Chapter 223 BONUS CHAPTER 8 (TALIA)

Chapter 223 BONUS CHAPTER 8 (TALIA)
"What are you thinking about? You've been daydreaming a lot lately."
"I've been thinking about us."
Cielo stood in front of me, wrapping the towel around his waist. He tossed his wet swim trunks on the floor, then bent down to give me a morning kiss.
"Have you had breakfast?"
"The princess has, but I haven't. Jeff will be here soon to bring me breakfast."
I noticed two glasses of orange juice on the table. One was half gone. There was an untouched fruit platter, some pastries on a round plate, and some french fries.
"Has Zaiden had breakfast?"
"He had toast with maple syrup before swimming," Cielo nodded toward the empty plate next to the pastry plate.
"You had juice."
"Zaiden. I had coffee before swimming."
"Would you like more coffee? I'll have Jeff bring it to you."
"Orange juice is fine."
A lot had changed for Cielo since we had Zaiden. He was no longer a man addicted to alcohol, especially scotch. I rarely saw him drinking scotch around me like I used to. He used to drink scotch after swimming or when relaxing in the backyard, but now there was no booze on the table. Alcohol was only in his minibar, and it was locked.
"Are you really working from home for him today?"
"He was cranky this morning. And I remember what you said last night. I knew right away when he was sulking because I haven't been home with him much lately."
"And look, he's so happy when you're around. Money is important, but for a kid Zaiden's age, your attention means so much more than your money."
"I'm well aware of that. But sometimes it's hard to find time to play with him when there's so much else demanding my attention. Things are even harder without Bruce in my business. I have to handle everything myself. The only thing we share now is our job at the bank."
"What's he doing now besides working at the bank?"
"There's a lot to do in the underworld."
"I know, but what are they?" I rolled my eyes lazily.
"Drugs? Human trafficking?"
"You'd rather not know."
Cielo seemed to be trying to change the subject by taking Celine from my arms. He sat on the recliner, then placed Celine on his bare chest.
"Cielo..."
"He's doing dangerous things out there."
"And what about you?"
"I'm already logged out of the game. You know that for sure."
"But everyone in the underworld knows Bruce is your brother. Would they come to you if they had a problem with Bruce?"
Cielo hadn't mentioned it in the past three years, and nothing terrible had ever happened to us. I was very grateful for that. But suddenly the question popped into my head.
"Why do you suddenly want to talk about it?"
"It just occurred to me. Will Zaiden and Celine be safe if they walk around alone without the watchful eye of your men?"
"I don't have any problems with anyone right now, and I have no intention of causing any trouble with anyone. That should be enough to keep us all safe. And will they come to me when they have a problem with Bruce? Yes. At least they used to, for the first year after I handed over all my dirty business to Bruce."
"Why didn't you tell me all this time?"
I waved at Zaiden when he called out to me from across the pool. He looked so happy, and that meant the world to me.
"Because I don't want to burden your mind with those unimportant things. Focus only on your happiness and our children. You don't need to worry about things that are my business."
"I know, but I don't want to leave you to deal with it alone."
"It's over, Talia. You don't need to think about it anymore. They won't come after us because they know I don't have the things they want anymore. I'm not their competition for their dirty businesses, they have no reason to try to take me down."
"What about your businesses now? You must have competitors, right?"
"Of course. But they compete fairly and cleanly. They don't spill blood."
I breathed a sigh of relief.
"I'm grateful you decided to quit the game. Our lives these past three years have been incredibly fun. We've lived a normal life."
I rested my head on his strong shoulder, watching Zaiden swim.
"We go to dinner parties and charity events occasionally. We socialize quite a bit. We donate to some of the world's most prestigious charities. How magical our life is. Sometimes I wonder how unreal it is."
"But it's real, baby."
Cielo kissed the top of my head. He lingered there, inhaling the scent of my shampoo.
"Everything I've gotten so far is more than enough. Can we stay home and celebrate our anniversary with the kids?"
"We'll celebrate with them, but we'll also go to Florida for an intimate celebration."
"Okay. I'll get some sun while I'm in Florida."
"Go ahead. It'll be good for you."
"My skin looks pale because I've barely been out since giving birth to Celine."
"You're beautiful as hell in my eyes, no matter what your skin tone."
"I want a healthy tan."
"Then go for it. You can sunbathe on the beach every day without the kids."
"A week, huh? I'm going to miss the kids so much."
Celine was fast asleep on Cielo's chest. She looked so peaceful. I pulled the pacifier from her mouth, and she sucked hard. I loved teasing her. She was so cute. My baby angel.
"We can video call them anytime. Besides, they'll be in good hands while we're in Florida. You don't have to worry."
My eyes fluttered shut. The combination of Cielo's comforting shoulder and the cool breeze made me drowsy. I was just about to sleep when Jeff appeared with my breakfast.
"So lovely to see you all gathered here to enjoy the summer."
"Thanks, Jeff."
"Anything else you want?"
"We're fine," Cielo responded.
"Grandpa Jeff!"
Zaiden waved at Jeff happily.
Even though my father had passed away and Cielo's father wasn't in the frame, my children always had Jeff to be their grandfather.
"You're not going to work?"
"Hmm... This moment is too precious to waste. I've asked my managers to handle my work. That's what they're paid for."
I smiled as I watched Cielo enjoy his time with us. It was something that money could never buy, no matter how much money was piling up in his account.