“It’s fine.” Erin smiled.
“You spoil him too much,” Abigail told her disapprovingly.
Erin simply shrugged.
Tommy took her to the fish pond, where there were several imported species of fish swimming around.
Tommy liked them, and Erin found them interesting too and fed them. “Things are peaceful here,” Lulu said as she watched them.
“Yeah,” Abigail replied-Erin was genuinely kind. “She might not be related to Diarmuid but blood, but she considers him a brother nonetheless.”
“I’m surprised he accepted her,” Lulu commented. “He always looks so cold.”
“That he is,” Abigail said. “Doesn’t mean he’s heartless.”
“Getting defensive already?” Lulu grinned. “I haven’t started badmouthing him yet!”
The day passed quickly, with Diarmuid coming home earlier and Lulu staying for dinner.
James knew that Erin was at the castle, so he came with Diarmuid.
Stan came by today as well, since he was not that busy lately.
Lulu returned to Zidonia ten days later, and Stan traveled with her since he had things to do as well. It was good, since she would have someone attending to her.
Zachary was on hand to receive Stan, and he was surprised to find Stan with someone else.
Stan lied that Lulu was a cousin who had been working as a nanny abroad and returned to the country since she saved up some money now.
Zachary glanced at her once. “You have a cousin?”
“There’s plenty about me you don’t know, alright?” Stan retorted. “Car’s outside. Let’s go,” Zachary said, not pressing the issue and heading outside right away, leaving Stan and Lulu trading glances. Still, Lulu did not get into the car when they arrived outside. “Don’t let me keep you-I’ll get a cab.”
the latest
“Sure,” Stan told her-they did not want to arouse Zachary’s suspicion. “See you around.”
After they left, Zachary stared outside the window and mentioned seemingly offhandedly is your m
Ve cousin not going to work anymore?”
“I think she will,” Stan replied. “She’ll be working locally though. She won’t be going abroad.”
Zachary chuckled. “My daughter just happens to need a nanny. Since she’s your relative and you’re vouching for her, she’d be the right person for the job.”
There was a twinkle in Stan’s eyes, but he did not agree to it right away. “I’ll call her and speak to her about it… Or should I give you her number and let you ask?”
“Sure,” Zachary replied. “I can get in touch to see if she’s suitable.” “Okay,” Stan whipped out his phone and sent him the number, and Zachary’s phone vibrated on the dashboard.
Zachary took Stan to dinner later to celebrate his return-it was just the two of them, and they drank a lot.
“Now that I’m back, it feels like you’re acting weird…” Stan said seemingly nonchalantly, twirling his glass.
“Really?” Zachary chuckled coolly but did not press the issue and raised his glass. “Perhaps!”
“Congratulations. You get to come back even though you’re always busy!” Stan raised his glass in turn.
However, Zachary suddenly mentioned Lulu while they clinked glasses. “How’s your cousin related to you?”
“What cousin?” Stan was confused, though he realized with a start before Zachary spoke.
“You mean the one with me at the airport? She’s just some distant relative living abroad, but she came back since things aren’t looking good out there!”
Then, he added, “I gave you her number, didn’t 1? Just call her.” Zachary stayed silent, and Stan cleared his throat in fear of causing a misunderstanding. “Actually, I’m not that close with her. She only called me because she wanted me to bring her back. Moreover, I don’t know what she has in mind or if there’s work she wants. If she doesn’t want to work as a child care worker again, it would be bad if I took the job for her-“
Zachary shook his head before he could finish. “No, I’m just being prudent.”
Stan nodded it was natural for Zachary to be cautious with his baby. “Yes, you shouldn’t get careless with children!”
A tune could be heard just then as Zachary rubbed his forehead. “Sometimes, I really envy you.”
“Envy?” Stan raised a brow. “What’s there to envy about me? I’m just single and have a bit more freedom, that’s all!”
Freedom!
Such an enviable word.
As they clinked glasses again, Zachary appeared a little drunk as he returned.
Stan was concerned to see him wobbling. “Let’s get you a cab. I heard the inspections are strict lately-you shouldn’t drink and drive!”
“It’s fine!”
Stan chuckled but whipped out his phone anyway… only to pause as he stared at the empty chatbox.
There was no telling how long had passed when he nonchalantly slipped the phone back in his pocket. “Can you really go home? I’ll call a designated driver later.”
Words were not needed with friends as close as they were.
Stan did not press the issue and nodded before he left with another designated driver.
He glanced at Zachary through the rearview mirror, cutting a solitary figure and standing there in the shadows, his entire presence projecting loneliness!
Stan could only sigh as he
The remembered Lulu-he did not want this mess, but there were things he had to do!
Meanwhile, Zachary’s designated driver had arrived as well, though his mind was clouded with many thoughts.
He shook his head whenever he remembered Lulu’s figure and sighed.
“Whatever!”
Then, he whipped out his phone, adding the number Stan sent earlier into his contacts without hesitation.
Meanwhile, Lulu’s phone vibrated as she sat in her lodging.
Seeing the number displayed, she had a hunch it was Zackary, and her heart pounded despite the rest of the room being silent.
Lulu hesitated for a while before picking up her phone hesitantly.
She unlocked it with her fingerprint, but she did not answer when she saw the familiar number and put it away instead.
They must not rush things-she had to let things run their course to make it look natural, as well as remember that she was no longer Lulu Adams but a child care worker who worked abroad!
Meanwhile, Zachary reached home at 10 PM and heard Jean’s cries as soon as he stepped inside.
Frowning, he entered the room to find Erma, the housemaid, trying her best to coax the baby. “Why is she still crying?”
Erma was a temporary hire and not a professional child care worker- she appeared fatigued and was on the verge of tears when she saw Zachary.
“You’re finally home, sir. I’ve not seen another child as fussy! She actually cried the entire afternoon!”
However, she quickly lowered her head when she saw Zachary’s icy reaction and continued, “We agreed that I’d only be cleaning the house and not take care of your child… Moreover, this is a job for professionals.”
She obviously did not want to babysit, and Zachary glowered as he looked at the mess around the room.
“That’s enough!” he snapped, reaching out to take Jean back. “You can go!”
“Thank you, Mr. Slate!” The housemaid appeared utterly relieved and turned to run away, shutting the door with a bang!
Zachary was left standing at the doorway even as Jean continued to bawl.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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