I Need You, Agatha

Agatha's eyebrows furrowed in annoyance as she turned and glanced cynically. Her face suddenly heated up and almost turned red. Jayden, on the other hand, chuckled and seemed to treat her words as insignificant. "Don't play around with me. What did you mean by your earlier statement? Are you suggesting that I look after Layla or you?" Jayden stifled his laughter and briefly glanced at Agatha. "I was just kidding. Of course, I was offering you to become Layla's nanny." Agatha furrowed her forehead, not understanding the reason behind this sudden job offer. "Why? We have just met for the first time, by chance even. But why do you already seem to entrust Layla to me?" Jayden shrugged. "Because I doubt I can find another woman who genuinely likes Layla. This is the first time Layla has become close to a stranger." "Are you sure? I mean, judging by appearances, isn't it highly unlikely that there are no other women around you?" Agatha squinted her eyes, filled with suspicion. Jayden was very attractive, so how could he not find other women out there? Jayden nodded calmly, not denying the truth. "There are plenty." "Then?" "But Layla doesn't like them. I don't want to be involved with women whom Layla doesn't like. So, when I see you getting along well with her, I am happy." Jayden pulled up the corners of his lips. "Because Layla's happiness is my happiness too." Agatha fell silent. Thus far, she had never had feelings for the opposite sex. Most men who approached her were below the standard of what she was looking for. So, Agatha hesitated whether her current feelings were a sign that she liked Jayden after seeing his smile. Agatha sighed heavily. She could see the sincerity in Jayden's request. "I actually don't intend to refuse, but I am a very busy student. I don't even remember the last time I had a good night's sleep. Besides, I already have a job." Jayden was ready to respond, but he had to pause and swallow his answer as Layla was seen running towards him. Layla held two stems of flowers, one blue and one pink. "Dad, these flowers are for you. Blue, like your favorite color." Layla stood in front of Jayden, offering him the blue-colored flower. Jayden gladly accepted it. "Thank you, Layla. But what about the pink one? Don't you like purple?" "Because this one is beautiful, I want to give it to Aunt Agatha." Layla turned to face Agatha and handed her the pink flower with a wide smile. Jayden was taken aback. Agatha, on the other hand, was surprised because she actually didn't like the color pink. But seeing Layla's sparkling eyes, Agatha couldn't bring herself to tell the truth. "Wow, you are so kind, Layla. Thank you. I can't refuse it." Agatha finally took the flower and gently ruffled Layla's head while smiling. "You're welcome, Aunt. Do you like it?" Agatha swallowed her saliva slowly. She nodded and nodded, pulling Layla's cheeks and chuckling softly. "Of course. It seems you have a talent for choosing, huh?" "T-Thank you, Aunt." Layla lowered her head shyly, making Agatha feel guilty and fond at the same time. She had met many young children, but Layla was the first with such an adorable face and almost perfect features. Meanwhile, Jayden almost didn't realize that he had been staring at Agatha for a few seconds. He blinked and quickly checked his watch on his wrist before he could be caught stealing glances. "Layla, we should go back. Your playtime is enough," Jayden remarked, then stood up. "Aww, why so soon?" Layla pouted. Agatha stood up only after Jayden reminded her, so she wouldn't forget about work. "Your dad is right. Playing outside for too long is not good. Look at the sky, it looks like it's going to rain." Layla looked up, and indeed, dark clouds had gathered. She looked back at Agatha, thinking of something. "Then, would you like to walk me to the car while holding hands, Aunt?" "Why not? If you ask, I will do it," Agatha replied with a small giggle. Layla, who was excited, immediately reached for her hand. "Let's go, Dad!" Layla invited, already walking ahead, leaving Jayden alone. Jayden widened his eyes. "Hey, Layla! Why aren't you holding my hand too?" Layla ignored Jayden. Agatha, who was trying to hold back her laughter, couldn't do much and simply followed Layla to avoid paying attention to Jayden. "What's with that? She's ignoring me?" Jayden grumbled, then caught up with them until they reached the car, him being left alone. Layla saw her dad finally catching up and laughed gleefully. "Dad's annoyed face looks funny." "You're going too far, Layla." Jayden approached Layla and immediately lifted her up. He tickled her mercilessly, causing Layla to laugh uncontrollably. "Stop it, Dad! Hahaha! Stop it, it tickles! Hahaha...." "Feel the consequences, Layla." Layla squirmed, but couldn't escape. "Aunt Agatha, help me, hahaha...." Agatha shook her head at the antics of the father and daughter. She laughed along with Layla. Their family seemed to be fun, Agatha thought. For a moment, she wanted to continue being in the midst of their harmony. Before she suddenly remembered something. "Ah, sorry. I have to go now." "Wait." Jayden stopped his actions towards Layla before Agatha turned around. Agatha furrowed her brow in confusion. "Yay, Aunt saved me!" Layla cheered. Agatha smiled and gave a thumbs-up. Jayden put Layla down and opened the car door. "Layla, you go in first. I want to talk to Aunt Agatha for a bit." "Can I listen too?" Jayden shook his head firmly. "This is an adult matter, you wouldn't understand." "Daddy seeking revenge, huh?" Layla grumbled quietly, crossing her arms. "Go inside, Layla. I'll buy you ice cream if you behave." Jayden nudged Layla's shoulder to get her to go in. Despite her reluctance, Layla complied. "What do you want to talk about?" Agatha asked, following Jayden's steps as they walked away from the car. Agatha could sense the surprise in the girl's face. "Where do you work?" Jayden stopped under a tree, then suddenly turned to face Agatha. He could see the girl's startled expression. "At a cafe. Why do you ask?" Agatha took a step back, feeling too close to Jayden. "I will give you a salary of $1000 per month, but please stop working there," Jayden instructed, with no doubt in his words. Agatha's eyes widened reflexively. Her breath almost caught in her throat. "W-wait a minute, $1000? Don't joke, that's excessive. Are you trying to waste money?" Jayden shook his head, looking at Agatha seriously. "It doesn't matter if it concerns Layla. I can even give you more. So please reconsider my offer earlier. I hope you won't refuse." Agatha did like children, but that didn't mean she could take care of them. Especially since Layla came from a wealthy family, the upbringing in such a family would be much more challenging, wouldn't it? "But I'm not sure if I can provide the best for Layla. Being a nanny is not an easy job," Agatha muttered. "I need you." Jayden didn't break eye contact. "No. I really need you, Agatha."