"What brought you here?" I bit the skin of my lower lip to calm myself. "I need to talk to you, Sir." "We're already talking." My nose flared up, but I chose to shrug off his vexing sarcasm. "It's about Greyson." He stopped what he was doing and faced me, at last. He sat on the swivel chair and beckoned me to sit on the chair across from his table. "Speak." I took a deep breath, gathering my resolve. "Do you still remember that time when we came to you three days ago, but you were leaving that time?" "I do," he replied. "Greyson was actually planning to invite you to the family day." His forehead furrowed. "So he lied to me. "He lied to you because he was afraid of your rejection." His face crumbled even more. "What are you saying?" I pinched myself to calm my raving nerves. I know that by doing this, I'm crossing the boundaries of my job. This might be a losing battle. Xavier tried to address this issue with Garren, but he is as hard as a rock. If his brother failed to knock some sense on him, it's not impossible that I, a mere nanny of his son, will meet the same fate. Nevertheless, I can't bear to keep my mouth silent. This is also my way of fulfilling my promise to Greyson. "When you said that you were leaving because of your work, your son chose to lie and not tell you about the event. The reason why? It's because he knew that you would choose your job over him. I looked at him straight in the eye. I want every word that I'm going to say to resonate with him. "He didn't want to feel the same sadness and disappointment that he felt when he tried to tell you to attend that same event last year." He scowled. "How did you know that?" A shiver ran down my spine with the subtle hostility in his voice. "H-He told me, sir." I stuttered. He scoffed. "He told you, really? Or did you intrude on the personal matter of my son?" The cynicism laced on his voice ruffled my feather. I clenched my fist. This is what I fear the most: that he thinks badly of my intentions. He just proved how much of a narrow-minded person he is. I pacified myself. "No, sir. Greyson willingly told me everything. I never forced him to do that. I'm sorry if I appear to be meddlesome, but your son is important to me, and I'm doing this solely for his welfare." He didn't speak. I took that as a signal for me to continue. "Greyson was bullied again by his classmates because you didn't attend that event, and that's one of the things that I want to protect him from. It's detrimental for his-" "Isn't that your duty?" He cuts me off. I pressed my lips together. "It's one of your responsibilities to protect and look after him as his nanny, so I can't see your point." I internally rolled my eyes. I thought he was smart considering all the recognition that he has under his belt. But why do I feel like I am talking to a five-year-old kid?! This is frustrating the hell out of me. "I know, sir." I breathed deeply. "I already scolded his classmates about their behavior, but the words they've been hurling at Greyson already hurt him. Besides, his problem is beyond this. There's a bigger picture." I paused for a couple of seconds. "He feels neglected and unloved. He feels like you don't appreciate him. Sir Garren, your son is drifting away from you." The creases on his forehead worsened. "When he was called to the guidance office because he got involved in some trouble, he didn't want to tell you. He refused to let you know because he was afraid that you would be disappointed in him. Instead of being his safe place, your son is terrified of you." His brows snapped together. I know what I'm saying is driving him up the wall, but he needs to hear everything. "Greyson is struggling to get good grades because he wants you to be proud of him... but he never heard any words of appreciation from you." His eyes narrowed. "Are you saying that I'm a bad father?" I swallowed a lump. "N-No, sir." I stammered. "I'm just saying that you have shortcomings with your son. But that doesn't make you a bad father." My internal goddess is probably rolling her eyes at me right now and calling me a hypocrite. The words I'm telling Garren are too kind for all the curses and nasty names I call him in my mind. He deserves it anyway. "All he wants is your time and affection, sir." A heavy silence falls among us. I carefully observed Garren. His brows are furrowed, as if he's pondering deeply. That thought gave me hope. I decided to break the stillness. "I know that you love and care for your son, sir. You just need to show it. Why not spend your free time with him instead of bringing your work home? Perhaps you can take him to the mall or simply play games with him. Greyson understands your busy schedule—" "Enough!" I was startled when he shouted all of a sudden. "W-What?" His jaw clenched. "Are you deaf? I said enough. I don't want to hear any more words from you. Stop lecturing me on how I should be a father to my own son. You're just his maid, Cleo, so stop acting like you know better." I was rendered speechless. "Your only job is to look after him. I never gave you the permission to meddle in our personal lives. Stop being too nosy. Know your place." I bowed my head in extreme humiliation. Damn it. "This should be the last time that you are talking about this matter with me. Now get out of my office. I have more important things to do." I didn't think twice and stood up from my seat. I stormed out of that room without saying anything. While I'm walking downstairs, I can't help but to take long and heavy sighs. I'm really disappointed. Even though I had already prepared myself for the worst outcome, there was still this hope within me. I was hoping that he would listen and open his heart. I was hoping that he would set aside his pride for his son. But he proved me wrong and crushed that hope. "I should've known better. Garren has a heart of stone. He doesn't listen to anyone but himself." I shook my head. I was supposed to continue walking when quick and heavy footsteps made me halt on my track. My face crumpled in bewilderment when I saw Cynthia rushing upstairs. The uneasiness on her face is evident. "Cleo!" she called me when our paths crossed. I held her left arm. "Why are you in a hurry? Is there something wrong?" "H-Have you seen Greyson?" I frowned. "He's in his room." "Fuck," she cursed underneath her breath. What the hell is going on? "W-Where is Sir Garren?" she asked, stuttering. "He's in his office," I answered. "But why? What's going on? You're making me nervous." "G-Greyson," she muttered while panting for breath. My heart skipped a beat. "W-What about him?" She held my hands. I began to panic when I saw tears pooling in her eyes. "He's missing, Cleo. We can't find Greyson. We've been looking for him all over the house, but we can't see him." The surroundings suddenly turned deafeningly silent, and all I can hear at this very moment is the erratic beating of my heart. "I went to his room to call him for lunch, but he's not there. I tried to look for him in every cranny of the mansion, but I couldn't find him. I even asked for the other maid's help, but he's nowhere to be found." My legs trembled as anxiety veiled my system. Terrible thoughts started to fill my mind. Cynthia excused herself and rushed towards Garren's office. Meanwhile, I sprinted towards Greyson's room. I looked for him everywhere. In the bathroom, his small play area, and even in his closet, he's not there. I pulled my hair in frustration. "Where are you, Greyson?" Before I completely lost my mind, I rushed downstairs, and just as I expected, everyone is freaking out. I asked each of them if they had already found him, but all their answers were the same.... NO. "Where the hell is my son?!" Garren's eyes are burning with fury as he walks down the stairs. "Is no one going to answer my question?!" All of us avoided his enraged gaze. "Have you all lost your ability to speak?! Answer me!" Once again, no one dared to respond, until Uncle Oliver emerged from the door. "Sir Garren." He turned to him. "What is it?" The driver swallowed nervously. "I think Greyson escaped the house without telling anyone." My eyes widened. Escaped?! But why would he do that?! "Earlier, I went inside the mansion to help Viviane throw the trash bags outside. I left the gate closed, but when I came back, it was open. I thought it someone just forgot to close it, so I shrugged it off. But now, I think it was really your son who opened the gate." The nervousness is apparent on Uncle Oliver’s pale face while he’s explaining. Garren scoffed. "All of you here and no one even noticed Greyson? Fucking useless piece of shits." I couldn’t help but glare at him. He’s acting all worried now that his son is possibly in danger, but during all those times that Greyson needed him, he was so damn busy with work. While I’m rooted to my spot, I keep on thinking of the possible reasons why Greyson went out of the mansion without telling anyone. We were fine for the past few days... or perhaps that’s just what I thought. "Ask everyone in this village if they have seen my son. I don’t care if it will take until evening and if you need to search even in the deepest part of the forest. Greyson has to be here before this day ends." He commanded and turned his head. I don’t know what exactly he’s going to do, but I believe that he will do something. He might be the most terrible monster I’ve seen, but he still cares for Greyson. He’s not that devil to just sit around and wait for us till we find his son. All of us scrambled to look for Greyson. Uncle Oliver, accompanied by Aunt Esther, went to the guard of the village. Since this is private land, there’s a guard patrolling around the village. Unfortunately, he didn’t see him either. Cynthia and I volunteered to ask all the people residing in the village if they had seen Greyson. We looked for him at every sojourn on the premises of the village. We didn’t stop, although our legs were already quivering in exhaustion and we were covered in sweat. We tried to look for him in all the possible places that he might have gone, but all our efforts were futile. We came home empty-handed, and we were greeted by Garren’s rage. We were on the verge of losing hope, but not until he received a call. "Please go to Lorenzo Hospital."