Chapter 006

Chapter 006

Alice

"Liam! Ava! Paul! Open this door right now!" I screamed, pounding on the door in frustration for what felt like an eternity.

Thirty minutes has now passed since I've been banging on it and my hands were now aching.

As I stood there, I struggled to avoid eye contact with the imposing figure lounging on the bed, his chiseled chest bare and his gaze fixed intently on me. It was as if he was ready to pounce.

My kids, thankfully, were on the now healthy after a week-long hospital stay. Although we weren't home yet, the doctors assured us that Paul and Ava would be discharged soon, provided they continued to rest. But since their recovery began, those piercing blue eyes - Liam's, Ava's, and Paul's had been driving me crazy alongside the older Mr blue eyes himself.

I still recall the anger that burned within me a week ago when we returned from the station and I confronted him about everything. But instead of an apology, he responded with a smirk, as if I was entertaining him. His bruising kiss on my lip and harsh bites on my neck still ached, and it served as a painful reminder of his disregard.

I had slapped him and made it clea that I never wanted to see him again, especially around my kids. Yet, he refused to leave. I've been avoiding him since then.

But now, my mischievous kids have locked me in their luxurious hospital room that could go for a living room, with him. What's more shocking is that the doctors informed me three days ago that my kids would be transferred to an even larger VIP room, allegedly for my benefit. I protested, insisting I wasn't a patient and wouldn't accept it, but the doctor's ultimatum was clear: either I stay here or risk having my kids discharged prematurely. Reluctantly, I agreed, and that's when this nightmare began.

"Mom, enjoy your stay in there with Mr. Blue Eyes, our soon-to-be dad!" Paul shouted from outside the door. "Make more babies for us, because Ava and Liam are too big for me to carry!"

I gasped, stunned by Paul's words.

"Paul's right, Mom!" Liam chimed in. "I want a baby sister, and it should be from you and Mr. Blue Eyes!"

Ava added, "We're going to get ice cream with Dad's guards now. So, when we come back and open the door, we expect a new baby!"

Their little footsteps faded away, leaving me shocked and helpless.

"Ava! Liam! Paul, no—"

"Enjoy, Mom!" Their giggling voices echoed, followed by silence.

"Ahhhhhhh!" I screamed, grasping my disheveled hair, once styled to perfection. "Doctor! Nurse!"

But I knew my cries would go unheard, muffled by the soundproofed door. No one entered except the cleaner, whom I'd tried to overpower several times but she consistently ruined my escape attempts, leaving me frustrated.

The idle man watched me intently, his gaze fixed on me while his laptop sat open beside him. His presence only added to my frustration.

My shop has been left unattended for a month and it weighed heavily on my mind. Only my workers and Bianchi's guards have been resuming there. I'd resigned myself to monitoring the shop via the laptop my kids had sneaked in.

I suspected Mr. Blue Eyes was behind it, but I dared not confront him, fearing another unsettling kiss.

Although I'd enjoyed the brief moment, I refused to admit it.

Unbelievably and also the worst part, my kids had brought both my clothes and his into this room. They were now solidly behind him and against their own mother. He hadn't left my side since then.

Every time he emerged from the bathroom, clad only in a small towel, showcasing the trail of hair on his chest, I'd catch my breath and quickly look away.

Motherhood was proving to be a complex and intriguing experience, full of unexpected moments. My kids' antics had me laughing, despite myself.

I wondered for a moment why my own mother had struggled with me, when motherhood could be so sweet.

Shaking off the thought, I focused on the present. My kids thought they were clever, but I was determined to outsmart them and their Mr. Blue Eyes. I'd show them I was just as intelligent and stubborn.

By the time I finished frustrating him, he'd be eager to flee.

"Hey, you!" I turned to face him, but he was already gazing at me.

"Don't you have somewhere else to be?" I demanded. "A job to attend to? A wife to go home to? A sick son who needs you? What kind of man are you, leaving them behind to linger around a woman and her kids?"

My words poured out in a rush because of by frustration. "Leave my kids and me alone! They've become more mischievous since you arrived. Go home to your wife and son!"

By the time I finished, I was breathless. That's when I noticed his attention was fixed on my chest. I felt a flush rise, unsure why his gaze lingered there.

"Look up here!" I demanded, but my words trailed off as I followed his gaze to my chest. His eyes remained fixed, intense and hooded.

I gasped, discovering my left breast had slipped out of my bra cup, exposing me to his greedy stare. The nipple was the only thing holding back, and my heaving chest made it bounce tantalizingly.

Mortified, I considered adjusting my bra, but then decided to leave it. Two can play this game.

"Yes! You've seen it, so what?" I challenged him, my voice rising. "You can look, but your hands are off-limits! And I'll repeat this: leave my family alone!"

With each word, I emphasize my point by bouncing my breast, daring him to take another step.

This was something desperate and i’d never done it before, but I'd do anything to make him leave.

Lost in my thoughts, I didn't anticipate the sudden, harsh pinch on my nipple.

I gasped in pain, my eyes snapping up to meet him. His towering form loomed over me, his grip on my nipple tightening.

I tried to recoil, but he held firm, his pinch growing more intense. Pain and pleasure mixed together, leaving me lightheaded.

Our gazes locked, his blue irises now darkening to an unsettling depth.

His dominating aura enveloped me, terrifying and exhilarating. I realized I was in grave trouble.

"You wanted a game, kitten?" he growled, his voice low and menacing. "I'll give you one. I'm not a man to be tested, Alice. I can only tolerate so much before I snap."

Before I could process his words, he swept me up and tossed me onto the bed with lightning speed. I bounced once, and then he was upon me, his weight pinning me down.

"Stop! What are—" My words were cut off as he slammed my wrist to the bed, locking it with one of his. His lips crashed onto mine, demanding and urgent.

At first, I resisted, but as he pinched my nipple, I gasped, and he seized the opportunity to plunge his tongue into my mouth. I struggled, but soon found myself reciprocating with equal fervor. Our breath mingled, filled with the scent of peppermint.

His other hand encircled my throat, not too tight, but possessive. Heat pooled in my core as his fingers traced my jawline.

"This is what you've wanted, right?" he whispered huskily into my mouth, his words laced with seduction. "Always provoking me, waiting for a reaction? You'll get it, and soon you'll be tired of it."

As he spoke, his fingers continued to tease my nipples, sending shivers down my body. I wanted to protest, but my voice caught in my throat.

"Oh God!" I exclaimed, lost in the intensity of the moment. I ground against him, feeling his arousal, and he groaned into my mouth.

Just as his hands wanted to begin to tear at my clothes, a tiny voice interrupted: "Are they making a baby now?"

I snapped out of the trance, mortified, and saw my triplets peeking in through the door. Their curious faces quickly disappeared, but I'd already seen them.

My cheeks burned with embarrassment. How did this happen?

"Get off me!" I demanded, pushing him away, but he refused to budge, peppering kisses on my neck instead.

"Liam! Paul! Take Ava and go play with Mr. Huge. Mom and Dad are trying to make a baby," he whispered into my neck.

I seethed with anger. Mr. Huge, his bodyguard, was not someone I trusted with my kids, not after everything that had happened.

The kids' excited yells echoed outside: "Yay!!"

I'll kill him, I thought.

Summoning all my strength, I pushed him off and rushed into the bathroom, my face ablaze.

"Don't go anywhere without me, you three!" I called out, slamming the bathroom door shut behind me.

*****

I settled into Mrs. Smith's lavish hospital room, which felt more like a presidential suite. I wanted to speak with her immediately, now that my kids had finally released me from their watchful eyes.

Mario had left, but not before assigning his high-profile guards to us. They seemed suited for the President, but I declined because I preferred my privacy and no unwanted attention but he'd said his interest lay with the kids, not me, and they adored him.

I hadn't known Mario well, and he remained a stranger to me. He'd mentioned being in Chicago briefly for a meeting before their chance encounter. He said he didn't reside here and my kids were happy and comfortable with him and that's all that mattered.

I still wondered who Mario really was because his power and influence were unmistakable. I haven't had the time to make enquiries regarding who he is but I definitely will.

Moreso, today marked our final day in the hospital, and I was thrilled to finally leave.

Mrs. Smith interrupted my thoughts, "So, Mrs. Alice, you asked to see me?"

I cringed by the "Mrs." prefix she'd used for me, but I chose not to correct her.

I turned to face her, taking in the striking blue-eyed young woman with a stethoscope draped around her neck and a crisp white coat. Her youthful appearance belied her expertise. She looked to be in her twenties and I was surprised when I found out she was even married.

"I'm grateful you're still here," I said, surprised she was still here. "Liam's recovery is a testament to your exceptional care."

"Oh, that!” She exclaimed.

"Thank you, ma'am," I continued, folding my hands in appreciation. "I'm indebted to you for your help with my son. Words can't express my gratitude."

"It was nothing, Mrs. Alice," Doctor Smith said with a warm smile, her blue eyes sparkling. "I was just doing my job."

"You can't imagine the magnitude of what you've done for me, Doctor," I replied. "Your humility is admirable."

Doctor Smith chuckled. "I assure you, Mrs. Alice, it's all part of my duty."

"Please, call me ‘Miss’ Doctor Smith," I requested, forcing a smile. "I'm not married, no need for honorifics."

She looked at me for a while not even acting the least surprised and then she smiled. "I understand now, Alice. My apologies."

With a deep breath, I asked the question that truly brought me to her office: "Doctor Smith, is Liam fully recovered? Is his heart condition completely gone?"

My palms grew sweaty as I awaited her response, clutching my dress for reassurance.

Doctor Smith took a deep breath, opened a file on her table which I think was Liam's and met my gaze. "Alice, I'm pleased to inform you that Liam has made a full recovery. However, there are some precautions to ensure his continued well-being."

"He should avoid rough play and excessive physical activity," she began. "I'll prescribe a special and rare medication, which he must take every night without fail. I'll also provide a list of suitable foods for his diet."

"Additionally, it's crucial he avoids secondhand smoke and stressful situations entirely," she emphasized.

I exhaled deeply, nodding in understanding. "Thank you, Doctor Smith. I appreciate your guidance."

She nodded.

"But, Doctor," I asked, "you mentioned rare medications. What if they run out? Where can I get more?"

Doctor Smith smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, Alice. I've already made arrangements with a local pharmacy to stock the medications. I'll provide you with their contact information and dosage instructions."

"Alright! Thank you."

Then, silence filled the room.

The air conditioner hummed, being the only sound in the room, until I posed the question that had been gnawing at me.

"Doctor Smith, may I ask, who brought you here to treat Liam? I didn't invite you, and I couldn't afford your services. You've been exclusively attending to him since your arrival, even going so far as to bathe and feed him yourself, refusing my help."

The room fell silent once more. Doctor Smith's intense gaze held mine before she cleared her throat, prompting me to shift uncomfortably in my chair.

"No one invited me, Alice," she began. "I was contacted to treat a patient here a year ago. The doctor pleaded with me to help, citing your struggles with Liam's health."

I raised an eyebrow, skeptical. Her words didn't resonate with me, as they contradicted what the doctor had shared days ago when she first came.

"That can't be true," I said, my skepticism evident. "The doctor told me someone brought you here personally and wished to remain anonymous. Why the different story?"

I leaned forward, my eyes locked on hers. "I've had enough of mysterious benefactors in my life. I need to know the truth. Who brought you here, Doctor Smith?"

My voice was firm but also laced with a hint of desperation.

Her piercing blue eyes, hauntingly familiar, locked onto mine before she smiled warmly then took her pen to start writing without answering.

"Please, Doctor, tell me the truth," I implored, my voice trembling. "I'm not doubting you, but I need to know. For Liam's sake, for everything you hold dear, please be honest with me."

I leaned forward, my hands clasped together, almost kneeling. Doctor Smith swiftly rose from her seat to stop me.

"No, Alice, don't. I'm telling the truth." she said, gently grasping my arms. "Or let me rephrase: I was personally kidnapped here by my...persistent, domineering, and formidable elder brother. He doesn't accept 'no' as an answer and that's a trait that's defined his life."

Kidnapped? Her smile broadened, and I couldn't help but smile at the descriptions.

"Your brother sounds...imposing," I said, curiosity piqued.

"Include very, Alice."

I didn't inquire further.

"Hmmm…Excellent! Thank you, Doctor. We're now moving forward with our investigation," I exclaimed, beaming with a smile and clapping my hands together, enthusiastically.

Doctor Smith smiled, her eyes shining with amusement.

"Clearly, I see why he's so captivated by you," she murmured under her breath.

I caught the faint comment but chose to ignore it, not wanting to stray from the main question.

"So, who is your elder brother?" I asked eagerly with my gaze locked on hers.

Doctor Smith settled back into her seat, her expression suddenly reserved.

"My brother?" she paused, her voice measured. "I'm afraid I cannot disclose his name, Alice," Doctor Smith said, her expression firm. "I promised anonymity, and professional ethics dictate I honor that commitment. The hint I gave you is enough."

She stood, gathering files from her desk and walking toward the door.

I swiveled my chair, watching her. "We'll cross paths again soon, I promise," she said with a smile.

"And please, extend my greetings to those little mischief-makers. Today's my last day here. Tell them their partner-in-crime aunt will miss them dearly."

With that, she closed the door behind her, leaving me stunned and alone in the office.