𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐓𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 | 𝟏𝟖+ (EDITING)

31.

True to my word, I stuck a small bottle of pepper spray into my purse, keeping it within reach on my lap as I nervously drove to work.

The door to the large mansion was slightly ajar as I walked up to it. I pulled on the brass handle and walked in, not bothering to knock. The main hall was empty and quiet. I figured the kids were in their playroom so I started there. As I neared my destination, I heard the hushed giggles and instantly smiled.

I pushed passed the door, and instantly caught sight of little pink toes peeking out from under the makeshift lemonade stand. I decided to play along. "Elena?" I called out. The giggles made another, more quiet appearance. "Where could she be?"

"Boo!" I jumped to the back of her hiding place and came face to face with a shocked Elena, her favourite doll secured around her small arms.

"Mira I told you to be quiet! She found us." The little girl chastised her American girl doll, dropping it on the floor and running into my arms.

"You have great hiding spots." I praised, tickling her sides. She squirmed in my arms and more joyous giggles left her pink lips.

"Really?" she asked, light eyes staring into mine.

Who wouldn't love this kid?

"Oh yeah. I spent like three minutes looking for you."

I walked her out of the playroom and into the kitchen, setting her on the white marble counter. "That's a really long time!" she beamed.

"Have you eaten yet?" I asked, pulling a carton of orange juice out the fully stocked fridge.

"Nope. Mommy left early this morning. She went to see Mr. Smith I think. He has a really weird bald head." She wore a grossed out expression on her face and I laughed distractedly.

Another doctor's appointment?

"And daddy is still sleeping, so is Luca but I was bored so I came down after mommy took me back to bed."

"I see. I'll make you some waffles, how does that sound."

"Perfect."

An hour later, the two of us sat in front of a largely stacked pile of hot waffles. "This is so awesome!" Elena grabbed onto the

"Hey! You can't drink syrup straight from the bottle baby."

Elena stopped, syrup dribbling down her chin and onto her shirt, a glossy sheet of tears covered her doll eyes.

"No, no, no don't cry okay? Here you can have a little more." I took hold of the sticky bottle and poured more of the substance onto her steaming food.

I looked up and immediately and the tears that stained her rosy cheeks were completely gone, replaced with a devious smile instead. "Thanks Gigi." She grinned, digging into her breakfast.

I stared at her in shock for a few seconds before regaining my focus and eating my meal, stealing glances at the child every few seconds.

She'd definitely been around Sarah too much lately.

"Are we having breakfast?"

A loud booming voice wafted into the kitchen, and instinctively I straightened my back at the sight of a shirtless Alex walking into the kitchen. His hair was messily strewn across his head, a few strands falling down onto his forehead.

"Gigi your mouths open!" Elena yelled, pointing her hand in my direction and laughing.

My eyes widened and I cleared my throat, focused on chewing the food inside my mouth instead of the amused man who was now beside me.