Tatum had pushed Mr Pearce so hard that he had gone flying back to stumble and fall flat on the floor, then he ran.

Tatum ran from the house in tears, he didn't really pay attention to where he was going he was too distraught.

All I wanted was to help him! *sniff* *sniff*

Tatum ran past the fountain in the courtyard, and then passed the side of the estate house. Then he ran into the back garden.

There was an old kid's playground castle and a statue next to a little fish pond, Mr Pearce likely played here as a kid.

*sniff* It's very quiet here; I'm just going to sit here for a bit till I stop shaking then I'll go back and apologise.

As Tatum sat by the little pond watching the flowers and fish, he started calming down...And then started thinking.

Does he think Mr Down hired me to seduce him?

I would never agree to something like that...Never!

I was only doing my job...*sniff*

And Mr Pearce isn't gay anyway!

The tears started drying on his cheeks, Tatum lay down on the soft grass playing with a twig in the water.

What am I going to do now? Is he going to fire me, he just said I could stay a few hours ago.

Tatum started calming down little by little with the help of the birds chirping in the trees and the soft garden sounds.

As he relaxed the stress of the last few hours drove him to sleep in the cool shade of the tree hanging over the pond.

A few hours passed with Tatum sleeping peacefully in the back garden

As it got darker, Mr Pearce got more agitated; eventually, it turned to worry and then all-out panic.

Where the fuck did that woman run off to?

It’s getting dark out and we are not in the city.

He was pacing the kitchen floor.

Dammit, we are in the countryside, and there are wild animals roaming around in the dark, what is she thinking.

He had showered and dressed after the bedroom fiasco, and then he had come downstairs to apologise.

But Tatum was not in the house, but her car was in the driveway.

“I'm so going to hell.” He thought to himself.

What was I thinking tearing into her like that; she was making my bed for fuck sake not lying in it.

“And then you had to go and pounce on her like some damn animal, accusing her of being a hired slut.”

“I saw the pain in her eyes when I said that, I saw the truth, that she is just a housekeeper” FUCK!!!

B-but I swear she reacted to my pheromones, I am sure she is an omega, but why can't I scent her? He had now started talking to himself out loud because he was worried.

Bloody hell, where is she, I'm getting really worried.

To hell with it, I can't leave her outside somewhere.

For the first time in 9 years, Andrew Pearce opened his front door and stepped outside willingly.

He hadn't set foot outside this house since he was released from the hospital after his kidnapping, he was too afraid.

Jonathan had been handling the company and had sent grocery deliveries monthly as well as maintenance crews.

Andrew took a deep breath, clenched his fists and stepped outside.

Well, this wasn't so bad actually, now to find her.

First he walked to her car to see if she was not sitting within, then he walked around the courtyard calling.

Tatum!

He walked all around the front garden and then thought about the old playground in the backyard.

No kid has been in that playground for at least 25 years.

He slowly walked around the house still shouting out her name.

TATUM!!

He was really getting worried and feeling like a fool.

As he approached the playground he saw her sleeping form lying on the grass under the big tree.

Relief flooded him, but also shame.

He had driven this sweet girl from the house by scaring the life out of her.

“What do I do now that I found her?”

He hesitated, not sure if he should approach her or call out to her. Eventually, he walked towards her.

She was sleeping soundly on the grass; he sat down beside her and reached out with a trembling hand, touching her hair.

Such soft hair, dammit I really am an idiot.

As he touched a strand of Tatum's hair he spoke softly, scared of actually waking her up.

I'm sorry Tatum, I really am.

I haven't been around many people for the last 9 years of my life.

I've been hiding.

Please forgive me.

I'll stay out of your way from now on and you can do your work, I won't touch you again without your consent.

Mmmm...

Tatum slowly opened his eyes, to find him still touching a strand of his hair, he softly smiled and Mr Pearce.

*whisper* it’s okay... I'll make you some of my mum's secret omelettes for breakfast Mr Pearce.

Tatum whispered this just loud enough for Andrew to hear, he was so shocked he sat staring at Tatum for half a minute.

Andrew was surprised to find that she was awake.

Andrew tried to pull his hand away from Tatum's hair, but Tatum softly grabbed his hand and squeezed it.

All’s forgiven...

Tatum let go of his hand immediately afterwards, then slowly sat up smiling.

I'm sorry I ran off, I found this pond and it felt so peaceful out here that I must have drifted off.

Andrew was still staring at Tatum; his hand was tingling where their hands had touched.

Are you alright sir? You look a bit out of it, is something wrong? Tatum asked warily.

Tatum reached out to touch his forehead but stopped short yanking his hand back.

Uhm... I-i think we have to go in now Mr Pearce it's getting a bit chilly out here.

Andrew had watched Tatum’s hand coming towards his face, and he hadn't felt revulsion he had wanted her to touch him.

For the first time in so many years, Andrew had wanted someone to care about him, to get closer.

“She pulled her hand away just before it touched me... Is she scared of me now” He thought silently

He wanted to reach out to Tatum, but he was too scared to break the tenuous peace just established.

He got up suddenly and startled Tatum, looming over him.

S-sir?!

He clenched his jaw and then determined he stuck out his hand to help Tatum up.

I'll help you up, come let's go have something hot to drink.

Tatum hesitated for a split second before cautiously taking his extended hand.

He pulled Tatum to her feet but was then oddly reluctant to let go of her hand.

“Why do I feel letting go of her hand right now will be a mistake”

Deciding to be obstinate he held on to Tatum's hand surprising himself and silencing Tatum effectively.

“I am not letting go just yet, I feel like she might bolt if I give her half a chance. And her hand feels good in mine.” Andrew thought stubbornly

“Why isn't he letting go? Is he still angry?” Tatum was unsure of what to do.

“I'm too afraid to pull my hand away... okay...this is fine, maybe he just needs a bit of comfort all wounded animals do. I'm not going to say anything, I'll make us some yummy hot chocolate, I bought a Swiss blend at the fresh foods market.”

Andrew kept hold of Tatum's hand till they reached the front door, he was still reluctant to let go.

Opening the door he let go of her hand and pushed her ahead of him through the door.

He cleared his throat, and suddenly Tatum started smiling at him, launching full tilt into the silence.

I'll put on the kettle; I bought a lovely Swiss hot chocolate blend this morning at the fresh foods market close by.

Do you like hot chocolate Mr Pearce, or would you prefer a hot cup of coffee instead?

I also have some delicious chocolate crunch cookies and a box of my favourite ginger biscuits.

Which would you prefer I-

Andrew was staring at her in shock, in the blink of an eye, she had thrown him off course once again.

-Enough!

You don't have to talk so fast, and I promise I'm not going to bite you if you talk, I apologise for today once again. Please make whichever you are having, and slow down you're talking too fast for me to follow.

Tatum blushed.

Tatum was still standing only a few feet away and could see the lines of stress on Mr Pearce's brow.

All he wanted to do was walk up to him and rub away those lines creasing his forehead, but that would likely piss him off.

Hey boss, turn that frown upside down. I'll tell you a joke if you want.

Tatum only knew one joke and it wasn't even funny, but that was why it was so hilarious.

Andrew couldn't understand her, she was the oddest creature, quiet one moment and rearing to go the next and now this.

Uhm? Okay.

Great! What is a room with no walls?

While smiling at Mr Pearce, Tatum quickly prepared the hot chocolate and got the cookies out.

Andrew couldn't get over the fact that he wasn't feeling angry in the least, he actually felt relaxed and a whole lot of relief.

Being in Tatum's company was really relaxing; he didn't feel in the least threatened or uncomfortable.

Why does she put me at ease?

I don't know the answer to your joke.

Oh! Ha ha, a room with no walls is a mushroom!

Wha-?

That makes no sense!

He looked at Tatum with a confused expression.

Exactly, haha. At least you’re not frowning anymore Mr Pearce.

Okay, you got me. Mr Pearce actually laughed.

 “Omg! He is gorgeous when he smiles” Tatum suddenly thought.

Tatum?

Andrew was suddenly nervous, he wanted to ask her to stay but he was scared she was going to refuse after everything.

Yes sir? She turned her head sideways, looking cute like a puppy.

A-are you going to stay? I'm really sorry for what happened earlier today, I was being a total dick.

She was looking at him with such an open expression, no malice or guile, just plain open-hearted friendliness.

I'll stay Sir, but only if you really want me to, I can always stay for a few days to start off with then you can decide.

*nod* I think that is a good idea, you might just decide to talk my ear off and then I want to kick you out.

Oh!

I’m joking Tatum! He blurted out because her expression had gone from friendly to infinitely sad in a second.

They sat drinking their hot chocolate in relative silence for a few minutes, and then Andrew got up.

He walked around the breakfast bar to tower over Tatum, and then slowly reached his hand out it was trembling slightly.

Tatum looked up into his face then at his outstretched hand. Puzzled

We got off on the wrong foot today. Pleased to meet you, please call me Andrew. He smiled softly hoping she would accept his hand.

Tatum slowly took his hand, and as their hands touched both of them felt a small spark.

The spark they felt had an involuntary effect of making them both release a burst of pheromones for an instant.

A-andrew, nice to make your acquaintance, I'm Tatum your new housekeeper.

“.. The smell of flowers again? The moment I touched her.”

Neither wanted to let go, but Tatum decided that it would be prudent to not push Andrew too far. He pulled away.

I-i'll be cleaning up the kitchen then turning in for the night unless you are hungry sir~A-andrew.

“Is she really an omega?” Andrew was thinking confusedly.

“I can't just ask her, she might get offended or worse leave after what happened.”

I'm not hungry Tatum, thank you for asking. You may retire when you’re done here.

“How did I go from wanting to throw her out to worrying about her leaving in the course of just a few hours?”

Good night, I'll be going up then. Andrew said smiling.

Good night A~ndrew, sleep well.

Andrew was staring intently at Tatum trying to figure out if she was an omega or if the scent was her perfume. He frowned slightly.

“She didn't react to my scent this time, maybe I had imagined earlier.”

As she told him to sleep well he felt a blush starting he turned away and jogged up the stairs out of sight.

Tatum watched him go, when he disappeared from sight he released the breath he had been holding in, he quickly washed the dishes and went to his room.

I still have to call Mr Down to tell him I didn't get fired.

It’s good that I didn't react to his scent just now.

“I think he really suspects me of being an omega, should I tell him or should I keep the secret, will he hate me if he knows?”