Chapter 33

"I don't know what you mean, I just wanted to make it clear that I've decided this because... because I want to be a better person!" I blurted out, venting with a bit of embarrassment. Quickly, I took little Dino's plate and moved it aside to clean his face covered in puree. I heard a loud huff and then a forceful voice.

"Could you leave that child alone and enjoy the dinner... you’ve barely eaten."

"But I have to take care of him, Mr. Cesar, I accepted this responsibility, and I have to fulfill it!"

"You’re talking to me first, have the decency to pay attention to me!" he snapped, slamming the utensils down on the table.

"Who said I have manners! I never had them, and I won’t have them now," I retorted with a teasing tone, forgetting for a moment who I was talking to. Nervously, I looked up, and Mr. Cesar’s furious face was silently staring at me.

"I-I mean, what I wanted to say is that I'm not very good at these things," his stern gaze bore into me, and then I added.

"Master Cesar..."

"Joffre!" Mr. Cesar called out, making me jump. Quickly, Joffre approached his side.

"Could you please take this child to his mother?"

"As you wish, sir."

"But..." Mr. Cesar shot me a disdainful look that silenced me as Joffre left with the little one.

"Now, please, have your dinner properly." I nodded nervously, staring at my plate. Since when had this turned into a dinner for two? I glanced up slightly, watching him sip from his wine glass. He looked like a painting, so perfect. Then my eyes drifted to his lips, and the perpetual memory of that kiss came flooding back to my mind. It was my first kiss... would I ever forget it? I didn’t want to remember this man forever. It was all a mistake, just forget it, Belle... but why did I keep remembering the strong beat of his heart? I lifted my gaze again, and his blue-gray eyes shone in the fading light of the sunset. Our eyes met, and I quickly returned my focus to my plate. Why was my heart beating so fast? Maybe I was afraid of making a mistake in front of him. I had to eat quickly to get away from this tense, silent table.

"Continuing our conversation, I have no problem accepting your conditions. But keep in mind that I don't want you to waste my time. I don't like lazy people, and I'm very strict with my work. So, I don’t want any romantic nonsense or ridiculous distractions with my brother," I started coughing violently, choking on the piece of lobster.

♡

Cesar

"Belle!" I shouted, standing up from the table as I watched her struggle to breathe in front of me. I grabbed her arm to lift her up as she gestured frantically with her hands. I positioned myself behind her, placing my hands on her stomach and pushing repeatedly until she coughed up the piece that was obstructing her throat. She breathed rapidly, and I turned her to face me. She looked at me with tear-filled eyes.

"Bathroom..." she murmured so quietly that I asked quickly,

"What? What’s wrong? What do you need?"

"Please, the bathroom..." I quickly scooped her up and ran with her in my arms to my bathroom, where she locked herself inside. I heard her begin to vomit, and something inside me twisted. I clenched my fists and swallowed with difficulty. What if she had died...

"Damn it... why does this woman always drive me crazy?" I ran my hand over my face, letting out a sigh. I don’t understand why she never takes care of herself—she's clumsy and careless. What kind of woman was raised like a wild animal? Angry and not hearing any more retching, I opened the bathroom door.

"What are you doing? Get out of here!" she yelled as she hurried to remove her pants. I quickly closed the door and said through it,

"How much longer are you going to be in there?"

"I want to wash off the vomit, could you give me a minute!"

"Fine, you have one minute..." I said, checking my watch. The frustration of thinking she was in such a state because of me—it might have been the food, maybe... Suddenly, the door opened, and she said,

"I'm fine now, sorry for scaring you... are you okay?" Those last words finally made me lose my last shred of calm. Even though all her clothes were wet, and her face looked exhausted and worn out, she was asking me if I was okay.

"How stupid can you be?"