I sat there across from Aaron Alabaster, shocked by the words he said. He looked serious, like he was about to discuss his father or some high-stakes business deal. Honestly, I expected a long talk about partnerships and investments.
But instead, he said, “I want you to take care of Aria.”
I blinked. “Aria… the little girl?”
He nodded once, fingers laced in front of him on the desk. “She’s refusing to leave the house. She keeps asking for you. I tried reasoning with her, but… she’s scared.”
My heart squeezed. I could still remember how tightly she clung to me inside that closet, how she trembled in my arms. “She’s been through a lot,” I said softly.
“I’ll pay you,” he added, watching me. “And you can stay at my house. I’ve arranged a room. You’d have everything you need.”
I hesitated. I didn’t want to rely on anyone again. But the truth was, I had nowhere else to go. I’d been thrown out. Salvina and Noah made sure of that. And I wasn’t about to show up on anyone else’s doorstep.
Still, I didn’t want to give him the wrong idea.
“I’ll do it,” I finally said, holding his gaze. “But only for six months.”
“Alright. Let's draw up some contract,” he said without hesitation.
He drew up a contract with all the conditions written clearly, six months of stay, care for Aria, compensation. I read it all and signed.
“Do you have anything to pack or bring?” he asked.
I shook my head. “No. I don’t really have anything left.”
He paused for a second, like he wanted to say something, then simply said, “My driver will take you to the house. Aria will be happy to see you.”
---
The next few days felt… warm. Peaceful, even. Father called me but I never accepted the call.
Aria and I clicked like we’d known each other forever. She followed me around the house like a shadow, held my hand while we watched cartoons, and insisted I sit beside her during every meal. Her laughter filled the big house that once felt cold and too silent.
She was bright, curious, and so full of life.
“Miss Serena,” she said one night while we were building blocks in her room, “Can you stay here forever?”
I smiled and brushed her hair away from her eyes. “I can only stay here for six months. But we’ll make the most out of it.”
Aria pouted, crossing her arms. “Not enough…”
I didn’t know what to say to that, I just hugged her because I can’t promise her. Even Aaron seemed to soften around us. He would join us sometimes quietly, observing, but present.
It was during one of those dinners that something odd happened.
The chef brought out dessert—peach sorbet. It looked beautiful, but I gently pushed it away.
“Peaches make me itchy,” I said, trying not to sound ungrateful.
Aaron glanced at me. “You’re allergic?”
I nodded. “Always have been.”
He called for a different dessert for both Aria and me. A small gesture, but it made my chest ache a little. Like someone finally noticed. Later that night, while Aria and I were going through her schoolwork, Aaron sat on a nearby couch pretending to read. But I felt his eyes on us.
He watched as Aria furrowed her brows and pouted while thinking about a problem.
“Like this, see?” I leaned closer, helping her trace the letters. I didn’t notice that I was doing the exact same pout.
I heard a faint chuckle from Aaron’s direction, but when I looked at him, his face was unreadable.
---
The next morning, Aaron caught him staring again. This time, he wasn’t looking at our expressions. His eyes landed right under Serena's lips but not making it obvious.
The mole. It was the same spot where Aria had one. Aaron felt a little skeptical about this since a lot of people have moles on their faces. But he took note of it. Even the allergy that Aria has, she has one too.
Isn't that a little too much coincidence? He tried not to think about it too much, but it kept on bugging him for days. He had decided to collect some samples from Aria and Serena. He asked the maids to get some samples of Serena and Aria's hair indiscreetly from the brush they were using.
He wanted it to be tested. Nothing will change if it's just a coincidence, but what if it's not? That will be a big change.
Three days later, Aaron got the results.
He was in his office, holding the envelope in his hands. His fingers trembled slightly as he opened it. His breath caught when he saw the result: 99.99% Mother and daughter.
