"Yes! I won!" Greyson's triumphant shout made me smile. He's currently playing this game called Space Invader. "Uncle! Cleo! I killed all the aliens and the final boss!" Xavier tousled his hair. "You know what? I'll bring you an arcade next time. You seem to really enjoy playing these games." "Really, uncle?" Greyson's eyes are sparkling with anticipation. "I promise." The former's smile suddenly faded. "But dad will surely disagree if you buy me one. He doesn't even want me to have a PlayStation or a PS5." "Don't mind him. I will punch him if he confiscates your gadgets." I shook my head. If I hadn't known who they are, I would have assumed that Xavier is his biological father. We didn't stay any longer at the mall, as it was already past twelve. After we exchanged the arcade tickets for the Stitch stuffed toy that Greyson wanted, we ate at a fast food restaurant for lunch and went home. "Thank you for this day, sir-" He jokingly glared at me. "I mean, Xavier. Greyson surely appreciates your presence today." He smiled at me. "No problem. If ever you guys need a company next time, don't hesitate to call me. You have my number, right?" I nodded. "Good. Are you sure you don't need any help carrying him?" I looked at Greyson who was already asleep in my arms. "I can handle. He's not that heavy," I politely refused. "Fine. See you next time, Cleo." I smiled at him before closing the door of the shotgun seat. I watched his car fade from my line of sight before I walked towards the gate. As he opened it for us, Uncle Oliver greeted me. I went straight to Greyson's room and carefully laid him on his bed. "I hope you enjoy this day." I gently kissed him on his forehead. Cynthia's presence greeted me when I went back downstairs. "You need to go to the living room. Sir Garren is waiting for you there." My eyebrows snapped together. What does he need from me this time? I didn't ask Cynthia any more questions and just proceeded to the living room, where I saw Garren. He must have heard my footsteps because he dropped the book that he was reading and looked at me. "Do you need-" Before I could even finish my sentence, he spoke. "How's your date with my brother?" My forehead creased. "W-What?" The corner of his lips tugged upward. "Acting oblivious and innocent, I see." I didn't like the sarcastic tone of his voice. "You even used my son to flirt with Xavier. That's a clever tactic, I must say. But still and all... pathetic and desperate." I clenched my fist as it finally dawned on me what he was trying to imply. Garren looks at me. His eyes are void of any emotions. "I know how your kind moves, Cleo. Lowly people like you would do everything just to get themselves out of the abysmal and miserable life that they're in." He stood up from his seat. A shiver ran down my spine as he walked past me. Our proximity put me in pins and needles. "You can flirt and be a slut to anyone, but not with my brother, Cleo. Keep your nasty and scandalous behavior off of him." He didn't shout those words, but I could feel the hostility behind them. I swallowed hard and bit the skin of my lower lip, trying to stop myself from bursting out. I'm at the end of my tether, but I need to use all the restraint that I can muster. Garren left me on that spot, petrified and speechless. My chest is heaving with fury. He didn't even give me a chance to explain myself. How dare he call me a slut and a flirt?! How dare he call me desperate?! I want to run after him and slap him. I want to defend myself from all his erroneous accusations, but I know that the moment I open my lips, he will not hesitate to kick me out of this house. If that happens, I know that my life will crumble. Although Callie, my previous Obsidian manager, stated that their door is always open for me, there is still uncertainty. And I can't afford to take a risk. I looked above and closed my eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath to pacify myself. I blew a fuse. "I really hate you, Garren. You're the worst person that I've ever met." ••••• "You're unusually quiet." I was pulled out of my reverie when Aunt Esther spoke. Greyson is asleep in his room, so I just decided to help her with the laundry because I have nothing else to do. "Is there any problem, Cleo?" "I'm fine, aunt. I'm just preoccupied with something." I forced a smile. "Is this about what happened yesterday?" My eyes widened. She knows? "Cora overhead everything, and she told me about it." I averted my gaze. "I already castigated Garren about the displeasing behaviour that he showed you. There is no valid excuse for how he disrespected you as a woman. So, on behalf of him, I sincerely apologize, Cleo." Instead of feeling better, I became more disappointed. "Why do you need to apologize for him, aunt? He was the one who had done something offensive to me, not you," I asked with furrowed eyebrows. She heaved out a sigh. "Because you or anyone will never hear the word 'sorry' from Garren's mouth. He does not know how to apologize anymore." So it's not just me. That man is a huge narcissist and incorrigible to everyone. He thinks so highly of himself that he can't admit his wrongdoings. "And as his guardian when he was a child, I felt the need to be responsible for his wrong actions. The most that I can do is to apologize on behalf of him," Aunt Esther added. Even though what she's trying to point out still doesn't still right with me, I just nod my head and didn't make any remarks about it. The silence between us was disrupted by the footsteps coming towards our direction. I turned around, and I immediately felt hot under the collar when I saw who it is.... Garren. Before our eyes could meet, I looked away from him. I'm so mad that even the mere sight of him makes me see red. The uneasiness that I felt every time he's around vanished. All I feel about this man now is pure hatred. From my peripheral vision, I saw him handing a basket of laundry to Aunt Esther. He walked away afterwards. I breathed a sigh of relief. Another three days flew by. And for the past days, I had to endure the fact that I was breathing the same air as Garren, and I couldn't do anything about that. "Are you sure you don't want me to accompany you to the bathroom?" Greyson pouted. "Cleo, I'm old enough to take a bath on my own." I chuckled. "If you say so." I handed him the towel and his pair of SpongeBob PJ's. "Don't play too much, Greyson! The floor is slippery!" I warned him when he ran towards the bathroom. "I won't!" The next thing I heard was the sound of running water from the shower. While he's taking a bath, I started ironing the uniform that he's going to wear tomorrow. After I was done with that, I cleaned his study table. I was putting aside all the books that he used a while ago when a piece of royal blue paper stuck to Greyson's notebook caught my attention. Since my curiosity was piqued, I looked at it. I read the paper and saw that it's an invitation card for the upcoming family day at Ridley Academy. So that explains the bandanas that I saw yesterday. Some students were also decorating the gymnasium. "Why didn't Greyson tell me about this?" As if on cue, the door to his bathroom opened up. "I'm done!" I turned my attention to Greyson. His gaze went to the card I'm holding, and I saw how apprehension ran across his eyes. "Where did you find that?" he asked nervously. "When did your teacher give you this? The event will happen one day from now, and you haven't told your dad yet." I need to set aside my hatred for that man for Greyson's sake. "How can I tell him when he's always busy with work?" He feigned a smile. I walked closer to him. "I'm sure he can find some time for you." I couldn't even hide the hesitance in my voice, because I myself wasn't certain about my statement. Greyson sighed heavily. "I don't want to expect again this time and end up getting disappointed, Cleo. I know that what happened last year will just happen again." This time, he didn't bother to mask his sadness. I pulled him to his bed and sat beside him. "What do you mean by that?" He bowed his head. "I told Dad to attend that same event last year, but he refused because he was busy. I only had Aunt Cynthia and Uncle Oliver at that time." A pang of pity hit my chest after I heard that. "You know what? I was jealous of my classmates because their parents were with them during family day." "Is that the reason why you're hesitating to ask him again?" I asked. He slowly nods his head. "Hmmm. So Maybe I'll just stay here at home. I don't want to look like an outcast again," he said indignantly. I breathed deeply. "Are you mad at your father? Come on, I will not judge you if you are." Greyson looked at me, and I panicked when I saw tears brimming in the corner of his eyes. He shakes his head fervently. "I'm not mad at him, Cleo. I'm just sad because he barely makes any time for me now. He's too busy with work and forgot that he still has a son." He couldn't hold his tears anymore and let them fall. I didn't hesitate to pull him into a tight embrace. I stroke his hair as he cries his heart out. I know he's been keeping all these things inside him for too long, and I'm glad that he's finally letting them out. "T-That's the reason why I always struggle with my s-studies. I want Dad to appreciate me. I want him to say how p-proud he is of me," he muttered in between his sobs. "I don't need any material gifts. All I want is for him to attend my graduation and make me feel that he recognizes my hard work." I finally realized what Aunt Esther meant when she said that there was a storm beneath him. Because behind his mirthful smiles and buoyant personality, is a child who's long been yearning for his father's time and affection. I hugged him tighter. "I understand your pain. And I want to say that I'm proud of you because, despite your situation, you stay strong," I whispered in the gentlest manner. He keeps sobbing on my shoulder. "I know it's easier said than done, but try to open up to your father about what you're feeling. Don't be afraid to cry and break down in front of him. You may not feel it, but he loves you, and I'm sure he will understand." His tear-stricken eyes settled on me. "B-But I can't do that alone. Can you help me get close to dad, Cleo?" For a split second, I was hesitant. But in the end, I nodded. "I-I will." He smiled. "Thank you, Cleo." I returned his smile and gently pinched his nose. "You're always welcome."