Stalker?

ELENA

"I can't still believe Aiden Crook is your betrothed," Renee muttered in between swallowing of the cereal in her mouth. 

That mistake again. 

"Given to," I said, correcting her slip. 

She shrugged, lowering the spoon with her in the cereal bowl. "What matters is, at the end of the day you will be married to him."

I winced at the blunt reminder. I would get married to him because I was used as a means of payment.

Heck, if I began working, I don't know when I would accumulate that amount of money. Still, I believe there was no harm trying. 

The most aggravating thing was, he had fixed a wedding date, I and very sure my family wasn't aware. 

That jerk and he wasn't even bluffing!

"Over my dead body. I'll rather die than seeing myself married to the pompous idiot."

"What do you intend doing about the debt? It's a million-dollar, baby." She drawled. Her green eyes fixated on mine as she cocked a brow. 

"Heck, he wouldn't mind if you marry him. I mean, wasn't that what the deal was about? Not to think of the debt?"

So many irking words called debt in only one statement. 

"That's not my problem because I don't intend marrying him. That is the reason I ran away in the first place. Also, I have an alternative."

Renee shook her head, then prop it with her left hand. 

"The alternative better be good for your rejection to become a rich CEO wife."

Even the name tag, sounded absurd. 

Renee picked up the empty cereal plate, then walked into the kitchen which was more like a narrow passageway. I dare not step in with her because of how tiny it was. Also, to avoid suffocation because I never do too well in tiny places. 

The plate clattered as she placed it in the aluminium sink before switching on the faucet to rinse it. 

"I had applied for a nanny job I came across yesterday online. The reply came in and asked me to come over for an interview."

"Nanny?" She snorted and I pictured her turn her lips down in disgust which she did whenever she was irritated. 

"Yes. I should be there in an hour time, so I need to get ready." I rushed out. 

"Why would you choose to be a nanny over a CEO wife?" She implored but I didn't answer. Instead, I walked into my bedroom, locking the door. 

Since the Ceo was Aiden himself and I was given to him illegally, I would prefer any job than being his wife. Save for working in nightclubs like Renee. 

I have no patience for men swatting at my backside and making lewd comments whenever I was near. I wouldn't even want my boss to lose a customer because of me. 

Only a visit which was my first and last one, a middle-aged man with pot belly had tugged me to him then latched his lips on mine whilst reeking of beer. 

Despite our size difference, I had an advantage on him since he was intoxicated. I had broken his f*cking hand which served him right as he wouldn't touch anyone without their permission anymore. 

She had left work early after apologizing profusely to her boss and because of how everyone was giving me the stink eye which I didn't even care about a bit. 

Sighing, I stepped into the bathroom, then came out ten minutes later. Thank goodness, I would arrive early because of the availability of water.

I grabbed the grey turtle neck long-sleeved gown I had laid on the bed. Donning it on, I applied subtle makeup which consists of brown powder, mascara and pink lipgloss, so I wouldn't look too dressed. 

Even with it, I often felt as though I was overdoing it. Yet, I couldn't leave the house with my ordinary face. 

Renee would literally, kill me. Then sat me down on the chair and applied more than I wanted. 

Just like how she did during our college days. The first time I attended a college party was the worst. I mean, it was a party which would be going on in the night and there was no harm in attending it with my bare face. 

She had sat me down and did a full makeup on my face, making us arrive late in the process. At first, I thought I would look out of place but felt comfortable afterwards when I saw other girls faces which were far worst. You would think they were going to a wedding and carnival party. Also, I didn't mind since I got the attention of many boys.

After putting my hair in a messy bun, I picked up my brown shoulder bag, then stride out of the room. 

I met Renee in the living room we share, watching a skit. 

"Good luck, my foolish friend," She said, whilst glancing up briefly from her laptop. 

I stuck out my tongue at her before stepping out.

**************************************

"I am late again," I mumbled, facepalming. 

I had left earlier, still, we hadn't even gotten to where- according to the cab driver- we were going. 

Also, I noticed we have been passing many trees, gravestones and only a few buildings. Then the fog which hadn't surfaced when I was at home, decided to grace the sky. 

I had heard fog often appears at this side of the town of West Vale. However, I never took it seriously and had brushed it aside like one of the many rumours I have heard. 

"Still far?" I asked for the umpteenth time, rubbing my sore butt. 

"Not far and not very near." He said.

My eyes narrowed as I stared at him through the rearview mirror. I was starting to think everything the driver had in his mind was scripted since he kept repeating the same sentence over and over again. 

"I pray we get there sooner," Slouching into the seat to make myself comfortable, my eyes grew heavy and I began to nod off. 

Then, I felt a tap on my shoulder, making my eyes snap open. 

"Wow." 

My gaze fixated on the gorgeous two-storey building in front of me as I stared in awe. 

I alighted, thanking the driver and he zoomed off without collecting the fare I had extended to him. 

My brows crinkled as I stared at the money for a few seconds before dumping it back inside my bag.

Maybe they don't collect money for fares here. I wonder if he had been this way to others or maybe only me. Still, he would need it to take care of his bills.

I might get to see him at the subway later to pay him before going home.

I nudged open the iron gate coated with black paints. It seemed as if it was painted yesterday. It looks shiny and still smelt of the paint it was coated in. 

A beautiful fountain stood at the threshold of the house, the steady gurgling of the clear water harmonious as it resounded in the surrounding stillness.

At the side of the grand building was a tranquil garden which consists of various flowers. 

"Okay, you got this Lena." I inhaled deeply then let it out slowly. I wiped my sweaty palms on my dress out of habit. 

I was nervous because this would be my last resort. Or else, I would have to migrate to another town which I never wish to, for another job. 

Even as I don't have any experience as a nanny, I pray I get accepted because I was hardworking. 

Also, I wouldn't kill the baby. 

That is a criterion, right? Keeping the baby alive.

My hand met air as I was about to touch the doorknob. A grey-haired woman with dark eyes stood at the entrance. 

Her skin was wrinkling and smile lines grace her face, still, she seemed friendly.

"I'm s-sorry. My name is Elena Lockser. I applied for the job of a nanny here."

"Oh, it's you. Welcome my beautiful child." She chuckled as she ushered me in. Her voice, surprisingly strong and it was as though we knew each other before now. 

"Aiden needs someone to take care of our precious Gem when I'm away for I don't know when I'll be back." Her eyes twinkled and I noticed the affection in it as she mentioned both their names. 

That name again. 

Why does my new employer have to bear the same name as him?

Somewhat infuriating. However, I needn't think about the name when he began interviewing me. 

"I hope, I'm chosen." I let out a small smile whilst sitting at the brown leather sofa in the living room. 

Not only the outside that exudes coldness, but also the inside. Despite the amount of chandelier and lamps that graced the room, it was still dark and cold.

Perhaps, the owner doesn't like any light. But who don't?

I shivered, rubbing my palms together. I narrowed my eyes at the fireplace a few feet in front of me. It was void of fire and stood there as if it were some kind of decoration. 

Occasionally, my gaze travelled to the end of the room where a long spiral staircase led up, hoping to see my new employee pops up.

"You will be accepted. In all the girls that have arrived here, I love your aura the best."

"Aura?"

The woman whom I didn't know her name fixed her gaze on me and she didn't glance away, even when I caught her staring. I shivered as I felt her staring right into me. 

She seems strange but a better weird than the girls at Aiden Inc. It was as if my mind and hers were in one accord as we continued staring. 

An angelic voice broke the silence and I shifted uncomfortably as I remove my gaze from hers. 

"Haa, Gemma is awake. You mind want to check her out." A wrinkle formed at the side of her face as she chuckles. 

"Me?"

"Of course!"

No interview.

Maybe, knowing how to handle the baby was the interview. I stared back at the woman to see if she was joking but she wasn't. Instead, she encouraged me with a smile on her face. 

I moved towards the sound of the cooing voice. I passed by several rooms but no sign of a baby. 

Was I being pranked?

It couldn't be as the voice sounds real and it was getting somewhat closer. 

I wonder where he kept his baby.

Then the voice came again and I realized it was sounding from below. I noticed stairs leading down and I stepped towards it. 

Not only was his house far into the woods, but he also hid his baby in the cellar. 

Was the baby like Hephaestus for him to have dumped her in the farthest place, void of air?

Even if she was that hideous, I would still babysit her because I needed the work. Also, I couldn't create any being, who was I to say, someone else's creature was hideous. 

At I got to the last step, I shoved open the door to the basement and found a room decorated with all kind of toys. 

Purple and pink wallpaper with stars and moon drawing donned the wall. The flooring had the same design as the war and I walked towards the pink crib.

My heart melted as I saw her. 

I wasn't expecting a baby as beautiful as this. Her grey eyes stayed on mine for a few seconds before a smile lighted up her round face. 

"Oh, ain't you so gorgeous." I cooed, in awe of the lovely dimples that appeared on her cheeks. 

She must look like her mother because her father couldn't be as beautiful as this. Perhaps, he was the hideous one and had hidden her so her angelic face wouldn't get contaminated with his. 

"For the record, I'm not hideous." A deep voice murmured. 

My cheeks reddened as I had said my thoughts aloud. I swirled to the owner of the voice then swirled back facing the baby.

No, please!

Someone should shoot me or pinch me!

Why couldn't he get a grip that I wasn't interested instead of embarrassing himself? 

"Why are you stalking me? I'm not interested in you, not now and never..." He held out a palm, cutting me off. 

"I never said anything when you ranted in my office because we just met but I will not condone any more insult on my person. Not even in my house." He cautioned.  

Why was everything in this freaking town his!

The baby bounced in her crib. 

At least someone was happy to see him and I could see most of his features in her, save for the eye colour. 

"Whatever, I'm just leaving." His hand gripped mine, halting me. 

The air sizzled and I felt a tiny spark at his touch. He tugged me to him and my hand splayed on his chest. A treacherous moan escaped from my parted lips and my breast tingled, then grew taut at the contact with his athletic physique. 

All logical reasoning flew out of my head as his lips latched on mine in a frenzied kiss. My toes curled and uncurled as I hoisted myself up wanting to taste more of him. Several alarms alerted in my brain on how wrong it was, yet, I didn't want him to stop whatever his lips were doing to me.