Chapter 9: Terms and conditions

Ana's Pov:

Lucas came to my rescue, albeit unknowingly.

"And speaking of permissions, father, I want Sophia to go to the same school with me."

Greyson didn't even think about it. "Of course," he said and continued eating.

For the umpteenth time today, my mouth hung open. I was right when I thought that Lucas's wishes were never really denied. He doesn't even request it. He just demands for something and it's as good as his. I don't think the little guy has ever heard the word 'no' before. At least, not from his father.

Tylor exclaimed, "that won't be necessary. I have arranged the best family-teaching tutor for her. He came highly recommended from a friend."

"Please, daddy!" Sophia turned the full force of her pleading gaze on him. "I want to make more friends in school. And I want to be with Lucas. Please daddy! Please mummy!"

"I don't know, sweetie..." I started, "we just got back to the states and we haven't settled in properly–"

"She can begin classes next month after you two have settled in, then."

My tongue tied. "W- well... I guess that's settled then."

Tylor disagreed, shaking his head vehemently. "But school will close very early for her class. With Ana and I going to work, there'll be nobody to take Sophia back home and take care of her."

"I thought about that," Greyson replied cooly, "my chauffeur picks Lucas from school everyday. I will tell him to pick up both Sophia and Lucas and bring them back to my home. She can do her homework and have dinner with us later and she can go back home with Ana after dinner."

"I think that is a splendid idea, father," Lucas said, nodding his head.

"What do you think, mummy?" Sophia asked, looking at me as if her life was hanging in the balance.

"I think it's a great idea." I won't need a babysitter for Sophia and I won't have to worry about my daughter because she will be with me most of the day. I can also save up on cost of living if we have dinner with the Williams everyday as an added bonus. This is a win.

"Yay! I get to go to school with Lucas!" Sophia's squealed, bouncing on her seat with excitement.

"All expenses will be catered for, of course," Greyson said.

"You don't have to–"

He sent me a look that silenced me immediately. "It's an employee bonus and it's not exclusive only to you. Everyone that works for me doesn't have to pay for their kids to attend Wilmer academy."

I swallowed, my throat tight. This was more than I could ever hope for. "Thank you, Mr Greyson," I said, earnestly, feeling a weight lift from my chest.

I thought Greyson had cracked a smile at me but that must have been a trick of the light. He turned back to his food before I could make sure if he had really smiled at me or not.

Lowkey, I had been worried about the expenses because I knew that Lucas didn't go to a regular school. He went to a school that catered for the elite. The top one percent of the country. I could never afford it on my own.

Dinner went by without any hitch after that.

***

"It was a nice evening, Ana." Lucas said at the door as the butler helped him put on his jacket. "I enjoyed the cakes."

"I'm glad you did, little guy." I chuckled, barely resisting the urge to ruffle his fluffy little head.

What?! He's so freaking adorable.

"Bye bye, Lucas," Sophia said, hugging him. To my surprise, the little ice prince accepted the hug and even hugged her back.

"I have your account details when you signed the contract. The money will be be wired to you at the end of today."

After the guests had gone, Tylor helped me clean up after. He was clearly unhappy as he helped me dry the plates and put them on the stack.

He broke the silence after a few minutes. "You didn't have to invite them over, Ana."

"I didn't. They invited themselves over."

He stopped and looked at me with a frustrated expression on his face. "Can't you see what he's doing to you? You haven't even started yet and he's already pushing your boundaries, showing up at your place. Forcing you to cook dinner for him and overworking you."

I gripped the washcloth tight in my hands. "He's not forcing me to do anything. And he paid me by hours, three times the rate. He paid me more than I've ever been paid before, Tylor. I don't mind the work as long as I get paid for it."

He dropped the dish he had been drying and came over to me, grabbing my arms. "You don’t need to work for a rude man like that as a house maid, Ana. You don't need to overwork yourself either. You can go to my family company or you don't even have to work. I can make you and Sophia live with no worries. Just let me into your life, Ana. Just let me take care of you. Please."

His deep blue eyes were bluer than I've ever seen them, brimming with honesty, but I tore myself away from him, angry and hurt.

"Don't you get it, Tylor?!" I yelled at him. "This is what I want. What I need! The reason my father got the better of me the last time was because I depended so much on him. I don't want to be that girl anymore. You don't need to provide anything for me. I want to provide for myself and my daughter! I don't want you to take care of me. I want to take care of myself! Is that so much to ask?!"

I didn't realize how loud I'd been yelling until I stopped. Tears stung my eyes and I looked away to wipe my tears.

Tylor was quiet for a few seconds. "I'm sorry," he said earnestly, his voice withdrawn and defeated. "I'm sorry, Ana... But that man–"

"Mummy... Daddy..." Sophia said cautiously, walking into the kitchen.

I turned around to look at her, "don't worry, sweetie. Tylor and I were just having a conversation. Do you want me to take you to bed? Are you ready to sleep?" I picked her up and took her in my arms.

"No, mummy, your phone was ringing."

I became aware of the phone vibrating in her hands and took it from her.

Lucas was on the line.

"There will be someone made available tomorrow to pick you up at six in the morning and bring you over to my house," he said in his usual taciturn, cold voice. "Do well to be prepared before then because I would like you to have breakfast made for me at my home and lunch that I can take to school."

"Of course." Ohhhh. I just wanted to pinch his cute little cheeks.

He cleared his throat and said in a warmer voice. "And you can bring Sophia over. Don't worry about having to take care of her on duty. There's a toys room already being prepared for her."

"I–"

"Yes, I'd like that!" Sophia screamed in my arms. I had even forgotten that I had lifted her up. She looked at me and pouted, her big eyes pleading desperately. "Please, mummy, take me with you! I want to go with you."

"Sophia.." Tylor started, hus voice stern, but one look from Sophia, his kryptonite, shattered him. He didn't want to disappoint her. "Alright."

She brightened at that.

He looked directly at me, his face serious. "But I have a condition."