"No." I said, "No, I can't."
Maria paused, "Uh – why can't you?" she asked.
I bit my lip and held the phone between my shoulder and ear. I was about to answer her when I saw Kathie running across the room. I shrieked and ran after her and picked her up in my arms before she could collide with the table, "Kathie, you will hurt yourself." I mumbled to her as she laughed.
"Hello, Charlotte?" Maria said from the other side of the phone.
"Uh – yes, I am here," I said distractedly as I put Kathie on the floor where her toys were but, she wasn't interested in them – she had her eyes on my phone. She launched and tried to grab my phone when I backed away. "Uh – no Kathie, you can't have it. Here, look – it's your favorite penguin." I said as I held her stuff-penguin in my hand to distract her attention from my phone but, she didn't even spare a glance at her penguin and kept trying to get a hold on my phone. I could hear Maria laughing on the other side of the phone – she was enjoying it – but, I ignored her.
"Oh my God, I miss her so much. It has been so long since I met her." Maria said.
I smiled, "Why don't you come and visit us?" I asked her as I kissed Kathie's forehead as she finally gave up on the phone and started playing with her toys, "Kathie would love a visit from her aunt Maria, won't you Kathie?" I asked her. She looked up and giggled.
Maria sighed, "I wish I could but, Leo's coming today." She said. I didn't reply – I just sat on the floor beside Kathie. "Speaking of which – tell me why can't you come tomorrow?" she asked again.
I internally groaned and mashed my lips together. Leo is coming back today and Maria is throwing a little party for him tomorrow – she wants me to come as well and I don't want to go.
"I have work tomorrow," I said. It was true – I did have work tomorrow.
"But, the party starts at seven in the evening. And you could directly come from work with Marcus." She said.
My heart flipped as I heard his name. I sat straight and frowned, "You invited him too?" I asked a little loudly.
She was quiet for a moment, "Yes, I did. Everyone's coming – even Owen and Elizabeth are coming. You have to come, Charlie. I am not taking no for an answer." She said sternly.
I knitted my brows in confusion, "Owen and Elizabeth are here?" I asked her.
"No, but they are arriving tomorrow morning and I asked them to join us in the evening." She replied. "Come on Charlie, everyone will be there – even your boyfriend is coming – you have to come." She insisted.
I flinched as she called Joe my boyfriend. I feel horrible – I can't believe I developed a crush on my boss when I already have Joe in my life. I sighed, "Maria, I can't." I whined. I want to tell her why but, I can't – it is too embarrassing.
"Shut up. You are coming." She ordered. "And if I don't see you at my place on sharp seven in the evening – I swear I will come to your place and I will drag you to mine." She scolded. I sighed and closed my eyes tightly. Before I could reply she cut off the phone, causing me to curse under my breath.
I faked a sob and lied on the floor. I heard a shuffle so, I twirled my head to see Kathie lying beside me with her hands on her stomach – just like mine. I smiled as I realized that she was mimicking me. She grinned as she looked at me. I turned to my left side and put my left forearm under my head – facing her and sighed, "You are beautiful, you know that?" I said to her slowly. She giggled and said something – which I didn't get. I frowned and bit my lower lip worriedly, "Aunt Maria doesn't get it. She doesn't know what I have done. I can't go there – I can't face Leo." I said to her but, she ignored me.
YOU ARE READING
Marcus Harrison's Paradise
RomanceBOOK TWO OF HARRISON SERIES. Charlotte McGill is sublimely good with children. She totally adores Kathie, Marcus Harrison's one-year-old daughter. She wants to be a full-time nanny for Katie, but the only problem standing between Charlie and Kathie...