d.
"Heisandhedoesn'
tevenknowi
t"
Oli
viasai
d,
star
ingl
ovi
ngl
yatArusha.
"What'
sst
oppingyoubothfr
om dat
ingal
ready?
"
Jessi
caasked,r
est
ingherchi
nsonherpalms.
"
Huh?
"Ol
ivi
aasked,
blushi
nghar
d.
Shequickl
ymadeherhaircoverhercheeksand
thenst
aredatherf
inger
snervously.
Damn!Jessi
cashoul
dn'
thavebr
oughtt
hisupnow.

"Uhh.
..
"Arushascr
atchedhi
shai
r,st
eal
inggl
ances
atOli
via.
"
Youdon'
thavetosayanythi
ng.Jessi
cawasj
ust
j
oki
ng.Ri
ghtJessy?
"Oli
viaasked.
"
No,
I'
m not
"Jessi
cashr
ugged.

Di
ng!

"
Oh..
my,seehowf l
ushedyoubothl
ook"Jessi
ca
l
aughedandOli
viaglar
edatherpl
ayf
ull
y.
"Okay,
Arusha,how'
sRyan?You'
venott
alkedabout
himrecent
ly"Jessi
casai
dandArushal
aughed.
"
Stoppr
etendi
ngal
ready,
youl
ikehi
m"Ol
ivi
asai
d.
"
Idon'
t"Jessi
cadeni
ed.
"Youdo"Ar
ushasai
d,itwast
hei
rtur
ntosee
Jessi
ca'
scheeksgoredandt
heybothl
aughed.

"
Ionl
yaskedcausei.
..
.youhaven'
ttal
kedabouthi
m
f
ordaysnow"Jessi
casaid.
"That
'
sbecauseofwhathappened.Ryan'
sfi
neand
heasksofyoutoo"
Arushasai
d.
"
Real
ly?
"Jessi
caasked.
"Yes,wi
llyoucomeoverbyweekend?
"Ar
usha
asked.
"Iwil
l!
"Jessi
caquickl
ysai
dandreal
isi
ngshehad
saidthatt
oofastandeager
ly.
"
Iwil
l"Sherepeat
edveryslowlyandlesseager
ly.I
t
madeOlivi
aandAr ushabursti
ntol
aughter.
"Ol
i,
wil
lyoucomeovertoo? "Arushaaskedandt he
i
deasoundedgr eatt
oOli
via,she'l
lgettomeetRyan
andevenIri
sh!Butshedoubtherf atherwouldal
low
her
.Hewon' tal
lowherst
epoutoft hepalace.
"
Maybenextt
ime"Ol
ivi
asai
d.
"
Why?
"Jessi
caandAr
ushaaskedi
nuni
son.
"
Idon'
tthi
nkmyDadwi
llal
lowme"Shesai
dsadl
y.
"Why?Hedoesn'
tal
lowyouvi
sitf
ri
ends?
"Jessi
ca
sskedandOl
ivi
anodded.
"
Yousai
dheknewaboutus,I
'
m sur
ehewon'tmi
nd
i
fyouwantt
ohangoutwit
hus"Arushasai
d.

"
It
'snotevent
hat
"Ol
ivi
asai
d.
"
It
'swhat
?"Ar
ushaasked.
"
Okay!Youknowwhat?I
'
llt
ryt
ocaj
olehiminto
l
ett
ingmecomeover,
howaboutt
hat?"Ol
ivi
aasked
wit
hasmile.
"
Great
!"
Theycont
inuedchat
ti
ngandl
aughi
ngast
heyat
e.
Jessi
cawassogl
adt
obepar
toft
hem.
Theywer
eherbestgi
ft
!

_
___
NEXTDAY_
__

Et
hansati
nhi
sof
fi
ceat'
Ethan'
sconst
ruct
ion'
Hewasbusywit
hhislapt
opthatt
hecupofcof
fee
bef
orehi
m hadt
urnedcol
d.
Somuchisneededt
obedoneandheneedst
o
f
ini
shi
tup.

Hisphonest
art
edringi
ngandhealmosti
gnor
edi
t
buthecoul
dn'
taft
erstari
ngatt
hescr
een.
I
twasI
ri
sh.
Hesmil
ed,
hedi
dn'
teveni
nfor
m herofMor
gan'
s
vi
sit
.
"
Heysweet
hear
t"Hesai
d.
"Et
han..
"Shesai
dandhenot
icedhowdul
lhervoi
ce
sounded.
.
"
What
'swr
ong?
"Heasked.
"T.
.t
hebaby,
i.
.j
..
ustf
ell
.Bl
..
ood.I
'
m bl
eedi
ng!
"She
sai
dintear
s.

"
OhmyGod!"Et
hannear
lydr
oppedhi
slapt
opon
t
hef
loor
..
Herushedoutofhi
sof
fi
ceandRobbi
nsandJavad
hur
ri
edafterhi
m.
"
IsMrsHelent
her
e?"Et
hanaskedasher
ushedt
o
t
heparki
nglot
.
"
Shewentt
othegr.
.oceryst
ore.Idon'
tw.
.antt
o
l
osemyba.
.by"I
ri
shcriedweakly.
"Justhol
dintheref
ormeokay.I'
llberi
ghtt
here,
stayonthecall
,donotdi
sconnect"Et
hansai
d.

"
Gett
hedamncarr
eady!
"Et
hanyel
ledathi
sdr
iver
.
_
__

Et
hanarri
vedatI ri
sh'shouseinminutesandhe
al
mostfellasher ushedoutofthecarwhenhis
dr
iverwasn'tevenfull
yparked.
Hegoti
ntot
hehouseinaflashandRobbi
ns
t
houghtMrEt
hancouldbeatUsainBol
tatt
hat
moment.

"I
..
I'minmyr
oom.Thef
ir
stoneont
hel
eft
"Ir
ish
said.
Et
hanthr
ewhisphoneatRobbi
nswhocaughti
tli
ke
hehadbeenexpect
ingi
t.
Heheadedt
oIr
ish'
sroom andal
mostt
oret
hedoor
open.
Hewalkedinandmetherwr
it
hingi
npai
nonthe
f
loor
,withherwhi
ter
obemessedwit
hbl
ood.
Hereyeshadgoner
edwi
tht
ear
sandshewas
l
ooki
ngashen.

"
OMG!
"Heexcl
aimed,
picki
ngherup.
"
I.
.i"Shewassayi
ng.
"
Don'
tsayanythi
ng"Et
hansai
d,r
ushi
ngoutoft
he
r
oom wi
thIr
ishinhi
shands.
Robbi
nsandJavadwer
eshockedt
oseeheri
nthat
condi
ti
on.
Theyhur
ri
edaf
terEt
han.
[
05/09,07:
34]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense
Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
59

Hehel
pedheri
ntohi
scarandRobbi
nsandJavad
qui
ckl
ygoti
ntoo.
Noonet ol
dthedr
iverbefor
ehestar
teddr
ivi
ngata
f
ullspeedtoDocLuc'shospi
tal
.
Ir
ishcri
edknowingshehadonceprayedfora
miscarri
gewhichwouldbethesol
uti
ontotheir
problemsbutsuddenl
yshedidn'
twantthatt
o
happenanymor e.
"Godi
spunishingme"ShecriedandEt
hani
nsi
sted
sheshoul
dn'tsayanyt
hing.
Hewasscar
ed.

DocLucwaswait
ingoutsi
dethehospi
talwi
thsome
nur
sesbef
oret
heygotthere,
Ethanhadcall
edhim.
Theyqui
ckl
yledheri
ntot
hehospi
talandt
ookher
t
otheexami
ningr
oom.
Et
hanpacedt
hehal
l,
deepl
ywor
ri
ed.
Whati
fIri
sht
ookaabor
ti
onpi
ll
?No,shesai
dshe
wasn'
tgoi
ngtot
armi
nat
ethebabyagai
n.
Robbi
nsqui
ckl
yhandedaf
acecapandsungl
asst
o
hi
m.
Hesi
ghedbef
oret
aki
ngi
t.

"
I'
llgogethi
m anewshi
rtathome"Javadsai
dto
Robbinsandmadetowal
koutofthehospi
tal
.
"
Javad"Et
hancal
ledhi
m back.
"
YesMrEt
han"Javadsai
d.
"Youdon'
thavetogohome,I
'
llsendmydr
ivert
o
pickanewshir
tforme"
Ethansaid.
"
AllowmegoMrEt han,thedri
verwon'
tbesofast
wit
hit"Javadsai
d, heneededtocal
lMorgant
o
i
nform hi
m oftherecenthappeni
ngs.
"Robbi
ns,
sendmydrivert
ogobr i
ngmeanewshi
rt
"
Ethansai
d,i
gnor
ingJavad'
srequest
.
"
OkayMrEt
han"Robbi
nssai
d.

Javadwasbot
her
edbuthedi
dn'
tshowi
t.
MrEt
hanhasneverr
efusedhi
mtodot
hingsf
or
hi
m.
Coul
ditbet
hathe'
sst
art
ingt
osuspecthi
m?

Et
hanl
etoutadeepsi
gh.
..
hewasscar
ed.
Hewant
sthebabyandhewouldbesopai
nedif
t
heyl
osethebabybutI
ri
sh'
sheal
thcomesfi
rst
.
Robbi
nsr
etur
nedbacki
ntot
hehospi
talandhanded
Et
han'
sphonetohi
m.
Mr
sHel
enwascal
li
ng.

Her
ecei
vedt
hecal
landpl
acedt
hephoneonhi
sear
.
"Igothomenowanddeci dedtocheckIr
isji
nher
room.Al lisawwasblood!Ir
ishhasbeenhurtand
kidnappedbyMor gan.Helpmeout!"MrsHelen
cr
iedovert
hephone.
"
Shewasn'
tkidnappedMrsHelen,
shewasbl
eedi
ng.
I
'
m wi
thherinthehospi
talnow.
"
OMG!I
'
m onmyway"Mr
sHel
ensai
d.
"Pl
easebr
ingal
ongsomef
reshwear
sforher
"Et
han
sai
d.
"
Okay"Mr
sHel
endi
sconnect
edt
hecal
l.

____

DocLucexami
nedherandhecouldseeshewas
st
il
lbl
eedi
ngbutnotsoheavi
ly.

"Let
'sgetasonogram doneandseewhat
'sgoi
ng
on?"Hesaidpeeli
ngof fhi
sgl
oves.
I
ri
shkeptcr
ying.
"
Youneedtost
opcryi
ngMissIr
ish,
i
tmi
ghtmake
t
hesi
tuat
ionworst
"DocLucsai
d.
Thenursesputheri
nawheel
chai
randshewas
rol
leddownthehall
.
"
What'
shappeni
ng?"Et
hanasked,
looki
ngso
wor
ri
edashefoll
owedthem.
"
Wedon'
tknowyet
,gobackMrEt
han,
"DocLucsai
d.

Theytookheri
nforasonogr
am r
ightawaywhi
le
Ethanwait
edoutsi
de.

Atechni
cianranthewandoverI
ri
sh'sbel
ly,
they
coul
dseet hebabyonthescr
een,
itwasmovi ngand
seemedpeaceful.
I
ri
sh'sheartmelt
edatthesight,shehasnever
seenanythinglooksobeauti
ful,
herheartwentout
toitandshebur st
edint
otearsagain.

"Ther
e'sacl
otbutj
ustasmal
lone"Thet
echni
cian
said.
"
Thi
shappenssomet
imes,
i
tcancausebl
eedi
ng,
it'
l
l
probabl
yresor
bal lbyi
tsel
f,t
hebabymayhave
bumpedi t
"DocLucsaid, r
eli
evedi
twasnot
somethi
ngserious.
"
Whenif
ell
?"I
ri
shasked.
"Yeah,youshouldcooloffforaweekortwoand
takethingseasyandgivetheclotachancet
o
dissol
ve,thi
swon'thur
tthebaby"DocLucsaid.

Ir
ishgazewasf
ixedont
hescr
een,
star
ingather
baby.
Shestar
tedsobbi
ng"
IthoughtI
'
dki
lli
tbecausei
didn'
twanti
t"
.
"
Howdoyouf
eelnow?
"DocLucasked.
"Scar
ed.I
'
m notgoi
ngt
obel
osi
ngi
tri
ght
?"She
asked.
"
No"DocLucsmi
led.

"
DoyouwantMrEt
hant
oseei
t?"DocLucasked.
I
ri
shnoddedandanur
sewentt
ofet
chEt
han.
"Ineedtousetherest
room"Javadsai
dtoRobbi
ns
afterMrEthanl
eftwit
hthenurse.
Robbinsnodded,t
hinki
ngsomethi
ngwas
suspici
ousaboutJavadbutheshr
uggedof
fthe
thought.
Javadwal
kedi
ntot
her
est
room,
almostbr
eat
hless.
Hegr
abbedhi
sphoneandqui
ckl
ycal
ledMor
gan.
"I
ri
shi
sbl
eedi
ngandshehasbeenadmi
tt
ed.
"
"Oh.
.my..
God!Ij
ustwi
shshe'
lll
osethatmonst
er'
s
baby!Keepmeofther
ecenthappeni
ngsJavad"
Morgansaid.
"
Okboss"

Javadtuckhi
sphonebacki
nhi
spocket
,washedhi
s
facebefor
est
eppi
ngout.

_
__
Theyhadswi
tchedthescr
eent
othebi
gger,
bri
ght
er
scr
eenin3Dbefor
eEthancameinsohecoul
dhave
abett
erl
ook.
Thebabywasstil
lmovi
ngwhenEt
hanwal
ked
i
n,het
ookoneglanceatt
hescr
eenandt
ear
s
r
ushedtohiseyes.
"Il
oveyousomuch"Hesai
dtoI
ri
sh,
leani
ngt
oki
ss
her.
"
Iloveyout
oo"Shesmi
ledandki
ssedhi
m back
t
enderl
y.
"
Iwassoscar
ed"Shesai
d.
"Metoo"Ethansai
dandtheybothstar
edatt
he
babyinsi
lenceandwit
hjoyinthei
rheart
.
Ethanf
eltt
hebabywashi
sbuthedoesn'
twantt
o
getsoexci
ted.
Her
ubbedI
rish'
shai
r,
shewoul
dn'
tst
opst
ari
ngat
t
hescr
een.
"
Lookati
t'
sti
nyl
egs"Shel
aughedandEt
hansmi
led.
"
Doyouwantt oknowthesex?
"DocLucaskedand
I
reneshookherhead.
"
Notyet
"Shesai
d,hol
dingEt
han'
shandst
ight
ly.
"
Areyouf
ine?Doyoust
il
lfeelpai
ns?
"Et
hanasked.
"
No,
I
'mf
inenow"Shesai
d.
"
Yeah,
she'
sfine.Shecanevenl
eavef
orhome
t
oday"DocLucsaid.
"
Real
ly?
"Et
hanasked.
"
Yes,
i
t'
snot
hingsoser
ious"DocLucsmi
led.
"Andsheneedstotakei
teasyf oraweekort wo,
I
'm
gladyoubotharebackt
ogetherbutnomakeup
sex,
please"DocLucsai
dandt heylaughed.

MrsHelenwasaroundalr
eadyandshegaveoneof
t
henursesIr
ish'
swears.
I
ri
shgotdressedaf
terthatandtheywerehanded
t
wocopiesofthephotoofthei
rbabies.
Ir
ishhuggeditt
oherchestt
ight
lyandEt
hanst
ared
atitt
enderl
y.

Theybot
hseemedl
ikebli
ssf
ulparent
s,nott
wo
peopl
ewhowereworr
iedaboutt
hepaternit
yoft
he
baby.

"
Canshel
eavenow?
"Et
hanasked.
"Yesandal
waysr
emi
ndhert
otakear
est"DocLuc
said.
"ThankyousomuchDocLucandt
henur
ses"I
ri
sh
saidgrat
eful
ly.
Theywal
kedoutandMr
sHel
enr
ushedt
oIr
ish.
"
Areyouokay?
"Sheaskedwor
ri
edl
y.
"Yesmum, I
'
mf ine.Thebabybumpedt
hecl
otwhen
ifel
ldown"I
rishsmiled.
"Oh..
my,I'm sosor
ryiwasn'tt
her
eIri
sh,I'
m not
goingtoleaveyoualoneathomestart
ingfrom
now"Mr sHel ensai
d.
"
No,youonlyneedtobetaki
ngyourphonewi
thyou
wher
everyougo"Ir
ishsai
d.

"ThankyousomuchMrEthan,
thankyouforalways
beingt her
e"Mr
sHel
ensai
dandEt hannodded,
smi l
ing.

_
_

MrsHelenwalkedintot
heli
vingr
oom wi
tha
heapi
ngplat
eofst eami
ngpizzar
oll
s,wi
thsauce
andcheeseoozingoutoft
heseams.
Et
hanwassal
ivat
ingal
ready.
"Mum"I
rishsatup."
Youshoul
dn'
thavebot
her
ed
your
sel
f"
"
Youbothneedtoeat
,you'
vebeenthr
oughal
ot
t
odayandI'
m sur
eyou'r
estar
ving"
"
ThanksMr
sHel
en"Et
hansmi
led.
"
Mypl
easur
e,whi
chdr
inkdoyoupr
efer
?"Sheasked.
"
I'
mfi
newi
thj
ustwat
er"Et
hansai
d.
"
Areyousur
e?"
"
Yes"
"
Hemostl
ydri
nkswineandI
'
m notsur
ewehavehi
s
f
avor
it
e"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Ohh"Mr
sHel
ensai
d.
"
Ishouldgetyouwat
erthenandyou, youdon'tneed
t
ot el
lmewhatyouwant.Iknowit'
sst rawber
ry
j
uice!
"MrsHelensai
dandIrishchuckled.
"
Real
ly?Youdon'
treal
lyl
ikest
rawber
ryf
lavor
"
Et
hansaid.
"Iguessherbabylikesi
tsomuch,shehasbeen
cravingi
tfordaysnow,shedoesn'
tdr
inkanyother
j
uiceasidesthatnow,iwentt
ogetsomef r
om the
storethi
smor ni
ngwhenwer anoutofit
"Mr sHelen
said.
"
Ohh"Et
hansi
ghed.

"
Ari
nal
sol
ikesst
rawber
ryf
lavorsomuch"Et
han
sai
d.
"Iknow,how'sshe?Ihopeshe'
sfi
ne,
youneedto
bringheroverduri
ngweekendsoshecanspend
somet i
mewi thme"Ir
ishsai
d.
"Coul
ditbethatAri
nsibl
ingi
stheoneont
heway?
"
Ethanwonderedloudl
y.
"
I'
m sur
eiti
s"I
ri
shsmi
led.

"Let'
seatbefor
ei tget
scol
dorwe'
renotgoi
ngt
o
enjoyit
"Ir
ishsaid.

MrsHel
eninvi
tedEthanwor
ker
sinf
orsomepl
ates
ofst
eami
ngpizzaroll
s.
Theyateatt
hedini
ngwhil
eEthanandI
ri
shhad
thei
rsi
ntheli
vingr
oom,watchi
ngTV.

_
__
"It
hinkI'
m goingtoresumemaki ngAri
nand
Jessicacomewi t
hthedr i
vertopickAr
usha,
so
you'
llgettoseehereveryday"Et
hansaid.
Hehadst
oppedt
hem f
rom comi
ngwi
tht
hedr
iver
.
"That'
llbegr
eatandimi
ssJessi
caal
so"I
ri
sh
smiled.
"Shekepttel
li
ngmetobringyoubackbecauseyou
promisedhersomedresses"Et
hansai
dandI r
ish
l
aughed.
"Yeahididandiwasalmostdonewithi
tbef
ore.
..
everyt
hing.Makehercomeoverdur
ingweekend
withAri
n"
"
Okay,
iwi
ll
"Et
hansai
d.

"Mr
sHelenisagr
eatcook"Et
hansmi
led,
great
ly
enj
oyi
ngthemeal
.

_
__
Arushar
etur
nedf
rom schoolandwassosur
pri
sed
t
oseeEthan.
Hehadn'
tevenexpect
edt
oseehi
mther
ebutdamn!
Hewassohappy.

Her
ushedt
ohi
mforahug.

_
__

"Papa,
pleaseI
'
m beggi
ngyou"Ol
ivi
asai
dtoher
dad.
Shehadcomeint
ohi
sof
fi
ceaf
tershef
ini
shed
f
resheni
ngup.
Shehasbeenpleadi
ngwithhi
mtoall
owhergoout
wit
hherfr
iendsonSatur
daybuthe'
snothavi
ngany
ofi
t.

"Ican'
tal
lowyoudot hatOl
ivi
a,i
t'
sdanger
ousf
or
you"Pri
nceAlexandr
eLouissaid.
"
It
'snot
!Noneoft
hem knowsI
'
m apr
incess!Not
manypeopl
eknowiam"
"
Someonemi
ghtseeyouandr
ecogni
zeyou"
"I
'
m goi
ngtowearmyshades"Ol
ivi
asai
dpleadi
ngl
y
andherDadsi
ghed,
si
gni
fyi
nghe'
snotreadyto
al
lowher.

"Youneveral l
owedmegooutwi t
hmyf ri
ends,
excepttogooni mpor t
antfunct i
onsforKingCi tyor
we'r
egoi ngtothewhi t
ehouse, I
'mtir
ed!I'
mt i
r edof
cutt
ingribbonsforhospitalseveryti
me.That '
snot
fun,andyouwon' tevenallowmespendadaywi th
myf ri
ends,haveieveraskedf orsuchfavour?yet
you'
rerefusingitt
hef i
rstti
meiasked.I 'm sopi ssed
ri
ghtnow"Ol ivi
agotonherf eetandmadet oleave.
"
Hey,pri
ncess"Herf
athercal
ledandshest
opped
wal
king.

"Youknowihateseei
ngyousadandyouwantt
o
usethatagai
nstmehuh?Well
..
Youcangooutwit
h
yourf
ri
end,
havef
un"
"
Real
ly?
"Ol
ivi
a'
sfacel
itup.
"
Yes"
"ThankyouPapa"shescr
eamedj
umpi
ngi
ntohi
s
arms.
"
Ahhh,
younowwei
ghal
ot"Hegr
oaned.
"ThankyouPapa"Ol
ivi
asai
dagai
n,l
ooki
ngso
happy.

"
Butononecondi
ti
on"Hesai
d.
"
What
?"
"
Twobodyguar
dsar
egoi
ngt
ofol
lowyou"
"
Dad!
"Ol
ivi
awhi
ned.
"Ican'
tletyougooutther
eal
oneOl
ivi
a,youneed
someonet oprot
ectyou"
"Havi
ngthebodyguardsfol
lowusever
ywher
ewon't
befunandthey'
lldef
ini
tel
yaskmewhybodyguar
ds
areal
loverme"Olivi
asaid.
"Thebodyguar dswoul donl
ystayatareasonabl
e
dist
ance,theywon' tstopyouguysfrom havi
ng
fun,
yourfriendswon' tevenknowanything,t
he
bodyguardswi llonlykeepaclosewatchonyou
from di
stance"
"
OkayPapa,
thankyou"Ol
ivi
asmi
led.
"
Let
'sgohavel
unch"
"
Iwil
ljoi
nyouatthedi
nni
ng,
ineedt
ogoinf
orm my
f
ri
endsfir
st!
"Ol
ivi
asai
dbounci
nghappi
lyt
oher
r
oom.

Herf
athersmi
ledaf
terher
.

_
__Sat
urday_
__

"Whenareyour
eall
ygoi
ngt omakemydr
esses"
Jessi
casai
dtoIr
ishwholaughed.
Theywereseat
edi
nthelivi
ngroom somemi
nut
es
aft
erAri
nandJessi
caarr
ived.
Ari
nwascl
ingi
ngt
oIr
ishandhadn'
tlethergosi
nce
t
heyar
ri
ved.

"Ipromi
seI'
m goi
ngt omakeyourdressessoonand
i
t'l
lbemorebeauti
fulcauseij
ustgai
nednewand
uniquei
deas"I
ri
shsaid.
"
Ican'
twai
t"Jessi
cagi
ggl
ed.
"
Whenar
eyoucomi
ngbackhome?
"Ar
inasked.
"
Soon.
"Ir
ishsmi
ledather
.
"
Ist
hatapr
omi
se?
"
"Yesbabygi
rl
.Imi
ssdr
essi
ngyouupandal
l"I
ri
sh
said.
"
Imisst
hattoobuti
t'
sgoi
ngt
ohappenagai
nsoon"
Ari
nsmi
led.
"Dadsai
dicanspendt
heni
ghtwi
thyouandr
etur
n
hometomorrow"
"
Oh.
.my.
.God!Real
ly?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
Yes,t
hattookeveryonebysurpri
se.Mybrot
her
r
arel
yall
owAr i
nsleepoutwithouthim,
heeven
t
akesheronbusinesstri
pswheneverhecan.Wel
l,
i
wasnotreal
lysur
prisedthough"Jessi
casai
d.

"I
'
m soexci
ted!Whydidn'
tyout
ellmei
mmedi at
ely
youar
ri
ved"Ir
ishsai
dhuggingAri
ntoherchest
.
"
Youwer
echat
ti
ngwi
thJessi
ca"Ar
insai
d.
"Ohhandisthatt
her
easonyoubroughtt
hishuge
backpack?"I
ri
shbur
stedoutl
aughi
ngandJessica
j
oinedher.
Ari
nfr
ownedatt
hebot
hoft
hem andt
heyl
aughed
har
der
.

"
Laughal
lyouwant
"Shescof
fedpl
ayf
ull
y.
"I'
m sogladI'
l
lgett
odressyouup,
combyourhai
r
andstyl
eitagain"I
ri
shsmil
ed.
"Ibroughtmypajamas,hai
rcomb,twodresses,
fl
ip
flops,
bodylot
ion,
hai
rcream and.
..
adozenof
strawberr
ymuf fi
ns"
Ari
ngrinned.
"
Woah.
..
Icanseewhyyoubr
oughtt
hishuge
backpack.Wher
earethemuf
fins,
l
etmest
oret
hem
i
nt hefr
idgef
oryou"I
ri
shsai
d.
Ari
nopenedherbackpackandbr
oughti
tout
,itwas
i
nasmal lpl
ast
iccont
ainer
.
"
Wow"I
ri
shsal
ivat
ed.
"
Canihaveonepl
ease?
"Sheasked.
"
Ofcoursebutyoudon'
treal
lyl
ikest
rawber
ry
f
lavor
"Ari
nsaid.
"Icraveitt
hisdays"I
ri
shsai
d,chewi
ngt
hecake
already.
"
Why?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
Huh?
"Ir
isht
urnedt
oherwi
thamout
hful
.
"
Imeanwhydoyousuddenl
ycr
avest
rawber
ri
es.
..
"
Ari
nsai
d.
"
Wel
l.
..
uhmm"I
ri
shsmi
led.
"I
'
llhel
pyoutakethecakest
otheki
tchenandI'm
goingt
ohelpMrsHelenandArushaintheki
tchen
al
so"Jessi
casaid.
"
Ohh.
.okay"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Iwantyout
otel
lmet
hebedt
imest
ori
es"Ar
insai
d.
"
Now?
"
"
Yes"
"
Ari
n..
..
"Ir
ishgr
oaned.

_
__

"
Shesti
lldoesn'
tknowOl
ivi
aiscoming?
"Jessi
ca
whi
sper
edt oArushawhonodded.

Theywer
ewat
chi
ngI
ri
shnar
rat
ebedt
imest
ori
est
o
Ari
n.
Theyhear
daknockont
hedoor
.
"
Issheher
eal
ready?
"Jessi
caasked.
"
Nah,I
'
m surei
t'
sRyan"
Arushasai
dandRyan
wal
kedin.
Hewasdr
essedsi
mpl
yinawhi
teT-
shi
rtandbl
ue
j
eans,
hecoul
dn'
thi
dehi
ssmileashesawJessi
ca
whohadtur
nedtot
heTV,bl
ushi
ngter
ri
bly.
Ar
ushasmi
led.
Ryansai
dhitoArinandI
ri
shandwentt
osi
twi
th
Jessi
caandArusha.

"
Heybuddy"Hepat
tedAr
usha'
sback.
"
Ryan"
Arushasmi
led.
Jessi
caalmostmelt
edonthecouch,
hewasseat
ing
socloset
oherthatshecoul
dfeelhi
swar
mth.
Shenear
lycur
sedhercheeksf
orgoi
ngsohotand
red.
"
Hi"Ryansai
dtoherandherpal
mst
urnedsweat
y.
Sheswal
lowedhardbef
oret
urni
ngt
of acehi
m and
hi
seyessenthert
othemoonandback.
"
Hi"Shesai
dsl
owl
y.
"
I'
m Ryan"Ol
ivi
asai
dst
ret
chi
nghi
shandf
orwar
d
f
orahandshake.
"
Jessi
ca"Jessi
casai
daccept
inghi
shandshake.
Hi
spalm wasoneoft
hewarmesteverandshe
want
edtoholdontoi
tfor
ever
.
"
Youl
ooksobeaut
if
ul"Ryancompl
iment
ed.
"Thankyou"Jessi
caf
oundher
sel
fsmi
li
ngand
blushi
nghard.

"
I'
m out
sideyourhouse"Ol
ivi
areadJessi
ca'
stext
.
Hi
sfacewer
esuddenl
yli
twi
thsmi
les.

"
She'
sout
side"Hesai
dtoJessi
ca.
"
Oli
via?
"RyanaskedandAr
ushanodded.
"Iwi
llgobr
ingher
"Jessi
caoff
eredandshegott
o
herf
eetbefor
eArushacoul
ddisagr
ee.

"Youwanttodosomet
hingoutsi
de?"MrsHelen
askedJessi
caasshewalkedi
ntothel
ivi
ngroom.
"
Yesma'
am,
I
'l
lber
ightback"Jessi
casai
dbef
ore
wal
kingoutoft
hedoor
.
Ryansai
dhitoMr
sHel
enandsher
esponded
bef
oresi
tt
ing.

"
Ari
nandiwi
llbegoi
ngi
ntot
her
oom"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
No.
.wai
t"
Arushasai
d.
"
Why?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
Wai
tti
llJessi
ca'
sback"
"
Why?
"Ir
ishaskedcur
iousl
y.
"
Justwai
t,she'
l
lbebacksoon"
Arushasai
d.
"
Okay"I
ri
shsi
ghedandsatback.

Thedooropenedandever
yonet
urnedl
iket
hey
wereor
deredto.

Oli
viasteppedi
n,wear
ingabeaut
if
ulandsi
mple
scarl
etgownwithathi
nneckl
acewithanemer
ald
pendant.
 Shewor ebl
acksandal
sthatwrappedthei
r
l
eatherst
rapsuptoherkneesandablackpl
ainbag
hungonhershoulder
.
Arushawasstunned,
hehasneverseenherin
housewearsandshelookssobr
eathtaki
nginit
.
EvenifIri
shhadnoi deawhoshewas,
thewayOli
via
hadstyledherhai
rintoabunwit
htendri
lsf
rami
ng
herfacetoldI
ri
shwhoi twas.

Ol
ivi
a.

"
Oh.
.my.
.God.Ol
ivi
a?"I
ri
shasked,
get
ti
ngt
oherf
eet
.
"
Ir
ish"Ol
ivi
asmil
edandtheybot
hscr
eamedand
j
umpedintoeachot
her
'sarms.

MrsHel
enrecogni
zedOli
viainst
ant
lybutnotas
Ol
ivi
aal
onebutPri
ncessOlivi
aLoui
sofKingCity.
..
_
___
_
Theysati
nArusha'
sgardenchat
ti
ngandl
aughi
ng
af
tert
heyal
lgottoknowthemsel
ves.
I
ri
shandAr i
naretaki
nganapinthehousewhil
e
MrsHelenwatchedtheTVwit
hdif
ferentt
hought
s
r
unningthr
oughhermi nd.

She'
snotmi
staken.
That
'sPr
incessOl
ivi
aofKi
ngCi
ty.
Shehasr eadar t
iclesaboutherseveraltimesand
seenherpicturesinseveralmagazi nes,whatdrew
hertoOli
viawast hatshewasobvi ouslyahumbl e
pri
ncesswhoavoi dsthecamer a,
she' stheopposi
te
ofherbrother.
It'
ssoobvi
oust
heyar
enotawar
eofOl
ivi
a'
s
st
atusyet
.
Shehadfel
tsonervoustohaveaRoyalar
oundher
andshealmostbowedtoOli
viawhenshegreet
ed
her
.

Whatast
unni
nggi
rlwi
thabeaut
if
ulsmi
le,
she'
s
evenmor
ebeaut
if
ult
hanshei
sint
hepaper
s.
Sheobviouslydonotwantt oreveal heridenti
tyt
o
them yetandMr sHeleni
sgoi ngtor especther
decisi
onevent houghshewaski ndofsur pri
sed.
Mostpr i
ncessesdonothidetheiridentit
y,they
alwayswantt obethecenterofattracti
on.

Andtheconnect
ionbet
weenOl
ivi
aandI
ri
shwas
not
iceabl
estr
ong.
Theyhadtal
kedonandonliket
hey'
veknowneach
otherf
oryear
sandMrsHelenwassurpri
sedt
osee
theyevenst
ylet
hei
rhai
rinthesameway.
Ir
ishhadhelpedOli
viast
yleherhai
rper
fect
lyand
eventaughtherhowtobesoper f
ecti
nthestyl
e.

I
twasal
mostaf
ter
noonwhent
heyst
oppedt
alki
ng.
Ever
yonehadjoi
nedi
ntheconver
sat
ionandi
twas
soli
vel
yandfun.
Ol
ivi
ahadn'
tact
edli
kethepr
incessshewas,
noone
woul
devert
houghtshewasonewi t
hthewayshe
bl
endedi
nandoffer
edtohel
pseverall
y.
She'
sreal
lyhumbl
east
hepaperhaddescr
ibedher
.

Ryanhadi
nvi
tedt
hem t
ohi
sgar
denaf
terI
ri
shand
Ari
nwenttot
akeanap.
Andthey'
vebeenthereoveranhournow,
MrsHel
en
coul
dhearthei
rlaughter
.

_
_

"
Ir
ish'
ssobeaut
if
ul"Ol
ivi
agr
inned.
Herbl
oodwaspumpi
nginexci
tement,
shefinal
ly
metIr
ish,
Whohadl
ookedf
lawl
esslybeaut
if
ul.
I
ri
shwasaspl
ayf
ulasshewasovert
hephone.

"
I'
mjustsohappyt
omeether
"Ol
ivi
asmi
led.
"Ican'
tcounttheamountofti
mesyou'
vementi
oned
Iri
sh,I
'm sur
eshe'sast
hri
ll
edasyouareal
so"Ryan
said.

Oli
viachewedt
hecooki
esAr
usha'
smum hadmade
fort
hem.
Theyhadallwenti
ntoRyan'
sapart
mentt
osayhito
hi
sMum, hi
selderbr
otherwasnothomethough.

"
Ryan,
Arushat
alkssomuchaboutyou,
it'
ssoni
ce
t
omeetyouonceagain"Ol
ivi
asai
d.
"I
t'
sni
cetomeetyoutoo,you'
remorebeaut
if
ult
han
hehaddescr
ibedyou"Ryansaid.
"
Thankyou"Ol
ivi
asmi
led.
"You'
regoi
ngt
ofi
nisht
hecooki
es!
"Ar
ushasai
dto
Jessi
ca.
"
We'l
lgetmor
ef r
om Mr
sMar
ton"Jessi
casai
d,
r
efer
ri
ngtoRyan'
'sMum.
"
Real
ly?
"Ar
ushaasked.
"Yeah.
.mymum woul
dgl
adl
ygi
veusmor
e"Ryan
said.

"Ol
ivi
a,comel
et'
sgetsomefl
ower
sforourhai
r"
Jessi
catookOl
ivi
a'
shands.
"We'
llbeback"t
heysai
dinuni
sonbef
orewal
king
away.

"I
sn'thecut
e"Jessi
casaidfi
nal
lyrel
easi
ngthe
breathshehadbeenholdi
ngastheywalkedfar
ther
fr
om RyanandAr usha.
"
Hei s!Ineverknewhewast hatgoodlooking.No
wonderhehadnopr obl
em wit
hbeingfri
endswi th
Arusha,theyarebot
hstri
kingl
ycute"Oli
viasmiled.
"
Ili
kehi
m"Jessi
caadmi
tt
edt
oOl
ivi
a.
"
Iknow,
i
t'
ssoobvi
ous"Ol
ivi
asai
d.
"
Real
ly?
"
"
Yesandhel i
kesyoutoo,icaughthim st
eali
ng
l
ovi
ngglancesatyouseverall
y"Oli
viawinked.
"
OMG"Jessi
cabeamedandOl
ivi
alaughed.

"You'
rever
yattr
acti
veJessi
caandiknowyou'r
e
usedtoguysfal
li
ngatyourfeet
,I'
m sur
pri
sedt
o
seeyoubehavethi
sway"Olivi
asaid.
"Ryani
sdi
ffer
ent!Im usedt
oguysst ari
ngtheheck
outofmebuthisisjustsospeci
al"Jessi
casai
d.
"
Ohh.
.nowiknow"Ol
ivi
achuckl
ed.
"
What
?"Jessi
caasked.
"
Never
mind,l
et'
splucksomef
lower
sandr
etur
nto
t
hem"Oli
viagri
nned.
"
Ohh.
.okay"

_
__

Ar
ushahel
pedOl
ivi
atucksomef
lower
sinherhai
r.
"
Becaref
ul,
idon'twantmyhai
rgett
ingr
ough"
Ol
ivi
asai
d.Ir
ishhadmadethestyl
eonherandshe
doesn'
twanti
ttogetr
oughanyt
imesoon.

"Iknowri
ght.
..
thehairmeansalottoyouatt he
moment ,
you'r
eprobablynotgoi
ngtol oosenitti
ll
nextyear
"ArushateasedandOli
viaslappedhi m
hardonthechest.
"
Ouch!
"Hegr
oaned,
sit
ti
ngbackont
hegr
ass.
"
I'
llhel
pyou"Ryansaidt
oJessicaasshestr
uggl
ed
t
omaket hefl
owerlayper
fect
lyonherhai
r.
"
Thankyou"Shesai
d,handi
ngt
hef
lower
stohi
m.
Hegladlyhel
pedherwi
thi
tandwasdonei
n
seconds.

"You'
resomean"Arushasaidt
oOli
viawhost
uck
outhertongueathi
m, l
aughi
ng.
"
Tch"Her
oll
edhi
seyesather
.

"
Whydon'
twegooutf
orawal
k?"Ryansuggest
ed.
"
Good,
let
'st
akesomepi
ctur
esf
ir
st"Ar
ushasai
d.
"
We'
remakinguseofOl
ivi
a'
sphone,
thecamer
ais
t
opnot
ch"Jessi
casai
d.

_
___
[
05/09,07:
34]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
60
Theyendedupinar
est
aur
antaf
terwal
kingf
or
somemi nut
es.
Olivi
awast heonlyonewhoknewherbodyguar ds
wer efoll
owingthem.Theyevent ookatabl
einthe
restaurantbutshedi
dn'tseem uncomfort
ablewit
h
t
hem asshewashavi ngf unwit
hherfri
ends.

"
Orderanyt
hing,mytreat
"Ol
ivi
amimickedt
heway
t
heydoinmovi esandtheyl
aughed.
Theyor
deredmealsal
readybuti
t'
syett
obe
br
oughtt
otheirt
abl
e.

Al
leyeswer
eont
hem butt
heydi
dn'
tseem t
omi
nd.
Eachoft
hem wer
eusedt
opeopl
est
ari
ngatt
hem.
Agroupofgi
rl
swholookt
hei
ragesuddenl
y
appr
oachedt
heirt
abl
e.

Theyi
ntr
oducedt
hemsel
vest
oAr
ushaandRyan
andwant
edt
hem t
ojoi
nthei
rtabl
e.
"Howr i
dicul
ous,youwantt hem t
ojoi
nyourt
able
evenaf t
erseeingtheyareherewit
hus"Jessi
ca
said,
tryi
ngt okeephertonecalm..
Oli
viaseet
hequi
etl
yasshet
appedherf
inger
son
hertabl
e..
Shefel
tli
kedraggi
ngthei
rhai
randsl
ammi
ngt
hem
onthewalloneaft
ert
heother
.

"Excuseme,I'
m sureyout
woalsobeggedf
orthem
tojoi
nyourtable"Oneoft
hegi
rlssai
dandOli
via
andJessicalaughed.
"Youdiddoesnotmeanwedi
dalso.I
'
m notso
dumbandshamel esst
oaskaguytojoi
nmy
tabl
e!"
Oli
viasl
ammed.
"It
hinkyoual ldesperat
elyneedt
hemealsyou' r
e
herefor,I'
veneverseenagr oupofgi
rl
slookingli
ke
pasta.
..ahh"JessicashookherheadandOlivia
chuckled.
"
Whatdidyouj
ustsay?
"Oneoft
hegi
rl
sasked
menaci
ngl
y.
"
Youhear
dmer
ight
"Jessi
cal
aughed.
"
Pleasedonotcr
eat
eascene,
ret
urnt
oyourt
abl
e"
Ryansai
d.
"
Andtheydi
dnotaskustojointhei
rtable,
weasked
t
hem t
oaccompanyushere"Arushasaid.

"
Whatever!Canyoubot
hshareyourcont
actplease"
Oneofthem sai
dref
err
ingt
oRyanandAr usha.
"
No!
"Ol
ivi
aandJessysai
dinuni
son.
"
Wewer
enotaski
ngyou!
"
"Weansweredforthem.Nowwillyoust
opbei
ng
l
ikethi
sandr et
urntoyourt
abl
e.I'
m get
ti
ng
choked"
Oli
viasaid.

"Moveoutoft
hewaygirl
s,ascal
dedskintogether
wit
hugli
nessist
heworstcombinat
ion"Jessi
ca
smil
edasthewait
erbr
oughtthei
rmeals.
_
__

Theylef
tther
est
auranthourslat
erandt
heywentt
o
spendsometimeatthepark.
Theysi
ght
edacl
awcr
aneaf
terl
eavi
ngt
hepar
k.
Ryanwonatabl
ebearf
orJessi
ca,
hepi
ckedi
tat
j
ustonego.

"Don'tworr
yOlivi
a,I
'
m goi
ngtowinabiggeronefor
you"Arushaboastedashecont
inuedt
ot r
yhisluck.
"
Youcandoi
tAr
us"Ol
ivi
aencour
agedhi
m andt
hey
l
aughed.
"
Ahhhh"Arushagroanedaf
tert
ryi
ngsever
all
y
wit
houtsuccess.
"
Yout
ri
edyourbest
"Ol
ivi
arubbedhi
sback.
"
Youshoul
dn'
tgi
veupal
readybuddy"Ryansai
d.
"
I'
m goi
ngt
otr
yonel
astt
ime.Ol
ivi
ahavet
ohave
onet
oo"Ar
ushasai
d,r
ubbi
nghi
spal
mst
oget
her
.

Hestar
tedagai
nandai
medf
ort
hebi
gwhi
tet
eddy
bear
.
Thecl
awpi
ckedi
tandi
tsl
owl
yst
art
edmovi
ng.
..
Theyal
lwat
ched,
hopi
nghedoesn'
tlosei
tthi
sti
me.

"
Ifucki
ngdi
dit
"Ar
ushashout
ed.
"
Yaaaaay"Theyexcl
aimedexci
tedl
ywi
thOl
ivi
a
j
umpinghighintheai
r.

Ar
ushapi
ckedt
het
eddybearandhandedi
ttoher
.
"
Thankyou"Shesai
ddeepl
ytouched.
Shehuggedhi
mti
ght
lyt
ohi
ssur
pri
se.
Hesmi
led,
gladhehadwononeTeddybearforher
,
i
t'
sgoi
ngtomakethisdayunf
orget
tabl
eforher
.

Theywal
kedoutoft
hepl
aceandnot
icedi
twas
st
art
ingt
ogetdar
k.
"
Iwishi
t'
llbedayf
orever
"Ol
ivi
asi
ghedsadl
yas
t
heywalkedhome.
"I'
m gladwegott otakesomanypi ct
uresbef
orei
t
gott hi
sdark.I'
m goingtouploadt
hem onmy
Instagram page"Jessi
casaid.
"What'
syourI
nst
agr
am handl
e?"Ryanaskedand
shetol
dhim.
TheybranchedanIcecr
eam par
lort
ogeti
cecr
eam
andthenconti
nuedthei
rwal
kbackhome.

"
Oneday,let'
sexpl
oretheworl
dinacampingcar"
Ryansai
dandt heyal
lnoddedandcheer
edwith
t
heiri
cecream.

TheypassedabarandAr
ushast
opped.
"Let
'sspendsomet
imeatthebarbef
oregoi
ng
home"Hesuddenlysuggest
ed.
"
That
'
scr
azy"Jessi
casai
d.
"
We'
renotei
ght
eenyet
"Ol
ivi
asai
d.
"
Let
'sgot
ryourl
uck"Ryanwi
nked.

_
_

"Soembar r
assing"Jessi
cagr
oanedast
heywer
e
kickedoutofthebar.

Theyalll
aughedhard.
..ArushaandRyanlooked
ei
ghteenbutthei
rIDcardsgavethem out
.
Theyal
lranoutwhent
heownert
hreat
enedt
ocal
l
t
hepoli
ce.

"Geez!Howdiditgetsodar
kthi
squi
ckl
y"Ol
ivi
a
said,
quit
esadl
y.
Shewishedt
hedaywoul
dcont
inue,
theyar
eal
l
havi
ngagreatt
ime.
"
You'
regoi
ngt
osaybyet
oIr
ishbef
orel
eavi
ng
r
ight
?"Ar
ushaasked.
"
Ofcour
se"Ol
ivi
asmi
led.
"
Ihadgr
eatf
unt
oday"Jessi
casai
d.
"
Spendingti
mewithyougir
lswasmor
efunt
hani
i
magined."Ryansmil
ed.
"
Ifeelsogr
eat
"Ar
ushasai
d.

Theyallshar
edawarm hugandt
heyknowr
ight
thei
rthatabondwasf
ormed.
Onenevert
obebr
oken.

Jessi
caandOlivi
aexchangednumber
swi
thRyan
whentheygothome.
Ol
iviahuggedI
rishandAri
nbye,shewavedMr
s
HelenbyetooandwenttosayByetoMrsMart
on
t
oo.
Shewoul dhavelovedtospendmoreti
mewi t
hIri
sh
butitwasdar kal
readyandsheneedst
oleave,i
f
not,
herfatherwouldn'
tgi
vehert
hisgol
den
oppor
tuni
tyeveragai
n.

_
__

Ryanwal
kedi
ntohi
sapar
tmentandmethi
sbr
other
busywi
thamagazi
ne.
That
'sKel
ly'
sfavor
it
ethi
ng,
hisr
oom i
sst
ackedwi
th
magazi
nes.
"Heybr
o"Ryansai
dandKel
lysmi
ledonseei
nghi
s
brot
her
.
"Mum sai
dyourf
ri
endscameal
ongandyouwent
outwi
ththem"
"
Yes"Ryansmi
led.
"
Ihopeyouhadf
un?
"
"
Greatf
un"Ryansai
dhappi
ly."
Wher
e'sMum?
"
"I
nthekit
chen"Kel
lyr
epl
iedandRyanst
oodupt
o
gohelpher.
Kel
lywat
chedhi
mleaveandsi
gh.
HehadseenOl ivi
awhenshecamet obidhis
motherfarawayandinst
ant
lyrecogni
zedhertobe
Pri
ncessOlivi
aofKingCi
tybuthedoubtifRyan
knewit.

_
__

"I
'
m sorryAr
in"I
ri
shl
aughedhar
dasAr
inhi
ther
playf
ull
y.
Shehadeat
enal
lthest
rawber
rymuf
fi
nsf
orAr
in.
Theywerebot
hinthei
rpajamasr
eadytosl
eep
whenArinsai
dshewantedsomeofhermuffi
ns
andIr
ishconf
essedshehadatei
tal
l.

"
Howcoul
dyouf
ini
shi
tal
l"Ar
incr
ied.
"
I'
m sor
ry"I
ri
shl
aughedhar
der
.
"Ipr
omiseMum i
sgoi
ngtomakeanotheronef
or
youtomorr
ow"I
ri
shsai
dandthatwaswhenArin
st
oppedhi
tt
ingher
.
"Howdidyouf
ini
shi
tal
lwi
thoutmeknowi
ng?
"She
curi
ousl
y.
"I
..
istol
eitandat
ethem i
ntheki
tchen"I
ri
sh
confessedwit
hagri
nonherface.

"
Ah.
.I
'm goi
ngtotel
lDadyoustol
emystr
awberr
y
muf
fi
ns"Arinpout
ed,get
ti
ngundert
hebl
anket
.
"
Pleasef
orgi
veme"I
ri
shpl
eadedpl
ayf
ull
y.
"
I'
m goi
ngtofor
giveyouwheneveryoust
op
l
aughi
ng"Ari
nsaid.
"I
'
m sorryAri
n"Shesai
dandr eallyt
riedtostopher
l
aughterthi
sti
mebutAr i
n''
sfacelookssof unnyto
herandsheburstedi
ntolaughteragain.

_
__

"
Dad,I
ri
shstol
emystrawber
rymuffi
ns"
Ari
nwhined
t
oherEthanwhenhecametopickhert
henextday.
"
Real
ly?
"Hel
aughed.
"
Whyareyoulaughingtoo,shekeptl
aughi
ngal
so
i
nst
eadofapologi
sing"
Arinfrowned.
"
It
'sj
ustsofunnythatshecoul
dst
ealyour
muff
ins"
Ethangr
inned.

"Whythesuddenurgef
orstr
awberr
yfl
avor
,Ir
ishdo
pref
ervani
ll
a"Ari
nwonderedal
oud.
"
Wel
l.
..
didyouaskher
?"Et
hanasked.
"Yesbutiguesssheforgott
oanswerme.I
'
llgoask
heragai
nnow" Ari
nsaid,st
andi
nguptogomeet
Iri
shi
nthekitchen.
"
No,she'
sbusywi t
hMr sHel
en.Youcanaskher
whenshe'sdone"Ethansai
d.
"
Okay"Ar
insai
d,si
tt
ingbackont
hecouch
"
So.
.Di
dyouenj
oyyourt
imeher
e?"Et
hanasked.
"Yes!I
ri
shgottodressmeupagai
nafteralong
ti
meandt hebedt
imestor
ieswer
efascinat
ing"Ar
in
gri
nned.
"Ican'
twaitf
orhertocomebacktoourhouse"Ar
in
addedwithafrown."Whydon'
tyouaskhertocome
withusnow"

"She'
sgoingtobebacktothehousesoon.
.
probabl
ythi
sweek"Ethansaid.
"
Real
ly?
"
"
Yes"Et
hansai
d.
I
ri
shhadwant
edtospendsomemor
eti
mewi
thher
f
amil
ybef
orer
etur
ning.

"
MrEthan"Arushasmi
ledi
ngr
eet
ingashewal
ked
i
ntot
helivi
ngroom.
He'
sjustwaki
ngupf
rom hi
snap.
"
Hey,
howyou?
"Et
hansmi
ledbackathi
m.
"I'
m good,
ididn'
tevenknowyouwereher
e.You
camet opickAri
nsosoon"Arushasai
dsi
tt
ingon
thecouch.
"
Sheneedst
opr
epar
eforschoolt
omor
row"
"Oryou'r
emi ssi
ngheral
ready"Ar
ushat
easedand
Ethanlaughed.

"
How'
sJessy?
"Ar
ushaasked.
"She'
sfi
neandshedi
dn'
tcomewithmebecause
sheaccompani
edmymum toajewel
ryst
ore"
"
Ohh"
"I
twassoobviousyouguyshadagr
eatti
me
yest
erday,
shecamehomelooki
ngal
lhappy"Et
han
smil
ed.
"Wedidandwe'
relooki
ngforwar
dtohavi
ngmor
e
greatt
imest
oget
her"Arushasmil
ed.

"
Now.
.t
ellme,i
sther
eaguyshel
ikes?
"Et
hanasked
i
nawhisper
.
"
Yes,hi
snamei sRyan,
afr
iendandnei
ghbor
"
Arushagr
inned.
"
Wow,
real
ly?
"
"
Yes"
Arushasai
d.
"
Youshouldtel
lhi
mt ocomeoverwhi
leI
'
m her
e,i
woul
dlovetoseehim"Ethansai
d.
"He'
sgoingt
ocomeinanyt
imesoon,ichat
tedhim
upalr
eadyandt
oldhi
mI'm awake"Ar
ushasaid.

"Whatareyoubot
hwhi
sper
ingt
oeachot
her
?"Ar
in
asked.

"St
rawberr
ymuff
ins"I
ri
shannouncedwi
thasmil
e,
walki
ngint
othel
ivi
ngroom wi
thtwel
vest
rawber
ry
cakes.
Itwasjustbr
oughtoutoft
heovenandi
tlooked
deli
ciousl
yhot.
"
Becar
eful
,
it'
shot
"Ir
ishsai
dpl
aci
ngi
tont
het
abl
e.
"
DidMr
sHel
enmadesomepi
zzar
oll
s?"
Ethanasked.
"
Ohh..
yes,shemadeitspeci
all
yforyouandi
t'
s
r
eadyalso"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Ohh"Et
hansmi
led.
Ari
nandArushat
ookonest
rawber
rymuf
fi
neach
andst
art
edblowi
ngit
.
"Shouldihelpyouputt
hem inthefr
eezer
?"I
ri
sh
askedalreadyonthesecondcupcake,
sheat
eit
withoutevenblowi
ngit.
"Takei
teasy"Et
hansaidandshenodded,
fanni
ng
hermouthwithherpal
m.
I
twassohur
tthati
tbur
nedhert
ongue.

Ar
ushabur
stedoutl
aughi
ng.
.
"
Blackass"I
ri
shscof
fed.
"
Huh?
"Ar
inasked.
"
It
'snothi
ng"Ar
ushaqui
ckl
ysai
dtoherandI
ri
sh
l
aughed.
"
Myassi
sn'
tbl
ack!
!"Ar
ushayel
led.
"
Wow"Ari
ngl
ancedatherDadwhowasst
art
ingt
o
l
augh.
"
Iti
s!"I
ri
shr
oll
edhereyes.
"
Ahh"Ar
ushasi
ghed.

"
Pizzar
oll
s"Mr
sHel
ensai
dwal
kingi
ntot
hel
ivi
ng
r
oom .
"ForEthanal
one"SheaddedandEt
hansatup,
smili
ng.
"
ThanksMr
sHel
en"Hesai
d.
"Iwantonet
oo"I
ri
shwhi
ned,
goi
ngt
osi
tbesi
de
Ethan.
"
Gomakeyour
s"Mr
sHel
ensai
d.
"
Thebabywant
sitbadl
y"I
ri
shpout
ed.
"
Baby?"Ar
inaskedandI
ri
shnear
lygaspedr
eal
isi
ng
whatshej
ustsaid.

Theywantedtotel
lonceI
ri
shhadret
urnedt
o
Ethan'
shouse,t
heywanttosur
pri
seher.

Aknockont
hedoorbr
oket
hesi
lence.
"
Comei
nRyan"
Arushasai
dandt
hedooropened.
"
Ryan"Ar
insmil
ed,
sheseemedt
ohavef
orgot
ten
t
hequest
ionsheasked.
I
ri
shsi
ghedi
nrel
ief
.
"
Goodaf
ter
noonever
yone"Ryansmi
led.
"
Oh.
.my.
.God,
EthanHar
low!
"Ryanexcl
aimed.

Ofcour seArushahadt oldhim abouttheir

rel
ati
onshipwi thEthanHarlowandheevenknew
hewasAr i
n'sfatherandJessica'
sbr otherbuthe
hadn'texpectedtoseehi mthiseasilyeventhough
hehadbeenl ookingforwar
dt oseeingt hetopone
bil
li
onaireinCalifor
nia!
!!
Oh.
.my.
.God.

"
H..
ii
iHe.
.l
lo"Ryanst
ammer
edandEt
hanl
aughed.
"
Com'
on,
it'
sfi
ne.Bef
ree"Et
hansmi
led.
"Idon'
tknowwhatt
osay"Ryangri
nned,
hewasso
happytoseeEt
hananddi
dhejusttal
kedtohi
m.
"I
t'
sreall
ynicet
omeetyou.Iadmi
reyoual
otMr
Ethan"Ryansai
d.
"
Thankyou"Et
hansai
d.
"
I'
m Ryan,
oneofyourbi
ggestf
ans"
"Ni
cetomeetyoutoo"Et
hanst
ret
chedouthi
shand
andRyanst
unningl
ytookit
.
Al
thoughAr
ushahadt ol
dhim howhumbleEthan
wasbuthewassti
llsostunnedabi
ll
ionai
recoul
d
of
ferhi
shandtohi
m.
God!

"Comesithere"Et
hansai
dtoRyanpat
ti
ngt
he
spacebesidehim.
Hewasimpressedwi
thRyanandhecoul
dseewhy
Jessi
cal
ikedhi
m.
Heknewverywel
lthati
twasr
aref
orJessi
cat
obe
overaguy.
Ryangl
adl
ysatbesi
dehi
m.
"
HavesomecakesRyan,
thepi
zzar
oll
sisf
ormy
Dad"Ar
insai
dandEt
hanl
aughed.

"
Yes,
youcanonl
yhavesomecakes"Et
hansai
d.
Hewasst
art
ingt
oeathi
spi
zzar
oll
s.
"
Quitlooki
ngshockedli
keyouj
ustsi
ght
edaghost
"
ArushateasedRyan.
"Youlookedthr
iceasshockedwhenyoual
sosaw
Ethan"Ir
ishsai
dtoArusha.
"
Iknowr
ight
"Ar
ushal
aughed.
"SoRyan,whi
chschooldoyouatt
end?
"Ethanasked
begi
nninghisquest
ionsessi
onsj
ustl
ikehehad
donewithArusha.

__

Bythet i
meEt hanwasdonewithhisquesti
ons,
he
wasgr eatl
yimpressedwit
heveryt
hingabout
Ryan,he'
sintel
lect
ualandhasagreatpl
anforhis
fut
ure.
 "
I'
mi mpr
essed"Et
hansai
dandRyansmi
led
wi
dely.
"ThankyouMrEt
hanandhow'
sJessi
ca"
?Ryan
askedshyl
y.
"Ohh,she'
sfi
ne.Iguessyoual
lhadagr
eatt
ime
yester
day"Et
hansaid.
"
Yes,
itwasf
un"Ryansmi
led.
"
Iwishmybrot
heri
shome,hehasbeenwant
ingt
o
meetyout
oo"Ryansai
d.

"Ohh.
..
andhe'snotgonnabehomeanyt
imesoon?
"
Ethanasked.
Ryanshookhi
shead.
"We'r
egoingtoseesomeotherti
methen,icome
hereoft
en,t
hispl
aceisj
ustl
ikeasecondhome"
EthansaidtoRyanandMrsHelenandArushafel
t
soproud.
"Canitakeapictur
ewi
thyou,
sokell
yisgoi
ngto
beli
eveireal
lysawyouandeven.
..t
ouchedyou"
Ryansaid.
"
Ofcour
se"Ethansaidandtheyt
ookpi
ctur
es
t
oget
her
,Arushaalsojoi
ned.

"
What
'sI
ri
shst
il
ldoi
ngi
nther
e?"Et
hanasked.
I
ri
sh'
shasbeeni
nherr
oom f
orsomemi
nut
esnow.
"I
'
m sosureshe'
sfr
esheningup,
thef
louronher
hairandbodyi
senoughtobakesomecakes"Mrs
Helensai
d.

Ar
ushastoodupandwentt
oanswert
heknockon
t
hedoor.

Hi
seyeswi
denedashet
urnedbackt
oever
yone.

"
MrEt han,
youor
der
edt
hesepacksofst
rawber
ry
j
uice!
!!
"

_
__
 Et
hanwal
kedi
ntoIr
ish'
sroom whi
leArushaand
Ryant
ookt
hepacksofjui
cetothestor
e.
Shewasblow-
dryi
ngherhai
rwhenhewal
kedi
n,
shesmi
ledonseei
nghim.
Hewalkedtoherandl
eanedcloser
,hecl
osedhi
s
eyesasheinhal
edherf
reshscent.
Hekissedherneckandwentt
osi
tonherbed,
she
t
urnedthedr
essingtabl
ear
oundt
ofacehi
m.

"
What
'sup?
"Sheasked,
unpl
uggi
ngt
hehai
rdr
yer
.
"DrLucsaidyouneedtoretur
nf orcheckup.We
real
lyhavetogosoyoucanr eturntomyhouse"
EthansaidandIr
ishnodded.
"Yourli
pskeepswant
ingtomakemekissyou.
"Ir
ish
smilednaughti
ly,
wal
kingt
oEthanont
hebed.
Shej
umpedonhi
m..
"Becar
eful
,
Mybaby"Et
hansai
dbef
orehi
sli
pswas
sei
zedinakiss.
Hesmi
led,
kissi
ngherback.

Shewassit
ti
ngont ophim ashecaressedherbody
andt
heywerereall
yabouttossi
ngtheircl
othesoff
whenthedooropened.
Theyqui
ckl
yjumpedapar
t,Mr
sHel
enst
oodt
her
e
andsi
ghed.
Shehadknewsomethi
ngwasgoi
ngonwheni
t
wastaki
ngtool
ongfort
hem t
ocomeout
.

"
I'
m sor
rybutihear
dDocLuctol
dyoubothno
makeupsexfortwoweeks"Mr
sHelensai
d.

"I
'
m comi ngbackhereifidon'
tseeyoubot
hinf
ive
seconds"Shesaidwalkingoutoft
hedoorandt
hey
bothburstedi
ntolaughter
.

_
__Nextday_
__
"
What
'swr
ongwi
thher
?"Ol
ivi
aaskedAr
usha.

Jessicahadn'
ttal
kedtothem si
ncemor ni
ngand
nowit'
slunchbreakandshedidn'tevencometo
j
ointhem forl
unch,
shejustsati
nherseat.

"
Ithi
nkyoushoul
dgot
alkt
oher
"Ar
ushasai
dand
Ol
ivi
anodded.
Shest
oodupandwal
kedt
oJessi
ca'
sdesk.
"Heywhat'
sup?"SheaskedandJessi
calookedat
herinawayshehasneverdone,i
t'
snotalookof
hatebuthur
t.

"
What
'swr
ong?
"Ol
ivi
aaskedwor
ri
edl
y.
"
Ithoughtwewer
efr
iends"Jessi
casai
d.
"
Yes,
we.
..
are"Ol
ivi
asai
d.
"Andwe'renotsupposedt
okeept
hingsf
rom each
otherr
ight?
"
"
Ye.
.s"Ol
ivi
asai
dsl
owl
y.
"Okay,Pri
ncessOli
viaLoui
sofKingCit
y,Her
Excell
ency"Jessi
casaidandOl
iviawentpal
e.

_
___
I
ri
shandEthanwalkedoutoft
hehospi
tal,
They
weredonewit
hthecheckandwasaboutleaving
wit
htheysi
ghtedMorganwalki
ngt
owardst hem.
"
Whatishedoi
ngher
e?I
shst
alki
ngonusorwhat
?"
I
ri
shasked.
"Idon'
tknow"Et
hansai
dast
heywat
chedMor
gan
approachthem.

"
Hel
lo,
Brot
her
"Mor
gansmi
rked.
"
Whatdoyouwant
?"Et
hansai
dst
ri
ctl
y.
"Wel
lI'
m nother
et oseeort
alkt
oyou, I
'
m her
eto
seeMylove."Morgantur
nedtoI
rish.
"
Hel
lodarl
ing,Whatdoyou'
vetosayaboutmy
pr
oposal
,I
'mr eadyt
odoanythi
ngforyou"Mor
gan
gr
inned.

"Wel
l.
..
Ir
ishisn'
tint
erest
edi
nyouMor gan!And
she'
scarryi
ngmybabyaswel lshe'
sbestayingwi
th
me"Ethansaid.

"
I'
llbest
ayi
ngwithMor
ganHar
low"I
ri
shsai
dand
t
herewassil
ence.
Et
hanl
aughed,
breaki
ngt
hest
rai
nedsi
lence.
"
Youar
ejoki
ngr
ight
?"Hesmi
led.
"
NoandI '
m notmistakeneit
her,
I
'l
lbestayi
ngwith
Morgan"I
ri
shsaid,walkingt
oMor ganwhoseface
wasalmostburst
edwi thagri
n.

"Com'on,
iknowyou'r
epr anki
ngmebutl et
'sgo
home.Arinandever
yoneel sei
sexpect
ingyou"
Ethansai
d,makingt
ot akeherhand.
"
Letgoofme!
"Ir
ishj
erkedherhandaway.
"
I'
m damnser
ious!I
'
m goi
ngwi
thMor
ganandgo
aheadandthinkI'
mjoki
nguntilyouseemegetint
o
hiscar
!"I
ri
shsaidandEthanheldont oachai
rfor
suppor
t,helookedasshockedashef el
t.
I
ri
shwasdamnser
ious,
hecoul
dseei
tinhereyes.
"
OMG!
"Mor
ganl
aughedsohar
d.
"I
'
vealwaysknewnoonewantstobewi
tha
dumbassli
keyou"Headdedwit
hamocker
ylaugh.

"I
ri
sh.please.
..Mybaby.
..
"Et
hansai
dwi
thashaky
voice.
"Doyouhowmuchyouhur tme?I '
m sureyoudon't
evenknowt heamountofpai nyoumademewent
thr
ough,youdr oppedmeof finther ai
nl i
kea
homelessper sonandyouwer eevensogl adwheni
madeexcusesf oryou"Ir
ishlaughed." Youcame
backli
kenot hingwaswr ongaf t
ercausi ngmeso
muchpain,ibetyoumusthavebeensohappyt o
seeadumbI renewel comeyouwi t
hopenar ms,
no!
ihadmypl ans.Idon' taboutthebabyEt hanor
maybeistil
lloveyou, you'l
lhavet ogot hrought
he
painiwentthr ough.Haveievert ol
dyouI '
m
r
evengef
ul?IguessI
'
venever
"Ir
ishl
aughed.
Apainshar
perthanar api
ersearedt
hrough
Et
han'sst
omachatherwor ds,i
ttookeveryounceof
wil
lpowernott
ocr youtattheagonyitcaused.
Hereyeshadt
urneddar
kandgl
oomy,
hehadnever
seenherl
ookt
hisway.
Thi
swasanot
hersi
dehehadn'
tseenwi
thher
.

"I
'm goi
ngwi t
hMor gan,j
ustt
ocauseyoupain,
not
foranyotherreason.Youmustfeelwhatif
elt
.I
can'tj
ustleti
tgoanddamn. .
mymum evenf ellsi
ck
becauseofyou.Ihat eyousomuch!!"I
ri
sh
screamed.
"I
t'
sokay,
you'
regoi
ngt
ohur
tyour
sel
f"Mor
gan
hel
dher.
"Let
'sl
eaveher
e,ist
il
lneedt
ogetmyt
hingsf
rom
home"Iri
shsai
d.
"
I'
llbr
ingbackyourbabyt
oyou.
..
.Inni
nemont
hs
t
ime"Iri
shadded.
Ethanref
usedtobeli
eveal
lthatwashappening
unti
ltheoff
icedoorwassl
ammedandher eali
zed
Ir
ishwasreall
ygone..

Wi
thMor
gan.

Justt
omakehi
mfeelt
hepai
nhehadmadeherf
elt
.

Hedeser
vesi
t.

_
___
_

"Callmycompani esandinformthem iwon'tbe

comingtil
lwheneverifeelli
ke,
theyshouldmanage
thecompanyast heywoul dwhenI'm pr
esent"
EthansaidtoJavadwhoqui ckl
ywentt ocarryout
hisorder
.
Hewalkedi
ntot
hel
ivi
ngr
oom andmetever
yone
wai
ti
ng.
Theylooksodi
sappoi
ntednott
oseeIr
ishwit
hhim,
theywereal
lawar
eIri
shwouldbecomingback
homewi t
hhim.

"
Wher
e'sI
ri
sh?
"Ar
inasked.
"
Isshest
il
lget
ti
ngherl
uggagef
rom t
hecar
?"Mr
s
Har
lowasked.
"
Didn'
tshecomewi
thyou?
"MrHar
lowasked.
"She'
snotcomingi
ntot
hishouseanymor
e"Et
han
said,
ascal
mlyashecoul
d.
Hecouldn'
twai
ttogett
ohisroom andl
etoutal
lthe
agonyhewasfeel
ingri
ghtnow.
Hehasneverbeent
hishear
tbr
oken

"Whatdoyoumeanshe'
snotcomingi
ntot
his
houseanymor
e?"MrHarl
owasked.
"
Sheleftwi
thMorgantohi
sjustt
omakemego
t
hroughthepai
nicausedher
"Ethansmi
ledsadl
y.
"
Whatar
eyousayi
ng?
"Mr
sHar
lowwasshocked.
"Letmebe!Everyoneshouldjustl
etmebe!
"Ethan
yell
edloudl
yandt heyal
lsawt het
earst
hatdr
opped
from hi
seyesbeforehewalkedaway.

"Shel
efthi
m"MrsGabr
iel
lecover
edhermout
hwi
th
herpal
m whil
eAr
inbur
stedint
otear
s.
"Oh..
my,Ari
n,yourdadwasonl
yjoki
ng"Mr
sHar
low
quickl
ywipedhertear
s.
"He'
snot,hedoesn'
tcr
ywheneverhej
okes"Ar
in
sobbed.
"Whatt
hehel
lisgoi
ngonagain!It
houghtt
hey
set
tl
edthi
s"MrHarl
owsighed.
"I
sn'
tMor ganDaddy'
sbr
other
?Andmummy'
s
husband"Ari
ncried.

"Imadeamist
ake.
..
inpicki
nghi
m upf
rom t
he
guit
ar!
"MrHar
lowsaid
_
___
"I
rish'
ssti
llgoi
ngtocomearoundokay?St
op
crying"Mr
sGabr i
ell
esai
dtoArin.
"Dadsaidshe'
snotcominganymor
e.Idon'twant
anyothernanny"Ar
incr
iedki
cki
ngherlegsinthe
air
.
"Whati
nthewor
ldwentwr
ongagai
n!"MrHar
low
sai
d.

"It
hinkyoushouldgomeetJavadandRobbinsfor
somei nf
ormati
on"MrsHarl
owsaid,knowi
ngEthan
i
snotgoi ngt
osayanythi
ngfornow.
Shehasneverseenhersonl
ookedt
hathur
t.
Helookedsosadandbr
okenl
ikehi
ssour
ceof
happi
nesswasgone.
Ir
ishhadi
ndeedl
efthi
mforMor
gan!Shehat
edher
somuchnow!
Howcoul
dshecausehersonsomuchpai naft
er
maki
nghi
mf eelsohappyt
hatshef
orgavehim.
SheneverknewI
ri
shwast
hishear
tl
ess.
Butshewasmor epissedwithMorgan,
howcanhe
besoungratef
ul?Al
lhewant edwastoseethe
Harlow'
sinpai
n.Evenafterever
ythi
ngthey'
vedone
forhim.
Theypi
ckedhi
m up!Andgavehi
mli
fe.
_
__
[
05/09,07:
34]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
61
"Whatwentwrongatt
hehospi
tal
?"MrHar
low
askedRobbi
ns.
"
Not
hing,
MrHar
low"Robbi
nssai
d.
"Wil
lyoust
oppr etendi
ngnottoknowanythi
ngand
tel
lmethereasonmyson' slooki
ngsosad.Oryou'
l
l
befir
ed!
"MrHar lowthreat
enedshar
ply.
"IswearI'
m notsure,MrHar low.Wewerenotwith
them i
nthedoct or
'soff
ice,weonlyst
oodbyt he
door.Ionl
ynoticedIri
shl ef
twithMorganHarlow
andMrEt hancameoutl ooki
ngsodejected"
Robbinssaid.
"No,
MrEt
han"Javadcuti
nandMrHar
lowt
urnedt
o
him.
"I
ri
shleftwi
thMor ganbecauseofhergr
eedi
ness.
ShelovesMorgan"Javadsaid
"
I.
.idon'
tthi
nkI
ri
shcandot
hat
"MrHar
lowsai
d.
"Shedi
djustthatMrHar
low,I
'
m sodisappoint
ed
andhurtshecoulddot
hattoMrEthan"Javadsai
d,
fei
gni
ngsadness.
MrHar l
owwalkedbackint
othehouseand
confi
rmedtoMrsHarlowthatI
ri
sjhadi
ndeedl
eft
EthanforMor
gan.

"Ican'
tbel
ievet
his,
Iri
shwon'
tdot
hat
"Mr
sGabr
iel
le
said.
"
Butshedi
djustt
hat
"Mr
sHar
lowsai
d,pi
ssed.
Ari
nwaslayingasl
eepinherarms,shehadcried
her
sel
ftosleepandtheyhavetocallDocLuc
bef
oreshewakescauseshe'sgoingtofal
lsi
ck.

"Coul
ditbethatMor
ganthr
eat
enedheror
somethi
ng?"MrsHar
lowhel
dherbreat
h.
"
No"MrHar
lowsai
d
"
Shewantst omakeEt
hanfeelt
hepai nhemadeher
f
elt
.Revenge"MrHarl
owsaid,
sti
llshakenbyt
he
wholei
ncident
.
Coul
dIr
ishr
eal
lydot
hat
?
"Ican'
tbel
ieveshe'
str
yingt
orevengeaft
eracti
ng
allsweet
,maybeJessicawasri
ghtaboutheral
l
along"MrsHarlowsai
d.
"Ethani ndeedhurtherbutsheshouldunderstand
ther easonheact edthatway,sheknewabouthi s
historywi t
hMor gan,sheknewabouteveryt
hing.
Whywoul dshedot hat!
"MrHarlowsaid.
"It
hinkweshouldwai
tti
llEt
han'sreadytot
alkand
hearful
lyf
rom hi
m"MrsGabr i
ell
esaid.
"Ethantalkedalready,heisn'tgoingtoaddt owhat
hej ustsaid,idoubtifhe'
sgoi ngtocomeoutofhi s
room anyt i
mesoon.Al lt
hankst oIri
sh,he'
sreal
ly
hurtasshewant s"Mr sHarlowsai dincontempt.
"Ican'
tevenbel
ievewewereact
uall
yexpect
ingthat
heartl
essthi
ng!
"Sheyel
led,
almostst
art
li
ngArin.

"Com'
onVeroni
ca,
youdon'
thavetoyell
.I'
l
lgocall
DocLucnow,heneedst
obeherebeforeArinis
awake"MrHarl
owsaidandwalkedupstai
rstohis
room.
 Hi
sheartachedashehear
dEt
hancr
ywhi
le
wal
kingpasthisr
oom.

Thi
sisj
ustsocr
azy!
!

_
___
_IvyRoyal
s__
_

"Okay,Pr
incessOl
ivi
aLoui
sofKi
ngCi
ty"Jessi
ca
saidandOlivi
awentpal
e.
"
GuysI'l
lbeback"Arushasai
dtothem before
walkingoutoftheclassr
oom,hethoughttheywere
havinggir
lstal
kandneededt oexcusethem pl
us
theconversati
onseemst obepret
tyseri
ous.

Jessi
calookedpr
ett
yupset,shehadafai
rl
yhot
temperandevenOli
viaknewaboutit
.
Ol
ivi
asi
ghed,
wipi
ngt
hesweatof
fherf
orehead.
"Expl
aint
his"Jessi
casai
d,l
ayi
ngamagazi
neont
he
desk.
..
Ol
ivi
agl
ancedacr
osst
hepageandt
her
eshesawi
t.

Aphotographofhersel
f,
thr
eemonthsagoata
Royalweddingtheyhadattendedi
nEngl
andwit
h
herfat
herandmot her
.
Thecapti
onsimplyread"HerRoyalHi
ghness
Pri
ncessOlivi
aofKingCit
ywithherfat
her,
rei
gni
ng
Pri
nceAlexandreLoui
sandmot herQueen
Anastasi
a"

Jessi
cahadseent hemagazineinhergodmother
's
room yest
erday,
aftert
heyar
rivedf
rom thej
ewelr
y
stor
e.

"It
houghtwewer
efri
ends,
itt
urnsoutidi
dn'
teven
knowwhoyouwere"Jessi
casaid.
"
Jessy.
.idi
dn'
tmeantokeepthi
sfr
om youguys"
Ol
ivi
asaid,
aft
eral
ongsil
ence.
She'
sfeel
ingsobadJessi
caf
oundoutt
hisway.
"
DoesAr
ushaknows?
"Al
lysi
aasked.
"
Hedoesn'
t"Ol
ivi
asai
dwi
tht
ear
sinhereyes.
"
What
!It
houghtheknew"Jessi
casai
d.
"No,I'
m sosorryyouf oundoutt hiswayOlivi
a,i
didn'
tmeant okeepi tfr
om youguys.Ij ustdon'
tli
ke
myi dent
it
ygettingrevealed,everyonewil
lstar
t
tr
eatingmedi f
ferent
ly!Ihatethat!Iwanttobe
tr
eatedli
keeveryoneel se"Ol
iviawipedhertearsand
Jessicastoodupt ohugher .

Shewasgl
adever
yonei
soutf
orl
unchbr
eak.

"Look,il
oveyouJessicaandyou' resomeoneI'd
l
ovet otel
lever
ythi
ngaboutmebutihadnochoi ce,
doyout hi
nkiwanteveryoneher ekissi
ngmyass,
waiti
ngonmehandandf oot,cal
li
ngmeyourRoyal
HighnessorExcell
ency,preventi
ngmef rom doi
ng
anywor t
hwhi l
ewor k.Thisi sonlywher eI'
m normal
andreal,
thi
si stheonlypl acepeopl edonotbowt o
meandbel ieveme, il
ovei t.Beinginthepalace,
havi
ngpeopl ewhoar efarol derthanmebowt ome
i
sjustsomi ser abl
ebutt here'snothingicando,
whetheriwanti tornot.Pl easeunder st
andme
Jessy,ihadn'tmeantt okeept hi
sfrom you"Oli
via
sai
dandJessi casighed.

"
Sit
"Jessi
casai
dandt
heybot
hsat
.
"Believeme,you'r
et hef i
rstpri
ncessI '
veseenthat
hidesheridenti
tyjustbecauseshewant stobe
treatedli
keeveryoneel se.Ican'tbeli
eveionce
calledyourfat
herani nf amoussaf ecracker
.I'
m so
sorry"Jessi
caapol ogizedandOl i
vianodded.
"You'vereal
lytaughtmenott ojudgepeopl ebased
onappear ance.Oli
via,nooneknowsyou'rea
princess,
weal lt
reatedyoubadlyandevenwhen
youhadal lthechanceandpowert opunishus, you
didn'tdoathing.I'm sosorr
y"Jessicasaid.
"
Ishoul
dapol
ogi
zef
orkeepi
ngt
hingsf
rom my
f
ri
endi
nst
ead"
Oli
viasai
d.
"No,t
her
e'sareasonyoudidthatandiunder
stand.
NowiknowwhyMrNat al
iegl
adlyall
owsyoueati n
thecl
assclai
mingyouhavethissocall
edphobia!"
Jessi
casaidandtheybot
hlaughed.

"Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odoaboutAr
usha,
areyou
goi
ngtotel
lhi
m?"
"Ihavet
obutI
'm notr
eadyyet
,it
'l
lrui
never
ythi
ng
onceheknows"
"
Why?Maybehe'lll
iket
hei
deaofbei
ngi
nlovewi
th
apr
incess"
Jessi
casmil
ed.
"That
'sthepoint
,myfat
herwouldneversupportour
rel
ati
onshipbecauseI
'm nott
obeinti
matewith
anyonethat'
snotofRoyalbir
th.
"Ol
ivi
asaidsadly,
shelovesArushasomuchandshecoul dfeeli
tthat
heloveshertoo.

"
Wow!
"Jessi
cal
ookedst
art
led.
Ar
ushawoul
dbesohear
tbr
oken.
"Doyouneedyourf
ather
'sper
missi
on?
"Jessi
ca
asked.
"Ofcourseandnotonl yhispermissionbuthi
s
member sofparli
amentaswel l
,t
herearetwent
yof
them andahundr edmember softhefamil
ycourt
,i
havetodoasI 'mt ol
d,ihavetofol
lowthedamn
tradi
ti
on"Oli
viasaidmi serabl
y.
"Wow!Bei
ngapr
incessi
snotasf
unasi
tlooks"
Jessi
casai
d.
"Ibetiti
sn'
t.Anyway,I
'
m sor
ryonceagai
nfor
keepingthi
sfrom you"
"
I'
m sor
ryigotsomad, ij
ustf
eltsohur
tyouhadn't
t
oldme"Jessi
careachedoutahandandt ouched
Ol
ivi
a'
sarm.

"Ican'tbel
ieveineversuspect
ed.Thoughi've
alwayswonder edwhyt hedaughterofaninfamous
safecrackerisusi
ngsuchanexpensi vephone"
Jessicateasedandt heybothl
aughed.
"Iguessi
t'
sallset
tl
ed.I
'
m star
ving,
l
et'
seat"Arusha
said,wal
kingi
ntothecl
assandsmili
nginnocentl
y
atthem.
Ol
ivi
afel
therhear
tache.

Hedeser
vest
oknow.

_
___

"Whatthehel
lar
eyoudoi
ngIri
sh!"Mr
sHelenyel
led
atI
rishwhowasthr
owinghert
hingsi
ntot
he
sui
tcase.
"I
'
m goingwit
hMor
ganMum!
"Ir
ishr
epeat
edf
ort
he
hundr
edthti
me.
"Ar
eyougoingcrazy?Whatar
eyousaying!Have
youbeenenchanted?
"MrsHelenasked,
breat
hing
heavi
ly.
Shecoul
dn'
tbel
ievet
his.
"Icl
earl
yknowwhatI'
m doi
ngMum, youknowhow
muchpai nEt
hancausedme,he'
sgoingtogetit
back."I
ri
shsai
d,zi
ppi
ngthesuit
caseaggressi
vel
y.
"
That
'sl
ame,youarether
easonhedidso.Et
han
woul
dneverhur
tyou"MrsHelensai
d.
"Hedid!Heevenmadeyouf allsi
ck,I'
m nevergoi
ng
toforgi
vehimfort
hat
,ican'
tletthatgo.Isti
lll
ove
him buthehastof
eelthepainifelt
"Ir
ishsaid.
"I
ri
sh,
Ethanwasn'
ttheonewhomademesick,
iwas
downwitht
hefl
ubecauseofcol
d"MrsHel
ensaid.
"No!Youweredownwi
thfeverbecauseyouwer
e
sobusyconsoli
ngmeanddidn'
tevenhavethet
ime
torest
"Ir
ishsai
d.
"
That
'
snotso"
"Idon'
tcar
e,youknowI
'
mrevengef
ulr
ight
"Ir
ish
said.

"
Idobutit
houghtyouf
orgaveEt
hanal
ready"
"
Thateasi
ly?Hel
lno!Ihadmypl
ans"I
ri
shl
aughed.
"
Ir
ishplease,
youcan'
tdothi
stohi
m,youcan'
tdo
t
histous"MrsHelensai
d.
"Ican' tbestoppedMum, imadeupmymi nd
already,itf
eltsogr eatt
oseet hatpaininhiseyes, i
wanthi mtof eelmor eofit
.I'
m notgoingt o
Mor gan'shousef oranyotherreason,idon'teven
l
ovehi m onebi tbutEthanmustgetbackt hepaini
felt"Iri
shsaid,determinedly.

"
Areyoucrazy!Thi
sdevi
lofaguyi
smar
ri
ed!
"Mr
s
Hel
enyel
led.
"Iknowandidon'tcareaboutanyt
hingatt
he
moment .ByeMum, I'
l
lbebackinaweek"Ir
ish
grabbedhersui
tcase.
"
Whatam igoi
ngtotellAr
usha?
"Mr
sHel
enasked
i
nvoi
cethatshooksl
ightl
y.
"
Thet
rut
h.Bye"I
ri
shpeckedhercheeks.
MrsHel
enwat
chedherl
eavei
ndi
sbel
ief
,thi
scan
onl
ybeadr
eam.
Ir
ishwalkedoutofthedoorandoneofMorgan'
s
bodyguardswasthere,
readyt
ohelpherwi
thher
l
uggage.

Theybot
hheadedoutsi
deandMor
ganwi
ll
ingl
y
openedt
hecardoorf
orher.
"Thankyou"Shesai
dwi
thasmi
le,
get
ti
ngi
ntot
he
car.
Et
hangoti
nbesi
deher
.
Abodyguar
dgoti
nthef
rontandt
hedr
iverst
art
ed
dr
ivi
ng.

Twomor ecarsconsi
sti
ngofbodyguar
dsf
oll
owed
them f
rom behi
nd.
"I
ri
sh,youdon'
tknowhowhappyiam t
ohaveyou
choosemeoverhim,idi
dn'
texpectt
hat
"Morgan
gri
nnedbroadl
y.
"Doesthatmeanyou'
vebeenadmi
ri
ngme
secret
ly?
"Morganasked,
li
cki
nghi
sli
ps.
"
No"I
ri
shr
epl
iedbl
unt
ly.
"Ohh"Mor
gancover
edhi
sdi
sappoi
ntmentwi
tha
smile.
"
Theywhydi dyouchooset
ocomewi
thme?
"
Morganasked.
"Ionlychosetocomewi
thyout
ohur
thi
m.Not
hing
else"Ir
ishsai
d.
"Anyway,ther
e'sst i
llsomehopeyou'l
lgett
olove
medur ingyourst ayinmyhouse,I'
m averysweet
person,I'
l
lhavet hemai dsat
tendt
oyoureveryneed
andhavet hem refertoyouas'QueenIri
sh'"
Mor gansaid.
"
Youdon'
thavet
odot
hat"I
ri
shsmi
ledshyl
y.
"Whynot?You' r
emyqueenandthefactt
hatyou
arecarr
yinghisbabywon'
tchanget
hat.I
'ddo
anythi
ngf oryou"
"
You'
reassweetasyousai
d"I
ri
sjsai
d.
"
Itol
dyou"Morgansai
d,hi
sheadf
eel
ingl
ikei
t
woul
dburstsoon.
Hef
elthe'
sst
art
ingt
owi
nherhear
t.
"Ifonl
yiknewyou' dbecomi ngwit
hme, iwoul d
havehadt hemai dssetupyourroom l
ikeaQueen' s.
Iguessyou'llhavetosleepinmyroom tonightti
ll
theroom'ssetupbecauseiwon' thaveyoust ayin
thatroom,itdoesn'
tbefitt
heloveofmyl i
fe"Morgan
said.
"How'sCat heri
negoingtotakethi
s?Icantbel
ievei
hadn'tevent houghtofher
,iwasonlyt
hinki
ngof
hurt
ingEt hanback"Iri
shsighed.
"Cather
inei
sgoingt
owelcomeyouwithopenar
ms,
she'l
lbesohappytohaveyoui
nthehouse"Mor
gan
said.
"
Real
ly?
"
"
Yes"Mor
gansmi
led.

_
___
_

"Hel
lno!I
'
m notgoi
ngtoal
lowthis,
getoutoft
his
houseinaminut
e"Cat
heri
neyel
ledatIr
ishwho
sur
veyedt
hel
ivi
ngr
oom.
I
twasabeaut
if
ulhouse,
thoughnotasexqui
sit
eas
Mor
gan'
smansion.
Shehadbeenst unnedwhent
hemaidsr
ushedt
o
col
lectherl
uggageandbowtoher
.
Et
hanneveral
lowsbowi
ng.

"Cat
her
ine,
youneedt
ochi
ll
"Mor
ganwhi
sper
edt
o
her.
"ShehatesEt
hanal
readyandshel
efthi
m.Thi
sis
yourchancet
ogethim"
"
Real
ly?Shel
efthi
m?"Cat
her
ineasked.
"
Yes"Mor
gansai
d.

"Oh..
my,you'
rewel
comeI
rene"Cat
her
inesmi
led
sweetl
y.
"
Huh?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
I'
m sor
ryt
ohavebehavedt
hatway,
iwasupsetby
somethingbef
oreyoucamein,you'
rehighl
y
welcomeinhere.Comewithme,I
'l
lshowyouto
yourroom"Cather
inesai
d,gr
abbingherhand.
I
ri
shwassur
pri
sed.

"No,
she'
l
lbest
ayi
ngwithmeinmyroom t
onightt
il
l
herr
oom i
scompl
etel
ysetup"
Mor
gansaid.
"Per
fect
!Ishoul
dshowherroundthehousethen
andintr
oducehert
othest
aff"Cat
heri
nesaid,
smil
ing.
"Wouldyoul
iket
oeatf
ir
st?
"Mor
ganaskedI
ri
shwho
nodded.
"
Iwoul
dlovet
oeatandf
reshenupf
ir
st"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Alr
ight
,gof
reshenupwhileitel
lthecooksto
prepareaspeci
aldel
icacyforyou"Cather
ine
beamed.

"
Okay"
Mor
gant
ookI
ri
sh'
shandandl
edhert
owar
dst
he
st
air
stohi
sroom.
Ever
yworkerbowedastheywalkedpassedt
hem
andIr
ishwasgreat
lyi
mpressed.

_
___

"OMG!Stophi
tt
ingherplease"I
ri
shsai
d,r
unningto
t
herescueofamaidCatheri
newasseri
ouslyhit
ti
ng.
Shejustf
ini
shedfresheni
ngup,
Mor
ganhadl
ed
herbacktothel
ivi
ngr oom.
Shewassosur
pri
sedt
oseehi
m notst
oppi
ng
Cat
her
ine

"You'r
efi
red!"Cather
inesai
dtot
hemai
dwho
pleadedi
nt ears.
Shehadst
oppedhit
ti
ngherbutt
helady'
snosewas
bl
eedi
ngandhereyewasabitswol
len.
"
Youshoul
dn'
thi
ther
,youhavenor
ightt
odot
hat
"
I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Thi
sismyhouse!Andtheyaremywor kers,
I
'l
ldoto
t
hem what
everpl
easesme"Cather
inestat
edclear
ly.
Ir
ishsighed.
..
"Iknowr
ightbutwhatwasher
offense?"
"
Youwon'tbel
ieveshedi
dn'
tbowt
omewheni
wal
kedpasther"Cat
heri
nef
umed.
"
Excuseme?
"Ir
ishwasst
unned.

"You'r
ehitt
ingherbecausesherefusedtobow?You
hitandfir
ethem whentheyrefusetobow?"Iri
sh
turnedtoMor ganwhowasn'tsayinganyt
hing.
"Ofcourse,
theyknowtheyar emeanttobowtothei
r
employers,
notbowingisasignofdisr
espectanda
workerwhodi sr
espect
shisemployershouldbe
fi
redimmediatel
y.Thatishowthi
ngsar edoneher
e"
Cather
inesaid.

"
Theyar
eyourwor
ker
s,iknowbutidon'
tthi
nk
hi
tti
ngone'
sworkerhasbeenlegal
ised,
youhavet
he
ri
ghttof
ir
ethem butnothi
tthem"I
rishsai
d.
"ThisisnotEt han'shousewher ehedoesn'
thave
controloverhiswor ker
s,iknowyou'r
eusedtothat
l
ifestyl
ebutt hat'
snothowt hi
ngsaredoneover
here,you'l
lbest ayingher enow,youshoul
dgetused
toit"Cather
inesai d.

"
Andyou,
you'
ref
ir
ed!
"Cat
her
inesai
dtot
hemai
d.
"
Gopackyourt
hings!
"Sheyel
led.
"
Mor
gan,
won'
tyousaysomet
hing?
"Ir
ishasked.
"Whatdoyouwantl
ovi
e?"Mor
ganaskedwi
thal
l
sweetness.
Hel
ookedl
ikehewasr
eadyt
odoanyt
hingf
orher
.

"Pleasedon'tmakeCather
inefi
reher,t
hisplace
mi ghtbeheronlysour
ceofincome, pl
ease"Ir
ish
pleaded,knowinghowtoughthestrugglei
sout
there.
Shehaspassedthroughthatstageandshedoesn'
t
hopeforanyonet
ogot hroughthathardshi
pand
shewassomovedbyt helady'
stears.
"Pl
ease"I
rishr
epeatedandMorgansi
ghed,
glanci
ng
atCather
inewhoglaredathi
m.
"It
hinkyoushoul
dpl
eadwi
thheri
nst
ead"Mor
gan
sai
dt oI
rish.
"
Cather
inepl
ease,donotf
ireher
,sheisn'
tgonna
r
epeatt
hatdi
srespectf
ulact,
wil
lyou?
"Iri
shasked
t
hemaidwhoqui ckl
yshookherhead.

"
Fine"Cat
her
inesai
d.
"
Thankyousomuchma' am,thankyou.Ipr
omisei
won'
trepeatt
hat
.Thankyou"Themaidsaidhappi
ly.
"Justgetoutofmysi
ght"Cat
heri
nerol
ledhereyes
andthemai dqui
ckl
ystoodup,bowedandlef
t
hurri
edly.

"Comewi t
hmetothedi
ningr
oom,
thet
abl
eisset
"
Cather
inesai
dtoI
ri
sh.
"
Okay,
thanks"I
ri
shsaid,wal
kingbehi
ndherand
t
aki
ngnoteoftheenvi
ronment.

Theywal
kedint
othedi
ningroom andI
rishwas
amazedatt
heamountofdishesarr
angedonthe
tabl
e.
I
twasal
mostover
whel
ming.

"
Wow.
.al
lthi
sforme?
"Sheasked.
"Yes,Morganismor ewealthythanyou
thought,
evenwealthi
erthanEt hanbuthejust
doesn'tl
ikeshowingoff
"Cat heri
nesmiledand
Mor ganwinkedthankf
ullyather.
"
Really?
"Ir
ishasked,
glanci
ngatMorganwho
f
eignedshynessbystari
ngathi
sfeet
.
"Yes,iknowEthancanneveraf
for
dtosethi
sdini
ng
tableupliket
his,
heeat
slikeamiser
"Cat
heri
ne
said.
"
Ohh"I
ri
shsmi
ledi
nwar
dly.
"
Iwoul
dloveyoubot
htoj
oinme"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
No,
i
t'
sal
lforyou"Cat
her
inesai
d.
"Ican'
tpossiblyfi
nishthi
s,besides,I
'dlovesome
companywhi l
eeatinganddi dn'tyousayyou'r
e
goingtofil
lmei nont hesystem ofthishouse,
we
candot hatoverlunch"Ir
ishsai d.

"
That'
l
lbegreat
"Cather
inesai
dandt
heybot
hsat
wit
hIr
ishf
orlunch.

_
__

"Yourcooki
sreal
lygood"I
ri
shsai
dwi
thanod,
enjoyi
ngthemeal
.
"
Wel
l.
.t
her
ear
ethi
rt
eenoft
hem"Cat
her
inesai
d.
"
What
!"I
ri
shexcl
aimed,
star
tl
ingMor
gan.
Cat
her
ineknewwhyshewassur
pri
sed.Et
hanhad
onl
yonecook.
"I
'
m sorr
ybutaren'
ttheyt
oomucht
obei
nthe
ki
tchen?
"Ir
ishasked.
"Iguessourkit
chenwillbethef
ir
stplaceishoul
d
showyout hen,
it'
sver
ywi deandspacious"
Catheri
nesaid.
"
It
snotaboutthesi
zebutt
hepeopl
e,
thi
rt
eenpeopl
e
i
ntheki
tchen?
"
"Well
..
theydonotgett obeatt hekit
chenatt he
samet i
me,ther
e'stheheadcookwho' sthereallthe
ti
mebutt herestofthem alt
ernateshift
s,j
ustthree
peopl
ear eall
owedt obewi t
hherf orbreakfast,
three
forl
unch,t
hreeformi dlunchandt hr
eef ordinner.

"
Ohh.
..i
nter
est
ing"I
ri
shsmi
led.
"Iguessi
tisn'
tthatwayi
nEt
han'
shouse"Mor
gan
said.
"Ofcoursei
tisn'
t,
heonl
yhasonecookwhom he
madet obeprepari
ngmeal
sforeveryonebecause
hebeli
evessheoweshim"Cather
inesnarl
ed.
"
That
'
snott
rue!
"Ir
ishsnapped.
"Mr sGabri
ell
evoluntar
il
yofferedtobet hecookand
shehadevent ur
neddownEt han'sofferseveral
lyto
bringinanothercook.Shelovescookingandf eels
she'stheonlyonewhocanpr otectEt
hanf rom
beingpoisonedalsoaftert
hedeat hofCar rl
e.That
waswhyshedevot edhertimet omakingt hehouse
meal s,
sheevenr ef
usesanyone' shel
pexceptmi ne"
Ir
ishexplai
ned.
"
Ohh"Mor
gansai
d.
"Whatever"Cather
inesai
d,shecouldn'
tbel
ieve
EthantoldIr
ishaboutCarr
lealready,
hemustreal
ly
tr
usther.

"Youshoul
dknowCar r
le"I
ri
shsai
dtoCat
her
ine
obser
vingherdeepl
y.
Ther
ewaspanici
nhereyesbutitqui
ckl
y
di
sappear
edassoonasitappear
ed.
"
Ofcour
seiknowCar
rl
e,il
ikedherevent
houghshe
wasagainstmyeverymoveinthathouse!She
al
moststoppedEthanfr
om get
tingmarri
edtome"
Cat
heri
nesaidwit
hangerinhereyes.
"
Ohh"I
ri
shsmi
led.

Theyallcont
inuedtheirmeali
nsi l
enceandMor gan
wasalmostloststari
ngatIri
shwhohadwor npink
short
sandwhi tesweatshi
rtafterf
resheni
ngup,her
hai
rwasi natightponytai
lwhichhighli
ght
edher
beauti
fulf
aceandsheevenhadst riki
ngeyes.
He'sattr
actedtoher,hehasneverseenanyone
l
ookt hi
sbeautif
ulwithoutweari
ngmakeup,she
wasmuchmor enaturalthanthewomenhewas
accustomedtowhoal wayswearmakeup,per
for
m
breastandbuttenhancements..

He'
ssohappyEt
hanl
ostt
hisgem t
ohi
m.

Cather
ine,not
ici
ngMor ganwasalmostdrool
ing
overIr
ishcoul
dn'thel
pbutfeelj
eal
ous.Shefeelsso
i
nsecur
eaboutI
ri
sh'
snat
uralbeaut
y.
Whowoul
dn'
tdr
ooloverher
?
Well
..
.sheshoul
dbest
uckherewi
thMor
ganwhi
le
shemakesamoveonEt han.
.

"Okay,aboutt
hehousesyst
em"Cat
her
inebr
oket
he
sil
ence.
"Ohh..
yeah"I
ri
shsai
d,shewasst
il
lsur
pri
sedabout
Catheri
ne'
ssuddenki
ndnesst
oher.
Isn'
titt
hesamel
adywhohadempt
iedabowlofi
ce
cream onher
?
Andwhywouldawi
febesocomfor
tabl
ewi
thher
husbandbr
ingi
ngi
nanot
herl
ady.
ShehopesCather
inedoesn'
thavesomet
hingt
ri
cky
uphersl
eeves.

"Iknowyoumustbesousedt oEthan'
'
shouse
system thatyou'
l
lfi
ndthi
ngshereabitawkward
andi shouldmakethiscl
ear
,youhavenorightt
o
changeanyoft
hishouser
ules,
youhavet
ogowi
th
thefl
ow"

"
Ohh.
.okaybutwhati
fI'
m notcomf
ort
abl
ewi
thi
t?"
I
ri
shasked.
"Thenyou'
llhavetoavoi
ditbutnochangi
ngof
anythi
ng,
ihateitwhenpeopledon'
tdoasiwant
"
Cather
inesaid.
"
Alr
ightt
hen"I
ri
shsai
d.

"Okay,sohere,thewor
kersaret
obowt othei
r
empl oyersandanyofthem whorefusedtodot hat
willgetpunishedandfi
redi
mmedi atel
y..
."Cat
herine
started.

Ir
ishnoddedwi
thadeepsi
ghaf
terCat
her
inewas
done.
"Oncewe'r
edoneeati
ng,
I'
m goi
ngtoshowyou
roundthehouseandi
ntr
oduceyoutothewor
ker
s"
Cather
inesai
d.
"Alr
ight
"Ir
ishsai
d,si
ppi
ngapi
neappl
ejui
cewhi
ch
almostmadeherthrowup.
"Canihavest
rawber
ryj
uiceonlyandstrawber
ry
cakeandwhippedcr
eam fordesser
t"I
ri
shsaid.
"Ofcourse,anyt
hingyouwant
"Morgansmi
ledand
quicklyor
deredthecookst
obringi
nwhatI
rish
want s.
"
Thankyou"I
ri
shsmi
led.
[
05/09,07:
34]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie
#Chapt
er_
62

"Wow,imustsaythi
sisonehellofabeauti
ful
house"I
ri
shsaidaft
erCather
inewasdonet aki
ng
heronatourofthehouseandexplai
ningsome
thi
ngstoher.

Shehadint
roducedhert
othewor
ker
sast
hey
tour
edt
hebuildi
ng.
"
Thankyou"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Mypleasur
e"Cather
inesaid,
herescort
swere
standi
ngfewfeetaway.I
rishhadinsist
edshe
wantednoescort.
"
Caniaskyousomet
hing?
"Ir
ishasked.
"Youal
readydi
d"Cat
her
inel
aughedandI
ri
sh
smil
ed.
"
You'
ref
reet
oaskanyt
hing"Cat
her
inesai
d.
"Whyareyousocoolaboutmebeinghere.Youdo
notl
ikeme,webot
hknowt hat
"Ir
ishsai
d.
"Ofcourseidonotli
keyoubutI'
m someonewho
stoopstoanylevelt
ogetwhatshewants"
Catheri
nesaidwithaone-
sidedgr
in.

"
Whatdoyoumean?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
HaveanicedayIri
sh"Cat
her
inesai
d,wal
kingaway
wit
hherescor
ts.
"Andareyousureyoudonotwantbodyguar
ds?"
Cather
inest
oppedtoaskandIr
ishshookherhead.

I
ri
shwat
chedherl
eave.
Shewasr
ight
.
Cat
her
inewant
ssomet
hing.

Justf
ivedaysandshe'
l
lbeoutoft
hispl
ace.
I
ri
sht
urnedt
oseebodyguar
dsi
never
ycor
nerof
t
hehousest
ari
ngather
.
Woah...
shecoul
dn'
tevencountthenumberof
bodyguardsCat
her
inehadint
roducedhert
o.
Theymakethewhol
ehousest
uff
yand
uncomf
ort
ablef
orher.

Shewal
kedt
owar
dst
hepool
,
notr
eadyt
ogoi
nsi
de
yet
.
"
Ma'
am"I
ri
shhear
dsomeonesai
dbehi
ndher
.
Shetur
nedandsmiledonseei
ngt
hemai
dshehad
savedf
rom beenf
ir
ed.
"Youreyemustbehur
ti
ng"I
ri
shsai
dpi
ti
ful
lyseei
ng
howswol l
ent
heeyeis.
"AsfarasI'
m sti
llinthi
shouse,i
tcanhurtasmuch
asitwants,t
hisplaceismyonlysourceofincome
andgetti
ngfir
edi sn'
tanybett
erthanbei
ngdead"
Themai dsai
dandI r
ishshookherheadsadly.

I
ri
shgl
ancedathernamet
agandsawhername.
Mar
ia.

"Thankyousomuchma'
am,I
'm sogr
atef
ul,you
savedmylif
ewit
hwhatyoudi
d"Mariasaid.
"
Savedyourl
if
e?How?
"Ir
ishasked.
"Becauseleavi
ngt
hispl
acei
sasgoodasbei
ng
dead,mysoni spr
obabl
ygoi
ngtost
arvet
odeat
h."
Mar i
asaid.
"
Youhaveachi
ld?
"Ir
ishaskedandMar
ianodded.
Shel
ookedsoyoungt
ohaveachi
ld.

Shelookssopret
tywithherstr
iki
ngblueeyesand
gl
ossybrownhair,
hernoseandmout hwerein
per
fectshapebutherfai
rski
nlookedsodrylikei
t
hasweekssheappliedbodylot
ion.

"
I'
mtwentyone,
ihadhi
m wheniwassevent
een"
Mari
asai
d.
Shedoesn'
tknowwhyshef
eltateasewi
thI
ri
sh.
Shehasnevertol
danyoneaboutherchi
ld,
noteven
thoseshehasbeenworki
ngwithformonths.

"
Let
'sgosi
tovert
her
eandt
alk"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
No,
we'
renotal
lowedt
odot
hat
"Mar
iasai
d.
"
Ohh"I
ri
shsi
ghed.

"
Sohe'sfour,what
'shi
sname?
"Ii
shasked
i
nter
est
ingly.
.
"
Lucas"Mar
iasmi
led.
"
Areyoumar
ri
ed?
"Ir
ishasked.
"No,
I'
m asi
ngl
emother,
hisf
ather
'snotdead,hej
ust
doesn'
twantt
hebaby"Mari
asmiledsadly.
"I
'
m sosorryaboutt
hat
"Ir
ishpat
tedhershoul
der
aff
ect
ionat
ely.
"
I'
m overt
hat
,it
'sbeenyear
s"Mar
iasai
d.
"
I'
m gl
adyouar
e,soLucasst
ayswi
thyour
par
ent
s?"I
ri
shasked.
"
No,t
heymademel eavethehouseaft
erit
oldt
hem i
waspregnant
,theycouldn'
tcopewit
hthenews"
"
Andt
heydi
dn'
tcomef
oryout
il
lnow?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
Theydi
dn'
t"
"
Forf
ouryear
s!"I
ri
shwasst
unned.
"Yes"Mari
alaughedbutI
ri
shcoul
dseet
hepai
nin
hereyes.

"
That
'
sbad.Whodoyoust
aywi
th?
"
"Myfri
end,
sher unsasmallr
est
aur
antandhelps
takecar
eofmydaught erwhi
leI
'
m her
e,ionl
ygetto
seeonmyof fdays"
"
Wow,that
'ssoni
ceofher
,she'
saver
ygoodf
ri
end"
I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Yesshei
s"Mar
iasmi
led.

"
Howl
onghaveyoubeenwor
kingher
e?"I
ri
shasked.
"
Fourmont
hs"Mar
iasai
d.
"I
sthepayenought
osust
ainyouandyour
daught
er?
"
"
Yes,
morethanenough,igett
opayherschool
f
ees,
buyt
hingsforher
,assi
stGemmawiththerent
"
"Ohh..
that
'sgr
eat"I
ri
shsmil
ed,gl
adMari
aisdoing
wellf
orhersel
f,sheseemsl
ikeadet
erminedand
hardworki
nglady.

"Ineedtoleavenow,Madam Cat
heri
nemust n'
tsee
meher e.ThankyousomuchMadam I r
ish"Maria
saidandIrishnoddedwi
thasmile.
Shewal
kedawayaf
terbowi
ngt
oIr
ish.
"Makesureyout
akesomepai
nrel
iever
"Ir
ishsai
d
aft
erher
.
"
Okayma'
am,
thankyou"Mar
iasmi
led.

_
___
"
Howcanyoul
aughovert
hat
!?"Mr
sHel
enasked
Arusha.
Shejustt
oldhi
mIr
ishl
eftwi
thMor
ganandhe'
s
l
aughing.

"
I'
m ser
ious,sheleftwit
hMorgan,sayi
ngshewant
s
t
omakeEt hangot hrought
hepainhemadeherfel
t"
MrsHelensaid.
"
Ir
ishcan'
tdothat.Shejustcan'
t.Iknowmysi
ster
morethananybodyelse"Arushasmiled.
"
Youneedt oseeI
ri
sh,shewassoserious.Idon'
t
t
hinkshe'
sjoki
ng"MrsHelenpani
cked.
"I
ri
shsurel
yhavesomepl ans,
tr
ustme.Anddidn'
t
shesaidshe'l
lbebacki naweekorso,Don'
tyou
tr
usther?Shedef i
nitelyknowswhatshe'
sdoing,
l
et'sj
ustbepatient.Ijusthopewhat
everherplan
i
s,shewon'tbehurt"Ar ushasai
d.
"
Ohh"Mr
sHel
ent
houghtr
easonabl
y.

_
___
"Morgan,don'tyouthi
nkt
hisIri
shladyisupto
something.Webot hknowhowmuchshel oves
Ethanandshehadevenr efusedtoleavehi
m when
youofferedherahugesum ofmoneyandnow
she'shere,l
ike.
..

"Idon'
tthi
nkshe'
supt oanythi
ngandi fsheis,she'l
l
bepayingwithherl
ife.Ithi
nkshe'sonlyaf t
er
hurti
ngEthanashehadhur ther.Oneofmy
bodyguardswereatherdoorwhi l
eshewast al
king
toherMum andhet oldmeever ythingtheysaid,
sheonlywantstohur tEt
han..nothingelse"Morgan
said.

"Anyway,
I
'm goi
ngtokeepacl
oseeyeonherand
makesurethebodyguar
dsdosotoo"Cat
her
ine
said.
"
Asyouwi
sh"
Mor
ganshr
ugged.
"
Icanseeyou'
rest
art
ingt
oloveher
"Cat
her
inesai
d.
"
Shouldn'
ti?You'
l
lal
sobegoi
ngt
oEt
hansoon"
Morgansaid.
"WhydidyouacceptEthan'
schild?Shoul
dn'
twe
giveherabor
ti
onpil
lsecret
ly.Idon'
twantEthan
havingababywit
hthatlady"Cather
inesai
d.

"NoCat,Wearegoi
ngtousethebabytot
aunt
Ethan,
he'l
lbeonhi
skneeagain"Mor
gansmir
ked.
_
__

"A.
.r
ewesleepi
ngonthesamebed?
"Ir
ishasked
Morganasshewal
kedoutoft
hebathr
oom i
nher
paj
amas.
I
t'
sni
ghtal
ready.

"
I.
..
cansl
eepont
hecouch"Mor
gansai
d.
"
No,i
t'
sfi
ne.Myr oom'
sgonnaber
eadyt
omor
row
r
ight
?"Sheasked.
"
Ofcour
se"Mor
gansai
d.

Hisroom isnothi
nglikeEthan'
s,Ethan'sroom isso
fl
ashyandcol our
ful
,thecurtai
ns,r
ug,furnit
ures,
bedspread,
thewallandeveryotherthinginthe
room i
sblinkedbri
ghtly.
ShesomuchprefersEthan'
ssroom t
othi
s,hi
s
room i
ssocool
,
clean,cozyanditgi
vesonean
unbeat
abl
esenseofwar mth.

ShegotonthebedbesideMor
ganandcover
edher
bodywit
htheblanket
.
Ther
ewassi
lencef
oramoment
.
"
Isthereanythi
ngyouwantmetodof
oryou
I
ri
sh,I
'l
lgladl
ydoit
"Morgansai
d.
"
Real
ly?
"Ir
ishaskedsl
owl
y,t
urni
ngont
hebedsi
de
l
amp.
"
Yeah"
Mor
gansai
d,hewast
otal
lysmi
tt
enwi
thher
.
"
Ist
hatapr
omi
se?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
Yes,
I
'l
ldoanythi
ngforyouI
ri
sh,
anyt
hingf
oryout
o
l
oveme..
justment
ioni
t"Mor
gansai
d.
"Okay..
.butican'
tseem t
othi
nkofanyt
hingiwant
now, perhapsicanusethi
swhol
enighttothi
nk
aboutit"Ir
ishsai
d.
"
Asyouwi
sh,
myl
ady"Mor
gansmi
ledt
ohi
msel
f.

"
Goodni
ghtMor
gan"Shesai
d.
"
Goodni
ghtst
rewber
ry"Mor
gansai
d.

_
_NextMor
ning_
__

I
ri
shsatint
heli
vingroom af
terbreakf
ast,wat
ching
t
hedocumentar
iesthatwasbeingscreenedwit
h
Morgan.
Bodyguardswereal
lovert
hem andI
ri
shf
eltso
uncomfor
table.
"Canyoupleasemakehalfoft
hem st
ayout
side,
I
'm
almostchoked"I
ri
shsai
dt oMorgan.
"
Ofcourse,Hardi
nmakehalfofthem st
ayoutsi
de,
I
ri
sh'sf
eeli
ngchoked,i
t'
snotgoodforherbaby"
Morgansai
dt otheheadoft
hebodyguards.
"Okayboss"Har
dinbowedbef
orecar
ryi
ngoutt
he
order
.

Catheri
newalkedintothelivi
ngroom,dr
essedina
shortpurpl
evelvetgownwhi chshowedoffher
greatfi
gure,
wit
hanel egantdarkfurhat
,hi
gh-
heel
ed
blackshoesandanal li
gatorbag.
Shel
ookedbeaut
if
ul.
"
Wher
eto?
"Mor
ganasked.
"Ana'
sfashi
onst
ore,
ineedt
ogetsomenewwear
s"
Shesaid.
"
Ohh.
.okay,
sayhit
oherf
orme"
Mor
gansai
d.
"Al
rightandithinkyoushoul
dtunei
ntonews"
Catheri
nesaid,point
ingt
otheTVbefor
ewalki
ngof
f
wit
hherescor ts.
"Hey,changet
hechannel"Morgansai
dtooneofhi
s
bodyguardswhoquickl
ydidso..

"
Ihopeyoul
ikeyourr
oom?
"Heasked.
"Ilovei
t!Total
ly"I
ri
shsmi
ledandMor
gancoul
dn'
t
hidehisgrin.
"
I'
m gl
adyoudo"Hesai
d.
"You'
rewelcomei
ntomyr
oom anyt
imet
hough"He
saidandshenodded.
"Iwantt
oknowmor eaboutyourf
ami
ly"Hesai
d,
sit
ti
ngupandfaci
ngher.
"Okay.
.ihaveabrot
her
,he'
sArusha"I
ri
shsai
d,
caref
ull
ywatchi
nghisexpr
essi
on.
"Real
ly?Youhaveabrother
?Mor
ganaskedl
ikehe
knewnothingaboutAr
usha

'
yes!Youfool
!Youwental
lthewaytoSi
ngapor
eto
t
hreatenhi
m'Iri
shr
agedinhermind.
"
Yes,
idoandiguessyousawmyMum yest
erday"
I
ri
shsai
d.
"Idi
dbuti
tseemsshedoesn'tl
ikeme,
ihopeyour
brot
heri
sgoingt
oli
kemet hough"Morgansai
d.
'
hehat
esyoul
ikeshi
t!
'
"
He'
sgoi
ngt
o"I
ri
shsmi
led.
"
Ican'
twai
ttomeethi
m"
"
Iguessyoual
readyknowmyf
ami
ly"Mor
gansai
d.
Youadopt
edpi
eceofshi
t!
"Yeah,
theHar
low'
s"I
ri
shsmi
ledandMor
gan
nodded.

Mor
gangl
ancedathi
swr
istwat
ch.
"
Yougoi
ngout
?"I
ri
shasked.
"
Yesbutnotyet
,tomeetsomebusi
nesspar
tner
s"
Mor
gansaid.
"Okay,
youwon'
tbest
ayi
ngl
ongr
ight
?Ienjoyyour
company"I
ri
shsai
dandMor
gan'
sheartal
most
bur
sted.
"Ipromi
seiwon' tst
aylong,
I'
m goi
ngtoleave
i
mmedi atel
yt hebusi
nessmeeti
ngisover!
"Morgan
saidear
nestly.
"Thankyou"Ir
ishsmil
ed,
rest
ingherheadonhi
s
shoulderandthi
sti
mehisheartt
oreopen.

Hewassoelat
edanddi
dn'
tevenwast
eti
mei
n
car
essi
ngherhai
r.
"
OMG!OMG!
"Hi
shear
tscr
eamed.
She'
sst
art
ingt
ofal
lforhi
m!
Thi
sissounbel
ievabl
e.
Hi
ssweet
nesspai
dof
f.

Damn!

Mar
iapl
acedsomesl
icesofst
rawber
rycakeont
he
t
abl
ebefor
eIr
ish.
"Mar
ia,
howareyou?"I
ri
shsmil
edandshecoul
d
seeMari
ahesi
tat
einanswer
ingher
.
"
Ohh..Morgan,
it'
sfi
nei
fMar
iai
sfr
eewi
thme
r
ight
?"I
ri
shasked.
"Ofcour
se,youcanmakeheryourpersonalmai
dif
youwant"Morgansmi
led,
sti
l
lcaressi
ngherhair
.
"
Real
ly?
"
"
Ofcour
se"Hesai
d.

"
Apersonalmaidearnmoret
hananonper
sonal
mai
dright
?"Ir
ishasked.
"Yes,
thr
icet
hepayofanonper
sonalmai
d"Mor
gan
said.
"
Alr
ight
,she'
smyper
sonalmai
dst
art
ingf
rom now"
I
ri
shsaid.
"
Asyouwi
shdar
li
ng"Mor
gansai
d.
"Thankyousomuchma' am!
"Mar
iascr
eamed
happil
yandIr
ishl
aughed.
"Hey!You'
regoi
ngt
obl
ockmyear
s!"Mor
ganyel
led
atMar i
a.
"
I'
m sosor
rysi
r"Mar
iabowedi
mmedi
atel
y.
"Youdon'
thavet
oyell
,i
t'
squit
estr
essful
"Ir
ishsai
d
calml
ytoMorgan,l
ooki
ngint
ohiseyes.
Heal
mostmel
ted.

"
Okay,
I'
m goi
ngt
ost
opyel
li
ng"Hesai
d.
"
Good"I
ri
shsmi
led.
"Gogetyourthi
ngsfr
om thewor
ker
squart
ers,you'
l
l
bestayingint
hehousenow,t
hesmallr
oom besi
de
Ir
ish'
s"Morgansai
d.
"Thankyousomuch"Mar
iasai
dwi
tht
ear
sinher
eyes.
"
It
'sokay,
Mar
"Ir
ishsai
d.
"Thankyou"Mariasaidoncemor
e,bowedbef
ore
goingtogethert
hings.
_
__

"
I'
llgetgoi
ng"Morgansai
d,wal
kingi
ntot
hel
ivi
ng
r
oom, dr
essedup.
"
Youl
ookgood"I
ri
shcomment
ed.
"
Thankyou"Mor
ganwasf
lat
ter
ed.
"
Youshoul
dtakegoodcareofherwhi
leI
'
m gone"
Mor
gansai
dtoMar i
a,whonodded.
Shewasstandi
ngbesi
deI
ri
shwhichi
spar
tofher
worknowandshewassoexci
ted.

Mor
ganlef
twit
hhi
sbodyguar
dsandI
ri
sht
old
Mar
iat
osit.
"
Huh?
"Mar
iaasked.
"Si
t.Ever
yoneofyoushoul
dhaveyourseat
,rest
andhavef un"I
ri
shsai
dandtheworker
shesit
ated.
"I
'
m notagai nsti
t,t
hepeopl
eagainsti
tareoutand
i
fyouf eelyoudon'twantt
ohaveal i
tt
lefunti
llt
hey
areback,t
henyoucankeepst andi
ng"Iri
shsai
dand
gott
oherf
eet
.

Theworker
sar
ounddr
oppedont
hechai
r,si
ghi
ng
ti
redl
y.
I
ri
shsmi
ledandmadet
owal
ktoherr
oom.
"
Youdon'
thavet
ocomewi
thmeMar
ia"Shesai
d.
"
I'
m yourper
sonalmai
dnowma'
am"Mar
iasai
d.
"
Iknow,I
'm goingtocal
lyouwhenineedyou.Have
f
unwithothers"I
ri
shsaid.
"
Thankyouma'
am"Mar
iasmi
ledandI
ri
shnodded.

_
__

"Wi
llyoufucki
nggetoutofthatr
oom!Ari
nissi
ck
andshe'snotall
owingDocLuctouchher
!"Mr
s
Harl
owyelled,bangi
ngEthan'
sdoor.
Hi
sdoorf
laggedopeninsecondsandheheaded
t
ohi
sdaughter
'sroom.
Heopenedt
hedoorandmetheront
hephone,
smi
li
ng.
MrHarlowandMrsGabri
ell
ewer eseat
edont he
bedbesi
deherandDocLucst oodinacorner
,Car
l
wascrouchedbyhersi
de.

"
Didn'
tyout
oldmeshewassick?
"Et
hanaskedhi
s
Mum whowaslooki
ngsur
pri
sed.
"Shewas,
tr
ustme.Idon'
tknowwhat'
sgoingon
eit
her
"MrsHarl
owsaid,walki
ngcl
osert
ot hem.
"
Who'
sont
hephonewi
thher
?"Et
hanaskedCar
l.
"
I.
.ii
ri
sh"
Car
lsai
dandEt
hanl
ookedsopi
ssed.

Hecur
sedunderhi
sbreat
handpat
ient
lywai
tedf
or
t
hedamncallt
obeover.

"
ByeIr
ish,
ipr
omi
seI
'
m goi
ngt
oal
lowDocLuc
t
ouchme.
"
Goodgi
rl
!I'
l
lbebacksoonokay?
"
OkayI
ri
sh,
bye"Ar
insmi
led.
"
Bye"I
ri
shsai
ddi
sconnect
ingt
hecal
l.

"Howcouldyoual l
owherspeaktoIr
ish!Whythe
helldi
dyoucallherandmadeAr i
nspeaktoherAre
youcrazy?
"EthanyelledatCar
l.
"
I'
m sor
ryMrEthan,
idi
dn'
tcallI
ri
sh,
shecall
edand..
.
r
equest
edtospeaktoAri
n.I
'm sosor
ry"Carlsai
d.
"
Shecal
led?
"Et
hanaskedandCar
lnodded.
"
Shecal
ledmydaughteri
nt hatt
hinghouse,
thi
sis
j
ustf
uckingcr
azy"Et
hanlaughed.

Hewasl
ooki
ngsot
err
ibl
eandher
eekedofal
cohol
.
Hehaddarkci
rcl
esbeneat
hhi
seyesandhi
seyes
l
ookedredandsad.
Hishai
rwasdishevel
edandhet
riedt
omakei
tlook
bett
erbyr
aki
ngi twit
hhi
sfi
nger
s.
"
Dad,I
ri
sh'
sgoi
ngt
obeback"Ar
insai
dhappi
ly,
r
ushi
ngtohim.
'
she'
sfucki
ngdecei
vingyou!
'
"Okay"Et
hansai
d,put
ti
ngonasmi
lef
orhi
s
daughter
.
"
Ican'
tbel
ievethi
s..
.shewasfeeli
ngunwel
lbef
orei
l
eftt
ogetEthan"MrsHarlowsaid.
"
Wewerealsosur
pri
sedtoseeherr
ecoverwhi
le
t
alki
ngt
oIr
ish"MrHarl
owsaid.
"
Unbel
ievabl
e"Mr
sHar
lowsi
ghed.
"Iguessthere'
snoneedtogethert
reat
edanymor
e,
she'slooki
ngfinenow"DocLucsai
d.

"Car
l,don'
teverputmydaught
eronthephonewi
th
hereveragai
nokay?"Et
hansaidangri
ly.
"
Okay,
MrEt
han"
Car
lsai
d.
"Et
han,
your
eal
lyneedt
ochi
llokay?
"MrHar
low
sai
d.
"Andwhyar eyoulookingsot er
ri
ble!Wi
llyouget
yourassintoyourbathroom andhaveacl ean
bath,r
esumewor kandlivel
ikethemanyouar e"Mr
s
Harlowsaidster
nly.
"Lookatyou,lookingl
ikeyoul
ostthr
eepeopl
eina
day.Sheleftyou,f
ine,
l
ethergo.I
t'
sherl
oss,
get
yoursel
ftogetherandstopdri
nki
ngandcryi
ngli
kea
crybaby"MrHar lowsaid.
"
Ari
n,t
ellyourdadtogohavehi
sbat
h,he'
sst
inki
ng.
"
MrsHarlowsaidtoAri
n.

"Uhm...
you'
resti
nki
ngdad,gohaveyourbat
h"Ari
n
said,
pushingherdadoutofherr
oom wit
hherli
tt
le
hands.
Et
hanl
aughed.

_
___

"
Okay,
I'
m back"
Car
lsai
dtoI
ri
shovert
hephone.
Hewassi
tt
ingi
nhi
sroom.
"
IhopeAr
in'
sfi
nenow?
"Ir
ishasked.
Hehadtol
dhershewassi
ckwhenshecal
ledt
otel
l
hi
m shewasful
lyset
tl
edi
ntoMor
ganhouse.
"
She'
sfi
nenow"Car
lsai
d.

"
Andhow'
sEt
hanal
so?
"Sheasked.
"
He'
llbefine,
thoughheseemsnott
otaket
henews
wel
l,
helooksshatt
ered.
"
OMG!Mybaby"I
ri
shsai
d,bl
inki
ngbackt
ear
s.
Shef
eel
ssosor
ryf
orhi
m.
"Donotworryabouthi
mfornow,youneedtof
ull
y
concent
rat
eonwhatyou'r
einthathousef
orokay?"
"
Okay"I
ri
shsai
d,keepi
ngheremot
ionsasi
de.

"
Ihopeyou'
rei
nthet
oil
et?
"Car
lasked.
"
Yes,whydoyouinsi
stist
ayinthetoi
lett
oint
eract
wit
hyou,
icanst
ayintheroom,noone'
sgoingto
hearme,
besi
dest
heyar
ebot
hnothomeatt
he
moment.
"
"Mor
ganisafucki
ngdi
ck!Hemi
ghthavei
nst
all
eda
camerai
nyourroom.
"
Camer
a?"I
ri
shasked.
"Ofcour
se,youdonott
hinkhe'
l
ltr
ustyout
hat
easi
lyri
ght
? "
"
Iwaswonder
ingt
oo"I
ri
shsi
ghed.
"Li
sten,donotpani c.First,youneedt ocheckyour
room thor oughly,t
hef ourcor ners,behi
ndthe
curtai
n,thedr awer,
yourcl oset,t
hebedside
l
amp, checkever ydamnpl aceandseei fyou'
llf
inda
camer a.Weneedt obesur ethere'
snocamer a
beforepr oceedingwi t
hourpl an"

"Okay,
I
'l
lbeback"I
ri
shsai
danddi
sconnect
edt
he
call
.

Shewal
kedbacki
ntoherr
oom andst
art
ed
sear
chi
ngl
ikeCar
lhadsai
d.
Shesearchedforminut
esanddi
dn'
tfi
nd
anyt
hing,
shewasaboutgivi
ngupwhenshedeci
ded
tocheckherbedsi
delampandther
eitwas!

Damni
t!

Shedroppedonthebed,pr
etendi
ngnottoseei
t
causeshedefi
nit
elyknowt
hey'l
lbewatchi
ngher
now.

"Wheret
hehelli
smybr acelet
"Shesighedl
oudl
y,
makingwhoeveri
swat chi
ngherrightnowt
hink
she'
ssearchi
ngforherbracel
et.

'
i
mindeepshi
t'shesai
dinwar
dly.
Shesi
ghedandsatupont
hef
luf
fybed.
Shelookedr
oundtheroom,Morganr eal
lydi
da
greatj
obinmakingi
tlookspect
acular,i
twasthe
mostbeauti
fulr
oom shehaseverseen.
Andhowheknewoneofherbestcol
our
swas
scar
letwasst
il
lsur
pri
singt
oher
.
Sher
arel
ytel
lanyone.

Shest
oodupknowi
ngsheneedst
otel
lCar
lther
e's
acamerai
nst
all
edi
nherr
oom.
Shemusthavebeensodumbt
othi
nkMor
gan
woul
dtr
usthereasi
ly.
He'
sasmar
tandsneakyman.
Thoughsheknowshisloveforherisgenui
ne,
she
coul
dfeeli
tbuthehadn'tal
lowedthelovecl
oudhi
s
j
udgement.
Hei
sn'
taweakmanwhocanbeeasi
lyt
amed.
She'
snother
etot
amehi
mthoughbutt
ogetwhat
bel
ongstoEt
han.

Car
rl
e'
sneckl
ace.
Ethanmi
ghtlookhappyontheoutsi
debutshe
knowshefeel
sincomplet
ewithoutt
heneckl
ace.
Andhewasal
waysconst
ant
lyt
hinki
ngabouti
t.
~ift
here'
sanyt
hingiwi
shf
ormost,
i
t'
stogetback
Carr
le'
sneckl
ace~Hehadsai
dtoher.

Andwi t
hallhehaddoneforherandherf
amil
y,
hel
pinghim getbackt
henecklacehesomuch
cher
ishedshouldn'
tbetoomuch.
Shel
oveshim somuchandwoul ddoanyt
hingt
o
makehi
mf eelhappyandcompl
ete.

Whileshe'sherefort
heneckl
ace,
she'l
lmakesur
e
togetallMorgan'
sbaddeedsandalsothespywho
keepssupplyinghiminf
ormat
ionaboutthem.
Ifshe'
ssuccessf
ulwi
thherplant
henMor
ganwi
ll
beheadingtopri
soni
nfivedays.
She'
snotsur
eit'
l
lbeeasyt
hough,
nowshegata
st
eadycameraonher.
Shej
ustgoti
ntot
heroom thi
smorningandshe'
s
gl
adshehasn'
tdoneanyt
hingsuspi
cious.
Car
lwassowi
set
osuggestshemakescal
lint
he
bat
hroom.

Damn!
Whati
fhehasacamer
ainst
all
edi
nthebat
hroom
al
so.

Shewal kedint
othebathr
oom andlookedar
ound
caref
ull
y,thesear
chforanot
hercamerawentonfor
minutesandshewasgl adshedidn'
tfi
ndone.
Shespl
ashedwat
eronherfaceandgr
abbeda
t
owelwhichshewi
pedherfacewit
h.

Shesearchedherpocketforherphonet
ocal
lCar
l
andreal
izedshelef
tintheroom.
Shest
eppedbacki
ntoherr
oom andscr
eamedas
shesawMor
gansi
tt
ingonherbed.
"
OMG!Di
dist
art
leyou?
"Heaskedgent
ly.
"
Ahh"I
ri
shsi
ghedi
nrel
ief
.
"
Youst
art
ledme"Shesai
d,wal
kingcl
osert
ohi
m.

Shepi
ckedherphonebesi
dehi
m ont
hebed.

"Youdi
dn'
taskaboutmybusi
nessmeet
ing"Morgan
smil
edandsomethi
ngsuddenl
ycametoIri
sh'
s
mind.
Shecl
osedhereyest
ight
lyandtr
iedhar
dto
r
ememberthedeathofherfat
her
.
Shebur
stedi
ntot
ear
sandMor
ganqui
ckl
ygott
o
hi
sfeet
.

"
What
'swr
ong?
"Heaskedwor
ri
edl
y.
Ir
ishcont
inuedcr
yingandMorgansatherdown,
he
gazeddownatherworri
edl
y.
"
What
'swr
ongdar
li
ng?
"HeaskedandI
ri
shsni
ff
ed.
"Ican'
tbel
ieveyoucoul
ddot
his"Shesai
d,wi
ping
hertear
swi t
hherpalm.
"
What?
"Mor ganasked,
soscaredshemighthave
f
oundoutsomethi
ngunpleasantabouthi
m.
"Howcouldyoui
nst
allacamer ainmyr oom,you
clai
mtolovemebutyoudon'teventrustmeabi t
andtot
hinkiwasst
arti
ngtoloveyou"I r
ishsaid
andsni
ff
edasdropsoftear
sf ellf
rom hereyes.
"
OMG"Mor
gansi
ghed.
"
I'
m sosor
ry"Hesai
d,cr
ouchi
ngbef
oreher
.
Hewassot ouchedbyhertear
sthathi
shear
t
ache,
thi
sissounusualofhim.

Anddi
dshej
ustsai
dshe'
sst
art
ingt
olovehi
m?
Gosh.
.hi
shear
tfel
tli
kebur
sti
ng.

"I
ri
sh,I'
m sosorry.I
tsnotmeactual
ly.Cat
heri
ne
suggestedi
t,t
rustme,ihavenohandinthi
s.Itr
ust
youI
ri
sh"
"
Real
ly?
"
"
Iswear
"
"
Thenwhydi
dyoual
lowherdoi
t?"I
ri
shasked.
"
Catherineisobsti
nate,
shedoeswhat evershe
wants,icouldn'
thavestoppedherevenifiwanted
t
obut .
..
howdi dyoufindoutaboutthecamer a?
"
Morganasked.

"I
..
iwassearchi
ngformybr
acel
etwhenisi
ght
edi
t
bythebedsi
delamp"
"Ihopet hel
oveyou'r
estarti
ngtohaveformehasn'
t
diminishedyetcausethoughtidi
dn'
ttr
ustyou?
"
Mor ganaskedhopefull
y.
"
Ital
mostdi
d"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Gosh!
"Mor
gansi
ghed.
"
ButnowI'
m sur
eyout
rustmeandhavenohandi
n
i
t"I
ri
shsai
d.
"I
'
m goi
ngt
oor
dert
hem t
oremovei
tri
ghtnow.
"
"
Pleasedo"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Har
din"Mor
gancal
led.
"
Yesboss"Har
dinopenedt
hedoorandwal
kedi
n.
Hebowed.

"
Disconnectt
heCCTVbythebedsi
del
amp
i
mmedi at
ely"
Mor
ganorder
ed.
"Okayboss"Har
dinbowedbef
orecar
ryi
ngoutt
he
order
.
"Areyousur
ethat
'st
heonl
yonei
nmyr
oom"I
ri
sj
asked.
"
Yeah,
shei
nst
all
edj
ustone"
Mor
gansai
d.

Har
dinwasdonedisconnect
ingi
tinmi
nutes,
he
wal
kedoutoft
heroom andwenttothr
ashit.

I
ri
shf
eltr
eli
evedandasmi
lel
itupherl
ips.
"
ThanksMor
gan,
ihopeCat
her
inewoul
dn'
tbe
madatyou"
"Idon'
tcare,i
t'
smyhouseandsheshoul
dbef
ine
withwhateveridoi
nit
.I'
l
ldoanyt
hingt
omakeyou
happyIrene"
Ir
ishalmostfeltbadusi
nghi
sf eel
ingsf
orherasan
advantagebutMor gani
sabadper sonal
so,
she
shouldn'
tfeelpit
yforhi
m,hemadehergot hr
ough
painwhenshewaswor ki
ngforhim.
I
t'
ssomet
hinghecoul
dhavedoneal
so.

"
Howwasyourbusi
nessmeet
ing?
"Sheasked.
"
Great
"hesmi
led.
"
Thet
ransact
ionwassuccessf
ul"Headded.

"What
'shappeni
ngher
e?"Theyhear
dCat
her
ine
shout
.
Mor
gangotonhi
sfeet
,sodi
dIr
ish.
ThedooropenedandCat
her
inewal
kedi
n.
"Thatt
hingjustt
oldmeshehasbecomeaper sonal
maidtoIri
sh,howdidthathappen?Hey,
youcan'
t
j
ustmakedeci si
ons.Youneedtoconsul
tmefir
st"
Cather
ineyell
edatIr
ish.
"Cather
ine,igaveherthegoahead,
sheaskedme
beforedoingi t
"Morgansaid.
"Idon'
tcare,she'
llneedtoconsultmefi
rstbef
ore
makinganymovei nthishouse.Thi
sismyhouse"
Cather
inestatedclear
ly.
"Youhavet
onsofper
sonalmai
ds,
whycan'
tihave
one?"I
ri
shasked.
"
Real
ly?
"Cat
her
ineaskedget
ti
ngpi
ssedof
f.
"
Yeah"I
ri
shsai
d.

"Morgan,comet
ot heroom r
ightnow"Cat
heri
ne
sai
dbef orewal
kingoutandbangingthedoor
..
"
I'
llbebackI
ri
sh"Mor
gansai
dtoI
ri
shwhonodded.

Shewal
kedi
ntot
hebat
hroom i
mmedi
atel
yhel
eft
andpl
acedacal
lacr
ossCar
l.

"
Hey.
"Car
l,
ifoundthecamer
ali
keyousai
d.Bymy
bedsi
del amp!
"
Iknewi
t!Damn.
"
Buti
t'
sgonenow"I
ri
shsmi
led.
"
What?How?Di
dyoudisconnecti
tyour
sel
f.Damn,
t
heyaregoi
ngt
obesuspici
ous.
"
Idi
dn'
t.Mor
gandi
d.
"
What
!How?
"
Iact
ual
lyper
for
medsomedr
ama"I
ri
shl
aughed.
"
Goaheadandf
il
lmei
n"Car
lsai
dint
erest
ingl
y.

_
__

"Wow!"
Car
llaughedaf
terI
ri
shnar
rat
edt
heor
dealt
o
him.
"Whatawisemove.Nowhe'sgoingt
otrustyou
causehenowknowshowhur tyouwereknowinghe
doesn'
ttr
ustyou.You'
vegai
nedhist
rustnow,t
hings
wil
lbemor eeasy.

"
Okay,
soourfi
rstprobl
em i
ssol
ved,
whi
chi
str
ust
.
What
'snext
?"I
rishasked.
"
Swi
ngi
ngi
ntoact
ion"Car
lsai
d.
"Thef
ir
stt
hingiwantt
odoisgettheneckl
ace,
doi
havet
ogothroughCat
her
ine'
sjewelr
ybox?
"Yesbecausewe' renotsurewhereitmightbe, i
f
Catheri
nereall
yt ooki
t,i
tshouldbeinherjewelry
boxandi fi
tisn'
t,you'
llhavetosearchMor gan's
room al
so.Ir
ish,youneedt obeverycaref
ul .I
f
you'r
ecaught ,
Mor ganmi ghtnotspar
eyou.

"
Okay"I
ri
shsi
ghed.
"
Ijusthavet
osneaki
ntoherr
oom r
ight
?
"Donotdar
e!You'
llbecaught
.Cat
her
ine'
sassmart
asMorgan,shedoesn'
ttr
ustyouabi
tandbel
ieve
me,
sheal
readyhavepeopl
ewat
chi
ngyou"Car
lsai
d

"
Whatshoul
didot
hen?
"Ir
ishasked.
"Youcanpolit
elyaskhertoshowyouhercol
lect
ion
ofjewel
ri
es,you'l
lsayi
tinawaythatr
eall
yshows
youadmireeveryjewel
rysheputson.
"Okay"I
ri
shsmi
led.

Shehadmadenomi stakei
nmakingCarlknowof
herplans,
theyhadbothsattoget
hertoplanit
out,
thedayhebr oughtherl
uggagetoherhouse.
Hewasmor ei
nter
est
edinreveal
ingMorgan'
sbad
deedsthoughwhil
eshe'
sinter
estedi
ntheneckl
ace
andthespy!
Theyhadconcl
udednottoi
nfor
m Et
hancausehe'
s
nevergoi
ngtoal
lowherdoi
t.

"
ThankyouCar
l.
"
Com'
on,
ishoul
dthankyouf
orsacr
if
ici
ngt
obr
ing
Mor
gant
obook.Notever
yonecandot
hat
.
"
WhataboutMax?
"Sheasked.
Theyhadincl
udedCarl
'
sfri
endal
so,
who'
sa
tr
ustwor
thypoli
ceanddet
ecti
vej
ustwai
ti
ngf
or
evi
dencetobri
ngMorganint
obook.
Morganhasalmostal
lthecopswr
appedar
oundhi
s
f
ingerbutnotMax.
Shehadpl antedthetaperecor
derMaxhadgi ven
herinMor gan'sroom,i
t'
sautomatical
lyconnected
toMax'slaptop,he'
sgoingtoheareveryt
hingthat'
s
bei
ngdi scussedintheroom andfi
letheimportant
detai
ls.

"
He'
severr
eady,
j
ustwai
ti
ngf
orevi
dence.
"Cool,butar
eyousureicangarnerenough
evidenceinjustf
ourdays.Wehavefourdaysl
eft
Tom.
"Ofcourseyoucan,onceyou'redoneget
ti
ngt
he
neckl
ace,we'l
lproceedwi t
hthenextpl
an.We
shouldn'
trushorthey'
llsuspect
."
"
Okay.How'
sEt
han?
"Sheaskedwor
ri
edl
y.
"Hey,youneedt
ostopaskingabouthim andfocus.
You'r
egoingtogetbackt
ohim afteryou'
redone.
You'r
edoingthi
sforhim,
donotlethim di
str
actyou
okay?"
"
OkayCar
l.

"Andithinkishouldwaitt
il
li
t'
stomorr
owbefor
e
approachingCatheri
ne,
she'
sabitpi
ssednow.
"Andmakesuret
oappr
oachherwhenshe'
sina
greatmood.
"
Alr
ight
.
"
Igot
tago.
"
Okayboss"I
ri
sht
easedandt
heybot
hlaughed.
"
Byedet
ect
iveI
ri
sh.

Shesmi
ledasshewal
kedoutoft
hebat
hroom.
She'
snotyetdonewi
thhereducat
ion,
i
fthey
succeedinthi
splan,
thenshe'
sgoingtowork
towardsbecominganundercoverdet
ect
ive.
Shehadal
waysl
ovedl
ooki
ngi
ntot
hings.

Shesatont
hebedandi
nvi
tedMar
iai
n.

"Canigetagl
assofst
rawber
ryj
uicepl
ease"She
said.
"Ri
ghtawayma'am"Mar
iabowed,
happyt
ocar
ry
outIr
ish'
sor
der
..
I
ri
shsmi
ledasshewat
chedherl
eave.
Shecoul
dn'tt
ellt
hereasonshe'
sdrawnt oher
,
maybeit
'sbecauseherstor
yisqui
tetouchi
ng.

_
__

"JustshutupMor gan!Howcoul dyoual

lowher
haveaper sonalmaidwithoutseeki
ngmy
permissionf
irst
!Andican'
tbel
ieveyoudar
ed
disconnectt
hecamera.Areyouinsane?
"Cather
ine
raged.
"Youreall
yneedtochil
lCat
h!Youshouldbehappy
she'sf
eeli
ngmor eathome,thatmeansshe'
snever
goingtoretur
ntoEthan"Morgansai
dand
Catheri
ne'
sangerwasabated.

"Okay,I
'
mf i
newi ththeper
sonalmaidshitt
ystuf
f,i
havetenmysel fbuthowdareyoudisconnectt
he
camera,t
hatladyisnottobetrust
ed,
weneedt o
keepwatchingher"Cather
ine
sai
d.
"Youcantel
lthebodyguardstodothatbutshewas
sohurtwhenshef oundoutwewer ekeepingat
ab
onher,shefel
twedi dn'
ttr
ustherandthatmadeher
uncomfort
able,i
fwekeepmaki ngherfeel
uncomfort
able,
shemi ghtr
etur
ntohim andyou'
ll
l
oseyourchance!"Mor gansaid.
Cather
inebl
inkedr
easonabl
y."
Inevert
houghtof
that
"
"That'
swhyyouhaveme,whothi
nkfr
om ever
y
angle"Mor
ganwinkedandshesmil
ed.
"Butser
iousl
yther
e'snothingsuspici
ousabouther
,
thecamerawasonhersi ncemor ni
ngandshe
didn'
tdoanythi
ngsuspicious"Morgansaid.
"Yeahbutshemightbewai
ti
ngt
oful
lyset
tl
ein"
Cather
inesai
d.
"
Idon'
tthi
nkso"Mor
gansai
d.
"
Whatever
"Sher
oll
edhereyes,
droppi
ngherbagon
t
hebed.

"Whendoyout
hinkicanappr
oachEt
han?
"She
asked.
"Javadtoldmehe' snotgoingt obeatanyofhi s
compani esfordays,he'
sst i
ll
nursingthewoundof
Iri
shwalkingoutofhi sl
if
e.Iwoul dhavelovedto
visi
thim attheoff
iceandt aunthim wi
thitthough"
Mor ganlaughed.
"Andican'tpossibl
ygotohishouse.Hi
spar
ent
s
andthatli
ttl
ewitchist
hereandtheyhat
eme"
Cather
inegroaned.
"You'
regoi
ngther
eforEthan,
notthem.Andar en'
t
yougoingt
obevisit
ingyourdaughtersoon?You
shoul
dusethatopport
unit
y"Morgansaid.

"Wow,you'
resuchagr
eatt
hinker
."Cat
her
ineki
ssed
him.
[
05/09,07:
35]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense
Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
63

Ethanstayedattheoff
iceunti
lnear
lyei
ghto'
cl
ock
i
nt henight,
pori
ngoverfi
les,
answeri
ngemail
s,and
fi
ll
ingthings.
Her
eal
isedhewasavoi
dinggoi
nghome.
Hehaddeepl
yengr
ossedhi
msel
finhi
swor
kjustt
o
f
orgetI
ri
sh.

Butcoul
dsher
eal
lydot
hatt
ohi
m?
He'
sst
il
lfi
ndi
ngi
thar
dtobel
ieveevent
houghi
t
seemsr
eal.
I
ri
shhadl
efthi
m..
.f
orMor
gan.
Why?
Becauseofsomest
upi
drevenge?
Heneverknewhert
obesomeonel
iket
hat
,coul
dit
bet
hatshechangedover
night
.

Hereal
lymissedherandhisheartacheforher
ever
yseconds,he'
stryi
ngtohateherforwhatshe
didt
ohim buthejustcoul
dn'
t.
Shekeptcomi
ngt
ohi
sheadevenwhi
lehewas
worki
ng.
Howcoul
dshehur
thi
mthi
smuch.
Whathe'
sfeel
ingnowi
sbeyondhear
tbr
eak.

Thetwowomenhelovedi
nhisli
fehadbeenrobbed
offhi
m byt
hesameman!Hisadoptedbr
other
!
Andhecouldn'
tdoanyt
hingt
hanj
ustsi
tandnur
se
hi
shear
tbreak.
Wel
l.
..
whatcoul
dhehavedone?
Not
hing,
becauset
hel
adi
eschoset
obewi
thhi
m.
TheychoseMor
ganoverhi
m.
Dowomenl i
kedecept
ive,
tr
icky,
evi
l
,unf
avor
abl
eand
unpl
easantmen??
Causehejustdoesn'
tseem t
ounder
standwhy
Morgankeepsgetti
ngchosen.

Shehadsai
dshedoesn'
tevencar
eift
hebabywas
hi
s.
Thatsi
mpl ymeans,evenifshe'
snotpr
egnant,
she'
ssti
llgoi
ngforMor gan.Andhadshesai
dshe
wil
ladoptthebabybecauseshewantedtostaywi
th
Morgan?

Whydoeshekeephopi
ngshe'
l
lbebackt
ohi
m.
HehadhopedCat
heri
newillbebackt
ohi
m butshe
r
emainedwit
hMorganforyears.

Heshuthi
slapt
op,
grabbedhi
sjacketandst
rode
outoft
hedoor.
JavadandRobbi
nsf
oll
owedhi
mimmedi
atel
y.

Ther
ewer
ejustf
ewst
affl
efti
nthecompany.
Robbi
nsandJavadhadn'
tdi
stur
bedEt hancause
t
heyknewhowtroubl
edandheart
brokenheis.

Hisdrivergothi
scarreadywhenhesawhim
approachingandthecardoorwasopenedf
orhim,
hegoti nandpickedt
helaptopt
hat
'smeantfort
he
caralone.
Heopenedi
tandswi
tchedi
ton.
Heneededsomet hingt
odiver
thi
sthought
sto,
he
can'
tjustkeept
hinki
ngofIr
ishwhenshe'
sina
man'shouse.

Thesamemant
hathadt
akenhi
sfi
rstwi
fef
rom
hi
m.
Thoughhehadn'
tbeent
hishur
tdur
ingCar
ther
ine'
s
own.
Buthehadputsomucht
rusti
ntoI
ri
sh.
"MrEthan,
yourphonei
sringi
ng"Robbi
nst
apped
Ethanwhoseemst ohavedwell
edinhi
sown
thought
.
"Ohh.
.f
uck!
"Et
hanswor
e,hehadn'
tevenhear
dhi
s
phoneri
ng.
Robbi
nspassedi
ttohi
m.

I
twashi
sMum.

"
Wher
ear
eyou?
"Hert
inyst
ernvoi
cef
il
ledhi
sear
.
"
I'
m notsevent
eenanyl
ongerMum.
"Iknow,ionl
ywanttobesureyou'r
enotsomewher
e
drinki
ngorthinki
ngofcommit
tingsui
cide.
"
C'mon,
iwoul
dn'
tdot
hat
.
"Ij
ustwantyoutoknowt hatweyourfamil
ywoul
d
neverleaveyou,
anyotherpersoncanbutwe'
l
l
alwaysbeher ef
oryou.Il
oveyoumybabyboy"Mr s
HarlowsaidandEthanwasclosetotear
sbythe
t
imeshewasdone.

Hecoul
dn'
tspeak,
heonl
ytr
iednott
ocr
y.
"Youknowwhat ?Justgetmarri
edtome,I'
m never
gonnaleaveyou,
youdon'thavetopropose,
isaid
yes!alr
eady"MrsHarl
owsaidandEt hanbursted
outlaughi
ng.
Dr
opsoftearsfel
lfr
om hi
seyesandhequi
ckl
y
wi
pedthem off
.
"
ThanksMum.Il
oveyousomuch.
"
Iloveyoumor
eson.
"
I'
llbehomesoon.
"
Alr
ight
,Bye.

Hedr
oppedhi
sphoneandsi
ghedsof
tl
y.
Hi
smum j
ustl
if
tedhi
sspi
ri
t,
hef
eltgood.

Hecl
osedhi
slapt
opandpassedi
ttoRobbi
ns.
_
__

"
Mum"EthanhuggedMrsHar
lowt
ight
lyashe
wal
kedi
ntothel
ivi
ngr
oom.
Shewaswai
ti
ngf
orhi
m af
terput
ti
ngAr
int
obed.
Sheki
ssedhi
m onbot
hcheeksandl
edhi
mtot
he
dini
ngr
oom.

Thi
sisoneoft
hef
ewt
imeshi
m Mum di
shesout
mealf
orhim.
Al
mostal
lthewor
ker
swer
easl
eep.
Ethanatehungr
ilyandhewasal
mostdonewit
hthe
porti
onMrsHarlowdishedf
orhi
m,shedi
shedmore
forhim.
Sheknowheprobablysati
nhi
sof
fi
cewor
king
andat
enothi
ngallday.
"Pleasemybodyguar
dsanddr
iverneedst
oeatt
oo"
EthansaidandMrsHarl
ownodded..
.
Shecal
ledonamaidt
otaket
hei
rmealt
othem
andwatchedEt
haneat
.

"
How'
sAr
in?
"Heasked.
"She'sasl
eepal
readyandshewait
edtoseeyou
homebutiguessshecouldn'twai
tanyl
onger
"Mrs
HarlowsaidandEthannodded.
"
How'
sJessi
cat
oo?
"Heasked.
Hedoesn'
tseemuchofhert
hesedays.
"
Shesai
dshe'
sgoi
ngt
oseeyout
omor
rowmor
ning"
"
Okay"

"Doyouwantmore?
"Mr
sHar
lowaskedandhe
shookhi
shead.
"
I'
mf i
ne"Hesai
d,l
if
ti
ngt
hegl
asscupofhi
sfavor
it
e
winet
ohisli
ps.
"
Howwaswor
k?"Mr
sHel
enasked.
"Great
.IwasabletocoverthethingsI'
vemi
ssed,
thoughmyempl oyeesweren'texpect
ingmethat
soon,youknowitoldJavadt oinf
orm my
companiesthatiwon'tbearoundforawhil
e"
"
Ohh.
..
yeah"Mr
sHar
lownodded.

Et
hanmovedont
odeser
tandshewat
chedhi
m
i
nter
est
ingl
y.
Shehasalwaysbeenproudtohavesuchagood-
l
ookingandgoaldr
ivenson.
Shewonderwhi
chl
adyi
nherrightsensewoul
d
act
ual
lyl
eavehi
mforMorgan.
Ethan'slooksalonecouldmakeonedr ool,
he'
satop
notchbusi nessman,hardwor
king,
incredi
bly
wealthy!Compani escoul
dkil
ltopartnerwit
hEthan.
Shecoul
dn'tevencounttheamountofclassy
womenthathadmadef ri
endswithherbecause
t
heywantedEthanforthei
rdaughter
s.
"Hmm...
areyour eal
lyseri
ousaboutmaki
ngme
yourhusband?"Ethanteased,
seei
ngtheadmi
rat
ion
i
nhismot her
'seyesasshegazedathim.
"
Ofcour
se,ialr
eadysai
dyesonthephone"Mrs
Har
lowwinked,wavi
ngherweddi
ngri
nginhisf
ace.
"Myhusbandi
sgoingtoki
llyou"Sheaddedwi
tha
smil
eandhelaughed.
"
Iknowr
ight
"

"
Youshoul
dgot
obedMum"Et
hansai
d.
"
Onceyou'
redone"Mr
sHar
lowsai
d.
"
IbetDadi
swai
ti
ngf
oryoual
ready"Et
hansai
d.
"
Heis,I
'
m gl
adsomemovieskepthi
m busyorhe
woul
dhavecomegetme"
"Ohh.
..
iwaswonder
ingwhyhehasn'
tcomet
oget
you"

"
Arr
rgh,
I
'm sof
ull
"Et
hansi
ghed.
"Youtendtoeatmor
ewheni
ser
veyou"Mr
sHar
low
notedproudl
y.
"Ohh.
..
yourhusbandwant
syoual r
eady"Et
hansaid,
seei
ngMrHar l
ow'sper
sonalbodyguar
dapproach
thedi
ningroom.

"
Hel
loMrEt
han"Hegr
eet
ed.
"
HiJames"Et
hansai
d.
"
Ma'
am,
MrHar
lowwa.
."
"
I'
llber
ightt
her
e"Mr
sHar
lowcuthi
m shor
t.
"
Alr
ightma'
am"het
urnedandwal
kedaway.

"
I'
m al
sodoneeat
ing"Et
hanst
oodupandst
ret
ched.
Hehadn'
tevenf
reshenedupbef
orehavi
ngdi
nner
.

Theybot
hwalkedupthestai
rsandheki
ssedhis
Mum goodni
ghtwhentheygottot
hedoorofher
room.
 HewalkedintoAri
n'sr
oom aft
erthatandgent
ly
st
rokeherhair
,hecoveredherproper
lywit
hher
bl
anketandkissedheronhercheek.
Hesmi
ledasshest
ir
red.

"
Sleepingbeaut
y,sweetdr
eams"Hesaidbefore
walki
ngoutofherr oom,
hehadtri
ednottoglanceat
t
headjoini
ngdoorconnectingAr
in'
sroom t
oI r
ish'
s.
Hedoesn'
twanttot
hinkaboutheranymor
e,he
want
stohaveagoodnightsleepandgotowork
t
omorrowmorningl
ikenot
hinghashappened.

Hedroppedhisj
acketonthecouchinhi
sroom,
pul
ledhi
sshoes,l
oosenedthebutt
onsofhisshi
rt
bef
orewalki
ngint
othebathroom.
Hef ellst
rai
ghti
ntobedaf
terf
resheni
ngupand
changingintohi
spajamas.

_
___
"
Shewon'tevenpickourcall
s"MrsHel
ensai
dto
Arushaasheatehisbreakf
ast.
"Shedoesn'twantt
obedi st
ract
ed.
.iguess"
Arusha
said,
eventhoughhelongedtohearfrom hi
ssist
er.
"I
ri
shisj
ustsostubbor
n,ihopeshedoesn'
tget
hurt
"MrsHelensai
dwor r
iedl
y.
Ar
ushawaswor
ri
edal
sobuthedi
dn'
tvoi
cei
tout
.
Heknewhowdanger
ousMor
gani
s.

"
She'
l
lbef
ine,
Mum"Heassur
edher
.
Hedownedagl asscupofwat
eraf
tereat
ingand
ki
ssedhergoodbye.
"
Haveani
ceday"Mr
sHel
ensai
daf
terhi
m.
"
YoutooMum"Ar
ushasai
dbef
orewal
kingoutof
t
hedoor.

HemetRyanwai
ti
ngout
sidet
hegat
e.
"
Heybuddy"t
heygr
eet
edeachot
herwi
thsmi
les.
Theybothwai t
edfort
hecart
hatconveyedArusha
toschoolwithAri
nandJessi
ca.Ryanwantedto
seeJessicabefor
egoingt
oschool,hedoest
hat
ever
ymor ning.

"
Youshouldcomet oourschooli
nsteadofwait
ing
t
oseeJessicaeverymorni
ng"Arushateasedand
Ryanpunchedhim pl
ayf
ull
y.
"
How'
sIr
ish?
"Ryanasked.
"
She'sf
ine,
thoughnotar
oundfornow,
she'
sdeal
ing
wit
hsomeshittyst
uff
"Ar
ushasai
d.
"
Doesi
tinvol
veMrEt
han?
"Ryanasked.
"
Ofcour
se"
Ryansmi
led"
sil
lycoupl
efi
ght
s"
"Ihopet
hat'
swhatiti
sthi
sti
mebuti
tlookspr
ett
y
seri
ous"
Arushasai
d.
"
Uh.
."Ryansi
ghed.
"
Theywoul
dsol
vei
tout
"Ar
ushasai
d.
"
Thei
rcari
sappr
oachi
ng"Ryansmi
led.

_
__

MrsHelenheardaknockonthedoorwhi
lecooki
ng
l
unch,shequi
cklywentt
ogetitandshewasn'
t
sur
pri
sedtofindEt
hanstandi
ngther
e.
"Iknowshe'
snothomebutisshehome?
"Et
han
askedandMrsHelensi
ghed.
Shei
nvi
tedhi
min.

"I
ri
shlef
twithMorgan,Et
han"Shesai
d,si
tt
ing
besi
dehim onthecouch.
"Shetol
dme,
iknowbutdi
dshereal
lyl
eftmef
or
him?"Et
hansmil
ed,
shaki
nghi
shead.
"
Iwasshockedalso"MrsHelensai
d,shewant
edto
t
ellhi
mt hatI
ri
shmightbepl
anningsomethi
ngbut
whatifshe'
snot,
shedoesn'
twanttogivet
hepoor
manf
alsehope.

"
IsI
ri
shr
eal
lyr
evengef
ul?
"Heasked.

"Yesbutshedr
oppedt
heactl
ongago"Mr
sHel
en
said.
"Shepickedi
tupagai
n!Iknowihur
therbut
..
she
shoul
dn'thavehur
tmethismuchandican'
teven
getheroutofmyhead"Hebreat
hedout.

"
I'
m sosor
ryaboutt
hatEthan,ihaveafeel
ing
I
ri
sh'
scomingbacktoyou,shewill
"MrsHelensai
d.

"Ist
il
ldonotwantt
obel
ieveshecandot
hatt
ome"
Ethansai
d.
"Meneither
,butI
'l
ladvi
seyouwai
tandseewhat
happens"Mr sHel
ensaidandEt
hanshrugged.
"
Doyouwantsomepi
zzar
oll
s?"Sheasked.
"Per
hapsthey'
l
l.
."MrsHel
enwassayi
ngwhenher
phonest
artedri
nging.
Shepi
ckedi
tfr
om t
het
abl
e.

"I
t'
sIr
ish,
she'
stheonecal
li
ng"Shesai
dtoEt
han
andheknewshewouldn'
tevenspeakt
ohim.
Buthi
shear
tachedt
ohearhersoot
hingvoi
ce.

Mr
sHel
enpl
acedt
hecal
lonl
oudspeaker
.

"
HeyMum"ShesaidandEthan'sbodysyst
em
r
eact
edshamel
essl
ytohervoice.

"
Ir
ish,Ethan'
shere"MrsHelensai
dandsil
ence
f
oll
owedf rom t
heotherendbefor
etheybot
hhear
d
adisconnect
ingsound.

Damni
t
"
Uh"Mr
sHel
ensi
ghed.
"
Shemadeuphermi
ndal
ready"Et
hansai
dsadl
y.
Sheclear
lytol
dhim shehat
eshim,
why'
sheso
hur
tshedisconnect
edthecal
l.
Hehadn'
texpect
edhertospeaktohi
m buthef
elt
morehur
tshedidn'
tact
uall
ytri
edto.
Hehadwantedt
othi
nkofever
ythi
ngasajokebut
shej
ustmadehi
m seet
hedamnr eal
it
y.

She'
sreal
lygone.
Andwon'
tevent
alkt
ohi
m.

"
I'
m sosor
ryEt
han"Mr
sHel
ensai
dwi
thasi
gh.
"
I'
m okay,
ioncefacedr
eject
ion,
thi
sshoul
dn'
tbe
t
oohardtodealwit
h"Hesaid.
"
Ethan,
youtrustI
ri
shnott
odosuchat
hingr
ight
?"
MrsHelenasked.
"
Ofcour
seido,
butshedi
ditanyway"Et
hansai
d.
"Ij
ustwantyoutohaveitinmindthatshe'
scoming
back.Nooneknowswhatshe' supto.Ir
ishcan'
t
j
ustbehavethatway,youshoul
dknowher "Mrs
Helensai
dandEt hannodded.

"She'sgone,
I'
m goi
ngtoacceptt
hat
.Idon'
twantto
givemyselffal
sehopeorI'
l
lendupgett
ingmore
hurt"Ethansai
d.
"I
'
llkeepsayi
ngyoushoul
dbepat
ient
"Mr
sHel
en
said.
"MrsHelen,iknowyou'r
etr
yingtocomf ortmebut
i
sn'ti
tbettertoacceptt
hereali
tyt
hanhopi ngfor
somesor tofmi r
acl
e.Shehatesme,there'
snoway
she'
scomi ngbackt ome"Ethansaidcur t
ly,hefel
t
sohurt.
"
Shedoesn'
that
eyouEt
han,
tr
ustme,
shedoesn'
t"
MrsHel
ensaid.

"I
'
m sor
ryimadeyousi
ckMr
sHel
en"
Ethan
apol
ogi
zed.
.
"
Gosh!Youdidn't
,icaughtt
hef
lubecauseofcol
d"
MrsHelencl
eared.
"
Real
ly?
"Et
hansatup.
"
DoesIr
ishknowthat
?"Heasked,
heknewthemain
r
easonshewassopissedathi
m wasbecausehe
madeherMum si
ck.
Perhapsi
fsheknowsMr sHel
encaughtt
hef
lu
becauseofcol
d,t
henshe'
sgoi
ngtocomebackto
hi
m.

"
Shedoes,it
oldherbuti
tseemedhermindwas
madeup"MrsHelensaidmuchtoEthan'
schagr
in.
Hesighedandbr
ushedbackhi
shai
rwi
thhi
s
f
inger
s.
Shelef
twi
thMor
ganevenaf
terMr
sHel
ent
oldher
that
?

"I
'
m beginningt
othinkt
her
e'sar
easonbehi
ndher
acti
ons"Ethansai
d.
"
Exact
ly!
"
"
Andit
hinkiknowt
her
eason"Hesai
d.
"
Whatr
eason?
"Mr
sHel
enaskedeager
ly.
"
Shehat
esme"Et
hansai
dandMr
sHel
engr
oaned.
"
Itol
dyoushedoesn'
t"Shesai
d.
"Shedoes,shetol
dmet hat
.Shehaseveryri
ghtto
hatemet hough,
shethinksdroppi
ngheroffi
nthe
rai
nwasver yunkindofmebuti ..
iwasonl
ytryi
ngto
saveher"Ethansaid.

Eveniftheyhadt ogobacktothatday,
he'
dsti
ll
choosedr oppingherof
fcausehewouldn'
twanther
hurtal
ongsi dewit
hhim.
"Sheknowsthatt
oo,
shet
oldmeyouwer
eonl
y
t
ryi
ngtosaveher.
"
"
Thenwhydi
dshedot
hatt
ome!
"Et
hanhal
fyel
led.
"
Ican'
tevenbeli
eveshehadpr
etendedt
ofor
give
meallt
hiswhi
le,shemademehappy,onl
ytomake
mesadagain"
Mr
sHel
enpat
tedhi
sbackcomf
ort
ingl
y.
"Ri
ghtnow,I
'm al
soshortofwordsbutI'l
lkeep
holdi
ngontomyi nt
uit
ionthatshe'
sgoingtocome
backtoyouandshe'sonlyther
eforareason"Mrs
Helensai
d.
"
Don'
tbesodevast
atedEt
han"Mr
sHel
en.
MrsHelenwonder
edwhyI
rishwouldchoosea
monst
eroveramanwhotr
ulylovesher
.
Sheknowsthatmanisamonsterbutst
il
llef
twi
th
hi
m!Surel
y,ther
e'sar
eason.

"Wi
llyouhavesomepi
zzar
oll
stowar
m youup?
"
Sheasked.
"I
'
m notgoi
ngtotakenoforananswer
"Shequi
ckl
y
added,
gett
ingt
oherfeet
.
"
Her
e"Shepassedt
her
emot
econt
rolt
ohi
m.
"
Switcht hr
oughchannel
swhil
eigogetyourpizza
r
oll
sr eady"Shesai
dwithasmil
ebef
orewalking
away.
"
Thankyou,
MrsHel
en"Et
hansai
daf
terher
.

_
___

"It
hinktomor
rowwi
llbethebestday!t
ogo"
Catheri
nesai
dtoMorgan.
"
Yeah,thatguyreal
l
ypull
supsur pri
ses,whowoul d
t
hinkhe'l
lresumeworkt
hatquickly,
hedoesn'teven
l
oveIri
shenough.I'
m gl
adthesweetl adyl
efthi
m"
Morgansaid.

Theyjustgotacallf
rom Javad,
tel
li
ngt
hem Et
han
resumedwor kal
ready.

"Geez!I
sheevengoingtoal
lowmein?Wit
hthe
sceneicausedthel
astti
me"Cat
her
inesi
ghed
l
oudly,si
tt
ingonthebed.
Shef
acedMor
ganwhowasbal
ancedont
he
couch
"
Whydon'
tyout
exthi
m bef
oregoi
ng?
"
"He'
snevergoingtoal
lowmecomeandhemight
ski
pgoi ngt
owor ki
fheknowsI
'l
lbecomi
ng"
Cather
inesai
d.
"
Arr
gh.
.doeshehateyout
hatmuch?
"Mor
gan
f
urr
owedhisbrows.
"Iguesshesti
llcan'tgetoverme, maybehefear
s
fall
ingi
nlovewithmeal loveragai
nifhekeeps
seeingme"Catherinesmi led.
"I
ndeed.
..
soyou'
rejustgoi
ngtoarri
veatt
he
companybefor
egivinghim acal
l"
"
Yes"
"
Whati
fhedoesn'
tal
lowyoui
n?"
"
I'
m goi
ngt
omakeupsomet
hingt
hati
nvol
vesAr
in"
"
Ibethe'
sgoingt
ousheryoui
nimmedi
atel
y"
Morganl
aughed.
"
Ofcour
se"Cat
her
inej
oinedi
nthel
aught
er.
"
Makesureyouwearyourr
edlipst
ickwhengoi
ng,
i
t
makesyoul
ooksohot"Morganwinked.
"
Real
ly?
"Cat
her
inebl
ushed.
"
Yeah"Mor
gansai
d.
"Okaythen,redl
ipsti
ck,
redpurse,r
edearrings,
si
lver
neckl
aceandwhi t
edressGosh. .
ican'
tjustimagine
howhotI '
lll
ooktomor r
ow!"Catheri
nesaidexcitedl
y.

Aknocksoundedont
hedoor
.
"MissI
rishiscomingin"OneofMorgan'
s
bodyguardssaidbef
orethedooropened.
Morgansatupandqui
ckl
ywipedhisbr
ows, he
pl
aster
edasmileonhi
sfaceasIr
ishwalkedin.

"Oh.
.my,I
'm sor
ryt
ohaveleftyoual
lal
oneinthe
l
ivi
ngroom,iwasaboutcomingtoyou,
youmust
havemissedme.Gosh,I'
m sosorr
y"Morgansai
d.
"
Uh.
..
wel
l,
icamet
o..
seeCat
her
ine"I
ri
shsmi
led.
"
Ohh.
.r
ight
"Mor
gannodded,
usi
ngasmi
let
ohi
de
hi
sdi
sappoi
ntment
.
"
Youcamet
oseeme?
"Cat
her
ineasked.
"
Yeah"
"
Whatdoyouwant
?"Cat
her
ineasked.
"Ohh..well
,I
'veal
waysadmi r
edt hejewelr
iesyouput
on,icheckyourpict
uresconstantl
yandever ypiece
ofjewelryyouputonlookssoador able,
yourjeweler
i
sjustsogood"I ri
shsaid.
"
Oh.
.my"Cat
her
inegr
innedwi
del
y.

Shel
ovesbei
ngcompl
iment
ed.
.
Andthi
siscomingf
rom I
ri
shwhichshowssureshe
hasbeengr
eatl
yadmir
ingher
,evenwhi
lei
nEthan'
s
house.
Thi
sisgr
eat
.

"
Thankyou"Cat
her
inebeamed.
"
Iwoul
dreal
lyl
iket
otakeal
ookatmor
eofyour
j
ewelri
es,
ilovefeedi
ngmyeyeswit
hbeauti
ful
t
hings.That'
sifyoudon'
tmi
ndthough"I
ri
shsaid.
"Ofcourseidonotmi nd,comewit
hmet omyr oom"
Cather
inesaidexci
tedly,
grabbedherhandandthey
bothwalkedoutofMor gan'sr
oom.

Ohh.
.

"
Wow...
thi
sisbeaut
if
ul"I
ri
shcompl
imentedthe
j
ewel
ri
es,checki
ngi
toutoneaft
ert
heother.
I
twassomuch,
andshewasst
art
ingt
ogett
ir
ed.
Hermouthandcheeksachedfrom t
hef
akelaught
er
sheshar
ewithCather
ineever
ynowandthen.
Cather
inel
ookedsoenthusi
ast
icaboutsomeone
checki
ngoutherj
ewelr
ies.
Shekeptt
ell
ingherabouthowgoodherj
ewel
eri
s
andthepr
icesshementionedf
oreachoft
hem
shockedI
ri
sh.
Cat
her
iner
eal
lyspendsal
otonf
ashi
on!
Therewassomuchneckl acethatlookedlike
Carr
le'
sbutI r
ishhadseenCar rl
e'snecklaceclearly
whenshevi sit
edherr oom withEthan.Theneckl ace
i
nCar r
le'sportr
aithasanovaldi amondaspendant
anditreall
ylookedcoolbutt hediamondsI ri
shhad
beenseeinglookednowher enearcool.
Herbackachedandshewasgl
adshewasal
most
donewit
hit.

"Ineverknewther
ewassomeonewhoadmi red
everypieceofj
ewelryiown.Thatmeansthereare
tonsofpeopleouttherewhoadmiresever
ything
aboutme.Wow"Cat her
inebl
ushedfeel
ing
heavenly.
.
"
Ofcour
se"I
rushsmi
led.
"Ahh"Sheletoutadi
sappoi
nti
nggroanaft
erpi
cki
ng
upthelastneckl
acewhichdi
dn'tt
urnoutt
obe
Carrl
e'
s.
"
Isanyt
hingwrong?Doyouwantsomejewel
ri
es
t
oo?Icanreferyout
omyjewel
er"Cat
heri
neoff
ered
wit
hasmi l
e.
"
No,yeah.ImeanI'
m goi
ngt
otel
lyouwhenI'
m
r
eady"Ir
ushsmil
edandmadetostar
tput
ti
ngthe
j
ewelr
iesbacki
nplace.
"No..
don'tdothat,
i
t'
smeantf
ort
hemai
ds"
Catheri
nesaid,cal
li
ngi
nhermai
ds.
"
Ishoul
dar
rangei
tbackmysel
f.
"Ir
ishsai
d.
"Why?Becauseyoubroughtt
hem out
?"Cat
her
ine
askedandIr
ishnodded.
"Well
..
thi
ngsarenotdoneli
kethather
e,most
especi
all
ymyr oom"Cather
inesai
d,pickedt
he
j
ewelryboxfr
om Iri
shandpassedittothemaids.
"Ar
rangethem backandi
fanypieceget
s
missing,
oneofyouisget
ti
ngmissingwi
thi
t"
Catheri
nesai
d.
Theybowedandsett
owor
k.

"
So,
doyouwantt
ocheckoutmycl
osetal
so?
"
Cat
her
ineasked.
"
Ahh.
.no,
i'
lldot
hatanot
hert
ime"I
ri
shgott
oher
f
eet
.
Shest
ret
chedandsi
ghedt
ir
edl
y.
"Ohh..
iguessthebabymakesyout
ir
edeasil
y,i
t
mustbeagi rl
.Ifel
tsot
ir
edduri
ngAri
n'st
oo"
Catheri
nesaid.
"
Ohh"Iri
shsai
d,shehadal
mostf
orgot
tent
hiswas
Ari
n'sMum.
"Thanksforl
ett
ingmeseeyourj
ewel
ri
es"I
ri
shsai
d
ongetti
ngtothedoor
.
"
Mypl
easur
e"Cat
her
inesmi
led.
"
Perhapsyoudohavemorej
ewel
ri
essomewher e
t
hatyoumightwantt
oshowme?"Ir
ishasked.

"No,ist
oreeverypieceofthem inmyjewelr
ybox.
Yourloveforjewelri
esisamusingandtothi
nkyou
don'twearmor ethanthoseti
nyearr
ingsand
bracel
et"Catheri
nesaid.
"Wel
l.
.yeah,
i.
.j
ustloveseei
ngpeopl
eweart
hem,
i
admir
eitonpeoplealot"

"Then..whydon'tyouputt hem on,

youshould
thrashthoseearrings,t
heylooksocheapbutyour
bracelet.
.l
ookbeaut i
fulandexpensi
vethough"
Catherinenoted.
Ethanhadboughtt
hebracel
etf
orherwhenhewas
outwit
hArinonherbi
rt
hday.
"
Thankyou"I
ri
shsmi
led.

I
ri
shwalkedoutofCat
her
ine'
sroom,
looki
ngso
t
hwar
ted.
"I
ssomethingwrongmi
ss?
"Mar
iaaskedandshe
shookherhead.
"I
'
mf i
ne,Mar"Shesai
d,wonder
ingwher
ethe
neckl
acecouldbe.
Whati
fit
'snotevenanywher
eint
hishouse?
!
Damn!That
'st
hemai
nreasonshehadcomeher
e.
Shewalkedi
ntoherr
oom andheadedf
ort
he
bat
hroom.
Shespl
ashedsomewat
eronherf
aceandsi
ghed.

"
Whattodo?"Sheaskedher
sel
f,st
ari
ngather
r
efl
ect
ioni
nthemirror
.
Hercheeksl
ookedchubby.
"
Hey,pleasedon'
tmakemef
at!
"Shesai
d,r
ubbi
ng
herbabybumpgent l
y.
Shesmi l
edt
ohersel
f,
thet
houghtt
hatshe'
scar
ryi
ng
Ethan'
sbabymadehersohappy.

Hehadvisi
tedherMum andsher
eal
lyhopedher
Mum hadcomfortedhi
m.
Hemusthavebeensadt
oseeherdi
sconnectt
he
cal
l.
Shehadbadlywantedt
ospeakt
ohi
m butEt
hani
s
goi
ngtorui
nherplans.
Shecan'
twai
ttobedonewi
tht
hisandgetbackt
o
hi
m.
"
I'
llbebacksoonEt
han"Shesai
dtoher
sel
f.
Shegrabbedatowelandwipedherf
acedr
ybef
ore
wal
kingbacktoherroom.
Mor gan'sr
oom i
sthenexttosear
chforthe
necklacebutshecan'
tpossibl
ydothatnowor
Catherinewoul
dgetsuspici
ous.

Ir
ishsteppedi
ntoherroom andsawMari
ahol
dinga
glasscupofchil
ledst
rawberryj
uice.
"
Uh..
thankyoubutidon'
trememberaski
ng
f
or.
.t
hat"shesai
d.
"
Ithoughtt
hismi
ghthel
p,youl
ookedpr
ett
yupset
"
Mari
asaid.
"Ohh.
..
thankyou"I
rishsmil
ed,
shegulpedt
hejui
ce
andsighed,dr
oppi
ngtheremai
ningonherbedsi
de
tabl
e.
"
I'
llbegoi
ngt
oseei
ngt
oseeLucast
omor
row
ma'am"
"
Ohh.
.r
eal
ly?
"Ir
ishsmi
ledandMar
ianodded.
"
Sayhit
oherf
ormeandGemmaal
so"
"
Okayma'
am"Mar
iasmi
led.
"Annawil
lbemakingsomecakesformetoday,
you
shouldt
akesomef ort
hem t
omorr
ow"Ir
eishsai
d,
gulpi
ngther
emainingjui
ce.
"Thankyousomuchma' am,i
..can'tpl
aceafinger
onwhyyou'resonicet
ome,you..yougavemean
expensi
vebodylot
ionandevenmademeear nmor e
bymakingmeyourpersonalmaid...I
'm sot
hankful
ma'am"Mari
asaid,
snif
fi
ngbackt ears.

"
Com'on,andI'
m notcomf
ort
abl
ewi
tht
he'
ma'
am"
I
ri
shsighed.
"There'
snoot
herwayicanaddr
essyouma'
am,
you'r
eboss'
swif
e"
"
I'
m nothi
swi
fe!
"Ir
ishsai
dshar
ply.
"
Uh.
..you'
ref
ianceet
hen"Mar
iasai
d.
"
Noneoft
hat
!Im notevenhi
sgi
rl
fr
iend"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Reall
y?Whatar
eyout
ohi
mthen?
"Mar
iaasked,
astoni
shed.
"
It
'sabi
tcompli
cat
ed..
.so,
I'
dli
keyout
ocal
lme
I
ri
shwheneverwe'
real
one"
"
Ahh.
..
"Mar
iasi
ghed.
"I
tshouldn'tbesodi f
ficul
ttodo,itseri
ousl
ymakes
mef eeluncomfort
abl e.Don'tworryabout
Catheri
ne,shewon'tknowanyt hi
ngaboutit
,you'
l
l
onlygettocallmet hatwhenwe' realone"I
ri
sh
assured.
"
Okayma'
Iri
sh.
..
."Mar
iasmi
led.

Sheret
urnedtheglasscupwhi
leI
ri
shwal
kedi
nto
thebat
hroom tocal
lCarl
.

Hehadi
nsi
stedt
heycommuni
cat
eint
hebat
hroom
evenaf
tert
hecamer
awasr
emoved.

_
__

"
Mor
gan,you'
regoi
ngtogetdr
unk"Cat
her
inesai
d
t
oMorganoverdi
nner
.
"
Yeah,
iwantt
o.I
'
m exci
ted"Mor
gansai
dti
psi
ly.
"I
'
llbeattendi
ngadinnerpart
ysoon, iwon'
tgett
o
watchoveryourdrunk-
self
,it
'sbet
teryoustop
dri
nking"Cather
inesai
d.
"
Ir
ish'
sher
e"Mor
gansmi
led.
"
Huh?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
You'
regoi
ngt
ost
aywi
thhi
m whenheget
sdr
unk"

"
Why?
"Ir
ishasked.
"Hetendtohurthi
mself
,l
ikesmacki
ngt
hebedsi
de
l
amponhi sheadorcutti
nghisbodywi
thashar
p
obj
ect"Cather
inesai
d.
"
What
!"I
ri
shexcl
aimed.
"
Yeah"Cat
her
inenodded.
"Hi
sbodyguar
dscanwat
choverhi
mri
ght
?"I
ri
sh
asked.
"Theyhaveno'femi
ninet
ouch'
tokeephi
m cal
m"
Cather
inesmi
led.

"Ohh..
ithi
nkyoushoul
dstopdri
nki
ngMor
gan"I
ri
sh
saidandhedidn'
tsayanyt
hing.
Heonl
ythr
ewbackhi
shead.
"He'
sdrunkalr
eady,
thewi
nei
spr
ett
yst
rong"
Cather
inesai
d..
"
Ahhh"I
ri
shgr
oaned.

_
___

Mor
gan
[
05/
09,
07:
35]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
64

I
ri
shsighedasshesatonMor
gan'
scouchand
wat
chedoverhim.
Hewasl
ayi
ngont
hebed,
drunkandr
ant
ing.
Cat
heri
nesaidshecanl
eaveaf
terhesl
eepsof
fbut
he'
syettodoso.
She'
sdr
essi
ngupf
ort
hedi
nnerpar
ty.

Hesuddenl
ysatupandpoi
ntedt
oher
.
"Yo.
.uyouyouyou"Hesang,
rubbi
nghi
spal
m on
hisf
ace.
I
ri
shsi
ghed,
shegotonherf
eet
.
Shesatonhi
sdr
essi
ngchai
rwhi
chwasn'
ttoof
ar
fr
om hi
sbed.
Shewouldn'twanthimtogethurtunderhercar
e
eventhoughshehatesbei
ngherer i
ghtnow
watchi
ngoveradr unkMorgan.

"Et
han..ihatehi
m somuch.I'
m goi
..
ngt
oki
ll
him..
kil
lh..
im"Morgangr
inned.

"
Uh.
."I
ri
shsur
gedt
oherf
eet
,al
armed.
"Y..you'
regoi
ngt
oki
llhi
m?"Sheasked,
onget
ti
ng
closertohi
m.
Morgannodded,
swayi
nghi
shai
rbackandf
ort
h
andlaughi
ng.

"
Whydoyouwantt
oki
llhi
m?"I
ri
shasked.
"
Ihat
ehi
m"Mor
ganpr
essedhi
sli
pst
oget
her
.
"Whendoyouwantt oki
llhi
m?"Sheaskedand
didn'
tevenr
eal
isedshewaspanicki
ng.

"I'
l
lki
llhi
m..
."Mor
gangr
abbedhercheeksand
shookherheadvi
gor
ousl
y,hercheekswer
eredby
theti
mehewasdone.

"
I'
m goi
ngt
okil
lhim aft
ermaki
nghim seeyoul
ove
me..
webot
hhatehimr i
ght
?We'l
lbot
hki l
lhi
m
r
ight
?"Mor
ganlaughed.
"
Y..
yes"I
ri
shsai
dsl
owl
y,
herhear
tpoundi
ngi
nfear
.

Coul
dhebespi
ll
ingnonsensebecausehewas
dr
unk?
No!
Hecoul
dbesayi
ngt
het
rut
hal
so.
Mostpeopl
etendt
osayt
hei
rmi
ndwhendr
unk.

Hereyeswi
denedassomet
hingcamet
ohermi
nd.
"Doyouknowwher
eCar
rl
e'
sneckl
acei
s?"She
asked.
"I
t'
sinmydr awer!Thatcheapneckl
ace"Mor
gan
shoutedandlaughed.
Ir
ishrushedtothedrawerandpull
editopenone
aftert
heother,
searchi
ngfortheneckl
ace.

Whati
fit
'snother
eandheonl
ysai
dthatbecause
hewasdrun.
..

I
ri
shnearl
yscreamedseei
ngtheneckl
aceont
he
f
ourt
hdrawer,
layi
ngther
epeacef
ull
y.
Herhandsshooksl
ight
lyasshepi
ckedi
tup.
"
Catheri
neandJavad.
."Mor
ganwassayi
ngand
I
ri
shfroze.

Javad?
"Whatthehel
lar
eyousayi
ngEthan?
"Cat
her
ine
yel
led,
bursti
ngi
ntot
heroom.

Shewasful
lydressedf
ort
hepart
yandonl
ycame
tosaybyet
othem whenshehear
dMorganment
ion
Javad.

Damn!
Shewassobusywi tht
hedinnerpar
typrepar
ati
on
thatshetotal
lyf
orgotMor
ganspill
sinf
ormati
ons
whendr unk.
SheglancedatI
ri
shandsawhowshockedshe
l
ooked.
Ofcour
se,
Mor
ganhadment
ionedJavad!Andt
he
onl
yJavadknowni
sEt
han'
sfavor
it
ebodyguar
d!

"Hey,t
heJavadMor ganmentionedi
smyyounger
brot
herokay?"Cather
inequi
cklysai
dtoI
ri
shwho
noddednumbl y.
Shehadhi
dtheneckl
ace,
shecoul
dn'
tri
skCat
her
ine
seei
ngi
twit
hher.

"Andwhyareyoubentoverhi
sdrawer?Whatdo
youwantt
here?"Cat
heri
neasked,wal
kingcl
osert
o
her.
"He..
hewantedmet o,
iwantedtopickhisbody
spray!
"Ir
ishsai
d,si
ghti
ngthespraylayi
ngonthe
fl
oor.
Shequi
ckl
ypi
ckedi
tandr
oset
oherf
eet
.
"
Ohh"Cat
her
inesai
d,l
ooki
ngathersuspi
ciousl
y.

Damn!Howcouldshehavel
eftherwi
thMor
gan
whenhewasdrunk.
Whatgoti
ntoher
.

"Whatothert
hingdi
dhesayt
oyou?
"Cat
her
ine
asked.
"Huh?Nothi
ng.
.notathi
ng"Iri
shshookherhead
anditwassocleart
hatCatheri
nedidn'
tbel
ievedher
.
"
He'sasleepnow,
youcanl
eave"Cat
her
inesai
dand
I
ri
shturnedtoMorgan.
Hewast
rul
yasl
eep.
"
Okay.
.goodni
ght
"Ir
ishmur
mur
ed.
"Don'
tcomebacktohisr
oom unti
lit
'smor
ning
okay?"Cat
her
inesai
daft
erherandshenodded.

Shewal
kedoutoft
her
oom andheadedt
oher
s.
Mar
iaf
oll
owedhergent
ly.
"
Youcangot
obedMar
,goodni
ght
"Ir
ishsai
d.
"
Uh.
.youdroppedt
hisma'
am"Mar
iasai
d,st
ret
chi
ng
t
heneckl
acetoher.
"Oh.
.my"I
rushgaspedandqui
ckl
ygr
abbedt
he
neckl
acefr
om Maria.
Sheshuddered,
thi
nki
ngwhatmi ghthavehappened
i
fitwasCatheri
neoroneofherbodyguardswho
foundi
t.
Howcoul
dshebesocar
eless.
"
ThanksMar
ia"I
ri
shsai
dandMar
ianodded.
"Youcanstil
lcal
lonmeifyouneedme,
iwon'
tbe
asleepyet
"Mar i
asai
d.
"
Okayand.
..
canyoupl
easenott
ell
..anyoneabout
t
heneckl
ace"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Iwouldneverdothat,
youhavemywor
ds.
Goodni
ght"Mari
asaid.
"
Goodni
ght
"Ir
ishsai
d.

Shewal
kedint
oherroom andcl
osedt
hedoor
behi
ndherbef
orel
ett
ingoutadeepbr
eat
h.

Javad.
Shehadal
mostthoughti
twasEthan'
'sbodyguar
d
butCat
her
inehassai
ditwasheryoungerbrot
her.
Whatotherr
easonwoul
dMor
ganhavement
ioned
'
Javad'
forthough.
Di
dshehateJavadsomucht otheext
entof
t
hinki
ngJavadmightbeacquai
ntedwi
thMorgan.
GoodthingCather
inecl
ear
edt
heai
r..TheJavad
Morganhadr ef
err
edtowasCat
her
ine'
s
br
other.
..
yeah.

Mor ganr eal

lywant
edtokil
lEthan.sheknewhewas
danger ousbutnevert
houghthewoul dwanttoki
ll
Ethanwhohadoncebeenhi sbrot
her ,
shehad
thoughthewasspeaki nggibberi
shbutf orhi
mt o
correctlyknowwhereCarr
le'snecklacewasatthat
moment ,t
hatsi
mplymeansal lhehadbeensaying
wasr ight.
Het
rul
ywant
edEt
handead.
ShehopedMaxhadheardt
hat
,Et
hanneedst
obe
prot
ect
edimmedi
atel
y.
Shesi
ghedasshesatonherbed.
Maybe,
thi
sismor
eser
ioust
hanshehadt
hought
.
Shef ol
dedtheneckl
aceinherpalm,shegotwhat
shewant edal
ready,
thi
swast hemainr easonshe
washer ebutshewasn'tsohappyli
keshehad
thoughtshewouldbewhenshef inall
yf oundt
he
necklace.
Shedi
dnotonlyf
oundoutaboutt
heneckl
acebut
al
sosomethi
ngMorganwouldn'
thavesai
dona
nor
malday.

Andl
ooksl
ikeher
eveal
ssomei
nfor
mat
ionswhen
dr
unk.
Orshewoul
dneverhaveknownhi
spl
anf
orEt
han.
Shecan' tbel
ieveshe'
sst
ayingundert
hesamer
oof
withsomeonewhowant stheonl
ymanshehas
everloveddeeplydead.
She'
sint
oitnowandcan'
tpul
lout
,al
lsheneeds
t
odoi
shel
pEt
han.
Sheshoul
dcal
lCar
lbuthemightbeasl
eep,
she
woul
dneverwantt
odist
urbhi
m.

Shest
aredatt
heneckl
acei
nherpal
m andsmi
led.
Et
hanwoul
dbesohappyt
ohavei
tback.
Hewouldf
inal
lybeabl
etovi
sitCar
rl
e'
sroom wi
th
nof
eel
ingofguil
t.

"
Uhmm"Shet
houghtofwher
etokeepi
tsaf
e.
Shedoesn'tt
rustCat
her
ineal
so,
she'
scapabl
eof
ransacki
ngherroom.

Okay.
.l
ooksl
iket
hedr
awerhasal
ock.
She'
sjustgoi
ngtoputitint
hedr
awer
,l
ocki
tand
keept
hekeyinthebathroom.

_
_
Shesatonherdressi
ngchai
randdr
iedherhai
r
af
terget
ti
ngint
oherpajamas.
Shecan'
tjustwai
tformor
ningsoshecangi
ve
Carlacal
landknowwhatnexttodo.
They'
veachievedt hefir
stgoalbygett
ingthe
neckl
ace,
shecan' tbeli
eveitwassoeasybutt henit
hadcomewi thapr i
ce,
theuneasi
nessofknowi ng
Ethani
snotsaf eanyl onger.Morganalwayshave
hi
swayar oundt hings.

Sheal
mostj
umpedwhenshehear
dherphoner
ing.
Shegottoherf
eetandwalkedtothebed,seei
ng
thenameonthescreen,
shequickl
ygrabbedher
phoneandheadedtothebathr
oom.
"
Car
l"Shesai
d,al
mostbr
eat
hlessl
y.
"
Ir
ish'
iwaswai
ti
ngf
oryourcal
l.
"
Ithoughtyou'
dbeasl
eep"Shesai
d.
"
No,
ican'
tbeasl
eepwi
thoutknowi
nghowt
he
sear
chf
ort
heneckl
acewent
"
"
Ifoundi
tandihavei
twi
thme!
"
"
Great
!"Car
lsmi
led.
"
There'
sapr obl
em t
hough"Shesi
ghed,
sit
ti
ngon
t
hetoil
etseat.

"
What
?"Car
lasked,
sit
ti
ngup.
"Okay..
.Morganhadtoomucht odri
nkand
apparentl
y,
hegotdrunk,
iwasaskedt owatchover
him causehetendtohurthi
mselfwhendrunkand
whileiwaswithhim.Hespil
ledsomet hi
ngs"
"Ohh..
.he'
sthetypethatl
eaksinf
ormat
ionswhen
drunk.Goahead,I'
m al
lears"
"
He'
spl
anni
ngt
ohaveEt
hanki
ll
edsoon"
"
What
!"
Car
lsatup.
"
Yes,
He'
sjustwait
ingformet
ofal
linl
ovewi
thhi
m,
t
henhe'
l
lgetEthankil
led"
Car
lsi
ghed,
abi
trel
ievedknowi
ngI
ri
sh'
snever
goi
ngtol
oveMorgan.
Hehopetheywoul
dhavegat
heredenough
evi
dencet
osendMorgantoj
ailt
henbefor
ehecan
makeamoveonEthan.

"Wehavethreedaystogat
hertheevi
dencebefore
thenandhopeful
ly,
wewouldsendhimtojai
lbefore
hecanmakeamoveonMrEt han.
"Whydon'
tyout
ryt
odoubl
ethesecur
it
yar
ound
Ethan?
"
"I
rish,
evenifwet r
ipl
ethesecuri
tyaroundMr
Ethan,i
fMor ganwantstogettohim,hewill
,easi
ly.
Mor ganissmar t
.Andareyousur ehewasn't
speakinggibberi
shbecausehewasdr unk?
"
"It
houghtthattoobutt
henhecorrect
lyshowedme
wher eCarr
le'
sneckl
acewas,
i
tclearl
ymeans
everythi
nghehadsaidwasri
ght.
"Ohh,I
'm sur
eMaxwouldhavefi
ledwhatMor
gan
saidaboutki
ll
ingEt
hansoon.

"
Car
l,whati
fMor
gandeci
desnott
owai
tti
llIl
ove
him back,
thoughi
t'
snevergoi
ngt
ohappen"I
ri
sh
said.
"
That
'
swhyyou'
regoi
ngt
ojoi
nhi
mint
hepl
an.
"
Huh?Idon'
tseem t
ogetyou.
"
"I
rish, you' l
lhavet oj oinMor gani nt heplant o
protectEt hant il
lthen.Sur el
y,byt omor r
ow, he's
goingt oknowhespi ll
edsomet hingst oyou, you'
ll
makehi m ear nyourt rustandt ellhim youwantt o
bei ncludedi nthepl ant oo,you' l
lr emi ndhi m ofhow
muchyouhat eEt hannowandyou' realsor eadyt o
doanyt hingtohur thim.Wi t
ht hatsai d,he'sgoi ngto
tr
ustyouandf i
llyoui nont hepl anshehasf orMr
Ethan, you'llhavet omakehi m bel i
eveyou' ret ot
all
y
i
n, you' llevenmakesomesuggest ionsal so..you'l
l
getbackt omeandI '
llpasst hei nf or mationt o
Max, thenwe' llknowhowt opr otectMrEt hant hat
day"

"
Woah.
.Car
l"I
ri
shsmi
led,
int
ri
gued.
"Whyareyouabodyguard?Youshouldappl
yfor
secr
etser
vicei
mmediately"I
ri
shsai
dandCarl
l
aughed.
"
I'
mjustagoodpl
anner
,that
'sal
l"
"
Sur
eyouar
e,ihopei
tgoesaseasyasyoust
atedi
t"
"Nah,don'
texpectitt
ogothateasi
ly,i
twon't
,he
mightnottrustyousoeasi
ly,
you'l
lhavetoapplyal
l
youcant oconvincehi
m.Mor gani
sar ogue"
"
Youseem t
oknowsomuchabouthi
m"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Well
..
.ionceworkedf
orhi
m,bef
orewor
kingf
orMr
Ethan"Carlsai
d.
"
Real
ly?
!Howcomeyouneverment
ionedi
t?"I
ri
sh
wassur
pri
sed.

"Therewasnoneedt o.Mor ganhasgot t

ensomany
peoplekill
edwheni workedwi t
hhi m andI'
m sure
hehasn' tstopped,ican'
twat chhim keepkil
ling
helpl
essvi cti
msandt hatwast her easoniwantt o
revealhisdeedsandmakehi m payfortheli
veshe
hast aken,hedonotonl ykillpeoplebutswi ndle
them, he'
sabi gtimef r
audandhascausedal otof
peoplesadness, hedoesn' tdeser vetobehappyt oo"
Car
lsai
dandI
ri
shsi
ghed.

Herhatr
edforMorganincr
easedandshefel
tli
ke
pushi
nghimtojai
lalmostimmediat
ely.

"Iknewhewasdanger ousbutneverthoughthewas
thisi
nhumane.I'
m goingtodoallicantofightf
or
thehelpl
essvict
imswhosel i
veswerewast edand
didn'
thadanyonetofightf
orthem.Andf orthe
oneshe'splanni
ngtohurt,
I'
m goi
ngt omakesur ei
stophim,andescorthimtojai
l.
"
Yes!That
'st
hespi
ri
t!
"Car
lsmi
led.
"
I'
m gl
adigott hemai
nthi
ngicameherefor
t
hough,al
lthankst
oMorgan'
sdrunkenst
ate"She
l
aughed.

"Ican'
twaitfortomor r
ow,ican'twaittobedone
withal
lthi
s,ican'twaittol
eaveher e,
ican'
twaitt
o
whiskMorgant oj ai
landfinal
lyican'twai
ttobe
backinEthan'sar ms"Ir
ishbeamed.
"MrEt hanissol uckyt
ohaveyou, notever
yonecan
got hr
ought heriskyoureadilywentint
ojustto
maket hei
rlovedonehappy, you'
remakingahuge
sacrif
iceforMrEt han.I
'm gl
adyoucamei nt
oour
l
ivesIrish,
youchangedever ythi
ngforgood"Carl
said.
"
I'
mfl
att
ered"I
ri
shgr
inned.
"I
'
m gladihaveyoualli
nmyliveal
so,everyt
hing
changedforbett
ert
hemomentisteppedintothat
mansion.MerciCar
l"I
ri
shsai
dandCarllaughed.
"
Youshouldgof
orFrenchcl
assaf
teral
lthese"He
t
easedandshel
aughed.

"Ther
e'ssomet
hingel
se,
thoughidonott
hinki
t'
s
necessar
y.
"
Com'on,
youneedtofi
llmei
nonever
ydet
ail
,
whet
heri
t'
snecessar
yornot
"
"Af
terMorganshowedmewheretheneckl
ace
was..
.Hementi
onedCat
her
ineandJavadbefor
e
dozi
ngoff
"
"
Javad?
"Car
lasked.
"Well
..
ithoughtthatt
oobutCat
heri
nesaidthe
Javadhement ionedwasherbr
other"I
ri
sjsai
d.
"Brother?"Carl
wondered."
AlthoughI
'venotbeen
heref orsolongbutidonotthinkCat
heri
nehasa
brothernamedJavad"
"
Real
ly?
"
"
Yeah,butwecan'
tbesosure.I
'
m goingtoaskMr s
Gabr
iel
letomor
rowandgetbacktoyou"Carlsai
d.

"Whati
f..shedoesn'
thaveabr
othernamed
Javad"
?"Iri
shsaid.
"Thenther
e'sdef
ini
tel
ysomethingshe'
str
yingto
hideandwe'regonnadigi
ntothatt
oo"Carlsai
d.
"Okay,ishoul
dgotobednowsoI '
llwakeupearl
y
andsoundt omor
row"Ir
ishsai
d,surpr
isi
ngl
yfeel
ing
excit
edabouthernewtask.
"Andr
emember,
bever
ycaref
ul.Cat
her
inehas
peopl
ewat
chi
ngyou"Car
lsaid.
"
OkayCar
l.Mer
ci"I
ri
shsai
dagai
nandCar
llaughed.
Shewantedt
oaskhowEt hanwasdoingbutshe
deci
dednott
o,shedoesn'
tneeddi
str
acti
ons.
"
MrEt
hani
sfi
ne"Car
lsai
d,asi
fsensi
nghert
hought
.
Shesmi
led.
."
I'
m gl
adhei
s"
"BonnenuitI
ri
sh"Car
lsai
dandI r
ishgr
oaned,
his
voicesoundedter
ri
blei
nFrench.
"You'
retheonewhoneedstogof
orFrenchclass"
Sheteasedandhedi
sconnect
edthecal
l,l
aughing
tohimself
.

I
ri
shsmi
ledasshewal
kedoutoft
hebat
hroom.
Shedroppedherphoneonherdr
essingt
abl
e,she
st
aredjumping,
counti
ngasshedidso.
Sheneededtoener
giseher
sel
ffort
omor
row.
.she
sai
dtohersel
f.
Shedroppedinbedont
het
went
iet
hcountand
si
gheddeeply.
_
___

"Fabul
ous!
"Morgancomment
edwithasmi l
eas
Cather
inewal
kedint
ohisr
oom,beaut
if
ull
ydressed.
I
twas9: 30am andhewasj ustwakingup,he'
s
hungoveranddoesn'tt
hinkhe'l
lgetoutofbed
anyt
imesoon.

"I
fEt
hanshouldr
esi
styout
oday,
thenhe'
sa
bast
ard"Mor
gansai
d.
"
Hesur
ecan't
"Catheri
nesmiled,
spi
nni
ngt
omake
Mor
gantakeaful
llookather
.
"Woah.
.you'
regoi
ngt
omakemef allf
oryoual
lover
agai
n"Morgansai
dandCat
her
inelaughed.
"
Howwast
hedi
nnerpar
ty?
"Mor
ganasked.
"Gr
eat!Mor
gan,
your
eal
lyneedtol
ear
ntocurt
ail
yourhugemout
hwhendrunk!
"Cat
her
inegr
oaned.
"Wh..
whathappened?Di
dispil
lanyt
hing?
"Morgan
asked,t
ryi
ngtorememberbuthi
smemor ywas
bl
ank.
Thatdamnal
coholwasr
eal
lyst
rong.

"Youmenti
onedJavadt
oIr
ishyest
erday!
"Cat
her
ine
hissed.
"
OhmyGod!
"Mor
gansatup.
"Andyouwerereadytospil
lmore,i
fihadn'
twal
ked
i
n.Butit'
snot
hingtoworryabout.It
oldher
,t
he
Javadyoumentionedwasmybr otherandshe
beli
evedit
"
"
Ohh"Mor
gansi
ghedi
nrel
ief
.
"I
'
m notgoi
ngt
otaket
hatdr
inkanymor
e..
fuck!
"He
swore.
"I
'
vehear dt
hatoverat housandti
mes, goodthi
ngi
walkedinonti
me"Cat herinesai
d,checkingout
hersel
finMorgan'
smi rroraft
erspendingminut
esi
n
fr
ontofherownmi rr
or.

"
Butwhati
fshef
indsoutyoudon'
thaveayounger
br
othernamedJavad"Mor
gansai
d.
"She'
snevergoingtof
indoutexceptshehas
ult
eri
ormotiveandihavepeoplekeepi
ngwat chon
her,i
fshemakesanysuspiciousmove,I
'l
llookint
o
i
timmediately"Cat
her
inesai
d.

"
Sof ar
,shehasn'
tmadeanysuspi
ciousmove.I
t
hinkshe'stobetr
ust
ed"Morgansaid.
"She'sonlybeenher efortwodaysMorgan.Idon'
t
knowwhatl oveisdoingtoyou,whendidyou
star
tedtrustingsoeasily,
i
ttookmonthsbefor
eyou
fi
nallytr
ustedme, remember "Cat
her
inesai
dand
Mor gansighed.

"Whatever
..
justdon'
tletyourguarddown,we'
renot
totr
ustanybodyokay? "Catheri
nesaidandMorgan
nodded.
"
I'
llgetgoi
ng"Shesai
d.
Hegl
ancedatt
het
ime.
."
isn'
titt
ooear
ly?
"
"
Iti
s,butI
'
m count
ingont
hemor
ninggodt
omake
Et
hantri
pformychar
m.Nowi
sthebestt
imet
ogo"
Cat
her
inewinked.
"
Ishoul
dgetgoi
ng"
"Byeandihopethemor
ninggodwillmakehi
m
yoursback"Mor
gansai
dafterher
.
"
Amen"Sheshout
edandhesmi
led.

Hewasbroughtcof
feefewminut
eslat
erandI
ri
sh
wal
kedi
ntohisroom ashesi
ppedit
.

"
Morgan"Shecal
ledsmi
li
ngandonceagai
n,hewas
l
ostst
ari
ngather
.

_
___

"WhatdoyouwanttosayaboutAr
in?
"Et
hanasked
Cather
inewi
thastr
aightf
ace.
Hehadal
lowedheri
nbecauseshement
ionedAr
in.
"Well
..t
her
e'snot
hingtosayabouther,
ionl
ysaid
thattomakeyouallowmein"Catheri
nesmiled
softl
y.
Shewassitt
ingopposi
tehi
m andhewaslooki
ng
morehandsomethatshecoul
dhardl
ytakehereyes
offhi
m.

Ethansighed."
First,
ithi
nkyoushouldbeashamed
ofyoursel
ffortakingadvant
ageofyourdaughter'
s
name,t
hat '
sver
ygoodofyouasal ovi
ngmot her"
Cat
heri
nerol
ledhereyesandsetherr
edpur
seon
hi
stabl
e.
"I
'
m notherefort
hatEt
han.
..
see,
I
'm achanged
person.Imi
ssyouand..
."
"Andyouwantmeback"Ethancuthershor
tand
shenoddedl
ikeherheadwasgoingtofal
loffher
neck.
"Yes!
"Shegri
nned,
gladshe'sgett
ing
somewhere,
sheneverthoughtit
'dbethi
seasy.
Et
hanf
inal
lyunder
stoodher
!
"Youwantmebackoryouwannaseducemeback
i
nt oyourhear t
.Catheri
ne,
whyonEar thwoul dyou
putonadr essthat'
salmostmaki ngyourboobsf al
l
out..
isitpartofyourseduci
ngt ri
ck?Iwillneverfall
forit
..
thisisjustsolowofyout ot hi
nkyoucan
makeamanwantyoubyexposi ngyourbody.You
don'thavet odothat,
asamat t
eroffact,
onedoesn' t
havet odoanyt hi
ngt oear
nt heloveofanot her,
l
ove
i
sj ustanat ur
alfeel
ing,
welovewhoourhear t
chooseandonceourhear tpicksapar ti
cularperson,
i
t'l
lbehar dtoloveanyoneelse.Myhear tchose
Iri
shalreadyandt here'
snothingicandot oi t
anymor e"Ethansaid,muchtoCat heri
ne'
schagr in.

Shewasseethi
ngandherfi
nger
scuti
ntoherpal
m
asshet
ight
enedherfi
st.

"Idon'
tknowwhatonEar t
hMor gandidtoyou.
..
Cather
ine,
wit
hthewayyou'redressedri
ghtnow,no
oneisgoingtor
espectyou.Youownt wotop
Model l
ingcompani esi nCali
fornia,you'rea
mot her,
awife,asuccessf ulbusinesswomanbut
yourappear ancedoesn' tl
ookanyoft hose, youlook
l
ikeasl ut,
I
'm sorryf orbeingbluntbutyour eall
y
needt oknow.Donotdamaget her eputationofyour
compani eswi t
hyourappear ance, t
rustme, whenthe
reputati
onofacompanyi sdamaged, it'
ssohar dto
putbacki nplace.You' redamnbeaut i
ful,you'dsteal
aman' sbreathwi t
houtevenexposi nganysensi ti
ve
partofyourbody, idon' tknowwhenyout urnthis
butthisisverydi sappoi nt
ingandshamef ul"Ethan
saidandCat herinet hrewherpur sei nhisf ace
angril
y.
Theshar
pedgesofthepurset
orehisskinabi
t
andhefel
tbl
ooddri
pf r
om hisf
orehead.

"Mother
fucker
!"Catheri
nescr
eamedangr
il
yand
JavadandRobbi nsrushedi
n.
"Getthef
ir
stai
dbox"Javadsai
dtoRobbi
nswho
quickl
ydi
dso.
Et
hansi
ghed,
hisf
oreheadst
ingpai
nful
lyandt
he
bl
ooddi
dn'
tevenst
opdr
ippi
ng.
"Gotohell
!Sonofabi t
ch,theladyyousof ucking
l
oveisgetti
ngscrewedever ynightbyMor gan
whom youshamel esslylostto.Loser!
"Catheri
ne
spat
,grabbedherpur seandwal kedoutofhisoff
ice.

Robbi
nsr
etur
nedwi
tht
hef
ir
stai
dbox.
"I
m sosorr
yMrEt han,I'
l
lmaket
hesecuri
tystopher
andwe'l
lhaveherarrest
edi
mmediat
ely"Robbins
said.
"
No,
lethergo"Et
hansai
d.

_
__

Cat
her
inewal
kedangr
il
ytohercarwi
thherescor
ts.
"
Ma'
am,
youhaveacal
l"
"
Thr
owt
hef
ucki
ngphoneaway"Shesi
ghed.
"
It
'sf
rom Benandit
hinkhehassomei
nfor
mat
ion
aboutI
ri
sh"
Beni
soneofthebodyguar
dsshehadputi
nchar
ge
ofmoni
tor
ingI
ri
sh.

Shegrabbedherphonef
rom herescor
tand
recei
vedthecal
l.
.

"Saywhat
everyouwannasay!
"Shesai
dint
othe
phone.
"Iwascheckingthesecur
it
yfoot
ageofyest
erni
ght
andyour eal
lyneedtoseethi
s.I
ri
shi
snottobe
trust
ed"
"I
'
m onmyway"Cather
inedr
oppedt
hecal
landt
old
herdr
ivert
odr
ivef
ast.

_
__
[
05/09,07:
36]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th
 JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
65

Hewasbroughtcof
feefewminut
eslat
erandI
ri
sh
wal
kedi
ntohisroom ashesi
ppedit
.

"
Morgan"Shecal
ledsmi
li
ngandonceagai
n,hewas
l
ostst
ari
ngather
.
Shewasputt
ingonapinksati
ngownandhasher
hai
rpackedi
nherfavor
it
estyl
e.
"
Ir
ish"Hesmi
led,
droppi
nghi
scupofcof
feeonhi
s
bedsi
det
abl
e.
"Howareyou?Ihopeyou'
refi
nenow?
"Sheasked
sweet
ly,
walki
ngclosert
ohim.
"Yeah,
eveni
fiwasn'
tfi
ne,seei
ngyounowjust
boostedmyener
gy"Morgansaidandshesmil
ed.

Shesatbesi
dehim ont
hebed,t
ookhi
shandand
ki
ssedit
,Morganfel
tontopoft
heworl
d.

"
Doyour
ememberanyt
hing?
"Sheasked.
"Idon'
t,
I'
mtr
yingt
obutmymemor
yisbl
ank"He
groaned.
"Ohh..
.Thankssomuchf
ort
hegi
ft
"Ir
ishsai
dwi
tha
smile.
"
Gif
t?"Mor
ganwonder
ed.
"
Yeah,
yougi
ft
edmeaneckl
aceandir
eal
lyl
ovei
t"
"Aneckl
ace?Ohh.
.t
hat
"Morganlaughedeven
thoughhedi
dn'
tremembergif
ti
ngheranyneckl
ace
butseei
nghowhappyshelooked,
hefel
tgl
adto
havegi
venherwhat
everneckl
aceshewast
alki
ng
about
.

Hi
sdrunkenst
atehadmadehi
m ear
nmor
eofher
l
ove.
"
Thanksdr
unky-
Mor
gan"Hesai
dinwar
dly.

"Youtol
dmet ocheckyourdrawerforanecklace,
thatyougoti
tforme.Andireall
ylovedi
t"I
rish
smiled.
"
Mydrawer?
"Mor ganaskedandgasped,
real
isi
ng
t
hatwasCarr
le'
sneckl
ace.
Damn!
I
ri
shknewaboutCar
rl
e!
Butshecoul
dn'
tpossi
blyknowaboutt
heneckl
ace.
"
Didi.
.di
dimentionanynameorsayanyt
hingel
se"
Morganasked,
cl
osetopani
cki
ng.
"No,youdidn'
tmenti
onanyname.Doesthe
necklacebel
ongtosomeone?"I
ri
shasked,
fei
gni
ng
i
gnor
ance.
"Uh.
.no!Iboughti
tforyou"Mor
gansmi
led,
gladhe
hadn'tmenti
onCarrl
e'sname.
"I
'
m sot ouchedyoucoul dbuysuchabeauti
ful
neckl
acef orme,ithinkmyloveforyouhas
i
ncreased.Thisisthefir
stti
meI'l
leverl
oveanyone
sofast.
.ahh"Ir
ishsighed.

Mor gan'
shear
tfel
tli
keitwoul
dburstwi
thlove
anytimesoon,
hegrippedherhandti
ght
lyand
slowlyst
aredi
ntohereyeswithhi
sheartpoundi
ng
fast.
Heleanedf
orwardt
oki
ssherandshequickl
y
movedherli
ps,hi
ski
ssl
andedonhercheek.

"Uhm..
.if
eeli
t'
stoosoonfort
hat,
theki
ssonthe
cheekwasgreattoo,
weshoul
djuststi
ckt
othatfor
now"Ir
ishsai
d.
"
Asyouwishdearest"Mor
ganwi
nkedandI
ri
sh
t
houghthel
ookedlikeanowl
.
"Well
..Cat
heri
nemustn't
..
li
ke,
youshouldn'
tmake
Cat
herineseet
henecklace"Morgansai
d.
"Why?Didn'
tyougi
ft
edmesoicoul
dweari
t?"I
ri
sh
asked.
"Yeahididbut
..
yunno,Cat
her
ineisaveryjeal
ous
person,
she'
sgoingtogetmadseeingiboughtthat
expensi
venecklacef
oryou"Morgansaid.

Sl
yfox!
!!
Youhadcal
ledi
tacheapneckl
ace!

"
Ohh.
.okay"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Buti
t'
sjustf
orawhi
le,
she'l
lbel
eavi
ngsoon"
Mor
gansaidinawhi
sper.
"
Leavingsoon?Towher
e?"I
ri
shaskedwi
thkeen
i
nter
est.
"
She'sgoi
ngtot
ellyouher
sel
fwheni
twor
ksout
"
Morgansmil
ed.
"
Ohh"I
ri
shnodded,
wonder
ingwhatCat
her
inewas
upt
o.

"Okay,
wel
l.
.yousai
dsomethi
ngelseyest
erni
ghtt
hat
iwassohappyabout"I
ri
shsaid.
"
Real
ly?
"Mor
ganasked.
"
Yeah,
somet
hingaboutki
ll
ingEt
han"I
ri
shsmi
led.
"
What!Di
..
disaid.
.Idi
dn'
tsayt
h..
atohmy.
."
Mor
gansighed.
Howcoul
dhel
eakt
hat
!
Damn!Hewoul
dnevert
aket
hatdamnal
cohol
agai
n.
"Yesyoudid,don'
tbesobot
her
edaboutme
knowingcauseireal
lyl
ovet
heplan"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
What
..
.Real
ly?
"Mor
ganaskedi
nsur
pri
se.
Hecouldn'
tbel
ieveshe'sf
inewi
ththepl
ant
oki
ll
Et
han,shemustr eal
lydet
esthi
m now.

"
Yeah,
Ethanr
eal
lyhur
tmeandi
'
lldoanyt
hingt
o
hurthim back.Hefucki
ngl
eftmestr
andedi
nthe
rai
nandevenmademymum f al
lsi
ck.Ir
eal
lyhat
e
him now"Iri
shsaidandMorgansmil
ed.
"Ihat
ehi
m al
soandt
hat
'swhyiwanthi
m gone"He
said.
"So.
.nowt
hatwesharethesamef
eel
ingtowards
him,whydon'
tyoui
ncludemeint
heplan"I
ri
shsaid.
"Huh?"Morganasked,
looki
ngl
ikehedoesn'
ttr
ust
herenough.

"
What
?"I
ri
shasked.
"Youdon'
thavetobeincludedi
nthepl
ani
ri
sh,
I'
m
goingt
ohandleever
ythingonmyown"Morgansai
d.
"It
houghtyousai dyoutrustedme,
thi
sisj
ustso
heartbreaki
ng"Ir
ishsai
d,looki
ngli
keshewoul
d
burstintotear
sanyti
mesoon.
"
No.
.I
ri
sh,
itr
ustyou,
bel
ieveme"Mor
gansai
d.
"Thenwhycan'tyouinvolveme,iwantt
obe
i
ncludedal
so,please"I
rishbli
nkedathi
mli
kea
puppyandheal mostfel
lf ori
t.
Hereyesdoesunexpl
ainabl
ethi
ngst
ohi
m.
Hef
eel
sli
kehe'
str
appedi
nthem.

"
Doyour
eal
lyhat
ehi
mthatmuch?
"Mor
ganasked.
"
Ofcourse"Ir
ishquickl
ysai
d,"whyelsewouldi
wantt
obei ncludedint
heplantogethim ki
ll
ed"
Mor
ganl
ookedl
ikehewasscanni
ngherf
ace.
"Oh.
.my..
God,yousti
lldon'
ttr
ustme.Ishoul
dleave
yourhouset
hen"Ir
ishsniff
ed,get
ti
ngonherfeet.
"
No.
.no,
wai
t"Mor
ganpul
ledherbackgent
ly.

"I
t'
sjustsosadthatthemanI '
m st
art
ingtolove
doesn'
ttrustme,ishoul
dleave"I
ri
shsaid.
"Look..
.Ir
ish,itr
ustyoubutyoudon'thavetobe
i
ncludedi ntheplan,youwanthim deadal
so,you
don'thavetoknowhowwe' regoi
ngt odoit
,t
rust
me,I'
llhandleitper
fectl
y"Mor
gansaid.
"
Butiwanttobeincl
udedal
so,I'
veli
vedwit
hEthan
f
orsometime,iknowhisweaknessesandst
rengt
h,
I'
l
levenbeofhel
ptoyou,
thethi
ngsI'
veknown
abouthi
m woul
dmaketheplanworkouteasi
ly"
Ir
ishsai
dconvi
nci
ngl
y.

'
Right
,shemi
ghtbeofhel
ptot
hem'
Mor
gant
hought
.
Butinvol
vingherinthepl
anmeansshe' sdef i
nitel
y
gonnaknowaboutJavadandGl adys,thoughhe
hasnopr oblem wi
thherknowingthem sinceshe
hatesEthannowandevenwanthi m deadlikethey
dobutCat heri
newouldneverall
owt hat,
Cat herkne
wouldneverwantherincluded.

"Icanseeyoust i
lldon'
ttr
ustmeenoughtohave
mei ncluded,
thatsimpl
ymeansyoudonotl oveme.
Ishouldgobackt oEthanwhotrul
ylovesandtrust
me"I r
ishsaidandgotup.
Shejer
kedMor
gan'
shandawayandst
art
edwal
king
tot
hedoor.
"
I'
llhaveyouincl
udedi
ntheplan,
ireall
ytrustyou
I
ri
sh,iswear
.ButCather
ine.
..
."Morgantrai
ledoff
.
"
Cat
her
ine?
"Ir
ishasked,
tur
ningandwal
kingback
t
ohi
m.

"Yeah,she'
skindaincludedi ntheplanal so,t
hough
she'snotinsupportofmeki l
li
ngEt hancauseshe
sti
llwantshim andbelievesshe'sgoi ngtogethim
butshesaidifsher ef
usest ogethi mt histi
me,i
shouldgoaheadwi ththepl anandI 'm damnsur e
Ethanwon'twantherback.Wel l.
.ican'tbesureunti
l
she'sback..
."
"
Unt
ilshe'
sback?
"Ir
ishasked.
"Yeah,
shewenttoEthan'
soffi
ceandI
'm notsure
he'l
lbeabl
etoresi
stherthi
stime"Morgansaid.
"I
sthatwhyshe'sdressedthatway?"I
rishasked,
shecan'tdenythefactt
hatshe'spani
cking,whati
f
Ethanthoughtshewasr eal
lygoneandt henaccept
Cather
inebackintohisl
ife.
No!Hewon'
tdot
hat
.
"
Yes"Mor
gansai
d.
"
So.
..i
fEt
handoesn'
twantherback,
she'
sgoi
ngt
o
giveyouthe'
goahead'
topr
oceedwi
thyourpl
an?
"
Ir
ishasked.
"No,idon'
tneedhergoahead,eveni
fEthan
acceptsherback,
I
'm st
il
lgoi
ngtokil
lhi
m anyway"
Morgansaid.
"
Ohh.
.gr
eat
"Ir
ishsmi
led.
"I
'm notsureCatheri
newouldn'twantyoui
nvolved
i
nt heplan,shedoesn'tt
rustyou"Morgansai
d,he'
s
readytoinvolveI
rishbutCatheri
newouldnever
all
owt hat
.

"
Thenshedoesn'
thavet
oknow"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Huh?How?
"Mor
ganasked.
"You'
rejustgonnaf i
llmei
nontheplanwit
houther
knowing,sinceshedoesn'
twantmeinvol
ved,
that
's
whatwe'r egoingtodo"I
ri
shsaid.
"You'
rer
ight
,shedoesn'
thavet
oknow"Mor
gan
noddedcomplet
elysmit
ten.
"
So.
..
whendoyouplanonkil
li
nghim andhoware
wegoi
ngtodoi
t?"I
ri
shaskedtaki
ngMor gan'
spal
m
i
nher
s.
"
Whenhehadgot
tenoveryou"Mor
gansai
d..
"
No!Wehavet
odoi
tnowhe'
sst
il
lhur
t"
"
That'
swhatipl
annedfr
om theonset
.Ifindi
t
i
ntr
igui
ngt
hatwesharethesameopinion"
"Yeah,
sohowar
ewegoi
ngt
ogoabouti
t?"I
ri
sj
asked.
"
Poi
son.Soi
twon'
tar
ousesuspi
cion"Mor
gansai
d.
"Ohh.
.gr
eat,
buthowareyougonnapoi
sonhi
smeal
,
herar
elyeatout"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Well
..you'
l
lhavet
omeetourtwoaccompli
cest
hen,
t
heyaretheonest
hat
'l
lgett
hejobdone"
"
Real
ly?Wi
llibemeet
ingt
hem soon?
"Ir
ishasked.
"Yeah,
I
'llmakethem comeoverwhenever
Cather
ine'snothome"Morgansai
dinawhi sper
.
"
Ican'
twai
t"I
ri
shsmi
led.

Mor
ganj
usthopedshewoul
dn'
tbeshocked.
Wel
l.
.shemightbebutshe'
l
lgowi
tht
hef
lownow
t
hatshe'
sinvol
ved.

"Thankssomuchfori
nvolvi
ngmeMor
gan"I
ri
sh
smiled,
kissi
nghi
scheeks.
Hegr
innedhar
d,gl
adhemadeherhappy.
She'
sgonnabeheadoverheel
sinl
ovewi
thhi
m
soon.
Shoul
dhej
ustcal
lJavadandGl
adysovernow?

_
__

"Saywhat
everyouwannasay!
"Shesai
dint
othe
phone.
"Iwascheckingthesecur
it
yfoot
ageofyest
erni
ght
andyour eal
lyneedtoseethi
s.I
ri
shi
snottobe
trust
ed"
"I
'
m onmyway"Cather
inedr
oppedt
hecal
landt
old
herdr
ivert
odr
ivef
ast.
_
__

"
Her
eiti
s,Madam Cat
her
ine"Benshowedhert
he
f
oot
age.
Car
theri
nesawMar iagivi
ngsomet
hingtoIri
sh
andIr
ishhadlookedaroundandqui
cklygrabbedi
t
fr
om herhandsli
keitwassomethi
ngnottobeseen
byanyoneelse.

"Zoom thatpar
t"Cat
her
inesai
dtoBenandhe
quickl
ydidso.
Thehall
waywasquit
edarkandshecoul
dn'
teven
seewhatMari
aandIr
ishwaspassi
ngtoeachother
.
Damn!
"Andi
tlooksl
ikeshet
oldMar
iasomething,
can't
youfi
ndoutwhatshetol
dher
?"Cather
ineasked.
"Wecan'
tma'
am,t
heirvoi
cesweren'
tloudenough"
Bensai
dandCat
heri
nesighed.
"Whatcoul
dMar
iahavegi
venher
?"Shewonder
ed
aloud.
"
WhateverMari
ahadgivenher
,i
tseemsIri
showns
i
tcauseshehadgrabbedi
tfr
om Maria'
shands"
"Checki
fshewasholdinganythi
ngbef
oregoi
ng
i
ntoMor gan'
sroom"Cather
inesai
dandBenquickl
y
didso.

Thefoot
ageofIr
ishgoingi
ntoMorgan'
sroom af
ter
hegotdrunksur
facedandherhandsweredangl
ing
fr
eewhenshewal kedi
ntohi
sroom.
"
I'
m damnsurewhatevershehadt
ook,
i
twasf
rom
Morgan'
sroom"Cat
herinesai
d.
"Swi
tchbackt
othemomentshewal
kedoutof
Morgan'
sroom"Cat
her
inesai
dandBenqui
ckl
ydi
d
so.

I
ri
shwalkedoutofMor
gan'
sroom andMar i
a
wal
kedbehindher
,Mar
iasuddenl
ystoppedand
pi
ckedsomet
hingf
rom t
hef
loor
.
"
Pause!Zoom t
hatpar
t"Cat
her
inesai
d.
"Damn!"Sheswor
e,t
heycoul
dn'
tseewhatMar
ia
picked.
"It
hinki
t'
sti
mewer eplacedt
hosel
ight
sint
he
hall
way"Cat
her
inesaid.

What
everMar
iahadpi
ckedseemedl
ikeI
ri
sjhad
dr
oppedit
.
Ther
ewasnothi
ngwi
thherwhenshewal
kedi
nto
Morgan'
sroom.
Shehaddef
ini
tel
ytooksomet
hingf
rom Mor
gan'
s
room.
What
everi
tis,
seemst
oar
ousesuspi
cion.

Wast
hatwhy.
.shewasbentoverhi
sdr
awer
?
Butshehadindeedpi
ckedMor
gan'
sbodyspr
ay
fr
om thef
loor.
"
GetMar
iaf
orme"Cat
her
inesai
d.
"
Mar
iai
sof
ffort
odayma'
am"
"
Damn!Onceshe'
sbacktomor
row,
iwanttoseeher
i
nmyroom"Cather
inesai
dbef
orewal
kingout.
Shewasst
il
lsomadoverwhatEt
hanhadsai
dto
her
.
Andnow!She'
snotgoi
ngtocareaboutwhat
Morgandoest
ohim.Morgancanki
llhi
m!tohel
l
shecar
es.

Butshereal
lyneedtoi
nfor
m Mor
ganaboutt
he
suspi
ciousmoveIri
shmadeyest
erni
ght
.
Sheknewf
rom t
hest
artt
hatt
hel
adyi
snott
obe
tr
ust
ed.
Shegaveoneofherescor
tsherpurset
odropin
herr
oom andt
henheadedstrai
ghttoMorgan'
s.

Hewasst
andi
ngi
nfr
ontofhi
smi
rr
or,
brushi
nghi
s
wethai
r.
Looksl
ikehej
ustf
ini
shedhavi
ngabat
h.

Shesatonhi
sbedwi
thasi
ghandhet
urned.
"Huh,you'r
eback"Hesaidandseei
ngthel
ookon
herface,heknewithadn'
tgonewel
l.
"
Iguessher
esi
stedt
hist
imeagai
n"Hesai
d.
"Themot herf
uckerwasl
ect
uri
ngme!Iwasso
pissedthatithr
ewmypurseinhi
sface"Cat
her
ine
groaned.
"Real
ly?Don'
tyout
hinkhemighthavet
urned
homosexual?
"Morganasked,
sit
ti
ngandfaci
ngher
.
"No!It
'sal
lbecausehe'
ssti
lli
nlovewi
thI
ri
sh"
Catheri
nesaid,br
eat
hingheavi
ly.
"What
!Wel l
..
goodthingI
rishdoesn'
tlovehi
m
anymore,it
hinkhehasn'tgot
tenoverheryet
,you
knowittookyear
sf orhi
mt ogetoveryou"

"
What
ever
!Idon'
tfr
eaki
ngwanthi
m backanymor
e,
youcangoaheadwi
tht
hedamnpl
an!"Cat
her
ine
sai
d.
"AsyouwishCather
ine"Morganbowed
dramat
ical
ly."
Buthowcouldsomeoneresi
styou?
Damn!Hemustbebl ind"

"Ofcoursehei
s!Andlooksli
keI
rishhasst
art
ed
showingsomesuspici
ousmove,itol
dyoushecan'
t
betrust
ed"Cat
heri
nesaid.
"
Huh?
"Mor
ganasked.
"Youneedt
oseeyest
erni
ghtf
oot
age"Cat
her
ine
said.
"
Footage?Tel
lBent
obr
ingi
ttomei
mmedi
atel
y"
Morgansaid.

_
__

Mor
ganwat
chedt
hef
oot
agekeenl
yandsi
ghed.
"
Ithi
nki
twast
heneckl
aceigi
ft
edher
"Hesai
d.
"
Neckl
ace?
"Cat
her
ineasked.
"Uh.
.yeah,
inot
icedherl
ovef
orj
ewel
ry.
.soibought
oneforher"Morgansai
d.
"Ohh.
..
"Cat
heri
nesighed."
Butwhyhadshegr abbed
i
tfrom Mar
iaandshelookedaroundbefor
edoing
so,
li
keshedoesn'
twantanybodyelseseei
ngit"

"Shetol
dmei twasreal
lybeauti
fulandshelovedit
butineverthoughtsheloveditt
ot heext
entofnot
makingMar iaholdi
tforlong,
i
tmustbesopr eci
ous
toher"Morgansmi l
ed.

"
I'
m sti
llgoi
ngt
oaskMariat
obesur
eifi
twasr
eal
ly
aneckl
ace"Cat
her
inesai
d.
"I
'
m surei
tis,whatel
secoul
dbethatt
iny"Mor
gan
saidandCatheri
newasabitdi
sappoi
nted.

Looksl
ikeI
ri
shdoesn'
thaveanyul
ter
iormot
ive.
Shej
ustwantt
ohur
tMor
ganl
ikeshehadsai
d.

"Looksl
ikeshedoesn'
thaveanyul
ter
iormot
ive"
ShesaidtoMorgan.
"
Itol
dya!Wecant
rusther
"Hesai
d.
"
Hel
lno!I'
m nott
rusti
ngheryetunt
iliconf
ir
mfr
om
Mar
ia"Cat
heri
nesaid.
"
Whati
fMar
iaconf
ir
msi
t'
saneckl
ace"Mor
gansai
d.
"Then,maybeI
'
llst
artt
rust
ingher
"Cat
her
ine
shrugged.
"
Andthenwecaneveni
nvol
veheri
nourpl
ans"
Mor
gansaid.
"What!I
nvolveherinwhat?!Hel
lno,ihopeyou'
re
notpl
anningt odothat
.Youmustbesocr azyi
f
you'
replanningtodothat
"Catheri
nesaid.
"
C'mon,
I'
m notpl
anni
ngt
o"Mor
gansai
d.
HeknewCat
her
inewoul
dneverconsentt
oit
.
"Good.SoI'm planni
ngtogotoMexicoforf
ew
days,
tojustclearmyhead"Cather
inesai
d,Et
han'
s
wordshadi ndeedgottent
oher.
"
Oh..
great
"Mor
gansaid,
he'
llgett
oinvi
teJavadand
Gl
adysoverwhenshe'
sgone.

_
__

Ir
ishwalkedoutoft hebathroom aft
erspeaki
ng
withCarl
,shehadt ol
dhim everyt
hingsheand
Mor gandiscussedandthey'rebothwait
ingfort
he
accomplicesMor ganisgoingtointr
oducetoher.
Carli
syettoconf
irmfrom MrsGabr
iel
leifCather
ine
real
lyhaveabrot
hernamedJavadandhe' sgoing
todothatnowandcallherbacki
mmedi atel
y.

Herphonest
art
edr
ingi
ngt
hemomentshedr
opped
i
tonthebed.
Shequickl
ypi
ckeditup,
thi
nkingitwasCar
lbuther
hear
tracedonseei
ngthecall
erID.
Et
han.

Thi
swouldbethefi
rstti
mehe'
l
lbecont
act
ingher
si
nceshelef
twit
hMor gan.
Shedroppedonthechai
rwit
hasi gh,
sti
llst
ari
ngat
hisnameonherphoneandjustli
keshewasbei ng
contr
oll
ed.Sher
eceivedt
hecall
.

"
Ir
ish"Hi
svoi
cemel
tedever
ydamnpar
tofherbody.
"
Ethan"Shesai
dandf
eltl
ikecr
ying.
Sher
eal
lymi
ssedhi
m.
Hi
snextquest
ionmadeherr
aiseherbr
owt
hough.
"I
ri
sh,i
sMorganr
eal
lyscr
ewi
ngyouever
yni
ght
?"
Heasked.
"
What
!Whot
oldyout
hat
?"I
ri
shasked.
"
Hedoesn'
tri
ght
?"
"
Hel
lno!
"Ir
ishsai
d."
Iwon'
tevenal
lowhi
m ki
ssme"
Shesmi
ledwhenshehear
dhi
m si
ghi
nrel
ief
.

Jeal
ousdi
ck.

"Wait
..
whydidyoupickmycal
l?Andyouar
en'
t
evenyell
ingatme"Et
hansai
d.
"
I'
llbehangi
ngupnowt
hen"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Wait.
.pl
ease,
Iri
shI'
m sosorryf
orever
ydamn
thingidi
dtoyouthatday,
formaki
ngyourmum
sick.
."
"
Youdi
dn'
tmadehersi
ck,
shewasdownwi
tht
he
f
lu.
"
"Y.
.youknowt
hat!?Doest
hatmeanyou'r
epissedat
mebecauseidroppedyouof
fint
herain?I'
m so
sor.
."
"
No,
iknowyoudi
dthatt
opr
otectme.
"
"Youknowt hatal
so,t
henwhyareyoudoingt
hist
o
me? !
"Ethanaskedandshecoul
dsensethepaini
n
hisvoice.
"
Justwai
tEt
han.
..
bepat
ient
,it
'l
lbeoversoon"
"
W..
wh.
.whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?"Heasked.
"
Bye"Shesai
dandqui
ckl
ydi
sconnect
edt
hecal
l.

Shesmi
led,
speaki
ngt
ohi
m al
waysdel
ighther
.
Shejusthopewit
hthel
itt
leshetol
dhim,he'l
lli
ve
wit
hitandreal
lybepat
ientl
ikeshehadsaid.
Ethani
swise,
hewoul
dhaveknownshe'
supt
o
somethi
ng.

Herphonest
art
edr
ingi
ngagai
nandt
hist
imei
twas
Car
l.

"
HeyCar
l"Shesai
donget
ti
ngi
ntot
hebat
hroom.
"Ij
ustconf
ir
medf rom MrsGabr
iel
le.Cat
herinehas
noyoungerbrot
hernamedJavad.Infact
,she'st
he
onlychi
ldofherparent
s.
"
What
!"I
ri
shexcl
aimed.
"
Thenwhoi
sJavad?
""Sheaskedsl
owl
y.
"It
hinkhe'soneoftheaccompl
icesMorgani
s
goingtointr
oduceyoutosoon"
Carlsai
d.

"
ICan'
twai
t"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Ijusthopei
t'
snotwhat
'sonmymi
nd"Car
lsai
d.
"
Areyou.
.thi
nki
ngwhatI
'
mthi
nki
ng?
"Ir
ishasked.
"AboutJavad.
.yesbutt
hent
her
ear
ehundr
edsof
Javadinthewor l
d"
"
"Yeah.
.ican'
twai
tthough"I
ri
shsai
d.
"I
ri
sh,
aft
ertoday,
wej usthavethr
eedaysl
eft
,you
needtohastenMorgantointr
oduceyoutot
he
accompli
ces.
"Yeahbuthe'sbei
ngcar
efulbecauseofCat
heri
ne
though.Ipr
ayshegoesouttomorrow,
thenI
'l
lmake
himinvit
ethem over
.
"Goodanddon'tyouthi
nkMorganwasaboutto
revealsomethi
ngimpor
tant
,t
hatwaswhyCatheri
ne
hadliedabouthavi
ngabrot
hernamedJavad.
"
Exact
ly!Shoul
diaskMor
ganabouti
t?
"No,he'
sgoi
ngt ogetsuspi
cious,ist
il
lthi
nkwe
shouldwai
tti
llyoufi
nall
ymeett heaccompli
ces.
"
Okayt
hen.

"Al
ri
ght
,got
tagonow.
"
ByeCar
l.
"
Bye.

Shewal
kedbacki
ntoherr
oom.
.
Cather
inehadl
iedabouthavi
ngabr
othernamed
Javad.
Why?
Becauseshedoesn'twantt
hei
dent
it
yoft
heso
cal
ledJavadr
evealed.
Whoi
she?
AndwhatwasMor
ganaboutt
osay?

Damn!
Herheadi
sspi
nni
ngwi
thunanswer
edquest
ions.
Thi
sisj
ustsohar
d.

Well
..
sheshouldwai
tti
llshemeett
heaccompl
ices
l
ikeCarlhadsai
d.

_
__
[
05/09,07:
36]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th

JustANanny
 CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
66

_
___
_IvyRoyal
s__
__

Jessi
casmi
ledasJaneandPar
isyel
ledateach
other
.

"
You'
reabi
tch!
"Janeshout
ed.
"Youaretoo!Ir
egretevermakingfr
iendswi
thyou"
Pari
syelledandeveryonewatchedthem wi
thkeen
i
nterest
.
"I
'
m surpri
sedt
heyhaven'
tstar
tedpul
li
ngeach
other
'shai
ryet
"Ol
ivi
alaughed.
"Looksli
kethey'
regoingtodothatsoon"Ar
usha
smiled,
hewashol di
ngherhand,he'
sfondofhol
ding
herthesedaysandshel i
keswhenhedoest hat
.
They'
rebot
hawareofeachot
her'
sfeeli
ngsand
holdi
nghandsi
sthewaytheycanexpressi
tfor
now.

"
Iwondert
her easonthey'
reyel
li
ngateachot
her
t
hough"Ol
ivi
asai d.
"Chandl
eraskedmeoutfi
rst
!Howdar
eyougo
behindmybacktodat
ehim"Janescr
eamedand
star
tedpul
li
ngPari
shair
.
"
Wow"Ol
ivi
asmi
led.
"
Theyjustanswer
edyourquest
ion"Ar
ushasai
dto
Ol
ivi
a.
"
Isn'
tChandlert
hedickthatwasheadoverheel
s
wit
hJessica?"
Oli
viaaskedandArushanodded.
"
Andt
hatwasbecausehet
houghtJessi
cawasMr
Et
han'
ssi
bli
ng"Ar
ushacor
rect
ed.
"Yeah,
he'ssuchadi
ck"Mar
lsi
ghedandl
ooked
overatJessi
ca.

Shelooksl
ikeshewasenj
oyi
ngt
hedr
amabet
ween
hert
woexf ri
ends.
Ar
ushagl
ancedatheral
soandsmi
led.
"I
'
m gladshest
oppedbei
ngf
ri
endswi
tht
hem"He
said.
"AndI'
m gladshedi
dn'
tevenf
alli
ntoChandl
er'
s
hands"Arushasai
d.

"Heaskedmeoutf
ir
st!
"Par
isshout
edandst
art
ed
pul
li
ngJanehai
ral
so.
"
Ihat
eyou!
"Janescr
eamed.
Theysentthei
rlapt
opsf
lyingtothef
loorandt
he
cl
assmoni t
orquickl
ycal
ledthesecur
ity.
Theywer
ebothpul
ledawayfewmi nut
esl
aterwi
th
bl
ooddri
ppi
ngfr
om thei
rnostr
il
s.
"
Wow!
"Ol
ivi
asi
ghed.
"
Thatwasf
unt
owat
ch"She
l
aughed.
"Andtothi
nkthesocalledChandl
eri
seven
l
aughing"Arushasai
d,i
rri
tat
edbyChandl
er'
s
behavi
or.
"
Itol
dyouhe'
sadi
ck"Ol
ivi
ascof
fed.
"
Hesur
eis"Ar
ushasai
d.

"
Ryani
spl
anni
ngt
oaskJessi
caout
"Ar
ushasai
d.
"
Oh.
.my,
real
ly?
"Ol
ivi
asmi
led.
"Yeah,
hesai
dhecan'
tholditanylonger
.Eventhe
bli
ndcoul
dtellt
heyr
eal
lyloveeachother"Ar
usha
said.
"I
'
m sohappyf orJessica,Ryan'
ssuchaniceguy
andi l
ikethefactthathe'sboldenought
owantto
spil
lhi
sf eel
ings"Oli
viasaid.
"
Iwi
shI
'
mthatbol
dtoo"
Arushasai
d.
"
Huh?
"Ol
ivi
aasked.
"
Never
mind"Ar
ushasai
d.

"Ar
usha,
ther
e'ssomet
hingi
wantt
otel
lyou"Ol
ivi
a
sai
d.
"
Ohh.
..
what
'st
hat
?"Ar
ushaasked.
"
It
'snotabigdealt
hough,
ijustfeelishoul
dn'
thide
i
tanylonger
..
I'
m goi
ngtotellyousoon,idon'
tthi
nk
I
'
mr eadytotel
lyounow"Olivi
asaid.
"
I'
m goingtowaitOl
ivi
ati
llwheneveryou'
re
r
eady"Arushasai
dandOlivi
anodded.

"
How'
sIr
ish?
"Sheasked,
smi
li
ng.
"
Sheshouldbef
ine,
she'
snothomeatt
hemoment
"
Arushasai
d.
"
She'
satMrEt
han'
sthen"Ol
ivi
asai
d.
"
No,
she'
ssomewher
enoonewoul
devert
hought
she'
l
lbebutiknowshe'
suptosomethi
ngandi
hopeshe'
l
lscal
ethr
oughit
"Arushasai
d.
"
Uhh.
..
ihopesot
oo"Ol
ivi
asai
d.

_
___

Et
hanwal
kedi
ntot
hel
ivi
ngr
oom,
allsmi
les.
HehadspokentoI
ri
shandheari
nghervoiceaf
ter
somedaysli
ft
edhi
sspir
itandshehadtol
dhimt o
bepat
ientwhi
chmeanssomethinggoodi
scomi ng.
Heknewshewouldneverl
eavehi
mforMor gan
wit
houtar
easonandhe'
llr
eal
lybepat
ientl
ikeshe
sai
d.
"
OhmyGod,whathappenedt
oyourfor
ehead?
"
MrsHar
lowasked,
get
ti
ngtoherf
eet.
MrHar
lowl
ookedwor
ri
edt
oo.

"Ohh.
.t
his?"Ethanasked,
rubbi
ngt
hesmal
lbandai
d
onhisforehead.
"
Cat
her
inedi
dit
"Hesai
d.
"What!Hasshegonecr
azyagai
n!"Mr
sHar
low
yel
led.
"
Iguessso"Et
hansai
d,l
ooki
ngt
hought
ful
.
"
Ihopeyougotherar
rest
ed?
"MrHar
lowasked.
"
Nope!Iguessshewasreal
lyt
ouchedbymyadvice
t
hatshethr
ewherpurseinmyface"Et
hanl
aughed.
"
Bit
ch!
"Mr
sHar
lowswor
eatCat
her
ine.
"
Butwhyar
eyousmi
li
ng?
"Sheaskedsuspi
ciousl
y.
Hehasbeeni
nar
ott
enmoodsi
nceI
ri
shl
eft
..or
..

"
Ist
hisaboutI
ri
sh?Di
dyoucont
act
edher
?"Mr
s
Har
lowasked.
Ethanshookhi
sbutti
nresponseandt
henl
aughed
befor
ewalki
ngtohi
sroom.
"I
t'
sabouther
,iguesshecontact
edher
.Iwonder
whatIri
shdi
dtohim andAri
nt omaket
hem l
ove
herthi
smuch"MrsHar l
owsighed.
"Youalsocan'
tdenythefactt
hatI
ri
shhasanatur
al
charm,webothfell
forhercharmt
oo"MrHarl
ow
said.
"
Notanymor
e"Mr
sHar
lowf
rowned.
Shecan'tf
orgiveanyonewhomakeshersonsad,
thoughshereall
yli
kesIri
shbutshe'
ssopi
ssedat
her.

"
Ist
il
ldon'
tthi
nkI
ri
shwoul
ddot
hat
"MrHar
lowsai
d.
"
Butshedi
d!"
"Shemighthaveareasont
hough,
sheseemst
oo
nicet
obreakEthan'
sheart
"
"
Ther
eyougoagai
n"Mr
sHar
lowgr
oaned.
"
Aren'
tyougoi
ngt
othespaanymor
e?"Heasked.
"Iwil
l,
I'
m wait
ingforAri
ntobeback,
ineedt
otake
careofherbefor
egoing"MrsHarl
owsaid.
"Don'
tyouthi
nkit'
sti
meweempl
oyanot
her
nanny?"Sheasked.
"Ar
inwouldneveral
lowyout
oandidon'
tthi
nki
t'
s
necessar
yei
ther"
"
You'
real
sot
hinki
ngI
ri
shwi
llbebackr
ight
?"
MrHar
lownodded.

"Well
..
.ihopesotoo"Mr
sHar
lowsai
dandher
husbandsmi l
ed.
Heknewshest
il
lli
kesI
ri
shandwantherback.

_
___

"
I'
llbel
eavi
ngforMexicot
omorrow"Cat
heri
nesai
d
t
oMor ganandIr
ishf
ocusedhergazeontheTV.
"You'
llbespendi
nghowmanydays?
"Mor
gan
asked.
"
Twoormor
e"Cat
her
inesai
d.

I
ri
shnot
icedCat
her
inel
ookedupset
,doest
hat
meansmeet
ingwi
thEt
hanhadn'
tgonewel
l?
Ofcour
seithadn'
t,
orshewoul
dhavebeenexci
ted
andpoppi
ngroundthehousebynow.

"Ar
eyougoi
ngtoMexi
cof
orabusi
nesst
ri
p?"I
ri
sh
deci
dedt
oask.
"
Tocl
earmyhead"Cat
her
inesai
d.
"
Didanyt
hinghappen?
"
"
Not
hingyoushoul
dknowof
"Cat
her
inesai
d.
"
Ohh.
.okay,
I
'm sor
ryi
fI'
mint
rudi
ng"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Yesyouare!
"Cat
heri
neyel
ledbef
oreget
ti
ngup
andwalki
ngtoherroom.
"Iguesst
hemeeti
ngwit
hEthanhadn'
tgonewel
l?
"
SheaskedMorganwhonodded.
"
Heendedupt
ell
inghertodressmor edecent
ly"
Mor
gansai
dandI r
ishnear
lylaughed.
Et
hancanbesavageatt
imes.
"
Andshesl
ammedherpur
sei
nhi
sfacebef
ore
l
eavi
nghi
soff
ice"
"
What!Whywouldshedothat!
"Ir
ishalmostyel
led,
l
ooki
ngpissedbutshequi
ckl
ygothersel
ftoget
her.
"
Doyoust
il
lcar
eabouthi
m?"Mor
ganasked.
"
Car
e?Hellno,
imjustsur
prisedCat
heri
necoul
ddo
t
hat
,it
houghtshereal
lyl
ovedhim"Ir
ishsai
d.
"
Shewoul
dhaveshothi
mifshehadagunwi
thher
"
Mor
gansai
d.
"
Uh.
.hemusthaver
eal
lypr
ovokedher
"Ir
ishsai
d.
"Ofcourse,
sheevengavemethegoaheadt
oki
ll
him,shedoesn'
tcar
eanymore"Mor
gansmil
ed.

"
Ohh,
shedoesn'
tknowyett
hatI
'
minvol
vedr
ight
?"
I
ri
shaskedi
nawhi sper
.
"Shedoesn'
tandshemust
n't
"Mor
gansai
dandI
ri
sh
nodded.
"
She'
sleavi
ngforMexicotomor
row,
wil
lyouplease
i
nvi
teouraccompl
icesoversowecanalldi
scuss
t
hepl
an"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
OfcourseI'
m goi
ngtoinvi
tet
hem over
t
omorrow"Morgansai
d.
"
Ican'
twai
t"I
ri
shsmi
led.
"
Youseem soi
nter
est
edi
nal
lthese"Mor
gansai
d.
"Thatshoul
dtel
lyouhowmuchihat eEt
hannow, i
wanthim gone,
hedisgust
sme..damn"Sherol
led
hereyesandMor gandrewherclosewit
hasmi l
e.

_
__

I
ri
shgotinbed,
cl
adinherpajamasr
eadyt
osl
eep
whenherphonest
art
edri
nging.
Shepi
ckedi
tupandsmi
led.

"
Blackass"Shegr
innedhappi
lyi
ntot
hephone.

.
..
..
.
_
__Nextmor
ning_
_

"
Iaskedyoutotellmewhatthehellyoupi cked
f
rom thefl
oorandgavetoIri
sh,t
helastnightyou
wer
eher eandyou'r
esayingyoucan'tdiscl
osethat
t
ome?Haveyougonei nsane?"Cat
herineasked
Mari
awhohaveherheadbowedi nfrontofher.
Shewasjustret
urni
ngandshecouldn'
teven
beli
eveCather
inewaswaiti
ngforheri
nthelivi
ng
room al
ready.

"
Wil
lyouspeakup!
"Cat
her
ineyel
ledather
.
"I
..
I'
m sorr
yma' am,
ican'
tdi
scl
osethat
"Mari
asaid,
shehadpr omisedI
ri
shnott
otel
lanyoneandshe'
s
notgoingto!
Aft
eral
lIri
shisherbossnowandsheshoul
dobey
herbykeepingt
othepromise.
"I
'
m nottodiscl
oseanythi
ngthatt
ranspi
red
betweenmybossandi .I'
m sosor
rymadam
Cather
ine"
Mar i
asai
d.
"
Thi
siscr
azy!
"Cat
her
ineshout
ed,
get
ti
ngonher
f
eet
.
"Gopackyourt
hingsandleavemyhousenow"She
saidtoMari
awhoquickl
ygotonherknees,
pleadi
ng.
"Tel
lmewhatyougavetoherorl
eavemyhouse"
Cather
inesai
d,t
hreat
eni
ngl
y.
"I
..
ica..can'
tMadam Cather
ine,please"Mar
ia
said,
hereyesal
readylacedwithtears.

"Shegavemetheneckl
aceMorgangif
tedme.I
tfel
l
offmyhandsandshepickedi
tupforme"I
ri
shsaid,
walki
ngint
othel
ivi
ngroom.
"Whyt henissherefusi
ngtosaythat?What'sso
hardinsayingthat?"Cat
heri
neasked,shewasfull
y
dressed,r
eadytoleaveforMexi
co,herbagwas
packedal r
eadybutshehadwaitedf orMari
a,she
r
eal
lyneededt
oconf
ir
mifi
twast
rul
ytheneckl
ace.

"She'
sonlyt
ryi
ngtorespectmeasherbossbynot
discl
osi
ngwhathappenedbetweenus.Getup
Mar i
a"I
ri
shsai
dandMar iaroset
oherfeet
.
"I
'
m gladyougott
oconfi
rmi twasreal
lyt
he
neckl
aceigi
ft
edIri
sh"Morgansaid.
"
Whatever
"Cat
her
inesai
d,st
ari
ngsuspi
ciousl
yat
Mor
gan.
Shest
il
lhassomeexpl
anat
ionst
odo.

Shegl
ancedatherwr
istwat
ch.
"
I'
llbel
eavi
ng"
"
Yeah,
youshoul
dn'
tmi
ssyourf
li
ght
"Mor
gansai
d.
"
Doyouwantmetocomewi
thyout
otheai
rpor
t?"
Mor
ganasked.
"Youdon'thavet
o"Shesai
dki
ssi
ngMor
ganon
bothcheeks.
"
Bye"Shesai
dandMor ganfol
lowedhert
othecar
whi
leoneofherescor
tshel
dherbag.

"
Howdi
dsheknowabouti
t?"I
ri
shaskedMar
ia.
"
Ther
e'sacamer
aint
hehal
lway"Mar
iasai
d.
"
Real
ly?
"Ir
ishgasped,
sheneverknew.
"
Yes.
.youdi
dn'
tknowabouti
t?"
"
Idi
dn'
t"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Youshouldbeverycaref
ulma'am,camerai
s
i
nst al
ledi
nalmostever
ypartofthi
shouse"Mar
ia
said.

"
ThanksMar
ia"I
ri
shsai
d,abi
tshaken.
"
How'
sLucasandGemma?
"Sheasked.
"
Theyar
edoinggr
eat
,Gemmasai
dtogr
eetyou"
Mari
asmil
ed.
"Ohh,yout
oldheraboutme?
"Ir
ishaskedwi
tha
smileandMarianodded.
"Ishouldgofr
eshenupsoI
'
llgetyouyour
strawberr
yjui
ce"Mari
asmi
led.
"
Qui
ckl
ydoso"I
ri
shsmi
ledandMar
iawal
kedaway.

Ir
ishwasabouttosi
twhenabodyguar
d
approachedher
.
"Cometothegar
dennowanddon'tmakei
tobvious
you'r
efol
lowi
ngme"Hewhisper
edandqui
ckly
walkedaway.
Ir
ishbl
inkedi
nconfusi
onandwonderedwhatwas
goingon,
shefol
lowedhi
m anyway.

Shemethi
m wai
ti
ngf
orheri
nthegar
den.
"
Wh.
.isanyt
hingwr
ong?
"Sheasked.
"Thisi
stheonl ypartofthehousethatthere'
sno
camer a,
pleaseI'
dadviseyounott odri
nkanyoft he
str
awber r
yjuiceyou'r
eservedfrom now, t
hey'
reall
poisoned.Cather
ineinject
edallt
hestrawberryjui
ce
i
nt hekit
chenwi t
hasl owbutef fi
cientpoi
son,i
t'
ll
kil
lyourcell
sslowlytil
lyouendupdi ei
ng,
ishoul
dn't
tel
lyouthisbutMrEt hanhasbeenver yni
cetome,
heaskedmet oprotectyouandt hat'
swhatI'm
doing.Pl
easebever ycareful,
you'renotsafehere.
"
Thebodyguar dsaidandl ef
tquickl
y.

I
ri
sh'slegsshookandcol
dsweatbr
okeoutofher
f
orehead.
ShewasshockedCather
inecoul
datt
emptt
oki
l
l
herdespi
tehowniceshehasbeentoher
.
She..woul
dhavediedwi
thherbabyift
his
bodyguardhadn'
tcomet
oherrescue.
Shewoul
dhavediedwit
hherbabyi
fEt
hanhadn'
t
oncehel
pedthi
sbodyguar
d.

HowcanCat
her
inebesoevi
ltopoi
sonherdr
inks.
Shedidn'
trememberdoi
nganythi
ngtowrongher
andevenifshehad,
kil
li
nghershoul
dneverbean
opt
ion.
 Shoul
dshej
ustl
eavet
hispl
aceal
ready?
She'
snotsaf
eherel
iket
hebodyguardhadsaidand
hewon'
tbearoundt
oprotectheral
lthet
ime.
Shealr
eadygott
heneckl
ace.
.sheshoul
dleavebut
shecan'
t!

Ther
ear
esomanyt
hingssheneedst
ofi
ndout
.
Shereal
lyneedstoseeMorganbroughtt
obook
andnotonlyMorganbutCather
ineal
so.
Shejustat
temptedmur
der
ingherandherbabyand
she'
seveninvol
vedint
heplant
okil
lMorgan.
ThenshemustknowaboutMor
ganspastdeeds.
Whoknowsi fCather
inei
salsoinvol
vedi
nhur
ti
ng
andki
ll
ingpeoplewithMorgan.

I
ri
shsi
ghedandst
art
eddr
aggi
ngherf
eetbacki
nto
t
hehouse.
She'
sst
il
lshakenbyt
hepi
eceofi
nfor
mat
ion.
Whati
fshehadt
akent
hej
uicel
ikesheusedt
o..No.

Thebodyguar
dhadn'tevengi
venhert
hechancet
o
thankhi
m bef
orel
eaving.
Hesavedherl
if
e.
Hi
slif
eisal
ongt
hel
inei
fCat
her
ineshoul
dfi
ndout
whathedi
d.

Shereal
lyneedstobedonewithal
lthese,
soshe
canhandthem overt
othepol
ice.
I
t'
swear
ingheroutal
ready.

"
Hey"Morgansai
dsuddenl
yandsheal
most
j
umped.
"
What
?Di
dist
art
leyou?
"
"
Notr
eal
ly"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
What'
swrong?Youar
elooki
ngqui
tebot
her
ed"
Mor
gansaid.
"
I'
mfi
ne"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Yousur
e?"Mor
ganl
ookeddoubt
ful
.
"Iguessit'
sjustmor
ningsi
ckness.
.Cat
her
inel
eft
already?
"Sheasked.
"Yes,
willyoubefinetomeetouraccompl
icestoday?
Icaninvit
ethem overtomor
row"Morgansaid.
"
Uh..
I'
llbever
yfi
net
omeett
hem t
oday,
iam r
eady
t
o."I
ri
shsmi l
ed.
"
Okay,
ishoul
dcal
lthem t
hen"Mor
gansai
d.
"
Great
!"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Ishoul
dtakeali
tt
ler
estbefor
emeet
ingt
hem"She
said,st
oppi
nginfr
ontofherdoor
.

"Asyouwi
sh"Morgansmi
ledandki
ssedhercheeks
befor
ewal
kingaway.
Shewal
kedint
oherr
oom andcl
osedt
hedoor
behi
ndher
.
WhatifCat
heri
nehaveinst
all
edanot
hercamer
ain
herr
oom...
shewouldn'
thaveknown.

Shegrabbedherphonef
rom t
het
abl
eandwal
ked
i
ntothebathr
oom.
Sheneedst
ocal
lCar
l.
Sheal
mostgotpoisoned.
..
whati
fCat
her
inei
sto
poi
sonhermealorwaternext
?
She'
snotsaf
eher
eli
ket
hebodyguar
dhadsai
d!

"
Car
l"
"
Ir
ishwhat
'
sup?
"
Car
l,
ial
mostgotpoi
soned"
"
What
!"Cat
her
ineexcl
aimed."
How?
"
"Abodyguar
d..
tol
dmeCat her
ineinjectedever
yof
myjuicewit
haslowbuteffi
cientpoisonthat'
l
lst
art
byki
ll
ingmycellsand.
."
"
Stop"Car
lsi
ghed.
"I
ri
sh,
you'
reingreatdanger
,youalr
eadygotthe
neckl
ace,
ithi
nkyoushouldpullout
"Car
lsai
d.

HeknowsEthanwoul
dneverf
orgi
vehi
mifanyt
hing
happenst
oIri
sh.

"
No,I
'm notpul
li
ngout
,unt
ilwe'
redonewi
thal
lthi
s"
I
ri
shsai
d.
"Whati
fthebodyguardhadnott
oldyouthat
?You
wouldhaveendedupgulpi
ngthejui
ceandMr
Ethanwouldneverf
orgi
vemeifanythi
nghappens
toyou"
"I
'
mt hankf
ult
hebodyguar
dhadcometomyr escue
butican'
tpul
loutnow,
westar
tedi
t,
weshoul
dend
i
t"
"I
tdoesn'tmat t
er,j
ustl
eavet
hathouseI
rene.
Please"Carlsaid.
"Car
l,
ican'
tleavej
ustl
ikethat
.Morganwi
llcont
inue
hurt
ingpeoplewit
houtanyonetobri
nghi
mt o
book!"
"I
'm sureMaxwouldhavegather
edenough
evidencetobr
inghi
mt obook"Carlassur
edher
.

"No,i
fishouldl
eave,he'
llsucceedwi
thhi
splanto
kil
lEthanandI'
l
lneverforgi
vemyselff
ori
t.
"Iri
sh
said.
"
Maxisgoi
ngt
otakeact
ionsbef
oreMor
ganmakes
amove"
"Wecan' tbesosur e.AndI '
m sosuretherear
e
somesecr etswait
ingtober eveal
ed,I
'm yett
omeet
thesocal ledaccompl i
ces,I
'
m yettoknowwhat
Mor gan'snextmovei s,I'
m yettoknowsomany
things.Ireall
yneedt ostay"Ir
ishsai
dandCar l
sighed.
"Car
l,
I'
llbefineandext
racar
efulf
rom now.I
promise"Ir
ishsaid.
"WhatifCather
ineattemptst
opoi sonyourmeal
next
?She' sgonnamakeanot hermove..ast
ronger
oneonceshenot icesyou'
renottakingt
hejuiceany
more"Carlsai
d,worri
edly.
"That
'st
her
easonweshoul
dfi
nishupbef
oreshe
noti
ces"
"
Ir
i.
."
"Tr
ustme,I
'
llbef
ineCarlandextr
acaref
ul.I
'
llmake
sureiseet
oeveryt
hingI'
llbeeat
ingi
nthehouse
myself"
"
I'
m goingtoinform Maxabouti
timmediat
elyand
t
hatbodyguar d,
canyougethimtocontact
me?"Carlasked.
"I
'
m notsure,hel
ooksli
kehewoul
dn'
tli
ketoget
caughtt
alki
ngtome,sogetti
nghi
mtocontactyou
wil
lbeabithardbutI
'l
lknowhowtogoaboutit
,I'
l
l
tr
y"
"Ireal
l
yneedtotalkt
ohi mtokeeppr ot
ecti
ngyou,
causewecannevert el
lCatheri
ne'
snextmoveis
anddidthebodyguardtoldyouthereasonhe
reveal
edCather
ine'
sevilacttoyou?"

"
Ethanaskedhi
mtopr
otectme"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Real
ly?
"
"Yeah..
iguessEt
hanoncehelpedhim sohecouldn'
t
refusewhenEthanaskedhi
mt oprot
ectme"Iri
sh
saidandsmi l
ed.
Et
hanhadsavedher
.
"Woah..
seemsMrEt hanwhoknowsnot hingofthe
planevenhelpedusout.Well
..
hiski
ndnessdid,
it
real
lypaystobekind"
Carlsai
d,hehasalways
respect
edEthanforhi
skindacts.

"
Yes.
.i
fnotf
orEthan,
ican'
teveni
maginewhat
woul
dhavehappenednow"Iri
shsi
ghed.
"Justt
rytogett
hebodyguar
dtocont
actmeokay?
Looksli
kewe'l
lbeneedi
nghishel
pal
so"
"OkayC,andyouwon'tbel
ievet
her e'sacamerain
almosteverypartoft
hehouse,Cat heri
nesawthe
momentMar i
ahandedthenecklacet omeandshe
confr
ontedherthismorni
ng"

"
Wow.Cat
her
inei
sreal
lywat
chi
ngyou.I
tshows
shedoesn'
ttr
ustyouabi
t"
"Iknowshedoesn'tt
rustme,Mor gant
oldmet hat
alsobutnowthatiknowthere'
scamerai nal
most
everypartoft
hehouse,I
'l
lbeverycaut
ious"
"Youshoul
dbepl
ease,
wecan'
taf
for
dget
ti
ng
caught
"

"
Shel
eftf
orMexi
cot
odayt
hough"
"
Real
ly?
"
"
Yeah,andI
'
m goi
ngt
omeetouraccompl
ices
t
oday"
"Great!Butir
eal
lywantyout
obecar
efulI
ri
sh,
please"

"I
'
llbecaref
ult
rustme,gott
agonow"Ir
ishsai
d,
heari
ngthedoorofherroom open.
"
Bye"
Shewalkedintoherr
oom andherheartski
ppeda
beatwhenshesawMar i
ahol
dingaglasscupof
str
awberryj
uiceinatr
ay.
Noonecoul
dhavet
ellt
hatj
uicei
spoi
soned.
"
Her
eisyourj
uicema'
am"Mar
iasmi
led.
"Mari
a,start
ingnow..iwon'tbetaki
ngstrawberry
jui
ceinthishouseanymor e,gotothekit
chen
now,emptyeverystrawberryjui
ceyouseei nthere
i
ntothesink"Iri
shsaid,knowingevenifsheavoids
dri
nkingit
,anyotherpersoncanconsumei twithout
knowingit'
spoisoned.
"
Wh.
.why?What
'sgoi
ngonma'
am?
"Mar
iaasked.
"
Justdoasisai
dMar
ia"
"
Okayma'am,I
'
lldosonow"Mari
asai
dandqui
ckl
y
wentt
ocarr
youtIri
sh'
sorder
.
Sheknewsomet
hingmusthavehappenedf
orI
ri
sh
toor
derhert
odothat
.

Thecookswatchedherassheempt
iedt
hepacksof
j
uicei
ntothesi
nk.
"Mari
a,whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
"Theheadoft
hecooks
asked.
"
Whatmybossor
der
edmet
odo"Mar
iasai
d.
"
Howcouldsheorderyoutodothi
s,t
heyspent
moneytopur
chasethejui
ceandsheorder
edyout
o
wast
ethem?"
"
Ther
e'sar
easonbehi
ndever
yact
ion"Mar
iasai
d.
"Ist
il
ldonotseet
her
easonsomeonewoul
dwast
e
allt
hese"
"Youshoul
dgoquest
ionheryour
sel
f,you'
l
lgetan
answer"

"Shehasreal
lygoneproudsinceshewasappoi
nted
asapersonalmaid"Oneofthecookssai
dandthe
other
snoddedinagreement.

"Mari
a,ever
ythi
ngthathastodowi
thwhatI
'l
lbe
eat
inginthi
shouse,I'
l
lbetheonet
ohandl
eit
mysel
f"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Ma'am dididoanyt
hingwrong?I
'
m sosor
ryi
fi
wrongedyou"Mari
apleaded.
"
Youdi
dn'
tdoanyt
hingMar
ia,
I'
mjustbei
ngcar
eful
"
"
Car
eful
?"Mar
iaasked.
"
Yeah..
."I
ri
shsai
dnotsurei
fshecoul
dtel
lMar
ia
t
hatshewasalmostpoi
soned.
Sheseemsl ikesomeoneshecant rustandshe
hadn'tevenbrokenherpromisetoherevenwhen
Catheri
newasatt hevergeofsacki
ngher .
Shehadkepttoherwor
ds!wi
thoutmi
ndi
ngt
he
consequences.
Mar
iaseemsl
ikeat
rust
wor
thyper
son.

"
Maria,
thosedri
nksior
der
edyoutodi
sposeof
wer
e...
"Ir
ishpausedwi
thasi
gh"poi
soned"
"
What
!"Mar
iascr
eamed.
"
Real
ly?
"SheaskedandI
ri
shnodded.
"
ByMadam Cat
her
iner
ight
?"Mar
iaaskedi
na
whi
sper
.
"
Howdi
dyouknow?
"Ir
ishasked.
"She'
sobviouslyt
heonl
yonecapabl
eofsuchevi
l
act.
.whatareyougoi
ngtodonowma'am?"Maria
askedworriedl
y.

"That
'swhyiwanttobetendi
ngt
owhat
everI
'
llbe
eati
ngmyself
"Ir
ishsai
d.
"Ohh...
Nowiunder standbutdonotbot her
ma'am, I
'm goingt
ohandl eeveryt
hingsmoot hl
y.I
'
m
averygoodcookandst ar
ti
ngnow, I'
l
lbet heoneto
prepareyourmeal s,
stayinthekit
chent il
lit
'sdone
andser veittoyoumysel f
.Trustme,I'
llbever y
carefulandiwon'tallowanyonemesswi t
hit"Mari
a
saidandI r
ishwast ouched.
"
ThankyousomuchMar
ia"
Shesai
d.
"Youshouldn'
tthankme,I'
m onlydoingmyjobas
yourpersonalmaid.But
..
howdidyouknowmadam
Cather
inehadthepacksofjuicepoisoned?
"Mari
a
askedcur
iousl
y.

"
A..
bodyguar
dtol
dme"
"Reall
y?Doyouknowhisname?Howdoeshel ook
l
ike?"Cat
her
ineasked,
knowi
ngthebodyguar
dsare
alll
oyalt
oMaria.
"Nobuthehasjet
-bl
ackhai
randdeepblueeyes,
he'
stal
landnotsothinwi
thafai
ntscaronhisjaw
"I
ri
shdescr
ibedhi
m.
"
Ohh..
.t
hat
'
sBlai
ne"Mari
asmiledandI
ri
shnot
iced
t
hefai
ntbl
ushonhercheeks.
"
Uhh.
.Youl
ikehi
m?"I
ri
shasked.
"
Huh?
"Mar
iabl
inked.
"
Youlikehi
m"Ir
ishteasedandl
aughedwhenMar
ia
t
urnedawayshyly.

_
__
"Boss,ithi
nkthatladymightnotbewhoshemade
youbelievesheis.ShelovesMrEthansomuchto
l
eavehi m,nottot
alkofwantingtobei
nvol
vedi
nthe
plantohur thi
m."
Shemighthaveanul
ter
iormoti
ve,youshouldnot
t
rusther
"Javadsai
dtoMor ganoverthephone.

"Javad,shehat
esEthanalready!Shehateshim so
muchnow.Shedoesn' thaveanyul t
eri
ormotive,
I'
ve
watchedhersinceshearri
vedanddi dn'
tnoti
ceany
suspici
ousmovef r
om her,
sheonl ywantstoget
backatEt hanf
orhurt
ingher.Itr
usther"
"
Butboss,
ist
il
lthi
nk.
..
"Justshutupandstartcomi
ngoverwit
hGladys,
you'l
lseeforyour
selfwhenyougether
e"Morgan
said.
"Okayboss,we'
l
lbether
esoon.DoesMadam
Cather
ineknowsaboutt
his?
"Javadasked.
"Sheknowsnothi
ngaboutt
hisandyoudar
enotsay
anythi
ngtoherokay?
"
"Okayboss,ist
il
lthi
nkweshoul
dn'
ttr
ustI
ri
shso
easil
y"Javadinsi
sted.

"
Don'
tgetonmyner
vesJavad.
..
..
"I
'
m sorr
yboss,
we'
l
lst
artcomingoverimmedi
atel
y"
Javadsai
dandMor
gandisconnect
edthecal
l.

_
___

"
Ir
ish,
theyar
eher
e"Mor
gansai
d,wal
kingi
ntoI
ri
sh'
s
r
oom.
Shewashavi
ngafunnyconver
sat
ionwit
hMari
a
andeat
ingt
hecooki
esMariahadbakedf
orher
.
"Real
ly?Theyar
eher
e"I
ri
shsai
d,get
ti
ngonher
f
eet.
"
Yeah,
youmi
ghtbequi
tesur
pri
sedt
hough"Mor
gan
war
ned.
"
Ohh"Ir
ishsaidandshecouldn'
tpl
aceafi
ngeron
whyherheartwasbeat
ingfastasshef
oll
owed
Mor
gant
othel
ivi
ngr
oom.

Shequickl
ycl
ickedont
hesoundr
ecor
derappon
herphone.

Theygottot
hel
ivi
ngr
oom andI
ri
shsawGl
adys
andJavad.
"
Ohh.
.Et
hansentyouher
e?"Sheasked,
sur
pri
sed
Mor
ganhadall
owedthem i
n.
"No,theseareouraccompl ices,
theoneswho'l
lhel
p
ourplangosmoot hly,t
hey'vebeenwor kingwi
thme
forsolong.JavadandGl adys..meetIr
ish"Mor
gan
smiledandIrishf
eltli
kehersoull ef
therbody.
Herkneeswentweakandshecol
lapsedonthe
col
dfloorwi
thherphonef
lyi
ngoutofherhand.

"
OMGar
eyouokay?
"Mor
ganr
ushedt
oher
.
Javadgazemovedt
oherphonet
hathadsl
idt
ohi
s
feet
.
Healmostki
ckedt
hephoneawayfrom hi
sfeetbut
st
oppedwhenhiseyescaughtt
hescr
een.

Damni
t!

"Boss,
thi
sgoddamnladyplannedt
orecor
dour
conver
sati
on!
"Javadsai
d,picki
ngupt
hephone.
"
What!
"Morganasked,
movingawayf
rom I
ri
shwho
wasst
il
lshockedt
othebone.
Hegrabbedthephonefr
om Javadandongl
anci
ng
att
hescreen,
heturnedt
oIr
ishangri
ly.

"
Itol
dyouwecoul
dn'
ttr
ustherboss"Javadsai
d.
"
Howdareyou?
"Morganaskedsl
owl
y,appr
oachi
ng
I
ri
shwi
thadeadlygl
are.
Thet
rusthehadforhervani
shedi
mmedi
atel
yand
hi
seyestur
nedcold.
"
I.
.ii
..
"Ir
ishst
ammer
edwi
tht
ear
sinhereyes.
Shewasn'
tpr
eparedforthi
s,
shehadt
houghti
t'
s
goi
ngtogowelll
ikeever
yofherpl
an.
Now,she'
sexposed.Sheshoul
dhavej
ustl
eftwhen
Car
ltoldhert
o.
"
Getmemypi st
olandoneofyoushoul
dthrowher
i
nthebackofmylimo"Mor
gansaidangri
ly.

_
___
[
05/09,07:
36]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie
#Chapt
er_
67

"Pl
easewai
t.
..
"Mari
awhohasbeenstanding
behi
ndthedoorwal
kedi
ntot
heli
vingroom.
"
Idi
dit
..
"Shesai
d.

Ever
yonet
urnedt
oherandI
ri
sh'
smout
hfel
lopen.
Hereyesgl
ist
enedwitht
ears,
knowi
ngMaria
hadn'
tdoneanyt
hing,
shewastryi
ngt
osaveher.

"Mr sIri
sht ol
dmehowmuchshel ovedmyvoi ce
wheneverisi ngtoher ,iwasabouttorecordmyself
singingsoshe' l
lli
stent oi
tanytimeI'
m notaround
tosingt oherbecauseshet ol
dmehowmuchshe
mi ssedmysongswhi leiwasof ff
oraday.Wewer e
aboutdoi ngt
hatbef oreyoucamei ntogetherMr
Mor gan, andiguessshewassoexci t
edtomeetthe
guest sthatsheforgott oexi
ttheapp"Mar i
asaid,
soundi ngsoconvi ncingthatI
rishalmostbeli
eved
herher
sel
f.
"
Yes.
.yes,
that
'si
t"I
ri
shqui
ckl
ysai
d,wi
pinghert
ear
s.
Morganlookedr
emor
sef
ulashedr
oppedt
ohi
s
kneesbefor
eher.
Mar
iapi
ckedI
ri
sh'
sphone.
"I
ri
sh..
..
I'
m sor
ry"Mor
gansai
d,t
ouchi
ngherar
m but
shejer
kedhishandaway.
"
Ican'
tbel
ieveyoust
il
ldonottr
ustme"Shesai
d,
l
ooki
ngangryasshegottoherfeet
.
"
Ir
ish,pl
easeI'
m sosorry.IthoughtJavadwasr i
ght
whenyoudidn'tsayanythi
ngt odefendyour
self.I
t
houghtyouwant edtobetrayme"Mor gansaid,
l
ookingatherpleadi
ngl
y.
JavadwasshockedtoseeMor
ganactl
ikea
dummybeforeIr
ish.
Thi
sladyi
sawit
ch!Shehasenchant
edMor
gan
t
hewayshedidt
oEthan.
Thi
sisj
ustunbel
ievabl
e.
"Icoul
dn'tdefendmyselfbecauseiwasst i
llso
shockedthatouraccompl i
cest urnedouttobe
JavadandGl adysbutyoudi dn'tevengivemet ime
torecoverfr
om theshockbef oreor der
ingt
hem t o
throwmei nthebackofyourl imo.Whatwer eyou
goingtodot ome?"Ir
ishasked.
Herbodysti
llr
eelingf
rom t
heshockt
hatt
he
accompl
icesturnedoutt
obeJavadandGladys.

Alt
houghshehasalwaysbei
ngsuspici
ousofJavad
fr
om dayonebutshewassti
llsoshockedtofi
nd
outhewasthespyandnotonlyhi
m butGladysal
so.
Gl
adyswhom Mr
sGabr
iel
ledet
est
ed.
They'
vebot
hbeenworki
ngforEt
hanforyear
s..
how
l
onghavetheybeenwor
kingf
orMorgan?

~TherearehundredsofJavadi
nthewor
ld~Car
l'
s
wordsranginherears.
Ofcoursether
earehundr
edsandeventhousands
ofJavadintheworl
d,whydi
ditt
urnouttobethe
onet
heyknew,
theoneEt
hant
rust
edsomuch.

AndCat
heri
nehadtri
edt
ohidehisi
dent
it
y,t
hat
si
mplymeanssheknowsabouti
tal
l.
She'
sawar
eofever
ythi
ng.
Howcoul
dCat
her
ineal
sodot
hist
oEt
han.
Br
eakinghi
shear
twasn'
tenough,
theyendedup
pl
ant
ingspi
esinhi
shouse!
Andnow,t
heyar
eplanni
ngt
okil
lhi
m whenhedi
dn'
t
evenwr
ongthem i
nanyway.
Whyar
epeopl
esocr
uel
.

Morgandismi
ssedthebodyguar
dsaroundt
hem so
t
heycouldhavesomeprivacywhi
let
heytal
k.
"I
fMari
ahadn'
tspokenup,
whatwoul
dyouhave
donet
ome?Wouldyouhavekil
ledme?"I
ri
shasked.
"
Ithoughtyouweregoi
ngtobetrayme,
I'
m sosor
ry
I
ri
sh.Please"Mor
ganpleaded.
"Youshoul
dknowiwil
lneverbet
rayyou,
itol
dyou
howmuchihateEthannow"
"Iknowt hatalsobutwhowoul dn'thavethoughtyou
wer etr
yingtor ecordourconver
sationafterseei
ng
yourphonescr een,youwouldhavet houghtthe
samei fyouwer einmyshoes.Justf orgi
vemeI ri
sh,
please"Mor gansai d.

"I
t'
sfineMorgan,
iknowyoutr
ust
edme,
youranger
gotthebet
terpar
tofyou"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Exact
ly!
"Mor
gansai
d.
Heknewshewouldneverbet
rayhi
m,hewasonl
y
cl
oudedwi
thangert
hen.
"
Butifihadreal
lydonet
hat
,woul
dyouhavekil
led
me?"Ir
ishaskedandsheal
mostshooki
nfearwhen
Mor
gannodded.
"Idon'tspar
ebet
rayals,
imaket
hem di
easl
owand
painfuldeat
h"Hesaid.
"
Ofcour
se"I
ri
shhi
dherf
ear
sbehi
ndhersmi
le.
Mor
ganwoul
dhaveki
ll
edheri
fMar
iahadn'
tli
ed!
Shewoul
dhavebeent
ort
uredt
odeat
h.
Thet
houghtal
onemadehershi
ver
.

"
Areyoucol
d?"Mor
ganasked.
"
Abi
t"Shel
ied.
"Shoul
dior
dert
hem t
otur
nont
heheat
er"Mor
gan
asked.
"
No,
it'
sfi
ne.I
'
mfi
ne"I
ri
shsai
d.

Shegl
ancedatJavadandGl
adyswhower
e
st
andi
ngbefor
eher.
Theybothlookedl
iket
heydi
dn'
tcar
ewhatshe
t
houghtaboutthem.
Oneshouldreall
ybecaref
ul,
theset
wopeopl
ecoul
d
haveeasi
lypoisonedEt
hanandnoonewouldever
suspectt
hem.
"Looksl
ike,
you'
rest
il
lshockedtofindoutJavad
andGladysarei
nvol
ved"Mor gansaid.
"Notanymore,
idon'
tcarethepeopl einvol
ved,
all
i
wantedwast omeetthem andI'm gladihave.Nice
tomeetyouJavad,Gladys"Ir
ishsaidandt hey
shookhands.
I
ri
sh'
stryi
nghardtolookli
keshewasf
inewi
th
t
hem butshe'
sdeeplybother
ed.

"There'snoneedfori
ntr
oduct
ion,
weknow
ourselvesal
ready"Gl
adyssai
d.
"
Ofcour
se"I
ri
shf
eignedasmi
le.

Theyal
lsatdownandEt
hanor
der
edt
hecookst
o
ser
vethem dr
inks.
Ir
ishdidn'tt
akeasipoutofthedr
inkshewas
served,sheonlyl
ookedatJavadandGladyskeenl
y.

"
So,
youwant
edt
odi
scusst
hepl
anwi
tht
hem
r
ight
?"Mor
ganaskedI
ri
sh.
"Uh..yeah.Sohowareyoubot
hgonnagoaboutthe
poisoning,
areyougoi
ngtoaddi
tinhi
smeal
?"Ir
ish
asked.
"Youdon'thavet
oknowt
hat,we'vepl
anned
everythi
ngoutwi
thMrMorgan"Javadsai
d,not
trust
ingIri
shabi
t.
"C'
mon, we'
recol
leaguesnowandMorgan
i
ntroducedyouguystomesowecoul dir
on
everyt
hingoutsmoothly"I
ri
shsai
d.
"It
hinkit'
sunnecessaryforyoutoknowabouthow
we'regonnagoaboutt heplan,yeah,
wear enow
coll
eaguesbutyoushoul dn'
tpressusf or
detail
s,
youknowwe' regoingtobepoisoningthat
weakass, youdon'
thavetoknowhowwe' llgoabout
i
t"GladyssaidandIri
shfeltli
kedraggingherhair
forcall
ingEthanaweakass.

"Andwhyareyoufindingithardtodiscussthe
detai
lswi
thme!Didn'tyoudiscusseditwithMorgan
andCather
ine?Whatpr obl
em doyouhavewi t
h
di
scussi
ngi
twi
thmeal
so"I
ri
shhal
fyel
led.
"
Wedonott
rustyou!
"Javadr
etor
ted.
"Whocaresi
fyout r
ustmeornot.Mor
gant
rust
sme
andthat
'sal
lthatmatt
ers"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Wi
llyoubot
hstar
tgivi
ngherthedet
ail
softhepl
an
now!Itol
dyoushe'
strust
wort
hy!Don'
tgetonmy
ner
ves"Morganwarned.
"
We'
resor
ryboss"Gl
adysandJavadsai
dinuni
son.
"
Wil
lyoudot
het
alki
ng?
"Gl
adysaskedJavad.
"
Youshoul
d"Javadsai
d,l
if
ti
nghi
sdr
inkt
ohi
sli
ps.

Hewat
chedI
ri
shcl
osel
y.

"WheneverMrMor gangivesusthegoaheadtotake
downEthan,I'l
lpoi
sonhisdinnerandhe'
sgoingto
dieinhi
ssleep"GladyssaidandIri
shhandsshook
aroundtheglasscup.
Shetriednott
oshowheragi
tat
ionasshest
aredat
Gladys.
"Whydoesithavetobedinnerandnotl
unchor
breakf
ast
?"Ir
ishasked.
"Sonoonewoul dcomet ohisrescue,everyone
wouldbeasleepbythet i
mehest art
swr it
hingin
painandhewouldn'tevenbeabletocal lf
orhelp
becauseoftheeff
ectthepoisonwoul dhavehadon
him"Gladyssai
dandI ri
shremember edwhatEt han
tol
dheraboutCarrl
e'sdeath.
Carrl
ewaspoisonedovernightandnoonehad
heardhercal
lforhel
pti
llthenextmorni
ngwhen
theydeci
dedtocheckonherandi twastoolat
e,she
hadgivenupbyt het
imetheygott ot
hehospit
al.

Til
lnow, t
heywereyett oapprehendCarr
le'
s
mur derer,
couldthatbethereasontheywanttouse
thatmet hodonEt hanalsosoit'
l
lbedif
fi
cultf
orthe
copst oapprehendt hem.
Thewaytheyarepl
anni
ngt
oki
llEt
hansoundsso
si
mil
art
oCar r
le.
Coul
ditbet
hatt
hey.
..
Coul
dtheyhaveahandi
nCar
rl
e'
sdeat
h?
No, Catheri
nehadgivenbir
thtoAri
n,t
hedayCarrl
e
died,sheprobabl
yhavenotmetMor ganbythenand
theypr obabl
yhavenotplantedspi
esinEt
han's
houset hen.

"Okay.
.so,you'r
ej ustgoi
ngt opoisonhisdinner
onceMor gangivesyout hegoaheadbuthowar e
yougoingt odot hat?MrsGabr i
elledoesn'
tall
ow
anyofyoui ntotheki t
chennottot al
kofall
owi ng
youdishEt han'
'smeal "I
rishsai
d.
"Thatfool
ishwomanwhoal
wayst
houghtshe'
s
smart"Gladysl
aughed.
"Im goi
ngtoaddt hepoisonwhennoonehas
arri
vedthedi
ningr oom ,cert
ainl
yMrsGabri
ell
e
wouldgointotheki t
chentobr i
ngmoremeals.
.I'
l
l
quickl
ydoitbeforesheget sbackint
hedini
ng
room"Gladyssaid.
"Whatifhedoesnotendupeatingt
hemealyou
poisonedandchangeshismindtoeatanot
her
?"
Iri
shasked,wishi
ngherphonewasactual
ly
recordi
ngallt
his.
"WhosaidI'
m goingt opoisonhismeal .
..no,I
'm
goi
ngforhisfavorit
ewi ne,i
t'
sal waysuncorkedand
hecan'
tdowi thouttaki
ngi t
"Gladyssaid,sounding
soconf
identthatherplani sgoingtowor kout.
Looksl
ikesher
eal
lyhasever
ythi
ngpl
annedout
.

"Gr
eat
,youreal
lyhaveeveryt
hingpl
annedout
.I
hopei
tworksout"I
rishsai
d.
"
Itwi
l
l"Gl
adyssai
d.
I
ri
shnot
icedhowkeenl
yJavadwasobser
vingher
.
"Butwhydon'tweusepist
ol.
.t
hat'
l
lbefast
ert
han
poison"Ir
ishqui
ckl
ysuggest
ed.Sheneededt
hem
tofeelshewasreal
lyi
n.
"I
t'
sgoingtorai
sesuspici
onandthecopswoul
d
i
nvest
igateitt
horoughl
y,t
hebul
letmi
ghttur
noutt
o
beourAchil
lesheel"Gl
adyssai
d.
"
Ohh.
..
that'
sright
.Sol
et'
sst
ickt
othepoi
sont
hen"
I
ri
shsmiled.
"
Let'
stoastt
oourplan"Mor
gansai
dandt
heyal
l
l
if
tedthei
rgl
asscups.

_
___
_

"Weshouldl
eavenow,iwon'
twantMrEthanto
not
iceourabsencei
nthehouse"Javadsai
d.
"Ohh.
.youshoul
dleavet
hen"Morgansai
dand
JavadandGladysroset
othei
rfeet
.
Theybowedt
oMor
gan.

"I
twasnicemeet
ingyou,Bye"I
ri
shwavedatt
hem
astheyt
urnedt
oleave.
"Woah,
thatwasgr
eat
.Gr
eatpl
an,
greatdet
ail
s"I
ri
sh
smil
ed,
turni
ngtoMor
ganaf
tert
heyleft
.
"
Yeah,
iwor
kwi
thsmar
tpeopl
e"Mor
gansmi
led.
"Ican'
tjustwai
tfort
hepl
ant
obecar
ri
edout
"Ir
ish
said.
"I
st her
eacamerainthel
ivingr
oom?Cat her
inei
s
goingtoseeever
ythi
ng"I
rishpani
cked.
"
Justchi
ll.
.iorder
edBent odisconnectt
hecamera
i
ntheli
vingr oom bef
oreJavadandGl adysar
ri
ved.
"
MorgansaidandI ri
shsighedinrel
ief
.
"Ishoul
dgotel
lhi
mt oreconnecti
tandnotsay
anythi
ngtoCat
heri
ne."Morgansaid.
"
Youshoulddothat
,i'
l
lbei
nmyr oom,ineedt
otake
arest
"Ir
ishsai
dandMorgannodded.
Sheki
ssedhim onhischeeksandhewasal
lsmi
les
whenhelef
ttheli
vingroom.

Mari
ajumpedi
ntot
hel
ivi
ngr
oom andpoi
ntedout
I
ri
sh'
sphonetoher
.
Shehaddr
oppeditbehi
ndathrowpil
lowonthe
couchI
ri
shwassit
tingbef
orel
eavingt
hesit
ti
ng
room.
SheknewI
ri
shneededt
orecor
dwhat
ever
conversat
iont
heywanttohaveandhadst
yli
shl
y
droppedthephonet
herebef
oreMorgandi
smissed
them.

Irenepickedherphoneandal mostscreamedin
excitementaft
ershediscoveredthewhole
conversationwasrecor
ded,shestoppedthe
recordingandthrewherarmsi nt
heairhappil
y.
Shejumpedint
oMari
a'
sar
mshappi
ly,
almost
knocki
ngherover
.

"
Becar
eful
,
yourbaby"Mar
ial
aughed.
"Let
'sgotomyroom"Ir
ishgr
abbedherhandand
pull
edhertowar
dsherroom.

Theywal
kedi
nandshecl
osedt
hedoorbehi
nd
them.

"
Mar
iahowel
secanit
hankyou?
"Ir
ishasked,
deepl
ytouched.
Mari
ahadsavedhertoday!andnotonl
ythat
,she
hadmadetherecor
dingasuccess!
Thatr
ecor
dingi
saver
yconcr
eteevi
dence.

"Youcant
hankmebyt akingal
ottt
tofrest"Mari
a
saidandI
ri
shpul
ledherintoat
ighthug."Thank
you".
"
It
'sf
inema'
am"Mar
iasai
d.
"Howdidyouqui
ckl
ymadethatup?Ialmost
beli
evedi
tmysel
f"I
ri
shsai
dandMar i
alaughed.
"Ial
sodidnotknowhowi tcamerushi
ngintomy
mouth.
.allit
houghtofatthatmomentwastosave
youbecauseidefini
tel
yknowwhatMrMor ganis
goingt
odot oyou"Mar i
asaid.

"
Thankyousomuch"I
ri
shsai
dandMar
ianodded.
"Iknowyouhavear easonf
ordoingthat
,iknowyou
haveareasonforbeingint
hishouse,
iknowofthe
cal
lsyoudomakei
nthebat
hroom"Mar
iasai
d.
"Youknowoft
hecal
lsimakei
nthebat
hroom"I
ri
sh
asked

"Ofcourse,I
'm mostl
yinyourr oom.Iknowyouhave
areasonf ordoingal
lthatbutwhateverthereason
i
s,I'l
lal
wayshaveyourback, you'
vebeenverykind
tomeandt hisi
stheleasticandof oryou"Maria
said.

"
Mar
,t
hankyou"I
ri
shhuggedheragai
n.
"
Ist
hereanyt
hingyou'
l
lli
kemet
odof
oryou?
"
Mar
iaasked.
"
Not
hing.
.f
ornow"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Ishoul
dexcuseyounow,
I
'l
lbebyt
hedoor
.You
shouldcal
lmewhenyouneedme"Mari
asaidand
Iri
shnodded.

Mar
iai
sjustl
ikeanangelsentt
oherf
rom above.
Shedi
dn'
tregr
etmaki
ngherherper
sonalmai
d.

I
ri
shpi
ckedherphoneandpl
ayedt
her
ecor
ding.
Shelaughed,Javadwasf ool
ishenoughnottost
op
therecor
dingwhenhedi scoveredi
t,hehadonl
y
shoutedli
keabuf f
alo.
Ir
ishsmiledasshef or
war dedt
herecor
dingt
o
Carlaf
tershefi
nishedli
steningt
oit
.

Yes!
Anot
herevi
dencet
othel
ist
.

Okay,
everythi
ngisr
eal
lygoi
ngasplannedand
af
tert
oday,shehasj
usttwodaysl
eft
.
Shecan'
twai
t.

_
___
"WhoaskedBent odi
sconnecttheCCTVf r
om
10:28am t
o12:31pm?"Sheaskedt hr
oughclenched
teethandeventhebl
indcoul
dtellshewasfurious.

"
DidBent
oldyouthat
?"Mor
ganasked,
prepar
edt
o
f
ir
eBenimmediat
ely.
"Hedidn'
t,
isawital
lfr
om mylaptop.Thefoot
age
suddenlywentbl
ankfrom 10:
28am to12:
31pm"

"AndyouconcludedI
'
m behi
ndi
t?"Mor
gan
contr
adi
cted.
.
"Iknewyouwere.Bencanneverdi
sconnectthe
CCTVwi t
houtyourconsent
"Cat
heri
nestated.
"HaveyouaskedBenwhatwentwr
ong?
"Mor
gan
asked.
"
Idonotneedt
o!"Cat
her
inedr
oppedherbag.
"That'
sdumb!Whydi dyoucomest rai
ghtt
ome?
Am iinchargeofthesecur
it
yfootage?!
"Morgan
halfyell
edandevenIri
shalmostbeli
evedheknew
nothingabouti
t.
Wow.

"Youdonothavetheri
ghttocomet omewi thout
confi
rmingi
fI'
mtrul
ybehindi tandwereyou
checki
ngthehouseacti
vit
iesonyourlaptop?You
askedBentoconnectt
hef ootagetoyourlaptop?
Whywoul dyoudothat
?"Mor ganasked.
"
Ineededt
oknowwhatt
hehel
lisgoi
ngon!
"
"
Andwhatt
hehel
lisgoi
ngon!
"Mor
ganshout
ed.
"
Ican'
tbel
ieveyouwerespyi
ngonme"Mor
gansai
d,
l
ooki
ngdisappoi
nted.
"Iwasn'
tspyi
ngonyouMor gan,
iwasspyi
ngon
Iri
shcauseidonottrusther
!Somethi
ngseemsoff
aboutyouIr
ish;"Cat
heri
nesaidtoI
ri
sh'
sface,
who
swall
owedhar d.

"
Ineededevi
dencesoyoucouldtr
ulyseeshe'
snot
t
obet r
ust
ed..
"Cather
inewassayi
ng.
"
Itol
dyoushe'
str
ust
wor
thy!
"Mor
gansl
ammed.
"Myintui
t i
oni
sneverwr ongMorgan,t
here'
s
somethingabouther.Youneedtobeli
eveme,let
's
getheroutofthi
shouse"Cather
inesaid
desperatel
yandIr
ishtri
edherbesttolooknor
mal.
"Why? "Morganasked."
Anddidyoufi
ndanythi
ng
suspiciousaboutherwhenyoutur
ned'Ben'
overnight?
"
"
Idi
dn'
tbuti
fthedamnfoot
agehadn'
tgonebl
ank,
I
'
m sosur
eiwouldhave"
"Andaren'
tyousupposedt
obei
nMexi
co?
"Mor
gan
asked.
"
Icancel
ledmyf
li
ght
"
"
Becauset
hef
oot
agewentbl
ank?
"
"
Wel
l.
..
yeah"

"
Catheri
ne,youcancel
ledyourf
li
ghtbecauseyou
wantedtoconfrontmeaboutablankfootage?
Unbeli
evable.
"Morganfurr
owedhisbrow.
"Morgan,
whydoif
eelyouknowaboutt
his"
Cather
inesai
d.
"Thengoconf
ir
mf r
om Ben.
..you'
reser
iousl
y
pissi
ngmeoffri
ghtnowCatheri
ne"Morgansai
d.
"I
..
ishould.
..
excuseyou"I
ri
shsai
d,sl
owl
yget
ti
ngt
o
herfeet
.
"
No,
wai
t"Mor
gansai
d.

"Ishoul
dgoconfi
rmf
rom Ben?Li
keyouwouldn'
t
havemadeupsomethi
ngforhimtotel
lme"
Catheri
nesai
d.
"Whatever
"Morganscoff
ed."Andyouknowican
haveyouarrest
edfori
ntr
udinginmyhome's
pri
vacybyconnecti
ngtheCCTVt oyourl
apt
op"
"Ohh.
.r
eal
ly"Cather
inel
aughed."Goahead,
ican
seeyou'
regoingoutofyoursenses"
"
Whyar
eyousoi
nsecur
eabouther?
"
"I
'm onlytryingt
owat choutforyouMorgan,
she'
s
goingtor uinyou,icanfeeli
t!Youneedtost
opthi
s
fuckingloveandl ookint
oher,sheal
soknowswhat
I'
mtalki
ngabout"Cather
inesaid,
watchi
ngIri
sh
cl
osel
yf oranysli
ght
estchangeinherexpr
ession
butI
ri
sh'sfaceremai
nedt hesameeventhoughshe
waspanickingi
nwardly.

Shehadfol
lowedCarl
'
sadvi
seonmai
ntai
ninga
nor
malexpressi
on.

"
Idonotknowwhatyou'
ret
alki
ngabout
"Ir
ishsai
d.
"
Youdo!
"Cat
her
ineyel
led.
"
Idon'
t!
"Ir
ishyel
ledback.
"
Youdo!
"
"You'
vebeenmoni t
or i
ngmymovementi nt hi
s
housel i
keyourli
fedependsoni t
!Andyetyou
haven'tfoundanythingsuspici
ousaboutme, you'
re
nottryi
ngt owatchoutf orMorgan!Youjusthate
me, t
hat'sit
!"I
ri
shsai dpoint
edlyandCatheri
newas
surpri
sedatherout burst.
Shetur
nedtoMorgan.
."
it
'ssocl
earyougavehert
he
audaci
tyt
ostanduptome.Wow"
"She'
snotakid..
sheneedsnopermissi
ontost
and
uptoyou.Youbot hshoul
dprobabl
ybethesame
age"Morgancleared.
"Oh..
my. .
goodness,
ifl
ovemakesonet hisdumb
theni don'
teverwantt
ofal
linlove.Causeyou've
obviouslytur
neddumbMor gan,sodumbt hatit
's
star
tingtoirr
it
ateme"Cat
heri
nesi ghedangri
ly.
"
What
ever
"Mor
gansai
dlooki
ngunconcer
ned.
"Mor gan!Whateveryoudidduri
ngthatperi
odthe
footagewentbl ank,
ipr
omiseyouI'm gonnadi
git
out.Mot herf
ucker!
"Cather
inepi
ckedherbagand
angrilylef
ttheroom.

"
Goodthi
ngyoust
oodupt
oher
!"Mor
gansai
dto
I
ri
sh.
"
Real
ly?
"Ir
ishsmi
led.
"Yeah,she'
salwaystel
li
ngmenottot r
ustyouwhen
shedidn'tevenf
indanythi
ngsuspi
ciousabout
you,
thatsi
mpl
ymeansshehat
esyou"Mor
gansai
d.
"Ofcourse.
..
she'
sstil
lmadoverEt
han'
srej
ect
ion,
i
guessthat'
sthereasonshe'
sbei
ngthi
sway"I
rish
said.
"
Exactl
y!Et
hanhadt
oldherhest
il
llovesyou"
Morgansai
d.

"What
!Heshoul
dbett
erst
opwhateverlovehehas
forme,I
'
m wi
thyounow"I
rishsmi
led,holdi
nghi
s
hand.

"Ohmy, you'
resuchasweetl
adyIr
ish,iwonderwhy
Cather
inecan'tseet
hat
"Morgansaid,
drowningin
I
rish'
slove.
"Herhatr
edf
ormewon'
tletherseei
t"I
ri
shr
oll
ed
hereyes.
"Whocaresi
fshehatesyou,onceyougi vebi
rt
hto
hisbaby,
you'
l
lbecometheladyoft hi
shouseand
youcandotoherwhateverpleasesyou"Morgan
said.
"
Real
ly?
"Ir
ishf
eignedamazement
.
"Ofcour
se,and..
yousaidwear
egoingtokiss
soon"Morgansaid,
notabl
etot
akehiseyesoffher
l
ips.

"C'mon,notyet,
I'
m st
art
ingtoloveyoumor eand
mor ecauseyout r
ustmeevenwhenCat her
inei
s
trynamakeyounott o.Keeptrusti
ngmeokay?and
you'l
learnallofmy'l
oveeee'"Ir
ishsai
d.
"Okay,
myf
ir
stl
ady.I
'
llt
rustyout
il
let
erni
ty"Mor
gan
said.

'
No,
you'
l
ltr
ustmet
il
lyougetl
ockedup'

"
Thankyouf
ort
rust
ingme"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Myutmostpl
easur
e,dear
est
"Mor gansai
d,gr
ipping
herhandt
ight
lyandIri
sht
houghthehadgonecr azy.
Hestar
edintohereyesaf
fecti
onatel
yandI
rish
si
ghed,wonder
ingwhyhel ookednothi
ngr
omanti
c
butscar
y!!
!.

_
___
_

Cat
heri
newalkedintothebathr
oom,peel
edof
fher
cl
othi
ngandgotintothebathtubt
hatwasbubbl
ing
wit
hwarm soapywat er
.
Shewassopi
ssedt
hatherbodyshook.
Shet
appedherf
ingeront
hebat
hpanelt
hought
ful
ly.

ShehadthoughtI
rishwastheonl
yonehiding
somethi
ng,
looksl
ikeMorganisi
nvol
vedalso.
Shereal
lyneedstost
ophim bef
orehespi
ll
sthei
r
secret
stoIri
shcausehe'
shel
plessl
yinl
ovenow.
Butit'
sjustsoannoyi
ngtoknowt here'
snowayto
stophimf r
om tr
usti
ngIr
ishwithoutprovi
ding
evidenceorMorganwon'tl
ist
ent oher.
Shehadsuspect
edIri
shwasn'
treal
lyher
ebecause
shenowhatedEthan.
Shehasherownapart
ment..
whycomi
ngher
ejust
becauseshenowhat
eEthan.
Howcouldsheevenhavebeli
evedthatf
rom t
he
star
t,
shewassooccupiedwit
hseducingEt
hanthat
shehadn'
tthoughtst
rai
ght
!

Shehat
edI
ri
shf
orsomanyr
easons.
Fir
st,
shestil
lhasEthan'
sheart!AndevenMorgan'
s
heartal
so!leavi
ngherwithnobody,Andshewas
carr
yingEthan'sbaby!
Theonl
ymeni
nherl
if
elovesher
!
Well
..she'
l
lbedi
eingsoonwi
tht
hedamnedbabyof
her
s.
Thedamnedbabyt
hatcausedal
lthese!
Andthenshe'l
lhaveEt
hanandMor ganfi
ghti
ng
forherlove.
..t
hat'
l
lbesoint
erest
ing.
.Cat
heri
ne
smiledatthethought
.
Shehadmadeagr eatdeci
sionpoi
soni
ngthepacks
ofj
uice,nowshe'
l
lhaveEthanandMorganto
her
selfalone.
Ir
ishwouldl
eaveandthey'
l
lal
lfor
getabouther
aftersomemonths.

Butshereal
lyneedstofi
ndasuspi
ciousevi
dence
aboutI
ri
shrealquick,
soMorgancanwouldmake
herl
eavebeforeshediesi
nthi
shouse.

_
__
[
05/09,07:
37]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼
Genr
e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
68

Cather
inewal
kedoutofthebat
hroom i
nawhi
te
robewithat
owelt
iedaroundherwethair
.
Herfi
vepersonalmai
dsbowedasshesatont
he
dressi
ngchair
.
Sheremovedthehai
rtowelandAimee,oneofher
maidspl
uggedthehairdr
yerandstar
teddryi
ngher
hai
rimmediat
ely.
Ravin,anotherofherpersonalmai d,at
tendedtoher
nail
swhi leSusan,who'saf ashionistaprepar
edher
outf
it.SheknowsCat herinewon' tbegoi ngout,
so
she'
st opr epar
easimplewear .
Emi
lyandJessi
est
oodatar
easonabl
e
di
stance,
readyt
ogoonanyer
rand.

Cat
heri
nestar
edather
sel
fint
hemi
rr
orasherhai
r
wasgett
ingdr
ied.
Shelooksequal
lybeaut
if
ul,
whyar
ethemenal
l
overI
rish?
Coul
ditbebecauseshewear
snomakeup?
Domenl
ovenat
urall
adi
est
hesedays?

"Iwon'
tbeweari
ngmakeupf
ornowSusan"
Cather
inesai
d.
"
YesMadam Cat
her
ine"Susanbowed.
Theyweresur pri
sedbutdi
dn'
tdar
eshowit,
they
knewCatheri
ner ar
elydowit
houtmakeup,
except
whenshe'sgoingtobed.

"Jessi
ca,
getBenf
ormei
mmedi
atel
y"Cat
her
ine
said.
"OkayMadam Cat
her
ine"Jessi
ebowedandwal
ked
outoft
heroom.
Ravi
nproceededt
oCatheri
ne'
stoenai
lsandt
hen
br
oughtoutasetofnai
lpol
ishwhenshewasdone.
"
Whi
chwoul
dyoul
ikema'
am?
"Ravi
nasked.
"What'
sthecol
orofthedr
essI
'
m put
ti
ngon
Susan?"Cat
her
ineasked.
"
One-
piecebl
ackst
ret
chj
umpsui
t"Susansai
d.
"
Okay,uset
hebl
ackgl
ossyone"Cat
her
inesai
dto
Ravi
nwhobowed.

Ai
meewasbrai
dingCat
her
ine'
shai
rwhenJessi
ca
wal
kedi
nwit
hBen.

"
Goodaf
ter
noonMadam Cat
her
ine"Benbowed.
"WhatwentwrongwiththeCCTV,
itwasbl
ankf
or
somehours"Cather
inesai
d.
"
Itw.
."Benwassayi
ng.
"
Saynot
hingbutt
het
rut
h"Cat
her
inesai
dst
ernl
y.
"
Itwassyst
em er
rorma'
am"Bensai
dandCat
her
ine
t
urnedt
ohim.
"Syst
em err
or?Thathasneverhappened"Cat
her
ine
said,
looki
ngathim suspi
ciousl
y.
"I
thas,ma'am, several
ly.Youwoul
dn'tknow
becausetodayi sactuall
ythef
ir
sttimeiconnect
ed
i
ttoyourlaptop,ithappenswhenthesystem i
s
fl
uctuat
ingandi talwaystakeawhilebefor
eit
becomesst abl
e"Bensai dconvi
ncingl
y.

"So..
youmean, what
everhappeneddur
ingthe
peri
odthesystem wasfluct
uati
ngwouldbewiped
off?
"Cather
ineasked.
"
Yesma'
am"
"I
sther
enowayi
tcanber
est
ored?
"Cat
her
ine
asked.
"
Noma'
am"
"
That
'
sbad"Cat
her
inesi
ghed.
"
Youcanl
eave"Shesai
dtohi
m.
"
OkayMadam Cat
her
ine"Hebowedandt
urnedt
o
l
eave.
"I
fifi
ndoutwhatyoutol
dmeisnottr
ue,
I'
m not
goingtospar
eyou,
tr
ustme"Cat
her
inesai
dandBen
nodded.
"Anyway,
getmeoneofMorgan'
sbodyguardson
yourwayout"Shesai
dandwatchedhi
ml eave.

Looksli
kehe'
ssayi
ngt
het
rut
hbutshe'
snotf
ull
y
convi
ncedyet
.
"
Emily,
getmeagl
asscupofwat
er"Cat
her
ine
si
ghed.
"
OkayMadam Catheri
ne"Emi
lybowedbef
ore
r
ushi
ngoutoftheroom.

Bl
ainewal
kedi
nandbowedbef
oreCat
her
ine.
"
Blai
ne.
.howar
eyou?
"Cat
her
inesmi
led.
"
Finema'
am"Bl
ainesai
d,mai
ntai
ninghi
scal
m
expr
essi
on.
"Okay,
iwantt
oaskyouaquestionandI
'
llbegl
adi
f
youtel
lmethetr
uth"Cat
her
inesaid.

Blai
nepani
cked,t
hinki
ngCat
har
ineal
readyknew
aboutwhathetol
dIri
sh.
Buti
fsheknew,
shewoul
dn'
tbesmi
li
ng.
Shewoul
dhavepr
obabl
yor
der
edhi
mtogetki
ll
ed
i
mmediat
ely.

"
Whathappenedwhi
leiwasgone?
"Cat
her
ineasked.
"
Huh?
"
"Imean.
.whathappened?Whocamei n?Whowent
out?Li
ke.
.whatthehellhappened?
"Cat
her
ineasked
withasi
gh.
"
Not hi
ngunusualhappenedma'
am,noonecame
i
n,nonewentout"Blai
neanswer
ed.
Catheri
nest
udiedhi
mtoseei
fhewastel
li
ngl
ies
buthisexpr
essionr
emai
nedt
hesame.
Shesighedfr
ust
rat
edl
y..
maybenot
hinghad
happened.
Maybei
twasj
ustsyst
em er
rorl
ikeBenhadsai
d.

"
Areyousur
e?"SheaskedBl
aine.
"
YesMadam Cat
her
ine"
Blai
nesai
d.
"Al
ri
ght
,youcanleave"Shesaid,hebowedand
tur
nedtoleavewhenEmi l
ywal kedinwi
thagl
ass
cupofchil
ledwateri
nasmal ltray.
Shewasbr eat
hingheavil
yassheapproached
Cather
ineandCat her
ineknewi
nstant
lythat
somethingwaswr ong.

"
Wi l
lyoustopbreat
hinginmywat
er!What
's
wrong?"Cather
ineasked.
"Madam Cat
heri
ne,ij
usthear
dfrom oneoft
he
cookst
hatIr
ishorder
edMar i
atoemptyever
ypack
ofst
rawberr
yjui
cei
ntheki
tchen.
..
int
othesi
nk!
"
Emil
ysaid.

"
What
!"

_
__

I
ri
shwal
kedint
oherr
oom andwonder
edwher
e
Mari
awas.
Shepickedherphoneonthebed,
wher
eMar
iahad
droppeditandt
henunlockedi
t.
.
I
tdi
spl
ayedt
hepi
ctur
esMar
iaahadbeenvi
ewi
ng.

Wher
ewasshet
hen?
Ohh..shemi
ghtbei
nherr
oom,
probabl
yusi
ngt
he
rest
room.

I
ri
dhsmi
ledasshesatonhercouch.
You'
resuchagoodact orI
ri
sh,
yougai
nedMor
gan'
s
tr
ustal
ready.Tot
all
y.
Shenevert
houghti
t'
llbet
hiseasyandf
ast
.
Catheri
neseemstobetheonlyhardnutnowand
sheknowsshe'swatchi
nghereverymovesoshe
canfindsomethi
ngsuspi
ciousaboutherandthen
i
nform Morgansohewouldstopwhatevertr
usthe
hasforher.

Sheshouldbeveryver
ycauti
ousnowsoCat
her
ine
won'
truinthei
rpl
ancausesheseemsso
det
ermined.

ShewishedCather
inehadn'twalkedi
nwhen
Morganwasaboutt el
li
ngherthesimil
arplanJavad
andGladyshadhelpedhim car
ryoutsuccessf
ull
y.
Shecan'taskhi
m agai
ntodaycausehe'l
lreal
ly
wonderwhyshedesperat
elywantstoknowand
st
artget
ti
ngsuspici
ousli
keCather
inewanted.
Ther
e'sst
il
lthr
eedayst
ogo.
..
Ahhh.
..
she'
sreal
lycr
avi
ngst
rawber
ryj
uice.
"Youneedtostarttaki
ngvanil
laf
lavor
,str
awberr
yis
outofthepi
cturefornow"Ir
ishsaidtoherbaby.

"Okaymummy"Shesai
dtoher
sel
finat
inyvoi
ce
andthenl
aughed.

"
Ma'
am"Mar
iacal
led,
wal
kingi
n.
"
Mar
a"I
ri
sht
urnedt
oher
.
"Madam Cat heri
nerequestedtoseemeandiwent
toher,iwantedt oi
nform youbefor
egoingbuti
thoughtyoumi ghtbehavi nganimpor
tant
conversati
onwi thMrMor ganandiwouldn'
thave
wantedt oi
nt er
rupt"Mari
asai d.
"Okay.
.whatdi
dshecal
lyouf
or?
"Ir
ishasked
curi
ously.

"
Seemsshewasi
nfor
medaboutt
hej
uiceyou
or
der
edmet
oempt
yint
hesi
nk"
"
Damn!
"Ii
shsi
ghed.
"Butthere'
snothingt
oworr
yabout
,sheaskedme
thereasonyouor der
edmetodosuchandisaidthe
onlythingthatcametomymindatthatmoment.
."
Mar i
apaused.
"
What
?"I
ri
shaskedanxi
ousl
y.

"
Itoldheryoudi
scoveredt
hejui
ceshaspassed
t
heirexpi
rati
ondat
e..
."Mari
asai
d.
"
Wow!"I
ri
shsighed,
exact
lywhatshehadpl
anned
t
osaybutCar
lhadsaidCather
inewoul
dfi
ndout.
Geez.
"Iknowthatwasabitpett
ybutthatwastheonl
y
t
hingicouldsayatt
hatmoment ,i
fidi
dn'
ttal
k
i
mmedi at
ely,
shewouldsuspectyouknew"
"ThankyouMara,
youdi
dther
ightt
hing.Thankyou
somuch"Iri
shsai
d.
"
Andsheaskedoft
heempt
ypackssoshecoul
dbe
sur
ethej
uicest
rul
yexpi
red"
"
Andwhatdi
dyout
ellher
?"I
ri
shasked.
"It
oldheridi
sposedofthem..
.l
ikeit
rul
ydidbutI
'm
afr
aidshemightaskherworkerstogodigi
toutand
bri
ngittoher
"

"
Gosh!
"Ir
ishsi
ghed.

_
__

"What'
sthi
s?What
'sgoi
ngon?"Catheri
neasked
aft
erseei
ngMaraser
veIri
shadif
ferentmealfor
l
unch.
"
Iwascr
avi
ngchi
ckencasser
ole"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Andwhydi
dMaraservei
ttoyou?Aren'
tther
e
cookst
odothat
?"Cat
heri
neasked.
"
Becauseshemadei
t"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
What
!Shewasn'
templ
oyedasacook!Whywoul
d
shemakeyourmeal
s?"Cat
her
ineaskedwonder
ing
whatwasgoi
ngon.

Fi
rstt
hepacksofj
uiceshehadpoi
sonedwere
empti
edi
ntothesi
nk,andnowMariamadeIr
ish'
s
l
unchandevenser
vedher.

"She'
smypersonalmaid,
whichmeansicangether
todoanyt
hingiwant,idi
scover
edshe'
sagreat
cookandthat
'swhyI'
llal
lowhertost
artmaki
ngmy
mealsandservi
ngit
"Iri
shsaid.
"
Ohh"Catheri
nenodded,
nowsur
esomet
hingwas
i
ndeedgoingon.
"Mariawasn'templ
oyedasacooksoshe'snot
all
owedt omakeyourmeals,
wehaveenoughcooks
alr
eady.Thisshoul
dbethelastti
meyoutryt
o
makeameali nmykit
chenMar i
a"Cat
her
inesai
d,
authori
tat
ivel
y.

"
Youdonothavepoweroverheranymor
e
Cat
herine,
she'
smyper sonalmaidnow,
she'
l
ldo
whateverior
derhert
o"Iri
shsaid.
"Iempl
oyedher
,andist
andbymywords,
she'
snot
all
owedtomakeamealinmyki
tchen"
"She'
sal
lowedto..
andit
'snotyourki
tchen,
youdo
notownthishouse"I
ri
shsaid.
"
What
ever
..
She'
snotal
lowedt
o"Cat
her
ineyel
led.

"Enough!Thi sismyhouseCat heri

neandI r
ishhas
thesamer ightyouhaveher e.Youall
owyour
personalmai dsdowhat everyouwantthem to
do,whydon' tyouwantIrishtodowhatevershe
wantswi t
hherper sonalmai dal
so."Morgansaid
andthent urnedtoMar i
a.
"
DowhateverI
ri
shwantsokay?
,she'
syourboss"
Mor
gansaidandMari
abowed.

"
Ohh.
..r
eal
ly"Cat
her
inesai
d,pushi
ngbackherchai
r.
Shegott
oherf
eet
.
"TrustmeMor gan,
thel
adyyout r
ustsomuchwi
l
l
turnouttobeyourAchil
lesheel
"Shesai
dand
staredatIr
ishmenaci
nglybefor
ewalki
ngout
.

"Wefoundthepacksofj
uicema'am"Oneofher
bodyguar
dssaidandshestoppedwalki
ng.

"
Letmehavei
t"shesai
dandt
hebodyguar
dhanded
i
ttoher
.
Shecheckedt
heexpir
ati
ondat
eimmediatel
yand
wasalmostshockedt
oseethej
uicehadn'
texpi
red.
I
tst
il
lhadamont
htogo.

Whatt
hehel
l!

Shet
urnedbackandheadedt
othedi
ningr
oom.
I
ri
shandMorganwer
ealr
eadyeati
ngwhenshe
walkedi
nandt
hatmadeherevenmoref
uri
ous.
Morganhadn'tevencomeaf
terheraf
tershelef
tthe
dini
ngroom,
hehadn'tcar
ed,
heonlycaredabout
eati
ngwithI
rene.
Shesl
ammedt heemptypackofj
uiceonthedi
ning
t
abl
efur
iousl
y,st
art
li
ngIr
ishandMorgan.

"
What
'st
hisCat
her
ine?
"Mor
ganasked.
"I'
m nothereforyouwhohadt urnedadummy
overnight
!Mar i
a,whydi dyouli
etomeaboutt he
jui
ceexceedingt heirexpi
rat
iondate?
"Cather
ine
askedandMar i
al ookedather,st
unnedandnot
knowingwhatt osay.
"Shedidn'tli
et oyou,it
oldherthejui
cesexpi
red
andor deredhert oemptythem"Iri
shasked,
buil
dingupal ltheexcuseshecanbecause
obviously,Catheri
nehadf oundthepacksofj
uice
andhadseent heyhadn'
texpir
ed.

"Whythehel
ldi
dyoudothat?I
sthereasortof
bli
ndnesst
hatmakesoneseespacksofj
uiceas
expir
edwheni
tst
il
lhasamont
htogo?
"Cat
her
ine
asked.

'
Bingo!
'

Cather
inewat chedherint
enselyknowing
somethingwasdef ini
tel
yoffforI
risht
oempt ythe
packsofjuiceandevenl i
edthattheyhadexceed
thei
rexpir
ationdate.
Coul
ditbet
hatsheknowsaboutt
hepoi
so.
.
No!Onl
yoneofherbodyguar
dsknowi
tandshe
coul
dswearhewasloyalt
oher.

"Well
..
thejui
cetast
edsourandibeli
evedi
twas
expir
ed,idi
dn'
tevenbot
herchecki
ngtheexpi
rat
ion
date"I
rishsai
d.
"
Youwastedtenpacksofjuicebecauseoneof
t
hem t
astedsour
?"Cather
ineasked,wonderi
ngif
t
hepoisonhadmadeittastethatway.
Di
dsheputal
ot?
Wel
l.
.t
hatsi
mpl
ymeansI
ri
shhadt
akeni
t!
Shehadt
akenoutoft
hej
uicebef
oreempt
yingi
t!
Gr
eat
!

Butshe'
smeanttobetakingi
tconti
nuously,
taki
ng
j
ustagulpmightnotworkbuti
t'
lli
ndeedtakeatoll
onherbody.
I
tmightaffectt
hebaby..
.shesomuchwishitwi
ll
butshesti
llhavetoconf
ir
mf r
om Nur
seTashawho
hadgivenherthestuf
f.

"I
ttr
ulyt
ast
edsour
,youwoul
dhaveempt
iedi
tif
youwereme"I
ri
shsaid.
"Justapacktast
edsour
,youshoul
dn'thave
empt i
edthet
enofthem.
"Cather
inesaid.
"Thethi
ngis.
.idonotcr
avestr
awberr
yjui
ce
anymore,t
hesmellnowalmostmakemepuke"
Irenesi
ghed.
"
Whi
chj
uicedoyoupr
efernow?
"Cat
her
ineasked.
"
None"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
What
everyourreasonis,
youshoul
dn'
thavewast
ed
t
het
enpacks,youdidn'
tbuythem"

"Nei
therdi
dyou.Mor ganboughtthem,j
ustforme
andI'
lldowhateverili
kewi
thit.You'
rei
nterrupt
ing
ourl
unchplease"Iri
shsai
dwi t
har ol
lofeyes.
"Wow!"Cather
ineexcl
aimed."
You'
ver
eal
lygotgut
s,
haven'
tyou?"
I
ri
shcont
inuedeat
ing,
ignor
ingher
.
Cather
ineglancedatMor ganwhohadcont i
nued
eati
ngalso,hehadn'tevencontr
ibutedint
hei
r
exchange,
heonl ywatchedthem,looki
ngcoy.
God!WhathasI
ri
sht
urnedhi
mto.

Shel
eftt
hedi
ningr
oom andwal
kedt
oherr
oom.
"Getmemyl unch"Shesai
dtoEmi
lywhobowed
befor
eleavi
ng.
Shewasstarvi
ngandhadn'
tevenhadbr
eakf
ast
bef
orel
eavingforMexi
co.
Maybesher
eal
lyneededt
ogocoolherheadand
t
hink.
Andshecanwat
cht
hehouseact
ivi
ti
eswhi
leshe'
s
t
here.

"Myphone"Shesai
dandherphonewaspassedt
o
herwi
thabow.
Shepl
acedacal
lacr
ossTasha.

"
HeyTash.
"
Madam Cat
her
ine"Tashasai
d.
"
Wel
lthedamngi
rlempt
iedt
hepacksofj
uice"
"
What
!Wi
thoutt
aki
nganyt
hing?
"
"
Well
..
iguessshet
ookagul
pandconcl
udedi
t
t
ast
edsour"
"
Didyouaddedmor
ethant
hepor
ti
oniaskedyou
t
o?"Tashaasked.
"
Iguessso"Cat
her
ineadmi
tt
edsl
yly.
"
Youshoul
dn'
thave,
it'
l
lindeedt
ast
esour
"
"
Ohh"Cat
her
inesi
ghed.

"
Butyousai
dshet
ookagul
pri
ght
?"
"
Yeah,
thatwashowsheknewi
ttast
edsour
"
"Well
..
sinceyouaddedmor epor t
ionoft hepoi
son
thanitoldyoutoineachpackandshet ookagul
p,
thepoisonwoulddefini
tel
yhaveat ollonher
thoughitmightnotki
llherl
ikewewant edbuttr
ust
me...
it
'sgoingtodamagesomepar tsofherbody"
Tashasai dqui
etl
y,l
ookingaround,shewoul dn'
t
wantanyonet oheartheconversati
on.
"
Wel
lthet
hingi
s..
she'
spr
egnant
"Cat
her
inesai
d.
"
Ohh.
.cool
,
thebabywoul
dpayf
ori
tthen.Howol
dis
t
hepr
egnancy?"
"
Twomont
hsandsomeweeks"
"
Thepoi
soni
sgonnaki
llt
hebabyf
orsur
eandeven
l
eavesomedamagesi
nhersyst
em"
"
Exact
lywhatiwant
ed!
"Cat
her
inegr
inned.
"
ThanksTasha"
"
Alr
ightma'
am,
got
tagonow"
"
Bye"

_
__

"
Cather
ineI'
m sor
ry.
..
"Mor
gansai
dashewal
ked
i
ntoherroom.
Hermai
dsl
eftt
her
oom i
mmedi
atel
y.
"
Whatdoyouwant
?"Cat
her
ineaskedwi
thamean
t
one.
Shewassit
ti
ngonherbedandsur
fi
ngt
hrought
he
i
nter
netwhenhewal
kedin.
"Ar
eyouher
etoremi
ndmeofhowI r
ishandinow
havet
hesameri
ghti
nthi
shouse?
"Sheasked.
"
C'mon"Mor
gansai
d,si
tt
ingbesi
deheront
hebed.
"Don'
tcomecl
oser
,youdi
sgustmenow"Cat
her
ine
saidf
lat
ly.
"Cat
her
ine.
..
whatprobl
em doyouhavewit
hIri
sh?
Doyoujustdi
sli
keheroryou'
ret
rul
ysuspi
ciousof
her?
"Morganasked.
"Bothandidon'
tdi
sli
keher
,ihat
eher
"Cat
her
ine
clar
ifi
ed.
"Okay..
iunderst
andt hef
actthatyouhateher,
you'vehatedhersinceshestart
edworkingasyour
daughter'
snannybutwhyar eyoususpi ci
ousofher
evenwi t
houthavinganevidence?"Morganasked.

"Morgan,
myi nt
uit
ionisalwaysr i
ghtandyouknow
that
,if
eelshe'shereforar eason,
notjustbecause
shenowhat eEt han.Shehasanapar t
ment,why
comeher einstead..
.thi
nkdeepl i
keyouusedt o
Morgan"Cat heri
nesaid.
"Wel
l.
..
"Morgansi
ghed."
Sofar,
wehaven'
tnot
iced
anyt
hingof
fabouther
,she'
sbeenher
eforf
our
daysCat
"
"I
'
m damnsur ei
fwehadsuccessf
ull
ysetupa
CCTVinherroom,wewoul
dhavedefini
tel
yfound
what
everit
hinkshe'
shidi
ng"
"
Ist
il
ldonott
hinkshe'
shi
dinganyt
hing"

"You'
renotthi
nkingst
raightMorgan,
thi
sisnotyou"
Cather
inesaidandMor gansighed.
"Thi
sismeCat ..
thi
sisme!youdon' texpectmeto
makeamovewi thoutf
indi
nganythingsuspici
ous
abouther,
findsomethingsuspi
ciousaboutherand
seeifiwon'
tmakeamovei mmedi atel
y"

"
Real
ly?
"Cat
her
inebl
inked.
Shehadt
houghthewasbl
indedbyl
ove.
"Ofcourse..
.il
oveI ri
sh,
youknowt hatbutifshe
daresbetrayme, she'sgone.Iwon'tall
owmy
feel
ingsforhercl oudmyj udgement,youknowi
don'tsparebetrayals"Morgansaid.
"Yeah"Catheri
nenodded..
.So,
ther
easonMorgan'
s
sti
llbeingni
cetoIri
shisbecausehehasn'
tfound
anythingsuspi
ciousaboutheryet
.
Shereall
yneedstodoubl ehereffortinfi
ndingout
whatshesuspectedIri
shi shi
ding, andonceshe
showsMor gantheevidence,he'
llgetridofher
i
mmedi atel
y.Hetrul
ydoesnotspar ebetrayal
s,
regar
dlessofthei
rrel
ati
onshipwi thhim.

"Anditseemsyou'
vereal
lygi
venherthebol
dness
tostanduptome.Shenowt al
ksli
keshe'st
helegal
wifehereandt
hat'
sbecauseofyou!"Cat
her
inesaid,
crossl
y.
"Hey,inevert
oldhertostanduptoyou,
shedi
d
causeshewant edt
o.It
'sbetweent
hebothofyou,
don'tdragmei n"Morgansaid.
"Andwhywereyout akingherside?ItoldMarianot
tomakemealsforherint hi
shouseanymor ebut
youwentaheadtotellherother
wi se,
righti
nfrontof
me,j
ustt
opleaseIr
ish"
"
Cat
her
ine,
weneedt
omakeI
ri
shf
eelcomf
ort
abl
e
i
nt hi
shouseal so.Shewantsherpersonalmai
dto
conti
nuemaki nghermeals,t
here'
snot hi
ngwrong
wit
ht hat
,i
tisn'
tgoingtoaf
fectyouinanyway"

"
What
ever
"Cat
her
iner
oll
edhereyes.
"
Com'
on,
areyoust
il
lpi
ssedatme?
"Mor
ganasked.
"Ofcourse,
youridi
cul
edmei
nherpr
esence"
Cather
inefrowned.

"
Cat
,I'
m sor
ry"Hesai
dandsheshr
ugged.
"
Okay..
.howaboutwegoshoppi
nginAna'
sst
ore
l
ater
,i'
l
lfoott
hebil
ls"Mor
ganoff
ered.
"Aww..
.real
ly?
"Cat
her
ine'
seyeswi
denedi
n
exci
tement.
"
Yeah"
"Il
oveyouMorg"Shekissedhim andhesmi
led,
knowingshehasfor
givenhim al
ready.
Hecan'
tbeart
oseeherpi
ssedathi
m.
Cather
inehasbeenhi
spar
tneri
ncr
imeandhe'
snot
readyt
oloseher.
She'
sthemast
ermindoft
hei
rplansandsheal
ways
makesuret
heplansgosmoot
hly.

"
DoyouwantI
ri
sht
ocomewi
thus?
"Het
eased.
"
Hel
lno!
"Cat
her
inehi
ssedandhel
aughed.
"Alr
ight,
gogetreadythen,
sowe'l
lbebackbefor e
dinner"Hesaid,knowinghowl
ongCat heri
netakes
i
nshoppi ng,she'l
lal
mostemptytheentir
estore.

_
__

"I
rishwe'l
lberi
ghtback.
..
wear
evisi
ti
ngAna
fashionst
ore,
doyouwantmet ogetanyt
hingf
or
you?"Morganasked.
Hewasdr
essedfort
heshoppi
ngandCat
her
ine
wasi
mpati
ent
lywait
ingi
nthecar
.
"
No"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Areyousur
e?"Heasked.
"Yeah"Shenoddedandwishedhewon'
tbet
aki
ng
Blai
newithhim soshecoul
dgethi
mtocont
actCar
l.

Heki
ssedhercheeksandwavedherbye.
Shewavedbackathi
m andwat
chedhi
m wal
kout
ofherr
oom.

Ment
ioni
ngAna'
sstor
eremindedherofherown
wor
kshopinEt
han'
shouse.
Shesomuchmi ssedi
t,
thatpl
acegi
veshercomf
ort
andi
nspi
rat
ion.
Star
ingatt
heflowersi
nthegar
denmakeshert
hink
ofnewbeauti
fuldesi
gns.
Evenifshehasabi
gstor
eoneday,she'
sst
il
l
goingtomakewearsi
nthatli
tt
lewor
kshopofher
s.
Hercustomerswerebeginningt
osendint
onsof
messages,or
deri
ngdr essesandsheal
waysgave
them t
heexcusethatshe'sonatri
pandwil
lbe
backsoon.
Somanyorder
sar
ewai
ti
ngandshecan'
twai
tto
getbackhome.
Shemi
ssedEt
han'
shouse.

"
Here'
syourfrui
tma'am"Mari
asaid,wal
kingi
nwi
th
asmallbowlofsl
icedwat
ermelon.
Ir
ish'
ssti
llsoscar
edtotakeanything'
str
awber
ry'
i
nthehouseorshewoul dhavepreferr
ed
st
rawberr
iestowatermel
on.
"ThanksMara"Shesai
dasMar
iaadr
oppedt
he
bowlinfr
ontofher.

"
Areyouokay?
"Mar
iaasked,
not
ici
nghersour
mood.
"
I'
mf i
ne..
justwor
ri
edaboutmybusi
nessandot
her
t
hings"
"Ohh.
.wor
ryless,
everyt
hingwi
llbebacki
nplace
okay?
"Mariaassuredherandshenodded.
"
Andspeaki
ngofbusi
ness.
..
whatt
ypeofbusi
ness
i
sit
?"Mari
aasked.
"
I'
m af ashi
ondesignerandihavemyown
workshop"Ir
ishsmiled.
"Wow..nowiunder
standt
hereasonther
ewer e
pict
uresofmult
ipl
ewearsonyourphone..
didyou
madeeveryoneofthem?"Mari
aasked.
"
Ofcour
se"
"
OhmyGod! "Mar
iaexcl
aimed."
You'
ret
hat
t
alent
ed?
!"
"Well
..
it
'sj
ustsomet
hingI
'
m goodat
"Ir
ishsai
d
proudl
y.
"Andtothinkyouneverforonceboastedofbei
ng
suchatalenteddesi
gner..
Wow, you'
rearol
emodel
Ir
ish"Mari
asaid,int
ri
gued.
I
ri
shsmi
led.
"
Youshoul
dknowAna.
..
"Mar
iasai
d.
"
Yeah"I
ri
shnodded.
"Sheboastseveryt
imeshe'
shereandal
waysmade
i
tclearthatnoneoft
heworker
sherecoul
daff
ord
her.Idi
sli
kehersomuch"Mariafr
ownedandI
rish
l
aughed.
"And.
.j
udgingf r
om thepi
cturesofwearsisawon
yourphone,you'
refarmoretalent
edthanAna.Do
youalsohaveast orewhereyousellthem?"
"
Notyet ,
ionl
ycut,
sew,
designandpackagei
nmy
workshopandthendel
iveri
ttoeachcust
omer'
s
l
ocation"
"Ohh,t
hat'sgreat
,youseemsl i
keahardwor
king
personIr
ish,aver
yhar dwor
kingper
son"Mari
a
notedandI r
ishsmiled.

Shewasst
art
ingt
oeatherf
rui
t.
"Iknowyoudon'
thaveafashi
onst
oreyetbutyou
shouldhaveaname..
."Mar
iawassayi
ng.
"
Ofcour
seLevi
ne'
sfashi
ons,
youcanchecki
tupon
thei
nternetandorderadr
essandipromiseyou'
l
l
haveitdeli
veredt
oyourdoor
step"I
ri
shjokedand
Marialaughed.

"Levine'sfashi
ons..isn'
tthatt
hebr
andthathas
beent rendingforsomet imenow?Ican'
tbel
ieve
youdonotownast oreandyourbr
andistr
ending
already!Wow" Mariaexclaimed.
"Iwi
ll
..
.soon"Ir
ishsai
d,shehassavedupsome
moneyf ori
tandonceshe' sdonewit
hallt
hese,
she'
l
lstarttheprepar
ati
onofherownstore.
Hercust
omer
sar
egr
owi
ngever
ymi
nut
e.
She'
llf
oreverbethankf
ult
oEthanwhohadbrought
heroutofthoseweakshel
lsandmadepeopl
esee
whatshecanof f
er.

"Mari
a,canyouhel
pmecheckifBl
ainewentout
withMor ganandi
fhedi
dnot
,tel
lhi
m iwanttosee
him"I
rishsaid.
"
Okayma'
am"Mar
iagr
inned,
blushi
nghar
dasshe
l
eftt
her
oom.
I
ri
shshookherheadwi
thasmi
le.

Shepushedt
hewat
ermel
onaway.
Damn.
.she'
ssocr
avi
ngst
rawber
ry.

_
__

Mari
awal kedinal
onefewminutesl
aterandIr
ish
wasdisappoint
edBlai
nehadlef
twit
hMor gan.
Shewaswonderi
ngwhyMar
iawasst
il
lbl
ushi
ng
whenBl
ainewal
kedin.

"
Goodaf
ter
noonma'
am"Hesai
dandI
ri
shsmi
led.

_
__
[
05/09,07:
37]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th
 JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
69

I
twasalmostdi
nnerti
meandMor
ganand
Cat
her
inewereyett
obeback.
I
ri
shsati
nther
oom,
bur
iedi
nthenovelshewas
r
eadi
ng.
Mari
awasinthekitchenpr
epar
ingIr
ene'
sdi
nner
whi
let
heothercooksprepar
edMorgan'
sand
Cat
her
ine'
s.
Theysneer
edatherasshemovedi
ntheki
tchen.

Blai
nehadagreedtocontactCarlevent
houghi
t
tookqui
teaneffor
ttoconvincehim.
Car
lhadcall
edherfewminutesagoandtoldher
Bl
ainecont
actedhi
m al
readyandtheyspokeat
l
ength.
Blai
nepromisedtoprotectheri
nt hehouseand
al
sowat chCather
ine'
smoves, hesaidhe'sdoi
ngi
t
becauseofEthanandnobodyel se.

ThedoorofI
ri
sh'
sroom open,
bri
ngi
ngherbackt
o
real
it
y.
Sher
aisedupherheadt
oseeMariawal
kedi
nwith
apackofchi
ll
edstr
awber
ryj
uiceandagl
asscup.
Ir
ishswall
owedhardandfel
tli
kegrabbingi
tfrom
herhand,t
ear
ingi
topenandthengulpitasfastas
shecould.
Herbabyr
eal
lyl
ovedt
his.
"
Wheredidyouseethi
s?Di
dn'
tyouempt
ythepacks
l
ikeit
oldyout
o?"I
ri
shasked.
"Well.
.idid,ivi
sit
edthegrocerystor
etogetsome
thi
ngsbef oremakingdi
nnerandgott hisforyou
afterinoticedhowmuchyou' r
ecravi
ngit,
istor
edit
i
nt hef r
idgewhi l
eimadedi nnerandthat
'sthe
reasoni t
'ssochill
ed"Mariasaid.
"Oh.
.my,
thankssomuchMara,butyoudidn'
ttel
lme
you'
l
lbevisi
ti
ngthegr
ocer
ystore"Ir
ishsai
d.
"
Well.
.i
tisn'
tsofar
,pl
usiwant
edt
osur
pri
seyou
wit
hthis"Mari
asmi l
ed.
"
Ohh.
..t
hankyou"I
ri
shsmi
led.
Mari
anoddedandhelpedheruncapt
hej
uicebef
ore
pour
ingsomei
ntotheglasscup.

Mari
asmil
edasshewatchedIr
ishl
if
titt
oherl
ips
andt
hengulpi
tdownherthr
oat.
Yes!

"ThankyousomuchMar
ia"I
ri
shsai
dpour
ing
hersel
fmorej
uice.
Mar
ianodded.
."
Ishoul
dgobackt
otheki
tchen"
"Al
ri
ght"Ir
ishsai
d,embeddedinthesweetnessof
thej
uice,
shecouldevenfeelherbabydanceand
shelaughedhardattheimaginat
ion

_
_

Mar
iar
etur
nedt
otheki
tchen,
allsmi
les.
Shewasgladtoseethehappyl
ookonI
ri
sh'
sface
whenshegulpedthej
uice.
ShehadnoticedhowIri
shwassecret
lycr
aving
st
rawber
ryjuiceandshehadwenttothegrocer
y
st
oreandspecial
lyboughtonef
orher.
Thesat
isf
act
ioni
nhereyesaf
tershegul
pedt
he
j
uicemadehersohappy.
..
She'
l
ldoanythi
nginhermi
ghtt
opl
easeI
ri
shand
makeherhappy.
Ir
ishisj
ustoneoft
heni
cestpeopl
eshehasever
met.

Shemakesherhappyandi
twoul
dn'
tbesobadt
o
makeherhappyi
nretur
n.
Herl
if
ehadbeenateasesi
nceI
ri
shst
eppedi
nto
t
hishouse.
Li
femademoresenset
oherbecauseIr
isheased
herbur
denandmadehercomf
ortabl
e.
Sherarel
yopenuptopeopl
eabouthersel
fandher
chil
dbutshehadn'
tfoundi
tdi
ff
icul
ttoopenupto
Ir
ish.
SheseesI
ri
shj
ustl
i
ket
heol
dersi
stershenever
had.

"ThanksEryn"Mar
iasai
dtooneofthecooksshe
hadpleadedwitht
ohelpwat
choverIri
sh'
smeal
whileshewenttoser
vehert
hejui
ce.
Erynnodded.
."i
t'
ssoobvi
ousyoucher
ishMr
sIr
ish
somuch"
"Ofcour se, she'
soneoft henicestpeopl eI'
ve
met ,
shedoesn' teventr
eatmel iket hemaidiam, al
l
thankst oher ..
mysal ar
ygotincr eased,ican
comf ortablypaymydaught er'
sf eesandassi stwit
h
therentandst il
lhavesomemoneywi t
hme. .Mrs
Iri
shdeser vestobecher i
shed"Mar i
asaidandEr yn
smi l
ed, wishingshewast heonei nMar i
a's
place,shesomuchwi shedtobecl osetoIri
shalso.

"Willyoust
opthechitchatandgether
etowashthe
dishes"TheheadcooksaidtoEryninafi
rmtone
andshequi ckl
yscur
riedover.

_
__

"
Goodmorni
ngever
yone"Et
hangr
eet
edashe
wal
kedi
ntot
hedini
ngroom.
"
Goodmor
ning".
..
"Goodmorningpr
incess"Hesmil
edandpecked
Ari
nonbothcheeks,shegiggl
edandt
ouchedhi
s
hai
rfondl
y.
"Goodmor
ningDaddy,
howwasyourni
ght
?"She
asked.
"
Great
"Hesmi
led.
"Goodmorni
ngbrother"Jessi
casaidandhenot
iced
hersmi
leweredi
fferentthesedays.
Theywerebri
ghterandhappi
er,
shelookshappy
everyt
imeheseesherandheknewsomet hi
ngwas
goingon.He'
sgoingtoaskheraboutitl
ater
.
"
Goodmor
ningJessy,
howwasyourni
ght
?"
"
Ser
ene"Jessi
casmi
led.
"
Obvi
ousl
y"Et
hannodded.

Hejoinedt
hem ashet ookaseatandt
heyal
l
st
artedeat
ingbreakf
ast.

_
__
Jessi
caandAri
nleftf
orschoolaft
erbr
eakf
ast
whil
eEthanal
solef
tforoneofhiscompani
es.

Hi
semployeesgr
eetedhim ashewal
kedpastt
hem
wi
thhi
sbodyguards.JavadandRob.

Moi ra,
hissecr
etarypl
acedacupofcof f
eeonhi s
tableandsetaboxofsugarcubes,alongsi
dea
cartonofcream withapl
ast
icspoonf ewminutes
afterhegotsett
ledinhi
slar
gelyfur
nishedoff
ice.

"ThanksMoira"Et
hansai
dtoherandshesmi
led
beforewal
kingoutofhi
soff
ice.
Hepreparedhi
scoff
eeashewantedandsi
ppedi
t
ashewor kedonhi
slapt
op,
hedoesn'
thavemucht
o
dotoday.
Hewouldhavepr
efer
redt
ost
ayhomei
fIr
ishwas
st
il
lathi
shouse.
Stayi
nghomewithoutherisj
ustl
ikebei
ngboredto
deathandhe'
l
lkeepthi
nkingofherever
ysecond.
He'
llgett
oseeheragai
n..
.he'sassur
edshehadtol
d
hi
mt obepati
entbuthi
spatienceiswear
ingt
hin.
Hemi
ssedhersomuch.
Thehousedoesn'
tevenf
eel
thesamewi
thouther
.
Hedoubti
fhe'
lll
ethergoaft
erhesetshiseyeson
her
.Andtothi
nkshe'scar
ryi
ngherbaby!Oh..
.

Ir
ishhadn'
tlef
thimforMor ganbecausehedr
opped
heroffi
ntherainnorbecausehermum fel
lsi
ck.
Shei
sobviousl
ydoi
ngthi
sforar
easonandhe
hopeshe'
l
lbedonesoonandcomebacktohi
m.
Shehadassuredhi
mtobepatient,
meani ngshe'
ll
becomingbacktohi
m eveni
fit'
snotsoonbut
event
ual
lyandhehasbeenpati
entlikeshe'
dsaid.

Hehadcrossedpat
hswithBl
ainei
n,oneof
Morgan'
sbodyguar
dthathehadgi
vensomemoney
t
otakecar
eofhi
msel
f.
Hehadn'
tevenr
ememberedBl
ainewhenhegr
eet
ed
hi
m,i
twasRobwhoremindedhi
m.
HehadwentoutwithRobanddecidedtostopbya
j
ewelrystor
eandgetsomeforhi
smot herandMrs
Gabr
iell
e.

Blai
nehadthankedhim pr
ofusel
yfort
hemoney
andEthanwasevengladtoseehehadaddedsome
weight
,hehadputthemoneyt ogooduse.
Hetol
dhim Cat
her
inehadsenthi
mtoherj
ewel
er
andt
hatheneededt
or unal
ong.
Et
hanwonder edhowIr
ishwoul
dbecopi
ngin
Catherine'
sdenandhadtol
dBlai
net
oplease
protecther.
HemadeBl ai
neknowhe' sfreetor ef
use,he
shouldn'tf
eelindebtedtohim becausehehadonce
givenhim cash,heshoulddowhat everisproperbut
Blainehadagreedt oprotectIr
ishwi t
houthesitat
ion
andEt hanwasgl ad,knowingIrishwi l
lbesafe.
Theknockonhi
sof
fi
cedoorj
olt
edhi
m outofhi
s
thought
s.
Henot i
cedhi
scoffeehadgonewar
m andt
he
cream nowfl
oatedonthetop.
Hedr
anki
tanyway.

Theknocksoundedagai nandheal
mostscolded
hi
mselfforf
orgett
ingitwasaknockthathasjol
ted
hi
mf r
om histhoughts.
Someonewasbyt
hedoor
.
I
tshoul
dbeMoi
raorJavadorRobbi
ns.
Hehadn'
tgivenanyoneappoint
menttodayand
eveni
fsomeonewant st
oseehi m,Moir
awould
havecal
ledhimtoinf
orm hi
m befor
ehand.

"
Comei
n"Hesai
d.
I
twasMoi
ra.

"
MrEt han,someonedroppedthi
sandleftwit
hout
wait
ingtoseeyou"Moi r
asaidhol
dinganenvelope
wit
ht hewords'pri
vat
eandconfi
denti
al'
print
edon
i
tinboldlett
ers.
"
Ohh..
dropi
tanddi
dyousaidtheper
sonl
eft
wit
houtaword?
"Et
hanasked.
"YesMrEt
han,
heonlytol
dmet
omakesur
ethi
s
getst
oyou"Moi
rasaid.
"
Alr
ight
,youcanl
eave"Et
hansai
d.

Thi
sisn'
tthef
ir
stt
imehe'
l
lber
ecei
vingsuch.

Hepickedt
heenvel
opeaf
terMoi
ral
eftandt
orei
t
open.
Heopenedt
hepi
eceofpaperi
nitandi
treads;
"I
fyousi
gnMAIphar maceuticalscontr
act,
you'
llget
adeposi
tofeightmil
li
ondollarsandayearlypayof
overt
enmill
iondoll
arsfort
rademar ksri
ght.
"
Pl
easeconsi
der
.

MAI
.

Ethansmi
led,knowi
ngthere'
smor
etot
hecont
ract
thanmoney,hewouldneversi
gni
t.
Hecrumbledthepaperandrol
ledi
tint
oaball
befor
ethr
ashingitint
hethr
ashcan,deposi
tedat
theedgeofhisoff
ice.

Hehasneveri
nvol
vedhi
msel
fini
ll
egaldeal
sand
hewoul
dneverdosuch.
Hecal
ledMoi
raandaskedhert
ocomei
n.

"Theenvel
opewasfr
om MAIpharmaceut
ical
s
again.
.t
heywantmetosi
gnthei
rcont
ractand
of
fer
edahugesum ofmoney"
"Ohh.
."Moir
asighed,
knowi
ngit'
snotsomet
hing
unusual
,i
thappensal
mostever
ytime.
Ethanmi ghthavebeent hinki
ngofsigningthe
contractbutnowt hattheysecret
lysenthimthat
offertwice,
hewoul dneversignit
,regar
dlessoft
he
moneyi nvolved.
Theyonl
yrui
nedt
hei
rchanceofpar
tner
ingwi
thhi
m.

"
Thi
sist
hesecondt
ime"Moi
rasai
d.
"
Yeah!
"Et
hansai
d.
"It
hinkt
hey'
renotawaret
hati
ftheyreal
lywantto
part
nerwit
hyou,t
heyshoul
ddoittheri
ghtandlegal
way"Moirasai
d.
"Ofcour
seandpl easehelpmemakeresearchon
thephar
maceutical,andgetbackt
ome,iwantto
knowthereasont heybadl
ywantmetosignthe
contr
act
"Ethansai d.
"OkayMrEthan"Moir
asaid,
shepickedthet
rayshe
hadservedthecof
feebef
orewalkingoutof
Et
han'
ssof
fi
ce.

Ethancall
edJavadinandtol
dhimtogotothe
securi
tydepar
tmentandchecktheCCTVf
orthe
manwhocamet odroptheenvel
ope.
"
OkayMrEt
han"Javadsai
d.
"Andgatherever
yinf
ormati
onyoucan,
abouthim"
EthansaidandJavadnoddedbef
orewalki
ngoutof
hisoff
ice.

~
Name~~ Li
am Per
ri
ne.

Age~~34

Hei
ght
~~5'
8

Addr
ess~~44hopeSt
reet
.Cal
if
orni
a.
Job~~Secr
etser
viceagent
.

"Ohh.
.he'
sonlyasecretservi
ceagenthir
edtodoas
he'
stold"Et
hansaidaftergoi
ngthroughthepr
ofi
le
Javadboughthi
m.
"
YesMrEt
han"Javadsai
d.
"Al
ri
ght,
youcanl
eave"Et
hansai
dandhenot
iced
Javadhesi
tat
ed.
"
What
?"Heasked.
"Ij
ustwantedt
oaskhowI ri
shis?Haveyou
contact
edher?
"Javadasked,notf
eel
ingwor
ri
edas
helooked.
"Wel
lno"Ethansai
d,heknewhowmuchIri
shdi
dnot
tr
ustJavad,andhewouldn'
twantt
otel
lhi
m
anyt
hingabouther.
"Ohh.
.wellyoulookl
ikeyou'
veheardfrom her,
you'
relookinghappythesedays"Javadsmiled.
"
Uh.
.youcanl
eavenowJavad,
Ist
il
lhavet
otendt
o
somewor
k"Et
hansai
d.

Javadnoddedandquiet
lywalkedoutofEthan's
off
ice,
hehadthoughtEthanhadcontact
edI r
ishor
whatelsewoul
dmakehi mlooklesssad,hashe
gott
enoverheral
ready?
Hest
il
ldoesn'
ttr
ustI
ri
shbei
ngpar
toft
hem.
Sheseemssogood-hear
tedt
oinvolveher
sel
fint
he
ki
ll
ingofEt
han,
themansheloves.
Eveni
fshenowhat
ehi
m,hedoubti
fshe'
l
lever
wanthi
m dead.
HewishesMorganwoul
dreal
lyt
hinkdeepabout
i
nvol
vingIr
ish.

Wel
l.
..
hehasal
ready.

_
___
_
"Whatdi
dyoujustsay?"Morganshout
edont
he
phoneandCat
herineandIr
ishstar
edathi
m.
Theywer
ewatchi
ngamoviewhenher
eceiveda
cal
landf
rom t
hel
ookoft
hings,
somet
hingiswr
ong.

I
ri
shconti
nuedstar
ingatt
heTVevent
houghher
mindwasnotther
e.
I
t'sjustt
wodaysl ef
tandshe'
syettogetwhatshe
real
lywanted,she'syett
oconf
irmifMorganor
Catheri
neisinvolvedinCar
rl
e'
sdeath.
Catheri
nenowstuckwithMor
gan,del
iber
atel
y
prevent
ingherf
rom havi
ngapri
vat
emomentwi t
h
hi
m.

"Ican'
tbel
ievet
his"Mor
gansai
dashedr
oppedt
he
call
.
Hewasl
ooki
ngsoangr
y.
"
What
'swr
ong?
"Cat
her
ineasked.
"Youwon'tbeli
evetheMAIpharmaceuti
cals
contr
actibadlywantedandevenspentmoneyon
wasof f
eredtoEthanonaplatt
erofgoldandthe
damnedmanr ej
ectedi
t"Morganbarkedfur
iousl
y.
"
Real
ly?
..Gosh!
"Cat
heri
nesighed,
thi
sisn'
tthef
ir
st
t
imet
hiswouldbehappeni
ng.
Morganspendsalott
obeawar
dedacontr
actand
t
heyendupbeggingEthanf
ori
twhi
chEthan
mostl
yref
uses.
That'
sactual
lyoneofthereasonsMorgan
det
estedhi
m. .
.hehatedthef
actthatEt
haneasi
ly
gott
hingshest r
iveshar
dtoget.

"
I'
m goi
ngt
ohi
sof
fi
cenow!
"Mor
ganr
oset
ohi
s
f
eet.
"Youmustn'
tcreat
eascenethere,
don'
tmakehi m
seehowdesperateyouar
eforthecont
ractokay?"
Cather
ineadvi
sedandhenodded.
I
ri
shsatwithoutsayi
ngawor
dandCat
her
ine
l
ookedathermenacingl
y.

"
Didn'
tyouhearwhatjusthappenedhuh?Morgan
l
ostacontr
actworthmill
ionsofdol
lar
stoEthan
whoendedupreject
ingitandyoucouldn'
tut
tera
wor
dofconsol
ati
on"Cat
her
ineaccusedf
ier
cel
y.
"
Iwasaboutt
o..
."I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Indeed"Cat
her
iner
oll
edhereyes.
"Et
hanr eject
edthecont
ract
,ther
e'ssti
llsomehope
i
t'l
lbecomeyour s.Youdon'
thaveto..
.gotohi
s
offi
ce"Iri
shsaidtoMorgan.
"Ineedto,beforeheget sswayedbyt heof f
erand
acceptthecontractwhol eheartedly"Morgan
groanedandI ri
shsi ghed, knowingEthanwouldn'
t
evengobackonhi swor ds,hemusthavehada
reasontorejectthecont ractandwhatof ferwoul
d
maket heweal t
hiestmani nCalifor
niasi
gnt he
contracthehadr ejected.
Mor
ganknowst
hatal
so,
he'
sjustobsessedwi
th
j
eal
ousy.

"
Ishoul
dgogetdr
essed"Mor
gansai
d.
"Putonthetuxyougotfr
om Ana'
sstor
eyest
erday"
Cather
inesaidandMorgannoddedwit
hasmile.
Hehur
ri
edt
ohi
sroom andcameoutf
ull
ydr
essed
af
tersomemi
nut
es.
"Youlookgr
eat"I
ri
shsmiled,knowingMor gani
s
abouttogogetspankedwithEthan'ssavagewords.
"
ThanksI
rene"
Mor
gansmi
led.
Seei
nghowdr essedheis,onewoul
dn'
tbel
ievehe'
s
aboutt
ogoscavengef oracontr
actsomeoneelse
hadrej
ectedandnotjustsomeonebuthi
sex
brot
herandrawenemy

Woah.

"Youshouldmakehi m seeyou'renotdesperat
ef or
thecontr
act..
justmakeitcleart
ohi mthatyouonl y
wantit
,he'
sani cedummy, hemi ghtt
alktothem on
yourbehalfandyou'l
lbeawar dedthecontract
"
Cather
inesaid.
"
OkayCat
,ishoul
dhur
ryal
ong"Mor
gansai
d.

_
_
Et
hanwasabitsur
pri
sedwhenhewasi
nfor
med
Morganwasar
oundandwantedt
oseehi
m.
Heknewhecametot
aunthim aboutI
ri
shbei
ngi
n
hi
shousebutEt
hanl
ethi
mi nanyway.
Hesomet
imeswonderhowpet
tyMor
gancanbeat
t
imes.

"Goodday"Mor
gansai
dashewal
kedi
ntoEt
han'
s
off
ice.
Ethangl
ancedupathim andsmi
led.
.hewas
deter
minednott
oall
owMor ganmockhim.
"I
'
m sogladyoudi
dn'tmadeafusstodayabout
comingi
nwi t
hyourbatt
ali
on"
Ethanchuckl
edand
Morganglar
edathi
m.

"
I'
m nother
etoj
okeEt
han"Mor
gansai
d.
"
Okay,
whatdoyouwant
?"Et
hanasked.
"
MAIphar
maceut
ical
scont
ract
..
ihear
ditwas
awar
dedt
oyouandyour
eject
edi
t"
"
Areyouher
etof
ightmeovert
hat
?"Et
hanasked.
"Ij
usthavet
oletyouknowthatispentsomucht
o
beawardedthatcont
ract
"
"Ohh..
andi tdi
dn'
tendupgetti
ngawardedt oyou.
.
that
'sprett
ybadbutdoyouact ual
lyhavetospend
moneyt obeawar dedcont
ract
s,whydon'tyoulet
yourwor ksandreput
ati
onspeakforyou.Youdon't
needthatMor gan"Et
hansaid.
"Whatidonotneedr
ightnowi
syourst
upi
dwor
ds
ofser
mon!"Morgansaid.

"Okay.
.sodidyoucameal lthewayt ot
ellmeyou
spentalotonacontractandi twasn'
tawar dedto
youintheend?And...
lookslikeyou'
regoingt oa
part
yaf t
erl
eavinghere"Ethansaidscanning
Morgan'swear.
Hewaswearinganexpensi
vel
ookingt
uxedowith
gr
eatshoesandhi
shairwasst
yledinacoolway.
Heobvi
ousl
ydi
dn'
tdr
esst
hiswayj
ustt
ocomet
o
hi
sof
fi
ce.

"
What
ever
..
.t
hatcont
ract
,iwanti
t"Mor
gansai
d.
"
Thengopaymor
emoney"
Ethant
aunt
ed.
"Wel
l.
.nowthatyou'
ver
eject
edi
t,
I'
m sur
eit
'l
lbe
awar
dedt ome"
"Thenyoushoul
dgowai tti
lli
t'
sawardedt
oyou,
youshouldn'
tbeher
e."Ethansaid.
"Iwant
edyoutoknowofmyint
ent
ion,
soyouwon'
t
gobackonyourwordst
osi
gnthecontr
act
"
"Ican'tdothat,
theof
fersoundedi ll
egalandiwould
adviseyounott oal
sotaket hecontractsoitwon'
t
putyoui ntodeepshi
t"Ethanadvised,Mor ganwas
hiskidbrotherandhewoul dn'tal
lowthefeud
betweent hem makehim wat chMorgangethi msel
f
i
nvol vedinadeepshit.
"
Saveyouradvi
cef
orl
ater
,I'
mtaki
ngt
hecont
ract
"
"
That'
syourbusi
ness..
iguessyou'r
edonewit
h
whatyou'
reher
efor.Youcanleave"Et
hansai
d.
"Well
..
howdoesi
tfeelt
oknowI ri
sh'
sinmyplace
aft
eryoubr
aggedaboutnotloosi
nghertome,she
evencametomewi l
li
ngl
y..
wow"Mor ganmocked.
"Areyoudone?"EthanaskedandMor
ganwas
disappoi
ntedt
oseeEt hanwasn'
tabi
taf
fect
edby
whathejustsaid.
"Haveyougot tenoverheralr
eady?Iguessyou
didn'
treal
lyloveherli
keyoucl ai
med.Iknewhow
youweptf orCatheri
neformont hsli
keshewas
dead"Morgansai dandEt hanlaughed.

"Justsoyouknow,
il
oveI
ri
shmor
ethanil
oved
Catheri
ne"Et
hansai
d.
"
Butyoudi
dn'tseem abi
taf
fect
edt
hatshe'
sgone"
Mor
gansaid.
"Doihavetol
ookaff
ect
ed?Wel
l.
.maybeit
's
becauseshecont
act
edme"Et
hansmi l
ed.
"What
!She.
.did?
"Mor ganasked,
tryi
ngt
obel
ievehe
hadhear
dwr ongly.
"Ofcourse,whi l
einyourhouse"Ethangr
inned,
enjoyi
ngt helookofdespairi
nMor gan'
seyes
withoutreal
izingwhathejustdid.

Ther
ewassi
lenceforsomesecondsandthatwas
whenEt
hansensedhehadsaidsomethi
ngwr ong.
Perhaps,I
ri
shdoesn'
twantMorgant oknowshe
contact
edhim andnowhehasspi l
ledi
tjustt
o
provehestil
lhasastandi
nherli
fe.
Damni
t.
.Ir
ishmi
ghtbesopi
ssed.
Whendi
dhet
urnabl
abber
mout
h?

"
Wel l
..
.shecontact
edmetoremindmeofhow
muchshehat esmenow..
iwassohurt
"Et
han
f
eignedapai nedexpr
essi
onandMorgansmi
led.
"Iknewshewoul dnevercont
actyouforanyot
her
reason,Shehatesyousomuchnow, wit
hpassi
on
andi t
'
ssogreattotel
lyoushe'snowinlovewi
th
me" Morgangri
nned.
"
Wow,
congr
atul
ati
onbr
other
..
."Et
hansai
d.
"
Iwi
shyoumeani
t"Mor
gansmi
rked.

"Icanseeyou'r
edonewi t
hwhatyoucameheref
or,
canyoukindlyleavenow,
ther
e'ssomuchwor
kto
do"Ethansai
d.
"Ican'
tbel
ieveabil
li
onair
el i
keyoui sst
il
l
alt
ernat
ingshif
tsi
nhi scompani esandworki
ng
hardli
keapauper.Youst i
llhaven'
t
changed"Morgangroaned.
"Youcangetpeopl
etodothisshi
tsf
oryou,
you
don'
thavetoworkever
yday"Headded.
Ethanshr ugged"Ican'
tgetpeoplet odorunmy
compani esformewhenI '
m stil
lsostrongt
oandof
courseihavemanager sineachofmycompani es
andtheydot hei
rworks,t
hatdoesn'tmeanishould
si
tathomei deall
yknowinghowmuchmyef fort
wouldcont ri
butetothesuccessofmycompani es.
Andyoushoul dknowil i
kedoingthings
myself.
.onlythenam isatisf
ied"Ethanexpl
ained.
"Ever
ythi
ngyoust atedisnot
hingbutasi
ll
y
excuse..
.You'
rejustusedtoworki
nghardl
ikea
nobodyrightfr
om whenwe' r
eYoung!"
"
Wow.
.t
hat
'
sahugecompl
iment"Et
hansmi
led.
"
Youshoul
dtendtothi
ngsyour
sel
fifyour
eal
ly
wantt
osucceed"Et
hanadded.
"Asmuchasihat
etoadmiti
tyou'
vesucceeded
alr
eady"
Mor
ganscoff
ed.
"
No,
thi
sisj
ustthebegi
nni
ng"Et
hansai
dmucht
o
Mor
ganchagr
in.

Hear
ingt
heweal
thi
estmaninCali
for
niasay'
thi
sis
j
ustt
hebegi
nni
ng'pi
ssedhi
m off
.
Doeshewantt
otakeovert
hewor
ld!
He'
sgladhehadmadepl
anst
ocl
earhi
m of
fthi
s
Ear
th!
So,
ther
e'snot
hingt
owor
ryabout
.
Ethanisgoi
ngtocont
inuehi
shar
dworki
nhell
..
.t
he
thoughtal
onebr
oughtasmil
etoMor
gan'
sface.
"
Areyoudone?
"Et
hanasked.
"
Ofcourseandit
'sapleasur
et oeasi
lyrobyouof
t
hetwowomenyou' veeverloved"Morgansai
dwith
asmir
kbeforest
rol
lingoutofEthan'
soffi
ce.
"
Dunder
head"Et
hansai
dunderhi
sbr
eat
h.

_
___

Ohmy!WhathaveEt
handi
d?
[
05/09,07:
37]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense
Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
70

Hequi
ckl
ypi
ckedhi
sphoneandt
ext
edI
ri
sh.

"Hi
..
iki
ndaspi l
ledi
ttoMorgant
hatyoucontacted
me,idon'tknowwhat'sgoi
ngonbutfr
om thelook
onhisface,iguesshe'
snotsopl
easedtohearthat.

Knowinghewoul dgethomeandprobablyconf
ront
youabouti
t,igavehim anexcuset
hatyouonly
contact
edmet oremindmeofhowmuchyounow
hateme.

Ihopeyou'
resaf
eoverther
e?AndI
'
m bei
ngpat
ient
l
ikeyoutol
dmet o.Imi
ssyousomuch.
 Har
old.

I
ri
shsi
ghedandsmi
ledaf
tershewasdoner
eadi
ng
t
hemessage.
Herheartwasal mosti nherthr
oatwhensher ead
thepartEthantol
dMor ganthatshecontact
edhim
butthenshef el
trel
ievedseeingtheexcuseEthan
gaveMor gan,who'ssodumbt obeli
eveeveryt
hing.

She'ssogladEthanhadmessagedhertoi
nform
herbeforehandorshewoul
dhavegivenMorgana
di
fferentexcuseandhewoul
dsuspectsomethi
ng
wasof fandtrytodi
gint
oit
.
Ethanactsl
ikeheknowsofherplans,
coul
dCarl
havetoldhi
m?No, Car
lwoul
dn'tdothatwi
thout
i
nformingherfi
rst
.
Ethanmightj
ustbecomf ort
edbythefactt
hatshe
hadtol
dhimtobepat ient
,hedef
ini
tel
yknewshe's
comingbacktohim andshe'sgl
adhe'sbei
ng
pat
ientl
ikeshewant
s.
He'ssounderstandingandt er
ri
fi
c!andshewouldn'
t
denythefactthathe'ssoluckytohavehis
heart
..
she'
sdamnl uckyandshei sn'
tgonnadi
tch
hi
mf oranythi
ngi ntheworld.

"
Gett
hehelloutofhere!
"Cat
heri
neyel
ledatoneof
t
hemaidsandthatbroughtI
ri
shbackt
or eal
it
y.
Shewasst i
llseat
edwithCather
inei
nt heli
ving
room whokeptchangingchannelst
oof f
endherbut
shedidn'
tmi ndatal
lcauseshewasn'teven
focusedontheTV.
Hermi
ndandt
hought
swer
efaraway.
Mari
astoodbesi
deher,
shedar
ednotsi
tbecause
Cat
heri
newasthere.

"
Doyouwantwat
er?
"Mar
iaaskedandI
ri
shnodded.
Mar
iaqui
ckl
ylef
ttogetwat
erf
orher
.
Thecloserel
ati
onshipbet weenIr
ishandMar i
awas
noti
ceabl
eandt hatpissedCatheri
neoff,
though
shefeel
sthere'
sstil
labi tofhopetoknowwhat
Ir
ishdoesthr
oughMar ia.
She'
ssosureMari
aknowssomet
hingtheydonot
knowaboutI
ri
shandshe'
sgoi
ngtoaskherabouti
t
l
ater
.

ShewatchedI
ri
shwit
hgreatdi
sli
keasshegul
ped
thewat
erMari
apour
edforher.
She'
ssoangrythatIr
ishwhowasnothingt
hana
maidinEt
han'smansionnoworderherown
worker
saround,she'
sevenaboutt
otakeherpl
ace!
Shewoul
dneveral
l
owt
hat
.
ShesomuchregretshehadmadeIr
enefeel
wel
comethef
irstti
meshesteppedherf
eeti
nher
e.

Shoul
dn'
tshehaveami
scar
ri
ageal
ready?
Whyi
sthepoi
sont
aki
ngsol
ongt
owor
k!
Theyhear
dcarsscr
eecht
ohal
tsandt
heyknew
Morganwasback.
Cat
her
inesatupr
ight
,br
aci
ngher
sel
f.
Shesi
ppedali
tt
lefr
om t
hewi
nei
nfr
ontofherand
cl
ear
edhert
hroat.

Morganwalkedi
nwithbodyguardsasusualandhe
t
oldever
yoneofthem t
oleave.
.
"Ihopeyoudidn'
tmakehim seehowdesper
ateyou
areforthecont
ract
?"Cat
heri
nepoppedthefi
rst
questi
on.
"No,
butobvi
ousl
yimadehimt
akehi
shandsof
fthe
cont
ract
"Morgansmi
led.
'
i
ndeed'
Iri
shsai
dinwar
dly.
"
So.
..
thecont
racti
syour
snow?
"Ir
ishasked.
"Automati
call
y"Morgangr
inned..
"Et
hanr
efusedt
o
signitso.
.I
'l
lbethenexti
t'
llbeawar
dedt
o"
"
Didyoucar
edtoknowthereasonEt
hanr
eject
ed
t
hecontr
act
?"I
ri
shasked.
"Heclaimeditseemsill
egalandheevendared
advisedmenott oaccepti
tsoiwon'tgetmysel
fin
adeepshi t
..
hewantsmet or ej
ecti
tcausehealso
did.Whatajoker"Morgansighed.
"Iwoul
dalsoadviseyoudon'
tacceptt
hecont
ract
..
Ethanwouldn'
thavehesi
tat
edinsigni
ngi
tifi
twas
l
egal"I
ri
shsaid.
"Justshutup!Whatdoyouknowaboutcont
ract
s?
You'rej
ustaschooldr
opoutandananny!"
Catheri
nelaughedmocki
ngl
y.
"
C'monCat
"Mor
ganscol
ded.
"
I'
m sor
ryaboutt
hatI
ri
sh"Mor
gant
urnedt
oher
.
"I
t'
sfi
ne,I
'
mjustaschooldr
opoutandanannyl
ike
shesai
d."

"
I'
llbegoi
ngt
omyr
oom"I
ri
shst
oodup.
"Areyou.
..
upsetoverwhatCat
her
inesai
d?"Mor
gan
asked.
"
Notatal
l.
.ij
ustneedanap"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
Alr
ight
,wi
llyoubef
ine?
"
"
Ofcour
se"I
ri
shnodded.
"
AndEt
hansai
dyoucont
act
edhi
m..
"Mor
gansai
d.
"What
!"Cat
heri
neexclaimed."It
oldyoushe'
snotto
betr
usted!
"Sheadded,prepar
edtogetonherfeet
.
"Yeahidi
d,t
oremindhi
m ofhowmuchinowhate
him andt
oerasehist
hought
sofmeevercomi
ng
backtohi
m. "
"
Lies!You'
real
iar
"Cat
her
ineshout
ed.
"She'snot,
Ethansai
dthesamet
hing"Mor
gan
smiled,I
ri
shhadprovedtr
ust
wor
thyonceagai
n.
Cat
her
inebr
eat
hedheavi
lyandgl
aredhar
datI
ri
sh.

"
Canigot
akemynapnow?
"Ir
ishasked.
"
Ofcour
sedear
est
"Mor
gansmi
led.

_
__
Et
hanwal
kedint
ohi
sli
vingr
oom andAr
inj
umped
onhi
sbodyi
mmediat
ely.
"
HiDad"Shesmi
ledandEt
hanpi
ckedherup.
"
Howar
eyoupr
incess?
"Heki
ssedhercheeks.
"
Ver
yfi
ne"Shesai
d.

"Heybr
other,howwaswork?
"Brot
heraskedwi
tha
smil
e,walki
ngintot
hel
ivi
ngroom.
"
Itwasgr
eat
"Et
hansmi
ledather
.
Thatbr
ightsmi
lei
sst
il
lpl
ast
eredal
loverherf
ace.
HedroppedAr
ingent
lyont
hecouchandt
urnedt
o
her
.
"Comet omyr oom l
aterandtel
lmether
eason
you'
relookingsobri
ghtthesedays"Het
easedand
Jessi
cal aughed.
"Igotsomemacaroonsandcakesontheway,you
bothcanhavei
t"Ethansai
dandmotionedJavadto
giveitt
othem.
JessicaandAr
insqueal
edoveritwhil
eEthan
smiledandwal
kedtohisroom t
ofreshenup.

_
__

"
Heybrot
her
"Jessi
cawalkedint
oEthan'
sroom
whi
lehewasbl
ow-dryi
nghishai
r.
"Li
tt
leSi
s"Ethansai
d,handi
ngt
hedr
yert
ohert
o
hel
phim conti
nuewit
hit.
Shecoll
ect
editandstoodbehindhi
m andt
hen
cont
inuedf
rom wherehestopped.
Et
hanstar
edatherhappyf
acei
nthemi
rr
orand
smi
led.

"What'
swi
tht
hegl
owonyourf
acer
ecent
ly?
"He
asked.
"
Wel
l.
..
"Jessi
casmi
ledshyl
y.
"
Hmm. .
.ar
eyouupt
osomet
hingnast
y?"Et
han
t
eased.
"No,
wel
l.
.youknowRyan.
.youmetwithhi
m when
youwer
eatArusha'
sapar
tment"Jessi
casai
d.
"
Ohh.
.yeah,
thesmar
tguy"Et
hansai
d.
"
I'
m dat
inghi
m"Jessi
casai
dwi
thouthesi
tat
ing.
"
Uh.
.ohh"Et
hannoddedandsmi
led.
"
Doyoul
ikehi
m?"Heasked.
"
Somuch"Jessi
ca'
sfacewasbeami
ngwi
thl
ove.
"He'
sagoodguy. .
fr
om theli
tt
leiknowabout
him,he'
ssmart
,goodlooki
ngandambi ti
ous.Good
foryou"Et
hanwinkedandgavehert humbup.
Jessi
cagr
inned.

"
But.
.idon'
twantyoubot
hdoingthi
ngsyou'
renot
meanttodookay?"Et
hansai
d,soundi
ngabitst
ern.
Jessi
canodded.
."Tr
ustmebr
other
,iwon'
tdosuch"
"
Itr
ustyouJessy"Et
hansmi
led.

"
Geez!Ist
il
lcan'
tbel
ievet
hat
'st
her
easonyou'
re
gl
owinghappi
ly.You'
reanastygi
rl
,ar
en'tyou"
Et
handraggedhernoseplayf
ull
yandtheyboth
l
aughed.

_
__

I
ri
shl
aughedhar
datt
hej
okeAr
ushaj
ustcr
acked.
Shewasonavi
deocal
lwi
thhi
m andMr
sHel
en.
AndAr
ushahasbeenmaki
ngherl
aughal
lal
ong.
Shereal
lymi
ssedhi
m andcan'
twai
ttoseehi
m
agai
n.

"
Whenareyoucomi
nghome?
"Ar
ushaaskedwi
tha
f
rown.
"
Soon,
Arusha.
"That'
swhatyoukeepsaying,idon'tl
ikethefact
thatyou'
rei
nthathouse,
he'sadanger ousmanand
you'r
enotsafe.
"MrsHelenexpr essedwor r
iedl
y.
"I
'
llbefineMum andI
'
llbehomesoon"I
ri
sh
assuredthem.
Theysi
ghed.

"
Ir
ish,
youknowil
ikeOl
ivi
ari
ght
?"Ar
ushaasked.
"Ofcourse,
I
'm gl
adyouf
inal
lyadmi
tt
edi
t"I
ri
sh
smiled.

"I
'm wai
ti
ngt omakesur eyou'r
ebacksaf ei nthe
housebefore..
.aski
ngheroutbecauseidon' tt
hink
I'
l
lwanttocont inuewitht her
elati
onshipi fanything
happenstoyouandshe' llbehurt,ireal
lylikeher
Ir
ishanditseemsshel i
kesmet oo,idon'twantt o
waitanymore,idon'twantt ol
oosehert oanyone"
Arushasaidandbot hI
rishandMr sHel encoul dtel
l
hewasser i
ous.
I
ri
shf
eltbadt
ohavebei
ngt
heonedel
ayi
nghi
m.
"Ar
usha,I
'm sosorry,
ipr
omisetobebackhome
soonandsafe.TrustmeArusha..
I'
l
lbebackhome
soon"I
ri
shsaid.
"OkaySis,
iknowyou'llbebacksoon,I
'm onl
y
wor r
iedaboutyoursafet
yinthathouse"Arusha
said.
"
Ihavepeopl
epr
otect
ingme"I
ri
shwhi
sper
ed,
onl
y
t
othei
rears.
"Real
ly?
"Mr sHel
enandArushaaskedinuni
son,
andtheylookedr
eli
evedwhenIr
ishnodded.

"
Now,
I
'mr
eli
eved"Ar
ushasi
ghed.
"
Never
theless,
wewantyoubackhomesoon"Mr
s
Hel
ensaid.
"
Okayma'
"Ir
ishsal
utedandt
heyl
aughed.

"I
ri
sh,
youwon'tbel
ieveArushakeepsdowni
ngyour
str
awber
ryj
uiceeveryday"MrsHelensai
d.
"
Geez!I'
m sogoi
ngt
okil
lyou!
"Ir
ishsaidandf
elt
l
ikedr
agginghi
sear
sfr
om thescreen.
Ar
ushapout
edandhi
dbehi
ndMr
sHel
en,
whowas
l
aughi
ng.

"HeyIr
ish"I
ri
shheardandt
urnedt
oseeMor
gan,
standi
ngbehindher
.
She'
sabitpi
ssedhehadn'tknockedbef
orecoming
i
nbutshedidn'
tquest
ionhim abouti
tanyway,
it'
s
hi
shouse.
"
Hey"Shesai
dtohi
m.
"
Isn'
tthatyourMum andbr
other
?Canispeakt
o
t
hem? "Morgansmil
ed.
"Ohh.
.yeah"I
ri
shturnedbacktoherphoneand
noti
cedtheyhaddisconnect
edthecal
l.

_
__
"
Ican'
tevert
alkt
othatwench!
"Mr
sHel
enhi
ssed.
"
Sameher
e"Ar
ushagr
oaned.

_
__
"Ohh.
.yeah"I
ri
shturnedbacktoherphoneand
noti
cedtheyhaddisconnect
edthecal
l.

Shet
urnedt
oMor
gan,
embar
rassed.
"Iguesstheythoughtyouwereheretoseemef
or
somet hi
ngimportantandtheydi
dn'twantt
o
i
nterrupt
"Iri
shquickl
ysaid.
"Ohh.
.it
houghtt
heydisconnectedi
tbecausethey
donotwanttotalktome.Howaboutwegot oyour
housetosayhitothem af
terourdat
e?Mor gan
suggest
ion
"
Adat
e?"I
ri
shaskedSur
pri
sed.
"Yeah..youknow, ahangout.
.thebot
hofus,I
plannedt osurpr
iseyouwithiti
ntwodaysti
me.
GuessIal readysai
dit"Morgansaid.
Hereal
lywant
edI
ri
sh'
sfami
l
ytol
ovehi
mli
ket
hey
l
oveEthan
"Oh.
.Okay"Ir
ishsmi
led,
knowingi
fherpl
anworks
out,
Mor ganwouldbegoingt
ojai
lri
ghtf
rom t
he
r
est
aur
ant
.
Ah!He'
sjustmaki
ngherpl
aneasi
er.
"
Doyouwantanyt
hing?
"Ir
ishasked.
"No,j
ustwannaspendsometimewithyou.
"Morgan
satbesideherandmadeherr
estherheadonhi
s
shoulder.
"Iknowyou'r
euncoolaboutwhatCat
her
inesai
d,I
'
m
sorryaboutt
hat
"Morgansaid.
"I
t'
sfineser
iously.I
'
velear
nednottotake
Catheri
ne'
swor dstoheart
"Ir
ishsmi
led.
"You'
rejustsodiff
erentf
rom otherwomenI
've
spentti
mewi th.You'r
especi
al"Morgansai
dand
Iri
shsmiled.
"You'
react
uall
yt hefi
rstmant otr
ustmethi
smuch
andmakemef eelsoloved.I'
m sogl
adtohave
madet her
ightchoice"I
rishsaid,
smoot
heninghi
s
hair
.

Mor
gan'
sheadf
eltl
ikei
t'
llspi
lli
ntot
wowi
thl
ove.
Ir
ishcoul
dseetheeffectherwor
dsandcarr
esshad
onhim andsheknewt hi
sisther
ightt
imet
oask
himtheaboutCarr
le'
sdeath.
"Youwereabouttel
l
ingmet hesimil
arplanJavad
andGladyscarr
iedoutforyouthatt
urnedouttobe
asuccessbefor
eCat her
ineint
err
upted"I
ri
shsaid.
"
Ohh.
.t
hat
?"Mor
ganasked.
"
Yeah"I
ri
shsmi
led.
"Youshouldn'
tbotheryourselfwi
tht
hat
,justknow
theyoncecarr
iedoutasi milarpl
anf
ormet hatwas
successf
ul"Morgansaid.
"Com' on,
areyoutryi
ngtohidethi
ngsfrom meagain?
Ain'tipartofyouguysanymore?Whyi severyone
treati
ngmel ikeanoutcast
"Iri
shsaid,
raisi
ngher
headf rom hisshoul
der.
Sheturnedfr
om him,pr
etendi
ngtobepissedwhi
le
shequickl
ygrabbedherphoneandcl
ickedonthe
recor
dingapp.
Itst
art
edrecor
dingandshest
eal
thi
lypl
acedi
tback
onthestool
.
"
Com'on,
don'
ttel
lmeyou'
repi
ssedovert
hat
"
Mor
gansaid,
makingherf
acehi
m.
Sher
eluct
ant
lydi
d.
"I
rish,
youdon'thavetoknowaboutourpast
plans,youshoul
djustfl
owwit
hthenewones"
Mor gansaid.
"Whydon'tihavetoknow?That '
sjustbecauseyou
don'
ttr
ustme, ionl
ywantyout ofi
llmeinont he
pasti
ncidencesoicant rustJavadandGl adysto
becapableofthisplan"
"
Theyare,
you'
regoi
ngtoseef
oryour
sel
fwhen
t
hey'
redonewi
thit
"Mor
gansai
d.
"I
sitsobadformetoknowaboutt hatpast
i
ncidenceandyouwereevenabouttell
ingme
befor
eCatheri
newal
kedinyester
day"Irishsai
d.

"Iwasn'tgoingtotel
lyouIri
sh,
i
t'
ssomethi
ng..
i
shouldn'tj
ustreveal
.Trustme,
youdon'
thaveto
know"Mor gansai d.
"Al
ri
ghtthen!Andt
othinkiwasstarti
ngtofeel
you'
retheonlymanwhohasevert rust
edmeand
l
ovedme.Iwaswr ongafteral
l!
"Ir
ishsaidcrossl
y
andmadet ogetupfr
om thecouch.

Mor
ganqui
ckl
yst
oppedher
.
"Al
ri
ghtsit
,I
'
m goingt otellyou"Mor
gansaidand
shealmostjumpedint heai ri
nexci
tementbutshe
coul
dn'tmakeMor ganseehowexci tedshefeelsor
he'
sgonnagetsuspi cious.
Sher
eluct
ant
lysatdownbesi
dehi
m.
"Thethingi
s,t
hefi
rstplanJavadandGladyscar
ri
ed
outthatwassuccessfulwast..
"Morganwassaying
whent heyheardaloudknockonthedoor.

"Justi
gnorei
tandcont
inuewhatyouwereaboutt
o
say"Ir
ishsai
d,t
ryi
ngnottosoundasdesper
ateas
shefelt.
TheknockgrewlouderandI
ri
sht
oldMor
gant
o
i
gnoreitagai
n.
"
It
soneoft
hemai
ds.
.iguess"Shesai
d.
"
Ohh.
.okay,
sot
hepl
anwascar
ri
edouti
n..
."
"Morgan!Ineedt
otalkt
oyounow.Openthi
sdamn
door,
whatthehel
lareyoudoi
ngi
nthere!
"Cather
ine
yel
led.
Mor
gansi
ghedl
oudl
y.
"
I'
llbebackI
ri
sh"Hesai
dashegott
ohi
sfeet
.
I
ri
shnoddedeventhoughshewassopi ssedt
hat
Cat
her
inehadint
errupt
edthem agai
n.

Morganwal
kedoutofherr
oom andshel
etouta
l
oudgroan.
Shepi
ckedherphoneanddi
scar
dedt
her
ecor
ding.

Justt
wodaysl
eft
!
Andshe'
syett
oknowthetr
uthbehi
ndCarl
le'
s
deat
handsomanyothercr
imesMorganhas
committ
ed.
Damni
t.

I
sCat
her
inedoi
ngt
hisi
ntent
ional
ly!

_
___

"
Whatt
hehelldi
dyoujustper
formedther
eCat!
"
Mor
ganyel
ledatCat
heri
neaftert
heygottoher
r
oom.
Hehaddr
aggedheral
lal
ong.
"Hey,you'
rehur
ti
ngme!
"Shesai
dandher
eleased
hisholdonher.
Hedr
oppedherhandandshewi
nced.
"
I'
m sor
ry"Hesai
d.
"What
ever
!"Shehi
ssedr
ubbi
ngt
hepar
tMor
gan
hadhel
dher.

"
WhatdoyouwantCat
her
ine?Di
dyoui
nter
rupt
ed
usonpur
pose?
"Mor
ganasked.
"
Yesandno"
"Expl
aint
hat
"Mor
gansai
dsi
tt
ingi
mpat
ient
lyonher
bed.
"Iknowbeingalonewithherwouldmakeyouspi
ll
thingsyou'
renotsupposedto?Yougrowweakli
ke
adeadpl antwheneveryou'
rewi
thher
"Cather
ine
claimed.
"Whatdoesthatmean?Iknowthethi
ngstosay
whenI'm wit
hherokay?Don'
tdar
eusethatasan
excusetoint
err
uptusagai
n"Morganwarned.
"Well
..
I'
llbel
eavi
ngforMexi
cot
omor
rowaf
ter
noon"
Cather
ineannouncedtohi
m.
"
Real
ly?Agai
n?"Mor
ganasked.
"Yeah,thatwaswhatiwant
edt ot
ellyoubutthat
witchtoldyounottoopenthedoorandifihadn'
t
yell
ed,youwouldn'
thaveopenedthedoor.What
wer eyoubothdoingint
herehuh?"Cather
ineasked.

"
Wewer
enotdoi
nganyt
hing!Okay.
"Mor
gan
cl
ear
ed.
"
Iwon'tbesurpri
sedi
fyouwer
escr
ewi
ngher
,she'
s
asl
ut"Cather
inesai
d.
Morganshookhi
sheadandsighed."Ican'
tbeli
eve
you'
rebei
ngthi
swaytoherj
ustbecauseEt han
rej
ect
edyou.Youwer
enicet
oherf rom thestar
t"
"ThatwasbecauseithoughtEthanwoul daccept
mebackbutf i
ndingoutshe'
st hereasonhe
rej
ectedmemadehehat eher.Hestil
llovesher"
Catheri
nesai
d.
"That'
snotherfaul
t!channelyourangeronEthan
whodeservesit,donotmakel if
eunbearabl
efor
I
r i
shinhere,
totheextentshe'
llwantt
oleave.
Please"Morgansaid.

"Andthat
'sther eason,i
'l
lbegoi
ngtocooloffmy
headinMexi co"Catheri
nesaidbutsheknowsdeep
withi
nherselfthatthat
'snott
hereason.
I
ri
shknowsshe'sbei
ngwatchedbyherand
Cat
her
ineknows,I
ri
shiswatchi
ngheral
so,I
ri
sh'
s
beingcaref
ulnott
omakeasuspi
ciousmovei
nher
presence.
PerhapsifIri
shseesshe'
sinMexi coandbeli
eve
she'snotbeingwatched,
she'l
lbeloosenupabi t
andCat her
inewouldknowwhat evershe'
shidi
ng
thr
ought heCCTVf oot
agethat'
l
lbeconnectedto
herlapt
op.

Ir
ishwoul
dfeelshe'
snotbei
ngwatchedanymor
e
andthenwal
krighti
ntot
hetrapshehadset.

Shesomuchwishshecansetupacamer ai
n
I
ri
sh'
sroom,
notjustt
hel
ivi
ngroom andcorr
idor
.
Butt
hedamngirli
ssmar tal
so,she'
l
ldi
scoverthe
cameral
ikeshedi
dthelastti
meandshowi tto
Morganwhowouldgetpissedather.
Thel
ivi
ngr
oom andcor
ri
dorshoul
dbeokayf
or
now.
Shecan'
tact
uall
ywai
ttoseewhatI
ri
sh'
shiding,
so
shecanshowitt
oMorganwhowouldki
llheror
ki
ckherouti
mmedi
atel
y.

"Well
..
ihopeyouwon'tt
ellthepi
lott
ostopt
heplane
whent hef
ootagegoesblank"Morganj
okedand
Cather
inelaughed.
"
Com'on.
.I
'mreal
lygoingthisti
me.Perhapswhen
I
'
m back,
I'
l
lgettoloveIr
ish"Cather
inesai
d.
"
That
'
llbegr
eat
"Mor
gansmi
led.

"Wel
l.
.aboutIr
ishcont
acti
ngEthan,
,don'
tyouthi
nk
somethingsoundsoffabouti
t"Cat
heri
nesai
d.
"
Idon'tt
hinkso,
theybot
hgavet
hesameexcuse"
Morgansaid.
"Theirexcuseseemsqui t
edumbt ome,whowould
contactsomeonej usttoremindthem ofhowmuch
they'
rehated"Catheri
near chedabrow.
"Ithappensandthatwasnottheonl
yr easonIri
sh
ment i
oned,sheal
sowantedtomakehi m erasethe
thoughtsofeverhavi
ngherbackagain.She'shead
overheelswi t
hmenow"Mor ganchuckled.
Wel
l.
.she'
l
lbewai t
ingi
nMexicotoheart
henews
t
hatI
ri
shfinal
lyhasamiscar
ri
age..
.

"
Forhowl
ongwi
llyoubegone?
"Mor
ganasked.
"
Twodays"Cat
her
inesai
d.
"
Wil
lyoubewatchi
ngt
hehouseact
ivi
ti
esonyour
l
apt
opagai
n?"
"
No"Cat
her
inel
ied,
tel
li
ngMorganmeansIri
sh
woul
dal
soknowandthatwouldr
uinherpl
an.
"
Areyousur
e?"Mor
ganaskedsuspi
ciousl
y.
"
Ofcour
se"Cat
her
inesai
d.
"
Alr
ight
,wi
llyoubeneedi
nganyt
hing?
"
"
Not
hing.
.f
ornow"Cat
her
inesai
d.
"
Okay,
ishoul
dgonow"Mor
gansai
d.
"Yeah,gomeett
hel
oveofyourl
if
e"Cat
her
iner
oll
ed
hereyes.
"
Uhm.
.i
sthatj
eal
ousyI
'
m sensi
ng?
"Mor
gant
eased.

Cat
her
ineshr
uggedasshesatont
hebed.
Shel
aidonherbackandst
aredatt
hecei
li
ng.
"Com'onCat,
you'r
est
il
lmyf
ir
standyou'
l
lfor
ever
be."Morganassur
ed.
"Uh..
that
?I'
m notwor
ri
edaboutt
hat,
iknowI'l
lsti
ll
gettoloveI
ri
shandwe'l
lal
ll
ivehappi
lyeveraft
er"
Catheri
nesmil
ed.
"
Good!
"Mor
gangr
inned.
'
yeah,
i
nyourdr
eams'
Cat
her
inesai
dinwar
dly.
"
Ilovet
hat
"Mor
gansai
d.
"Yeah,
youshoul
dgomeethernow,sheneedsyour
companymor et
hananybodyel
se"Cather
inesai
d.
"OkayCat
,seeyouoverdinner
"Mor
gansmi
led
befor
ewalkingoutofherroom.

Cat
her
inecal
ledi
nherper
sonalmai
dsandor
der
ed
them t
ostar
tpacki
ngt
hethi
ngsshe'
llbet
aki
ng
alongwit
hhertoMexi
cof
ortwodays.
Sheleftt
heroom, det
erminednott
omakeMorgan
andIr
ishhaveat i
met othemsel
vesbef
oreshe
l
eavesforMexico.
Emil
yandJessiewalkedaf
terherasshemadeher
waytothel
ivi
ngroom,shestoppedbyIri
sh'
sdoor
andconcl
udedther
ewasnoonei nther
ebecause
shecoul
dn'
thearasound.
Sheproceededtothel
ivi
ngr
oom anddi
dn'
tmeet
them t
hereei
ther
.

Sheaskedoneofthebodyguar
dswhot
oldhert
hey
werei
nthegarden.
Sheheadedt
her
efast
.

Morganwassippi
nghiswinewhi
leI
ri
sh'
sgl
asscup
ofwaterwasbesi
deher.
MariaandBl
aine,
oneofMorgan'
sper
sonal
bodyguar
dsstoodatadi
stance.
ThenovelI
ri
shwasr
eadi
ngbef
oreMor
gancamet
o
j
oinherl
aidont
hegr
ass.
Shedoesn'tevenknowhowt oapproachMorgan
overt
ell
ingherabouttheplanJavadandGl
adys
oncecarri
edoutcauseitseemsCatheri
net
oldhim
somethi
ngal r
eady.

"
Whyar
eyoul
ooki
ngwor
ri
ed?
"Mor
ganasked.
"
Am I
?"I
ishasked.
"
Ofcour
se"Mor
gansai
d.

"Hel
lo!Ithoughtishouldspendsometi
mewithyou
bothbeforeleavingforMexi
cotomorr
ow"Cat
heri
ne
smiled,approachingthem.
Shecaughtthehappyl
ookonI
rish'
sfaceeven
thoughi
tdisappear
edal
mosti
mmedi at
ely.
She'
sobvi
ousl
ygl
adt
ohearshe'
l
lbel
eavi
ngf
or
Mexi
co.
Cather
inei
ssocer
tai
nherpl
ani
sgoi
ngt
owor
kthi
s
ti
me.

_
_NextMor
ning_
__

Sunl
ightst
reamedint
oIri
sh'
sroom,she'
syett
o
openhereyesbutshecoul
dfeelt
hewar mt
hofthe
sunonherskin.
Sheremainedt
hatwayforsomeminutesbef
ore
f
inal
lyopeni
nghereyesandsit
ti
ngup.

There'
sonlyonedaylef
t.
..
thatwast
heonlyt
hought
thatcr
ossedhermindashereyesopenedcl
ear
ly.
Onedayl
eftandshe'
snotf
ull
ydonewi
thwhat
she'
sher
efor.
Shehasbeenhereforfi
vedaysnowandeven
thoughshehasgat
heredsomeevidences,
she
neededmore.
Heri
ntui
ti
onkeepst
ell
ingherMor
ganknowsabout
Car
rl
e'
sdeat
hbutshe'
syett
oconf
ir
mit
.
Cat
heri
nekeepscutt
ingin,
she'sgladshe'
l
lbeofft
o
Mexi
cothisaf
ter
noon,she'
llgettocoaxMorgan
i
ntospi
ll
ingwhatshewantshimt o.

Shestr
etchedasshesl
ippedherf
eeti
ntoher
foot
wear.
Sheadjust
edherpaj
amasandwal
kedi
ntot
he
bat
hroom.

Shewasf
ull
ydr
essedbyt
het
imeMar
iawal
kedi
nto
herr
oom.

"
Goodmor
ningma'
am"Mar
iasmi
led.
"Goodmor ni
ngMaria"Iri
shsai
d,shewasseat
edon
herdressi
ngchai
r,styl
ingherhair
.
"
Yourbr
eakf
asti
sready"Mar
iasai
d.
"
Real
ly?
"Ir
ishaskedgl
anci
ngatt
hewal
lcl
ock.
I
t'
sactual
lyt
imef
orbr
eakf
ast
..
.shehadgot
tenup
l
ate.
"ThanksMar
iaa,
I'
llbeatt
hedi
ningr
oom soon"I
ri
sh
saidandMari
anodded.

_
__

"Haveani
cetri
pdar
li
ng"Mor
ganki
ssedCat
her
ine
onherfor
ehead.
I
rishdi
dn'tsayawor d,
sheonlysat,
impat
ient
ly
waiti
ngforCather
indtoleavealr
eadysoshecan
getMorgant ospi
llt
hosethings.
"Iwantyoutoseemeof
ftot
heai
rpor
t"Cat
her
ine
saidtoMorgan.
'
Fuck!
'I
ri
shcur
sedunderherbr
eat
h.
It
'sjustf
eel
sli
keCat
her
ineknowsofherpl
ans
alr
eady.
"
Alr
ight
..
I'
l
lbebacksoon,
Iri
sh"Mor
gansai
d.
"
Okay"I
ri
shsai
d.
Cather
inewalkedoutofthel
ivi
ngroom wi
tht
woof
herpersonalmaidsandtwobodyguar
dsthat
'l
lbe
goi
ngwi thhertoMexico.
Morganst
eppedoutaf
terherandI
ri
shl
etouta
deepsi
gh.
Wel
l.
.he'
l
lbebacksoon,
ther
e'sst
il
lal
otoft
ime.

_
__

I
ri
shpat
ient
lywai
tedf
orMor
gani
nthel
ivi
ngr
oom.
Shehadt
houghti
t'
llt
akehim mi
nut
esbuti
t'
sgoi
ng
tot
wohoursandhe'snothomeyet
.
Cat
her
inel
eftby4:
30andnowi
t'
s6:
31!

Shesi
ghedasshepi
ckedherphoneandpl
aceda
cal
lacr
ossMor
gan.

"
HeyI
ri
sh.
."Hesai
d.
"Hey,whereareyou?"Sheaskedt
ryi
ngnott
omake
him sensethedesperat
ioni
nhervoi
ce.
"I
'
m onmywayhomeal ready,Cather
inestoppedby
alotofpl
acest
ogett
hings,thankful
ly,
she'
sgone
now"Morgansai
d.
"
Ohh.
.iwaswor
ri
ed"I
ri
shsai
d.
"I
'
m sorrytohavemadeyouworry"Mor gan
said,
withasmil
e.She'
sworri
edjustbecauseshe
didn'
tseehimfortwohour
s,t
hatsimplymeansshe
caresforhi
m.

"
It
'sf
ine"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
I'
llseeyousoonathomet
hen"
"
Alr
ightbye"
Ir
ishdisconnect
edt
hecal
landdr
oppedt
hephone
besideher.
He'
l
lbehomesoon,
shef
eltr
eli
eved.
ShewonderifCather
inei
sdel
iber
atel
yprevent
ing
herf
rom spendi
ngsomet i
mealonewithMorgan.
Well
..
whatever
,she'
l
lbeawayi
nMexi
coandwi
thout
i
nter
rupt
ingherandMorgan.

_
__

Morganwasaboutpassi
ngthephonetooneofhi
s
bodyguar
dswhenanothercal
lcamein.
Heglancedatt
hescr
eenandal
mostscr
eamedi
n
exci
tement.
Thecal
lisf
rom MAIphar
maceut
ical
s!

_
__
[
05/
09,
07:
37]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
71

Morganwal
kedi
ntot
hel
ivi
ngr
oom andI
ri
shst
ood
up.
Shehadpl annedtogowi t
hhi mtohisroom bef
ore
coaxinghimtotellherwhateverheknewabout
Carr
le's'
sdeath.
Shenot
icedt
heexci
tementonhi
sfaceashe
appr
oachedher
,heseemedt
obei
nahur
ryal
so.

"
Ijustgotacal
lfr
om MAIphar
maceuti
cal
s,t
hey
wantmet ocomenow"Morgansmi
led.
"
You'
l
lbeawar
dedt
hecont
ract
?"I
ri
shasked.
"
Hopef
ull
y"Mor
gansai
d.
"
Soyou'
l
lbegoi
ngt
her
enow?
"Ir
ishasked.
"Ofcour
se,
ineedt
ogetdressedandrunal
ong.I
can'
tmissthi
soppor
tuni
ty"Morgansai
d.
"
Whenwi
llyoubeback?
"Sheasked.
"Imightbelat
e,don'
twaitup"Hesai
dandpatt
ed
hershouldergent
lybef
orerushi
ngtohi
sroom.

I
ri
shslammedhersel
fonthecouchknowi
ngshe
j
ustmissedt
hechancet
ogettoknowmor eabout
Car
rl
e'
sdeathagai
n.
Morganmightbebackl
ateandhe'
llobvi
ousl
ybe
t
ir
edtosayanythi
ngorevenr
espondtoher.
Well
..
hemi
ghtnotbet
ir
edwhenhe'
sback,
she'
s
goi
ngtowai
tup.
Shecan'
tmisst
hisagai
nwhent
omor
rowi
sthel
ast
dayshe'
l
lbeher
e.

"Ma'
am,youneedt
obecaref
ulwit
hyour
movementssoyouwon'
thurtt
hebaby"Mari
asai
d,
shewasalarmedwhenI
ri
shslammedhersel
fon
thecouch.
Ir
ishobvi
ousl
yfor
getsomet
imest
hatshe'
s
pregnant
.
"
ThanksMar
ia"Shesi
ghed.

_
__

Morganret
urnedlat
eli
kehehadsai
dbutI
ri
shwas
st
il
lwait
ingupforhim.
Shewasdr
essedi
nherpaj
amasal
readyandhad
t
oldMari
atogotobed.
Mostoft
hewor
ker
swer
easl
eepal
so.

"
Youwai
tedup?
"Mor
gayaskedandI
ri
shnodded.
Hel
ookedabi
tti
red
"
Thankyou,
butyoushoul
dn'
thave"Mor
ganwas
t
ouchedbyIr
ish'
scar
e.
"I
t'
sfine,
ijustwant
edtomakesureyou'rehome
safel
y.Doyouwantmet odishoutyourdinner?
"
Sheasked, knowi
ngthemealwoul
dpr obablycl
ear
histi
redness.
"No,
ihadsomethi
ngontheway.Ishoul
dgot obed
now"MorganyawnedandI
ri
shfeltsadherwait
ing
wasinvai
n.

There'
ssti
lladay.
..
shecomf
ort
edher
sel
fwi
tht
he
thought
.

"
Wer
eyouawar
dedt
hecont
ract
?"Sheasked.
"
Notyetbutiwasassur
edI
'
llbeawar
dedt
he
cont
ract
,I'
llbegoi
ngther
etomorrowmorningto
si
gnsomepaper sandthenit
'
llbemine"Morgan
smil
edsleepil
y.
"You'
llbel
eavi
ngt
hehouset
omor
rowal
so!
"Ir
ish
asked.
"
Yeah"

Damn.

"
Goodni
ght
"Heki
ssedhercheeks.
"
Goodni
ght
"Shesi
ghed.

_
_NextDay_
_

Morgabretur
nedhomedrunki
ntheaft
ernoon,i
n
cel
ebrat
ionoftheMAIphar
maceut
ical
scontracthe
hadbeenawar ded.
Hesmi
ledhappi
lyasI
ri
shandsomebodyguar
ds
hel
pedhi
mtohi
sroom.
Theypl
acedhi
m ont
hebedandl
eft
,leavi
ngI
ri
sh
wit
hhim.
"
Iwoni
t!
"Hel
aughedbutI
ri
shwasl
essconcer
ned.
Shewassadshe' l
lbeleavi
ngwithoutreal
ly
knowingifMorganisinvol
vedi
nCar rl
e'sdeat
h
causeobviousl
yhe'sdrunkandwillbesoberby
nightort
omor r
ow.
Shehadpackedherl
uggagealr
eadyandtol
d
Mari
atopackhersal
sobecausethey'
l
lbegoi
ngf
or
ahangoutt
omorrow.

Wellshehadenoughevi
denceagai
nsthi
m
al
ready,
thatshoul
dbeenought
oputhiminj
ail
.
Shewasaboutl
eavi
nghi
sroom whenshe
remember
edhe'
sknowntoleaki
nfor
mati
onswhen
drunk.
Shequi
ckl
ytur
nedbackt
ohi
m.
"Morgan,
youwantedtotel
lmeabouthowJavad
andGladysisi
nvolvedi
nCarrl
e'
sdeath"Shesai
d
blunt
lywit
houtcoati
ngwords.
"
Ohh.
.Car
rl
e'
sdeath?She'
sdead.Sh.
.she'
sdead"
Mor
gansai
ddrunkenl
y.
"Iknowshe'sdeadbutwereyoui
nvol
vedinher
death?DidyousentJavadandGl
adystodoit
?"
Iri
shasked.

"
No"Heshouted."
JavadandCatheri
nedidit!It
old
t
hem t
odoitandth..
theydi
d"Morganlaughed.
"Y.
.youmean..JavadandCather
inepoisoned
Carrl
e?"I
reneaskedinashakyvoice.
"Yes..
theypoisonedherdinnerandshe'srot
tingi
n
hellnow,Ihatehersomuch. ..
.Sheseemst obethe
reasonEthani sri
cherthanme!She'sdiednow"
Mor gansmiled,pull
ingthebedcoveroverhishead.
Hel
aughedunderi
t,speaki
nggi
bber
ish.
Itt
ookawhilef
orI
ri
shtogainhermomentum,she
hadsuspect
edMorganknewabouti
t,
sheshouldn'
t
besosur
pri
sednow.
Carlhadt
oldhertokeepheremot
ionsasi
deand
that
'swhatshe'
sgonnado.
Shesl
owl
ypul
ledt
hebedcoverf
rom Et
han'
shead.

Sheslowlywal
kedtothedoor
,st
ayi
ngwithsucha
murdereral
mostwanttomakeherpuke.
Shefel
tli
kehi
tt
inghi
m overandoveragai
nfort
he
cr
imeshehadcommi t
ted.

"H.
.hey.Don'
tyouwantt
oknowaboutyour
fat
..
her'
sdeath?"Mor
gan'
sdr
unkenwordsbrought
herlegstoahalt
.
Shet
urnedshar
ply.

"
My..
m..ymyfather
?Whatdi dyoudot
omyf
ather
?"
I
ri
shasked,
breathi
ngheavi
ly.
Sheknewherfatherdi
edaft
ertheacci
dentt
hat
al
mosttookhermother
'sl
egtoo.Thatwasexact
ly
whatArushaandMrsHel
ensai
d.Andt
hathad
happenedinSi
ngapor
esohowdidMor
ganknow?
Coul
dMor
gan'
sbespeaki
ngoutofdr
unkenness?
Orist
her
emor
etoherf
ather
'sdeat
hthant
hey
knew.

Shedraggedhersuddenl
yheavyl
egst
owar
ds
Morgan'
sbed.
"Whatdi
dyoudotomyf
ather
?"Sheaskedagai
n,
cal
mlythi
sti
me.
"MrFr edisj
ustoneofthepeopleiswindled!Iasked
himt omakeyouchosemeoverEt han,buthe'sjust
thi
sst ubbor
nlit
tl
eguy..
.Ior
deredmyspyst okill
him bydisconnect
inghi
scarbrake"Mor gan
smiled..
.
Hiseyeswer
eclosingalr
eadyandhedidn'
teven
seethedr
opsoftearsthatf
ellf
rom I
ri
sh'
seyes.

Shegr
ippedt
hebedspr
eadt
ight
lyandsobbed.
Mor
ganki
ll
edherf
ather
.
Hemadehermum al
mostl
ostherl
eg.
Mor
ganr
uinedherf
ami
ly.

Shesl
owl
ysatont
hef
loor
,st
il
lsobbi
ng.
Shewat chedt
hesl
eepi
ngMor
ganwi
thdagger
sin
hereyes.
Hewasmuchmor
ecr
uelt
hanshehadt
hought
.
Hei sn'thuman,
he'
samonst er
.Someonewho
depr i
vepleasur
einkil
li
ngandhurt
ingot
her
sis
nothingbutamonst er
!
She'
sgoi
ngt
oseet
oitt
hathepayf
oral
lhehas
done.
She'
ssogladhehadmadet heconfessi
oninhis
room,Maxhadheardeveryt
hingandwouldincl
ude
i
tinthel
istofevi
dences.

Ir
ishremainedseatedont hef
loorf
ormi
nut
es,
grievi
ngoverherfather
'sdeat
h.
Shewi
pedhert
ear
sandr
oset
oherf
eet
.
He'
sdeadal
ready.
..
hecan'
tpossi
blycomebackt
o
l
if
e.
Shewonderedtheamountofpeopl
eMor
ganwoul
d
havecausedsomuchpain.
Shecan'
tbemoregl
adtobebraveenought
owant
toputanendt
ohisbaddeeds.
Shehadn'
tevenknownt
hatherf
atherwasi
nvol
ved
i
nhisswindl
ingl
ist
.

'
Well
..Mor gan,
yourgamei
sup'
Shesai
dinwar
dly
andsighed.
Knowingherfat
herhadn'
tdi
edfrom whatthey
t
houghtbutfr
om Morgan'
scruel
nesshurtherso
much.
Tear
ssl i
ppedoutofI r
ish'
seyesagain,
herheartwas
i
nsomuchpai n.Shehadhat edherfat
herallt
his
whil
e..
..Herf
athermusthavesentherawayf r
om
homebuthest il
lloveandfightf
orher.
Shet
urnedt
oMor
ganandf
eltl
ikehi
tt
inghi
m
wi
thoutst
oppi
ng.
Wel
l.
.shemi
ghtgett
odot
hatt
omor
row.
Shecan'twai
ttoseehimledawaybythecops,
she
j
ustcan'
twait.
..
thatwast
heonlyt
hingthat
consol
edheratthemoment.
Knowi
nghe'
l
lpayf
orhi
sdeedsmadeherhappy.
!

Shewalkedoutofhi
sroom andqui
etl
ycl
osedt
he
doorbehi
ndher.

"
What'
swr ong?
"Mariaaskedherwor
ri
edl
yast
hey
wal
kedtowardsIr
ushdoor.
Ir
ish'
seyeswereredli
keshehadcriedandthe
expressi
ononherfacedepi
ctedsadness.
"
Ijustwantt
obeal
oneMar
ia"I
ri
shsai
d.
Marianoddedandstoodbyt hedoor
,shewatched
Ir
ishwalkedint
otheroom andgentl
yclosedthe
doorbehindher.
Shehopeshe'
l
lbef
ine.
_
__

Ir
ishstoodi
nfr
ontoft
heovalmi
rr
ori
nher
bathr
oom.
Shejustspl
ashedwateronherf
aceandshe
watchedthedropl
etst
ri
ckl
edownherfacet
oher
neck.
Shesmi
led.
She'
shappyandsadatt
hesamet
ime.
Shecompletedhermissi
onherealr
eady,shegot
moreinf
ormationthanshehadevenplannedto,
but
she'
ssadont henewdiscover
yaboutthecauseof
herf
ather
'sdeath.

Mor ganknewhekil
ledherf
ather'
sdeathyetheact
s
allnicear
oundher,
clai
medtoloveherandevenhad
thegut st
owanttomeetherfamil
y.
Ar
ushai
sgonnar
iphi
m of
ftopi
ecesi
fhehear
sof
t
his.
She'
dbett
erkeepi
ttoher
sel
funt
ilMor
gani
ssaf
ely
l
ockedup.

Butyes!
She'
ssuperproudofhersel
f,
she'
shappybutshe's
yett
ofeelf
ulf
il
ledunt
ilsheseesMorgantojai
l.
Shestar
edatherbel
ly,
andf
eelsopr
oudt
hatshe'
s
car
ryi
ngEthan'
sbaby.
Herbumpwasst
art
ingt
oshow,
herbabywas
gr
owing.

Shecan'
twai
ttor
etur
nint
oEt
han'
sar
ms.
Shemi
sshi
m somuch.
Shewal
kedbackt
oherr
oom,
dabbi
ngherwetf
ace
wit
hatowel
.
Shesatonherbedwi
thasi
ghandt
hengr
abbedher
phone.
"
I'
llbehomet
omor
row"Shet
ext
edAr
usha.

"Real
ly?Wecan'twai
ttorecei
veyou!
"Arushar
epl
y
cameal mosti
mmediatel
yandshesmi l
ed.
Shehadherpl
anal
ready.
.onhowt
olockMor
gan
up.

"
Hey,MeetmeatPinesModer
nSt
eakt
omor
row,
by3:
35"I
rishsentt
oEthan.
Shej
usthopeherpl
anwi
llwor
kasshehadpl
anned.
ShechoosesPi nesrestaur
antbecausesheknows
i
t'
st hemostpopul arr
estaur
antinCali
for
niaand
Mor ganisdef
init
elygoingtochoseit
.Butifhe
didn't
,she'
sgoingt of
orcehimto.

Sheshoul
dcal
lCar
lal
so.
_
__

Ir
ishorder
edt
hecookstoserveMor
gansoupaft
er
hewasawake,hel
ookedti
redanddi
dn'
tremember
anythi
ngasusual
.
Heaskedifhesai
dsomet
hingwhi
lehewasdr
unk
andshesaidno.
Heonl
ybl
abbedaboutf
inal
lywi
nni
ngt
hecont
ract
.
"Ar
en'
tyouhungover
?"I
ri
shasked,
shewassit
ti
ng
onthecouchinhi
sroom whi
lehesatonhi
s
bed,
shi
rtl
ess.
Shetriednott
oshowherangerandanyonewould
havethoughtever
ythi
ngi
snormalbyjustl
ooki
ngat
herface.
Shelookedcompl
etel
ynormalthatMor
ganwas
convi
ncedhehadn'
texposedanythi
ngt
oher.
Carlhadtol
dhernott
obeful
lyrel
axedunti
lthey
seeMor ganandhi
saccompl
icestojai
l.
Hesai
dsheshoul
dbecaref
ulcauseanyt
hingcan
spr
outupwi
thi
nthefewhour
sleft
.
Andt
henEt
hanhadr
epl
iedhert
hathe'
dbet
her
e.
Ir
ishknewshe'
snotsafeunt
ilMor
ganandhis
accompli
cesar
elockedupandshewon'tdenyt
hat
madeherabitscared.
ThethoughtofMor
ganfindi
ngoutaboutwhyshe'
s
real
lyi
nhishouset
err
if
iedher.

Carlsaidhewoul
dbewait
ingi
ntherest
aur
ant
tomorrowwithMaxandot
hercops.
Theevidencesaref
il
edalr
eadyandMaxhasbeen
gr
antedanar r
estwar
rant
.
Ir
ishf
eel
ssohappyal
lthi
sisf
inal
lycomi
ngt
oan
end.
Butshecan'
tbesosureyetcauset
her
earestil
l
hour
stogoandanyt
hingcanhappenwithi
nthat
ti
me.

"
Notr
eal
ly,
j
ustabi
tti
red"Mor
gangr
oaned.
"
You'
l
lbef
ineonceyout
aket
hesoup"I
ri
shassur
ed
andhenodded.
"Andcongr
atul
ati
onsonceagai
nont
hecont
ract
"
Sheaddedwithasmil
e.
"
ThanksIr
ish,
I'
m sohappyandwe'
llbegoi
ngt
oa
r
est
auranttocel
ebrat
eit
"Morgansaid.
"Whichrest
aur
antdoyout
hinki
sthebest
?"Mor
gan
asked.
"Uhm..
.There'
sthi
spopularr
estaurant
,Pi
nes
ModernSteak,Il
ovei
tandwhi chtogother
e,wi
th
you"I
ri
shsaidandMor gannodded
"
Cat
heri
newillber
etur
ningtoni
ght
"heannounced
t
oheraf
terchecki
nghisphone.
"
Shej
ustmessagedmenow"
"
Ohh.
."I
ri
shsai
d..
"Don'tyouthi
nkit
'l
lbebettershecomeswi thusto
therestaur
anttomorrow?"Ir
ishsuggested,knowi
ng
i
t'l
lbeeasierfort
heirar
restthatway,Javadwould
alsoaccompanyEt hantotherestaur
ant.
Andt
hey'
l
lgett
oar
restGl
adysl
ater
.
"
Youthi
nkso?Well
..
I'
m goi
ngt
otel
lherandi
fshe
f
eel
suptoit
.Fi
ne"Morgansai
d.

"Byt
omorr
owni ght
,Ethanwouldbepoisoned"He
sai
dinawhisperbef
orelaughi
ngwickedly.
"
Yeah,
ican'
twai
t"I
ri
shj
oinedi
nthel
aught
er.

Oneofthecookswal
kedi
nandser
vedhi
m abowl
ofhotsoup.

Iri
shsmil
edasshewatchedhim devouri
t,knowi
ng
that'
l
lbeprobabl
ybeoneofthelastgoodmealhe's
gonnahave.

_
___

Cather
ineret
urnedlat
eint
heni
ghtaf
tert
heywer
e
donewi t
hthei
rdinner
.
Shel
ookedpissedandhadn'
tevenr
espondedt
o
I
ri
sh'
sgreet
ings.
Shehadn'tcaughtI
ri
shbythecamer
adoi
ng
anyt
hingsuspici
ousandt
hatmadehermad.

Sheshouldhavejusti
nstal
ledacamer
ainI
ri
sh'
s
room l
ikeshewantedto.
Well
..
.Ir
ishwoul
dsti
llr
emai
nint
hishouse,
ther
e's
st
il
lmoretimetowat
chher.

Andshe'
smor epissedt
hebabyisyett
ogetlost
.
Shecan'
tstandforadaught
er'
snannytoal
sohave
ababyforherexhusband!

Shewast hr
il
ledwhenMor ganinf
ormedheraf
ter
shefi
nishedfresheni
ngupthatshe'
l
lbegoi
ngwith
them t
othehospi t
al.
Watchingt
hepai
nonEthan'
sfaceswhent
he
doct
orannouncet
hebabyi
nIri
shdeadwoul
dbea
pl
easure.
Shehadgott
entheinfor
mati
onthatIr
ishoncetol
d
Ethanshewasgoingtoabor
tthebabyandthatwas
whytheyhadanissue.
Makingherl
oset
hebabywi
llsur
emakeEt
hant
o
hat
eher!

Cat
her
ineorder
edAi
meetogetMar
iaaf
tershewas
sur
eIr
ishhasgonet
obed.
Mari
awalkedi
ntoherr
oom wi
thAi
meeand
Cat
heri
nesatuponherbed.
"
Youal
lshoul
dgotobed"Shesaidt
oherper
sonal
mai
dswhowerel
ooki
ngt i
redandsl
eepy.
Theybowedandhur
ri
edt
othei
rrooms.

"
HiMadam Cat
her
ine"Mar
iaasai
d.
"Hey,iwantt
oaskyousomet hi
ngnowandiwant
nothingbutt
hetrut
hokay?"Cat
herinesaidand
Mar i
anodded,shewasinherpajamas,r
eadytogo
tobedwhenAi meecametogether .
Sheknowswhatallt
hisi
sabout
..Cat
her
inewantt
o
askheraboutI
ri
sh.

"Iknowyou'
renowsoclosetot
hatthi
ng,iwantyou
totell
meeverythi
ngyouknowaboutherthatwe
don't
.Ever
ythi
ng"Cat
heri
nesai
d.
"
I.
.idon'tunderst
andMadam Cat
her
ine"
.Mar
iasai
d,
f
eigningignorance.
"Imean,i
sthereanythi
ngof
fyounot
icedaboutIr
ish,
l
ikeistheresomethi
ngshe'
stryi
ngt
ohidefrom
us?"Catheri
neasked.
"NoMadam Cat herine,
si
nceistart
edworki
ngasher
personalmai d,I'venotnot i
cedanywei
rdmove
from her,
idon' tthinkthere'
ssomethi
ngshe'st
ryi
ng
tohide,she'salwayshernor malsel
fwhenever
we'retogether"Mar i
asaid.

Cat
her
inesi
ghed"
Areyousur
e?"
"
YesMadam Cat
her
ine"
"
Ifif
indoutt
her
e'ssomet
hingyouar
en'
ttel
li
ng
me,I
'm notgoi
ngt
ospar
eyou,
tr
ustme"Cat
her
ine
t
hreatened.
"Iwouldneverli
etoyouMadam Cat her
ine,you'
ll
foreverr
emainmybossandI 'l
lal
waysbel oyalto
you.Icanbewat chi
nghercl
oselyifyouwant "
Mar i
asuggestedandCather
ine'
seyeslitup.
"Exactl
y!"Shesmil
ed."
Ili
kethefactt
hatyou'
reso
smar t
.Iwantyoutowatchherclosel
yandgiveme
adetail
edr epor
tonwhatevershedoes"
"
OkayMadam Cat
her
ine"Mar
iabowed.

"You'
regoi
ngtogetahugerewar
dfrom me"
Cather
inesai
d,i
mpressedwit
hMari
a.
"
I'
llt
ryt
odomybestma'
am"Mar
iasmi
led.
"
Alr
ight
,youcangot
obednow"Cat
her
inesai
d.
"
Goodni
ghtMadam Cat
her
ine'
'
"
Goodni
ghtMar
ia"Cat
her
inesmi
led.

_
__
Et
hanwal
kedi
ntot
heki
tcheni
nthedeadoft
he
ni
ght
.
Hecoul
dn'
tsl
eep,
hekeptt
ossi
ngi
nbed.
Hewassoworri
ed,scar
edandconf
usedaf
ter
r
ecei
vingI
ri
sh'
stext
.

He'sgoi
ngt
oseeIri
shagai
ntomorrow.
.he'
sgl
ad
buthe'
ssoconf
usedanddoesn'
tevenknowwhat
todo.
I
sshegoi
ngt
otal
ktohi
m?
Wil
lshefinal
lyleaveMor
ganandcomet
ohi
m?Or
j
usttotaunthim?
Wi
llshecomebackt
ohi
m?
Whythesuddenmeetup?Heknewheshoul
dbe
happyhe'
l
lbeseei
ngherbut
..
..
Di
ff
erentt
houghtsranthroughhi
smi
ndatt
hesame
t
imethathefel
texhausted.
Hi
smi
ndi
sunset
tl
ed.
Heopenedt hefri
dgedoorandtookoutacart
onof
milk,hegl
ancedroundforagl
assandconcluded
thatwastoomucht roubl
e,
soinst
eadherai
sedthe
cartontohisl
ips.
Themi
lkwassocol
dandr
efr
eshi
ng.
Hesavour
edtheri
chnessbef
orewipi
ngthesmear
f
rom hi
supperl
ipwit
hthebackofhishand.
Hesatononeofthechai
rsi
ntheki
tchenand
gul
pedmoreofthemil
k.

Somehow,Ir
ish'swordsreassurehi
m,shehadt ol
d
himtobepatientbuthedidn'
tknowwhatt oexpect
tomorr
ow,heassur edhi
mselfthatheshouldbe
ablet
ohandleanythingt
hatcomeshi sway.
He'
sreadyf
ori
t.

_
___
"Everyt
hingwil
lbef
ine"MrsHarl
owsai
dtohi
mthe
nexteveninghewasreadytol
eavef
orthe
restaur
ant.
Theappoi
ntmentwasschedul
edfor3:
35pm and
i
t'
salmostt
ime,hehadgott
enuplat
eandhurri
edl
y
t
ookhisbathanddressup.
Ari
nandJessi
caweresti
llt
aki
ngt
hei
rnap,
theyget
t
osleepmoreonweekends.
MrHarl
owpattedhisbackaf
fecti
onatel
y.."
Anyt
hing
t
hathappens,
j
usttakei
taspartofli
feokay?"
Et
hannodded,hequi
ckl
ygul
pedt
hecof
feeMr
s
Gabr
iel
lepr
eparedf
orhi
m.
"Ij
ustwonderwhyt
hesuddenmeetup"MrHar
low
sai
d,si
ghing.
Et
hant
hankedt
hem andt
henheadedout
.

He'shavingadinnert
hingswi
llt
urnoutgoodbuthe
can'tr
elyonthat.
I
t'
sjustahunch.
Hesomehowf el
tner
voustobeseei
ngI
ri
shagain
aft
eraweekandhe'ssomehowmadhe'
llbeseei
ng
herwi
thMorgan.

_
__

I
ri
shwalkedint
otherest
aur
antwi
thCatheri
neand
Morganaccompani
edbysomebodyguards.
Shedart
edhereyesever ywhereforCarlasthey
movedtothei
rreservedseats,
shesightedhim and
Maxandtwoot herunknownmenatt hefaredgeof
t
herest
aurantrecepti
on.
Car
lwinkedatherandshet r
iedt
ohi
deher
smi
le,
shequickl
yremovedhergazenotwant
ing
Morgantosuspectanyt
hing.
Mor ganseemstohavebookedt hewhole
rest
aur antast
here'
snosingl
esoularound.
Catherinehadref
usedtocomewi tht
hem, shesaid
she'dfeelembarr
assedtobeseeneatinganddining
withherdaughter'
sNanny.Morganhaddidagr eat
j
obi
nconvi
ncingherwi
tht
hepr
omi
set
hatt
he
r
est
aur
antwil
lbepri
vat
e.

Thet
houghtofseei
ngEthanagai
naf t
eraweek
madeherabitner
vousandshecouldn'tbel
ieveshe
hadt
akenextr
atimeingett
ingdr
essedup.
She'
sput t
ingonashortblackleat
herski
rt,
ar ed
sweaterandthi
gh-hi
ghboot s,
herhai
rwasst yledi
n
herfavor
it
estylebutwit
hext r
aeffor
tthi
sti
meand
i
tlookedmor ebeaut
if
ul.
Asusual,
herbeaut
ifulfacegl
owedwit
hnomake
upandevenCatheri
nehadt oadmitt
ohersel
fthat
Ir
ishl
ookedmorebeaut i
fult
oday.
Cather
ineworeablacksati
ngownthatshowedof
f
herfi
gurewit
hblackhigh-
heel
edshoesandan
al
li
gatorbag.
'
sobadshe'l
lbegoingtodet
enti
ondr
essedso
beaut
if
ull
y'I
ri
shthoughti
nwardl
y.
Mari
ahadtoldheraboutt
hemeet
ingshehadwi
th
Cat
heri
neyester
night
.
Sheadmi r
eCat
her
ine'
ssmar
tness,
sobad.
.it
'st
oo
l
ateal
ready.

Mor ganrockedoneofhisexpensi
vetuxedowit
h
greatblackshoes,
akil
lersungl
assandgreyf
ace
cap, hewasallsmil
esast heywal
kedon.

_
__

Ir
ish,
Mor ganandCather
ineweresi
ttedont
hechai
r
speci
all
ymeantf ort
hem.Dif
fer
enttypeoff
ood
fi
ll
edthetable.
RamenBur
ri
to,
RamenBur
ger
,
Shushi
rr
it
o,
Fi
sht
acos,
Macandcheesepi
zza
Car
neasadaf
ri
es,
Tripl
eA.AndmanymorethatI
ri
shwonder
edi
f
they'
regoi
ngt
ofi
nishi
t.
Wi
newer
en'
texcl
udedt
oo.

"
Iinvi
tedEt
han"I
ri
shsai
dint
err
upt
ingt
hesi
lent
At
mosphere.
"
What
!?"Mor
ganandCat
her
ineyel
led!
.
"I
'm sor
ry..
..Ij
ustwant edtoletCather
ineknowI'm
tr
ustworthyandf orreal.
.I'
m goingtoembar r
ass
Ethan,r
ightinfrontofyoubot h.Morgan,Iwantyou
toaskmeonequest ioninf r
ontofEthan"Ir
ishsai
d.
"
What
?"Mor
gansmi
rked.
HewaspissedthemomentshesaidEthanwas
goi
ngbuti
snowr el
ievedwi
thwhatshesai
d.
Cat
her
inesti
lll
ookpi sst
oo.
"Askmet
ochoosebet
weenyouandhim,whoIlove
andwhoIwantt
obethef
atherofmybaby,
"Ir
ish
said.
"
Ofcour
se!AndIguessI
'
mtheoner
ight
?"
"
Yes"I
ri
shsai
d.
Cat
herineremainedsi
lent
,ifsheknewEt
hanwi
llbe
comingshewoul dhaveputti
ngonsomethi
ngmore
hot
terthanthi
s.

_
__

Et
hanarr
iveatt
herest
aurantandwalkedin,hi
s
l
egsal
mostgotparal
yzedwhenhesawI r
ish.Not
onl
yIr
ish,
MorganandCatheri
netoo.
I
sthi
ssomesor
tofj
oke?
Hestar
edatI
ri
shandal
mostcr
ied,
hehadmi
ssed
hersover
ymuch.
"
ComeonBrother.
..Andj
oinus"Mor
gansmi
rked
andCat
her
inesnif
fed.

It
'sagoodpl
anthoughandshehopeitf
avorsher,
whenIri
shchoseMorgan,Et
hanwil
lbelef
twithno
opti
onthant
ochoseher.
 "
Ir
ish.
..
.Ifyoureall
ywantustot
alk,
let
'sgo
el
sewhere,Ican'tsi
ther
e"Et
hansaidwhenhef
ind
hi
svoice.
Hebadl
ywi
shedhecoul
dswi
ngheri
ntoherar
ms.
"
Iinvi
tedyouhereMrEthan.
..Ii
nsi
styoujoi
nour
t
able"Ir
ishsai
dtr
yinghar
dnottostareatme.

Hewaslooki
ngver
yhot
,hot
tert
hant
hel
astt
ime
shesawhim.

_
___
_
[
05/09,07:
38]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼
Genr
e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
72

Semi
_Fi
nal
s

I
rishgaveagoaheadtoMor
gan,
meani
nghe
shoulddothet
alki
ng.

"WellEt
han,nother
et owast
eyourti
measyou
knowyou'renotwelcomedhere"Mor
gansai
dand
Ethanscoff
ed.

Hisgazewasfi
xedonI
ri
shwhowasn'
treadyt
o
r
etur
nhisgaze.
"Et
han,Morgan.Ijustwantt
ocleart
heconf usi
on
andstati
tclearofwhoIlovesotheothercango
awayandgetal if
e"Iri
shsai
d.

Ethan'
sheartski
ppedabeat,IsI
ri
shgoingto
chosehim?Whati fshechoosesMorgan?Again!He
surewon'tsur
viveit
.
Hest
aredatMorganwhowasgrinni
ngsohar
d
maki
ngEthanal
mostbel
ieveI
ri
sh'sgoi
ngt
ochoose
hi
m.

Buthedoesn'
twanttogiveupyet
.Cat
herinewas
star
ingathi
mtoo.Argh!Hehatest
hesightoft
hem.

"
SomydearAngel ,I
rish.
..
.Canyoutel
luswhoyou
l
oveandwi l
lli
ketostayfor
everwit
h?Andwhoyou
wantyourchi
ldtogrowupknowi ngasfat
her
"
Morgangri
nned.
Sil
encefol
lowedbutMorganandCather
inedoesn'
t
seem t
ocar e.Et
hanwastheonl
ytr
oubledone.

"
Wel
l.
..
"Ir
ishsai
d.
"
Ethan"I
rishsmil
edandbot
hMor
ganandCat
her
ine
wereshocked.

_
__

Theyhadt
ear
sinI
rishandEt
han'
seyesbutEt
han
st
oppedhi
sfr
om f
lowing.
I
ri
shcriedandhehuggedhercl
osel
y,wi
pingher
t
ears.
"
We'r
egoingt
ohaveababyIri
sh,t
ogether
"He
whi
sper
edtoherandki
ssedherhai
r.
Sheburst
edi
ntoaloudcr y,
shehadlongedt
ohear
'
we'r
egoingt
ohaveababy' agai
nfr
om nooneel
se
butEt
hanandithappened!
Et
hanunder
stoodhowemot
ionalshewasnow,
he
hel
dherwit
houtsayi
ngawor
d,heonl
ycar
ressher
sof
thai
r.

Theybothseemst obeunawar eofthepeople

aroundthem, Mor
ganrecuperati
ngfrom shock
whileCather
inedi
dn'
tcare,t
hinkingthebabyis
deadanyway.

"Cryi
ngcrystal"Heteasedandshesmi
ledupat
him,eyesgl
isteningwitht
ears.
Hewi
pedhert
ear
sagai
nandki
ssedherf
orehead.
"
I'
m sor
ry.
.f
orcausi
ngyousomuchpain"Shesai
d
i
navoicebarel
ymorethanawhi
sper
.
"
I.
."Shecont
inuedbutEt
hanst
oppedher
.
"Ideser
veanexpl
anati
onbutnotnowokay?
"He
saidandshenodded.
Hesmi l
edasshet
ouchedhi
sfacewi
thl
ongi
ngi
n
hereyes.
Shemi
ssedhi
m asmuchashemi
ssedher
.
She'
sback,
wit
hhisbabysti
lli
ntact
.Hecan'
tbe
morehappyandgrat
eful
.
Hehadpr
ayedandhi
spr
ayer
swasanswer
ed.

"
Whatt
hehelli
sgoi
ngonhere!
"Morgansl
ammed
t
het
abl
e,sendi
ngsomefr
iesfl
yingi
ntheai
r.
"You'
rej
oki
ngr
ight
?"HeaskedI
ri
shbr
eat
hing
heavi
ly.
"
W..whatar
eyoudoi
ngwithhi
m?"Morganasked
I
ri
sh,
hiswhol
ebodyshaki
ngi
nanger
.
"Whatdoesitlookli
ke?He'st heoneil oveandican
neverdit
chhimf oranyone,notevent hemost
handsomeandweal t
hiestmanonEar t
h,iwasonly
i
nyourhouset ogetsomet hingsdoneandgl adlyit
wasaccompl i
shed,thanksf orbeingadunceal lt
he
whil
e,youreal
lymademyi nvestigat
ioneasier"I
ri
sh
sai
d.
Morganf
eltli
kecol
l
apsi
ngwithshock,hest
aredat
I
ri
shindi
sbelief
.Hi
sshockgr
ewt orageandhe
madetohither.
"Damnit
!"Et
hanscowled,
gr abbi
ngMorgan'
shand
half
wayandtwi
sti
ngitbehindhisback.
Mor
gangr
oanedi
npai
n.
"Howcanyoubesopet t
ytowanttohi
tawoman
andnotj ustanywomanbutmywoman!Whi l
eI'
m
here!You'resofunny"Et
hantwist
edMorgan'
shand
ti
ghter,
maki ngitmorepainf
ul.
Morganstr
uggl edtorel
easehimsel
ffr
om Ethan'
s
ti
ghtandpainfulgri
pbuthewasn'tst
rongenough
andwhenEthanf inal
lyrel
easedhi
m,hestagger
ed
backandforthgroaninginpai
n.

"Itol
dyoushe'snottobet r
ustedMor
gan!She
betrayedyou"Cather
ineyel
ledandMorgan
regrett
ednotli
steni
ngtoher.
Howcanhebesobl
indt
oever
ythi
ng!
I
twassoobvious,
soclearbuthejustdoesn'
tknow
whatcl
oudedhissenseofreasoni
ng.
He'l
lmakesurehedoesn'
tspar
eEt
hanandI
ri
sh
oncehegetsoutofher
e.
"
Betr
ay?"I
ri
shaskedCat
her
inewhogl
aredather
menaci
ngl
y.
"No,
youcanonlyuset heword'
betr
ay'f
orgood
peopl
e,
justl
ikeyoubet r
ayedEt
hanwhowasso
goodtoyou.Ididn'
tbetrayMor
gan,
I'
m onl
yfight
ing
fort
heinnocentsoul
shehaskill
edandhurt"
"Whatever
!won'tyouperf
ormingthebabyscan?
"
Catheri
neaskedandIri
shlaughed.
"
Thebabyscanwe'l
lbeper
for
mingnexti
stoknow
t
hesexofourbaby"I
ri
shsai
dholdi
ng
Et
han'
shandt
oherbabybump.
"
Joker
"Cat
her
inel
aughedhar
d.
"
I'
m notthejokerhere,
youar e.Don'tbl
ameMor gan
f
orbeendumb, you'
reequall
ydumb.Anyway, idi
dn'
t
t
akeasipoutoft hepacksofj uiceyoupoi
soned"
I
ri
shsaid,shockingCather
inet othebone.

"
Shet
ri
edt
opoi
sonyou?
"Et
hanaskedi
ndi
sbel
ief
.
"Ofcourse,Bl
aineoneofthebodyguardscamet o
myr escueanditwasallthankstoyoufort
ell
ing
himt oprot
ectme.ThankyousomuchEt hanfor
makingamovet oprot
ectmeevenwheniwasi n
anotherman'shouse"Ir
ishstaredl
ovi
nglyathim.
"
Iknewyouweren'tsaf
einthei
rden.Theyar
ebot
h
t
err
ibl
epeopl
e"Ethansighed,
gladI
ri
shissaf
e.

"
Blai
ne!
"Cat
her
inescr
eamedi
nanger
.
"I
'm sogoi
ngtoki
llhim andiwon'
tspar
eyoual
so"
Catheri
nesai
d,makingtobargeoutoft
he
rest
aurant
I
ri
shpushedherbackandshel
andedont
hechai
r
wit
hathud.
"Fool.Ar
eyouabouttowalkoutjustnow?Youthi
nk
you'r
egoingt
ogetsparedafteratt
emptingt
o
poisonme.Nosil
ly,
you'l
lpayforit
"Iri
shsai
d.
"Wher
eisyourpr
ooft
ogetmear
rest
ed?
!Mor
gan
asked.
"
I'
m notdumb,
Ihadat
aper
ecor
deri
nst
all
edi
nyour
room"Iri
shsai
dandMor ganf
elthi
sheadswi
min
anotherr
oundofshock.
Hi
spal
m wentwetandhest
art
edsweat
ing.

"Youallaregoi
ngtopayf
ort
his!
"Heyel
ledaf
ter
stabi
li
singhimsel
f.
"
I'
llbeouti
nnoti
me,iknowallofyourbossesand
I
'
llmakesureyoubothgetf
ir
ed"Mor ganthreat
ened
t
het wocops.
"Well
..
that
'st
ool
ate"Thedooropenedtor
eveal
Max,
Carlandthet
womenI ri
shsawearli
er.

"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
eCar
l?"Et
hanasked.
"We'
reint
histoget
her
.Car
landi"I
ri
shsmi
ledas
shegaveCarlahug.
ShehuggedMaxal
soandshookt
het
women'
s
handssayi
ngt
hankyou.
"We'
regoi
ngtoexplai
nlaterMrEthan"Car
lsmi
led,
not
ici
ngEthan'
sconfusedlook.
Maxt
urnedt
oMor
ganandsmi
led.
"Hel
lo,
I'
m Max.ACI Aagent
"hestr
etchedouthi
s
handforahandshakebutMorganjustst
ared
l
ookinglostandangr
y.
"Wel l
..Iheardyouear l
iersayingyouknowal lofthei
r
bossesandyou' l
lbeouti nnot i
me, youj ustmadea
gravemi stakeinaddingtot heli
stofyour
offense, t
hosebossesoft heir
swhohasbeen
wor kingwi thyouforal ongt i
mewi llalsobe
arrested.Anddon' tthinkyouknowmybosses, even
i
fyoudo.Theywon' tbeabl etohelpyououtt his
ti
me, theevidencesihavewi t
hmei senought o
haveyoupr osecutedinthecour toflaw"Maxsai d
stretchinghi shandtowar dsoneofhi scolleagues
whohandedhi mt wohandcuf f
s.

Mor
ganshi
ft
edback,
breat
hingheavi
ly.
Cat
heri
nebur st
edi
ntotear
sknowi
ngt
her
e's
not
hingthatcanbedoneagai
n.
Thei
rgamei
sup.

"MrMor ganHarlow,you'r
eherebyar r
estedfor
crime,cor
rupti
on,t
heft
,i
ll
egaldeal
s,threat
eningand
harminginnocentpeople,pl
anni
ngt hemur derofMr
EthanHar l
owwi t
hyouraccompl i
ces"Maxsai d
clampingthehandcuffaroundMor gan'swrist
.
"
My.
.m.
.ymur
der
?"Et
hanasked.
"Yeah,
he'
splanni
ngtopoi
sonyouwi
thhi
s
accompli
ces"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
What
!"Et
hanexcl
aimed.
"Youshoul
dn'
tbesurpr
isedyet,
waitt
il
lyouseehi
s
othert
woaccompli
ces"Ir
ishsai
d.

"
MrsCat
her
ineLanyard"MaxturnedtoCather
ine
whowashi
dingherhandsbehindherback.
"You'r
eherebyar restedforbeingMrMor gan'
s
accompl i
ce,
f orknowingabouthi sdirt
ydealsand
refusi
ngtor eporttothepolice,
fortheattempted
mur derofIr
ishLevi ne'
s,
forsteali
ngCar r
le'
s
neckl
aceandl
ast
lyf
orthemurderofCarr
le,
Ethan'
s
godmother
"Maxsai
dandEthanfel
lint
oachairin
shock.
I
ri
sht
endedt
ohi
m asCat
her
inewashandcuf
fed.

"Com'onEthan,youneedtobraceup.Iwasshocked
also.Weshouldbegl adCar
rl
e'smur dereri
sfinal
ly
arrest
ed,Carr
leisfi
nall
ygoi
ngt orestinpeace"Ir
ish
consoledEthan.
Henodded." I
'
m onlyshockedCatheri
necoul
ddo
thatt
oCarrle,IknewsheandCarrle'
sdoesn'
tget
alongbutineverthought
..
"Hesighed.
"ShepoisonedCar rl
ebecauseCarrl
ewasn'tin
supportofyourrelati
onshi
pwithher,andbecause
theybelievedshe'
sthereasonyou'r
er i
cherthan
Mor gan"Iri
shsaidandEthanbracedintears.
"I
tmustbesohardtot
akei
n,iknowyoufeel
betr
ayedonceagai
n"I
ri
shr
ubbedhishandgent
ly.

Hesmi
ledsadl
y"Bet
rayed?No,
I'
m gl
adshehadan
aff
airwi
thhi
m oriwouldn'
thavemetyou,I'
mjustso
pai
nedCarrl
e'sdi
edbecauseofthat
,herl
if
ewas
wastedj
ustfornot
hing"
"
Andwe'
l
lmakesur
etheypayf
ori
t"Maxassur
ed.
"
Seewhatyoucaused!
"Cat
her
inescr
eamedat
Mor
ganintear
s.

"I'
m goingtomakeyoupayforthi
s!"Mor
ganyel
led
atEthanandI r
ishashewasabouttobel
edaway
wit
hCat her
ine.

"
Wai
t"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Youknowitol
dyouI '
m goi
ngt ogiveyouaki
ss
oncethet
imeisr i
ghtandI'
vefall
eninlovewi
th
you"I
ri
shsai
d,standi
nginfrontofMorgan.
"Well
..
it
'ssosadthatI
'
dneverl
oveyou,
sohow
aboutthisi
nst
ead"Shesai
d,sl
appi
nghisass.
Itmadealoudfunnysoundandever
yonelaughed
exceptMorganandCather
inewhost
areddaggers
ather.
Theywer
efi
nal
lyl
edaway.

Et
hansmi
ledandgotonhi
sfeet
.
Carr
le'
smur der
erf
inal
lyapprehended,
i
tmadehi
s
hear
tfreeandmadehimr el
ieved.
Hef
elthappy.
Hewal
kedoutoft
her
est
aur
ant
,hol
dingI
ri
sh.

"Whyaretheyar
rest
ingJavad?"
Ethanasked,
seei
ng
MaxhandcuffJavadbef
oreleadi
nghim awaywit
h
Cather
ineandMorgan.
"
What '
sgoingon?!Javaddidn'tdoanyt
hing
wrong,
theymusthavemi stakenhimforoneof
Morgan'sbodyguards"Et
hansai d,
makingtost
op
MaxbutI r
ishpull
edhim back.
"Well
..
your'innocent'JavadisoneofMor gan'
s
accompliceswhohadj oinedCather
inein
successfull
ypoisoningCar r
letodeath,
hehasbeen
aspyinyourhousef oryearsandnotonl yhi
m but
Gladystol"I
rishsaid.
"
What
!"

_
__

Ethanwalkedint
ohisli
vingr
oom andwasabi
t
surpr
isedtoseeever
yonesit
tingandwai
ti
ngf
or
him.
Hi
spar
ent
s,Mr
sGabr
iel
le,
Jessi
caandAr
in
Theyal
lst
oodup,
looki
ngexpect
ant
.
"Howdi
ditgo?
"Theyaskedi
nuni
sonandEt
han
smil
ed.
"
Idon'
tneedt
oexpl
ain"Hesai
dandmovedoutof
t
heway.

I
ri
shsteppedinandt
hescr
eam ofJessi
caandAr
in
wasdeafeni
ng.
Theypl
oppedi
ntoheral
mostknocki
ngherof
fher
feet
.
Mr sGabriel
leandMrHar
lowst
aredwit
hsmi
leson
thei
rfaceswhileMr
sHarl
owstr
uggledt
ohi
deher
ownsmi leal
so.

Twocopswalkedi
nandEt
hanaskedMr
sGabr
iel
le
wher
eGladyswas.
"Sheshouldbei
nherquar
ter
s"Mr
sGabr
iel
lesai
d,
confused.
EthantoldRobt otaket
hecopsthereandfew
mi nut
esl aterGladyswasledoutwi
thhandcuff
clampedar oundherwrist
s,shewasstar
ingather
feetdejectedly.

"
What
'sgoi
ngon?
"MrHar
lowf
inal
lyasked.
"Well.
.Gl
adyshasbeenaspyi nmyhousef or
years,
she'
sMor gan'saccompl
ice,toget
herwi
th
Javad"Ethansaid,shocki
ngeveryone.
"
Iknewtherewassomet
hingabouther
"Mrs
Gabr
iel
lel
ungedatGl
adys,dr
aggi
ngherhai
r.
Gl
adysscr
eamedpai
nful
lyandt
hecopshadt
opul
l
herf
rom Mr
sGabr
iel
le'
sgr
ip.
Shewasf
inal
lyl
edaway.

"
I.
.st
il
ldon'
tunder
standathi
ng"MrsHar
lowsai
d,
l
ooki
ngconfusedandshockedatt
hesameti
me.
"
Ir
ishi
syett
oful
lyexpl
aint
omeal
so"Et
hansai
d.
"
Well.
.isuggestweshoul
dgotothedi nningandeat
whi
leiexplai
n.Lit
tl
eAri
nisst
arving"I
r i
shsaidand
t
heyallgotthemessageimmediatel
y.
I
ri
sh'
sst
il
lcar
ryi
ngEt
han'
sbaby!
Andshe'
sback!

"Whowoul dhavet
houghtCatheri
newouldbet
hat
cruel"MrsHarl
owsighedaft
erIr
ishf
ini
shed
narrati
ngwit
houtl
eavingoutanypar
t.
Car
lwaseat
ingwi
tht
hem al
so.
.
Ethansi
ghed.
.hecoul
dn'
tbel
i
eveI
ri
shdi
dal
lthat
forhi
m.
Hewassot
ouchedt
hathewasneart
ear
s.
I
fanythi
nghadhappenedt
oher
,hewoul
dn'
thave
f
orgi
venhimsel
f.
Shewentthr
oughahuger
iskj
ustt
omakehim
happy,
sheknewherl
if
ewasontheli
nebutst
il
l
wentahead.

"I
ri
sh..
.t
hankyou,
thankyousomuch"Et
hanhel
d
herhandti
ghtl
y.
"
I'
m sot
ouchedyoucoul
ddot
hatf
orme"Headded,
l
ooki
ngsoemotional
.
"I
t'
sfine,
youwor
thwhatidi
dforyou,Ethan.
.you'r
e
j
ustthemostki
ndhear
tedmanI'veeverseen"Ir
ish
said.
"Carl
,
ishoul
dthankyoual
so.Thankyousomuch"
Ethansai
dtoCarlwhonoddedandsmiled.
"Anyt
hingforyouMrEt han,Mor
gani
samanthat
neededtobebr oughttobook.I
'
m gl
adit
ookpar
tin
ensuri
ngthat"
Carlsaid.
"I
ri
sh,you'
resobrave"Mr
sHar
lowcommended
andshesmiled.
"
Thankstobot
hofyouandeveryoneel
set
hatmade
I
ri
sh'
splanasuccess.
"MrHar
lowsaid.
"
IknewIr
ishwoul
dneverleaveEt
hanf
orMor
gan.
Never
"MrsGabri
ell
esmi
led.
"Sheact
ssowell.
.youneededtoseewhenshewas
tel
li
ngmeshe'sgoingtomakemepayf ordr
oppi
ng
heroffi
nther
ain.Gosh"Ethansai
dandever
yone
l
aughed.

"It
houghtyouhadl
eftusandiwassoangr
ybut
seei
ngwhatyouweretryi
ngtodomademef eelso
ashamedofmyself
"Mr sHar
lowsi
ghed.
"
It
'sfineMrsHarlow,noonewantst
oseet
heirson
l
ookingsad,iwouldhavebeenangr
yatmetooifi
wereyou"Ir
ishsaid.
"St
il
l.
.ishoul
dhavetrust
edyoul i
kemyhusband
andMr sGabriel
ledi
d.I'
m sor
ry"MrsHar
lowsai
d.
"
I'
m sur
eyouwant
edt
otr
ustmebutever
ythi
ng
seemssor eal,
andthefactt
hatI
'm agoodactor
madeitseemsdi f
fi
cult
"Ir
ishsai
ddramati
cal
lyand
theyal
llaughedagai
n.

"TothinkJavadcoulddosuch..t
houghI '
veal
ways
beensuspiciousofGladysbutnotJavad"Mrs
Gabriell
esai
d.
"Ishoul
dhaveli
stenedtoIr
ishwhenshet
oldme
aboutJavadbutitr
ustedhi
m somuch"Et
hansai
d.
"Nooneshoul
dbetrust
ed,t
hisworldi
sfullofdecei
t.
Oneneedstobeext
racarefulandobser
vant"Iri
sh
sai
d.
"
Indeed"Mr
sHar
lownoddedi
nagr
eement
.
"Well.
.I
'm gl
adever
ythi
ngisovernow,
I
'mj
ustso
glad"MrHar l
owsmiled.

"Youdon'
tknowhowhappyiam t
ohaveyouback"
Jessi
cagri
nned.
"
Becauseofthedr
essiwanttomakeforyou?"I
ri
sh
t
easedandtheyshar
edanotherr
oundoflaught
er.
"Ican'twaitf
oryoutostar
treadi
ngmei nt
erest
ing
bedtimest or
iesagai
n"Ari
nsmi l
ed,
shewassitt
ing
closet oI
ri
sh, t
heybot
harenotwi l
li
ngt
oletgoof
eachot heranyti
mesoon.
"
So..
theonesI'
vebeenreadi
ngtoyouarenot
i
nter
esti
ng"Jessi
carol
ledhereyespl
ayf
ull
y.
"Gr
oss.Youevensleepof
finthemiddleofr
eadi
ng
meabedt i
mestoryandiusetobetheonereadi
ng
i
ttoyouintheend"Ari
nsaidandeveryonel
aughed
agai
n.

Ther
ewassomuchjoyi
never
yone'
seyes,
the
at
mospher
ewasser
ene.
Theyal
lfel
tful
fi
ll
edandhappy.

"WhenisMari
aandthebodyguar
dthatpr
otect
ed
youresumi
ngworkhere?
"MrHarlowasked.
"Mar
iawil
lbecomi
ngwithmet omorr
owbutidon'
t
knowEthan'
spl
anforBl
aine"I
ri
shsai
d.
"
I'
llempl
oyhi
m asoneofmybodyguar
ds,
he'
sgoi
ng
totakejavadpl
ace"Et
hansai
dandIr
ishf
eltglad
becauseMar i
awouldbesohappyt
oseeBlaine
everyday.

"Carl
..
comet
omel at
er,
ihavesomet
hingf
oryou"
Ethansai
dtoCar
l.
"
OkayMrEt
han"
Car
lsmi
led.

"
Ir
ush,
wil
lyoubesl
eepi
ngher
etoni
ght
?"Ar
inasked.
"
No,
ineedtogohome,
toexplai
neveryt
hingt
omy
f
ami
ly,
I
'l
lberesumi
ngt
omorrow"Ir
ishsai
d.

"
How'
sthebaby?
"Mr
sHar
lowgr
inned.
She'
ssohappyt
obehavi
ngasecondgr
andchi
ld.
"
Baby?
"Ar
inasked.
"Ar
in,I
ri
shi
scarryi
ngmybaby"Et
hanannouncedt
o
herandshegasped.
Shest
aredatI
ri
sh'
sst
omach.
"There'
sababyi
nther
e?"Sheaskedi
nsur
pri
se"
My
sibl
ing?"
Ever
yonenodded.
Ari
nstaredatever
yoneandsheknewt
heywere
ser
ious,
butwhyisn'
tIr
ish'
sst
omachbi
g..
she
wondered.
"
Whyisn'
therst
omachbi
g?"Shevoi
cedouther
t
hought
s.
"Thebabyi
sstil
lgr
owi
ng,
ithasn'
tgr
ownf
ull
yyet
"
Jessi
caexpl
ained.

"Ohh"Ari
nbli
nkedandeveryonewat
chedasshe
gaveIr
ishanaffect
ionat
ehug.
I
ri
shhuggedherbackandr
ubbedhert
inyback.
"I
'
llbehavingasibl
ing,yaaaaay.Myfri
endshave
si
blingstoo,I
'
m goingtotellmyfri
ends"Ar
in
giggledhappi
lyandtheysmi l
ed.

"
Andyouknowwhat
?"I
ri
shasked.
"
What
?"Ar
inasked.
"Yoursi
bli
nglovesst
rawber
ryf
lavorj
ustl
ikeyou
do"Ir
ishsmil
ed.
"OhmyGod!Strawberryi
ssimpl
ythebestf
lavor
,
eventhebabyrecogni
zesi
t"Ar
insai
dhappi
lyand
ever
yonechuckled.
"I
sthatwhyyoustol
emystr
awber
rymuf
fi
ns?
"Ar
in
askedandIr
ishnodded.
"
Youshoul
dhavet
oldmei
t'
sfort
hebaby!
"Ar
in
whi
ned.
"I'
m sosorrysi
bli
ng,I
'
m sosor r
yforcomplaini
ng
thatyouatemymuf f
ins,
I
'm sosorr
yforbeingmad
atMum forgivingyoumyst rawber
rymuf f
ins.I
promisetogiveyoumor ewhenyoucomeout "Ari
n
said,r
ubbingherhandstogetheri
nfrontofIri
sh'
s
stomach.
Shewaslooki
ngsoser
iousabouti
tthatever
yone
l
aughed.

"
Ethan"I
ri
shsai
dopeni
ngherpur
se.
ShebroughtoutCarr
le'
sneckl
aceandsawhiseyes
gl
ist
enwithtearsassheworeitar
oundhi
sneck.
Hef
eltt
hesenseofr
eli
efhehasn'
tfel
tinyear
s.

"IloveyousomuchCar r
le.Resti
npeace"Hesai
d,
kissingtheneckl
ace.
Ther
ewassi
lence,
i
nrespectt
oCar
rl
e.

Et
hansmil
edandt
urnedt
oever
yone."
She'
srest
ing
i
npeace"

Hepul
ledI
ri
shwi
thhi
m ashest
oodup.
"
IloveyousomuchI
ri
sh,
I
'veneverl
ovedawoman
t
hisway"Hesai
dasheki
ssedherful
lyont
heli
ps.
Herheartreachedouttohi
mli
keital
waysdoes
andshereturnedtheki
sswit
houthesi
tat
ing.

Ever
yonef
eltt
hel
ovei
ntheai
randt
heyal
lsmi
led
appr
ovi
ngl
y..

"Hey,
you'
renotsupposedtobel
ooki
ngatt
hat
"
Jessi
cawhisper
edtoArin.
"Samegoestoyou"Ari
nwhisperedbackwi
tharol
l
ofeyesandJessi
cafel
tli
kegivi
ngherapai
nful
knock.

_
_

"
ThankyousomuchI r
ish,ican'
tevenimaginewhat
woul
dhavehappenedtoouronl ysonifyouhadnot
madethatpl
an"MrsHarlowsaidast heywalked
I
ri
shtothecar.
Shewasaboutl
eavi
ng,
i
t'
slat
eal
readyandAr
usha
hasbeent
ext
ingher
.
"
Idon'tl
iket
hefactt
hatever
yonekeepthanki
ngme
f
orthat,
Ethanhashelpedmetoo.
"Ir
ishsaid.
"
Your
iskedyourl
if
eforhi
m.Iwoul
dn'
thaveasked
f
orabet
terwomanf
ormyson"MrHar
lowgave
I
ri
shasi
dehugandshesmi
led.

Ari
nwashol di
ngherhand,
swi ngi
ngi
thappi
lyas
t
heyf i
nal
lygottot
heli
moEt hanhadt
oldhisdri
ver
t
opr epar
e.
"Ibel
ievewe'r
egoingt
omeetyouherewhenweget
backf r
om schoolt
omorr
ow"Jessi
casai
d.
"
Ofcour
se"I
ri
shnodded.
"Don'
twor
ry,
I'
l
lgetyourdr
essreadyi
ntwodays"
SheaddedandJessicagi
ggl
edhappi
ly.
"Seemswehavetost
orether
efri
ger
atorwi
th
str
awberr
yandstr
awberr
yjui
ce"MrsGabri
ell
esai
d
andtheyl
aughed.
"I
'
llbeorder
ingpacksoft
hem t
omor
row"Et
hansai
d,
gri
nninghappi
ly.
Theli
ghtglowingi
nhi
seyescoul
dnotbecompar
ed
toanyoneelse.
"Weknowyou'r
egoi
ngtotakecareoft
hat
Bil
li
onai
reEt
hanHar
low"hisf
athersal
utedand
ever
yonel
aughedagai
n.

"Okay..
weneedtoallowhergonow, Ar
ushaand
MrsHel enwil
lbeexpecti
ngheral
ready"Et
hansai
d,
openingthecardoorforI
ri
sh.
I
ri
shhuggedeveryoneoneaft
ertheotherandshe
wassurpr
isedwhenMrsHarlowgaveheraki sson
t
hecheekandthenwhisper
edinherear" you'r
ea
r
aregem andihopeyouremainpartofthisfamil
y
f
orever
"
I
ri
shwasst
unned,
shef
elthonor
edhear
ingt
hat
f
rom Mr
sHarl
ow.
Wow.

Shewavedt
hem byeasshegoti
ntot
hel
imowi
th
Ethan.
He'
sgoi
ngwi
thhert
oensur
esheget
shomesaf
e.

_
___
[
05/09,07:
38]+2349060830987:Kindl
yHi
Novel
sRepubli
con+2348055889183onWhatsApp
t
ogetaddedtoournovel
sgroupandgetPDFlinks
TheBi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th

JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Chapt
er_
73

FI
NALs
"Di
dyouhearAri
ncal
lmeMum?"Iri
shaskedEt
han
asthecarwasmovi
ngonaf
reeroad.
"
Yeahidi
d"Et
hansmi
led.
"
Ifel
tgoosebumpsbutt
henit
houghtshemi
ghtnot
r
eall
ymeani t
"
"Shedoes,
idon'
tthi
nkAri
nwouldsaysomet
hing
shedoesn'
tmean"Ethansai
dandther
ewas
sil
ence.

"I
rush,ij
ustdon'
tknowhowelsetothankyoufor
savingmylifewhi
leput
ti
ngyoursontheli
ne,i
t'
s
j
ustso...
"Ethansi
ghedandI
rishhel
dhishand.
"
Ethanyouser i
ousl
yneedtost
opt hanki
ngmeori
wouldstar
tthanki
ngyouforal
lyou'vedonef
orme
t
oo"Iri
shsaid.
"
Okay,
I'
llst
op"Hechuckl
ed.

"Youlookmorebeautif
ultodayandihaditinmind
backatther
estaurantthatevenifyoudonotwant
toret
urntome,I
'l
lhavet odragyoualongwit
hme"
Ethansai
dandshel
aughed,
thr
owi
ngbackher
head.
Herl
aught
erwasoneoft
het
hingshemi
ssedal
so.
"Doyouknowhowhappyiam r i
ghtnow?I'
venever
fel
tsohappyandful
fi
ll
edinalongti
me"Iri
sh
smiledasshepl
acedherheadonhischest
.
Hestr
okeherhai
rwonderi
nghowhisl
if
ewoul
d
havet
urnedouti
fhehadn'
tmether
.

Wesur el
ymeetpeopleinl
if
eforareasonorthe
otherandhedi
dn'tr
egretmeet
ingIr
ish,heonl
y
wishedthewor
ldwouldhavemor eofsomeonelike
her.
.
She'sagem hedoesn'
twantt
oloseandwoul
d
neverl
ose.

"Ki
ssmeagai
n"Shewhi
sper
edt
ohi
m andhe
chuckl
ed.
Herheadwasonhi sl
egsandshet
urnedherf
acet
o
hi
m, poi
nti
ngoutherl
ips.
Hel
aughed.
"Com'on"Shepoutedandhebenthisheadt
o
engagetheirl
ipsi
nanothersi
zzl
ingki
ss.

_
__

"I
ri
sh"Arushascr
eamed,runningi
ntoherar
msas
heopenedthedoor,
notknowingwhatwasinst
ock
forhi
m.
"
Ouch!
"Hefr
ownedaft
erget
ti
ngaknockfrom I
rush
whomadeherf
acel
ookster
nasshewalkedin.
"Whatwasthatf
or?
"Arusharubbedhisfor
eheadas
heclosedt
hedoorandwalkedafterher
.
"Fortakingmypacksofst rawberr
yj ui
celi
keyou
owni t!Youdeserveanotherknock"Shesai d,
turni
ngt ofulf
il
lherwordsonlytoseehi m dashed
pastheri nt
othekitchenwheretheirMum was
cooking.
"Ican'
tbeli
eveshewelcomedmewithaknockon
thehead!"Hecomplai
nedloudl
ytoMrsHel
enand
shelaughed.

_
__

"Damnit"Ar
ushasi
ghedaf
tershef
ini
shedher
narr
ati
on.
Thoughshehadexcludedt
hepar
tMor
ganwas
i
nvolvedwit
hthei
rfat
her.
"
Ir
ish,
thatwasadanger
ousmi
ssi
on"Mr
sHel
ensai
d
worri
edl
y.
"Yesi
twas,t
houghMrEthanisworthitbutwhatif
somethi
nghadhappenedt
oyou"Arushasaid,
knowi
nghewouldneverbeablet
ocopewi t
hit.
"Well
..
iguessiwasl
uckyenought
ocomeout
unscathed"I
ri
shsmi
led,
chewingf
ri
es.
"
Whendidyout
urnsobr
ave?I
'
m pr
oudofyou"Mr
s
Hel
ensai
d.
"
Thanksmum"I
ri
shsmi
led.

"Youreal
lymademepr oudbybringi
ngthebad
guystobook,hi
ghfi
vesis"
Arushasaidandthey
bothrai
sedthei
rpal
msbef or
emaki ngi
tcli
ck
toget
her.
"I
t'
sashockt oknowtherewer
etwospiesinEthan'
s
houseforyearsandtheyar
eevenplanni
ngon
ki
ll
inghim,despi
tehownicehehasbeentothem"
MrsHelenshookherheadandsighed.
"Theyar
ejustungratefulf
ell
ows,at
tr
act
edt
ogr
eed
andheart
lessness"Arushasaid.
"
Exact
ly!
"Ir
ishnoddedherheadi
nagr
eement
.

Sheyawned.
."
Ireal
lyneedt
ogot
obed"

_
__

"
Mor
ningdet
ect
iveI
ri
sh"Ar
ushat
easedasshe
wal
kedintothedi
ningroom st
il
ldressedinher
paj
amas,shehadonlybrushedherteeth.
I
ri
shscof
fedpl
ayf
ull
yathi
m andhegr
inned.
Hewasf ul
lydressedinhi
sschoolunif
orm,
andshe
knowhe'sgoingtograbhi
sbackpackimmediat
ely
aft
erbr
eakfastandleaveforschool
.

"
Goodmorni
ngMum"Ir
ishsai
dloudl
y,
sohermum,
MrsHel
enwhowasi
nthekit
chencouldhearher
.
"
Goodmor
ningI
ri
sh"Mr
sHel
enr
epl
ied.
I
ri
shsatacr
ossAr
ushaandt
ookabi
teoutofhi
s
t
oast
.
"I
'
m gladyouhelpedMrEt han,butdon'
teverdothat
agai
n,iwouldneverbeabletocopeifsomething
hadhappenedtoyou."Arushasaidlooki
ngather
worr
iedly.
"I
'mluckynott
ohavegottenhur
torki
ll
edanddon'
t
for
getI'
m det
ecti
veI
ri
sh"Shesaidwit
hanairof
pri
dethatmadehimlaugh.
"Il
oveyousi
s"Hesai
dandI
ri
shst
oodupt
oki
sshi
s
cheeks.
"
Iloveyoumor
eAr
usha"Shesai
d.
"Am imi
ssi
ngsomething?
"MrsHel
enaskedwi
tha
smil
easshewalkedintot
hel
ivi
ngr
oom.
"Mum"Iri
shwenttohugher
,bur
yingherheadi
nthe
crookofherneck.
"Ican'
tbel
ieveyou'
react
ingl
ikeababywhi l
eonei s
i
nyouor ..
.i
sthebabyinyouusingyourfacebyany
chance"MrsHelengaspeddramati
call
yandt hey
l
aughed.

_
__

Ir
ishsteppedoutoft
hecarEt
hanhadsentt
opi
ck
herfr
om home.
Hehadt
oldherhe'
l
lbest
ayi
nghomet
odayj
ustf
or
her
.
Shehadcal
ledMar
iawhowasonherwaywi
th
t
hei
rluggagesandBl
aine.
Theywi
llbeher
einnot
ime.

"No,
don'tbot
her.Icanl
ifti
tmysel
f"I
ri
shsai
dto
oneofthemaidswhot r
iedtohel
pherwit
hher
l
uggage.
"MrEt
han,saidnott
oall
owyoucarryanyt
hing,
he'
s
goi
ngtogetpissedatmeifil
eaveyoutoi
tma'am"
Themaidsaid.
"
Ohh"Ir
ishsai
dandallowedt
hemai
dcar
ryher
l
uggageint
othehouse.
Shewalkedaft
erheri
napi nkshor
tgownt
hat
showedoffhersmall
tightbump.
Shehadmadeherhai
rfal
ldownt
oherwai
stt
oday
wit
houtst
yli
ngi
t.
Shesaidhit
otheworker
sasshewalkedpast
them,looki
ngfor
wardtoseei
ngEt
hanagainli
keit
's
beenyearstheyl
astsaweachot
her.
Hewaswaiti
ngi
nthel
ivi
ngroom andheswooped
heri
ntohi
sarmsi
mmediatel
yshewalkedi
n.
Theybothgiggledl
ikeki
dst
hathadj
ustbeen
boughtcandies.

_
__

"Ican'tbel
ieveI'
m her
e,I
'
vealwayswant edtowork
i
nEt hanHarlow'
smansion,i
thasbeenonmymi nd
sincet hedayicamefortheint
erview"Mariasai
d,
l
ooki ngexcitedasshestoodbesideIr
ishinher
wor kshop.
I
ri
shsmi
led,
gladt
ohaver
esumedsewi
ng.
Sheexper
imentedt
heideast
hathasbeeni
nher
headandtheycameoutfi
ne.
Shehaslotofor
derswai
ti
ngbutshest
art
edwi
th
Jessi
ca'
sdressfi
rst
.

Mar
iawat
chedherwi
thent
husi
asm.
I
ri
shwassoper fectineverything,
thewayshe
t
racedandcutthefibresbeforeputti
ngthem
t
ogetheramusedMar ia.
Sof
astandef
fi
cient
.
"Isomuchmi ssedthesoundofmysci
ssor
s'sni
p-
snip"I
ri
shchuckled.
"Whatdoyouwantmet
ohel
pyouwi
th?
"Mar
ia
asked.
"Nothing,
fornow"Ir
ishsmi l
ed,t
herewassti
ll
excit
ementwr it
tenalloverMaria'
sfaceandshehad
screamedwhensheshookEt han'
shand,making
everyonelaughed.
ShehadhelpedMrsGabr i
ell
eincl
eani
ngthe
ki
tchenandalsoassi
sti
nginprepar
ingmeal
s.
Theyal
llovedher
.

AndBlai
neal
sowhowaspresent
lywi
thEt
han
get
ti
ngfi
ll
edabouthi
swor
k.
"Mari
a,sit
..
.you'
vebeenstandi
ngsi
ncewewalkedi
n
her
e"IrishsaidandMariashookherhead.
"
Ithi
nkI
'
m st
il
lsoexci
tedt
osi
t"Shegr
inned.
"Andiwantt ot
hankyousomuch, withoutyou.I
wouldn'tbeher
eandt othi
nkI
'm evengoingtobe
earni
ngmuchmor e,
iwasshockedwhenMrEt han
mentionedtheamountofmysal ar
y.Thankyouso
muchma' am"Mar
iasaid.
"
It
'sf
ine"I
ri
shsai
d.
"Ij
ustwonderhowMrMor
gan'
sempl
oyeeswoul
d
cope"Mari
asighed.
Shehadt ol
dI r
ishandEt hanthatthepol
icecameto
searchMorgan'sbui l
dingtodayandtheytol
devery
workertopackt heirt
hingsandevacuatethe
buil
dingbecauset heownermi ghtnotbecoming
backanymor e.
"Youwon'tbel
ievesomeoftheworkerst
ookal
otof
moneyfrom MrMor gan'
sroom andal
sosome
expensi
vejewelri
esfr
om Cather
ie'
sroom"Mar
ia
said.
"
Wow!
"Ir
isjsi
ghedandshookherheadsadl
y.

"I
ri
sh!
"Carlexci
tedvoicepier
cedi
ntoherwor
kshop
evenbef
orehewal kedin.
"
T,what
'sgoi
ngon?
"Ir
ishasked.
"MrEthan,j
ustgavemeoneofhi smansions!Two
car
sand. .
ican'
tevenment i
ontheamountofmoney
hegaveme.Hegi ftedthem t
omef ormyupcoming
weddingandheevenpr omi
sedtosponsort
he
wholeevent.
.i
..
idon'tknowhowtothankhim"Carl
sai
dintears.
I
ri
shhuggedhi
m andshewasmovedt
otear
sal
so.

_
__I
vyRoyal
s__

"
Yousaidyouhadsomethingtotellme"Ol
ivi
asai
d
t
oArushaastheyat
etheirlunch.
"
Yeah"Ar
ushasai
d,hecoul
dfeelhi
shear
tpoundi
ng.
I
ri
sh'
sbackhomesaf
eandnowhe'
sreadyt
omake
Ol
ivi
ahi
sgi
rl
fr
iend.
Jessi
cafei
gnedacoughandstoodupknowing
whatiti
sal
labout
.Arushahadtol
dherabouti
t.
"I
'
llbeback"Shesai
dasshewal
kedoutoft
he
cl
assroom.
Ki
ndl
yHiNovel
sRepubli
con+2348055889183on
What
sApptogetaddedtoournovel
sgr
oupandget
PDFl
inksl
ook.
He'
ssur
pri
sedOl
ivi
acoul
dmakehi
mfeelt
hisshy.
"
Ili
keyou"Heblurt
edoutandOliviast
aredathi
m
wit
hanexpressi
onhecouldn'
tfathom.
Ifonl
yhecoul
dplacehi
shandonherchestandsee
howfastandhar
dherchestwaspoundi
ng.
"Ol
ivia,Ihavefeel
ingsforyou,str
ongfeel i
ngsthat
i
'veneverevenf eltf
oranyone.Knowi ngyoui spar t
ofwhatmademechangemybadl if
estyle,meeting
you,get t
ingtoknowyou, bei
ngyourf r
iend,
developingstrongfeel
ingsforyouhasbeennot hing
butagr eatjoyandpeacet ome,youfil
lupmyhear t
Oli
via,youmakemyhear tpoundwi t
houteven
maki ngeffortto,ilookforwar dtoseei ngyou
everydaybecauseyoucompl eteme, I'
ddoanyt hing
toseeandhearyoul augh, t
hesoundofyour
l
aught erhasawayofmaki ngonef eelalive.Ther ol
l
ofyoureyesal waysmakemewantt ocr ackmyr ibs
withlaughter.You' resimpl yoneoft hebestt hings
thathaseverhappenedt ome, IloveyouOl i
via,
i
l
oveyousomuchandI '
m sor rytohavet akent his
l
ongt oconfessmyf eel
ingst oyou.Let '
sshar e
l
aught erandt ear stogether,l
et'
ssoot heeachot her'
s
pain,
let'
scryt oget herandl et'
sstayhappyt ogether.
Iwantyout obemygi rl
friendOlivi
a"Ar ushasai d
andhecoul dn'tevenbel ievetheboldnesst hathad
possessedhi m unt i
lhewasdone.
Ol
ivi
a'
seyeswer
efi
ll
edwi
tht
ear
sbyt
het
imehe
wasdone.

"
Arusha"Shesobbed,
huggi
nghi
mti
ght
ly.
Hehel
dheri
nhi
sar
msandi
nhal
edhersweetscent
.
"Il
oveyousomuch,
myhear
tbeat
sforyout
oo"She
sai
dandArushasi
ghedi
nwhatseemsli
ker
eli
ef.
Shel
oveshi
m al
so.
Yes!
"I
'
llgl
adl
ybeyourgirl
fr
iendAr
usha"Shesai
dand
sawthathelookedst
unnedbefor
ehisl
ipsbr
oke
i
ntoasmi l
e.
"Ol
ivi
a,r
eal
ly?
"Heasked,
sear
chi
ngherf
acet
obe
sur
e.
"Ofcourse,youdi
dn'tt
hinki
t'
saonesi dedl
overight
?
Iequall
yloveyou"Shesaidandlooki
ngathim,she
knewthiswast heri
ghtti
metotellhi
m abouther.
Shecan'
tlethi
m gett
oohappywi
thoutr
eveal
ing
hert
ruei
dentit
y.

"Ihavesomet
hingtot
ellyou,
I
'm notsureyou'
l
lsti
ll
wantmet obeyourgi
rl
fri
endaft
ertell
ingyouthi
s"
Shesaidashewipedhertear
s.
Hel
ookedather
,puzzl
ed.
"Goahead,
butij
ustwantyoutoknowt here's
nothi
ngthat
'l
lmakemeleaveyou,forgivenessis
oneofthemainkeysi
nar el
ati
onship,
ifidon't
forgi
veyouthenitmeansidonotl oveyou,
goahead
l
et'ssolvewhat
everitistogether
"Arushasaid
reassuri
ngl
yandOliviafeltsohappytohavesucha
guylikehiminherl
ife.
Heamazesher,
hisi
ntel
li
gentt
alkssometi
mes
ast
oni
shher,
Arushaspeakssowi sel
y.

"
I'
m apri
ncess,
pri
ncessOli
viaLoui
sofKi
ngCi
ty"
Ol
ivi
asai
dandsawhi seyeswiden.
"Ar
usha, I'
m sosor ryt ohavehi ddenthisfrom you,i
swearidi dn'tmeant o.I '
mj ustsomeonewho
doesn'tli
kemyt rueident i
tyget ti
ngrevealed
becauseiwantt obet reat
edl ikeanor mal
person,I
'mt i
redofhavi ngpeopl ewhoar eold
enought obemypar ent sbowt ome, I
'mtir
edt o
havingdozensofmai dsatmybeckandcal l
,i
mt ir
ed
ofbeingtr eatedl i
keagod, schooli stheonl yplacei
don'tgetal lthatandt hat'
sther easonihi dmy
surname,that 'sthereasonMrNat ali
eall
owsmeeat
i
ncl ass.Ar ushaI 'm sosor rytohavekeptt hisfrom
youf orl
ong, iwasaf raidyou'llstartt
reati
ngme
di
fferentl
yandidon'
twantthat
.I'
m sosorry
Arusha,ipromi
senevertohi
deanythi
ngfrom you
again"Olivi
asai
d,l
ookingi
ntohi
seyespleadingl
y.

Hestar
edather,
l
ostforwords.Hewas
sur
pri
sed,
shecouldseei
tinhisface.
Hedi
dn'
tevenl
ookabi
tangr
y.

"Mygir
lf
ri
endisaprincess"Helaughed, surpr
isi
ng
Oli
viawhohadexpectedquesti
onsl i
ke..'whydid
youkeepitf
rom me?Didn'tyoutrustmeenought o
tel
lme?Whyt hehel
ldidyoudot hat?'
"
You'
renotangr
y?"Sheasked.
"Angry?No,I
'm exci
tedtoknowthatmygir
lf
ri
endis
aprincessandihadl ovedherevenwheniwas
unawar eofherRoyalstat
us.Thisi
ssothr
il
li
ng"
Arushasmi l
ed,pull
inghercl
osetohim.
Ol
ivi
awasst
unned,
shebl
inkedrapi
dly,
tryi
ngt
osee
i
fhermi
ndweren'
tpl
ayi
ngtri
cksonher .
"
Lit
tl
ewonderyoul
ooksobeaut
if
ul"Hechuckl
ed
andki
ssedheront
hef
orehead.

"
Youst
il
lwantmeasyourgi
rl
fr
iend?
"Sheasked.
Ar ushalaughed" ofcour se,com'onbabe,youhada
goodr easonf orconceal ingyouridenti
ty,
I'
m
intri
guedt here'
sst i
llaprincesswhopr efersa
nor malli
fe.Though, iwoul dhavebeenabi tpi
ssedi
f
ihadf oundoutmysel f.And, don'
tbotheraboutme
treati
ngyoudi f
ferentl
y,iwouldtreatyoulikei
nor mall
ydoexceptwi t
hmor eaff
ecti
onand
romancebecauseyou' renowmygi rlf
ri
end"Hesai d
andshegr inned,blushinghar d.

"ThankyouAr usha,f
orbei
ngsounderstanding,
i
neverexpectedyout ot
akeitwit
houthardfeeli
ng,
you'r
ejustfullofsur
pri
sesaren'
tyou?"Sheteased,
pushinghisnosewi thafi
nger.
Hel
aughed.
"
Arusha,doyouknowasar
oyal
ty,
I
'm nottohavea
r
elat
ionshi
pwit
hsomeonewho'
snotroyalbutto
hel
lwiththatr
ule,
Itsgoi
ngt
oendf r
om me"Ol
ivi
a
rol
ledhereyesandArushal
aughed.
"Ican'tbel
ievet
hatt
radit
ionstil
lexi
sts,
wel
l.
.we're
goingt oputanendtothi
st ogether
,we'
rei
nthis
together"
Arushasai
d,cuppinghercheekswit
hhis
palms.

"
Howaboutyoucomeovertothepalacet
his
weekend,
I'
m goi
ngt
oinvi
teRyanandJessi
caal
so"
Ol
ivi
asaid.
"
Real
ly?I
'
m goi
ngt
omeett
heKi
ngandQueen?
"
"
Yes"Ol
ivi
asmi
led.
"Wow,I'
m get
ti
ngnervousal
ready.Whatifthey
ordersomeonetothrowmeoutf orst
eali
ngt he
pri
ncessheart
"Arushasai
dandOl ivi
alaughed.
"Myfatherl
ovesEthanHarl
owsomuchandi fhe
shouldknowyoursist
eri
scar r
yinghi
sbaby,he'
l
l
giveushisblessi
ngsi
mmedi at
ely"Ol
ivi
asai
d.
"
Woah..
.it
hinki
t'
llbebett
eri
fMrEthanf
oll
owsus
i
nst
ead,
thenyourfatheri
sgoi
ngtomakeusget
marr
iedi
mmedi
atel
y"Ar
ushasai
dandt
heybot
h
l
aughed.

Thei
rlaughquiet
edandt heyl
ookedateachot
her
wit
heyesfullofaff
ect
ion.
Theywil
li
ngl
ydr
ownedi
nthef
ogofl
ovecl
asped
overt
hem.
Bot
hgr
atef
ult
ohavef
oundeachot
her
.

Thesoundofnoi
sesmadet
hei
rser
enemoment
cometoanabruptend.
Theysawstudent
swalki
ngtowardsthem wi
th
angr
ylooksandeyesf
ullofquest
ions.
Wel
l.
.they'
vef
oundoutsheeat
sinthecl
assand
t
heyarenotpl
anni
ngtotakei
tli
ght
lywit
hher
.

_
_Howdar
eyoueati
nthecl
ass!
"
_
__Whataudaci
ty!
"

_
__Youj
ustbr
okeoneoft
heschoolr
ules"

_
_You'
l
lbepuni
shed!
"

_
_I'
m goi
ngtoinf
orm MrNat
ali
eoft
his
i
mmediatel
y!"

"
Olivi
a,it
ri
edtost
opt
hem"Jessi
casi
ghedand
Ol
ivianodded.
SheandArushawer
esoengrossedt
hatt
heydi
dn'
t
knewlunchbr
eakwasover
.
ShesawArushat
ryi
ngt
ostandupt
oaddr
esst
he
st
udent
sbutshequi
ckl
yst
oppedhi
m.

Shest
oodupi
nst
ead.
"Well
,
idi
dn'tmeantorevealt
histhi
swaybuthas
anyoneeverwonder
edwhymyl astnamei
s
conceal
ed?"Sheasked.

__Becauseyourf atheri
saninfamoussafecracker
ofcourse,andyou'resoashamedofhi sl
astname"
Oneoft hestudentssaidandtherestbur
stedinto
l
aughter,agreei
ngwi thher
.
Ol
ivi
aal
sojoi
nedthem inlaughi
ngandJessi
caand
Ar
ushaknewthestudentswereinf
orit
.
"Well
..
thati
nfamoussafecr ackerist
hereigni
ng
Pri
nceofKi ngCit
y,aut
omat i
call
ymakingmea
pri
ncess.I'
m pri
ncessOlivi
aLoui sofKingCit
y"
Oli
viasaidboldl
y,
shehasneverf el
tsoproud
announcingherRoyalstatus.

Thestudent sgaspedinshockandbef or
eOlivi
a
couldutteranotherword,
theyallbowedt oherin
greatrespectapologi
singli
ketheirl
ivesdepended
onitfor.
_
___
_

AMont
hLat
er_
_

Thedaydawnedblueandgoldandsunny,
itwasn'
t
toohotortoocool
,per
fectat
mospher
eforher
weddingtoday.
Ir
ishwasnervous,shecoul
dn'
teveneatthe
sandwichMariahadprepar
edforthem,
shewasso
exci
ted.
Esther,
thehairdr
essercameatt woo'cl
ocktot
end
toherhair
,Olivi
a'
smot herhadrecommended
Estherwhowasherper sonalhairst
yli
stand
makeupar t
isttoIr
ish.

"
HeyEsther
"Ol
ivi
asaidjovi
all
yasshewal
kedi
nto
I
ri
sh'
sroom wi
thJessi
ca.
Theybothwenttogett
hemani
cur
esand
pedi
curesdone.
Theywor emat chingoutfi
ts,
str
aplesswi nesati
n
gowns, gl
ist
eningwi t
hcrystal
s.I r
ishhadmadei tf
or
them andshewasgl adtoseet hem looking
stunningini
t,t
heyhadbot hdeci dedtoletdown
theirhai
rtotheirwaist
sandt heywor ethesame
colorofshoes,cream.thoughit'
sofdi f
ferent
designs.

"Pl
easeyour eall
yneedtomakeherhairlook
dif
ferentandstunni
ng"Oli
viasai
dtoEstherwho
smiled.
"
Iwi
ll
"
"Estherisreal
lycompetent,
shemakesmymum' s
hairalltheti
meandshehadevenmademyr oyal
cousin'shairwhoweddedl astyear
"Ol
ivi
a
smi l
ed,shewassitt
ingattheedgeofIr
ish'
sbed,
helpingAr i
nunwraphercandy.
"Wow,I'
m assuredshe'
lldoagoodj
obt
hen"Mar
ia
sai
d,shewast hebri
desmaid.
Shewasputti
ngonawar m bei
gecol
ordresst
hat
huggedhercur
vesper
fect
ly,
herhai
rst
yledina
si
mpleponyt
ailandshewor
ebl
ackheel
s,
she
l
ookedbeaut
if
ul.

"Mum'sstil
lgonnalookbeaut
if
ulwi
thouteven
styl
ingherhair
"Ari
nsaid.
Shewaswearingapr ett
ypurpl
egownIri
shhad
madeforherwit
hwhi teshoesanddi
ff
erentcol
ors
ofhai
rcl
ipsdecorat
ingherhair
.
"Ofcoursebutshe'
sthebri
de,
sheneedst
olook
dif
ferentandst
unning"
Jessi
casai
dandArin
shrugged.
"Ol
ivi
a,hel
pLucasunwraphushcandy"Ar
insai
d
aft
erseeingLucasst
ruggl
ewit
hthecandywrap.
"Yoursoni
ssocut
e"Ol
ivi
asai
dtoMar
ia,
who
smiled.
ShehelpedLucasunwr
aphercandyal
soand
handeditt
oher.
"
Thankyou"LucasgaveOl
ivi
aabi
gtoot
hlessgr
in.
Est
herst
art
edwi
tht
hemakeupaf
tershewasdone
wit
hthehai
r.
I
tlookedbeauti
fult
hati
talreadyhi
ghli
ghtedI
ri
sh'
s
f
ace.Estheri
ssocompet entli
keOli
viahadsai
d.

"
I'
m soexci
ted"Ol
ivi
abeamed.
"
Abouttheweddingorbecauseyou'
l
lbeseei
ng
Arushasoon?
"Jessi
cateasedandtheyl
aughed.
Ar
ushaandRyanwer
ewi
thEt
hani
nhi
shot
el.
Etgan'sparent
s,MrsHelen,
MrsGabr
iel
leand
Ryan'sMum wer eattheweddi
nghal
lalready
putti
ngthingstoorder.
Oli
via'
sparentsandsomanyotherdi
gni
tar
ies
wouldbegr aci
ngtheoccasi
on,
whichmeansthe
securi
tywouldbeveryti
ght.

"
Now,yourdr
ess"Est
hersaidaf
tershewasdone
wit
hthesimpl
ebuteye-
catchi
ngmakeup.
I
ri
shgott
oherf
eetasherweddi
ngdr
esswas
f
etched,ofcourseshehadmadethebeaut
if
ul
magnifi
centlacegownhersel
f.

Theyallhel
pedherworethedress,
Ari
nstoodona
chai
rtoassistt
hem andLucawasmor econcer
ned
wit
hseeingtheendofhishcandy.
Theywerecaref
ulnott
omessherhai
rormakeup
astheyworehertheweddi
ngdr
ess.
Estheratt
achedthel
onglacevei
ltoIr
ish'
sperf
ect
ly
styl
edhairandtheyal
lst
oodbackt oexaminet
he
beauti
fulbri
de.

Gaspst
rai
ledf
rom t
hei
rmout
hs.

_
___

"
Thebr
idei
scomi
ngi
n..
.
Ir
ishsteppedi
ntot
heHal
lwit
hat wenty-
foott
rai
n
behindherandacl
oudofvei
lcover
ingherface.
Headst
urnedandgaspsf
il
ledt
hewhol
ehal
l.
Shel
ookedl
ikeamovi
est
ar.

Shewal keddownt heaisl

einstatel
yeleganceand
shecoul dseeEthancatchhisbreathasshewalked
towardshim.Itwast hemostperfectmomentofher
l
ife.
Tearsfi
ll
edhereyes,wishi
ngherfatherhadbeen
heretowalkherdownt heaisl
e.Knowinghe'
shere
withherandshejustcouldn'
tseehim st
oppedthe
tearsf
rom rol
li
ngdownhercheeks.
He'sher
eandhe'
swalkingherdownt
heai
sleand
hermotheri
sal
soseatedhere.

Shesmi l
edbackatEt
hanwhowaslooki
ng
breatht
aki
nginhi
swhitesui
twi
thgol
dgli
tt
ersat
everyedge.
Hi
shai
rhadbeenobvi
ousl
ygi
venspeci
al
t
reat
ment
,i
tlookeddar
ker
,gl
ossi
erandcur
li
er.
Hi
sgoldeneyeslookedst
ri
king,t
heymat
chedwith
t
hegoldgli
tt
ersonhissui
t,Ethanist
hemostgood
l
ooki
nggroom shehaseverseen.

Shestoodbesi
dehi
m andhequi
ckl
yhel
dher
hand.
Hehadresi
stedhi
mselff
rom r
unni
ngtoherand
pul
li
ngheri
ntohisar
mswhi l
eshewaswalki
ng
downtheai
sle.
"
Arewemeantt
ohol
dhands?
"Shet
easedhi
mina
whisper
.
"
Idon'
tcare,
youdon'
tknowhowhar
dI'
mtryi
ngnot
t
okissyouri
ghtnow"Hesai
dandsheal
most
l
aughed.

Theywerebot
hfaci
ngt
hei
rguestsandI
ri
shwasa
bi
tsurpr
isedt
oseesomuchpeople.
Themaleguest
sworewhitet
ieandt
hewomen
worespect
acul
argowns.
Ever
yonel
ookedgr
eat
.
Theyal
lst
aredatt
hebr
ideandgr
oom ador
ingl
y.
Voguewascover
ingt
heweddi
ng.

Thepresswereout
sidebeggi
ngtobeal
lowedin,
the
securi
tywassoti
ghtandtheweddi
ngwasstri
ctl
y
byinvi
te.
ArushaandRyanlookedi
ntr
iguedtoseesome
superst
arst
heyhadalwayswatchedonTV.
"
Ithi
nkI
'
m goi
ngt
ofai
ntal
ready"Ryansai
d.
"
Met
oo"Ar
ushal
aughed.
"Ican'
tbeli
evemybrotherisfi
nall
ytal
kingt
ohis
celebri
tycr
ush"Ryansmi l
ed,gazi
ngatKell
ywho
wasi nadeepconversat
ionwi t
hElenaScot
t,
oneof
youngestandmostbeaut i
fulHoll
ywoodactr
ess.
Kel
ly'
sroom i
sst
ackedwi
thhermagazi
nes.
Anditdoesn'
tlookli
keKel
lyisfor
cingt
he
conver
sati
on,Elenai
sobviousl
yenjoyi
nghi
s
companyalso,
shesmi l
edandlaughedati
nter
val
s.
Ryanf
eltsohappyf
orhi
sbr
other
.
"Ibetyourbr
otherisn'
tgonnasl
eept
oni
ght
"Ar
usha
saidandtheylaughed.

Ol
ivi
ashookherheaddisapprovi
ngl
yseei
ngher
br
otherf
li
rtwi
thdi
ffer
entgir
lsatonce.

"Thatwomanwant severyonetoknowshe'sthe
groom'smother"Ethansai
dt oI
rishandshe
chuckl
ed,watchingMr sHarl
owwel comeguest
s
withherf
acelitupwi t
hsmiles.
"
Anyonewoul
dknowshe'
sthegr
oom'
smot
her
"
I
ri
shsmil
ed.
Mr sHarlowwasweari
nganexpensivelooking
emer al
dgreenor
ganzawithhi
gh-heel
edblack
shoes,herdi
amondearr
ingsandneckl
acel ooked
greatonher.
MrHar
lowwaslooki
nggreatinhi
ssi
mpl
ebl
acksui
t,
whi
tet
ieandshi
nyblackshoes.
Ar
ushaandRyanwer
elooki
ngf
lyi
nthei
rtuxedo,
i
gnori
ngt hel
adi
esf
li
rt
ingwi
tht
hem f
rom di
ff
erent
di
rect
ions.
MrsHelenappliedmakeupf orthefi
rstti
mei n
year
sanditmadeherl ooksoyoungandbeaut if
ul,
shewasputtingonapalebluesatingown, hel
dbya
ti
nystr
ingofrhinest
onestoherneck,wi t
hsparkly
whit
eshoes,hereyeswerefi
lledwit
hl ovefort
he
coupl
e.
MrsGabr i
ell
e,whohadbeentheweddi
ngplanner
l
ookedqui t
estunningi
nasimplepi
nkdresswit
h
si
lvershoes,Jessi
cahadhel
pedherst
yleherhai
r
andalsomadeherwearmakeup.

El
lawasalsoseat
edamongt
heguest
s,smi
li
ng
happi
ly.
Shel
ookedpr
ett
ybutsl
ight
lyover
dressed,
her
makeupwasdramat
icandsexy.
Shehadstoppedwor ki
ngatMor gan'smodel
li
ng
companyaftert
heincidentandshe'sher
efortoday
j
ustforI
ri
sh'swedding,shewassoexci t
edwhen
Ir
ishi
nvi
tedher,knowingshe'sgonnameetalotof
di
gnit
ari
est
hatmi
ghtpr
obabl
yhel
phernew
busi
nessgr
ow.
ThoughI r
ishwasplanni
ngtogivehersomemoney
torefur
bishhernewbarandguesthouseint
oa
biggerandmoremoder none.
El
lathr
ewawadofpinkgum i
nhermout handt
hen
gr
innedatI
ri
shwhenshecaughthereyes.

Blai
ne,
Carl,
andRobwer estandi
ngnott
oofarf
rom
Ethan,asbodyguar
dsandalsoasgroomsmen.
Theylookedgreati
nthei
rsuit
sandwhit
eti
e.
Car lwasmar ri
edal readyandhi swi
fewassi t
ti
ng
amongt heguest s,Blaine'sgazewasonMar i
a
l
ikewi sehersonhi m,theyst ar
teddati
ng
recent l
y,
tur
nsoutMar i
awasn' ttheonl
yonehavi ng
feelingsforhim,heconf essedtohavelikedheral
so
andhehadn' tevenbul gedorchangedhi smind
afterknowingshehasachi ld,
heembr acedLucas
i
ntohi sworl
dinst ead.
Robbie'
seyedGemma, Mari
a'sf
ri
endwhowasal so
seat
edinthemidstofguest
s,hehadl
ikedherat
fi
rstglance,
shelookedelegant,gentl
eand
calm,exactl
yhistype.Andhersmi lewassoot
hing
event houghithadn'
tbeendirectedtohi
m but
Lucas.
"
She'
ssi
ngl
e"Bl
ainewhi
sper
edt
oRob.
"
Huh?
"Robasked.
"
Gemma"Bl
ainewi
nkedandRobgr
inned.

Ir
ishandEthanexchangedt
heirvowsand
ri
ngs,
theyweredeclar
edhusbandandwif
eandt
hen
ki
ssedpassionat
ely.
Thehallwasfil
ledwi
tht
hesoundofcameras,
unt
il
t
heyreluctant
lymovedawayf
rom eachot
her.

_
__

Ir
ishhadherfi
rstdancewi
thEthanatt
her
ecept
ion
andthenwit
hAr ushaandEthan'
sDad.
Af
tert
hedance,
i
twast
imet
othr
owt
hebouquet
,al
l
singl
ewomenl i
nedupinorderl
yfashi
onunderMrs
Helen'
sdir
ecti
on,t
hemenst eppedasi
deandEthan
watchedhiswif
eador
ingl
y,waiti
ngimpat
ient
lyto
takeheraway.

Shestoodonali
tt
lest
oolsoshecoul
dthr
owt
he
bouquetatt
hem.

"
Ifitl
andsonyou,we'
regett
ingmarri
edri
ghtaway"
Arushawhisper
edtoOli
viawholaughed.
Thoughshewasn'tontheli
newiththewomen,
Arushahadj
ustsaidthatj
okingl
y.
Hecrossedhisarm overhershoul
derandthen
pull
edherclosert
ohim, gl
ari
ngattheguyswho
werestari
ngather,
notonlybecauseshewas
beauti
fulbutal
sobecauseshewasapr incess.
Hegavet hem t
he'she'
s-mi
ne!-
i-dare-
you-
to-come-
close-
to-her-
and-have-
your
-bal
ls-r
ipped-
off'
lookand
theyallquickl
yturnedaway.
Hesmi
ledt
ohi
msel
fsat
isf
act
ori
ly.
Iri
shstosswasst r
ongerandhighert hanexpect
ed
asitsai
ledoverdozensofwomen' sheadswho
werestruggli
ngtocatchitandthenlandedon
Mar i
a'
schest ,
whohadn'tevenmadeanyef fortt
o
catchit
,hergazel
ockedwi thBl
ain'
simmedi at
ely
andhesmi l
edandwinkedather .

Ever
yonecheer
ed.
..
thecel
ebr
ati
oncont
inued.
I
ri
shandEthanl i
nger edf orawhilebef
orefi
nal
ly
l
eavi
ngtheparty,ever yonethrewrosepetal
sat
t
hem bef
oretheyst eppedi ntotheRoyalcar
ri
age
wai
ti
ngforthem.
Theywavedatever
yonebef
oret
hecar
ri
agepul
led
off
.
Theywer
eheadedstr
aightt
otheai
rpor
t,
theyhad
pl
annedt
ospendthei
rhoneymooninHideoutBal
i
i
nSanFranci
sco.

_
__
"
I'
veneverseenapl
acel
ooksobeaut
if
ul"I
ri
shsai
d
t
oEthan.
Theyweresnuggledineachother'
sarms,naked.
Theblanketcoveri
ngthem,theyjustf
ini
shedthe
thir
droundoflovemakinginonenight.
"I
'
m actuall
yageni
usinpicki
ngoutbeaut
if
ul
places,
noonedoesitbet
tert
hanme"Ethan
boasted.
.
"Di
dij
ustsaythi
splacei
sbeautif
ul.
.ur
rgh!I
t'
s
damnugl
y"Ir
ishscoff
edplayf
ull
yandtheylaughed.

"We'
regonnagosi ght
seei
ngtomorrow,
ther
ear
ea
l
otofbeauti
fulpl
acesherethatiwoul
dwantusto
vi
sit
"Ethansaid.
"
Ican'
twai
t"I
ri
shsai
d,gl
eef
ull
y.

"We'r
efinal
lymar
ried,
ineachother
'sarms,faraway
i
noneoft hemostbeauti
fulpl
acesinthewor l
d,a
placesoserenet
hatevenourmindsfeelatpeace.
I
'm sohappy,ihadn'tevenbeenthi
shappywheni
mademyf i
rstbil
li
on..t
odayisthehappi
estdayof
myl i
fe"Et
hansaidandI r
ishsmil
ed.
"
I'
veneverf
eltt
hishappyandf
ulf
il
led"Shesai
d.
"Uhmm. .
whydoif eel
you'
vedonesomethi
ng
naughtythatyouneedtobespankedf
or"I
ri
shsai
d
andEthanlaughed.
Ir
ishsatupandt heblanketsl
ippedawayf r
om her
breast
sandEt hanquicklypul
ledherclosebefor
e
shecouldpicktheblanket,
shecurledherarms
aroundhisneck,cr
ushingherbr east
sagainsthi
s
hardchest.
Achokingmoanfi
ll
edhert
hroatasheki
ssedher
neckdowntoherbr
east
s.

"
Cheer
stomoreni
ghtstocome"Hesmi
ledashe
madeherl
ayonherback.
Hegotontopofherandmadehishandsexpl
ore
ever
ypartofherbodybef
oret
hrust
ingi
ntoher.
Hermoansgr
ewl
ouderandhecover
edherl
ipswi
th
hi
s.

I
ri
shgaveher
sel
fint
otal
ly,
enj
oyi
ngt
hebl
issf
ul
moment.

Et
hanHarlowhadt ur
nedherdarknessi
ntot
he
br
ight
eststarshehaseverseen.

*I
nanot
her
'sdar
kestmomentl
ayst
hebr
ight
nessof
anot
her
*

_
__

Can'tbeli
evet
heStoryhascomet
oanend
ExpecttheEpi
logue
[
05/09,07:
38]+2349060830987: The
Bi
ll
ionai
reIFel
linLoveWi
th
 JustANanny

CopyAtYourOwnRi
sk‼

Genr
e;Bi
ll
ionai
re,
Mai
d,Romance-
Supense

Aut
hor
essBer
ryJul
ie

#Epi
l
ogue

_
_AyearLat
er_
_

Ar
insati
nIri
sh'swor
kshop,r
ockingl
it
tl
eAr
isht
o
sl
eepinherar
mswhileIr
ishworked.

Herbusinesswasboomi ngf
astandshenowhas
dozensofworkers,t
houghshesti
llpr
efer
ssewi
ng
i
nherlit
tleworkshop.
I
tgi
veshert
hecomf
ortanyot
herpl
acecan'
t.
Shewassewi
ngMaria'
sweddi
ngdress,
theweddi
ng
i
scomingupi
ntwoweekstimeandMar i
aisout
wit
hMrsGabr
iel
let
ogetmorethi
ngsforthe
weddi
ng.

Ethanhadgift
edBlai
neandMar iamansion,
two
car
sandahugesum ofmoneyf orthei
rwedding
j
ustli
kehehaddonef orcar
landeveryonehad
l
aughedwhenRobsai dhecan'twaittogetmarr
ied
al
so,he'
sdati
ngGemmaal r
eadyandt heyar
e
act
uall
ytaki
ngthi
ngsslowandst eady.

Todayisthei
rweddinganniver
saryandtheyhad
cel
ebrat
editbeforeEt
hanleftforwor
k.Yeah,her
husbandissti
llashar
dworkingasever.
Thei
rweddi
ngissti
llr
ankedt
hemostevent
ful
weddi
nginCal
if
orni
aevenafterayear
..
Thei
rweddi
ngpictur
eswer
ethecoveroft
op
weddi
ngsmagazines.
"
I'
llgodr
ophiminhiscot"Ar
inwhi
sper
edt
oIr
ish
whosmiledandnodded.
Ari
sh'
seyespoppedopent
hemomentAr
inst
ood
upandheburst
edint
otear
s.
Ar
ingr
oanedandI
ri
shl
aughed.

Ari
shJoyHarl
owisjustf
ivemont
hsol
d..
socut
e
andchubbyt
hatpeopl
estoppedt
oadmir
ehi
m
ever
ywheret
heywent.
Hehasstri
kinggoldeneyes, j
ustli
kehisfat
herand
healsot
ookEt han'sblackhai
r,Ari
sh'sski
nisthe
col
orofl
iqui
dhoneyj ustli
kethatofhismotherand
whenhesmi les,
hischeeksdimples.
He'
sanador
abl
ebaby.

AndAr i
nwho'snowayearol deractssomuchl i
ke
thebigsist
ersheis,Ari
shisalwaysinherarms
exceptwhenhe'ssleepi
nginhiscotorwhenshe
l
eavesforschoolandoncesheget sbackfrom
school,
she'l
ldropherbackpackandgot ohim
i
mmedi at
ely,
tel
li
nghim aboutherdayandshe
wouldl
aughhappilywhenJoyr epl
iesherwi
thhi
s
babychatt
eri
ng.

Ar
insatbackont
hechai
randAr
ishkeptqui
et.
Hi
seyesst
art
edcl
osi
ngal
mosti
mmedi
atel
y.

"
Seemshedoesn'
twantt
oleaveyourwor
kshop"
Ari
nsmi
led.
"
Yeah"I
ri
shnodded.

"
Heyyo!Mi
ne"Et
hansai
d,wal
kingi
ntoI
ri
sh'
s
wor
kshop.
"
Sweet
hear
t"I
ri
shst
oodupt
ohughi
m.
Hehadtol
dherhe'
ll
bel eavi
ngwor
kear
lyt
ospend
someti
mewithhertoday.
Hekissedhercheeksandt
henherl
ips,
whi
ch
l
inger
edforawhi l
e.
Het
urnedt
ohi
schi
ldr
enandwal
kedt
owar
dst
hem.
"Li
tt
leAr
ishi
sasl
eep"Hesmi
ledcr
ouchi
ngi
nfr
ont
ofthem.
"
Shhhh...
nonoi
seorhe'
sgonnawakeup"Ar in
whisper
edtoEt
hanwhonodded,hekissedher
f
oreheadandgi
ngerl
ysteppedback.

"
Youl
ookt i
red,
I'
mtiredalso.Let
'sgor
esti
nthe
r
oom"EthantookIr
ish'shandandpull
edheroutof
t
heworkshop.
Ari
nglancedatthem suspi
ciousl
ybef
oret
urni
ng
hergazebacktoAri
sh.

"
Andwhenwegett
otheroom,wemustr
eallyr
est
"
I
ri
sht
easedEt
hanastheywal
kedt
othei
rroom.
"
Yeah,
aqui
tedi
ff
erentr
est
"Et
hangr
inned.
"
Damn!You'
resonaught
y"I
ri
shl
aughed.
"
Iknowr
ight
"Hel
aughed.
"
Wher
ear
ethosemi
schi
evoust
eens?
"Et
hanasked.
"
Theywentt
othepalace,
theymi
ghtbecomi
ngback
t
omorr
ow"Ir
ishsai
d.
"Li
tt
lewonderthehousei
snoi
sel
ess"Et
hansai
d
andIri
shchuckled.

Ryan, Jessi
ca,Olivi
aandArushahadgraduated
from highschoolamont hagoandtheyallappl
ied
forthesamecol lege,t
heyar
eexpecti
ngtheir
admi ssionl
ett
erwhi chismostl
ikel
ytobeposit
ive
becauset heyallgraduat
edwit
hgoodgrades.
Theyar etheteenmodel sf
orherfashionst or
e,t
heir
pictureswereonthef r
ontpageofLevin'sfashions
pagesandmagazi nes,
eachofthem rockingapi ece
fr
om t hestoreanditwasreall
yfetchi
ngIr i
shgreat
sales,shecan'tbemor egr
atefult
ohavesuchgood
l
ooki ngsibl
ings.

Theydoswi
tchf
rom Et
han'
shouset
othepal
ace
andt
hent
oAr
ushaandRyan'
shouse.
Arushahadtol
dherOli
via'
sfat
herknewhewas
dati
ngOli
viaandheseemst oappr
oveofi
t.
Hestil
lteasesherbycalli
ngherdet ectiveIri
sh,she
hadstoppedt hethoughtofbeingadet ective
becauseshewast ooemotionalandsof tf
orit,
she
wasonlyl uckywithMorgan'scase,besidesshe
wouldli
ket ospendtimewi t
hherf amily.
Herf
ashi
onbusi
nessi
senoughf
orhert
ohandl
e.

MrandMr sHar
lowret
urnedt
oPari
sal
readybut
t
hey'
llbeher
eforMari
aandBlai
ne'
swedding.
AndMr sHeleni
snowver yclosewit
hRyan'sMum
whowassohappywhenKel lytol
dherhe'
snow
dat
ingElenaScott
,sheimagi
nedthei
rweddingt
obe
aseventf
ulasEthan'sandIr
ish'
s.
MrsHelenandRyan' sMum keepeachother'
s
companyanddi scussrel
evantthi
ngswhil
eMr s
Hel
enknitinthebigstoreIri
shhadopenedfor
her
,sheboughtsomekni tt
ingmachinest
hat'
llmake
hermum' sworkeasierbutMrsHel
enl
ovestoknit
withherhandsoncei nawhil
eandshereal
lymakes
greatsal
eseveryday.
Ethangi
ft
edheracarevent houghthestor
ei sjust
fewwalksfr
om thehouse,hethoughtshemi ght
wanttogotothemarketandsomeot herplaces.

_
_

ThedooropenedandEt
hanqui
ckl
ypul
ledoutof
I
rish
Ari
nst
oodbyt
hedoor ,
star
ingatthebot
hoft
hem,
I
ri
shwasgl
adablanketwascoveri
ngthem.

"
Ithoughtyoubot
hwant
edt
orest
"Shesai
d.
"
Yes,
wear
e"Et
hansai
d.
"Real
ly?Dopeopl
erestoneachot
hernow?
"Ar
in
askedcuri
ousl
y.
"
Yeahbutonl
ycoupl
esdo"I
ri
shqui
ckl
ysai
d,her
cheeksf
lushed.
"I
t'
sactual
lycal
ledintensecoupl
esr
est
"Et
hansai
d
andIr
ishsti
fl
edal aughter
.
"I
ntensecouplesrest
?"Ari
nraisedherbr
ow."
I'
ve
neverheardthat"Sheadded.
"
Areyoubot
hnakedundert
hesheet
?"Sheasked.
"
What
!No"I
ri
shl
ied.
"Butyourclot
hesareonthefl
oor..scat
teredallover
theplace"Ari
nsaidandEthanandI r
ishstaredat
her,speechl
essandabitembarrassed.Ir
ishwas
sti
lltr
yinghar
dnottolaugh.
"
I.
.i
sAr
ishasl
eep?
"Et
hanaskedt
odi
ver
tthet
opi
c.
"Yeah,ipl
acedhiminhiscotalr
eady.Mum, Mrs
Gabriel
leandMariai
sbackandt heysaidyou
shouldcomecheckoutthethingstheybought.That
waswhyicamet ogetyoubutI'
m goingtotel
lthem
youbot harehavi
nganint
ensecouplesrest"Ari
n
said.
"
Pleasedo"EthansaidandArinnoddedandgave
t
hem alastsuspi
ciouslookbefor
ewalki
ngoutof
t
her
oom.

"I
ntensecoupl esrest
"Ir
ishrepeatedandt
heyboth
burstedoutlaughingandinf ewseconds,
theywer
e
backt ot
heirintensecouplesrest
.

Theyweregl
adtheyf
oundeachotherandt
heybot
h
coul
dn'
thaveaskedf
orabet
terpart
ner.

_
__

Aver
ybigThankYoutoyoual
lfort
hesuppor
tti
ll
t
heendofthi
sbook.
Youguysmadet
hisbookasuccess!