Kennedy could not sleep a wink after the thunder effect of realisation. All the time her eyes stayed at the white ceiling of Samuel's room however, it was dark until the first ray of dawn hit it. 

Beside her, Samuel slept soundly. He liked to sleep facedown while shirtless. Kennedy looked at his back. It had good curves of muscles and with the light penetrating from the window, the reddish-yellow hue created a good sight for her shameless eyes. She had an urge to touch him and caress her lips on his bare body.

Her face heated. What was wrong with her?

Now that she thought, she had never really touched him. Samuel would always restrict her hands or would take the lead. She never really had him. Her chest felt tight. She looked at the ceiling again. 

She was surrounded by the Johnsons. When her brother informed her he got a room from a Johnson, she thought there was no way they were related. She never had seen Merric Johnson before, but she never thought he would be that near.

She got up from the bed doing her usual chores and ended up making many dishes in frustration.

She got ready to go to the store and see what Mac's father would say. But it was still early. So, she decided to eat her breakfast.

As she chewed on her meal absent-mindedly, Samuel asked, "Were you going somewhere?"

She looked at him with wide eyes and immediately got flustered. She didn't hear him coming. His hair was wet and combed messily, probably with fingers— an attempt to look good in which he was mastered. She didn't even hear the shower running on him.

"Yeah. Mac's father had called me saying he wanted to talk. Maybe it was regarding Mac. I'm not sure."

He nodded as he looked at the slab on the dishes and pursed his lips. "Will Sheila be there?" he asked.

"I don't know. Since it's hard to find another nanny, she won't be able to come. Well, I can handle it." She had to and she knew she could. For most of her life, she handled her own problems. 

He sat taking a plate and took whatever he wanted to eat. "Smells good."

Kennedy didn't reply as she again went to the lane of her thoughts.

"Call me if he is trying to do some funny business," Samuel said and she looked at him still she wasn't sure what he said but mumbled a weak 'okay'.

"Who's Mac?" Dean asked and both of them startled at his voice as they hadn't been aware of his presence.

As Kennedy looked at him, she stiffened, her memory rewinded back. Dean was in his jersey pants and a loose t-shirt as his hair fell on his forehead lazily.

"The Lewinskys," Samuel answered.

"Mac Lewinsky. I might have remembered him. Not sure." Dean shrugged.

"He was in your batch, if I am not mistaken," Samuel put pressure on his words however, Dean didn't pay any heed and took a seat beside Samuel.

"Good morning Kennedy," he said.

"M–morning." Kennedy's eyes avoided his face as the saucepan shot made a red swell on his nose.

"Wow, this smells great. Is the feast for me?"

"No!" Samuel said. 

Kennedy let out a nervous smile unable to find what to say as she made it out of frustration and worry.

"So, what's the business you wanted to talk about with me?" Samuel asked as he munched on his vegetables.

"It's about father."

Samuel froze and Kennedy could feel the stiffness on his shoulders. The muscles on his jaw clenched as he got up without finishing his breakfast. The air around the brothers thickened and she felt suffocated for a moment. 

"I have college, we'll talk after that," Samuel said as he went to his room for his bag and laptop. Clearly, he wanted to avoid talking about it or, they needed privacy.

Kennedy's eyes shifted on Dean who ate in silence, his face was devoid of any emotions as if nothing happened. Was it how they interacted with each other? But the disappointment was visible on his face however, just for a moment there was an emotion Dean's face displayed: sadness. As soon as it came, it didn't take long to disappear and he tilted his head to Kennedy and smiled flirtatiously. However, the smile never reached his eyes. "Thank you for the food. I didn't know you could make such delicious dishes. My girlfriends can't do that."

She disregarded the comment instead she said, "I–well, sorry for the last night. I didn't mean to hit you with the saucepan. And I hope that won't affect us in other circumstances." 

"Oh...okay?" Dean gave her a look then shrugged and Samuel laughed from behind as he appeared.

"What's so funny?" 

"Stop laughing! You're doing that from the last night!" Kennedy growled which made Samuel laugh another round.

"Nothing..." He said between his laughter and took his car keys. "Kennedy, let's go, I will drop you."

She nodded as she dunked both Samuel's and her plates in the sink.

"And, Dean, please don't try to rummage through my things," Samuel said.

"I can't promise anything." Dean ate feigning ignorance but Kennedy could feel the uneasiness in his posture. Were they going to have a serious talk? 

Kennedy looked at him cautiously. She needed to take the diary while she can. 

She left the kitchen and entered her room which was temporarily occupied by Dean. She opened the cupboard and took her diary as she turned Dean was there with a devilish grin plastered on his face. Kennedy almost screamed as her hands desperately clutched the diary against her chest.

"So, you have a diary?" He cast a playful smile and it felt as if she was caught in a Lion's cave.

Kennedy stepped back, "Err... Yes.

Samuel came behind him and dragged him by his collar. "Will you just cut it out already? And stop prying into someone's private life."

"But that's just too boring." Kennedy heard Dean complaining but she huffed a breath and put it into her bag without waiting a moment. If she had to carry it everywhere, she would do so but she would never want anyone to find her dirty secrets. 

As she sat in Samuel's car he asked, "What is in the diary?"

"Well, some journals and some unfinished dreams." Kennedy's answers were quick.

"And?" Samuel pressed further and she knew what he was trying to ask.

"Err...secrets."

Samuel looked at her with a glint of curiosity in his eyes, "You have secrets?"

"Why, don't you have secrets?"

He smirked and took long to avert his eyes from her and Kennedy felt her cheeks were heated. He must have seen her flustered face as his smirk deepened and Kennedy, for a moment, though she should have run as Samuel's face showed the same devilish grin his brother showed a moment ago. They were truly alike.

"Not that I think of," he answered and turned the engine on.

He drove her to the store and before departing, Samuel said, "Call me if you need help." 

She nodded.

Kennedy entered the managing department office and saw the old man was there. He looked just like Mac, the only older version and he left a healthy vibe. She was worried about what Mr Lewinsky would be like but with a soft smile, he managed to calm her, however, that strange feeling never subsided from the back of her mind.

Her eyes wandered around the store but Mac wasn't anywhere near him so she felt relief. She didn't want to see him as she didn't know what to say.

"Kennedy Smith, isn't it?" His father stood up and motioned her to take a seat.

"Yes, sir." The store felt a bit foreign to her as if everything and everyone had changed. She took her seat, breathing slowly to calm her nerves.

"I humbly apologize for my son. I know he can be destructive but he meant no harm," Mr Lewinsky began.

He meant no harm? It was hard to forget his destructive nature after that night, by the way. She thought but didn't let it out in words.

"I am sure you would want to continue working here," Mr Lewinsky said as he took a few files from his desk.

"Ye–" Kennedy could not finish her word as the old man started again.

"But I suggest you not to say a word of it to anyone in the near future as it can ruin everything." He cast a fake smile at her and threw a file in her direction. Kennedy found herself dumbfounded as the aura of Mr Lewinsky changed drastically. As if suddenly the curtains were pulled off.

"What do you mean?" She looked at the file, her breaths shaking, "What is this?"

"I meant legal actions." His fake smile gave her bad vibes. The strangeness she had been feeling intensified.

They exchanged their glances for a few minutes and he began, "Your payment will be doubled starting this month. Rest assured as I have sent Mac away."

Kennedy still didn't take the file but she didn't need to as he already started, "Please, sign this agreement as you will never spill anything about what he had done to you."

A gap formed on her lips. It was unbelievable. Why would he go to a certain extent? She could not understand at first, but then Samuel's story on the girl who committed suicide after what Mac did, came to her mind. Sweat formed inside of her balled fists. Her legs lost their strength and she was glad she had the chair for the support.

He was trying to bribe her but why? The offer was good having double payments where she could get to live in a separate apartment. However, she could not just crush her dignity. Moreover, it also justified something else. Something very sinister of Mac's past. 

While her mind ran a series of questions, one question made her blood cold. What if the girl had never committed suicide? She gulped. By now, her heart took a speed that she felt it would jump out of her ribcage.

Mr Lewinsky's sharp eyes never left her and it continued to stare with intensity and for a short while, she thought of signing it.

What should I do?

"I'm sorry, Mr Lewinsky. I would have to refuse your offer." The words left before she could even think.

"If you want I can triple the amount," he proposed.

It was tempting but her stomach tied into knots as fear stirred inside of it. 

That's wrong. The voice of her head said and sometimes she thought, it should have been better if her mind could shut up at a time like this. 

"I wasn't going to say anything to the police. Surely he tried to molest me but he was my friend as well. I would not harm his reputation but I would say he needs to save himself because you can not buy everyone with money. I am sorry." She stood up and left the store immediately, her tears were going to come out and her heart thumping loudly.

She seriously liked him. But the fact he was trying to play with her saddened her. And what made her sad was, he maybe was a criminal. She was angry but she felt helpless. 

A honk blared from across the road and Kennedy saw the black BMW of Samuel standing in the parking lot. She didn't know when her legs took her to him but she felt relaxed with him. 

She headed to his car, "You didn't go to college?"

"I will, I have time." His eyes lingered on her face for a while as if he was trying to read her and Kennedy tried everything to hide her worries, however, Samuel's brows ceased together and he asked doubt laced on his voice, "What happened there?"

She sat on the passenger seat and said feigning a smile, "N–nothing. Just some issues with Mac, that's all."

Samuel wasn't convinced as he stared at her and Kennedy's eyes moved everywhere but him. Why was she nervous?

"Like what?" Samuel asked not leaving her alone.

Why would she say anything to him? He wasn't anyone to her and she knew Samuel made it clear with the contract. She was just his partner in lust. Why should she involve Samuel? 

"Nothing really."

She was involved in this and it scared her as Mr Lewinsky's smiling face flashed before her eyes. She would definitely not involve Samuel in this shit. He already had some problems regarding his family and she didn't want him to get into something that could make his life turn upside down. He was in college and had a life ahead. He should stay away from these things. 

"All right, if you say so. Let's get you to Sheila." Kennedy released a breath she didn't know she was holding.

The whole drive to Sheila's house was in silence but the occasional glances Samuel was giving made her uncomfortable. 

"What about your brother. Won't he be lonely?" She tried to break the silence.

"Of course not. He has his way of entertainment beside, leaving you with him would cause great trouble."

"What trouble?" She looked at him with a shocked face. Whenever she heard about the word 'trouble' she felt her nerves breaking.

His scrutinising gaze met her and she bawled her fists against the dress.

"Nothing," he mumbled and once again, silence dominated them.

He drove her to Sheila's house and while departing he said, "I'll come to pick you up."

_______
6th March, 2021