Chapter 94

94 94- Valerie’s Name

Marissa giggled when she saw how Rafael was handling kids along with chores. He was stacking all the plates in one arm quite expertly and asked the kids to carry over empty dishes one by one to the kitchen.

“You are supposed to place it by the sink,” he ordered, and Marissa observed. Alex who was following his dad’s commands with a constant frown on his face.

He was still resisting opening up to his father.

Ariel rushed over to Rafael, “Now what else am I supposed to pick, Daddy?”

“Umm. Glasses sweetheart. Take one only. And use both your hands to hold it.”

Like an obedient kid, she picked that up though Marissa knew kids could handle multiple glasses as they were simple plastic ones, but she didn’t interfere with any of it.

She was there to enjoy the show.

“I’ll tuck the kids too. Don’t move from that couch,” he said over his shoulder and went inside the kitchen. She could see how he was directing them to place the dishes in the washer.

The spot where she was sitting, everything was visible from here.

He was now asking Alex if he could manage to clean the table and Alex just nodded and came out with a washcloth.

She was aware Alex would never be able to clean it properly, but Rafael seemed more interested in training the kids.

“Daddy. Will you tell us a story?” Abigail asked him while hugging his legs.

“Sure princess,” he lifted her up and kissed her cheek and then eyed the other kids, “can you all get ready for bed without our help? Then I’ll come over to tell the story.”

“Promise!”

10:46

94 94–Valerie’s Name

“Yes, daddy,” they yelled in chorus.

Marissa leaned back when saw kids going inside their room after getting kissed by her. Rafael plopped beside her and leaned into her side.

“You are really good with them, you know?” she watched him with a small smile playing on her lips.

“Thanks. I’ll tell them a story then I’ll be back. Any movie plans?” he asked her innocently and this time she moved her head from side to side.

“You think it’s the weekend? Tomorrow is my office, Rafael!” he leaned back his head on the backrest and tilted his face a little to look at her.

“We can choose a short movie!” he shrugged, and Marissa held his t–shirt by the collar and pulled him to her, holding back her grin.

“Tell me the truth, Mr. Sinclair. Are you planning to throw me out of that office building? Because with this nonseriousness, I can get fired.”

He tucked his finger in the neckline of her green blouse pulling her closer, “And are you forgetting who that company belongs to?”

She chewed her lower lip for a minute before answering him, “You?”

Instead of responding to her answer, he kept staring at her face quite intently.

She looked puzzled for a moment, “The office belongs to you. Right?”

He gulped, his Adam’s apple quite noticeable, “Nothing!” he tried to smile.

“Wh–what? The MSin doesn’t belong to you?” with a smile he shook his head.

Goodness! The company is in Valerie’s name, now? Isn’t it my kids‘ right?

She thought but then shrugged off the stupid thoughts from her mind.

“It’s ok,” she placed her hand on his rough cheek.

“Is it OK that the company is not in my name?” he asked the question somberly but for some silly reason he looked amused.

Marissa felt nervous, not sure why he was asking this.

10:40)

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94 94- Valerie’s Name

“Yes. It’s OK,” she nodded her head.

“You are not worried about our kids‘ future?” he again asked her and there was a strange expression in his eyes. She didn’t know what to name it.

“Why should I worry about kids‘ future? They have got you,” she tried to giggle and that was when she found the smile on his lips vanishing. Now his face felt like he was on the verge of tears.

“Rafael…” she tried to speak. She just wanted to know if he was alright.. However, he didn’t let her speak and placed his forefinger gently on her lips.

“R–Rafael… I…”

“Shhh…” he leaned in, his lips hovering just inches away from hers, “Don’t say anything. Just stay quiet.”

Marissa was taken aback by his intense voice. She had never seen tears in his

and now his teary voice was doing something to her heart.

eves

“I just want you to know, Marissa,” his finger pressed a little more into her lips, “that how much you mean to me.”

Marissa’s breath was caught in her throat. She could feel the intensity of his gaze on her face and the warmth of his finger on her lips, “R–Rafael you…”

“No. Don’t say anything. You don’t have to say anything right now. Just know that I’m here for you always.”

Marissa’s eyes welled up with tears. She nodded unable to find the right words.

Taking her by surprise, Rafael wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. She smiled through her tears when felt his lips kissing her hair. They sat there holding each other forgetting for a moment that they were the parents of three naughty kids.

“Daddy. We are waiting for that story. Alex has already gone to sleep, and Ariel is yawning so loudly!” Abigail yelled in irritation making her parents jerk in embarrassment.

10:40

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94 94- Valerie’s Name

“Damn!” Rafael cursed under his breath and stood up abruptly.

“I’m coming, sweetheart,” He called out. Abigail marched back to her room and Marissa was aware, that the magical moment between them was over.

She couldn’t place her finger on it. Why did he get so emotional?

What did she say or do to earn this closeness?

“Don’t go to sleep,” Rafael leaned forward to kiss her cheek, “I’ll be back after telling them a story.”

She nodded but then quickly held his hand to stop him.

He threw a questioning glance her way.

“Today my friend called me. She asked me if I was well and said that she saw an email of my leave application for two days. I never submitted any.”

Rafael scratched the nape of his neck with his other hand and a sheepish smile got to his lips, “I did it!”

“W–what?”

“I said I did it,” this time he gave a quick peck on her lips, “Now stop worrying about getting kicked out of MSin Industries. Nobody can do that. Not even

me.”

Not even him?

Not even Rafael?

But surely Valerie could easily do it.

Right?

After all, the MSin Industries is in Valerie’s name.