Chapter 4 Episode 4

Aria POV

Since two hours ago, I've been rolling around in bed.

Argh!

Every day for a week after I met Max Maxwell, he kept coming into my mind.

Oh, how cocky of him! His big shoulders, sexy grin, stupid, sexy Italian accent, and hot eyes were killing me!

Oh no!

I let out a big breath.

Thoughts of him keep returning to me every time I try to sleep. I can't get away from him. I keep thinking about him. I feel like there's an energy or pull pulling me towards him.

Even though he made me mad that day, he still left a mark. He was the first person who ever made me feel so much. The truth is that I liked how much he cared about his daughter, even though it made me mad when he lied about me being better off somewhere else. It was evident in his eyes. I saw it happen when Lia ran up to him, and he grabbed her. He smiled at her, and Lia smiled back. They are very close and have a strong bond. Something happened to me when I saw that... I don't know how to explain it. I only remember that day my heart skipped a beat.

I laughed to myself.

Ara, you're crazy. You're really into a guy you'll never see again. You're crazy. Since you left his house and turned your back on him, I'm sure he has forgotten all about you. That's what you should do. Don't think about him. Don't think about them.

When I think about that last thought, my eyes get heavy. I finally give up and fall asleep for good.

Max point of view

It was shaking me. No. The bed was moving around.

"Daddy gets up. "Get up, Dad!" Lia said as she woke me up.

I moaned. Hey, Merda. Am I already late? I set my clock, though.

"Daddy wakes up!" She said it with more force.

"Yes, sir, I'm awake. "What is wrong?"

"I went to see Miss E'lyn; she's not feeling so well," she stated. "She said I shouldn't come near her 'cause she's sick, Daddy, and I might catch it," she stated.

"Catch it, you mean," I smiled to correct her.

She said, "Yeah, catch it."

It was only six o'clock in the morning, and I saw the clock on my end table. I have more than an hour left before leaving early for a meeting. A meeting I can't miss. This sale has to go through. I will be in charge of Hyatt Hotel and Resort, Maxwell Hotel, Spa, and Resort's most significant rival as soon as the deal is done. It has not been good for their business for a year now. Now, George Hyatt and I are talking about him selling his shares. I have to go to this meeting. But I need to quickly find someone to watch Lia if Emma is sick, as my daughter says she is.

"Principessa, why don't you go to your playroom, and I'll check on Emma," I told her.

"Okay, Dad," she said with a nod. She jumped out of bed and went to her room to play.

I wore a shirt, got out of bed, and went to Emma's room.

When I knocked on her door, she didn't answer.

"Come in," she said.

Lia told Emma that you don't feel well. Are you all right?"

"I feel like I have the flu." She told me, "I'm sorry, Max, but I get dizzy every time I try to get up, and I have such a terrible migraine." She doesn't look good at all.

"Remain in bed. It would help if you took a break. I told her, "I'll just bring Lia to work."

She asked with worry, "Don't you have a meeting this morning?"

"Yes, I do; I'll have Laura watch her for a while."

She doesn't look pleased with my choice. Her face shows that she doesn't like what you said.

I laughed. "What's wrong with taking her with me?"Oh, poor mi hija will be so dull. Plus, an office isn't a good place for a little girl like Lia, she said.

"I understand, but I can't help it." I said, "I haven't found a new nanny yet."

"All right, I have a thought. So she said, "Why don't I call Ara and ask her if she could watch Lia for you?"

I moaned. I don't need this right now. "I don't think that's a good idea," I stated.

"Why not?" she asked me with a funny look. I know her pretty well. "You can trust her, and she's good with kids," she said.

"But...she's young and inexperienced," I stated.

She laughed. "I am sure she has worked with kids before. She said, "I'm pretty sure colleges and universities teach their students well." "Give Ara a chance." I'll fire her myself if she doesn't work out.

What else am I going to say? For a short time, we were both quiet.

I ran my hands through my hair.

I was either looking for trouble or crazy to even think about giving Aria a chance. Any man would have had a hard time ignoring her. Even though I only spent half an hour with her, she was already making me crazy. I had never felt that way about a woman before. Not even my spouse. But this is about making sure my kid is safe. Also, I was sick of all the job applicants coming to my house and being let down every time because they were more interested in flirting with me than the work, or Lia would turn them down repeatedly.

Emma is honest when she says that Aria would be suitable for Lia. Because of this, I should listen to the old lady and give her a chance. It's only going to be for a day or two. Why not give her a call? I said, "Okay, but please clarify that it's only when you're sick."

She said yes.

I said, "Thank you, Emma," and then I left.

Aria

My cell phone rang when I woke up. When I answer, Emma's voice answers.

"Hi, sweetheart. "I'm sorry if I woke you up," she said hoarsely.

"No problem at all. Is everything all right? Are you all right? I told you, "You don't sound excellent."

She said, "I have the flu, and my whole body hurts."

"Oh no!" What can I do to help? "I know Al isn't here, so if you need anything, you know I'm here," I told her.

I love Emma so much. After my parents died, she helped me and took care of me like I was her child. That's something I will never forget and be thankful for.

"Well, yes, sister, that's why I called." Please help me. Lia's dad still hasn't found a sitter, so I'm taking care of her now. But I'm sick, so I don't think I should be around her. I don't want to make her sick either, and my whole body hurts, and I think I might pass out if I stand up. "I'd like you to come over and watch over Lia for me," she said.

Oh, crap.

"Emma, I'm not sure about that. Isn't there someone else, like a family friend?" A family member." I asked because I already knew the answer.

Not surprisingly, no. I mean, Antonio, the driver, is with Lia right now, and I know that Antonio, watching Lia all day, will go badly. That poor kid, that is. She's going to be bored. That man is not even slightly happy. I mean, I believe the word is new to him. "Please, Ara, I wouldn't ask if I didn't think it was important," she begged me.

I groaned to myself.

I feel so conflicted right now.

How does Max Maxwell feel about this? I was curious.

"How does Mr. Maxwell feel about this?" "I'm sure he won't like it," I said.

"He understands. I told him. He agrees with what I said. He told me to call you and ask you to keep an eye on Lia. He even told me to beg you if you said no. It was his order that I do anything to get you to agree, she said.

Okay, I guess that answers your question. What should I do now? It looks like I don't have many options.

She said, "I'll be there as soon as possible." I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

After getting ready quickly, I grabbed my things and left.

Emma met me at the door of the Maxwell house when I got there. It looks like she's sick and needs to rest.

Emma, it would help if you went to bed now. "Don't worry, Lia will be fine.

"I just wanted to show you around," she smiled. You should know where everything is."

I gave her a friendly smile and said, "I'm sure Lia would be happy to show me where everything is." Don't stress about dinner and lunch. I'm sure I can make something in the kitchen. It would be best if you went to bed. It looks like you're going to fall over.

"That's right. "Anyway, just buzz me on the intercom if you need me," she said.

It's okay, I'll do it. Lia is in the playroom. I'll show you the way, and it's on the way to my room anyway.

She stopped at the second door to our right as we walked down the hall. "This is the kids' room." She mostly plays and watches films there. She said, "Mr. Maxwell doesn't like it when Lia goes out when he's not around."

I said yes. I told Emma, "Okay, thanks."

"De nada," she replied. She said, "Okay, I'll go back to my room," then left.

From outside the door, I could hear Lia's words.

"No, that's not right," she told him.

I couldn't help but laugh when I heard how mad she was.

I chose to knock to let people know I was there.

Lia was sitting at a tea table when I opened the door. On the other side, I saw a guy I'm sure is Antonio, their driver.

Together, they looked up. Lia got a big smile on her face when she saw me.

"Ara, you're here!" She said happily as she ran up to me and gave me a tight hug.

"Hi Lia, how are you?" I told you.

"I'm fine. Will you look after me? She said, "E'lyn is sick."

I told her, "Yes until she gets better," and then I looked at Antonio.

"Hi. "You must be Antonio," I said with a smile as I extended my hand.

"Yes, and you must be Aria," he said with a Spanish accent as he nodded and smiled back at me. That's right, Emma-he doesn't know how to smile, and the word "happy" sounds strange to him.

I said yes. "Please call me Ara," I advised. I told him, "It looks like I got here just in time."

He said, "Sí, I'm not good at this."

I laughed. "Well, I'm now here. I laughed, "You're safe."

He only replied with a short nod and then excused himself.

"Can I join your tea party, little miss?" I asked Lia as I looked back down at her.

She laughed and said, "Uh-huh." Tonio has no idea how to do it. He has likely never been to a tea party. He wasn't perfect, and he scares me. He doesn't laugh or smile. "I don't like him very much," she said, seeming upset and against him. I couldn't help but laugh.

"I'm pretty good at tea parties, though." Should we begin?" I inquired.

She happily nodded.

She looked up at me and gave me another hug. She told him, "I'm glad you're here."

I gave her a warm smile. I told her, "Me too, my angel."

She raised an eyelid and asked, "What does that mean?"

I smiled at her and said, "In Italian, that means my little angel." She laughed. "You look like my dad." In Italian, he likes to call me names.

I groan to myself.

Yes, you are the dad. Oh no...

I smiled and looked down at her. "My dear friend, let's begin our tea party.

When I thought about Max, my heart was beating so fast. I move on with my life and focus on taking care of Lia.

I fall increasingly in love with the little angel the more I spend with her. That said, I hope I don't feel the same way about her dad, or I'll be in a lot of trouble.