The Carrero Effect - Falling for the Boss (Billionaire CEO)

Everything Sophie owns is in the car with our bags, which isn’t much. She is, after all, a runaway from a poor town and impoverished parents. One grubby and torn rucksack that’s so full the zipper is coming undone.

The trip to the airfield is short and silent as we all mull things over in our heads. Jake has glanced down at his cell a ton of times and I know he’s been waiting for his mother to call back with more definite plans for Sophie. In the meantime, we have agreed that we’ll both stay at his Manhattan apartment with her until she’s placed in a safe environment through the proper channels. He has more than enough rooms for all of us. Jake feels she needs me there to feel safe as having her with him alone just doesn’t feel right to him, considering her back story. It’s not appropriate.

Sophie is sitting with eyes as wide as saucers; all of this so overwhelming to her and I think, realization, is finally dawning that this is the start of her new beginning. I remember feeling that way on the coach out of Chicago with Sarah by my side. Finally free, running far away from all of it. Running from the influence of my mother. Running from a lifetime of terror and fear.

She reaches out to me and takes my hand, sitting between Jake and I on the rear seat and this small motion brings up an internal feeling I had before. Maternal protective instinct. This girl will have the chance I should have had at her age. I’ll make sure she has a life that is so far removed from where she has come. In a way, I know partially my reasons are for myself, as though adult Emma is somehow reaching into the past and pulling teen Emma to freedom, saving her in a way I could not so many years ago.

* * *

Sophie looks around the apartment with the same saucer eyes and gaping mouth as she did at entering his private jet. This whole thing, like a fairy tale dream to her. I know the feeling well; first time faced with the glamour of the Carrero empire so many years ago when entering Executive House to be interviewed. Girls like us, so unused to refinery and wealth, a completely different life from where we had come.

It is amazing how in the years that followed, I have stopped noticing it at all. Become so un-phased by the expensive furnishings and more recently, with the way Jake is always surrounded by it. I stopped seeing his expensive clothes and accessories. Stopped looking at the five-star hotels and luxuries as anything abnormal. They are just a part of who Jake is; he never makes a show of it, or makes you feel in awe of it; to him it is normal.

I show her to the guest room that’s never used as it’s right beside the room I use when I stay here; Jake thought she may like my closeness. I guide her in. It’s like a modern hotel room, but the bed is laden with bags and boxes. I frown and walk over to open one and I’m hit with the tug of warmth as Donna’s perfume rises from the bag, her scent over everything. Inside are clothes, shoes, toiletries; everything a fourteen-year-old girl would ever need to start a new life. Jake and his ever-attentive nature surpassing my expectations again.

you … courtesy of Jake.” I smile, nodding to them. “When you go, you’ll take all this with you.” I pull a bag toward the edge of the bed and nod again,

through that door.” I point at the inner white door of the

cook for us so you’ve an hour before we eat, okay?” I smile widely at her, her face displaying her

quick embrace. Her eyes huge and damp, her cheeks flushed. I just can’t express

absorb all of this and get herself acquainted with her

sees me approach, he grins and motions me to come over. I obey and close the gap between

then … Uhuh.” He

trust too … Long-term foster arrangement while it goes through the legal process,

celebratory squeeze as he hugs me briefly then

documented, so they can put her under the protective services umbrella … My mom is taking special interest in this, so she’ll be helped at every

frown and look away nervously; that will be agony for her. If she’s anything like me, the thought of telling people everything will be the hardest thing she will ever do. She’s strong

him with determination, already

grown children, all of whom they adopted. They have experience with troubled kids. She’ll get a loving home and a good