3

I can hear his adorable laugh the moment I step out of the elevator. I quicken my steps to our place, all excited to smooch that three year old creature. He's got to be the cutest creature alive!

"Mama Ninaaaaaaa!" He runs to me the moment I walk into the house. I lower my body as I open my arms, ready to welcome such big hug from him.

"You didn't tell me you're coming!" I carry him to the kitchen, where Toffer is busy transferring food from the pan to a big serving bowl.

"I would if Daddy gives me a phone."

"In your dream, young man." Toffer glances at us before bringing the bowl to the dining table.

"Are you sleeping here tonight? Mama Nina mish you so much!" I smooch him on the cheek as he giggles, "I miss you more!"

Toffer takes my huge tote bag from my shoulder so I can freely hug the little boy with both of my hands, "Sleep with Mama Nina tonight?"

"But Daddy wants to sleep with me."

"But Mama Nina mish you."

"But Daddy misses me since Friday."

"But Mama Nina mish you."

"But I already promised Daddy to sleep with him."

"But Mama Nina mish you," I keep on repeating it until he sighs, then turns to Toffer as if asking for his permission.

"No, you promised me you're sleeping with me tonight." His Daddy gives a look that makes him sigh again.

"It's okay buddy," I hug him, then whispers, "Come to my room when he already sleep okay?"

He giggles and nods, whispering back to my ear, "Okay!"

The three of us have dinner together while I wink at him from time to time to remind him of our secret plan. He giggles every time, totally excited.

Bath time, bedtime story, and by 8pm, they finally dissapear into the other bedroom.

I guess Lauren is playing her part after all, letting Toffer bonds with their son today since she's had him for 2 weeks straight.

See, like I said, Lauren is a sensible woman. She's pretty, outgoing, smart, sensible, everything a millionaire would date. Oh yes, I can't help but to picture his hot boyfriend every time I think of her.

I wish I'm as lucky as her to have everything a girl ever dreams of.

***

"Do you think I should buy a car?"

I ask him after we drop Kai at his playschool, "I don't feel good riding with you anymore."

It definitely came out wrong that he immediately looks at me before both of us burst into laughter.

"You get what I mean." I told him after we've toned it down.

Ever since he moved in with me, he's been my unpaid chauffer to work, to dinner at Mom's, to hangout sessions with our friends, urgh I was fine taking the subway before he became my roommate but now I feel like I'm abusing the priviledge.

I mean, I paid the rent like fifty percents below market value and now the landlord is my driver too?

"Your office is on my way to work anyway, why do you keep bringing up this issue? Which is not even an issue, Nina."

"I feel like I'm taking advantage of you. I live in your house, make you drive me around, eat your food-"

"And my dick," he continues which earns him a smack on the arm.

"Stop it Toff I'm being serious!"

"But you did last night,” he adds while turning to a corner to drop me off at the usual spot.

"Shut up," I lean into his space and give him a peck on his cheek, "See you later."

“I’ll text you before I leave the parking.” He has been saying this since he first sent me to work two years ago, reminding me to watch out for his text later in the evening when he’ll come to pick me up.

“Yeah yeah. Bye Toffer.”

“Bye Princess Nina.”

***

"How's your impromptu date?"

I ask him when he steps into the house, seems to be so tired despite still looking sharp in his three piece suit.

“She's so pretty it's a pity she's a little bit boring."

I laugh hearing his comment, "Like you're THAT fun, duh!"

He chuckles, approaching me in the kitchen while getting rid of the suit coat, "How did you get home? Sorry for the last minute notice."

"Nah, it's okay," I reach out for his tie once he stands in front of me, help him to loosen it, "I walked home since it was still early. Good thing I did that because I saw a new bakery in front of the book shop. Want something sweet?"

Without waiting for his answer, I move to the fridge along with his tie in my hand and open it, revealing the treat. He comes from behind, carelessly bumping his front to my ass, eyeing the treasure I kept in this food heaven.

"The cheese cake is so good I think I just found the perfect cheese cake, everrr!" I excitedly take it out as he steps away, giving me some space so I can walk to the kitchen counter, placing the cake on it. He grabs two forks and joins me.

"So tell me, what happened? Why did you say she's boring? How pretty are we talking here? Like Lauren-pretty or me-pretty?”

Lauren used to be a sore topic between us but after a year since the break up, we’ve eased down on it. Now we can even joke about it.

“No, first tell me how did you ask her for a date. Okay, go!" I urge him again, desperate to know the details since I haven't gone to one like five months now. If it weren't for him, I might have forgotten there's male species on earth.

"I helped Suzanne picked up the online stuff she bought from her since she's caught up in a meeting. This girl, Marion, she's so pretty that I asked her out before we parted. She'll be leaving for a holiday tomorrow that's why I had to ditch you and dine with her tonight."

I nod a couple times while gobbling the cheese cake, “Okay now elaborate on the boring part."

He unbuttons his shirt while replying, "I feel like talking to a robot. Even Alexa is more human than her."

I laugh remembering how obsessed Kai is with Alexa. He's such a curious creature that Toffer and I resort to Alexa to entertain his mind-blowing questions. Science, history, vocabulary, oh God I swear he knows more about this world than me.

"Are you still on your dating strike?" He asks, now dropping his shirt on the floor, joining his pants there.

He knows how anal I am at putting dirty clothes in the laundry basket but he keeps on doing the same thing. I don't bother much these days since I know he'll pick them up before he's off to his room.

Or he’ll be faced with the wrath of his only roommate; CHRISTOPHER JOHNSONS, AM I YOUR MAID OR YOUR ROOMMATE?!

“How long has it been? Four months? Five?”

"Yup, five months. Going strong." Strong indeed that I deleted all my dating apps.

"Keep your opinion to yourself, thank you." I warn him before he drops another snarky comment on how frequent I've barged into his room since I stopped pursuing guys to date.

Both of us have a rule regarding our little third-base ritual. We can ‘have fun’ as long as we're not dating anyone at that particular moment, hence the frequency.

"Wanna shower with me?" He offers while picking up his dirty pile of clothes.

"I already showered."

"Come by tonight for another sweet treat," he said it casually as he walks to his room.

Yeah right, as if I won't even without an invitation.