Chapter 64: Chapter 64

"Are you sure you're okay?"

I laughed at Greyson's question. He's been asking me that from the moment he woke up until now that we're about to go to school.

"I swear, I'm in good shape now."

Fortunately, this morning, I felt better and my headache was gone. I still have a runny nose and cough, but it's bearable. I just wore a mask so Greyson won't get infected.

"Just focus on your final exam, alright?" I ruffled his hair.

Today is the start of their exam week, which means that their recognition day is approaching. I'm pretty sure that this kid will bag a lot of awards.

Greyson has been busy for the past few days reviewing in preparation for their finals. I seriously admire his passion to learn.

"Now I become nervous again," he grumbled.

I chortled. "Don't be. I know you will ace that exam."

He nodded. "Fine. But you're really okay?"

I tousled his hair. "You're so stubborn. I'm alright, and it's all thanks to you!"

Yesterday, when he arrived home, he came to my room and took care of me, even though I told him that he didn't need to.

Garren suddenly emerged from behind and chimed into our conversation. "You seem to be forgetting that Greyson wasn't the only one who took care of you."

My cheeks flushed. I averted my gaze and mentally swore him.

Although what he said is true, I don't get why he needs to mention that to his son while sounding resentful.

"Let's go now. You're running late," I purposefully rout out the topic.

Thankfully, it worked as Greyson rushed outside. I glanced at Garren and saw him grinning.

I ignored him and followed his son to the car. Soon after, we commenced driving towards Greyson's school. We arrived at Ridley University just in time.

"Goodluck on your exam, buddy. Do your best but don't pressure yourself too much, alright? I'm proud of you no matter what."

Greyson smiled at his father. "Thank you, dad. I'll do my best."

Greyson kissed his father before getting out of the car. I was fixing his tie when the latter called me.

He took out a small bag and handed it to me, which I reluctantly accepted.

"Those are cough drops and a vaporal inhaler for your cold. You might have to use them."

I don't know how long I can keep my lips shut about all these weird actions he's been doing. I want to confront him, but I don't have the courage to do that.

I put on a smile. "Thank you, sir."

"You're welcome. Take good care of my son... and yourself too."

He rolled up the windows of his car and beeped before leaving.

I watched his car disappear from my line of sight and turned to Greyson, who's grinning playfully at me.

"You and dad are getting a little too lovey-dovey."

I pinched his nose and dismissively said, "You're imagining things."

That's what I tell myself too.

We entered the gate and walked through the pathway that leads to the primary campus.

"My heart will pump out of my chest," Greyson blurted out all of a sudden

"You have to calm down or else you'll have a mental block."

He breathed deeply. "I can't help it."

I ruffled his hair. "Do your best, but don't pressure yourself too much. We are proud of you no matter what."

I suddenly remember the first time that I accompanied him to school. We almost had the same conversation.

Though I'm proud of this kid for being academically driven, I hope a time will come when he won't be too hard on himself.

We resumed our tracks. I gave him one last wish of luck before he rushed inside their classroom.

This time, I stayed outside their room so I could attentively look after him. They had a one-hour break after two subjects, and fortunately, he wasn't as nervous compared to earlier.

After their exam ended, Garren surprisingly showed up. He said that their board meeting ended quickly so he decided to pick us up. However, instead of driving straight home, he took us to a restaurant.

When we arrived there, I became reluctant to come with them inside.

For the love of pearls, it's a five-star Michelin restaurant and I'm wearing my maid attire! I'll look like a pariah.

"Are you waiting for me to carry you out of the car in a bridal style? 'cause I'll gladly do it."

I was snapped out of my trance when Garren said that. What balderdash is this man talking about?!

He's acting up again.

"I-I think I'll just wait for you here, sir."

He frowned. "Are you out of your mind? You want us to have fun inside while you're shivering here? Do you seriously think I'm that cruel?"

I was lost for words to reply.

"You'll come with us, Cleo. Unless you really want me to carry-"

I didn't wait for him to finish his statement and opened the door on my side. He laughed that made me roll my eyes. He's absolutely shameless.

We entered the restaurant. I had my eyes on the floor while we're walking down the hallway. Thankfully, Garren booked a private room for us, so I was able to get rid of my discomfort.

After we seated ourselves at the table, a waiter followed us after a minute and got our order.

My eyes fell out of their sockets when I saw the prices of the foods on the menu board.

Two orders of their Salisbury steak almost cost an entire year of tuition. But what did I even expect from a Michelin-starred restaurant?

That supper went well, aside from those times that I caught Garren looking at me.

But I chose to disregard it... for the nth time. I didn't want to misconstrue his actions, although it's clear as the sun that there's something wrong with him.

Everything is going great- until we arrive home.

"My dearest brother! I miss you so much!"

Garren was taken aback when an unexpected visitor greeted him at the doorway.

It's his younger sister, Claudette.

She was supposed to give him a hug, but he pushed her on the forehead.

"What the hell are you doing here?" He asked with furrowed eyebrows.

Claudette rolled her eyes. "You don't need to make it obvious that you hate me here, you know?"

Her face brightened up when she turned to me.

"Oh my god Cleo! I miss you too!"

I was bowled over when she lunged at me this time. But unlike his brother, I didn't push her away and hugged her back instead.

"We have a lot of catching up to do!"

She's still as bubbly as the last time we met.

"What about me, Aunt? Didn't you miss me?" Greyson sulked.

She giggled and crouched down. "Of course I do. Why won't I miss my most adorable nephew?"

He giggled as she peppered him with kisses. She only stopped when Garren yanked her away from him.

"Your lipstick is getting all over my son. Who knows what bacteria you're passing to him."

She shot daggers at him. "My lips are more clean than your soul."

I chuckled at their bickering.

We headed inside. I was surprised to see that Xavier also paid us a visit. We greeted each other. The same air of formality still surrounds him.

Suddenly, I remembered what Garren told us about his brother. I can't really picture that in my mind.

But there's someone I wasn't prepared to see- Veronica Montreal, Garren's mother. The woman who perturbed me when I first met her.

Greyson scurried towards his grandmother.

"What's with the sudden visit?" Garren asked her.

"I want to surprise you and my grandson! I miss my moonpie so much!" She laughed and kissed Greyson on the forehead.

I was frozen on my spot when her eyes landed on me. She scanned me from head to toe and smiled- a smile that gave me warning bells.

"Where have you guys been?" Veronica asked.

"Dad brought us to a restaurant, amma. Their foods were amazing!"

My heart stopped beating. I clearly saw how the lady frowned. Xavier and Claudette also looked weirded out.

Damn it. I hope they're not thinking something vitriolic about me.

"That's interesting. Your dad brought your nanny to a restau, huh?"

I sweated bullets when she spoke in a shady and suspicious tone.

"Mom, Cleo was with us. I'm not that wicked to leave her alone while we're eating. Stop being malicious."

I gave Garren a once-over. I'm glad that he spoke up. It somehow pacified my worries.

"I wasn't saying anything. You don't have to be so uptight!" His mother replied and laughed.

I don't know if I'm just hypercritical, but her laugh sounds so phony.

Garren turned to me. "You can go now. I'll take care of Greyson."

I nodded and bowed my head to pay them respect before rushing towards my room to escape that suffocating scenario.

I stayed in my room for almost half an hour because I'm anxious that I might cross paths with them. But of course, I know that I can't just cage myself and wait until they leave.

When I exited my room, I was put at ease when they are no longer in the living room. I won't have to bear with Veronica's intimidating presence.

But that's where I'm mistaken.

Because my feet were glued to the ground as I entered the kitchen and saw who's helping Aunt Cora and the other two maids in cooking dinner.

I was planning to walk away, but they already saw me. It would be strange if I suddenly leave.

The subtle smile on Veronica's face disappeared after seeing me. I once again felt like a bundle of nerves.

"Cleo, do you want to help us prepare the food?"

I nodded and walked towards them with heavy feet.

"We really need a hand here."

I was asked to slice some carrots. The entire time I'm doing that, I'm tensed because I'm only a few meters from Veronica.

Suddenly, she ordered all the maids to bring the already cooked foods in the backyard. I thought it was my chance to get away from her, but once again, I'm wrong.

"Stay here, Cleo. They can handle that."

That made me more anxious. When the maids left, the air thickened. There was sheer silence between us, only the sound of the knife chopping against the board and the boiling water could be heard- util she spoke.

"I miss cooking for my children, so I decided to help here in the kitchen," she blurted out all of a sudden.

I didn't know what to say, but I didn't want to give her crickets either that might made he feel disrespected, so I flashed a forced smile.

"I love all of them. And as a mother, their welfare is my top priority."

I scowled, bewildered as to why she's telling me these things. It's honestly uncalled for.

She stopped what she's doing and looked at me with a stern expression.

"Hence, I want them to stay away from people who will do them no good. Those who will just suck them dry and exploit them. In short, I don't want them, in any way, to be affiliated with parasites."

She smiled gently, but there's a certain ominous aura about it that made my blood run cold.

"And I will do everything in my power to get rid of those vermin."

Those daunting words have thrown me into a chasm of bewilderment. I'm lost why she said such a thing.

Is she trying to insinuate that I'm trying to woo his son? That's just utterly pathetic because I don't want to do anything with his money.

Although I'm already fuming, I managed to force a smile, but I didn't dare to say anything.

This woman is weird... and terrifying.