Page 72 of Unexpectedly In Love

We all look at Cid, his head is bent, elbows on his knees swinging his beads. He is deep in thought. When he notices the silence in the room, he searches for the problem. “What?”

I hold back my smile because I understand.

“It was that good huh,” Khaos chuckles as resumes his typing. “I will hire security for the premises and the sisters.”

“Do you think it’s because of Nikos acknowledging you as the next in line…” Kyros breaks off.

“Yes, I think this would trigger my uncle.” I drag my hand down my face.

“Okay, it’s done.” Khaos puts the phone away.

“I have some work to be done for Oceania. I may have to be in the office in the coming weeks. Working from home is great but…” I shrug.

“I will call around to see if I can find out what my sperm donor is up to,” Kyros says.

“That will be appreciated. Khaos don’t forget about my request.” I open my laptop getting ready to reply to some emails.

“I got you, don’t worry about it,” Khaos replies.

* * *

ANISE

Eryx has been locked up in the office all day and Kai has been crying and cranky all evening. His little nose is red, his fists bang against the tray table. I have tried everything to get him quiet. Even the dogs look concerned.

“Bubba, what is it? The teeth are bugging you?” I take the teething ring out of the fridge and rinse it and give it to him. He finally quiets down and rubs the ring in his mouth.

“My baby boy.” I touch his lip, seeing evidence of emerging teeth.

He pulls away and looks at the ring, he pushes it toward me like he doesn’t want it anymore and he begins to cry.

“What’s the problem,”

Eryx’s voice makes me jump, he walks into the kitchen and kisses the top of Kai’s head.

“Kai is teething. I fed him earlier and gave him a bath. He is just so cranky,” I honestly don’t know what to do, maybe I should take him to the hospital.

Eryx walks to the fridge and opens it. I hear draws open and close. Kai is now in full tantrum mode kicking and screaming.

“Hey, hey none of that Kai.” I point my finger down at him. He quiets down and whimpers. Eryx is rinsing something in the sink, because his back is to me when turns around, he is holding a green onion.

He gives it to Kai, my son grabs it and places the white part in his mouth, he calms down.

“Green onion?” What old school remedy did this man just do to make my son quiet.

“Yeah. Last year I had a lot of pregnant ladies in my office. I remember them talking about this. I guess it works.” He casually picks up Kai.

“How many pregnant ladies are we talking about?” I ask.

He chuckles, Kai dramatically places his head on his father’s chest as sighs as he gums the onion.

“I had at least two pregnant ladies in each department. What were you going to do now?”

“We’re going to watch Aladdin. I know you’re busy so...”

“Let’s go.” He’s already out of the kitchen carrying Kai in tow. His intoxicating scent still lingers in the kitchen. Giving my son a green onion shouldn’t be sexy, but for some reason it is to me. I think it’s the way he always finds a solution to any problem I have. Opening the cupboard, I take out a large bowl and a pack of microwave popcorn.

Maybe Rosemary was right. I should enjoy my time with Eryx. At the start he didn’t show much interest, but the moment Kai is in the picture Eryx becomes the best father he can be. He is a good father. I slip the popcorn in the microwave and press start.

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