August 22, 2020

12:15 PM

Ainsworth-Pines Head Office

New York City

O L L I E

I signed the last document for the day and with a tired sigh, leaned against my chair and turned it around to see the overlooking view of the city. At the very least, my heart calmed down and stared at the hustle-and-bustle below. I have just finished my training with Ariadne two weeks ago. It was overwhelming but I enjoyed every bit of it.

Still, my heart feels empty. I enjoy the job, but not to the point where I can confidently say that I love it. I realized the heavy responsibility of running a company with thousands of employees' lives on the line. There are moments when I feel like my anxiety will kick in, but Stefan always arrives at the right moment.

A huge smile broke out when I heard the familiar footsteps. I stood up abruptly and when I turned my body around, Stefan stopped in his tracks midway and his expression brightened when he saw me. "Hey, my love. I decided to visit—oops. Careful, baby," Stefan reminded me with a chuckle when I ran into his arms and jumped on him.

He set down the bouquet and my smoothie on the coffee table and held me properly. I locked my legs around his waist and nuzzled into his neck, inhaling his scent of sandalwood with a hint of vanilla. "I miss you, daddy bear. You came at the right time," I mumbled and savored the comfort of being in his arms.

"Oh, baby. Care to share?" Stefan asked and rubbed my back, then walked straight to my private room, but not before picking up my smoothie. My daddy knows that I especially need my smoothie when I'm stressed.

Stefan put me down on the bed and kissed my temples, then removed his jacket and tie. He placed them on the nearby chair and he also removed his shoes before sitting on the bed. He sat against the headboard and patted his side, so I crawled towards him and rested my head on his chest and my arm on his stomach.

"Are you done for the day, baby?" I nodded and pressed my body closer. "Do you want to change first? Being suited up must be suffocating," Stefan suggested and I beamed at him. I do feel hot and suffocated. My daddy really knows me.

"Can you change my clothes for me, daddy bear? Please?" Stefan smiled and gave me a chaste kiss, then brushed my hair back.

"Of course, baby. That would be my pleasure," he winked and my heart leaped and danced. Stefan stalked towards the closet and pulled out a silk shirt. I noticed how Stefan's bulging muscles flex inside his, and my mouth watered at such a delightful sight. Stefan caught me staring and he narrowed his eyes on me, a playful smirk on his lips. "Oh ho. My baby's checking me out. Did you like what you saw?" He sat in front of me and stroked my hair.

I giggled and nodded furiously, almost bouncing on my seat. "Daddy is so sexy. I like it," I admitted and Stefan graced me with his sexy chuckle. "I want a kiss as my reward for being honest, daddy bear," I added and pouted my lips.

Stefan shook his head slowly, his eyes dancing with amusement. "That was smooth, baby boy. I like it," he said with a chuckle and pressed a soft kiss on my lips. I giggled and beamed at Stefan, who was enjoying my antics. "Now baby, let's change your clothes so we can cuddle, and then you can tell me about your day." I nodded furiously and bounced.

"Hurry, daddy bear. I wanna cuddle! Hurry!" I spread my arms so he can easily unbutton and remove my shirt. I am so excited. Cuddles with my daddy is one of the best things I look forward to every single day. Cuddling takes all of the stress away, and we are both each other's anti-stress pill and happy pill.

"My excited cuddly bunny," Stefan said with a smile that got me beaming. He slowly unbuttons my dress shirt and slips on the silky fabric. I sighed pleasantly when the comfortable clothing touched my bare skin. Stefan folded my suit and put it on top of his on the chair. He then reached for my glass of smoothie and handed it to me.

I thanked him graciously and took a sip of my favorite delight. "It's so delicious, daddy bear," I moaned out and took another sip. Stefan smiled and he returned to his earlier position as he patted his lap.

I happily planted myself on his lap and rested my head on his shoulders. Stefan's muscled arm wrapped around my waist while his unoccupied hand was rubbing my thigh soothingly. "Okay love. Why don't you tell me what's bothering you earlier? Is it the company? Is it stressing you out?"

I lifted my gaze and was welcome by his gentle and fond expression. Stefan removed the glass first from my hand and placed it on the bedside table. I mumbled my thanks and wound my arms around his shoulders and slowly shared my thoughts.

Stefan just remained silent as he brushed my hair and kissed the top of my head from time to time. By the time I finished, I felt like a huge burden was lifted off my shoulders. I love this kind of moment with Stefan. I can tell him just about everything and he will just lend me his ears, without judgment and unwanted advice.

"Baby, there's nothing wrong with that. I may not be able to relate to you fully because I am into business and I have been trained at an early age but," he cradled my face in his hands and gave me that heart-stopping smile. "...you are quite the opposite baby. You have been thrown into the corporate world without warning. Just move at your own pace. If you ever feel that you can't take it anymore, I'm just a call away. I will fly to your rescue and cuddle you until you melt."

Despite the unshed tears, my smile was so wide and my heart almost melted at his words. My daddy bear is the best. I couldn't ask for more. "Thank you, daddy. I love you," I uttered with a shake in my voice and went back to my favorite place, and nuzzled under his chin.

"I love you evermore, baby." I smiled at that and my heart thumped with giddiness. Oh, my goodness. I don't think the butterflies will ever go away. "By the way my love; we are going on a vacation tomorrow." My ears perked up and I can feel the excitement bubbling up. "I have already talked to Roman about this, and he is more than willing to have you take a vacation leave."

I got out of my hiding place and with my eyes blown wide, I squealed in so much excitement and peppered kisses all over my daddy's face. A vacation? I haven't had a vacation ever since I assumed my position because my schedule's been so hectic.

"I don't have to ask but you're happy, right, love?" Stef chuckled and gripped my waist when I was seconds away from jumping with joy.

"Where are we going, daddy bear?" I excitedly asked when I finally found my voice.

Stefan gave me a knowing smirk, and the thumping in my chest became louder by the second. "You didn't. Salar de Uyuni?" I asked breathlessly as I stared at Stefan expectantly.

A wide grin cracked on his face and he nodded. "Salar de Uyuni," he confirmed and I think I passed out from too much excitement.

****

6:30 PM

Stefan's Office

Stefan's Manor

S T E F A N

I can't help but feel like I'm ten feet tall whenever I glance at my baby animatedly talking to his gang about our upcoming vacation trip. When I told him that he can bring the gang, Oliver screamed and thanked me endlessly. Now, seeing that happy expression just confirmed that I did a very good job. I knocked on the door to my office to announce my presence and the blissful smile that my baby gave to me when he lifted his gorgeous head got me breathless. My baby was brimming with happiness and I just feel so good and pleasant whenever I see him happy. It makes me so proud knowing that I'm the reason why he's smiling and laughing.

"Daddy bear!" Oliver chirped and then he ran to meet me halfway but stopped when he saw the tray I was holding. He pouted when he realized that he can't jump toward me but his smile returned when I put the tray on the coffee table. "Daddy!" Oliver bounced on his toes and held his arms out.

I scooped him up with a fluid motion and my baby adorably giggled, his eyes crinkling and those beautiful hazel orbs sparkled. He placed his hands on my shoulders and he wrapped his legs around my waist. He cupped my face and dropped several light kisses on my lips. "Daddy bear. I missed you."

My heart warmed at that and a stupid grin broke out. "I miss you too, my love. How's it going with the gang?" He gasped when he realized that he was actually on a video call with Jesse and the others.

"That's right, daddy bear. I forgot," he giggled and I threw my head back in laughter. "Daddy, the gang wants to thank you. They can't wait for tomorrow," Oliver added and with him in my arms, I sat down on the couch to face the gang, earning shocked gasps from them.

Oliver shifted so he could face them, his legs on the sides of my thighs. I pulled him closer to me and when he found a comfortable position, Ollie turned his head and gave me a short kiss. "Thank you, daddy bear."

"My pleasure, baby," I answered with a smile, and our happy bubble burst when we heard muffled squeals and screams. We both glanced at the computer monitor and Jesse was seconds away from jumping and screaming, while Noah and Eli were grinning.

My baby blushed so hard when they started teasing him, while I kept Oliver relaxed by rubbing his thighs. "Hey, guys. Are you ready for tomorrow?" I asked when they finally calmed down and the three nodded. They uttered their thanks and I just listened to their conversation.

I remembered the food tray that I prepared and I put down Oliver on the couch after telling him that I'm about to get our food. My baby uttered a soft 'thank you' which I rewarded with a kiss on his forehead.

For our dinner, I decided to cook a creamy Tuscan garlic chicken paired with freshly-toasted garlic bread, two glasses of fruit teas to counter the cheesiness and creaminess of the main dish, and of course, Oliver's favorite gelato. I always make sure I have enough to last for the week just in case my baby craves it and I'm busy to make him some.

There are days when things get so hectic at the company that I had to work throughout the night. If not for my baby, food will be forgotten. I am actually used to skipping meals, especially when there are so many meetings and tasks at hand. During that time, Oliver makes sure that I eat right on time and had my daily dose of cuddles and kisses from my baby.

I also added some waffle chicken fingers and some fruit slices. Ever since Oliver found the recipe online for the waffle chicken fingers, it has been our go-to finger snack.

I picked up the tray and made my way to Oliver who was giggling and nodding excitedly since earlier. I placed the tray down on the table and cut the Tuscan chicken bite-sized while my baby was eagerly listening to Jesse about the stuff they should bring to Salar de Uyuni.

"Okay guys, listen. According to the website of Salar de Uyuni, here are the things we need to bring. Of course, we need a good camera. We need to make sure that we have enough battery and storage space for our photos." Oliver and the others nodded. "To have jaw-dropping pictures, we need to bring photo props. Also, we need to bring cash and have it exchanged for Bolivian currency. I read that ATMs are scarce in Uyuni, so we have to make sure we don't run out of cash. The horror!" Jesse added dramatically and Elijah giggled.

I'm glad that Elijah can finally smile and laugh in a carefree manner. It just showed that Devon has a positive influence on him. I was right to have Elijah under our care at Enchaines. I can't let him roam around aimlessly, especially with the threat to his life. As for the latter, Devon has taken care of it. He doesn't even need The Phantom's help. His family is enough.

"Hey, love. Open up," I called Oliver's attention and he turned to me, then happily opened his mouth. His eyes widened in delight and chewed his food first before he spoke.

"Daddy bear, this is so delicious! I want more, please?"

"Sure, baby," I said with a huge smile and served him another forkful. I fed my baby continuously while I ate some waffle chicken and drank some fruit tea. By the time we finished eating, they also ended the call because they also had some preparation to do. It turns out that we also need to bring flip-flops since the salt flat can have some layer of water on it. We also need to bring enough water for hydration, and plenty of snacks.

"We also need to bring lip balms to avoid dry and chapped lips, towels, binoculars so we don't scare the wildlife and can observe them from afar, hand sanitizers, sunscreen, and sunglasses, as well as thermal gears. Jesse said that temperatures in Uyuni can drop as low as -20 degrees Celsius," Oliver informed me while checking on his phone for his list. "We also need to bring a flashlight with us, daddy bear. Especially when we want to witness the mirror effect of the salt flats during the evening. I saw the pictures on the net and they are so magical and enchanting. I can't wait!"

Making sure that Oliver is happy is the easiest thing to do. He's happy as long as we spend time together cuddling and having light and deep conversations. He's happy as long as I drown him with affection and dote on him endlessly. I don't need to do grand things for him to love me, but Oliver deserves those grand things. Just because he doesn't ask for it does not mean that I should not do it. And I plan to make him realize how important he is to me through this trip.

After preparing our things and our daily shower routine, I tucked my baby into our bed and kissed his forehead. He must have been so exhausted, so he needed this trip. After making sure that Oliver is comfortable, I grabbed my phone from the bedside table and dialed Trevor's number. I opened the door to the balcony and stepped outside, then flopped on the couch.

"Hey, Stefan, what's up?" I heard a commotion on the other line and Trevor let out a soft chuckle. "Sorry about that, Jesse's been extra cheerful ever since he learned about the trip. Thanks for doing this, man."

"Stop being sappy, Trev. Remember, you're also helping me with my plan. Moreover, the gang is a good distraction for my baby. I want to give him the greatest surprise ever."

Trevor scoffed and I can imagine his smug expression. "Definitely. Ollie deserves it. I still get irritated whenever I remember that bedroom proposal. Talk about lame, Alexandrei," Trevor added and I groaned at that.

I know. It was lame, but at that time, the only thing on my mind was to tie Oliver with me, by hook or by crook. "Shut up. As if you're any different. If I know, you wanted to propose to Jesse at first sight," I bit back and with a slight eye roll.

Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. The moment Trevor landed his eyes on Jesse, my friend fell so hard. I would say that Trevor became Jesse's stalker. It was a piece of cake for Trevor, not because he's the head of the intelligence unit of The Phantom, but because of his family.

Trevor clucked his tongue and hissed. "Change topic. I already arranged our accommodation in La Paz. As for Uyuni, I rented the entire salt hostel for two days. I also contacted one of my friends to tour us around La Paz before we go to Uyuni. I heard there are a lot of things you can do there, so Oliver will definitely be distracted."

"Thank you for this, Trevor. I appreciate this so much, man." Trevor is very busy with the family and The Phantom, but he still manages to provide us security. Trevor hummed on the other line and ended the call while I settled my gaze on the night sky.

Finally, my love. You will be truly mine, and you will be in every sense of the word in a few months.

****

August 23, 2020

8:25 AM

Stefan's Private Jet

O L L I E

Oh, my goodness! We're going to Bolivia!

Owing to overexcitement, I was not able to sleep well because I was thinking of the things that we could do the moment we stepped into Bolivia. I have read so many travel magazines and watched travel vlogs on Youtube about their experience so I'm a bit envious. I haven't had the time to plan any travel adventures because my schedule's been hectic. Thankfully, Stefan arranged it for us and he even invited the gang to come along with us. The more, the merrier!

"Okay, guys. Did you follow the instructions I sent last night? About the things we must bring?" Jesse asked and we all nodded. We are seated on the right side of the jet, Jesse on my right, and Elijah and Noah occupy the seat across ours.

Elijah is looking so cute as a button with his baby blue shirt and black pants, his messy brown hair kept in place by a gold hair clip I gave him as a present, and Jesse put a guyliner on him which made his blue eyes pop. He was radiating so much excitement that it also boosted our mood.

On the other hand, Noah is being so gorgeous as a model with his black Armani casual shirt with minimal design, fitted denim jeans, with his black boots. He styled his hair beautifully and his almost golden eyes were sparkling that Chris can't control himself from stealing glances at the beautiful boy.

Daddy bear and Chris were sitting on our left; the latter sitting on the aisle, and he was unabashedly staring at Noah who was blushing like a tomato from time to time. On the other hand, Elijah was happily grinning at Devon who has a fond smile and gazes always prepared for my friend. They are so adorable.

As for Trevor and Jesse, they are trapped in their world as both of them send messages on their phone, and I don't even want to know what the contents are. Based on the naughty glint in their eyes, it is something very personal.

"I want to go to the Witches' Market. They have a plethora of potions, amulets, and charms displayed there. Did you know that they also have dried llamas hanging there as a sacrifice for their rituals?" Elijah gasped softly and Noah seemed surprised as well. As for Jesse, I was shocked when he almost bounced on his seat, seconds away from squealing.

"Oh my gosh! I read it too, Ollie! We have to go there. I am quite intrigued by their potions and charms," Jesse exclaimed excitedly and grabbed my hand. My eyes widened and a huge smile cracked my face. We really are BFFs that are made for each other. We have similar interests and Jesse has been nothing but one of my biggest supporters when it comes to the different milestones I accomplished.

"How about you, Eli? What do you want to do in La Paz?" We will be staying in La Paz for three to four days before we traveled to Uyuni. I read that our itinerary should start with places with the lowest altitude and work our way up to prevent getting sick. The oxygen will get thinner as we climb up to Uyuni.

"I want to ride the tram! We can see the entire city through their tram car. I heard that it's fast and is one of the main transportation services of the locals," Eli added with a nod and clapped his hand. We chuckled and agreed. We would be graced by the overlooking view of La Paz along with the hustle and bustle down below.

"I want to go to visit their restaurants and also taste their local food and delicacies. I can't pass this up. I need to come up with a new menu for the Rose Garden," Noah gushed, and from my periphery, I saw Chris nod and made a note on his phone. I bet that he's looking for local restaurants so he can suggest some to Noah later. Oh gosh, that is so cute.