7th of May
"So" he says as he looks at her intently "What do ya think?".
She's been extremely quiet so far and to be honest, he expected a little more enthusiasm when he showed her his house. He expected her to be impressed by the size and beauty of it. But she simply remained silent as she followed him from room to room. She also appeared to be inspecting every part of the house for some strange reason.
Then again, he shouldn't care what some broad thinks of his house. Especially one who hides her feral powers.
"It's not child proof at all" she concludes finally.
"What?" he frowns.
"Your house. It's not child proof, not at all".
When she notices that he has no clue what she's talking about, she rolls her eyes and explains "Sharp objects are just lying around everywhere, instead of hidden away in cabinets with safety straps on the inside. Your daughter can open up any cabinet in the house because they're not secured. Also, your chemicals and other dangerous products are stored at her eye level. How on earth did she not yet hurt herself? And last but not least, her room is not a little girl's room. It's just a bedroom with no toys".
Victor Creed growls internally. He doesn't even know where the household products are stored since he has a house keeper. And he doesn't like this frail's tone. Not one bit.
"That's what I'm gonna pay you for" he replies with an evil snarl "So fix it".
She narrows her eyes "It should have already been done. She's been here three days now? Be thankful she's still alive. I assume that you didn't have time to make her a decent room because she's only been here for such a short period of time. So yes, I will take care of that".
She wants to blame him for being an irresponsible father, but somehow she can't. Because there's someone who's more to blame for this situation. The woman who left the little girl at his doorstep and then offed herself.
He ignores her know-it-all attitude and figures that at least he got the right person for the job since she's already concerned with his daughter's well being. For that, he would consider living with her sharp tongue.
Or perhaps he'd cut it out. He'll have to think about it. Since she takes the anti feral-gene serum, she has no decent healing factor. The thought amuses him greatly.
When they enter the last room, the living room, she sees a little girl sitting on the floor with a teddy bear almost her own size.
Rae's heart almost breaks for the girl. Left behind by her mother, fated to grow with Sabretooth as her father. What kind of future would that be? Not something she wishes on anyone.
"She hasn't said a word since she arrived" Victor Creed breaks the silence.
Rae sighs and wonders if Creed even tried to communicate with his daughter.
She walks over to the little girl and sits down on the floor with her.
"Hi. I like your bear. I have one almost like yours. Does he have a name?".
The girl looks up at her, the resemblance to Victor Creed is mind-blowing.
"Mister Bear" the girl replies softly.
Rae smiles "And what is your name?".
"Zoe".
"Hi Zoe, I'm Rae. It's nice to meet you".
The girl looks at her with curiosity and carefully reaches forward to touch her hair. Rae leans in so she can reach her. Children have always been fascinated by Rae's rainbow hair.
"Are you a princess?".
"No" Rae chuckles "But I would like to be a princess. How about you? Wouldn't you like to be a princess?".
The girl nods and smiles shyly at Rae.
"I want my mommy" she suddenly says as a few tears dwell up in her eyes.
Rae swallows hard. She has no idea how to handle this so she does what her instincts tell her and pulls the girl into a hug.
"I know Zoe" she whispers into her hair.
"I miss mommy".
"I know you do" Rae replies softly.
For a few moments she holds onto the girl who's still clamped around her with her little arms.
"Hey, do you wanna see a magic trick?".
Zoe nods as she looks up at Rae in anticipation.
Rae creates a kinetic shield around them in different transparent colors. Instantly, Zoe is in awe at all the colors around her and she happily claps her hands. Rae enlarges the shield around them and Zoe jumps up and down on the floor.
"Rainbows!" Zoe exclaims happily.
Rae is relieved at how easily distracted the little girl is. She lets her shield take on different forms and Zoe claps excitedly.
She forgot all about Victor Creed's presence in the room until he suddenly stands next to her.
"The lawyer's here".
"For?".
"Signing the contracts" he replies "If you take the job, that is".
Rae looks at Zoe and smiles sadly. Zoe needs someone, and fast. Someone other than Victor Creed who obviously doesn't know what the hell to do with this little creature that is his own flesh and blood. So even working for Victor Creed couldn't be so bad that she would consider not taking the job.
Rae gets up off the floor and lifts Zoe up "Zoe do you wanna be super tall?"
"Yes!" Zoe nods happily and Rae lifts the little girl up on her shoulders.
"You don't need to do that" Victor tells her "We haven't signed anything yet".
She cocks a brow "Mister Creed" she sharply replies "I'm not gonna leave her here with no one to watch her, it's not safe".
He growls in agitation. He really doesn't appreciate her attitude and wonders if he made a mistake.
However, there is no one else.
She follows him to his study and introduces herself to the lawyer.
She's a little in awe about her working conditions judging by the contract, but she tries not to show him. If she signs these papers, he's actually going to pay her 5000 dollars a month, she'll have her own car so she can transport Zoe and herself anywhere she likes and she will have no living expenses what so ever. She can finally move out of her shitty apartment that she pays way too much money for and she'll have a lot more time to work her animation job.
The only rational question she'll have to ask herself is; is all of this worth the fact that Victor Creed will be her employer?
Her boss.
But when she looks at the little girl on her lap, the answer is quite clear.
Besides, he's just a man. She has her shields and her anti-feral serum.
How bad can it be?
"As a lawyer, I am morally obligated to tell you that however the working conditions will greatly benefit you, you are not getting the better end of the deal here miss Winter" the lawyer finally says after they've gone through all the paperwork "This contract will legally bind you into the employ of mister Creed for the next 12 years until Zoe becomes 16 years of age. You are not allowed to end the contract unless he commits a felony against you".
"A felony?" Rae asks as she looks at the lawyer intently.
"Well you see, mister Creed can fire you when he sees fit. For example when you are not performing your duties to his liking, or even when he simply has no need for you anymore. He could fire you at will, without any legal ground. However, you may only end the contract in case of him harming you in any way. That is what I meant by felony".
Rae scoffs out a little laugh as she looks at Creed who's grinning back at her. So she can only end the contract if he rapes, beats or abuses her in any way. Nice one Creed...
"So I feel it is important to let you know, this is something you must consider thoroughly" the lawyer adds.
Rae remains silent for a little while, Zoe is still sitting on her lap, constantly trying to get her attention one way or another. The girl is already fond of her.
"I need two days a week off. I have my animator job to do" she finally says in a poor attempt to negotiate with Creed.
He shakes his head "No" he calmly replies "I can give you two nights, but not two full days. Which nights would you like?".
"Friday and Sunday night, starting 6 p.m. sharp".
"Agreed" he nods at his lawyer "You may put that in".
She doesn't really need two whole days off a week to work on her animations for the children's books. She can easily do that when Zoe is asleep or in school. But she would like to have some kind of a social life and not be locked up with Creed in a house seven days a week.
She takes a deep breath "One more thing".
Creed raises a brow "And what is that?".
"I want it written down, in the contract, that you're not allowed to enter my bedroom. Ever".
A slow smirk appears on his face and he drops a long silence as he stares at her intensely. She doesn't back down though, looking him in the eyes defiantly.
She's not stupid. He's a male feral and when she's asleep, with no shield around her, she doesn't feel particularly safe. The whole felony clause is not good enough for her.
"Agreed" he finally says.
"I'll be back tomorrow with the final contracts then" the lawyer speaks up visibly uncomfortable.
"Hey Zoe" Rae looks down at the little girl "We're gonna spend a lot of time together, would you like that?".
Zoe nods frantically, a bright smile lighting her angelic face.
Rae kisses the top of her hair "I like it too".
Victor growls internally and leaves the room immediately with big angry strides. Annoyed by the stirring feelings that are caused by the young woman's affections for his daughter.
AN: And so it begins! :-D
By the way, if you ever have any ideas that you would like me to write into this story, let me know!
Maybe it will help me overcome any sort of writers block and it could be fun to see your own ideas put in here :-)