James impassively watched Sophie turn on her heel and leave the room, her steps quick and decisive. He had coldly dismissed her from her position as Aria’s nanny, and fuck, he felt relieved. Of course, there was no need for him to give her an explanation as to why, and oddly enough, the woman hadn’t asked for any either.

He had given her two weeks’ notice, as this would help her adjust and give her time to seek new employment. The woman had refused him on the spot and stated she’d be gone from the house by tomorrow morning.

Fuck! He still couldn’t believe he had employed a woman such as Sophie to look after his daughter. The very thought that she’d fed Aria all those lies and fear still pissed him off.

Once again, his mind flashed back to yesterday when Aria had poured her heart out to him, telling him of her love for him, her loneliness whenever he was away, and her fear that he’d run away from her like Whitney had.

The thought that his adorable six-year-old daughter had to go through that shit and put up with those wretched feelings made him sick to his stomach.

What type of a father am I? Fuck, he didn’t know. But he knew from now on, he’d make it up to Aria. He was going to be a good father to his daughter come hell or high water.

He was just walking out of his home office when his cell rang. He picked up on the second ring and said, “Scott, what’s up?”

“Hey, bro,” Scott greeted. “How’s everything going?”

James gave out a big sigh as he descended the stairs in a quick, easy pace. “I have a bit of shit going on at the moment.”

“What is it?” Scott asked. “Is this about Mia?”

“Yes and no,” James said, wondering where Mia was suddenly. After he’d dropped Aria off at school, his intention had been to return home, have his meeting with Sophie, and then see if he could have a peek of Mia before heading off to his office at the Maxwell Hotel. Now, however, he couldn’t find her anywhere, and he was running late.

“Oh?” Scott voiced on the other end of the line.

“Look, I can’t talk right now. I’m running late. I have a lot of work to do before picking Aria up this afternoon.”

“What? Isn’t that Sophie’s job? She’s the nanny, isn’t she?”

James snorted. “I just fired her.”

“Fuck, James! What happened?”

“She was feeding Aria a lot of garbage. Stuff like I don’t love Aria because my daughter talks too much and shit like that.”

“Fuck!” Scott voiced again. “What the fuck?”

James chuckled at the incredulity of it too. “Yeah, right?”

“Man, James. Did you screen her before you hired her?” Scott asked.

“My personal assistant David did. The woman was clean, but I guess he made a mistake,” James said.

“How’s Aria doing, by the way?” Scott asked. “And did you tell her you love her with all your heart and you’d die for her? If you haven’t, I’m going to fucking make you do it even if I have to point a gun at your head.”

James laughed. “Fuck, Scott, don’t be so dramatic. I told her. She’s all good at the moment, thanks to Mia.”

Scott whistled. “Mia, huh? Sounds like mother material there. That reminds me. I haven’t met her yet. Now that I think about it, Eric and I haven’t been at your place for a while.”

James chuckled. “You just want to come over because you want to see Mia.”

“Ouch! You wound me, brother,” Scott teased. “I miss Aria too. So it’s set then. Eric and I are coming over tonight for dinner.”

James said, “Sure. See you then.”

“Bye now,” Scott said. Then before hanging up, he added, “We have Dad’s bride to discuss too.”

James looked heavenward. “Sure,” he said rather unenthusiastically.

Once he’d hung up, James paced to his awaiting car and drove out of the estate. He was at work some half an hour later and fully engrossed until twelve. Then he had a long lunch meeting with his team of accountants, and by the time that was finished, it was past two in the afternoon. Once he managed to get back to his office, he checked his watch, then cursed.

“Fuck!”

He knew he wouldn’t be able to make it on time to pick Aria up, and he still had a shitload of work here at the hotel to finish too. With no alternative, he thought the only solution was to ask Mia for her help.

Without further ado, he grabbed his cell and dialed her number. She picked up on the second ring.

“Hello, James,” she greeted. “You didn’t text me this time, so it must be urgent.”

“Yes, it is,” he said. “How’s your day going, darling?”

She snorted at his choice of endearment. Darling? She paused for a moment and then said, “Good, thank you. What about you? And what’s so urgent?”

James went straight to the point. “Would you be a darling and pick Aria up?”

“Aria? Of course,” she said. “Why didn’t you just tell me this morning? You’re busy with work, aren’t you?”

“Yes, I am,” he replied.

“Okay.” She paused. “Oh my gosh! It’s already two thirty? Why didn’t you call earlier? That means I have to get going now if I don’t want Aria to wait for me,” she said in a hurry.

“Ask the chauffeur to drive you.”

“Okay, I will. Bye now, James,” she said.

“See you tonight.”

“Okay. Okay. Gotta go now.”

The phone went silent, and James couldn’t help but smile. He couldn’t believe it. Mia had turned out to be his lifesaver this time around, and that was fucking awesome.

A moment later, he phoned up St. Peter Elementary School and informed the receptionist he wouldn’t be able to pick his daughter up although another would. After that was done, he returned his attention to his work with a grin on his face.