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

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

go and buy it for you now,” Oscar replied as he headed

cry stopped

around, he asked, “What

phone with me to

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

Amelia looked at him. She refused to believe that that was

“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

to herself, “Oscar, if you truly didn’t care for me, then why did you use my birthdate as your password? Don’t you know what kind of hope that raises in me? What if I can’t bear to let you go when it’s time for

she didn’t want to get a divorce. On the other, Amelia was afraid

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 of Amelia numbered more than a thousand in sheer variety. It was completely unlike the Oscar she knew to have so

examining them. Oscar had 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 of

for her body. If he had absolutely no other feelings for her, however, then what could explain this stash of

to bet anything she had that a man who had no affection whatsoever for her would not possess so many photos of her. It was like a carefully curated

went through each photo, she realized with a start that there were barely ten photos of Cassie. Besides a few snapshots

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

jolted Amelia

name flashed across the screen. Upon seeing it,

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 you this time. Oz, the

such fury 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

silent for a moment. Then she retorted,

food for me,” Amelia answered

you have no shame at all! After your blatant cheating affair at your company, which was even documented in a few photographs, how can you be so shameless as to

she asked, “How did you know about the

are, by far, the most filthy and disgusting woman he’s met. It’s not for me

Her grip on the blanket tightened. “Ms. Yard, I don’t think it’s your place to comment on the kind of woman I am. Even if I’m cheating

wife soon. No matter

Oscar’s wife now. You’re the mistress he’s ashamed of. When word gets out, I don’t think the Yards will

and 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 you’re pregnant. He didn’t think

nothing

for a reply, Amelia

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

bags and pulled a chair over. He sat down and reached over to dab the tears from her cheeks.

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