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.

his teeth in frustration.

and opened her eyes wide, beseeching Oscar

it for you now,” Oscar replied

Amelia’s cry stopped Oscar in his

around, he asked,

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

his phone to Amelia. “The password’s your

refused to

can take a look if you’re bored. I’ll be off,

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

one hand, she didn’t want to get a divorce. On the other, Amelia was afraid that they eventually would, and Oscar would take her baby away

on you for the rest of my life. I want a real relationship with you,

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

them. Oscar had taken some from behind her as she walked ahead. Amelia could barely even recall when these moments had taken

he had absolutely no other feelings for her, however, then what could

for her would not possess so many

with a start that there were barely ten photos of Cassie. Besides a few snapshots of scenery scattered

As she weighed Oscar’s phone in her hand, she 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

an incoming call jolted Amelia out of

screen. Upon seeing it, Amelia’s heart immediately

baby’s very healthy.” A note of betrayal crept into her voice. “You promised that you’d come with me,

that it almost drew blood. With what strength she could muster, Amelia said evenly, “Sorry, Ms. Yard, it’s Amelia. Oz, as you call

she retorted, “Why are you answering

to buy food for me,” Amelia answered

no shame 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 said

“How did you know about the

are, by far, the most filthy and disgusting woman he’s met. It’s not for me to judge a gold-digger, but going for two men at the same time?

grip on the blanket tightened. “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 me. You’re

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

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

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.

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

reply, Amelia immediately ended the

from the door with the blanket

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 crying?” he asked

intimacy. She then asked, “Mr. Clinton, have you bought the