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The mood is tranquil in the afternoon, and Eric asks me if I want to go home. I say no, because in reality I have nothing better to do, but he seems to think otherwise.

Violet has been asleep for hours. I dared to sneak in and feel her forehead after the suppository started kicking in. She wasn't hot at all. She was fine. Like I said she would be.

After checking up on her, I informed Eric about her recovery. He was on the phone, but he seemed to ignore the caller when I was talking. And then after that, he started looking guilty. Like, why would I be here if I could be elsewhere? I insisted on staying.

"We had an argument... and so she grabbed the bowl and started carving her name into it with a knife. I mean- I didn't see her doing it. Otherwise I would have stopped her. Obviously."

"Obviously," I repeat, grinning as he sips the red wine from his glass.

"But yeah," a smile lingers on his lips as he looks off into the distance. He scratches his knee before leaning back against the couch, "And that actually stopped me from using the bowl. She owns it now, I guess. It pissed her off that I always ate from it."

I force a laugh, not being much of a talker. Now I know the story behind the violated bowl in the kitchen. The bowl Violet always eats her breakfast from.

Eric seems to hear the silence as it stretches on. He smiles at me. Opens his mouth to speak. And then smiles again.

"What?" I smile back, putting my glass of wine on the coffee table.

"I didn't say anything," he murmurs, draping his arm on the back of the couch. I try not to freak out. Because his arm is there. Behind me. I can feel the heat coming off of it.

The sun has turned pink, coloring the living room with a purple-ish glow. I can't quite see anything out of the window because I have sunk into the couch. And sitting up to get a better view seems like too much of an effort. Especially now that his arm is right behind me. So close. I wonder if he notices. I wonder if that's just a habit.

And then I freeze when I feel his fingertips tracing the back of my shoulder.

Goosebumps rise all over my arms. Automatically, I lean forward and grab my glass of wine.

God, he must think I am such a pussy. I can't even handle his skin on mine, how am I supposed to endure long conversations with him? He looks at me and he smiles at me... And I am supposed to pretend not to flush.

A knock on the door saves me. He gets up and leaves the room.

I relax for a moment, thankful for the solitude. But when I hear a woman's voice, I am everything but relaxed. And it isn't just a woman's voice. It's the Susan bitch.

I get up and storm up to the door, normalizing when I walk out of it. She sees me first.

"Why is she here?"

Oh, so she isn't going to hide her attitude? Better for me, I guess.

I put on a fake smile, walking up to Eric. He answers for me.

"She's Violet's nanny... remember?"

"Everyday?" Susan demands, folding her arms and smiling back at me. I try not to look at her black dress too much. It's tight around the middle, and shows off way too much cleavage. It cuts down nearly to her belly button. What's the occasion?

Eric smiles down at me before looking back at her, but she speaks before he can, "You won't mind if I steal him for a bit, will you?"

Her wink is playful, but it makes me want to curl my hands around her neck.

She starts speaking again, "I was worried when you didn't show up at work today."

"Violet is sick," he says, leaning against the wall in the hallway. I rest my hands on my hips, wondering when he will lose his patience with her. He doesn't seem enraged at all though. And that worries me.

"I see," Susan nods, glancing at me, "Well, what are nannies for, right?"

I drop my smile, desperately trying to pick it up when Eric looks at me. He raises his eyebrows. Asking. What the fuck? He can't be serious.

"Are you kidding?" I ask, unable to hide my annoyance.

Eric nods slightly, seeming to understand my side of the argument, "Wait outside, will you?"

Susan nods and catwalks out of the front door, her blonde hair bouncing around her shoulders. I wait until I can no longer sense her presence. And then I speak, "Violet is sick."

"Look, she probably wants me to catch up with work stuff. I gotta go."

"What-... Violet is sick," I repeat, more urgently.

Eric pinches the bridge of his nose, putting one hand on my shoulder, "No offense. But this is your job."

I press my tongue against the bottom of my mouth, "You called her, didn't you?"

I regret what I say the minute I say it. I sound jealous. And it's none of my business. Maybe work stuff is more important than a sick daughter, what do I know?

"Look, I'll be back in an hour," Eric breathes, picking up his jacket, "If things take a turn for the worst, call me. But they shouldn't.. your suppository worked, remember?"

There is a smile on his face, he is trying to soften me up but my smile has been on the floor for too long. Stomped on by Susan's designer heels.

"Yeah," I croak, my heart sinking. What choice do I have here, really?

"Tris," he says. His tone has changed, so I look up, "I'll see you later."

His hand finds my lower back, and for a second I think that he is going to pull me in for a hug. But he just strokes me there for a second and leaves. Whatever. I don't need his sympathy anyway.

SHSHSHSHSHSH

Violet only wakes up at nine. Her father has been gone for quite some time. I try not to think about it.

"I'm thirsty," she whines, looking up at me with her tired eyes.

I smile and feel her forehead. No fever.

"I'll get you some water," I reply, picking up the boxes of medicine on her night stand. Looks like she won't be needing these anymore. She looks like she will sleep through the night anyway.

"Where's daddy?"

I pause for a moment, putting a smile on my face. Violet furrows her eyebrows, inheriting the 'no bullshit' face from her dad. Right. No bullshit.

"He went to discuss something with his work colleague," I nod, playing with the blanket. Violet scoffs.

"Are you blind as well as stupid?"

I roll my eyes, not really offended by her outburst. This is getting old. Nothing can surprise me.

"Violet-"

"It's Susan. He's fucking her."

"Violet, language!" I didn't intend to be so loud. Maybe it has something to do with her knowing her dad's personal life too much. Maybe I already knew that.

The girl shakes her head weakly and closes her eyes, obviously too exhausted to interact.

"I'll get you your water," I say, quieter. Then I get up and walk out.

SHSHSHSHSHSH

Apparently, I have fallen asleep. Something sharp is poking my arm when I wake up. My head is pulsing with pain, so I take my time in opening my eyes. It's dark around me, and the only light I can see is coming off of Eric's phone. He puts it down on the coffee table before smiling at me.

I hear the sound of thin plastic crinkling near my arm, and when I look, there is a giant bouquet of tulips , all colorful, all soft and gentle.

I feel like I am still dreaming. Maybe I am. Except that there are no headaches in dreams.

My hand finds my forehead and I wince, slowly sitting up, "Sorry, I fell asleep."

"I don't blame you," Eric replies quietly.

So I'm not dreaming then.

I rub one of my eyes, self-conscious of how I must look. Thank god Eric was kind enough to keep the lights off.

He stays silent until I look at him, "I'm sorry I left like that... And I want to thank you for looking after Violet today... even though you didn't have to." He shoves the bouquet into my arms and I rest them on my lap, a bit speechless. I didn't know he was a sentimental person.

"No, it's... it's fine."

"No, it's not," I know he is talking about Susan, "I feel like a dick."

A smile breaks out on my face, making him smirk.

"Like you said... it's my job anyway,"

"I didn't mean what I said," he whispers, climbing up to sit next to me on the couch. My eyes start adjusting to the darkness and I can see him more clearly. He still has his jacket on.

"Violet is asleep," I change the subject, "She woke up to ask for a drink and then she fell back asleep." But you would know that if you didn't leave.

Eric nods, guilt lingering beneath his eyes, "Thank you, Tris."

I nod.

"Do you want to stay the night?"

My heart skips a beat and I widen my eyes. But when he sees the look I am giving him, he shakes his head.

"I mean... because you fell asleep... you could just continue sleeping... in a spare room-we have a spare room,"

I laugh softly, shaking my head. Nice save. "No, I should be heading back."

"To your roommate?"

"Yeah... to my roommate."

"Well... drive safely," his voice dips a little, and I know why. He must have said the exact same thing to Violet's mother. And she never returned home.

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