Chapter 6 - Cuckoo

*Mia Taylen Gideon's POV*

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"Mia, what are you gonna do with this mini electric chainsaw, solar panel shits, and other hardware materials? Where the hell on earth are you gonna go anyway?" Tesla asked me curiously while following me with Valerie pushing the cart that contains the things that I am going to purchase.

"Just don't ask, and push that thing, girls. You would just laugh at me if I'll tell you if what's in my mind. Don't worry, you'll be rewarded with free lunch for pushing that cart and not asking me things. Okay?" I answered as I read the label of the solar led lamp that is in my hold. 

I just need lots and lots of things for the cruise that I am about to get on board. Call me a lunatic but I am just being prepared for any emergency.

"Yeah, but... How can we suggest things if we don't know if what are the purposes of these things, Mia?" Val let out, and I turned to look at them after I placed the item in my hand inside the cart.

"Well, promise me first that you are not gonna laugh at me," I told them, and they went to nod their heads. Then, they proceeded to do the cross my heart and hope to die gesture.

"Okay. Uh... We are gonna go for a three-day trip. Cruise on the sea. Six of us from the E&K. Including the CEO. A meeting and a party that is hosted by the owner of the cruise ship." I told them, and they nodded their heads slowly in sync.

"And...?" They asked me to continue, and I just shrugged my shoulders in response.

"That's it?" Tesla asked, and I nodded my head.

"Yeah! That's it." I answered as I went to walk ahead to go to the section where there are pots and burners displayed. I just need one, a small one and the most lightweight.

"Wait, wait, wait. Mia, what are these for then? For the trip? Excursion? You seem like you are going to build a house and live on an island where there is no electricity and is far from civilization." Val asked curiously and let out as they catch up with me, and I picked up the pot that got my attention on the shelf. A very cute one.

"Exactly!" I answered as I place the thing in the cart, and they just looked at me with their faces in incredulity. 

"What? How is... What are you gonna do with these?" Tesla asked, and I don't think that they will not laugh at me if I tell them.

"For what-ifs, girls," I answered and continued walking to head to the next shelf where there is a small pan that I would love to purchase, too.

"What what-ifs, Mia? Are you wishing that you will encounter a shipwreck and be a castaway on an island? Are you?" Val asked curiously, and I turned to look at them both who are waiting for my answer.

"I'm not wishing, girls. I am preparing. Because what if... Right? We'd never know. And, there is nothing wrong with being prepared. Mhmm." I answered, and they went to look at each other, then turned to me with their blinking eyes that I really want to poke. Hmm, let me guess their next reaction... Laugh like rascals.

"Alright, I guess that's what watching those kinds of movies caused you. We are not gonna laugh at you, girl. Because we are gonna save it until we could be finished with our lunch. I don't wanna go home hungry after pushing this thing for the past hour." Tesla remarked while the other girl seems like holding herself in since her face is turning so damn red. 

"Good. Now, why don't you just zip your mouths and do what you are asked? Because if I won't hear any violent reactions about it... I might as well treat you to a free dinner. What about that?" I told them, and their faces lit up while nodding their heads vigorously. Thankfully!

---

After we shop things in the hardware area in the mall, we went to the department where there are vegetable seeds for sale. I just need the fastest growing ones and healthy ones.

Then, we ate lunch since the two seem really serious with not asking me anything about my silly but pragmatic thought. It's just that we don't know what the future holds, and there is nothing wrong with believing in dreams. Bad dreams that come to reality if it's not escaping your mind after dreaming it. I just want to be prepared at all costs. Because... If I would be trapped on an island, I would bring these things that I bought today. To make my life easier. I'm not wishing though.

"Girls, who among you is available for a part-time job?" I asked them as we are eating desserts, and they both raised their hands while they looked at me with their hopeful faces.

"We really need part times, girl, because I only work in the evening at the convenience store. I mean, I am looking for a day job that is not that hefty. Just for earning some extra for paying water bill or electric." Tesla let out, and she shoved a spoonful of strawberry ice cream in her mouth. Then, I turned to Val who is also wanting to speak up.

"I do, too, because... Because... I need money. That's all." She uttered, and we nodded our heads. Of course, who doesn't, right?

"Okay. So... I guess both of you love dogs, and I think it's not that hard to feed and take care of one. You both are hired." I stated that made them rejoiced for a second, and they looked at me with their knowing faces.

"You want us to take care of Andrew? That's not a problem. But, why the two of us, Mia? I mean, I need money more than Tes. And, Andrew's my best friend. That seems like not a job to me." Val let out, and the girl beside her countered that just made me sigh.

"Andrew loves me, too, Val. I should be the one to take care of him because you are a cat person. Shera would hate him and fight him if---" Tesla argued, but I cut her off.

"Both of you will take care of a dog. Jasmine. She is Mr. Einar's bitch, and I am tasked to find her a sitter. Don't worry, she's sweet and pretty. A poodle. It would be fine if the two would be just staying in my flat, and you will just go visit them to feed them, or you could both bring each to your homes. What do you think?" I said after I took the last bite of my fruitcake, and I asked them that made them grinned.

"I'll take care of the poodle!" Both let out, and they turned to each other to argue again. Hmmm.

Well, I just need to get the lovely creature later before we head to my apartment so that we could go aboard tomorrow early in the morning. Damn, I need to pack up tonight all the things... important things that I need. Both for my personal and business needs, and for my emergency luggage. It also needs to be waterproof.

After we are done with our lunch, and my best friends have settled their argument if who's going to take care of whose dog, we went shopping for some clothes, then, we finally went to the E&K Industries Headquarters to get Jasmine.

"Wow, this building is awesome, girl! Damn! Imagine working on the top floor of this and there will be an earthquake." Valerie let out in awe, and I stopped in my tracks while we walk into the lobby.

"I work on the top floor, girls. And, no, I feel precarious there even if there is no earthquake. That's why I really hope that my boss would fire me badly. Even if you ask other employees in here, they also find the CEO scary as heck. But, me? I find him annoying." I told them in a toned-down voice, and they just laughed knowingly. 

They really are not over with their Wyalen ship even if I already told them thousand times to stop it. I just don't know if why they do so. Because even if the man is engaged and I have my own love life, they are persistent as fuck. They say that the more you hate is the more you will attract each other, which is all bullshit. And, if you ask me... A shipwreck will more likely happen than me falling for that jerk or the other way around. We are both north poles of a magnet. And, those never meet each other. 

"Oh, come on, Mia! We didn't say anything." Tesla let out as I turned my back on them, and I continue to walk to the elevator. The private elevator that would lead me to Mr. Einar's domain.

"Whatever, girls. Just wait for me here." I told them, and they went to sit down at the waiting area while I dial my boss's number to tell him that I am going to get his pet now. 

And, he's not answering. A text message would do.

---

As I stepped outside the elevator when I have arrived on the topmost floor of the building, I was greeted by the ecstatic and lovely Jassy. I really love to call her that, and it seems like her master is cool with it.

"Jesus Christ! What are you doing here?" Someone belted in surprise behind me that made the dog bark.

And, I turned and looked at the half-naked man who just has a towel covering his lower half while his jet black hair is dripping wet. And, no, I am not freaking out even if he's nice and fit upper body is exposed. I need to act cool and usual. Mhmm. And, I should never look down below his neck.

"No, I am Mia Gideon, sir. And, I have sent you a message that I am gonna get Jassy. So... I'm taking her with me. Also, the payment for the nanny and the food." I told him, and he just scoffed as he went to his bedroom while shaking his head, a bit frustrated with my sudden stop. Does he know how to nod, too?

I actually don't think that he is gonna be here. It's our day off, and I thought that he is with his fiancee, since last night. But, I guess he does take good care of this bitch instead. Good for him.

---

"Here, and make sure that she is in good hands. And, one thing... She should return here not pregnant. Is that understood, Maia?" He uttered as he went out, and thankfully, already dressed casually. Then, he handed me an envelope but warned me that made me gulped. 

Damn, that's supposed to be one of my purposes. Is he a mind reader? Because if so, he could have known that I killed him so many times in my head. Mhmm. And, he should fire me. But, I guess not.

"Well... Why are you telling me? You should tell her. It's not me that wants to be fu-... Mmm, I mean, you can't stop her if she wants to make love with somedog. Don't you want some babies? Puppies, I mean. Doodleman puppies, Mr. Einar." I answered with my wide smile, and I took the thing from his hold while he is looking at me with his tiny gazes of suspicion.

"Alright, it's up to her if she will. But, I bet that she won't because she's not that kind of a bitch." He replied and went to kneel to ruffle Jassy's head, then, kissed her.

"Great! How much will you bet, sir?" I asked him confidently, which made him chuckled as he stood up to face me.

"Are you really getting into this? Because if so... You are not gonna win." He asked and looked at me from head to shoes while smirking. What does he mean?

"Yeah! And, why wouldn't I? How would you know? Because... me? I'm gonna bet my resignation from being your PA if I win. What do you say? What would you risk, huh?" I answered him with all my assurance, which made him laugh. Hmm, I never heard him laugh like this before, and it sounds unusually nice.

"You really are so funny, Maia. Well, be it. And, me? I'll bet... If I win... You are gonna be working for me until I say so, even if how many years. What do you say? Deal?" He stated and mentioned his consequence that sounds so dreadful while grinning. Is he being serious? Damn it, why does it have to be like that hellish? But, I think I can win. I should.

"Umm, ye-yeah. Sure! Deal." I agreed, and I offered him a pinky swear that made him looked at me like I am going nuts.

"What am I gonna do with that?" He asked while staring at my hand with his thick eyebrows meeting each other.

"We are gonna seal the deal in front of the dog, sir. Pinky swear. Or... do you want it to be in a written document? I could make one, and we will sign." I answered and he just took a deep breath, then, chuckled. 

"How old are you?" He asked me amusingly, and it is my eyebrows turn to meet.

"Twenty-five. Why? What is wrong with what I said?" I replied, and he went to sit on the couch, then, placed his feet on the table with clasped hands on his belly.

"I suggest that you should take down the two. But anyway, I think that a five-year-old knows how to make a written document for this arrangement. To make it more valid. I'll give you five minutes, Baby Girl." He uttered while displaying the hole on his left cheek with his smile that I rarely see, and I just stared at him sharply with what he just called me.

"Aw, you are so cute when you are blushing. What? You started it. Go on, you have four minutes left, Baby Girl." He remarked, and I am not believing this at all. He is such a... Psycho.

"F... U..." I muttered while gritting my teeth in irritation, and he just went to laugh out loud. He's gone crazy.

Then, I just groaned in frustration as I went to the fridge to get the post-it note above it and write this life-saving deal. Andrew, I count on you, boy. 

I really need to get out of here as soon as possible before things get worse.

And, as I have returned to the living room to make the annoying man sign this paper, I was greeted with an unexpected sight that made me stop in my tracks in shock.