Tutoring The Billionaire's Son

Chapter 3

Lachlan had flown to London for a contract deal that should have been sealed a long while ago. There had been a delay due to taxation issues on the part of the other company. Now that the issue has been resolved, Lachlan couldn’t let the deal go a day more unsigned. It didn’t help that the day fell on the supposed interview of his son's new tutor. Lachlan had trusted Laura to get the job done perfectly, he just hoped to God that whoever was employed stays.

“Mr. Gray, it was nice doing business with you. Sorry about the impromptu call and inconvenience.”

“It's all good. Have a good night.”

Ending the conversation with the CEO of Lit Technologies, Lachlan hurried to his restroom to put a call through to his best friend, Jake.

“My man. What's good, brother?” Jake said.

“Nothing much, Jake. On a little errand to London. I would appreciate it if you could pop in the house and check on Elijah. Maybe take him out or something. The little man has been cranky of late. Had to get a new tutor and shit.”

“Of course man. We’ll work something out. I think he just needs your time.”

“Time, you say. If I give him two minutes of my time, my job suffers. You know this.”

“No man. I don’t but it’s all good. I’ll check on the new tutor, I hope it’s a hottie.”

Lachlan clicked his tongue and let out a laugh. “Ah. Funny. I’ve not met with the new tutor but I’ll have Laura send her info tonight. Enjoy and I hope you don’t mess up the whole of NYC before day breaks.”

“You know I will.”

Jake, life of the party and the ladies’ man. An important figure in Lachlan’s life, they met in college and have remained forever inseparable.

It had been on a rainy day, Lachlan was headed for classes in his usual cold demeanor. Across the street was a guy with shiny golden hair, no umbrella and was shivering from the cold. Lachlan would have forged ahead without sparing a glance but instead he nudged the guy and offered to share his umbrella with him and Jake’s eyes had lit up. Till date, Lachlan always reminded Jake of taking essential stuff because Jake was quite forgetful. Jake would abandon his home on holidays and crash at Lachlan’s. They lived together in college and went everywhere together.

Good memories. He always had his way around everyone, people loved Jake and wanted to be around him. Lachlan wouldn’t say the same for himself, people loved him but people don’t get attached to him like with Jake. Jake was like a saviour, he had listening ears and was very patient. Growing up, they both made jokes about the day they met.

Lachlan flopped onto the bed and sank deep into his thoughts, especially what Jake had mentioned. What did Jake mean by giving Elijah time? I give him money and everything he requests for and more.

They travel together once a year although they hardly ever talk. Confusion etched deep into his expression as realization of abandon dawned on him. He couldn’t remember having a decent conversation with Elijah on any of their vacations. They either sat on different sides of the plane, Elijah engrossed with his toys and him being on his phone throughout or hanging around his strings of women. Lachlan hoped Jake would get through to Elijah or maybe the new home teacher could get to help. He heaved a sigh as he picked up his laptop and went through work files he received from his secretary.

Lachlan clicked on the file titled, “HOMETEACHER”. He scrolled through the pages then stopped when he landed on a picture. Butterflies fluttered in his belly as he stared at the absolute beauty in front of his screen. Brown skin, light brown eyeballs that sparkle, and a small but lovely smile. He scrutinized the picture for about five minutes before moving back to the first page of the file. Halle. He rolled the name off his tongue and he loved how it sounded to his ears.

HALLE.

Lachlan made sure he investigated everyone that applied to work with him. Her story was very sad, abandoned by her mother at a little age. He wondered why people get into committed relationships and then decide to quit all of a sudden. Lachlan wondered if Halle ever wanted to see her mother. A part of him wished she would eventually share her story with him. He also thought of Elijah's mother and he drifted off to sleep, dreaming of brown eyes.

****

Lachlan woke up the next morning to the sound of Imagine Dragons blasting from his phone. It was Laura, his secretary.

“Good morning Sir. Our appointment with the Glock Company is this evening. I put it in your memo. You’ll have to fly back to New York as soon as possible.”

“Yes. I am aware of that Lauren. Thank you for reminding me. Anything else?”

“Ms. Sarah has been trying to reach you for a while also. She dropped by the office yesterday to check on you. Something about a date.”

“Oh, s**t. Help me get flowers to her apartment this morning. I’ll get across to her and sort things out. You are awesome Laura.”

Lachlan hated that he had immersed himself in any other relationship. Pressure from all corners had driven him to present himself to be in a relationship with Sarah. Her father had conducted business with him and was a renowned politician. The publicity helped to seal their business deal. He should have ended things then but Sarah has a way of webbing through everything. She had revolved her existence around him and attached herself so close to him, even Paula had insisted he settled down once more adding that Sarah was an appropriate choice. Lachlan himself was indifferent about loving or moving on, he was only concerned with his business and Elijah.