"Are you serious?" I gave Lauren a deadpan look. "Do I look like I'm just fooling around?" She chuckled. "Sorry, I just can't help but be shocked. I mean, you did not mention to me last time that it's the Montreal family you'd work." I shrugged my shoulders. "I just didn't feel the need to say that. Also, I didn't know that they are this prominent." "I no longer wonder why. You barely have a social life." "Wow. Thank you for rubbing that in my face." I smiled sarcastically. "You're welcome." I was busy cleaning my room when Lauren called me. It's been a month since we last saw each other because both of us have busy schedules. And she was beyond flabbergasted when I told her who I'm working for now. "So how's your new environment?" "I'm doing pretty well here. The other maids are really kind to me, so I didn't have a hard time adjusting." except for the fact that my boss is the son of Satan. "That's good to hear. Who would've thought that the child you saved in the mall would bring you a stroke of luck?" I smiled. "That's what I always say. I was able to send them money in the province for Mama's medication." "I just know that Aunt Clementine scolded you for sending almost all of your salary. You've been doing that even when you were still working at Obsidian." I chuckled. "You're right." She rolled her eyes. "I'm serious here. I told you countless times that you should leave something for yourself. You're working so hard, and you deserve to pamper yourself even at some times." I was rendered speechless. Her point is crystal clear, but every time I want to buy something for myself, I always end up thinking of my mother and Archer- that it's better to give them the money instead of spending it on my fancies and desires. "Your income now is much higher than your previous one, so it won't hurt you if you buy yourself some clothes, make up or whatever superficial shit that will make you happy," Lauren added. I took a deep sigh. "Fine." She hissed. "That 'fine' response of yours means you're still reluctant. I don't know what to do with you anymore." I chuckled. "Stop stressing yourself over me." "Yeah, whatever. By the way, I have a question." "Fire away." The corner of her mouth quirked up. "How's Zaccheus as a boss?" The malicious tone of her voice didn't sit right with me. "My coworkers said he's more attractive in person. Is that true? Does he smell good? Have you ever seen him naked? I won't believe you if you answer no." I looked at her with disgust through the screen. "You sound like an obsessed creep asking those questions." She burst out laughing. "You can't blame me, though. He's one of my crushes. You do know that I have a thing with bachelors, right?" "If Garren hears you saying those things in front of him, you will come home crying," I taunted her. She frowned. "What do you mean?" I scrunched up my nose. "That man is a demon incarnate." She arched her brow at me. "The tone of your voice says that your hatred for him is deeply rooted in something. Spill the beans." I didn't hesitate to narrate everything to her. I need someone to vent my anger to Garren or else I will just burst out at any moment. "Can't you imagine it? All I wanted was to make his son happy. That's why I brought him to the mall. It's purely coincidental that his brother visited that exact day and came with us! But his feeble-minded ass twisted that! Who wouldn't be fuming mad?!" I'm glad that my room is somehow situated far from the living room, where someone might possibly hear me. I'll be dead as a doornail if a maid hears our conversation. "He's an audacious, brazen, and dyed-in-the-wool bastard! Now think if you still like him!" I cried out after I told Lauren what happened two days ago. Until now, I can still remember every word that he hurled at me. The enmity I felt for him hadn't subsided, not even a bit. Lauren hisses while shaking her head. "I guess I'm wrong for thinking that he's an ideal man. He crossed the line of calling you those names." I huffed. "You're badly mistaken, indeed." "What are you planning, then? Are you going to quit your job?" I heaved out a sigh. "Unfortunately, I can't. Setting aside my evil boss, this job is a huge help to us, so I can't just leave this on a whim. Besides, I don't see him that often, so I guess avoiding him won't be that hard." However, I am reminded of my promise to Greyson that I would help him get closer to his father. Damn. I'm stuck in this inescapable situation. But I can't just break my pledge to that child. I don't want to add up his heartbreaks and disappointments. "Good luck on that. Breathing in the same air as the person you loathe is not a piece of cake," Lauren taunted me. "I really need that good luck," I groaned. We talked a bit more before I ended the call. It's past six already and I need to prepare Greyson's dinner. I walked up to his room and found him sitting on the bed, clutching the blue invitation card in his hands. Tomorrow is the family day, and we haven't told his father yet. Although this is not my responsibility, just like what I said, I made a commitment. I squatted and held his hands. "Are you nervous?" He slowly nods his head. "Whatever happens, remember that I'm always here for you, alright?" A smile gradually appeared on his face. "Thank you, Cleo." "You're welcome." I stood up. "Let's go?" We stormed off to his room. I held his hands as we walked upstairs. I took a deep breath as we stood in front of Garren's room. I was about to knock when the door opened all of a sudden. That terrified the shit out of me! "Shit," I cursed underneath my breath. "What are you two doing here?" Garren's voice made me fix my composure. I cleared my throat and looked at him, making sure he wouldn't see any hint of uneasiness in my expression. If he sees me getting jittery with his presence, that will just feed his ego. But honestly speaking, I'm getting my knickers in a twist. My eyebrows snapped together when I saw that Garren is wearing formal attire. "You're leaving, dad?" Greyson asked the question on my mind. "Yes, so whatever that you need to say, say it now." I tore my gaze from him and looked down at Greyson. I noticed how his shoulders languished. He also hid the invitation card behind him. "I-Is that so? Take care, dad." He feigned a smile. Garren scowled. "Is that all? I'm in a hurry, so don't waste my time. The boards are waiting for me." I was about to speak and tell him the real reason why we came here, but Greyson pinched my hand. He shook his head, as if telling me to not continue what I was planning to do. I saw tears threatening to fall from his eyes. "Yes. We're leaving now. Take care on your flight!" Without any preamble, he pulled me away from him. I looked back and saw Garren's bewildered face. Greyson only let go of my hand when we reached his room. To my surprise, he crumpled the card and threw it in the trashcan. He dove into his bed and buried his face in the pillow. My heart sank as I watched him. I sat beside him and held his arm. "Greyson." He fended off my hands, catching me off-guard. "Please, Cleo. Leave me alone for now," he cried in a muffle voice. "No." I stood on my ground. "I won't leave you here alone. Not when you need me the most." He didn't respond. But after a while, he finally faced me. My heart sank when I saw tears relentlessly cascading down his cheeks. I pulled him closer and enclosed him in a tight hug. "Hush down, Greyson." He wrapped his tiny arms around me. "I k-knew it, Cleo. I shouldn't have expected." I stroke his hair as he weeps on my shoulders. "You should've told him about the event. Perhaps he can cancel that meeting for you." He shook his head. "That's impossible. Dad values his work more than me. I chose to lie because I can bear that more than hearing his rejection." I was lost for words to calm him. "Do you really want to join the parents day?" I asked him. He's still sobbing, but he's more calm now. "Of course. There will be a lot of games for sure. But who will come with me? I don't want to bother Aunt Esther and Uncle Oliver again." "Me." I smiled at him. "I will be your mother for tomorrow. That is if it's alright with you." His tear-streaked eyes slowly glimmered with happiness. "Thank you, Cleo." I tightened my embrace. "You're always welcome." That's why after we ate dinner, I immediately asked Cynthia if she has a casual dress that I can use. We have the same body proportion, so she's the first person that came to my mind to ask for help. "So, have you made up your mind?" I squint my eyes on the casual blue bohemian dress and the white wrap midi dress with floral accent laid on her bed. Among the numbers of dresses that Cynthia showed me, these two stood up. At the end, I settled with the latter. Although I wasn't asking, Cynthia also let me borrowed her white flat shoes. Fortunately, the dress suits me really well. I actually like how the white color blends on my brown skin tone. When the morning came, I woke up earlier than usual so I can prepare myself. The program will start at eight so we really need to be early. I immediately went to Greyson's room to wake him up. I found him hugging the stuffed toy that we won on the claw machine the first time we met. "Greyson, wake up." I gently tapped his arms. It didn't take that long before his eyes fluttered open. "Good morning, Cleo," he greeted me while yawning. "Good morning. Get up now. We still have an important event to attend." His eyes widened. "Oh! Shoot! I almost forgot about that!" I chortled and tousled his hair. "Don't worry, you still have an ample time to prepare."