“Saskia, J, get in,” Juniper called, poking her head out of the car.


    "Oh, right!"


    They nodded quickly at Shanley and scrambled into the back seat. Flint was driving, with Shanley in the passenger seat, while Juniper, Saskia, and J sat in the back.


    “Juniper.” Shanley unscrewed a bottle and handed it to her, his voice soft and coaxing. "Have some water."


    He had noticed she rarely drank water unless someone reminded her.


    "Okay."


    Juniper took it without a second thought, drank a few gulps, and handed it back.


    "Call me when you''re done shopping. I''ll send someone to pick you up," Shanley said, capping the bottle. He then grabbed a few pieces of candy and passed them to her.


    "Mhm." Juniper nodded, taking the candy and offering it to Saskia and J. "Have some."


    Still reeling from the sight of Shanley waiting on Juniper hand and foot, Saskia and J barely managed to stammer, "Thanks, Juniper."


    As they ate the candy, they snuck nces at the man in the front seat. On the surface, Mr. Schwartz seemed cold and unapproachable, radiating an intimidating aura that kept people at a distance. They never would have guessed he could be so gentle and attentive. No wonder Juniper''s brother had entrusted him with her care.


    With that thought, Saskia''s anxieties finally settled.


    ...


    Half an hourter, they arrived at the mall. Flint got out and opened the doors for the threedies in the back.


    "Goodbye, Mr. Schwartz," Saskia and J said politely.


    "Goodbye." Shanley inclined his head, his gaze then settling on Juniper, who was standing with her arms crossed, adjusting her clothes. “Juniper, remember to drink more water."


    "I will," she replied, nodding briefly.


    "Go on, have fun."


    Satisfied with her answer, Shanley


    turned his attention away and instructed Flint to drive off. Juniper


    stood on the curb, watching the car disappear into the distance,


    strange sense of mncholy washing over her.


    "Juniper, what''s wrong?" J asked, linking her arm through Juniper''s. "Nothing." Juniper shook her head.


    It was just an empty feeling inside. She was beginning to think Shanley had cast some kind of spell on her. Why else would she always want him around?


    Inside the car, Flint caught a glimpse of Ms. Payne''s downcast expression in the rearview mirror. "Boss, it seems like Ms. Payne has been getting a little attached to youtely."


    “Hmm?” Shanley, who had been elegantly reviewing a document with his legs crossed, slowly looked up.


    "Yesterday, when you didn''t pick her up, she was unhappy the whole ride home. She didn''t even eat her dessert," Flint reported with dramatic ir.


    For Ms. Payne, a notorious foodie, to refuse food was unheard of. It just showed how disappointed she must have been.


    "I see," Shanley murmured, a deep,


    thoughtful light entering his eyes.


    "


    His voice was low and resonant.


    "Rearrange my schedule. From now


    on, book no appointments for me


    around the time Juniper gets out of school."


    "All of them, boss?" Flint swallowed hard, struggling to process the order. Thepany had many important projects, and a single change could have a massive ripple effect. The potential losses were incalcble.


    "Is there a problem?" Shanley''s eyes narrowed, his handsome face frosting over with a severe chill.


    "No, sir." Flint immediately mped his mouth shut. "I''ll have someone handle it right away." Holy crap! Ms. Payne''s ce in the boss''s heart


    had officially surpassed the arte<ppany''s. From now on, he''d have to be extra careful in serving this little princess.