Page 35 of The Naughty Or Nice Clause

“Not yet. I was working on a design for a new Christmas game – evil elves take over the world,” he told her, his face lighting up.

“Sounds like a bestseller,” Lyla said, and it really did. She would have bought it for her own company, if they dealt in games.

He shrugged, taking an energy drink from the fridge. “I think so. Suppose I should ask how you are. Heard you almost died?”

Lyla was surprised and delighted that he was actually trying to prolong a conversation with her. “An allergic reaction, but it takes a lot more than a bag of icing to get rid of me,” she said.

He looked impressed.

“I’m sure Natalie will be disappointed,” he replied with a knowing look, and Lyla winked at him.He might be a bratty teen, but it’s obvious he’s smart and observant to what’s happening around him.

“Food won’t be ready for another hour. I suggest you take a rest. You had an awful fright yesterday,” Mrs Klaus told Lyla, taking the drink from Kevin’s hand and shooing him out from under their feet. “How the boy survives on next to no sleep is a wonder – one day I’ll find him passed out under the tree,” she added, though Lyla could tell she was proud of him.

“Probably his way of coping. I couldn’t sleep for months after my mum passed,” she said without thinking, and the older woman stopped mid-chop. “Sorry, I didn’t mean…”

“I didn’t think of that,” Mrs Klaus confessed. “I’ve been trying to give him his space, and if designing those games is what brings him some peace, then I try not to intervene. He had less time with Henry compared to the others.” She sniffled, placing a tray of Lyla’s chopped vegetables into the oven for roasting.

“Any time is better than none. He has all of you to keep Mr Klaus’s memory alive – I only wish I had had that,” Lyla said.

Mrs Klaus seemed comforted by her words. “Don’t you have any other family?”

“No,” Lyla said, a little too quickly. “I mean, my dad is alive, but he’s currently on wife number four, and I was raised by nannies in my mother’s old townhouse. I don’t think he ever got over the loss; he’s been trying to replace her ever since. I was a reminder.”

She couldn’t believe she was admitting so much to a near stranger, but she reminded herself that she wouldn’t see these people after a couple more days, so it didn’t matter what she did or didn’t say.

“To grow up alone… I’m sorry you had to grieve by yourself,” Mrs Klaus said with a sympathetic smile.

“I had my grandfather, who visited me as often as he could when he wasn’t managing the company – so I grew up in the company. I got to know everyone, from the office to the warehouse. It wasn’t a complete misery,” Lyla said, not wanting the pity.

“I’m sure your mum would be very proud of the young woman you have become,” Mrs Klaus said, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Lyla went to throw the peelings in the bin, feeling her eyes prickle with tears, even as her chest swelled with joy. It was the first time anyone had said such a thing to her. She hoped Mrs Klaus was right; it was all she had ever wanted.

Chapter Fifteen

THE CLOCK ON the bedside table read 2:59am, which Lyla guessed was roughly 12pm back home. She knew she would be exhausted by morning, but she was too wide awake after her post-reaction sleep to even consider bed now. While Mason slept, she wondered what she could do to repay him for saving her life.

The only thing she could think to do was tidy his father’s side of the office. There was a distance between him and his mother, and she hoped sharing the space might help mend their relationship. Selfishly, it also meant he wouldn’t be able to keep escaping to the workshop and leaving her in abject boredom for hours; this way, he could bring work home and spend more time with his family.

She took Jones with her, so Mason wouldn’t be disturbed, and the chunky cat was happy to snuggle up by the fire while she got to work dusting and organising the files and drawers.

After a few hours, she was finally satisfied with her efforts. It had been hard work, but seeing all the scrolls and books organised, the desk clear of clutter and papers, was worth it. When the clock rang for 7am throughout the house, there wasn’t a speck of dust left on the mantlepiece or the ornaments adorning it. She hadn’t meant to stay up until morning, but she’d got carried away. Her back ached, and she was ready for food and a nap, but she was determined to show Mason what she had done first.

Padding down the hall to the kitchen, she found him at the breakfast table and beamed. Eagerly, she took his arm and dragged him away from the tense silence and bacon.

“Follow me,” she said, excited to show him the new office.

He obeyed in confusion until they reached the room. She swung open the doors and showed off the dust- and clutter-free room, elated.

“Ta-da! Welcome to your new workspace.”

His face fell as he stepped into the room.Not the immediate reaction I was expecting…Mason went to his father’s desk, where there were no longer papers stacked high and strewn all over the place.

“What did you do?” he asked quietly, looking at the organised room. Not a book or scroll was out of place.

“What are you talking about? I thought I would clean it up, make it nice for your mum. I don’t think anyone’s had a chance to clean it in a while.”

“What business is it of yours what state my father’s office is in? What were you doing in here?” he snapped.

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