Thankfully, what I lack in emotional support, I make up for in wealth. I might not be able to be the person Aurora needs, but I can certainly pay someone to be that person for her.
My shoulders sag as I remember the look of disappointment on Aurora’s face the first time she saw me. My brother and I could have been twins, but our personalities couldn’t have been more different. She took one look at me and knew I was nothing like him, despite the resemblance.
Marshall and I were placed in foster care together after our mom died from a drug overdose. At the time I was around five and Marshall was a year younger. We were able to stay in the same home for a few months, but then we were separated and bounced around the state. Most of my childhood is a blur, and looking back, I think I blocked a lot of it out to protect myself.
By the time I was in high school and working part-time, I had enough money to take the bus to where Marshall was living a few hours away. I’d try to visit him once a month, but it was hard getting out there. Plus, at that point it felt like we were strangers more than brothers, and I didn’t try very hard.
When I went to college, Marshall joined the military. The last time I saw him was eleven years ago when he enlisted and told me he wanted to have dinner together before he shipped out for basic training. My phone kept going off the whole time, and I was distracted with a new contract that I was sure was going to help me gain recognition at Secure. Looking back, I can see now that my brother was trying to connect with me one last time, and I blew it.
After basic training, Marshall was deployed overseas, and I never saw him again. We would talk maybe once a year around the holidays to check in, but nothing more. It wasn’t until the night I got the call that Marshall had been killed in a car accident that I found out my brother had a ten-year-old daughter that I knew nothing about. He never mentioned his daughter in any of our phone conversations, and I still don’t know why.
Marshall’s commanding officer informed me that Aurora’s mother died during childbirth, and I was the only next of kin. He said that I needed to come pick up Aurora or she would be transferred to the state foster care system. Having been through the system myself, I knew how bad it could be. Especially for girls. As much as I never wanted kids, I knew I had the means to care for a child. Certainly not emotionally, but financially I would be able to give her the life my brother would have wanted for her.
It’s been a whirlwind since finding all of this out, and I really haven’t had time to process losing the brother I didn’t know and gaining a child I didn’t want. Hiring a live-in nanny is the first thing on my list because I have deadlines with work I can’t miss. There are several projects happening right now, and I need to be hands-on until they are finished. Once they are complete, then maybe I can unpack what happened with Marshall. Until then, there’s no time for emotions.
The sound on my computer alerts me to an incoming conference call, and I let out a heavy sigh as I click to join. While Watson starts talking about the development strategy, a pop-up message from Edith appears in the corner of my screen.
Edith: Aurora is in the conference room watching some kind of baking show.
Me: Thanks for checking on her.
Edith: Jones from valet called. He said the au pair arrived in some kind of junk vehicle with her possessions in trash bags.
“Goddamn it,” I say, and Watson stops talking.
“Is something wrong?” he asks, and I look at the video conference to see everyone watching me.
“Yes, the proposal is for fifty percent less coverage than the client asked for. The next time you come unprepared to a meeting, I’m going to start charging you for my time,” I tell Watson as I push away from my desk. “Do it again, only this time upload the development schematics with what the client has requested.”
I kick everyone out of the video call before ending it. Now that I’ve dealt with one incompetent employee, I guess I’ll go deal with another. What kind of new hire shows up with trash bags? Maybe I can fire her before Jones has a chance to unload her luggage.
Chapter Three
NOVA
Everything is so freaking shiny I’m worried I’ll leave smudges on the button of this elevator. Instead of my finger, I use my elbow to hit the floor they told me to go to. When the doors open, I quickly realize this is a company floor and not a residence. I guess this is where I’m supposed to meet the man that hired me?
I step off and see a pretty woman standing there. Her eyes are trained on me as though she’s been waiting for my arrival. Her lips pull up on one side in a smirk, and I can’t help but think everything here is so put together, including the people. I’m sure I stand out like a sore thumb, but I’ve always thought blending in is boring.
"You must be Nova."
"That's me." I give her a cheery smile as I walk over to her outstretched hand. "I'm a hugger,” I say before I wrap my arms around her and give her one.
"Well then." A small laugh leaves her as she pats my back lightly, and I release her. "I'm Edith, Mr. Eve's right hand."
"Of course you are." I glance around the lobby area of the office entrance. "This place looks fancy and expensive. If a man is running it, there has to be a woman close by," I tease.
"I think I'm going to like you," she says, looking me up and down.
"I hope so. It could be awkward otherwise."
“Come on, we’re this way. I want to introduce you to Kellan first. Then we can go from there to see about meeting Aurora.”
Kellan, that’s a rather ominous-sounding name. I guess I have to get through meeting him before he decides if I’m up to par to meet his niece. It’s smart, and I understand that.
I follow Edith down a long hallway. At the end, I see giant double doors that are standing open. They are imposing all on their own, and I’m guessing that’s Kellan’s office.
On the way, a small girl pops her head out of one of the side offices. She’s got the prettiest red hair, and her blue eyes go to Edith before they slide over to me. They widen before a beautiful smile takes over her face.
