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Nine

"Grace, you still haven't given him an answer?" Sam inquired as I helped with the zipper of her red lace dress.

"I haven't," I replied, concentrating on the zipper.

"It's been two days. You should make a decision," she suggested, glancing at her reflection in the mirror.

I let out a heavy sigh. "It's all so sudden and unconventional. I've only been working there for two weeks, and now they want me to move in. It just doesn't feel right."

Sam turned away from the mirror to face me, placing her hands on my shoulders. "What's really the issue, Grace?"

"It's just... it seems improper," I said, finding it difficult to explain my reluctance.

"They're asking you, not the other way around. Mr. Powers must see something valuable in you to make such a request," Sam said, her smirk implying more. "Maybe it's your charm."

Despite the warmth her words brought, I rolled my eyes. "He has a girlfriend, Sam."

She gave me a skeptical look. "But does he really view her that way?"

"What are you implying? You don't know anything about their relationship."

Sam became serious again. "Putting that aside, I think Ruby is the real reason he's asked you. She's going through a lot, and she needs someone there for her."

"She has her dad," I pointed out.

"But he struggles to have a simple conversation with her. You, however, have connected with Ruby in just two weeks. And I know you like her. You never stop talking about her when you remember to call me," Sam said. I chuckled; she had been complaining that I hardly found time for her, and when I did, I wasn't fully present.

"So, please, Grace, move in for Ruby's sake," she urged, removing her hands from my shoulders.

I nodded, seeing the sense in her words. Since the incident, Ruby had become more withdrawn, only speaking when I initiated conversation. Her face lacked its usual glow.

"I guess I should move in," I agreed.

"Great! Mr. Powers will be thrilled with your decision," Sam said, a hint of mischief in her voice.

I narrowed my eyes, suspicious of her tone.

"I think I should switch to the blue dress," she mused, frowning and adjusting her gown.

Knowing Sam's tendency to procrastinate to avoid outings, I replied, "The dress is fine. Stop freaking out and go have fun. I need sleep—I have to pack."

"Alright. Moving in with the hot and sexy Dominic Powers, huh? I can see where this is going," she teased, dancing suggestively.

"I'm not moving in to sleep with my boss," I protested.

"But you wouldn't mind if he wanted to," Sam countered, seeing through my facade. The memory of him by the piano flashed in my mind, and I struggled to dismiss it. It was a sight I couldn't unsee, much to my chagrin.

"Please, just go," I urged. As she left with a teasing gesture, I was relieved I hadn't mentioned witnessing his intimate moment with his girlfriend.


I've become a very familiar face at Hotel Pierre, something I never anticipated, so I soon learned to take the front entrance in stride. Even though I preferred the back, there was something about the reception on the ground floor that made me enjoy passing by it. Perhaps it was the smell of delicious delicacies wafting from the kitchen, filling the atmosphere. There's just something about food you can smell but can't eat.

I finally reached the elevator, and within a second, I was being whisked to my destination. As I stood patiently in the humming lift, I wondered if Ruby's new teacher would be around. Knowing Mr. Powers, he would have made sure to impress upon the person the importance of punctuality.

I've been there.

Speaking of being late, I'm an hour behind, and the elevator is adding another five minutes to my tardiness. But soon enough, I was in front of their house. Taking a deep breath, as I'd never seen his reaction to someone arriving late for work, I finally opened the door.

"Hey Ruby." Both she and her father, engrossed in what they were watching on YouTube, turned to face me. It was heartwarming to see them doing something together. Considering the chance that my words had influenced the ever-busy businessman, I felt a tinge of pride. He didn't seem like the kind of man to be swayed by mere words as if he were as light as a feather.

"Grace! You're going to live with us!" Ruby raced over and gave me a tight hug. "Thank you," she said after releasing me. She was back to her usual self, which was a relief.

"Thank you, Miss. Sands." I looked up to see Mr. Powers, who had made his way to the entrance. He looked as though he had just rolled out of bed, clad in pajamas and with his hair all tousled. Yet, he was still pleasing to the eye. Mentally, I congratulated myself for not swooning over him too much so far. Maybe my hormones were in check after all.

"Sure. Sorry I'm late. I had to pack."

"I'll overlook it this time. You can put your bag in your room," he said, managing to appear both serious and amused, which I found exciting.

"Sure. I'll go do that now." This was already getting awkward. I instructed Ruby to get her books ready, as her teacher was likely to arrive soon. She nodded eagerly and dashed upstairs. I turned to Mr. Powers, who was still looking at me intently, hands in his pockets.

"I still get to go out, right?"

He frowned slightly, his hair bobbing as he tilted his head to the side as if performing a mini exercise. "Why not? Your work hours are as before. You're free to do whatever afterward."

"But..." I stopped the words from leaving my lips.

"What is it, Miss. Sands?" His voice was so calm yet compelling, I felt compelled to speak.

"Why exactly did you ask me to move in?"

"Ruby has a serious health condition. Her heart is weak, or so the doctor says." His gaze locked onto mine. "I can't give you much information right now, but I'll fill you in later."

Wow. I hadn't seen that coming. I nodded and grabbed the handle of my bag, its wheels whirring as they brushed against the tiles. As I pulled it up the first step of the staircase, it tilted, and its contents spilled out. I cursed under my breath and turned to repack them. I must have locked the bag incorrectly again.

My eyes met Mr. Powers', who I hadn't realized was behind me, and I offered an apologetic smile. As I bent to pick up my clothes, my gaze fell on a silk, blue...

No way! Sam actually packed the nightgown that makes me look incredibly sexy.

And it had fallen, of all places, at his feet.

"Here, let me help you," he offered, bending down to pick up the gown.

"No, it's fine. It's not..." But he had already picked it up. He held it out to me as I crouched, and I grabbed the end of it. He was holding the gown with a bit of force, as if it were a game of tug-of-war. So I stood up and pulled harder, taking the fabric bit by bit into my hands, the silk sliding through my fingers. My eyes were locked on his intense gaze during the exchange, and I was rooted to the spot.

When the gown was finally in my hands, I hugged it to my stomach instinctively, still caught in the depth of his blue eyes. But soon, I snapped out of the moment, or whatever it was. I cleared my throat and gathered the rest of my clothes into the bag.

"Thanks," I murmured as I secured the lock, ensuring it was correct this time. I heard him exhale loudly, but I didn't turn to look at what I imagined was his stern expression. As I dragged my bag up the stairs, one question lingered in my mind: what on earth was that?


"Jeremy Chalk," the blonde-haired man in front of me replied to my question. "I'm Ruby's new home teacher. And you are?"

"Grace. I'm her babysitter."

"Wow. You're a pretty babysitter. Honestly, I was expecting some middle-aged woman."

"Oh, you missed her. She's probably honeymooning with her hubby right now."

He chuckled, the corners of his eyes crinkling, giving his eyes a different look and his face a more attractive feature. "I'm glad I missed her. So, can I come in now?"

I stopped him with my hand on his chest. "Wait a minute."

"Is this the part where you ask me a question?"

"You're right." I gave him a short smile.

"Oh, I hope you'll ask for my number."

"What number? Dude, please?" I rolled my eyes.

"House number, phone number..."

"Are you for real right now?" I asked, amusement on my face.

"Sorry, I can't really help myself around beautiful women." His green eyes sparkled as he finished that statement.

"I appreciate the compliment, but I believe you're not here to flirt with me. So, cut that out." He nodded, his mature face turning serious. He was sort of cute, especially with his smiling green eyes, which I found alluring. His body was averagely built, like David's, but his looks weren't my concern at the moment. Not when someone else was subtly occupying my mind after what had happened that morning. "How sexually active are you?"

He frowned in confusion, probably thinking he'd heard the question wrong. I had thought the same a few minutes ago when Mr. Powers instructed me to ask the new teacher some questions. "Uh... averagely? Is there a reason for that question?" His face suddenly brightened. "Or are you also interested in me? Because I'm interested in you."

I decided to ignore his comment as the question I was about to ask next was quite offensive. "I apologize in advance for the question I'm about to ask you." Jeremy nodded slightly, his gaze steady on mine. "It can be a bit offensive."

"Just ask it already, Grace."

"Okay. Uh... on a scale of one to ten, how, uh..." I readjusted my stance and gripped the door handle. "... how often does the urge to whip out your manhood in front of the female species hit you?"

"Under what context?"

"Say," I fiddled with the door handle, "you're teaching a five-year-old, and..."

"Hell no! I'm not a pedophile. What the heck!"

"I told you the question was a bit offensive," I said in my defense. Darn Mr. Powers and his strange requests. Couldn't he have done this himself? It would have been less awkward man to man. I gave him an apologetic look. "I'm sorry."

"I get it; I'm a grown man teaching a little girl. Suspicions are bound to arise." He smiled.

I smiled back, relieved. "You're not angry?"

"Nah. I really get it. But..." He waggled his eyebrows. "I have a question for you too." Please don't ask for a date. "Would you like to go out sometime?"

"Uh..." I froze for a few seconds. It had been a while since I'd heard those words, so I was tempted. "...no. I'm not looking for anything serious. Sorry."

He nodded, understandingly. "But I'm always available for a booty call. I'm very sexually active."

"Good to know," I said with a forced grin. The thought of getting into bed with him hadn't crossed my mind once since he appeared. "Alright, come on in. Ruby will be down in a minute."

He stepped inside, letting out a gasp.

I know, bro, I know.

I was about to close the door when I noticed a black feminine shoe blocking the entrance, preventing the door from closing. I opened the door wider to see who it was.

The woman had a structure very similar to Regina's, but she wasn't her. Slim and tall, with an almost perfect hourglass figure accentuated by her mid-thigh, thin-strapped gown, she stood at the entrance, her handbag dangling in front of her. She removed her shades and gave me a smile that I could tell was insincere. As her hazel eyes widened to take me in from head to toe, I wondered, even though I didn't see my employer as a player, if she was one of Mr. Powers' girlfriends.

"Uh..." I was already tired of the judgmental gaze she was giving me. "Who are you?"

She smiled again, her pink glossy lips forming a smirk afterward. "So, you're the one." I gave her a what are you talking about? look. Her smirk persisted. "You're the woman Dominic has been sleeping with."

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