Chapter 15 Running Into Bella
Maddie's POV
I didn't see Mariko after the coffee outing yesterday. It wasn't a date for me, so I'm calling an outing. Mariko clearly thinks that it was a date. I left Sternpoint early because I needed to do some studying and Lana wasn't in the office yesterday and neither today. So I have yet to get through the pile of work on my desk that doesn't seem to want to lessen. I got to work early to start working.
I ignored everyone else that came after me, I had to get this done or else I would work myself to the bone where I am burnt out. I didn't bother with coffee or anything to eat because I pushed myself with work. I was actually happy that Lana wouldn't be at work today because I didn't want anything more to be piled up.
I texted my mother last night about how things were going with my father but she never read my text. So I will just wait for her response. It is no use for me to dwell on what Bradley had said and I am afraid to search about my father on the web and what I might possibly find. As I move my gaze to my computer screen, I see movement out of my peripheral vision and I looked up automatically.
I saw Mariko walking down the hallway but I kept on looking at him, his back towards me before he disappeared from view. He was carrying a little girl. My brows furrowed. Did I see properly? I shook my head and just dived back into my work instead and not worry about that. At least I got to see Mariko...my crush and it is more than that.
After I got done with a pile of work, I needed Miranda to check some documents for the modeling agency. I grabbed a few documents and I stood up, walked around my desk and down the hallway. Her office is before Mariko's office, so I won't see him. When I got to Miranda's office, she was not there. She must be with Mariko or Reggie. As I left her office, I walked further down the hallway as I checked the documents in my hands and I was stopped in my tracks, my heart beating fast, as I didn't see this little girl run into me. "Hey, I'm sorry!" I said as I crouched down, my heart was still beating fast because she gave me a fright.
She looked at me with her blue eyes, she had two blonde pigtails and she wore a little blue t-shirt and little black leggings with little white sneakers. "I want my daddy, where is he?" she asked.
"Um, I don't know," I was caught off guard.
"He left me alone, he said he would be back soon but I'm waiting for him," she said. She was a cute little girl.
"How about we find him?" I asked and she nodded. She looked over my shoulder and her eyes widened with excitement.
"Daddy!" she exclaimed with so much excitement. I saw black leather shoes now appear beside me. She went to him.
"I see the two of you have met," I looked up at Mariko as he held out his hand for me, the little girl clutched onto his pants. His expression was warm with a hint of a smile in his eyes. I placed my hand in his and I stood up.
"Thank you," I smiled. Mariko had his mug of coffee in his other hand that was bandaged. He looked down at the little girl. "I told you that I would be back soon," she gave him a naughty smile as she looked up at him. "This is my daugther, Bella. Bella this is Maddie," he said.
"Nice to meet you, Bella. You have a pretty name," I smiled at her.
"You are pretty," she said and I blushed.
"Of course she is pretty, she is beautiful," Mariko chimed in as I looked at him, the warmth creeping up into my cheeks. I couldn't help but smile and feel nervous. Mariko returned the smile and I wanted to melt.
"Mariko! We have an urgent meeting!" Reggie called out from his office on the far end, "In the boardroom!" he walked towards the boardroom.
"Um..." Mariko looked at Bella and then to me. "I hate to ask this of you but can you keep an eye on her while I attend this meeting?" he asked.
"Sure, of course. I would love to," I said, forgetting about Miranda.
"Thank you so much. Bella, Maddie will be with you and please be sweet to her."
"Yes, daddy," she said.
As Mariko left Bella with me, he went into his office. We followed after him, but Bella reached out her hand to me and I grabbed it as we walked inside his office. He gathered what he needed, "I'm not sure how long it will be but I will be back as soon as its done." he told me.
"Take your time," I smiled and he nodded.
"I love you, Bella!" Mariko called out over his shoulder as he walked towards the door.
"I love you, daddy!" Bella called out and then Mariko disappeared.
When I looked at what Bella was doing, she climbed on Mariko's leather chair and sat on it. I chuckled because she looked adorable. My heart melted. I can tolerate other people's kids, but I don't know if I ever want kids. Perhaps that will change in the future. But Bella is the cutest with her personality, funny enough, I'm not mad that Mariko has kids.
Mariko's POV
I was surprised to see Bella with Maddie when I made myself coffee. It actually warmed my heart seeing them together. At that moment when I approached them, I wanted her to be the mother of my child...Bella. She needs a motherly figure in her life and Maddie seems to be the perfect fit, but I do not know her deeply enough and if she wants me and this life of mine. Would she even want to raise a child that isn't hers?
I gave Rosie and Margaret the day off, so I decided to bring my little girl with me to the office. Bella is my whole heart. Maddie looked stunning in her black formal dress that hugged her curves with stockings and her black heels. Her hair was loose. I tried my best not to pull her against me when I helped her to stand up. I need her...she awakens every fibre of my being, even my erection is straining against my pants.
"Mariko...I believe that Rick could be onboard because it will help with the boutiques as well as the shipping. They will be beneficial and more affordable. With regards to education, we can add some students as ambassadors of everything that Sternpoint has to offer," One of the partners snapped me out of my thoughts. He was here to see me and Reggie as Lana took a two-day break. We are discussing how to make things easier for shipping that can also be affordable and for the students to get involved in more activities.
"I think that it is a good idea," I replied to Jeffery, he was an older man with gray hair that took over most of the black.
"I agree, it will do Sternpoint better," Reggie replied.
"I'm glad that you are onboard with this idea. I do apologize for this urgent meeting but we need to finalize these," Jeffery said. "I will see you both in the next meeting," he closed his file and stood up.
My mind trailed back to Maddie and I was eager to see what they were up to. I stood up as Reggie walked out of the boardroom with Jeffery. I couldn't get fast enough to my office.
When I got to my office, Maddie was sitting on a chair at my desk while Bella sat on my leather chair. Bella smiled at me. "Daddy!"
"I'm back," I returned her smile. Maddie looked at me with a shy smile, "I hope that she behaved herself," I said as I stood beside her as she craned her neck to look up at me. If she had to look down, she would be eye level with my d^ck. I can only imagine what her mouth would be like taking my d^ck inside of her mouth.
"She is a good girl," Maddie blushed as she looked away. Good girl. I smirked at her.
I moved closer to the desk and I turned around as I sat half way on the edge of my desk, forcing Maddie to look at me. "How was your coffee date yesterday?" I asked, my smirk disappearing.
She leaned back in the chair, "It wasn't a date," she held my gaze and I was relieved to hear that.
"What was it then?" I asked as I gripped the edge of my desk, my hand was still bandaged but it was feeling better. Soon I will be taking the bandage off.
"It was only a coffee outing. I am not interested in anyone and I stand by that," she continued to hold my gaze. I let out a silent breath. First of all, I was happy, because then Bradley cannot have her, and second of all, I can't have her because she is making it clear that she is not interested. That was my rejection without having to confess my feelings to her and that nearly knocked me to the ground, but I am standing firm. I still want her, even though she made it clear about what she wants, but I am hopeful. "I have to get back to work," she stood up so close to me. I could smell her sweet scent.
I let her go, watching her walk out the door. I moved away from the desk and walked around it towards my daughter who was sitting comfortably. "Can I have a seat?" I asked her and then she reached her arms out towards me and I picked her up. As I sat down, I let her sit on my lap. She wrapped her arms around my neck, placing a little kiss against my cheek.
"She is pretty. I like her. She is better than mommy." Bella said as she rested her head against my chest.
"She is," I replied.
"You like her," she stated.
I smiled, "Yes, I do."
"Can she be my new mommy?" Bella caught me off guard.
"Maybe in another lifetime," I replied.