Page 62 of Arianna

I ignore the fact that I referred to him as mine. He is not, but I must admit something has shifted between us. Hell, maybe it’s my crazy brain.

I alternate between eating my breakfast and reading the newspaper. That’s all my mornings consist of for my entire stay here so far, besides spending more time with Sebastian’s darling girl.

I’ve been hidden away with nothing to do but watch TV and witness a parade of women interviewing for the position of taking care of Ellaiza Kenton.

No one of them seems genuine in my not-so-humble and very judgmental opinion. They get all googly-eyed when they ask if the father will be conducting the interviews, but sadly for them, Benjamin does the first round of interviews, and then the lucky women that pass his security background checks get to have a sit down with Sebastian.

At least, that is what I was told.

I finish eating my breakfast just in time for Ella to wake up from her morning nap. That kid sleeps more than the dead do, and I must admit that I miss her. She’s the only thing keeping me from losing my mind from boredom.

Getting up, I pick up my plate, take it to the sink, and wash it. I’ve never done chores before in my life, but Benjamin made sure to humble me the two years we’ve shared space and had no help. I don’t mind doing it.

Benjamin has taught me things no one cared to back when I lived with my family.

He even taught me to drive, and that was a mission on its own. I almost killed us once or twice, but the man seemed to enjoy being close to death. He’s an odd one, but who am I to talk?

“Ana.” Ellaiza screeches happily, making both Benjamin and I look her way.

“Good morning, little lady,” Benjamin says between chews, the pig. I turn away from the sink and walk toward the living room area, where Ella is safely secured on a bouncy gadget that moves in a circle. Bending down, I pick her up, giving her a big kiss on her fat little cheek, making her giggle.

My heart warms.

Only for her.

For a long time, it was so cold, but lately, here… I don’t feel so cold anymore.

“What do you ladies want to do today?” Benjamin finishes his breakfast, downing what’s left of his coffee, and throwing his dishes on the sink, turning our way with a grin on his face. Today he’s fully dressed in his bodyguard uniform. Black suit and expensive shoes instead of his usual dark jeans, combat boots, and shirt.

He is in full bodyguard mode today.

“Uhhh,” my eyes leave him and look down at Ella. She’s wearing mismatched polka dots black pants with a yellow unicorn shirt and a red headband. “Who dressed you today, girl? Ronald McDonald’s stylist?” I make a point to offer her a smile while, on the inside, my stylish soul is dying while witnessing such an atrocity.

She’s cute and could rock any style, but this pushes it.

Ella looks at me with a grin as if she could give two single fucks what I think. I wink at her and lift her up higher on my waist.

“She dressed herself.” Benjamin comes towards us and takes Ella from my arms. “And she did a wonderful job, didn’t you, little miss?” He talks gibberish to her, making her laugh.

“Don’t lie to her.” I reprimand him. I also know that it is important for kids to learn how to express themselves and choose what makes them feel happy, or some shit like that. I read it in one of the baby books Sebastian left on the living room sofa two nights ago.

Still, Ella needs to look her best and that combination. Yeah, that is not and will never be her best. Looking at the two of them, the big Viking fixing the headband on the tiny girl, an idea comes to mind.

Since both Ella and I seem to be her father’s prisoners, by going out, I get to kill two birds with one stone.

I get to annoy the man that has been avoiding me like the plague.

And I also get the chance to show little miss Ella there’s more to this world than being stuck inside this house.

“I know what I want to do today.” I grin while both Ella and Benjamin’s heads whip my way. One looks at me with a face that tells me she shit her pants, and the other looks at me as if he knows I’m up to no good. “And I want to drive.” My grin widens when Benjamin looks horrified.

Such a drama queen.

I’m an excellent driver.

There’s no doubt about that.

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