Chapter Ten

"OMG!! He's just so cute! I can't believe that Hills Sebastian slept in this apartment last night!" Daphne squealed, staring and drooling over the sleeping Hills.

Since there isn't any other room left, Hills had to sleep on the couch. It's a good thing Regina let him stay the night because the rain didn't stop. It was a heavy down pour.

"Keep your voice down Daphne" Regina nudged at her slightly but she didn't stop drooling over her boss.

Regina rolled her eyes and continued making breakfast. Mirabelle was already waiting at the dining table.

"Your boss is really amazing Regina.. For him to care about the welfare of his employees.. That's so sweet of him. Too bad he had to sleep on the couch, if you had told me last night, I would have let him sleep in my room instead"

"You're crazy Daphne"

"Crazy for your boss" Daphne laughed while Regina chuckled.. "I'm just kidding" She added.

"Rather than stand there and drool over someone that doesn't even know who you are.. Why don't you help me make breakfast?"

"Heck no! There's no way I'm making breakfast for the weekend, it's all on you... I made breakfast throughout your working days.. I need a break"

Regina didn't argue because Daphne was right. She has been the one taking care of Mirabel all this time.

Hills took the duvet off him and sat up, making the both ladies turn to him. He had the worst night ever sleeping on the couch. His neck hurt so bad and he thinks he just sprained it.

He massaged his neck, groaning silently. Daphne pushed Regina forward as they walked closer to him, taking Mirabelle with them as well.

"Good morning sir!!" Regina greeted, making Hills look up to them.

Hills smiled slightly.. "Good morning Ms Campbell"

"Uhm! This is my best friend Daphne... And my daughter, Mirabelle.. You already met her" Regina did a little introduction.

Hills acknowledged Daphne's presence and looked at Mirabelle. There was a glint of admiration for the little girl and he couldn't help but reach for her cheeks and caress them slightly.

The last time he saw her was at the hospital.. He didn't get the chance to speak with her.

"Hello Angel" He smiled at her.

"Hello Mister!" Mira smiled back and Hills was delighted. He loves it when kids like him at first sight. No doubt, he always has that charm around him. He loves kids and he's likable to kids as well.

Regina saw the way he was staring at Mira and how he smiled at her.. She felt uncomfortable and had to clear her throat noisily..

"Uh! Did you sleep well Mr Sebastian? I think I noticed you massaging your neck a while back" Asked Daphne.

"To be honest..! My neck hurts. I'm not used to sleeping on the couch, However, it's preferable than driving back home last night. I'll thank Regina for letting me stay the night and disturbing you guys" Hills said, making Daphne laugh.

"C'mon Mr Sebastian, it's nothing and you weren't disturbing us. By the way, about the neck.. I'm sure Regina can help give you a massage before you leave.. right Regina?"

Regina gave Daphne a sharp look but Daphne nudged at her slightly. How dare Daphne suggest that? He's her boss for crying out loud.

"No, it's fine.. I can manage" Hills said but Daphne wasn't ready to listen to that.

She still insisted Regina help give him a massage. She whispered to Regina that it's unfair for her boss to spend a night here and hurt his neck. Still, Regina wouldn't bulge and thankfully, Hills wasn't agreeing to that as well.

"I'll leave now, and Thank you once again Ms Campbell" Hills stood up to leave. It's already so weird that he had to spend the night over at her house.

"Have breakfast with us Mister" This time, it was Mira saying, surprising everyone. ".. Please? Have a taste of mum's cooking and you'd love it Mister. Mum cooks best, Aunt Daphne also cooks better, but has a taste of my mum's cooking before leaving"

Hills looked at Regina who averted her gaze immediately. To her, she hoped silently for Hills to refuse Mira's request and leave but her hopes went down when she heard her boss's response.

"Well, since the little Angel is asking.. who am I to refuse?"

Mira smiled, held Hills hands and pulled him to the dining room, making him sit beside her.

"What did Mira just do?" Regina mumbled, bitting on her lips. Who would have thought Mira would suggest that.

Daphne leaned closer and said.. "I think she's trying to create an opportunity out of nothing for her mom. I guess she's seeing something we can't see"

Regina rolls her eyes at Daphne and goes back to the kitchen. She finished cooking and Daphne helped her serve breakfast. While eating, Regina felt uneasy seeing her boss on the same table with her and he and Mira talking as if they've known each other for long. Somehow, she doesn't want that.

At intervals, Daphne joins in their talk but Regina stays quiet throughout. She has nothing to say.. Nothing at all.

Finally, they were done eating.. Daphne and Regina took the plates back to the kitchen, as they returned.. They overhead Mira asking Hills if he was going to come back some other time and Hills said he was going to try.

Regina breathed out when hills left.. Now she could breath properly and move about freely, her boss was gone.

She turned to Mira with a Stern look.

"Now, what was all that is all about Mira? Why would you invite someone to have breakfast with us?"

"You said it Mum, that if anyone comes visiting then you should invite them to have breakfast, lunch or dinner with you as courtesy demands"

Regina was speechless..! Right! She always said that to Mira but on rare occasions

"She's learning from the best" Daphne whispered and chuckled.

Regina immediately facepalmed herself. She didn't expect Mira to understand what she meant at this little age!

"What are your plans for the weekend Regina?" Daphne asked.

"Nothing! I just want to sleep till my heart content"

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The subsequent weeks that follow.. Hills Sebastian never stopped coming over to Regina's apartment and he's getting more attached to Mirabelle.

He'd make up multiple excuses just to spend time with Mirabelle. Recently, he'd ask Regina to wrap things up early at the office so he can take her home.

Regina tried refusing but Hills would not hear any of it.

Over the weekend, Hills shows up at the apartment and most times, he offers to take Mira out to the Mall.

"Just let them be Regina.. Let Mira enjoy herself for sometime, besides he's not complaining.. You're just so insecure" Daphne would always say whenever Regina tries to stop Mira from going with her boss.

Right, Hills isn't complaining but she doesn't feel it's right. The sudden likeness between the two.

"You know why I'm so insecure about this Daphne.. Maybe you don't just understand what I'm feeling" Regina said on one of the few occasions.

"Then make me understand.. For all I know, there's nothing wrong with that"

"Mira's still a child and you know she is so inquisitive about who her father is. She might get the impression that Hills Sebastian is her father, with the way he showers her with gifts" Regina would say and Daphne would tell her not to worry as Mira won't think of such. And even if Mira gets the impression, they'd find a way to make her understand.

Still, Regina wasn't convinced because she feared that might happen. She doesn't appreciate any of this but has no idea how to make him stop, since he was her boss.

Hills on the other hand, enjoys every single moment he spends with Mira. He enjoys the fact that he makes her happy all the time. He was getting attached to her.. No doubt.

At times, he wonders who the father of the little girl is.. Regina is divorced,, he knows that. It's not his right to ask but from his observations, he could tell the man is really a big time fool to let go of his family.

Mira's a sweet child of course.. No doubt Regina would be too.