Page 30 of Don't Fall for the Billionaire
“Why are you grinning?” I narrowed my eyes.
“She seems lovely.”
“Well, she’s not. And now I’m regretting hiring her. I’ll be down in Charlie’s office if you need me.”
“You got it, boss.”
I walked down to Charlie’s office and took a seat while he was on the phone. After he hung up, he set his phone down.
“What’s up?” he asked.
“Charlotte just paid me a visit.”
“Why?”
“She felt the need to vent about my parenting skills.”
A roaring laugh escaped him as he leaned back in his chair.
“She certainly is nothing like Maura.”
“No, she’s not. I think I made a mistake hiring her.”
“Gee, you think?” He cocked his head. “But why do you think that? Because she’s way too hot, or because she called you out on being a shitty father?”
“I am not a shitty father.” I pointed at him.
“Come on, Ashton. Stop lying to yourself. You don’t even know your own daughter. I’ve been telling you since the day she was born that you’re a shit father. But I can say that because you’re like a brother to me. Charlotte, on the other hand, shouldn’t have said anything.”
“Well, she did, and it pissed me off.”
“I know, buddy. Sometimes the cold, hard truth hurts.” He grinned.
“Why do I even bother?” I stood from my chair.
“Oh, come on, Ashton. Why are you letting what your nanny said upset you so much? If you’re that pissed, fire her. But then you’ll be back to having no social life.”
“I’m doing this for Eloise, just like my father did for me.”
“I know, buddy. And what have you told me over the years? That your father was a shit father who was never around because of the company. You’ve been in Eloise’s shoes, remember that.”
I shook my head and headed back to my office. I loved my daughter, but being a father was never part of my plan. I sat behind my desk, thinking about my childhood. The memories stung like paper cuts. The empty bench at Little League games. The school plays where the chair next to my mother’s always sat empty. Even on my birthdays, there was always some emergency meeting or critical deal that couldn’t wait. The words he always said penetrated my brain: “Maybe next time.” I traced my finger along the polished edge of the mahogany desk. The same desk my father used for decades before he moved to Los Angeles. I sat where my father once did, surrounded by the same walls that had been more of a home to him than our actual house.
“Ashton, your three o’clock is here,” Lila popped her head through the door.
“Send him in, Lila.”
After my meeting, I did some work, and when I glanced at my watch, it was seven p.m. I didn’t realize it was that late already. I put on my suit coat, grabbed my briefcase, and headed down to where Dominic was waiting for me.
“How was Eloise when you picked her up from school?” I asked him.
“She was fine. Why?”
“Just wondering. Do you think I’m a shit father, Dominic?”
“Excuse me, Ashton?”
“You can be honest. Everyone else is.”
