Page 31 of Don’t Fall for the Billionaire

Chapter Thirty-One

Charlotte

My love for that little girl was strong.

Strong enough to tell her father how I felt.

He could beat me down, and I still wouldn’t leave, even though it killed me to be around him.

But this wasn’t about me. It was about Eloise—an innocent child who had already lost her mother and didn’t understand the complexities of the world or relationships.

I went into the bathroom and started the water for a bath.

After stripping out of my clothes and twisting up my hair, I climbed into the bubbly water and sank down, trying to relax my body and mind.

Ashton had me all fired up, and I was pissed.

How dare that man try to fire me. Didn’t he realize he’d be totally screwed with both me and Sylvia gone?

I’d give him one day before he’d go insane and lose his shit.

This was my season. Autumn. My favorite time of year, and that man was ruining my autumn vibes like no one else could.

I could barely pry my eyelids open the next morning. My body was restless as my mind wouldn’t shut off. Forcing myself out of bed, I showered and got dressed. But before waking up Eloise, I clasped my hands together and prayed.

“Listen, big guy. I need a favor. I will sacrifice my firstborn if you make it so Ashton is already gone for work by the time I get downstairs. I don’t have the energy to deal with him this morning, and your help would be greatly appreciated.”

I inhaled a deep breath, woke up Eloise, and headed downstairs. When I walked into the kitchen, I saw Sylvia and no Ashton.

“Morning, Syvia. Did Ashton already leave for work?”

“Morning, Charlotte. He hasn’t been down yet.”

“Great,” I mumbled. “Thanks a lot.” I looked up at the ceiling.

“Did you say something?” Syvia asked.

“No.” I smiled, waiting for my coffee to brew.

Ashton strode into the kitchen, his scent wafting through the air.

“Morning,” he said, looking at Sylvia.

“Good morning, Ashton.” She smiled.

He didn’t look at me, and I didn’t look at him.

“I have to get to the office. I’ll go up and say goodbye to Eloise,” he told Sylvia.

As soon as he walked out of the kitchen, she looked at me.

“What is going on with you two?”

“Nothing.”

“Charlotte, the tension in this house the past few days has been so thick, no knife in the world could cut through it. If I notice it, Eloise notices too.”

“It’s Ashton being Ashton. We had an argument, and he’s being a manchild.”

“Morning.” Eloise bounced into the kitchen.

Ashton

“Did you confront Charlotte last night about her pie shop?” Charlie asked as we sat inside the Burger Bar having lunch. “Because, judging by your mood today, I can tell something happened. Not to mention, you look like you haven’t slept.”

“Because I didn’t. I was up all night. And yeah, I did confront her, and then I fired her.”

“Ashton, what the fuck? You fired her?”

“I sure did.”

“What the hell are you going to do now? Especially with Sylvia leaving?”

“Charlotte wouldn’t accept that I fired her, and she won’t leave. She told me the only way was if I called the police and had her escorted out.”

A roaring laugh emerged from him. “Damn, I love that woman.”

“She’s a lunatic,” I said, popping a fry into my mouth.

“But she’s your lunatic.” Charlie smirked. “You know what I’ve noticed with you over the last several years?”

“What?” I asked.

“You have a knack for bringing out the crazy in women.”

“Thanks, friend.” I sighed. “I don’t want to talk about Charlotte.”

After we finished our lunch, we headed back to the office.

“What the hell is he doing here?” I glanced at Charlie as we walked down the hall and saw my father talking to Lila.

“It is his company, Ash.” He patted my shoulder. “Good luck.”

“Dad.” I nodded.

“Hello, son.”

“What brings you by?” I asked, stepping into my office and taking a seat behind my desk.

“It is my company.”

“I know. It’s just you were here the other day.”

“Excuse me, Ashton. Grant Roman is here to see you.” Lila poked her head through the door.

“Send him in. Hey, Grant.” I stood and shook his hand. My father did the same. “What brings you by?”

“I was in the area, so I thought I’d stop by and have you sign this. It seems it was missed when we listed the West 53 rd property. The new renter is stopping by my office to sign the rental agreement in an hour.”

“And if I don’t sign it?” I raised a brow.

“What do you mean?” Grant chuckled. “I can’t proceed with the rental without your signature on this line.” He pointed. “What is going on?”

“Nothing.” I grabbed a pen from the holder on my desk and signed on the line.

“Thanks. I’ll talk to you later.” He smiled.

“What was that all about, son? Why were you hesitant to sign that document? You have a renter for one of our properties and you’re hesitating? What the hell is wrong with you?”

I threw the pen across my desk and leaned back in my chair.

“You want to know what the hell is wrong? Charlotte is the new renter of the property on West 53 rd . Apparently, she’s opening a pie shop.”

“As she damn well should. That little lady can bake a mean pie.”

“She’ll fail. She doesn’t know anything about running a business,” I said.

“She seems like a smart girl. She’ll figure it out. Besides, you can give her guidance.”

“No. I am not helping her.”

His brows furrowed. “What is your relationship with Charlotte?”

“What do you mean? She’s my employee.”

“No. No.” He wiggled his finger. “There’s more to it. I can tell. I saw it at dinner the night Margo and I were over. I noticed the way you two looked at each other. Did you sleep with her?”

My eyes diverted to the wall.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” my father said. “Okay. You slept with her. Big deal. Unless there’s more going on here than you’re letting on.”

“There’s nothing going on between us. I made sure of that.”

“Why, Ashton? Charlotte is a good woman. If you have feelings for?—”

“I don’t.” I cut him off.

“You never were a very good liar, son. You’re thirty years old. Don’t you think it’s time to start thinking about settling down? You’re already successful in business.”

“Settle down? Coming from you?” I chuckled. “Yeah, right. That’s the last thing I want to do, thanks to you and mom.”

“Don’t you dare blame us.” He pointed at me.

“What you two had wasn’t love or a marriage. It was nothing but a war zone. Do you have any idea what that did to me? Hearing you two cursing at two in the morning, finding mom sitting on the edge of her bed, crying while you were off screwing other women?”

“Your mother wasn’t a saint in our marriage either, boy.”

“And you sit there and wonder why I won’t let Charlotte in,” my voice filled with rage.

“Because of you. Because of Mom. Because of both of you and the wreckage you called a marriage. I won’t drag Charlotte or Eloise through that.

I won’t become you. So congratulations, Dad.

You’ve made your point. You and Mom taught me well.

Love isn’t worth it. Not for people like us. ”

“Go ahead and blame all you want. I’m not perfect.

I never said I was. And for the record, you’re nothing like me.

You spent your entire life proving to me that you were your own individual person with your own mind.

And now you sit there, all high and mighty, blaming your mother and me for your inability to love someone?

Grow up, Ashton.” He stood from his chair.

“You make your own choices. Nobody makes them for you. If Charlotte makes you happy, hold on to her. Don’t make the same mistake I did. ” He walked out of my office.

What did he mean by that? What mistake?

I walked up the steps of the porch. I didn’t know what I’d be walking into, considering the events of last night. Opening the door, I stepped into the foyer and set my briefcase down. Eloise flew down the stairs and hugged me.

“Hi, Dad.”

“Hi, sweetheart.” I kissed the top of her head. “How was your day?”

“Good. Charlotte and I practiced our dance routine really hard today.”

“That’s great.” I smiled. “I’m going to change out of my suit.”

“Okay. Hurry up. Dinner is almost ready.” She ran in the direction of the kitchen.

After changing out of my suit, I went downstairs and saw Charlotte and Eloise sitting at the table, eating. I poured myself a scotch and joined them.

“Dad, did Charlotte tell you she’s opening a pie shop?”

“She did.” I shoved a forkful of pasta in my mouth.

“Isn’t it exciting? She said I can come help.”

“Is that so?” I glanced at Charlotte, and she looked away.

“Yep.” Eloise grinned. “She’s calling it The Cozy Crumb. Isn’t that so cute?”

“Sure.”

After an uncomfortable dinner, Eloise went upstairs for a bath, and I took my plate to the sink.

“If you’re going to continue to work for me, we need to come to some sort of truce,” I said. “Eloise will start to suspect something is wrong.”

“I agree,” Charlotte responded.

“Did you sign the rental agreement today?” I asked.

“Yes. How did you know that?”

“Grant stopped by the office. He needed a signature from me and told me you were coming in today to sign. He gave you the keys?”

“Yes.”

“Do you even know what to do next?” I stared at her.

“Nah. I’m just going to wing it and pray for the best.”

“That kind of talk is irresponsible.” I pointed at her.

“And to think this irresponsible girl is taking care of your daughter.” She turned and walked out of the kitchen.

Sighing, I rubbed the back of my neck. There was no point in trying to talk to her.