Chapter 3 3

CHAPTER THREE

I didn't say anything. I couldn't say anything.

"You are not saying anything." Mr Lewis urged.

"No it's just... It's just that I thought Rudy was a... a... human being. Not some... dog." I mean I have never babysitted a dog before. Rather I have never dogsitted.

I bent down and patted Rudy's head as it continued to bark playfully. I saw the silver collar on her neck. I held it and on it was imprinted the name 'Dylan'. That must be her owner; my employer. Mr Lewis confirmed my assumption by speaking.

"Rudy belongs to my boss's youngest son Dylan. He's been away in school. The former babysitter left less than a month ago and Dylan entrusts me to get a new person to take care of Rudy. And until I do that I can't go back to my office work. Come on. Rudy's a nice dog. She's cool and not gonna trouble you at all."

Rudy barked at me again. "And she likes you." He added. "The job really isn't demanding. You just have to take care of Rudy nine hours a day. By the end of every week you get paid."

I could not go back now. I mean it couldn't be that hard taking care of a lap dog. Give it a bath and get its food ready in the morning, play fetch during the afternoon, go for a stroll and leave immediately after getting it's food ready in the evening. And the money was good. The weekly payment was even more than what I got in a month at the chicken shop.

"And... Dylan will be back in a few weeks. When he's back you're just gonna be working for five hours in a day cause he'll be here himself. Still doesn't hinder your payment so long you're interested. So?" He stared at me for an answer.

"Yeah! I can do that." I replied quickly. I just wanted to be employed and make some money during this holiday. The money was good and I sure can handle Rudy.

The next day I started working as Rudy's babysitter. I came early in the morning and started my job with Rudy. I was given the list of activities Rudy likes to get in. She sure was a very playful and big dog. I made her a pink bow.

Mr Lewis wasn't here anymore. I guess he had gone back to work. Miss Rose was always around. She was a nice old lady and she made really nice sandwiches and tea. She was always telling me a lot of stories. Mostly about his grandson Mick who was funny and handsome and danced like Micheal Jackson and that he is in police custody for selling drugs.

By the end of the week I was paid by Mr Lewis and my work was going smoothly. Miss Rose was always talking about my yet to be seen employer, Dylan.

"He's some really good lad. He takes his life way too seriously if you ask me but that's all I want. And he's very calm and super handsome too."

As she said that she smiled and winked at me and I laughed. She never stopped mentioning how good looking he was and all. I just laughed and said I could not wait to meet him. But the reverse was going to be the case when I finally meet him. It was going smoothly until the person that I was working for came. After three weeks, Dylan was here.

Thursday morning, I was here early as usual. I had taken care of Rudy and she was out waiting in the lawn. It seems even she knew her owner was about arriving. I started hearing the sound of the gate opening and Rudy started barking loud. I left the kitchen and met Rudy on the way. She was barking in joy and had come to get me outside. She barked and headed for the door wanting me to follow her.

"Alright, Rudy, I'm coming."

She left me and got outside immediately. I stopped at the door to see her standing and barking beside a bike that was parked at the side of the lawn. Dylan removed his helmet.

"Rudy!!" He yelled joyfully as the dog jumped into his arms.

That was when I saw his face. I was shocked to the marrow. I could not believe my eyes when I watched him. He squatted and continued giving Rudy a playful stroke. He removed the bow on her head and looked at it then looked towards the house. It sent a quick jolt to me and I was forced to move from the spot to which I was transfixed. He was heading into the house and I didn't know what to do and I couldn't find Miss Rose. I ran into the kitchen. I didn't know what exactly to do. Whether I should jump out through the window or what?

"Hello! Anybody home?"

I heard his voice from the living room and quickly, I picked out a frying pan and placed it on the cooker.

"Miss Rose?" He called out again and I could hear his footstep getting closer to the kitchen. With my fingers trembling, I abandoned the frying pan and pulled out the scrubbing brush and dustpan. I got on my knees and started scrubbing the already clean floor. My back was turned on him when he got in. I felt him standing at the door and looking at me.

"Hello?" He called out and I still didn't stop what I was doing. I closed my eyes tight, too afraid and embarrassed to look at him.

"Hello?" He said again and I stopped the scrubbing. Slowly I knelt up and turned to face him.

"Hey!" I replied and he paused staring at me. He squinted his eyes and tightened his fists. I think he was trying to recall where he had seen me before or he was just thinking of what to say. He finally spoke out.

"You?... What are you doing here?"