Dad's best friend secret baby

Chapter 18

Evie

It was another day at home. I sat with my legs crisscrossed, a few meters from Sophie, who mimicked my stance. "Now, we're going to focus on breathing. I want you to keep your eyes shut and listen to your heartbeat."

I peeked at her and saw her eyes were shut.

"Good."

"How many heartbeats can you count?"

A part of me hoped she'd respond. But there was no answer.

You'll not only be helping her. You'll help me too.

"It's okay, Sophie. Just focus."

Meditation would help cultivate a sense of calm for any internal turmoil she might have. It would also reduce worry.

I continued to stare at her. She was in a spaghetti-strapped Barbie singlet and pink bum shorts. Her cheeks were a bit flushed, probably because she was doing this for the first time.

Her long lashes fluttered intermittently. It showed how hard she was trying. I didn't have much time to continue staring when the loud blaring of my phone interrupted.

Shit. I thought I put that on silent. I quickly hunted for it in the pile of softballs before I found it. When I saw the caller ID, I sneaked a glance at Sophie. I was surprised to see that, despite my rummaging, her eyes were still shut.
What a good darling.

Dusting invincible dirt off my pants, I tip-toed outside.

"Evie!" A high-pitched sound scratched my eardrum as soon as I held the phone to my ear.

"Emma!" I mimicked with a hiss.

She paused before saying. "If you're trying to mimic me, then you've got it wrong."

"Nope. I'm just trying to make you hear what screeching sounds like. What's up?"

She huffed. "Ugh, whatever. I just called to tell you that you actually saved my relationship. I cut it off with the other twin and told my boyfriend. He was angry and still hasn't completely gotten over it, but we're navigating it together."

"I'm glad you took the right path, Emma."

"You know I might not have listened to you, but I looked up the Spanish saying. He who does it pays for it. I didn't want to pay for shit."

A small laughter escaped my lips. "Typical Emma."

She huffed again. "Say, you haven't given the complete gist about your workplace."

"What more do you want to know, Emma? That's all there is."

"I want to know how you're suddenly in New York and how the fuck you got into Thorne industries."

I peered over my shoulders at Sophie. She was still in the same position.

"Well, he and my father are friends, so I just kinda ended up here."

"Lucky bitch," she snickered.

I started to walk away from the playroom. "Well, I'm also his daughter's nanny." I stopped at that. It was out of line to violate my client's confidentiality.

"So, you stay in his house?!"

I pulled the phone away from my ear. I was pretty sure I'd be partly deaf by the end of this call. "Easy, Emma."

"You're living in the same house with the most successful billionaire in New York, and you expect me to be quiet?"

My irises touched my forehead from how far back I rolled them. "Chill girl. Plus, it's not roses and sunshine like you think."