CHAPTER 6 – Take Off Your Shirt

“Are you guys moving in?” Amanda could not help but ask while gesturing for Mark to come inside.

“I’m not sure what we might need so I thought I’ll just bring everything” Mark replied her shyly.

“Give her to me” she immediately checked her temperature and was relieved that it was still in the 38C.

She settled the baby in the nursery and then led Mark to the guest room opposite her master’s bedroom.

“You can settle your things first then come out for dinner. You must be starving” now that she’s looking it seems like Mark haven’t slept at all.

“You have no idea” Mark chuckled.

When left alone in the room, he took his time to inspect the guest room. He was wondering if they had frequent visitors in this room. He suddenly felt a bit bitter at the thought so he immediately brush-off the idea.

He opened the cabinet door to put his bag then he decided to bring out all his clothes and hung it all out. He needs to go to the hotel tomorrow and he cannot wear wrinkled clothes to the office.

There was a disposable pair of slippers inside the cabinet and toiletries inside the bathroom. There were two white towels in the towel rack and he was immediately impressed.

It looks like he’s in a hotel but with a more home-y feeling. He quickly took a shower and changed in his comfortable clothes and went straight to the dining area.

As soon as he stepped in, he smelled pork ribs soup and the stir-fry vegetables and he suddenly felt hungry.

Amanda came back holding Penny and Jack and the little guy already took his seat in the dining table.

She has prepared the baby chair but since Penny is sick, she decided to just carry the baby herself.

The boys started eating while she prepared the baby food.

It was a pleasant dinner and Amanda noticed that both Mark and Jack really enjoyed the food.

Penny immediately fell asleep after dinner and medication and Jack keep the baby company.

“Hun, do you want coffee or tea?” she found Mark in living room on the way to the kitchen.

“I’ll have tea, please. I’ll help you clean-up” Mark stood up and went with her to the kitchen.

She started boiling water while preparing tea while Mark was cleaning up.

“Thank you” Mark sincerely appreciates her kindness.

He didn’t think that he would need her very soon and yet here he was. A guest in someone else’s house.

“Don’t be too polite. I’m glad we can help. Don’t worry too much. Babies need infection to strengthen their immune system” she explained patiently.

“The thing is, my mother hasn’t come back yet and I have a very, very important meeting to attend to tomorrow. Is it okay if Penny stays with you tomorrow?”

“I know I’m shameless but I’m really out of options right now” Mark kept explaining when Amanda still hasn’t replied just staring at him.

Suddenly she burst out laughing.

“Silly, of course it’s okay. Jack has been bugging me to fetch Penny even on weekdays. It’s no trouble at all” she continued laughing while sipping her tea.

“Oh Amanda…you’re my angel. I thought you would refuse. I promise as soon as I finish my work, I will come back straight here. Whew” he was beaming with relief.

“I just could not let this meeting go. I’ve been working on this for the past three months and tomorrow is the contract signing day” he was grateful for having a kind friend.

“Well, then you better get your rest now. You don’t want to be late to your contract signing tomorrow right?” Amanda was grinning while urging Mark to the bedroom.

“Can I have one last look?” he suddenly missed his princess.

When they reached the nursery, they were surprised by the set-up of the two kids.

The crib was beside Jack’s bed. Jack’s outstretched hand is inside the crib while Penny is grabbing Jack’s hand.

It was such a sweet scene and Mark felt very warm in his heart. He unconsciously glanced at the woman beside him and their eyes met. Amanda gave him a sweet smile and he felt the hair on the back of his head raised.

Amanda gave him a baby monitor before he went to his room and both bid each other good night.

***

Early morning, Amanda was already checking the two kids in the nursery. Penny’s fever has gone down already and the baby is still sleeping soundly in her crib.

She quickly prepared breakfast for the two boys and a porridge for Penny.

When Mark went out of the guest room, she noticed how wrinkled his shirt was. She furrowed her eyebrows at the sight and could not help but be nosy.

“What are you wearing?” this is not acceptable to her.

“I was so tired last night, I forgot to iron it” Mark replied her sheepishly.

He is not a lousy person but in his current state, he cannot demand so much from his hostess.

“Take off your shirt” he looked at Amanda confused.

“Take off your shirt, quickly. I will press it while you’re having breakfast” she held out her hand while staring at Mark’s confused look.

“Come on, today is an important day” she urged again while grinning.

Mark has no choice but to comply and immediately remove his long sleeves revealing a tight-fitting under shirt.

Amanda had a glimpse of the outline of his body and suddenly felt her cheeks felt warm. She grabbed the long sleeves shirt and went to her room to iron his clothes.

After a few strokes, the shirt was in perfect condition and she quickly pass it to Mark.

“Go wear it. You cannot be late today” she commanded like a boss.

“You haven’t had breakfast. Come eat. I will take care of the kids first before I go” he quickly wore the shirt and button the sleeves while talking.

Amanda quickly finished her food and took Penny from Mark afterwards.

“Don’t carry her anymore, it will crumple your shirt” the words were very plain but the way it reached Mark’s ears sounded like a loving wife reminding a husband going to office.

He always thought he didn’t need a wife but now if having a wife would feel like this, he wouldn’t mind it at all.

“Then I shall go now, wish me luck” he grins again.

He almost felt like winking at her but when he remembers how repulsive Amanda was to his flirtations, he thought it would be nice to just play it cool.

“Good luck” she gave him a sweet smile again. 

When he went inside the car, he noticed the same black car parked near Amanda's apartment. He already passed the car once when he arrived last night and it hasn't moved an inch today. Did the people inside camp overnight? 

He will talk to Amanda about it if it's still there in the afternoon.