John left the study, leaving the maid scratching her head while holding the tray with the cup of coffee.
I shook my head at John’s childishness. Then, I dismissed the maid, “You can leave now. John doesn’t need the coffee anymore. Let him have a good night’s sleep.”
“Yes, Mrs. Featherstone.”
The maid soon left the study with the coffee.
Since we had finished discussing our plan, all that was left was to meet Nathaniel at his art gallery tomorrow. Feeling a little sleepy, I decided to head back to the bedroom.
Just as I stood up, Anthony grabbed hold of my wrist. “Where are you going?”
“To sleep,” I blurted out. “We are going to meet a jackal tomorrow. This doesn’t only concern John, but us as well. So, of course we need to sleep well and be prepared.”
Anthony frowned slightly and asked in a pitiful voice, “Then what about me?”
“What do you mean?” I asked, feeling confused. The next moment, when I realized what the man was talking about, my face fell. “You!”
Ugh! This man is always thinking of getting me into bed with him!
If it weren’t for the kids who had probably fallen asleep in our bedroom, I would definitely give Anthony a payback for what he did in the bedroom earlier.
After collecting myself, I made a face at him and snorted, “Hmph! You reminded me that our bed is too small. Tonight, you should sleep in the guest room.”
“Good night! Sweet dreams.”
With that, I turned and left the study before Anthony could even voice his objection.
…
The next morning, I was awakened by Audrey.
The little one shook me awake after finding out that her brother was gone when she woke up.
While yawning, I coaxed, “Audrey, go and play with your brother. Let me sleep for a while…” I trailed off and fell back asleep.
Still, Audrey was relentless. “Mommy, I want you to help me get changed. Aunt Emma told me you would teach me how to wear my clothes after you come back. Mommy…”
Yet, my mind was too groggy to even bother with the little girl’s request. Feeling sleepy, I pretended to have heard nothing.
In fact, Audrey should blame her father for my sleepiness. My mind ran wild the entire night after the man teased me. In the end, I only managed to fall asleep after much tossing and turning in bed.
Audrey was still trying to wake me up while I grumbled to myself about Anthony. Just then, the man’s familiar voice rang out, “You sleepyhead.”
Oh, speak of the devil, here he is.
“Daddy!” Audrey was obsessed with her father. The moment she heard Anthony’s voice, she threw me at the back of her mind and hopped into the man’s arms. After giving Anthony a morning kiss, she explained herself, “I’m not a sleepyhead. I have woken up early today. Mommy is the sleepyhead!” I’m sorry, mommy.
For a while, Anthony remained silent before he spoke up, “Mommy didn’t sleep well because the bed is too small. We’ll buy a larger bed so I can sleep with you guys. That way, your mommy won’t oversleep again.”
“Alright, daddy!” Audrey clapped her hands in joy.
As for me, I was still mulling over Anthony’s words. A larger bed? It will take me forever to wake up if we get a larger bed. Hmph! This man is shameless lying to a kid.
Just then, a thought suddenly hit me. I pulled the blanket off and sat bolt upright. My eyes widened as I looked at the man standing by the bed. “You must be kidding, right?”
I know what this man is up to. He is getting a larger bed to satisfy his desire!
The thought of it made my face flush. Instantly, I was wide awake.
Narrowing his eyes, the man plastered a skin-deep smile on his face. “Do I look like I’m kidding?”
He cast his eyes downward and smirked. Soon after, he carried Audrey out of the bedroom.
After they left, I looked down and saw the silk camisole that I was wearing. That was when I realized the man was looking downblouse at my breasts just now.
I took a deep breath and pulled the blanket over my head, feeling embarrassed and angry at the same time. Ugh! That outrageous flirt!
The father and daughter’s teasing had chased my sleepiness away. I got out of bed and washed up.
Later, I went downstairs to find that they were all seated at the dining table.
Perhaps because I was feeling guilty, I felt that the man was constantly glancing at me.
Occasionally, I stole glances at Anthony while eating my oatmeal to observe his reaction. Is he really going to get a larger bed so that the whole family can sleep together?
This man’s self-control is a joke. What if the kids see us kissing and cuddling?
I must think of a way to discourage him.
This man is amenable to coaxing but not coercion. Perhaps I should reward him with what he always wanted to make him drop the idea of getting a larger bed.
At that point, I nodded in affirmation to myself.
I shot a look at Anthony, trying to get his attention. Yet, the man gave his undivided attention to Audrey throughout the meal. I grew anxious when he totally didn’t notice my ardent gaze.
Since home delivery was fast and convenient in this day and age, I was worried that the bed would arrive at our doorsteps even before I got to dissuade Anthony.
By that time, I would have no choice but to sleep in the same bed with him.
As my mind wandered off, I didn’t notice that John had called me several times.
The latter raised his voice as he called out, “Letty, yoo-hoo! What’s in your mind?”
“Huh?” John’s voice brought me back to my senses. “What were you saying?”
With his brows knitted, John shot daggers at Anthony, casting blame at him for my absent-mindedness. “You never for once asked about Letty when she went missing for the past six years. Once she came back, you exhausted her in bed. Can’t you take care of her body and take it easy? You should be more considerate to her and control your desire. If anything happens to her, I will make you pay!”
Meanwhile, Anthony had paused eating while listening to John. He remained calm and impassive all the while.
I cast my gaze at him and then at John, realizing that the latter had misunderstood us. With my cheeks burning, I called out, “John! Don’t talk nonsense in front of the kids!”
John gave me a sidelong glance without saying a word. Though, the helplessness on his face showed that he was unconvinced and that he was not talking nonsense.
Just then, Anthony gave his words in a low voice, “I will try.”
Did he say he will try? I drew a sharp breath and turned to look at Anthony. I was right! This man is still thinking of sleeping with me!
Since Anthony had always antagonized John, it was rare for him to give promise, in which it successfully placated the latter. Soon, the two of them stopped talking and focus on their meals.
Feeling guilty, I lowered my head and decided to let the matter go.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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