Chapter 37: Chapter 37

"If ever you fall in love, guard your heart. Keep it closed to those who are unworthy of entry."

I was rendered speechless. For the next few minutes, I just stared at him in sheer stupefaction.

He said it so casually, but I know that there's something deep within those words.

Suddenly, the conversation that I had with Cynthia a couple of weeks ago came back to my memory. She told me that Celestine, Garren's supposed wife, left them on the exact day of their marriage.

By any chance, is Garren referring to that woman as the unworthy one?

Perhaps the wounds in his heart that were caused by her disappearance are still not healed. Deep within him, he's still weeping over her loss. Behind his tough facade is a shattered soul that has been mourning for someone that once turned his life upside down.

But it's none of my business. Hence, I repressed my curiosity.

When we reached my destination, I immediately did what I'm supposed to do.

I was planning to enter the mall alone, but Garren insisted on going with me although I told him numerous times that he didn't need to.

He wore a mask and a cap, probably so people wouldn't recognize him. After all, his name is splashed all over the news pages and business articles.

Consequently, I kept enough distance between us while walking, just in case his cover up wouldn't work. It'll raise a suspicion why I'm with one of the most prominent men in Ireland.

The entire time that we're sitting on the line, none of us was talking. Good thing that we didn't wait that long and the transaction was quick. Hence, we were able to come out of the mall in less than twenty minutes.

I thought he would drive straight to their house, so I was surprised when he pulled over. I looked outside through the tinted window, but I still couldn't recognize the place where we stopped.

"Just stay here. I'll be back in a while."

He stepped out of the car, leaving me alone. After almost twenty minutes, the door opened.

My eyes went to the paper bag that he's holding. When I saw the logo attached to it, that's when I realized that we are in Eddie Rockets.

I was thinking that he bought food for Greyson, so I was surprised when he handed me one of the paper bags.

"Here."

I pointed myself. "That's for me?"

He gave me a flat look. "Is there anyone here inside my car aside from the two of us, Cleo?"

A flush crept up to my cheeks. That was indeed a dumb question.

"Stop staring and get these. My hands are getting numb," he said sternly.

I reluctantly got the foods from him and put them in my lap.

"Thank you, Sir Garren. But what is this for?"

He looked away and coughed. Is he nervous?

"J-Just accept this and stop asking questions, will you?" He snapped.

I mentally rolled my eyes. He's so unpredictable.

But I'll let them off the hook because of these free meals.

I smiled and thanked him, which he just responded with a hum.

We didn't talk anymore for the rest of the ride. Uncle Oliver opened the gate for us when we arrived at the mansion.

"Where have you been?" he asked me.

Garren treaded inside the house right away.

"I went to the mall and remit money to my family, uncle. Sir Garren offered me a ride, although I insisted that I could go there alone," I responded, half laughing.

His forehead creased. "Really? He did that?"

I nodded my head reluctantly.

"That's surprising. Garren never did that," he remarked.

My cheeks flared up. He doesn't sound like he's teasing me, but I still feel flustered by his words.

However, I understand why he said that. I myself wasn't expecting that Sir Garren would do such a thing.

I excused myself and headed inside the house. The appetizing smell of the burger pervaded my nose, and that made my stomach rumble.

I'd been craving to eat it back in the car, but I was conscious of Garren's presence. I took a huge bite of the burger. My body seemed to be lying on a cloud the moment I tasted the beef.

"If he's always this kind and thoughtful, we'll get along really well and might be friends."

I chuckled at my own thought.

•••••

"Thank you, Cleo!"

I ruffled Greyson's hair. "You're welcome."

We're currently at the kitchen, having breakfast. I put back the box of cereal and was about to wash the mugs in the sink, but Garren stopped me.

"Leave those dishes alone and eat with us," he commanded.

Before I could say something, he cut me off.

"Don't be difficult and do as I say. I'm the boss here."

He already used the "boss" card, so I couldn't dispute further.

I washed my hands before sitting on the chair beside Greyson. Garren is on the opposite side, so we're facing each other.

"Your grandma called me last night," Garren blurted out in the middle of breakfast.

"Really?! What did she say?" Greyson asked enthusiastically.

"She wants us to be in the mansion on Saturday for your Aunt Claudette's welcome party. They waited for us to get back from our vacation before holding the event."

Greyson's eyes glimmered.

"I can't wait! I really miss them and Fleur too!" He shrieked happily and turned to me. "Fleur is my pet. She's a Persian cat. Grandpa bought her for me for my birthday last year, but we can't have him here because dad is allergic to cats."

I was surprised. I gave Garren a once-over. I learned a new thing about him. I wonder how he deals with his sister's cat if he's allergic to them.

"You seem close to your grandparents," I remarked.

He nodded fervently. "I am! I love them very much. They seem austere, but they're really kind."

"I'm pretty sure they miss you very much too."

"You're coming with us, Cleo."

My jaw dropped to the floor. I stared at Garren in horror and disbelief.

"W-What?"

"You heard me loud and clear. I'll be busy entertaining the guests, and I need someone to look after Greyson. Aside from that I can't entrust him to my relatives, that's your job, isn't it?"

The sardonic tone of his voice when he said the last phrase drove me up the wall, but I didn't bother kicking up a fuss.

The reason why I don't like the idea of coming with them to that party is that I'm certain that it will be attended by elites and nobles. I'll certainly be out of place there and will look like a scum among them.

I tried to reason out that I have no dress to wear at that event in hopes of changing his mind.

"Stop fretting about your attire. You'll come with us no matter what."

The finality in his voice pricked my bubble of hope.

"Dad, you don't need to be so snarky when talking to Cleo."

I inwardly rejoiced when Greyson reprimanded him. Serves him right.

"Fine. I'm sorry."

I flashed a fake smile. "No problem, sir."

Throughout the entire day, I was troubled with the party that Garren mentioned. I kept on thinking of ways in which I could change his mind, though it's clear as the sun that he's adamant about it.

I asked for Cynthia's help, but she was even excited for me to attend that party and urged me to buy a dress. Of course I refuted that idea. I can't afford to break banks and buy something I'll just wear once.

Then I called Lauren. She resented at me first for not informing her about my arrival. So to appease her, I told her that I'd treat her next week. I have to swallow my tightfisted nature.

That's when she only agreed to help me with my dilemma. After that call, I stormed out of my room and headed to the kitchen to help the maids. After we ate dinner, I tucked Greyson to sleep.

"Sweet dreams." I planted a gentle kiss on his forehead and pulled the blanket over his body.

I turned off the lights inside his room, leaving the lamp shade as the only illumination. I gave him one last glance before I left his room. When I headed back to my room, the first thing that caught my attention was the white box on my bed.

"Whose this?"

I walked towards the bed and saw a card attached to the box.

From: Regal Boutique

To: Cleo Hariette Remington.

We wish you to relish the night with this dress.

The lines on my forehead worsened. I don't remember ordering a dress!

"Perhaps it's a wrong address and a wrong name?" I convinced myself, though it's beyond doubt that this package was really sent to me. It has my complete name.

I untied the ribbon and opened the box. There's a silk bag inside.

"Wow."

My eyes are gleaming while looking at the below the knee red dress. It has some black sequins designed around it intricately. I love the square collar and how the sleeves are long.

It's not too revealing, but it still looks sophisticated.

I want to try it on myself, but I'm still not sure who sent it. Unless I know who gave this dress to me, I won't meddle with it.

So I put the dress back in the box and set it aside. I'm going to ask Aunt Esther or Uncle Oliver if they know who delivered the package.

When morning came, I woke up early to prepare Greyson's breakfast. I heard footsteps from behind. I turned around and saw Garren who seems like he just woke up because of his messy hair.

"Good morning, sir."

He hummed. "Have you seen the dress that I gave you?"

My eyes fell out of their sockets. He was the culprit behind that damn box?!

Now I suddenly remember what he told me yesterday, that I shouldn't fret about what I'm going to wear.

"You were the one who sent that dress?!" I asked the obvious.

He nodded somberly. "I asked Aunt Esther to put it in your room."

I followed him with my eyes as he went to grab a bottle of cold water.

"What do you think of the dress? Does it suit you? Tell me if it's loose or too tight so we can make adjustments as quick as possible."

He sounds like he's not weirded out by what he did. As if it's normal that he bought me a freaking dress.

I breathed deeply. "Sir Garren, I really appreciate what you did. But you shouldn't have done that. I already asked a friend of mine to lend me a dress that I can wear tomorrow."

"Then tell her that you already have one. I was the one who asked you to be with us tomorrow night, hence I'm responsible for you. I don't want you to look like a party crasher. So stop whining and just be grateful instead. That's not a hard thing to do."

That rendered me speechless. Do I really sound like an ungrateful brat?

But he can't blame me. I'm not merely acting out. I'm genuinely not used to people spending money on me- even with Lauren.

Let alone if something came from Garren himself. We're not even friends. Hence, him giving something to me, which I'm certain that costs an arm and a leg, doesn't sit right with me.

"If you don't like that dress, tell me and I'll just throw it away. No one will wear that anyway."

He walked out of the kitchen after saying those words, that seem like a threat to me.

I blew a fuse. "I guess I don't have any choice."