35

Evelyn's mansion.

Evelyn had just sent Vanessa off. She refused to accompany her this time as she couldn't promise that she won't erupt on seeing Jack Reynolds.

She couldn't vow not to launch ice lotuses at him in secret. It would be nice to also see him slip and fall. Then she'd take photos of him and post it on the net. Let people see the glorious Zillionaire. Hmph!

She sat on her couch and initiated a video call with her bestie. Vanessa came on screen after 2 minutes.

"Babe, are you still worried? I'm goingto babysit not to be slaughtered."

"Exactly! You are currently a fat sheep who's meat is average to Jack. You could be slaughtered in different ways. Roasted with his lethal mouth, Boiled by his scary face..."

"Babe, relax! Let's talk about other vital stuff. Like what you'll cook for me on my day off." said Vanessa.

"Well... Pig feet. They are delicious!" Evelyn suggested but Vanny shook her head from the other side.

"They aren't my favorite,"

"So what do you want me to cook?" Evelyn was getting frustrated.

"Whatever you want!" Vanessa couldn't care less.

"Hw about...pig balls?"

"Nope!"

"Goat balls!"

"No!"

"Fish head,"

"Nah!"

"You said anything in my mind!"

"Whatever! Till that time reaches. Bye for now. Will get back to you later, bestie."

"Sigh. I hope you don't forget your mission." Evelyn reminded and Vanessa rolled her eyes.

"Little one, don't you dare roll your eyes at me again, alright?" Evelyn feigned anger.

"I heard. Bye!" Vanessa cut the call and decided to listen to music.

"Please wake me up when we arrive." she said to the driver who was sent to pick her up.

"Yes, Miss!" he replied and continued driving.

Vanessa closed her eyes to enjoy the music and to also.,.. ponder over how things progressed from the time she reunited with her bestie. Meeting Lisa has changed her life. She became a flame fairy, mysteriously connected with Lisa. Now she has to deal with the block of ice she has for a father.

She recalled how he forced her to agree to the babysitting and sighed.

"Although he seems evil but he can't bear to see her dead. Then, him 'abandoning' Lisa was to warn her to stop her tantrums. Lisa is also a little too mature for a kid her size. Her late mum must be a magical being. Maybe a healer since Lisa is one too. Sigh! I should just focus on my task." she decided to just relax her tension by playing refreshing flute music.

Anxiety is never the solution to any problem in life.

30 minutes later, the car arrived at Jack Reynolds' home and the driver came out and walked around to open the door for Vanessa.

He saw she was still sleeping, the music still playing in her ears from the headphones.

He sighed and reached his hand to tap her shoulder.

"Huh?" she opened her eyes and stared at the driver in confusion.

"Miss, we've arrived!" he announced and took her luggage.

"Oh,! Thanks for waking me up. I got carried to La-la land." she said with a smile and alighted from the car.

Fresh air mixed with refreshing scent of different flowers hit her nose. Her eyes lit up in delight.

"The air here is so good and refreshing! How come I didn't notice last time?" she thoought and spread her hands sideways to enjoy the breeze.

"Ah, I love this place!" she muttered.

"Miss, please follow me." the driver interrupted her and she put her hands down with an apology.

"It's fine. Let's go," the driver took the lead in waliing into the huge home.

Vanessa sighed after almost being blinded by the luxury she was witnessing. It was like she was the cheapest thing here.

She quickly cleared her head of the distracing thoughts and followed the driver into the entrance where a bodyguard accompanied her; following slowly from behind.

"Em... Please don't mind me asking. Is the boss around?" she turned around and asked the bodyguard.

"Miss, which of the bosses are you asking about?' the driver asked.

"Err, are there two bosses?" she asked in confusion. How coe she didn't know of that? Suddenly, her eyes widened in realization.

"You mean Lisa and her dad?" she asked for confirmation and the two men nodded.

"Let's say... I'm asking about both."

"None of them are around. You can rest assured Miss." th bodyguard said with a scary voice. Vanessa nearly jumped.

What sort of voice was that? He shouldn't be working as a bodyguard. He should be acting horror mivies. Gosh!

"Ahem! Sorry for startling you miss. I have a cold."the boyguard said.

"Oh! Sorry. May you recover well, sir." she said and turned around.

"Like I believe you. Just admit it''s your natural voice." she scoffed internally.

5 minutes later, she was shown her room and the door closed behind her.

She was stupefied.

"Thi... This is my room? I... It's so unbelievable. I' Vanessa.... get to sleep in this fancy room?" she rushed to the bed and jumped into it.

The bed was so soft and comfy.

"Ah! I love this." she squealed like a kid.

She got off the bed and decided to check out other stuff in the room.

It had a changing room loaded with all sorts of female stuff. From lingerie to skirts, gowns, night clothes, event gowns, shirts, trousers and sanitary products.

She touched the fabric of the clothes and lingerie.

"Ah! The best quality." she exclaimed in her head.

She tried on a yellow gown designed with gold lace and it fit her perfectly.

"This Jack... he's not too bad." she smiled to herself. Admiring the pretty her in the mirror.

After a while, she headed to the bathroom and was so glad to see a bath tub. The toilet looked so holy.

"Oh my gosh!" she exclaimed and reached her hand to touch the flush button.

Water came from the tank and flushed down the former water. It didn't even make a sound. The bathroom smelled like peaches. She loved peaches!

She picked up the silky smooth towel and bathrobe. It smelled so good and super soft.

"Ah, so this is what being ich means." she muttered and used the towel to touch her face.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

"Eh? Who's that?" she asked.

"Please open up, Miss." a voice on the other side said.

"Seriously?" Vanessa muttered under her breath and headed to the door to open the bathroom door.

Upon doing so, she saw two nannies carrying her luggage.

"What are you guys doing?' she asked.

"Eh.... Boss Jack had commanded that you are a guest and hence, should be in the guest room." said a brunette nanny.

"You... Isn't this a guest room?" she asked in confusion.

"Yeah. But there are different grades and the one assigned to you isn't this one. Sorry, Miss." the nannies apologized.

Vanessa sighed and left the bathroom.

"Please follow us to your true room, Miss." a black-haired nanny said politely.

Vanessa followed the nannies to a secluded part of the big home and then a bodyguard who was already waiting for them, opened the door.

Upon entering, Vanessa's face darkened.

"Is this... my true room?" she asked in disbelief.

It was only a little bigger than her former rented tiny apartment.

It had a small bed with two pillows. A wardrobe and there was a bathroom. She entered and saw that there was no bath tub or shower head. Just a tap which seemed like it could spoil any moment.

She looked at the toilet and raised the seat cover only for the wicked stench of urine to waft out.

"Ew!" she covered her nose and tried to flush the toilet but discovered the handle was broken.

She headed to the tap and filled up a bucket of water to flush the toilet only for cockroaches to rush out of nowhere. Some were very matured and flew around.

"Ahh!" she screamed and ran outta the bathroom.

She saw the nannies smiling.

"It seems you don't like the room. How about we show you another?" a nanny asked.

"You..." Vanessa pointed at them an had no words to say.

"Follow us!" the nannies turned around to leave.

"You... don't I have a choice?" Vanessa asked in frustration.

"Don't be tired yet. We've still got ten more rooms to check out." the bodyuard announced and Vanessa decided to sit on the floor.

"I'm not moving from this spot. I'd rather sleep here." she said with folded hands.

"No probs, Miss. I'll just carry you. Forgive me." the bodyguard said an dbefore she could even protest, he carried her over his shoulders and they took a tour of the remaining rooms and finally returned to first luxurious one that she loved.


"It seems, this is the only place suited for you, Miss." the nannies placed her luggage in the dressing room, bowed and left with the bodyguard.


Vanessa's initially well-arranged hair was now ruffled. She looked like a stray cat.


"Damn it! Jack Reynolds,You are toast!" she swore and headed to the bathroom to have a bath after making sure to lock the first door; lest they come back to give her sme free 'tour' again.


"You want to play dirty eh? You've finally caught this fairy's attention." she said internally.


Two hours later, she came downstairs, right in time to see a cute little babe run in from the entrance.


The moment their eyes locked, they exclaimed:


"Lisa?"


"Mummy!"


Lisa ran quickly to Vanessa who quickly picked her up and carried her.


She gave the little one a warm hug.


"Mummy, I missed you. Don't ever leave me alone, ok?"


"Yup! Mom is here to pamper Lisa silly."


Both began to have fun moments with each other.


Suddenly, the temperature reduced and unhurried loud footsteps were heard.


Soon, the owner of the footsteps came in through the entrance and locked eyes with Vanessa and the little bun.


A staring contest ensued!

The servants around quickly retreated and bowed their heads.
The staring contest amongst the three continued for a short while and then ended.
"Mummy, Daddy sent my uncles away. I was very sad but now, I met you. You are my angel. Muah!" the little cutie kissed Vanessa's cheeks.
"Aww! That's my girl. Now come, let's go have some private fun time together." she said with delight and took Lisa away. She never said a word of greeting to Jack.
"Stand right there." he barked.
"Mind your tone, Mr Jack. If you don't want to have a battle of whose mouth is more lethal, please, let us, mother and baby share some private precious moments together. Bye, loser!" she said and turned around to leave.
Jack couldn't say a word. He just stared at her departing figure with his little bun and later sighed.
"At least, there won't be nuisance. Let each one of us stay at our lanes." he said and headed for his study.

******
Lisa's room.
It was purely a princess room. A lot of things were pink or blue.
Today, Vanessa helped bathe Lisa and dry her hair.
She gave the babe some wonderful massage on her feet and kissed her forehead.
"Mummy?" Lisa called.
"Yes, sweetie. Anything wrong?"
"Err... I know my dad must have blackmailed you but I promise you won't regret being my mommy."
"Don't worry. Mummy feels honored to even kiss your cheeks. I wanna ask that we never separate till you are ready to be protected by your prince charming."
"I don't want a prince charming. Mummy charming is better." Lisa pouted.
"Yeah! Thanks for calling mummy charming. And now let me ask you. Can you promise to treat your dad nicely and not throw tantrums too often? I can tell that, despite his cold look, he loves you in his heart." Vanessa said in a calm manner.
"Pei! I don't believe. He thinks I'm a nuisance. He was glad to finally get some damn peace today..."
"Lisa, don't curse." Vanessa chided.
"Sorry mummy."
"It's okay. Changes don't happen overnight. Let's work hard together and deal daddy a sweet punch. We'll sow him what he missed."
"Yeah."
"Alright, my little babe is all set. Be my model. Pose for mama. Let her have this honor."
"Yeah! I'm the best model on Earth." Lisa sprang into action.
"Hehe. You are the princess and I'll be the queen model."
After taking some pictures of Lisa in various heart melting poses, she carried the cutie and they took selfie's together.
"Mom, the pictures are great. Let me take pictures of you." Lisa pleaded.
"Alright. Let mama pose for you."
Vanessa did some simple poses and she looked good in them.
After taking pictures of Vanessa, Lisa sneakily transferred them to her own phone and gave it back to Vanessa.
"Mommy, look at them. So pretty."
"Yeah. You'll make a good photographer." Vanessa carried the little one and kissed her cheek.
"Such soft cheeks you got! I could kiss them all day."
"You could faint from softness overload." Lisa joked and thy both laughed.
"Mom, I suddenly remember something."
Vanessa placed her down and she ran to her bag placed on a table to retrieve her phone.
"Wait a bit." Lisa said and Vanessa sat on the bed.
"Ok? What do you wanna show me?"
Lisa started sending all the pictures she had taken today at the different places she went.
Soon enough, Vanessa's phone beeped.
She took it and saw many pictures on her Whatsapp. She downloaded all of them and saw pictures Lisa took with her twin uncles at the amusement park, Haunted house, Restaurant, Cinema, Homes for the infirm and old etc.
"Wow! They are good. Who are those twins?" Vanessa inquired.
'My uncles. You will meet them soon enough." said Lisa.
As Vanessa scrolled further, she was stunned.
Her eyes widened as she stared at the pictures; one by one.
"Woah! Five stars." she exclaimed. "I'm saving this one."
Lisa took a look at Vanny's phone to see that her mum had rated Jack Reynolds dressed as a maid with 5 stars.
"I like that one best too." Lisa said excitedly.
Vanessa quickly sent the picture to Evelyn who nearly fell from her chair at home with mirth.