The Billionaire's Pixie

Eager Madeline

How our relationship turned out like this I couldn’t put in words. Honestly, I had no idea how we ended up in this comfortable zone where we moved in sync like a couple who had been together for years.

It felt good between us, I wouldn’t deny that but it did make me feel anxious knowing Tinkerbell was in the other room, sipping coffee while I was getting dressed for work.

It was not even seven in the morning yet she woke up with me. While I shaved she took a shower and when I took a shower she made us coffee. She did it all with a smile playing on her lips. She looked happy.

I was feeling great too, but the thought of this becoming serious rather quickly never faded away.

The last thing I wanted was to become like Jacob and Nina. They were cute and all, but living in my own world only with a woman I felt comfortable with and sometimes having dinner with the family didn't feel like an accomplishment to me.

I needed more.

Walking out of the bathroom, ready to start my day Tinkerbell glanced up from her phone which she had been clutching and staring at with a little smile on her face. Her face brightened up when she saw me. It was something I couldn’t ignore.

"I'll leave you a key so you can lock up behind you," I told her, watching her toss her phone on the bed, still holding onto her cup coffee while she walked up to me with quiet steps. Reaching me she placed her hand on my chest and pressed a kiss to my lips.

“Even all relaxed you still look so tense whenever you’re in work mode. I’m impressed.”

She was teasing me.

"I take my job seriously," I told her.

She pulled away, sipping her coffee, “I can tell. You look ready to head into battle.”

She was full of jokes this morning, she looked like she was having a great time. Her good mood did rub off a little. I caught myself smiling too. She seemed to notice.

“So serious.” She whispered.

I grabbed her cup of coffee, sipping the liquid which had turned cold now, “You do know you can make yourself a fresh cup, right?” I asked her, placing the cup on the dresser, “If I’m not this serious people will try and walk all over me. Despite the hard work and the long hours at the office some people still assume I got where I am today due to my father.”

“It will always be that way.” Tinkerbell quietly told me, “It’s mostly envy. No matter how many hours you put into that company there will always be that one person who’ll try and bring you down. It’s human nature. Something you can’t fight so instead just try and enjoy it, life is hard enough so don’t frown like that anymore.” She brushed her fingers over my brows, “You work hard and give it your all, those close to you see that and appreciate it.”

I seriously didn't know how our relationship got to the point that it became this serious. Yet as I stood here before her I couldn't imagine my life without her anymore. Wrapping my arms around her waist I pulled her close to me, hugging her tightly which made her giggle.

I ran my fingers through her soft pink locks which were fading. Her blonde locks were more visible as time passed.

“You’re turning into a blonde again.”

She kept her head buried in my chest, “I think I’m going to leave it like this.”

“Really? The pink started to grow on me.”

“Then maybe I should dye it again.” I could hear the smile in her voice.

I pulled out of the hug, my hands placed firmly on her shoulders and I searched those gleaming eyes of hers. She looked utterly happy, warm and inviting. There was no time to explore that between the sheets though.

“Either way is fine with me.” I told her, “I’m heading out, stay as long as you want.” Pulling away from her I walked out of the bedroom, leaving her a key as I mentioned.

The anxiousness I felt earlier that morning faded. I left the apartment with a smile plastered on my face, ignoring the curious look my driver threw me as I climbed into the car.

***

Glancing up from my laptop when I felt someone staring at me, I leaned back in my chair as I met Madeline’s gaze. She looked excited. The bright look in her eyes should have been inviting yet it made me feel cautious around her.

“Did Nina show up?” I asked her.

She shook her head, “No, your sister did ask me to check your schedule. I’m sure she’s planning to surprise you sometime this week. A woman is here to see you, she says you know her as Tinkerbell.” The little smile playing on Madeline’s lips told me she knew exactly who this woman was yet she still came into my office just to let me know.

She probably wanted to see my reaction, unfortunately for her, I could maintain a steady poker face. The disappointed look in Madeline's eyes did satisfy me.

“Let her through.”

"Yes, sir," Madeline muttered, clearly mocking me.

I ignored it, knowing it was the disappointment talking.

She sucked at maintaining her poker face though. I knew Madeline was a good actress when the situation called for it. She had my back, she just became more comfortable around me. Spending a lot of time together definitely helped to make her treat me like I was her friend and not her boss.

It was too late now to remind Madeline of it.

Madeline left the office and a few seconds later Tinkerbell strolled in, looking as content with life as she did earlier today. She thanked Madeline, cheerful and full of energy. Tinkerbell closed the door behind her and quietly sat down in the chair Nina always occupied.

She entered my office differently than my sister. Nina was always loud and feeling right at home. She made her presence known while Tinkerbell was more quiet, despite her always making fun of me for being a ‘fancy boy’ as she called it.

The look in her eyes confused me though, she almost looked proud.

“How was your day?” I asked her, trying to break the silence.

“I met with a client, it’s a small project. It won’t pay much but it’s something which I feel passionate about so I decided to go through with it.”

“Sometimes you need projects like that to keep you going.”

She nodded, “Exactly, I don’t want to lose myself into this boring routine. I don’t want to lose my passion for photography so sometimes a little project to remind me of what I love to do is necessary.”

“I’d lie if I said that I understand that. But my father does, he picks up projects out of the blue because he has a good feeling about them.” I shook my head as I was reminded of the fruity box which he felt so passionate about, "But if that makes him happy then I'm happy to put more hours in to close the project on a good note."

She pointed at me, “That’s why your father is proud of you, you know. You keep saying that all he sees is Jacob Blackwood but that’s not true. Sure, he can talk to Jacob about things you’re not interested in but whenever he talks about you his eyes light up and his tone changes. Your father is so happy your following in his footsteps.”

I didn’t know dad and Tinkerbell had a conversation like that. I was aware that she got along with my family but maybe I was too focused on Nina and Jacob that I didn’t notice Tinkerbell bonding with mom and dad.

It was the first time they got to meet a woman I dated or sort of dated. Of course, they were intrigued and didn't want the moment to pass them by. They had Nina to thank for it though. It was all on her.

Yet didn't regret that Tinkerbell was there too. She fitted right in.

“Shall we have dinner together tonight?” I asked her.

She shifted in her chair, leaning forward as she narrowed her eyes on me, “Are you asking me out?” She asked.

The little twitch of her lips told me she was having fun, I didn’t want to ruin her fun so I played along.

“I think I am indeed asking you out on a date. You don’t want to?” I asked, shrugging, “I suppose I could use the alone time to recharge again.” I trailed off.

She shot up from her chair, I wanted to laugh but maintaining my poker face right now was more important. I could make fun of her later.

“I never said I didn’t want to go.”

I leaned back in my chair, trying to keep my face void of any emotion, which was hard when Tinkerbell looked so excited about this date. It was kind of adorable and making fun of her didn’t seem appropriate anymore. Kissing her in my office didn’t seem appropriate either yet I caught myself thinking about it.

Staying in my chair was what I needed to focus on, I didn’t trust myself on my feet. It’d be easy to walk around the desk, take the adorable woman in my arms and kiss her right then and there.

That was f*****g inappropriate.

I cleared my throat, “We should have dinner tonight then.”

“Korean food.” She suggested without hesitation, “I know a great place. I’ll make the reservations.”

Too cute.

Getting to my feet, I walked around the desk and took Tinkerbell in my arms. She was surprised, the gaps which got muffled due to my pressing her against my body made me grin. Kissing her hair I gently rubbed her back, enjoying the warmth of her in my arms and the subtle scent of her floral perfume wrapping around us.

“I’ll text you the time and place.” She mumbled, wrapping her arms around my waist.

“I could pick you up-“

She pulled away to look at me, a small smile spread across her bright face, “We should meet there. You can head straight to the restaurant after work. I’m going home to shower and you know, put in an effort.”

I ran my fingers through her soft locks, “Then I’ll see you there.”

She nodded, her warm smile inviting me to do inappropriate things to her in my office. Leaning in I kissed her. She kissed me back immediately. The kiss was slow and gentle, reminding me of the night we shared on the couch.

She was the one who pulled away, “See you tonight.” She breathed.

I watched her leave the office in a rush, nearly bumping into Madeline who walked up to me. The assistant who thought she was my friend even teased me as if she was my friend. There was no hope for her anymore.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen you be into a woman like that.” She turned to look at me, “I like it. You’re so cute, Nick.”

I glared at her, trying to remind her that I was her boss and not her high school buddy.

She smirked, "I mean, you were so cute, Mr. Merigold. As your assistant, it's my job to make sure everything runs smoothly for you."

I wasn’t sure if I liked where this was going, though Madeline did protect me at times like lioness. She could be quite terrifying when she made an effort.

“True.” I trailed off.

“So what’s she into? She doesn’t look like the type of woman who’d appreciate a box of chocolate even though that’s what you’re producing here at Merigold Chocolate.”

I smiled at her. “Love your sense of humor," I said sarcastically.

“So what does she like?” Madeline asked me, not giving up on the subject.

“She’s a photographer with a passion for videogames.”

Madeline nodded, “I see, I got you covered, Nick. This date is going to be perfect.”

I wanted to tell Madeline that she didn’t have to make an effort like that. Amber and I were already comfortable around each other. There was no need for me to impress her. However, if I told Madeline that I needed to share a lot more and I didn’t feel like gossiping with my assistant so I let her do whatever she wanted.

She never disappointed me before, I was sure she wouldn’t disappoint me now either.