CHAPTER 4: PUZZLE

"I'm really sorry on behalf of Garren's behavior towards you," Aunt Esther said in an apologetic voice.

So Garren is his name... I wasn't able to hear it clearly earlier because my mind was too preoccupied.

When he asked me who I was, I was tongue-tied and couldn't answer his question. If it wasn't for Aunt Esther who arrived at that scene, I would still be stupefied.

You can't blame me, though. It never crossed my mind that we would meet again. I don't know if the universe is in the mood to play with me or if this is just a mere coincidence.

I'm leaning more towards the latter.

I shammed a smile. "No worries. I know that he's just shocked."

"What are you doing there anyway?"

I cleared my throat. "I wanted to see the garden at the back. I wasn't aware that he was there."

She handed me the glass of juice.

"Garren often swims whenever he has no work and just stays at home. It's kind of his stress reliever."

I nod and keep in mind to avoid going on the back of the house whenever he's here.

"By the way, I forgot to mention this last time, but don't go on the third floor, unless Garren personally told you to. That floor is solely for him, and he hates it when he's being bothered."

I added that on the things that I should always remember.

Aunt Esther excused herself and headed out of the kitchen. While I remained seated on my spot.

I don't want to go walking around and have my path crossed with that man again. As strange as it may sound, his mere presence indicates danger.

The blank expression plastered on his face was still vivid on my mind when Aunt Esther introduced me to him. I could only give an awkward smile because of how intimidating his aura was.

Sad to say, he will be my boss the moment I start working here, so totally avoiding him is impossible.

On the bright side, the senior head maid also emphasized that he's always out of town, so our interaction will be finite.

"Why are you so worked up about him anyway?" My internal goddess spoke.

I took a deep sigh. If it weren't for the fact that I saw him kissing a woman with my own two eyes, I would not be this fretful and awkward around him.

But come to think of it, it doesn't seem like he remembers me. There was no trace of familiarity in his eyes, only an expression of indifference and vexation.

I shook my head. I should really stop making a mountain out of a mole hill.

I didn't stay any longer in Montreal's mansion because I need to run other errands.

Fortunately, I didn't come across Garren again.

The senior maid told me that I should start working there two days from now. Greyson's driver will pick me up.

That's why, as soon as I arrived at the apartment, I immediately informed Aunt Evelyn about my plan. She was surprised because my departure was so sudden. Nevertheless, she still wished me a good journey.

I also started boxing up all my stuff and cleaning my room so the next person who will occupy it won't need to do it.

I wiped the beads of sweat forming on my forehead. I just finished taking off all the posters on the walls, and I'm telling you, it wasn't a piece of cake.

While I'm staring at the entirety of my room, a bittersweet smile ran across my lips as my mind harked back to the memories I treasure.

This room witnessed everything. The painted walls heard my silent cries and mirthful laughter. The ceiling saw my despair and triumph. And the pillows that are neatly piled on top of my bed are the witnesses of my internal battles.

It holds a lot of memories, but I need to leave it in order to thrive. Once again, I will dwell on a turning point in my life and start anew.

•••••

The constant ringing of my phone woke me up from my slumber. The cold wind of the morning and the soft mattress are still wheedling me to sleep, but I really need to get up.

I walked through the kitchen and prepared myself a coffee. I stared over the horizon while clutching the cup, feeling its warmth.

The moment had finally come. This is my first day of work for the Montreal, and I'm honestly filled with apprehension.

"Stop being a pessimist," I castigated myself, shaking my head.

I finished my coffee and went into my room to take a bath.I wore a blue shirt paired with ripped jeans. I wanted to at least look presentable and decent, so I applied light make-up.

A car beep made me halt what I was doing. I peered through the window and saw the familiar black Mustang parked in front of the gate.

That must be the driver that Aunt Esther told me about.

I gave myself a last glance in the mirror before I headed out of the room, carrying the two duffle bags with me.

I noticed some of my board mates were looking at me with curiosity, but I didn't spare them a glance. In my seven months here, I wasn't able to forget any friendship with any of them.

Perhaps it's because I'm too busy working my ass off to meet other people and make friends with them. Besides, Lauren is enough for me.

A man wearing a blue polo shirt and black slacks greeted me when I walked down the stairs.

"You must be Cleo Remington, right?"

My hunch is right. 

I smiled at him. "Yes, that's me."

He introduced himself as Oliver and helped me carry all my luggage to the car's trunk.

"Are you sure you haven't forgotten anything?" the driver asked.

"I'm all set, uncle."

He starts the engine of the car, and not so long after, we start taking the rough street of Zurich.

I leaned closer to the window and looked outside. The blue sky, pierced by the sunlit skyscrapers, was dotted with fluffy white clouds that drifted lazily in the gentle breeze. Miniscule specks of dust seemed to dance in the shaft of the morning sun that slanted through the car's window.

I hope everything goes well...

•••••

"Thank you, uncle."

He beamed at me. "You're welcome. I hope you feel comfortable here."

When he left, I sat on the bed and roamed my eyes around. The room where I will stay is quite huge and spacious for a single person.

There's a cabinet on the left side and a drawer beside my bed, which is king-sized by the way. I can almost see my own breath because of the frigidity brought by the air-con.

Greyson's previous nanny, who already resigned due to old age, had also stayed in this room, according to Uncle Oliver.

The door suddenly opened, and Aunt Esther stepped inside.

"Cleo, wear this. Let's just adjust the size if it doesn't fit you." She handed me the blue clothes she's holding.

I accepted it and went towards the bathroom. A smile made its way onto my lips while staring at the mirror. The black slacks and blue polo suit me just fine. It's quite loose, which I really like so I can move freely.

"Well, I guess we don't need to make modifications. The uniform looks good on you."

I smiled at Aunt Esther's compliment.

We went out of my room. She told me to wake up Greyson for his school, and I gladly obliged.

I'm silently walking upstairs when my eyes caught someone walking towards my opposite direction.... Garren. 

The white long sleeve he's wearing hugs his body perfectly. A tuxedo is hanging on his shoulder while he's fixing his neck tie. His hair is brushed up on the side.

He's merely walking, but he exudes so much dominance.

The epaulette and the airline wings badge attached to his polo made me think that he's a pilot. 

My body stiffened when he raised his gaze, causing our eyes to meet. I noticed how his brow furrowed and the look of doubt in his eyes.

I quickly averted my eyes. It would be weird if I stopped out of the blue, so I continued walking with a passive face in spite of my nervousness.

I flashed a faint smile as I walked past him. "Good morning, sir."

I wanted to applaud myself for not stuttering, though my tongue is on the verge of being tethered.

I seriously hate the fact that despite having minimal interaction, he has this strange effect on me.

Garren didn't say anything, not even a nod, and that caused my relief.

But that letup didn't last long.

"Cleo, right?"

I stopped on my track when he called my name. His voice feels like a whip on my skin, prickling it in the strangest way possible.

I faked a cough and turned around. "Yes, sir?"

There was a fleeting moment of thorny silence in the atmosphere.

"I have a few reminders."

My ears fluttered.

"Take good care of Greyson. Don't be reckless and stupid about your job. I do not want a washout and a hitch on my house."

Garren said those words without facing me. He stormed out without even waiting for my response. He's already out of my sight, but I'm still glued to that same spot.

I shook my head and scrunched up my nose. "He could have said that in a nicer way. That audacious man."

I shrugged my shoulders and headed to Greyson's room, which was my initial plan if it wasn't for his father.

"Greyson?"

I knocked on his door numerous times, but didn't receive any response.

"I'm going to enter now."

The brightly painted walls welcomed me when I opened the door. His room has a safari theme. There are stuffed toys scattered on the floor. 

I walked to his bed and found him still sleeping soundly. It's already five minutes past eight in the morning, and his class starts at nine. Aunt Esther gave me his schedule.

"Greyson, wake up now." I tapped him gently.

After a couple of seconds, his eyes fluttered open. I fought the urge to pinch his cheeks because of how adorable he is.

"C-Cleo?" he asked, rubbing his eyes.

I smiled and ruffled his hair. "Yep, it's me. You need to get up now or else you will be late for class."

To my surprise, he lunged towards me and hugged me tight.

"It's really you! Aunt Esther told me that you still haven't decided yet."

I chuckled. "She said that?"

Greyson nodded his head fervently.

"Well then, she deceived you 'cause I'm already here. We can talk later, but for now, you need to get up and take a bath."

He rushed towards the bathroom. I, on the other hand, prepared his school uniforms and everything that he needs.

Like I said, although I haven't had this kind of job before, my experiences of looking after my brother when he was a child can help.

After almost half an hour, we climbed downstairs.

"What do you want to eat?"

"Just pancakes and milk!" He replied in an enthusiastic voice.

I smiled and put pancakes on his plate, drizzling them with maple syrup as Greyson asked.

The entire time that he's eating, he keeps on talking to me, blabbering about some trivial things and how happy he is that I'm his nanny now.

The anxious feeling that his father had inflicted on my system was eased because of his vivacious and talkative nature.

Speaking of that man... Greyson never talked about him. He didn't even ask me where he was and why he's not eating breakfast with us.

It's kind of weird, but I just shrugged those thoughts away.

"Greyson really likes you. He's never been this talkative."

My heart fluttered with Aunt Esther's remarks.

"Please take care and protect that child at all cost. He may appear to be a bright ray of sun, but there's a storm hiding beneath him."

My curiosity was piqued, but I didn't get the chance to ask further because Greyson called my name.

I excused myself and went back to the living room. I saw Greyson struggling with his bow tie, so I helped him with it.

"Thank you, Cleo."

I beamed. "You're welcome."

We walked out of the house. I look at Greyson, skipping happily through the hallway while singing a song I'm not familiar with.

Aunt Esther's words came back to me.

What does she mean that there's a storm behind this innocent kid?