"You even promised to be nice to me." Hailey found herself tugging at his hand. "You won't deny me opening my own eatery, right?" She said in a whiny voice. After collecting himself, Kendrick's eyes narrowed at her. He tilted his head, as if looking for some sign on her face, and Hailey batted her lashes again, she was very sure her face looked so innocent at the moment. "Hailey." Kendrick finally found his voice. "Are you sure you're alright?" He placed a palm on her forehead.Hailey groaned inside before nodding. Kendrick dropped his hand, and Hailey could swear she had heard him sigh. "Do you really want to?" He asked again, now in a calm voice. "Yeah, it has always been my dream.""Are you sure?" Now he stared at her and she could see the worry in his eyes.Okay, that wasn't what Hailey had expected. She had expected anything but this. Why was he looking at her as if she was a child that wasn't even sure of what decision she wanted to make? Wasn't this the part that he should

"N-No, y-yes." Hailey couldn't even form a coherent answer, as she shook her head and nodded at the same time. She swatted his hands off and wrapped both hands around her stomach. "J-Just stay away... ."That came out as a plea as her voice broke.Kendrick's frown dissipated and he ran a hand through his hair. She could swear he had let out a curse, as his eyes searched hers. His gaze was fixed on hers for a few seconds before he blew out an air, almost a sigh. Then he looked back at her laptop whose screen was still lit up and he picked it up from the edge of the bed. "Talk to Kara, she might have a copy," he advised, his voice returning to normal. Then he dropped the laptop beside her and got off the bed. He didn't give her another glance after that. But Hailey couldn't decipher the last look in his eyes before he left the room. Damn! She was too shaken to try understanding that look. She only returned to her senses after the door closed behind him. A huge sigh of relief escape

"I was ordered to keep an eye on you, Madam," he said flatly while staring ahead. Hailey groaned and rolled her eyes. "This building is very large, but it has only one entrance. Why don't you wait for me at the securities corner, Rick?" She asked with a smile."But, Madam..." The bodyguard looked down at her, giving her a doubtful look. "I won't go anywhere, Rick," Hailey stated in a low tone."Okay." The bodyguard gave a stiff nod then glanced at his wristwatch. "Master gave us two hours. Please be back on time, Madam." "Two hours!?" Hailey stared at him in disbelief. 'Argh! That Kendrick.' they'd already spent forty minutes on their way here. That left her with only how many minutes? She let out another groan and waived her hand. "Alright, got that. I'll come down on time." "Okay." The bodyguard gave her a nod then turned his back to her and walked out to where the securities stood. Hailey also turned around and took in a deep breath. Forty minutes. She only had forty minutes.

Hailey nodded eagerly as she also couldn't contain her joy. Her baby had just moved. For the first time. The apartment was filled with both girls' screams of joy and when they both calmed down finally, Kara's eyes were still glimmering with tears, while Hailey's face was streaked with fresh tears. She couldn't believe her baby had moved, for the first time. The last time Bella visited, she had questioned her about that, worried. And Bella had reassured her with the same words she read in books. Her baby would start kicking, eventually. Well, she finally kicked. Hailey laughed and caressed her bump. She couldn't wait to share this with— Oh, shit!' She halted. Why did she think about the devil all of a sudden? Kendrick was the last person she'd like to think of at this blissful moment of her life. "I'm so happy for you, Hailey." Kara wiped her own tears and hugged her. "You're so lucky to have such an amazing baby. Even the way she kicks is so cute, I can't wait to pamper her and dr

"I'm certain you're not a child to not understand things that transpire between married couples." Kendrick went on. "Now tell me why I shouldn't exercise my rights." "K–Kendrick, S-Stay away." Hailey eye's darted everywhere but him. He was too close and her heart rate had picked up. She also didn't like the sound of his tone. "I–It's my body. I– I also have the right to decide whoever c–can touch it. It doesn't matter if we're husband and wife. And I don't see you as my—""You're shaking." Kendrick cut her off. Hailey followed his gaze to her hands which were trembling. She gulped and quickly hid them behind her. "You're not alright, Hailey." He searched her eyes and she could notice a hint of worry in his eyes. "Tell me why you're acting like this."Hailey pressed her lips together and looked away. If he wanted her to open up, then he'd have to dream on. She had to be a fool to not know where this was going. He might as well tell her openly his real intentions. "Just stay away fro