|9| The Locket.

He groaned. "Don't stop."

I was shocked so I asked. "Huh?"

He closed his eyes and put my hand back on his hair. "Don't stop."

I blinked, it was hard to believe what I heard. Did I have a hearing problem or did Mr Lawson just say "dont stop"?

I slowly continued, moving my fingers into his hair and rubbing it gently. I loved how it felt against my fingers. We stared at each other as I ruffled his hair. I flickered my eyes, avoiding his stare. I felt self conscious because I was aware he was looking at me. I dropped my hand and turned away.

It felt like I was in slow motion as the napkin fell from my hands and my feet slid down the wet floor. I reached out to Mr Lawson as I fell. He sat up and grabbed my hands, but it was too late. My body hit the tiled floor and he landed on top of me. I grimaced in pain and looked up at him. My heart beat very fast and it wasn't due to the fall. It is because of how close we were. His body was slightly pressed against mine. He moved his hands and raised my head up. Then, he frowned. I gulped and averted my eyes.

He looked deep in thought. I swallowed hard and tightened my lips. I knew what he was thinking, he was thinking of how it was a big mistake hiring me. His gray eyes stared deeply into mine, making me shiver.

He looked sinfully hot with his hair damp and his robe exposing his chest. His warmth wasn't helping my heartbeat as it seemed to be beating faster than ever. I wet my lips as I watched how his Adam's apple moved whenever he swallowed.

How can he be so sexy without even attempting?

My eyes traveled from his throat to his smooth chest like a puppet being controlled. It felt so strange just how much I wanted to bend and kiss his soft lips that were slightly opened as if inviting me. Blinded with lust, I raised a finger to his lips and moved it along his bottom lips. Instantly, He frowned at me.

I dropped my hand quickly and muttered, "I'm sorry."

I tried to stand up, but he held my shoulder, holding me down. It's been a long time since I've felt this way. I wondered why my body reacted like this whenever I was around him.

He moved his hands into my locks.

He arched his brow. "Why don't you ever lose your hair?"

I looked up at him, a little dazed and touched my hair subconsciously. I usually packed my hair up because it made me look more professional.

He removed the band and my hair fell in curly waves around my shoulder.

He studied my face and nodded to himself. "Leave it like this, it makes you look less ugly."

Less ugly? Ouch! Just when I thought he was going to compliment me.

Suddenly, he rolled away from me and sat up. "Be more careful next time."

Immediately, I stood up. "Yes, sir."

He hummed and told me to get him his walking stick. I dashed to the sun lounger and took the walking stick that was beside it. I was glad he wasn't complaining about my clumsiness or even threatening to fire me. To be honest, it had been a whole since he did that.

***

The next day, I went to the master suite to give Mr Lawson his medication. I knocked once and waited for his response, but he didn't answer.

I sighed. Ten minutes, still no response.

I didn't want to knock again since he didn't like it when someone disturbed him.

Another ten minutes, still no response.

I took a deep breath and took the risk of knocking twice. The bang echoed in the hallway, but still no response. My knee ached so I opened the door and entered inside. I had no choice, I had to enter with or without permission; I couldn't wait for another ten minutes.

I walked inside and was surprised to see him sleeping on the bed. His face was so calm and there wasn't the usual furrow at his forehead. I moved closer and observed him. He looked so peaceful. The duvet roughened around his legs and it barely covered his body. I adjusted it and covered him properly. I smiled and sat beside him, looking at his sleeping figure. He really looked less intimidating and authoritative in this state. He furrowed his forehead and shifted on the bed. I chuckled, his sleeping form was so adorable. I straightened the line at his forehead and traced my hand down to his lips. It was slightly parted as he breathed softly.

He shifted again and raised his hands to his cheek. An opened locket fell from his hand in the process. I picked up the locket, it might be very precious to him because he was holding it until he slept off.

I held it up and observed it. It was a golden locket with a circular pendant attached by a loop.

I looked at it closely, what was so special about this locket?

I was curious so I opened the locket. It contained a picture of a little girl with olive skin. The little girl was smiling brightly in the picture while playing the piano. There was the back view of a boy at the corner of the picture.

l studied the picture.

Who were they?

Who is this little girl to Mr Lawson?

And was Mr Lawson the boy at the end of the picture?

I got confused and tried to understand the connection Mr Lawson might have with the little girl in the locket. She couldn't be his daughter because the servants already informed me that he wasn't a married man.

But If by any chance that the little girl was actually his daughter, why hasn't she visited the mansion since I started working as his caretaker?

Although I shouldn't be bothered about him having a child yet my heart felt very heavy until I started to scold myself for feeling that way despite being a single mother.

Then I realized, It was the possibility of him having a woman with his child that tugged at my heart.

I wetted my lips and laughed at myself. Why do I keep thinking I have a chance with Mr Lawson?

Suddenly, lighting flashed from outside and thunder struck, echoing loudly and viciously through the room. I jolted from the loud sound and tightened my hand around the locket.

Mr Lawson turned and a furrow appeared at his forehead. I raised my hands to straighten his frown, but he grabbed my hand and squeezed it. I looked at him, confused. He was still asleep and appeared to be having a nightmare because he kept on turning uneasily and mumbling some words repeatedly.

I leaned closer to him and listened carefully. I heard him mentioning a girl's name. Emily.

I frowned, thinking hard.

Emily?

The little girl in the locket?

Unexpectedly, he cried out. "Emily! Emily! "

I sat up, alarmed. "Mr Lawson, please wake up!" I said, shaking him.

Thunder struck again, louder than the previous.

Luckily, he jolted up, fear clearly visible on his face. He looked around the bedroom, panicked. Then, he set his eyes on me.

Immediately, the fear in his face vanished like water on hot steel, but was replaced with something even more intimidating. Anger.

He quickly removed his hand from mine and snatched away the locket from my hand.

"What are you doing here?!" He demanded.

My mouth dropped, I was lost of words. "I… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to—"

"Get out!" He hollered, his voice filled with rage.

I felt hurt by his actions. I understood he had a nightmare, but that wasn't enough reason for him to treat me this coldly. I came here to give him his medication and was trying to help him, but he took it the wrong way.

"What? I was just trying to wake you up," I told him, confused.

He rubbed his face and gestured to the door. "Just get out and don't ever touch this locket again."

I shook my head and stormed out of his room.

What's the big deal about that locket that he had to snap at me in such a manner.

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