Chapter Seven

RICHARD

"I still think she's a bad decision. I can get someone better. She's like a child." Victoria informed Richard, immediately they returned to his office.

Richard was with Mr. Xavier when she got back, she had to hold her horses and wait till the papers were signed and eventually left.

She had her reservations about Xavier Co. She thought it was a bad investment but Richard was the kind of man who never gets out of what he had made up his mind about.

Still, Victoria always gave him a piece of her mind.

Richard, still sitting at the head of the table in the boardroom, with the papers and empty water bottles scattered across the table, met Victoria's intruding gaze.

"It's good that she's like a child. At least, I won't feel like I'm in danger around her," he said, as he loosened his tie and gathered up some folders, then marched through the connecting door into his office, with Victoria after him.

"She hates bacon egg muffins too. That's a good thing right?" Her voice sounded wary, which had Richard glancing back at her as he slid into his recliner.

He suddenly lacked the depth of character to argue, he sighed. "Why's that a good thing? I need a household staff, not a girl I need to compare my likes and dislikes with."

Picking up the signed documents he had dropped, he flipped through the pages, anything to keep his mind busy.

"She just seems naive and inefficient, that's all." She couldn't quite keep the aversion from her tone.

Fixing her with a pointed stare. "That's enough, Victoria. I already told you that you can fire her if anything goes wrong." He kept his mood light while trying to put Victoria in her corner.

Richard knew she meant well. She could be a little overprotective and other times, over the top.

He knew her obvious opposition to Simone, but he just chose not to let it bother him since she hadn't done anything malicious.

"I'll definitely do that."

Richard just sighed. He was grateful there was now someone who would take care of things at home and make his meals.

"As long as she knows what to do and can make a decent meal, I'm fine." Richard said mildly, and he meant what he said.

He doesn't need her to overexert herself and try to impress him. She might not be as competent as Maria but, at least, she should do her best.

Focusing his mind on what's in front of him, he ran his eyes down the neatly typewritten words and flipped through the pages, then closed it and tossed it to the other end of the desk.

"Since, we're done with Xavier Co, I want you to email this to the HR, then I also need you to schedule an internal meeting with the Operations Department and inform them too."

Nodding, Victoria wrote it down on her work iPad and took the file from the desk.

"Do you want anything special for tomorrow?" She asked Richard whose attention was now fixated on the large computer screen.

He looked like he was thinking about it because a frown appeared on his forehead and his eyes shadowed thoughtfully.

Shaking his head, "no, it'll be just us."

"I should inform the redhead," Victoria stopped when Richard's gray eyes glanced up. "I should inform Ms Fisher to make Taylor's favourites." She reiterated immediately.

Returning his eyes to the screen, his right fingers on the mouse. "You should do that."

"And Simone, will she be at the house?"

It almost sounded like an innocent question, but the aversion was there.

He'd never understood the rivalry between his secretary and the woman in his life, Simone. Almost the same age, both good at their careers and both loved him differently, but they couldn't stand each other.

Richard doesn't want to get involved in women rivalry, so he's not batting an eyelid at the enmity.

He hadn't talked with Simone since their awkward last dinner date. He hadn't intended on inviting her over to the house.

Jesus.

He couldn't even decide if he wanted Simone to be around his kids, since he couldn't make up his mind about their future.

Lifting his palm from the mouse, he clinched his fingers together and leaned back into the recliner.

Richard remained quiet about that question. He couldn't think of an answer.

His phone started ringing. Thank God.

That was all Victoria needed to know that she had been dismissed.

Picking it up from the desk, a beaming smile already plastered on his face.

Swiping right, his eldest daughter's beautiful face came on the screen.

"Dad!"

"Taylor! How are you?" He was really happy to see her, and couldn't wait to see her physically.

Richard took note of her background. Seemed like she was at a beach, which was evident from the sound of a gushing water and the heavy wind he could hear.

"What time is your flight tomorrow? Did you talk with Aria?" He asked swiftly.

Taylor's eyes shifted from the screen, she looked away for a moment, smiled widely at whoever she was looking at before returning her eyes to her father's.

"We haven't spoken for a week. You'll see me when you see me, dad." Her voice was light and mild.

Richard's eyes gleamed from just looking at his daughter.

His daughters always sent him enough photos and videos. They kept in touch through facetime and voice calls, but he really loved having them in the house and around the dining.

"Wh..."

"Did..."

They bursted into a hearty laughter as they had started at the same time.

It felt good. Richard just couldn't wait to see her.

"You should go first Taylor."

He urged her, the laughter still in his voice.

"Did you get the housekeeper already? Victoria said she would when I called the last time."

"Yes, she did. Do you want anything special when you get back?"

She shook her head and ran her fingers through her hair, as it wouldn't stop getting over her face.

Richard studied his daughter's face for a moment. She seemed really happy and was glowing. She must have really loved staying in Merynn.

Taylor cracked a smile at her father, her eyes twinkling. "How are you dad? You're still seeing Simone?"

Richard caught his bottom lip between his teeth. "I'm great. I'm just getting older and..."

About that.

"She's fine. We're okay."

Whew! That was all he could come up with.

Taylor just stared at him, nodded and looked away briefly. Perhaps, she had her reservations about Simone but Richard wasn't going to talk about that over a video call.

"I'm not going to discuss Simone with you when you're still over there. You should call Aria and let her know you're coming back."

Fixing her eyes back on the screen, she rolled her eyes.

"I'll try and talk to her tonight. Don't worry about it." She assured him.

He ran his right hand over his neck, feeling stiff as he'd been leaning forward.

Giving a contented sigh, Richard smiled at her.

"I gotta go dad. My friends are waiting. See you tomorrow."

Without giving him a moment, she ended the call and it spiralled Richard into an exhilarating mood.

It always felt good talking to his daughters. He was proud of them. He did a good job raising them. Though Aria can be a handful, he still loved her the same.

Richard smiled to himself and replaced the phone on the desk. He should probably go home and take a rest, since he'd got a lot done.

If he's lucky, he might get a nice meal from the new cook.

Ahh! The new staff! He'd totally forgotten about her.

Pushing himself off the chair, he readjusted his tie and straightened it, while pocketing his phone.

Victoria blinked hard at him when he strode out of his office, his briefcase in his left hand.

"Leaving already sir?" She asked, standing up to go to him.

"Yes, I am. You can leave early today." He added.

She nodded, "I will sir."

Richard strode towards the elevator, he pressed a button before calling out.

"Call Henry to pull up front."

He could hear Victoria already scurrying to do his bidding.

The quiet drive home, made Richard feel relaxed and a little resigned. He couldn't understand why he felt more of the latter recently.

Perhaps, they were right about him needing to be with someone. A wife. They all seemed to give their quota about that aspect of his life.

Maybe he was oblivious to some things. Maybe they read him differently than he actually felt.

Just maybe.

Letting out a heavy sigh, he was really relieved when Henry halted in the drive way, just few steps from the front porch.

He carried his briefcase with him, instructing Henry that he won't be needing his services for the rest of the day.

The first thing that greeted him was a loud clanging sound that came from the kitchen. Groaning he made his way there, thinking to himself that maybe Victoria was right.

His senses heightened as he drew near and the sweetest aroma of something that was cooking hit him.

That's got to be something worth it.

Standing at the doorway, his eyes rested on the brightest, curliest redhead he'd ever seen.

Even as her back was turned to him, something stirred deep in his stomach. It felt like he'd known her, even when he was sure he'd never met her anywhere. His eyes didn't leave her hair as he stood at the doorway.

She must have sensed his presence, because she turned and gasped loud enough for him to hear. Her fingers tightened around a metal pan.

She was a sight to behold, Richard thought to himself. Her curly redhead, her oval face, her wide, dark, fiery eyes gazed back at him.

Richard could only gaze at her. She wasn't what he was expecting. She looked a lot different from the passport in her CV.

Ava set down the pan on the counter and rounded the kitchen island to stand beside it. Her eyes were fixed squarely on his face. As his eyes travelled down her length, taking in the patterned apron she wore, Richard realized he couldn't look away from her.

"I'm Ava Fisher, your housekeeper."

To Richard, at that moment, he could bet that had to be the most mellifluous voice he'd heard.