Chapter 3

Chapter 3

"Why is it so hard to find something to wear?!", Paisley yelled and sat on the pile of clothes on the floor.

Kori stuffed her mouth with pringles, watching her friend like one would watch reality shows.

"Why on earth would you choose to wait till the day before the big meeting to pick an outfit? It's on you"

" I was busy!", Paisley defended.

" Busy doing literally nothing. That's less than an excuse"

"I was lazy okay? Besides, who picks an outfit a week before meetings"

" People who aren't lazy?"

Paisley shot her a playful glare and layed on the floor with a sigh.

She stared at the ceiling, hearing the disturbing sound of Kori munching on pringles. Her mind drifted off to a certain  man and his adorable child.

She felt the strange urge to go out to the same cafe in hopes that she'd meet them again. Why? She had no idea. Probably because she wanted to play with Karter again.

"Say, Kori", she started, "What do you think about children?"

Kori stopped chewing and looked over at her best friend. "What's this? Why are you suddenly talking about children? "

" Just curious", Paisley half shrugged. "It seems to me that a lot of people want them"

" Of course they do. Children have this strange ability to provoke joy wherever they are"

" Why is that though?"

" I don't know", Kori sighed. " It might have something to do with intimacy"

" Intimacy?"

" You know, little beings that grow within you for months and finally shoot out of your vagina"

Paisley chuckled. " Probably. But, a lot of people share bonds with kids that didn't shoot out of them"

"True. That's why a lot of people view children as miracles. Be it yours or another person's child, it's normal to get attached"

Both girls stayed quiet, their individual thoughts coursing through their mind.

"Is that why you and Jordan want children?"

Kori stayed quiet for a while.

"People fall in love all the time, don't they? They care for and they protect their partner. For better, for worse. In sickness and in health. Till death. It's the same for children. Sometimes at first sight, and most times, they just grow on you.Why do you think parents go through so much trouble to make their children happy?"

Paisley's lips tugged into a small smile. "I wouldn't know", she muttered.

"Why the sudden interest in children? Are you rethinking your decision on starting a fa-"

" Nice try, Kori", Paisley smiled, " I'm allowed to discuss the idea. Doesn't mean I'm in for it"

" Fine, fine", shrugged Kori.

Paisley dug through the clothes on the floor and pulled out black high waisted trousers and a navy blue long sleeve blouse.

"This'll do"

"Congratulations. You found an outfit", Kori praised sarcastically.

***

Paisley glanced around the intimidating room. It was a famous restaurant, a place she thought would take a long time to step foot in. Yet, there she was.

For the meeting with the CEO and the Executive editor, a private room inside the restaurant was booked.

It looked super luxurious that she was scared to rub butts with the chair. She had met with Eli; the executive director first and he excused himself after getting a phone call from Mr. Reid.

The door opened and Eli walked in holding a booster seat. Her eyes widened when she met eyes with Karter and he squealed, extending his hands and beckoning for her to carry him.

"Oh no", Paisley breathed and shifted her attention to Eli who smiled and sat on the seat adjacent to hers.

"Good afternoon, Ms. Brooke. Mr. Reid is on his way. He had to stop for an important phone call"

*Please no...*

" Uh...Mr. Reid....has a child?", She questioned with a nervous laugh.

" Yes. I was under the impression that you knew. I mean, he doesn't hide it"

She laughed nervously. *How do I tell this person that I didn't bother making my research on the man who would soon become my boss*

"He sure doesn't", she agreed with a nervous smile and looked at Karter. *Does he take you everywhere he goes?*

"Yes he does", Eli replied and she whipped her attention to him in shock. Eli noticed this and laughed. "People give that look a lot. It's odd for a man of his status to carry a baby around"

Paisley smiled. " I thought I was the only one who found it weird"

" Mr. Reid is a man of little trust. Due to that, there are only two people allowed to take care of Karter. Mr. Reid, and I"

*Funny. Did I dream of the moment where he offered me money to take care of his child?*

The door opened again and Carter walked in, shoving his phone into his pocket. He looked over at Paisley and grinned, sitting on the chair opposite hers.

*He doesn't even look surprised! Did he know who I was the entire time?!*

"Ms. Brooke", Carter greeted. "It's an honor to meet you", he smirked and extended his hand over the table for a handshake.

"Likewise", she smiled and shook it.

"Shall we begin?"

They went through every page and details of the contract that she and Eli had gone over before. They discussed the publication of the book, her pay and other legal agreements.

Paisley was satisfied with the contract and worked hard to hide her excitement. She found it hard to believe that the man seated   before her was the same man she met several times.

Karter stayed quiet the entire time, watching the adults go about their business conversation as he nibbled on his stuffed bunnies ears.

They discussed the publishing agreement at length till both parties were satisfied.

As Eli packed up the contract, someone knocked and a waitress came in with a notebook.

"Great timing", Carter smiled and they could see the young woman's face grow red.

"What can I get you guys?", The waitress asked and Carter turned to Paisley.

" Uh...", Paisley trailed off. "One sec", she smiled and grabbed the menu.

"I have to get going", Eli announced. "Mr. Reid, you have a meeting by 3pm, don't be late please"

Carter smiled. " I won't"

Eli nodded and left.

Paisely cringed at the dishes she saw as she flipped through the menu.

"I don't think this is food", she blurted and her hands flew to her mouth.

Carter burst out laughing and quickly flipped through the menu.  "we'll get the Antelope meat stuffed with radicchio"

" Stuffed with what?"

" Anything for the baby?", The waitress asked.

" Do you have baby formula on the menu?", Carter teased.

She giggled, her flushed face growing more visible. She wrote down their order befor exiting the room.

Paisley looked at Carter and when his eyes met hers, she immediately looked down at the table. This earned her a smirk from him. Karter giggled and clapped his hands, watching both adults amusingly.

"Um, Mr. Reid, I want to apologise for everything I've said to you"

Carter rose a brow in amusement and leaned back on his chair.

"So I'm Mr. Reid now?"

*Don't look so smug, you fox!*

"Yes, Mr. Reid. I had no idea who you were and acted like a complete idiot"

Carter rose a brow. " Oh?"

" Yes", she breathed.

" And? "

She paused and looked up at him. " And?... And what?"

"Apologise some more. It's amusing"

She unconsciously shot him a glare.

"There it is", he announced with a grin.

"Did you know the whole time?"

"You make it sound like we've met multiple times"

" Meeting twice in one week and disrespecting you is more than enough time"

" Disrespect? What makes you think you disrespected me?"

She shot him an 'are you serious?' look.

**"What the fuck were you doing?!!"**

**" You wouldn't have needed to, had you been educated"**

**" Don't be the first stranger I hit"**

**"Goodbye, you adorable bundle of joy. Your father is an idiot. Learn the word 'idiot' and use it on him whenever he pulls something stupid, okay?"**

Paisley went through every mean and disrespectful word ever said to Carter and groaned. She looked over at the toddler for help, but he just smiled.

She understood the babies innocent show of affection. He was basically telling her that she was screwed.

Carter found her expressions extremely amusing and watched her the entire time with his cheek leaned against his palm.

She glanced up at him and sighed. "I'm so-"

A knock echoed through the room and the waitress came in with their orders. She served them on the table along with glasses of cucumber water and left after one last glance at Carter.

"Ms. Brooke", Carter called and Paisley looked at him. "There's no need for you to apologise. You weren't being disrespectful. Infact, the little time we spent with you was quite entertaining"

*That's a good thing... right?*

" Yaa!!", Karter squealed, hitting his stuffed bunny against the table and Paisley smiled.

Carter's phone buzzed and he answered.

"I have to take this. I'll be right back", he smiled and exited the room. Paisley looked over at the baby boy who had his hand stretched out towards her.

"You want me to carry you?"

Karter giggled and Paisley took that as a yes. She unclipped him from the booster seat and stood him on her lap.

"Are you hungry? Did your daddy not feed you before bringing you here?"

He blinked and touched her hair.

" You like my hair?", She cooed and winced when he pulled on it.

"That hurts"

As if understanding her, he let go of her hair and squealed with a wide grin, provoking a smile from Paisley who patted his back softly.

"I forgive you", she said and planted a kiss on his cheek. Karter grabbed her nose with his tiny hands and she chuckled. "That tickles"

"Mama", Karter called and for a moment, Paisley swore that time stopped. She stared at the child with widened eyes and her lips parted. She wanted to speak, but had no idea what to say.

Tears rolled down her cheeks and Karter stared at her with a frown. She noticed his distraught and forced a smile, reassuring the boy that she was alright.

The smart kid didn't buy it and leaned in for a hug. This took her by surprise. She breathed out and patted his back, feeling sudden relief and reassurance.

"Wow. That works like magic", she exhaled. Carter walked into the room and paused in complete confusion at the scene before him.

"I feel like you're closer to my child than I am", he teased and sat down. Paisley rolled her eyes and sat Karter down on her lap, stroking his head softly.

"Are you crying?", He asked, staring at her eyes and she immediately wiped them away.

"I'm fine. My heels are killing me and the room is suffocating"

"I'm sorry about that. We'll round up then. I'll be heading back for an unexpected meeting anyways"

Paisley nodded. " We better finish our antelope meat" She joked and earned a chuckle from Carter.

She smiled down at Karter who was now snuggled in her arms and half way into dream land.

*I wasn't dreaming right?* She mused. *This child called me 'mama'. Why does that sound like music to my ears?*