CHAAPTER FORTY
It had been more than two months since Bryan took his first steps. Now he would be seen walking around the house with his little squeals and screams.
After that awkward encounter between Alex and Mia, they both avoided each other, but eventually, because of Bryan, they had to face each other.
Time had been flying, it seemed, as Bryan was already nine months old. He is growing up way too fast, and it didn’t quite sit well with his dad as well.
Mia once overheard him talking to Bryan when he thought she was not around.
“You are growing up way too fast, buddy. Can you stop? I mean, I know you have to grow up and stuff, but honestly, growing up is such a trap. I wish I could stop this.” Alex grumbled, and Bryan giggled at his father, who smiled in return.
She knew he was just having fun with their son, but something was missing. His words had left her in deep thought, and she couldn’t help but wonder about his family.
Another day, when Alex was playing with Bryan, she couldn’t stop her laughter because of his goofiness.
She had also noticed the relationship between Mark and Chloe had not been going well, but she did not have the time to ask any of them about it.
She sighed and looked at the time. It was past ten at night, and Alex still wasn’t home. Bryan was sleeping in his crib, but she didn’t understand why she was waiting for him. Is she starting to behave like a wife already?
She heard the door open and knew he was home.
A few minutes later, he entered the room, and his eyes first landed on Bryan’s crib. A small smile formed on his face, and he looked at her, but soon his poker face was back.
Mia made a sad face and said nothing as he proceeded towards the bathroom to freshen up.
“Mr. Ian, can I ask you something?” She spoke as he walked out of the bathroom after twenty minutes.
Alex looked at her as he raised his eyebrows before settling beside her on the bed.
Oh yes, she was still staying in his room with him, but it was mainly because of Bryan. She couldn’t just take him away from his father, and she couldn’t even keep him in a separate room.
“What is it?” He asked, looking at her, and she nervously glanced around the room before her eyes landed on him.Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.
“Where are your parents?” She stuttered, and his face remained stoic.
She swallowed as he didn’t reply even after a few minutes.
“Have I ever asked you about your life or your parents? Have I ever interfered in your life?” He asked, and as she didn’t know what to say, she was
“I haven’t, so I expect the same from you.” The bluntness in his tone made her flinch, and she looked away, not saying a word.
It hurt. Truth be told, he was right, he had never asked her personal questions about his life.
No one said anything after that, and both of them slept with their backs against each other.
It was around three at midnight when Mia woke up, hearing Bryan’s cries. She hurriedly moved towards his crib and picked him up, patting his back and rocking him to calm him down.
It didn’t work, and he wasn’t hungry either.
Alex woke up too and walked towards them. Mia eyed him worriedly as she kept rocking Bryan, whose face had turned red from all the crying.
Alex took him from her arms and walked around the room.
Almost ten minutes passed, but Bryan was still crying, and it worried both of them. Mia walked towards him and kept her hand on Alex’s hand, which rested on Bryan’s back.
On the other hand, she caressed his face, wiping his tears as he stared at his mother with teary eyes.
A few minutes passed, and they stayed in the same position.
Bryan sniffed and rested his head on Alex’s shoulder, still staring at his mother, who hummed softly with a smile on her face.
Unconsciously, Mia leaned in and rested her head on Alex’s shoulder, concentrating on her son, who had his tiny hand around his father’s neck and the other hand rested on his mother’s face.
Alex was very well aware of her resting her head on his shoulder, and he had tensed up the minute she touched him but later relaxed when Bryan’s hand went around his neck.
The warmth that suddenly spread throughout his body was nice, and he couldn’t help but relax.
Slowly, Bryan’s eyes closed, and he slept soundly in his father’s arms.
Mia smiled and kissed his hand before moving back, realising what she had done.
Embarrassed, she avoided looking at Alex, who commented nothing, and just walked towards their bed with Bryan.
“Let him sleep on the bed today, between us,” Alex said, placing Bryan on the bed, whereas Mia, who wanted the same, just quietly walked towards the bed and settled on her side.
This time they slept facing each other, but their eyes rested on the tiny bundle of joy between them.
Mia smiled as she held his tiny hand in hers before closing her eyes. Alex stared at her, and she held on to Bryan before doing the same with his other hand.
That is how the Ian family slept that night, with Bryan in between his parents and his hands.
The next morning, Alex was the first one to open his eyes when he found his hand enclosed in someone’s warmth.
Blinking his eyes, he looked clearly and found Mia’s hand resting over his as he rested his hand on top of Bryan’s stomach.
He didn’t want to admit it, but her touch was comforting and warm.
He found himself liking it, and that was the reason he immediately withdrew his hand, but cautiously to not wake them up.
Unfortunately, Mia opened her eyes and stared at him with a frown.
She looked like a lost kitten as she blinked her eyes faster. Her eyes then fell on Bryan, who was sleeping peacefully, and the next second, she snuggled closer to him.
Alex stared at her intensely, wondering why he couldn’t avoid or ignore her like he did to other women-is it because she is his wife already? Or because she was his son’s mother? Or maybe because he’s been intimate with her?
The feelings poured out, but he couldn’t deal with them. Sighing, he got out of bed and kept some pillows on his side for Bryan’s safety before heading to the bathroom.
By the time he freshened up and walked out, Mia was awake, and she placedBryan in his crib.
She then tied her hair in a bun and gazed at their son for a few minutes with a smile before turning around.
Alex stood there watching her every move, and as she turned, he noticed that her smile dropped, and she looked around nervously.
Did he make her nervous?
He took a step towards her in a daze, and she fumbled more, avoiding his stare.
When he stood in front of her, she still didn’t look at him. His fingers grabbed her chin and made her look at him, which made her gasp.
“What’s wrong?” He asked, and she just stared at him wide eyed before shaking her head with force.
“Do I make you nervous?” He was curious, her eyes narrowed, and she pushed his hand away, scoffing.
“I know you wish,” she said, but she didn’t meet his gaze, and it almost made him smirk.
When he said nothing, she stole a glance at him, only to find him smirking, which made her furious.
“Stop smiling.” She snapped, and his smirk only widened.
Clenching her jaw, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath to calm herself, but her eyes snapped open when she felt his presence too close to her.
Her breath hitched as he leaned down and brushed his lips against her ear. “You are affected by my presence,” he said, and then left, leaving her breathless.
What was that? Why is he behaving so differently, unlike his usual cold, aloof self?
She didn’t realise she had been standing in the same place and staring at the door for more than five minutes until she heard Bryan’s whimper.
Snapping out of her daze, she quickly walked towards Bryan and patted him back to sleep with her thoughts still stuck on Alex.
On the other hand, Alex was sure that whatever he was feeling was mere physical attraction towards her and nothing else. He will soon be able to get his feelings under control, and everything will be back to normal.
But is it that simple?
Mark had been discussing a deal with his client when he spotted Chloe outside his cabin, chatting with some guy. She was smiling and laughing occasionally, as if she were having her best time, and it made him clench his jaw in anger as he looked away.
He couldn’t even concentrate on what the person before him was saying. All he could see was Chloe laughing with some other guy, which made him mad with fury.
“Excuse me.” He gritted and stood up abruptly, marching towards her.
Chloe felt her breath hitching as she noticed Mark storming towards her with a pissed off look. She gulped and prayed that he spared her, but it seemed like the prayers were unheard.
“Are you done chit chatting, Ms. Chloe?” She heard his angry voice, which made her curse under her breath.
“Sir,” she stuttered nervously.
“If not, then you are allowed to continue by all means, but not here. Get out of here, both of you, and chit chat all you want. I don’t pay you for this nonsense.” Mark spat harshly, and she visibly flinched. He ignored the tightness in his chest and glared at them one last time before walking away.
Chloe watched him leave, and a small tear slipped from her eye, which she wiped hurriedly before getting back to her work.
The rest of the day, he didn’t bother checking on her, and she didn’t mind going in front of him.
Avoiding each other seemed easier to both of them.
At the end of the day, when she left the office premises, her colleague with whom she had been chatting came towards her.
“Hey Chloe, if you don’t mind, I can drop you home.” He offered politely, and she smiled, shaking her head.
“No, it’s alright, sir. I’ll manage. Thank you.” She declined him politely, but he insisted until she heard his voice, which made her stiff.
“She said she’d manage, Mr. Damien.” Mark roared, and without another word, Mr. Damien scurried away, and Chloe looked around for a cab, ignoring his presence.
“Let’s go.” He declared and held her hand, dragging her to his car before shoving her inside.
Chloe fumed and tried to get out, but he settled in and locked the car before she could leave.
“What the hell is your problem?” She gritted, and his hold on the steering tightened until his knuckles turned white, but he said nothing and started driving.
During the entire ride, none of them said anything. When they reached him, Chloe looked at him one last time before moving out of his car with a sigh.
“Do you think I don’t know why you are pushing me away?” He questioned her, and she froze. She couldn’t take another step further. Did he know?