Babysitting

ChapterFifteen

I stared up at the cursive logo on the building.
Star Hotels.
Nathaniel's office was probably right at the top, where he liked to be.
I sighed, pulling off as the traffic light turned green.
"What's the matter?" Alex asked, giving me a sideways glance.
She still wasn't happy with me for knowing that Nathaniel was adopted and for putting her in her place.
"I feel so used," I looked at the distancing building in the side mirror. "It's been weeks since he left. He said he wanted to make it work with me but where is he now?"
Alex gave me a sympathetic look.
"He's stubborn, Ciana, you of all people should know that," she told me. "He'll come to his senses. Work is probably keeping him busy since he's been neglecting it for you. And also-"
"Neglecting it for me?" I cut her off.
"Did you honestly not notice that he was at home basically everyday since you've come back from Portugal? He would work half days every two or three weeks but that's it," she said. "He was so concerned about how you were coping, he had to keep an eye on you. Well he didn't really talk to you that much since you and him had a fight before you left but I think being in the house with you calmed him down enough to not stress his balls off."
"Mommy said that you aren't supposed to use that version of balls," Kira piped up from the backseat. "She says the only balls I can play with are my soccer and bouncy balls. What other balls are there?"
My eyes widened and Alex burst into laughter, clutching her stomach.
"She's honestly so innocent," she wiped away a tear before turning to the back.
I saw Sasha clasping her hand over her mouth, giggles erupting from her while her face turned red.
"You'll learn about the other kind in a year or two," Alex told Kira, giggling as well.
"If I can't play with them then I don't care about them," Kira huffed, folding her arms.
"This kid is fucking savage," Alex laughed again and I lightly smacked her arm.
"Language!" Laughter threatened to escape me and I pulled over, laying my forehead on the steering wheel.
The three of us laughed for almost ten minutes before I could finally drive again.
"I bet Ciana got right into Nate's balls," I heard Sasha whisper and my cheeks flushed crimson.
"Oh my god, you did, didn't you?" Alex gawked. "You did, didn't you? Oh my god. Oh my god. You had sex with my brother."
She made fake gagging noises and I smirked at her.
"Oh so he's your brother again?" I asked her.
"He's always been our brother," Sasha commented. "Alex is just melodramatic."
"You're just a brat," Alex stuck out her tongue before turning to me. "Yes, he's my brother and you've been having dirty brother sex behind our backs!"
"There's a child in the car!" I whisper-yelled.
"She's going to learn about sex when she's in the seventh grade anyway! It's not like she'll ask sooner," Alex laughed.
"What's sex?"
The three of us froze and the car threatened to stall.
"I'm out of explaining this one," Sasha said. "I only learnt about it a few months ago."
"Ciana should explain since she had it basically like the other day," Alex folded her arms.
"Alex should take this one because she's been doing it with hotshot Ashton," I wiggled my eyebrows.
"I'll take this one!" Kira screeched.
We all laughed before I pulled into a parking by the mall.
"I'm going to the post office first and I'll meet you guys in an hour for lunch," I told the girls as we walked. "Don't let Kira out of your sights."
They nodded before we parted ways and I toyed with the parcel in my hand, making my way to the post office.
Filling out forms and then handing the parcel to security, I took out my phone and went to my contacts before placing the phone next to my ear. There were three rings before it picked up.
"Julio," I smiled. "Happy birthday. I love you."
"You remembered!" He squeaked before clearing his throat. "I'm finally sixteen. I can start driving legally now."
I laughed, sitting down at a bench.
"I've missed you so much, how are things there?" I asked.
"The lawyer stopped by," he told me. "He gave me a cheque. It's one big policy that mom and dad had for us. He said that we can cash it in anytime."
"Well we will cash it here when you move here," I sighed. "That can buy you all the things you need for the first few months here and some new clothes."
"Ciana, it's not just €100 that I'm talking about here," he said softly. "They were saving up for a long time. Twenty three years long time, I'm talking."
"How much is it?" I asked, raising my eyebrow.
"It's €33 000! A whole thirty three thousand, Luciana. To ourselves. What were mom and dad thinking?" He sounded shocked and amazed.
"That's only about $40 000," I shook my head. "It will last us a while."
"Could I get a car?" He asked.
"We'll see," I pursed my lips. "You don't have a license so."
"I'll get one in these next few months! Promise," I could hear the smile in his voice.
"Alright," I laughed. "I've sent your gift to you, by the way. It should be there in three or four days."
"That shirt I wanted from that store there?" He yelled. "Yes! Thanks irmã."
"It's my pleasure," I checked my watch. "I have to go now. I hope you enjoy the rest of your birthday and don't get cramps from eating too many sweets, okay?"
I smiled, tears in my eyes as he laughed.
"I won't, Ciana. I love you."
"I love you too," my voice shook as my throat felt thick. "Be good."
"Always," he sighed. "I miss you a lot. Be safe until I get there."
I wiped my eyes while ending the call, placing the phone in my lap. I sniffed, standing up and walking towards the food court.
I narrowed my eyes as I saw an unfamiliar man sitting with the three girls, a mop of caramel brown hair surrounding his slightly tanned features.
As I got closer, I saw Alex holding this man's hand and talking animatedly. I immediately pinpointed him as Ashton.
"Hi," I sat next to Kira. "I'm Luciana."
I held out my hand for him to shake and he reluctantly took it.
"Ash," he turned to Alex, ignoring me as she continued speaking.
I pursed my lips, my eyes narrowing even further.
"What's he doing here?" I cut Alex off and she scowled. "You didn't say anything about him being here."
"Relax, babe," Ashton cooed to me and I grimaced. "There's enough of me to go around."
"Uhm, sure," I shrugged. "Alex, you're supposed to ask first."
"We didn't plan this, seriously," Alex nodded. "Coincidence."
I went against my better judgement and believed her then turned to Ashton.
"Why would there be enough of you to go around when there's a perfectly acceptable and beautiful girl sitting right next to you?" I asked him.
The tips of his ears went red and he frowned angrily at me.
"My first impression of you is that you are a conceited jerk but I'll put that away for now since the girl sitting next to you speaks about you like you put the stars in the sky. Start behaving how she portrays you," I folded my arms, leaning back in the seat.
His face flushed with embarrassment and he looked down and then to Alex who was smiling slightly at me. She mouthed a 'thank you' and I nodded.
"Let's order lunch then," Sasha broke the silence.
Our attention averted to the menu and silence caged us. After a few minutes, I gestured for the waiter to come to the table.
"I'll have an Alfredo and a mango ice tea," I told him once he got there.
"I want potato smileys," Kira kneeled on her chair. "And a strawberry milkshake."
I smiled at her after she gave her menu to the waiter.
"I'll have the sunshine surprise and a small coke," Alex said.
"Make that two but with a beer," Ashton smirked and I clenched my jaw.
Sasha opened her mouth to order but was interrupted by someone pulling out a chair next to me. My head snapped up to see Jake.
"So sorry that we're late," he sat down, breathing hard. "Nate got into this huge argument with this really up top guy. It was intense."
The blood drained from my face as I realized that Jake had said 'we'.
"Who was it?" Alex asked as Sasha placed her order.
"Kerrie's dad, can you believe it? It wasn't about work though. I couldn't make out what it was about. I was sitting in his office, really fancy shit he got up there. But it was definitely not about work. Maybe Kerrie sucked his dick wrong," Jake laughed and I felt my stomach flip as Alex threw a worried glance to me.
"Where is the big guy?" Ashton asked.
"He's outside, got a few calls to make," Jake placed his order.
I stood up, the chair screeching.
"Will you call me when you're done? I'll come fetch you," I told Alex. "I can't stay here."
Alex nodded, smiling apologetically at me before I turned and practically sprinted to the entrance of the mall.
I skidded to a halt as I saw the familiar figure sitting on a bench, still in his work suit and rushingly speaking on his phone. Anger marred his face as he spat out his words, looking around every few seconds.
His eyes landed on me and the anger vanished from his face, his mouth stopping on a syllable.
My lips turned down at the corners and I turned in the opposite direction, having to walk the long way to the car.
I heard his footsteps echo behind me as I entered the underground parking lot. I sped up, not wanting him to talk to me.
"You can't run forever, Lucy," I heard him call out.
"It's what you did, isn't it?" I spat out loudly, rounding a corner.
"I had to do it," his voice was closer.
"You don't have to do anything except breathe," I hissed.
I could almost hear him roll his eyes.
"Could you stop?" I felt his long fingers snake around my upper arm and I was brought to a stop, stumbling. "Jesus, you're stubborn."
I scowled up at his flawless face. His eyebrows were furrowed as he looked down at me.
"What do you want?" I spat. "Wanna go for round two so you can leave again? Wanna string me along again?"
"That's not fair," his eyes darkened.
"You're not fair," I ripped my arm out of his grasp, taking a step away from him. "You left."
"I had to!" He roared. "And this entire fucking time I've been gaining new investors and shareholders, driving Kerrie's dad's men out of my business. What have you done to prove you want to be with me, Luciana?"
I shut my mouth, looking away from him.
"Say it. What have you done?" His voice cut into me as I kept silent. "Tell me, dammit."
"Nothing," I squeaked.
"Exactly," he spat. "You don't have the right to be angry at me for leaving when I left so that I could have a relationship with you. You've done fuck all to prove you want to be with me. How about a phone call? A quick visit to my office? Nothing, Lucy!"
I swallowed nervously, avoiding eye contact.
"I'm not the unfair one here," his voice was soft now. "You are."
I heard him turn and my head snapped to look at him, see his back as he walked away from me.
"Where are you going?" I called out.
"Away," he lifted his hand without looking at me, a feeble wave.
I nodded to myself, pulling the car keys from my pocket and walking the few steps to the door of the car.
I got in, my shoulders sagging in defeat as I felt a frown settle on my face.
I hadn't realized that I was the wrong one in this situation. I had done nothing to prove I wanted to be with him. I kept waiting for him to be the first to call or the first to show up in person but it had to work both ways. We both had to put in effort.
I let my forehead fall onto the steering wheel. Today was a crap day.
The sound of my phone roused me from my dejected stupor and I sluggishly answered it.
"I'm guessing you had a run in with Nate," Alex whispered.
"Of course I did," my frown deepened. "Did he tell you?"
"The man looks like he's about to cry," she sounded shocked. "What happened?"
"I'm a bitch, he's the good one. Let's leave it at that," I sat up, pulling my seatbelt on.
"Come back," she sighed.
"I can't, Alex," I looked around the parking lot.
"You're both just angry at each other," she pleaded. "When he's calm, you'll be able to talk."
"I really don't think he wants to," I put my phone on speaker, dropping it in my lap and reversed out.
"Trust me, he does," she argued. "I can see he's beating himself up on the inside."
I pulled into the main road, guilt eating away at my insides.
"I'll visit his work sometime this week," I finally said. "Fine?"
"Good," she chirped before hanging up.
I had no clue what to say to him despite the fact that I had to visit his work. Should I have to apologize and forget about my attraction to him or do we continue as normal?
We didn't even have a normal. We fought. That was our normal.
I shook my head, he deserved not being fought with.
I pulled into the parking at home, shutting off the car. I slumped in the seat, fiddling with my nails.
I was itching to go back to the mall and drag Nathaniel out to speak with him. I knew he needed to calm down so I resisted the urge.
I hurriedly got out the car, wanting to busy myself somehow until I had to fetch the kids. I left my shoes in the entrance, my fingers already working the braid out of my hair as I made my way to the kitchen.
Cooking lasagne for myself and cleaning up the mess busied me for an hour before I made my way to the TV room, a bowl of the pasta in my hands.
I distracted myself with cartoons, absentmindedly taking forkfuls of the food.
After twenty minutes, I heard the front door open and the kids voices spill into the house, laughing. Alex stopped in the archway.
"He dropped us off," she folded her arms. "He's not here. He's gone home."
My face fell as she said that and I nodded, finishing off my food.
"I never knew you guys had so many feelings for each other," she sat next to me. "It really looks like he's hurting."
"That's ridiculous," I scoffed. "We only just like each other. Maybe something else is bothering him."
"Luciana," Alex sighed. "I'm most definitely that last person to speak about love, I mean look who I'm dating, but you and Nate have a strong connection. Why deny it? Yeah, you guys fight like cat and dog but most of the time he ticks you off on purpose and you can't help that you have a short temper. I really would like you two to give this relationship a chance because it might just become something absolutely wonderful. You know that deep inside. And so does he."
I looked at her in awe.
"That was some mad wisdom fire," Jake interrupted the moment and plonked onto the couch. "You get that off tumblr?"
Alex groaned, flopping onto her back.