Page 36 of Don’t Fall for the Billionaire
Chapter Thirty-Six
Ashton
It was strange walking downstairs first thing in the morning and not seeing Sylvia there. I needed to find another housekeeper and fast. There was no way I would expect Charlotte to clean the house with everything she has going on.
I was on cloud nine walking into my office.
“Good morning, Lila.” I grinned.
“Morning, Ashton. Coffee?”
“Yes, please. Tell Charlie I need to see him.”
I set my briefcase down, took off my suit coat, and sat behind my desk.
“What’s up?” Charlie asked, as Lila followed him in and handed me my coffee.
“Thanks, Lila. Charlie, sit.”
“You’re awfully commanding this morning.” He smirked. “But there’s something different about you today.” His brows furrowed.
“I told Charlotte I loved her over the weekend and we’re officially a couple.” I smiled.
“You finally saw the light?”
“I did, and I probably never would have if you didn’t push me toward it.”
“Well, friend. I’m incredibly happy for you. Maybe now you’ll stop being a dick.” He grinned.
“Very funny.”
“How did Eloise take the news?”
“She’s very happy. The talent show is this Friday night, and I expect you to be there.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“Excuse me, Ashton. You have a call on line 1,” Lila said.
“Thanks, Lila.” I pushed the button. “Ashton Cross.”
“Hello, Mr. Cross. This is Darlene calling from the furniture store. I’m just calling to make sure you’re happy with your new sectional.”
“I’m very happy with it.”
“Excellent. Have a nice day.”
“You too.” I ended the call.
“A new sectional? Why did you buy a new couch? Your other one was in perfect condition.”
“You’re right. It was in perfect condition until Charlotte and I came home from the festival on Saturday and found my mother and father having sex on it.”
“What?” His eyes widened.
“I don’t want to talk about it. I’m scarred for life.”
“But they hate each other.”
“Believe me. I let them have it.” I shook my head.
Then it hit me. Something my father said to me in my office that day he was here.
“Don’t make the same mistake I did.” Was he referring to his relationship with my mother?
Was he insinuating that he made a mistake getting divorced?
It didn’t matter. Everything that had happened was in the past, and that was exactly where it would stay.
Charlotte
“I’ll see you after school,” I said to Eloise.
As I began walking to the other nannies, Kitty Corners stopped me. I had no idea why she was dropping Maisy off and not Marissa.
“I hope you’re not getting Eloise’s hopes up about the talent show,” Kitty said, her lips forming a smirk. “Maisy has been taking professional piano lessons since she was three. She’s a musical prodigy.”
I gripped the strap of my purse, my eyes never leaving Kitty’s. “How lovely for Maisy.”
“Lovely indeed. She’ll be performing a Chopin piece.” Kitty leaned in closer. “The judges love that sophisticated stuff. What is Eloise doing again? I believe I heard a hip-hop dance?”
“Yes. We are doing a hip hop dance. A dance routine I created.”
“We?”
“Yes, we, Kitty. We’re performing together.”
Kitty let out a sharp laugh. “How embarrassing that little Eloise can’t perform by herself and that her nanny has to do it with her.”
“Guess what, Kitty? I’m not Eloise’s nanny anymore. I’m her dad’s girlfriend, who is helping take care of her.”
“Excuse me?” Her brows furrowed.
“Ashton and I are in love and in a relationship. Maybe one day, I’ll become Mrs. Ashton Cross, and you can no longer look down on me from your privileged little perch.
Now, get out of my way. I have things to do.
And by the way. I’m sure little Maisy is a wonderful piano player, but my Eloise is a phenomenal dancer, and she will win.
So, prepare yourself, Kitty.” I turned my nose up and walked away.
“Are you nervous? Don’t be nervous,” I said, making sure Eloise looked perfect.
We both wore black cargo pants, a black crop top, and our hair was up in a ponytail.
“I’m a little nervous, Charlotte.”
“Don’t be.” I gripped her shoulders. “When we go out on that stage, I want you to pretend we’re in the dance studio. Just the two of us.”
“Okay.”
“How’s it going back here?” Ashton smiled, his hands tucked tightly into his pockets.
“We’re good. Right?” I patted Eloise’s head.
“We’re good, Dad.”
“Okay. The show is about to start, so I’m going to take my seat. Good luck.” He kissed me and then Eloise.
It was Maisy’s turn. She was good—maybe a little too good. Shit.
“She’s good.” I looked at Eloise.
“I know. She plays beautifully.”
“Well, you dance beautifully, and we’re going to show the audience what Eloise Cross is made of.” I held my fist out and she fist-bumped it.
Our name was called. The stage was dark as we stepped onto it, our backs facing the audience in position.
Colorful lights flashed as the music started, and we danced our hearts out.
Ashton was in the front row, wearing a wide grin on his face, as was Charlie, who sat next to him.
Every movement was calculated with precision, and we danced with perfection, our moves syncing with each other’s.
The music stopped, and the audience stood, clapping, shouting, and whistling.
I grabbed Eloise’s hand and we took a bow before exiting the stage.
“That was amazing!” Eloise beamed with excitement.
“You were so perfect.” I hugged her.
After the last act performed, we all took to the stage while the judges revealed the winner.
“We want to thank everyone who participated in the talent show today. Every performance was wonderful, but there was one that stood out above all the rest,” one of the judges spoke. “The winner of this year’s talent show is Eloise Cross and her nanny, Charlotte Campbell.”
The audience stood and clapped as I grabbed Eloise and hugged her tightly. “You did it, sweetheart.”
“We did it.” She grinned.
“Would you like to say a few words, Eloise?” One of the judges handed her a microphone.
She looked up at me. “It’s okay. Go on.” I smiled.
She took the microphone and stepped to the front of the stage. “Thank you. I’m really excited we won. This is the best day ever. And Charlotte isn’t my nanny. She’s my dad’s girlfriend now, and he said we can’t call her the nanny anymore.”
I swallowed hard, grabbed the microphone from her, and ushered her off the stage. Now the entire school knew about Ashton’s and my relationship.
We walked out of the auditorium and found Ashton and Charlie standing there holding two beautiful bouquets of roses.
“They’re beautiful. Thank you.” I kissed Ashton.
“You two were the best I’ve ever seen,” Charlie said. “You should be proud of yourselves.”
“Let’s go grab some dinner to celebrate and head home.” Ashton hooked his arm around me and kissed the side of my head.
Before we walked out of the school, Kitty walked over.
“Congratulations. But make no mistake. Maisy will win next year. I’ll see to it.”
“Okay,” I said. “Come on, Ashton. Let’s go.”