Captive?

What the-!?

A baby girl sat in front of me wearing a baby pink colored romper.

I couldn't believe my eyes for a few seconds.

Am I still asleep? I shook my head. I wouldn't be thinking that if I was, so I took a step out to see if there was anyone there but the hallway was empty, all the while the baby kept her eyes on me.

That's a first. Kids or babies never really come to me and I always knew that it was because of my aura.

Maybe there's something wrong with this kid.

"Ooo." She flapped her hands in the air in protest.

"Okay, fine." I sighed, "But don't you dare cry once you're in my arms." I picked her up and looked at her, "How did you end up here?"

She just pouted while sticking out her inner lower lip a bit and looked back at me with eyes wide open.

I snickered, "Does that mean you don't know." I started walking and making my way to the stairs, "Or you don't want to tell me."

"Omm." She ignored me and turned her head back to look at the hallway.

"Okay… Whatever you find interesting."

It was sort of surprising that she didn't cry in my arms or struggle at all. I was never fond of kids but she made me come to a conclusion that I like calm babies.

I descended the stairs and noticed that the third floor was quite active. All the maids and butlers were running around but as soon as they saw me they froze.

I stepped in the middle while they held their breaths. They all seemed to be acting a bit awkward.

"Who is this child?" I pointed at the baby but didn't get an answer for a few moments.

The servants exchanged glances awkwardly and then finally one of them answered.

"We don't know sir…"

I sighed and went to the second floor. It was quite odd that all the residents and non residents of the mansion were awake this early and on job.

The second and first floor was filled with similar commotion like the third's but as soon their eyes landed on me and the baby sitting on my left arm they all froze.

"Who brought this child here?" I addressed them all while I stood on the stairs of the first floor, "Answer me honestly."

All my men and workers were there except Caesar. Made me wonder where he was, did he come back yesterday night or not?

"I-it was me." My gaze travelled to the owner of the voice as he stepped forward.

"Ben?" I really wasn't expecting him.

He looked down in shame, "I'm sorry Arius. You know my wife is sick and I couldn't find a nanny and somehow ended up bringing her with me."

"She's your daughter?"

"Yes," He nodded while still looking at the ground, "She's my daughter, Athena."

I sighed, "What are you going to do now?"

"I um, I don't know." He glanced up at me, "I mean you're sending me to Russia."

"Oh God!" I rubbed my temples with my free hand, "Is that why you were reluctant to go? You should have told me. I told you if you had a problem you could ask me personally."

"Yes," He but his lower lip, "I wanted to but you fell asleep quite early and I didn't want to wake you and I thought I might find a nanny for her but-"

"But?"

"She's very picky with people."

I looked at Athena, she was staring at Ben, "Dada?"

I sighed again, "Take her, she's calling for you."

Ben stepped forward but just as he was about to take her Athena made a U-turn and stuck to me.

I will not lie, that was surprising.

"She's taken a liking to you." He stated, "She barely ever likes anyone."

I looked at her again and she looked back at me, "Your dad says you like me."

"Un!"

"But I'm not a kid person so go back to him." She ignored me and threw her arms around my neck and clinged to me.

I won't deny it was a cute feeling but I can't have children in the mansion.

"She really likes you…"

"Lee," I spotted him among the crowd, "See if you can arrange a babysitter."

"Yes." He bowed and left.

"Ben."

"Yes?"

"I would never have allowed a child, especially a baby to stay here but since it's you, I'll give you some time. Have some arrangements made for her before you leave for Kazan."

"Yes, right away!"

"Everyone else can leave too." Everyone started to disperse when I looked at Athena, "Let go of me and stick to your father."

She just held my collar in response.