Chapter 9

" I can't believe you did that." I groan in protest.

" I had to, you were stressing about it."

" But it's my situation to solve. I don't want you to feel obligated to -"

" Woah, first of all, I wasn't obligated to do anything. Secondly, you are my bestest best friend, who I love and will do absolutely almost anything for, except share my boyfriend."

I scrunch my nose in disgust. " Don't ever say that to me again."

I can picture her rolling her eyes right now. " I wanted to help you out of something that was clearly bothering you so much, so you can focus on looking for a job."

" Thank you and I'll pay you back, I promise." I say, feeling greatful.

" Skylar, there's no pressure."

" Well, I'm still going to pay you."

" Okay okay, enough about this, tell me, how are you doing?" I sigh when I hear this question.

I stretch out my legs and lay my head back, before telling her about Mr Davies's visit earlier.

I had forbidden Lucia from coming over because I care about her health. I don't want her to catch the cold, I'm looking out for her and maybe because I needed some time alone, to actually think over what Mr Davies and I discussed.

The whole time, I am telling her everything, she's been silent and I have to tell her that I am done, for her to start speaking.

" Wow, he really wants you."

" W-what?" I blink twice, feeling weird about how her words sounded just now.

She chuckles, hearing the surprise in my tone. " N-no, I didn't mean it that way, though I wouldn't be surprised if he fell for you, to be honest, you're a catch."

" Shut up and no, Mr Davies is a sincere, honest and devoted father, who is desperately looking for someone to look after his daughter."

" Wow, so you already know the nature of this Mr Davies, from what, a few encounters?"

" N-no, I just believe him to be - look, there's just something sincere about him. I'm pretty convinced that he's one of the good guys." I huff, feeling flustered for being teased like this.

As much as Mr Davies is a good looking man and I am sure, that he must get an eyeful from the females around him but he's a married man. I feel that he is honest and that he's a caring father.

I just admire him for how well he's raised Ava.

" Hmm, I see." The tone she uses tell me that she's finding this whole thing amusing, I'm under her teasing right now."

" Lucia, stop." I whine.

She laughs, making me to roll my eyes. " I wasn't doing anything."

" Liar."

" Okay, okay sorry. Anyway, did you give him an answer already?"

" No, I said I'd think about it."

" In other words, you'll think about what Mr Cullen would say right now."

" W-what, no, w-why would I even think about that man?"

" Because he seems to know the family pretty well, from what you've told me about your encounters with him."

" I think so too."

" And if you were to say yes to the job, you'd be seeing more of him."

I bite my bottom lip, now taking in her words. I mean she's right, from what I've seen, Mr Cullen has been around. He just seems to be everywhere, in every turn and that bothers me most.

" I see your point." I sigh out.

"Do you think you can handle that?"

" I need the job."

" You didn't answer my question."

" I'd try the best way that I can. Either way, I haven't given off my answer."

" You mean you still need time to think everything over, even the fact that if you do accept this job, you wont be unemployed anymore."

" It's a nice thought but...."

" But?"

" Ava." I sigh.

" What about her?"

" She's so special and we click you know?" A small smile touches my lips as a picture of Ava comes to mind.

" That's more then a good thing right?"

" Hmm..."

" Skylar, you're disappearing on me now, w-what's going on?"

" It's Ava."

" What's wrong with Ava?"

" There's nothing wrong with her, it's just that - it's just that when I'm around Ava, I'm reminded of her."

                           *********

I'm actually doing it, I'm taking the job. Well, I already gave my answer to Mr Davies, over the phone. I had some time to really think over my decision, 2 days to be exact.

I'm all better now and I am ready to see Ava again. In actual fact, I am excited because in all honesty, I've been thinking a lot of about her. She is like a piece of sunshine that I can't forget, well neither do I want to forget.

I had meant what I said to Lucia that day over the phone, that being around Ava reminds me of the little girl I held in my arms and woke up later, to her gone. I might have been informed that she was already gone because I'd signed the papers, but something felt missing and it's two years passed, but that feeling of having lost the most important part of me, still lingers strongly.

One of the things that Lucia and I agreed on, was that staying a few months as Ava's nanny will be best. Lucia was a bit taken aback by what I had said and she advised me, to not get attached. I have taken her words to heart and am in full agreement, that I shouldn't get attached.

Getting attached will be the most dangerous thing, I should start looking for a job after a few months and ofcourse, let Mr Davies know about my plans.

" Honey, I'm home!" An amused smile takes over as I leave my room, to meet Lucia, who like always, has personally invited herself into my apartment.

"Wow, you look pretty." She says, looking me over.

" Thank you." I say, picking up my bag.

" So, are you ready?"

" Hmm, I am. I'm a little nervous though."

She frowns. " Why, is it because you're thinking about your baby?"

" She's not my baby anymore." I mumble.

" What?"

I snap out of my thoughts and look at her. " She's not my baby, I gave her away so she can have a better life, remember?"

" I still believe that she would have been better off with you."

" Don't make me feel bad please." I let out in a whisper.

A soft expression takes over as she comes over to me. " I'm sorry." She says, pulling me in for a hug.

I sigh, returning her embrace.

" We should not talk about her for a while, it brings back memories doesn't it?" I pull back from the hug and avoid eye contact.

" Maybe."

" Don't you think you should call your mom now?"

" W-what?" My head snaps up to her.

No, she can't mean that I tell mom about.....

" You got the job now, you can atleast let her know now." She says and I relax, hearing this.

" Oh uh, I'll do it later. Let me just get through this day first."

" Okay." She says, heading to the kitchen.

I let out a small sigh before quickly tiding up around the living room.

After a while we leave my place and she drives me to Ava's home. She had said that she wanted to see my workplace and that she wanted me to make a good impression, by being there early.

On the way, we were jamming on our favourite songs and for a while, my nerves were like a distant memory. When we finally reached the place, the gates were opened for us and once again, I had a moment of appreciating the beautiful home.

" Woah, nice place." Lucia says as she drives through.

" It's very beautiful."

" Which means he's rich." I give her a 'really' look.

" Which means him and his wife did well for themselves." I say in correction but she rolls her eyes at me.

" Why do I feel like you're giving him that elder like respect. He must be 70 years old in reality." Now I'm the one to roll my eyes, an amused smile taking over as I get out of the car.

As I take my bag and about to say goodbye to her, I hear the front door opening. My heart leaps in reaction when I see Mr Davies coming out of the house with Ava in his arm.

She looks so cute in pink shorts and a white shirt, along with a pink polkadot hairband. So her curly dark hair flows like waves behind her back.

" Sky-Sky!!" An excited Ava says, clapping her hands.

My own excitement takes over and I quickly close the door, walking around the car to meet them halfway.

" Ava!" I see her wiggling and trying to get down from her father's hold, wanting to come to me.

I reach her just as Mr Davies puts her down on her feet. I drop my bag to the ground and pick her up. I don't know how to describe the feeling of having her in my arms but what I can say, is that it's a good feeling.

" Miss Grey, thank you for accepting." I look over Ava's head to see Mr Davies smiling at me and oh gosh, a dimple pops out.

I smile back before looking back at Ava.

" Sky-Sky staying?"

" Yes Ava, we are going to spend the whole day together, would you like that?"

She nods her head.

Hearing the car door opening and closing, I'm reminded of Lucia, who's still here.

" Oh uh, Mr Davies, here's my friend Lucia." I gesture to Lucia, who comes over to us.

" Oh hi Lucia." Mr Davies nods at Lucia with a kind smile but weirdly enough, Lucia pays no attention to him but Ava.

" Lucia?" I say, snapping her out of her staring.

"Huh?"

" Mr Davies said hi."

" Oh, yes hello." She says, sounding distracted.

" Excuse me." Mr Davies says when his cellphone suddenly rings. He walks away to attend his call while I'm left to watch Lucia acting really weird. It's as if a trance like state has taken over her as she stares at Ava.

" Lets go Sky-Sky." Ava says in my ear before burying her face in my neck, probably hiding away from Lucia's staring.

" Okay sweetheart." I say to her, not tearing my eyes away from Lucia.

" Lucia?!" I whisper yell, snapping her out of it now. " You're scaring her with your staring."

" S-sorry, uh Sky, I have to go. I'll see you later yeah?" She doesn't wait for me to say something but gets in her car, and drives off.

I frown, watching after her car, feeling confused by how she's acting.

" Sky-Sky?" Ava calling me gives me a reason to look away and give her my attention.

" Yes Ava?"

" Sky- Sky staying?"

The hopeful look in her eyes as she repeats these words to me, does something to my heart. I feel like she needs reassurance that I'm not leaving anytime soon.

" Yes Ava, Sky-Sky is staying."