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Chapter 6

Tara's pov

I instantly backed away, my face reddened with embarrassment,

Did he just kiss me?

He looked at me like I had seen a ghost.

.

“I'm sorry,” he says making me sigh

“It's okay,” I said with my voice shaking a little bit, then put on a fake smile, “You didn't do it on purpose, just that I wasn't expecting that”. His face gushed with embarrassment.

“I understand, he says scratching his head,

“I'm so sorry if I _" I heaved a deep sigh, as I tried to calm myself.

“I smiled, “ like I said, "It's ok, we're good “ I added, this time more clearly...

“Now things are going awkward,” he says, making me laugh.

“Not really, I wasn't expecting that at all,” I replied, nodding. We both sat there in silence as the moment passed by slowly, the tension hanging in the air...I lacked words to say but I just wanted to get out of this awkward moment.

“Fine!” I breathe out, his brows arched,

“I think we should talk…you know… to prevent those from repeating itself.

“I said, trying to sound a bit logical but not rude.

“Yeah, we should.”

His chest heaved, as he was a bit relieved I was willing to say something.

We both took a deep breath and then I began,

"Andrew, I appreciate all you do for me, you've been there and I am grateful for that. If it's about the kiss the other day, then I'm sorry for confusing you. I was just too excited..” I watched his facial expressions keenly, he smiled with his smile softening my heart

“I'm so sorry I misunderstood.” He said.

“I should have considered you and your feelings first before doing that.” He sighs “I just…. Was just caught up with everything that has been happening,” he says, I nod slowly,

" I wasn't thinking at all, my feelings were everywhere, and did that.” I smiled and then pulled him into a warm hug.

I was just done by Carlos, anything added to that list that looked like love, I was skeptical about it.

“I accept your apology, and I'm sorry too for giving the wrong impression earlier.’ I said.

“Thank you for letting me know, I promise this won't happen again. Well, if this is settled I would like for you to meet someone". He began, my face squeezed in confusion as I turned to the door following his gaze.

The door opened and an average l elderly woman walked in, she was dressed in a simple satin dress, her gray hair tied into a low bun, and she smiled as soon as her gaze landed on me.

Andrew immediately stood up, the woman had with her a box which I was sure contained her clothes.

Giving her a warm hug,

“Oh my goodness, look at you! You've grown so big” she says, patting his cheeks gently.

“I'm fine Nanny, you don't look bad yourself, you're younger from what I see,” he says trying to humor her, I couldn't help but smile, and her eyes landed on me,

“You must be Tara.” She asked, her bright smile elevated my spirit.

I turned to Andrew, probably he should do some introduction, he then turned to me.

“Tara, meet Nanny Dorothy. She's been like a mother to me. And considering your state of health, the doctor advised you're monitored closely so I brought my nanny to help you out with house chores at least so you wouldn't stress yourself.” I looked at him, he was just the perfect person for me

He was so understanding and loving., This was all new to me, having someone care about me this much was frightening.

“It's my pleasure to meet you Nanny Doro” I flashed a warm smile, which she returned.

"She's been with me for so many years and she's family to me”. Dorothy smiled and nodded in agreement as she wrapped her arms around his arm.

“That is true, “

“Well, Andrew here has always been such a sweetheart, I can't say no to him sometimes” I envied the bond these two shared even when they were not mother and son, they could pass as one with what was going on here.

“It's lovely to meet you too_,” I said, meaning it from the depth of my heart.

Before I could finish, she came up to me and pulled me into a warm and unexpected hug, for a moment I was shocked but then relaxed in her embrace, opening up to her comfort.

“It's so nice to finally meet you, Tara” Her cracked voice whispered to me, I couldn't help but feel so loved.

“We're going to be good friends, I just know it,” I whispered back, we both broke off from the embrace, and I felt a lump in my throat,

“Thank you, for accepting me, “ I said with my voice suddenly breaking.

Nanny Dorothy took a step back and then looked at me up and down again, a look of administration written in those eyes of hers.

“You're so pretty,” she says with her voice deep in sincerity.

I blushed, as she burst into a small pearl of laughter.

“You have a kind and gentle soul. Andrew was right about you_ I was taken aback by her words, I turned to Andrew, and he nodded. I couldn't help but feel a little bit of pride.

“With my soft small voice, I said, “Thank you, Nanny. I try the best I can” Staying with Carlos made me. Losing the real version of myself but hearing it from another person, I just couldn't help but feel elated.

“You don't have to try, you're effortlessly good” she Continued, my lost self-esteem suddenly bounced back. I felt a lump in my throat again but this time around, it wasn't pride but it was gratitude for her kind words.

“Thank you, nanny” I hugged her, and she embraced me warmly then pulled me back, saying.

“You don't have to thank me sweetheart. Any friend of Andrew is my friend, but wait a minute, “ she suddenly stopped talking then looked at me, then at Andrew.

“She looks so much like..”Andrew darted his gaze to her as she immediately changed the topic,

'Who do I look like?’

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