Hired Love
Chapter 33

"Good morning, everyone." Roman said when they entered the dining room. "Aunt Stacy! Roman!"

The sharp rush of air hit her before the Olivia did. She let out a burst of laughter as Olivia left her to run into Roman's arms. Since she'd been out like a lamp by the time they'd got home, it was the first time she was seeing them since the fair. Roman laughed heartily, lifting Olivia and throwing her in the air. Olivia let out a screeching squeal mixed with laughter as he caught her and spun her around.

"I wanted to come see you this morning but daddy said you were busy. What were you doing? It's so early in the morning." Olivia asked, wrapping her small limbs around his neck.

Stacy felt her cheeks burning. She was pretty sure she'd been loud enough for someone close to their room to hear her screams. She resisted the urge to look at Benjamin. His room was the closet to hers so maybe he'd heard. "Because I had to carry you around for most of yesterday, I was really tired, so I woke up late." Roman said before leaning close to her with a small smile. "Don't tell your daddy I said so, but you weight a ton."

Olivia laughed, her blond hair bobbling with the movement. "That's a lie. I'm so tiny. Everyone says so."

Roman shook his head. "That's not true. Look at your aunt Stacy. She doesn't look it but she's heavier than a sack of potatoes."

The dinner room went mad with laughter. Stacy rolled her eyes at him, leaving him to sit down. If she hadn't been conscious all the times he'd carried her, she might've been offended. The man lifted her like she was air. Roman followed suit, with Olivia still glued to him. When he sat down and she still didn't budge, Benjamin cleared his throat.

"I'm beginning to think my daughter likes you more than she does me, Roman."

Benedict laughed, ignoring his twin's cold glare.

"What happened yesterday?" Benjamin asked, seemingly interested.

Roman laughed. "Don't worry, man. I'll ensure you see her once a week when she moves in with me."

There were a few laughs here and there, but Benjamin only glared. Stacy knew he was extremely protective of his daughter, and he probably hadn't found Roman's joke funny.

"Don't be sour, Benji. Roman was just messing with you. Olivia is in awe of him because he satisfied all her sugar lust yesterday."

"That sounds really weird." Matt chipped in.

Stacy looked at him. She hadn't even realized he was present. Now that she was looking really closer, she couldn't comprehend why she'd been infatuated with him. He was as basic as they came. "You just have a terrible imagination." Benedict muttered, sitting back as the maid served breakfast.

Olivia refused to come down from Roman's lap, so everyone ultimately left her alone. Roman didn't seem to mind either. He fed her at her request, helping her tear apart foods that were too big or too hard. "Stacy," Claire's voice made her look up. "I see you're really trying to take homeless to a whole new level with that outfit."

After showering with Roman, she'd thrown on a pair of loose sweatshirt and matching sweatpants. It was just breakfast, and her mom hadn't announced any activity. She'd seen no use in playing dress-up when comfortability was right there begging for attention.

Claire on the other hand had gone all out, as usual. She had on a skin tight dress that made her breasts pop out. Though she wasn't exactly packing much in the chest area, she had a body one could call sexy. Most of her charm lay in her confidence, beauty, and her ability to always make herself stand out.

"Nice dress." She replied. "Does it come in your size?"

Roman choked on a piece of chicken, coughing uncontrollably. Stacy immediately handed him a glass of water, patting him gently on the back. There was a reason she avoided confrontations. It wasn't like she didn't know what to say. It was more that it always ended with someone hurt and it usually wasn't her.

"Are you okay, Roman?" Heather asked, concern etched onto her features. Roman lifted his eyes to Heather and Stacy saw they were watering. "I'm alright. Thank you." He managed to cough out.

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After some seconds and a few gulps of water, he narrowed his eyes at her. "That was so hot." He whispered, clearing his throat violently.

She chuckled uncertainly. She hadn't meant to give him a coughing bout with her retort, but she figured it was well if he found it sexually attractive. "Are you sure you're fine?" "Yeah, babe."

"Have some chicken, Roman." Olivia offered in a tiny voice. Roman took the food from her, offering back a small smile.

Stacy was angry. There was a reason she avoided confrontations as much as she did. She hadn't even realized that Claire knew that and capitalized on it until Roman had pointed it out. The irony was not lost on her; she was a lawyer. She basically argued for a living. But that was her job. It wasn't just a mere exchange of words like her and Claire. Stacy didn't know what Claire had been thinking. They tended to keep their conflicts away from their mother especially now that she was sick. She met her mother's eyes again. She hadn't heard the last of it, that was for sure.

Fuck it. She was tired of being the good child.

What one allowed was what would continue, right?