Chapter 70: Chapter 70

From that day, I always feel like I'm in deep water. The air between Garren and me became more asphyxiating.

I might be the only one who thinks like that because he's still the same... minus the fact that he always does something that knocks me for six.

There's no morning that I don't find flowers in my doorway. Lilies, roses, chrysanthemums, lilacs—you name it, Garren has already given it to me. My room looks like a garden now.

But it's not just the mere reason why I've been feeling like a cat walking on a hot tin roof for the past three days. All the stolen gazes, the way he smiles and speaks to me, the way he treats me... everything that he does never fails to catch me off guard.

Needless to say, it has occurred to me numerous times to make him stop.

He's my boss and I'm his employee. Our relationship should be nothing more than that. I don't know what card this universe played to get us here.

But every time I think of doing that, there's this inexplicable feeling that stirs inside me. A disquieting gut that aches whenever I think that he will once again distance himself.

I want him to stop, but I don't. I don't understand myself either.

So I've decided to just let him and float with the stream. I don't know where this leads me, but for now, I guess it's the best thing to do.

I really hope I'm doing the right thing...

I drove those thoughts away before  opening the door. I already expected it, but I still couldn't help but be a bit surprised when I saw flowers in my doorway.

I reluctantly picked it up, and this time, yellow dafodills graced my eyes. Its sweet scent pervaded my nose, putting a smile on my face.

I genuinely adore this beauty, but there's something else that my eyes wanted to see, and I became quite bucked up when I saw a piece of paper.

I opened it and read the notes.

"Just like these yellow daffodils in an empty garden, your smile also paints my world with the brightest colors."

I chuckled after reading that pick-up line. "I didn't know that he could be this cheesy."

Yup! The Garren Montreal has been writing me some pick-up lines along with the flowers he gives me like a high school student who's confessing to his crush.

It's cringe-worthy, but again, there's this weird, indescribable bliss that I feel because of these simple letters. It makes me desire to always look forward to them no matter how much they make my skin crawl.

Is it because I never imagined him being romantic? I don't know... I really don't know.

After I put the daffodils in my room, I resumed my path. Though the school year has ended, my morning routine remains the same.

I walked past Janine and Abby, the two other maids, and greeted them, to which they responded with a smile.

I don't know if the maids notice the weird behavior of our boss or see the flowers on my doorway because none of them dared to ask me. That or they just really don't care.

That's actually in my favor because I'm sure I will be tongue-tied once they confront me about it.

But that doesn't mean that no one is making this harder than it already is for me, because Claudette has been teasing me to death.

Aside from her, I know for a fact that Cynthia also knows something. Her lopsided smile every time she sees us together can attest to that.

But what mystifies me is how she knew when I hadn't even told her.

I'm having a headache thinking of that. When I accepted this job, it never crossed my mind that this would be one of my dilemmas.

I went to the kitchen and made my coffee. But unlike what I used to do, I didn't stay there but instead drank it in my room.

The instances of Garren going downstairs are never zero, and as much as I can, I don't want to be alone together with him. It's the only way that I can save my thin thread of sanity.

And the sole place in this mansion where he doesn't go is in my room, hence it has now become my safe haven.

Then I went upstairs to check Greyson. He's still asleep.

If it weren't for his father, I could've been having a plain-sailing time ever since the school year ended because my duties were lessened.

Regrettably, it's not the case.

When I went back downstairs, I saw Aunt Esther dressed up while closely scanning a paper.

"You're going out, Aunt?" I asked.

She looked up to me. "Good morning, Cleo. Yes, I have to buy groceries."

The paper must be on the grocery list.

I suddenly thought of something.

"Uhhhh, Aunt?"

"Hmmm?"

I cleared my throat. "Can I do the groceries today? I kinda miss doing this kind of stuff. Don't worry, you can trust me! I know the precepts of grocery shopping!"

She softly chuckled. "You sound  defensive, Cleo."

I laughed awkwardly. The reason I said that offer is because I want to get away from here even for a couple of hours. It's not too much to ask for a fleeting moment of peace, right?

"Anyway, if you really want to, I can give you this task."

My eyes glimmered. "Really?!"

She laughed. "You're the first one to get excited doing groceries."

I scratched the back of my neck sheepishly.

"I'll call Oliver. Wait for us here," she said after handing me the grocery list.

She was about to leave when a series of footsteps caught our attention.

"Good morning, Garren."

My entire body froze just by hearing his name. Here comes the electrifying sensation that I feel every time he's around.

Damn it. This is all his fault.

"Good morning, Aunt." His baritone voice echoed on my ears.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw him looking at me, or at least in my direction. Nonetheless, it made me really uneasy.

"Where are you going?" He asked the head maid.

"I was planning to buy groceries, but Cleo here volunteered to do it instead. So I'm calling Hector to drive her to the mall."

There were a few seconds of silence. I badly want to get out of here as soon as possible, but I don't want to appear impolite.

"Don't bother calling Uncle Oliver."

We both looked at him in confusion. But that bewildered expression on my face was instantly replaced with horror by what he said next.

"I'll drive Cleo. Wait for me."

I felt like a bucket of ice-cold water had been spilled on me.

What the hell?! I volunteered to do the groceries to stay away from him even for a short while, and he wants to come with me?!

"But you just woke up. You haven't drank your coffee yet," Aunt Esther said worriedly.

Remind me to thank her after this. I saw a glimpse of hope because of that, but that didn't even last long.

"It's fine. I'll just buy coffee on the way," Garren said, walking off.

I'm doomed.

"That kid is being weirdly stubborn."

Aunt Esther's statement made me apprehensive than I already am. She looked confused.

"He never insisted on driving someone before."

She turned her attention to me, so I put up a cool front.

"You two must be really close now."

I could only laugh awkwardly because I'm lost for words.

If she only knew...

"Anyway, I'll go now. Just wait for Garren here."

I breathed a sigh of relief when she left without confronting me. I thought I'd be up for another hot seat.

I slumped on the couch and stared blankly at the ceiling, contemplating if I should take my words back, but I'm certain that Aunt Esther will be weirded out if I suddenly back out.

I guess I have no choice.

I was snapped out of my trance when I heard footsteps. Then I saw Garren approaching in my direction while wearing a blue cotton shirt and cargo shorts. He's fixing his wristwatch.

"Aren't you going to change?" That was the first thing he asked me.

Why does he sound so indifferent and calm? It's as if nothing is going on between us. Why am I suffering the consequences of his OWN actions?

I didn't utter a word and simply shook my head. He shrugged his shoulders and mouthed something, but I didn't bother myself with decoding that.

I trailed behind him as we walked out of the house, still reluctant if I should carry on or muster up the courage to backpedal.

"Wait for me here," he said before running back to the garage.

I tapped my feet against the cold pavement as I waited for him. The sun is hanging over the horizon, but it's not muggy. In fact, the morning feels chilly today, which is expected because it's already winter.

After less than five minutes, I heard the sound of his car as he drove out of the mansion and parked it in front of me. He rolled down the window and flashed a bright smile.

"Hop in."

I silently opened the door. I wanted to sit in the back seat, but I don't want to have a field day with him.

The atmosphere is filled with thorny silence, needless to say. None of us are speaking, and I've got no plans to do so. I'd rather talk to a ghost right now than initiate a conversation with him.

We've had numerous awkward car rides even before, but I've never been THIS tensed.

Get a grip on yourself, Cleo.