Chapter 8 - Negotiation 2

I tightly bite my lower lip, remaining silent for a while before asking him, "Then how should I prove that I'm accompanying Chris well? Do I need to stay here 24 hours?"

"Yes."

Antoninus's gaze, as deep as the night sky, stares at me firmly, his tone leaving no room for doubt, "I don't think this request is unreasonable. Chris goes to school every weekday and only comes back in the evening. So, you'll have at least 12 hours of free time each day."

I nod, continuing his thought, "And if we subtract the 10 hours he spends sleeping, the actual time I need to be with him on weekdays is probably only around 4 hours. It does seem like a fair deal."

He seems pleased with my understanding and pushes the pen for me to sign the agreement.

However, I let out a soft laugh and return both the pen and the contract to him.

He furrows his brows, "What do you mean?"

"Mr. President, you may have misunderstood."

I also look at him with pride, my tone resolute, "Being with Chris has never been my job; it's my duty as a mother. Even if it means being by his side 24 hours a day, I'm willing to do so. But you're asking me to stay in this... prison for 24 hours. I'm sorry, but I can't comply."

He listens quietly as I finish speaking, then takes a deep breath, "Agreed."

I can't believe he agreed so easily. Am I hearing things?

He promptly adds, "On weekdays, you can go out, but you must be back before Chris finishes school. You need to stay here on weekends as well. Also, you and Chris's identities must be kept strictly confidential for your safety. Can you accept these conditions?"

"I can!" I respond with solemnity.

He nods in satisfaction and adds the conditions I mentioned to the agreement,

"Now, can you sign it?"

"Will the salary remain the same?"

"No need to change it. Just take it, as my compensation for my attitude to you."

"Are you apologizing?"

He doesn't explain, and I don't bother to ask.

Anyway, it's free money! Who would refuse that?

Besides, with this money, I can do more things! For example...

Escape to another country with Chris and start a new life incognito!

I run back to the bedroom with a grin.

But there, at the bedroom door, I see Chris standing alone, his tiny figure looking lonely. 

"Mommy..."

I hurriedly run over and hug him tightly, asking, "What's wrong, sweetheart?"

Chris's little nose is red, "I thought you had abandoned me too, mommy."

"How could I ever do that?" I gently wipe the corners of his eyes and reassure him, "Mommy will never leave you."

"What about Daddy?" Chris asks, "Will Daddy leave me too, like before?"

"Of course not..." I place him back on the bed, soothing him to sleep while probing,

"Do you like Daddy?"

Under the moonlight, Chris blinks his big eyes, his eyes sparkling with a hint of brightness. "I don't dislike him, mommy."

"Alright, mommy understands."

For Chris, who is reserved and indifferent just like his father, saying "I don't dislike him" is already his highest affirmation of Antoninus.

It's evident that this little guy truly loves his father, even though they haven't met for five years.

Chris turns over on the bed and snuggles into my arms, asking in a muffled voice, "Does Daddy like me too?"

"Of course. Why would you ask that?"

"Daddy hasn't come to see me in a long time. Did I do something wrong?"

"No, of course not." I hold him tightly and say, "Daddy is just too busy. He's the president, and the whole country is waiting for him to handle."

"Okay." Chris replies in a low voice and fall silent.

I don't know how long it is, but just as I'm about to drift off to sleep, I seem to hear the door being gently opened.

A tall figure walks slowly to the window, then to the side of our bed.

Is it Antoninus?

I find him reach out and stroke Chris's fluffy hair, then plant a gentle kiss on Chris' forehead.

The moonlight illuminates his sculpture-like profile; his expression is still indifferent, but there is a hint of tenderness in his eyes, more so than usual.

He loves Chris.

I feel relieved seeing this, and it would be even better if Chris could see it with his own eyes.

But then, Antoninus' gaze suddenly fall on my face.

My heart starts racing like crazy again, and my breathing become irregular.

This is... dammit!

Lily! Be cool! He's just looking at you, nothing more! 

I know that my current breathing and restless state definitely can't fool him.

Thinking quickly, I furrow my brows, let out a soft hum, and turn over, pretending to be disturbed in my sleep, as if I could wake up at any moment.

And so, it is Antoninus' turn to hold his breath and focus. He dare not move a muscle until he heard my breathing gradually steady.

Unseen by him, I couldn't help but curl my lips into a faint smile.

It feels quite satisfying to see our esteemed president nervous for once.

At this moment, footsteps sound outside the door, and two more people enter my room.

"Mr. President?"

"Hush!" Antoninus orders under his breath, and the newcomers dare not speak any further.

Antoninus walks to the foot of the bed and gently uncovers my blanket, exposing my injured toes.

I hear him instructs with his usual distant tone, "Treat her wounds."

He then leaves my room.

As soon as Antoninus's footsteps receded, the two people start conversing in hushed voices.

One of them is Lawrence, the butler.

"Is it serious? Doctor?"

"Just a few bruises," the doctor sighs with relief, "You called me in the middle of the night so many times; I thought it was something serious. You didn't even press me this hard when the president was shot last time."

The president was shot?

My heart skips a beat upon hearing that. Is it the previous president or Antoninus? Could Antoninus' long disappearance be related to this incident? But why haven't I seen any news about it...

I hold my breath and listen attentively to their conversation, trying to remain calm.

The butler answers, "The president himself asked me to call you over."

Curious, the doctor inquires further, "So, the president must care a lot about her? Is she lady Mirabelle?"

"You have too many questions, Dr. Wilson."

"Apologies..."

After they finish bandaging my wounds, they quietly leave the room, leaving me alone to ponder while gazing at the moon outside.

Lady Mirabelle, the name sounds familiar, like that of a wealthy heiress, perhaps? According to the doctor, she seems to have a close relationship with Antoninus. But what does this have to do with me? Although I share a child with Antoninus, I don't aspire to be the First Lady.

For now, I'm already content with the freedom to come and go from the castle.

The next day, my freedom arrives as promised.

However, it turns out to be more... dazzling than I've expected.

"Why a helicopter?"

"For convenience in transportation, Miss Lily."

Eric smiles, "Surely, you don't wish to spend the little time you have each day on the commuting, do you?"

"But still the helicopter is kinda..."

"We've already taken that into consideration. The helicopter will land on the rooftop helipad of a small building near your office. The rest of the way, you can walk yourself."

"Alright."

I reach out as Eric helps me up into the helicopter and fits me with a communication headset to block out noise.

However, when the helicopter lands, I realize that the supposedly "small building" Eric mentioned is ASTORIA, the TOP 1 luxurious hotel in the country.