Chapter 18

Christian

True to his word, Miles delivered everything that need to be signed off while I was away. I stand at my window, looking outside. Seeing my nephew and Bella at my parents’ home, it became even more apparent that my modern apartment isn’t suitable for children. I hated leaving them tonight, but I wanted to give Jasmine a little space to process everything. It will take close to six months to sort my business out so I can live part time near Carina and my parents. My dad’s words have been playing on my mind all night. Nothing will bind us together like having another child.

Looking at the reflection of the cream envelope on my table.

I smile.

The sooner I get started, the better.

The next morning I don my deep blue suit. I adjust the knot of my pale blue tie. My mother always said this colour always brought out my eyes. I dab a little of my Chanel on. I don’t want to fumigate her. With a last run of my hand through my hair, I am done. I will use every dirty trick I know.

I’m on a mission today.

By the time I knock on Jasmine’s door, I am so confident that it doesn’t phase me when I hear her neighbour’s door open.

“Good Morning, Mrs Geller. How are you today?”

I give her a wide smile.

She says nothing for a moment. Her beady eyes look me up and down.

Her face relaxes before a tiny smile touches her wrinkly lips.

“You might do.”

With that, she closes her door.

Instead of a hex, I might get a love potion off the old woman.

Jasmine opens the door, looking flustered. She is wearing a deep green dress today. It has buttons running down it with a tie around her waist. I lick my lips when my eyes go back to the deep V neckline.

“Hi.”She said.

“Morning. Are you girls ready?”

“Um, almost. Come in.”

She opens the door wider to let me in.

“How did you know what time she goes to nursery?”

“It’s on their website. We had to file that her grandparents aren’t allowed near your home or her nursery.”

“Oh, okay.”

“Mr Hayes.”

Bella comes running towards me with a massive smile on her face.

I lift her up and hold her.

“Good Morning, Miss Bella. Are you ready for nursery?” I ask her as we go into the living room.

“Are you coming to my nursery?”

“Yes. I wanted to see it and drop you off.”

Her eyes widen in surprise before she chatters about her friends and teacher in her nursery. I sit down on the sofa with her perched on my knee. I glance at the job applications lying on the coffee table. I lean over and pick one up. Glancing up at the doorway before I read through it. A teaching assistant role.

Jasmine comes through holding a book bag and a lunch box.

“Job hunting?”

“I’m trying to. I’m finding it difficult to find something around Bella’s nursery hours.”

I frown at her before looking down at the application. I might need to speak to our HR department about our non-existing flexible working policy.My focus has always been on what my business needs are, not on what situation my employees may be facing.

Bella jumps off my knee and skips to hold Jasmine’s hand.

I guess it’s time to go.