《Bound By His Daughter》


 CHAPTER 1

    CHAPTER 1


    Prologue


    Two Months Ago.


    Ceaser paced back and forth in his spaciously well decorated living room, he hadn''t been able to stop


    thinking about it. He had woken up this morning to Tom ¨C his private investigator ¨C telling him he had a


    lead and was going to check it out. It was all by God''s grace that he hadn''t had a heart attack.


    He¡¯s been married to Beatrice for over two years. Eight months after they got married, she disappeared


    into thin air. She had been behaving weird just a few days before she had vanished and no one knows


    where she is.


    Beatrice, he thought, the lovely girl he met at the charity g just months before they were forced


    together. Well, she was forced to marry him. It was a necessity for him seeing as it would have made


    Palmer ¨C Beatrice¡¯s father; a man he wanted to go into business with ¨C pleased. She was very sweet


    the few times they had met and when they started dating, her true nature began to show. She was


    temperamental, quick to judge, always jumping into conclusions and many other things that pissed him


    off. He could see all the warning signs not to get married to her shing in neon lights but he ignored


    every single one of them. After they got married, things only got worse for him because now she


    figured she owned him. He began to stay the night in the office which only made things worse because


    she thought he was cheating on her. That was when the weirdness began, she became oddly quiet and


    only talked when he asked her a question which he seldom did.


    Ceaserbed his fingers through his hair and sighed heavily.


    That¡¯s why he hired Tom who had been on the case for over a year. His thoughts went back to the day


    hest saw her, remembering thest thing she said to him before she walked out of their house. She


    lied straight to his face saying she was going to stay with her mum for a while. He had offered to give


    her a ride but she declined saying she would have a few stops on the way. Even though he knew the


    That same day after he got home, he called Bea¡¯s mum - Mary - who said she hadn''t seen Bea since


    she had visited two weeks ago.


    Just then Ceaser¡¯s phone rang snapping him out of his thoughts and making him stop in his track.


    N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    "Yea?" He answered the call.


    "I''ve found her Mr. Thompson, and she doesn¡¯t look too good." Tom said.


    He sighed in relief, a frown on his tired looking stubble-covered face.


    ¡°Bring her home, Tom.¡± He ended the call and fell into one of the sofas, his head falling backwards.


    Somewhere in the same city, Jules struggled with the door as she tried to keep the groceries from


    falling to the ground. She finally got the door unlocked and nudged the door wide open. Entering her


    600square-foot house, she kicked the door shut behind her walking briskly but carefully through the


    medium-sized-all-white parlour into the kitchen. She dumped everything on the kitchen counter then


    began sorting them out.


    Today''s the day.


    She thought as a smile made its way to her lips, she was excited and nervous at the same time.


    Today''s the day she gets to know the verdict. The odds seemed to be in her favour but she couldn¡¯t be


    sure.


    Since Jules¡¯ parents died almost two years ago, she had tried to drown herself into work to prevent


    herself from breaking down until she realized it wasn''t right and her parents wouldn''t want that for her,


    they would want her to be happy. So, a year ago, she made the best decision to go along with her old


    ns. She has always loved children and somewhere between babysitting for neighbours and family


    friends in her teens through to college, she decided she was going to adopt a girl when she was ready.


    Since her first andst rtionship of two years in College ended tragically, which put her permanently


    in the singledies¡¯ section of the poption, it had taken her a very long time to get over catching her


    boyfriend - at that time - cheating on her...with her roommate...in her bed...on her birthday.


    Yeah. Taa-daa! Happy Birthday, Jules.


    She swore off men since then, they just brought havoc into her peaceful life. Rtionships are


    complications.


    Been there, done that.


    Her phone rang. She ced the carton of milk in her hand on the counter and picked it up her phone.


    "Hello?" She answered.


    "Jules." It was herwyer ¨C Bethany.


    "Yes? How¡¯s it looking?" Jules skipped right to it.


    After nine months of searching for the perfect child, going to court and filling documents; the important


    stuff. Baby proofing the house, buying a baby cot and many other things just in case it came through. It


    all came down to this.


    She found the perfect child to adopt a month after her search begun. The baby girl was just two months


    old and she couldn¡¯t look at any other child after she saw her. Her mind was made and she proceeded


    with the adoption. Bethany had been helpful through it all. The closed adoption was easier than they


    both expected because the mother of the child had given her up willingly and the father was not


    mentioned. Bethany took care of all those things alongside her even though Bethany had offered to do


    it all and contact her when she was needed. Jules had politely declined her offer because she wanted


    to have all hands-on deck.


    "Well the final papers just arrived and it has been approved. So, all you need to do ise over


    anytime to sign it. Then you''ll officially and legally be a mother." Bethany said on the other end


    joyfully.


    Jules grinned from ear to ear, her heart bubbling with joy.


    "I''m on my way." She said, hanging up immediately and abandoning the groceries.


    She couldn''t wait any longer. She picked up the keys to her convertible and ran out the door.


    This was it.


    She was finally going to be a mother. She got into her car and drove off to Bethany¡¯s office to sign the


    documents. It felt like Christmas.

 CHAPTER 2

    CHAPTER 2


    Present.


    Jules walked to the room next to hers and pushed the door, it was like her little girl knew she was


    coming.


    "Momma." she was up in her cot smiling at Jules as she walked in. Her little arms were stretched out to


    her.


    Jules¡¯ heart leapt for joy every time her little Munchkin called her that. She had started speaking a few


    weeks ago and ''Momma'' was the first word that came out of her mouth, the rest were words she picked


    up from anyone and everyone. Jules was shocked at first but her heart bubbled with happiness, she


    was a proud Momma.


    Walking towards her cot she picked her up.


    "Happy Birthday, Ivy" Jules said to her, smiling "You turn one today."


    Ivy giggled like she understood what Jules said. She was the perfect child and she couldn¡¯t have


    wished for a better baby than her little Ivy. Ivy was the most beautiful little baby and she was smarter


    than other babies her age.


    Jules wondered how her biological parents could have given her up like they did. It was beyond her.


    But that''s all in the past. Now, Ivy belonged to her and her love for her grew every single day and she


    wouldn''t stop loving her because she was just so darn cute and lovable. The dimple on her left cheek,


    probably hereditary, only made her look even more so.


    Today was her day and she was going to make it special for her because it was Ivy¡¯s first birthday with


    her. She couldn¡¯t wait.


    Speaking of waiting, Ceaser wondered what was taking Daniel Smith so long. Bea''swyer had asked


    to see him today and he was runningte. Since ire - his assistant ¨C had given him his today¡¯s


    schedule, he had wondered why Daniel wanted to meet him today of all days. He had expected him to


    call a month ago when he became a widower but he didn''t.


    Why now?


    He wondered.


    "Sir, Mr. Smith has arrived." His assistant''s voice red out of the inte.


    "Let him in ire.¡± He said.


    His office door opened after a moment, ire stepped in and Daniel followed behind. Jack was a


    young and sessfulwyer who handled most of Bea¡¯s family¡¯s legal cases. Ceaser stood up as


    Daniel made his way towards his desk.


    ¡°Sorry I¡¯mte.¡± Daniel began ¡°Myst client got me tied up.¡±


    Ceaser stretched his hand out giving Daniel¡¯s a firm shake.


    "Please have a seat." Ceaser gestured to one of the seats in front of his desk ¡°Would you like my


    assistant to get you something to drink?¡± Taking his own seat after Daniel was seated.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m alright. Thank you.¡± He said.


    Ceaser looked at ire who stood near the door and he gave her a nod which she understood. She


    left the office giving them privacy.


    "Thank you for taking the time to see me.¡± Daniel began ¡°I know you might be wondering why I asked


    to see you."


    "That I am.¡± Ceaser replied.


    "Well it is very important." Daniel stated the obvious.


    "Why today?" He asked.


    "That is what you¡¯re about to find out." Daniel said opening his briefcase and he pulled out a brown


    envelope.


    He looked at Ceaser while adjusting his sses. "Yourte wife Mrs. Beatrice Thompson specifically


    told me to give this to you on this particr day. She said I wasn''t supposed to give you a day earlier or


    later."


    Ceaser wondered why as his brows furrowed. He reached out to take the envelope from Daniel and


    studied the envelope in his hand. It weighed next to nothing, he thought, but he could feel the weight of


    whatever was inside in his chest.


    This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    "You don''t happen to know why?" Ceaser asked.


    "Not a clue. My job is to deliver and not find out.¡±


    Ceaser nodded.


    "I''ll take my leave then" Daniel said as picked up his briefcase and got up.


    Ceaser got up as well and shook his hand. "Thank you, Daniel."


    "Just doing my job Mr. Thompson." He said then left.


    After Daniel left his office, his gaze shifted from the closed door to the envelope on his desk. He sat


    down after a moment of staring at the envelope and beeped ire telling her he didn¡¯t want to be


    disturbed for a while.


    He finally picked up the envelope and tore it open. Whatever was inside would satisfy his curiosity, but


    he was nervous at what he might find inside. Knowing Bea as well as he did, she could drop a bomb


    and smile seconds after it had gone off like nothing happened.


    He emptied the envelope and a piece of neatly folded paper fell onto his desk. Nothing more. The white


    paperying there on his desk threatened to go off in seconds. He picked it up and slowly unfolded the


    paper.


    It was now or never.


    He thought.


    He sighed when he noticed Bea''s writing on the paper, his chest tightening as he began reading her


    words carefully.


    Dear Ceaser,


    If you''re reading this letter then I''m no longer with you. Even though there was no love in our marriage I


    still cared about you. You know that, right?


    Yeah, you had a really weird way of showing it. Ceaser thought.


    I''m very sorry for what you''re about to find out. But know that it is the truth and I kept it away from you


    for selfish reasons and couldn¡¯t find the courage to tell you when I knew I wasn¡¯t going to make it


    through.


    A month before I left, I found out that I was pregnant. I didn''t know how to tell you or what your reaction


    would be so I decided to leave.


    Ceaser¡¯s eyes widened at this revtion and he continued reading to find out what the heck this


    woman was thinking.


    You could have simply said ¡®Ceaser we''re having a baby.¡¯


    Ceaser thought.


    I wasn¡¯t ready for a child and I didn''t know if you wanted one either...


    He didn¡¯t but when is there ever a right time for a child. He thought. He would have epted it and


    they would have figured it out together.


    ...or if you were ready for one. So, I lied and ran away, like I always do. I couldn¡¯t bring myself to get rid


    of it so I carried the child and went into hiding. I didn¡¯t want anyone finding out especially the press.


    I finally gave birth to a baby girl, at least that¡¯s what I was told. I didn¡¯t get the chance to see her


    because I¡¯d told the nurses to take her away immediately. I honestly don¡¯t know what happened to me


    afterwards. I nned oning back to you after I had lost my post-baby weight but I went off the


    rails. My therapist said my reason for getting drunk and doing drugs was guilt from giving up our child.


    Maybe she was right.


    The drinking and the drugs had a way of making me forget it and it became myfort for a year and a


    half; before you found me.


    I''ve kept this dark secret since then and I knew I''d have to tell you someday. And now that I know I


    wouldn¡¯t make it; I realize now that I was a coward for not telling you as soon as you found me.


    Ceaser¡¯s sight became blurry as he teared up.


    I decided to write a letter to you instead of telling you because I didn''t want to spend myst days with


    you hating me. We have a child Ceaser, and she''s out there, somewhere. I told Jack to give this letter


    to you today because it¡¯s her birthday.


    I hope you can forgive me for not telling you sooner, I wish now that I had. We could''ve been with her


    together. I''m sorry. I''m really very sorry. I hope you can forgive me Ceaser. Please...


    -Bea.


    A tear dropped on the white paper as Ceaser stared down at the letter in shock. No! Shock was an


    under-understatement. This was the bomb he had expected and it just went off in his head.


    How the heck could she do this to him, to their child...to them? The unanswerable questions began.


    How could she? He asked no one in particr.

 CHAPTER 3

    CHAPTER 3


    He didn¡¯t know what to do because Bea wasn¡¯t here for him to yell some senses into her. He was so


    mad at her he wanted to take it out on a punching bag. And that was exactly what he did.


    He told ire to cancel all his appointments for the day and he left. He got home, went to his room and


    stripped down to his briefs pulling on a ck pair of joggers he went to his gym downstairs and punch


    the shit out of the punching bag as he let his thoughts run through his head, haywire.


    He couldn¡¯t do anything to change the past. What¡¯s done was done. All he could do was look for his


    daughter, by all means necessary.


    He got on his phone half an hourter and dialled Tom who answered on the third ring.


    "I need you to look for someone for me, Tom" He told him.


    "Who?" Tom asked.


    Ceaser sighed heavily rubbing a towel down his neck


    "I don¡¯t know." He said knowing how stupid he sounded at the moment.


    Tom stayed silent on the other end of the line.


    "Any detail about this person?" He asked.


    "I''m the only family she has." Ceaser said as if that would help Tom find her.


    "Okay. What do you know about this girl...or woman?" He asked clearly hopeless.


    "Today''s her birthday...and she''s my daughter."


    Silence


    "Oh."


    ¡®Oh¡¯ was right.


    X


    The only reason Jules liked work less was because she had to leave Ivy in the children''s department of


    the building. She wanted Ivy to be with her all the time, but knew it wasn''t going to happen. Jules


    thought as she rode the elevator up with Ivy in her arms.


    The elevator dinged open and she got out walking into the lobby of the children¡¯s department.


    ¡°Hey you.¡± Sofi beamed from behind the desk as she saw Jules approaching her.


    "Hey. Where''s Andy?" Jules asked Sofi looking around for her other best friend.¡±


    "With the other kids, inside. I don¡¯t know how she never gets tired of their screams." She answered


    getting up and going around the desk towards Jules "Hey cutie." She smiled down at Ivy in Jules¡¯ arm.


    Jules smiled at the look on Ivy¡¯s face. It was the same one that she had when she saw Sofi and Andy.


    She was looking at Sofi with a stoic look blinking frequently.


    Sofi¡¯s expression changed to a she''s-so-adorable look as she reached for Ivy and adjusted her in her


    arms. Ivy¡¯s expression changed in seconds as Sofi began speaking babynguage to Ivy which was


    nothing butplete gibberish. But if it made Ivy smile, then who was she to stop the discussion.


    Jules left Ivy with Sofi going inside the day-care in search of Andy.


    Jules, Miranda and Sofia have been friends since Jules joined Freddie and Co. five years ago. They


    had hit it off immediately and have been friends ever since. They knew about the adoption and


    everything else just like she knew about Sofia¡¯s family problems and Miranda¡¯s rtionship issues.


    They were the ones who resurfaced her dream of adopting and promised to be there if she needed


    their help and for that she was entirely grateful to them. They both were godmothers to Ivy and Jules


    still couldn¡¯t decide if that was the best or the worst decision she¡¯s ever made. They spoiled her at


    every turn,st week being an example when they bought so many birthday presents for Ivy. It was a


    good thing they ran the day care. That was what made it easier for Jules to leave Ivy there knowing


    that Andy and Sofi would be there with her Munchkin.


    Sofia was a rebel in her family ¨C at least that¡¯s what her parents thought. They wanted her to be a part


    of the family¡¯s fashion empire but she wanted to find her own path and had ended up at Freddie and


    Co. taking care of kids which she had grown to love. She had first applied for the job to have an ie


    while looking for another job because her parents had cut her off but now, she was just like Miranda


    who loved kids more than she did people her age.


    Miranda was from a simple middle-ss family like her. She trusted people so easily which as a result


    made her lose hope in humanity. She stuck to what she was best at ¨C taking care of kids. She had


    been in one rtionship since they all became friends and Jules and Sofi knew the rtionship was


    toxic. Miranda just had a hard time letting go after she let someone in. Derek, her boyfriend was a jerk.


    She knew it, they all knew it but Miranda didn¡¯t want to let go of him because she was secretly hoping


    he¡¯d go back to the guy he was when she met him which from Sofi and Jules¡¯ opinion was never going


    to happen.


    Jules spotted Andy with the other kids, she looked so happy. Andy - short for Miranda - loved children


    but when she and Sofi brought up having some of hers, she freaked out.


    "Jules" Andy called when she spotted Jules "Where¡¯s the little princess?"


    "With Sofi." She said and before Jules could utter another word, Andy left the kids with the other


    nannies and went out into the lobby where Sofi and Ivy were. Jules shook her head and followed.


    "Hi princess." Andy spoke to Ivy like a cartoon character. "It¡¯s me, Andy."


    Ivy smiled and murmured something like ¡®candy.¡¯


    Miranda let out a screech.


    ¡°Close, but you can do better.¡± She said to Ivy.


    ¡°She¡¯s one Andy, leave her alone.¡± Sofi said to Andy.


    ¡°You¡¯re just jealous she got to say my name first.¡± Andy said.


    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure she said Candy.¡± Sofi and Andy bickered on.


    Since Ivy started talking, they had both been trying to get her to say their names.


    "Okay. I''m going to leave you guys and I''ll see you during lunch break." Jules interrupted them kissing


    Ivy on her temple "Bye pretty. Momma will see youter."


    "Momma." Ivy cooed.


    Jules left Ivy with her friends still bickering, Ivy ncing from one to another and back. She got into the


    elevator and pushed the number to her floor ready to get to work.


    X


    Ceaser was beginning to get impatient. He hadn''t been able to focus since the day he found out he had


    a daughter.


    What if she was out there suffering?


    He hadn''t heard from Tom since then and he couldn¡¯t help wondering if he had found anything on his


    daughter. Ceaser sighed heavily.


    "Sir? Mr. Lobos is here to see you." ire''s voice filled Ceaser¡¯s office.


    "Let him in." he told her.


    "Yes sir." she said.


    Tom walked into his office a few secondster.


    "Tom." Ceaser got up when he entered "Tell me you have something. You''ve kept me waiting for a


    week."


    "Actually, I have everything." he sat down ¡°Well, all that there is anyway.¡±


    Ceaser sighed a sigh of relief.


    ¡°Great.¡±


    "Okay. I found out that yourte wife gave her up for adoption the same day she gave birth in April and


    two months after your daughter was born, a Jules Jenna took an interest in her and nine monthster


    the adoption was finalized.¡±


    ¡°So, my daughter was adopted by this Jules Jenna this year.¡± Ceaser said after he did the math.


    Tom nodded.


    ¡°What do you have on her?¡± he asked


    ¡°She graduated summa cumude from UCLA, 27 years old, works at Freddie and Co. Single. Lives


    alone, parents..."


    "That''s all I need to know Tom. Do you have her address?" Ceaser said before Tom could give him the


    full information about her.


    "Of course." he said and scribbled it down on a piece of paper which Ceaser provided for him. "What


    exactly do you n on doing sir?"


    "I''ll go to her house and demand for my child. I¡¯ll pay her whatever she needs to cover everything she¡¯s


    done so far. " Ceaser said bluntly.


    "I don''t think that¡¯s a good idea. Ms. Jenna isn¡¯t that kind of woman. From what I¡¯ve dug up, she already


    has a trust fund for your daughter and she lives afortable life. Also, she has full right and custody


    of the child. Even if you were the child''s biological father it wouldn''t matter in court if you press charges,


    which is where this case might end up because it was a closed adoption. One thing I know is that your


    late wife had excluded your name in your child¡¯s birth certificate which was the only reason why you


    weren¡¯t contacted during the adoption."


    Ceaser thought about it for a while.


    N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    "So, you¡¯re saying I should do nothing."


    Tom sighed.


    "I¡¯m saying you should dig up ways to take this to court. If you have proof that you were married to the


    mother of the child and that she excluded your name from the birth certificate for selfish reasons, that


    would be enough to make you win the case."


    Ceaser swallowed. He didn¡¯t like the way Tom was talking about Bea but he wasn¡¯t saying anything that


    was a lie. All this wouldn¡¯t be happening if Bea hadn¡¯t been selfish.


    ¡°How long would that take?¡±


    ¡°Months.¡± Tom replied ¡°We¡¯d have to look for proof which would take three to four months seeing has


    we have nothing to begin with. Then filing a case and¡­¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t wait that long.¡±


    He sighed as he racked his brain for his next move. He couldn¡¯te up with one that would take less


    time. The court thing was even the worse. He wanted his daughter in his arms fast and real fast. He


    would just have to find a way of getting his daughter his own way, no court orwyers involved. Asides


    the fact that Ceaser didn¡¯t want to wait that long to have his daughter in his arms, he didn¡¯t want the


    press to get wind of this. Taking this to court would make him a target to the media and he didn¡¯t like


    that. All that thing about any press being good press was rubbish to him. They would take the story and


    twist it in so many ways, the next generation would still be trying to figure out which one of the stories


    was right. He couldn¡¯t take that chance and he didn¡¯t want his daughter to be let out in that kind of life


    at an early age. He had to do this without drawing attention to himself. He needed to do something that


    would seem like it wasn¡¯t a big deal to the media. A n formed in his head.


    ¡°How old did you say this woman was again?¡±


    ¡°27.¡± Tom replied.


    A Cheshire smile formed on his lips and grew bigger just like his n. He was going to get close to this


    woman, gain her trust, get his child and end everything with her.


    It would be as easy as that.


    Ceaser thought, smiling.


    This was going to be fun.

 CHAPTER 4

    CHAPTER 4


    After the talk with Tom, Ceaser couldn''t wait a minute longer to execute his n. He told ire to


    cancel all his appointments before he made his way towards the elevator.


    "Get the car Patrick." Ceaser told his driver when he picked up the call.


    "Right away sir." Patrick said.


    A minuteter the elevator dinged open into the lobby. Ceaser stepped out and headed outside. All


    heads turned to his direction. It had always been like that for Ceaser. He was an epitome of perfection


    and thedies couldn¡¯t keep their eyes off of him.


    "Have a nice day sir" rence ¨C the doorman - said as he opened the door for him.


    Ceaser gave him a curt nod as he exited the building spotting Patrick and the car waiting for him in


    front of the building. Patrick held the door open and closed it after he got in.


    "Where to sir?" Patrick asked after he got in and started the car.


    "Freddie and Co." Ceaser replied.


    Ceaser arrived at Freddie and Co a few minutester. He got out of the car and made his way into the


    building and towards the elevator. As he entered, the receptionist couldn''t utter a word, she just gaped


    at him. Ceaser knew the effect he had on people and he would never get tired of it.


    He pushed the button to the elevator and waited for it.


    Oh, how he hated waiting.


    It didn¡¯t take long for the elevator to arrive and Ceaser stepped aside as people exited the elevator.


    When thest person stepped out gawking at him like the rest of the female poption. When Ceaser


    moved to enter staring down at his phone just at the same time Jules stepped out, their shoulders


    bumped which made her bag fall to the ground. Ceaser was already on the edge of losing it because of


    the wait and this woman made him angry. He was about giving her a piece of his mind when Jules bent


    to pick her purse but then the sleeping child in her arms caught his attention. She had brown hair just


    like the woman carrying her; different shades though. She looked so adorable. He hated children but


    something about this child right here just made him melt at sight of her.


    He bent to help her gather her things and when she looked at him, he froze.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Jules smiled at him when they got her things.


    ¡°You¡¯re wee.¡± He said as they both rose from the ground.


    Coffee brown eyes. Hair in a simple bun. Work clothes that were sexy yet professional.


    Ceaser never thought he¡¯d ever be attracted to a woman who was in and simple but something


    about her was different.


    He was about to introduce himself when she gave him a final smile and walked away. He stood there


    watching her as she stepped out of thepany building. He considered going after her but the


    elevator was shutting and he had to get in quick. He got into the elevator before it closed shut.


    Still thinking about her ¨C the woman he had bumped into, he made it to the top floor and walked into


    the lobby spotting Freddie Danfort¡¯s assistant. She was pretty with her blonde hair wild around her.


    R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    She saw him approaching and quickly got up, her eyes gone wide.


    "Mr... Mr. Thompson." she stuttered.


    The Thompson¡¯s never had any business dealings with Freddie and Co. so he never had a reason to


    contact him. But now he wanted to make a proposal which Danfort had to ept.


    "Mr. Danfort here?" Ceaser asked her.


    "Yes sir." She answered regaining herposure. "I¡¯ll inform him of your presence."


    Ceaser waited...again.


    "Sir, Mr. Thompson is here to see you." The assistant said into the inte on her desk.


    "Mr. Thompson?" Danfort sounded surprised.


    Why wouldn''t he? Ceaser couldn''t me him.


    "Hmm, let him in." He said


    "Yes sir" she said then smiled up at Ceaser. "He¡¯ll see you now." She smiled seductively at him.


    Ceaser ignored her making a mental note to get rid of her when he got thepany as he walked


    straight into Freddie Danfort''s office shutting the door behind him.


    "Mr. Thompson." Danfort stood. "What a surprise."


    Ceaser walked towards his desk


    "Definitely is."


    "Please, have a seat."


    Ceaser sat down.


    "To what do I owe this pleasure?" Danfort asked.


    "I''m here for business Mr. Danfort." He answered.


    Danfort looked confused "I don''t see how we can help you with that Mr Thompson. We''re not in the


    same line of work."


    "I know. But still, I have a proposal for you." Ceaser told him.


    He clenched his jaw.


    "Let''s hear it." he said


    "I know Freddie and Co. has gone bankrupt and you need people to invest to help you out. I''d like to


    invest, but I''d love it more if you''re looking for a buyer." Ceaser paused. "So, name your price."


    "I''m lost." Danfort leaned forward, resting his elbow on the table. "You''re saying you want to buy my


    company."


    "That''s right Mr. Danfort." Ceaser also leaned forward.


    "Why would you suddenly want to divert to my line of business? You own constructionpanies


    around the world and you want to buy my publishingpany. Can I ask why?"


    "Personal reasons." Ceaser answered. "So, numbers?"


    Danfort sighed.


    "I don''t think I¡¯m ready to sell Mr. Thompson."


    "You need investors to save yourpany Mr. Danfort and everyone in the business world knows your


    company has gone bankrupt. I¡¯m pretty sure I saw no one lining up outside your office and you don¡¯t


    want to sell?"


    "It''s not my call...¡±


    "Of course, it is. You''ll just have to pay back your previous investors to get the upper hand." Ceaser


    paused. "Mr. Danfort, I''m willing to buy thispany and pay your investors back, just name your


    price."


    Danfort looked shocked and happy. He smiled.


    "We have a deal Mr. Thompson." He stood up and stretched his hand.¡±


    Ceaser got up, buttoned his suit jacket before reaching for Danfort¡¯s hand. He smiled at him and


    nodded.


    "I''ll have mywyer draw up a contract and have it delivered to you. I want to end this as quickly as


    possible"


    He sighed "Your reason must be very important."


    "It is." Ceaser said and walked out.


    On his way out, Ceaser called hiswyer and told him to draw up the contract and have it delivered to


    Mr. Danfort today. He wanted to end all tides by tomorrow.


    The week had gone by in a blur for Jules. It was fun because of lunch time but everything else was the


    same. Everyone at thepany knew they had a new CEO even though they weren¡¯t informed. But


    news spread like wildfire and it was only confirmed when Freddie Danfort¡¯s assistant ¨C Violetta ¨C was


    fired and Freddie Danfort himself no longer came to work.


    Jules walked into the building with Ivy in her arms, she made her way towards the elevator and saw it


    closing.


    ¡°Hold it please.¡± She yelled and hoped whoever was inside would oblige and she sent a prayer above


    when it opened up.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± She smiled as she stepped inside.


    Ceaser had been going out of his mind trying to find the right approach to the woman that had his


    daughter and with over-taking Freddie and Co., it hadn¡¯t been easy. He had also had his mind on the


    woman he had seen his first time there. He had thought about her and he was surprised when she


    stepped into the elevator.


    ¡°No dropping bags?¡± He couldn¡¯t help asking.


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Jules looked at him.


    ¡°Last time we met, you dropped your bag.¡±


    It took Jules a few seconds to remember and she smiled.


    ¡°It was you.¡±


    Ceaser couldn¡¯t help smiling which took him by surprised because he hadn¡¯t smiled since forever. He


    couldn¡¯t remember thest time someone made him smile.


    ¡°Your daughter is beautiful.¡± He said sincerely.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Jules didn¡¯t know why she felt weird talking to this stranger in an elevator. She did


    remember him from a few days ago and she remembered thinking he was good looking. But she hadn¡¯t


    talked to a man in a while much less one that looked like he just walked out of a magazine. Santos was


    the head of her department so, he didn¡¯t count.

 CHAPTER 5

    CHAPTER 5


    Ceaser expected her to ask for his number like all other women did after he gave them apliment


    but Jules didn¡¯t.


    Didn¡¯t she know who he was?


    He was about to introduce himself when the elevator opened to the second floor ¨C the day-care ¨C he


    had taken the time to know what department each floor held.


    ¡°Have a good day.¡± Jules said as she exited the elevator and he just stared at her wondering what is


    was about her that got to him.


    Jules made her way to her office after she dropped Ivy off. She couldn¡¯t help thinking about him. She


    hadn¡¯t seen him around before.


    Was he new?


    ¡°Morning Alice.¡± Jules greeted her assistant on her way to her office.


    ¡°Morning Jules.¡± Alice greeted back.


    Jules stopped at Alice¡¯s door


    ¡°How many?¡±


    ¡°Four.¡±


    Jules sighed.


    Santos was out to get her fired.


    The day ended not as early as Jules had thought it would. She thought the four files Santos had sent to


    be reviewed would be easily done within office hours. But she was wrong, the files had been bigger


    than expected and it was days like these that she was more grateful for Sofi and Andy. She had


    informed them of her work load and since they both knew her work principle, they knew they were on


    Ivy duty, which they loved.


    Jules made her way to the ground floor that evening and was informed by Jerry that her car wouldn''t


    start, so she went to the garage to start the darned car but as Jerry had said ¨C it wouldn¡¯t start. After


    trying for a few more times, she gave up and took out her phone and called for an Uber but there were


    none avable at the moment.


    Darn it!


    She thought of who to call but she knew they would have toe get her in a taxi if they found one at


    this time. Besides, she was heading to their apartment, it would be silly for one of them toe get her


    in a taxi only to return. She finally gave up, took her bag and stepped out of the car. She was on her


    way out of the parking lot just at the same time Ceaser was driving out for the day.


    Ceaser was beat, he had been swamped all day with handling his current and his previouspany.


    On his way out of the parking lot, he spotted her walking out of the parking lot ahead of him. He pulled


    up next to her and honked making Jules¡¯ heart rate go up a notch.


    Ceaser rolled the ss down and Jules froze when she saw him driving the very expensive car. She


    knew nothing about cars but she could tell this one was very expensive. Swallowing inaudibly at the


    sight of him again. He was so¡­


    "Need a ride?" Ceaser interrupted her train of thought and she felt his voice deep within her stomach.


    How could anyone be so hot?


    Her heart did a double take.


    Jules looked at him then, really looked. The two times they identally met, she hadn¡¯t taken the time


    to see what he looked like because it wasn¡¯t even on her mind to do so and her sudden reaction to him


    now took her by surprise.


    "Hmm..."


    Who the heck is never sure to get into a car with him?


    Ceaser frowned.


    What was her deal?


    "No, thank you. I¡¯ll wait for a cab."


    "I doubt you¡¯ll get one at this time."


    Why was he pushing her?


    He thought.


    He could just speed off and never look back. He was asking for trouble...and he was going to get it.


    Jules was never one to get into just anyone¡¯s car but she did know who he was, kind of.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to trouble you.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not.¡± Ceaser said ¡°I¡¯m offering.¡±


    Jules smiled.


    He was, wasn¡¯t he?


    ¡°You don¡¯t even know where I¡¯m headed.¡±


    Ceaser smiled then pushed open the passenger¡¯s door


    ¡°Then hop in and tell me.¡±


    Jules looked at the open car door.


    ¡°I promise to be a gentleman.¡± He smiled and Jules couldn¡¯t help returning it as she got into his car.


    Here she goes.


    Ceaser drove with Jules next to him and he nced at her.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you forgetting something?¡±


    Jules nced at him. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Your daughter.¡±


    Jules scoffed. ¡°Are you implying that I¡¯m a careless mum?¡±


    ¡°No. No I wasn¡¯t.¡±


    Damn! He was going for a joke.


    ¡°How long have you worked for Freddie Danfort?¡±


    ¡°Five years.¡± Jules answered ¡°I¡¯m guessing you just joined thepany.¡±


    Ceaser nodded.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Something like that.¡±


    ¡°How do you like it?¡± She asked.


    ¡°Ask me that after my first month.¡± Jules smiled at what that implied.


    ¡°What makes you think we¡¯ll be seeing more of each other?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a smallpany. I can easily track you down.¡± Ceaser hadn¡¯t stopped ncing at her as she


    spoke. ¡°Now I know where your daughter got her beauty from.¡±


    Jules looked at him, quizzically.


    ¡°You.¡±


    Julesughed.


    ¡°I highly doubt that.¡±


    ¡°Why is that?¡± He asked.


    Jules just smiled and looked away.


    ¡°But you are beautiful.¡± He said ¡°You must have men lining up.¡±


    Jules sighed inaudibly.


    $

 CHAPTER 6

    CHAPTER 6


    Jules just smiled and looked away.


    ¡°But you are beautiful.¡± He said ¡°You must have men lining up.¡±


    Jules sighed inaudibly.


    ¡°Just let me out there.¡± She pointed in front of Miranda¡¯s apartment.


    Ceaser pulled up directly in front of Miranda¡¯s apartment.


    ¡°Wait.¡± He told Jules before he got out of the car and before Jules could ask why, he was opening her


    door.


    Jules smiled as she stepped out.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°So, see you around?¡± Ceaser smiled.


    ¡°Maybe.¡±


    Goodness, she was flirting with him.


    She couldn¡¯t remember thest time she flirted.


    ¡°Goodnight and thanks again.¡±


    ¡°Anytime.¡± Ceaser watched Jules as she made her way towards the apartment and climbed up the


    stairs. He rounded the car, got in and drove off.


    Jules finally reached Miranda¡¯s door then knocked once and waited. No one answered so she knocked


    again.


    ¡°I¡¯ming.¡± She heard someone yell from inside.


    The door finally opened and she saw Sofi.


    ¡°Oh my goodness Jules, where have you been? You were supposed to be here thirty minutes ago.¡± she


    said. ¡°Andy almost called the cops.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Jules stepped into the cosy apartment.


    ¡°Andy, Jules is here.¡± Sofi yelled after she shut the door.


    Andy came from one of the bedrooms into the medium sized sitting room with Ivy.


    ¡°Where have you been? I almost called the cops.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. My car didn¡¯t start and there weren¡¯t any avable Uber. But I got a ride.¡± Jules said as she


    took Ivy in her arms and kissed the top of her head.


    Sofi went to the kitchen while Andy took the other seat next to her.


    N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    ¡°A ride uh?¡± Sofi asked from the kitchen as she stirred. ¡°Who?¡±


    Jules realized in that moment that she didn¡¯t know who he was and they had met three times.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know his name.¡± She shook her head, brows furrowed


    ¡°Oh, my goodness, didn¡¯t anyone ever tell you not to ept rides from strangers and a male stranger


    at that.¡± Andy said ¡°Was he hot though.¡±


    Julesughed


    ¡°First of all he wasn¡¯t a stranger, not really.¡± She said ¡°Secondly, yes, he was hot.¡±


    And that was how their girl¡¯s night started.


    Ceaser couldn¡¯t put his finger on it but there was something about her that attracted him to her. She


    was different for anyone he¡¯d dated, before Bea and anyone he slept with, after Bea.


    She was mesmerizing and he hadn¡¯t been able to stop himself from ncing at her ¨C one look hadn¡¯t


    been enough. He remembered her baby then and he smiled at the irony of his situation, he was


    admiring someone else¡¯s daughter when he hated kids. Hate was too strong a word. But from what he


    had seen and heard about them, they were loud and messy - two things he hated; Noise and Mess.


    He¡¯d never thought of having his own kids but Bea¡¯s letter had changed that. He wanted to be a father.


    He wanted to be called dad by his daughter and he didn¡¯t just want the title, he wanted everything that


    came with the title.


    A smile tugged at his lips as he pictured a little version of Bea and himself running around in his living


    room calling him dad and giggling as he chased her.


    His smile faded as it urred to him that he still didn¡¯t know her name. They had met three times and


    he hadn¡¯t gotten her name.


    He would definitely be seeing her soon.


    He thought and a smiled tugged at his lips as he pulled up into his garage.


    X


    The next morning, Jules woke up and got ready to leave after making breakfast for everyone. Ivy woke


    upter and Jules fed her, got her ready for the day, for whatever they were going to do. Andy woke up


    before she left and decided she and Sofi were going to take Ivy out. So, she had to leave Ivy with them


    and go home alone. They were going to bring her home in the evening which meant she had the day to


    herself.


    Jules was cleaningte that afternoon when she heard a knock on the door. She went to check who it


    was and was very surprised at who she found standing in front of her.


    ¡°You.¡± She said after recovering from the shock.


    Ceaser looked up from the floor and stared at the familiar face. His heart stopped beating as shock


    spread through his body. His breath caught.


    He had woken up this morning with a smile on his face and he had no idea why. He decided to check


    out the address John gave his daughter¡¯s adoptive mother ¨C Jules Jenna. He wasted no time at all and


    after he reviewed some employee¡¯s information, he left the house and went in search of Jules Jenna.


    Thanks to the GPS, it didn¡¯t take much time to find the house. Now here he was staring at her and all


    he could think was - this isn¡¯t happening.


    He released the breath he had been holding, still too shocked to speak.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± She smiled.


    ¡°What are ¡®you¡¯ doing here?¡± He asked, hoping this was some kind of mistake. He could clearly


    remember; he didn¡¯t drop her here yesterday. So, what was she doing here, he wondered?

 CHAPTER 7

    CHAPTER 7


    ¡°I live here.¡± she said as-a-matter-of-fact.


    Ceaser was confused. ¡°The owner of the house?¡±


    If she owned the house then¡­


    ¡°I own the house¡­¡± she said ¡°¡­now at least.¡± she murmured.


    ¡°Who owned it previously?¡± he asked, praying silently that she would give him a name and he¡¯d be on


    his way in search of the previous owners.


    She stilled and just stared at him. She shook her head and blinked fast. Then she looked back at him.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for my bad manners. Do you want toe in?¡± She smiled at him.


    The change in her expression was so fast that he felt like he stumbled in.


    ¡°Sure.¡± He said, stepping in as she opened the door wide.


    Ceaser entered and waited for her to shut the door behind her then she led him into the living room


    which he could see from entrance.


    They entered the living room and Ceaser saw some toys at the corner and a duster on the table.


    She was cleaning.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry about the mess.¡± She said as she picked the duster and took it to the kitchen which was open


    to the living room. ¡°Have a seat please.¡±


    Ceaser sat and waited for her to join him.


    ¡°Can I get you anything?¡± She called from the kitchen.


    ¡°Water is fine.¡± He said really needing to cool down.


    He heard the tap run, then a few secondster she came back with a cup of clear water and handed it


    to him.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± He took it from her and took a sip.


    Jules took the seat next to his as Ceaser ced the ss on the table and then turned to her.


    ¡°I want to thank you for yesterday. I would have gotten therete or not at all.¡± She spoke before he


    could get out a word.


    R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    ¡°Don¡¯t mention.¡± His gaze on her the entire time as he tried to digest that the woman he may or may not


    have a thing for might be his daughter¡¯s adoptive mum. His head was in a mess and he was trying to


    focus on what she was saying than the situation he was in.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t get to introduce myself yesterday.¡± She said.


    Ceaser didn¡¯t have the chance to reply before she continued.


    ¡°I¡¯m Jules Jenna.¡±


    Ceaser stilled as her name confirmed his suspicion. He took in the fact that she was who he was


    looking for which was exactly what he was afraid of. That she¡¯d end up being the one.


    The one he called a ¡®baby stealer¡¯. The one whom all he wanted from was to get close to, gain her


    trust, then take his child slowly away from right under her nose.


    But now, could he do that? When he had seen the way, she was with her child...his child.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Jules asked when his expression had gone sour.


    ¡°Yea, I¡­I just realized I have to be somewhere.¡± He stood up ¡°I apologize for showing up


    unannounced.¡±


    Jules got up slowly.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright.¡± she said ¡°At least I got a chance to thank you forst night, again.¡± She led him towards


    the door.


    Jules opened the door for him and waited as he stepped out, she stood and watched Ceaser walk


    down the stairs rounding his car and opening the door. But before he got in, he looked at her.


    ¡°I¡¯m Ceaser by the way.¡± Ceaser said. ¡°Ceaser Thom¡­¡±


    He couldn¡¯t give away his full identity now. He thought the mother to his daughter would already know


    who he was through the media but she didn¡¯t. He could use that to his advantage. If she knew who he


    was, she was likely to either fall to his feet or not give him the time of the day. And from the little taste


    of what he had gotten from her the previous night, he was sure it would be thetter.


    It was hard to believe a woman like her still existed in the world, women who didn¡¯t care about money


    and status as most of them did. She was different, she was good, kind and uninterested in wealth or


    status and if she found out who he was, she was likely to turn her back on him and walk away. He


    couldn¡¯t let that happen. Not now.


    ¡°Ceaser Thomas.¡± He said with a smile.


    She gave him a smile that didn¡¯t quite reach her eyes and nodded.


    ¡°It¡¯s nice meeting you.¡±


    ¡°Same.¡± Ceaser said before he got into his car and drove off, his mind going ballistic.


    Jules¡¯ gaze followed his car till it was out of sight.


    Ceaser Thomas.


    Jules thought.


    She knew his name now but how did he find her?


    She entered the house and shut the door behind her. Sighing, she leaned her back against the door


    and ced her hand on her beating heart.


    How in the world was he able to do this to her steady heart? Boy, was he gorgeous? He was¡­wless.


    She¡¯d never been this way just by being around a guy before. But something about this one made her


    heart race so fast¡­and furious.


    Goodness, she sounded like a school girl ranting on about her crush of the week.


    She walked back into the kitchen grabbing the duster, she headed into the living room to continue her


    cleaning, trying to keep this Ceaser Thomas out of her head when the man in question couldn¡¯t keep


    her out of his head.


    It felt wrong.


    Ceaser thought.


    Everything did. He was unsure of himself now.


    Before he had put a picture to the name Jules Jenna, he had imagined what Jules Jenna looked like


    and more importantly, what she was like with his daughter. Then he had met a woman at the beginning


    of the week and twice during. The way she was with that child showed how caring she was and her


    love for her child. To him, those were two different women. But now he knows those women are the


    same. The woman was Jules Jenna. Jules Jenna was the one he thought of as caring and loving. Jules


    Jenna wasn¡¯t anything he had imagined her to be, she was beautiful, humble, she sparked something


    in him and most importantly, she genuinely loved his child.


    Ceaser sighed.


    What exactly was he supposed to do now that he knew she was the woman with his child; the woman


    whose life he intended on wrecking?


    Ceaser was so confused when he pulled his car into his drive way and got out. He mmed the door


    and made his way inside the apartment straight through the living room, up the stairs, down the hall


    and into his room. He plopped down on his bed lying on his back, eyes fixated on the ceiling with his


    hands behind his head.


    He sighed heavily.


    $

 CHAPTER 8

    CHAPTER 8


    It had been a few days since Ceaser left Jules¡¯ house looking all hot and dashing. Work was still the


    same for her; interesting, fun, other times boring. The new CEO - whose identity was still unknown to


    her - had made a few changes by firing most of the employees and hiring new ones, she was d he


    had kept the staff in the children¡¯s section though. She was already familiar with all of them asides


    Andy and Sofi and she was d Ivy wouldn¡¯t have to deal with new faces.


    She heard he was nning on changing the name of thepany which didn¡¯te as a surprise.


    The name, she didn''t mind but him firing and recing most of the workers wasn''t fair. That was just


    cold hearted. She got that he was doing his job but he should have given them a month''s notice or at


    least a week. He just upped and fired them...hopefully he included a severance pay. She had heard a


    lot of things about him from the gossip of the office but no one had gotten a glimpse of him yet.


    Jules was in the kitchen cooking when she heard a knock at the door.


    Who could it be?


    She wondered as she abandoned what she was doing and went to get the door. Jules pulled the door


    open and her breath caught when she saw who it was.


    Oh Darn!


    Jules thought as her eyes betrayed her and went checking him out.


    He looked wless in his ck suit, white shirt and the darker shade of blue tie which he had on. Not a


    single strand of his hair was out of ce. In short, he looked immacte. Her eyes met his and she


    saw a hint of smile on his face. That''s when she realised, she had been staring.


    "Are you done ogling me Ms. Jenna?" Ceaser asked in his husky and very masculine voice that made


    her swallow.


    Ceaser had stayed away from her for the past couple of days trying to set his mind and get his


    thoughts straight; it wasn''t an easy task. He had a hard time letting go of the woman he offered a ride


    at the office¡¯s garage that night. He had to see Jules Jenna for who she really was, the woman who


    was with his daughter. He decided to set his n in motion and he knew she wouldn''t give his daughter


    up. So, he was going to wine and dine her, he¡¯d make her fall madly in love with him. Jules Jenna was


    one of those hard to get types but she couldn¡¯t remain immune to his charms forever. Sooner orter


    she¡¯d crack and he preferred sooner thanter cause only then could he move forward with the rest of


    his n. He would get married to her and adopt his daughter. Finally, he would let hiswyer ¨C who


    was the best ¨C work his magic in court and he would have full custody of his daughter then and only


    then would he divorce her.


    "I-I was not..." Jules¡¯ stutter brought Ceaser out of his devious n.


    R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    "May Ie in?" He asked, interrupting her.


    What was he doing here, again?


    Jules wondered.


    ¡°Of course." She said, opening the door wider. He stepped in and walked towards the living room but


    not before he made sure his arm brushed hers and he lingered close for a while before he proceeded


    into the living room.


    Jules sighed and closed the door joining him in the living room. Ceaser was scanning the room when


    Jules got there, he took in the surrounding something he hadn¡¯t done thest time he was here. His


    gaze went to the kitchen and that made Jules remember the food she had left on.


    "Oh shoot!" She ran into the kitchen and turned the gas off. She sighed in relieve when she checked to


    find she hadn¡¯t burnt her meal. She would have gone to bed without having dinner.


    ¡°Everything okay?¡± Jules jumped at the nearness of his voice looking behind to find him watching her.


    Darn! He made her kitchen look small.


    ¡°Yea.¡± She said ¡°All good.¡±


    She had felt the power and confidence oozing out of him the two times they had met but now, in her


    small kitchen, it was almost drowning.


    Wait! What the heck was wrong with her and her thoughts these days?


    Jules snapped herself out of whatever haze this Greek god had put her under.


    "I''m sorry about that." She said walking past him out of the kitchen and into the living room all along


    aware of his gaze on her as he followed suit.


    Ceaser didn¡¯t say anything, just looked at her while they both sat on different sofas.


    "So, why...?"


    "I''m here to apologize for the way I stormed out of here the other day." Ceaser said interrupting her.


    "Oh that? It''s nothing. It''s fine. I''m sure you had..."


    "I remembered something really important I had to take care of." He said interrupting her once again.


    "It''s really okay. I mean, I wasn''t..."


    "I know, I just..." He was about saying before she cut him off.


    "You do know you haven''t let meplete a sentence." Jules pointed out getting irritated with his


    interruptions.


    He looked taken aback.


    "Excuse me?¡±


    "You haven''t let meplete a sentence since you walked through the doors." Jules smiled. ¡°I don¡¯t


    know if you¡¯re telepathic or just...¡± arrogant ¡°¡­that way.¡± Jules said instead.


    There was something different about him.


    Jules thought.


    He had a hint of smile ying on his lips.


    "I''m sorry. I..." Ceaser frowned as he apologized to the woman for the second time that day "Is your


    meal edible enough?"


    "What?" Jules was confused as he changed the topic.


    "The food; it was on when I walked in." He stated ¡°Is it edible or did it get burned?¡±


    "Oh. No, it¡¯s edible."


    "That''s a shame. I''d have loved to take you out for dinner."


    Jules felt the blush creep from her neck to her cheeks but she pushed away the excitement that


    bubbled up to the surface at his indirect offer.


    "You do remember that I have a daughter, right?"


    As if on cue, Ivy¡¯s cry echoed through the house.


    "Excuse me." Jules got up and ran down to the spare room she used for Ivy when she was busy in the


    kitchen.


    She pushed Ivy¡¯s door open and the minute Ivy saw her, she began to quiet down.


    "Momma." she said raising her hands for Jules to pick her up.


    "Hey princess." Jules smiled as she picked up a pouting Ivy. "Hungry?"


    "Hunguwe." She said.


    Jules smiled down at her. She was so adorable whenever she spoke. Adjusting Ivy on her hip she went


    back to the living room where she had left her uninvited guest.


    "I don¡¯t think you¡¯ve officially met my daughter." Jules said as she entered the living room. Ceaser got


    up and turned when he heard Jules.


    His face went nk when his gaze fell from Jules andnded on Ivy. Those two times he had admired


    her, he never knew she was his flesh and blood. But now that he knew, he felt his heart expand and fill


    with love. Love for his little girl whom he couldn¡¯t wait for to be hispletely.


    If Bea hadn''t given her up, he wouldn''t have to go through this. He would have been with his daughter


    and been the happiest man.


    Jules saw a look pass in Ceaser¡¯s eyes and couldn¡¯t quite ce it. It was almost sad to watch the


    feeling y in his eyes as he looked at Ivy. Ivy always made people who met her smile but it made this


    man sad. Jules frowned at that.


    Jules approached him with a smile stered on her face as she looked from Ceaser to Ivy to see her


    reaction of a new face.


    "This is Ivy." Jules said.

 CHAPTER 9

    CHAPTER 9


    Jules approached him with a smile stered on her face as she looked from Ceaser to Ivy to see her


    reaction of a new face.


    "This is Ivy." Jules said.


    Ceaser¡¯s thinned lips curved into a smile and soon it grew wider into a grin. He loved the name Jules


    had given her.


    "Ivy." He said ¡°That¡¯s a beautiful name.¡±


    Ivy snapped her gaze from Jules to Ceaser when he said her name. Then she beamed up at him


    before she reached out to him.


    "Dada."


    Jules froze and her gaze met Ceaser¡¯s surprised ones. Ceaser was surprised at Ivy¡¯s outburst but he


    almost couldn¡¯t contain the joy that exploded in his heart. Just that word made his day...his life.


    ¡°Ivy, no. Not Dada.¡± Jules tried to tell Ivy "I''m sorry. She¡¯s never called anyone that before. She must


    have picked it up from the kids at the day-care or at the park." Jules said to Ceaser.


    "It¡¯s alright. May I?¡± He asked Jules for permission to carry her.


    Jules was surprised that a man like him would want to carry a child.


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°Hey beautiful." Ceaser said as he picked Ivy from Jules¡¯ arms. Ivy went willingly. "How are you?"


    Ceaser asked hoping she could understand him.


    "Dada." She said again poking his face then giggling lightly which made him smile a full toothy smile.


    Ceaser sat down carefully as Ivy just stared into his eyes like she was essing him piece by piece.


    Then sheunched up at him going for his hair but didn¡¯t make it. He watched in fascination as she


    pulled at his tie trying to reach for his hair. When she finally made it, her tiny hands found its way to his


    hair and she began tugging and yanking but he didn¡¯t mind.


    Jules watched as Ivy yed with Ceaser¡¯s hair. It was fascinating how Ivy could make him seem


    rxed and happy. She expected Ceaser to run the other direction when she brought Ivy out but he


    had picked her up and was now ying with her.


    What was it about this man?


    Jules thought.


    His presence screamed power and strong-will, yet he seemed to have none of those with Ivy.


    Then she remembered what had made Ivy wake up in the first ce. Thank goodness she had made


    her food before she got started on hers, she just had to heat it up a bit before she fed her. Somehow,


    she felt it was safe to keep Ivy with Ceaser. So far, he¡¯d been a gentleman and he didn¡¯t seem like the


    type of man that would harm anyone.


    Intentionally.


    She thought of all those women who might have been hurt by him without him having done anything to


    or with them.


    "Is it fine if she stays with you for a while? I need to quickly heat up her food." Jules asked and Ceaser


    looked up at her. He had totally forgotten she was in the room.


    "Yeah." He said, not wanting to sound too happy about being left alone with his daughter. With Ivy.


    He wanted to scream ¡®She¡¯s my daughter.¡¯ He looked at Jules who was still watching him closely. He


    knew she was contemting leaving Ivy with him ¨C a stranger.


    ¡°She¡¯ll be fine.¡± He promised.


    Jules sighed, nodding her head before she left for the kitchen.


    Ivy yed with everything that caught her attention till Jules walked back into the living room minutes


    later with a bowl of whole grain cereal in her hand. She sat on the same sofa Ceaser sat with Ivy,


    keeping some distance between them. The distance didn''t stop Ceaser from being able to inhale her


    scent and it almost drove him to frenzy. She smelled of vani.


    "C¡¯mon Ivy." Jules said to Ivy who crawled out of Ceaser¡¯sp and into Jules¡¯. Jules adjusted Ivy so she


    was facing him.


    She picked the bowl up and took a spoon full of the cereal and brought it near Ivy''s mouth. Ivy opened


    up and once the cereal was in her mouth, she chewed on it before she swallowed, which took a while.


    Ceaser¡¯s heart clenched as he watched them. Jules would sometime have to say ''Ahh'' before Ivy


    opened up her mouth. Ceaser was too caught up at the sight before he didn''t realize he was smiling


    like aplete idiot.


    "Ivy open up, few more spoons." Jules told Ivy as she ced the spoon near Ivy''s mouth.


    Ivy shook her head then her gaze locked with his and a smile spread across her face. Ceaser smiled


    back at her before she looked away and focused her gaze on Jules.


    "Momma." She called.


    Ceaser¡¯s breath caught at that. As much as he hated and wanted to deny it, Ivy saw Jules as her


    mother and there was nothing, he could do about it for now.


    Ivy ced a hand on Jules'' face then she pointed at Ceaser.


    "Dada."


    Jules looked at Ceaser, the look of surprise she had before was non-existent. He knew she didn''t


    approve of it but how could she exin a two years-old that the person she calls ''Dada'' isn''t her dad.


    Only if she knew the truth behind Ivy¡¯s words.


    ¡°No, Ivy.¡± Jules shook her head at Ivy ¡°Ceaser, not Dada.¡± She tried to exin again but it was a lost


    cause because Ivy wouldn¡¯t have it.


    ¡°Dada.¡± Ivy said again, adamantly.


    ¡°You want him to feed you?¡± Jules asked guessing what Ivy was trying to say.


    Ivy pointed at Ceaser and Jules sighed, looking at Ceaser.


    "Do you mind? She won¡¯t finish this unless you feed her." Jules said as Ivy crawled out of herp into


    Ceaser¡¯s.


    Jules didn¡¯t like this one bit and Ceaser could tell but he didn¡¯t say anything. Ivy was usually


    Switzend with Andy, Sofi and some of the staff at the day-care but never with someone she was


    meeting for the first time.


    Ceaser wanted to ignore the worry on Jules¡¯ face and feed Ivy but he had to get her to befortable


    with him handling Ivy before he proceeded with his n. But darn it, he wasn¡¯t going to keep this up for


    so long. He wanted to be able to do anything that made his daughter happy without seeking approval


    or assuring someone it was fine.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± Ceaser said.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    She nodded and handed the bowl over to him. Ceaser began to feed Ivy just had he had seen Jules


    do. Ivy opened up every single time till she finished the cereal.


    ¡°Good girl." Ceaser praised Ivy after herst spoon and she beamed up at him.


    Jules couldn¡¯t stop the smile that crept to her face so she took the bowl and went back to the kitchen to


    hide it. She was back and was quiet as she watched Ivy y with Ceaser. Few minutes and Ivy began


    to dose off.


    "That''s my cue." Jules got up and picked sleeping Ivy from Ceaser.


    "Let me." Ceaser stopped her but it didn¡¯t look like Jules was going to budge then he said.


    Jules looked at him like she was trying to figure him out but she knew she wasn¡¯t going to get anything


    just by looking at him.


    $

 CHAPTER 10

    CHAPTER 10


    Jules wanted to get Ivy out of Ceaser¡¯s arms but she didn¡¯t want to wake her. Ivy looked so peaceful in


    his arms but Jules hade to the conclusion that she knew nothing about this man, he was a


    stranger in her home.


    I don¡¯t even know you.


    Jules wanted to say but instead said ¡°No, it¡¯s fine. I¡¯ll take her.¡± She gently picked Ivy from Ceaser¡¯s


    arms.


    Ceaser¡¯s jaw clenched as Jules declined his offer. No one had ever said no to him. It made him all the


    more furious that she was saying no to putting his daughter in bed. His daughter.


    Ceaser stood in the same spot as Jules went to Ivy¡¯s room and ced Ivy in her crib trying not to stir


    her awake. She looked at her peacefully sleeping daughter and smiled.


    How did she ever get this luck?


    She wondered once again like she had done every night she put her munchkin to bed. Jules smiled


    then walked out without making any noise, switching the lights off on her way out. She joined Ceaser in


    the living room and saw him at the same spot she had left him. He looked up when she walked in and


    she stopped a few feet away from him their gaze locked.


    "I''m sorry about all..." She said gesturing to the sofa where Ivy had been all over him a while ago.


    "No please. It was fun." He said, interrupting her once again. "She actually seems like she knows what


    she''s doing."


    "I know right." Jules said as a matter of fact "I''ve always thought all this was a dream. That I''d finally


    wake up and she''ll be like all those other kids that cry about everything and are difficult to deal with;


    although she has her moments." Jules rambled on about Ivy


    "But she isn''t like other kids." Ceaser said, a smile ying near his lip.


    "No." Jules smiled "It¡¯s like she''s done with all those childish things and..."


    "...can''t wait to grow up." Ceaserpleted.


    Jules looked up at him and saw him smiling, noticing the dimple on his left cheek and he caught her


    gaze then.


    "What?" He asked.


    She shook her head and sighed


    "You just get it." She hadn¡¯t been able to rte with anyone about Ivy. Andy and Sofi knew Ivy was a


    smart kid but they never got it like she did. Ivy was a miracle child; her miracle child and that little girl


    surprised her every day.


    Ceaser¡¯s smile disappeared slowly as the tension in the room grew. Their gaze locked and it was like


    they were frozen in time. Ceaser¡¯s gaze grew darker and Jules¡¯ heart was beating a thousand times


    per minute. The tension became palpable and could be cut with a knife.


    N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    The funny thing was they both knew the other felt it but neither of them moved.


    When Jules realized Ceaser wasn¡¯t going to do anything about their awkward situation, she cleared her


    throat and forced herself to look away from him.


    What the heck was wrong with him? Ceaser thought. One minute he was mad at her, then he was


    rting with her and the next he wanted to...what was it he wanted to do exactly?


    "I should probably go." Ceaser finally said breaking the silence, wanting to get the heck out of here


    before he did something he¡¯d regret in the morning.


    How fast the anger had turned to something else. Something entirely different from any emotion he


    should be having for this woman.


    "Yeah, of course." Jules led the way to the door and opened it.


    Ceaser stepped out, turning to look at her.


    "Goodnight Jules." He said.


    "Goodnight." She said, shutting the door not wanting to watch him leave before she did something


    stupid like call him back and...and do what?


    Jules shook her head like that was going to help her get rid of the thoughts that were forming in her


    head. She went to bed that night after her dinner waiting patiently for sleep to take her. But obviously it


    didn''t since her mind couldn''t stop reying the moment in her living room. It had been awkward but


    that awkwardness had made her heart speed up than she¡¯d like to admit.


    She sighed and closed her eyes wishing for sleep toe whisk her away just like Ceaser had done


    because the following day he woke up even more grumpy than his usual self and just like Jules, he


    couldn¡¯t stop reying the moment in her living room. He had avoided her all week long even though


    He had stayed in the office all morning thinking of what to do even though he had a lot to do, how to


    start what he needed to do and so many other things. When he tried doing anything like getting some


    work done, images of her as she stood a few feet away from him, hair in a messy bun, her clothes lose


    around her doing nothing for her figure would pop into his mind. He couldn''t think straight, she was


    upying his mind.


    Finally, lunch break came and Ceaser couldn¡¯t take any more of the distraction named Jules, he had a


    way of getting her off his mind and he had to do it now. He picked up his phone and told his PA to


    cancel his appointments for the rest of the day. He was out his office and, in the elevator, pushing the


    number to her floor.


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