CHAPTER 142. CLAIRE

CHAPTER 142. CLAIRE
I didn't remember ever feeling this excited just because I was going to cook dinner in someone else's apartment.
Yeah, it wasn't someone else, it was Raviel.
Since I arrived at the office, I'd been constantly glancing at my watch. I counted the hours, impatient to get home. For the first time in a while, I wasn't particularly enthusiastic about the work I was doing. Marsha had reprimanded me several times for making mistakes in my report, and I had to revise it multiple times.
It was incredibly embarrassing, but I couldn't help it. I could only promise her that I'd do a better job next time and that I wouldn't make the same mistakes with my reports.
When I finally got home, I quickly showered and changed into something comfortable, but I made sure I looked good in it. I wore jeans and a short-sleeved violet blouse with a V-neck. I let my hair down and put on a little makeup to freshen up my look.
"Are you going out tonight?"
Emma greeted me as soon as I emerged from my bedroom. She was playing with Aiden on his playmat.
“Yes, but I’m taking Aiden with me. You don’t have to work overtime like last night.”
“Okay. Then I’ll go home now.”
“Thanks for your help. I’d be so bummed if you weren’t here to watch Aiden while I was at work.”
“You’re welcome. See you tomorrow. Bye, Aiden.”
Emma waved goodbye to Aiden, and my baby pumped his tiny fists in the air excitedly.
Aiden turned to me as I walked over. He smiled widely at me, seeing me all dressed up, and this time he knew I wasn’t leaving him at home.
“We’re going to meet Daddy. Are you excited, baby?”
I picked Aiden up and kissed his chubby cheek. His laugh was so crisp. I could tell he couldn’t wait to meet Raviel, too.
I took Aiden’s stroller from his room and gently placed him inside. I was sure Raviel didn't have a playmat in his apartment, and there was no way I could hold Aiden while cooking. I also wanted Raviel to enjoy his dinner without having to hold Aiden like the previous nights.
"Okay. Let's go to Daddy's apartment."
My phone suddenly rang before I could push Aiden's stroller out of the apartment.
I hurriedly grabbed it and answered it.
"Hi, honey. How are you today?"
"Hi, Anthonio."
I tried to sound as cheerful as possible over the phone.
"I'm fine. What's making you call me?"
He was silent for a few seconds.
I tried to remember if I'd said something wrong, but my mind was too blank to think. I found myself getting annoyed by his call.
"I just wanted to check on you. We didn't talk much last night because you were so sleepy."
"Oh, yes. I'm sorry about that. I fell asleep right after you hung up. I was really tired last night."
"I hope you've found the energy to talk to me today."
"Yes, but I have to go."
I bit my lower lip nervously.
"Right now?"
"Yes," I answered hesitantly.
“So, you can’t talk to me right now?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know you’d call me right now.”
“It’s okay. It’s my fault I didn’t text you first. Where are you going?”
“To a friend’s house. She invited Aiden and me to dinner at her place.”
“Friends? I’m glad you’re finally getting close to your work friends. I know Olivia’s betrayal affected your social life.”
“It traumatized me a bit, but I realized I can’t keep dwelling on the past. I’ll be more careful, of course, and I won’t limit my social life anymore.”
“That’s good to hear. You sound like the person you were before Olivia betrayed you.”
“I want to put that incident behind me and move on.”
I glanced at my watch. I was already five minutes late for the time I’d promised Raviel.
“Anthonio, I have to go. I’m sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing? I’m glad you’re going to dinner with your friends. That’s what I want from you. I want you to be happy.”
“Thank you.”
It was barely a mumble. I felt undeserving of all that kindness when I was lying right under his nose.
That wasn’t like me. I never lie to anyone because I hate liars. But why did I lie to Anthonio? Why couldn't I tell him I was going to have dinner at Raviel's apartment if nothing was going on between us?
“Have fun with your friends. Love you.”
“Yeah, thanks.”
I stared at my phone screen for a while.
Anthonio must have noticed it. He just never made it an issue because he probably didn’t want to start any fights with me, or he wanted to give me time until I was ready to tell him I loved him too.
Aiden’s whining voice interrupted my thoughts about Anthonio. My baby boy couldn’t wait to meet his daddy. He kicked in the stroller and started fussing.
“Okay. Let’s go now.”
I rang Raviel’s doorbell and waited.
I stood right in front of apartment number thirty-five. My heart pounding against my ribcage.
I didn't know why I'd been acting this way since Raviel came back into my life. Maybe it was because of our past.
“Hi,” I greeted him.
Raviel looked like he’d just gotten out of the shower when he opened the door. He was wearing sweatpants and shirtless. His hair was still wet, and a towel was around his neck.
I couldn't stop my eyes from exploring his stunning features. He had muscles all over. It was like there wasn't a single drop of fat on every inch of his skin. He was the fittest man I'd ever known. His biceps were so thick and hard. I used to love biting them when we were... making love.
"Claire? Did you hear me?"
"Wh-what?"
I blinked twice. Heat spread across my cheeks because Raviel had just caught me daydreaming while staring at his half-naked body.
"What did you just say?"
"I asked you if you brought his bottle? Aiden seems to need it."
"No, I didn't bring his bottle. He'll get it straight from the source if he needs some milk."
Raviel's gaze automatically dropped to my chest. I hadn't meant to suggest he check out my breasts. And this violet blouse didn't help hide them at all with its deep V-neck.
"I guess so. Come in."
Raviel took Aiden's stroller and pushed it into his spacious apartment. His apartment was clearly much larger than mine. His living room was twice as large as mine. Raviel's had larger windows with much better city views than mine. The large windows allowed me to see the cityscape from many different angles.
"I thought your apartment would be the same as mine, but yours is much bigger."
Raviel was freeing Aiden from the harness of his stroller. The baby clung to Raviel, as if eager to be held by his father.
"This place is actually two apartments rolled into one. I originally prepared this place as a temporary home for the two of us. But things happened beyond our control. You had to move in sooner, and this place wasn't fully ready for occupancy at the time."
I was speechless again.