A furture With Family

Harris awoke, the smell of fried bacon in his nostrils. It was when his thoughts turned to Mallory. His heart beat a little faster at the thought of Mallory, and he felt a light blush creep into his cheeks as he remembered the times he'd spent with her in the past few days of them transferring in his mansion. He wanted nothing more than to have Mallory back in his life. He wanted a future with her and their daughter, Harriet - a future that he knew was full of uncertainties, but he was willing to take the risk for them. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and began to stir until a deep-seated hunger finally dragged him out of bed. He stumbled across the hallway into the kitchen where Mallory was cooking. A small pan lay upon soft yellow flames on top of one burner. The pan seemed full and even, overflowing with golden strips that sizzled, sending up plumes of oily smoke that filled every corner at once with its unmistakable savory aroma. He cleared his throat to get her attention, and she turned from her cooking to check who was there. His eyes held hers in a warm and steady gaze as he smiled and lifted his hand ever so slightly in an intimate wave. 'Good morning! You woke up so early today," Harris said, rubbing his nape out of tension. There was an awkward atmosphere between them again, like the usual when they are alone together. 'Good morning! What time are you going to your office? Breakfast will be ready soon." 'I have to be there at 8. Mallory, you didn't have to cook. We have 10 house helpers here that can do that. You don't have to do any house chores. You can spend time with Harriet if you want." 'Harris, I'm not here to be a full-time mom. I can still do house chores while taking care of our daughter. And about the house helpers, isn't it too much to have 10 house helpers?" Harris smiled like a fool hearing Mallory say 'OUR DAUGHTER." He likes it when Mallory says it that way. Harris?" Mallory called out his name. It took Harris out of his reverie. 'Oh, I'm sorry about it, Mally," he rubbed his nape again. "I didn't ask you to be a full-time mom, you can do whatever you want. If you love cooking you can cook anytime you want. About the house helpers, normally we have 5 stayed-in to maintain the place. Now that we are here; we hired another 5 to take care of the house chores." "This is your house, you can hire as many as you want." "By the way, I got another 3 Range Rover cars for you, Harriet, and the bodyguards substitute for the other three Cadillacs in case it has problems. It's also a good way to hide from the press." Mallory smiled and said 'You don't have to spoil us this much. We are not used to it. It's enough for me that Harriet is safe and we are always with her." Harris smiled back at her and promised, 'I will do everything to make sure that she is safe." Mallory nodded in approval. 'Thank you." 'I'm sorry that you have to leave your job because of all the current chaos from the press. I'll get rid of all of them soon. I promise." 'Don't worry about it. I don't use social media that much anyway. I think it's full of toxicity." 'That's good. You should find a hobby so you won't be bored here alone with the house helpers. You can go shopping if you want. Money is not an issue, you can use the black card I gave you." 'Harris, I don't want to be a burden. You don't have to take care of my needs. I only accept the black card for Harriet. We've talked about this." Harris gave Mallory a black to take care of all Harriet's needs, especially in school. Since Harriet is in a new exclusive school which is way more expensive than her old school, which Mallory couldn't afford, she was forced to accept the black card. Harris heaved a sigh. 'I understand. But think about having a new hobby so you won't be bored." 'I will. Thank you." Mallory let the house helper take care of the rest of the food. 'By the way, I'm sorry about you and Nicole. How is she?" 'Hmm?" Harris was startled, and didn't expect Mallory would ask such a question. Mallory just looked at Harris, waiting for an answer. 'Uh, she's fine. We've talked about this. She already knows about Harriet. Mom and Nicole told me they learned it from a mutual friend. I am yet to find out who that certain mutual friend is. I was extra careful about that info, the only man I told it about was my best friend David. But I'm certain he wouldn't betray me." Mallory could hardly believe what she heard. 'Are you sure Nicole is not upset about all of the issues?" She asked, confused. 'I have talked to her, Mally. Everything is under control," Harris assured. 'And how about us staying here?" Mallory inquired more. 'Mommy, Daddy, good morning!" Harriet exclaimed. Their conversation was cut short. 'Good morning, sweetie," Mallory replied. 'My princess," Harris said, taking Harriet into his arms. He gives Harriet a kiss on the cheek. 'Did you have a good night's sleep in your new room?" 'Yes, Daddy. I love my new room, it's so beautiful and big. I also love my playroom, there are a lot of toys there. You will play with me in my playroom, right Daddy?" 'Of course, Daddy will play with his princess." 'But before that," Mallory interrupted. 'You have to take a shower and go to school, and Daddy will have to go to his company as well. You guys can play tonight," Mallory added. Harriet pouted. 'It's okay, Harriet," Harris said. 'We'll play tonight, I promise, okay?" Trying to console Harriet. 'Promise?" 'Yes, I promise. Now hurry up and take a shower," Harris said with a smile. Harriet gave her Dad a hug as she went for her morning routine with Mallory following her. While Harriet and Harris were gone, Mallory thought of what Harris told her, having a new hobby. She used to love making scented candles. She wonders if there's a big market and opportunity for her to start her own business. Mallory opted to open her social media since it has been a while since she hasn't opened it after the photo leaked in the press. She gasped seeing all of her photos with Harris, Harriet, and even photos in the Azure Oasis Hotel while she was working. One headline said, 'Nicole Hudson was fuming in anger after learning her fiance Harris Thompson has a daughter with another woman." 'Harris lied," she muttered. Just when she was about to take a shower she heard a commotion outside. She went to the living room to check what was happening. 'Ma'am, you're not allowed here. Mr. Thompson had a stern warning not to let you in," one of the house helpers said. 'Really? I am his fiance and I am not allowed while the other woman can? Ridiculous," the woman thundered. 'Nicole?" Mallory muttered. 'Is she here to drag us out of this house?" Mallory's chest was pounding realizing she is nothing compared to Nicole. Although Harris has a daughter with her, Nicole and her family are powerful enough to take her down. 'I shouldn't have said yes to Harris's offer of coming here for safety. What have I done?"