Page 12 of Tangled Trust

Ella laughs out loud. She’s even more beautiful when she does that.

"Well, if it’s a test, then I accept your gracious invitation," she smiles. "I’ll scoop the duo out of the pool, shall I?"

"That would be some feat."

"Nothing to it," she grins and gets up from the table.

* * *

"Hello, Mrs. Digby. Carter Moore."

"So nice to hear from you, Mr. Moore. How did your meeting go with Ella?"

"Good, thank you. I think she’s going to fit in well with our family. Is she available to start immediately?"

"She is. I will contact her with the good news. I’m very pleased that we were able to place her with you successfully, Mr. Moore."

That was the easy bit done. Now I have to tell Amanda that I’ve hired an Au Pair for our son. I know it's only a matter of time before the two women meet, and I can already see my ex-wife’s face. Amanda is most certainly the jealous type. If I so much as looked in a beautiful woman’s direction while we were married, she’d hurtle a snide comment at me.

But now that we’re divorced, she can say what she likes. I’m done tiptoeing around her fragile ego.

I call her as soon as I end my conversation with the agency.

"I’m about to board a plane, Carter. Is Jagger okay?"

"Yeah, he’s fine, Amanda. Call me when you land, please. I’d like to talk to you about something."

"Okay."

Knowing my ex, she’s probably on her way to a spa in Zurich. I don’t know why she is so obsessed with her health. There’s nothing wrong with her that a decent therapist and a dose of reality can’t fix.

Amanda and I met after I’d made my first billion. I suppose I was in the right place at the right time. Being in real estate gave me a keen insight into the property market, and investing in large developments catapulted me from a fairly wealthy salesman and principal into the world of high earnings.

Amanda’s parents aren’t short on cash. She and I met when she was looking for a luxury home in LA. I’ll say one thing about my ex. When she sees something, or someone, she wants, there’s very little that will get in her way. She pursued me with dogged determination, and I have to admit, I was flattered at first. There’s a side to her that is so endearing, and I seemed to bring it out more successfully than most.

We dated for a year before we got married. Jagger was born soon after, and then we were three.

I often wonder where it all went wrong. Pregnancy and motherhood change some women. It certainly changed my wife. She became sullen and altogether tragic. I tried my level best to compensate and help where I could, but it did little to remedy the situation. I can’t say I was completely shocked when she started divorce proceedings. I was somewhat relieved, to be completely honest.

My only concern was our son. Jagger bore no fault in the matter, yet his family was split apart. He was then, and will always be, my primary concern.

It’s Tuesday afternoon, late, and I’m about to leave to meet Ella at the house. She’s moving in today, so it will be her first evening with us.

Jagger is very excited. He sees her as his new playmate. As if Dash wasn’t extravagant enough in his eyes, he now has his very own ‘person’ as he called her while we watched Ella drive away after lunch the Sunday before.

Amanda’s nose is out of joint, as I had neither consulted nor included her in the process of hiring an Au Pair for our darling son. A fair point, I concede, while she was cutting me a sizable new one during the return phone call the day before.

Before I leave, I call the NYC branch and chat with the new manager, Cara, who, by all appearances, is making small work of increasing sales and profit. Young Greg is currently enjoying the hospitality of the state. He was arrested as soon as I obtained the evidence of his thievery and handed it over to the police.

I love LA in the summertime. I drive home with my car windows down so I can take in as much fresh ocean air as possible. My house in Paradise Cove Bluffs, Malibu, is one of the sweeter fruits of my success. The property enjoys private beach frontage, and Jagger and I spend most of our time there on the white sand when the weather is good.

I wonder what it’s going to be like to have such a beautiful woman living in my house. Sure, I have a full complement of domestic staff, housekeepers, chefs, and gardeners—it comes with the lifestyle. But none of them are quite as stunning as Ella. The English accent is irresistible. I love the way her mouth moves when she says certain words.

What the hell are you doing, Carter? Are you trying to sabotage this professional relationship?

I know. I have to snap out of whatever this is. Perhaps it’s time I started dating again. It isn't good for men to be alone. I miss having someone to share my life with, and to laugh at my damn ass jokes. Only a partner can give you that sort of interaction. People in my employ will do as I say, however crazy my requests are. It’s all bullshit. Being fabulously wealthy can be a lonely place.

What? Now you’re feeling sorry for yourself? Dude! Get laid.

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