The next day, Max dropped by Dylan's house after his classes to give him the contract he requested. When he entered the house, he quickly saw him with Rose on the stairs.
"How is it babysitting Dylan, Rose?" he asked, approaching them.
"Oh, hi there, Max... Honestly, your friend is a big baby." she answered frankly.
"What is this? Are you now a team against me?" Dylan asked.
Max chuckled.
In the living room, Rose read the contract.
"Fair enough" she said, then she signed it. She handed the pen to Dylan and guided him where to put his signature.
"Are we good now?" he asked after signing.
"Yep, boss" she answered.
"Are you really doing photography, Rose?" Max asked in a curious tone.
"Yes, but I'm still an amateur. That's why I'm planning to study next year." she answered.
"Actually, I'm also doing photography as a hobby when I have time." he told her.
"Really?" she asked in a surprised tone.
"Can I see some of your shots in your free time?" he requested.
"Yeah, sure. I like talking to people with the same interest as I do." she replied, sounding excited.
"Can I see them too?" Dylan butted in.
Rose and Max chuckled.
When the clock struck four o'clock, Rose bade goodbye to Dylan.
"I can drive you home if you want. I'm also about to leave." Max offered.
"I live on Horde street. Is that okay with you?" she asked.
"Yeah" he answered willingly.
"Okay" she replied with a smile, then she looked back at Dylan. "Dylan, I'll see you again tomorrow. Don't go up the stairs without me, okay?"
After she took him back to his bedroom, she and Max left the house.
"Are you sure you're okay with that job? I don't want to bad-mouth my friend, but ...Dylan actually has a very rough attitude." Max said as he was driving.
"Nah, I'm pretty sure I can handle him. I've already met so many rude people in my life. Living alone for almost four years now has taught me how to defend and protect myself." she answered in an unruffled manner.
Max was impressed by her story. He remembered when she fought for herself against the man who harassed her at the restaurant. "I think being independent is also fun." he commented.
"At first, you will really feel lonely and sad, but once you get used to it, you will learn that life has different stories. Every existance is unique. One would jump for joy finding a dollar bill on the ground. Someone else would probably ignore it." she replied.
When Max looked at her, he could see contentment and ease on her face. He smiled.
After only a fifteen-minute drive, he pulled over in front of an apartment building.
"Thanks for the ride" she said with a smile.
He smiled back. "You're welcome."
She got out of the car and waved to him.
☆•••••○○●○○•••••☆
The next day, Rose arrived at exactly eight in the morning. When she didn't find Dylan in the living room and in the dining room, she approached a housemaid and asked her about her boss's whereabouts.
"He's still in his room." the maid answered.
"Okay, thanks" Rose replied.
She went to his room and knocked on the door. "Dylan? Are you awake? Your helper is here." she called. She waited, but he didn't answer the door.
Thinking that he might still be sleeping, she went to the living room and stayed on the couch while she was waiting for him.
After almost an hour, he still didn't come out of his room. She went back to his door and knocked again.
"Hey, Dylan! When do you plan to wake up?" she called, but he still didn't answer.
She began to feel bothered, so she tried to turn the doorknob. She was surprised when she found out it was not locked. "Okay, I'll just check if he's still alive." she whispered.
She gently opened the door and slowly peeped inside. She saw he was still in his bed. He was facing down and his one arm was hanging down on the edge of the bed. He was only wearing a pair of boxer shorts.
She hesitated to go inside. "Hey, Dylan!" she called from the doorway.
When he did not move, she became worried and curious why he was not responding. Even though she was nervous, she summoned up her courage and quietly entered his room. She walked slowly to the bed and tapped his shoulder.
"Hey, wake up." she called.
When he slightly moved his arm, she felt relieved he was really just sleeping. Then, he suddenly mumbled a word. She bent over to hear what he was saying.
"Pa... tricia"
She did a sour face when she inhaled a strong scent of alcohol from him. She finally understood why she couldn't wake him up.
After another hour, he finally went out of his room. Rose quickly approached him. "Sleeping beauty is finally up."
"Sorry, I drank too much last night." he reasoned in a dry voice.
"Come on, your food is waiting." Rose guided him to the dining table. While they were eating, she noticed he was unusually quiet and dozy.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"Yeah... I just remembered my ex-girlfriend." he answered.
"Oh, Patricia?" she asked.
He raised his head. "You know her?" he asked in a surprised tone.
"No, I just heard you mumbling her name while you're sleeping." she answered.
He felt a bit embarrassed. "You saw me sleeping? ...I thought you didn't want to assist me in my room."
"Yes, I still don't, but I had to earlier. I had to make sure my boss wasn't dead yet. I knocked on your door several times, but you were not answering." she reasoned.
"I was so drunk last night. I slept past midnight." he admitted.
"Did you drink because of your ex-girlfriend?" she asked, guiding him with his food.
"Yeah... She's a cheater, a liar and a bloodsucker... I'm a victim of false love." he answered in a bitter tone.
"But you loved her, didn't you?" she asked.
He hesitated to answer her question, but he knew what she said was true. "I don't want to talk about her anymore." he replied instead.
"Okay" she said, shrugging off.
"I want to go out." he blurted all of a sudden.
"Where exactly?" she asked.
"Anywhere" he answered.
She knew he only wanted to forget his ex-girlfriend at that time. "Okay"
"Wait... You said you don't drive." he remembered.
"Yeah, so?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"How can we go if you can't drive?" he asked in a dismayed tone.
"What are you, a five-year-old kid? Don't you know there are cabs, busses and trains outside?" she nagged.
"You mean, we'll commute?" he clarified.
"Yes. Actually, that's more convenient and hassle free. You just have to sit and wait until you arrive at your destination." she answered.
He was still not convinced, but since he really wanted to go out, he later agreed. "All right"
☆•••••○○●○○•••••☆
After he took a shower, he put on his clothes and a pair of black sneakers. Then, he grabbed his sunglasses on the table and went out of his room.
Rose was already waiting for him at the door. "Ready?"
"Yup. Do I have to bring my cane?" he asked.
"Nope" She grabbed his hand and guided him on their way. "What sort of place you want to go?" she asked.
"Do you have suggestions?" He returned the question to her.
"You want to go out, but you don't have a place in mind?" she asked, scowling at him.
"I just want to feel the air outside." he reasoned.
"Pfft... I know you only want to forget your ex that's why you asked for this. Am I right? ...Well, I have a perfect place for you." she told him.
"Hey, I don't. I just really want to feel the atmosphere outside. That's all." he denied.
"Liar. I can read minds." she replied.
He chuckled.
"Can you make your steps a bit bigger?" she requested impatiently.
"I'm trying. I'm still not used walking outside. I always feel like I will bump into something." he reasoned.
"That's why I'm here, to avoid that. Now, walk faster." she said in a domineering tone.
"You know what? You're very bossy." he complained.
"I'm not. You're just... a candy-ass." she replied.
He chuckled again. "Where are you taking me?"
"You'll know when we get there." she answered.
"You won't sell me to human traffickers, will you?" he joked.
"I will, if you will not stop saying things like that." she answered in a serious tone.
"You're very mean. I was just joking." he sulked.
"Okay, we're in the bus shelter now. Sit, there's a chair behind you." she told him.
He sat down.
After a few minutes, the bus arrived. Rose guided him inside and helped him sit in one of the chairs. Then, she sat next to him.
While on the ride, she noticed a young woman looking straight at him. She seemed to be trying to get his attention.
She sniggered thinking that she had no idea she was trying to seduce a blind guy. She leaned against her chair and covered her mouth with her fist giggling.
"Psst, Dylan" she called in a low voice.
"What?" he answered.
"There's a pretty woman looking at you on your left." she told him, still in a low voice.
"Really?" he asked.
"Yes. Turn your head a little bit to your left, then smile." she instructed.
When he did it, she saw the woman smiled back. She covered her face and laughed again.
"Why are you laughing?" he asked.
"This is really funny." she replied. "Turn your head to her again and wave." she instructed.
Thinking that it was only a game they were playing, he went along with her. She chortled again when the woman waved back. When the bus stopped, she transferred to the seat in front of Dylan's. She turned her back and looked at him.
"Is she your little sister?" she asked, referring to Rose.
"Um..." Dylan was cut off while talking when Rose butted in.
"Yes" she answered.
"I see. I like your hair." the woman complimented.
"Thanks" she replied.
"Where're you two heading to?" the woman asked.
"Ah..." Dylan was cut off again when Rose answered the question.
"It's my birthday. My brother will take me to the amusement park." she told her.
"What a nice brother you are. I'm Adela by the way. What's yours?" the woman asked.
"D-Darren" Dylan answered.
"What a cute name." she complimented. She went back to her position and did something. Then, she looked back at him and put a small piece of paper in his hand.
"Call me when you have time." she purred.
"Okay" he replied, forcing a smile on his face.
At the next stop, the woman went off the bus. Rose laughed louder when she's finally gone. "So, you're Darren now and I'm your little sister." she jeered, still sniggering.
Dylan laughed too.
"Are you going to give her a call?" she asked.
"Nah, I'm not interested in flirting with anyone right now." he answered in an aloof tone.
Rose took the paper from his hand. "Well then, say goodbye to this trash." She opened the window beside her and threw the paper out.
*
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To be continued....
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