CHAPTER FOUR

I’ve barely slid fully into the house when the door slams shut behind me.

Tyler grumbles incoherently as he walks past me to the living room, where a colossal number of toys and books are scattered on the table and chairs.

A soft gasp escapes my lips as I take in the room, far bigger than all the bedrooms in my house combined. Plush, beige sofas circle a white table crowned with an emerald vase of lilies, all facing a cinema-sized TV. Lining the wall are rare artworks and family pictures - Tyler isn’t smiling in any of them - and a pearly white grand piano gleams in the corner.

I feel a small tug on my dress and look down to see Tyler’s sister beaming at me. “Hi,” I say, immediately smiling back despite feeling the heat of Tyler’s glare from across the room on my skin.

“I’m Sophie,” she says, then turns to the boy partially hiding behind her. “That’s Lucas. He’s not weird, just shy.” She raises her chin as if daring me to disagree with her, and I immediately like her. “Lucas and I are twins, but I’m older,” she finishes proudly.

“It’s nice to meet you,” I say, meeting their eyes even though Lucas quickly looks away. “You can call me Lila.”

Sophie giggles. “Your name is pretty too.”

My smile widens as I feel warmth spread across my chest. Even though it’s coming from a six-year-old, it feels nice to be complimented.

The loud sound of a throat clearing forces the three of us to look up. Tyler must not like being the center of attention because he looks like he’s about to burst from anger. He raises a hand and waves us forward, like a king calling for his subjects.

My first instinct is to scoff and remain rooted in place out of spite, but my legs move of their own accord, and soon enough, I’m standing in the dining room with him. “Yes?” I ask through gritted teeth.

He raises a perfectly arched brow and sneers. “Do I need to remind you that you’re here for a job?”

“I was just…”

“Listen carefully,” he whispers sharply, lowering his head. “It is now your responsibility to handle them, not mine. Got that?” He doesn’t wait for a response before firing on. “Under no circumstances should you come looking for me or inconvenience me in any way. Stay out of my way, and I’ll stay out of yours.”

Considering I try my best to do just that in school, and he still manages to seek me out, his last sentence does nothing to reassure me. But I keep my mouth shut.

“Is that clear?” Irritation flashes across his face as he waits for an answer that doesn’t come. “Are you suddenly unable to speak?” he practically growls.

Resisting the urge to roll my eyes, I mumble beneath my breath. “I wasn’t sure you were done hearing the sound of your voice.”

“What did you say?”

I put on the politest smile I can muster. “I said it’s perfectly clear.”

“Good.”

He starts to turn around, but Lucas races towards him and grabs his hand, his dark eyes pleading. Sighing, Tyler crouches down in front of his brother and whispers something in his ear that causes Lucas to visibly relax. Then, he turns to Sophie, who has now joined them.

This time, I hear him murmur as he gently slides a lock of her hair behind her ear, “Be good, okay?”

The twins nod.

Tyler straightens slowly, his gaze sliding back to me and lingering for a second too long. “Don’t get too comfortable,” he warns, then turns and heads up the stairs without another glance.

Exhaling, I smile. “Do you also draw, Lucas?”

Lucas’ eyes widen before he drops onto the rug and bends over a puzzle board without answering. His shoulder stiffens as if he could feel my eyes on him.

“I guess not.”

“Do you want to see more of my drawings?” Sophie asks, tugging me towards the stack of papers on the chairs. “This is a unicorn.” She shoves one into my hands. “And this is Connor, my boyfriend.”

Lucas snickers without looking up, the sound too sharp in the big room.

“He is! He gave me his colored pencils in class when mine broke, and Hannah said we’re practically dating.”

My head snaps up at the sound of footsteps creaking faintly upstairs. Swallowing, I meet Sophie’s eyes. “Maybe wait for Connor to ask you out so you can be sure?”

Sophie shrugs, “I guess so.”

After hours of helping them with their assignments, my alarm goes off and I get ready to leave. “Would you like me to tuck you into bed?” I ask them when it’s time for me to go.

Sophie shakes her head firmly. “Tyler likes to do it.”

“Oh.” Somehow, I’m unable to reconcile this Tyler with the one from school.

“Are you really going to be here for fifteen days?” Sophie asks as I head towards the door and open it.

“Of course.”

She nods, her dark hair bobbing around her face. “Tyler doesn’t let people stay long. But I guess you don’t count.”

I open my mouth to speak, but the sound of footsteps clambering down the stairs stops me.

Tyler appears, and from the look on his face, I know he heard every word Sophie said. I don’t bother saying goodbye to him. But before I can close the door, his voice carries through the room.

“Be here by four tomorrow. Don’t be late.”

He may as well have commanded it, because his tone leaves no room for argument.