UNPREDICTABLE HIM

ZOE... ZOE... ZOE...

His voice calling her name echoed inside her ears. It sounded like a water running down from the top of a mountain and hitting the big rocks as it fell down on the surface.

Zoe doesn't know but it was so peaceful and brought tranquility to her.

She wanted to record his cold and deep voice saying her name and could listen to it forever and not get bored with it.

As far as she remembered, this is the first time Hans has called her 'Zoe'. He would not mention her name every time they talked.

You can't blame her for being happy just by hearing Hans called her by her first name.

"Are you just gonna stare at me?"

Zoe slowly nodded upon hearing the same voice but immediately snapped back from her thoughts.

"Ah.. no.." Zoe avoided Hans' gaze, a light pink blush appeared on her cheeks.

"You didn't answer my question," Hans sounded impatient.

"W-what question?"

It didn't registered in her mind since she only remembered how he said her name.

Hans sighed in frustration and leaned back on his chair, "Never mind."

Zoe doesn't know if she will be relieved that Hans stopped talking to her or felt sad since he is back to his usual cold and quiet self.

If she would choose, she would rather have Hans talk to her even though what comes to his mouth were hurtful words towards her. She could still bear the pain.

The silence between them brought Zoe an indescribable feeling of emptiness. She wanted to hear more of Hans' voice.

After a short while, the kids finished their sharing and were already preparing to leave. They made sure that their workplace is clean before leaving and thanked Sir Galvez for his time.

Angels' Haven wanted to teach the kids life values while they were still young. Since the shelter is their second home, Zoe wanted to guide the children to grow into a better individuals.

"Mami, Nurse Wendy told us that we can help preparing our dinner today," Denyse said as they were already walking on the hallway.

"Okay, but always remember to be careful in the kitchen."

"Understood, Mami. You want to come with us prepare dinner?"

Zoe wanted to join them but she still needs to read and sign some documents of Angels' Haven. This is only her free time for she will be busy next week.

"I am sorry kids, Mami still needs to finish something in my office. I promise, I'll join you if I am already done."

The kids nodded sadly. They wanted to be with their Mami.

"How about I join you?" Hans spoke behind them.

Zoe turned back and saw the gentle face of Hans while looking down at the children. His cold and frosty expression was gone.

In that moment, Zoe wanted to be a kid.

Denyse smiled widely, "Dadi will join us?"

Hans nodded, "Of course."

The kids jumped in delight as they heard that Dadi will be with them.

"Dadi, let's go! We will cook Mami's favorite food!" Jessica held Hans' hand with her little fingers.

Denyse reached his other hand, "Dadi, are you a good chef? Because Mami is not and she always burns the food she cooks!"

The other kids nodded that they agreed to what Denyse said.

Zoe was dumbfounded as she listened to them. There is no need to mention that she's a bad cook, she knew it very well!

These little angels could be so evil sometimes.

"That's not true! Mami's poached eggs are perfect!" Vegas stood in front of Zoe like he was defending her.

Zoe smiled and messed Vegas' hair. Good thing there is Vegas who's in her side.

"On the second thought, Mami does only know how to poach an egg. But if she fries an egg, it's always burned and black..." Vegas continued when he realized something.

The smile on Zoe's lips froze.

These kids...

Now, she's embarrassed in front of Hans!

"Vegas! I thought you were with me?!" Zoe crouched down and slightly squeezed Vegas' cheeks.

Vegas moved closer and whispered in her ear, "I am with you, Mami. I just said it to know if Mr. Hans is deserving to be your husband and our Dadi. He should know how to cook so we will not starve to death..."

The little boy was quite a smooth talker. It's true that his Mami doesn't cook well but hurting his Mami's feelings is the last thing Vegas would do, so he find a good explanation. Though he really meant his excuse to know if their Dadi was the right man for their Mami.

'Dadi should be able to cook for Mami for the rest of her life.'

Zoe was touched at what Vegas said so she whispered back at him, "Okay, I believe in you little Vegas."

"Ahemm." Hans, who heard the whispered conversation of the two, cough slightly to have their attention, "Let's head to the kitchen now so we can have a lot of time preparing. Vegas, please lead the way."

Hans spoke with authority in it. No wonder why Vegas immediately nodded.

"Dadi, let's go!"

Zoe watched as his husband was pulled by the kids. They were skipping in excitement as they walked towards the kitchen while Hans let himself be dragged by these little angels.

'Hans is already their favorite.' Zoe shrugged and headed her way to her office.

She looked at the pile of documents resting on her desk. It will take her hours to read and sign these papers.

Zoe was planning to build another branch of Angels' Haven in another nearby city to accommodate more children and she's already processing some legal requirements.

That's why she had a lot of work!

Making herself ready to finish her work, she tied her hair into high bun, put on her eyeglasses and opened her laptop.

"Let's get this done as soon as possible Zoe!" She encouraged herself so she can join the kids and Hans in the kitchen.

Drowning in her work, Zoe lost track of time. Two hours has passed when she finally closed her laptop.

Looking at her wrist watch, she mumbled, "It's still 4:30. Maybe I can have a ten minute nap..."

Zoe immediately fall asleep with her head laying on her desk. It's rare for her to sleep when she's in the shelter but the prior days have been so exhausting for her. She's so drained physically.

She was in her deep slumber for hours and only woke up when she felt something warm and wet running down her cheek.

Her body jerk up when she realized that she was drooling!

'Am I too tired to drool in sleep?!'

Zoe reached a tissue paper to wipe her cheek. That's when she caught a glance of her wrist watch which made her stand on her swivel chair abruptly.

"Shit! What time is it?! The kids!"

Their dinner should be at six in the evening and it's already passed that time! Kids still need to eat their medicines in the right schedule.

"Oh, you're finally awake."

"Ahhhh!" Zoe was terrified when a cold voice spoke inside her office.

She should be alone in there or not?

It was Hans who was casually seated on the couch while his head leaning back on the wall with his eyes closed.

"You! Hans!" Zoe stormed off towards Hans.

"So loud."

"Hans, why didn't you wake me up?!"

"I did."

"You did?! But why am I- ahhhh!"

She tripped.

And she...

She fell on the couch and literally on top of Hans!

Hans groaned because of the impact of her body on him. She's not that heavy though.

Their face was inches away and Zoe felt so hot because of embarrassment. She was furiously blushing as she was met by Hans' cold and brooding eyes. Her heart went berserk inside her.

"Sorry! It was the carpet's fault!" Zoe pushed herself up back to her feet but Hans locked his strong arm around her small waist, stopping her from doing so.

"H-hans, let me go. The kids-"

"They were already eating and let me rest a bit," he closed his eyes once again, still holding her on top of him.

"A-alright. I think you can r-rest better if I get off from y-you."

"No." Hans held her tighter.

Zoe didn't refused anymore but obliged. Slowly laying her head on his shoulder, she stayed there unmoving and tensed since their bodies are touching each other!

Not to mention that his manly scent invades her nose and his warmth sent something in her body which she couldn't understand the feeling. Thanks to gravity, she cannot put a distance between them.

But what does he meant by 'no'?

No matter what, she wanted to scream her elated heart. This is some improvement in their relationship, isn't it?

She's not yet doing something but Hans seem to start liking her and it's good news!

Zoe sensed that Hans is still wearing an apron. Maybe he got tired cooking the dinner with the kids, that's why he wanted to rest for a while. He should be resting at weekends but here he is, being stuck to look after the kids.

'Being a butler is surely a tiring job.'

Lifting her head carefully, she looked at his resting face. Hans seemed relaxed at the moment. His eyebrows were not furrowed and he looks peaceful.

Her eyes landed on his messy hair. It looks soft, she wanted to run her fingers through it. She unconsciously reached for it but her hand was stopped in the air by Hans' grip.

"Get off!" Hans snapped and commanded her as he let go of her wrist.

Zoe nodded and immediately get off from him. She straightened her crumpled clothes, feeling puzzled by Hans' attitude.

He is unpredictable. One time he doesn't want to let her go, now he pushed her away.

'Hans, what's wrong with you?'

"I'll go check the kids. You can rest here if you want," Zoe said softly with her head down.

Zoe didn't wait for any reply from him and turned to walk out from the door.

"Wait." Hans made her stopped.

"W-why?" She remained facing the door.

"The kids might not recognize you if you walk out like that."

Zoe gasped and walked hastily in front of her full body mirror in the corner of her office. There she saw her current reflection.

She was in a total mess!

Her hair was in a messy high bun and she still have her eyeglasses that were not in proper position. And she have a mark of that drool in her cheek!

"Oh god." Zoe could only mumble while looking at herself in the mirror.

Nooooo!

She isn't worried if the kids will see her in this state but... not him.

Zoe can't believe she stayed close to Hans looking like a... no... she can't describe it!

This is the second time she faced Hans with such embarrassing look. Why can't she always stay formal everytime she's with Hans?

She's getting hopeless now!