18

Lauren Hart
Bringing my senses on alert mode, I tip-toed in the house in order not to bump into Mr. Peterson while I look for Ryan.
I was purposely trying to avoid him as I knew what I did the other day. I had troubled him a lot and I unintentionally forced him to bring me to my room last night; I only got to know it when I woke. FacePalm!
I looked for Ryan in his room but didn’t find him there. I then walked back to the living room- walking backward only to bump into someone. Shutting my eyes, I cursed my luck as I knew who I bumped into.
“Lauren, if you don’t want to be scolded for your craziness then turn and apologize.” My inner self advised me.
“Miss Hart?”
As soon as he called for me, I spun on my feet and “I’m sorry, Mr. Peterson for what I did yesterday at the amusement park. I know I was reckless but I just wanted Ryan to have fun, that’s all. I know you want to scold me and I get it but don’t be too harsh. I-”
“Stop, Miss Hart!” I stopped and lowered my head. Get ready for a lecture, Lauren.
“You really can’t keep your mouth shut, can you?” I heard him sigh. “And you assume a lot. Why did you assume I was going to scold you? I did not ask for an apology from you then why are you rambling?”
I was stunned thinking as to what had happened to him? He had been scolding me for every minor unintended mistake ever since I had stepped in his house and now when I purposely crossed the boundaries, troubled him, annoyed him to a huge extent, he seemed calm.
I raised my eyes just to find him staring at me and he had a small, genuine…smile? Whoa, were my eyes playing a trick, or was he actually smiling for no reason? Wait, was he mocking me with that smile?
I tried to ask the reason for his smile but the words in my throat when his intense gaze lingered on my lips. I doubted if I had something on my lips; maybe my colored lip gloss was smudged? The doubt stuck in my mind and I immediately wiped the edges of my mouth with my palm and only then his gaze wavered. I felt his body jerk. He roamed his eye here and there then locked his hesitated gaze with mine.
“Did you feel anything last night? Or maybe remember something…anything?” Hesitation was evident in his voice.
My skeptical gaze observed him. What does he mean by that? Did I do something last night? Or…Did he something to me?
“No. Why?” I asked suspiciously. I may be wrong but I saw him sigh.
“Forget it.” He ordered and turned and began to walk.
“Mr. Peterson, wait.” I marched after him.
“I said forget it.” He kept walking out of the house.
“No, I’m not asking about that.”
He stopped and faced me.
“Uh, I was looking for Ryan; I can’t find him. Have you seen him? Where is he?”
“He’s in my room; sleeping.” He replied.
“Uh, okay. Can I?” I asked for permission to enter his room. He didn’t take long to nod his head and I didn’t wait for long before scrambling to his room.
A genuine smile tugged my lips when I found Ryan sleeping soundly. I didn’t know when and how I got closer to him and when he became a part of my life. This little kiddo, who once was a stranger to me, now seemed to be a reason for my smile.
I crawled in the bed, under the blanket, and hugged him. “Get up buddy, it’s morning already.” I kissed his chubby cheek.
He stirred and opened his eyes. “I’m already up but I don’t want to go out of bed. It’s so comfortable here.”
I fake gasped and tickled him. “You naughty boy.” He started to twist and turn while laughing. “Stop it, Lauren.”
I stopped and kissed his forehead. “Tell me one thing; why did you sleep in your uncle’s room?”
“I can’t sleep alone.” He muttered softly. I didn’t say anything, just smiled.
“So, how did you like sleeping with him? You slept well or your uncle disturbed you in your sleep?” I asked, wiggling my eyebrows.
“No. Why would he do that?” He giggled. “He held me tightly all night.” He whispered. My mind flew to see the images of the two of them together. Aww, these two boys are gonna be the death of me.
“Now buddy, get up and freshen up fast.” I tried to put him in a sitting position but he applied force against it.
“I want to stay a little more.” He grinned cheekily, giving me that innocent look.
“Alright… then I’ll have to stop Renee from cooking your favorite breakfast,” I said dramatically and it worked as he shot up in a sitting position.
“No, I want to eat a Sandwich.” He looked horrified which made me laugh. “Then run to your room and freshen up. Wait, I’ll carry you there.” I stood up from the bed and turned back to him. “Hop on.”
I carried him to his room on my back and landed him in the bathroom. He brushed his teeth and then it was time for his shower. He removed his clothes, leaving his undergarments on. “You need help there, buddy?” I asked as I inched forward to help him but he backed away which made me frown.
“No. I can do it myself. Please leave, Lauren.” His cheeks turned pink as he shifted on his feet uncomfortably. I studied him in amusement as I got the hint. He was embarrassed to take the shower in my presence.
I stifled my laugh. “Buddy, you are still a little boy, you might my help. Let me.” I teased.
“I am a big boy and you are a girl. You can’t watch me shower. Go, Lauren.” He blushed and pushed me out of the bathroom and shut the door loudly behind me.
I burst out laughing. “Buddy, if you don’t need my help then shall I send your uncle? You know he’s a guy and-”
“No, I don’t need nobody’s help.” He yelled from inside. I kept laughing heartily. Goodness, it was so much fun to tease him and see him blush. He’s so damn cute!
Breakfast was-awkward.
Mr. Peterson’s lingering gaze and his tiny yet visible smile were bothering me. By now I was sure that something was wrong with him. Either he was thinking of something or rather someone or his mental stability screws got lost in the amusement park. What could it be?
I mean why would anybody smile for no reason? And of all people, Mr. Peterson? The one who barely smiles? The grumpiest and annoying person-in my view of course- was smiling for no reason.
Who might it be he was thinking about? A woman perhaps? But he didn’t meet anyone then maybe a phone call from someone?
The actual question was why was it bothering me? He could think of and talk to anyone for all I care. And I had never cared before then why my heart constricted at the thought of him talking to a woman?
Something was damn wrong with me too!
And he was at fault as I was perfectly fine before I came to live with him.
Anyhow, I ate my breakfast under his disturbing yet intense gaze, and after that, I brought Ryan to my room. And that is when I received a phone call. I mentally groaned when I checked the caller ID. Ariana.
I went to the balcony as I didn’t want Ryan to hear me lying. I picked up the call.
“Hey, Ariana,” I said a little cheerfully.
“Hey, Lauren.” I got surprised when I heard two voices. Eloise was on the call too. I’m so dead!
“How are you doing, Lauren? Are you feeling well now?” Both asked one by one.
“Uh, yeah, I’m…actually fine now,” I said while biting the inside of my lower lip as I gripped the railing tightly.
“Oh, that’s good to hear,” Ariana said.
“Perfect. Today we’ll give you a visit.” Eloise said, alerting my senses.
“No,” I added quickly. “I mean…I am fine, not fit. I still have symptoms of flu; you can’t meet me yet.” I explained. God, I hate lying to them.
“Oh.” Came Ariana’s sad reply.
“Lauren.” Eloise’s sharp, accusing voice held me more alert.
“Y.. yes, Eloise?” I stammered, uneasiness crawled in me.
“Why do I feel like you are avoiding us? Are you hiding something from us?”
My heart almost came out of my chest; my eyes bulged out and my hand that was holding the railing went up to rub my forehead.
“W…why do you think so? Neither I am hiding anything from you nor I’m avoiding you and why would I? What reason do I have to do so?”
Please, please, please Eloise, believe my lie. I mentally prayed.
“Yeah, maybe you are right. I’m thinking too much. I’m sorry.” Eloise apologized and I felt terrible. I was the one who was lying, I should be the one apologizing, not the other way around.
“Don’t apologize, Eloise. I know you care for me.” I mumbled guiltily.
“Lauren, it’s alright. Just take care, okay?” Ariana said politely.
“Yeah.” I bid goodbye to them and hung the call. Sighing, I ran my fingers in my hair. Why it has to me? Why it was only me who had to lie to make up things? Why the one who created all the problems was roaming freely without answering to anyone?
Anger bubbled inside me. I wanted answers. I marched inside the room. “Buddy, stay here, I’ll be back,” I said without halting my steps and marched out of my room to get answers. I impatiently knocked two times on the door of his study and walked in without his permission.
“Mr. Peterson,” I said sharply. He raised his head from the document he was reading and I lost my voice. His deep blue, mesmerizing eyes studied me.
“Yes, Miss Hart?” His oh-so calm voice confused me more. Why was he being so calm? He’s never like that.
“Uh, I received a call from Ariana and Eloise,” I muttered. He nodded his head as if he understood what I was implying.
“I assume you handled it well.” He responded as he again lowered his eyes to the document.
Exasperation surged inside me. Gritting my teeth, I marched near to his desk and slammed my hands on the desk, again gaining his attention.
“Mr. Peterson I don’t understand why is it me who has to lie to everyone? I have to lie to my friends because of you and you are doing nothing. You have no burden of making up things as no one is asking you anything. Why?” I blurted out in one breath.
He dropped his pen on the desk and looked at me sharply.
“It’s not just you, Miss Hart. My friends are pestering me as well. They want to meet my nephew, here at my home, but I can’t let them as long as you are here with me, in my house. And I’m not going to send you out for them to meet Ryan. So, no Miss Hart, it’s not just you who is making up things. I am avoiding my friends too.”
I opened my mouth to speak but I couldn’t form words. He too was avoiding his best friends? I didn’t want to believe him but why would he lie to me? He had no reason to do so.
Does that mean he was sailing in the same boat as I was?
“If my answer has satisfied you then sit here and start working.” He snapped me out of my reverie.
“Work?” I asked, raising my eyebrows in confusion.
“What? You bargained to do extra work for forcing me to go on rides in the amusement park. Now, keep your end of the bargain.” His tone changed into a bossy one.
Oh, he remembers.
“Alright, let me bring my laptop,” I mumbled and went to my room to pick up my laptop.
Work time!
Ugh! I shouldn’t have said that I’d do triple work. Why do I always deliberately jump into the sea of problems?
It had been straight six hours I had been working. The only break I received was lunch. That’s it. I had been sitting in the chair, in front of him, in the same stiff position for so long that my neck and back hurt.
Adding to that, the other thing that was disturbing me was the awkwardness in the room.
He thought that I wasn’t aware but I knew how many times he stole glances at me.
Freaking seventy-seven times in the last six hours.
And that was bothering me. I wasn’t uncomfortable but irritated. If he had something to say then why wasn’t he saying it? I even secretly checked my face through the webcam if I had something on my face but nothing. Then why was he stealing glances at me?
I checked the time on the laptop. Fifteen minutes to three. I raised my head to find him again staring at me. That’s it, I had had enough.
I shut my laptop and looked directly into his eyes. “Mr. Peterson ”
“Sean.”
“Huh?” I frowned.
“Call me Sean…Lauren.”
L.. Lauren? Did he just…?
I was flabbergasted. With mouth agape and wide eyes, I stared at him; dumbfounded.
I frowned. “Are you…by any chance sick?” I couldn’t help but ask.
He looked at me as if I had grown two horns but he didn’t know he was the one who had grown horns. “Does my face show any kind of sickness?” He pointed at his face.
“Then why do you want me to address you with your name? You were the one who told me not to do so…to keep things ‘professional’ between us.” I air quoted the word professional.
He leaned back in the chair and shrugged his shoulders. “I changed my mind.”
“What do you mean by ‘you changed your mind’? Grandma isn’t around then why do you want me to say that? And what about the office? And the most important question…Why?” I questioned. I wasn’t letting him slip away easily.
“I do not need you to give an explanation. You will address me as Sean. End. Of. Discussion. And as far as work is concerned, address me formally in front of employees.”
I blinked several times. What was up with him? I didn’t want to press the matter anymore as I knew I wouldn’t win. But I had to be cautious.
“You won’t go back on your words this time, right?” I asked, frowning.
“No, Lauren.” His simple reply sped up my heartbeat. I had a question for myself though. Will I be able to act professionally while addressing him by his name? Never mind, I would end up stressing myself.
“Alright.” I sighed.
“Alright…what?” He raised his eyebrows.
Freaking handsome jerk!
“Alright…Sean.” I gave a humorless, tight-lipped smile.
Sean… I was sure this name was going to trouble me in sleep and consciousness. But what could I say? I had already signed my death warrant. I better get used to his name.
“Better.” He grinned. He fucking grinned. I was definitely hallucinating. Now I was sure, my eye machinery was disturbed. I needed to see an eye doctor.
“Now, do your work.” He said in bossy and drowned himself in the documents he was reading before.
Bipolar.
I had just opened my laptop when I heard a loud cry coming from…downstairs?
My alert gaze met Sean’s alert one and we both shot up from our chairs. “Ryan.” We both ran downstairs.
We reached the living room and found him crying while sitting on the floor. I rushed to him and sitting on the floor I adjusted him on my lap. Mr. Peter- Sean too sat down on the floor.
“What happened?” We both asked.
“My toe.” He cried while pointing his finger at his toe. I looked at his toe and winced. He stubbed his toe. Ouch!
“Hey, shh, it’ll be fine.” I pressed his head against my chest. “Mr. Peterson, please bring the ice pack,” I said without looking at him.
“I told you to call me Sean.” He grumbled and I glared at him. “This is not the time to fight over names. Go bring the ice pack.” I said sternly.
He grumbled something under his breath before walking over to the kitchen to bring the ice pack from the fridge.
“Don’t worry, buddy. You’ll feel better in a few.” I mumbled while kissing his head repeatedly. He snuggled into me, crying harder. “It hurts.”
“I know baby.” My voice almost cracked. I can’t see him in pain. I felt like it was me who was hurt. Mr. Peter- Ugh! Sean rushed over to us and applied the ice pack on Ryan’s toe. I kept rubbing his head.
Ryan was still crying. “Back at school, Henry’s toe was injured too. His…his mom did something to his toe and he was fine. Can you do that to me too, Lauren? I don’t want pain.”
My fingers stopped in his hair and my heart skipped a beat. He was missing his mom! He wanted to be comforted by his mother!
Oh, god. How could I forget he didn’t have his mother? He must be so lonely. Though I quarrel with my mother, she’s there in my life. But this child, he never saw his mother. How could a mother do this to her child? How could a mother abandon her child?
His ways of dealing with feelings spoke a lot about him. He was too mature for his age. He never expressed the pain of loneliness on his face, instead, he hid it behind his smile. He was missing his parents…and who wouldn’t?
My lower lip trembled but I composed myself as I couldn’t cry in front of him. My heart constricted and felt like it broke into millions of pieces. I again ran my trembling fingers in his hair and pressed my lips on the top of his head.
“I’ll take all your pain away, buddy. I’m here for you.”