Chapter 4: The Gardener

Chapter 4: The Gardener

He just arrived from a walk when he saw the elderly garden keeper. He was having trouble at disembarking the potted plants, that is why he offered to help.

 He was aware of the woman walking towards the garden where he is. But it was unlucky for her  to tripped over.  he saw her looking around the garden as if drawn by its beauty that she did not watch her steps.  She is short , with black hair, a very typical Asian. Not really his type. He ignored her to save her from the embarrassment but he could not believe that he could be mistaken for a gardener.

‘A gardener! Tch!’ He felt insulted. 

~~~~~~

Luckily, Harebell got the job as a nanny to  one year - old toddler. The interview was short. Since she was  recommended by Margaret who was once a part time house help, they have decided that they can trust her and the interview turned out satisfactory. The part time job will last for two months until the  regular nanny is back from her wedding vacation.

Harebell sighed at the thought. She can’t be sure if she will have enough money to save for the next semester. Although she still has considerable savings, but without other help, it will be difficult to make ends meet. Thinking of her family’s situation back in Hongkong made her cry. She felt so helpless.

As she was told she can have the following day to prepare  and get settled. She  was told that  their family driver will pick her up at her apartment’s address at ten  the next morning.

~~~~~~

The following morning, Harebell was waiting in front of the apartment by thirty minutes earlier than the set time for her to be picked up. But it is already thirty minutes past ten o’clock. Another thirty minutes went by but no sign of car stopping at her place. She tried to dial the number given to her but no one is answering. She tried again but it just kept ringing. It was already eleven when a car stopped.

She recognized who was in the driver seat, it was the rude gardener. All of a sudden she felt infuriated.  She never like showing disgust toward other people but with this man, she could not help but frown and looked at him with dislike. She was just thankful that she was wearing her eyeglasses , it could hide some of her unbecoming facial expression.

‘Why did he have to be the one to come?’   She thought with irritation.

Without stepping out of the car, Matthew just shouted at her when the window of the car was rolled down.

“what are you waiting for? Quickly put your luggage at the compartment now. It is getting late!”

~‘Impudent !  grrrrrr….’ she did what she was told but she couldn’t believe how ungentleman he is. With heavy steps she went to the seat next to him . 

“I was told  that a driver will pick me up and not the gardener.” She sounded sour. 

All she wanted now is to get even with him. Just as how she saw him yesterday, she is wearing a a plain shirt and a khaki jacket. His pants are faded and also wearing his cap , sunglasses on. She cannot really have a good look at his face . and  he obviously had not shaved for days.

“The driver had an emergency. He was taken to the hospital. He had a hypertension.”

“oh. I see. I hope it is not serious”

“I hope so.” He looked at her.

“what?  We can go now.” She said with a frown.

“Buckle your seat belt, little lady”

~‘Shit! How can I have missed.’ She sensed him looking at her with amusement which made her conscious. She quickly grabs for the belt but having difficulty locking it.

Matthew leaned towards her and locked the belt around her middle. Then he drove away.

“Ok, kiddo that’s it. Now we can go.” Matthew said teasing her.

Kiddo! This time she tried to hold back her temper.  

~‘he really is getting in my nerve.’ she thought in her mind.

◇

~~~

Matthew can’t either laughed or annoyed at the girl next to him. She seemed determined to cross him and he enjoyed teasing her in return.  She does really look like a middle schooler. 

Earlier that day, he was hesitant to get up from bed, but was forced to since there is no one else to take the driver's place to pick her up. His sister ordered him to go instead . ‘Ahhhh! Why are women in my family hard to deal with.’ he internally complained.

Even as a kid he was always obedient when it comes to his sister. Her sister was so protective of him, but you can’t fool her.  She still  treated him as if he is a gallivanting teenager. She is so much like their mother. And most likely the reason why their father had never able got his way on her.

‘and now this one!’ referring to Harebell, he never had  difficulty with other women  before save her mother and sister of course. 

“ lets have lunch first. I am starving.”

“huh. But I am expected ….”

He cut him speaking. “No one is expecting you right now. The caretaker went out to check the driver. The family went out to visit a friend.”

Matthew parked the car  and ushered her to follow her to the restaurant. Harebell was wide eyed when they entered and looked at the menu.

“I will just have a sandwich and a juice”

“why? Aren’t you hungry?”

“no, I had a late breakfast” the truth is she only had coffee in the morning and she is already hungry. She thought that she could catch lunch time at the house. But there is no way she will tell this man that the meal were expensive.

“ok, suit yourself . I have not had breakfast yet  so  I am eating heavy.”

Unbelievable! And for thirty minutes they sat there eating their respective order. And for the whole time, she was wishing that he will choke up. Crude!

They drove away in silence until they reached the house. The caretaker, Juanita, has already arrived from the hospital. She went to meet the two.

“oh, Harebell, you are here.” Then turned her attention to Matthew. But Matthew was quick to take the other woman  away.

“ssssshh…” he whispered to her.  “She doesn’t know me. She thinks I am the gardener. Let’s leave it that way for now”.