It was dead in the night before Theo could come home. He dismisses Dreco to his room leaving him alone in the living room. He was tired and needed sleep but at the same time, he took to check on his guest. The light was turned off, only the little light illuminating from the candle could make him see the pathway. He was still seated on the sofa when Christiana tiptoed to the living room. As the candle was only one, she could hardly see her surroundings which made her not aware of the gaze that was following her footsteps.

Christiana had forgotten it wasn’t her home which was small enough for the living room and kitchen to be joined together. Being used to getting awake in the midnight to grab milk for herself without getting her grandmother awake, she wanted to do the same. Her eyes were still sleepy, they were bulgy and her hair was scattered. She looked like a mess. Theo stiffens back a laugh when he saw her hit her head on the wall. He knew it was because she couldn’t see her way.

At that time, realization had dawned on Christiana. She was wild awake and had recognized her surroundings well. Her emotions lifted. She missed her home and what it had gave, her home was her grandmother. Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes. Theo couldn’t see it until he saw her bend down, he heard the faint sound of her sniffs.

It took him no time to go over to her. He doesn’t know what to do at first not wanting to startle her. He bends down and started patting her back. To his surprise, Christiana didn’t react. Instead, she turned and embraced him. Theo’s heart races. As much as he would like to stay away, he didn’t want to spoil the moment. Christiana cried while she hugs him tighter. But it was cut short when suddenly the light was turned on. Christiana realized and jumps away from him, her face was flushed with embarrassment.

“Mr Tumbler, Miss Evans, I’m so sorry for the interruption, I heard sounds which had got me alarmed” Mrs Anderson said, looking apologetically that she had ruined their moment even though she doubts it was a father-daughter moment.

“You should head back to your room” Theo said to the older woman and she complied. He turns his gaze back to Christiana whose face was red.

“I_I’m used to getting milk from the fridge every midnight, I forgot it wasn’t my home” Christiana explained. Her lashes were constantly batting out of embarrassment as she couldn’t look him straight in the eye. Theo wouldn’t want to keep her in that position any longer so he stood up first. She watched him as he walked towards the kitchen, his back was turned to her so he couldn’t see the expression she held but he was well aware of her stare. He disappeared into the kitchen and in a minute, he came out with a carton of milk.

Christiana muttered a word to herself when she realizes she was still in the position he left her at. She quickly stands on her foot, with the thought of rejecting his kindness of getting her the whole carton of milk which she on a normal day would only get a glass of.

“Oh no, thank you, my thirst for milk had totally vanished” Christiana said even though she was eager to get a taste from it.

“Do me a favor and take this, arguing wouldn’t change anything” Theo said while his hand that held the carton was stretched forward to Christiana.

Christiana was reluctant. She was because of the situationship she was in at the very moment. Her body couldn’t deny what it was feeling in the presence of the person who was supposed to be her godfather. In as much as she wanted to run back to her room, she needed to be polite as he was to so she took the milk from him.

“I will head back to my room now, thank you for the milk” Christiana said and walked away without waiting for a response but she found herself walking back towards him when she realized that she had no idea where her room was again. Since she was new to the environment, the mansion was big enough for one to get lost in. She herself wonders how she got to walk to the living room even though it was almost like she was sleepwalking but with a little consciousness.

“I__hmm, I can’t remember where my room was” Christiana said. In a situation like that, Christiana didn’t expect Theo to chuckle, it made her feel more embarrassed which upset her.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to__I mean___ anyways I have no idea where the room is either but you could take the guest room till morning” Theo suggested. The reason why he had chuckled was because he found her expressions and body signals cute. He thought it was because he had been in the company of young adults in a long time that he would forget how cute they tend to be.

“Or I could just find my way to it” Christiana said.

“And you will probably get lost” Theo responded with confidence. He himself had been lost in the mansion several times when he was younger which boosted his confidence of her getting lost in the mansion.

“Okay then” Christiana didn’t argue further because she thought she would probably get lost. Theo led the way while she walked behind him quietly. No one said nothing to each other until they got to the doorstep of the guest room.

“Here”

“Thank you”

“Have a good night rest” Christiana nodded as a response and afterwards, she departed to the room. Theo waited for a while before deciding to leave. Just then, a call came in. Theo checked the caller and sees it’s the chief of police.

Christiana’s interference with his thoughts had made him completely forget his duty the next day. He had found out the reason Oliver had the Chief gripped. He had kidnapped the Chief’s daughter to make a deal, his daughter in exchange of getting away with his crimes. Theo had also made a deal with the man, in exchange for getting back his daughter, he will be free from search and seizures. He also promised to make sure the Chief’s life wouldn’t be in danger in the future, it’s a win win deal.

Theo picked the call.

“He just called me, he knows” the chief said at the other end of the phone. Theo heard the panic in his voice, he knew the man might be having second thoughts on complying with him.

“Don’t do anything stupid, I will deal with it” Theo warned and ends the call. He sighs and heads to his own room with the thought how cunny Oliver could be, the next day was going to be tiring.