Chapter 61

61 61- Behaving Like A Kid

If Marissa thought that Rafael would leave right after breakfast, she was wrong. He was not only tl. but was trying to get involved with his kids.

After getting over that laughing fit in the kitchen, she had pulled back a little from his embrace, trying to maintain the distance and that was when she realized there was an unreadable expression on his face.

She couldn’t decipher it and he didn’t give her enough time to read his face and got out of the kitchen leaving

her there.

Stop daydreaming about him, Marissa! He is here for kids! Not you!

She told herself sternly and started putting plates in the dishwasher. She wanted to kiss Sophie’s cheek when she saw her switching on the coffee machine.

“What happened to that weight loss tea?” she tried to tease her, but Sophie rolled her eyes.

“The tea was meant to be taken on an empty stomach. After a meal I deserve a strong black coffee,” she then

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61 61–Behaving Like A Kid

lifted herself on her toes and called out, “Rafael! Do

you want coffee!”

“Yes, please,” he called back.

In the living room, he was sitting on the floor rug with Ariel and Abigail. Surrounded by Legs, they were trying hard to build a tower.

As usual, Alex wasn’t participating much and was busy in his tab, occasionally glancing up at the group.

Marissa wanted him to join them and form at least a friendly bond with his father. But she didn’t want to force anything on him.

Exhaling a long breath, she eyed Sophie who placing cups on the counter, “What? Do I look good while making coffee? You find me se*xy?” Sophie teased her and Marissa held her friend from behind, leaning her

cheek on her shoulder.

“It’s Alex,” Marissa said in concern.

“Hey!” Sophie turned and held her hands, “Just remember, Mar. He is a kid. Give him some more time. He is not a grown–up like us, and all of this is new for him. Even grown–ups need some time to adjust in such

situations.”

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61 61–Behaving Like A Kid

Sigh! He was not as disinterested as he was trying to portray himself.

They were still in the kitchen sipping their coffee and chatting when Marissa noticed ho fael’s eyes found hers.

Marissa had to place the cup down. Every now and then their gazes would meet and every time he would give her a soft smile that made her heart flutter.

She had almost forgotten about her surroundings when felt a poke near her ribs, “Ouch!”

Sophie had nudged her with her elbow, “If you don’t mind, may I say something?”

Marissa didn’t answer her, and her eyes remained glued to the man sitting there with her kids.

“I… I think … he is still smitten by you, Mar.”

Marissa tried to play it cool and shook her head, “Not possible, Sophie,” she muttered, “he might have made kids with me, but he had always been crazy for one woman…” Then she looked into Sophie’s eyes, “And

that’s my sister.”

She then resumed sipping her coffee.

61 61–Behaving Like A Kid

“Don’t you feel his eyes saying something to you?” Sophie sounded impressed, “I think… it’s pretty

obvious…”

“What are you saying?” Marissa tried to hide her face behind the coffee cup but alas. Tha was not enough.

Size mattered!

She still didn’t look at her friend when heard her

chuckle, “Oh, come on. I’ve seen the way he looks at you. I have handled many couples in my professional life. There were spouses, engaged couples, committed, not committed… no one was as easy to read as him.”

Marissa’s heart skipped a beat.

If… if Sophie thought that it all was obvious then maybe someday her office colleagues might think the

same.

“I don’t think so, Sophie,” she tried to laugh it off, “We have got this … umm complicated situation…”

“What if he is trying to uncomplicate it?”

“And that’s not possible…” Marissa finished off her coffee and placed her cup in the sink.

“Let me wash that.” Sophie offered and moved her

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wide.

Marissa again walked to the counter where she could

wee her kids and their father.

“Daddy. How about we build a castle“” Abi suggested

Rafael Rafael pretended to think for ax

snapped his fingers as if he loved the idea.

“Now why I didn’t think of it before?”

and then

“I also thought about castle, daddy…” Ariel gave him a thoughtful glance and that was when Marissa found Rafael casually offering Alex.

“Why don’t you join us, Alex?” she felt as if Rafael was

holding his breath and her heart went out to him, “I

know nothing about castles, dude.” He admitted to the little boy.

“You can watch videos on the internet. Right now, I’m

too busy with this machine’s spare parts information…” Alex’s tone was not rude, but it didn’t carry any

friendliness either.

She was so engrossed in thinking of Alex that she didn’t feel Rafael’s eyes on her.

“Marissa!” she jerked when heard her name from his

11

TO APOI were home brule

dhe vetë qe three

* of innocent eyes

oking shee

falk the advantage and winked. Please he Tuttered bale eyes dramatically and Marissa had doubts

Was he the same man who ran MSin Industries? Was

he really the president of Multinational chains?

Because right now he was behaving like a

three year old kid. And she wasn’t able to take her

eyes off him.