Page 6 of Meeting the Billionaire Boss

The lift door pings open and I step out onto the floor and head for my office. My PA, Darla, knows I’m coming in today, but I told her I wasn’t sure what time. Her desk is empty as I pass it and I exhale a sigh of relief because I was hoping she’d be at lunch or in the gym, which is one of her favourite places to frequent.Or was…It’s crazy that I’ve been away for two years. Yes, I’ve been working from home but returning here was something I tried to do several times and simply couldn’t face. People told me it was grief and shock and that time would heal my wounds, that grieving is a process that takes as long as it takes.

To be honest, I’m not so sure I’m healed. More… holding myself together with a business suit and tie, wearing them like armour as I try to resume my life again.

I can do this, I really can. I should have done it sooner but there was much to sort out and then there was Joe and time just flies. Not to shy away from the fact that I couldn’t get out of bed for the first six months or so because I could barely breathe. I think Grandpa kind of saw my grieving as weakness and it made him doubt me, made him think I was more like my father than he’d previously suspected. Grandpa loathed what he saw as weakness and after what happened to my father, I can kind of understand why. But I also think that he was wrong about emotion being a weakness and I know that suppressing feelings is bad for you. I tried and look where it got me. Grandpa was from the generation of the stiff upper lip, of gritting your teeth and getting on with things, no matter what. Unfortunately, his parenting style probably led to my father’s issues and his need to numb himself with drink and drugs. I was lucky in that I had my mother, to a certain extent anyway — because Mum always seemed a bit distant, like she was waiting for a chance to get away — and, of course, Cynthia. That woman has been a rock for me and I owe her my life.

But I’ve done it. One step at a time. And here I am, back in work. Ready to be the mogul I was meant to be.

Closing the door behind me, I cross my office to the window and gaze at the incredible view. London glows golden in the late August sunshine. Familiar landmarks stretch out for as far as I can see and the Thames snakes its way between buildings and under bridges, a murky mirror of the sky. The sight calms me and I know that I’ve done the right thing coming back and that this is the right time. I can and will slide back into my shoes, or at least become a new version of me, scarred beneath the surface but appearing the same outwardly.

There’s a rapping at the glass door and turning to the sound, I see two familiar faces. I wave them in and they approach me, arms wide and I hug them in turn.

‘Looking good there, Cavendish,’ Jack pats my back hard as he hugs me then steps back to let Lucas do the same.

‘He’s definitely lost muscle mass,’ Lucas says with a grin as he squeezes my biceps. ‘Not the hunk he was.’

‘Piss off, Lucas.’ I make a grab for his stomach. ‘What’ve you got there? A regular food baby, you silver fox.’

Lucas feigns horror and pulls his shirt from his trousers revealing rock hard abs. ‘You’re mistaken Cavendish. I take good care of myself.’

Laughing, I nod. ‘You both look great.’

We sit on the sofas in the corner of my office and they fill me in on what’s happened recently. It’s nothing I don’t already know as they kept me in the loop throughout my time away — we’ve had regular online meetings, as well as nights in drowning my sorrows, but it’s not the same as speaking to them in person practically every day. While we speak, I feel myself relaxing, the familiarity of the workplace and my friends, who are like the brothers I never had, comforting me. It feels good.

‘So what’s up with you?’ Jack asks, rubbing a hand over his thick light-brown beard. Along with his tattoos, it makes him look like he could fit in with a motorcycle gang. ‘Didn’t you say something about Cynthia going away for a while soon?’

‘Yeah…’ I grimace. ‘She’s off on some anniversary trip. Could’ve done without it to be honest but she’s been there through everything, and I could hardly deny her this, could I? I don’t know how I’d have managed without her these past two years. Or before that.’

‘Who’s going to look after the little one?’ Lucas leans his arms on his thighs.

‘I have a new nanny starting today. It’s only temporary and she’ll leave when Cynthia returns.’

‘A new nanny, eh?’ Lucas wiggles his eyebrows. ‘Details, please.’

‘Don’t go there.’ I laugh. ‘Anyway, she’s not your type.’

‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

‘You know what I mean. You like your lady friends straight off the catwalk.’ Lucas has a penchant for models although I’ve yet to see him out with any of them for more than a few dates.

‘I’m picky but I can afford to be.’ He’s joking and I know he is. I also know that he’s a commitment phobe, and he has good reason to be with his painful past. But then, don’t we all?

‘What’s the nanny like?’ Jack asks. ‘Just so we don’t say the wrong thing when we meet her.’

I rub at the back of my neck. I wasn’t there when she arrived yesterday and I avoided her when I returned home then I left early this morning to hit the gym in London. Before coming to the office, I grabbed brunch as a way of easing myself back in. Of course, I know I’ll have to meet her soon, but for some reason, I’m not in a rush.

‘Well… I had her vetted and she’s some kind of social media hater who lives with her mother and brother and… from what I’ve read… works her ass off for minimum wage.’

‘I take it you made her an offer she couldn’t refuse?’ Jack raises his eyebrows.

‘I’m paying her a salary that should drastically improve her life, yes.’

From the moment I knew that I’d need someone to cover for Cynthia, there was never any question in my mind about scrimping on childcare. This woman will get a salary that will, hopefully, make her apply herself one hundred per cent to taking the very best care of my son. As well as keeping her head down and her mouth shut.

‘But is she hot?’ Lucas asks so I shake my head.

‘For fuck’s sake, man. Is that all you think about?’

‘I’m guessing she is the way you’re being so cagey about it.’ Lucas sits back and folds his arms over his chest. ‘Can’twaitto meet her.’

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