The Billionaire’s Hidden Heiress

Dawn POV

Even though I had gotten up early, somehow we were still running late and it was chaotic. Faith sat obediently in her chair as I frantically brushed her long blonde hair, tying it up into a ponytail with gritted teeth. "Ouch," she whimpered as I pulled a little too hard.

"Sorry," I exhaled, automatically releasing the grip I had on her hair, the little girl relaxing slightly.

I was frantic. I glanced at the table and grabbed the dishes, placing them haphazardly in the sink. I heard a loud clatter as they hit the sink and hoped I hadn't broken any. I began to tie my own long hair into a slinky ponytail, cursing silently in my mind. I couldn't afford to be late and yet, it looked as though it was inevitable as I began to search for keys and important documents.

"Faith baby get your shoes" I prompted her.

She obligingly got off her seat and went in search of her sneakers while I fetched my resume, my purse, and my phone, putting them all into my handbag. I breathed a sigh of relief and then glanced down the corridor. Faith came toddling back holding up her sneakers. I quickly sat her down and put them on, helping her back up to stand.

"Alright," I said cheerfully "you remember where you are going now?"

Her eyes brighten "to Grandma's?"

"Just while mummy has an important meeting. If it goes well then mummy will pick you up after work and Grandma will feed you dinner and get you ready for bed" I told her, kissing her on the cheek "Otherwise mummy will see you soon."

I needed this job. I was behind on some of the bills and although my mother tried to help out as best she could, she wasn't in a position to help financially and I would never dream of asking her to. When the agency had contacted me about this interview I had leaped at the chance to apply for it, having a strong foundation in nursing and an affinity for helping those with disabilities, which had changed when I had given birth to Faith a few years ago. This was my chance to get back into the workforce and provide for my family. This was my chance to prove I wasn't as big a screw-up as my mother believed me to be and that I could make it on my own, without Faith's loser of a father.

I helped Faith put on her jacket and then zipped it up. The weather was chilly and I didn't want her to get cold. I didn't have a car so we were walking a few blocks to my mother's house. Faith held tightly to my hand as we walked, her little legs hurrying to keep up with me, even as I slowed to accommodate her. "Mummy, when am I going to see Daddy again?" she asked quietly.

I inhaled sharply. Faith's father was almost non-existent. He dropped in and out of Faith's life whenever he deemed it suitable and often left her disappointed when he failed to turn up for birthdays or important events. I hated disappointing her but I had learned early on not to make promises that I couldn't keep or that Dexter wouldn't.

"I don't know baby," I said gravely as her little eyes looked up at me, little eyes so like my own "I haven't heard from your father lately."

I kept the bitterness out of my voice. Faith didn't need to hear anything bad about her father. She could come to her own conclusions about him when she was older. For now, I was doing the best I could raising her on my own and it would have to suffice. There wasn't anything I wouldn't do for my child. Nothing.

She looks down at the ground and bites her lip. She must be missing him. It's been a long time since Dexter visited her. I smooth her hair down, feeling regretful. I know how badly she yearns to have a full-time father figure in her life, but it's just not in the cards. I haven't had a relationship with anyone since Dexter and I don't intend to. The last thing Faith needs is a series of men in and out of her life while I attempt to date. I'm not interested in a relationship anyway. My priority is her and giving her the best life she can possibly have.

My mother is waiting on the front stoop of her building. She waves at us and my daughter rushes towards her, letting her grandmother scoop her up into waiting arms. "Grandma" Faith shrieks, wriggling happily "Are we going to do painting today?"

My mother beams. Widowed and fiercely independent, she had softened when Faith had come along and she adored her granddaughter.

"We can do whatever you like," she says, tickling Faith under the chin and causing her to giggle "I even baked some cookies for you."

"You spoil her," I said as I joined them.

My mother laughed "That's what being a grandmother's about" she said, looking at me critically "Besides who else am I going to spoil if not her?" she asked.

I smile and hand her the key to our little flat. "Here is the key," I said as my mother nodded solemnly "if I get the position I may be required to start today, in which case I won't be home until late."

"If that happens, then we'll walk back to your flat after dinner and get Faith here ready for bed," my mother said calmly "I understand. But if you get the job, I'm going to come to yours because it's a lot easier."novelbin

I nod "I appreciate this mum."

She nods tightly "Just try not to mess up the interview," she says shortly.

Thanks, Mum. I sigh and then hug Faith goodbye.

"I have to get the bus now, but I'll be back," I told her, holding her tightly "I love you."

"I love you too mummy," she said, patting my cheeks "Good luck."

I smiled and watched as my mother took my daughter's hand and led her into the apartment building. I glanced down at my watch and cursed out loud, almost bolting down the street towards the bus stop. I made it there with five seconds to spare, panting heavily as I handed over what little change I possessed, sinking down into the closest available seat. I glanced out the window, ignoring the other commuters making their way to work. The location wasn't far but it was in the wealthiest part of town, and unfortunately, it meant a bit of a walk from the station. When I pressed the bell to get off, I realized that I would have to walk uphill and mentally gave another sigh. At least I would get fit, I thought trying to be optimistic.

Several minutes later I was approaching a large mansion and feeling trepidation as I rang the buzzer. I had my resume in hand, was smoothing the creases in my trousers, and was wiping my hands when the door opened. A large hulking man stood there. "Name" he barked, holding a clipboard.

"Um Dawn Evans," I said startled.

He held out his hand and blushing, I realized he was after ID. I quickly rifled in my purse and produced it. He handed it backward to someone, and I heard low whispers. They weren't lax about their security I thought amused. I had no idea who my client would be if I passed the interview, all of that had been kept hush-hush.

"Come in" a voice called and the man moved aside, granting me access. I walked inside and a man handed me my ID back. He was a mature-aged man with a smile on his face and twinkling eyes. "Welcome Miss Evans," he said "Please, follow me to the back area where I am conducting the interviews. I am Mr Grant," he said.

The confusion must have shown on my face. "I'm not the one that you'll be assisting" he added smoothly as he led me outside "That will be my son, lan, should you prove to be successful."

We sit down at a table. I glance around but there's no sign of his son. "How old is your son?" I ask quietly.

"Almost thirty" he supplied "so he's not a young child if that's your assumption."

I nodded. "Miss Evans if I may be blunt. You're not the first one to interview for the position this morning, but the other candidates were, what should I say, lacking in enthusiasm. The person that I'm looking for must have a compassionate side to them and be willing to work with a person who is relatively new to the circumstances they find themselves in" he said, leaning forward and pinning me with his gaze "my son has not always been disabled and at the moment he finds it frustrating to have to learn how to perform tasks while now sitting in a wheelchair."

My heart gave a pang for the man now having to deal with that. Mr Grant wasn't finished yet "He has moods that require patience and a lot of understanding. If you're the type to take things personally or have difficulty dealing with a volatile temper, this position is certainly not one for you."

"Mr Grant," I said quietly, focussing my eyes on him "I understand you're doing what's best for your son, but if I may be so bold, would it be possible to have him here as well? It would be beneficial to myself, and the other candidates" I added hastily "if he was here to listen to what we have to say and offer his own opinions. Just because he's dealing with a disability does not mean that he's lost all his faculties. I imagine that he is just as intelligent as he was before this accident happened?" I said bluntly.

Good god. What had I done? Something reckless had come over me before I could think it through. I expected Mr Grant to get angry at being so forward with him, but his eyes were twinkling.

"You're the only one to request that," he said surprised "the other candidates did not even care to lay eyes on him" his voice was slightly angry.

"Then they did not have his best interests at heart. It's important to be able to establish some type of bond with the client or relationship. If you don't gel together, then it won't work."

He nods in agreement. "I will have somebody wheel lan out" he said but a voice came from behind him and I turned to stare at what was most possibly the most handsome man I had ever seen.

"No need, I'm already here father" his voice was smooth and silky, but there were undercurrents of anger along with resentment.