Chapter 51: Chapter 51

The day after the unforeseen encounter that we had in the mall, I received a message from an unknown number. And I'm not lying when I say that I almost threw my phone when he introduced himself as Lorenzo.

I didn't believe it at first. But when he called me, that's when I was able to confirm that it was indeed him.

I asked him how he was able to find me, and he said that he was able to unravel the last two digits of my number despite them being scribbled when Garren yanked me forcefully.

"I'm an aspiring doctor. I can read even the nastiest penmanship." That's what he said.

He reiterated that he's dead serious when he said that he wanted to treat me as a token of appreciation for my help. Hence he looked for me.

And now, he won't stop bugging me. I kept on telling him not to stress over it, but Lorenzo is stubborn as a mule.

But I wouldn't deny it, I enjoy talking to him. Lorenzo is hilarious in the most stupid way.

I pressed the answer button and put the phone on speaker.

"What do you need this time?" I shammed an exasperated tone.

"What took you so long to answer, babe? Are you cheating on me?"

I slapped my forehead. Here he goes again with his cringey "babe" antic.

"You haven't drank your medicine yet, haven't you?" I scorned.

He chuckled. "You hurt my feelings."

"Shut up. Seriously, what do you need? I'm busy with some chores."

"What??" He suddenly raised his voice. "You're doing household chores? You're Greyson's nanny, not a maid. Is Garren abusing you?"

That tempted me to tell him what his wicked cousin has been doing to me, but I kept my mouth shut. I don't want to stir up a quarrel between those two.

"Dummy, I'm washing my own clothes."

He sighed. "That's good to hear. Anyway, I called to ask if you're free this afternoon."

I sighed. But before I could reply, he spoke.

"I already knew your answer. Seriously, do you even have a day off?"

I snickered. "I don't have any work on Sunday-"

"Then let's go out tomorrow!"

I contemplated if I have any important stuff to do tomorrow, but I couldn't remember anything.

Maybe it's time to grant this man's request so he'll finally stop nettling me.

"Fine. Tomorrow I-"

"Who are you talking to?"

I hung up the call without finishing my sentence when someone spoke from behind. I turned around and saw Garren looking at me with a stern expression.

Why is he appearing like a damn mushroom?

"That's my friend, sir," I responded.

He huffed. "That's Enzo, right?"

My forehead creased. How did he know?

"Seriously? Friends? You were giggling while talking to him, he was calling you 'babe', and you want to tell me that he's just your friend?" The sarcasm in his voice is evident.

My face crumpled. Was he listening to our conversation the entire time?! That's an invasion of privacy!

"Enzo and I are just friends, sir. He was just fooling around," I restated, standing firmly on my ground.

I don't know why I even have to explain myself to him, when clearly, he lacks the ability to listen.

"As if I'll buy that."

See?

I just shook my head and went back to what I was supposed to do. I was hoping that he'd leave if I ignored him, but much to my dismay, I could still feel his presence.

"Stop talking to Lorenzo, Cleo. That's not a request but a command from me as your boss."

I clenched my fist. I pray to every saint that is watching us right now, please bestow on me a boundless amount of patience. This man really knows how to push my buttons.

I put on a smile. "I'm sorry sir, but I don't think I can do that. Like I said, Enzo is just a friend. If you're worried that he might be a burden on my job, rest assured that he's not. I know how to handle my priorities."

He's looking at me blankly while I'm saying those words. I suddenly remember the unequivocal tension that I felt between them every time their paths cross each other.

"If you have any problem with your cousin, I don't think you should drag me on that, sir," I asserted calmly.

I breathed deeply to collect my resolve.

"With all due respect, you're just my boss, Mr. Montreal. I will follow your command as long as it's about work and your son. But I don't think you have the right to meddle with my personal life, including who I'm going to be friends with, unless you can give me a valid reason why I can't affiliate myself with them."

Once again, I turned my back on him. I sat on the chair and began rinsing my clothes.

Soon after, I heard Garren's footsteps walking away from me. I let out a sigh of relief.

His presence either makes me a bundle of nerves or ticks me off. There's no in between.

I don't know what had gotten into that thick skull of his, and he's acting like a puppeteer who wants to manipulate and control me.

Moreover, why is he so bothered by the fact that his cousin and I are friends? He's insane.

After I was done with the laundry, I took a bath before I went to Greyson's room to check on him. He's doing his homework.

The afternoon passed by, and I didn't see a glimpse of Garren. It turned out that he left the mansion, according to Uncle Oliver. He didn't know his whereabouts either.

"You will be there, right? I will seriously gatecrash in your boss' house if you won't show up tomorrow."

I laughed at Enzo's threat. I'm on call with him, and this is the third time that he has asked if I would really meet him tomorrow.

It was quarter past nine when he called me, and the first thing he asked was why I ended the call earlier. I lied and said that I got disconnected. I don't know if he bought that excuse, but he didn't ask questions.

"You're so stubborn. I will show up because I'm already sick of you calling just to nag at me."

I'm comfortably lying on my bed while staring at the ceiling. I was having a hard time sleeping a while ago, and I was really bored, so it's a good thing that he called.

Although what he's doing during the entire call is to badger me, my boredom has nonetheless eased.

"You're already sick of me? Are you about to shatter the friendship we built for decades?!"

My face contorted, but I still couldn't help myself from smiling.

If there's one thing I like about Enzo, it's his dramatic and exaggerated nature, which never fails to make me laugh. He always finds a way to twist my words and blow things out of proportion in a humorous manner.

I never experienced dead air with him. Lauren and he will certainly get along together.

"Shut up. The screws in your head are getting loose again," I scorned.

He chortled. "But on a serious note, you're not going to ditch me, aren't you?"

"For the last time, I won't. Who even wants to refuse free treats? You have to prepare your wallet because I will splurge it."

Of course that's a lie. I even get reluctant sometimes when Lauren foot the bill for me, let alone with Enzo, whom I met not even a month ago.

"I can even buy a restaurant with just a snap of a finger. Don't test me."

I chuckled. "Whatever. Anyway, are you really a medical student?"

"Of course I am. Why? Are you doubting the validity of my statement?"

"Kinda. Because as far as I know, med students always have their hands full, and here you are, still bothering me."

He laughed. "I already accomplished all my duties earlier, and I have to relieve my stress by driving someone up the wall. It sucks that you're my chosen victim tonight."

"Is that so? Then bye. See you tomorrow."

"Hey! I was-"

I didn't wait for his response and ended the call right away. I also turned my phone off so he wouldn't be able to call me anymore. I know he's already frowning on the screen.

I put my phone on the bedside table and stretched my arms. Suddenly, I felt my throat getting parched.

Albeit my eyelids getting heavy, I forced myself to stand up. The door creaked when I opened it.

It's past ten already, so everyone is already asleep. I walked through the kitchen. After I successfully satiated my thirst, I went back to my room with a bottle of water in my hand, just in case I got thirsty again.

However, I stopped in my tracks when I suddenly heard the sound of a car. Then the surroundings outside lit up. I walked closer and saw the familiar blue sedan that Garren always uses.

What the hell? He arrived just now?

I observed quietly. To my surprise, someone got out of the driver's seat, and it's not him.

I squinted my eyes at the man. I know it's a guy because of his physique. I tried to recognize who he is, but I'm having a hard time because, apart from the distance, the glass walls are also unclear because of the fog.

Minutes later, the stranger showed up once again, but this time, he's carrying someone else, which I'm now certain is Garren.

From how the latter walks, I have an assumption that he's under the influence. He left the house to quaff?

The man who's carrying Garren opened the gate. I rushed to open the door to attend to them.

"Fuck you, you're heavy as hell. I will seriously punch you in the face tomorrow- Oh! Hi Cleo!"

The expression on his face changed when he saw me waiting for them at the doorway.

He knows me?

I once again stared at him, and my eyes widened when realization finally dawned on me.

It's Theo! He's Garren's friend and the one who drove the chopper when we went to Santorini.

"G-Good evening, Theo," I stammered because of utter shock.

He smiled. "It's great to know that you still remember me."

I glanced at Garren. He doesn't look like himself at the moment. "What happened to him?"

He scowled. "This bastard suddenly called me at work and then dragged me to the bar. I asked him why, but he refused to tell me. Then from four in the afternoon to eight in the evening, he kept on hitting the bottle. Now he's wasted as fuck," he narrated.

My brows snapped together. What could be the reason he suddenly thought of getting on a drinking spree?