An Uphill Task

He moved from behind his huge desk to sit on the only chair on the opposite side. "I wonder why no one ever thought of bringing up this suggestion," he said.

"Perhaps they did think about it, but were afraid of how you'd react," Grace rightly pointed out.

If not that she decided to damn the consequences and bring it up, she would have also looked on in silence.

"Yeah, you're right. I am very sensitive when it comes to talking about Charles' condition. But they should have at least tried— just like you did," he added.

"Thanks for bringing it up. I just needed that extra persuasion to think outside the box and nobody has been able to do so until now."

Grace's sapphire blue eyes shone in glee. "You mean, you're not angry with me?"

"Why? No."

Hearing his answer, Grace felt deeply relieved. She had thought he would find her too nosy. Taking that as the green light she needed, she decided to push her luck.

"So?" She asked hesitantly.

"So what?" Jace feigned ignorance. He found himself enjoying talking with her.

He had always been wary of the opposite sex but somehow, he didn't get impatient, nor detest talking with this particular woman.

Maybe it was because of how she genuinely cared about his son. He was a good judge of character and could tell after the brief time they've spent together that she wasn't faking it.

"Will you enroll him in a school now?"

"Not immediately. I'll have to think about it and work out a plan to go about it. I still have the huge task of convincing Charles to agree to it anyway."

"Yeah, that's true, but leave that to me," Grace said with confidence.

"Really?" Jace asked, intrigued at the same time surprised at the level of her confidence.

"Yes, Sir. I think I can handle that," Grace had a warm smile as she assured.

"I care about Charles deeply, and I only want what's best for him."

Jace was taken aback by her blunt admission and his surprise was evident on his face.

"I know you do, Ms Fowler," he said, causing Grace to quickly clasp her mouth with her palm. "Did I say that out loud?"

"Unfortunately, yes. And I appreciate your insight more than you can imagine." Jace said, hiding his amusement behind a stoic expression. He was finding her cute by the minute.

"Thanks, sir. That means a lot to me."

Then she remembered he was the one that had called her into his study. He hasn't told her the reason yet.

"What did you want to see me about, Sir?"

"I think it has been settled in the course of our discussions."

Grace found it hard to believe. "You mean it was about Charles's schooling?"

"Yes," Jace affirmed. After he left home that morning he had taken time to think about the whole situation and had arrived at the conclusion to warn her to concentrate on her job and not to mention the issue again and play by the rules given to her but who would have imagined that he would end up being convinced by her at the end of the day?

"I think it's getting late, you should retire to your room."

"Thank you sir, for having this talk with me. I do not take it for granted."

Jace could see the genuine gratitude in her eyes from the brief glance she spared him. "It's alright, Ms Fowler."

"Good night, Sir."

"Good night, Ms Fowler." Jace replied and wasn't aware of the subtle smile that had unconsciously crept up his face as he watched her wheel herself out of his study.

As soon as Grace left the study, Jace put a call through to Suresh. "Get me a list of all the kindergartens that have specialized programs for children with autism."

On the other end, Suresh removed the phone from his ear and stared at the number being displayed on his screen.

"It's my boss no doubt. But why do I feel as if he is a different person?"

"Suresh! Cat got your tongue? What happened to "yes, boss?!"

"I'm sorry boss. I didn't expect you to suddenly come up with that. Are you seriously going to send master Charles to kindergarten?"

"Do you have a problem with that?" Jace scoffed in a cold voice.

"Not at all, boss. I'll get to work immediately."

"Good. I want the report in my email first thing tomorrow morning," Jace ordered.

"Yes boss."

When he didn't hear his boss's voice again, Suresh looked at the blank screen in shock.

"I don't want to believe this has anything to do with the new nanny. But he could hardly imagine anyone else who would make the boss decide to get Charles back to school all of a sudden"

Upon further reflection, he realized that the boss had been making several exceptions for the new nanny who had barely spent forty eight hours with yhe family.

He had a feeling the days ahead would be very interesting and he didn't want to miss any bit of it.

His light flashed from his phone and he jumped from his bed to get his laptop. "I'd better hurry up and tidy up my end before tomorrow morning."

After Jace ended the call, he strolled to Charles's room to check on him.

He was sleeping so peacefully without a single worry in the world and Jace was happy seeing him like that, but like they say, the only constant thing is change.

He had a sympathetic smile on his face as he stroked his soft dark hair. "I wonder how you'll take it when you get to know that your life is going to be disturbed again."

He couldn't help but look forward to seeing how his interesting nanny was going to convince Charles to agree to the idea of going back to school.

He was glad he wasn't the one to carry out such an uphill task. He even dreaded it more than bidding for a multibillion dollar contract.