(18+) The Guest (Complete)

Ch. 52: Three presents

I had it arranged so that Ana got a whole store of maternity clothes brought up to our hotel room. She got mad at first, but soon accepted that it was better that way. We would be surrounded by the press soon enough. And while I made a few phone calls and rescheduled a couple things, Ana got what she needed and then some. And of course she got mad again when I didn't allow her to pay. But I didn't care. I just made sure she was wearing something comfortable and warm, plus good shoes, so she was prepared for what we were doing after the trip to the hospital.

"Are you okay with Ms. Martinez having a relationship with Mr. Melnyk?"

"Are you polygamous?"

"Mr. Jackson! Are you aware that the baby isn't yours?"

The questions were endless just like the flashing lights from the many cameras that were pointed at us. And I could feel Ana's anxiety as we walked toward the waiting car, even though my bodyguards kept the paparazzis at safe distance. Therefore, while I waved and smiled at a group of fans standing further away, I gently squeezed her hand to assure her that everything would be okay.

"God, are they still stuck on that?" I mumbled. But I refused to let it ruin my good mood. This was our first official outing together, and with Lilliana by my side I felt like I could conquer the world. I wanted to show her everything. All the places I had been. All the beautiful buildings, art, people and cultures. But most of all; I wanted to show the world that she was mine. So right before we climbed into the car, I stopped her, framed her face and planted a long kiss on her lips right in front of everyone. And she got so flustered that she forgot to enter the car until I grabbed her hand and helped her get seated.

"Why... What... Uhm... What did you do that for?" she stuttered, but I just smiled.

"I gave them my answer to all their stupid questions."

"Huh."

Ana looked like she'd fallen from the moon.

"You couldn't have just... You know, talked to them?"

"I liked my version better. Sometimes body language is all it takes," I snickered. Then I leaned close to her and lowered my voice.

"And that's why you're my girlfriend now, Ms. Martinez, because of how you responded to me that time in the spa."

Ana blushed and tried to hold back a smile.

"Like it was possible to resist," she mumbled and turned her attention to the crowd outside the car.

"I heard that," I smirked, and got a friendly elbow in my ribs as a response. I chuckled.

"Anyway, have you ever been to a children's hospital before?"

She shook her head.

"It's not a regular hospital?"

"Yeah, it is. But we're only visiting the children's department. And we have a small truck of toys and a few of my crew waiting for us there to help, and then we go from room to room to say hello."

"How old are they?"

"All ages. From tiny babies to teenagers. And they have all kinds of illnesses. Cancer, brain damage, burn injuries... Some are even so fragile from their illnesses or their treatment that we can't see them, or we have to wear protective clothes, gloves and masks."