Chapter 49: Chapter 49

"You have to visit here again some other time! You haven't fulfilled your promise to me."

I chuckled at Erick's remark as he accompanied me outside the Obsidian.

It's Sunday, which means I have no work, so I decided to pay them a visit. I want to do this for a very long time because I kinda miss the exuberant settings of my past job. And I miss my friends here.

Erick was beyond surprised when I showed up earlier. He even sulked at me because I've been gone for three months, and I felt really guilty. So to make up for it, I told him that I'd treat him anywhere he wants next time if he's not on duty.

We talked about the recent events in our life. Erick told me that he's going back to college next school year. His parents finally found a job, so he does not need to work full time.

That made me genuinely delighted for him. He have sacrificed a lot for his family. It's his time to chase after his dreams.

Needless to say, I wasn't able to escape his interrogation. I chose to tell him everything, and he was flabbergasted after knowing where I'm working right now.

"Mark my words. You can do anything to defame me if I will not keep my promise."

He scrunched up his nose. "As if I can do that."

I laughed, because he's right. Erick is one of the kindest people I've ever met. He can't even kill a bug.

We bade our farewell before I turned my back and called a taxi. The sun's already setting when I arrived at the Montreal mansion.

The day passed by like usual. When morning came, while I was buttoning Greyson's uniform to prepare him for school, someone knocked on the door. It's probably Aunt Esther.

I pulled myself towards the door and opened it.

"Yes, aunt-"

The words are left in my throat when I realized that it wasn't the senior maid, but Garren.

Isn't he supposed to arrive two days from now?

"Dad!"

Before I could even utter a word to greet him, Greyson dashed towards the doorway. I stepped aside to make way for him. Garren knelt down and greeted his son with a hug.

"I miss you, buddy."

"I miss you too, dad!" The latter broke the hug. "But I thought you'd come home two days from now. What happened?"

"Let's just say that my undertakings there were accomplished earlier than expected. Anyway, like I promised you, I have a lot of  souvenirs that I brought from Russia!"

He then gave him all the bags that he was carrying a while ago.

Greyson excitedly opened all of them, and his eyes glowed seeing all the toys, and clothes that his father bought for him.

But what made him excited the most is the oculus.

"Dad! This is so awesome! How do you know that I've been wanting to have this one?!"

His father arrogantly shrugged his shoulders. "I have my own ways."

Greyson carefully dropped the oculus and lunged towards his father for a hug.

"Thank you so much, dad."

He patted his head. "Anything for you, buddy."

"But what about Cleo? Didn't you buy anything for her?"

The smile on my face disappeared. I suddenly felt awkward. Silence reigned inside that room for a couple of moments until Garren spoke.

"I'm sorry but I wasn't able to buy anything for your nanny. I'm pretty sure that she understands." He turned to me. "Right, Cleo?"

I nodded and forced a smile. "Y-Yes. Of course. Your dad doesn't need to buy me a gift."

Greyson shook his head. "I'll let you off the hook for now, dad. But next time, you should have something for Cleo as well."

His father chuckled. "Noted, boss."

•••••

"Dad. Can we pass by the mall? I need to buy another sketch pad. The one I'm using is ran out of pages."

We're on our way home after Greyson's class ended. If you're wondering where I'm sitting right now, I'm beside Greyson.

Nothing had changed about Garren. He's still the same grumpy Garren as when he left. But I'm getting used to it. The realization that I concluded too much from his actions has sunk deep into my system already.

"We haven't talked about this yet, but do you want to be a painter someday or an artist, buddy?" Garren asked all of a sudden.

That made my ears flutter. I'm also intrigued about his dream.

"I love to draw, but what I want to be someday is an architect! I want to build cool houses! And bridges that can compete with London's Tower Bridge!" he exclaimed happily.

Seeing the exhilaration in his face while telling us about his passion made my heart warm.

It feels gladdening to see children so passionate about something. I hope that glimmer won't fade.

"You'll be the best architect the world will ever know."

The smile plastered on Greyson's face widened. "Thank you, dad. You're the best."

As per Greyson's request, instead of going straight home, we dropped by the mall to buy his stuff.

"Why do we need to wear a mask, dad?" the child inquired curiously.

"Because your dad is too handsome and people might come flocking around us. That will be too much of an encumbrance."

I rolled my eyes upon hearing his smug response. Seriously...

But what he said isn't impossible, just not the ground he was  blabbering about. I guess he wants to hide himself because he knows he's the target of the media considering his recent dating scandal.

Power indeed come at a hefty price.

We climbed straight to the third floor, where the Paper Chase is, a school supply store. However, on our way,  the dresses inside a store in front of Paper Chase caught my attention.

It's not on the plan, but it won't hurt if I buy something for myself, right?

I mustered the courage to ask Garren if I could go there while they're buying Greyson's stuff.

"Just make sure that you'll get your business done quickly."

That was his response. I ignored his crabby tone and walked straight to the store I'm talking about.

I searched for the aisle for women's dresses and eventually found what I was looking for. When I saw the maxi dresses, my eyes twinkled. I don't know what occasion I'm going to wear this one, but I just want to buy something for myself.

Lauren is right. It's not bad to pamper myself once in a while.

However, when I looked at the price tag, my mouth hang wide open.

This is the cost of being a miser. Price tags are my worst nemesis.

I closed my eyes. "Just this one time, Cleo."

Throwing the hesitations out of the window, I began rummaging through the racks of clothes. While I was busy doing that, I felt someone stood beside me, but I didn't pay that person any mind.

After some contemplation, I pulled out the blue and white dress. But since I'm only planning to buy one, I still have to choose.

"Which one looks better on me?" I murmured.

"That blue dress suits you better."

My forehead creased when someone spoke. I roamed my eyes around, but there's no one else but the man beside me who's wearing a cap and a brown bomber jacket.

I cleared my throat. "Are you talking to me?"

I saw how the corner of his lips tugged upward. He's starting to creep the hell out of me.

"It seems like you don't recognize me at all."

That made me frown even more.

He took off his cap and smiled at me. That grin... it's very familiar.

I squinted my eyes at him, and I was dumbstruck when it dawned on me who the man is.

"Enzo?!"

His smile widened and spread his arms. "In the flesh."

It's been so many weeks since we met on Casa De Royale. I never thought that our paths would cross again. I guess fate is really unpredictable.

"It's a surprise to see you here," Enzo blurted out.

"Same here. What are you doing here anyway?"

"I'm looking for a gift for someone, and I happened to see you here. What about you?"

I scratched my cheeks sheepishly. "I'm actually with Sir Garren-"

His eyebrows batted.

I shook my head fervently. "Please don't think of anything malicious. We're with his son. Greyson bought some school stuff."

He chuckled. "Hold your horses. I wasn't even saying anything."

That made me blush. Did I sound so thin-skinned?

"I should say hi to my cousin and my nephew. Where are they?"

I pointed at the store in front of us.

He hummed. "By the way, I meant what I said earlier. That blue one suits you better."

I stared at the dress I'm holding. "You think so?"

"Hmmm."

A smile crept between my lips.

"I'll take this one, then. What about you? Have you already found a gift?"

He let out a heavy sigh. "I suck at this. I don't know what to give her."

I grinned. "It's a woman?"

Enzo looked at me flatly. "She was just a friend, dummy. She will celebrate her birthday three days from now, so I'm fumbling to find her a present."

"Okayyy...."

"Hey! I was telling the truth!" He exclaimed.

"I wasn't saying anything," I said, stifling a laugh.

"Your face says otherwise."

It's quite surprising how we can talk to each other comfortably despite only meeting twice. Perhaps it's 'cause our personalities are somehow like two peas in a pod.

"If you want, I can help you find a gift for that person," I offered.

"Really? Won't that burden you?"

I peered through the glass walls and saw that Garren and Greyson are not yet on the counter neither outside the store. I still have an ample time.

I turned my attention back to Enzo and smiled. "Yeah. But let's make this quick."

He nodded fervently. Then we began wandering around.

"What about shoes or heels?"

He shook his head.

"What about dresses?"

"I'm pretty sure he has a lot of those in her closet."

"This is the last thing in my mind... makeup?"

His face brightened up, but then got gloomy after a while. "She loves make-up, but she said she personally handpicks the products she used."

My shoulders fell down. "Seriously, what does that friend of yours not possess?"

Enzo chuckled. "That's what I'm saying. That psycho has everything, that's why I'm having a hard time thinking of a present for her. I at least want to give her gives that she will genuinely appreciate."

That made me smile. This man seems affectionate. I took a look around, and my eyes landed on the jewelries not far from us.

"What about you give her a personalized gift? A customized bracelet with morse codes of her name might do."

Enzo's lips broke into a huge smile.  "You're right! She's obsessed with decrypting ciphers back then, so she will definitely love that!"

"What are we waiting for, then?"

We began looking for a jewelry store that offers customization. Luckily, we found one. But they said that it will take two days before Enzo can get the personalized product. He's fine with it, though.

"Thank you so much, Cleo. You're heaven sent. If it hadn't been for you, I'd still be stressed until now."

"No need to mention it."

"What about if I take you out for snacks as a payment for helping me?"

I was about to refuse him because I had to go back to Greyson and his father, when I heard a voice from behind.

"What the hell are you two doing here?"

I turned around, and a rush of fear washed over my system when I saw Garren.

He's eyeing the two of us as if we're criminals that he caught red-handed.