Chapter 11
[Addison]
I sit there stunned for a moment, processing his words. “$500,000,” I repeat, flabergasted.
“Yes,” he raises an imperious eyebrow, tilting his head to the side. “Is it not enough? I can go as high as $650,000”
As a legal assistant in my family firm, I only make around $120k per year. If I were to dust off my law degree and go back to work full–time as a lawyer, I might make $250,000. Maybe more if I left the family firm to work for one of the more prestigious firms
in the city.
And this man, this stranger, is offering me twice that just because his niece likes me.
It’s a very generous offer. Too generous. There has to be a catch. Nobody gives something like that away for nothing in exchange.
“Mr. Grant,” I wipe my eyes one more time with his handkerchief and look at him skeptically, “While I appreciate your offer, what exactly do you want me to do that would be worth $500,000 per year? Do you need a new lawyer?”
Looking at his fine suit and jewelry, and his extravagant get–well present which probably cost as much as a down payment on a
house, I do not doubt that he has the money he is promising.
But just because he can do a thing doesn’t mean he would. Even for a personal attorney, the amount he’s quoting is a bit too high.
“Oh no, nothing like that,” he shakes his head as he pulls a contract from the inner pocket of his coat. “What I want, no,
need is far more personal.”
what I
“Personal?” I blanch swallowing hard. A thousand ideas flutter through my mind, each one more ridiculous than the last- contract girlfriend, personal servant, secret bodyguard. “I would like to remind you I’m a married woman.”
His face twists in confusion as he gives me a very strange look.
“I’d like you to consider being my niece’s full–time nanny,” Mr. Grant unfolds the contract, showing my name typed in bold
letters on the top. “It’s all right here. The salary would also include full benefits, sick pay, and additional money for clothing and trips. Everything is above board, I promise.” He reaches into his pocket one more time to pull out a gold–plated pen.
“As an employee of the Grant Group, any of your needs can be easily met. If there is something that you want that you don’t see listed don’t see listed on our benefits page,” he flips to the back, “Just let my attorney know and he’ll draft up a new one.” He
points to the phone number of an R.H. Carter just below the place where I’m expected to sign.
He’s serious. He’s offering me a job, a real job.
The contract hangs between us and he pushes it forward, waiting for me to take it.
“Mr. Grant,” I take a deep breath. “This is too much. I can’t possibly accept this.”
“Hunter, please,” he insists Ignoring that I just turned his offer down.
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I pause, still not taking the contract. “While I’m flattered, Mr… Hunter,” I correct myself, reacting to his frown. “I can’t move in with you and your niece, even for such a generous amount. I have a job and a family. Also, I’d be terrible at this. I’ve never worked with kids. Besides, you could have the finest nanny in New York. Why me?”
Hunter’s open posture from the moment before becomes closed, his expression flat and emotionless, as he contemplates
everything I’ve just said.
“You’re wrong,” Hunter disagrees meeting my gaze directly. “I can’t find another nanny that would be better suited,” he sighs, his shoulders slouching. “My niece, Livvy, insists on having you and only you. I’m not sure if you noticed, but she’s a bit different than other little girls,” Mr. Grant’s expression becomes even more guarded and defensive as he adds, “She’s autistic. And she
doesn’t connect easily with other people.”
“Oh,” my hand flutters to my chest, as I think of how her sweet arms wrapped around my neck. “She seemed very affectionate to
me.”
He gives me another warm–hearted smile and I feel something frozen within me melting just a bit as his eyes soften a touch. “I’ve never seen her bond to someone as quickly as she has to you.” he admits, “You have captured her heart somehow.”
Hunter spends the next five minutes telling me a bit about his niece. How she ended up in his care after his only sister died in a tragic car accident and how Livvy, who had been in the car, stopped talking, collapsing into herself with shock made worse by her
neurodiversity.
“But with you, she spoke,” his eyes light up for a brief moment as he remembers the day I rescued her. “And she keeps asking after you, wondering when I’ll bring you home.” His shoulders fall even further as if carrying a heavy weight. “It is more than
I’ve heard her speak in the last two years.”
Folding the contract, Hunter sets it down next to the lilies. “I was hoping that maybe you’d consider it since…” his navy eyes
sparkle as he looks up briefly…anyway, it was a thought.”
“Um,” I call out to Hunter as he gets up to leave. “Thank you, for the lilies and…for the offer,” smiling weakly. “I’m sorry I
can’t…”
“Just consider my offer,” he places a new card on top of the contract. “Call me if you change your mind. The offer is always open
to you.”
Alone with my thoughts, I rest my head against the pillow as I listen to his retreating footfalls echo down the hall.
Picking up the contract, I scan it. It is a well–drafted, perfectly legal contract guaranteeing me perks beyond anything I’ve ever
seen for any other job of this sort.
This is a serious offer. He must desperately want me to take this job.
Looking around my empty room, my son and husband having abandoned me, I’m finding it hard to see a reason not to take it.
Did I make the wrong choice, telling him no?
My phone rings for the third time today only this time it’s someone I haven’t spoken to in years. Tracy, my best friend from
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college. The last time I saw her was at my wedding, right before she entered medical school.
Maybe she read about the kidnapping too and is checking up on me.
“Hello,” I open my phone, hoping my voice doesn’t sound too hoarse from crying. “Tracy?” `
“Oh good, it’s you. Um, I hate to ask this but tell me…are you and Michael still married?”
“Yes,” I answer slowly. “Why?”
“Oh,” the phone goes very quiet. “It’s just that, I saw him at the clinic about 15 minutes ago and I thought he was with you because the woman he was with looked so much like you that I might have made a fool of myself. Oh, I am so sorry…I…”
My hands shake as I struggle to grip the phone tighter.
“Tell me everything,” I demand, hardening my heart. “Leave nothing
out.”
