Chapter 4 Strolling along the sidewalk

Miranda's POV

"Well, Mr. Salvay, as he leads me down the corridor, I'm amazed that you've gotten the job, Ms. Lucas".

"Me too. He said, "I'm hired," after quickly skimming a file in his hands. I'm still in shock that I got this job," I remarked, feeling both grateful and a little perplexed.

I can now at last pay my landlord.

"Well, that's unexpected. Has he questioned you in any way? Mr. Salvay asked after commenting on my answer.

"Just a select few. After asking me my name and age, he stated, "You're hired." I shrug and answer him. His facial expression was one of disbelief.

"Oh really? He muttered and scowled at what I had just stated. "I've never seen him hire someone without asking them a whole bunch of questions," I recalled.

Really?

I felt that his hiring me after only two questions raised more than a few red flags for me.

Nevertheless, I'm happy that you received the job offer. He added, "I knew you could've done it," and I grinned back at him.

"I suppose it's solely because of your advice. I haven't followed them yet, but since I'll be working with him going forward, it will be useful. Thank you, Mr. Salvay, for your encouraging comments." I grinned sincerely.

"Ah, Ms. Lucas, no issue. It was a pleasure for me," he smiled back. After that, we strolled in total stillness.

To be quite honest with you all, I think I'll like having this man walk with me.

My Salvay appeared to be in his mid-forties. He was also fairly slender and tall. His eyes were dark brown, and his hair on his head was a shade of gray. He had a very calm demeanor, was extremely courteous and modest, and was quite friendly to everyone we encountered. Again breaking the silence, he said, "And here we are Ms. Lucas." His behavior reminded me a lot of my dad. I averted my gaze from the wall and focused on the door that we were currently facing.

As soon as I walked in, he opened the door for me and I glanced around the space. I cast my sight over the walls, the furnishings, and the enormous bookcase that was in front of me. I was too preoccupied studying every detail to notice Mr. Salvay's words.

"Ms. Lucas, I just want the best for you on your first day. He grinned and said, "Good luck," to which I nodded before waving goodbye. I stood there and observed him leave the room before closing the door.

When I turned to go back to work after realizing he was gone, I saw a small boy sitting on the floor with toys all about him.

He must be here.

As I approached him slowly, I knelt and noticed that he had slightly moved his head, indicating that he was giving me a sideways glance. I gave him a courteous "hi" and waved my hands.

I want to come across as a kind babysitter when I first meet them. Someone who won't make him afraid. I wanted to perform my job well, after all, so Mr. Richard would never consider terminating me.

"My name is Miranda. "What is your name?" I introduced myself before I enquired.

The small guy ignores me and just sits there, playing with his toy vehicle with his head lowered to the floor.

Okay, so...

"Okay, then do you mind me joining you?" I questioned and gestured to his toys. Perhaps he will open up to me and stop ignoring me if I can persuade him to play with him.

At last, he turned to face me, and I was able to see his face well. His eyes were kind of like mine, with a green tint. His curly brown hair was strewn all over the top of his head. He was a handsome child who looked a lot like Mr. Richard.

I waited for him to speak, but he remained silent. A few seconds later, he looked away from me and returned to playing with his toys.

Okay, that makes sense.

"All well, then I'll just take a seat over there. I said to him, "If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask," got up and moved toward the couch that wasn't too far away.

I took a seat and set my suitcase down next to me.

I sit on this brown leather couch and use my left hand to support my head. After a little while, I became bored.

I was merely observing the young child as he played quietly with his toys. Nothing more.

This is not enjoyable at all.

When I eventually looked away from him and back into the room, my gaze landed on the enormous flat-screen TV that faced me.

I could watch a movie or something instead of just sitting here being bored.

"Hey...umm..." I wandered off, attempting to think of a moniker for Mr. Richard's kid.

"Would you mind if I turn the TV on?" He briefly paused playing with his toys in response to my question, but he continued to avoid eye contact.

Again, no response...

I groan as he returns to playing with his toys.

Really?

I let out another sigh and reclined on the couch, feeling bored all over again.

This is the dullest day ever!

ΗΏΏ

"So....what's your favorite color?" I asked again, but the child did not respond.

Since I was so bored, I tried to strike up a conversation with him, but this boy never said anything.

I wonder why he ignores me so frequently. I've never taken any action against him.

Or perhaps he simply despises people.

Similar to me.

I folded my arms and scowled at the television. Since I've been here since nine in the afternoon and it's already one pm, if you're wondering, the answer is yes-I'm also hungry.

Miranda, five more hours.

You have five hours left, and after you've filled your empty stomach, you may go home, visit your pet, Coco, and cuddle in bed.

Suddenly, my stomach began to growl, and I let out a groan at how truly hungry I was.

I will be packing my lunch for tomorrow.

I sighed once more as my gaze returned to the child. "How on earth is he not hungry?" I tipped my head, startled when the door burst open, and continued to think.

Upon seeing Nicholas Richard standing in front of the door, I greeted him right away, calling him "Mr. Richard". When he started to come closer to me, I stood up.

How are things doing overall? Is he a source of conflict? He enquired. Now that he was in front of me, I could feel his terrified and anxiousness as his dark eyes locked into mine.

"N-no. "He's really...quiet," I replied, turning my head to gaze at the ground.

"Well, Jake is that way. He replies, "He doesn't talk too much, mostly around people he doesn't know." I nodded, turning to face the young youngster.

That's Jake's name, then.

Shielding my eyes from the child, I saw that my gaze kept flickering to Nicholas, who was examining his son's face, and then back to mine, causing me to scowl.

"Ahem....is there something I can do for you?" I think I inquired in a whisper, but he must have heard me since he looked away from his son and answered right away.

"Yes, indeed. I stopped over to see how my kid was doing and to let you know that, as you haven't shown up for work today, you are free to have your lunch break and, if you'd like, eat there. However, this is only valid for today. You're going to pack your lunch for work starting tomorrow, right? He inquired after answering my query, and I nodded before answering, "Yes."

"All right. You may now leave while I watch my son. He dismissed me after saying, "You should be back by two." I thanked him and left the room, heading to the elevator when I ran into Mr. Salvay once more.

"Oh, Miss Lucas. Having lunch?" As we stepped into the elevator together, he inquired.

"Yes....Do you happen to know, by any chance, any fast food restaurants around here?" I cocked my head and inquired.

Indeed. I'm going to this Italian restaurant for lunch, so I'm walking past one of them. He said, "I can show you where it is," and I nodded.

We both left the company after making it to the bottom floor, strolling along the sidewalk under the blazing sun.