Indebted: A Debt-p*****t Romance (English Version)

Chapter 9.1

"What happened to her?”

Manang Imelda shook her head with a smile on her face. "Oh, you! Don’t casually talk about her to anyone in this household. Barron must not hear you saying something about her. I can see he’s starting to treat you well now.”

"But… What happened to her wife? Why is she—"

"I didn’t mean to tell you anything about her. But you will insist on me about it, you will not hear anything more than that she is dead. You know you can’t ask anyone here about it, especially not Barron and Yves.” 

I sighed. I’m just curious. I want to know what happened to the woman of the Montevalleses. I didn’t know she’s dead. And I’m using her room. I’m sure the things there are hers, except for the things that were bought when I came here. This information won’t help me sleep at night as well.

But Manang Imelda has really no plans of telling me. After helping them polish the kitchen into its cleanliness, I headed to my room. The family is no longer in the living room. They probably went to their rooms, too.

After reaching the top of the stairs, I saw Yohan entering the room on the east. Most of the occupied rooms here are all in the west. The first time I met Señorito in this hallway, he came to that room. I just know the gym and Mr. Montevalles’s office is all on the east side. Also, the child’s room Yohan and I walked in earlier. But it’s the other room, the door next to that one he walked in just now. 

I contemplated my decision, but later on, I decided to follow after the kid. The door was slightly ajar. Getting a glimpse of the color of the room, I concluded it’s another child’s room. It has almost the same style as the opposite room. The walls are light blue and white, even the carpet. But the bedsheets, the blanket, and the pillows are yellow and printed with Spongebob's face. There’s a small study table next to a double-sized bed. There was a huge lampshade and bookshelves occupied with children’s books. Next to it is another shelf containing a random toy collection.

I tried searching for Yohan from where I was standing because he’s not on his bed when the door suddenly closed. I took a step back in shock. My face almost hit the door. There’s no one inside who will do it but the kid. I don’t think it’s the wind because from what I could feel, the cold is coming from the air-conditioner and not from the wind outside. I think my prayer for his own sake will be impossible to happen. He is actually showing the signs that he really inherited the character of the men in this house.

What if you’re wrong, Tara?

I nodded to myself. Perhaps. Perhaps he doesn’t know someone is standing here outside the room to do some spying out of curiosity. Perhaps, he just closed the door without any intention of harming anyone. 

But he opened the door again. His brows were furrowed, and with bored, tired eyes, looked up at me. I have no idea what to say to just look down at him. He opened the door widely. In a drastic way, though, the door hit the wall behind it, causing a vibration. He crossed his arms over his chest and tilted his head to the side.

"What are you doing here, miss?"

My lips parted. My eyes widened expectantly. He called me 'miss'! Not ‘mama’, just how Mr. Montevalles taught him to address me. 

"Uh—" I bit my lower lip, and hesitantly smiled at him. He is still a little child, but I am suddenly nervous talking to him like his father and grandfather. "I see, this is your room? May I come in?”

His brows resemble his father’s crease. But because he’s still a kid, it’s not as thick as Yves’s. "Why?"

I blinked. Why is speaking like an old grown man? "Uhm, a-are you okay there? If you need help, I can…” I just thought he might need help cleaning himself before going to bed. When I was a kid and at the same age as him, I always needed a maid for everything. My parents were always busy and we couldn’t disturb them just to help me with my needs that didn't require money. 

"I'm a big boy now. I can do this. And you're a girl. It's awkward."

I smiled at his innocent, conservative answer. At least, he reminded me he’s really still a little kid. He talks like that because of the people that surround him. I knitted my brows together. He’s not really living. He’s only here for weeks and the people I’m worrying about might imitate him leaving here. I don’t think he can easily adopt that attitude.

Oh well, he came from the same blood and flesh. I think it’s a natural inheritance."Okay, then." 

I smiled a little and absent-mindedly stroked his soft hair. Why the image of his father appeared in my head, I have no idea. I internally shrugged my shoulders at it. "I'll head to my room now. Goodnight, little big boy."

"Big boy," he quickly disagreed. "But my name is Yohan. I'd appreciate it if you call me by my name. I don't like puppy names."

I lost control of myself. I couldn’t help but laugh. He looks rugged and snobbish but he’s still really cute. And smart. I think that kind of inheritance from his ancestors is not bad at all. 

"Okay then, Yohan. Goodnight." I shyly bit my lower lip as he kept his eyes looking up at me. I think this is the first time I've ever looked like this in front of a child. I don’t know why he’s affecting me like that. "S-Sorry. Okay, you should rest. I’ll go to my room.”

I was about to turn my back when he spoke.

"Or you can stay for a while." His facial expression remained serious. He gestured to me inside of his room. Though confused, I followed him. He closed the door behind him. I shook my head as Señorito's mocking smirk flashed on my mind. I tried getting it off of my head. 

"Miss, are you okay?"

"Y-Yeah, I am fine. And you can call me Tara, Y-Yohan?" I smiled at him, not really sure if I’m allowed to call him by his name. I mean, there’s nothing wrong. But this child’s mind works a little differently and I don’t want him to think I suddenly become close to him or whatsoever. 

But I think it's him who is not fine with me calling him by his name. He glanced down on the hand I held out to him then turned around. He directly walked to the door which I think is the bathroom. I grasped my hands together and awkwardly scanned the room.

It's bad of me to say but I guess that kid is a little creep too. But what if...

I couldn’t even sit on the bed without asking for permission. I think this is his official room here and not the room next door. Why is he using a room that’s away from his parents’ room? Or they should have let the kid join them on their bed?

Why do you think, huh, Tara?

I opened my eyes wide to stop the scandalous thought getting into my mind. I shook my head and decided to walk near the bathroom. I stayed outside the room. 

“Uhm, Yohan, are you okay there? Do you need help?"

"Stay there!" he answered from inside. 

I stayed there until he’s done doing his thing inside the bathroom. His hair is damp, wearing his blue kiddie bathrobe. He glared up at me. I don’t know why. 

From inside his drawer, he brought out a pair of nightwear and was about to go inside his room.

"Where are you going?" I asked stupidly. He didn’t answer. I gave him a tight smile and nodded, letting him do whatever he wanted to do.

He's too little to be awkward dressing in front of me! But anyway, maybe because we are still strangers to each other.

I absentmindedly smiled. That smile faded the instant a disturbing question popped up in my head. Did the Señorito also look like that when he was a kid?

Like, really Tara? Who cares?