EIGHTY SEVEN

REX'S POV

I saw Zendaya looking for the other kid. The girl had dragged Zendaya away from the others in the park, telling her they should play over there. Zendaya tried to refuse, but the girl urged her to go, saying their parents were still present and they wouldn't get lost. I knew something was off, so I followed them to the other side of the park, away from Slyvia and her new neighbors.

Grayson had hired me to look after Slyvia and her kids, and I intended to take my job seriously. I watched as the other girl suggested playing hide and seek. Zendaya closed her eyes, counting to ten, while the other girl ran off and left her. I slowly approached as Zendaya began to cry, looking for her mother.

"Hey there, kiddo," I said softly, kneeling down to her level. "You okay? Where's your friend?"

Zendaya wiped her tears, looking around frantically. "She ran away... I don't know where she went."

"Don't worry, we'll find her," I assured her, taking her hand. "Let's get you back to your mom fi