*SEVERAL DAYS LATER*
I was busy in the kitchen. Today is Molly's birthday so I was arranging the foodstuffs I would use to prepare the food. I was going for a small meal since it's only Mom, Dad and Grandma Shelly that would be our guests.
"Good morning mummy." I heard and turned back only to see the celebrant.
"Morning my little princess?" I asked.
"I'm not little anymore. I'll turn six today." She said making me chuckle in amusement.
"Okay. My bad. How's my grown up princess doing? Hope you slept well?" I asked.
"Yes and you?"
"Same." I answered.
"What are you doing?" She asked as she tried to see what I was doing.
"Preparing a meal. Where's your nanny?" I asked back.
"She's in her room."
"Okay. Go and call her for me."
"Okay." She said as he ran to Abigail's room.
After some time, she came back with Abigail trailing closely behind her.
"You called for me?" She said to me.
"Yes. I need some help here. Some of the things I need are not here. So, I'll need you to go buy them for me at the grocery store." I said as I handed over to her a list filled with all that I needed.
"Take my credit card from my room." I told her. She nodded and left.
I wanted to continue what I was doing when I noticed the way Molly was staring at Abigail. It was as if she was giving her a suspicious look.
"What's wrong Molly. Why are you staring at her like that?" I asked.
"Mommy, don't you notice that nanny has been acting strange?" She asked instead.
"Why do you say so?"
"Earlier, when I went into her room to call her. I overheard her talking to someone. But when she opened the door, there was no one there." She answered.
"Are you sure of what you're saying?"
"Yes."
"She might be talking to grandpa or grandma on the phone."
"I can recognize their voice anywhere but it sounds nothing like theirs. The voice I heard was that of a man." She said.
"Are you sure??"
"One hundred percent. And this is not the first time something like this is happening. A couple nights ago, I overheard her talking to someone on the phone but when she saw me, she quickly hung up the call like I caught I doing something bad." Said Molly.
"Were you able to hear what she was saying?"
"No because she was whispering." Molly answered.
Now that she told me, I could notice that she was telling the truth. I've also noticed that Abigail has been acting really strange. Ever since the night I caught her eavesdropping on my conversation with Grandma Shelly, I could notice some things about her that were really odd.
Even though she gave me an excuse, I could still feel it my guts that she was lying.
Abigail was always quiet and she usually minds her business but now, she's always all over the place. Trying to engage me in one conversation or the other like she's trying to get something out from me.
At first, I didn't mind because I was glad that she was finally being an extrovert but now, I could feel that something is not alright with her.
"Or does she have problems at home?" I wondered.
I was still lost in my thoughts when the doorbell rang.
"I'll go get it." I heard Molly said and left the kitchen.
"Grandma! Grandpa." She called when she opened the door.
They are here already? This early? I dropped what I was doing to go greet them. I invited them in after we had exchanged greetings. I offered them seats before serving them some refreshments.
We gisted and laughed for about one hour but Abigail still hadn't arrived. What's holding her at the grocery store? It was close to our house so I don't know why she's taking this long to come back.
"Where's Abigail? I haven't seen her since we came here." Mom asked like she had read my thoughts.
"I sent her on an errand to the grocery store." I answered.
"It's been an hour since we came here. Why hasn't she arrived yet?" Mom asked again.
"I don't know. Let me call her." I said and picked up my phone. I was about to give her a call when the door bell rang.
"That must be her." I said and went to open the door. To my surprise, I saw Grandma Shelly standing outside.
"Welcome.. you didn't tell me you were coming this soon." I said as I opened the door wider for her to enter.
"I couldn't wait to meet my great grand daughter." She answered as she walked in.
"Your house is beautiful." She complimented as she admired the house.
"Thank you." I answered with a small smile.
"Grandma Shelly." Molly called as she ran to hug the old woman's opened arms.
"I missed you so much." She said.
"I missed you too. Why didn't you even give me a call at least once?" Grandma Shelly asked and Molly turned to face me with raised brows.
"It is because of your mom right?" She asked when she noticed Molly's gaze and Molly nodded.
Really???
"Don't mind her. Next time, disturb her well so she won't deny you from meeting me." She adviced and Molly smiled.
"Don't worry. I'll be visiting you every time." She said as she gave me a mischievous smile. Is this really my own daughter? She is plotting against me right at my face.
"That's my girl." Grandma Shelly praised as she gave her a high five.
"Let's go greet your grandparents." She said and was about to enter the living room when she stopped and turned to face me.
"Don't shut the door yet. I have some gifts for Molly in my car. Someone is bringing it in but it's too much so please help him out." She said.
"Okay." I answered before she left.
I went outside towards where her car was parked only to find Ryan bringing out all the gifts from her car. What is he doing here? I bet Grandma Shelly brought hum here on purpose.
He was so focused on what he was doing that he was oblivious to my presence. I took that chance to take a good look at him. He was putting on black pants and a white long sleeve. He didn't button up the two top buttons and that made his manly chest visible.
I've got to admit, he looked really handsome with the way he was lifting the heavy loads. His ripped muscles was threatening to tear through his top every time he flexed them. He looked so..... I have no word to use to describe how he looked now.
I kept on staring, more like drooling until he noticed my presence.
"Like what you see?" He asked, bringing me out of my thoughts.
My face turned crimson red when I understood what he said.
"I... it's not.. I wasn't...." I stammered not knowing what to say and that made him chuckle in amusement.
"Don't stare too much. I am all yours baby." He said with a playful smile.
What the hell!!
Filled with embarrassment, I quickly picked out one of the gifts I could carry and scurried off into the house while I heard Ryan's loud laughter behind me.
Arghhh!! Whhy was I ogling at him?? Why am I acting all giddy like a teenager that juat got her first kiss?? What the hell is wrong with me??
**********************************
Ryan's playful smile turned into a grim look when he turned back to see the suspicious man still standing there. He had noticed him since he and Grandma Shelly arrived.
It was the same man that was watching him when he had the date with Natasha that day. He still wore the same baseball cap and face mask so Ryan couldn't see his face.
"Why is standing there like a mannequin?" Ryan asked himself.
When he noticed Ryan had seen him. He quickly entered his car and drove off.
"What a wierdo." Ryan muttered to himself and then, he carried some of the gifts into the house.