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

and opened her eyes wide, beseeching Oscar in

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

cry stopped Oscar

around, he asked, “What is

I’m bored. I didn’t bring my phone with me to the hospital. Can I borrow yours to play with?” Amelia

for a moment, then handed his phone to

refused to believe that that was his chosen

his throat awkwardly, then said, “There are a couple of games inside. You can take a look if you’re bored. I’ll be

phone 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

she didn’t want to get a divorce. On the other, Amelia was afraid that they

could, I would want to depend on you for the rest

few, a single blanket covered her bare body; in others, she had fallen asleep fully clothed. The photos of Amelia numbered more

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

for her body. If he had absolutely no other feelings for her, however, then what could explain this stash of Amelia’s

no affection whatsoever for her would not possess so many photos of

of Cassie. Besides a few snapshots of scenery scattered here and there,

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

then, an incoming call jolted Amelia

screen. Upon seeing it, Amelia’s heart

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,

what strength she could muster, Amelia said evenly, “Sorry, Ms. Yard, it’s Amelia. Oz, as

retorted, “Why are you answering my call, Amelia?

went to buy food for me,” Amelia

all! After your blatant cheating affair at your company, which was even documented in a few photographs, how can you be

“How did

you think I got to know about it? Of course, Oz was the one who told me. Oz said you are, by far, the most filthy and disgusting woman he’s met. It’s not for me to judge

Her 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

be Oz’s wife soon. No

what? At least I’m still Oscar’s wife now. You’re the mistress he’s

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

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

a reply, Amelia immediately ended

Oscar returned with a few bags full of food, Amelia was facing away from the door with the blanket over

bags and pulled a

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