TWO

I try not to squirm as I watch Romina put on her shoes, take her handbag, and go out the door. I catch a glimpse of Romina departing the building via the glass just in time. The black Mercedes Benz Jonas usually send to fetch her is parked just in front, with the driver holding open the backseat door. As the tail lights fade into traffic, Romina takes her time going inside, and I shake my head.

 

You rush to meet him when he calls.

 

The worst part is that he never bothers to call her. His secretary makes the calls on his behalf, sometimes even passing it to me to tell her that she is needed. He makes appointments with her as if she were a manicurist or any other kind of hired staff.

 

When I hear the Tiffany frame clink against my ring, I realize I'm clutching my hand firmly.

 

My thoughts turn to the man looking back at me as I scowl at the image still in my palm. Jonas is still as fit as a fiddle at forty-two, and he's annoyingly attractive for someone so cruel. His blond hair has a few gray flecks running through it, and I'll admit that if I didn't know him, I'd give him a second look.

 

When I got my first payment, I looked up Jonas because his company's name was on the check instead of Romina's. Despite coming from an affluent background, Jonas made a significant portion of his fortune through hedge funds. I remember I nearly choked on my cappuccino when I first learned about his millionaire status. A millionaire is to be expected in these areas, but a billionaire, especially one with his numbers, is surprising.

 

Since I've moved in, I've never seen Romina go to any job that I'm aware of, so I believe he's the one who pays for her expensive lifestyle.

 

Romina's days as a working model are over now that she's thirty-six, and she continually recalls stories from her modeling career. She's on the wrong side of twenty-five, and the modeling profession is brutal.

 

I'm hoping she recognizes Jonas has a type, and it's not her anymore. His not-so-secret love life is all over the internet, and a fast search turns up story after story about his wealth and multiple sightings with various female members of the city's elite. He'll be on the beach with a blonde bombshell one minute and cuddling with a brunette in Paris the next. His position affords him access to all of the other elite in his international social circle.

 

Romina is either oblivious to the situation or simply unconcerned. I can't image being so enamored with my partner that I would overlook his philandering. I don't have a mate, to be honest. Right now, dating isn't high on my priority list.

I keep my ideas to myself for obvious reasons, and I will never say anything to Romina about their little arrangement. If the boss lady is content with her status as a hidden mistress, I have no complaints. I keep my mouth shut so I can concentrate on Andrew.

 

I check the time before peeking over at the baby monitor after finally replacing the silver frame on the table. Andrew has awoken from his nap and is calmly rolling about in his bed. I ascend the stairs and proceed down the corridor to his room, which is directly across from mine. To pick him up, I push open the door and reach down into his crib. As we return to the living room, he smiles and spits at me.

 

I rush over to the closet to collect a handful of Andrew's toys after putting him down on his elephant-print blanket. Before I can take two steps, he's on my tail. He's only lately discovered how to move his legs sufficiently to be called crawling, and since then he's been a wiggle worm. I'm going to have to be extra cautious now to keep stuff out of his way.

 

"Let's go, mister," I say, bending down with one hand to grasp him and the other to balance his toy box.

 

I sit down on the sofa, gently placing him and the toys on the blanket, and watch as he joyously bangs on his small piano.

 

"Now you remain seated while I prepare your snack."

 

I return to the blanket with a smile after walking over to the counter to get his organic cheese puffs and milk. Just as I'm ready to sit down, my phone rings. When I take it out of my pocket, I notice an alert for a message that invites me out.

 

Rachel is aware that I am unable to go out throughout the week.

 

When I pause to consider the last time I actually went somewhere and had a wonderful time, my fingers are poised to type out my response. When it comes to going out, Romina is very rigorous, especially if it involves drinking. While I appreciate her logic, I'm responsible for an infant, and I'm no good to him if I'm inebriated. The fact that the same rule does not apply to Romina is never lost on me.

 

My attention is drawn back to the floor by a loud bang on the piano. He proudly waves his small arms as I settle down and place his snack in front of him, clapping my hands like if he's accomplished a masterpiece.

 

I say, "You're all the fun I need." Andrew smiles, as if he truly understands what I just said, and reaches for a puff to inhale.

 

A knock comes at the door, and I leap up to answer it. When I answer the door, Maria is waiting there, clutching bags full of the many things she'll need for the session.

"Hello," I greet her.

She frowns and shakes her head at me, her thin brows drawn together in a frown.

 

I let out a deep sigh, knowing just what she wants. Maria has a habit of speaking English when she's around, so I guess I'm being forced to learn French as well... against my will.

 

 

"Bonjour," I say as I move to the side to let her through.

 

Her frown fades as she gives me a nod of approval. She walks over to Andrew and starts chatting at a breakneck speed.

 

I utilize the time while she's teaching Andrew his lesson to make a snack for myself and plan out what to make for dinner. I rummage through the fridge for cheese and decide to make a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich.

 

While I'm at it, I grab a few dinner items.

 

Andrew is fortunate not to be a picky eater. He happily consumes all of my homemade baby food blends the majority of the time. Romina does not trust store-bought baby food, and we both agree on that. Most of the brands I've come across contain more preservatives than actual food, which will simply not do for Andrew.

 

Yes, I'd like to have a more active social life, but I enjoy brainstorming different baby food options and spending time alone with Andrew. I can't imagine being away from him, even though his parents appear to prefer going out with their high-society friends. I enjoy seeing him grow and learn new things, even if it means blowing spit bubbles at Maria.