The chit-chatting waitresses scampered away while shaking their heads. They didn’t want to anger their manager who holds a little power of them. The lady manager just raised her eyebrow in a condescending manner but she didn’t say anything. She earned a lot just by sleeping with Stefan once.

So, who cares about it? People would gossip about you whether you do a good thing or a bad thing. But one thing was for sure, they won’t help you provide the needs of your family. People will judge you no matter what you do but it is up to you if you will let their judgement rule your life.

Cayenne was the type of person who doesn’t care about anyone’s opinion. However, she did care for her dignity and reputation as a woman, which was why, she needed to hide her identity when she’s outside with Stefan.

“I’m so tired.” Stefan mumbled as soon as they arrived home.

“You should take a bath first. I’ll just come after you. I’ll check on our items in the kitchen.” She placed her bag on the couch in the living room and went to the kitchen.

Stefan didn’t want to take so much time so he went upstairs to take a shower immediately. ‘One week. I’m getting so used to her presence in the past week. Will this affect me as a person? I’m fine being with her, though.’ Stefan thought to himself. He knew that the two of them have different social status. At the same time, he likes Cayenne’s personality and attitude towards life. She was brave enough to face all adversities that life threw at her. “I must protect her. No one should find out about her identity.” Stefan told himself.

Cayenne was checking their items in the kitchen when her phone started ringing. It was Arthur who was calling her. She was torn between answering his call or not. She let it ring for several times, waiting for him to disconnect the call on his own. Arthur was very relentless at this point. He didn’t give up after one ignored call. He called her again and again until she answered on his fifth call.

“Arthur?”

“Cayenne, where are you?” he asked immediately while watching the pictures on his laptop. He was at home surfing the net when news about Stefan Dumriques’s new girl popped-up on his screen. The girl had the same clothes as her!

Cayenne walked upstairs with her bag on the other hand and phone on the other. “I’m currently working. Why?”

“I thought you’re going home.” Arthur stated.

“I had to tell m mother that but I am working right now. Is there anything wrong?”

“Not really.” Arthur softly whispered. “Did you go to the supermarket earlier?”

“Huh?  Supermarket? I was just taking care of the baby.” Cayenne nonchalantly lied while Stefan was watching after coming out of the shower room. Cayenne placed her finger on her lips, signaling him to keep quiet. Stefan just nodded his head indicating his understanding.

“I see. I thought you went to the supermarket.”

“There’s no need for me to go there. My brothers are responsible for the groceries at home.”

“Alright. I was just wondering. Anyway, I won’t take much of your time. Good night, Yen.”

“Hn. Good night.” She ended the call as soon as finished bidding goodbye. “I hope he won’t doubt me after this incident.”

“He? Your lover?” Stefan questioned while drying his hair.

“Lover? Are you kidding me? Do I look like someone who will get a boyfriend?” she sarcastically asked while putting her phone on her bedside drawer. “He’s just a friend. He’s very close to my family and he didn’t know I’m working with you. I didn’t want him to think badly of me and report it to my family.”

“Do you like him?”

“No, of course, not.” Cayenne responded almost instantly. “As I said, he is just a friend.”

“Alright. I won’t question you about him anymore. Go and take a shower already so, that we can go to sleep.”

Cayenne chose a pair of sleeping clothes from the sets that Stefan bought for her. Then, she went to the bathroom to take a shower before going to bed. After several days of doing this routine, she was already used to this.

Stefan helped her dry her hair while she sat on the plush chair at the foot of their bed. “Have you ever tried giving your hair a spa?”

“Nope. I don’t have time to go for salon.” Cayenne responded in a whisper.

“So, this is your natural hair? This is really nice. It’s straight, long and really black.” Stefan knew that it was her natural hair but he needed to find something they could talk and her hair came in handy since he was touching it.

“Thanks. I’ve tried my best to take care of them.” Cayenne responded. She covered her mouth when she yawned from getting sleepy. “I’ sleepy.”

“Just wait a little moment. I’m almost done drying them.”

Stefan continued to comb her hair and blow dried it. When he was almost done, Cayenne ended up leaning on his chest with her eyes closed. She fell asleep.

Stefan turned off the hair dryer and put it down on the couch. He bent his knees and crouched low, put his left hand on her back and the other behind her knees; he carried her off to their bed. He covered her with the blanket before he walked to his side of the bed to sleep as well.

“Can I still hug her to sleep? I haven’t asked for her permission.” Stefan mumbled to himself. He was hesitant to wrap his arms around her waist since Cayenne didn’t agree to it. He was supposed to ask for her permission before he can do it. He looked at her sleeping face before looking at his own hand. Cayenne would surely hate him if he will do something without her permission.

Stefan moved closer; and in the end, he slept while holding the hem of her blouse.