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“No, but I'm going to pick up my daughters.”
“Are you sure? I'll be on my way soon, and I'll get to the school before they're released. After that, I'll take them home immediately and leave them in the care of the nanny.”
“You can do your shopping, leave it in the apartment, and then go home.”
“Okay.” He didn't insist, no matter how unusual my attitude was.
“Good afternoon, Mylon.”
“For you too.”
I hung up the call and checked the time on my luxury wristwatch. There was still a long time before my daughters would be released. I hadn't said anything to my driver, but they weren't my main reason for going to school, but the excuse to see the teacher.
After the evening with Helena, I spent the whole day thinking about her. Between meetings with clients and analyzing the progress of cases, she took up my every thought. I hadn't felt so eager to see a woman and be with her for a long time.
It would be a lie if I said that I had put aside all the fear of being alone that had prevented me from getting involved with another woman since losing Daphne. But my sister was right; it was a risk. It didn't mean that I was going to lose Helena in the same way, did it?
Even before I had her in my arms, before I had tasted her body, I was more and more enchanted by her. Could this relationship work? I was the kind of man who didn't go into a dispute to lose, but I was much safer when it came to my legal cases.
I tried to avoid those thoughts, at least until it was time to leave. At some point, I would have to make up my mind about my relationship with Helena, but it didn't have to be then.
It could be much simpler than it seemed; maybe all I needed was to want her and be able to keep her. It was becoming clear that this was the best thing for my daughters and for me.
Just as their departure time was approaching, I said goodbye to my secretary, ending my work for the day, and got into my car, driving to the nursery school where they were studying. Several parents and guardians were already at the school gate before the main gate was opened, and the children were released. The woman at the door recognized most of the people who were there, but took a little longer when she needed to analyze some authorization. They had better be very careful not to hand one of the children over to just anyone.
I got close to the gate and she stopped staring at one of the mothers to look straight at me. Her eyes swept me from head to toe, almost as if they were scanning me, and then she giggled.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Lennox.”
“Good afternoon.” My tone was firm and rigid as I looked above her hoping to see the courtyard and in search of a certain teacher.
“A... I mean, the girls are waiting.”
“Can you get them for me?”
“Of course!” She leaned against the gate a little so that no one could get through but soon returned, holding my daughters in each of her hands.
“Daddy!” They shouted excitedly when they saw me.
“Hi, my princesses.” I knelt down, and they both hugged me.
“you didn't comehome yesterday,” Anne grumbled.
“I had a long appointment.”
The woman at the entrance giggled, and I raised my head to look at her because I thought she might know something, but she didn't dare say anything. I just couldn't keep quiet.
“Where is she?”
“She?” She played dumb.
“You know.”
“She's in the living room. Do you want me to call her?”
“Yes.”
“Just a moment.” She looked around and handed over three more students before going inside and disappearing for a few seconds.