How Careless

Evelyn tied the knots of her shoe clumsily before grabbing her bag and wearing it. After that, she turned back and exclaimed, "Mom, I am leaving!"

Biting her toast, Amelia packed her bag. Holding the toast in her mouth, she spoke out, "Alright. Hurry up. The bus might leave, and be careful. Try not to get hurt."

"Got it, Mom!"

With that, she rushed through the hallway. After running down the stairs, she hurried her steps out of the apartment building. Spotting the school bus, she went in it's direction, but a moment of carelessness got her to trip over a bottle, leading her to fall down.

A cry left her mouth as she scraped her feet against the rough surface of the road. Her palms too injured at the contact. Tears clouded her vision as she raised her head and saw the bus driving away.

Then, a masculine voice fell.

"You are hurt."

Before she could react, her shoulder was grabbed. Being lifted caught her off guard, and she blinked her eyes, taking in the side profile of her father.

An odd feeling settled in her chest.

She nodded her head.

"Where did you get hurt?" he asked. She caught the hint of gentleness in his voice although it came off as cold and indifferent.

"Here, and here," spoke little Eve, pointing at her knees and showing her palms.

"How careless," he commented before setting her down on the car's hood.

Her eyes wandered off to follow his movements as he opened the car's door and brought out the first aid kit. Then, he placed down the first aid kit beside her and opened the box before taking out the necessary threat materials.

Nervousness made her heart beat rapidly inside her chest while Daniel worked on her wounds. She started to examine his features, trying to search for similarities, and a sense of warmth began to settle inside her chest.

Once he was done, he grabbed her hand and turned it to check her elbow before asking, "How did you get hurt here?"

His serious tone held no amusement to it, and this made her feel as though she was under the presence of a strict teacher. Involuntarily, she straightened up her back and honestly responded, "I fell when I jumped from the chair."

"Your mother should pay more attention to you," he stated.

Was he blaming her mom?

This made her pout in dissatisfaction.

"My mom is really, really busy. She works really, really, really hard. And I am a big girl. I can take care of myself. Getting hurt is the way of growing up," Evelyn said, putting emphasis on the word 'really'.

Folding her arms over her chest, she bore a serious expression, hoping to appear convincing.

He shook his head before offering, "Come on. I will drive you to school."

That reminded her on how her bus left, and being driven to her school by her father seemed like a pleasant idea. In that way, she would learn more about him.

"Thank you!" She gave him a wide toothy grin.

However, he knitted his eyebrows at it, showing his disapproval, and chided, "You are too gullible. How can you allow a stranger to drive you? Do you know how dangerous it is? What if someone takes you away? Then, you will never be able to meet your mother."

It almost felt as though she was getting scolded by her teacher for doing wrong. She was about to lower her head and let out her apologies while promising to never repeat her actions.

Instead of reacting that manner, she scrunched up her nose and defended, "How are you a stranger? I met you one, two, three times."

She raised her hand, holding up three fingers. As if proud of her herself, she had her chin lifted.

"Do you know my name?" he questioned.

"Of course—"

She about to exclaim out when she realized that she wasn't supposed to know him. Quickly, she changed her words.

"I don't . What's your name, Mister? You already know mine. I am Evelyn."

That was an impressive save.

She mentally patted on her shoulder for doing a good job.

Daniel stared at the little girl. Her round, big eyes held anticipation in them. Shallow dimples appeared on her fair cheeks that held a reddish tint. Her lips were pressed together.

"Daniel," he answered.

"Then, Mr. Daniel, please drive me to school, and be quick or they will steal my seat. I want to sit beside the window," she urged.