CHAPTER 145. CLAIRE

CHAPTER 145. CLAIRE
I couldn't focus on my work while at the office. I thought about my conversation with Raviel last night while we were watching a movie. He sounded like someone who was heartbroken.
I did break his heart yesterday. I've always done that ever since the attack on us.
But instead of being okay with it, I was devastated to see him heartbroken. In the end, I couldn't enjoy the movie at all. My mind was working furiously to find the best solution for both of us. I didn't want to disappoint him, but I would be incredibly guilty if I did. I owed him so much. The only thing I could do to repay him was to become his girlfriend. And even marry him.
I glanced at my watch.
I was hesitant to go to Raviel's apartment and cook him dinner. Raviel had looked cold to me when I left his apartment last night. Maybe he didn't expect me to come over again because he was disappointed in me.
Aiden was already ready on his playmat. He'd showered, put on lotion, and was wearing a light blue onesie. He was ready to go to Raviel's apartment, but I left him alone on his playmat. He wasn't too enthusiastic about playing with his rubber duck. He usually played with Raviel. They'd formed an incredible bond in just a short time.
When I didn't take him to his daddy's apartment, Aiden started crying.
I gave him milk, but he slapped the bottle out of my hand. I tried to give him a biscuit, but he spit it out and cried even harder. I tried to check his diaper, but it was still dry. He also refused the toy I offered him. He cried even harder, and I couldn't do anything but stare at him in confusion.
"Sweetheart, what happened to you? What do you want, hmm?"
My eyes welled up because, for the first time, I couldn't handle Aiden.
Just as I was about to cry along with Aiden, my apartment doorbell rang. I picked Aiden up and took him with me to open the door.
And slowly, Aiden's crying subsided when he saw who was standing at the door.
"Raviel?"
"What happened? His crying could even be heard down the hall."
"I don't know. Suddenly, he started crying so hard. He refused milk or his favorite toy. His diaper was dry. I was so frustrated because this was the first time I'd ever been at a loss for what to do with Aiden."
Raviel took Aiden from me, and my baby boy clung to his daddy's chest like an adorable little koala. He stopped crying completely after Raviel held him.
"He probably misses me."
"I guess so."
"I was waiting for you guys at my apartment."
I bit my lower lip and looked down.
"What's wrong, Claire?"
"I thought you didn't want to see me again after last night. I know I disappointed you."
"You think I don't want to see you and Aiden just because of that? No. I'm lonely without you two. Whether we get married or not, I'll still maintain a good relationship with you both. I want to be a real father to Aiden."
"Forgive me for jumping to conclusions."
I stepped away from the door and motioned for Raviel to come into my apartment.
“I’m going to take you two out to dinner somewhere. Actually, you’ll still cook dinner, but not at my apartment.”
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll find out later.”
I was excited about the idea of ​​having dinner somewhere I’d never been before. It was not that I didn’t like Raviel’s spacious, fancy apartment. I loved it. Especially his amazing kitchen. But I guess it wouldn’t hurt to try a new place every once in a while.
“Do we need to bring anything?”
“A stroller and everything Aiden needs.”
“Okay. Hold on a second.”
It didn’t take me long to gather Aiden’s things because I had everything he needed in his room, in case I changed my mind, and we went to Raviel’s apartment. I almost did if Raviel hadn’t come to mine first.
“Are you sure I don’t need to bring something to cook dinner?”
“I already have it ready. Let’s go.”
Raviel took Aiden's bag from me while I pushed his stroller. We worked together, and it felt amazing. Raviel lived up to his word that he would be a man dedicated to his family. He didn't seem embarrassed at all, carrying a brown teddy bear bag in his hand and slinging a bag for sterilizing Aiden's bottles over his shoulder. As we walked past a group of young women, Raviel walked past them nonchalantly, even though they were clearly throwing him flirtatious glances.
"You've got a lot of fans."
"I get looks like that all the time. They're nothing to me but a bunch of random women I happened to run into."
"Okay. I won't argue."
We didn't talk much during the ride. I was busy wondering where Raviel was taking us.
Aiden was very calm in his seat. He wasn't crying anymore, but rather enthusiastic about the trip. He probably felt safe with Raviel around.
“Aren’t you going to tell me the name of the place?”
“I don’t need to, because you’ll know when we get there.”
"Okay. Looks like you're still playing a secret with me."
"I'm playing a secret with you, but I'm not lying."
"Fair enough."