CHAPTER 6: THE PICTURE FRAME

"You seriously look like a zombie right now."

I glared at my brother through the screen. "Do you feel the need to mention that every damn minute?"

Archeus chuckled. "I guess so."

Earlier this morning, he called me and said that he had good news.

"Whatever. So how's your science congress?"

"Well, that's actually the main reason why I called you."

I hummed. "Spill it."

"Wait."

He disappeared from the screen, and after a while, he came back with a trophy in his left hand.

My eyes widened. "Wait, don't tell me..."

A smug grin appeared on his face. "I won the research congress."

My lips curled into a wide smile. "Oh my God! Congratulations, Arch! I'm so freaking proud of you! Come here, let your sister give you a kiss."

The smile on his face faded. "You just ruined the moment," he said, feigning a disgusted face.

I glared at him. "You're so rude! I was just asking for a kiss. Just in case you forgot, if it wasn't for me, you would not be able to attend that event."

"My deepest gratitude." He said that in the most sarcastic tone.

"You're welcome." I matched his sarcasm.

He chuckled and put the trophy back in the drawer beside his bed.

A heavy silence rose between us for a couple of seconds.

"But on a serious note..."

"What is it?"

He sighed. "Thank you, Cleo."

A hand seems to gently caress my heart. Those simple words from him are enough to make me feel like all my sacrifices are worth it.

"You're welcome, bro. But hey, wipe those tears from your eyes now."

I saw how panic was written on his face. He tried to wipe his eyes, and that earned a laugh from me. There were no tears in his eyes at all. I just said that to ease the emotional atmosphere. We're not used to that.

"Haha, that's so funny." The sardonic and irate Archeus is back.

"I know, right? I should have joined a comedy series before. That may have put me in the spotlight.

We talked for a little longer before I ended the call. It's almost seven and I need to start working my ass off. I was about to drop my phone when I thought of something that I should have done before- probe about this family. I typed in Garren's name and a bunch of articles showed up. I clicked the first link. 

Zaccheus Garren Montreal is the current CEO of Montreal Avionics, the Europe's largest operating airline. His name was acclaimed and prominent in the corporate world ever since his company won SKYTRAX Aviation Excellence Award for five consecutive years.

"That's really impressive." I uttered. "Will he mind if I ask for a percentage of his wealth?"

I chuckled because of my own silly thoughts. I looked at the wall clock and saw that it's only a few minutes before seven, and I need to start working my ass off.

"Good morning, Aunt Esther."

She turned to me. "Oh, Cleo! It's good that you're here. Can you continue this for me, please? I just need to do something urgent."

I nodded. "Sure, aunt. You can leave this to me."

"Thank you very much!" she said before hurriedly exiting the kitchen.

I started arranging the table just like she asked me to.

"Who are you?"

I was busy putting table napkins on each seat when someone spoke from behind. I turned around and was confused to see a woman wearing the same attire as the other maids.

"H-Hey." I flashed an awkward smile and extended a hand. "I'm Greyson's new nanny, Cleo. I'm pleased to meet you."

Her eyes widened. "Really?"

I nodded.

"They didn't tell me that Sir Garren had already found a replacement. By the way, I'm Cynthia." 

She accepted my handshake and smiled widely.

It seems like she's about the same age as mine, which is a good thing because I finally have someone I can relate to. I went back to what I was doing after we greeted each other.

"When did you start working here?" she asked me.

"Just a week ago," I answered.

"Is that so? I went to our province for my father's birthday, and I just came back here this morning."

So that explains why this is the first time we've seen each other.

"How's your work so far?" 

"It's fine. Greyson is a very kind and obedient child, so I don't have a hard time taking care of him," I responded while wiping the glass.

"What about his father?"

Her question caught me off-guard. I suddenly remember the conversation I had with Garren last night. The mere reason why I had a hard time sleeping last night and why I have dark circles under my eyes now.

When he interrogated me, I was lost for words, and I didn't know how to answer him without slipping on my own tongue. I almost thought I was a goner at that time, but Aunt Esther appeared, and that's why our conversation was halted. She saved me from the hot seat with Garren twice, and I couldn't be more grateful to her for that.

I shrugged my shoulders. "He's fine. I barely saw him though."

We barely met, but those times that our paths crossed, I always felt like a cat on hot bricks. I couldn't function normally when he's around.

Cynthia sneered. "He's quite rude and surly, isn't he?"

My eyes widened. I cast a wary glance around, terrified that someone had heard what she had said.

"W-Why would you say that?" I asked anxiously.

She giggled. "Hold your horses. Sir Garren wakes up late, so he didn't hear us, I swear."

I was relieved after hearing that.

"Back to what I was saying, Sir Garren is quite withdrawn and blunt, right?"

I nodded my head reluctantly.

The corner of her mouth tugged upward. "But that's what makes him more hot and attractive. Don't deny it."

A flush crept up to my cheeks. "Huh?"

"Come on, I won't tell anyone. Admit it, you have a crush on him as well."

"Are you saying that you like him?"

I was taken aback when she squealed out of the blue.

"Is that even a question? Of course I do! Sir Garren is literally the epitome of perfection. Who wouldn't like him? He's rich, handsome, and most of all, he has abs. It's just a bonus that he's single." She winked at me.

I smiled awkwardly because I didn't know what to say. 

"I can hear your voice from the living room, Cynthia." 

Aunt Esther appeared out of nowhere and reprimanded her. 

The latter pouted. "I'm just talking to Cleo so she feels welcome."

The senior maid looked at me. "Don't hesitate to tell me if she's bothering you, Cleo."

I laughed. "I'm fine, aunt. And she's not bothering me."

"See? You're so judgemental, aunt."

"My point still stands. Lessen your tactlessness."

They bickered while I went back to arranging the table. After I was done with that, I excused myself and went upstairs to wake Greyson up. While I'm walking upstairs, Cynthia's words come back to my mind.

I scoffed. "I still believe that attitude matters more than looks."

I shook my head and continued to walk till I reached Greyson's room. I knocked on the door several times but didn't receive any response.

"I'm going to enter now."

My brows snapped together when I saw him already awake but still lying on his bed. He's just staring emptily at the ceiling of his room.

"Are you okay?"

He turned his head at me.

"I was knocking at your door, but you weren't answering."

He flashed a faint smile. "I didn't hear it."

I sat on his bed. "Are you okay? Is there something wrong?"

He stood up and shook his head. "I'm fine, Cleo. Don't worry about me."

I wasn't convinced with his answer. It's obvious that something is bothering him, but I can feel that he doesn't like to talk about it.

I gently patted his head. "If you say so. Go brush your teeth now."

"Alright!" 

He jumped from the bed and rushed towards the bathroom. On the other hand, I started cleaning his room. I'm putting his toys in a storage box when a small picture frame catches my attention. I flipped it over and saw a picture of a beautiful woman. She looks happy in this photo because even her eyes smile.

"Who is this?" I asked myself.

I scrutinized it closely, and my eyes widened when I realized something. She looks a lot like Greyson! Could it be that this is his mother? But she looks too young.

I heard footsteps, so I immediately put the picture back. 

"I'm all done. Let's go downstairs."

I closed the storage box and stood up. "Yeah, I'm quite hungry too."

He held my right hand and pulled me out of his room. 

I stare at his back. I badly want to ask him about the picture that I saw in his room, but I don't want to meddle in his personal life. My only job is to take care of him, and I need to remind myself of that. I can't cross the line and boundary.

"Is that enough?"

"A little more."

I squeezed more maple syrup on Greyson's pancake.

"Make sure to finish your meal."

He nodded fervently before he took a slice of the pancake. I, on the other hand, grabbed another mug for my coffee. I'm putting a creamer on it when someone enters the kitchen. It's Garren, wearing his pilot uniform.

"Aunt Esther, have you seen my black neck tie? I can't see it in my room."

"You asked me to wash them for you yesterday."

He sighed. "Damn it. Never mind. I'll just buy one on my way."

"Where are you going anyway? You said your next flight is next week," the senior maid asked.

"It's an urgent matter," Garren responds shortly.

Our eyes unexpectedly met. It's only a fleeting moment, but it managed to cause a maelstrom on my system. I was the first one to tear off my gaze. Fuck this.

Greyson raised his head when Garren called his name. “Yes, Dad?"

"Behave. I don't want to hear any news that you got involved in trouble." He sounds authoritative.

"I understand, Dad."

He stormed out of the kitchen after that, without even patting his son's shoulder or saying a proper goodbye. 

And it honestly bothers me. I don't know if I'm just overanalyzing things, but they seem distant from each other.