It was the old man's turn to look at her.
"Charity?"
"Please excuse my earlier attitude sir. He kinda insulted my profession earlier so I called him a charity case," the old man laughed.
"Actually you're right, the caretakers I've hired so far did not even last a night looking out for him. He's a terrible case, my grandson."
"Charity case," they laughed in unison.
"I haven't introduce myself yet," he faced her and extended his hand. "I'm Antonio Aresta." she happily shook his hand.
"Good...uh" she scanned her surroundings to be accurate of her response. It's still bright outside but she's not sure if it's still early in the morning or afternoon so she settled with, "It's great to meet you sir. I'm Mayumi but you can call me Yumi."
The old man's face hardened but did not say anything else. He's probably trying to suppress his laughter at how badly she introduced herself.
"I get it that my grandson fired you," the old man is trying to be careful with his words.
"But can I still keep the job sir? I did agree to come here for the vacation but I may get bored doing nothing. I'm so sorry if being shameless right now. Maybe I'll just pay rent?" the old man laughed.
"Same old you. Still bubbly and naive. Just like before," he grew silent for awhile as if reminiscing something.
"I'm really hoping that I did nothing outrageous when I was a kid." she managed to say. He smiled again.
"I heard Roberto had a stroke, how is he now?" he changed the topic. Thank goodness.
"I don't even know where to begin. He's my biggest headache now. My brother and I found out that he's planning to go back in managing the hospital. If he were a little kid, I'll put him in a bag." she complained of her grandfather.
"Well, you can't blame us doctors. We will always go back to our offices. I also get scolded by my grandchildren because of that. Just let us be, will you?" Oh, so he's Gramps colleague. That explains why he looks familiar. And they're both stubborn.
"Nah-ah. You and my gramps should be resting. Don't be stubborn anymore, just give these heavy works to your grandchildren. Most especially that your grandson sometimes goes monstrous," they laughed again.
"Fine, you keep your job. Tell me if my grandson bothers you, I'll smack him," she made a tiny victory dance behind the old man while she's still following him.
"That so gracious of you. I'll be completely shameless and keep your word for that." she tried her best to give her sweetest smile.
"No need to shower me with praises. I won't ask anything as well. I'm sure you're starving now. You haven't eaten since you arrived yesterday. Come, I'll guide you to the kitchen so you can have breakfast."
"What do you..." her eyes widened. The old man turned back to her, he looks amused.
"You slept all day and throughout the night. I told Naning not to wake you up since the way here is really tiring. Chryxso's the only one who suffered since you accidentally slept on his room. You may have overlooked it since Naning said you're looking really sleepy. And he's also acting like a kid because of that."
"Aww, so it was really my fault after all. I'll apologize to him later,"
"You don't need to, it's also his fault for not locking his room. I already told him that his nurse's room will just be beside his but he still did not lock his room. He's just being stupid."
"Still, I'm also at fault. I'll ask old Naning to show me my room so I won't get lost this time."
"Oh, that's just easy. Since you already saw my grandson's room, yours is just beside him - to the right." she looked at him in disbelief. No, you don't mean.
"I'm really thankful that you agreed to look after him. If not for an emergency conference that I have to attend next week, I won't ask for any more nurses." he continued talking.
"He does not have temper tantrums like a kid though, right?" the old man just smiled.
"If he does that, just punch him in the face. He's a big guy anyway," Uh-oh. Gramps, I wanna go home now.
"I already instructed everyone of your role while you're here so whatever you say, they'll follow it. Make yourself at home and I'll apologize now in advance for the trouble. I'll be leaving early tomorrow that's why I'm briefing you of my grandson's great temper," Huhuhuhu. She still doesn't feel like listening to him. On her mind, she's already envisioning the face of Gramps and her brother, both smiling at her. Why? Why did you abandon me?
"Who? Who abandoned you Yumi?" Huh? She blinked twice.
"Pardon?"
"I think I heard you say that someone abandoned you," she whistled. Thinking aloud, stop it!
"Oh that was nothing sir. I'm sorry, my mind was somewhere else. It looks like you got a headache of a caregiver in me," she smiled apologetically. He looked like he's about to say something but just ended up smiling back. Mayu, where's your professonalism there?
"Anyway, like what I was telling you, I'll be out of the country for few days so I won't be able to check on Chryxso. He's sometimes like a slave driver in the office and sometimes suicidal. Take care of him for me. He's pride prevents him to accept help from anyone,"
"No worries, sir. I'll destroy his pride. A little," they both laugh at her cheekiness.
"You can call me Grandpa Tony, just like before," she awkwardly nodded.
"Sure. Gramps," then they heard her stomach rumbling, it echoed on all the corners of the room and they can't help but laugh again.
"I should not keep you hungry, I'll definitely get scolded by Kris. I know he dotes on you," she can't help but laugh. It's a known fact that her brother spoils her a lot. Well, he bullies me a lot too so I guess it's just a balanced thing.
"That's why I'm nagging him to get married so I can have my own peace," she grinned. The old man did not respond. Uh-oh, I said something wrong.
"Is this the way to the kitchen?" she tried to change the topic again.
"Here, let me show you." he swiftly responded. Did I say anything wrong? Is it a bad thing talking about other people's lovelife? He's my brother anyway, she reasoned to herself. Or did I unconsciously said something again? I really have to control and eventually stop thinking aloud, she reminded herself.
She fished for her phone and found few missed calls from her brother. She just rolled her eyes, my brother is such a mother hen. There were messages on her phone as well.
Have you already arrive? You should eat before you sleep. Take a bath everyday, don't soil their house. Where are you now? Why are you not responding? I'm coming over. She closed her phone and bit her lower lip. This is gonna be trouble.