Ellis has been surprising me. I honestly thought the thrill of fatherhood would wear off, but it didn't. He visited the kids when he could. He did school drop-offs and had meals with them. He took over Luis' responsibilities in their lives, and now my brooding best friend was jealous.
" He even replaced my name with his on the pick and drop-off board at their school. I'm surprised the paparazzi haven't published anything yet," Luis pouted. We were eating breakfast at our restaurant. CC had the press in her pockets. That woman had so much power in the city, and no one would dare publish what she didn't allow.
" I'm sorry you're feeling left out, baby," I cooed.
" How dare he?!" Luis slammed his palm against the glass table, and the customers in the restaurant glanced our way in worry. He was being dramatic about this whole thing. " He thinks he can waltz in after five years and be the father of the year!"
" Well, they live with you and not him," I said. I was being extra gentle today because I knew he'd been stressing, especially now that his inner Lycan, Loki, was calling out to the woman he had a one-night stand with. He'd been looking for her, but she just vanished.
" For how long, with how things are moving, they'll just be spending nights at his place," he scoffed.
" No, that won't happen. Do you think I'd let my children near that viper, Charlotte?" I said. He knitted his eyebrows together in confusion.
" You don't know,"
" Know what?" I asked.
" Charlotte doesn't stay with Ellis, hun. The two live completely separate lives," he informed me, and my heart pounded against my chest. Ellis didn't reside with his mate? But why?
'Because he doesn't love her,' My lycan, Vee, was quick to answer. She was giddy and eager like a child in a candy store. I must admit I felt a sudden way to hear this news. Was I thrilled too?
" How do you know that?" I asked.
" I know everything about people around the twins- Which is Ellis, now he's my business," he said casually. A smile curled on my lips.
" Oh, you little - Sly woman. You're excited about this," he angled his head, pointing at me with his index slender finger.
" No, I'm not. I have a boyfriend, and my CEO's personal life is none of my business," I expressed, heat creeping to my cheeks. I had no choice but to cover my cheeks with my hand. Luis smirked at me. Fuck, I hated that he knew me so well.
" Stop giving me those eyes," I groaned,
" What eyes?" he smiled, giving me knowing eyes.
" The goofy smirk, and all,"
" Oh, Love. Ellis, David.... Girl, you're in trouble," he was having too much fun.
" I'm with David, and I'm meeting his parents soon," I informed him quickly before his mind went somewhere else.
" Isn't it a little early to meet the parents?" he questioned.
" No, we are taking it slow, and this is the next natural thing,"
" Have you fucked him yet?" he asked, smirking at me. I drew in a breath and expelled.
" Not yet,"
" But you are attracted to him, right?"
" Of course. He's hot but whenever we start I just can't," I confessed. I could see David was injured every time I withdrew from him, but I couldn't help it. Fear enveloped me, and I started to shake. It was just like how it happened in New York with Michael.
" Maybe like me, your body just wants one person,"
" No. I will have to be with David sooner or later," I firmed. It isn't him you want to be with, it's Ellis. A small voice inside me spoke. I changed the topic and asked about his business since he couldn't get his nose out of mine.
" How is the search for the mystery enchanting woman going?"
" Search? Why would I search for her?" he played dumb, drinking his coffee.
" I know you're searching for her. I heard your phone call last night with a man asking about the ' Witch'," I informed him. He sighed in defeat,
" It was the man who owns the club we met,"
" What will you do when you see her again? Thank her for the best sex of your life?" I chuckled.
" I don't know. Maybe if I see her, Loki will be pleased, and finally, we can move on from that witch," he was annoyed. I smiled at him as he was brooding. Luis didn't know it yet but he would fall hard for this woman. Call it women's intuition.
" So any leads on her whereabouts?"
" No, leads. This is the first time I've been unable to locate someone. Damn,"
I went to the office after my breakfast with Luis. He didn't want me to leave, but I had so much work to do today. I focused on my job. I tried not to think about Ellis, but It's all I did. His relationship with Charlotte was so complex. Why didn't they stay together? Why didn't they mark each other yet?
Ellis was the kind of man who loved loudly. His way of love was physical touch, but whenever I saw them together, they were distant. Not only by proximity but emotions.
I threw my pen against the wall in frustration. I was giving my ex, and his mate too much thought.
The door opened, and David walked in. He wore a smile on his lips.
Vee wasn't too pleased to see him, and she snickered something unintelligent. I put her on time-out.
" You're brooding," David said softly. He took steps towards my desk.
" Ellis, we -" I bit my tongue hard after that name escaped escaped my lips. David stopped in his tracks, his eyes were ferocious.