The Accidental Assistant

Chapter2

AYANA.

Without thinking, I dove forward. "Hey, watch out!

I closed the gap in a matter of seconds, reaching the girl just in time to yank her back by the shoulder. The bus whizzed by, its horn blaring, so close that the gust of wind knocked us both over. The girl and I tumbled backward, me twisting her body to shield her as we hit the pavement. My elbow hit the ground hard, sending a sharp jolt of pain through my arm.

"f**k!" I hissed out through gritted teeth.

For a moment, we lay there, my heart pounding as the realization of what just happened set in. The girl blinked up at me, wide-eyed and silent. The passers-by had stopped, having witnessed my save and were murmuring.

"A-Are you okay?" I asked, voice a little shaky.

The little girl nodded, her wide eyes blinking down at her before her face broke out into a wide, gap-toothed smile. Like she hadn't almost got flattened by a bus. "That was awesome! You were like… like a superhero!" Her face scrunched. "You curse though. It's bad to curse."

I gave a breathy laugh; pain momentarily forgotten. "More like a clumsy superhero. But hey, I'll take it. And oops--did I curse? Pretty sure I said 'fork'." I said saucily, and the girl giggles. I sit up, dusting the girl's clothes.

A loud gasp burst through the crowd as a woman rushed forward, her face pale with fear. She flung aside her purse and a small lunch box as she practically fell to her knees in front of the little girl in my arms, her hands hovering as if afraid to touch her.

"Ollie!" she exclaimed, her voice hoarse with emotion as she scanned the child for injuries, her eyes going frantically over every inch. "Are you okay? What were you thinking, running off like that?" Her voice shaking, a mix of relief, fear and exasperation. "You scared me half to death!"

The little girl-who I now knew was Ollie-simply blinked, clutching her stuffed bunny close, looking vaguely confused at all the fuss. "I wanted to see the fountain, Mommy." She pointed at said fountain across the street.

The woman laughed shakily and clutched Ollie in a tight hug, looking up at me with an over brim well of gratitude. "Thank you. Thank you so much," she said, her voice breaking just a little. "I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't...Oh God, thank you."

I smiled, shifting a bit uncomfortably under such raw gratitude. "It's really no problem," I said with a soft voice. "She's safe, that's what matters."

The woman wiped a tear that had escaped down her cheek, still clutching Ollie. Just then, Ollie's gaze darted over my shoulder; eyes lighting up as she squealed in delight, "Uncle Pie!"

I turned, and my breath hitched at the sight before me. A tall man strode towards us, his gait composed and leisurely, commanding nonetheless. He was handsome, dark, nearly black, hair in striking contrast to the piercing ice-blue eyes. A sharp jawline and perfectly fitted three-piece suit further enhanced this magnetic aura, with his broad shoulders fitting just so in the cloth. He wore an expensive watch and sleek cufflinks, hints subtle of a man of wealth and breeding.

His gaze moved from Ollie to me, and the cold blue of his eyes locked onto mine, an intensity in it that sent a flush across my cheeks. I swallowed as I glanced away for a moment to steady myself.

He squatted down in front of Ollie, his face softening a little as he peered at her. "You alright, princess?" he said, low, smooth commanding tones, the sort that seemed used to giving commands.

Smiling, she still nodded. "I'm fine! Auntie here saved me!"

"Auntie?" He raised an eyebrow, his eyes sliding once more up to me. Those cold blue eyes made me edgy; I avoided them as I cleared my throat.

Still clutching Ollie, the woman stood, clearing her throat, and sent a watery smile my way. "I'm Kiera, by the way," she replied, holding out her hand. "Thanks again, really. I'd love to take you out for lunch or coffee sometime if you'd like, as a way to repay you. May I have your number?”

"Oh, you really don't have to bother about that," I said as I shook Kiera's hand warmly. I hesitated a little before flashing a reassuring smile. "But if it will put your mind at ease, okay." I dug out my phone and exchanged numbers with Kiera.

"Thanks, Ayana," Kiera said softly, again, eyes watering over in her gratitude. "You're a lifesaver."

"It was nothing, really; I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Anyone would've done it." Smiling once more, I glanced down to pat Ollie's head. "Be careful, okay? And don't wander off anymore."

Ollie nodded seriously, lips pouting.

While I'd been caught up with this, the man had leaned down to pick up my dropped bag, which had spilled open in my haste. He straightened the worn, crumpled resume in his hand. His icy gaze scanned onto the paper briefly as he took it in.

My heart stuttered. My resume was embarrassingly simple, a rough summary of odd jobs and unfinished schooling. Heat rose to my cheeks as I hastily snatched it from his hand, tucking it into my bag with a forced smile. "Thank you," I mumbled hastily, not meeting his gaze.

Something moved in his icy-blue eyes, a flicker of something I couldn't quite place. I chuckled awkwardly, feeling an inexplicable urge to run. He was too close, too intense. "Anyway, I should probably get going."

Kiera touched my arm lightly. "Thanks again, Ayana. Really." She stooped, adjusting Ollie's coat, flashing me a warm smile. "I'll be in touch soon."

I nodded and took a step back. I tried to maintain my stoic expression, but my gaze once more went to the man. "Nice to meet you… Uncle Pie," I added awkwardly with a weird smile.

A ghost of a smirk crossed his lips. "Likewise."

The intensity in his gaze lingered, stirring a heat within me that I couldn't seem to shake. I muttered a quick goodbye to Kiera and Ollie, then swung on my heel and strode briskly away, hoping my face wasn't as red as it felt.

I rounded the corner, and I couldn't stop myself. I paused and glanced back, my heart stuttering on the sight of the three of them heading toward a sleek black car-a top-of-the-line, rich Benz that all but gleamed under the sunlight. I watched as the man held the door open for Kiera and Ollie, then slid in after them with an air of easy command.

With a shake of my head, I sighed and continued my walk. "What are you even thinking, Ayana?" I whispered to myself as frustration kicked in over the lingering warmth in my chest. "He's clearly taken—married, probably. That's his family."

Muttering to myself, I clutched my resume tightly and weaved in and out of the busy streets. I didn't have time for such silly thoughts about a complete stranger. I had my life to worry about, and I had a job to find.

But as I continued walking, it was impossible to remove the vision of his sharp eyes or the almost flitty spark that had crossed between us from my mind. He was so out of my league, and he probably wouldn't give me a second thought after today.

And yet, a small, treacherous part of me was hoping maybe he would.