You're a Good Man

"If you are still not honest about what happened, I cannot let you stay here. I need a caregiver who is honest." Agatha fell silent, stunned by Jayden's calmer response than she expected. Agatha was also surprised by the explanation. She thought she had made a huge mistake that would lead her to leave the apartment. "Honesty in everything," Jayden continued, then took a deep breath, deciding to sit beside Agatha. "What? No, I don't want that." Agatha responded to Jayden's earlier threat, she didn't want to be fired. "Don't want to be honest?" Agatha quickly shook her head, clarifying that wasn't what she meant, but she also wasn't ready to reveal the truth. "I'm sorry. I truly apologize. Please don't evict me. I don't want to see Layla sad." Jayden glanced briefly as Agatha bowed her head to say that. Jayden then took a deep breath, the girl was different from her usual cheerful self. Jayden didn't want Agatha in bad shape; he just wanted to see her happy expression. "Tell me, Agatha. Who and what is making you like this? I'm not foolish, I know you've been crying. I know you're not okay." Agatha closed her eyes, feeling her heart racing. She didn't want to involve Jayden again, who had already helped her a lot, but she also didn't know who else to turn to besides Jayden because he was her only hope. "I'm sorry," Agatha whispered, then opened her eyes after a brief moment. Jayden next to her remained silent, as if urging Agatha to continue her explanation. Agatha had no choice; perhaps being honest with Jayden would lead to better advice than getting help for free. Agatha took a slow breath, trying to ease the tightness in her chest that hadn't subsided. "Actually... I'm in a big problem. Someone just threatened me." Agatha fell silent, biting her lip. "I need money." "Tonight," she added softly, almost in a whisper. She closed her eyes again, ready to accept whatever Jayden's response would be to her honest but somewhat rude expression. Jayden was surprised after finding out what made Agatha cry, but then he smiled slightly and nodded in understanding. "How much? How much do you need? I can give it to you." Agatha almost turned to Jayden with widened eyes due to her surprise. Thankfully, she managed to keep her composure and only lifted her head. For a moment, she was pleased that Jayden's response wasn't negative, but she lowered her head again as she remembered something that hit her. "But you have already given me so much; I can't accept more. What I have done for working here is not equivalent to what you have given me." Agatha remained silent, waiting for Jayden's response. But it seemed like he knew there was more to the sentence that hadn't been finished. Agatha winced softly, Grace's threat echoing in her mind again. "But... I don't know how else I can get tens of millions of money before tomorrow." Agatha felt pain in her head that hadn't subsided. Her fingernails became the target of her nervous fidgeting. Agatha then took a deep breath. "I—" "I've said it, what's the amount? Cash or transfer?" Jayden quickly cut in as Agatha's explanation was too lengthy. He was truly irritated. "What I give you has nothing to do with your current problem. Consider this your first salary for the work you will do for the next month." Jayden spoke up to ensure the issue was resolved. "If you still refuse to accept this money, I could just fire you," Jayden, who could predict Agatha's response, threatened. "Forget about Layla being sad; I can take care of her again even if it doesn't make her a cheerful girl," Jayden didn't give Agatha a chance to respond, wanting to corner her into following his words. "But if I evict you, where would you live? How much money do you have to immediately rent a place after leaving here?" Jayden smiled wryly, convinced that this question wouldn't lead Agatha to refuse his help. And indeed, Agatha fell silent, unable to utter a single word. Her mouth seemed to be well-controlled to comply with Jayden's words. Despite Jayden's threat carrying a sense of care, Agatha still felt uneasy because the amount she needed wasn't small for her. "Agatha, you live here as Layla's caregiver. You clearly play a big role for my daughter. So, I am also responsible for you. I will help you with any problem," Jayden concluded, followed by a gentle smile. 'Tell me how much you need, hmm?" Jayden gently touched Agatha's shoulder to encourage her to look at him. Agatha didn't know why this widower beside her was so kind and generous to a poor girl like her, but if she dared to hope further, she considered the string of threats earlier as Jayden's way of showing concern for her. It didn't matter if Jayden's true intention was to pity her; for now, Agatha didn't want to care. "I'm sorry, and... thank you," Agatha bowed her head, but her lips formed a smile even though she felt like crying again. "I'm truly grateful to you as much as possible." "This is your salary; you deserve it." Jayden sighed, relieved that his assistance was accepted. "Thank you again," Agatha said, wanting to express her gratitude a thousand times over for Jayden's help, which was not insignificant in her life. Jayden nodded with a genuine smile. Agatha's honesty was more than enough for him. "You're welcome. After this, never lie to me again. I really dislike people who lie." Agatha nodded in understanding. The throbbing in her head began to subside, almost healed. True, wasn't it? The effect of Jayden's help was truly significant. "Just a moment." However, Agatha suddenly remembered something. She turned her head before Jayden left. "The debit card, I will return it." Jayden furrowed his brows, paused for a moment, then shook his head firmly. "No, it's for buying Layla's needs. If you need anything, you can also use it." "In that case, why did you give me an advance salary for that problem?" Agatha didn't understand why Jayden didn't ask her to use the card if she could. "That card is just a bonus; I thought it would be better for you to receive the base salary for the problem you caused yourself. Unless you were intentionally trapped without causing trouble, that would be a different story." Jayden glanced at Agatha, who looked surprised. His lips formed a thin smile. "You also want to work here because the pay I offer can help you pay off your debt, right?" Reflexively, Agatha nodded. That was not a truth she would hide. Because the core of the problem that almost made her give up on life was that debt itself. About being evicted from the rental wasn't actually a big problem for her because she could find another place that was affordable. The little savings left in her account were also enough to cover the rent for one month. Agatha, who remained silent and bowed her head again, felt Jayden gently touch her shoulder. "That's enough, don't overthink it. Now all problems have been resolved, right? Don't cry anymore." Agatha turned, her eyes locking with Jayden's. This time, she didn't look away but got lost in them. Thick eyebrows, a firm jawline, lips not too thin but also not too thick, naturally red, must be very soft. His nearly perfect face made Agatha want to keep gazing at him. "Yes, thank you. It's all thanks to you. You truly are a good man." Jayden admired Agatha's face, her wide eyes, long and curled lashes, and plum-colored, naturally pink lips, adding to her naturally beautiful appearance without makeup. Jayden smiled outright. From now on, he would always remember Agatha's facial features. "Alright, I'm looking forward to the next compliment. Hurry and go to bed. I'll return to the office." Jayden stood up to end that dramatic moment. Jayden didn't wait for Agatha's response, seeing her face reddened as she realized she had been staring at him for quite some time. Jayden knew Agatha would feel embarrassed if he stayed there. So, since his heart wasn't safe to be near Agatha for too long, he turned around, walked to his room to fetch the documents. Agatha closed her eyes as Jayden left, covering her face that felt warm. Agatha truly wanted to disappear. Her embarrassment was halfway to death. She felt like vanishing from the earth after that extraordinary moment. "How could I not like him even more?" Agatha's thoughts screamed. She was truly happy, but at the same time, she was also annoyed at her own mind. Agatha felt crazy because during their eye contact, she had imagined kissing Jayden Byanthara's lips. *** This morning arrived as usual. The same routine as the day before. The only difference this time was that Layla accompanied Agatha to her morning class as Agatha had an early class. Fortunately, Layla didn't mind and was actually happy about it. However, no one realized that a black car had been following them since Jayden's car left. Until now, the car also stopped a few meters away from them. "Good luck with your studies, Aunt. Don't forget to have lunch when it's time. Make sure you eat too," Layla sweetly smiled at Agatha as she unbuckled her seatbelt. Agatha smiled broadly and turned to the back seat. "Thank you, Layla. You're very attentive. You must not skip lunch either, okay?" "Okay, got it!" Layla raised her hand as if saluting the flag. Agatha chuckled at her gesture. Jayden smiled as well, then his gaze landed on Agatha. "Contact me when you're done." Agatha turned, nodded, and smiled. After that, she immediately got out of the car, waving to Layla who opened the car window. After Jayden's car drove off, Agatha was puzzled to see the car that had been following her near the campus. Agatha had indeed noticed it during the journey. Agatha fell silent for a moment, gazing at the car slowly. "Whose car is that?"