Eloise can’t believe she caved into Vaughn. However, there really wasn’t much of a choice she had left since Ollie’s classes had already ended. “So, how have you been?” Vaughn tried to make small talk. Eloise kept her gaze outside, trying not to look at Vaughn in any way. “Better, I guess,” she said.“Hmm, that’s nice. You became an actress just like you always wanted.”She snapped his gaze to him and raised her eyebrows, causing Vaughn to chuckle.“How do you even know that?” she asked in disbelief. “Cameron,” he simply said. “Cameron told me whenever the two of us visited him.”“That damn kid,” she muttered under his breath. “I’m sure you suit your role very well,” he added. “Well, I tried really hard for this,” she said. “And I’m thankful that I’ve gotten the opportunity.”“I’m sure you did,” Vaughn said. “You looked like a natural out there.”“Really?” she asked, her tone getting excited. She was relatively new to the acting scene, so hearing compliments from other people
“He’s looking for his father, for god’s sake!” Eloise exclaimed in frustration as she paced back and forth in front of Cadence.“How did you respond?”“I couldn’t,” she sighed. “How could I tell him I already met his father but can’t introduce him yet?” “You already met his dad?” Cadence exclaimed with wide eyes. “Oh, shit.”"You...already met his dad?" Cadence repeated, slower this time. It was bound to come out anyway, so Eloise nodded her head. “Yes! And he still looks the fucking same.”“Ooh, so he’s still handsome, huh? Where did you meet him?”Eloise stayed silent.“Oh, come on! You’ve been keeping this to yourself for years. You can tell me anything, you know that? Besides, I’ll be able to help you this way.”Eloise sighed and finally sat down.“In your office,” she muttered under her breath. “Well, you’ve got to speak louder than that.”“In your office,” she said. “I met him in your office.”Cadence’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Don’t tell me—is it the guy I’m intereste
Eloise took a step back as soon as Alina entered the picture."You came to visit me today, babe?" she asked in a sweet voice. "That's so nice. You even bought my coworkers some food.""Eloise was about to tell me something," Vaughn said, his gaze still focused on Eloise. "Well, I'm sure it's unimportant, right Eloise?" Alina asked with a deadly gaze. As much as Eloise would want to tell Vaughn that Ollie is his son, she definitely does not want to tell Alina."It's not," Eloise said. "Go ahead.""Come, I'll introduce you," she tugged him toward the crew. "Everyone," she said in a loud voice. "Meet my boyfriend," she sweetly said, leaning against Vaughn. The crew whispered among themselves. It was only a rumor that Alina had a big-shot boyfriend. But, now that the cat is out of the bag, the tabloids will definitely have a field day tomorrow. "How long have you been together?" one of the crew members asked. "6 years," Alina boasted, getting squeals from the listeners. Eloise shoo
Eloise paced back and forth as she waited for Cadence to arrive. She didn’t hear her last statement since Ollie had started vomiting, but she wished that Cadence would come soon.After a few more minutes, someone finally knocked on her door. She sighed in relief and went to open it. “Oh, thank god, you’re here. Ollie is very ill, and I—”She stopped talking when she realized it wasn’t Cadence she was talking to. “What are you doing here?” she snapped. Vaughn looked at the distressed Eloise and took a step forward. “Ollie? What did you mean by Ollie?”Eloise sighed and ran her hand through her hair. She can’t believe that she’ll be revealing it like this. “Isn’t Cadence coming?” she asked. “She’s not,” Vaughn insisted. “Now, what do you mean by what you said?”Just then, Ollie’s voice was heard from their bedroom. “Mommy!” he called out. Eloise ignored Vaughn and quickly went to their room. Vaughn followed from behind her, his heart beating fast inside his chest.“Oh, baby,” El
Vaughn glanced at Eloise and smiled when he saw her sleeping figure. She looked so peaceful like this, but he knew that she endured so many hardships for the past year. Xavi was right when he said that Eloise was the best thing to ever happen in his life. Vaughn was just stupid, naive, and prideful to realize it back then. And now, he doesn’t even know if he could take her back. Eloise mumbled in her sleep, causing Vaughn to let out a chuckle. He went to her and carried her to the extra bed, covering her body with a blanket. “Sleep tight,” he whispered as he observed her angelic face. After making sure that she was sound asleep, he went to Ollie’s bed and moved his hair out of his face. Vaughn was glad that he was already sleeping soundly. His heart ached to see him in so much pain. “Son,” he tested out the waters. Surprisingly, it sounded natural—like he was waiting for this moment. “Son,” he repeated with more confidence this time. “Sleep well, my son,” he whispered, bending
Eloise feels like this is all a dream. For the past day, the three of them had spent time in their own little world—with no one interrupting their peace. It was strange how it felt so natural. But it was scary at the same time. She didn’t want to get attached to Vaughn too soon. “He’s fast asleep,” Vaughn said, glancing at Ollie. “Hmm,” Eloise hummed. “He sleeps really well. That’s one thing I’ve never had a hard time with when he was younger.”“Umm, if it isn’t too much to ask, how was Ollie when he was younger?” he asked. Eloise smiled as the memories flashed back in her mind. “He was such a cute kid,” she recalled. “Even cuter than now.”“How’s that possible?” Vaughn asked. “He’s so cute right now.”“Well, he was. But he was also very sickly. Trips to the hospitals weren’t uncommon when he was younger.”Vaughn frowned. “Is he alright now?”“Yeah,” she nodded her head. “It was mostly during his time as a baby. He was born premature, partially my fault, so he was more sickly t
It was another day, and Vaughn couldn’t wait to wake up. Actually, he hasn’t slept at all since Eloise gave him the approval as Ollie’s father. Eloise woke up and saw Vaughn pacing back and forth. “You look like a zombie,” she deadpanned. “Did you get even an ounce of sleep?”“Nope,” he responded, still pacing back and forth. “Are you nervous?” she asked. “Very,” he said. “I’m afraid that he wouldn’t like me.”Eloise shook her head. “He’s been pestering me about his dad for an entire week now. I think you’re safe.”“You think so?” he asked. Eloise nodded her head. “I know so. Let’s just wait for him to wake up.”Eloise prepared breakfast while Vaughn followed her like a lost puppy. “Do you have anything else to say to me?”“You don’t have any work today?” he asked. “Tomorrow,” she responded. “But Ollie’s going to be discharged tomorrow. I don’t know who’ll take care of that. Maybe I can ask for leave—”“You have me,” he cut her off. “You don’t have to worry. I’ll take care of i
“Are you sure you’ve got it?” Eloise asked, unsure whether to leave Ollie in Vaughn's care. “Yes,” Vaughn said. “We’ll do some fun dad-and-son things.” “Please don’t have too much fun,” she warned. Vaughn chuckled. “We’ll be safe, don’t worry. Just do well on your shoot.” “Are you also sure that it’s okay for you to miss work like this?” “I’m the boss. What can they do? Fire me?” She narrowed his eyes at him. “Alright…I’ll be back after lunch. Prepare his discharge papers in the meantime. This is also the money to pay for his hospital fees. You can—“ Vaughn held onto Eloise’s hand and shook his head. “I’ll pay for this.” She shook her head. “I have money saved up for these kinds of events. Just take it.” He sighed, folded the envelope, and placed it back in her pocket. “Eloise. We’re co-parenting now. I hope you’d let me spoil you rotten—I mean, Ollie. I haven’t been there for the first four years of his life. Let me handle this.” Eventually, Eloise caved in. She’s not