Claudette is pronounced as "Claw-death" something like this. And Xav was taken from Xavier, which is read as "sub". Enjoy reading, lovely fellas!
"I want Cleo to come with us." The room was ruled by crickets after he averted his demand. I gave Garren a side-over. His face can't be described because of how screwed up it is. I cleared my throat and sat beside Greyson. "I don't have to come with you. I'm pretty sure your dad will take good care of you." He shook his head. "No. I want you with us, Cleo. If dad doesn't want that, then there will be no vacation." I held his hands and smiled. "This should be a special vacation with your dad. Didn't you tell me that you've been wanting to go out of town with him?" As much as I fancy the idea of going out of town, visiting places that I've never been before and having a view of picturesque tourist spots around the world, this vacation should be exclusively for them. I'm neither a part of their family nor a close acquaintance. I'm only close to Greyson. It will be weird if I come with them. Moreover, I know that Garren is against it too. "But I will get to enjoy it m
My jaw dropped to the floor as a black helicopter lay before my eyes. It was strikingly stunning enough to stand out from the other aircraft around. "Dad? What is this?" Greyson asked, who's also eyeing it with astonishment. "We'll fly to Santorini using this helicopter." Greyson gasped in amazement. "Really?! That's cool!" "Are you excited?" He nodded fervently. While the two of them seem really excited, my palms are already sweating in nervousness. For Pete's sake, I have a fear of heights. Riding an aircraft and being high up in the air will be the death of me! That was the reason why I chose to ride a bus when I flew to the city from our province. I don't even ride an elevator no matter how exhausting walking up the stairs is because my anxiety always kicks in! "Cleo, are you okay? Your lips are pale." I was snapped out of my stupor when Greyson worriedly asked me that question. I shammed a smile. "I'm fine." I'm clearly not. I'm freaking out at the moment, and I ju
My eyebrows furrowed at what he said. What does he mean by that? "Cleo." I faced Garren. "Yes, sir?" "We need to go now. Stop standing there looking stupid." I felt my hackles rising. Curse him. We rode in a black car once again that led to the hotel. "Cleo, look! The ocean looks so great on this side!" Greyson shrieked, peeking through the window. When I took a look at it, I was in awe. I saw the golden rays of the sun reflecting on the surface of the crystal clear ocean. It does really look beautiful. As the car moves, I notice that the traces of the metropolis are gradually fading into view. I can barely see any infrastructures, and both sides of the road are covered with a canopy of trees and tall grass. Where are we heading exactly? After almost a twenty-minute drive, the car finally stopped. "We're here," Garren announced. I helped Greyson unbuckled his seat belt and he excitedly stepped out of the car. I shook my head. He's full of beans today. The humid sea br
He walked past me. I noticed that he was carrying a surf board on his left arm. I remained on my spot and watch Garren as he starts to surf. I was in awe! He's impeccably moving as if he had already memorized how the waves move. "Woah!" I was astonished when Garren suddenly performed a trick. I don't know what it is called since I'm not really familiar with surfing, but he basically made an S shape in the water. As if my eyes were glued, I couldn't stop watching him. "He's really great." Garren stopped and walked towards my direction unexpectedly. "I'm a great surfer, aren't I?" I stared at him incredulously. "What?" "Deaf," he mocked. "Do you want me to teach you how to surf?" That caught me off-guard. Did he perhaps hit his head earlier and he's asking weird things?! He was making fun of me a while ago and now he's offering to teach me? "Are you just going to stare at me like an imbecile?" I blinked multiple times. "Sorry. It's just unlikely of you to offer such a thing
Greyson and I spent the remaining time building his sand castle. When we went back to the villa to change clothes, Greyson told me that he wanted to take an amble nearby the beach. "You should tell your dad first." So right after we ate snacks and rested for a bit, Greyson rushed to his father, who's reading a newspaper in the living room. "Dad! I want to walk around the island! Is that alright?" He smiled subtly and stood up. "Of course. I'll come with you." "Sure! Cleo will come with us too! We want to take pictures everywhere!" His smile disappeared in the blink of an eye. And it's not just that. His face also puckered. But what made me really appalled was when he went back to sitting. "Is that so? Have fun, then." Greyson frowned. "Why? Don't you want to come with us now?" He lets out a laugh that I'm certain is fake as hell. "I suddenly feel tired, buddy. Perhaps it's because of all the surfing that I did. Don't worry, I'll follow you guys once my legs aren't sore anym
It's the second day of our vacation. The repeated knocks on my door jolted me awake. I was still yawning and rubbing my blurry eyes when I opened it. "What is it?" I grumbled, my eyes still half closed. "You look terrible and your breath stinks." My jaw dropped to the floor when I recognized who the owner of that voice was- it was Garren! That's when I realized that I hadn't fixed my appearance yet. I didn't even bother to brush my hair! Without any preamble, I slammed the door shut, which was a bad decision. "Fucking hell!" I heard his grunt and curse. I was alarmed. He obviously got hit by the door when I slammed it. I'm doomed! I leaned against the door, pondering if I should open it again and apologize to him, or should I rinse my mouth and fix myself before facing him. Before I could even decide, I heard the sound of his footsteps. And in less than a minute, I didn't hear anything outside but heavy silence. I walked back to my bed, clutching my chest. I felt like I had
After that tear-jerking conversation between Greyson and Garren, I went back to my room to fall asleep. I tried to close my eyes for almost an hour, but to no avail, but it was futile. I even resorted to counting sheep in my head, but drowsiness wouldn't visit my body. I irately stood up. I sighed deeply as I realized it was nearly twelve o'clock in the evening. "Maybe I just need some fresh air." With that in mind, I dragged myself from bed and wore a jacket before I stormed out of my room. I skipped down the hallway and the stairs quietly, careful not to wake Greyson and Garren up. I slowly closed the main door before walking towards the shore line. The island was already veiled in silence. But there are still some staff roaming around. The lights coming from the villas are illuminating the surroundings. I took off my slippers and sat on the sand, the water touching my feet. The humid sea breeze is cold enough to send shivers down my spine, but I find it very comforting, . I
It was the second day of our vacation on Koloumbos Island. The repeated knocks on my door jolted me awake. I was still yawning and rubbing my blurry eyes when I opened it. "What is it?" I grumbled, my eyes still half closed. "You look terrible and your breath stinks." My jaw dropped to the floor when I recognized who the owner of that voice was- it was Garren! That's when I realized that I hadn't fixed my appearance yet. I didn't even bother to brush my hair! Without any preamble, I slammed the door shut, which was a bad decision. "Fucking hell!" I heard his grunt and curse. Shivers ran down my spine. He obviously got hit by the door when I slammed it. I'm doomed! I leaned against the door, pondering if I should open it again and apologize to him, or should I rinse my mouth and fix myself before facing him. Before I could even decide, I heard the sound of his footsteps. And in less than a minute, I didn't hear anything outside but heavy silence. I walked back to my bed, clu
Silence hovered between us for a couple of seconds. Nothing could be heard but the silent whisper of the night breeze and the crickets. "Doing what?" Garren asked, breaking the stillness at last. I raised the bracelet he gave. "This. Why are you doing this-""Didn't I tell you the reasons? It was a token of appreciation. I didn't know you could be this-""I'm not merely talking about this bracelet, sir." For the first time, I found the courage to cut him off, knowing how much he loathes that. "You're confusing me."I don't know if what I'm doing is right or if I'm digging my own grave. But I can no longer bottle these up. "Everything about you confuses me."His eyes widened a fraction. I know he's as anxious as I am."Do you seriously think that I didn't notice you'd changed after that day that you brought us to the amusement park? Well, I do. And until now, I still don't know the reason why."I looked at him straight in the eyes. "I didn't confront you because I didn't want to
"Congratulations, baby! You don't know how proud I am of you!" I squeezed Greyson into a tight embrace as we sat back in our chairs. He hugged me back. "Thank you, Cleo." Then he turned to Garren. There's a subtle yet cordial smile plastered on his face. He ruffled his son's hair. "I can't express how happy I am for you, son. You've been working hard for all this day, and you deserve all the recognitions you received." Greyson's eyes glistened with tears, but he quickly wiped them off and smiled heartily at his father. "But I want you to know that with or without these medals, I'm proud of you. You've done great." Greyson hugged him. "Thank you for being my motivation, dad." "What about me? Aren't you going to give your uncle a hug? I helped with your homework," Xavier chimed in. He chuckled and hugged him too. "How could I not forget you, uncle? You were my father back when dad was still bad." Xavier and I couldn't help but laugh while his father was already looking li
The day that Greyson has been waiting for has finally come- his recognition day. The entire mansion is in chaos in preparation for this day. Cynthia told me that this is the first time this has happened because last year when he graduated preschool, his father only gave me an expensive present. But he wants to make a difference today. Hence, all the maids are busy in the kitchen. And after we leave, they will also redesign the house and put up some banners and balloons to surprise Greyson. You read that right, "we." Greyson insisted that I should come with them. "But I want you to be there too. You helped me a lot in my studies and cheered me up whenever I felt discouraged." That's what he told me when I tried to decline because I thought it'd be weird if me, who's merely his nanny, would come with him for this special day. His father is there, so I find my presence really unnecessary. But when he said those words, my decision changed right away. I was flustered, needless to
From that day, I always feel like I'm in deep water. The air between Garren and me became more asphyxiating. I might be the only one who thinks like that because he's still the same... minus the fact that he always does something that knocks me for six. There's no morning that I don't find flowers in my doorway. Lilies, roses, chrysanthemums, lilacs—you name it, Garren has already given it to me. My room looks like a garden now. But it's not just the mere reason why I've been feeling like a cat walking on a hot tin roof for the past three days. All the stolen gazes, the way he smiles and speaks to me, the way he treats me... everything that he does never fails to catch me off guard. Needless to say, it has occurred to me numerous times to make him stop. He's my boss and I'm his employee. Our relationship should be nothing more than that. I don't know what card this universe played to get us here. But every time I think of doing that, there's this inexplicable feeling that stirs
"What are you guys doing?" My body froze when I heard Greyson's voice. I turned to the side and saw him eyeing the two of us with utter bewilderment. With all my strength, I pushed Garren away. I felt like a huge boulder had been lifted off of my chest after that. "W-We..." I coughed and pinched my arm to calm my raving nerves. "Your d-dad and I-" "We were talking, buddy. I was asking Cleo about something." I'm glad Garren spoke up. It's the least that he could do for putting me in this situation. But Greyson doesn't seem like he bought his father's excuse. With a doubtful voice, he said, "Really? As far as I know, you don't have to be THAT close when talking to someone." I held my breath. Right. How stupid of me to think that this kid would fall for such a lie. He's not that gullible. The corner of Greyson's lips tugged upward all of a sudden. "Were you guys kissing?" My face has never turned red like an overripe tomato until now. I glared in Garren's direction, and
"This is Earth, Cleo." I was pulled back to reality when Erick snapped a finger right in front of my face. I threw him a questioning look. "H-Huh?" He crinkled his nose. "I'm talking here but it seems like I'm with a ghost. Did you call me just to watch you space out?" Guilt struck me. "I'm sorry." This morning, I messaged Erick and asked him if he was free and if he's up to go out. Aside from the fact that this is my way to fulfill my promise to him... I have to take a pause and breathe. And obviously, staying in that house won't give me peace of mind. With what happened last night, I don't think I'll ever keep my heart and mind at bay anymore. Everything is still etched in my mind. The peculiar emotions in Garren's eyes that seemed to stare at the deepest part of my soul. His calloused hands that fondled my skin. The way he held me was as if I were frail glass that he didn't want to break. And those three words... Who would have thought that they could cause pandemonium in my
Silence hovered between us for a couple of seconds. Nothing could be heard but the silent whisper of the night breeze and the crickets. "Doing what?" Garren asked, breaking the stillness at last. I raised the bracelet he gave. "This. Why are you doing this-" "Didn't I tell you the reasons? It was a token of appreciation. I didn't know you could be this-" "I'm not merely talking about this bracelet, sir." For the first time, I found the courage to cut him off, knowing how much he loathes that. "You're confusing me." I don't know if what I'm doing is right or if I'm digging my own grave. But I can no longer bottle these up. "Everything about you confuses me." His eyes widened a fraction. I know he's as anxious as I am. "Do you seriously think that I didn't notice you'd changed after that day that you brought us to the amusement park? Well, I do. And until now, I still don't know the reason why." I looked at him straight in the eyes. "I didn't confront you because I didn
"Why is the mansion silent?" That was the first question that Greyson asked when we arrived home. We exchanged knowing glances. I saw Garren using his phone a while ago. He must have already notified them about our arrival. "They're probably resting," Xavier answered. The child pouted. He's possibly thinking that the others won't be celebrating with him today. Garren stepped forward and slightly opened the door. He turned to his son and smiled. "Go on, buddy." The latter frowned, but he didn't say anything and just entered the house. "Congratulations!" Greyson was startled as all the maids, led by Claudette, surprised him with a huge congratulatory banner and balloons. He hasn't recovered from that when someone emerged from behind them carrying a cake. The smile on my face dropped, but I quickly put it back because I don't want to spoil the fun and cast a shadow over this celebration. "I'm so proud of you, moonpie! Top of your class. You're without a doubt my grandson,"
The day that Greyson has been waiting for has finally come- his recognition day. The entire mansion is in chaos in preparation for this day. Cynthia told me that this is the first time this has happened because last year when he graduated preschool, his father only gave me a present. But he wants to make a difference today. Hence, all the maids are busy in the kitchen. And after we leave, they will also put up some banners and balloons to surprise Greyson. You read that right, "we." Greyson insisted that I should come with them. "But I want you to be there too. You helped me a lot in my studies and cheered me up whenever I felt discouraged." That's what he told me when I tried to decline because I thought it'd be weird if me, who's merely his nanny, would come with him. His father is there, so I find my presence unnecessary. But when he said those words, my decision changed right away. I was flustered, needless to say. Hearing that from him gave me a sense of gratification.