Chapter 10

It's been quite a long time since I've felt such lightheartedness in my heart. Being around Ava Lily Davies has done just that and I don't regret taking up this job. I might look at the pay and think it's good and comment about it, but my time with Ava is above that.

I almost even forgot that I was looking after her as her nanny, earlier on, because of how near natural it felt to be around her. I have been able to observe and confirm that Ava, is quite a shy child and not to mention, that she totally likes when I read to her. I think she actually watches me acting out the book, more then listen to me.

It was the cutest thing when it was her lunch time and she kept on, wanting to share her food with me. I had to show her my own food, so she would be convinced that I was eating too. She simply likes to share.

We've had time to play, read, listen to some music and dance and ofcourse, have a little walk outside in her backyard. The little junglegym at her backyard is the cutest thing, though she not interacting with other kids, or rarely going to the park, is a thing to frown upon. Another thing that made me frown is how Kelly kept changing the subject, about Ava's mom.

What I was able to make sense of, is that Ava's mom didn't live in this house. I just wonder where she is and if she's missing her daughter right now.

I know I would.

" Sky-Sky look." A small voice says, earning my attention.

A smile makes its way onto my face as I watch Ava rising to her feet and coming towards me. The look of excitement on her face as she holds out a paper with a piece of drawing, makes my heart to flutter.

" Wow, you did this?" I say, widening my eyes in an amazement motion.

" Yes." She nods her head, glancing between her drawing and me.

I take the paper and take a good look at the drawing.

" Is it for daddy?"

She shakes her head no and points to me.

" Me?" I gasp dramatically.

" Yes!"

She has scribbled alot of things, so not wanting to disappoint her, I take the paper and kiss it. A big smile takes over her face when I throw a wink her way, I place the paper aside and pick her up, placing her on my lap.

" I love love love it, Ava. Wow, it is so pretty!"

Giggles burst out of her lips when I start peppering kisses on her face, whilst lightly tickling her sides.

My own laugh slips out because her laugh is contagious, finally stopping and not wanting her to lose her breath, I take her small hands and kiss both palms. I chuckle when she picks up my hand and places her own small one, ontop of mine.

" I think yours is very pretty and too tiny."

" Pwetty."

"My hand?"

She turns my hand around and touches my soft pink coloured nails.

" Hmm, maybe one day, we can get our nails done."

She shows me her fingers and I pretend to bite them, but she keeps them away. My moment with Ava gets interrupted when I feel that we are being watched.

Seeing Mr Cullen standing at the living room doorway, watching us, makes me to tense up. As quickly as our eyes meet, I look away, giving my attention back to Ava.

I continue playing with her and ignoring him.

" Buggyboo?" I sigh when I hear him call Ava, diverting her attention.

When she sees him, an excited look takes over her face and I help her get down from my lap. I watch her trudge towards him, her arms already opened wide and ready to be picked up. He meets her halfway and picks her up, a smile threatens to come out as I watch her squeal in joy when  Mr Cullen blows raspberries on her chest and tummy, but his eyes glance to me and that smile doesn't come out.

" I missed you Buggyboo."

" Miss you BB."

I quickly drop my eyes to my lap, wanting to contain my smile of amusement from coming out.

I can't believe he let her call him BB, but I get it, one can find themselves caving in for Ava, she just has that effect on people. I mean who can dare to say no to this cutiepie.

" So tell me, how are you doing hmm?"

" Good."

" Well that's good. Were you a good girl?" He raises his brows at her and she nods vigorously.

He looks at me and I hold my breath, waiting for a negative comment or something not nice to be said, but surprisingly he says something different. " Her dad will be home a little later, so I'll stay with her."

I nod and rise to my feet, starting to tidy up around the living room. The whole time I'm busy, I don't look his way, giving them space.

I return to the living room from the kitchen, to see Mr Cullen sitting on the floor, having taken off his suit jacket and now drawing with Ava. I'm supposed to not be touched by the sight, because Mr Cullen is involved but it's so cute to see him give Ava control and let her feel like the teacher, as she teaches him how to draw.

He doesn't look like that man who had been horrible to me, who had insulted me but he looks like a totally different person. He looks so gentle with her and it almost look fatherly?

As if he knows I am here, he glances up and our eyes meet. Feeling weird for watching like a creep, I cough awkwardly and enter into the living room, walking over to take my bag so I can leave. I make sure to not forget Ava's drawing.

" I have made her something to eat, if she gets hungry." I tell him before crouching down to her level.

" Ava?" She looks at me.

" I have to go now, but I'll see you tomorrow okay?"

She doesn't say anything but just looks at me.

" Ava?" I frown a little when she doesn't answer me.

A soft smile lifts on my face when she leaves her drawing and comes over to me. " Pwomise?"

I hold up my pinky and help her to do the same, before connecting our fingers together. " Pinky Promise."

" Piky pwomise."

I smile at her and she smiles at me.

Relief washes over me when I see that she is convinced by my words and I no longer, see her upset. I kiss her little pinky before pulling her into my arms and kissing her temple.

" I'm going now okay?"

She nods.

" Why don't we walk her out Ava?"

" No, no....It's okay." I quickly say, looking at him. " Ava and I have talked and we understand each other."

It's better if I leave while Ava and me have an understanding.

I take my bag and rise to my feet.

" I should go now." I say, walking past him.

" Miss Grey?"

I stop in my tracks and release a sigh, before glancing over my shoulder to look at him.

" You made the right choice."

I hold myself back from replying, but simply turn around and walk away.

                          *******

I talked to my mother and now I am relieved. She finally knows about me quitting my job and giving Mr Sanders a piece of my mind. Just like Lucia had said, mom would be very understanding, no, more then understanding, but very proud of me.

I could hear the concern in her tone as I was telling her everything, but then she was relieved to learn that I landed myself another job. At first, I was worried when I mentioned my new job as a nanny to mom, because she would start bringing up the past but thankfully she didn't.

I think she is still under the impression that I can't handle, being around children right now. I can understand her concerns, due to her having watched me go through the toughest change in my life.

Eversince mom and dad seperated, she has been so protective about me and sensitive too. It was hard seeing mom and dad seperating, it was heartbreaking to watch my dad walk out of the house but as time passed, I finally accepted because after he walked out that door, he showed me a different side of him.

I rarely see dad and the time I get to see him, is limited. He's always busy and calling him is like trying to get a hold of the mayor or the president. I've literally stopped trying and I've just focused on my mom more, because she is the only parent who is available.

I love my dad, but if he can't make an effort with me, then I wont do it either. It's sad to admit it, but my dad doesn't even know about me having had a child and giving her up for adoption, he doesn't know this part of my life, the most sensitive part of my life. I don't know how he would react, if he ever found out.

I think it's enough now, that one of my parents knows. I'll just have to see how things unfold, when the other does.

There are a few people who are close to me, who are aware of two years ago and had shown great support to me. One of those people is Lucia's cousin, Jackson. My childhood crush. I think it's far better when I refer to him as my childhood crush. He's a really goodlooking guy with light brown long shouldered hair, dark eyes and I just like how he looks good in jeans.

Just like he is now as he comes my way. I'm currently at a diner that's just a walking distance from my apartment, I've been chilling here for close to 15 minutes now, not that it has been a surprise to see him here because he comes here often, it's that he's hinted that he wants to join me and now, I have to think of something to say and not act weird.

Jackson was an impossible dream when I was young and still, as we are now grown up, he still has that small effect on me. I still don't know why he would even give me the time of day, he's always been the cool guy. The way he carries himself is admirable, he's hardworking, always on the move and he wasn't a player.

To the girls he's dated, he's had long term with them and that just shows that, he puts in the work in a relationship. I know his family and they are very welcoming people. He's closest to his mom and it is the sweetest thing, to watch him fuss over her.

A confused frown takes over my face when a piece of cake is placed infront of me. I look up and Jackson smiles down at me.

"A little something to say congratulations, for your new job."

" Oh, uh thank you." I say, my face warming up.

" I wanted to come by your place so many times -"

" Then why didn't you?" My eyes widen after I cut him off. " Uh I mean, I wouldn't have minded if you came by." I quickly say, dropping my eyes to my lap.

" I wanted to, I just didn't get the chance."

" Oh, that's okay. Thank you again for this." I gesture to the cake before getting started in eating it.

" We should do something more to celebrate your new job." He suggests.

" N-no that's not necessary -"

" Actually it is, you're one of the people that deserves to have something nice done for them. You've been working so hard all your life and you faced so much in the last two years that -" he stops short when I look away.

Being reminded of two years ago is something that's happening way too much now, especially with seeing Mr Cullen and then Ava. I just don't feel like talking about it.

" I'm sorry."

I look at him with a frown. " Why are you apologising."

" I've just dampened your mood."

" N-no no, it's not like that...." I quickly say, reaching out to take his hands but I stop within reach, when I realize what I was about to do.

I pull my hands back to my lap, feeling awkward.

" Lets not talk about two years ago, lets talk about -"

" Do you want to go out?" My eyes almost bulge out of my face after the slip of my tongue.

What the heck did I just say?

                           *******

A week and a few days has passed now and here I am, still Ava's nanny. In these days, I have already witnessed the cranky Ava and also the upset Ava. I've had to be creative in ways of calming her down and so far, I've succeeded.

Ava is not a difficult toddler to watch over, she just needs someone to be attentive and to make her feel like she's being heard. Listening to her and letting her take the lead, either in a game or just simply give her room to figure things out, has shown me that Ava, will be an independent soul.

In the short space of time, that I've been working for Mr Davies, I still haven't heard much about Ava's mom. She still continues to be a mystery to me and it kind of makes me more nervous then curious, on learning the truth on what happened to her.

Luckily, I have seen what she looks like and to be honest, there is no real similarity between her and Ava, other then her skin colour. I was aware from day one that Ava is a mixed baby, with her dad being caucasian and her mom black. She is a very beautiful woman and with Mr Davies, they make a very goodlooking couple.

What I had taken notice of, in which has warmed my heart, is the daddy and daughter duo, that Ava and Mr Davies makes. Mr Davies is simply a caring dad and he never wants to see his daughter not smiling, whenever Ava excitedly jumps up and down or tries to quickly make her way, to him, his face immediately lights up. It's so sweet.

One of the most relieving parts about these days, is not seeing much of Mr Cullen. Apparently, they've been busy at work and this, I overheard in passing as Mr Davies was over the phone. I have been okay and not seeing the man, has made me way more comfortable in Mr Davies's home.

After that day that, that he had said that I made the right decision, he never really said anything to me the day after. Not talking to each other and simply pretending that he is not there, has worked out great for me and I think I should do that more often.

I should simply ignore Ava's uncle, yes, Mr Cullen is Ava's uncle. It's unfortunate for me but true. Apparently, Mr Cullen is the brother to Ava's mom and Ava's mom was adopted into the Cullen family. Mr Cullen and Mr Davies have been friends for a long time and it just worked out, when Mr Davies fell inlove with Mr Cullen's sister.

I just wonder what Mr Cullen's reaction was, when he learnt that his best friend had fallen inlove with his little sister?

I mean, that man is aggressive and I can't imagine him lasting in a relationship, seriously.

' Gosh, why have I been thinking about that man, it doesn't matter to me if he dates or gets married. As long as he stays away from me and we don't annoy each other, then I'm good.'

I roll my eyes at my thoughts.

' I should be focused on tonight because tonight, I'm hanging out with friends.'

I let out a smile as Lucia comes back to join me at our table. I haven't really gone out to the dancefloor yet and I have no real desire to do so. Infact, I regret even suggesting this.

It's just that I had no other option, then to make the club as sone form of excuse, as to why I was asking Jackson out. When I asked him out, I didn't mean it like that, wanting to go on a date with him, I meant hanging out with friends, and now, for damage control I had to bring in Lucia and Charlie.

I didn't explain anything to her and now I think I'll have to, I just don't want her to think I'm after her cousin. I don't wish that she gets the wrong idea.

" I still can't believe that you wanted to visit this scene again."

I didn't, but I had no choice.

I shrug. " Just wanted to let loose a little, you know!"

She nods, though her eyes are showing suspicion.

" Lets have a drink!" I suggest, already ahead of her in taking a shot.

Her eyes widen before she giggles and follows my lead. I trample any other bothering thought and just let myself be in the present, with my friends. Time passes and before I know it, I am on the dancefloor with Lucia, breaking some serious moves.

I am so into my time of fun that I almost miss it, the feeling of being watched. Someone is watching me, I can feel their gaze on me and it is strong. This pulls me to a stop and now I'm the one searching for the person, responsible.

My search leads me upstairs, where VIP usually is and there stands a tall man, looking down at me. He holds me captive with his gaze and now, we are in a staring match. I might not get much of detail on his features, due to the change of lights on the dancefloor.

My breath gets stuck in my throat when he starts moving, he is coming down the stairs and every now and then, he glances my way. It hits me them and it hits me so strong, when he glances at me for the third time and the bright light passes by the stairs, that I know him.

I know him well because I'm taken back to years ago, 2 years to be exact. I was at the club and this happened, I'm in some form of deja vu right now.

He is the man who swooped in and made me fall weak to my knees, he pursued and I gave in, until the next few days, where he showed me his true nature. He is that same man, that broke pieces of my heart amd now he is coming to me, I know it, I can feel it.

Reece Cullen is coming.