A New Life: The Millionaire Fantasy Book 1 Read online

  “Jessica. Please.” I tell him maybe a little too sternly.

  “As you wish. Jessica, if you take this job, you live here. It means that night or day unless I’m here, you are to cater to his needs and only you. I don’t have the maid make his mind. I don’t have my butler taking care of him.” Mr. Collins continues to talk about the job.

  “I wouldn’t expect anything less. I take care of the job at hand, and I’ve always done work to the best of my ability. If you would like to have my boss’s number, you can ask him. I’ve never been late; I’ve always done what I’m told. Everything that has been asked of me, I go above and beyond.” I tell him, unzipping my purse and taking out a pen.

  “There’s no need for that Jessica. I believe you. I’m not going to call and check up on you. Besides, you had the job the second Tony spoke to you.” He confesses to me.

  “What?” I ask him, a little confused.

  Why are we still talking about the job as if I don’t have it yet? Why would he tell me what I must do when I already know?

  “I like talking with you. The other applicants were…stiff if I would have to label it with a word. He didn’t warm up to them, he didn’t even look at them, wondering what they were doing talking to me. I have interviewed ten women throughout this week, and not one of them grabbed his interest. I don’t just want any nanny for my son, I want one that he can connect with, one that he shows interest in. It’s just as important to have him happy as it is to have me happy with finding someone to trust.” He continues to explain himself.

  “When do I start?” I ask, taking a deep breath and looking into his brown eyes.

  “Right now. Even though I am home, I have business calls that I must take in the den, just down the hall. I wish not to be disturbed unless I call for you or unless I come out of the office. Tony knows this rule all too well. I don’t have to run it by him.” Mr. Collins gets up from the couch and begins to head down the hall.

  “You’re not even going to give me a tour of the place?” I ask him, standing up quickly, not knowing my way around, afraid that I’m going to get lost.

  “No, do you have things that you need to gather? Do you need more time?” He asks, turning towards me, and I shake my head.

  Without even second-guessing it, I had given my two weeks when I got the phone call stating that I had an interview.

  I gambled.

  And I had won.

  Chapter 4

  Mother’s Lecture

  Jared Collins POV:

  I watched her expression, seeing that she wanted to say something more to me. The fire that she has I know it can’t be controlled, but I like to see the fire there inside of her.

  “I do need to grab some things.” I can see that she’s thinking about what she needs to get.

  “Such as?” I ask her.

  “I have clothing that I need. Furniture. I just can’t leave everything there at the apartment.” Jessica clears her throat.

  “There are clothes here that will fit you. There’s a room if you go up the stairs the second door on the left is your room across the hall is Tony’s room. I want to make sure that you can hear him in the middle of the night if I’m not right here. My room is right next to yours. If you need anything, there’s a door in your room that leads to mine.” I explain to her and see her cheeks grow red.

  “Thank you.” Jessica smiles at me and looks towards the staircase that I’m pointing at.

  “Alright, well, have a good day Mr. Collins.” She tells me curtly and slowly heads out of the sitting room.

  “Jared, please,” I tell her as she takes her first steps up the stairs.

  “Jared.” She smiles at me.

  A warm smile, not one that seems forced, and it makes me feel better than at least our work partnership is getting off on the right foot.

  I continue to head down the hall to the den, which I have turned into an office. The most private room in the house for me and close the door behind me.

  It’s not long before I hear laughter outside, something that I haven’t heard in a long time, even working at home.

  Taking to one of my clients on the phone, I hear the laughter from the window that I’ve opened, and I feel a smile spread across my face.

  Tony laughing and I hear Jessica laughing as well. The sound of her laughter strikes me. I hang up the phone and walk towards the window.

  Looking out, my eyes grow wide. Jessica has Tony’s hands in hers, and I’m hearing her tell him to kick his feet as she helps him across the pool.

  The red bikini that she’s wearing fits her just right. Her wet blonde hair is slicked back, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a smile like that on a woman’s face.

  I wonder what her she’s been through in life to come off so strong with me, so light-hearted with him.

  I didn’t push her because I’m silently thankful that she didn’t ask me about mine. I don’t think that she will, she doesn’t look the type to be noisy, and therefore I will respect her past as much as she respects mine.

  I watch for a few more minutes until my phone rings again, and I sigh, glad that I’m not at the office this morning, but wishing I hadn’t picked up the phone either.

  “Hello?” I ask into the phone, my smile still on my face until I hear that familiar voice.

  “I’m just checking on you and Tony. Wondering if you’ve found a nanny for Tony yet.” My mother’s voice and I grimace as if I’m at the dentist getting teeth pulled.

  “I wish that you would stop worrying about me, mother, Tony and I are just fine.” I sigh into the phone.

  I don’t want to tell her that I’ve found someone if this isn’t going to work out.

  “Next week, we’re coming for our two-week stay if you would like to get out. We could watch him for you.” My mother states as if she hadn’t heard me.

  I forgot all about them coming to the house. Every year they stay for a two-week stay, and if she’s not hounding me about finding the love of my life, she’s hounding me about how Tony needs a mother figure in his life.

  I didn’t realize how long it’s been since I’ve seen my parents. How every visit ends with my mother almost in tears, because she doesn’t want me to be lonely.

  “Mother, I’m not going to rush things because you want me to find this amazing woman that’s going to make my life complete. I haven’t found her, yet I don’t think that I will. The only one that I want to focus on is Tony.” I remind her of my fatherly responsibilities.

  “I understand that he’s getting older too. Don’t you think that he’d want a family? A female figure to looking up to? Someone that wants to spend time with him? I’m sure that it gets lonely for him too. Lord knows that the nannies you’ve had in the past none of them worked out for Tony.” My mother points out to me.

  “We’re fine. Do you have your plane ticket yet?” I ask her, hoping that she would change the subject.

  “Yes, we got those months ago. I can’t wait to see you. I’m sure Tony has grown into such a gentleman if he’s anything like his father.” I hear her laughing on the other end of the phone, and I feel a small smile come to my face.

  My mother’s not all that bad. Even with all the ups and downs of social parties and charity gatherings, she always found time for me. Never once making me feel alone.

  “I can’t wait to see you guys,” I tell her, talking for a few more minutes before hanging up with her and looking at the clock.

  I let out a heavy sigh as I say to hell with work today, the laughter coming from downstairs makes me want to join the party that they’re having.

  I leave my office, closing the door behind me as I hear the phone ringing. I pretend I don’t hear anything wanting to get to know a little more about Jessica Harper.

  Chapter 5

  Swimming Lesson

  Jessica’s POV:

  When he came out to the pool in just his black speedo with the sun beaming down on his brown hair I couldn’t help but glance at him for a little longer
when our eyes met I was sure that something was wrong, but he gave me an award-winning smile that told me that everything was okay. I wasn’t so sure not knowing much about Jared I had allowed him to ask all the questions during the interview.

  I glance back down at Tony as he floats on his back and continues to kick gently to keep himself afloat.

  “I could hear the laughter from down here. I was wondering if maybe I might be able to join the party.” Jared calls over to us, and I watch as Tony lifts his head, wanting to put his feet down on the floor of the pool.

  I help him quickly and bring him over to the side of the pool so that he can hang on.

  “She’s teaching me how to swim!” Tony cries out with excitement, and I give a smile of my own, proud that I could teach him so quickly.

  “He’s a fast learner.” I lift my head hanging onto the side of the pool as well when I lift my head to look at Jared again.

  “That he is, he’s always been a fast learner just never had someone that would want to teach him,” Jared tells me, slipping into the pool from the deep end.

  The Olympic sized pool has a good stretch of deep water. I want to stay on the shallow side until Tony is ready for the deeper parts.

  “Alright, now stretch your arms out like this. Are you watching?” I ask Tony, knowing that he’s excited to learn almost everything about swimming in a matter of hours.

  “I’m ready.” He nods his head, giving me that silly grin that I’ve already fallen in love with.

  “Alright.” I smile, letting my body relax so that my legs are floating, and I kick gently so that I don’t splash us.

  Putting my face in the water for just a few seconds, then off to the right, back in the water, and off to the left.

  “Only when you’re swimming, you have to have your arms and your legs going. This is just the practice of getting water in your face.” I tell him after showing him just a few times.

  “Let me try.” Tony’s voice is full of confidence as I let go of the side, and my feet touch the bottom of the pool.

  I laugh at him and nod my head as I hear a big splash in the deep end of the pool. Looking over my shoulder, I see the diving board is still bouncing slightly, and I realize that Jared had jumped off the diving board and swimming under the water towards us now.

  “Alright, I’m ready to watch.” I turn my attention back to Tony, and he stretches out his arms, gripping the side of the pool so tightly that his knuckles are white.

  I watch him relax his body as I had done and soon he’s kicking his feet, putting his face in the water and side to side as I had done, making sure that his ears are covered by the water so that he has no surprises when he’s ready for the real thing.

  “I think you’re almost ready for the deep side of the pool.” Jared looks at him when he pops his head out of the water.

  “Not yet, I still have to learn to move my arms in the water,” Tony tells him.

  I’m surprised that he knows his abilities for being five, which makes me wonder if maybe he has been around adults too much. Seems like me when I was younger always around the adults and no one to play with makes you grow up fast.

  “I was thinking that maybe you would like to join us for dinner tonight.” Jared looks at me, and I’m surprised.

  When I look at him, I see where Tony gets his smirk from.

  “Is that part of the job description?” I ask him, giving him a small smile of my own, showing him that I’m only kidding.

  “No, but we would like to have you join us for dinner.” Jared’s smile widens, and Tony is grinning from ear to ear.

  “That would be nice. What should I wear?” I ask them, looking more at Tony than Jared.

  “Something fancy. We always dress up for dinner. I can pick something out for you.” Tony tells me, pulling himself with his arms against the side of the pool.

  “Then, I guess that’s a yes.” I raise my eyebrows as I look at Jared.

  “Great, I will make sure that the cook prepares dinner at a decent time tonight.” Jared pulls himself out of the water, and that’s when I see how masculine he is.

  His muscles working together to lift him up and out with ease, and it’s hard not to stare at him. His body is nice and tanned. Toned. I didn’t ask him how old he is.

  “Can we just relax now?” Tony asks me.

  “Of course, we can, I thought we were having fun?” I ask him.

  “We are, I’m just a little tired.” He grunts as he tries to lift himself over the side of the pool like Jared had just done.

  I help lift him until he has his strength, and I do the same.

  “One day, I will be able to do it with ease.” Tony puts his hands on his hips, looking at me from over his shoulder.

  “I do not doubt that you will.” I laugh at him as he leads me to the lounging chairs on the patio. It’s so warm that neither of us needs a towel.

  We lay there without talking, and when I look over at him, I see why. Tony has fallen asleep, and I smile, knowing that today so far as been eventful for the two of us.

  Chapter 6

  Dinner For Three

  Jared’s POV:

  I noticed that she woke Tony up at around two in the afternoon, which I would’ve done the same thing if he would nap for me, but he never does. Tired from the heat and the exercise that he’s experienced today.

  By the time dinner rolls around, I see not only Tony dressed in a pair of tan slacks and a white button-up shirt.

  Jessica’s hand is in his hand as they walk into the dining room.

  Jessica is wearing a nice blue gown that makes her blue eyes stand out. Her blonde hair is up in a tight bun with little wisps of hair on the sides of her face. I don’t see any makeup, and to be honest, I don’t think that she’s a woman that needs makeup.

  Tony picks a chair closer towards me and pulls it out for her. I smile, knowing what a gentleman that he can be.

  That is something that my mother’s right about.

  “Good evening.” I smile at her as Tony walks around to the other side of the table to sit on the other side of me.

  “Good evening.” She smiles at me, and I can see the tint of red on her cheeks.

  “When is grandma coming for a visit?” Tony asks as the chef brings out the plates of food. Chicken and rice with corn on the cob and ice water to be placed in the middle of the table.

  “I was thinking that you would have something out of the ordinary. I don’t know how rich people eat.” She beams her smile at me, and I know that she’s not trying to be offensive.

  “I like the simpler things in life, and let me tell you, so does my chef.” I laugh, picking up my fork and trying to avoid my son’s question.

  “Well?” Tony asks, his eyes fixed on mine.

  “I talked to grandma this morning. Two weeks they will be here.” I clear my throat, answering him quickly, and I notice that Jessica is giving me a strange look.

  Maybe it’s because I’ve tensed when I had to answer him. Maybe it’s because of the way I had brushed his question aside.

  “That’s good. I want to see her, I miss her.” He states and begins to eat.

  I didn’t mean to be so firm with him, just thinking about my mother and having her come visit so quickly that I’m just not ready for the millions of questions that she’s going to ask me.

  “What is the matter with your mother? Does she have three heads?” Jessica asks me after swallowing a bite of chicken.

  “No, she just doesn’t like that I’m still not married. My two brothers are married, and now she wants to make sure that I’m not alone when I die, I suppose.” I give her the best smile that I can.

  “See, she’s concerned about you.” Jessica gives me an encouraging smile as she takes a spoonful of rice.

  “I don’t know about all that. She just pressures me. She worries too much when I’m doing fine on my own, as you can see.” I tell her, not meaning to sound so aggressive.

  “I can see that your son is very poli
te, he doesn’t give much trouble.” Jessica nods her head in agreement.

  “You just wait until you’re around for a few weeks and see the real him.” I laugh at her as I ruffle Tony’s hair.

  “I don’t think that he will be half as bad as some of the kids I’ve watched growing up. I’ve had a few rough ones, but I’m not one to tuck my tail and run away at the sight of trouble either.” Jessica takes another spoonful of rice without looking at me as she slides the spoon into her mouth and pops it back out, chewing thoughtfully.

  This is the first time that Tony and I have had one of our nannies join us for dinner, and as odd as that may sound, it doesn’t feel strange at all.

  Jessica has this welcoming look about her, a vibe that states she wants to get to know people. That she enjoys meeting new people.

  “Yes, sometimes I find it difficult to handle Tony. There are some things that we still need to work out…” I take the pitcher of ice water and fill my empty glass offering Tony and Jessica some as well.

  “What things?” Jessica asks me, and I wonder if maybe I should’ve waited until Tony went to bed to bring anything up.

  “Sometimes, I still cry for my mother.” Tony answers and he doesn’t sound ashamed of it taking me completely off guard.

  I suck in my breath. We haven’t talked about his mother in a long time, and if he cries for her, I don’t hear him, which makes me feel like the worst father in the world. I can’t help him if he doesn’t come to me.

  “Why do you cry for your mother?” Jessica looks at him.

  The sadness in her voice makes me turn my head so that I’m looking at her instead of Tony. I see the sadness in her eyes matches the sadness in her voice.

  “I’m sorry I shouldn’t have asked.” Jessica quickly looks down at her food, maybe because she feels the tension in the air.

  “It’s alright. My mother can’t see me.” Tony continues to talk as if Jessica hadn’t tried to drop it, even when she cuts into her chicken, and takes a bite he’s still looking at her.