Chapter 47: Chapter 47

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 those words calmly, but I felt like he humiliated me with the tone of his voice nonetheless. What's wrong with this man?!

"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 Garren. He asked me to bring him a coffee."

"Is that so?" I cleared my throat. "If you want, I can bring him coffee for you, aunt, so you won't have a hard time doing so."

I don't know why I said that. Those words came out of my mouth involuntarily.

"Are you sure, Cleo?"

I nodded. "Of course. So you can sleep now too, aunt. I know you're already tired."

She smiled. "I really am. So I really appreciate your help."

She handed me the cup of coffee.

"Thank you, Cleo. After you give him this, you can go to your room."

I smiled in response. When she turned her back, I also began walking, careful not to drop the glass.

When I reached his office, I knocked on the door. Like the last time I went there, I didn't hear any response, and the door automatically opened.

I was greeted by a heavy silence when I stepped inside. I looked to the left and saw Garren facing his computer.

"What are you doing here?"

I coughed. "Here's your coffee, sir."

The sound of his fingers hitting the keyboards stopped. Finally, his eyes settled on me.

"As far as I know, it wasn't you whom I instructed to do that."

His voice sent shivers down my spine.

"You know what? Never mind. Just put the coffee on the table and leave."

I was supposed to oblige, but then something appeared in my mind.

Perhaps this is the right time to settle things.

So instead of exiting his office, I remained standing on the spot.

"What are you still doing here? Didn’t I tell you to leave?" Garren asked without taking his eyes off of the computer monitor.

I inhaled a deep breath, gathering my resolve. "Can we talk for a moment, sir?"

"We’re already talking."

I clenched my jaw. His sarcasm is getting under my skin.

"I want to ask you something. I swear, this will be quick," I said, trying my best not to stammer.

At last, he stopped what he's doing and looked at me. He leaned on the swivel chair.

"Make sure that this is important. I have a lot of workloads to finish."

I nodded fervently. I swallowed the lump in my throat and looked at him straight in the eye. "Do you have a problem with me, sir?"

His forehead furrowed.

"Did I perhaps rile you up? Did I fail to do something you asked me to do? Because why are you behaving like this?"

He huffed and looked away. "I don’t know what you’re saying. Behaving like what?"

I put on a stern expression. "You’re being unreasonably snobbish towards me. It wouldn't be a problem if it weren’t for the fact that you’re only like that to me."

I completely lost my grip on myself and poured out my frustration and indignation. I badly want to clear things out because I’m tired of reading beneath him.

That sounds so dramatic, but that’s what I genuinely feel.

"We were fine last week, and as far as I remember, I didn’t do anything that might have infuriated you. So it really bothers me why you’re acting like this."

I felt like a huge boulder was lifted off of my chest after saying that after bottling it up.

An ironically thunderous and uncomfortable silence rolled between us. The freezing temperature doesn’t help alleviate the tension running through my nerves.

"Are you done?" Finally, Garren spoke, breaking the stillness.

I nodded reluctantly. "Y-Yes, sir. I just need answers so I can have my peace of mind."

He clasped his hands and put them under his chin and stared at me, his cold eyes piercing every nook and cranny of my soul. "You’ve been working under my roof for months already and it seems like you haven’t known me at all."

Of course. Who could decode your bewildering mind in a span of months? No… I don’t think even years of knowing him would be enough to unravel his volatile personality.

"This has always been me, Cleo. I’ve been known as the heartless, apathetic boss. If you have a problem with how I treat you, then the door is always open for your departure. You can pack your things and leave any time you want."

I clenched my fist and bowed my head. I could feel a subtle tweak in my heart.

Damn it. I’ve never felt so unappreciated. This is the first time that I feel like all the efforts that I put into work are worthless.

"Let me get one thing clear, just because my son adores you doesn’t mean you’re irreplaceable. If you choose to quit, I can easily find someone who can take your place."

That was my final straw.

You’re irreplaceable

You’re irreplaceable

You’re irreplaceable

Those words keep on echoing in my ears, crushing me into pieces. I keep convincing myself that it’s not true, that Greyson won’t easily abandon me, but the possibility of that saddens me.

Maybe I build too much emotional bond in this household and on that kid, hence his father’s words sound devastating.

"Do I make myself clear, Cleo?"

I looked back at him and put on a fake smile. "Yes, sir."

"Good. If you have complaints about me and how I run this house, then it’s better that you leave yourself because I can’t promise you that it won’t be cruel if I’m the one who sends you out."

All I could do was nod my head.

"One last thing, stop being so presumptuous."

My cheeks heat up because of extreme mortification. He didn’t even directly say it, but it seems like he knows the reason why I’m making a fuss.

"Now go away. I have other things to do."

I muttered, "yes, sir" before turning my back. I held the door handle and was about to turn the knob when I heard him whisper something.

"I really thought it was important. What a waste of time."

I could feel my chest heaving in outrage. But before my emotions burst out, I opened the door and exited that stifling room.

While I’m walking down the hallway, every cruel word that came out of his mouth keeps replaying in my mind like a broken disc.

I shook my head. Does he really mean them? I bet he does.

Then my mind took a trail back down memory lane to that night when he anchored my soul with peace and tranquility. That night when we sat under the moonlight, and he listened to my cries. And that night on the park when I didn’t see a glimpse of the monster inside him that used to scare me witless. All those hours that we spent together when he didn’t seem like the man whose presence used to make me shiver in fear and make my blood boil in agitation.

I was so overwhelmed by the fact that the person I loathed would keep me company, and I concluded too much from that. Garren is right. It was a stupid and overbold move.

I’ve had enough of this. It’s time to wake up from my delusions. Garren and I would never be friends.

I should go back to what we were from the very start. I should be civil with him, like a boss and employee are supposed to be.

•••••

I hummed when Greyson called my name while I was helping him wear his uniform.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

I feigned a smile. "Of course I am."

That was an absolute lie. I'm not okay. Until now, all the words that Garren has told me last night are still engraved in my mind.

I know I shouldn't drag Greyson into this mess, but what his father said really made me doubt myself. Hence why I'm quite uneasy with Greyson this morning.

I'm afraid that I'm attaching myself to this child more than I'm supposed to.

"I don't believe that. You have been unusually silent since this morning," he asserted.

I patted his head. "I'm fine. I just don't feel good at the moment, but I'm okay. Stop worrying about me, alright?"

He doesn't seem convinced by my answer, but he didn't ask further questions.

"Fine. I won't bug you anymore."

I was caught off-guard when he suddenly tiptoe and give me a peck in the cheek.

"I love you, Cleo!" He said, then dashed outside his room.

I was left dumbfounded for a couple of minutes. Then a smile eventually made its way onto my lips.

That simple gesture from Greyson soothed my fear. It's ridiculous of me to behave like this towards him.

Perhaps Garren is right. A time will come and I will be ousted from my position as Greyson's nanny. Besides, he will also grow up someday and he won't need me anymore to guide him. It's inevitable anyway. But that doesn't mean that he loves me any less.

What's important is the present. I have to treasure the moment.

I chuckled at my own thought. Why am I being an emotional wreck as if I were the one who gave birth to him? The thought of him spreading his wings and being independent is somehow poignant for me.

This is what happens when you've been away from your family for a very long time.

I seriously have to work on my attachment issues.

I stood up and fixed myself before I stormed out of his room... only to see Garren coming down the stairs.

I suddenly felt like a cat on hot bricks, but I did my best to remain composed. I didn't stop walking nor display an anxious expression, when in fact I already have my heart in my mouth.

As our paths crossed, I nodded and bowed my head a little to greet him, but I didn't say a thing or two. Like I expected, he just shot me a fleeting glance.

The air in the atmosphere is awkward enough for me to hold my breath as we walk down the stairs. Garren is behind me, and it's making me feel uneasy because I feel like he's stabbing me with his eyes.

So I strided hotfoot to distance myself from him.

"Cleo!"

Cynthia called me from the end of the stairs.

"Are you alright? Your face is pale," she asked.

My eyes widened. Damn. I thought I did a great job of masking my emotions.

Before I could respond to her, Cynthia looked at my back. The corner of her lips quirked up when she saw Garren behind me. I know that it's him because I could feel his lethal and overwhelming presence.

I didn't wait for a word to come out of his mouth and stepped side to give way for him.

"Good morning, Sir!" Cynthia greeted him enthusiastically.

"Good morning," he said back.

I internally rolled my eyes. I know for a fact that if it was me, he wouldn't even spare me a nod.

I hate him.