AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My heart banging against my ribcage and my mouth completely dry as I realize how close Sophie had just been to getting injured, I soothe my shaken baby whose face has scrunched upon seeing the fear on mine.
Lifting her out, I hold her against me as she wails and glances around at the person who had bumped into me. But whoever it was had disappeared into the crowd now waiting at the elevator.
I feel my body grow cold. Had that been deliberate?
I hold Sophie even closer, suddenly staring at the people walking in, no longer feeling safe. The fright I just experienced makes me feel insecure and uncertain. Sophie wails even louder, making me try to shush her and calm her down.
“Shut. That brat up!” Comes a nasty comment and I look up to see one of the younger female employees – Dalia – glare at Sophie and then me, as she adds, “This is an office not a nursery. Why are you even bringing that here?”
One of the women standing next to her titters.
My blood boils, and there’s a harsh element to my voice as I bare my teeth, “You’re got a problem, go to HR. It’s not my fault she doesn’t like the sound of your voice.”
The venom in her eyes makes me take a step back, startled at the sheer hatred there. Not knowing what I’ve done to deserve it is confusing to me.
>
Dalia looks satisfied while smirking. “Everybody knows what you’re trying to do. Shoving that brat into—”
“Is there a problem here, ladies?”
The smooth voice filled with authority makes Dalia pale.
We all turn to look at Oliver.
He looks very annoyed, as he barks out to everyone and especially, Dalia in the lobby, “Get moving!”
His words have people scrambling to leave and those who can’t get into the elevator, rush towards the stairwell.
When he stares at me, I point towards my desk, not intimidated in the least. “Where am I supposed to go?”
Oliver huffs and makes his way towards me, staring down at Sophie and suddenly, I see his expression change, becoming soft, and he looks at me for permission to take her from me.
I let him.
He holds Sophie away from him, looking at her, and my wailing daughter ceases her cries as if realizing she’s no longer with her mother. She studies Oliver with curious eyes before sticking her fist into her mouth and saying decisively, “Gah!”
Oliver’s face creases into a smile which is so unexpected that even I stagger. The man rarely smiles.
Sophie is clearly besotted because she starts baby babbling and reaches out to him.
Oliver settles her against his chest, the soft expression flickering on his face again.
It makes me wonder what he’s remembering that has him, so terribly sad.
He then looks at me and he’s frowning. “Are you being bullied?”
I blink at his words, taken aback. “Uh, no. Why would you—”
“I’m not deaf,” he says, shortly,
I now realize he overheard what Dalia had said. I feel uncomfortable and I shuffle my feet before aiming a smile at him. “I can take care of myself, don’t worry.”
He studies me for a few seconds before saying, “I see.”
I don’t know what he sees but I clearly see my daughter very diligently drooling all over his gray coat and I hold up my arms. “Here, I’ll take her.”
Oliver looks a little disappointed but hands Sophie back. As he leaves, he throws over his shoulder, casually, “Lana is very angry with you for not letting her babysit. Have fun with that.”
