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“Tell me!” she demands before making a goofy grin. My God. How am I going to control myself with her looking like that.

And how will I protect her?

Finally,we make it home, and it’s good to have her innocent butt behind my walls. I, however, have a new movie script to read, even if it is Sunday.

At times, white hot scripts become available, and it is important to leap on them fast. Top writers and their agents drop them in the market, and bidding wars start over days.

The screenplays do not come cheap at this level, and some run into the millions.

As I read in my office overlooking Central Park, my personal phone chimes. After finishing reading the scene, I look down at it. A message is in from Martha. The closest person to a parent I’ve ever had.

All okay with young Storm?

I type back fast, my jaw clenching up.

Of course.

My cell chimes seconds later.

And are you looking after the young girl?

“Dear God,” I say, through clenched teeth, and now pacing. I pause then send back –

Yes, and well.

My phone chimes again, and I growl and look down.

Good boy. Now, have fun with Storm. Love you.

I inhale, and think about Martha. She is as close as I’ll ever have to family. That is why I must respect her, and her wishes. Always!

I type slow, and my stomach is tight. Finally, I hit send.

Love you too, dear! xo

I rub my temples, and sit back in front of the script.

Forbidden.

Forbidden.

Forbidden.

I can just hear Storm practicing Italian across the penthouse. At times, she also sings to herself, in the gym. It’s adorable, and innocent.

After her work out, and diving lesson across the park, she returns and focuses on her Italian grammar.

Most people slow down after getting some degree of results, but Storm is turning it up, and doubling down. She is also turning heads, and even if I dislike it, she has done well.

Maybe she doesn’t know when to stop, and that, I can relate to, only too well.

I personally have no idea, when enough is enough, but I’m different.

I’m broken.

I walk to the kitchen,and I get a sparkling water. I go to drink it, and suddenly freeze. I almost drop it, and the sparkling water fizzes, and bubbles onto the ground.

I give zero Fs, because I am staring at Storm, who is dancing around the far side of the kitchen.