Chapter 7

I stared at him as he took care of my forehead. Our faces were so close and my cheeks burned once again.

My heart pounded loudly and I was sure he heard it. Why was there a feeling of dejà vu?

I stared at his face so much that I couldn't feel the sting of the spirit on my forehead.

Nothing else mattered, just as long as I stared at his face. His perfect face was the perfect distraction.

He had taken off my cap so that he could treat my forehead properly. I was sure he couldn't stand it but couldn't help but wonder why.

'Is it possible to freeze the time so that I can remain in this position with him?' I thought.

"Does it sting?" He asked and I subconsciously shook my head. "I didn't bandage your head because I thought you wouldn't like it; besides, the bleeding has stopped." he said.

"Okay." I subconsciously said and watched him retrace his steps, that was when I came out of Dreamland. "Hiss!" I hissed at the immerse sting on my forehead but then, it suddenly cooled down.

There was a figure towering over me. I looked up and saw Oscar blowing on my forehead so caringly.

Wait, was I falling for him? Impossible! I quickly pushed him away

"What are you doing?" I yelled

"Sorry, did I inconvenience you? I only wanted to ease the sting for you." He said

"That's enough!" I said harshly. "You've done quite enough!" He looked at me speechless and lowered his head like a dejected puppy. So cute!

He looked heartbroken though. I wondered if I hurt his feelings with my words. I bit my lip with mixed feelings.

"I didn't mean to sound ungrateful but you... you've really down enough. You're my boss, you shouldn't be the one to take care of me, you get?"

I wasn't the type to do gentle talks but I really hoped he could feel the sincerity in my words. I didn't want to be seen as taking advantage of him.

"I understand!" He said with a smile on his perfect face. God, it was brilliant. What did I ever do to deserve the privilege of seeing such a smile?

I quickly looked away and discovered why my cheeks burned. It was because of the heat coming from his perfection. I was definitely blushing.

We both fell into what you call, dead silence. It was awkward to both of us.

I needed to break the ice so I thought of something and cleared my throat noisily, trying to catch his attention.

"So, you don't mind the news?" I asked but he didn't respond. It took a while before he spoke up.

"It's just news!" He claimed with a frown. "It's clear that I didn't do anything with that girl. But even if I did, so what? I'm not living my life for anyone!" He was so calm about it.

"Yeah, you're right!" I nodded frantically and watched him get up. "Where are you going?" I asked and he looked down at me. For a moment, our eyes locked gaze. I couldn't help but dig inside his pupils. There were so many secrets locked up in those eyes of his and I was eager to know each of them.

He walked towards me, closing the gap between us and stretched his hand. I thought he was going to hit me so I wanted to close my eyes but couldn't.

They refused to close because every movement of his was swift, calm and steady.

"I ..." My words were cut short when he picked my cap from behind me and placed it gently on my head.

"I've had enough of your orange hair, so just keep it covered." He said and turned with yet, another swift motion. "I'm going to my study to work, don't make noises that will distract me, okay?"

"Aye!" I saluted with my back straight since I was still sitting. I felt relieved that he didn't see me because that action was rather embarrassing. I sighed. It had been a really, long day.

A few hours passed and I felt hungry so I cooked up something and ate peacefully. I offered some to Oscar but he refused to leave his work and take even a single bite. What a workaholic!?

Night came upon us and Oscar was still cooped up in his study doing what he calls work. Again, what a workaholic!?

I checked the time to see it was already nine o,clock. Dad must've been at the casino. I didn't know to what extent he would gamble and hoped he'd stop really soon, gambling wasn't a child's play.

I looked at the stairs wondering if I should inform Oscar I was leaving. I went up the stairs and arrived at the door of his study.

"I really want to go home, I feel so hot in this uniform!" I complained as I stretched out the neckline. I leaned on the door while contemplating if to knock or not. I decided to knock.

Just then, the door swung open and I lost my balance falling towards Oscar but luckily, he caught me in those strong arms of his.

I felt a little embarrassed that I had lost my balance. Of all the times in the world to be clumsy, why now Tasha?

"Are you alright?" He asked

"Yeah, I'm totally fine!" I felt hot and tried to get out of his arms. He helped me to my feet while I avoided his gaze.

"Check your phone!" He simply said. I looked at him wondering why? I check and saw an unread message.

I looked at him before clicking on it only to see an alert of one million dollars. My eyes lit up with delight. They literally sparkled.

Seeing that much money appeased my soul and I praised myself for a job well done.

"Thanks!"

"You earned it!" He said and I felt relieved. For a moment I didn't know if I was thanking him for the money or thanking myself for accepting the job. But either way, I still got the money.

"So, can I go now?" I asked

"You want to leave?" He asked with a rather disappointed tone.

"Well yeah, my dad's gonna wonder where I am at such an hour so..." I turned intending to walk away.

"Can't you just stay for tonight?" He requested and I stopped.

"What?" I felt confused. Once again, it felt like a guy asking his girlfriend to stay for the night.

"Well," he put his hands in his trouser pockets. "... It gets a little lonely sleeping alone in this huge house. I thought maybe ...you could stay. That way I wouldn't feel so lonely."

My eyes widened to the extent that they could pop out any moment. The great Oscar King was asking me, a little girl, though he doesn't know that, to stay with him in his huge house because he was lonely?

That news would be a die-for news.

It was very funny but looking at the expression on his face, I knew he was serious. Poor guy must've felt really lonely.

'what the fuck?! How can I stay with him alone? I'm a damn girl for crying out loud. Do I have to stick it on my forehead for the whole world to know?' I thought while getting agitated.

"Look, I know it's normal for driver's to live with their boss, but right now, my dad doesn't know where I am and what time I'll be back. I have to go home and assure him that I'm alright. Plus, he's the only one I have, I don't want to be separated from him just yet. I hope you understand?" I looked at him with an earnest expression. "Though, my dad could be a prick sometimes, I still care for him. It's hard to admit it but, I can't imagine leaving my dad to cater for himself." I didn't know I had talked so much but it felt really good to let out the words in my heart.

This damn world was influencing me with my emotions. I didn't want to look so weak in front of anyone, especially not my boss but... I couldn't help it.

"I always want to look out for him. I don't know why but, I find myself always tolerating his bad behavior and gambling habit because that wasn't how we started. He wasn't always like that. He used to be super caring to me and my mom. We were his priority."

I kept my head down not wanting to show my weak expression.

"After that incident, he changed. He wasn't the same anymore. Many times we got physical, exchanging punches and tackling each other to the ground but, I still love him. Those times were the only times we had time for each other; violent fighting!" I scoffed. I had the feeling of being wronged when I was just a victim.

I turned around and pulled myself together. I felt so emotional. When I was done, I turned to see that Oscar's expression had soften. He sighed.

"Sure, you can work from home but ...you'll have to be careful! I don't want you dying on me, understand?" He smirked and I nodded. It felt good to be wanted.

"Aye, boss!" I turned and walked down the stairs. I looked back and waved with a smile. "Bye and goodnight!" He waved back.

"This kid, he looks just like a girl!" I heard him say and I scoffed.

"Of course I look like a girl, I am one afterall!" I found my way out and carefully went home. Luckily, no one attacked me or followed me home.

I opened the front door of my house and found my dad having dinner with a sober mind. That was like the first time in forever.

He looked up at me, his eyes were dim. His hair was very messy, eyebrows grown wild and bushy.

His face was covered with a rough and untamed beard. That old time handsome dad of mine now looked like a rogue. He was only in his 40's but here he was, looking like someone in his 60's.

"Where have you been?" He asked.

"At work!" I drew a chair and sat down. "I told you I got a new job. It pays daily and the pay is really good." I said, trying to kick up a conversation.

"Really?" He asked and I nodded. His lips curled up in a very cunning smile. Ugh, that again! "Then, could you..."

"Yes, yes! I'll give you money!" I said and rolled my eyeballs. It was never more than that, was it?

"You're my dear daughter. You'd never let your father suffer."

"Yeah yeah, I know. I'm the best daughter in this damn world. I've heard that like a billion times, how could I not know?" Once again, I rolled my eyeballs. I watched him eat and frowned. He looked so pitiful. Was he always like this in my eyes? A thought came to mind. "Hey dad, have you ever thought of getting remarried?" I asked.

He was silent for a while, probably thinking. He looked sad but then smiled.

"I don't think I need a woman in my life anymore." He said "The last one did a number on me, you know?" He continued eating. "What about you, do you need a new mother?" He asked and that was when I found the stupidity in my question.

I wanted him to be happy and gambling surely wasn't giving him real happiness. But since he was okay with his life like this and I could afford it, why not let him be?

Besides, who would get married to him in his current state? I certainly wouldn't!