Page 58 of Nanny for the Bossy Billionaire

REID

Things atHarris Techhave been tense ever since news of Packard’s death dropped.

I wouldn’t know, because I try my hardest not to look at people when I am in common areas of the building, but I can feel everyone’s eyes on me. I’m sure they all knew what my fate was going to be by the close of business that day.

If I chose to hang out at home until the day I am voted out I don’t think anyone would blame me. However, I’m not going to do that. I have two more weeks before everything comes to a head. I want to spend those two weeks putting the best that I can into the company, because that’s who I am. Plus, I’m not going to give Eve the satisfaction of knowing she forced me to slink off into the dark.

So I make sure to be in the office at 8 o’clock as usual and stay the whole day.

Today was an especially grueling day, because I had to put the kibosh on all my exciting upcoming projects. I wish I could’ve just signed a piece of paper or said the word ‘stop’, but it was more involved than that. I basically had to stab my plans in the face and wait for them to bleed out.

By the end of the day I am drained. All I want is to go home, give my son a hug, then collapse into bed. However, the second I step into the house I know that’s exactly what I’mnotgoing to be doing.

Naomi is waiting for me in the foyer.

“Mr. Harris, could I have a word?”

Every time she calls me that I cringe inwardly. She’s made it a point to not use my first name ever since I ended things. I think her plan is to frustrate me into reconsidering

“A word about what?” I ask, my voice leveled.

“I am not comfortable discussing that here. We should talk in private.”

Is this it?

Is this when she finally quits?

My heart starts racing. Although it’s what I have wanted for practical reasons, I wasn’t looking forward to the day when Naomi would be gone from my life.

I take a deep breath and say, “Fine. Let’s go to my office.”

Still with my briefcase in hand, I start to ascend the stairs, and Naomi follows.

When we’re in my office, still standing, we face each other in the center of the room.

“I don’t know how else to say this, so I’m just going to say it…” She looks at me, blinking. “I know your wife is alive.”

My heart stops and it’s as if all the blood in my body rushes to my head. “What?”

“Your wife, June. She’s still alive, and I know.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” I turn around and walk to my desk and sit down, but Naomi doesn’t move from her spot.

“I’m not being ridiculous. I know for a fact that she is alive.”

I can’t look at her, so I fix my eyes on the door just over her shoulder. “No, she isn’t.”

“Reid, please don’t lie to me.”

“What makes you think she’s alive?” I ask.

“You don’t need to worry about that. I just know.”

“If you won’t tell me how you came by this untrue information, I can’t dispel it.”

She huffs. “At this rate we will end up going around in circles. All I need to know is if you cheated on your wife with me.”

“What?” I can’t believe she would think I am capable of such a thing.

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