Trying to live #Wattys2024

Chapter 10 (Edited)

As the door creaked open further, I realized it wasn't a monster, but a toddler on the floor. Chen, the little boy I had heard so much about, was crawling toward the outside. I positioned my suitcases carefully to avoid them toppling over and scooped Chen into my arms, settling him against my hip.

"Trying to escape?" I asked him playfully. "Well, good luck—I've tried and failed."

Chen stared at me with his big brown eyes, seemingly puzzled. Fine, he wasn't exactly looking at me like I was an idiot, but there was something about the way babies look at adults that makes you feel like they're quietly amused by our antics. It's as if they find our efforts either amusing or utterly perplexing.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mrs. Avilla hurrying toward us. "Oh, good, you're here. And you, little one, what were you thinking, huh?" she said, lifting Chen into her arms with a playful tone. "You've got your things, that's good."

"Are you in a rush?" I asked her, noticing her gaze flicking nervously toward something behind me.

Mrs. Avilla laughed, though her laughter was tinged with anxiety. "Yes, there's an emergency at the hospital. As the head of the hospital, I need to be there."

I didn't want her to feel guilty about leaving me alone, so I offered her a reassuring smile, despite my own disappointment. "It's totally okay. It's a matter of life and death."

"Indeed," she agreed. She placed a hand on my shoulder while Chen watched us curiously. "Thank you, Emerson. I promise I'll make it up to you."

I maintained my smile and didn't press the issue further. I was relieved that Mrs. Avilla had accompanied me inside. Otherwise, I might have driven away, convinced that if I left, Mrs. Avilla would have called the police to find me.

As I thought about it, I grimaced, realizing how true that was. Mrs. Avilla turned to me. "Your room is on the second floor. Ludovica will show you."

At her words, a small woman appeared from beside her. I managed not to jump when Ludovica, with her brown eyes, graying hair neatly tied in a bun, and glasses that reminded me of my own, emerged. She looked like someone who might live in a grand mansion in Spain or Italy.

Ludovica nodded at me, and I returned the gesture before saying goodbye to Mrs. Avilla, who took Chen with her. He clung to her, not letting go—a typical toddler behavior, especially with his dad overseas.

Ludovica didn't say much, only that she was in charge of all the household staff. As she led me up the bifurcated stairs, I recalled that the first floor was used as an office and meeting space for Mrs. and Mr. Avilla. The second floor contained the bedrooms for Mrs. and Mr. Avilla, Chen, Alika, and guest rooms—including mine. The third floor was reserved for the boys.

I had a room on the third floor before, but since it had been damaged, I was getting a new one. I was actually relieved not to be on the third floor anymore; I wouldn't have to face Henry directly. As for Cam—well, he had threatened me, but spending time with him wouldn't be the end of the world.

Ludovica opened a door at the end of the hall—a room far from Alika, Chen, and Mrs. Avilla's quarters. It was a space where I could have some privacy, and I silently thanked Mrs. Avilla for that. I turned to thank Ludovica, but she had already left, leaving me alone in the middle of the room with my mouth agape.

I closed my mouth and began to survey my new room.

Next to the door was a closet. In the center of the room was a canopy bed flanked by two nightstands. To the right of the bed was a small desk, beside which was a door leading to a small balcony. Adjacent to the desk was the bathroom. A TV was mounted on the wall directly in front of the bed. The room was decorated in light, soothing colors, which I liked.