Chapter 44: Chapter 44

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 five in the afternoon. We didn't even notice the time because we were busy seizing the moment.

After we finished the foods, we resumed strolling around and also boarded other rides like the Magic Carpets of Aladdin, the Barnstormer, and People Mover.

Surprisingly, we didn't have to force Garren because he willingly came with us.

In fact, he was as zestful as his son. He's loud the whole time, something that I've never seen from him before. It's like I'm seeing a different side of Garren.

For the past hours, he's been acting laid-back and carefree. Maybe he wants to momentarily forget the responsibilities and burdens on his shoulders for and unwind.

What's even more surprising is I've been talking to him comfortably, as if we never had a conflict before.

"That ride is so extreme! Dad, I want to try that again the next time we come here!" Greyson shrieked after we got off from the Speedway.

"Your energy hasn't subsided yet?" his father asked in disbelief.

He giggled. "Nope. I can still ride ten more rides."

Garren turned to me. "Are you having fun?"

I nodded and smiled. "Yes, sir."

"That's good to hear. You deserve to have a break and unwind."

That left me tongue-tied. Did he bring us here because of what happened last night?

I brushed that off. I'm being overly presumptuous. But whatever his reason is, I'm glad that he brought me with them because I can at least breathe and momentarily forget my predicament.

While walking around the park, the kid insisted on going to the Pirates of the Caribbean park, it's an adventure ride while riding boats.

He's indeed telling the truth when he saids he could still board ten more rides.

"Are you sure we can stay here longer, sir? Don't you have any work that you need to finish at home?" I carefully asked Garren.

"You seem to forget that I'm the CEO of the company. I hold my own time. I'm just a naturally workaholic, so I tend to work even at home."

At least he's aware.

"Besides, I rarely go out with my son. I want to seize this moment with him. This is still part of me redeeming myself as his father."

A smile crept between my lips. "That's good to hear."

We went inside a cave-like house, and a staff member beckoned us to sit on a boat. I was amused while gazing around. The place is quite dark, for aesthetic purposes perhaps, but we can still clearly see each other.

When all the seats are occupied, the sail began. Greyson and I listened to the sailor narrating the voyage and saga of Caribbean Pirates.

All of a sudden, the boat moves violently. Due to panic, I held tightly onto Garren. Greyson, who's sitting between us, also hugged me. The other people on the boat also shriek. The sailor assured us that everything is fine and that's just a simple waterfall drop.

My heart almost pumped out of my chest for god's sake!

My nerves were finally pacified when the boat calmed down.

"You can take your hands off of me now."

My cheeks turned crimson red. I hastily pulled myself away from Garren.

"Sorry, sir."

He didn't say anything.

The sail only lasted for less than ten minutes. When we exited the park, the evening sun was already casting long shadows on the ground. Its slanting rays gave a warm orange tinge to the sky.

I stretched my arms. I'm quite lethargic already, but the happiness I'm feeling can't be defeated by my exhaustion.

This is certainly one of the best days in my twenty-four years of existence.

"Should we go home now?" Garren asked his son.

The latter scratched his cheeks timidly. "Actually, I want to ride the Ferris Wheel. I swear, this is the last one, and we can go home."

Garren tousled his hair. "Why are you hesitant? We can stay here until morning if you want!"

This is what I mean. He's being extra frisky today, a demeanor that appears once in a blue moon.

And quite honestly, I like this side of him.

"This is Earth, Cleo."

I was pulled out of my trance when Garren snapped a finger in front of my face.

"Yes?"

He looked at me blankly. "I said let's go, but you were just staring at me. Am I that handsome that you couldn't take your eyes off of me?"

My cheeks turned crimson. "Shut up."

He laughed. "I was just kidding."

See? Usually, he would lash out at me if I snapped at him, but he laughed them off.

I don't know what had gotten inside his head, but I seriously hope that he stays like this forever.

"You two are getting painful to watch. My eyes are already tired of watching you flirt with each other since this morning," Greyson chimed in.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "You should shut your mouth too."

They both laughed at me. We began walking towards the huge ferris wheel in front of us. We fell in line and waited till it was our turn.

Greyson excitedly hopped inside the cabin, and his father followed him after. Meanwhile, I was quite hesitant because there's still a subtle fear growing in my chest.

Just because I've started overcoming my fear of heights doesn't mean I'd instantly not be terrified of high places. It's a long process.

Still, I went inside. My hands are cold as hell. The soft breeze didn't even help to alleviate the fear surging in my chest.

Someone's hands wrapped around mine. I looked at Greyson, who's smiling at me gently.

"I will hold your hand again, like I did when you first rode the chopper," he said.

I pinched his nose. "Thank you, baby. But I'll be alright."

My breathing hitched when all of a sudden, the drive wheel moved. The erratic beating of my heart is getting faster and faster with every passing second. I tightly hold on the handle when I feel us going higher.

Damn it.

"You look like you're about to pass out any moment." Garren's voice snapped me out of my reverie, but I still kept my eyes closed.

He scoffed. "You're really stubborn. I thought you already conquered your fear."

I heaved out a sigh and looked at him. "It's not that easy, sir."

"Cleo," Greyson beside me called my name. "Dad has a point. You'll waste the chance of witnessing the beauty of Ireland's overview if you let your fear win over you."

I nibbled on my lower lip, seeing their point. I let out a heavy sigh before I slowly opened my eyes.

The first thing that greeted me was the setting sun, lavish and fevered. When my eyes drifted above, I saw a glimpse of the night kissing the sky.

I look down, the towering buildings appear small from where we are. I can see the faint city lights and the busy streets. The cars from below appear to be a swarm of ants clashing against each other, with the road as their colony.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?"

I averted my gaze on the beautiful scenery around us and looked at Greyson. I nodded my head. "It is."

He smiled. "I'm glad that you like it."

I return my gaze to the sky. It looks really beautiful. The way the darkness slowly eats the drifting sun and the sky turns gray— it's euphoric.

I feel like I'm in utopia where everything appears to be perfect. I'm amazed at how fantasy and reality intertwined at that very moment.

It's like continuing a dream after waking up.

When I glanced at Garren, I caught him staring directly at me. My brows snapped together.

"Sir?"

I received no response.

"Is there something wrong?"

For the second time, he replied with utter silence. He didn't tear his gaze away from me, and it's already making me uneasy. He's acting weird as hell.

I waved a hand in front of him, and at last, he finally snapped out of his thoughts and looked away.

"W-What is it?"

I arched my brows when he stuttered. He seems nervous. He was staring deep into my soul a while ago, and now he can't even look at me.

"I was asking if everything is okay. You were looking at me a while ago as if you saw a ghost." I faked a laugh to not make the situation that awkward.

He coughed. "Bold of you to assume that I was staring at you."

I felt embarrassed. I wanted to defend myself, but I don't want him to think that I'm trying to insinuate something. So I just kept my mouth shut.

I just focused all my attention and admired the scenic view of the sky slowly turning pitch black.

Sunset is indeed beyond magical.

I momentarily closed my eyes and felt the serenity of the moment. I wish I could stop time and be like this forever. For the time being, I forget the fear that the dreadful news about my mother have brought into my sanity.

This day let me breathe and taste serenity even for a couple of hours.