Page 27 of Nanny for the Bossy Billionaire

NAOMI

Ifinally did it. I quit my job atAlchemy.

The straw that broke the camel’s back was the way Jerry was ogling me from across the room that night…whiletalking to a customer. I went into autopilot, and I walked out on the spot. When I did it, I knew it wasn’t wise. But that didn’t seem to stop me.

To say it wasn’t wise is actually probably the understatement of the century. The fact that I no longer have the safety of that job is the only reason I didn’t pack my shit up and runoff into the night after my run-in with Reid.

What happened was so humiliating. I don’t think anyone has ever been as embarrassed as I was in that moment. I wanted to dissolve into a puddle right then and there. How pathetic I must’ve looked, standing there with my tits out while he was rejecting me.

What was all that about? He’s the one who kissed me. Does he get some sort of perverted pleasure from getting women in compromising positions and then shaming them? Why else would he have pulled back when he did?

I’ve gone over that evening in my head a million times and it makes absolutely no sense. I’ve heard of post-nut clarity, but we hadn’t gotten anywhere near that point.

Yes, anything between us would be ill-advised, but he knew that the moment he stuck his tongue down my throat. What changed between then and the two minutes it took for him to get me half naked?

You know what?

Fuck him.

I don’t care about whatever his malfunction is.

However, I am still human. I need time for the awkwardness to burn away. I need distance.

Earlier this morning, I left Reid a note and left the house. Thank God for small mercies, because Thanksgiving is only a few days away. I was supposed to head home for a couple of days, but I’ve decided to go early for obvious reasons.

I still spend every Thanksgiving with my parents. They insist on it. It’s the only time of the year I see them. I think they are so keen on it because if I’m around for part of the holidays, they can pretend that they are gracious welcoming me back home. Plus, there’s the other bonus of their family and friends seeing me around. So they don’t have to answer awkward questions about my whereabouts.

The fact that I have to spend two extra days with my family is almost as bad as having to traverse the unease that exists between Reid and me. Almost.

I hate to admit it, but I am somewhat prideful. I want my parents to think I’m successful. So every year I make sure to save up enough so that just before I head back home, I can buy a couple designer outfits to wear when I go. Thrifted, of course, but good enough to pass the scrutiny of my mother’s knowing eye.

I pull up to my parents’ mansion that isn’t unlike Reid’s in a cab I can’t afford. I have to admit I look good in my outfit; a Versace blouse, Armani jeans, and Jimmy Choos. The problem is just that I don’t look like myself, but that’s the opposite of the point. So I guess I’m doing well.

I get out of the cab with my small suitcase and gaze up at my childhood home. I take a breath and walk up to the door. Instead of ringing the doorbell and disturbing my parents’ staff who are most likely running around trying to get everything ready for Thanksgiving, I let myself in.

I walk into my parents’ home, which is more like a museum. My shoes clack as make my way through the entryway, creating an echo. The house is marble for as far as the eye can see. It’s always been like this. Even when I was a child; cold and sterile.

“Naomi!” My mother turns the corner. She rushes over to me, her blonde hair blowing in the air behind her. “Did I forget you were coming today?” She offers me an air kiss on each cheek.

“No, Mom. I decided to come early this year.”

Mom looks at me suspiciously, but doesn’t say anything. “Well, of course, you are always welcome here.” I can’t believe she can even say that with a straight face. “Your father is upstairs in the study and isn’t to be disturbed before dinner. So you can settle in but you have to wait to say hello to him.”

“Sure.” I start to turn for the staircase but Mom stops me.

She walks up to me, undoes the bow at the neck of my blouse and re-does it. I’m sure it looks exactly the same as it did a minute ago, but she still felt the need to do it. I could challenge her on what she’s just done, but I’ve learned over the years to let this kind of thing roll off my back.

I make my way up to my bedroom where I settle in as much as I can settle into a place where I’m not wanted.

I spend the rest of the day laying on my bed texting Laura and Jamie, letting them know that I am in their neck of the woods and hiding from my mother.

Time is moving so slowly that I swear at one point it actually stops. Like, I mean, I’m staring at the clock at the second hand literally does not move.

When it’s dark outside, a knock sounds at my door. I sit up in bed and call out, “Come in!”

The door opens and a young lady in a maid uniform walks in. “Ms. Davidson, good evening. Your mother has asked me to let you know that dinner will be served in 10 minutes and she expects you at the table before the food arrives.”

“Thank you,” I say with an eye roll, for my mother, not her messenger.

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