CHAPTER 143. CLAIRE

CHAPTER 143. CLAIRE
This man had left me speechless ever since he showed up at my apartment door. His old habit of playing secret hadn't changed at all. He always shocks me with the facts that come out of his lips.
“You kept it from me?”
“It was supposed to be a surprise,” he shrugged nonchalantly.
I shook my surprise away. It was in the past, and it would stay in the past.
“Well, I’ll start cooking dinner now.”
“Sure. I have some groceries in the fridge. Take whatever you need.”
“Okay.”
Raviel was busy playing with Aiden. Their laughter was so loud it could be heard all the way to the kitchen. I was tempted to join them, but I had to cook dinner before we stayed out too late.
Raviel’s kitchen was slightly larger than mine. All the furnishings were also way above standard. It was as if Raviel had handpicked the furniture he wanted for his apartment. My apartment came with the standard interior design I’d find in all the units in this apartment, while Raviel’s had a special design that emphasized his character. The dominant character of a rich man.
I guessed that rich people like him didn't want to have just standard things. What they owned had to be above standard.
 “What are you going to cook for dinner?”
Raviel suddenly stood behind me, startling me.
“I was so amazed by your kitchen that I didn’t have time to check your fridge. You have a really cool kitchen.”
“This is for you. Originally. I know you love cooking, so I designed this place to accommodate your hobby.”
“And you’re right, I love this place. It’s like every woman’s dream kitchen.”
“This is yours. I can’t cook, and I’m never here except to make coffee.”
I wanted to thank him, but that would be too awkward, because even if he built this kitchen for me, it would never be mine.
“I’ll check your fridge.”
He had a very large refrigerator. Just like his old one in his mansion.
As soon as I opened the refrigerator door wide, I was stunned to see how much it contained.
"Is this what a fridge for someone who claims they can't cook looks like?"
"I can't cook. You know that."
“Yeah, but it’s like you moved the entire supermarket into your refrigerator.”
He shrugged nonchalantly. “Just didn’t want to disappoint you.”
My eyes scanned the shelves. He kept a variety of vegetables in the bottom drawer, and various fruits in the other drawers. He even had rare ingredients like caviar, top-quality Wagyu beef, truffles, premium salmon, and much more.
"How are you going to eat all this food if you don't live here every day?"
“How do you know I don’t stay here every day?”
“Don’t you live in Miami?”
“I live wherever I want.”
“What about your businesses?”
I took the beef, truffles, asparagus, and other ingredients out of the fridge. I’d decided I’d make steak with truffle sauce and mashed potatoes, and a side dish of sautéed asparagus in garlic oil. I’d considered making a simple dessert, but I wasn’t sure Raviel would be able to wait that long for everything to be ready.
“I can handle them anywhere, anytime.”
“So, why were you so rarely home? As far as I can remember, I can count the number of times you were home on one hand."
I heated the grill while seasoning the beef with salt and pepper. I was tempted to ask Raviel to help me chop the onions and potatoes, but he seemed to still want to play with Aiden.
“Because if I’m home too long, I’m afraid I won’t be able to keep my hands off you.”
I appreciated his honesty, even though it still surprised me.
“This is what happens when I can't keep my hands off you.”
Raviel pointed to Aiden, who was clinging tightly to his chest. My baby boy seemed to find comfort in his father's chest. I knew his chest was that comfortable. I'd been in Aiden's shoes. And I'll never forget how comforting Raviel's arms felt.
"I never regret having him. He's the best thing that ever happened to me."
Raviel stared at me deeply before saying something that made my heart sink.
"You two are the best things that ever happened to me. I never regret anything except letting you live in a misunderstanding. That made me lose you both."
"We'll always be there for you. You never lost us."
"Really? Even though you two are there for me, I still don't own you two."
Raviel's eyes were glued to the ring on my finger.
I regretted not taking it off before coming to his apartment. I hated the look of disappointment on his face every time he looked at Anthonio's ring.
I could finally focus on cooking after Raviel left the kitchen with Aiden. My cooking was done faster than I expected, and I quickly set the table for the two of us. I didn't end up making dessert, but instead, I cut up the watermelon.
“Dinner’s ready.”
Raviel nodded slowly. He gestured with his finger for me to keep my voice down because Aiden was sleeping. His head was slumped on his shoulder, while Raviel’s palm occasionally patted his bottom gently.
“I’ll put him in the stroller.”
“Okay.”
We ate in silence. Raviel seemed very intent on his food. He hadn’t complained so far, so I assumed everything was to his liking.
“Maybe I should buy a crib and put it in the guest room. I can’t bear to see him sleeping in a cramped stroller.”
“He’s fine. He’s used to sleeping in the stroller when I take him to the supermarket.”
“I’d like him to come here more often. Maybe he should stay overnight once in a while.”
“But he’s still too young to stay overnight. He needs me.”
“Then you stay overnight too.”
I rolled my eyes lazily.
“Our apartment is only two floors below yours. You can visit us whenever you want. We don't need to stay here.”
“Really? What if Anthonio is with you when I come to meet Aiden? Will he like seeing me close to his fiancée?”
“He has no reason to dislike it because you're Aiden's father; you have the right to see him.”
“If I remember correctly, last week you told me I had no rights to Aiden.”
I gaped at him as he chewed his steak.
“That was before you told me the whole truth. Now I even bring Aiden to your apartment and let him play with you. See, I’m not stopping you from seeing your son.”
He looked nonchalant, but I could see a hint of tension in his face.
“I love your cooking. Come back here tomorrow to cook dinner. Those ingredients will go to waste if not handled by the right person.”
I didn’t have to think twice about accepting his offer. Besides, I loved cooking in his state-of-the-art kitchen. I loved cooking for him.
“Okay. I’ll come over every night to make you dinner.”