CHAPTER 66

CHAPTER 66
The next few days went by quickly. I focused on planning for the Gala and taking care of my family. I tried not to think too much about Alec or the kiss.

Unfortunately, the kiss was imprinted on my mind, and I couldn’t wash it off. No matter how many times I bathed, I could still feel the heat of his touch. I was haunted by him. Haunted by what we could be. I wanted so much. I wondered if we could get it out of our system by indulging. It was cliché, but it just might be the cure to our problem.
Besides, I've already climbed that hill and I knew one time would not be enough.

“The Gala is held in honour of Firefighters. It will be attended by dignitaries and influential people, so it won’t be limited to the Criminal world.” Bertram explained, and I scoffed as I fed Rose her vegetables, “Everyone is a Criminal there.”

“Even if they are, they are hiding it very well, so you shouldn’t say that ever.” He gave me a pointed look, and I rolled my eyes.

I focused on my daughter. She was so beautiful. She looked so much like my mother. She also looked like her father in certain lights. She and her brother were enough reasons for me not to fuck around with Alec. I was keeping something great from him. I had my reasons for it. It was self-preservation. I couldn’t let anyone else take my father’s empire from me, an empire I was keeping for my children. Alec would understand, but still, I should remove every thought of sleeping with him from my mind.

“Mom!” Alex yelled as he walked down the stairs, and I sighed, knowing he was about to turn my stomach upside down.

“Give me a second. I’m busy with your sister, baby.” I smiled at him, then focused on feeding Rosa.

I wasn’t breastfeeding them anymore, which was a big deal to me. Breastfeeding two babies took a toll on me. Their pregnancy and birth turned me into a new person. As I birthed them, I was born anew, too. It took almost a month for them to get used to not being breastfed anymore, but it was successful, and here we were, with them eating solids.
My body was grateful for that too, I was gradually filling up in the right places; finally.

“Expect Doctors, Governors, Mayors, and the Media there. You can still back out. You don’t have to do this.” Bertram continued, and I glared at him, but said nothing because Alex was jumping.

“Come here, Alex,” I said, forcing myself to smile. He ignored me and kept jumping, then he started running around, which gave me the worst headache. To make it worse, Rosa stopped eating.

“You have to eat, my love.” I frowned at her, but she shook her head, moving away from me. She was overstimulated, and so was I. Bertram was still talking. Alex was still running.

Vivian walked down the stairs, holding a magazine. “I couldn’t find any designer or stylist for your dress, Carla. How are you getting a dress in two days?”

“She isn’t going,” Bertram said.

“You aren’t? You have to.” She argued.

“Alex!” I snapped angrily, and Rosa got up. Heat flushed through me. I took after her, carried her in my arms, and took her to the bedroom. She hated so much noise. She hated it more when I yelled.

“I’m sorry, my love. Why don’t I turn on the air conditioning and get you your book?” I asked as we walked into her bedroom. She nodded, and I smiled. I grabbed a snack from the drawer, arranged her bed, and placed her on it.

“Mommy loves you, and don’t worry, I’ll keep Alex and his excitement away until that sugar leaves his system, okay?” I promised, kissed her forehead, and walked out, allowing her some silence.

By the time I walked downstairs, Alex was crying because he’d bumped his knee against the table as he ran. Bertram and Vivi were arguing.

“Take this somewhere else!” I snarled at them, then carried my boy. I was so angry, especially since I told him to stop running, but he never listened. He was so stubborn. I grabbed the first aid kit and worked on his knee. It was bruised, but there was thankfully no cut.

I frowned when he started to grow blue. “What’s wrong?” I asked, standing up. I carried him as I did, and we rushed to the kitchen sink.

We didn’t make it. He puked all over my shirt, but the sink got most of it. Vivi and Bertram were still arguing, so I had to do it all alone. I was exhausted, but I washed him clean, then placed him on my bed, so he could leave his sister alone. I attached the railings to the bed, then got started on cleaning the kitchen.

My head was banging by the time I was done. It was past noon and I hadn’t had breakfast yet. I didn’t eat dinner last night. I was starving, but before I could sit, the doorbell rang and I almost lost my mind.

I rushed to it and opened it angrily, “What d –”

I froze when I saw Alec, looking put together and handsome. He wasn’t alone. He had two women and two men behind him. The men seemed to be holding dresses.

“Is this a bad time? I can come back.” Alec said, looking at me, worried.

I exhaled, knowing how I looked. I had vomit stains on my top and on my hair. He probably regretted coming here.

“Are you okay, Carla?” He asked softly, stepping inside. He closed the door behind him, and I exhaled deeply, “I’m tired. I’ve been working all morning. The twins are a lot to handle, Alec. I’m so tired, and I haven’t even eaten since last night.” My eyes burned, but I wouldn’t cry. I was just so tired.

“I’m sorry. I thought you might need dresses, which is why I brought them, but they can leave. You should rest. What if I make you lunch?” He frowned, rolling up his sleeves to reveal mouthwatering biceps.