Chapter 97

“Don’t you like my daddy then? He didn’t treat you nicely last night did he? I’m sure he is sorry for what he had said...”

All eyes and ears were now transfixed on the boy.

“Jesse, eat your breakfast.” Jon’s stern yet friendly voice brought the spoon to his son’s mouth instantly.

Ciara took a big gulp of orange juice to try and calm her nerves. She just knew that this would be a bad idea! Why did she bother to even come down for breakfast this morning!

“I am sorry for what I’ve said last night. But I don’t apologise twice for the same thing. We don’t have to like each other to work well together. I expect your loyalty and commitment while working but beside that we don’t have to mingle casually. “

Well that puts you firmly in your place!

Ciara nodded stiffly.

“I agree.” Had she really kissed those lips?

The uncomfortable silence made her want to scream and she turned towards the waiter, flashed her most gorgeous smile and ordered a cup of decaf and eggs on toast. She was going to walk away from here with her dignity in tact if it was the last thing she do!

“Daddy?”

“Yeah buddy?”



“Are you still mad at Ciara? Is she not going to be my nanny anymore?”

“I’ m not mad Jess. I think someone else is though...” His wicked smile flip flopped her stomach.

Don’t play that game!

Why not?

Ciara blinked quickly. Did he just...? No he didn’t say anything or did he?

“Are you cross with my daddy, Ciara? “

“Of course not sweetie, he said he is sorry, didn’t he?”

“Yes he did.”

The waiter saved her from a further response and she sniffed appreciatively at the aroma put down before her.

“What are we doing with Jesse today?” Ksenia steered the conversation into another direction. Ksena was pale today. She searched her face for a reason but there was none.

“Actually, Jesse is going with Jon today so I guess I’ll be busy with the wardrobe again.”

“Why don’t we do something today? We are leaving town tomorrow and everything is almost packed anyway, there won’t be much for you to do today. Besides I saw something in a shop I want to buy and seeing as this is our last day here...”

“If its ok with Jon?”

“Yeah, sure why not?” he shrugged nonchalantly.

Jesse pouted sullenly at his dad.

“Why can’t we take Ciara with us?” Jon was taken aback by his son’s question..

“Uuuhh...Jesse you know daddy has to work a lot don’t you? Well today is the only time that he can really spend with you. Won’t it be much more fun if you two spend the day alone together?”

“Yeah..I guess.” He didn’t seem too happy about it and Ciara was at her wits end. The situation was sure to get worse if the boy preferred her presence above his father’s.

“Ciara is welcome to with us...”

Did everyone just stop breathing?

“I’d rather not. You and Jesse need some much needed time together.”

A flash of blue told her was pissed.

“If you will excuse me, I’ll just get the band aid for Jesse.” She had had enough for one day. Her employer’s dominance turned her food sour in her stomach.

“Do you dislike me that fucking much?” she almost turned into him.

“Excuse me?”

“If you don’t like me thats ok with me, but my boy, he doesn’t need you to abandon him in a time like this.”

“Abandon him? Are you crazy? I thought it might be better if you two spend time alone together.”

“Don’t think it doesn’t suit you.”

Fury rose like bile in her throat.

“You know what’s your problem? You don’t like it when someone says no to you. You are a total control freak! You might sign my cheque Mr. Bon Jovi but you don’t own me. I love spending time with your son and NO I don’t like you but like you said we don’t have to be friends, we work together. Let’s keep it that way, shall we?”

As she walked away she heard an ominous growl coming from behind her.

She turned just to be the centre of attention in the room.

Nobody pisses Jon Bon Jovi off! No one!

~~

Armed with a little sweet and a band aid she turned the knob only to feel the door fly away from her fingers.

“Breakfast is over so I brought him up.” The storm was still brewing in his eyes.

Ignoring him, she took Jesse by the hand and led him to the couch.

“Okies! Lets see what’s going on here.” She knelt before him, not aware how beautiful she looked to Jon at that moment. Sun rays streamed through the window, lighting sparks in her hair. Her face softened as she talked to the little boy, her hands gentle as she worked on him.

“There you go brave man! Here is a little something for you, but don’t show it to daddy, ok?”

She brushed a quick look Jon’s way. His lips twitched slightly as he turned away.

His busy little fingers sneaked the sweet into his pocket, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

“Daddy and I are going to the zoo today and then we are going to have some pizza.”

“That’s gonna be fun! You better come and tell me about all the animals you have seen today, deal?”

“Deal! Ok daddy lets go.” He took Jon’s hand, pulling him towards the door. He had a new mission in mind, Ciara wanted to know about all the animals...and he was going to come home and tell her!