Chapter 4 Kayden Jackman

I was jolted back to reality when the lady spoke. “What is wrong with you? Have you not been spending all your life perfecting this kind of job? Do you want to harm him?” I could barely comprehend the insult because I was still trying to process the reality of Kayden being here.

“Don’t be so harsh to the poor girl, Lena. She’s just anxious.” The relaxing words came from the man of the house. “I’m… I’m so sorry,” I finally found my voice. I was totally confused.

Lena was now hovering over Kayden, trying to see if he was hurt. “I hope the glass didn’t cut you anywhere, Junior?”

So Kayden was Junior. 

“I’m okay, sis” he said, nudging her hands gently to the side. Realization struck me immediately. They are siblings. Their resemblance now stood out as I took their appearances silently. Kayden’s piercing eyes were on me. I blinked away, panic tightening my chest. 

What in the name of coincidence was this? The boy that I thought would be my ally in school…

“I’m really sorry,” I said again, keeping my eyes low. “It was an accident. I’ll clean it immediately.”

She scoffed as she returned to her seat. “Be fast because my fiancé will join us soon. You’re ruining my appetite.”

I felt really ashamed of myself. My eyes went to Kayden again- he was no longer looking at me.

The father decided to speak again, but this time around- to complicate issues. “Alyssa, right? You must have met my son in your school. Junior, have you met her?”

My heart pounded as he looked my way again. This time around, it was devoid of familiarity. “She doesn’t look familiar.” He said curtly.

“You should change your shirt,” His sister said, as if purposely drifting them away from what they were talking about. I was grateful though. I didn’t wait for Mr Declan to reply Kayden, I disappeared into their kitchen.

As soon as I crossed the doorway, my breath came uneven. I leaned briefly against the counter, pressing my palm flat against the cool surface until the buzzing in my ears eased. ‘You’re fine. You’re okay. Just clean and leave.’ I was barely calming when I heard the kitchen door slam shut behind me. 

I turned and saw him. Kayden. He stood there, still clothed in the white wet shirt- blocking the exit with infuriating ease. His tall frame filling that narrow space almost intimidated me. So it was real. He was here. He was a Jackman.

“So,” He started saying calmly, “You’re the cook’s daughter.”

My heart skipped. Maybe we could finally make peace with our differences here. I straightened the borrowed kitchen apron I had on, summoning my fragile confidence. “I was surprised to know you’re Junior. It’s… really a small world.”

His lips curved into something that wasn’t a smile. “That’s funny, Because Dad mentioned earlier that the cook’s daughter would be serving dinner. Didn’t think I’d already met her.”

“You told him we never met.” The words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them. I fidgeted with my hands as I awaited his reply. 

“Oh yeah, that was partly true, because I barely remember meeting people like you.” That earned a frown from me. But I had promised myself to stay away from trouble, so the fair decision was to be the bigger person here.

“Okay. That’s fair, Kayden…”

“Boss,” he corrected, eyes cold.

I almost thought I didn’t hear him clearly. “What?” 

He re-positioned his stance on the floor and moved closer to me. I took a step back instinctively. “Listen, your mother and you- inclusive work for my family. That naturally makes me your boss.” He stated clearly. I swallowed my anger.

“That’s not fair. We…”

He shrugged. “Well,”

I took a deep breath then asked, “So if I agree to call you boss, do…do you promise me that no one in school would know me and my mum work here?” 

A smug expression appeared on his face. I suddenly wished I could slap it off. “Well, that depends,”

“Depends on what?” I asked a little fiercely, the thought of Louisa finding out who I really was scaring me further. Would she still want to be my friend after learning that my mum and I serve here? In the same house she thought my parents owned? definitely not.

Kayden didn’t reply immediately, then suddenly- his head tilted to the side. “You really think you get to make requests in my house?”

I hated the authority in his tone. “I’m asking,” I swallowed, “Please,”

He studied me for what felt like a moment longer than it actually was, then smirked.

“I think it would be my pleasure to tell everyone at Calderon that the girl who embarrassed herself on her first day in college also cleans my house,”

My chest shifted painfully. 

“You covered me up with your wear. I thought… I thought you weren't mean.” 

“And I thought you’re mean.” He clapped back sharply. “You poured sand in my breakfast, remember? You and your friends set traps for me and made me trip, hurting myself numerous times. Remember? I was fat. Y’all called me fatty. You hid my sweater and made me fall sick during that intense cold period. You…”

“I’m sorry! My friend made me believe you were the one who used to steal from our food back then and… and also killed my cat. It was until later I realized it wasn’t you and they were just using me to taunt you. I swear I… I didn’t know.” My voice was shaking now, but Kayden only looked angrier.

“You don’t get to say sorry and expect the trauma to go away. You have no idea what you did. That was the most vulnerable moment of my life. I ran away from home because I wanted peace. You made my situation worse.” There was no trace of humor in his tone. My shoulders dropped. I had no idea he was going through anything at all.

“Okay. So what do you want from me? To call you boss? Is that all?”

He leaned closer, lowering his voice. “Everything comes at a price, Brownie,”

My breath hitched. “Brownie?”

His gaze flicked briefly to my face, then away. “Your little panties show in school earned you a name. It’s cute right?” 

Before I could respond, the kitchen door opened again. His sister entered, eyeing us both. I suddenly realized Kayden and I were standing too close together and stepped back.

“Is everything okay? I heard voices.”

Kayden didn’t look shaken a bit. His composure was a total contrast to mine. “Well, nothing is wrong. I was only trying to get to know my personal maid better.”

I almost thought I misheard him. Personal maid?

Elena frowned. “Personal maid?

“Yeah yeah,” he gestured lazily toward me. “Remember Dad said I need someone to clean my room and handle my laundry so I can study better? Alyssa just agreed to do it.”

I froze. His eyes pinned mine dangerously, as if daring me to speak against it.

Elena’s gaze swept me up then. “Just be careful. You should test her services for a few days- being a first time. You need to be sure she doesn’t steal.” My stomach twisted. “No,” I defended myself quickly. “I’m not like that.” She shrugged. “We can’t be so sure. I didn’t pick you as the type who intentionally harms wealthy people for a living earlier either, but you almost hurt my brother at the dining table. So you see, we can’t be so sure.”

I was at a loss for words. Intentionally? My gaze lifted to Kayden’s but his smirk only deepened.

“Thanks for the concern, sis.” He moved to her side and pecked her cheek. “But trust me, I can handle myself,” She ruffled his tousled hair with her fingers playfully, her lips spreading into an affectionate smile. “Sure, my big boy. So Ryan called and said he wouldn’t be able to make it to dinner. I will just have dinner with you guys and go to join him before it gets too dark.”

Ryan was probably the fiancé she was referring to earlier. I noticed how Kayden’s face colored distastefully at the mention of Ryan. But I was too bothered with my own situation to care about theirs.

Elena faced me and said something about me clearing the broken glasses then left.

Kayden spared me a stern glance then turned around to leave as if he hadn’t just dropped a bomb earlier.

I grabbed his arm without thinking. “I can’t be your maid. That’s not possible.”

He leaned downward, his voice dangerously soft. “Then expect your little secret to be announced on campus, brownie.” His gaze dropped to where I was still unconsciously holding him. “And learn to keep your little hands to yourself.”

I quickly withdrew by hand like it was burnt by fire. 

“Your session starts tomorrow by 6pm after school. Locate me in the house to ask for your first task.”

He didn’t wait for me to ask questions. He walked out of the pristine kitchen- leaving me stunned, shaking, and wondering.

And just like that, I knew I would be taking my medications a lot from today onward.