is it....LOVE!?

Forty one

Jake

I went straight to my study after taking the boys inside.
I had to get the fucking drama off my mind.
I did a whole week's worth of work in just six hours.
By the time I shut down my laptop, because there was nothing else to do,
I was feeling lightheaded and a little bit numb.

Rosalind had sent lunch and dinner to me but the hard look I pinned Grace and Sophia with was enough to have them leave in a hurry.
Quietly, I pushed the laptop close and leaned into my seat.

So unfuckingbelievable.
How could they?
How was she able to look me in the face and call me sir?

My mind raced through all the times she called me son, she really meant it.
All that concern, it wasn't just for her boss, it was for her son.
Was her working for me a way she deviced to ease her guilt?

Would Rosalind do that for our boys someday?

There was a soft knock on the door before it was pushed open slowly and Rosalind walked in with another tray of food.

"Did you not hear me say I don't want to be disturbed?"
I snapped. This time she didn't flinch,she just walked in like she owns the place.

"Not eating cannot solve any problems, especially this one."
She balanced the tray on one hand and pushed my laptop aside with the other one then set the tray down where the laptop was.

"You have to eat. It's not poisoned, don't worry."
She propped herself on the edge of the desk, in front of me.

"Let's do it this way. Jake, you and I won't go out of here until you eat up."
She said sternly, crossing her arms.

"Don't talk to me like I'm two Rosalind."
She chuckled, shrugging.

"Do you want to talk about it?"
She sounded so caring, I had to look at her face.

"Why, so you can have something to tell the press?"
Hurt flashed inside her eyes before she masked it quickly.
Fuck,  Jake she's just trying to be nice.

"Whatever."
She rolled her eyes and turned around to leave.
Without thinking, I caught her hand and spun her around.

"I'm sorry."
I sighed, falling back into my seat, pulling her closer.

"It's okay."
She wiggled her wrist, trying to escape my grasp but I held on tight.
She gave an exasperated sigh.
"Listen Jake, I need to go to bed, it's late."

"Just thirty seconds back, you were willing to stay up all night to make sure I eat."
I arched my brows questioningly at her.

"Yeah, because I don't want to leave my boys alone with an emotionally unstable dad but I see I better mind my own business."
She spat, still wiggling her wrist.

I sighed.
I needed an assurance, something to work on. I'd totally forgotten that my boys would be turning two in six days....
Urgghhh!!!

Rosalind had to stay.
I couldn't subject my boys to what I was going through.
I tugged her hand sharply and she fell in my lap but she made to stand up immediately, like I burned her.

"What are you hiding from?"
I whispered, wrapping my hand around her waist to stop her from standing.

"I'm not hiding! Let go of me this instant Jake."
She snapped, her face flushed and she wiggled.