|Destined With You|

Chapter 11.

Catalina

"Mommy! Why are you so late?" Adelaide jumped on her seat at the kitchen table, close to Alex. I booked a seat for you." She pointed to the seat on the other side of Alex, opposite Hannah.

"You don't need to do that, baby." I walked to sit next to Hananh instead, as she sat with with his parents.

"No! Mommy and Daddy sit together. That's how it works."

"Come on, Catalina. Just sit." Alex patted the seat close to him and looked up at me with expectant eyes. Well, who could say no to that?

"Oh...okay." I sat passing an apologetic look to Hannah, which she ignored by filling my glass with orange juice. "Thank you."

The rest of the breakfast passed by in entire silence, that too an awkward one as everyone focused on their poached eggs. Once, Alexander's hand ended up 'colliding' against mine, which made all the heads shoot up, while ours remained bowed in embarrassment.

"Great..." Alex rubbed his palms together after everyone was done with breakfast. "I gotta go for some work. Take care of yourself, sweetie." He smiled at Adelaide and hers matched the same.

"Where are you going?" Adelaide and Hannah together asked.

"Some work. At the lawyer's."

The lawyer?

He stood up and pressed a kiss on Adelaide's cheek. With a nod in his parent's direction, he turned to go to his room. This is the perfect time to talk.

"Thanks for breakfast." I pushed my chair back and stood up. "I have to make a phone call."

"But Mommy...the garden."

"She wants to...erm...visit the garden." I shrugged, looking between them.

"I'll take you." Hannah stood up and walked to Adelaide. She's probably trying to gain her attention. I don't really mind. It's good until it isn't against me.

I ascended the stairs with quick steps, making my way to his room. He's just come out of it, placing a wallet in his pants' pocket. For a second, he seemed amused to see me.

"The lawyer?" I breathed out, my voice ragged due to the running.

"I'm sorry?"

"You're going to the lawyer, right? It's obviously about me. Why can't you let me and my daughter be?"

Before I could register my surroundings, I was pushed to the wall behind me, his body trapping me...almost like last night. Except right now, his eyes held determination as his legs were pressed on either side of mine, leaving no space between us.

"First of all, she's our daughter not yours. Secondly, you don't have any right to stop me from going anywhere. Third, I've got a life other than this. Stop assuming. If I'll do anything, I'll let you know." His gaze did not waver, his eyes dug deep into mine making me feel chills all over my body.

"Alex-what are you doing? Somebody will walk in..." I gasped as he pushed more of his weight on me, his chest crushing mine.

"Tell me you don't feel the attraction."

"Alex!" I whispered, trying to pull my arms up, to separate myself, but instead ended up getting them pinned above my head.

"You don't feel it? Your breathing rate says otherwise, so do these goosebumps. I can practically hear your heartbeat." He murmured thoughtfully.

"Fine-yes I feel it all okay?" I gave up, my eyes downcast.

"I knew it." With that, he let go, turned around and left without a word of conclusion.

×■×

Alexander

After meeting the lawyer about the company's work, I went to our office and attended a meeting I was expected to represent. After some paperwork, I left and went to the best pre-school of the city for getting Adelaide enrolled. With a few minutes of conversation, everything was set up.

Driving back home, I came across a flower shop. Decelerating the car, I walked out to pick some for my daughter. On my way out in the morning, I heard her say she loved poppies, so poppies it is.

Can I take something for Catalina too?

I instantly smacked my head for developing such thoughts. I have a fiànce waiting back home, I cannot by any means develop any feelings for her. Instead, I asked the florist for a bouquet of sunflowers for Hannah as well.

"Thank you." I handed fifty dollars. "Keep the change."

Feeling like a family man, I hopped back inside the car and started driving back home. I wish I could feel something towards Hannah. I just try my best-to look at her with eyes of adoration and to fulfil all her wishes but with her, it's not just the same way. It's like, on the prospect of meeting  Catalina, I just... freeze, but on spotting Hannah, I'm thinking about ways to make her believe I enjoy her company.

With Hannah, it's a bit forced.

×■×

Catalina

Adelaide smiled in happiness as she saw Alexander approach her after coming back from work. With quick steps, she rushed to hug him. He too took no time in wrapping his arms around her, bending down.

"I got you something." He handed her a bouquet of poppies he had been holding on to.

"For me?" She smiled.

"For you." He nodded, smiling a genuine smile.

"And these are for Mommy?" She asked pointing at the other bouquet he had been holding-sunflowers. "How do you know they are her favourite?"

"How wouldn't I?"

He smiled and stood up. He walked to me in long and slow strides. For the sake of Adelaide, I hesistantly took the bouquet from him, my fingertips brushing against his.

"Should I keep it in my room?" Ade waved her bouquet. "There's a vase with non-real flowers."

"Sure." Alexander patted her and off she ran upstairs. "And it isn't non-real, it's fake."

I heard her yell back a version of 'whatever' and slam her door behind her.

"These were supposed to be for Hannah, right?" I slowly wave my bouquet, turning to me.

"Yes, they were."

"Give them to her, then. She said she'd be home in an hour, went to some workshop thing."

"N-no. I wouldn't give her something I already gave you."

"It's fine by me. I'm not used to getting flowers anyways." I shrugged.

"No, I won't."

His voice was stern, I knew there was no point arguing. So, I too made my way to my room. Unfortunately, I was stopped my the feeling of his hand with the cool silver ring around my elbow, stopping me.

"Besides," I felt his warm breath fanning behind me. "I would have preferred giving you flowers instead."

~