I want Kayla
938 Words
Kate sighed, shaking her head as she turned her attention back to her screen. “Whatever it is, it’s none of our business. We do our jobs, that’s it.”
Austin chuckled, stretching his arms behind his head. “Sure, sure. But you can’t tell me you’re not even a little curious.”
Kate shot him a look but didn’t bother responding. Curiosity wasn’t the problem—it was the fact that Austin was probably right.
The Next Morning
Sunlight filtered through the large windows of the Coleman estate, casting soft golden hues across the pristine interior. The scent of fresh coffee lingered in the air, mingling with the faint aroma of breakfast being prepared in the kitchen.
Asher adjusted the cuff of his crisp white shirt, his gaze flickering toward the clock. He had a packed schedule ahead, but he knew better than to leave before checking in on Seth.
His footsteps were quiet as he approached his son’s room, pushing the door open slightly. Inside, Seth sat cross-legged on his bed, still in his pajamas, absentmindedly fiddling with one of his toy cars.
The moment Seth spotted him, his small face lit up, though there was something expectant in his expression.
“Morning,” Asher greeted, stepping inside.
Seth glanced up, his fingers tightening around the toy. “Is Kayla gonna be here today?”
Asher’s expression remained unreadable. “Why?”
The boy shrugged, avoiding his father’s gaze. “Just asking.”
Asher studied him for a moment. “You like her?”
Seth hesitated, then gave a small nod. “Yeah.”
It was a simple answer, but the weight behind it was unmistakable.
Asher didn’t respond right away. Instead, he reached out, ruffling Seth’s already-messy hair. “Get dressed. Breakfast is in ten.”
Seth scrunched his nose but nodded, watching as his father turned to leave.
Asher closed the door behind him, his jaw tightening slightly.
One day. The kid had met Kayla once—and yet, that was enough to make him ask for her first thing in the morning.
Seth had hurried upstairs after his dad told him to get dressed, excited at the thought of seeing Kayla again. If he said to get dressed then they were heading to the company. He had rushed through changing his clothes, quickly pulling on a T-shirt and pants, then ran his fingers through his hair in a half-hearted attempt to fix it.
Just as he was about to head downstairs, he thought he heard something.
A voice.
His heart skipped.
Kayla?!
Forgetting everything else, he bolted down the stairs, his small feet barely making a sound against the polished floor. He skidded to a stop at the dining room entrance, eyes bright with excitement—
—Only for his expression to drop the moment he saw who was actually there.
Elaine…
Seth’s enthusiasm vanished like a snuffed-out flame. His hands clenched into tiny fists at his sides as he stood frozen in place, his lips pressing into a thin line.
Elaine turned at the sound of his arrival, smiling as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Good morning, Seth.”
Seth didn’t reply. His gaze flickered toward his father, who was seated at the dining table, sipping his coffee like nothing was wrong.
Asher glanced up at his son, immediately noticing the shift in his mood. “Come eat,” he said simply.
Seth hesitated. He wasn’t hungry anymore.
His gaze darted back to Elaine, lingering on her like she was some sort of unwelcome guest. She had been around for years—long enough that he should have gotten used to her. But he never had.
And he never would. He didn’t like having Elaine around.
Seth slowly walked over to his chair but didn’t sit down. Instead, he looked directly at his father, his voice quiet but firm.
“I don’t want her here.”
Elaine blinked, momentarily caught off guard.
“Seth,” she started gently, keeping her smile, “that’s not a nice thing to say.”
Seth ignored her, his dark eyes locked onto Asher.
“I don’t want Elaine to be my nanny anymore.”
A tense silence followed.
Asher set his coffee cup down, his fingers tapping lightly against the table as he studied his son. “We talked about this Seth.”
Seth’s jaw tightened. He didn’t care. He had been patient for years, but now that he had met Kayla—someone who actually made him feel safe, who wasn’t always hovering over him with fake concern—he wasn’t going to just accept Elaine anymore.
“I want Kayla,” he said stubbornly. “I don’t want to talk to any other girl except for Kayla.”
Elaine stiffened.
Asher exhaled, watching his son carefully. He had expected resistance, but Seth had never been this direct before. And it was clear that he wasn’t just throwing a tantrum—he had made up his mind.
Elaine forced a chuckle, though it sounded a little forced. “Seth, I know it’s new having someone else around, but—”
“I don’t like you, you’re bad,” Seth interrupted, finally looking at her. His voice wasn’t loud, but the words landed like a slap.
Elaine’s expression faltered for a split second before she quickly recovered. She turned to Asher, clearly expecting him to step in.
But Asher said nothing.
Instead, he studied his son, noting the way Seth’s small hands curled into fists, the tension in his tiny shoulders.
This wasn’t a childish whim. It was a decision.
- Writer
