Page 12 of Don’t Fall for the Billionaire

Chapter Twelve

Ashton

The nerve of that woman. I stood from my desk and walked out of my office.

“Did she leave?” I asked Lila.

“Yes, she did.” She grinned.

“Why are you grinning?” I narrowed my eyes.

“She seems lovely.”

“Well, she’s not. And now I’m regretting hiring her. I’ll be down in Charlie’s office if you need me.”

“You got it, boss.”

I walked down to Charlie’s office and took a seat while he was on the phone. After he hung up, he set his phone down.

“What’s up?” he asked.

“Charlotte just paid me a visit.”

“Why?”

“She felt the need to vent about my parenting skills.”

A roaring laugh escaped him as he leaned back in his chair.

“She certainly is nothing like Maura.”

“No, she’s not. I think I made a mistake hiring her.”

“Gee, you think?” He cocked his head. “But why do you think that? Because she’s way too hot, or because she called you out on being a shitty father?”

“I am not a shitty father.” I pointed at him.

“Come on, Ashton. Stop lying to yourself. You don’t even know your own daughter. I’ve been telling you since the day she was born that you’re a shit father. But I can say that because you’re like a brother to me. Charlotte, on the other hand, shouldn’t have said anything.”

“Well, she did, and it pissed me off.”

“I know, buddy. Sometimes the cold, hard truth hurts.” He grinned.

“Why do I even bother?” I stood from my chair.

“Oh, come on, Ashton. Why are you letting what your nanny said upset you so much? If you’re that pissed, fire her. But then you’ll be back to having no social life.”

“I’m doing this for Eloise, just like my father did for me.”

“I know, buddy. And what have you told me over the years? That your father was a shit father who was never around because of the company. You’ve been in Eloise’s shoes, remember that.”

I shook my head and headed back to my office.

I loved my daughter, but being a father was never part of my plan.

I sat behind my desk, thinking about my childhood.

The memories stung like paper cuts. The empty bench at Little League games.

The school plays where the chair next to my mother’s always sat empty.

Even on my birthdays, there was always some emergency meeting or critical deal that couldn’t wait.

The words he always said penetrated my brain: “Maybe next time.” I traced my finger along the polished edge of the mahogany desk.

The same desk my father used for decades before he moved to Los Angeles.

I sat where my father once did, surrounded by the same walls that had been more of a home to him than our actual house.

“Ashton, your three o’clock is here,” Lila popped her head through the door.

“Send him in, Lila.”

After my meeting, I did some work, and when I glanced at my watch, it was seven p.m. I didn’t realize it was that late already. I put on my suit coat, grabbed my briefcase, and headed down to where Dominic was waiting for me.

“How was Eloise when you picked her up from school?” I asked him.

“She was fine. Why?”

“Just wondering. Do you think I’m a shit father, Dominic?”

“Excuse me, Ashton?”

“You can be honest. Everyone else is.”

“I know you love your daughter. But, if it’s honesty you want, I think you can do better.”

“And if I don’t know how to do better?”

“You do, Ashton. All you have to do is tap into fatherhood, and it will come naturally.”

He pulled up to the townhouse, and I climbed out. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” I shut the door.

Walking up the steps to the porch, I opened the front door and set my briefcase down.

I could hear music blasting through the house, so I stood around the corner of the living room and watched Charlotte and Eloise hip-hop dancing to some hip-hop music that I despised.

I couldn’t believe how good Charlotte was, as well as my daughter.

When the music ended, I slowly clapped my hands and stepped into the living room.

“Hi, Dad,” Eloise said.

“Hi, sweetheart.” I walked over and kissed the top of her head. “You two having fun?”

“Yeah. Did you know that Charlotte used to take hip hop classes and was a dance teacher?”

“No. I didn’t know that.” I looked at Charlotte.

“Why don’t you go take a shower and get ready for bed?” Charlotte told her.

“Okay.” Eloise ran up the stairs.

I followed Charlotte into the kitchen.

“I didn’t know you taught dance.”

She opened the fridge and took out a bottle of water.

“I picked up a second job after my mother became ill. We needed the money for her medical care. I was a secretary by day, dancer by night.” She smirked.

“You mean, dance teacher, right?”

“Yes. Do I look like the type of person who would strip down to nothing and climb on a pole?” Her brow arched.

“No. You were really good.”

“Thanks. My teachers always told me I was a natural-born dancer.”

“You never wanted to pursue a dancing career?” I asked.

“No. It was just for fun.”

“I’m ready for bed,” Eloise said, walking into the kitchen. “Come on, Charlotte. Tuck me in.”

“I’ll tuck you in, sweetheart,” I said.

“No, thanks. I want Charlotte.”

“Well, that’s too bad. I’m tucking you in tonight. Give Charlotte a kiss goodnight.”

“No.” She crossed her arms and pouted. “I don’t want you to tuck me in. I want Charlotte.”

Sighing, I grabbed her and threw her over my shoulder.

“Dad, stop it!”

“Say goodnight to Charlotte before she’s out of sight.”

“Good night, Charlotte.”

“Good night, Eloise. I’ll see you in the morning,” Charlotte said.

Taking Eloise upstairs, I set her on her bed and tucked her in.

“How was school today?” I asked, leaning over her.

“Fine.”

“Just fine?”

“We’re having a school fundraiser and fall bake-off, and Charlotte said she’d help out by baking pies and selling them.”

“That’s nice of her to do that. You really like Charlotte, don’t you?”

“Yeah. I like her a lot.” She grabbed her stuffed bear and hugged it.

“You know I love you, right?” I asked.

She looked away, and I felt a pain in my heart.

“Eloise?”

She slowly nodded, but I wasn’t convinced she knew. I’d remembered all the years I fought to get my father’s attention, even going as far as to get arrested for stealing when I was twelve years old.

I leaned over and kissed her forehead.

“Good night and sweet dreams. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“You sure about that?” she asked.

“Yes. I promise I will be here when you wake up and we’ll have breakfast together before school and work.”

“Okay, Dad. Good night.”