Page 1 of Meeting the Billionaire Boss

Chapter1

Ava

‘I’m sorry… I’m a bit confused.’ I stare at the paperwork in my hand. ‘Why exactly do I need to sign an NDA?’

Nala Fairweather shifts in her seat, runs a hand over her black braids, adjusts her navy silk blouse then places both hands flat on the desk in front of her. ‘This is a brilliant opportunity, Ava, and when the email about the job came through, I thought instantly of you.’

It all seems rather Hollywood movie and not at all what I’m used to. I mean, I live in a two-bed flat in Brixton that I share with my mother and younger brother. I sleep on a sofa bed in the lounge at night and I work two jobs. Or I was working two jobs until I was fired from my cleaning job at a central London hotel last week — due to an error that wasn’t mine, but that I got the blame for — and my work with Fairweather Childcare Solutions is inconsistent at best.

‘But whatisthe opportunity?’ Frowning, I flick through the pages of the NDA again but I’m none the wiser.

‘I can’t tell you that until you sign.’

‘Why would I sign something before I know what it is? For all I know I could be signing away a kidney or agreeing to become the front part of the human millipede. Or was it centipede?’ I grimace as a thought hits me. ‘Or even worse, the back.’

Nala pushes her floral-framed Cath Kidston glasses up her nose, a sign that she’s nervous. Since I signed with the agency two years ago, Nala has been kind to me. She has a lot of experienced people on her books and her agency has a good reputation in the circles of London’s upper middle class, but it’s been hard for her to find me work because of my domestic circumstances and because of my other job. Though the latter won’t be a problem anymore. ‘You’re not signing the contract itself, Ava, just a document to say that even if you decide not to go for the job, you won’t tell anyone about it.’

‘Oh.’ I nod. ‘I see.’

I’m pretty sure that Nala wouldn’t let me become a part of a monstrous creature that eats… well, best not to think about that, but this job could involve anything. However, she has reassured me that I’m only agreeing not to discuss the job even if I don’t want it, so it’s worth a shot.

Nala chews at her full bottom lip then exhales slowly. ‘Look, Ava, I know things are tough for you right now. This is an amazing opportunity for you to make a difference to your circumstances. I wouldn’t bring it to your attention if I didn’t think you’d be perfect for it. You’re a solid, reliable employee. Children and parents like you. As you know, your issue with overnight stays and living in has restricted what we can offer you at Fairweather Childcare Solutions, but if you could just see a way to overcome that… in this instance, you’ll be in with a chance of getting a job that will solve all your financial problems.’

I’m about to insist that I’m not having financial issues, but Nala would know it’s not true. My three credit cards, high-interest loan and rent payments take every penny I earn. With it being late August, I need to get Daniel’s school uniform for the new academic year sorted quickly. I would have bought it in July when the stock appeared in the shops, but he’s been growing so quickly that I was worried it wouldn’t fit by September. I still intend on having a browse around the charity shops to see what they’ve got but he’ll need the school blazer with the badge and a decent pair of shoes. The familiar twisting in my gut ensues as I wonder how we’re going to manage. Thinking about money and how much I haven’t got is my least favourite activity.

As if reading my thoughts, Nala asks, ‘How’s your mum?’

My eyes roam the small central London office that is stuffy with the early August heat, flickering over the plants on Nala’s filing cabinets then to the window that overlooks a busy road. Opposite, is a building housing a flower shop on the ground floor, a cosmetic clinic on the first floor and a psychiatrist on the second floor. Some of the essentials for modern life together in one building, I think. You can celebrate or commiserate with the flowers, get a quick shot of Botox or filler then head to the shrink to chat about exactly what’s going on in your mixed-up brain.

‘She’s… the same.’ I cough to dislodge the painful lump that’s risen to my throat.

‘The same?’ Nala raises her sculpted black brows slowly.

‘No better. No worse.’

What else can I say? My mum, Nancy Thorne, has been unwell for so long that it’s part of life. Once a talented seamstress making garments for some of the big fashion houses, she’s now unable to work for long periods at a time and is limited to taking in alterations and repairs. Mum is only forty-eight but she relies on me to pay the rent and put food on the table. Shehatesrelying on me, I know that, but she has no choice. If I wasn’t around then she’d suffer and so would my ten-year-old brother, Daniel. They are my world and I’d do anything for them.

Anything at all…

‘This job is amazing.’ Nala holds out her hands, palms facing upwards. ‘I wish I could say more but I can’t until you sign. Can you trust me on this, Ava? You know I’d only suggest it to you if I thought it was worth it.’

Meeting her brown eyes, I make a decision. I like Nala and she’s been good to me. As good as my circumstances would allow her to be. I know she would have got me more work if I’d been prepared to be a live-in nanny or to do regular overnight stays, but with my second job working evenings and some weekends, I couldn’t commit fully. Now though, the only issue is leaving my mum and brother overnight. It would mean that Mum will have to get Daniel ready for school in the mornings and it's a lot for her with her health issues. Daniel is a good boy but he can be quite energetic and, like all children, demanding at times.

‘You’d be able to pay someone to help your mum out while you were away.’ She covers her mouth with a hand then shakes her head. ‘See, I shouldn’t have shared that part. I’m already telling you too much.’

‘I’d be away? For how long?’

She sighs then says quietly, ‘A few months.’

‘A few months?’ My voice wavers and my stomach drops like a stone in a pond, but then I steel myself. It’s not like she was going to offer me an amazing job that was 10am to 3pm with weekends off. Who’d pay great money for a nanny during school hours?

‘But, sweetheart, it’s only temporary and you’d be allowed some time off for visiting, as well as some rest days.’

‘So… let me get this straight… if I sign the NDA, you can give me all the information and I can still decline the job?’

‘Yes.’

What have I got to lose?

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