Chapter 59: Chapter 59

It has been three days since Garren arrived, and it's also been three days since my mind is in a mare's nest.

He's been acting really weird. This time, I'm not even piling things on.

This is not merely because of that abrupt change in the car seat plan, but the way he's been behaving as if he didn't leave me with a bunch of unsettled questions that night before he left.

He's acting oblivious and indifferent. It's as if he hit his head against a wall and now has amnesia.

For starters, he now talks to me like he used to before. That affable aura surrounding him when we were on Santorini and when he brought us to the amusement park suddenly came back.

Mind you, oftentimes, he's the one who initiates a conversation.

Like that time he drove us to his son's school, he asked how I've been doing! It wasn't supposed to be a big deal if it wasn't for the fact that he stopped regarding my existence a month ago.

But that wasn't the last time he acted as if he cared for my welfare. I was trying hard to avoid him because it was clear as day that he wanted me out of his sight, but now he's the one who seems to be trying to sew up our paths.

I convinced myself that I was merely putting a color on his actions. But it's not merely the fact that he no longer treats my existence as insignificant as air, but the day after he arrived, he did something that has remained a mystery to me... until now.

He freaking brewed me a cup of coffee.

My jaw literally dropped to the floor when he offered me that. I tried to think of a valid reason why Garren would do that.

Is that his way of making peace for lashing out at me? If that's his reason, then he should've just apologized. That would probably fix things.

"Oh please stop lying to yourself. You know things aren't going to get better unless he explains why he acted like a jealous boyfriend when you went out with Enzo."

That voice inside my head made me cringe.

Going back to what I was saying, needless to say, although I was really befuddled as to why Garren would prepare me a coffee, I still accepted it so he would not think I'm being ungrateful.

However, while what he did was already puzzling, what confounded me more was that he knows the exact taste of coffee that I want.

He never saw me make my own coffee. And even if he did, I don't think my existence interests him enough to observe such a thing about me.

So I just settled with the notion that perhaps it was all just a coincidence. While that might have assuaged my confusion, I still couldn't get over the fact that he made an effort—at least, that's how I perceived it.

It's so out of his character.

"You're already murdering the onion, Cleo."

I was snapped out of my reverie when I heard Aunt Cora's voice.

I frowned and looked down. My cheeks heated up when I saw that I'd already pulverized the onions when I was supposed to just cut them normally.

Shit. I've been preoccupied the whole time because of our boss.

We're in the kitchen preparing dinner. I decided to help because I have nothing else to do. Greyson is in his room with his father.

I laughed awkwardly and apologized.

I resumed what I'm doing, following her instructions. Cynthia appeared out of nowhere and marched in my direction.

"Where have you been?" I asked.

She didn't respond. I glanced at her, and my eyebrows furrowed because of her bizzare smile.

Something's going on. She wouldn't smile like a hatter without any reason.

"You look like a psycho killer."

She giggled. "God, I'm so envious of you."

I threw her a puzzled look.

To my surprise, she tiptoed and pretended to put a crown on my head.

"You're now the queen. Starting today, I will respect you because I don't want to lose my job," she said.

I pushed her off. "What drug did you take this time and the screws in your head are getting loose again?"

She laughed. "Whateverrr."

She went to Aunt Cora and asked how she could help. I didn't take my eyes off of her. She also keeps on winking and grinning at me.

I hissed and ignored her.

After we cooked dinner, I climbed to Greyson's room. I heaved out a deep sigh before turning the knob. Like I was expecting, his father is still inside.

This man hasn't left his son's side since he arrived home. Unless, of course, the latter is about to sleep.

which means I often have to deal with his presence.

Greyson said "hello" to me.

I did my best not to look at Garren's side, though that's impossible because he's literally lying on the bed beside him.

Merely catching a glimpse of him is giving me a headache already.

I flashed a smile. "What are you guys doing?"

"Dad and I are playing Soduku. He's good at this!" he exclaimed.

"That's good to hear!" I feigned a cheerful tone. "But I'll have to spoil the fun because it's time for dinner."

He pouted. "Can we have ten more minutes, please? Dad and I will just finish this game."

Garren butted in. "You need to listen to your nanny, bud. Come on."

With that, both of them got up from bed, although Greyson seems like he still wants to play more.

The three of us went to the kitchen together. The rest of the maids are there as well, in accordance with our boss' command.

Every dinner here in this mansion always seems like a holiday feast because the table is always filled with several cuisines.

I was struggling to remove the shell of the shrimp when someone suddenly held my hand— it's none other than Garren.

"Let me help you," he mumbled.

This. This is what I'm talking about. Things like this that he does perplex me to no end.

I smiled awkwardly and pulled my hands away. "I can manage, sir. Don't sweat yourself."

But being the obstinate person that he is, he once again pulled my hands from me.

"You're obviously struggling. I'm an expert on peeling and even deveining shrimp." He stood on his ground.

Will I be kicked out of this house right this instant if I say that none of those things he said concern me?

"Seriously, you don't have to do it for me, sir."

He hissed, and finally he let go of my hands. Thank heavens.

I went back to feasting on my food, but then I noticed the unnerving silence veiling the atmosphere.

My eyes wandered around, and my cheeks burned into crimson red when I realized that everyone is looking in our direction, to Garren and me specifically.

Why does he need to behave like a nutter in front of them too?! Curse him!

I bowed my head down, ignoring their curious stares.

"Why have you turned silent?" It was only then that the room was unmuted when Garren spoke.

They all went back to eating and silently talking to each other as if nothing had happened.

Although Garren became less austere, his words still hold power. They probably thought it was a threat.

I wanted to thank him because their eyes aren't on me anymore. But come to think of it, it's him who put me on the edge, so he should be held accountable.

It's only fair that he spoke up.That's the least he could do.

•••••

When morning came, I was awakened by the constant thump on my door. As I opened my eyes, I saw that it was only quarter past six. I usually wake up at seven thirty during Sunday because this is the only time that I can have a long rest.

Thinking that it was Cynthia because it's always her who pesters me, I ignored the knocks. But they didn't stop.

"Leave me alone!" I irately shouted and covered my face with a blanket.

Fortunately, the knocks stopped, but it was only for a couple of seconds because she once again knocked.

I blew a fuse and forced myself to stand up. I furiously tramped towards the door.

"Why are you so stubborn? Didn't I tell you to leave me-"

I chewed my words when it dawned on me who the person was who was relentlessly knocking a while ago.

It's not Cynthia, but Garren.

What is he doing here?

"I-I'm sorry for shouting at you, sir. I thought it was Cynthia," I explained. "What do you need anyway?"

He cleared his throat. "I'm sorry to disturb your sleep, but you have to dress up. We'll leave at seven thirty later."

"Where are we going?"

"You'll come with us to a park."

The creases on my forehead worsened. I thought Sunday should be exclusive to him and Greyson. Why is he suddenly inviting me?

"But why?" I blurted out the question that I was supposed to keep to myself.

Garren looked away. "My son wants you to come with us. He said it's been a long time since you two went out together and he misses you."

I squinted my eyes at him, assessing if he was telling the truth. But then again, why would he lie about it?

I beamed. "I'll prepare now, Sir Garren."

He hummed in response and took a step back. That was my cue to close the door, but I halted when he spoke.

"By the way..."

I looked at him questioningly.

"Your hair looks cute."

I saw him trying to stifle a smile before he turned his back. I slammed the door shut and cupped my burning cheeks—not because I'm flustered with his compliment but because I'm extremely mortified.

If he hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have remembered that I hadn't fixed myself. I freaking showed up in my worst state!

I looked in the mirror and cursed. I love my natural wavy hair, but brushing it when you just wake up takes so much of my timeand strength, because I always have to brawl with my hair brush every damn time.

"Your hair looks cute."

I shuddered in disgust as I remembered Garren's utterance.

I'm pretty sure he meant it in a mocking way. There's no way that tangled hair is adorable.

After fixing my hair and washing my face, I walked towards the kitchen to grab a quick coffee. I still have an ample hour to prepare.

Since it's a picnic, I decided to wear a green dress to match the ambiance. Then, at exactly seven twenty in the morning, I stormed out of my room and treaded towards the living room. Minutes later, I heard Greyson from behind.

I turned around, and a smile made its way onto my lips when I saw that he and Garren are wearing the same outfit— a white shirt overlaid with a mint green polo.

I bet the latter customized their clothes.

"That dress suits you! Look, the three of us are wearing matching colors!" Greyson shrieked blissfully as he rushed towards me.

I smiled and gently ruffled his hair. "Thank you, baby. You look handsome in those clothes too."

"And so does dad, right?!"

I gave Garren a once-over and laughed awkwardly. "O-Of course."

"We look like a happy family!"

That's when I finally lose my cool. If I were drinking something right now, I would've spat it out.

I expected Garren to tell his son off, but he didn't. In fact, he's just smiling.

What a weirdo.