Chapter 77: Chapter 77

"Leo...thanks for the ride, but…" Cassy said with hesitation. Leo had been nothing but kind to her just like before, it seemed his kind nature hadn't changed one bit...she appreciated that more than anything. He defended her when it was needed, but he had to know this wasn't before.

As much as she was happy, he was willing to be the agency model. He didn't have to do it because of her

"Won't you let me in...for coffee?" he said showing his billion-dollar smile making Casey even more uncomfortable. He dropped her off at the hotel where she was staying, and she was avoiding letting him in.

"No...well, Leo, I'm too exhausted now...it's late and I…" it was hard to give a valid excuse to keep him away. She asked her babysitter to stay for a few hours more before she got back, but now it was nearly 8 PM which was overtime

"I know but just coffee, and I'll be out...let's chat and catch up"Leo still insisted. He didn't even let her say anything when he dragged her away from the parking area. It was too much, unfortunately, there was nothing she could do when Leo was a man who never took no for an answer

"So what's new?" the man asked as they entered the elevator. Of course, things between them never got any awkward. Their boss and her assistant relationship were what she liked.

"Nothing much, "Cassy said with a faint smile as she stepped into the elevator and so did Leo. He never made her feel like a mere employee. He respected her. It seemed the hot shot had a heart of gold. So purr. His only fault was being a slave to Monica

He deserves someone better, not even her. She would just be a burden to him

"Leo...umm... I don't think it's a good time for coffee...you see I was working all day and"for one thing she had a son in her house. What if Leo asked questions? He was a smart man who could put two and two together. It wasn't the right time for her to explain something so delicate

"Which is your apartment...oh let's see," Leo said, ignoring her and pushing her aside gently. Cassy was left standing by the elevator afraid of what was to happen

"It's...this way... I'll unlock the door,r," she remarked, stopping him from disturbing others. For now, she'd certainly try to avoid any questions he fired at her. With shaky hands, Cassy took out the keys from her purse. Leo seemed too excited as he waited for her. She had never seen him so hyper before, although it wasn't old news that Leo had a jovial personality. With everything fine in her body, Cassy took her time unlocking the door and once she did

"Oh, thank goodness you came madam...he's been crying non-stop" the door opened and the nanny she hired to watch Archie came running to her with the boy in her arms… Cassy swallowed hard as she took Archie in her arms.

"Thanks," Cassy said, and the lady just smiled and stormed out of the door. By now she was certain Leo was standing behind her and upon turning around she met with the man's shocked expression. He was standing there dumbstruck as if he had seen a ghost,

"Who's the cute little boy?" he asked, regaining his wits. Leo's gaze shifted to the cute boy with beautiful green eyes. He was so cute and smiling at him.

"Well...he's my son, Archie, "Cassy said with a faint smile. Leo's smile dropped as his gaze shifted to Cassy. When did she have a son? How did things change so much? As if Cassy saw the shocked expression on Leo's face,

"Archie...say hello to Leo...my friend"Cassy smiled as she coaxed Archie to say hello to a dumbstruck Leo…he didn't know whether he was surprised or not but when did she have a child. Was she married…he didn't see any ring on her finger

"How old is he?" Leo asked instead, surprising Cassy.

"Umm, 2 years old," she told him straight, not sure why he was asking about Archie's age.

"Lovely...he's a cute boy...can I hold him?" he asked, smiling, and extending his arms, so he could use the boy. Cassy was hesitant to let Leo hold her son. She had to avoid this at all costs, but with Leo. It was impossible, especially when Archie was smiling from ear to ear. The thing with her son was that he did show much interest in certain people

"I'll get your coffee, "Cassy said awkwardly, not sure what to do because now she was being ignored by Leo and her son. Archie just high-fives Leo as they proceeded to the little living room of her apartment

"Come here champ...do you eat chocolate?" Leo asked as he held Archie in his arms and like every time he met children. He took out a chocolate bar from his coat pocket and handed it to them.

"No," the little boy said in a small voice which Leo found pleasing to the ears.

"Why...is it bad...it's Sweet... doesn't mommy give you chocolates?" Leo asked Archie, not sure why the boy didn't want chocolate. All kids loved it, but Archie didn't even want to touch it

"Let...me open it, it's brown and so tasty you'll love it, "Leo said with a smile as he went on his knees since he had Archie sitting on the couch while he knew in front of him. His concentration was on removing the chocolate wrapper and just as he was about to give it to Archie. He heard the shattering of glass which startled him as he looked behind, and it was Casey who dropped the cup of coffee she brought for him

"What...what are you doing...he said he didn't want...he can't eat chocolate because he's allergic" she panicked as she rushed to Archie. Leo was stunned by her outburst as she took the boy in her arms and started kissing his face. He watched in anticipation because the woman was crying as she hugged her son.

"Baby...did you eat any...please show mommy you didn't eat it"Casey was desperate as she coaxed Archie to open his mouth and when he did. She checked for any chocolate in her mouth, but she didn't find any. She hugged him again as more tears rained down her face. Leo was perplexed by her actions

"I didn't give him any"Leo finally said and Cassy stopped crying as if realizing what she did. Wiping tears from her eyes awkwardly

"Umm...he's caffeine intolerant... chocolate is bad for him," she said,

"I see...then my apologies"

"I'll get you coffee, "Cassy said hoping to cover up for the awkward moment but Leo shook his head

"I don't drink coffee... I'm caffeine intolerant... I guess Archie and I have something in common" he cut her off as he said with a serious expression.

***

Vivienne spent the rest of the day with Skylar. It wasn't easy to coax Skylar into forgiving her and loving her again but she tried her level best to talk her into having a small girls' sleepover with her.

With all the fun stuff she told Skylar they would do. She finally gave in and Vivie asked Julia to pack everything they needed for the sleepover. To Vivie, this was a great responsibility. To spend time with Skylar without Victor.

After a trip to the ice cream shop, Vivie took Skylar for a walk at her favorite park. The girl proved to be demanding like Victor's daughter. She was hard to coax. It took promises for her to finally smile at her.

After she brought her to her apartment. She had to show her around and tell her about every little detail

It didn't take much time to bake her favorite dinosaur cookies. The girl was telling her what to do. And what color to make them.

"No no... that's terrible Sky...your Papa won't like it" it was funny how much Victor had spoiled his girl and now she was asking to watch TV instead of going to bed.

"Aunt Vi just one, please...Papa won't know"Skylar said with a small pout which Vivie found cute. She had no choice but to refuse her. Victor made it clear not to give Skylar any more candies but the little one was taking advantage of her Papa's absence

"No baby...I won't...Papa is magic... he'll know I gave you candies"I told her and took the box of sweet candies I kept in the lower cabinet of the refrigerator. I didn't even know how she found them but knowing Skylar, I guess she spent so much time in the kitchen

"Papa won't know...you won't tell him...just give me one," she said and reached for my face. I was helpless when the little one was good at convincing. She left me with no choice but to give her three

"Thank you" just like that we made sure to keep the candies away. Skylar waited as I cleaned the kitchen and cleared away the dirty dishes. She was way too talkative. I wonder how Victor managed her

"And Papa didn't know...he calls you his first pretty princess and I'm second, "the little one said and I was stunned. So much for telling things to a child. The girl ended up telling me everything he ever said to her about me. The one thing which hurt me most was fact that he said I left him because I didn't want him

It was a lie and a misunderstanding, I would have never left if he gave me reading to stay

"Sweetie, go to the bedroom...I'll join you," I told her while I switched off the lights around the apartment. I made sure the kitchen lights were off and the gas stove was.

"She's fine... okay...why are you calling non-stop" Victor didn't stop calling no matter what. I already told him we were fine and Skylar was okay but he was insisting on coming when I asked him not to

"Vic...she's fine...I'm not an animal okay...now good night" I said with anger and disconnected the call and slammed the phone on the sink and continued brushing my teeth. The man was impossible, after making sure Skylar had a warm bath I made her wear a comfortable pajama Julia packed for her

"Hey, Skylar I…"I said as soon as I walked back to my room only to find her sleeping peacefully. I guess I took a long shower and found the girl sleeping.

"Goodnight baby" I murmured and kissed her goodnight on the cheek and pulled a warm blanket on her covering her up..she looked cute when sleeping. So innocent and reminded me of Victor. I ended up lying on the left side as I watched Skylar sleep

"You look just like your Papa...I love you so much sweetheart" it was hard for me to stay like this. Having Skylar call me aunt was hard enough and pretending to be her aunt was even harder. I didn't know why I smelled something burning, unfortunately, whatever it was, was making me drowsy... I found myself dozing off, my eyes stung as if something had gotten into them

Everything was so strange that I didn't even know when I fell asleep.

While Vivie was consumed by sleep. The frantic smoke intensified even more as it slipped through the edge of the door filling the room with dark dense and heavy black smoke.