After All a Second Chance

Paige's POV

Good news is I finally found a nanny, turns out the lady from the cafe actually took the job and she seems nice enough so I think Alex will love her.

Now that's off my list I have to find a way to finish the extra work I was given because Vanessa practically ditched work today I have to do everything all alone, it's already past 9, and I still have a lot to do, why on earth can't he just assign someone to help me, he is definitely doing this on purpose and it isn't fair.

The office phone rang bringing me back to reality with a sigh I picked the call.

"Can you bring me a cup of coffee, Miss Moretti" Grayson said through the phone, sounding just as tired as I am?

"On my way" I said simply, as much as Grayson doesn't treat me so well I still tend to pity him or should I say care for him as an employee, he works his ass off day and night just to make sure his family is comfortable and happy, I found out few months ago that his wife is a cancer patient and is somewhere off in Italy receiving treatment leaving him to care for their four children.

Grabbing his favorite cup from the cupboard, making it totally black as he likes before heading to his office.

Knock knock knock.

"Come in" he said a little above a whisper, I trudged in dropping the coffee slowly on the desk to avoid spilling it.

"Are you done with the files," he asked as I turned to leave.

"Almost" I said wincing slightly already preparing myself for what he has to say.

"You can go, finish up tomorrow" he said, shocking me to the core.

"Wait, what?" I said turning quickly, well faster than I would have liked.

"I said you can go home, it's past 9 already, you could come early in the morning to finish it up" he said glancing back at his laptop screen, I stared at him intently still in shock that's when I noticed the difference.

His undoubtedly looks stressed, but it's like all his walls that were always up and high in the day is down like completely, it's like he just let himself be himself at nights, how did I notice earlier it's part of the façade as a CEO he probably feels being vulnerable and nice we will run him over, well, someone has to tell him otherwise then

"The meeting is tomorrow, I won't have enough time to review the documents, I am almost done anyway a few more hours won't hurt besides I can't let you stay here all alone right?" I said with a small smile on my lips, he looked up once again with this emotion swirling in his eyes that I cannot identify, but it's giving a nice feeling so...

"Thank you Paige"he said sincerely before going back to his work like he didn't just do something more than shocking, I stood there opening and closing my mouth, but I couldn't formulate any words, he can say 'Thank you' wow that's something I won't forget easily.

****

Walking into my apartment, I glanced at my watch, and it read 11:30pm,well, that's a bummer Alex is definitely asleep already so much for asking him how school was today but at least I finished the work.

"I was this close to concluding you won't be home today"Someone said, making me shriek in fear.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you" Mrs. Rivers, Alex's nanny said, and I smiled softly at her, surprisingly she agreed to start immediately which right now I am grateful for,

"It's ok, I wasn't really paying attention to my environment if not I would have definitely noticed you standing there" I said taking of my shoes.

"Dinner?"she asked gesturing me towards the kitchen.

"Ooh thank you so much, I was actually planning on going to bed like that"I said with a shrug,

"Thank God I left some for you besides Alex mentioned you not always eating, and I should please get you to eat"she said smiling at me,

"He makes it seem like I am going to starve myself to death I am just not usually hungry."I said as I sat on a stool as she put my food into a plate serving it.

"Thanks, "I said digging in.

"Alex is asleep which was a bit difficult for me considering the fact he won't stop asking about you, he is a nice boy by the way you did an impressive job" she said making me smile a little.

"Thank you "I said smiling back at her, though it didn't reach my eyes.

"I will be heading home now, it's late already" she said picking her purse, but the look in her eyes told me she wanted to ask a lot of questions that I doubt I can or will be able to answer, so I am glad she held herself,

"Exactly it's late already so stay the night, the streets aren't the best at night" I said sincerely, I basically live downtown cause that's what I could afford and at night let's just say things that shouldn't even be heard of happens.

"Don't worry I have a driver, he is here already so I would be fine, thanks for the offer"she said coming to kiss me on my cheeks before leaving, I like her already.

I washed off the dishes before heading to my room, I took a quick shower putting on a pink night gown with my robe letting my hair down, I stood at Alex's door staring at him with a small smile on my face, as much as his father didn't want him and I went through a lot and still going through a lot because I decided to keep him, I am delighted I have him he is my little bundle of joy, I know I can be very hard on him sometimes, and I am not doing so well giving him all he can get and should need, but I am trying my best it just feels like my best isn't enough.

I walked over to his bed placing a kiss on his forehead.

"Mum,"I heard him mutter in his sleep, making me smile softly.

"Yes baby"I said, brushing hair off his face.

"Why didn't you pick me up today"he asked, the sadness evident in his voice making me feel worse than I already feel,

"I am so sorry Mummy had a lot to do but didn't you like Aunt Rivers?"I asked wanting to hear his opinion of his nanny.

"Hmm, she's ok, I just prefer you "he said with a shrug as he slowly closed his eyes sleep taking over,

"And I will always love you, mummy will make it up to you somehow"I said kissing his forehead again making him sigh as he snuggled into me.

"Can I sleep with you today mum?"he asked slowly trying to fight the sleep that has won already, I smiled at him carrying him carefully to my room, I placed him on my bed using the blanket to cover us both as I cuddled him making sure he was comfortable before I let sleep take its course.

****

"Good morning Grayson"I said calmly as I walked into his office.

"Paige"he said not looking up but acknowledging my greeting at least, well great his walls are back up.

"The meeting with R&J technologies is 30 minutes from now"I said as I dropped the files I worked on yesterday on his desk, I would have returned it yesterday's, but I had to rush home,

"Ok then go get Vanessa I need you girls to welcome our guests and lead them to the conference room when they get here, I will be there soon"he said still not glancing up.

"Ok"I said simply leaving the office, walking back to my cabin knowing fully well Vanessa saw me and is definitely following me to say some trash.