Chapter 8

It is his turn now, to be taken aback by surprise because of my answer. He wanted to know what my problem is and I gave him the answer. No, he wont be satisfied with just this, but he needs a reason and I will give him one.

" You are the most manipulative man that I have ever met in my life. You interfered into my life when I didn't ask you to!" 

" What are you talking about?" 

" You know exactly what I am talking about, it wasn't too hard to figure out that it was because of your influence that I have been rejected, way too many times at all the jobs I went for. I know that I would have gotten one of those jobs, hadn't it been for you!" I point at him, feeling my temper rising.

" Are you out of your -" 

" Don't you dare insult me Mr Cullen, you have no right to, just as you had no right to invade into my business. I said no to you and you saw a challenge. Gosh, are you so bored that all you could entertain yourself with is messing with my life?" 

" Now you listen to me Miss Grey -" 

" I don't want to hear it Mr Cullen!" I hold up my hand, stopping him. " I am not one of those people who have to bend just because you said so, I have given you no reason to do as you please in regards to my life." 

I watch his eyes narrow and his lips part, he looks like he wants to say something but something is holding him back.

" You might be used to controlling people but I wont let that be me. I don't owe you anything, I have no reason to want to even be near you. So please, leave me alone!" I let out, a heavy breath slipping out after releasing so much from my chest.

Not waiting for him to have a moment of having the last word, I walk past him. 

" And what about her?" I hear him say, obviously pulling me to a stop because it's Ava.

At the mention of Ava, something seems to hold me down and I can't help it.

" What about that sweet, innocent little girl who will obviously be hurt to learn that you are not coming back. You seem to be pointing out how much I am the problem, but what about Ava?" 

He really thinks that he has me cornered by the mention of Ava but no, he is clearly mistaken. 

I turn around to face him and this time, I lock eyes with him as I say, " No, Ava is not at fault in anyway. She could never be. But I wouldn't be able to look her in the eye everyday, knowing that I stayed due to manipulation and intimidation. It might be easy for you to get whatever you want in this fashion because it's up your alley but not with me." 

" You don't know me, so don't just assume -" 

" And I don't need to know you. I've already seen enough. So once again Mr Cullen, leave me alone." 

I turn back around and walk away. It's not long when I hear his car drive off. At the sound of it driving off, I feel good because I know that I have said what was needed to be said.

He has gotten the message and I hope, that it will be the last time, I ever have to see him again.

******

I've been stuck in bed with a cold for most of the day. The rain had caught me on my walk home. After my encounter with Mr Cullen, I was still trying to calm myself down. I'm pretty sure that anyone who had seen me walk passed them, might have concluded me to be crazy because I was literally talking to myself.

Yep, I do that sometimes.

Mr Cullen surely put me in the worst kind of mood, mostly for the fact that he accused me of playing with Ava's feelings. How could someone paint me as such a cruel person?

Gosh, that surely hurt my feelings.

I would never think to hurt that sweet little girl, my heart wouldn't be able to bear to see her in pain. I don't know what it is exactly about her but I've grown so fond of her.

To hurt her would be the last thing to cross my mind. That's why I believe that staying away from her is best, before she gets used to me being around her. Maybe I'm protecting the both of us from growing attached to each other.

So staying away is the right thing to do and now, I know that I will have to get back to job hunting. I have to buy a few newspapers and enquire about interviews and all that process. Starting all over again is exhausting but I have no choice, I have to act now. I believe that after what happened yesterday, Mr Cullen got my message and that he wont ever bother me again.

It would be such a relief that I wont have to see him again.

Lucia is one of the people I share literally everything with and that's why, she was the first to know about what happened yesterday. She was quite upset about the whole Mr Cullen bothering me, I had to plead for her to not do anything foolish, like go and confront Mr Cullen.

I think standing up for myself against him worked and it wont be long, till he forgets about me. Well, I hope that happens. I can't take anymore surprises.

I need a job asap, that's the most important thing right now, well adding with the fact that I need to get better in order to get back to looking for a job.

I had just gone to buy myself some medication for the cold, unexpectedly at the lobby, I come across a surprise. 

" Mr Davies?" I say in surprise.

He perks up and looks my way. 

" Miss Grey." He quickly rises from the bench, fixing himself. " I -" 

My coughing stops him.

" Are you okay?" 

I hold up my medicine and say. " It's a cold, but I'll be okay." 

" I'm sorry.....Maybe I should come another time -" 

" That would be best- well for the best of your health. I wouldn't want you to get affected, b-but you came all this way to see me I guess?" 

" Yes, I have -" 

" How do you know you were I live?" I quickly say with a frown.

" Re - I mean Mr Cullen told me where you stay." The second he mentions Mr Cullen, I tense up.

I don't know what look he sees displayed on my face that makes him to say the next words, " I-I know that this is an invasion of privacy and I must seem like some creepy guy right now, b-but I am desperate." 

My eyes widen in surprise at the emotion in his voice. " I need someone to look after Ava and I see no one else but you." 

Oh no.....

" Mr Davies -" 

" Miss Grey, listen please. Look, I don't normally do this but after what I witnessed yesterday, you with Ava, I just couldn't help but not want to let you go." 

" But I don't have any experience to look after her. She needs -" 

" She needs you!" His adamant voice makes me to blink at him, being taken by surprise.

He sighs, running his fingers through his hair.

" Miss Grey, Ava has taken such a liking to you. She's still talking about you and wondering when you'll come see her again. S-she misses you and I'm sure that you've thought of her too." 

" Yes I have..." I say with a sad smile, my eyes dropping to the floor as I think about her heartwarming smile.

" Ava needs you Miss Grey." My head picks up when he says this.

The sight of Mr Carlos coming our way reminds me of the rent that I still need to pay. Looking back at Mr Davies, the sincerity in his eyes and tone makes me to say the next words.

" C-can I think about it please." 

He nods though slight disappointment washes over his features. 

" Fair enough. I'll leave you to think about it and I - " He stops himself short, shaking his head slightly. " I'll be waiting for your answer." 

I nod.

He looks at me for a little bit before walking out.

I release a sigh, before turning around about to head to my apartment but I bump into Mr Carlos.

" Mr Carlos, h-hello." I say with a nervous smile, mentally hoping that he doesn't ask about the rent.

" Oh Skylar hello." He says with a kind smile.

I nod before quickly walking past him, wanting to go hide away in my own space.

" Skylar, about the rent...." 

Oh no....