Arson was such a nice kid. He was easy to be with and do things with me. Instead of looking after him, it felt like he was the one who looked after me and healed my inner child.
He let me play the things I wanted when I was a child and got along with it, happily watching me with a few nods and giggles.
It felt like time was so fast that I didn’t realize it was three in the morning. My bad. Theon might scold me for making Arson stay up late!
I carried him to his bedroom as his eyes closed off, sleeping.
I caught one of Theon’s maids kissing one of his bodyguards as they had been keeping watch of me and Arson earlier.
They looked at me worriedly.
I shrugged it off, smiling at them, “Oh, I didn’t say anything. I’ll keep my mouth shut.”
As soon as I was left alone, my head was aching. I’m used to staying up late and it seems to be affecting my body these days. And I have to get back to my job tomorrow.
I yawned, what room was my supposed bed was?
I sighed, not remembering it, and continued walking to the left and opened it.
It was dark, and as much as I need to take off my makeup and wash my face, I was too tired to move. Plus I didn’t bring any skincare with me here.
I closed my eyes, slump on the soft mattress, and grabbed a pillow.
I sighed, making myself relax in a new place when I suddenly noticed something.
I was not holding a pillow.
It was hard. And breathing.
I squeezed it, but then it yelped in pain and yelled, “Ow!” A deep man’s voice yelled and I yelled in surprise.
“Ah!”
He turned on the lights and I gasped in shock at the sight.
Damn it. It’s Theon!
“Saphira? What are you doing in my room?”
My body was instantly in a flight or fight response mode and I blinked, “You told me this is my room!”
He seemed too calm for someone who was snapped awake. And not to mention, his shirtless body.
My eyes trailed down his rock-hard abs and I gulped.
“It was on the right side. Did you forget? Or are you looking for ways to sleep here with me?”
I gulped, my eyes darting back to his eyes, “Huh? No!”
He then glanced at his alarm clock, “It’s three in the morning. Did you keep Arson up that long?”
I smiled sheepishly, preparing to get an earful as I slowly nodded, “Oh…uhm…I think so. I didn’t know that-“
I already formed a lie to him when he did something unexpected.
His lips curved into a smile. “Good job. I think he likes you more now that you spent a lot of time with him.”
I cocked an eyebrow, “What? Won't you scold me for keeping him awake that long?”
“Why would I? That is an achievement. I don’t have the right since I had been neglectful to him for giving my time.” He mumbled. “Thank you. I had never seen him smile like that before.”
I shrugged, “He’s an adorable kid so it was not hard for me.”
“Does it not bother you he can’t talk fully?” He asked.
“I had seen much worse cases than him.”
“Right.” He smiled sadly, looking down.
I cleared my throat at the sudden silence, “Won't you ask me to be his nanny?”
“Oh, not anymore. Since you gave some of your time now, I won’t want to burden you. Seeing him happy today is enough.”
“Well I am available on weekends,” I suggested, and he looked at me unsurely.
“Yeah?”
He seemed to not understand me. I have decided it. I decided to put an end to this and agree. “I said I am free to visit sometimes here. Perhaps on weekends…”I trailed off.
He seemed to malfunction for a minute as he gawked at me. “W-what did you say?”
“I said that I’ll play with him sometimes. Are you deaf?” I said again now a bit louder.
He instantly chuckled, “Oh, my ears are working perfectly. I just couldn’t believe that you would agree…finally.”
I rolled my eyes, “I’m not doing this for you. I am doing this for him.”
“I know. And I am grateful. Saphira. Arson would be very pleased when he hears about this. It would improve his development.”
“You’re welcome. And I need some payment since I am practically working as his playmate slash therapist even though I don’t have a degree in that.”
“How much do you need?”
“Well uhm…200 dollars every hour.” I started to test him if he’ll say yes. This man is super rich so scamming him for a little bit of money won’t even bother his wealth.
“Deal.” He was quick to say that.
I gasped, “Really? Damn, I should have made it higher!”
“You can call me or my office when you have time to come here then. I’ll ring an advance payment to you in your bank account now.”
As soon as he said that, he tapped some buttons on his phone and my phone beeped, signaling I received some money.
I gasped, seeing 1000 dollars in my bank account.
I blinked, not sure why everything is happening fast. I looked at him, “Theon, wait a minute, let’s slow down for a bit?”
“Why? This is an opportunity that I must grab.”
I nodded, “But there is no need to be quick. I still haven’t done anything dor Arson.”
“Then consider that advance payment for spending some time with him today.”
I nodded.
“So, want to sleep here with me? Continue gawking there and I’ll shut the door close.”
He was not finished but I immediately ran outside the door, hearing him laughing by the halls.
I went to the right and finally saw the guest room with a pajama place and some toiletries. I took a quick shower and lay on the mattress, my eyes closing.
Tomorrow is different.