Imperfect Match (Elixir Bachelor Billionaires #1)

When Daisy turns around, her eyes are blazing with untapped anger. I have seen her in a lot of different moods, but the emotions on her face right now are new—raw and personal, as if she’s silently warning me to choose my next words carefully.

“You can’t fix this problem by humoring those children for a few minutes, Daisy.” I lower my voice and try to keep it light, hoping to put this behind us.

“They’re not a problem. They’re kids. And I’m really worried about your future little ones, Charles.” She rips away the bandage I was just trying to apply.

“No need. I already told you I don’t want any of those.”

“You don’t want one of those?” She repeats my words as if that’s the craziest thing she’s ever heard. “You realize if everyone thought like you did, there wouldn’t be you, me, or all the other people in this world?”

Why is she so surprised? I thought I made myself clear already on how I feel about kids.

“I don’t have a problem with the general idea of procreation, but it’s not for me. I don’t want to make decisions for someone who doesn’t even realize how much effort you’re putting in. I would rather do something where I have a clear understanding of the return I’m getting.”

“A child is not an investment!” She throws her hands up in the air. “It’s an emotion, a feeling.”

“Good for those who want to experience it, but that’s not me.”

She looks at me with wide eyes as if she can’t believe what she’s hearing and then lets out a bitter laugh. “Why am I surprised?”

I hate the way she says it.

It feels like everything we shared these past months has vanished in the wake of this evening. She’s once again just my assistant, who equally admires and hates me.

But what she’s arguing against is wrong. As much as I’m pleased Daisy had a loving childhood, her extreme anger toward my behavior is unwarranted.

“You think you can change the lives of those kids by simply talking to them? They don’t need to be pampered but made aware that no one is going to come and help them. They’ll have to work harder than other kids their age. So instead of asking Max to practice chess, you should have asked him to study hard so he can find a job. You—”

I’m still in the middle of my monologue when she flips the button and the privacy screen comes down.

“Dave, can you please stop the car here?”

My driver looks at me and then toward the heavy downpour through my window.

“You want something?” I ask carefully, but my suspicion is already rising.

“Yes, I want fresh air.” Her chin lifts in defiance. “The air in this car has become too suffocating for me.”

“Don’t be stupid, Daisy. It’s cold and raining outside. You’ll get sick.”

“I would rather get sick than sit with you right now, Charles.”

“Why? Because I’m telling the truth?”

“Because you’re being an asshole!”

My bodyguard’s cough lightly reminds us of their innocent presence.

“Just stop the freaking car.”

When Dave looks at me again, all her anger gets transferred to my driver.

“I’m not Charles’ property. If you don’t stop the car, then I’m going to jump out.” Her hand is already at the door, and her face says she’ll do it—jump out of the fast-moving car just to get away from me.

This time, Dave doesn’t wait to see my nod, and the car comes to a screeching halt. Daisy wastes no time, and before I can say anything, she’s out.

“Fuck!” I follow her as she strides down the street. Fast-falling raindrops are almost blinding, and my tux is soaking wet in a few seconds.

“That’s enough show for one day.” I grit my teeth. “Get back in the car, Daisy.”