A Deal With My Billionaire Ex

Grayson's Pov:

'Come in', I mutter under my breath, with my back turned to the door. I am currently looking for a new nanny for my daughter, which is why I have decided to handle it myself, but none of the applicants were up to standard. I sent a message to my PA to cancel the entire interview after this last one. I turned my chair to interview the person who came in, hoping she would be different.

When our eyes connected, time stilled.

An audible crack of tension fills the space.

Standing before me is none other than Lillian.

The one person I swore to never come in contact with.

As the most successful businessman in New York City, no one has ever rendered me speechless. Only she has this effect on me. I clench my jaw tightly, still not breaking eye contact.

"Good day, sir. I am Lilian, and I am here for the nanny job," Lilian says, holding her documents tightly.

Is that what we are doing now?

Feigning ignorance?

Every bone in my body is screaming revenge as I eye her once again. This is not the Lillian I fell in love with.

"In case you are lost, this is a job interview for a nanny, not for a sl*t," I say harshly, eyeing her once again. I know I am meant to be professional, but I can't help but remember how much she hurt me.

"I am here for the nanny job, sir," she says, looking at her feet.

"Give me one good reason why I should hire you?" I say, checking her file.

"Your daughter will be properly taken care of, sir."

"How do you intend to take care of my daughter when you have dirty habits? The job description clearly states that you must be experienced. But here you are with no experience, expecting me to hire you. Or do you think you can sway me because we have history together"?

"No, sir, that's not it."

"Get out of my office, young lady!" I bark.

"Please, sir, give me a chance to prove myself. I really need this job," she says, as she lowers her head slightly.

I was almost moved by her pretense, but you know what they say, 'once bitten twice shy'.

"I will do anything you ask me to, please just give me the job."

Is this the part where she offers me her body like she did with those men years ago? I keep my clenched fist in my pocket as I walk closer to her.

She takes a few steps back when I approach her. And for the first time in my many years, I looked into her eyes.

Gone was my happy and cheerful Lillian. The person staring back at me looks sad and lifeless.

I swallowed my thoughts as I took a few steps away from her.

"We only hire experienced people, Miss. You can leave now," I say as I walk away from her and head to my desk.

"Sir, I know I am not an experienced nanny, nor do I have the educational qualifications required, but I have worked at a hospital as a nurse, I know what it means to take proper care of a child, sir, which is why I am confident in my ability to be a good nan-"

"Stitching injuries and delivering children does not mean you are a perfect fit for this job." I retorted before she could complete her sentence.

Before I could utter my next sentence, Rachael entered my office looking stressed.

"Hello princess, why are you frowning your face?" I say as I kneel to her level.

"I don't know what to eat, Dad, the pancake Claire made is awful," she says, scrunching up her face. Rachael barely complains about food; the pancake must be horrible.

"Which food do you want me to order, princess?" I say even though I know she might refuse. I cook her meals most of the time. But due to my recent injury, our chef has been the one preparing her meals.

"I miss your food, Dad," she says whilst pouting and side-eyeing my injured wrist.

"I can help you with the meal, sir." Lillian, whom I had forgotten was here, says behind me.

"Are you my new nanny?" Rachael says, shifting her attention to Lillian, whom she did not notice before.

"I am here for the job interview, sweetie. My name is Lillian," she says, smiling softly.

"You are pretty, Miss Lillian. Can you cook?"

"Yes, baby, I can cook anything you want me to cook."

Who does she think she is? Her mother?

How dare she forget her place and call my daughter sweetie?

"Listen, this interview is over. You can use the door. And don't ever speak to my daughter again. Know your place."

"Daddy, will you please give her a chance? I like her already." Rachel says, tugging my trousers.

"But princes-"

'Let's make a deal, Dad, if she cooks for me and I do not like it, then you can fire her," she says, giving me puppy eyes.

I hate that I cannot say no to her. I do not want to seem weak in Lillian's presence. I mutter a low 'fine' before she grabs Lillian's hand and takes her to the kitchen. I have never seen her connect with anyone this quickly. I follow them and watch silently as they both interact, and Rachael pays keen attention to what Lillian is doing.

From what I can see, she wants to bake. Lillian has always been a good cook and baker because of her mother. And for a moment, there was a tiny part of them that wished she had not betrayed me years back. We would have built a happy family together. But the hatred and urge to hurt her burned more in my heart.

I was pulled out of my thoughts when her phone beeped on the counter. It was a message from someone called 'Sebastian'. Who the fuck is Sebastian? Is it one of those men? Lots of questions are swirling in my head as I read the text, not caring if I am invading her privacy.

'Hi, love, why is the interview taking so long? I am waiting outside. I brought your favorite snacks.'

I try to keep my anger at bay as I read the text. How dare she move on when she shattered me completely, rendering me incapable of loving anyone else. Just on cue, she finished baking, and Rachael brought it to me.

"Daddy, you should try this. This is the best cupcake I have ever tasted," she says, squealing, as she pecks Lillian on her cheeks.

"Go to your room, princess, I would like to have a word with Miss Lillian," I say sternly, leaving no room for further questions.

Immediately she left, I faced Lilian, who was still wearing an apron, and rubbing her hands together nervously. Without thinking, I blurt out two words that I know would change my life forever.

"Marry me."