When Karlye walked back into the house, Andria was in the kitchen now helping the maids clean up.
Quietly, he left for his study; he wanted to talk to Fred more about Andria's upcoming opportunity.
He was on the call with him when a knock came to the door , it was Andria.
"Come in " he said.
She walked in with a cup of coffee for him.
"I made you some coffee " she said.
"Thank you, he said, hanging up.
"I am sorry, did I interrupt your call?" she asked.
"No, not at all ...I was done ", he lied, placing down his phone.
She sat down passing him the hot coffee. Quietly, he took a sip and then another.
"How is it ....?" She asked.
"It's different .." he took another sip.
"Huh....in a good way ?".
He chuckled. Karlye was taking continued sips, wasn't that enough to show her it was?
He nodded.
"Very ...it's perfect " he smiled.
She beamed leaning back.
"Is something wrong ?" he asked.
She looked up and met his gaze, "No, I wanted to thank you for today ....mother looked happy.
"And you ?".
"Me ?".
His eyes softened as he asked.
"Where were you happy ...I wanted to do something bigger, but the time was....." She stopped him with a giggle.
"Oh my, it was more than enough, I was so happy when I saw everyone and my mother being here too made it even better.
Her cheeks always blushed whenever in a good mood.
"That's why I decided to come say thank you ...I will do my best tomorrow at work " she giggled.
He nodded in approval.
"I am still excited, I don't think I will sleep tonight ", she commented.
He got up moving to her side of the desk.
"Then join me " he offered his hand.
"Evening walk?" She asked taking his hand.
He nodded, "Have you visited the terrace during the nighttime?"
"No..." She always went there with Myra during the day.
Andria followed Karlye out through the hallway, his hand in hers as he led them out to the terrace.
They stopped in the living room as he said something to the maid, then off they went.
She gasped stopping, the terrace was lit up with fireflies.
He felt her hand slip out of his. Andria moved closer, and the small moving lights swarmed around her.
"Oh my is beautiful " she giggled.
Karlye stood back, watching Andria, amazed at the warm sight of fireflies.
She was now squatting next to the flowers, watching as they danced around and over the petals, lighting them up.
"Your smile says I did the right thing showing you this " he said.
"Yes, you did ....this is the happiest day of my life ", she let out.
He got down closer to her.
"I passed my audition, had a party and even saw mom ...and now this . I could not be happier ".
She turned to him, "I can't thank you enough "
"You have done for me quite a lot already, so it's fair I return something to you too," he said.
"Really ...I feel like I haven't done anything at all since I got up, apart from getting from you "Her eyes moved back to fireflies.
"Don't discredit yourself, Myra has improved a lot since you got here. You made everything here brighten up so that it's been so peaceful and homely.
"I don't think that's true. This place was already beautiful before I got here ", she said, getting up.
He watched her move to the bench and followed her.
"But it wasn't a home or filled with laughter that has been heard recently since you joined us..."
He sighed.
"My wife ...." he stopped like it was difficult to talk about her .
"It's alright I understand...I know it's just a job, but I want to do it with everything I have. Everyone has been so kind and supportive, helping me where I failed and correcting me. And Myra is a sweet child, I adore her so much ".
He felt her eyes on him, so he turned to meet her gaze.
"But I feel I am not doing enough ...you have helped me more than I deserve "
"You signed the contract, and as long as you fulfil your duties, I will perform mine too," he explained.
"I know, but I feel like I haven't helped you personally ", she mumbled.
He silently smiled looking away from her pouting face.
"I had acute insomnia ".
"Insomnia?".
"Mmm, but recently since we started sharing a bed it has got less and lesser that I don't have trouble falling asleep aslong as your next to me "
"Huh....next to me!?"
"Is that why you moved me to your room?" she asked.
He nodded.
Andria breathed.
"I am glad there is something I can do for you personally "
The little smile she had made him chuckle. She was happy.
"Then I will make sure to sleep next to you every night so that you can have sweet dreams too" she let out.
Karlye felt something itch deep in his chest ....he gulped as his heart pounded loudly. What was it about her words that stirred him up?
"Andria ....may I kiss you ?" he found himself saying.
She blinked meeting his gaze in silence.