Chapter 23 - Good morning, love

Lily sat at the dining table with a cup of coffee in her hand as Alexandre entered the dining room. He looked so good in his indigo suit. This time he wore no tie. His collar was a button wide open. He looked more casual than usual. Challenging, she looked at him. She had not forgotten how he had woken her up. This scoundrel!

"I hope sameday you get a taste of your own medicine." She hissed.

"Mornig love." He greeted her over-friendly and sat down to her at the table. Immediately he noticed that her plate was empty. "Don't you have any appetite?" He asked. Lily shook her head. "I'm not hungry yet. It is too early!"Again she glared at him with narrowed eyes. She wanted to let him know that he was to blame. She carried a grudge against him, he noted in amusement. But she looked so cute when she was angry.

He picked up his fork and knife and began calmly cutting his egg Benedict as she sipped her coffee. The liquid egg yolk mingled with the hollandaise sauce as he cut open the egg and poured down onto the english muffin below. " Don't forget we have dinner with my sister and her fiance tonight."

"But I promised Adrien that I would stay home for the next few days." She said with hesitation.

"Just take him with you." Replied Alexandre casually.

"But I did not think anyone should know that we adopted Adrien?" Lily asked, puzzled. It was his instruction that no one outside this house should learn of Adrien's whereabouts. So it was safest for the little boy and Lily wanted to protect him. She could not forgive herself if something happened to Adrien because of her carelessness.

"My sister's fiance is one of my closest friends. The meal takes place at his home. He and Louise pose no danger." His features were completely relaxed, there was even a certain lightness in his gaze as he mentioned the two.

She nodded and sipped at her milk coffee again. She would trust him. She had no choice. She hoped he would keep his word and do everything in his power to protect Adrien. She hoped so much. She wanted to trust him. But there was always that voice in her mind that admonished her. That voice that said she should be on guard and she shouldn't trust easily. Anyone! After all, her trust was once betrayed. In the beginning her life was as it was described in the lines of the novel. She was part of the novel. And that was what she feared most. A character who should die. She feared death. But death lurked around every corner. And Alexandre was the villain of My loyal hubby.

She felt helpless. As if she had to fight against Fortuna herself. She was so sorry. All she wanted was a normal life. No balancing act. She wanted to trust him, trust that he would be her safe haven. She did not want any more. Security and trust.

"Is the little guy still sleeping?" He broke into her thoughts. His look was strange. She nodded. "Yes, he usually wakes up around eight or eight thirty."

"We have to start slowly choosing a preschool for Adrien. He needs access to peers and a well-regulated routine to develop well." Alexandre said gently. "It's not good if he clings too hard to you. I asked my assistant to look for good facilities. Starting next month, we'll visit some facilities with Adrien and see what he likes best. "

For a moment, Lily did not know what to say. She was afraid. She knew it would not be easy to get Adrien enthusiastic about this idea. Like Lily, Adrien did not trust anyone so easily. To put him suddenly in a completely foreign environment with completely strangers. Adrien would not take it easy. But Alexandre was right too. In the long run his fixation on her was not good for the toddler. In this condition, he could not learn to deal socially with peers.

"Do not worry!" He stood up and circled the table with big steps. Then he slid his long fingers under her chin so that their eyes met. "We will do what he feels most comfortable with. You can stay with him in the daycare until he settles in." He suggested, kissing her on the forehead. This small gesture managed to instantly calm the troubled storm inside her. He radiated so much peace.

She nodded. "I'll pick you up after work. Be ready." He stroked her curly hair to say goodbye and then disappeared.