Chapter 201 THEY STAY
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She locks the door at an instant when I shut the door. I sigh in deep remorse, I shouldn't have gotten jealous of her and Ron's acknowledgment but what can I do? I am helpless in my emotions because of my love for her.
Even if she hates me to the core I would still want her in my life and not want anyone, any f**king moron near her at all, and the way she changes her attitude so quickly with Ron. It burns my heart with extreme rage and I acted impulsively and got harsh with her.
I realized it when I saw her tears, the tears of betrayal that she thought I had given to her again, but no. That wasn't the case.
DING
The elevator door opens and Ron walks out with Tessa's bag in her hand. I wonder what she had brought from her house in Chicago to here.
"Miss Tessa's bag." He states and I stretch my hand taking it from his hand. "She is resting at the moment."
Ron hands me the bag and before he would turn to leave, I add cautiously, "Ron, you have to be careful near her."
His face turns pale and he looks at me, petrified.
"I… I will keep my distance, Sir. I apologize for what happened before."
I feel calmer after knowing that he still knows his limits around Tessa, and then I take him out of his misery by explaining, "What happened 4 years ago. I don't want her to know anything about it or who was behind it."
"But… Sir…" He stutters in shock.
"Ron, Do as I say," I tell him in a firm order and after looking at me for a moment in hesitation, he nods his head reluctantly and leaves. While I head to my room, take a shower, and change into clean clothes.
I look at the clock and it's past 2. Thankfully, Ann is asleep at the moment. In the morning, I should be talking to her to shift Aaron's belongings to my floor so that he would be near Tessa all the time.
I toss and turn but it's difficult for me to fall asleep. Tessa's red eyes keep coming in front of me, God, she doesn't trust me for a single percent. How am I supposed to manage things like this with her lack of trust?
But instead of thinking this, I should focus on things on which I would be putting my all efforts that she would be left with no choice but to put her trust in me, only me.
****
After my run, I inform Miss Celine about Tessa's arrival and it takes her a whole minute to fully understand the meaning of my words. I asked her to prepare breakfast for two more people and set the table for two accordingly.
Before entering my room I stop at Tessa's door and it's utterly quiet. I wonder if mother and son had a good sleep after all it's a completely new place for them but not for Tessa.
My subconscious reminds me and that gives me a small smile.
Alas, if that reminds her of the good time we had together or the bad one.
No way. I don't need bad things for us at all.
After changing my clothes into cotton pajamas that make me feel comfortable I pick up Tessa's bag and intend to knock on her door when the door opens from the inside making me stunned and embarrassed at the same time.
COUGH ... COUGH ...
"Ron has brought this, last night..." I inform her while handing her the bag.
"I was coming to ask for it." She says plainly and I peek inside the room to see Cyrus sleeping on the bed peacefully.
Sleepyhead, his sleepiness reminds me of the time when he was in NICU and sleeping most of the time.
"Has Cyrus slept well?" I ask her and she nods her head rather ignorantly at me.
"There are a few things I want to mention." her tone gets serious and she straightens her shoulder.
Whoosh...
It gives me a bad vibe and I look at her nervously, what it is that she wanted to mention to me?
"First of all," She begins and I stop her mid-way because I am still standing at the door and it's making me feel like being insulted by her. Has she forgotten the manner of inviting me inside the room?
What kind of fear and hesitation does she have with me? Haven't I seen everything and done everything?
"Can we talk inside?" With my eyes I gesture towards the sofa inside the room and finally, she steps aside giving me the way but keeping the door half opened.
Sigh...
Her indifference is literally making me sulk further into guilt and remorse.
"First of all, Cyrus won't leave my sight.
Second, I will cook for both of us.
Third, he won't stay with anyone for more than an hour.
Four, we both are free to go anywhere we want to."
She states four things and I look at her calmly, That's all.
I had already expected that she would be cautious but I didn't expect that she would be conscious of the food too. A sign of a good and protective mother I guess.
"One hour for me as a father, it's quite unfair Tessa," I tell her and she flinches from the way I usually call her name.
"Also one thing, you would address me as Miss Will. I don't want any friendly relation with you regarding anything and as long as I am here. I hope you'll keep your distance from me."
Woah...
A huge blow as I have mentioned she doesn't trust me at all.
"Ok, Miss Will, Can I get more hours with my son?" I change my tone and she looks satisfied with it.
See, I am trying to please you.
"Two hours." She says after thinking and I frown deeply.
"You could spend as much time as you want with Aaron, so why can't I spend some time with Cyrus?" I question her, displeased.
"Because there is a difference between you and Me." She emphasizes and again the hatred starts to appear in her eyes.
Please, stop.
This hatred is very discouraging, Tessy.
"Fine, then you should also accompany us. I haven't restricted you for anything." I try to negotiate at which she sneers with confidence. "You can't."
Fine, I can't.
I shake my head in surrender. There is no way I can convince this woman and force her to listen to me.
She isn't the obedient Tessa, anymore.
"Aaron will wake up after 8. I will inform you once he is awake, and if you need anything please call Miss Celine." I intentionally did not tell her the number I know she would remember it and she did when she nods her head in response without any acknowledgment.
Great.
I stand up and then walk towards the bed to look at Cyrus, "When are you going to tell him?" I ask her.
"As soon as he wakes up." She replies.
"Aaron calls me Daddy," I tell her even though I know she isn't interested in listening at all. "He loves chocolates and berries too. What's Cyrus's favorite food?" I ask her while staring at Cyrus's chubby face in curiosity.
"Anything cooked by his mother." She replies curtly and I look at her unpleasantly.
Can't she stop acting weird to me?
KNOCK ... KNOCK ...
The door knocks taking both of our attention and as it is slightly ajar, Miss Celine enters after a minute, "Miss..." She exclaims with complete joy when she looks at Tessa and then pulls her into a warm hug. Tessa hugs her back but I don't see the same excitement on her face at all, she stays indifferent to her too.
"How are you? How have you been all these years?" Miss Celine asks worriedly and Tessa gives her a small smile. "I am absolutely fine. Thanks for asking." And just like that, she steps aside from her making us all feel like strangers to her.
I notice Miss Celine's face falls in disappointment but she keeps the smile on her face gracefully.
"Miss Swan is asking for you at the breakfast table." Miss Celine informs and I nod my head in response. "I am coming down," I tell her and then dismiss her.
She looks eager to see Cyrus but Tessa shows no intention of introducing Cyrus to her at all. I know why she is distant from Miss Celine too because she works for us, me and Ann so she would never be going to trust her at all.
A fair reason to be cold with her.
"If you need anything...." I begin when she suddenly snaps at me angrily. "I know."
I take a deep breath, not knowing what pissed her suddenly, and then leave the room.
*****
"Where have you been?" Ann questions furiously, she hasn't touched her breakfast yet.
"I told you I am going to bring Tessa back," I tell her calmly as I take my seat.
"I had told you, she isn't allowed here," she states stubbornly and her jaw clenched from the fury.
"She is Aaron's mother, and Aaron needs her. Also, she is going to stay on my floor, not yours." I say casually as I pick my toast to eat. I am famished last night also, I had very little food.
"This is my home." Ann slams her napkin furiously and I correct her wisely, "Our home, Ann. Or if you want me to leave with Aaron?" I ask.
I know she won't be able to stay without Aaron for a second, she glares at my calm appearance and then angrily leaves the table while stomping her feet.
My lips curl as this isn't a denial of Tessa's and Cyrus's stay.
