Page 73 of Seduced By Contract

"I'm sorry, but Eleanor told me that the babies don't have socks that fit, and I also want to buy them outfits for their first birthday . . .” I leave the sentence hanging, unsure of what to say.

"What's wrong?"

"I thought about throwing a little celebration for them. I think they'll love it, so I was wondering if . . . um . . . your brother would like to come with his little one? The kids don't have anyone to play with, and it would be nice to have one more child there, at least."

"I'll talk to him. Maybe I can bring Joseph."

"You’re going to be alone with a baby? I mean, bring him to a party by yourself?"

"It can't be that difficult."

I stay quiet so as not to discourage him, but also because I'm curious about how he'll handle it.

"Let's go," he says, taking my hand and getting up.

"Where to?"

"To buy what the babies need and then have lunch. However, I'll have dessert here," he says, whispering in my ear. "On top of my desk."

"I knew I shouldn't have let you come. They won't have time to use all of this, Zeus. Babies grow quickly!"

There must be about ten bags behind the counter, and I feel embarrassed as the cashier totals the bill.

"Then we'll buy more later."

I stay silent because I don't want to argue, especially not in front of a stranger.

All the women around us are staring curiously, obviously aware of who he is. I've gotten used to the attention he gets and don't feel as out of place anymore, but it drives me crazy how blatantly they covet him.

One of the security guards comes in and picks up the bags.

Zeus turns to me. "Mission accomplished. Now let's have lunch."

"You seem pretty excited for someone who spent an hour shopping for baby clothes."

We're walking toward the exit when the manager intercepts us. Like the other saleswomen, she looks more like a millionaire than anything else—impeccable outfit and not a strand of hair out of place. I've noticed that there's a sort of dress code for women who work in offices in Manhattan, especially here on Fifth Avenue, where the Kostanidis Group's headquarters is located.

"Before you go, I wanted to congratulate you on the baby, Mr. Kostanidis."

My first reaction is to smile. Surely she didn't get her information from the saleswoman, or she'd know we bought clothes for a two-year-old, which is what the twins wear now.

Only after a few seconds do I realize that an uncomfortable silence fills the air, and when I look at Zeus, there's nothing friendly on his face.

"Could you kindly let us through?" Despite his deceptively polite tone, I know he's seething, and I wonder if it's because the woman insinuated that we're having a child or because of her intrusion into our lives.

I think it's more likely to be the second option.

The woman tries to fix it, as red as a pepper. "I didn't mean to be inappropriate."

I almost feel sorry for her, but I'm not that generous. Before congratulating us on a non-existent child, she looked me up and down.

"And yet you continue to be," he says, cutting her off.

She finally takes the hint and lets us pass, but as soon as we step onto the sidewalk, we're surrounded by paparazzi.

The security guards act quickly, shielding us, but I can still hear the questions.

"Mr. Kostanidis, do we have an heir on the way?"

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