Babysitters

Chapter 12

VERONICA VALDEZ

I woke up reluctantly, not ready to leave the embrace of my slumber. Wanting to sleep a bit more, I shifted to the other side and tried to drift back into dreams.

It didn't work.

I was physically and mentally exhausted from yesterdays events and the thought of getting up from my bed was excruciating but I just couldn't fall back asleep. I sighed and opened my eyes, trying to adjust to the daylight that was escaping the curtains into the room. Despite my desire to stay cocooned in bed I slowly sat up on my bed and rubbed away the remnants of sleep from my eyes.
I'm going to have a lazy day and do absolutely nothing. No responsibilities, no outings, no socializing. Just me and my book...
I got up and threw on my go-to comfy outfit of a sweater and sweatpants before grabbing a book and making my way out the door, purposely leaving my phone to charge.

No distractions.

My next task was finding the perfect spot to really relax and read my book. Ideally something aesthetically pleasing. At the same time I could explore the mansion further, something I've been planning to do since I got here.
I proceeded to walk past the dining room to a staircase I had seen before but never ventured up. Crafted from dark wood, much like everything else in the mansion, it featured careful carving patterns along the sides.
One of the things I loved here was the attention to detail. If you took the time to observe, you could spot the hidden details and it just made the place even more unique.
I walked up the stairs and stepped into a unfamiliar hallway. It looked the same as almost every other one, candles, portraits and many doors, but something about the atmosphere told me I hadn't been there before. I took only a few steps into the hallway before noticing that one of the doors were open. Last time I snooped around open doors I got not-so-pleasant news so I hesitated a bit, but since I didn't hear anyone talking I walked into the room. It was a normal, dark themed bedroom with a double bed. The opposite side of the room also had a door that looked like it'd lead to a balcony. I walked through the room towards it, letting my hand touch the beds texture as I passed by.
I pushed open the balcony door, which offered resistance before giving way with a creak. To my surprise, a sprawling balcony revealed itself. In its center stood a table adorned with an ashtray and a vase displaying a vibrant bouquet of flowers. Peering over the railing, I gazed upon a gorgeous view of the forest. The balcony was so high I was above most of the average-height trees and it gave me goosebumps. Though I'm not particularly afraid of heights, that tiny voice whispered in my mind, "What if you fall?"
The balcony also held a chair that was hanging from the ceiling by a rope. It was one of those chairs that were probably the coziest and most comfortable to sit in. It was draped with a fluffy white blanket, enticing me to sit.

I didn't notice I fell asleep before getting woken up by Enzo.
"Ver, wake up," He said as he shook my arm, urging me to awaken.
"Hm?" I mumbled, shifting my position to avoid getting up. I had been in a beautiful dream, where everything was as it was before this chaos began.
Enzo chuckled at my reluctance to get up and tugged on my sleeve slightly. "Come on, get up already, sleepyhead."
I groaned and reluctantly opened my eyes as he pulled me gently up from the chair. I took a moment to blink against the bright sunlight that flooded the balcony before my eyes adjusted.
Enzo patiently waited for me to orientate back into reality before speaking again, "I hate to interrupt your sleep, but you haven't eaten breakfast. Tom told me to make sure you eat something."
"Why does Tom care about my well-being so much?" I asked before yawning. The temptation to curl up into a sleeping ball and sit back down was strong, but I knew Enzo would likely pick me up, a scenario I was not too eager to experience.
"That's something I've been wondering too," Enzo muttered. I noticed his eyes lingering on my hair a bit longer than they should, and I was just about to ask what was wrong until he raised his hand to my heads level.
"Hold still for a moment," he instructed as his hand reached for my hair. I was unable to see his actions, but it seemed he was either adjusting it or playfully messing it up.
I frowned and lifted my head to look up but he pressed my head back down with a chuckle. "What part of the 'hold still' did you not understand?"
"I don't understand why you are touching my hair," I complained and tried to move away again, only to be stopped by his much larger frame once again.
"Get your dirty hands off my hair!" I tried to sound stern but it came out more as a giggle, which did not help my situation. "Enzo!"
"There," he chuckled and finally let go of my hair.
I immediately reached for my hair to make sure he didn't do anything crazy, like cut it. I ran my hands through it, not feeling anything different. "What did you do?"
"Just fixed it a little, it was a bit messy after your morning nap," he explained with a smirk. "And just for the record, my hands are not dirty. I'd never touch a ladys hair with dirty hands."

And there he goes again. Holy crap, do guys like Enzo actually exist?

"And now, breakfast," Enzo tilted his head and motioned towards the door. I grabbed my book and followed him inside, letting him open the door for me.
"You're such a gentleman," I smirked as I turned my head to look up at him.
"Only for you, miss Valdez," he smiled as he wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

Damn, Theo should be taking notes.

__________________________________________________
A/N:
I've been on a vacation for the past week so there hasn't been an update, sorry :( I wrote a bit everyday and I finally got a chapter done. When I get back home I'll start writing regularly again. Get ready, in the next few chapters Veronica and a specific someone will have a small problem :)

Also, pls vote and comment, I swear almost every time someone comments I get this huge motivation boost to write a new chapter!!!