It was a beautiful Monday. Rays of the rising sun gradually filtered into the room, drenching me in sunlight. I squinted my eyes, rubbing them fiercely, then clamped the alarm clock by my bed shut. I trudged to the kid’s room and smiled when I saw Darby draped over the couch. The twins were still asleep. I was still like a zombie, and my body craved caffeine. Yesterday had been a long day for us—me, Darby, and the kids. I had gone to check out apartment listings, and after hours of meeting realtors and agents, I finally saw one I liked. It is safe to say it is now off the market, and I cannot stop smiling. Such small mercies. My brain started working as soon as the coffee came into contact with my lips. All the nerves and organs in my body suddenly came to life. I liked this new kind of high that I was feeling. I already had my clothes picked out, ironed, and folded neatly. I was determined to create a good first impression on the CEO. I dressed quickly, and when I looked myself in
“Cameron.” I stated it as if that would explain how Cameron was suddenly here with the rest of the executives. The shock was registered on my face, and as Cameron’s eyes found mine, he smiled. What was the deal with the executives? Was he an executive at BlackBricks, or was he here to see the CEO, whom I hadyet to identify? Cameron mouths the word ‘hello’ and then goes into the conference room with the rest of the executives.I wringed my fingers nervously. I thought back immediately to Paula and how she had treated me when I first got here, which was not very long ago, really. Could this have been the reason why?Had Cameron pitched in for me? I smacked my forehead; he must have thought he was helping. I tapped the table and waited. On this first day, I did not take notes for this meeting. Someone else did, and she just skipped inside with the executives. I had not noticed her since I had been so busy being shocked that Cameron worked here. Why had I been so shocked? I mean, I did
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX “But Cameron is already doing a lot for me and my family; I couldn't.”“Hold on there a second,” I interrupted, freezing her mid-sentence. “Did you say Cameron?” I blink rapidly. “As in Cameron Stone?”She tilted her head and eyed me. “Yeah. Cameron Stone. The CEO. Your boss. Where’s your head?”Just then, the large oak doors opened, and the executives—including Cameron, whom I have learned to be the CEO—filed out. His eyes caught mine, and he winked. My heart plummeted. What did I say about office romance again?Manda giggled and touched me. “Did you see? He winked at me.” She said she was all goggly-eyed. “He’s the reason why I even bother sometimes—to be here—even when all the other things in my life stress me out.” I stared at her. I take it back; this woman is not innocent in any way. Cameron stopped midway to talk to two men, and I tried to pretend that he was not all my eyes wanted to look at and all I thought about. My eyes travelled to his perfectly firme
I ran away from work. I was a nervous wreck, so you would not blame me. I was shivering like someone who was diced in ice in the middle of Antarctica, and I knew I had to go. I left quickly, without seeing Cameron. I could not bear to see him again, not with how I was feeling. I could not trust my body not to betray me. I went home first. Darby had taken the kids to the restaurant, and I noticed that she had begun to move some of the things. We were not moving with everything, though. I told her that. We would leave most of the second-hand things we got from the manager and the thrift store here. Paula and Esther had insisted we meet for dinner, and I still had about an hour before I met them, and I still had to check on the kids. I took my bath and dressed quickly, then dropped by Darby’s restaurant to see the kids.“How are the kids?” I asked as soon as I entered the kitchen—Darby’s favourite space. I found the kids on a makeshift mat. Darby used pillows to support their backs, an
“Well, for one. You’ve been glancing around since you came in. This isn’t your kind of environment?” he asked. I shook my head as I took another sip of the Bourbon. “I go to the club plenty.” I lied. I hadn’t been to the club in more than seven years, but he didn’t need to know that. I glanced around again. “Just to keep an eye out for the girls.” I muttered. At least this bit was true. I did not have to feel too shy about lying.“You see, we were supposed to be having a girl night out. I kind of came late, and now I can’t seem to reach them.” I glanced around again. “They’re definitely in here, somewhere.”He pursed his lips, and I thought he looked cute. I must be getting drunk. Just one glass of a cocktail.“Well, they might be in one of the private lounges. Did you check anyone yet?” He smiled at me. I blushed. “Don’t do that.” I rolled my eyes. “And... it’s because I didn’t know I was supposed to check.” He laughed. “I think I just caught your lie. When was the last time you w
“Where did you sleep?” I had left Esther’s place early so I could check on the kids and prepare for work. I had woken up quite early and gotten out of her place almost immediately, and I estimated I still had about three hours to prepare for work and get there early enough. Darby was sitting on the couch when I tiptoed in, trying to stay as quiet as possible, and I had not seen her. Hearing her voice startled me, and I turned around slowly. I grinned. “I told you I was going to see the girls.” She stood up and approached me. “And you didn’t think to call to let us know you were not coming home?” She wrinkled her nose when she neared me and took one step back. “Lana! You smell very awful.” I began peeling the clothes off me. “I’m sorry if you were worried. I didn’t think, ”“Yeah. You never think.” Darby cut me off, and I saw that she was quite upset. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Darby upset, at least not at me. I winced. “You got us all worried; this isn’t something you will eve
The cry that came from inside was loud enough to bring down the building, and I was sure that both Andre and Cameron heard it loud and clear. Shit! I banged the door shut. I had left them in their tubs. I ran to their room and scooped each of them up to my waist. “You must have been scared mommy was not here.” I cooed. “I’m here now, here now.” I sang as I rocked them. The doorbell rang again, and I remembered that I had left two men waiting outside. I looked at the twins. “Daddy is here. What do we do? Do we let him in?”I rushed back to the door—the twins in my arm—and opened it. Cameron rushed to help me with one of the children, and I smiled apologetically. I turned to André and raised a brow. “What are you doing here?” I shot. I was not in the mood to pamper him. I was late for work, and my boss was carrying one of my crying babies. As if it couldn’t get more awkward than that, my ex is standing at my doorstep. I sighed. “Please come in. I’d like to shut my door and prepare f
Her eyes lingered on my face, and I almost smiled gloriously. I had asked the right question. Finally! “They have your nose.” I continued. And my eyes, but I did not mention that. It might upset her again. But truly, they did have my eyes. Had she been pregnant when she left? No. If she was, I would have noticed. But there were a lot of things that I did not notice about Lana. One of them was that I loved her dearly. Were the children really mine, then? If she had given birth to them nine months after she left me, then how old would they be now? How old did they look? I stole another glance at the kids. I couldn’t say these things. Were they his children? He did look fatherly enough. So she had shacked with him immediately; she left me then?I don’t blame her. As I said before, I was a jerk to her, and I hurt her. I closed my eyes. I hurt her. I was a fool. “I’ll drop the children at Darby’s,” she said, looking at the man. “Alright, I’ll drive. Let’s go.” The man offered. She smi