Chapter 4

To my surprise, after making sure the cheque is indeed real, the old woman continues to glare at me.

"I won't be renting this place to you anymore. Move out as soon as possible. I can't trust someone who is involved in a crime like this."

I stare at her, "What crime? I didn't do anything! Mrs Hat is the one who ran away with the money, not me."

"Whatever, I can choose who I rent to. If I am not comfortable, I won't rent to that person." She says coldly.

"It's not even my fault. This is unfair." I protest.

"Unfair? Meet me in court then but get your things out before that."

My pride won't allow me to back down so easily to anyone who bullies me but I am so tired right now. "Fine! I'll get out right now!" I say indignantly and run inside to pack my belongings.

In anger, I pack whatever I can and then roll out my suitcase, holding a sleeping Miracle in my arm. The landowner is still outside and I feel satisfied when I see her eyes and mouth wide open as she watches me leave.

Now, where should I go?

Driving away, I can only think of one place. Sorry Seb, I'll have to cramp your style again tonight.

***

"What is this now? Why are you here again Eva?"

"Sorry Seb. We will be intruding on you for a while." I say apologetically, placing Miracle onto his bed.

"You've already caused so much trouble and misunderstanding in my life Eva! Isn't this going overboard?"

I feel guilty but what else can I do? I had nowhere else to go. "I'm sorry." I repeat quietly.

"Sorry? Can your apology bring back Carol? Can it get rid of the rumours?" He shouts angrily.

My eyes water. A lot has happened in the past day and a half and I really don't need him shouting at me like this. Can't I get at least one night of peaceful sleep?

"Hey, are you crying Eva?" His voice is suddenly soft as he stares at me with concern. I quickly turn my face away.

"I-I'm not. Something was in my eye."

I feel his hands on my arms as he spins me around to face him. I try to avoid eye contact.

"Why are you crying?"

"It's n-nothing. I'm just tired." I say truthfully.

"Get some sleep. You can sleep with Miracle on my bed. I'll sleep on the sofa." Seb says gently.

"Thank you." I whisper and walk back to his room. Miracle is still asleep. I smile a little. Seeing this cute baby really does wonders to calm me down.

When I wake up to Miracle's cries, I glance at the clock. It's seven. Lifting him up, I bounce him on my hip. "There, there. Mummy is making your milk darling." I say as I add warm water to the formula and shake the milk bottle.

It seems like Seb has already left for work. I place Miracle onto the floor and pick up the duvet and pillow from the sofa. Folding them neatly, I take them into the bedroom. Doesn't Seb have two bedrooms? He has a guest room...

I regret opening the door to the unused room. The dust is thick and fills the air. I cough as I step out again and gather the cleaning tools. I need to turn this into a livable room if I don't want him to complain about sleeping on the sofa soon. Maybe if he can sleep properly on his own bed, I might be able to stay longer.

Grinning, I slip on the gloves and pick up the duster. Starting from the cabinets, I clean all over the room. It's harder than I first thought. It takes me almost five hours to get the guest room spick and span. In between, I take breaks to feed Miracle and change his nappy.

By the time I have finished, the spare bed he has here is finally visible and the dust has disappeared. I should be alright sleeping here now. Spreading myself out on the sofa in the living room, I massage my legs. I did more exercise in the past few hours than I have done in a whole year.

I must have fallen asleep because I am woken up by a tickling sensation in my nose. Opening my eyes, I am met with a close up of Seb's face. He has a feather stuck in my nostril.

Sitting up, I grin at him and pull it out. "What were you doing?"

He backs away as I advance towards him, the feather held tightly in my hand. "D-don't–"

"Too late." I smirk and tickle his ear with the feather.

"St-stop...AHAHHAAAHHHAAAAAHHAAA..." He laughs as I continue tickling him.

"How was work?" I ask, finally stopping. I pick up Miracle who is on the floor.

"It was normal. The girls avoided me though."

I roll my eyes and go to the kitchen with Miracle to make his milk. "You and your women. Haven't you ever thought of settling with one person? What about a family?" I ask as he follows me.

He leans against the kitchen door, one arm stretched above his head as he leans against the doorframe. His light brown eyes stay on me as I shake the bottle.

"If I were to settle on one person, it would mean I am serious and actually in love. I haven't found that person yet so there's no harm in checking around right?" He says.

I roll my eyes, "Your logic is flawed. Why doesn't your grandma nag you about marriage like my parents? It's not fair at all."

"That's because I have qualities which women are attracted to so there's no fear of me staying single forever. Whereas you..." He shakes his head.

"Go on. Say it. What's so bad about me?" I ask confidently. I already know that my looks are nothing to gloat about and my personality is average too, contrary to what my mother believes. I am at the age where I readily embrace the reality of myself.

"You're not really..." He stops.

"What?" I ask and give the milk to Miracle. I walk out of the kitchen and sit on the sofa. "Finish what you were saying."

He sits beside me and brings his face close to mine, scrutinising me. "You're different from a woman."

"Are you saying I'm not a woman?" I chuckle, "What am I then?"

"A brother? A friend?" He says slowly. Is he teasing me?

"Come on, I'm not talking about your view of me. I'm asking if you were a man I didn't know, what would you think?" I place Miracle down on the sofa and lean closer to Seb.

I grin and wrap my arms around his neck. He seems surprised as he jolts backwards. "Now, what do you think?" I move my mouth to his ear and whisper.

His body is stiff as he stares at me. His eyes travel all over my face again and I pull his face closer to me expectantly. Why is he so quiet?

To my horror, he suddenly smirks evilly and fear creeps into me. What is he planning? Within a blink of an eye, I find myself leaning back against the sofa and his hands are holding mine above my head.

"Does it matter what I think?" He says in a deep, low voice. My heart races faster as his face nears me. What is he doing?

"Wh-what are you doing?" I ask breathlessly.

He smirks triumphantly and pulls back, letting my hands go. I turn my face away and breathe. Why is my heart beating erratically?

"From a man's view, I don't think they would think anything more of a friend." He says casually.

I feel frustrated and a little bit angry for some reason. Is he saying that I am undesirable?