Chapter 90: Work Hard Tonight, Daddy
The sound of Alaric’s cell phone ringing seemed to fade into the background, as if it wasn’t even there. He didn’t seem to hear it at all. Instead, his attention was focused entirely on Galatea, his dissatisfaction with her earlier distraction clearly reflected in his actions. With a sudden movement, he kissed her again—this time, as punishment, his lips claiming hers with force. Galatea had no choice but to go still, her body obeying his every move like a cat under his control.
As the kiss deepened, Galatea’s head grew light. Her breathing was labored, her body struggling to gather enough oxygen. She clutched his shirt, silently pleading for him to stop, but the kiss continued.
Finally, just as her consciousness began to waver, Alaric pulled away.
Galatea was left breathless, her flushed cheeks betraying the storm of emotions she couldn’t hide. She tried to regain some semblance of control, but Alaric only chuckled—a sound that was both victorious and triumphant, like a hunter who had just captured his prey.
That smile of his, the satisfaction in his eyes, triggered something inside Galatea—a rush of anger. Without thinking, she lifted her hand, intent on slapping him. But before she could act, Alaric seized her wrist with ease, his grip firm and unyielding.
“Are you angry now?” he asked, a teasing smile still on his lips. “Didn’t you enjoy the kiss just now?”
Galatea struggled in his grasp, her frustration building as she attempted to pull away. “Shameless!” she spat.
Alaric, unphased, responded smoothly. “Remember how you reacted. That was your most genuine response, and I like it.”
It was just like the time he had carried her home after she fell asleep. The memory of her pleasant reaction to his touch lingered with him, and he couldn’t deny that he enjoyed how she responded to him.
Alaric released her wrist and stood up, pulling out his phone. It was Caspian calling. Galatea, still reeling from the kiss, watched as Alaric answered.
“What’s up, son?” Alaric’s voice was casual, but Galatea could hear the slight tension in his words as he spoke to Caspian.
“Dad, where are you? Aren’t you coming back home tonight?” Harry’s voice crackled through the phone, tinged with what almost sounded like a hint of nervousness.
Alaric glanced at the time, the realization dawning that it was getting late. The mansion, a considerable distance away, seemed like a world apart from the cozy mountain lodge where they were. “If I don’t come back tonight, will my Caspian be upset?” Alaric asked, his voice filled with genuine curiosity.
“Are you with Mommy?” came the follow-up question, Harry’s voice betraying a hint of worry.
“Not just her, also Harry and Elisa,” Alaric responded, his words casual but with an undertone of something deeper.
Harry, after a pause, responded with a surprised tone. “Wait… you’re with Harry and Elisa? You’ve seen Harry?”
Alaric chuckled, “I have, and he’s the spitting image of you. I thought it was you when I first laid eyes on him.”
Galatea, listening in, couldn’t help but feel a sharp pang in her chest. The idea of Harry and Caspian being so close, yet so far apart in identity, tugged at her heart.
“Wow,” Harry’s voice softened. “I wasn’t lying, was I? He looks just like me.”
Alaric smiled, acknowledging the uncanny resemblance. “Maybe it’s because he looks just like you, but when I see him, it feels like I’m looking at my own son.”
Harry’s voice changed, filled with more energy now. “Dad, don’t tell Mommy about how much Harry and I look alike, okay? Let her find out after you guys get married.”
Alaric couldn’t help but laugh softly. “Okay.”
Harry’s voice became more mischievous as he added, “Tonight’s your chance, Dad. Don’t miss it—you know what I mean? Go for it. I can’t wait to hear the good news.”
After hanging up, Alaric couldn’t help but feel a sense of amusement, but before he could say anything to Galatea, he quickly typed a message to Caspian.
Harry: Caspian, tonight you have to make sure everything goes perfectly between the two of them. Make me proud!
Caspian, upon reading the message, felt the pressure mounting. But before he could respond, he heard Galatea calling out.
“Harry, Elisa, it’s getting late. We need to head down the mountain now,” Galatea said, her tone a mixture of frustration and urgency. She saw Alaric still on the phone and approached the children’s park to find them.
It was already dark, and the kids were still playing. They needed to go home, but Galatea knew it would take some time to get down the mountain.
“What? We have to go already?” Elisa protested, her eyes wide with disbelief. “I haven’t had enough fun yet! This place is amazing!”
Caspian, fully aware of his mission, quickly agreed. “Yeah, Mommy, there are so many rides we haven’t tried yet. Why don’t we stay here tonight?”
“No,” Galatea said firmly. “We must go home tonight. Come on, put your shoes on.”
“I don’t want to,” Elisa muttered, reluctant. “Tomorrow’s the weekend. We don’t have school. It’s so rare for us to have fun like this… I don’t want to go home.”
“Exactly, Mommy,” Caspian chimed in. “We promise to behave. Please let us stay.”
Just as Galatea was about to respond, Alaric’s voice came from behind her, smooth and authoritative. “The kids are having such a great time; don’t spoil their fun. I’ve already booked rooms. We’re staying tonight.”
“Daddy is the best!” Elisa and Caspian immediately cheered, both jumping with excitement.
Galatea’s face turned green with annoyance. This man is doing this on purpose, she thought, but she knew she couldn’t do much about it right now.
The mountain lodge employee appeared just then. “Mr. Knight, Ms. Hartley, your rooms are ready. Please follow me,” the employee said respectfully, leading the way.
“Harry and Elisa will have their own nanny. You don’t need to worry,” Alaric added as he walked toward the rooms.
“Exactly, Mommy,” Caspian said, eager to encourage his mother. “You two have fun, and don’t mind us.”
“That’s right,” Elisa grinned, mischief dancing in her eyes. “You two have fun.”
Galatea, already too irritated to argue, followed them to the guest area, which was grand and lavishly decorated. Alaric had secured the largest penthouse suite, offering panoramic mountain views and a stargazing experience that promised to soothe the soul.
Once the employee left, Galatea turned to Alaric, her irritation finally spilling over. “Did you plan this all along?”
Alaric, clearly unbothered, lay down on the bed with a grin. “Wrongfully accused,” he said, his tone light. “I just wanted to indulge the kids. I booked the room on the fly, with no premeditation whatsoever.”
Galatea shot him a skeptical look, her annoyance reaching its peak. “Really now? Then why trek all the way to this mountain lodge just for dinner?”
Alaric, reclining comfortably, looked up at the stars visible through the large windows. “Instead of being angry, you might as well enjoy the stars. Anger can make a woman age.”
Galatea huffed, but as she lay beside him, her gaze was drawn to the night sky. The stars were so close, so bright, that for a moment, her irritation seemed to fade away. The night sky was magnificent, and for a fleeting moment, it almost made her forget the drama of the evening. It was far more beautiful than the night at sea…