Belongs To Him

53 | More Hazy in Public

Kingston Romano

"Why are we doing this again?" I droned for the fifth time in annoyance. This sounded like the worst idea ever, yet Alina seemed thrilled about it. After yesterday, I wasn't going to be one to say no to any of her desires.

However, spending an evening with Hayes Grant sounded horrific. That man was a narcissistic asshole who eats hopes and fears for lunch. I was tough and sure I could be a dick. But in business he was the guy to make people want to quit everything they've ever known and burrow into the ground.

I've witnessed it firsthand. He was a dick, and for some reason, his wife was a ray of sunshine. One that my wife enjoyed the company of, unfortunately. Now, I would be meeting the spawns of that man as well. I wondered what they were like with a grump like that as a father.

Yet I didn't quite know what kind of father I would be. I just knew I'd do anything for my girls, no matter what it was. They came first before anyone else, well, besides Alina. She came first overall to me.

"Are you sure I look fine?" she asks once again. Alina has been feeling insecure lately. Her cyan and flowy dress looks incredible on her, but she can't see that for herself; she seems to be crawling out of her skin.

"You look more beautiful than ever, Sunshine, trust me on that," I quickly kissed her before the elevator doors opened. They were staying at the Four Seasons while visiting New York. Hayes Grant, being a Boston man, interested me. He'd make his biggest investments here yet remain a conference call away in another city. I was told years ago he was going to make a big move here and then he met Lily a week before.

The doors opened, and my ears were met with a quick sound of giggling. The sight before me was Lily with a couch between her and a little boy. Observing the two was a little girl as Lily swiftly moved around the couch, collecting him in her arms and causing him to screech.

It made the little girl laugh as he cried out as she tickled him profusely. Lily then looked over to see us placing him down quickly.

"Welcome, welcome!" She says, "Sorry about that. I have to get their energy out somehow so they'll be able to sleep tonight after a longer nap time than usual," she explains. With the little boy in her arms, she greets us.

"This is James, James; this is Alina and Kingston," the boy nervously tucks himself into his mother's neck. I feel a poke in my leg, and I'm met by the little girl once more.

"Charlie," she mumbles out what I assume is her name as she waits for my response.

"Kingston," I reply, causing her to smile. She reaches out her hand and collects mine quickly. Before I can think, she's dragging me across the suit into another room. I'm met by two oak doors signaling the study room. She proceeds to knock quietly, but just enough to hear.

"Charles?" I hear Hayes speak on the other side.

"Daddy, a friend!" Charlie screeches in excitement. "He doesn't have many," she whispers, causing me to laugh this time. At just a young age, she was already exposing her father and causing him trouble.

The door clicked open, and he stood to see me. Hayes looked at Charlie and proceeded to pick her up in his arms. "Kingston." He said simply, not a hello or a welcome, just my name.

"Hello, Hayes," he says, kissing her cheek, causing her to squirm slightly, which makes him laugh. The sound utterly horrifies me. This man would shoot a unicorn if he saw it. I didn't know laughter was a skill he possessed.