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.

his teeth

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

on. I’ll go and buy it for you

Clinton,” Amelia’s cry stopped

asked,

bring my phone with me to the

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

to believe that that was his chosen

said, “There are a couple of games inside. You can take a look if you’re bored. I’ll be off, then.”

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

other, Amelia was afraid that they eventually would, and Oscar would take her

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

through it, she realized to her surprise that it contained many photos 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

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

If he had

was willing 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

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

are of me. Doesn’t that mean that you don’t hate me

then, an incoming call jolted Amelia out of

the screen. Upon seeing it, Amelia’s

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 you this time. Oz, the baby and I both

fury that it almost drew blood. With what strength she could muster, Amelia said evenly, “Sorry,

moment. Then she retorted, “Why

food

you have no shame at all! After your blatant cheating affair at your company, which was even documented in a few photographs, how

Shakily, she asked, “How did

about it? Of course, 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 judge a gold-digger, but

“Ms. Yard, I don’t think 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

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

Amelia stood her ground valiantly. “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 the Yards will be too proud of

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 an affair in your condition. Cheating was a real

if you have nothing else to say to me, I’ll

for a reply, Amelia immediately ended

of food, Amelia was facing away from the door with the blanket over her. He didn’t

aback, Oscar hurriedly set down his bags and pulled a chair over.

of intimacy. She then asked, “Mr.