Chapter 245 I'm Not Dating Her
The dining room downstairs was alive with the morning bustle. Grandma Carter and the three children were already at the breakfast table, their youthful voices chiming in unison, "Mommy." Nora felt a wave of affection wash over her, tinged with a pang of guilt. She had overslept yet again, and the realization gnawed at her self-image as a competent mother.
Despite her tardiness, her children were well-behaved, and she didn't need to worry excessively. Nevertheless, she hastened to assist them with their breakfast, if only to assuage her own guilt.
Once breakfast was over, Nora and Aaron took the children to school. As they walked, Nora recalled their visit to an unfamiliar house the previous day. "Did you visit that old grandpa's house again yesterday?" she asked, her question prompting wide-eyed looks from the children.
Alex was the first to respond, casting a glance at Aaron before grunting an affirmative on behalf of his siblings. Intrigued, Nora pressed further, "Wasn't there any other family around at old grandpa's house?"
"There were other relatives," Alex replied, his words painting a picture of a family that was both close and distant.
"So he's not a lonely old man?" Nora queried, to which Alex confirmed, "No, he isn't."
Still concerned, Nora asked, "You didn't disturb anyone when you visited old grandpa's house, did you?"
This time, it was Billy who spoke up. "Mommy, we didn't disturb old grandpa. He really likes it when we go over to play."
Curious, Nora asked, "What did you all play?"
"My brother and I were working on math problems, and Samantha was just playing around," Billy shared.
Samantha, hearing her name, blinked her big eyes and said, "Mommy, old grandpa told me that because I'm a girl, I don't have to solve math problems."
Billy quickly retorted, "It's not that you don't have to, it's because you're not good at it. Even the simplest problem you can't do."
Samantha pouted, crossing her arms defiantly. "I'm not dumb. I know how. You and brother don't," she countered.
Billy responded with a hint of pride, "There's nothing in the world that can stump my brother and me."
Samantha tilted her head confidently, challenging, "Yes, there is! Can you sing the songs I can?"
Billy was momentarily stumped, "That's because we haven't learned it from a teacher."
"I don't care. I can sing songs you can't!" Samantha stuck out her tongue triumphantly, then turned to Nora. "Mommy, there's going to be a performance at school on Saturday, and I'm going to have a solo! The teacher said there will be uncles and aunts from the TV station coming to watch, and if I sing well, I can perform on TV. You and Daddy have to come watch!"
Hearing this, Nora glanced at Aaron. She would certainly attend. But what about Aaron?
"Sure, I'll come to see your performance with Mommy," Aaron quickly agreed.
Nora bit her lip slightly, wondering what role Aaron would assume when they watched the performance on Saturday. Would he be there as her boyfriend?
After dropping the children off at school, Nora headed to the lab. As she mulled over the morning's events, she decided to call Quinn. Once the call was connected, she asked, "Quinn, are you and Baldwin really dating, or is this just some crisis PR stunt?"
On the other end, Quinn glanced at the reluctant man eating breakfast and replied, "Do I look like someone who needs crisis PR?"
"So, you're actually dating Baldwin?" Nora asked, taken aback.
"Uh, I guess I reluctantly took him in," Quinn admitted.
Hearing this, Nora laughed, "Congratulations Quinn, you got what you wanted."
"Thanks, now I'm hanging up," Quinn responded curtly.
"Alright."
After ending the call, Quinn sauntered over to Baldwin, resting her arm on his shoulder and looking at him with a playful yet serious gaze. "It seems like you're not too thrilled about being my boyfriend, huh?"
Baldwin released a heavy sigh, his words echoing in the room, "Quinn, our worlds are vastly different, and I fear I'm not worthy of you. Let's give it some time, and we can announce our amicable separation."
Quinn's laughter was light, almost musical, yet it held a chilling undertone. "Are you certain of this decision? I have a minor issue with those who abandon me so easily. We can part ways, but you'll have to leave something behind ."
Her smile was a mere facade, failing to reach the depths of her cold eyes.
A frown creased Baldwin's forehead, confusion evident in his voice, "When did I ever betray you?"
"Isn't breaking up a form of betrayal?" Quinn's tone was playful, almost teasing.
Baldwin found himself at a loss for words, wanting to argue that they were never truly in a relationship to begin with, so how could there be a breakup?
However, he chose to deflect, "What do you wish to keep?"
"Anything would suffice. A hand, foot, eye, ear..."
Baldwin felt a chill run down his spine, as if he was hearing things.
He stared at Quinn, his gaze filled with disbelief and fear, as if he was looking at a monster.
"Quinn, aren't you crossing a line? What are you, a bandit?" His voice trembled slightly, the absurdity of her demand for a pound of flesh as a breakup fee overwhelming him.
Quinn's soft laughter filled the room as she leaned in to caress his face.
"Baldwin, am I not permitted to play the villain if you can play the heartbreaker?" Her delicate hand traced a path down his face, brushing past his Adam's apple, and came to rest on his chest.
Baldwin swallowed unconsciously, a warmth stirring within him.
Feeling the uneven rise and fall of his chest, Quinn whispered, "See, your body is being honest, isn't it?"
With these words, she reached for his chin, her intentions clear as she leaned in to plant a kiss. Her intoxicating scent filled the air, tempting him.
Baldwin's Adam's apple bobbed, the roles seemingly reversed.
Why did he feel like a flustered newlywed?
As he watched her approaching lips, he steeled his heart, ready for the inevitable.
However, the sudden ring of a phone disrupted the silence, jarring the intimate moment.
Baldwin froze, his hand poised to push her away.
Without uttering a word, Quinn hooked her arm around his neck and pressed her lips against his.
Baldwin stiffened, her lips so soft and sweet, his blood rushing in response.
Instinctively, his arms wrapped around her, the desire to deepen the kiss overwhelming him.
The persistent ringtone interrupted their moment again, refusing to be ignored.
His thoughts scattered, he used the interruption to catch his breath and gently pushed her away.
"I need to take this call."
Quinn watched as he retreated hastily, her chest heaving. She licked her red lips, a satisfied smile playing on her face.
The man's taste wasn't too bad!
She was determined to have him today!
On the other end, Baldwin took a deep breath to calm his racing heart, glancing at the caller ID.
It was a call from home.
Rubbing his temples, Baldwin sighed heavily, retreating to the bathroom with his phone.
He answered, "Hey, Mom."
"Baldwin, where are you right now?"
Baldwin's gaze flickered as he lied, "I'm at work."
Hollis's voice came through the phone, "Why didn't you come home last night? Did you stay overnight at the female CEO's house as the news reported?"
Baldwin didn't deny it, "I drank too much last night."
Hollis continued, "I saw your studio's statement saying you and that female CEO are dating. What's going on?"
Baldwin scratched his forehead, "Mom, there was an incident last night, so the studio, for my reputation, decided this was the best immediate solution. It's not true; I'm not dating her."
Hearing this, Hollis hummed in response.
"That's good then. I thought you were keeping a relationship a secret from Mom all this time."
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