Blessing in Disguise (MM)

Chapter Ten

NICK'S POV

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It's Saturday and I've been snowed under with work since Thursday. Robyn has been running around like a headless chicken in desperate need to get this agreement with Harrison sorted. He's a thorough businessman and makes my job a thousand times harder. All I want to do is sign the deal and get on with it. But no, no, no. If I thought I was a perfectionist... he might as well be living in a fantasy world.

Aris agreed to looking after Elodie for the few hours I need to work. It's written in his contract that Saturdays and Sundays will be extra pay as I realise how inconvenient it is to work on the only days you're meant to have off.

Elodie is pretty much infatuated with Aris at the moment. I give him a hard time but that's because I am protective and I'm not even sorry about it. The more things I kick up a fuss about, the more he'll pay attention to the little details.

Rain splats against the window of my home office. I sigh and lean back, twirling a fountain pen between my fingers. I don't even like fountain pens but my mother got it for me when I decided I wanted to create my own business. It means a lot to me, even if she decides to stay married to my asshole of a father.

A knock at my office door stirs me from my thoughts and I twist. "Yeah?"

The handle presses down and Elodie stumbles in. "Daddy, I think it's time to stop working."

"I've got lots of work, pumpkin. Where is Aris?"

"Here," he stands by the door but doesn't entirely look in as if he's invading my privacy. I glance up at him and his dark hair that messily curls around the edges. "Elodie wanted to come ask you a question."

I flick my gaze back to my daughter who is halfway into the room now. "What did you want to ask?"

"Come out and play with us!" She points to the window. "I want to try out my new wellies. You won't let me wear them in the house but now I can wear them outside. It's perfect!"

"Els," I sigh softly. "I need to finish this off."

She takes one step forward and links her hands together in front of her and rests her head onto her shoulder, flashing those puppy dog eyes at me. "Please? You can't work all day. Everyone needs fun. Even Aris said."

I flex a brow and shoot my eyes up to Aris who is already staring back at me. He seems startled by Elodie's confession and looks away once more.

"Please," she tips her tone and I crumble.

How can I say no to her? An hour won't hurt. I'm the boss after all.

"Alright," I stand up. "Fine for a little while. It's still raining, I don't want you getting sick."

"Yay!" Elodie throws her hands above her head. "I'm going to get my wellies."

Then she darts out of the room faster than lightning. "Don't put them on until we're out of the house!" I yell after her but no doubt she won't listen to me.

I look to Aris who dismisses himself just as fast. After grabbing my coat and pulling on a pair of boots I find Aris and Elodie in the living room. "Aris, you're coming with us?" Elodie asks him.

"You want me to?" He stands back and crosses his arms over his chest. "I'm happy for you guys to have time alone."

"No!" She runs to him and takes his hand in hers. "I want you to come. Pleaseeee."

Aris smiles down at her. "You sure?"

"Yes, yes!" She chants. "You have to see the wellies! They light up. They're magic."