You More Than Anything In The World

Oscar suddenly stood up. Apprehensively, Amelia asked, “Mr. Clinton, are you leaving?”

Oscar walked over. He leaned over Amelia, almost pinning her onto the bed. The tips of their noses brushed against each other.

Enthralled, Amelia had no way of reining in her wildly beating heart. Her eyes darted from side to side, desperately avoiding Oscar’s intent gaze.

“What do you feel like eating? I’ll go and get it,” he said.

That was the last thing Amelia had expected to hear from Oscar at that moment.

“Now that you’re having a baby, you should eat a little more than usual. Tell me what you’re craving; I’ll buy it for you.” Oscar’s cool tone belied his apparent discomfort.

Amelia couldn’t believe her ears. This was Oscar’s first time showing concern for her baby.

“Mr. Clinton, are you actually concerned about me?” Amelia asked in disbelief.

“Enough of that. Tell me, quickly, what you want to eat,” Oscar insisted.

Amelia found the situation hilarious. Oscar seemed a lot more human now in comparison to the guarded, defensive man he usually was.

“Since you’ve offered, I can’t possibly say no. All right then. On account of Mr. Clinton’s generosity, I’d like to order a pasta arrabbiata, stewed beef, and mango sorbet to top it all off… I’m spoilt for choice! How can I decide?” Amelia asked in exaggerated despair.

Seeing that Oscar had let her off the hook for the matter with the photographs, the sudden feeling of liberation dared Amelia to joke with Oscar, something she seldom did.

Oscar only glared at her. “Amelia, don’t go overboard.”

“Don’t be so petty, Mr. Clinton. Can’t you even bear to buy these for me?” Amelia wheedled, pouting.

Oscar realized that he rather liked seeing this feminine side of Amelia.

“Wait and see; I’ll buy it all for you. Anything else?” he queried.

“I want you. Can I have that?” Amelia asked playfully.

Oscar’s face once again assumed a sober look. “You’re only allowed to say such things to me in the future. I forbid you from flirting with any other man like that.”

Flirting?

Amelia thought she had merely been casually teasing Oscar. She was rather distressed that it had been seen as flirtatious. It seemed that everyone perceived things rather differently indeed.

“Since you object, Mr. Clinton, I won’t say things like that anymore,” Amelia said, sulking.

teeth in

and opened her eyes wide, beseeching Oscar in a cutesy tone, “Mr. Clinton,

go and buy it for you

cry stopped Oscar in

around, he asked, “What is

I’m bored. I didn’t bring my phone with me to

a moment, then handed his phone to Amelia. “The

to believe that that was his

games inside. You can take a

care for me, then why did you use my birthdate as your password? Don’t you know

a divorce. On the other, Amelia was afraid that they eventually would, and Oscar

fallen for you. If I could, I would want to depend on you for the rest of my life. I want a real relationship with

of her, most of them taken when she was sleeping. In a few, a single blanket covered her bare body; in others, she had fallen asleep fully clothed. The photos

behind her as she walked ahead. Amelia could barely even recall when these moments had taken place, let alone presented any opportunities

her body. If he had absolutely no other feelings for her, however, then

was willing to bet anything she had that a man who had no affection whatsoever for her would

of Cassie. Besides a few snapshots of

Oscar’s phone in her hand, she mumbled, “Oscar, all the photos you have are of me.

then, an incoming call jolted Amelia

across the screen. Upon seeing

while, then picked up. Cassie’s excited chatter floated across the line. “Oz, I went for a check-up with your secretary today. The doctor said that the baby’s very healthy.” A note of betrayal crept into her voice. “You promised that you’d come with me, but you’re always so occupied with work! I said that I’d be a model wife so I won’t blame

said evenly, “Sorry, Ms. Yard, it’s Amelia. Oz, as you call him, has gone out to buy food

moment. Then she retorted, “Why are you answering

buy food for me,” Amelia answered

documented in

paled. Shakily, she asked, “How

Oz was the one who told me. Oz said you are, by far, the most filthy and disgusting woman he’s met. It’s not for me to

I am. Even if

yourself, Amelia. I’ll be Oz’s wife soon. No matter what, you’re the one who’ll eventually be the outsider

valiantly. “So what? At least I’m still Oscar’s wife now. You’re the mistress he’s ashamed of. When word gets out,

pleased with yourself either, Amelia. Do you know what Oscar told me this morning? He said that you were filthy and made him sick, and he hasn’t divorced you only because you’re pregnant. He didn’t think you’d be bold enough to have

her jaw. “Ms. Yard, if you have nothing else to say to

for a reply,

food, Amelia was facing away from the

set down his bags and pulled a chair over. He sat down and reached over to dab

aside Oscar’s gesture of intimacy. She then asked, “Mr. Clinton, have you