The Nanny Affair

Chapter 24- Jasper

As I stare at the T.V, my brain can't comprehend what I just watched. What the hell is Gisselle thinking? Scratch that, she knows exactly what she is doing. If anyone is to now see me with another woman, the media will have a fun filled day at my expense and all hell will break loose. I've been known for so long as Toronto's billionaire playboy, this will ruin me and she knows that. I rub my face and Rosie walks away. As I watch her figure disappear around the corner, I can't help but feel a pang of dread in my chest.

"Rosie, wait!" I shout.

"I'll talk to her," Natty says and follows her.

"Boys go to your room." I tell the twins but they moan and cry.

"Fine!" I leave the room and head to my home office. David and Earl follow and close the door behind them.

"I thought the engagement was private. You know not to ruin your reputation. The feared playboy of Toronto who gets what he wants."

"The engagement was called off!" I run my hands through my hair. "She pulled this fucking stunt after being here today. She knew what it would do." David pours a glass of bourbon and hands it to me.

As I take another swig, I recline further in my seat. How can I put a stop to this? As I continue to wait here, I think about what I should do next. Giselle considers messing around with my life to be a game of some sort. She is completely unaware of the consequences of her actions. I am making an effort to remain calm, but I am filled to the brim with rage and frustration. It's as if she's locked me up in her own personal dungeon. I slam the glass against the wall, and I watch as it explodes into a million pieces. I won't give in to her sneaky sleight of hand. This is my life; this is the game I play. I am not going to give in to her deceptive and manipulative tactics any longer.

I glance over at David and Earl, who have both settled themselves into seats. Their expressions convey deep concern as they look at one another in response to the issue that has surfaced. Something obviously needs to be done, and soon.

"If your relationship with Rosie wasn't a secret before, it is now." David states.

"No shit!" Anger starts to pool within me.

"I need to talk to her." I make my way across the house toward Rosalie's room. Natty walks out and shakes her head. I take a deep breath and knock on her door. She turns to look at me, her face flush from the tears that she had cried.

"I'm sorry,"

"There is nothing to be sorry about. All this is telling me what exactly we should be."

"What are you saying?" Confused about what is happening. "I'll fix this, I promise."

"There is nothing to fix," She looks at me. "What we have is commitment free and if you can still handle that then we can keep this undercover fling hidden underneath the sheets."

What the fuck?

"What the actual fuck?!" For the first time I yell directly at her. My blood boils at her response. This morning I told her I loved her and this is how she acts. She looks taken aback by my outburst, and I regret my words immediately. I take a deep breath, trying to control the anger bubbling up inside me.

"I love you and only you." I shout.

"I know, you've said that. Still doesn't change the fact the whole country knows you are marrying her." She calmly states.

I feel like I'm frozen and I don't know what to do. She won't beg me to stay and I know she is doing this not just for herself but for the boys. Even though I'm hurting, I respect her decision. But I need to know, so I ask,

"You don't love me, do you?" I finally say.

Her eyes show sadness but fear trembles through her body. I know deep down she loves me but something is stopping her. I step toward her as she holds back tears. I want to take her in my arms and make the fear go away, but I know I can't. I take a deep breath and try to find the right words to say but all that stumbles out is,

"Please, baby." I cup her face.

She steps back and for the first time in ten years I feel a tear escape. Without her I would fall apart. But I love her and always will. She looks at me and finally says the one thing I dread to hear from her.

"You and I can't work. What we had was fun but my priority is those boys. My job is to take care of them." She puts her head down, "I'll understand if you want to replace me, just let me know."

My heart breaks but I know those boys love her. I'll find a way back to her, I know I will.

"No, I won't ever replace you, those boys love you too much." I kiss her cheek. "I'll find a way back to you, I promise." I whisper.

"Please don't." She tells me.

I look at her and I feel my blood start to boil. I straighten myself out and say, "Fine, please pack the boys bags for their hockey camp."

She nods as she looks away. I walk out and take a deep breath. The day goes by painfully slow and the next morning I wake to Nate and Alex jumping on me. They hug me goodbye before Earl drives them to the bus with their hockey team.

I crawl out of bed and get dressed. Throwing on some jeans and a hoodie, I make my way out to the kitchen. I see Rosie standing there, her eyes meet mine. I walk toward her and say,

"I've been thinking all night and you're right. I'm done chasing you. You made it clear that what we had was just physical." I move closer and take her hands in mine, "I'm sorry for leading you on when I couldn't commit."

Her eyes swell with tears and I see her holding back. She lets go of my hands and walks away. I place my hands on the counter. Tears come down my cheek as I stand there. I feel like I just shoved a dagger into my own heart. The pain will remain permanent and these wounds will never close.

I head to the gaming room and start the Xbox. Hood up, lights out; I sit back and play NHL. It feels like I've been in here for hours, trying my best to avert my attention from Rosie.

"I'm going out. Can I use the truck?" Rosie asks from the doorway.

I look at her, she's wearing a summer dress with a wrap that covers her back. Her hair in loose curls, paired with wedge sandals.

"Yeah, sure. Where are you headed?" I ask her.

She looks down and bites her tongue. "I'm meeting Lucas for lunch."

"Seriously?" I stand up. "Did anything between us mean anything to you?" I shout.

"Really? You're marrying Gisselle!" She yells at me. "You have no say in who I date."

I run my hands through my hair. "Fuck Rosie!" I say.

She turns on her heels and walks away. I run after her, placing my hand on the garage door, not allowing her to leave.

"I can't do this anymore. I love you Rosie, only you. Why can't you see that?"

"And why can't you see that what we had was just physical?" She questions me.

She walks out and I watch as she starts the truck and backs out. I head back to the gaming room and sit done; Controller in hand. I try to take my mind off everything but the anger runs through me. I throw the controller and smash the TV with it.

Fuck it. If she wants nothing to do with me then fine. She can have her fun with Lucas. I guess she's back to being just the nanny. I feel the anger boil in me as the thoughts run through my head. I walk to the kitchen and pour myself a drink. I drink until I don't feel the pain of her being gone.