~~~~~~~~~Aiden's POV~~~~~~~~~

And so, today was my first day on the job. I admit I was a little nervous, even though I already knew this family pretty well. I think I was just nervous since it's been a while since my last job, and that one wasn't the best.

Sage had a photography meeting today, so I ended up going to the mansion on my own, which I didn't mind. James let me in as usual, and then led me to the laundry room where I could find all the cleaning supplies.

So.. I guess I'll be busy most of the day.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There was no denying that the mansion seemed even bigger from the inside, but it wasn't that difficult to clean. I mopped all of the first floor, cleaned the kitchen counters, cleaned the first floor bathroom, and dusted the staircase railing.

Up on the second floor, I was gonna start cleaning the bedrooms. Of course, the first one I passed by was Noah's..

I know we sort of made up a few days ago, but it still makes me nervous to be around him, I still feel like he dislikes me.. Still, I could clean his room first to get it out of the way, things would be easier that way.

Shape-wise, the room was very similar to Sage's, including the balcony outside. It was mostly green, with his bed on top of a platform, a drawer, a tv in front of a couch, a desk with a computer, and shelves packed with video games.

You could easily tell what he was into with just one glance around.

Nevertheless, I began to clean. I was careful to not break anything or snoop on accident, this was his room and his privacy, I had no right to see anything of the sort. Plus, if he caught me, I don't think that'd have a nice ending.

I had to move a few things to clean under them, when my eyes narrowed at a peculiar sight. Under the closet was an old picture, dusty and dirty, as if it hadn't been touched in a while.

Noah was in the picture, a bright smile on his face, along with a girl standing beside him. I couldn't identify the colors very well since they were faded and grayish, but she was also smiling joyfully at the camera, both holding hands.

A couple would be the must obvious option to assume.

But to find such a picture under the forest, maybe they had broken up?

"What are you doing?"

My blood ran cold as the other voice spoke behind me, turning around to see Noah standing by the door, arms crossed and a glare on his face.

I gripped the picture in my hands, trying to stand my grind. "Uh- m-my apologies, I was cleaning your room, a-and when I moved your drawer, I found this.."

Glancing down at my hands, he walked over and snatched the picture out of my grasp, a low growl escaping his lips. "Guess I missed one.."

He stared at it for a few seconds before ripping it into pieces, throwing the remains in the trashcan.

I felt.. bad..

"... I'm sorry.."

"Hm?"

"I-I don't mean to pry or anything, it's not my business, but.. from the picture and your reaction, I can only assume you had a messy breakup with this girl..?"

"Tsk, messy would be an understatement.."

"I'm sorry you had to go through that.."

"Whatever, I'm glad it's over now." He sat on the edge of his bed, but the glare on his face had morphed into something more of sadness.

"... Aiden?"

"Y-yeah..?"

"Would you ever cheat on your partner?"

That let me assume that they probably broke up because she cheated on him, huh..?

"No, of course not.. I could never hurt someone like that, if you wish to be with someone else, the other person at least deserves an honest break up.."

"Have you ever been cheated on?"

"Well, no.. I can't be cheated on if I was never taken.."

He raised an eyebrow in confusion, my cheeks growing red in embarrassment. "I-I've never been in a relationship.."

"I find that hard to believe."

"Huh..?"

"I know I've given you a hard time ever since I saw you here, but I can tell your a good guy, and a good friend to Sage, not to mention handsome."

My cheeks kept heating up, gripping the mop I had picked up. "Y-you think so..?"

"Yeah."

A tiny smile grew on my face, staring at the floor. "Thank you.. Still, I've never had the time for relationships, I barely have time for friendships since we move so much.."

"Actually, why do you move so often?"

"Uh, well I.. we.." I bit my lip, trying to come up with the right words. "We don't really have that much money, that's why I needed a job in the first place.."

That technically wasn't a lie if it only meant my sisters and I..

His gaze became more relaxed at that. "Oh.. damn, I'm sorry.."

"It's alright, we manage.."

There were a short while of silence between us, when he finally stood up and walked over to me, offering me a small roll of cash. "Here."

"Uh..?"

"You said you didn't have much money, right? Here's a few hundred bucks."

"A few hundred?!" I backed away a little, shocked at the amount. "I-I can't accept that!!"

"Aiden, I have money to burn, I might as well give it to someone who actually needs it."

"No, I can't, that's way too much!"

His glare returned after that, but his gaze moved around the room as if he were thinking of a plan. My face then grew burning hot when he grabbed my arm and pulled me close to his chest, and-

WHY WAS HE TOUCHING MY BUTT?!?

I quickly placed my hands on his chest and gave him a shove, pushing him away. "W-what the hell!!!"

"Relax! I was just placing the money in your pocket."

"Why didn't you place it in my front pockets?!?"

"It would've been easier for you to tell what I was going." He crossed his arms, staring at me. "Just.. please accept, you're the one who needs it."

There was no arguing against him, was there..?

Admitting my defeat, I let out a sigh. "Alright, I'll keep it.. But I will repay you in the future, that's a promise."

"I don't need you to repay."

"I know, but I want to."

He shrugged at that, then walked to the door. "... it was nice chatting with you, Anderson."

Without waiting for my reply, he left his room, leaving me a blushing mess. God, why did it have to be him who I like..?!

Thanks for reading!!! 'Till next time!!!

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