Her Attachment

~~~CAT'S POV~~~

"What's wrong?" I asked Faye in a concerned tone while Aenid is just watching me sitting in between them.

Faye shook her head. "I don't want to go to school," She said timidly.

"Why?" I asked without sounding accusing.

Faye looked at the entrance of the school and said, "They are too noisy, and I don't know anyone there. They might bully me."

My face immediately softens and I feel bad about Faye then it was immediately replaced with worry. "Have you been bullied before?"

Faye didn't answer me so I looked at Aenid.

"There was a boy who kept on pulling her hair in our previous school," Aenid said and I was slack-jawed.

Anger immediately flashed on my face.

"Have you talked about this to your father?" I asked and I was certain that my face became distorted when Aenid shook her head.

"How about your mother?" I asked again. I cannot believe that these kids have been bullied without their parent's knowledge.

Aenid shook her head and said, "We don't have a mother,"

Oh my God! My mind goes blank. My heart tightens as I subconsciously bring my hand to my chest.

What?

These girls don't have a mother?

Does that mean Mr. Vann doesn't have a wife?

Why didn't I know about it?

And why should I know?

Well, I guess because I am the one sitting here with his daughters who are anxious about going to school.

And why do I feel excited about it?

Damn!

I shook my head and calmed myself. Why am I feeling like this?

I take a deep breath. "I'm sorry about that," I said apologetically.

I wanted to ask where their mother is but I don't want to sound nosy. So, I put the question at the back of my mind.

"Alright, there is this technique that people are using for a thousand years now, it is called acupuncture. They are using needles to stimulate various points in their ears to help with their fear and anxiety." As I was saying these, I noticed the girl's eyes widen.

I chuckled seeing their frightened look. I find it kind of cute.

"Don't worry. I won't prick your ear with a needle. Instead, " I pause and position myself in front of Faye. "We'll do this."

I reached out my hand to touch her ear. I traced the outline of her outer ear lightly and I gently pressed it using my thumb and forefinger.

"Do you know how to count?" I asked her, looking at her curious eyes.

She nodded her head.

"Okay, can you help me count one to five?" I asked her and she nodded her head.

"One...two...three...four...five..." Faye counted and I could also see Aenid opening her mouth.

I smiled.

"That's called acupressure. You can do it in both your ears. You can do it every time you are feeling stressed or anxious." I said though I am not sure if it is going to work. But at least, it was able to distract her.

"Are you going to be our nanny?" I heard Aenid ask while I was taking my seat in between them. From the corner of my eyes, I watched as Faye squeezed her other ear with her fingers.

I turned to Aenid and smiled at her. "I would love to. But I have a job at your father's office." I was touched when I saw the disappointment on her face.

"Thou I can take you to school and pick you up every day for the meantime while your father is looking for a permanent nanny," I said with a smile and I'm pleased with her delighted expression.

"Alright!" She nodded her head.

"Faye?" I turned and looked at Faye who looked better than before, "Are we good?"

She turned to look at me. "I guess so,"

"Good, shall we go now to your classroom?" I asked.

Aenid nodded her head and I was glad that Faye did the same. I stood up from the bench and reached out to hold both of their hands. Based on my experience, I know hand-holding can help, psychologically with anxiety.

Grace, Aunt Molly, and Alvin do that a lot to me whenever I am in the hospital.

I walked into the school with Aenid and Faye holding my hands.

"By the way, do you have your father's contact number?" I asked them as I was about to leave them in their classroom.

Somehow I was the one feeling anxious about leaving them in a strange place.

"We have them in our pockets," Aenid said and tapped her finger in her pocket.

"Good, but still, I am going to give you each my card in case your father does not answer your call. Okay?" Now I feel compelled to be concerned about them. I reach out for my wallet and give them each my business card.

I squatted down so that I could see them at the level of my eyes. "If someone tries to bully any of you. Don't be afraid to tell your father, or me. I will see you before and after your classes so you can talk to me about all of your concerns. Plus, you also got my contact number, you can call me anytime." I said then I winked at them.

Then I also leave my business card to their teachers.

I didn't leave until I was sure that they were seated inside their classroom.

As I was walking out of school, I felt my steps getting heavy.

This is bad. Now I feel attached to my boss's daughters.

On my way back to the office, I took off my heels while inside the car and felt instant relief.

"Not a fan of heels?" I heard Stan comment and glanced at my barefoot.

"That's my nemesis," I said pointing at the innocent heels on the floor of the car.

The rest of the day was hell.

I came to the office late. I found my boss in the meeting room which I totally forgot.

Well, it was not my fault! He asked me to take his daughters to school. He should know that his daughters have school anxiety that's why it takes me too long to leave them at school

I should've told it to his face but decided not to.

Why?

I don't know!

Instead, I keep my mouth shut and forget about complaining.

He is scowling at me all day and I am so pissed at him. I even forgot about how I thought of him as the hottest and most gorgeous devil I've ever seen this morning.

No. Erase that. He is the loathsome devil I've ever met because he made me follow him around the whole day wearing those fucking heels!

We go around attending meetings after meetings. It was almost 3 o'clock when he realized that we haven't had lunch yet.

I already reminded him of that!

A couple of times!

Then he would tell me how I could forget such simple details.

What the...?

Then he just randomly picks a restaurant along the way to have lunch. And of all places, a restaurant that only serves pasta?

Pasta is one of the foods I avoid eating. Any carbs are a no. So, I end up barely eating and I guess that makes my boss more pissed at me.

Well, I don't care. I am more pissed at him.

I left the office wearing flats and I didn't care if he would see me, which he did. I don't care if he fires me at that moment, in fact, I am waiting for it but he didn't.

I am in so much pain right now, I feel like I am about to cry but I hold it in.

I tried to smile and listen as Aenid and Faye were talking to me about school when I picked them up. Once we were dropped by Stan at their mansion, he eventually left to pick up my boss.

So I had to take a taxi.

I know that the taxi driver is looking at me with concern.

"Miss, are you alright? Should I take you to the hospital?" I heard him ask.

I am not crying but I know that I am pale and have beads of sweat on my face.

I shook my head. "I'm fine. Thank you." I replied politely.

I'm hungry and in pain. But as soon as I arrived at my apartment I dived into my bed and curled my body.

I am in too much pain to think about food right now.

It is like I am having the bad flu right now.

I started to cry and reached out for the pain medication that is in my bag. I ate the medicine and didn't even bother to drink water.

I was moaning and crying until I fell asleep still in my office clothes and my stomach empty.