Arriving at the villa in a limousine and in a daylight was very different to last time.
The arches above the door and windows were high. The pillars held up the roof above the entrance. The walls were light.
Eva woke up the girls gently and they walked up the stairs.
"Welcome, Miss Green." A man close in age to Callum bowed his head respectfully at her as he opened the door before they even reached it.
"Eva, this is Simon, my assistant." Callum introduced her.
"Oh, good evening, Mr Gold. It is great to be able to put a face to the voice now!" Eva smiled as she shook Simon's hand.
"Indeed. I hope that you had a good day."
"Emmi and Suzie both had a fantastic day. Thank you, Mr Gold. I suppose I ought to thank to for organising this."
"I'm so glad to hear that young Misses enjoyed themselves. Let me take you to your rooms." Simon looked down at their wet clothes.
"Thank you, Mr Gold."
Eva and the girls followed Simon upstairs. Simon opened the door to the girls room, same room as last time. But as he opened the door, he revealed a very changed decor.
Emmi and Suzie squealed in excitement. Eva walked behind them and her mouth dropped open.
She looked back at Simon.
"You've listened to my recommendations?"
"Of course. I think I've got all of them right."
"Indeed." Eva nodded watching the girls run around the room with their favourite toys and characters.
"Your room is the one opposite." Simon pointed at the closed door.
It was the same room as last time as well.
"Thank you."
"Call me if you need anything, Miss Green."
"Eva will suffice."
"If you wish. I will return before dinner. I hope that you have everything you need."
"Thank you."
Simon walked away leaving Eva with the girls. Eva quickly took the wet clothes off the girls and helped them into a dry set of closet her that she had packed for them. She was glad that she left the backpack in a car so it didn't get wet as well.
Once girls were in dry and warm clothes, they were excited to play with their new set of toys. There were also bags upon bags which seemed to be clothes for them, books, art and craft supplies. It had anything within the themes that Eva mentioned to Simon. Their favourite cartoons, movies. Anything that they loved.
Eva walked across to the room assigned to her. It hasn't changed much since she was there last. There were a few boxes on the sideboard that she didn't bother looking at. She quickly changed into her spare set of clothes and then she went back to the girls' room to watch over them as they played.
In the meantime, Simon went to find Callum in his room which was adjacent to the one assigned to Eva.
"I hope that all was alright." Simon spoke to Callum carefully as if he was worried that he threaded on a fine line. He stood by the doorway with his back towards the room as Callum stood in his walk in closet getting changed.
"Yes, certainly." Callum smiled even if Simon couldn't see it.
"I was slightly worried when you've missed your lunch plans."
"I had an opportunity to have a lunch in a completely new setting, by a phenomenal chef that made that experience truly unforgettable."
"And what sort of establishment was it?"
"Evelyn's apartment." Callum continued smiling. Simon knew him so well that he could hear it in his voice.
"I can certainly see that you are in a good mood. Am I to assume that the visit to the zoo went well?"
"Yes. Besides the rain, of course."
"And Miss Green? I hope that she's not causing issues?"
"No, not really. Not yet at least."
"That's good to hear."
"Can I ask you to research her background for me?" Callum asked as he walked out in the new set of dry clothes and he looked over at Simon.
"Of course. Is there anything in particular that you'd like to know?"
"Not really. I'm just curious."
"I'll see what I can find."
"Thanks. I'll see you later then."
Not much later Simon reappeared as Eva answered the call from Marjorie. He led the girls out of the room as Eva continued her tiring conversation. She didn't realise that Callum passed by the room and overheard her.
"Yes, Marjorie. The analysis shows no increase in risks. You can see it on pages 75 to 80." Eva sighed and rubbed her neck which was tense from the sudden stress of Marjorie's call.
After the call she mumbled to herself in annoyance. And at that point Callum decided to continue walking as to not draw attention and make it seem like he was eavesdropping.
He sat by the dining table with the girls.
"Miss Green will be here in a moment." Simon said as he pushed Emmi's chair closer to the dark long table. "She has been on a call."
"Oh, I see." Callum nodded, pretending that he knew nothing about it.
"Sorry!" Eva said as she appeared. She quickly sat down trying not to delay the dinner anymore.
"I hope everything is alright?" Callum asked.
"Yes, sorry."
"Was it Marjorie?" Suzie asked. Eva was astounded with how much girls noticed at times. They knew more than she gave them credit for.
"Yes, it was Marjorie." Eva poured herself a drink.
"Marjorie is such a bitch." Suzie declared Eva started choking on her drink in shock and Callum's eyes widened.
"Suzie! That's a very naughty word!"
"But you've said!"
"Did I?" Eva blushed in embarrassment. What must Callum think of her parenting? She burnt the lunch, she dressed up like a child, and she somehow taught Suzie to swear.
"You've told auntie Donna!"
Of course she did. Eva wanted for the Earth to open and swallow her whole now.
"Look, Suzie, I have said something rude and I am sorry. It is a very naughty word and I promise that I won't use it again."
"I want to use the naughty word!" Emmi chirped up.
"Look, it's not very kind. In this world there are not many kind people. It's so important to be kind. It is what makes you special, girls. You're both so kind."
"Okay." Suzie agreed unhappily.
"Thank you." Eva sighed as she started eating alongside them. Callum's gaze burned the side of her face but she was too ashamed to look at him.