You More than Anything in the World (Arissa)

Amelia once again shook her head. “Mr. Clinton, please leave if there’s something you need to do. After I get discharged tomorrow, I will head over to Carter’s to turn in my resignation. Our relationship is purely contractual, so it’s only right that I follow the rules. And since you don’t like me hanging around other men, I’ll make it a point to keep my distance from them.”

Oscar took a long, hard look at Amelia while he contemplated the situation. “Are you throwing a tantrum because of the phone call I just had?”

The more he probed, the more annoyed Amelia felt. Is there any point in dragging this further?

“Your lover would be the one throwing the tantrum if you don’t leave now,” she snapped.

Oscar was still gazing at her when he suddenly placed his hand on the back of her head and pulled her in for a kiss. The kiss was intense, and they were momentarily lost in each other.

Amelia was left in a daze when they finally pulled away, her cheeks flushed from their kiss.

“Still angry with me?” Oscar asked, his forehead resting gently against hers.

Amelia looked at him in bewilderment. “Mr. Clinton, why are you doing this? Am I just a pet to you? One that you play with when you’re happy but gets tossed aside when you aren’t?”

“Go to sleep. I’ll leave now and come back in two hours,” Oscar said while patting her head.

Amelia was silent as she lay back in bed and hid under the covers.

Oscar watched over her for the longest time. But once he realized she had no intention of coming out from under the covers, he left.

When the door closed behind him, Amelia finally pulled the covers back down. She stared at the ceiling, crestfallen. “Oscar Clinton,” she muttered. “Is there still a future for us?”

The silence in the ward was deafening.

Oscar got in his car after having taken the elevator down and smacked the steering wheel before driving off.

The drive to Cassie’s took almost thirty minutes. The door opened almost immediately after he rang the bell, and Cassie threw herself into his arms. Oscar caught her and had to half-drag her back into the house.

Cassie snuggled against Oscar’s chest and whimpered, “Oz, I thought you weren’t going to come.”

Oscar remained stoic as he let her hug him.

Cassie felt the reluctance in him and looked up. “Oz, are you not happy to see me?”

Oscar reassured her with a hug. “Stop imagining things. I wouldn’t be here if I weren’t happy about it.”

at you earlier, but I hope you won’t be angry with me,” she said softly. “You know how it is with pregnant women. We just become so much more sensitive about everything.

only held her in his arms as he coaxed her. “Don’t think too much about it. I’ll spend more time

of letting go. “Oz, I’m not sleepy yet. Why don’t you chat with me? We haven’t

“Sure.”

gently rubbed his chest like a cat kneading away. “Do you still

Even though he claimed that

lips and stared at Oscar angrily. “Oz, do you not

turning on his charm. “The past is history. From now on, just remember that I’ll be

kiss me and only me from now?” she asked

the baby been behaving well today?” he

you change the subject, Oz?” she asked, panic-stricken. “Have you fallen for Amelia? Even after those compromising photos of her, you still refuse

eyes flashed with annoyance. He was starting to lose his patience with Cassie. “Cassie, I took precious time out to be with you,

me. I’m a woman, and it’s only normal that I get worried. I worry that you’re back with Amelia. I know I’ve been badgering you, but I only did it so that

at her. “Cassie, you

The old you pampered me with love. Whenever I had a problem, you’d put everything down and come to my rescue. But now? No matter how much I plead or beg, you still might not show up. How can I not be angry?”

won’t argue with you. We’ll talk again when you’re feeling better. Have

panic in her voice as she

ground, not saying

go. I really love you. I’m even carrying your child now. I’d go mad if you no

sorry for her. He turned around and hugged her tight. “There, there, stop crying. Let’s not ruin that pretty face of yours,” he said softly, wiping her

lightly hit his chest. “I want you to make it up to me by staying here tonight. If you don’t, I’ll abort the baby. Since you aren’t going to marry me, it’d be difficult for me to remarry

Oscar’s face fell again.

that.

in her eyes. “Oz, do you really care about my

my child, why wouldn’t I care

do you prefer our child or Amelia’s

it, Cassie. They’re both my children, and I love them

that makes me the bona fide girlfriend. But you so quickly married another, and now I’ve become the mistress. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t upset, especially now that I’m pregnant. Every night I have the fear that you’d leave me for Amelia. Tell me, Oz,

wordlessly, carried her into the bedroom, and laid her down in bed. “Sleep. I’ll be

her head into his chest, her lips curled

tell me a story. I’m in the

and

Cassie whined. “From the time we dated, separated, and finally reunited, it’s been so long since you’ve