09

Lauren Hart
“So, for how long have you been working for Sean?”
Grandma asked her first question while taking a sip of her coffee. We were sitting in the living room.
“F…four years.” It was an easy question but still, I stuttered as I was a bit uncomfortable.
“That’s a pretty long time.” She looked surprised. “And for how long have you been staying with Sean?”
What the heck? Hadn’t he told her everything? Or was she cross-checking? Clearing my throat I shifted uncomfortably on the couch. “He didn’t tell you?”
“No, he didn’t. He was in a hurry so he didn’t mention much about you.” She said as she placed the coffee mug on the center table and put her right leg over her left.
Oh, he left everything on me! He had even gone out of the house for me to answer the inquiry. And then he says I’m good at making up things! Like…why wouldn’t I? He was giving me the reason to master manipulating and lying.
“One month,” I replied.
“Oh, that’s even better. This means you must know Sean very well, right?” She asked rather excitedly.
Huh! She was talking about knowing him well. Grandma, you have no idea how well I know him. I have done his DNA sequencing!
However, she would not have understood the sarcasm so I refrained from speaking out loud.
“As a boss, yes but as a person, not much,” I spoke the truth. I didn’t want to drag myself into any tricky questions.
Honestly, she seemed to be a nice and expressive lady to me but her presence was somewhat intimidating; maybe because I didn’t know her, and I was being interrogated in our first meeting.
“Oh!” That’s all she replied. Then she started to ask about my family background and my likes and dislikes. I kept on answering her obediently; observing Ryan from time to time, who was sitting quietly and was patiently listening to our conversation. I wondered what was keeping him from talking? Why was he so quiet?
Grandma stopped asking questions for a while and I chose the moment to take a sip of my coffee but it all came out of my mouth when I heard Grandma’s next question.
“So, Lauren, tell me, do you have feelings for Sean?”
I coughed hard, wiping my mouth with my hands. “Oh, dear, are you alright?” Grandma rubbed my back.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” I sat straight still avoiding her eyes, wiping my face with tissues she offered me.
“Will you be able to answer my question?” She asked.
“Yes. And no I don’t have feelings for Mr. Peterson.” Just a little crush that’s all.
“Really? Not even a bit?” She seemed surprised but her eyes twinkled.
“Err…no?”
“You don’t seem to be sure about your answer.” She chuckled and I blushed.
“No! I mean, yes, I’m sure about my answer.”
“What? You’ve been working for him for so long and your heart never fluttered for him? Don’t you find him handsome? Or you swing the other way?” She wiggled her eyebrows and I gave her a reply almost instantly.
“No, I…I’m straight and yes, I do find him handsome.” Well, shit! I shut my eyes tightly, cursing myself for having a mouth with no filter.
She laughed in amusement. “So you find him handsome and you do feel something for him, don’t you?”
“No, grandma. We are strictly professional.” I replied calmly even though my heart was drumming way too fast.
“Oh, professional. Yes. Sean told me about this.” She shook her head, still laughing softly. What was she thinking now?
Her cell phone buzzed all of a sudden and she excused herself to pick up the call and I slumped back on the couch, sighing in relief, wiping the invisible sweat from my forehead. God that was so intense. I felt like giving an interview for the job.
“Lauren, are you okay?” I glanced at the owner of the soft voice who seemed worried for me. Aww.
“Come here.” I shifted on the couch and patted the spot beside me, indicating him to sit there. He did; I folded my legs in a lotus style and sat facing him.
“I’ve been watching you, buddy, you seem so quiet, why?” I asked as I rested my elbows on my thighs. He didn’t reply. Thinking he must be shy, I decided to start a conversation.
“Let’s boost our friendship by knowing each other, shall we?” I tilted my head and he nodded meekly. I grasped his hands and made him sit like me so he could get comfortable and face me.
“Let’s start with…umm…what are your hobbies?” I asked.
“I love gardening. Grandma has taught me to plant. In the morning, we both spend our time taking care of the plants we have planted.” He replied smoothly. Finally, he said more than four words. Improvement!
“That’s great, buddy.” I beamed, patting his shoulder. “What sport do you like?”
“Umm…” He looked up and then at me. “I don’t really know but I like playing soccer with grandma.” I nodded my head.
“What sport do you like?” He asked, showing interest in our conversation.
“I love watching almost every sport but play none. I’m more of a sleepyhead.” I grinned and he giggled.
“I assume that you go to school?” He nodded his head. “What’s your favorite subject?”
“Maths.” He replied almost instantly. “You know Lauren, Grandma had taught me addition and subtraction before I even started going to school.”
“Whoa! You are smart, buddy, just like me. The difference is only that I don’t like maths. But anyways if your grandma has taught you everything, what has your mom and dad taught you?”
“I don’t have mom and dad.” He whispered.
“What?” This came out in a whisper. I was speechless. He didn’t have parents? What happened to them? Had they left him? Were they divorced? Is this why Ryan was quiet and less talkative? I couldn’t understand anything.
Why didn’t Mr. Peterson mentioned anything about this? How did I forget to ask for details about the whole situation? Honestly, I hadn’t asked him as I thought he just wanted to spend time with his nephew but now I felt there was something more to it.
“Are you two enjoying without me? Include me with you as I’m your friend too.” Grandma’s voice pulled me out of my reverie. She sat down and mingled with us.
I wanted to ask her about Ryan’s parents but then I thought it would be better if I ask Mr. Peterson.
If he wants me not to enquire from grandma then he needs to give answers to my questions.
We got so engrossed in light-hearted conversation that we didn’t know when evening rolled by and Mr. Peterson hadn’t come back yet. Our conversation halted only when the cook arrived to prepare dinner but that was an alarming moment for me as I had to bring the cook on my side as I was sure that my boss must haven’t informed her anything.
Grasping her hand I dragged her to the kitchen. “Did Mr. Peterson informed you about me?” I asked in a hushed tone.
“Uh…he just told me that his grandma and nephew are coming to visit him and a lady will also be living here for a while.” She replied in the same hushed tone.
“Just this?” She nodded her head. I knew it! Can’t even manage a single thing! Sometimes I think about what he’ll do without me? I have been managing his schedule for years now I have to manage this too.
I sighed. “What’s your name?” I asked her. She seemed to be in her early thirties.
“Renee.” She replied.
“Okay, Renee, listen to me carefully as you have to remember every single word, okay?” I glanced over my shoulder to look if someone was watching us. When I was sure our conversation was not being heard I started.
“My name is Lauren Hart, P. A to Mr. Peterson. I’ve been living here, in this house for one month now. You know nothing about me as I spent most of my time in the office and the most important thing…you saw nothing but professionalism between me and Mr. Peterson, alright?”
“Uh, okay?”
“What are you two whispering?” We both jumped in our place when we heard grandma’s voice. I turned to face her and found her standing on the threshold of the kitchen.
“Umm…nothing. I was telling her to cook something special for you and Ryan, right Renee.” I tilted my head in her direction and made an eye movement.
“Yes, Mrs. Peterson, she’s right,” Renee replied with a forced smile.
“Oh, no need to prepare anything special. I’ll cook mac and cheese. Sean loves it when it’s cooked by me.” She said and rounded the counter to start with cooking. Renee started preparing other dishes and I helped both of them. Ryan was with us as well.
It was only when the dinner was almost ready, Mr. Peterson arrived. I and grandma rushed out of the kitchen and found him guiding his driver to keep the bags in the living room.
“What is all this, Sean?” Grandma asked.
“Actually, before I didn’t get time to bring toys for Ryan so I brought them now. Ryan, come here.” He kneeled to Ryan’s eye level.
“These all are for you. Play with anything you want and if you want something else just say it, okay? And here, a chocolate box for you.” He put the box in Ryan’s hands and caused him to smile brightly. Without any doubt, he’s good with children. I had seen it.
But he was out all day just to buy toys? Damn him! He skipped the questioning session intentionally.
“Oh, okay. Now go and freshen up, dinner is almost ready.” Grandma said before going into the kitchen. Ryan was busy unpacking the bags of toys so I found it as a chance to blast on my boss. I willfully paced towards him.
“How could you do that?” I snapped in a whisper.
“What?” He raised his eyebrows and stuffed his hands in his pants pockets. Seriously, what?
“Mr. Peterson, you left me here alone for the whole day. Do you know I had to go through an intense questioning session conducted by your grandma? You didn’t tell her how long I’ve been living with you. And you told nothing to your cook as well. I had to explain it to her. You have no idea how I managed in those deathly hours.” Finally, I took a breath.
“Well, you are alive, aren’t you?” His impassive reply had me gaping at him.
“Mr. Peterson, you had nothing planned. I managed every single thing.” I emphasized every word.
“Well, that’s what I pay you for. To manage things.” He casually shrugged his shoulders, without showing even an ounce of emotion, and walked past me.
He walked past me! Damn him! I wanted to ask him about Ryan’s parents but that annoying beast walked past me.
Rude, arrogant, pompous, obnoxious, and…and… Ughh!
Puffing my cheeks, I stomped my way back to the kitchen. During dinner, I sat beside Ryan at the table, and Mr. Peterson and grandma sat on the opposite side.
“How was your day, grandma? Was Miss Hart a good company?” The devil asked grandma but his eyes were on me.
“Oh, it went well. Lauren is fun to talk with. I didn’t even once felt lonely and even loves her presence.”
I delivered a proud and smug smile in his direction and he just averted his eyes.
Dinner went well and then grandma retired to her room and took Ryan with him. And Mr. Peterson again walked past me, without saying a word, without even thanking me for saving him. Feeling dejected I stomped my way upstairs towards my room but my steps halted outside the room when my eyes landed on the box placed near the door. Frowning, I picked up the box which had chocolate bars in it and I swear my heart skipped a beat and my stomach did the summersault when I read the note.
Thank you for helping me.
Sean Peterson.
A huge smile broke on my lips and I really, really wanted to barge in his room and hug the life out of him but refraining myself from doing so was the choice I made as it’s best not to barge in the lion’s den without prior notice. He could even take the chocolate box back!
A strange feeling traveled through my spine which within a second bubbled inside my whole body. It was the satisfaction I assumed. There was a question though- what was keeping him from thanking me face to face? Well, whatever it was, his gift did make me mushy.
I went inside the room and immediately rolled on the bed and opening the box I started munching the chocolate bar. When I felt I had enough chocolate for the night I brushed my teeth and changed into my nightclothes; baggy t-shirt, and shorts.
I picked up my laptop and began to read the documents I had to arrange to give for a hard copy. After I was done with my work I mailed the document to Scott, Daniel Adam’s P. A as I wouldn’t be going to work for a few days. Poor Scott, he would have to do my part of work too.
I had just lied down on the bed when my phone came to life. I groaned and sat up to look at the clock before I pick up the phone. It was five past eleven at night. And I mumbled wild profanities for Mrs. Harris when I saw my mother’s name on the screen.
That old hag didn’t even wait for a day to stuff my mom’s ears with gossip.
“I assume that Mrs. Harris already called you,” I said as soon as I picked up the call.
“Oh, glad to hear that you know what you did.” Came mom’s sarcastic reply.
“Mom-”
“Do you know how embarrassed I was? Why did you say that to her? What was your intention? And what do you mean by ‘needs’?” She shrieked loudly, scolding me as if I was still a kid. That’s what I hated about her. Always controlling and regulating my life.
“Where are you?” She asked in annoyance. I was really upset, I didn’t want to talk to her, but I wouldn’t be satisfied if I didn’t irritate her.
“Uganda.”
“What? Uganda? You are in East Africa? What for?”
“Business.”
“You crossed seas overnight and you didn’t find it important to at least inform us? What should I do with you?”
Better leave me alone.
“Hey, Lauren, it’s your dad.” I smiled a little when I heard his voice.
“Hey, dad how are you?”
“I’m doing fine but your mother isn’t. Listen, Lauren, what you said to your landlord wasn’t appropriate you should think before speaking. And Uganda? You should have informed us. Your mother and I are always worried about you.” He said softly. That’s my dad, criticizing me, but politely. That’s why I was just a bit closer to him.
“Dad, Mrs. Harris was irritating me and you know I can’t stand someone annoying me. And ask mom not to pace back and forth in the room. I’m not in Uganda, I’m in the States only.”
I bid good night and sighed. Why do they want to have control over my life?
I decided not to pay heed to the phone call as I already had a lot to think about. I lied down on the bed and covered myself with the duvet but couldn’t find sleep. I kept twisting and turning in the bed and at last, I jerked up in annoyance. My mood was ruined!
I went into the balcony and stayed there for a while, looking at the vast garden lit up with lights, but my soul was in the dark, so, the illuminating lights and peaceful night didn’t give me peace. I was still disturbed by the fact that my parents still wanted to control me like a puppet.
Huffing, I went into my room. It was twelve-thirty at midnight. I felt thirsty and I didn’t have drinking water in the room so I headed to the kitchen. As soon as I entered the kitchen my steps halted and I froze in my spot when I saw him standing near the fridge, drinking water from the water bottle. His back was facing me and he was wearing a vest and sweatpants. Though only dim lights were lit up in the kitchen, I could see him clearly. My eyes own their own decided to gawk at his well-built arms and back.
I gulped as I imagined him standing before me, shirtless. What if I get to touch those bulky arms? What will I feel? And his abs-how will it feel to slide my hands over his abs-
“What are you doing here?” Startled, I jumped and took a deep breath. Lauren, what were you doing? You were imagining your boss shirtless? Snap out of the haze, you stupid. I badly scolded myself.
“I…I *ahem* came to drink water.” The draught hit my already dry throat. I felt the heat rising on my face when his eyes traveled from my face to my neck and then down to my legs, heating every part caressed by his eyes. I avoided his gaze and trudged to the fridge to take out a water bottle for me.
I didn’t care to pour the water in a glass and gulped it from the bottle in urgency as my throat was extra dry and I needed to run away from him before he could set me on fire with his gaze. After drinking water I hastily put the bottle back in the fridge and was about to walk away when I remembered something.
He was alone and it was the right time to ask him that. I took a few deep breaths before facing him. “Mr. Peterson.”
“Yes?”
“Sorry to intrude in your personal affairs but I really want to know where are Ryan’s parents?” I asked cautiously. His body went stiff at my question and he glared at me.
“I don’t think it’s any of your business.” He said firmly. I frowned.
“None of my business? Well, Mr. Peterson, you told me that I’ve to look after Ryan, and for that, I need to know everything about him so that I won’t ask unnecessary questions from him.” I reasoned out.
“Miss Hart-”
“If you want me here to help you then tell me.” I threatened him. Yeah, that’s what I did.
“Are you threatening me?” He raised his eyebrows. “You know that you are risking your job, right?”
“Yes,” I said firmly.
He sighed in annoyance, pinching his nose. “You won’t leave it, will you?” I shook my head firmly.
“Okay then listen…his father, my brother…died in a car accident five years ago.”
My eyes turned wide and suddenly I felt bad for Ryan and Mr. Peterson too. I never knew about his brother.
“And his mother?” I asked.
“Ran away. Don’t know where that bitch is.” His nostrils flared. “And now don’t question me anymore. This is enough you should know.”
I was rendered speechless and felt like crying. For Ryan. His father died five years ago and he was five years old which means he never saw his father. Poor kid!
“I’m sorry about your brother, Mr. Peterson. But you should have told me beforehand. Do you how awkward it is to hear from a five-year-old kid that he doesn’t have parents? And-”
“Hey, shh…” He silenced me, glancing at the door. “Someone is coming. Shit, it’s grandma.”
Before I could comprehend what was going on I was dragged in the small space between the cabinet and the fridge and my heart gave up when Mr. Peterson covered my mouth with his large and pressed his body against mine.
My eyes came out of the socket and my lungs forgot how to exchange gasses for respiration.
Life Support! Life Support! Life Support!
I freaking needed life support!
My former questions were answered on their own. This is how I would feel if he touches me. I would need life support to stay alive.
When I came back back to my senses and felt my lungs giving up, I tapped my hand over his hand but instead of releasing me, he pressed himself more against me and back against the fridge.
“Stop struggling.” He whisper-yelled.
I was looking at him in horror and he wasn’t even looking at me. His eyes were watching grandma. I too flicked my eyes in the other direction and found her marching towards the fridge.
Oh, god, no, no, no, no! What if she finds us in this compromising position? God please, please, one last time, just one last time, save me.
I couldn’t breathe; I tried to remove his hand away from my nose but as if the beast wanted me dead, he didn’t budge. And grandma, she took leisure time to drink water. She was taking so much time, enjoying every sip as if she was thirsty for years.
Grandma, please go. Please. I mentally prayed. But as if my prayers were unheard, she walked and stood at the window, watching the moon. I couldn’t breathe already and now my breath got stuck in my throat because if she, by chance, glanced at her right, we’d be caught. After all, she was now right in front of us.
Grandma, please go and sleep. This is not the time to watch the damn moon.
And again, as if her presence was not enough to bring me near death, SEAN PETERSON, my boss, my CRUSH hid his face in the crook of my neck.
Lost!… Dead!… Finished!
The personal invitation from God had finally arrived.
His hot breath tickled my neck which further tickled my insides. My stomach performed a series of summersaults and my heart started to pump blood furiously.
My soul had almost left my body when suddenly I found myself gasping, panting, and free. It took me a few seconds to regain my strength and when I did I found the man who almost murdered me, standing at a distance from me; grandma was gone.
I sighed in relief but anger bubbled inside me thinking what this devil did to me.
“What the heck, Mr. Peterson! You almost killed me. I wasn’t able to breathe.” I said, catching my breath.
“Do not exaggerate. You are alive. And besides, what else could have I done? Grandma was here!” He snapped.
“You…you…we could have said we were discussing work.” I retorted.
“In the middle of the night? That too in the kitchen? Do you really think grandma could have believed that? And you said you’re smart.” He scoffed.
My nostrils flared. “Whatever.” I stomped my feet and walked or rather ran out of the kitchen.
It had not even been 24 hours at his place and I found myself trapped between him and the fridge. I found myself pressed against his hot and delicious body. Fuck!