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Damsel in Distress
Ezra
Theproposalpartyisin full swing, and I'm chatting with my siblings and their significant others. My heart swells as my brother Dane proposes to Katrina, pulling out a black box from his pocket. The room erupts into cheers as she says yes, and they embrace. The air is filled with laughter and chatter.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I excuse myself from the conversation, hoping it's not work again. My company NexTech is working on several major deals right now, but the project for law enforcement and the military is at the top of my list of work priorities. The deal could bring in record-breaking profits for my billion-dollar company.
As I step away from the group, I place the phone to my ear.
"Hey, boss," says Daniella. "Sorry to bother you, but we have a bit of a situation."
My stomach twists, but I keep my voice level. "Yes?"
"The nanny has turned in her notice. While on vacation in Vegas, she got married and will be moving to England with her husband."
I clench my phone. "What?"
"I know it sounds crazy. She said when she met him, they fell in love instantly.” Daniella chuckles nervously. “That's what she told me."
I pinch the bridge of my nose. "How much of a notice did she give?"
"Two weeks."
I let out a stream of curses. "Her contract calls for a month's notice."
"Yeah, I don't think she cares about that."
The sounds of the party continue in the background, so I leave the deck and step into the house. I need to find a new nanny, and fast.
I glance back at the party, but my brother and his soon-to-be wife are now in their own little world. It's too much happiness for me to handle right now, and the urge to leave overwhelms me, but I can't bring myself to be that rude.
"Daniella, I need you to contact the top nanny agencies on Monday. We have to start looking immediately. It took me forever to find this nanny, and there's no time to waste.” I curse. “Joanne’s going on vacation in a couple of weeks.”
My ex-wife Joanne and her new husband are spending a month in Europe. Paige will be with me the entire time. There is no way I can work on this new project and look after Paige.
“I’m on it, boss.”
“I don’t want to shortlist anyone unwilling to undergo a pre-interview background check.”
“Got it.”
I hang up the phone and step back outside, trying to shake off the bad news. I see Cassidy and my youngest brother Ivan holding their newborn baby. As I walk past, I hear the soft coo of the baby and feel a moment of envy that they have added even more happiness to their lives.
My thoughts keep cycling back to the need for a nanny, and the joyful environment makes me feel more alone. The happy couples and family members, lost in each other's company, only make me feel more isolated. How did I end up like this?
I stay for another hour and approach Dane and Katrina before departing early. "Congratulations. I'm really happy for you both," I say, smiling.
"Thanks bro," Dane says before hugging me.
I exit, promising to see everyone soon, but my mind is already focused on the task at hand. The cool breeze from outside envelops me, and the sounds of the party fade away as I walk to my car, searching for a solution to the challenging situation. Nothing can be done until Monday, but that doesn't stop me worrying.
Fortunately, Paige is with her mother this weekend, so I can spend the evening unwinding with a couple of stiff drinks.
On the way home, I quickly detour to get a bottle of something. My bar at home desperately needs to be re-stocked, but I haven’t had time to do it. I prefer to pick out the liquor that goes in my supply. Joanne says I’m controlling and a workaholic, but it’s not that. I like things done correctly, and most people cannot meet my high expectations.
Most of the grocery stores in my area are closed, so I cruise my luxury car into the dark parking lot of the seedy corner store. The place would be condemned if not for its proximity to the rundown neighborhoods in the east end.
The store’s parking lot is bathed in the flickering neon lights from the store’s sign. My expensive suit feels out of place in a parking lot littered with broken beer bottles and cigarette cartons.
