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.

grit his teeth in frustration.

wide, beseeching Oscar in a cutesy

I’ll go and buy it for

Clinton,” Amelia’s cry stopped Oscar in

around, he asked, “What

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

hesitated for a moment, then handed his phone to Amelia. “The password’s your

looked at him. She refused to believe that that was

cleared his throat awkwardly, then said, “There are a couple of games inside. You can take a look if you’re bored. I’ll be off, then.” He turned quickly on his heels and left

my birthdate as your password? Don’t you know what kind of hope that raises in me? What

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

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

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. It

had taken some from behind her as she walked ahead. Amelia could barely even recall when

for her body. If he had absolutely no other feelings

had that a man who had no affection whatsoever for her

Cassie. Besides a few snapshots of scenery scattered here and there, the rest of Oscar’s photo album was practically a shrine to

the photos you have are of me. Doesn’t that mean that you don’t hate me too much? Why can’t we spend

an incoming call jolted Amelia out of her

the screen. Upon

baby’s very healthy.” A note of betrayal crept into her voice. “You promised that you’d come with me,

that it almost drew blood. With what strength she could muster, Amelia said evenly, “Sorry, Ms. Yard, it’s Amelia. Oz, as you call him, has gone out to

a moment. Then she retorted, “Why are you answering my

buy food

was even documented in a few photographs,

paled. Shakily, she asked, “How did you

most filthy and disgusting woman he’s met. It’s not for me to judge

it’s your place to comment on the 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 nothing more than

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

“So what? At least I’m still Oscar’s wife now. You’re the mistress he’s ashamed of. When word gets out, I don’t think

said, “Don’t be too 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

clenched her jaw. “Ms. Yard, if you have nothing

waiting for a reply, Amelia immediately

a few bags full of food, Amelia was facing away from the door with the blanket over her. He didn’t know if she

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 reached over to dab the tears from her cheeks.

gesture of intimacy. She then