Page 2 of Don’t Fall for the Billionaire
Chapter Two
Ashton
I opened the door to my daughter's room and stepped inside. My housekeeper, Sylvia, told me that she refused to get out of bed.
“Eloise, it's time to get up. You don't want to be late for school,” I said, sitting on the edge of her bed.
“I don't feel good, Dad,” she said, pulling the covers over her head.
“What's wrong?”
“My throat hurts, and I have a bad headache.”
Reaching over, I pulled the covers from her and placed the back of my hand on her forehead, which felt very warm.
“I'll go get the thermometer.”
Stepping into the bathroom, I opened the drawer, took out the thermometer, and placed it under her tongue. When it beeped, I looked at it.
“101.5.” I sighed. Leaning over, I pressed my lips against her forehead. “Go back to sleep.”
I headed down to the kitchen. “She has a fever. 101.5,” I said to Sylvia.
“That poor child.” She handed me a cup of coffee.
“Is there any way you can take her to the doctor today?” I asked.
“I'm sorry, Ashton, but I can't. Remember, I'm taking a half day today for a doctor’s appointment.”
“That's right. I forgot. Damn it. I need to hire a new nanny.”
“You've interviewed at least a dozen women. You still haven't found anyone to replace Maura?”
“No. I did like this one woman, but Eloise told me after the interview that if I hired her, she would make sure she quit before she even started.” I sighed.
Ever since Maura, our nanny for the last two years, quit three weeks ago, things have been a nightmare. Between work and a lack of social life, I was going crazy. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I called Rita, a woman I'd been seeing on and off for a couple of months.
“Hello.”
“Good morning. Eloise is sick today. Is there any way you can take her to see a doctor?”
“Morning. You cancelled our date the other night, as well as the two dates before that. I haven't heard shit from you since, and now you expect me to take your kid to the doctor? Screw you, Ashton Cross.”
“Really, Rita?”
“Yes, Ashton. Really. I'm not your kid's babysitter.”
“And you are absolutely nothing to me and never will be. Lose my number, Rita. You'll never hear from me again.”
“Consider yourself blocked, asshole.”
I pulled the phone from my ear and looked at it. She hung up on me. Sighing, I placed my phone in my pocket.
“Can you at least call the doctor and see if he'll see Eloise today?” I asked Sylvia.
“Yes, Ashton. I'll call for you.”
“Thank you, Sylvia.”
“Why don't you have your assistant take Eloise to the doctor?” she asked.
“She's buried in contracts today, and I need them done before tomorrow. I can't afford to let her take the time to take Eloise to the doctor. I'll have to do it myself. Fuck.” I rubbed the back of my neck.
Walking into my office, I sat down behind my desk and pulled out my phone.
“Good morning, Ashton,” my secretary/assistant said.
“It's far from a good morning, Lila. Eloise is sick, and I need to take her to the doctor.”
“Okay. I hope she feels better. Do you want me to reschedule your meetings?”
“Not yet. I might still be able to make the meetings, depending on what time I can get Eloise to the doctor.”
“The doctor can see Eloise at eleven o'clock,” Sylvia said, walking into the room.
“Thanks, Sylvia. What time is my first meeting?” I asked Lila.
“One o'clock,” Lila said.
“Okay. I should be able to make it. I'll see you later.”
After ending the call, I dialed my driver, Dominic.
“Morning, boss.”
“Morning, Dominic. Eloise is sick and has a doctor's appointment at eleven o'clock. Be here to pick us up by ten thirty. Also, I'm going to need you to drop me off at the office after and then bring Eloise home and stay with her until I get back.”
“Not a problem, boss.”
“Thanks, Dominic. I'll see you later.”
I went into the bathroom, took out the children's Tylenol, read the dosage, and gave it to Eloise.
“Sweetheart, you need to take this.” I handed her the small plastic cup.
She took it like a champ and lay back down.
“You have a doctor's appointment at eleven o'clock,” I said, feeling her forehead.
“I don't want to go to the doctor,” she whined.
“He'll make you feel better. Go back to sleep, and I'll wake you up when it's time to get dressed.”
“Okay, sweetheart.” I kissed the top of her head. “I have a couple of meetings to get to. Dominic is going to take you home and stay with you until I get back.”
“No, Dad. I want you,” she whined.
“I'll be home as soon as I can. I promise. Don't forget to pick up her medicine and give it to her when you get home,” I said, staring at Dominic.”
“I'll pick it up now,” he said.
I took the elevator up to my office. When I stepped out, my best friend, Charlie, stood there with his hands tucked into his pants pockets.
“There you are.” He smiled. “How's Eloise?”
“Tonsilitis again,” I sighed.
“Didn't she just have that a couple of months ago?” he asked.
“Yes, she did.”
“Who's watching her if you're here?”
“Dominic is staying with her until I get home.”
“Did you ask Rita?”
“Rita and I aren't seeing each other anymore.”
“As of when?” His brows furrowed.
“As of this morning. She yelled at me for not calling her after cancelling our past few dates. Fuck. I really need to find a new nanny fast. I can't keep doing this.”
“You mean taking care of your own kid that YOU created one drunken night?” A smirk crossed his lips.
“I haven't been able to go out or do anything.”
He patted my shoulder. “Then you need to stop being so damn picky, my friend. I have a meeting to get to. I'll talk to you later.” He stepped inside the elevator.