Chapter 21
I left the gym feeling excited. Every day I get a little closer to Owen. I think about last night and feel guilty, but I have to admit I love being in his arms, feeling that heat between us. I feel alive, complete—something I haven't felt in a long time.
I head to my room, take a shower, get changed, and go straight to Ellie's room. I get her cleaned up and ready, and we finally head downstairs for breakfast. When we arrive, Owen is already sitting there waiting for us. I apologize for being late and settle the little one in her chair.
As soon as we finish, Owen gets up, says goodbye, and leaves for work, while I linger a few more minutes chatting with the girls and Marcus, like I always enjoy doing, until Ellie gets fussy and asks to get down.
“So, playtime! What do you want to do today?”
“Can we go to the pawk?”
“Marcus, can we?”
“Of course, let's go.”
And so we head out. We stay at the park watching Ellie play with her little friends until lunchtime. When I call her, she comes running right away—she's such an obedient little thing—saying she's hungry.
“Lunch is ready. Let's head home, get you cleaned up and out of those dirty clothes, and then we'll eat.”
“Yay!”
She shouts and claps her hands. I watch her, thinking about how she was practically raised by nannies, without the love she deserves.
I'm glad I came into her life, but I'm also sad because soon her father will kick me out of that house.
Who will take care of my little one then?
I don't want to think about that, not right now.
I'm already planning how to get into the office.
If everything goes well, I'll have all the documents in my hands by next week.
After lunch, it's nap time for my little one, so I go to my room and call Arianna, my dear friend.
“Tell me you've already taken the hot judge to bed.”
“What a warm welcome. Is that all you think about now?”
“Sorry, girl, I'm just so eager to hear.”
“Shouldn't I be the eager one, not you?”
“Girl, you may be a virgin, but you're sharper than me, so don't play dumb.”
“Last night we made out again, in his office. I'll be in his bed soon enough.”
“That's what you want more than anything, right?”
“I can't explain it, but when I get close to him, I feel something strange—but good. It makes me want to stay close.”
“Oh honey, you're falling for him.”
“Of course not. It's just lust, nothing more.”
“Sure it is. What are you doing tonight?”
“Nothing planned.”
“Then we're going to the mall to buy outfits for the club on Friday—the one I told you about.”
“It's already Friday? I totally forgot.”
“Yes, and we need to look hot. I'll pick you up at eight.”
“Okay, I'll be waiting. I need to go check on Ellie—it's time for her to wake up.”
“See you later, girl.”
I hang up and head to Ellie's room. I need to wake her up, or she won't sleep tonight. I go in, sit down, and start stroking her curly hair. She wakes up slowly, and the smile she gives me is what I love most.
“Time to wake up, little girl. Let's go make our afternoon snack, okay?”
“Yeah! I wanna help, Auntie Li.”
“Then let's go downstairs and see what we can put together for a yummy snack.”
I take her little hand and we head down the stairs to the kitchen, going straight to the refrigerator.
I ask what she wants today—we have fruit, paté, yogurt—and she decides on fruit.
I decide to make a fruit salad sweetened with orange juice, and my little helper is right there, ready to help me mix everything.
After she eats, we play for a while until it's time to get cleaned up for dinner. That's when we see Owen arrive. Ellie runs to hug him, and he scoops her up. Once I catch up to them, we all head inside.
“Come with Auntie, let's get you cleaned up—dinner will be ready soon. Oh, Mr. Owen, I'll be going out tonight, after eight, once Ellie's asleep.”
“And where are you going, if I may ask?”
“To the mall, with a friend.”
I turn around and head up the stairs with Ellie in my arms. I give her a bath and get her into her pajamas.
While she plays, I quickly hop in the shower myself.
Our nighttime routine is always like this—I like keeping Ellie on a consistent schedule.
I created a routine and she follows it perfectly.
It helps so much when taking care of a child.
I've always been like this—organized and routine-oriented.
I like it; it keeps me on track. I write down everything I need to do in my phone's calendar so I don't lose track.
After Ellie falls asleep, I go to my room to change.
I put on jeans and a crop top that shows a bit of my stomach, with sneakers.
I love practicality, and casual clothes are part of that.
I head down the stairs, and Owen is standing at the bottom, watching me. I stop, meeting his gaze. He looks serious, as always. Then he says:
“You're going out in that outfit?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Don't you think it's showing too much?”
I look down and see the sliver of my belly showing, then move closer to him, wrap my arms around his neck, and whisper in his ear.
“Are you jealous, Mr. Owen?” I nibble lightly on his ear.
“If you do that again, you won't make it past that door.”
“I won't be long—just picking up an outfit and I'll be right back, if you want to wait for me.”
I give him a quick kiss and head out, leaving him with the taste of my strawberry lip gloss—the one he loves so much. I noticed that the first time we were together, so I always wear it now and make sure he gets a taste.
We arrive at the mall and head straight to the store where we usually shop.
I start picking out dresses, grab a few, and head to the fitting room.
With each one I try on, my friend says no.
I'm running out of options when I spot a red one—strapless with a sweetheart neckline.
It hugs every curve, hits mid-thigh, and has small slits on the sides that show off my legs. I come out for her to see it.
“That's the one, girl! You look spectacular in that dress—it's like it was made for you.”
“It really does fit me perfectly, so this is it. I need shoes to match, please.”
I choose the shoes, and Owen pops into my head. I wonder what he'll think of my dress. If a sliver of my belly bothers him, imagine this dress. I smile—that's exactly my intention: to provoke him and drive him wild. It's the only way I'll get what I want so badly.