Alexander’s POV
Daniel shifts uneasily before responding, “Daddy, Daisy… she had an accident in the kitchen. She tripped on a jar, and now everything is a mess.”
My heart skips a beat, worry coursing through me like a jolt of electricity. “Is she hurt?” I ask, my voice trembling slightly.
Thankfully, Daniel reassures me, “No, Daddy, she’s not hurt. But her clothes are all dirty now.”
Without hesitation, I rise from my chair, the urgency in my movements clear as I inquire further, “Take me to her. Let’s go to the kitchen.”
Daniel nods, and we make our way swiftly through the office corridors toward the kitchen, where chaos awaits. As we arrive, my eyes meet a distressing scene. There lies Daisy on the floor, her face contorted with tears, her clothes stained crimson. Sauce has spilled, creating a disheveled mosaic across the floor and adorning Daisy’s once-pristine attire.
Concern floods every fiber of my being, and I quickly rush to Daisy’s side. Kneeling down, I gently cradle her trembling form in my arms, murmuring soothing words to ease her distress. “It’s alright, Daisy. You’re safe now.”
In that moment, the chaos within our company and the weight of my own troubles fade into insignificance. The well-being of my children is paramount, and seeing Daisy in distress only amplifies that need to protect and nurture.
With a tender touch, I wipe away Daisy’s tears and assess the situation. Sauce covers the kitchen floor, a messy obstacle that demands immediate attention. But in this moment, my focus is solely on Daisy, ensuring her emotional well-being.
“Daisy, are you hurt anywhere?” I inquire gently, my voice filled with concern.
She sniffles, shaking her head as she musters the strength to speak. “No, Daddy. I tripped… and my clothes…”
I offer her a reassuring smile, a glimmer of warmth amid the turmoil. “Don’t worry about your clothes, Daisy. We can get them cleaned. What matters is that you’re okay.”
Slowly, I rise from the floor, Daisy in my arms, and motion for Daniel to join us.
Once Daisy is settled in her bedroom, reassured that she is safe and comforted, I make my way back to the kitchen, determined to rectify the mess that has been left behind. However, before I can fully engage in the task at hand, I realize that I must dispose of the soiled napkin I used to wipe Daisy’s tears and clean her up.
Leaving the apartment momentarily, I head towards the elevator, intending to discard the napkin in the building’s incinerator. But as I approach the elevator, the doors begin to close, signaling that someone has just entered. Reacting quickly, I call out, “Wait!”
To my relief, the doors open once again, and I step inside, only then noticing who is sharing the confined space with me.
It’s Jake and Tyler, Sophia’s roommates, standing there with incredulous expressions mirroring my own surprise. For a brief moment, we all exchange glances, the tension palpable in the air. I contemplate ignoring them, looking away, but deep down, I know their nature too well.
Jake, unable to contain himself, speaks up, his impatience evident in his tone. “Are you tailing us now, Alexander?”
A sarcastic smile creeps onto my lips as I coldly retort, “Seems to me like you’re the ones tailing me. After all, I’m the one who has an apartment here.”
Tyler, the calmer of the two, interjects, “Perhaps you’re tailing Sophia instead of us, Alexander.”
My gaze meets his, a flicker of amusement playing in my eyes as I realize their tactics. They’re trying to provoke me, to push me into saying the wrong things, hoping to turn Sophia against me. But I won’t fall for their bait. Instead, I deliberately turn the tables on them.
Chuckling softly, I respond, “Of course, I’m tailing her. Why else would I move into a singles apartment when I already have two kids?”
Their expressions shift, a mix of surprise and confusion crossing their faces. They clearly hadn’t anticipated my response. I watch as they exchange uneasy glances, seemingly uncertain of their next move.
Tyler’s gaze narrows, his voice now laced with a hint of warning. “Just remember, Alexander, if you’re pursuing Sophia, don’t do anything that would hurt her. And if you’re playing with her feelings, it’s best you stay away.”
I can’t help but laugh, finding their protective stance amusing. “Why, Tyler, are you worried about me hurting her? Shouldn’t you be the ones cautioning against playing around just because you have a lot of suitors?”
Jake, ever the hot-blooded one, interjects, “Yeah, especially considering you seem like a bad guy with two kids and no mother. It’s clear she must have left you. That’s why she abandoned you with two kids. You’re probably a real piece of work.”
Their words hang in the air, a direct attack on my character and personal life. But I don’t let their assumptions faze me. They’re merely grasping at straws, trying to find a weak spot to exploit.
A wry smile forms on my lips as I meet their gaze, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “Well, Jake, you certainly have a vivid imagination. But I hate to disappoint you. The truth is far from what you assume. Sophia and I have a different story.”
Jake bristles, his temper flaring. “Oh, really? Enlighten us, then. We’re all ears.”
“Oh, I’m sure you don’t want to hear,” I chuckle, just as the elevator Land and the doors finally open, revealing the ground floor of the building. With calculated precision, I step out of the elevator, their presence lingering behind me. I cast one final glance over my shoulder, meeting their eyes with a steely resolve.
“Good luck, gentlemen,” I say, my voice tinged with a hint of challenge. “You’ll need it. I have other things to do so maybe, you’ll hear our love story later.”
I don’t wait for them to reply as I continue on my way, reveling their expressions as I leave.