You More than Anything in the World (Arissa)

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.

teeth in

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

it for you now,” Oscar replied as he headed towards the

stopped Oscar

asked, “What is

bored. I didn’t bring my phone with me to the hospital.

his phone

looked at him. She refused to

take a

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

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

I could, I would want to depend on you for the rest of my life. I want a real relationship with you, not just a transactional

a single blanket covered her bare body; in others, she had fallen asleep fully clothed. The

even recall when these moments had taken place, let alone presented any opportunities in which Oscar had taken such

that Oscar liked her solely for her body. If he had absolutely no other feelings for her, however, then

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 gallery

Besides a few snapshots of scenery scattered here and there, the rest of Oscar’s photo album was practically a shrine to

“Oscar, all the photos you have are of me. Doesn’t that mean that

an incoming call jolted Amelia out of her brief

the screen. Upon

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

muster, Amelia said evenly, “Sorry, Ms. Yard, it’s Amelia. Oz, as you call him, has gone out to buy food for me. I’m afraid he just missed

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

food for me,” Amelia answered

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 stay with Oz?” Cassie

Shakily, she asked, “How did you know about the

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

Yard, I don’t think it’s your place to comment on the kind of woman I am. Even

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

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

sick, and he

jaw. “Ms. Yard, if you have nothing else

reply,

with a few bags full of food, Amelia was facing away from the door with the blanket over her. He

Amelia only to be 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

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