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 in frustration.

opened her eyes wide, beseeching Oscar in a cutesy tone, “Mr. Clinton, I’m

it for

cry stopped Oscar in

around, he asked, “What

with me to the hospital. Can I borrow

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

at him. She refused to

of games inside. You can take a

in shock. She muttered 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

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

I think I’ve really fallen for you. If I could, I would want to depend on you for the rest of my life. I want a real

then opened his photo album. As she scrolled 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

took to 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

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

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

she realized with a start that there were barely ten photos of Cassie. Besides a

mumbled, “Oscar, all 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 together,

an incoming call jolted

name flashed across the screen. Upon seeing it,

hesitated for a 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

the blanket. She bit her lip with 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

silent for a moment. Then she retorted, “Why are you

to buy food for me,”

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

asked, “How did you know about

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

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 an

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

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

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 you’d be bold enough to have an affair in your condition. Cheating

“Ms. Yard, if you have nothing else

waiting for a reply, Amelia immediately ended the

facing away from the door with the blanket over

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. “Why are you

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