CHAPTER FIFTEEN

As soon as I heard Mr. Kerrington's voice I knew I was going to get scolded. I was in working schedule and kissing a man in my office. I wouldn't blame Mr. Kerrington. It was unprofessional of me to be kissing Max in my office. I would have been more mortified than I was now if it had been a client or someone from another company coming into my office, instead of Mr. Kerrington. He cleared his throat since I was still on Max's embrace.

"Can you wait for me outside?" I asked Max, taking a step back.

He nodded and gave me one last peck before exiting my office, suppressing a grin. Bastard. Was he planning on getting me in more trouble than I already was?

"Mr. Kerrington" I began, "I apologize for my indiscretion and how unprofessional what you just witnessed was. I can assure it won't happen again" I apologized. I wanted to apologize before he had the chance to call me out on it. I was jeopardizing my job and position in the company.

"I hope so," Mr. Kerrington sighed before rubbing his face with his hand. He clearly was stressed and my little show had probably made it worse. If Max would've controlled his wandering mouth and hands... However, his stress had prevented him from discussing my mistake any further.

"Back to what I really came here for," Mr. Kerrington spoke "I wanted to know how far your work for the launch is. Some of the employees are running out of time and I wanted to make sure you weren't one of them. The less, the better"

The launch was this Sunday and I couldn't wait for it to arrive just so I was able to escape the hell hole - full of stress and anxiety - I was in. "I just need to finish making a few calls concerning the venue and my work is done. I am sure that by the end of the day, I will be done with everything" I assured

"Great. Thank you" Mr. Kerrington exclaimed in relief as he exited my office "And Ella" He spoke, catching my attention again as I walked back to my desk "Please" He said, emphasizing the word

I nodded. Mr. Kerrington gave Max a subtle glare as he left my office. Max entered and closed the door, locking it, this time.

"Don't even think about it," I warned.

Max pulled me into him, placing his hands on the small of my back. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get you in trouble." He apologized, suppressing a grin again.

"I can definitely see how sorry you are," I remarked before continuing, "I won't be able to have lunch with you. I have to finish doing a few calls before the end of the day and if I go, I won't be able to" I laughed as Max feigned a pout. "I'll see you later, you've caused me enough trouble" I quickly peck him on the cheek before heading to sit behind my desk.

***

Max picked me up after my work was done at the office. I said my goodbyes to Mr. Kerrington saying I'd see him on Sunday for the launch. I opened the door to Max's Range Rover, seating on the passenger seat. He had removed jacket of his suit and his tie. The first few buttons of his shirt were unbuttoned, revealing a tad of tanned skin of his chest. His sleeves were rolled up to his forearms.

"Hey," I said, closing the door and placing my purse in my lap to buckle the seat belt. "How was your day?"

"Full of hunger" He pouted

"That was your fault." I laughed "You shouldn't have taken advantage of the moment"

"Your lips were the ones who tempted me!" I laughed again enjoying Max's playfulness today. It meant he was happy and it made me feel good knowing he was.

"Well, I deeply apologize, Mr. Wilde." I mocked.

Max rolled his eyes and started driving.

Half way through our ride, Max reached out and took my hand in his. I smiled as his thumb caressed my hand.

We arrived to my apartment to find Bliss and Reeve with Mum. Bliss had been doing some wedding errands with Reeve and decided to stop by. It was nice to see them since it had been a while I last saw Reeve. Bliss was wearing a white casual knee-length dress with a black floral cardigan and black wedges. Her dark caramel hair was naturally curled. Reeve had a brown shirt with black pants and brown shoes.

"Hi. I wasn't expecting to see you" I greeted and hugged him after closing the front door as Mum headed to pick up her things and head home to prepare dinner for Dad. I could still feel Max by my side. The last time he had seen Reeve, he hadn't referred to him in the best way. I didn't know how their greeting was going to be.

"I came to visit my favorite girl" Reeve exclaimed back, nodding towards Mia who was on Bliss' arms.

"I don't think Bliss will be happy about Mia taking her place" I joked, eyeing my sister at the same time.

"I'm sure we can share it" Bliss spoke "We're besties, anyways" She kissed Mia on the cheek.

Max felt tense by my side and I just wanted to get over this before awkwardness took over. "Um.. Reeve" I spoke as he turned his attention from Bliss and Mia to me "This is Max, Mia's father"

Max extended his hand and shook it with Reeve's. Reeve didn't mention their last encounter but Max still apologized for his behavior the day they first met. I didn't want them to be enemies or hate each other so I was relieved to know Reeve held no resentment towards him and that day.

"Darling, I'm leaving," Mum spoke coming back to the living room.

She said her farewell to everyone and left.

Bliss, Reeve, Max and I spoke for a little while until they decided to depart. Max kept Mia in his arms the whole evening, making her laugh, feeding her her dinner, bathing her and putting her to sleep. He had took the father role to the maximum today and I was glad.

***

Max was on his side of my bed when I exited the bathroom. I turned off the lamp on my nightstand and curled to the side. Max's chest pressed itself against my back as he came closer, spooning me. His arm went over my waist and his arm searched for mine until he found it and intertwined them. I sighed in contentment and tiredness.

"Max?"

He hummed against my neck in response.

"Are you going to the launch on Sunday?"

He hummed, again.

"Are you really that tired you can't speak?" I asked, turning around on my side to face him. His eyes were closed.

Max hummed again and I chuckled. Shortly after, his breath evened and I followed. I felt happy falling asleep next to him, it made me sleep peacefully. I just hope this wasn't too good to end soon. Both, Mia and I enjoyed his company. Especially Mia since she had her father involved in her life. She was growing so fast, she would be 6 months old soon. I was excited for her first birthday and couldn't wait to celebrate it. I couldn't wait to figure out what her first word would be. I just hoped I was able to experience these things with her with Max by our side.

***

The next morning, I woke up early - leaving Max still sleeping in bed - to be able to do my weekend chores. It was hard for me to clean the apartment and do the laundry during week days since I got home really tired with barely any energy to do anything else but change, take care of Mia and go to sleep. I washed some dirty dishes from last night, cleaned the living room, dining room and kitchen, washed and scrubbed the bathroom and took the hamper with dirty laundry to the basement, where the washing machine and dryer were located. I also had to go to the supermarket and buy some things Mum would need for tomorrow night since Mia was going to there's but I couldn't leave until Max woke up. Mia woke up in the middle of my chore time, delaying me.

After ending some of the chores with difficulty due to Mia's company, I entered my room with Mia on my arms and found Max waking up.

"Good morning," He spoke in a groggy, still sleepy voice. His brown hair was all messy from his sleep and the sheets were up to his stomach, exposing his bare chest. "I woke up and found your side of the bed cold"

"I woke up early to do some chores" I sat on the edge of the bed and placed Mia on the mattress. She made an attempt to crawl to Max. Lately, she had been trying to start crawling, she wasn't there yet but she could move - in her own way - slowly. Max helped her and brought Mia to his side. "Can you watch her while I go and take a shower? I'm all sticky and dirty from cleaning"

Max nodded, his attention on Mia and I headed to the bathroom, making a quick stop on my drawer and closet to look for underwear and clothes - presentable enough for grocery shopping.

I placed my clothes on the vanity and removed my dirty pajamas, throwing them in the hamper. I adjusted the water to a comfortable and pleasing temperature before entering the shower.

After exiting the shower, changing into clothes and brushing my hair, I returned to the bedroom.

"I have to go to the supermarket and buy a few things. Do you want to join me?" I asked Max, who was playing with Mia in bed.

His chest was still bare. He had Mia on her stomach on top of him, facing each other as he made funny faces making her laugh.

"Sure"

Max gave me Mia as he headed to get ready. While I waited for Max, I got Mia out of her sleeping pink onesie and dressed her into a purple playsuit with a cartoon fairy drawing in front. I combed her curly hair and headed to the living room while we waited for Max.

***

At the supermarket, Max held Mia and followed me throughout the store as I got what my mother would need for Mia and some things I needed for the apartment.

I grabbed a few vegetables, fruits, bread, meats, cereal, ham, cheese, baby food, formula and some toiletries including soap, tooth paste, a new tooth brush, poof, pampers and a box of tampons.

Max's company during the shopping trip made it easier for me since he kept Mia. She normally gets desperate while I shop and it's hard for me to focus on her and what I have to buy at the same time.

After we were done at the supermarket, we stopped by another few stores to buy a few other things I needed for the launch tomorrow.

Mum would be arriving early tomorrow since I had to go out to get my hair and make-up done in the morning. Tomorrow was going to be a stressful day and I had to sort out everything I needed - for tomorrow - today since I wasn't going to have any time. I was dreading tomorrow because of the painful headache it would bring but I was also excited because we finally were going to show the amount of hard work we invested on the launch and project.