Aileen
The next morning, I woke up with Dave beside me. He was still asleep, so I sneaked a quick kiss before he realized.
“Good morning, Love.”
Suddenly, my eyes darted to the clock next to the nightstand. It was almost 8 a. m.
Oh, shoot! I’m going to be late for college. And Dave! He needs to go to work as well.
“Dave!” I called while jerking him violently. “Wake up! It’s 8 a. m.! Dave!”
“Hm….. why are you yelling….” He groaned, still asleep. “Calm down.”
“Calm down? At this time? I can’t! Wake up!”
“I’m tired,” he mumbled.
“Yes, I’m as well. But you gotta wake up!” I tried to wake him up but he kept sleeping soundly.
Oh well, I guess he’s not waking up very soon. But, I need to hurry.
I jumped out of bed and headed straight towards the bathroom to freshen up all naked. Then after a shower, I came out with the towel wrapped around my body.
I should call him again before going to my room to dress up.
But, when I approached the bed, I saw him all awake while resting against the pillows. He looked at me with a handsome smile.
“Hey! When did you wake up? You were all asleep when I left.”
“Hm…just now. In my dream I heard you calling my name and thought how good of a dream that was,” he added, grinning to himself.
I headed over to his side and stood in front of the bed.
“Glad to hear that. But, look at the time. Don’t you have to go to work? Or are you planning to take a day off?”
“Uh, unfortunately, I can’t take a day off casually because I’m the owner,” He replied, sadly.
“But,” he came closer to me and took a sniff off me. “You smell so great. I feel so awake now.”
“Uh, maybe it’s my shampoo. Anyway, freshen up and get dressed. I’m going as well. See you at the breakfast table, I’m hungry.” I turned away about to leave but he held me by the hand, stopping me in place.
I turned around to look at him. “What now? I’m late already.”
He pulled me by the hand, dragging me into the bed on top of him.
“Dave! What are you”
“Shh,” he placed a finger over my lips. “Will you please calm down for a bit? It pains me to see you so worked up early in the morning.”
“Why?”
“Cause you are giving me flashbacks to my college days which is giving me PTSD.”
“PTSD and you? Sounds funny together.”
“It’s not funny! I wanted to wake up and spend some quality time alone with you. And here you are, living in chaos, and making everything chaotic as well.” He grunted.
“You can only say that because you aren’t in my shoes,” I replied, “College only started that’s why it’s not so hectic. After this, I’ll be so busy I won’t be able to breath in peace. So, of course, it’s going to be chaotic. That’s why student days are hell.”
“What? Then, you won’t have any time for me afterward?” his face became clouded with the aura of sadness.
“Uh….. it pains me to break your heart, but yes. I may not be able to give you time. But, you have to adjust to it.”
“Do you really have to study so hard?” He asked, holding me close. “I’ll give you a job in my place even with your medium grades. Why do you have to worry?”
I looked at him seriously. “You remember about the conversation we had in your car about this right? I don’t want to rely on you and use my special privilege to get myself a job. I want to earn it!”
“Yes, you are earning it! By making me happy. You are earning my favor. Isn’t that the same thing? That’s how everything in the outside world works.” He reasoned.
“You and I know it very well, it’s not the same thing. So, stop trying to convince me. I’m not a little girl. I understand what’s fair and not. I have my pride, I don’t want to take your hand to climb the ladder. It’s not fair to the students who are working hard to earn a stable living.”
He sighed and broke into a laugh. “I really can’t win an argument against you. Fine, I give up. You win! I won’t force you to work in my company unless you want to. I’ll only allow you to work when you earn the position yourself. Is that alright?”
I nodded in approval. “Thanks for respecting my wishes and boundaries. Not everyone does that.” Like that Skylar in my class. He never respects my boundaries that’s why he’s so clingy towards me.
“No worries, I got your back,” he added, giving me a tight hug.
I hugged him back and my eyes suddenly turned to the alarm clock once again. It was over 8:45.
“I’m late!” I pushed Dave away the very minute, getting back on my feet.
“Hey, that was cruel,” he grunted. “Why would you push me like that?”
“YouI don’t care. Do what you want just get back to the breakfast table by 9. I’m going.”
I rushed out of the master bedroom and headed straight towards my room.
After getting dressed, I brushed my hair and came down for breakfast. The maids were already working and seeing me they sighed in relief.
“Thank god, I thought you weren’t coming down anytime soon,” one said to me. “And it was almost getting time for you to leave as well.”
“Um…. I overslept. Is the food ready?”
“Yes, sit down and I’ll get it served. Tia, can you go and wake up Master? He’s late today as well.”
“Me? But, I need to clean the living room. Can you go, Emma?”
“No, I need to serve breakfast to Miss Aileen. How can I go?”
Wait, if they go to call him in his room, they won’t find him there as he’s in the Master bedroom. And if they catch him coming out of there, they’ll question what he was doing there instead of his bedroom.
Now, that’s going to cause an uproar and suspicion as well. I need to avoid it as soon as possible.
“You don’t have to wake him up!” I insisted.
They looked at me in surprise. “Why? Is he not going to work today?”
“Uh, yes he’s going. But, you don’t need to go in person to wake him up. As I was already late, I passed by his room and noticed that he was still asleep. So, I gave a knock on the door and told him to get down quickly. He’ll be coming down any moment now.”
“Oh, you did that? That’s great. Saves us the trouble. Tia, get going. Sit down Princess, I’ll bring the food.” Emma left for the kitchen and I went to sit down on the breakfast table.
I heaved a sigh in relief. “Glad, I could make up some story in that short time. I’m really something. Dave owes me a big thanks.”
10 minutes later Dave joined me and we both sat down to eat.
I was eating in a hurry, literally gobbling down my food but still had room to eat.
“Aileen, please chew down your food. You aren’t going to war,” Dave reminded, holding his fork.
“I’m chewing don’t worry. Can I get some more stir-fried chicken?”
“Yes, coming right up,” Emma came from the kitchen and served some more food on my plate.
“You seem to have a great appetite today. Any special reason?” the maid asked, looking a bit impressed.
I choked on my food upon hearing that.
Dave looked away awkwardly, holding the glass of water towards me.
“It’s nothing special,” I replied, wiping the corner of my mouth. Of course, I’ll be hungry we forgot to eat dinner last night all because of Dave. And when I remembered it was too late. He’s really irresponsible sometimes.”
“Oh, you don’t understand Emma,” Tia teased with a laugh. “It’s one of these days girls tend to eat more than usual. Like when they go through break up and all. Is it the case for you as well M’lady?”
What?
“No, that’s not it.”
How do I explain anything to them? It’s so difficult.
“Then, perhaps you have a crush in your class who’s not paying attention to you?” Tia asked. “Is that why you are sad?”
“No, I’m not sad. I’m just”
“Tia, why are you saying these things in front of Master? He’s her father right? This doesn’t sound appropriate.” Emma scolded. “I’m sorry Master, you have to face these things. I’m apologizing in Tia’s place.”
“Uh…. it’s okay. Aileen, finish eating. We are late.”
I nodded and started to eat in a hurry. Thank you, Emma, for saving my back this time. I appreciate it.
We were out of the house premises within some minutes. In the middle of the ride, Mom called me.
“Hello, mom. Good morning. Didn’t you say you’ll be back home in the morning? What happened to that?”
“Uh, there was an emergency so yeah. I’m heading home tonight altogether. Did you eat breakfast?”
“Yup, I did. Don’t overwork yourself and get some rest. Or you might fall sick as well.”
“Ya, I know. I’m super strong, don’t worry. Anyway, you must be on your way to college. I’m hanging up. See you at home.”
“Yeah, see you. Have a great day.”
“You too, sweetheart.”
She ended the call and placed aside my phone.
“What did she say?” Dave asked.
“Uh, nothing just the usual stuff. She’ll be back tonight. Working quite hard lately.”
“Hm…. I understand. She never gets to take some good day offs.”
“I know.”
“Well, how about you use the theme park tickets that I gave you before to grow your mother-daughter bond? She’ll love that, won’t she?” he suggested.
Yeah, I can do that. Why didn’t I think of that earlier?
“That’s a great idea. Thanks, I’ll use them finally!”
“Can I receive a kiss as thanks?” he pleaded.
“No!” I flatly declined, then grabbed him by the collar and forced a kiss on him. “You get as many kisses as you want.”