Naomi’s POVThere were some things that one couldn’t be subtle about, especially when they have been doing the opposite of the thing for a long time. It only tended to look stranger. So, I could easily tell that Derrick was avoiding us. Whatever the reason was, I had no idea. He stopped coming over to visit or trying to get closer to Dean. He finally withdraws all the bodyguards he had appointed to be guarding us. The bodyguards he had refused to withdraw even when I begged him. Now that we were getting used to them being around, he decided to withdraw them. I already knew some by their names, too. It was as if he was abandoning us all over, which was good.It didn’t feel good, but it was good. Thankfully, I haven’t told Dean about Derrick being his father, yet he greatly missed Derrick. Every day, he kept on asking if there was any way he could visit Derrick’s house again, but I told him that he was too busy to accept visitors. When I ran out of excuses, I told him Derrick had travel
Naomi’s POV I stared at my laptop while my hand lingered on the space key. This was the first time I felt an urgent need to work on my story. Still, I couldn’t seem to type anything because my mind kept returning to Em’s words: what if something happened to Derrick, and I could have saved him from whatever it was? But because I was here thinking the worst of him, I could not. I shook my head again. I was in denial of what to do. When I came back to Arnold City, the last thing I wanted was to associate myself with Derrick, but it looked like he was the most important thing on my mind now, which seemed wrong. I closed my laptop and went to Dean’s room. He was sound asleep on his bed. He was acting strange; he sleeps more now than play, and going to Em’s place hadn’t improved his mood as I expected. I stared at him for a while before deciding to prepare his favorite to lighten up his mood. It had worked previously, and I had no doubt it would work again. So, hoping to take my mind o
Dean’s POVMy eyes moved to the top of the bar, transforming into a frown when I couldn’t see any bottle of alcohol. Recently, what I did mostly was lose myself in a bottle and sleep. Thankfully, I had a capable assistant ready to help me with work, and he had been doing well. So, I trust him.Staying away from Naomi for the second time seemed more difficult than the first time. I hated that I couldn’t see Dean, too, and numerous times, one of my guys came back with information about their well-being. I couldn’t leave them completely alone with security, so I had a guy keeping an eye on them in case of any danger.The only pleasing news was the fact that there was no threat to them any longer. Naomi was at ease now that she had withdrawn the service of Dean’s bodyguard. Yet, I didn’t like that it was keeping us apart. I wanted to see them daily.Diana must have been the one who kept the bottles from me. She had complained about my health, but it was all I could do to keep myself from
Naomi’s POVI stared at Derrick in disbelief. He was still as selfish as ever. My head felt heavy. What if he had planned on stealing Dean from me? I don’t think I can survive without Dean. I wanted to speak, but he wasn’t done talking.“You separated me from my son for five years, and here you’re trying to do it again.”What? I separated him from his son. I couldn’t believe he was saying, “You abandoned us. I didn’t separate you guys.”His long fingers got lost in his hair, and he sighed, “Look, Naomi. I don’t want to argue with you at the moment. That’s the last thing I wanted.”I shook my head, “It’s always been about what you want and need. When you needed a wife, your grandmother got you one. Now, you feel you need me, you came to me. When you feel like you no longer needed us, you decided to be absent in our lives. I can’t give my son such life; a life where he only sees his father when he needs him.”Derrick took long strides to his bar and started searching for something befor
Derrick’s POV “What do you guys think you are doing together?” Ricky asked as he sipped his drink. We’re currently in the VIP section of my club, and I have instructed them not to allow any other person in. It’s just the three of us. The VIP section was soundproof, so there was no way any sound could come in. It was exactly what I wanted. Naomi rolled her eyes at him. I sighed, “I don’t think I can stay away from my family. Your plan sucks. We need another plan. Why should I suffer because of some fucker?” I know he was just trying to help, but it wasn’t easy to stay away from those I wanted to be closest to. Ricky gaze moved from Naomi to me. He leaned in and whispered, “You were fine staying away from her for five years, but suddenly you can’t endure two weeks.” I could see the curiosity in Naomi’s eyes; she wanted to know what he said. I sat up straight. I don’t intend to hide anything from her, especially since she greatly doubts me because of our past. I want to be honest wit
Naomi’s POV.“It’s not a bad idea. It’s better to start now if you guys would end up co-parenting Dean.” Em said as she moved around her room. I ended up staying with her. I was so exhausted that the idea of leaving didn’t cross my mind. Dean was fast asleep on her bed when I got to Em.“I want to do this co-parenting stuff for Dean, but I don’t think it’s a good idea to be in any kind of relationship with Derrick.”Em paused and stared at me for a while, “I think he’s different from the way you used to tell me about him. The guy is devoted to you, both. Why don’t you give him a second chance?”I groaned. It must have been easier for her to say. I had been the one who went through numerous phases of heartbreak. It wasn’t an experience I was eager to go through again, and I know that although Derrick might break my heart, he won’t break that of Dean’s. He cherished his son.Em chuckled, “I think you’re thinking this too much. Was he bad on the bed?”I turned red. I haven’t thought abo
Naomi’s POVMy first instinct was to hold onto Dean. The banging on the door was serious, like the person was ready to break the door.Emily cursed while she put on a comfy wear; she didn’t open the door immediately. She glanced through the peephole before cursing louder. She opened the door. A tall guy with dark hair moved inside. He looked like he walked out of the magazine, and his confidence felt like an aura throughout the room. I frowned at this. He held a small box and shoved it at Emily. His gaze didn’t leave her, and I don’t think he had any idea someone else was in the room. His eyes were only for Emily.“I saw that at the front of your door. What’s wrong with you? Why are you ignoring my calls? Do you want to drive me insane?’He didn’t look like he was about to go insane. He looked too good to go insane. I guessed it had to be her boss from the gist of things. He wasn’t happy with this break of a thing.Em sighed; she collected the box before walking him in. Then, his gaze
Naomi’s POVAfter hiring a new bodyguard for Dean and getting him settled in school, I went over to Derrick’s. I couldn’t get any work done when I knew the threat hanging over my son’s head. It was all I had thought of throughout the night, and I decided to pay him a visit in the morning.Maybe Em was right. I had invested all I had here, and starting afresh wouldn’t make me achieve the life I wanted for Dean. Plus, I would return to square one, where I have no one alone. Also, the way Derrick had told me he missed his son, I doubt he would be too pleased when I suddenly disappeared with the said son. It all boiled down to one point: I had to work with Derrick to protect my son.As a writer, I’ve read many books that started with contract marriage, and they ended up falling for their selves, but I doubt ours would be like that. We were once married, and it had ended in divorce. So, the possibility of getting married again was close to zero. I would be careful and make sure to state al