Chapter 5

Genesis's POV

It's been a little over two weeks since I began working here. In the space of that time, I've only gone home twice, on Sundays. That's my only day off in the week. My job has pushed me a bit. It has taken a lot of getting used to. But what I'm happy the most about is how Averie is warming up to me. We have gotten closer with the much time we spend together. The only time we're away from each other is during her school hours and after that, we proceed to spend the rest of the day together. I've gotten to know a lot about her. And one thing that girl can do is talk. And while I might not always have the answers to her questions because of how inquisitive she is, I still enjoy getting to know her and how her little mind works.

I barely get to see her Father. Miss Ophelia had warned that his wing of the house is off limits so I only get to see him in the mornings when he has breakfast with his daughter. Our communication doesn't go beyond occasional greetings and the welfare of his daughter. But if I'm being honest, Mr Dane Matthews is one beautiful species of a man. What father to a bubbly five year old looks so hot and very composed? I try not to dwell on it too much. I'm not here for that. The last thing I would do is to fall for my boss. I can't afford to lose this job. And it also kinda feels wrong to fall for the father of the little girl I'm supposed to be taking care of. I've noticed he's a man of few words with a stoic personality. The only time I catch a glimpse of a relaxed side to him is when he's with his daughter. It's clear Averie has his heart and can twist it whichever way she seems fit. The girl adores her dad and he dots on her lovingly. He acts like she's the only one in the room whenever they're together. As busy as I perceive him to be, I would say he's a present dad.

I've been up for a little while now. It's past midnight and I've been trying to go back to sleep since I woke up but it's been proving difficult. I decide to read a book instead. I grab one from my little stash by the drawer and flip it open. I'm turning to the page I stopped at when I hear the sound of someone screaming. I throw the book on the bed and sit up when the sound comes again. Much louder this time.

Averie

I quickly get out of bed and rush to her room which isn't too far from mine. I enter

her room to find her struggling in her sleep. She screams and sobs at the same time. I rush over to her bed and gather her in my arms.

“Mommy” I hear her little voice say. “Mommy please don't go. Don't leave me alone” she says as I tap her back gently.

“It's okay, Averie. You're safe now. You have your daddy. You're not alone. You're safe” I whisper into her ears as I rock her gently. After a while, the screaming stops and the sobs reduce. I hold her till she falls back to sleep.

I wonder just what might have happened to her mother? This is the first time she's having a nightmare since I resumed work here. It's shocking to see her this way. She's just a little girl. Having to have nightmares is just not right. She called her mum. And thinking about it, I haven't met her mum. I figured she doesn't live with them. Maybe she's separated from her father, or maybe in some other country for work, or maybe dead? I sincerely hope it isn't the last option. I still hold her in my arms even as she has fallen asleep. I wipe the little bed of sweat on her forehead. Grabbing the AC remote control from the stand, I turn up the volume a bit. I relax my back on the bed with Averie still in my arms. She holds on to me tight even in her sleep. I don't want to leave her alone. What if it happens again?

I finally set her on the bed and try to softly wriggle from her grip so she doesn't wake. I pull up the blanket to cover her properly and take the seat by her bedside. I watch her carefully for a moment and when I lift up my head, my eyes meet her father's by the doorway. We stare at each other for some minutes without saying a word. I break eye contact when I see him coming into the room. I turn to face Averie and see she's still sleeping. She appears a lot relaxed right now and I'm glad.

“She had a nightmare again?” The question sounds more like a statement. He said again. So I guess this isn't the first time it's happened. Does she suffer from frequent nightmares?

“Yes. I immediately rushed in as I heard her screams. I found her struggling on her bed. But she seems relaxed right now” I say, looking back at Averie.

“This is a recurring situation. You should know this since you're her nanny so you can be alert. It doesn't happen everytime just occasionally” he caresses his daughter's cheek and lays a feathery kiss on her forehead. He stands back up and turns to me fully. “Does this scare you?” he asks bluntly

I tilt my head to try to understand his question. “Does what scare me?” I ask

“This” he motions to his daughter. “The fact that she suffers nightmares every now and then and you have to be alert most nights to deal with it. Does it scare you?” He takes a step towards me and stops. We're just a few inches apart.

“Why should it scare me? It is bad enough that she has to go through this at a tender age. I would do anything I can to help her not get scared and run away” I say, feeling how ridiculous his question sounds. But I get it though. Not everyone wants to deal with stuff like this. But I'm not everyone. And given it's Averie, the.little girl I've grown so attached to over the last couple of weeks, I'd stay, over and over again.

“I just want you to know what you're signing up for. Anyway, you'll be moving from the nanny quarters into the room next door. I need you much closer to her” he puts his hand into the pockets of his pajamas and stares down at me. This man commands confidence even in the middle of the night when people are asleep and groggy.

“Is there any need for that? I mean, the nanny’s quarter is not too close but it's also not too far off. I was still able to hear her screams” I say, not seeing the need for me to move rooms.

“I insist, Genesis” he states calmly. This is the first time he's said my name and boy, does it sound good coming from him.

I clear my throat to realign my thoughts. This is not the time to be thinking about how my name sounds from my boss's lips. “Alright. I'll move into the room next door” I say and he only nods his head.

We begin staring at each other again until the ringing of his phone breaks the moment. I quickly look away, flustered. He takes out his phone from his pocket and answers the call. His expression goes blank. The colour slowly drains from his face. He listens to the person on the other end speak and his eyes widen as his brows pull together. His expression grows tense and a crease forms between his eyebrows.

“I'm on my way” he says in a controlled voice and ends the call. “Look after Averie. I'll be back later” he says and leaves the room before I could utter another word. I wonder what news he heard that made him go stiff. I just hope everything is fine. I resume my seated position by Averie's bedside. I don't think I can go back to my room tonight. I'm scared she might have another nightmare. Now I see it only makes sense that I move into the room next door. I'll feel better knowing I'm just next door to her.