Got my eyes on you

IX

W I L L's POV

I closed my eyes not entirely happy with what is going on. If it is not because of Annie, I wouldn't be showing up in her apartment to convince her to get back to work. Annie did not let me sleep the whole night, saying the most decent thing to do is to apologize and gain her trust again. Hard to admit but things were different when she worked in my mansion. Happiness bloomed inside the house. The maids that were once silent, they were laughing at her jokes and stories. The deserted kitchen at night, you can hear the clanging of pans and a sound of water running from the sink, preparing for my breakfast for the next day. I was shocked when Annie told me that she even prepared me food before she left the mansion. Yes, Annie can do all those things but things changed when her doctor told her to at least take a rest every now and then. She is getting old, gout is slowing her down and I want to let her just sit all day and rest.

I remembered the next day I have my meeting with the investors and I am ready to go when Annie barged in my room, hitting my butt with my newspaper.

"Where do you think you're going? You are no gentleman if you'd let an innocent girl ride the bus on the way here."

"I could send Cole to her, Ann. Now, please stop hitting me. It hurts." I whined on her antics thanks I am in my room. It would be embarrassing for the other caretakers.

" I know you can do better than meeting that investors of yours, who does nothing instead leeching off of your stocks."

Annie is fully aware of the ups and downs of the company for the past few years. She often gave me motherly advice on how to cope up with depression when all hell went loose. The time I lost my eyesight, along with the fall of the company, she became my support all the way up to what I am right now. I owe her more than my life. That's why I love her so much.

"You know what... you're right." I loosened the tie on my neck and changed into something comfortable.

We are now currently in the supermarket to grab some food and stuff for the kitchen. I don't normally do the grocery but I would like to at least look sincere and make this as an opportunity to take in the fresh air. I haven't done this for so long.

We went to the department store and asked Jessica to help me get stuff for me.

"Mr. Will I got something for you." Amusement laced in her tone and I felt her changing the cap that I was once wearing. I heard Cole chuckled and Jessica burst into a fit of laughter.

Click! Click!

"Are you taking me a picture?" I burst that only made her giggle. This girl is crazy, I am starting to regret bringing her here. But I can't help myself smile a little how she laughs.

"Sorry." She muttered realizing I am still the boss here.

"Let's go. You're not helping at all." I took off the cap only to realize it's a Doraemon cap with a fan on top of it. Crazy.

Cole and Jessica trailed behind me as we made our way out of the store. This is my first time in three years to stroll inside the mall. For the past few years, I only stayed inside the car and let Josh or Cole buy for me. It is also the first time I felt safe or I don't know how to put it, but I feel like myself today. I get to hear the sound of whispers, laughing, children running around and the bickering of Cole and Jessica about what to eat later. As much as I hate this feeling, Jessica brought life back to the mansion.

....

"Will, man!"

I instantly recognized the voice of my friend. Brandon Lewis is one of my closest friends. A friend that didn't leave me when I was on the ground after the accident. He is the owner of the coffee shop downtown that I visited during meeting breaks and if we need to catch up with something.