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

her belly and opened her eyes wide, beseeching Oscar in

on. I’ll go and buy it for you now,” Oscar replied as

Clinton,” Amelia’s cry stopped Oscar

asked, “What is

Clinton, I’m bored. I didn’t bring my phone with me to the hospital. Can

his phone to Amelia. “The password’s

Amelia looked at him. She refused to believe

couple of games inside. You can take a look if you’re bored. I’ll be off, then.” He turned quickly

herself, “Oscar, if you truly didn’t care for me, then why did you use my birthdate as your

in complete turmoil. On the one hand, she didn’t want to get a divorce. On the other, Amelia was afraid that they eventually would, and Oscar would take her baby away regardless of what

I think I’ve really fallen for you. If I could, I would want to depend on you for the rest 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 of Amelia numbered more than a thousand in sheer variety.

taken some from behind her as she walked ahead. Amelia could barely even recall when these moments had taken place, let alone presented any opportunities in which Oscar had taken such flattering photographs

that Oscar liked her solely for her body. If he had

her would

photo, she realized with a start that there were barely ten photos of Cassie. Besides a few snapshots of scenery scattered here and there, the rest of Oscar’s photo album

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

jolted Amelia out of her brief

the screen. Upon seeing it, Amelia’s heart immediately

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

strength she could muster, Amelia said evenly, “Sorry, Ms. Yard, it’s Amelia.

retorted, “Why are you answering my call, Amelia? Where’s

buy food for me,” Amelia

at your company, which was even documented in a few photographs, how can you be so shameless as

she asked, “How did you

most filthy and disgusting woman he’s met. It’s not for me to judge a gold-digger, but going for two men at

kind of woman I am. Even if I’m cheating on Oscar, it’s up to him to decide if he wants to divorce me. You’re

snickered. Keep lying to yourself, Amelia. I’ll be Oz’s wife soon. No matter what, you’re the one who’ll

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

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

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

for a reply, Amelia

Oscar returned with a few bags full of food, Amelia was facing away from the door with the blanket over

bags, Oscar approached Amelia only to be greeted by her tear-stained face. Taken aback, Oscar hurriedly set down his bags and pulled a chair over. He sat down and

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