Who's calling me in the middle of the night? Although bewildered, I stood up to answer the call. Much to my surprise, it's my brother who's calling me. I pressed the answer button. "This better be important, Archeus Saphiro," I feigned a stern tone. "C-Cleo." I frowned when I discerned the fear in his tone of voice. "Arch, is everything alright? You're making me nervous." There was a deafening silence on the other line. I could hear a peculiar static sound, but I don't know what that is. "It's about mama." My heart skipped a bit. "W-What about her?" His heavy sigh made me even more nervous. "She's at the hospital right now." My breathing hitched and my hands quivered in fear. I could feel my heart hammering against my chest. "W-What?" I shook my head. "Please tell me that this is just one of your stupid jokes, Arch." I know my brother would never jest about such a thing, but my mind is in a state of chaos and could not process his news. "I wish I am, but I'm not, Cleo.
"Are you sure you're alright, Cleo?" I pinched Greyson's cheeks. "You asked that question a hundred times already. I'm fine, alright? I just had a hard time sleeping last night. Stop worrying about me." Like I expected, I woke up with dark circles under my eyes. He shrugged his shoulders. "If you say so." After I finished packing his lunch, we headed outside where his father is waiting. Our eyes met, and I smiled at him. He also flashed a subtle smile. Greyson and I hopped inside his car. Soon, he began taking the road. The conversation that I had with him last night really helped me clear my mind. If it wasn't because of him, I wouldn't have been able to sleep. We reached the school twenty minutes before Greyson's class started. "Good luck, buddy. I love you." "I love you too, dad. Take care!" We crossed the road. The day went smoothly. During Greyson's class, I received a text from my brother that made me smile. The doctors said that our mother can be discharged from the h
We sat down on the nearby bench and rested for a while before Garren told us to eat first. We stopped in front of a food stall. The inviting smell of churros and corn dogs pervaded my nose. Garren handed me some bills. "Buy three corn dogs for us," he said. I nodded and fell in line. When it's my turn to buy, the vendor leaned to me and said something that made my jaw drop to the floor. "Your family looks lovely." I shook my head. "N-No. They are not my family, aunt. I'm that kid's nanny and that man is his father, so he's just my boss." Her forehead creased. "Really? But the way that man looks at you, it's full of love and adoration," she said and handed me my order. What the hell? How can she come up with such a ridiculous conclusion?! I smiled awkwardly and got the corn dogs. "Thank you, Aunt," I said dismissively and turned my back. I walked back to them and gave them the snacks. We eat silently while watching people pass by. I opened my phone and saw that it's already fi
"Aw, it's already ending?" Greyson murmured as the ferris wheel began circling down. "Why? You want to stay there longer?" I asked. He nodded fervently. "I want to spend the rest of the night here." I chuckled. "There's still a next time." The ferris wheel eventually stopped. The door of the cabin automatically opened as we stepped out. "Did you have fun?" I asked him. He beamed widely. "I did. But I'm already sleepy. Dad, let's go home." Garren laughed. "Your energy has finally inflated, huh?" He carried his son in his arms as we walked out of the amusement park. I gave the place one last glance before I ran after them. I helped Garren get his son in the backseat. He took off his jacket and wrapped it around him, and he also turned down the AC in his car. That made me smile. He walked past me without saying anything and headed to the driver's seat, as if I'm nothing but a ghost. That made me quite confused, but I chose to brush it aside. I checked Greyson to see if he w
I shook my head and went to Greyson's room to wake him up. After he took a bath and put on his uniform, we headed downstairs. Surprisingly, his father is also standing at the end of the stairs. He's carrying a suitcase in his left hand.. His hair is disheveled, and he looks exhausted with his dead eyes. "Dad!" Greyson sprinted downstairs to meet his father. Garren discarded the look of enervation in his face and put on an energetic expression. He welcomed his son into his arms. "Did you miss me?" The latter nodded fervently. "I do! It's been almost a week since you've been gone. You said you'd only be away for four days," he sulked. I just stood behind Greyson while watching them. "Sorry, buddy. Something came up, so I had to extend my work days." "I understand, dad. You look tired. You should get some rest now." He chuckled. "I could still run a mile, buddy. I'll just change my clothes and drive you to school." "Are you sure?" "Definitely. Now go eat your breakfast." With
When the night fell, all of us gathered at the kitchen table for dinner. While I'm spooning mashed potatoes as a side dish for Greyson's plate, Garren suddenly spoke. "He doesn't like potatoes." I took back the spoonful of potatoes and apologized, "Sorry, sir. I didn't know." "You've been here for more than three months now. You should be familiar with all his likes and dislikes." He said that calmly, but I felt like he humiliated me with the tone of his voice. What's wrong with him?! "Dad, it's fine. I haven't told Cleo yet that I don't like potatoes. You don't have to be mean to her." I internally grinned. I'm glad that I have Greyson on my side. Garren laughed snidely. "I wasn't being mean. I was just reminding her." What a liar. After dinner, I accompanied Greyson to his room. While I'm heading downstairs after I tucked him to sleep, I come across Aunt Esther, who's carrying a cup of coffee. "Who's that for, Aunt?" I asked, though I already have an idea. "It's for Ga
Cynthia nudged me when Garren left. "What was that?" "What?" I scowled. "You didn't even look at each other. Are you still in quarrel with him?" I shrugged my shoulders. "Maybe? But I don't care anymore. He can snub me for all I care." That's right. I should fulfill the words I affirmed last night. I almost bleared the boundary between us and crossed it, it's time to clear that line. "Hmmm.... this is interesting." I ignored her and walked towards the kitchen, where I found Greyson and his father sitting on the table. Aunt Cora and Aunt Esther are there too. The breakfast was silent and awkward as hell... or at least for me. The kitchen is spacious, yet I feel like I'm moving through a narrow room and walking on a floor scattered with shattered pieces of glass. It's flabbergasting to think that I suddenly went back to that time when Garren's presence terrified me. The same thing happened during the ride through Greyson's school. I didn't throw Garren a glance or speak to h
"You have to visit here again some other time! You haven't fulfilled your promise to me." I chuckled at Erick's remark as he accompanied me outside the Obsidian. It's Sunday, which means I have no work, so I decided to pay them a visit. I want to do this for a very long time because I kinda miss the exuberant settings of my past job. And I miss my friends here. Erick was surprised when I showed up earlier. He sulked at me because I've been gone for three months, and I felt really guilty. So to make up for it, I told him that I'd treat him anywhere he wants next time if he's not on duty. We talked about the recent events in our life. Erick told me that he's going back to college next school year. His parents finally found a job, so he does not need to work full time. That made me genuinely delighted for him. He have sacrificed a lot for his family. It's his time to chase after his dreams. Needless to say, I wasn't able to escape his interrogation. I chose to tell him everything
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.