"Guys have you seen Tulip?" Alynah asked, panicking as she reached the 10th floor.
"No, isn't she in Mr Hart's office?" Lux asked.
"They ain't there!" Alynah replied.
"Chillax Aly, I saw them leaving" Brett chimed in and Alynah froze.
"Leaving?" She repeated, her eyes widened in disbelief and Brett nodded.
"That brat! I make sure I teach her a lesson!" Alynah clenched her fist in annoyance.
"C'mon Aly, don't be too harsh. She's fine just a child" lux cooed and Alynah bit her lower lip.
"No, that girl is really something else. Look at how close she is to Mr Hart. Today is just the first day she's here!" Alynah whisper-yelled.
"That's love at first sight" Kylie smirked and Alynah froze.
"Love at first sight?" The thought alone made her heart skip a beat. Kayden slightly knew Alynah's secret, just a hint though. But he's already affected with Tulip, will he continue liking Tulip when he finds out about her secret? When he finds out Tulip doesn't have a Dad? She gulped at the thought as her mind raced with questions.
"I wouldn't have brought her here if it because I had no choice" Alynah mumbled.
"C'mon Aly! Don't be like that. She's just a child!" Lux snapped.
"Yeah because you're obsessed with her beauty!!" Alynah retorted, grabbing and pulling her hair. An awful way of calming her frustration.
"Whatever, why didn't you come with us to the cafeteria?" Kylie suddenly asked.
Alynah's mind drifted to that message and the sweet scent of the flower, she smiled. No, she blushed. Lux and Kylie exchanged a terrified look and snuggled closer to Alynah. A gesture meaning she should spill out the secret.
"I had a lunch surprise from Mr unknown" Alynah whispered and the duo squealed excitedly.
"OMG!!"
"A secret crush!" They giggled.
"Yess. Someone is about to be taken. I can't wait to see that Mr unknown reveal himself" Lux said, dreamily shutting her eyes.
"Keep fantasizing"
Kayden took Tulip to a high-end 5 star restaurant and had their lunch. After that, they went on and bought lots of goodies for her. Kayden felt attracted to Tulip just on the first day. He don't normally like children, not even his siblings or cousins but here he is, feeling so connected to Tulip.
They arrived at a down-home ice cream parlour, Scoop 'N buns, that nestled in the heart of Texas.
Tulip's eyes widened as she explored the colourful interior. Glass jars filled with homemade toppings like pecan pralines, strawberry jam and chocolate chips stood in rows on the counter next to a chalkboard featuring flavours like Lonestar mint chip and big Texan brownie.
"Choose your flavour, birdie" Kayden stated.
"Brownie!!" Tulip squealed, pointing at the brown glass jar. Kayden chuckled and ordered a scoop for her and a cup of coffee for himself. Tulip bounced up and down in happiness as they waited.
Once they received their treats, Kayden led Tulip to a small table near the window. He watched Tulip took her first lick. Her eyes sparkled and her squeals filled the air. Kayden watched her delighted, his warm gaze lingering on Tulip's face, sharing in her simple pleasure. Her laughter and smile are infectious and captivating.
Kayden slowly sipped on his coffee as he watched her. He found himself smiling the more he stared at Tulip savouring the ice cream. He felt a sense of warmth and contentment wash over him.
Tulip looked up at him and smiled cutely. Kayden felt an unknown bond between him and Tulip. Her grey eyes that stared at him in enthusiasm and happiness, they looked similar to his. Her smile, the warmness of her gaze, all are identical to his. At this moment, Kayden felt affected by her presence. Her felt like he's some kind of elder brother or a mentor to Tulip.
"You want another scoop?" He suddenly asked when he saw her finish up the first scoop.
Tulip's eyes lit up excitedly. "Can I?" She asked.
"Sure, birdie" he smiled and ordered another scoop for her.
At this moment, Lyra walked into the ice cream parlour, her gaze darting around until it eventually landed to Tulip and Kayden. Her mind raced and her eyes widened in both shock and panic as she took the scene before her. She watched as Kayden ordered another scoop for Tulip and Tulip giggling happily.
She panicked. Her secret, her carefully guarded secret was in the verge of being exposed. Kayden sipped from his coffee as he looked up, their eyes met.
Lyra gasped and quickly spun around, rushing out of the shop. Kayden tilted his gaze, he looked like he's thinking for a while then shrugged and fixed his gaze back to Tulip, caring less about the outer world.
As Lyra hastily rushed out of the shop, she searched for her phone from her bag, her hands shaking from anxiety. She dialed Alynah's number and it rang several times before Alynah picked.
"Hey Lyra, what's up?" Alynah's voice was cheerful.
Lyra took a deep breath and gulped down, trying to calm her racing heart and mind.
"Alynah, we need to talk"
Alynah sensed something was off. Lyra only calls her 'Alynah' when something is wrong and with the way Lyra sounded, there's a problem.
"What's wrong? What's the problem?" Alynah asked restlessness settling in her heart.
Lyra gulped down nervously as she looked around, making sure no one is listening.
"Hello?" Alynah's voice echoed at the other end of the line.
"Tulip... And Mr Hart... they're together"