*Owen*
I scuttle back to the bedroom, finding my clothes and pulling it on. I really could have used some clean clothes, but what I had on last night will have to do till I get back to my father's house, doing the walk of shame, where I am staying for the holidays.
That had not been embarrassing at all ... I shake my head, I mean Darlene could have told me that her grown daughter is living with her, then I definitely wouldn’t have been in the kitchen half naked.
I breathe in deeply … Okay then, on to the next weird and awkward moment in my already rather unusual day, breakfast with her very cute daughter. Not sure today is really my day. Mornings like this is why I usually don’t do this kind of thing. That and the rumours it easily creates. The stories that somehow always reach the tabloids.
As I enter the kitchen I stop in my tracks staring at Hope. She is shaking her hips slowly to the music as she is plating up food. There is no doubt she has inherited that easy and natural sensuality from her mother, but on her it is less in your face and laced with a ... sweetness, something that makes you want to spoil and protect her. And that cute little pj is not helping.
I chastise myself. Owen for f***s sake, you slept with her mother last night, so pining over the daughter is ... Well you just don’t do that. Way to prove you are just like they say.
“That’s a flat out lie you know”. I say as I walk into the room, making her turn and look at me with an eyebrow raised. I point to her curve hugging tank top. “The top ... you are clearly not a mermaid, I can see your legs”. All long and perfect as they are.
“I could be enchanted”. She shoots back as she puts the plates on the kitchen table. “Come eat ... Knowing my mother you probably need it”.
I go sit down. “But you still have your voice and I see no handsome prince that you are trying to seduce for a kiss ... so I am quite sure you are human”.
“Well I didn’t say I was Ariel ... and aren’t you kind of a prince ? I am pretty sure Forbes called you like the crown Prince of investment banking and People called you a real life Disney Prince when they made you the most eligible bachelor ...”. She stuffs a piece of bacon in her mouth.
Okay, so she knows who I am. At least she seems to not feel intimidated by it. “Touche ... you got me there and well bacon is kind of a means of seduction so ...”.
“Oh, so now I am trying to seduce you, am I ?” She takes another piece of bacon, slowly slipping it in between her lips; honestly the way she does it makes my throat go dry.
“Bacon ... I mean you did make me bacon”. I hold up a piece before stuffing it in my mouth. “And not just bacon, but perfectly crisp bacon … that is not a thing to be ignored”.
She giggles softly, and cutely. “Well you practically flashed me ... so who is trying to seduce who here ?”
“I have actually never been accused of trying to seduce someone by flashing my body. I guess it’s another upside … or would it be a downside ? To have gotten into shape”. I bite my lip.
*Hope*
Well the body is definitely an upside. I had not recognised him at first, I mean it’s not like I am a fan or something, wait do People like him have fans ? But I remember him from both business magazines and gossip ones, so I guess you can call him famous.
I have read some of his articles for tips on how to build a business and administer your finances and such. He used to be slim and look to be relatively in shape, but, you know, like someone who spends more time in boardrooms and at cocktail parties than in a gym, not anymore though.
“So probably asking all stupidly and stuff, but what’s the reason for this ... New look ?” I sip my orange juice.
Well at least this time my mom really showed some taste in her choice of man, even if he has a bit of a reputation. Okay, more than a bit.
“Well not stupidly, I don’t expect people to know everything about me”. He chuckles … I have to admit that he has the cutest little chuckle. “Especially not private choices. I had some things in my life I needed to deal with, a friend suggested channeling frustrations and stress through Working out. At first I saw it mostly as something I had to do, but honestly I am loving it. I feel stronger, healthier and happier than ever”.
My mind goes back to earlier, yeah I can easily imagine that ass doing some deep squats. ”I bet it’s a hit with the ladies too”.
He makes a face I can’t really read. “I guess ...”.
“I mean not that you ever seemed to have a problem with those”. I stuff another piece of bacon into my mouth.
He seems to always have a new model or actress or other woman of that kind on his arm every time he is snapped on a red carpet for some gossip Magazine.
He stuffs the last piece of bacon in his mouth. “Oh believe me it is not always what it looks like”.
“Oh, so what is it then”. I look at him, curious about how he will explain it. “The grown man version of a snuggly blanket ?”
He grins. “A bit yeah, especially for someone like me who tends to ... Well, lose faith in myself easily and feel lonely. Don’t we all seek likes and approval ?”
“I used to do that, but I worked on myself ... and I got through it”. I nod. “I get hate occasionally, but I don’t let it get me down any longer”.
“So ... what do you do ? If I may ask”. He looks curiously at me.
I think for a moment. To be honest I kind of hate telling new people, often they tend to ... Well it feels like they look down on my way of earning my money. “I guess I am an internet personality ... An influencer I guess. I mean I do videos on youtube, and post things on twitter, i********: and so on”.
“For a living ?” He looks a bit surprised. “What do you make videos about to make enough money to live off of it ?”
“Well mostly about self love, positive body images and such”. I breathe in. “Ideas for clothes and make-up everyone can use and afford, recykling and such … recipes for healthy food that makes you feel good and full ... things like that”.
A smile spread on his lips. “That actually sounds kind of cool. I mean it sounds like a good thing to do. Maybe I should give it a watch”.
“Please do ... you can find me under ‘I Hope’”. I say with a smile. To be honest I am mostly proud of what I do and I definitely don’t mind people watching.