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1041 Words
"Mommy, you are back. I miss you so much."
"Mommy, we've been good, and Daddy said you wouldn't be coming back early today. Did you come back just to see us?"
Bridget was pleasantly surprised when she got back home to see her kids waiting for her. She had no idea they would be coming back so soon!
"Rita, Sabrina...you girls...when did you girls get back?" Bridget asked as she bundled her kids into her arms, hugging them tightly.
"Daddy said that he wanted to give you a surprise. He said that you are going to be so happy when you come back and realize we are home," the taller of the two girls, Sabrina, giggled as she said this.
"Oh, I am so happy.... I am so, so happy to have you guys back here with me," Bridget said as she sighed in happiness.
Their family of four had gone on a vacation, but since she had to film, she came back first. She thought they would be coming back home much later, but she was pleasantly surprised to find out that they came right after her!
"The kids said that they missed you so much. With you gone, there was no way we could continue to enjoy whatever fun they had over there, and so we had to come back," a man said as he walked down the stairs.
Bridget let down the kids as she smiled at her husband, well, her contract husband, Cole.
There was excitement in her eyes, reverence for him, and also deep feelings that she was trying to mask behind a smile.
Her heart also skipped a beat as she looked at his face; it had only been a few days since they had passed, but seeing his face still made her heart race.
No matter how many times she looked at this man, Bridget could not just get over how handsome he was.
She believed that one of the reasons she was so quick to accept his proposal five years ago was because he was extremely good-looking.
It wasn't that she hadn't met good-looking men before, and her ex-husband Zion wasn't bad-looking either, but there was something about Cole's wild looks that set her off each time.
"Thank you so much for all that you do for me, Cole. I really wouldn't know what I would have done without you," she said.
Bridget was forever aware of the fact that her life only took a sharp turn for the better when she met this man.
It was why she had to suppress her feelings for him. He had helped her a lot, and she didn't want to make him uncomfortable with the feelings that were just in her head only.
Cole frowned as he took in Bridget's expression. "What are you talking about? They are my kids; if I don't take care of them, then who is going to do that?" He asked her.
Bridget sighed and lowered her head. Although their relationship was just a contract to Cole, he did treat her kids as his own, and she would forever be grateful for that.
"Girls, why don't you go upstairs first? Your mother and I need to have an adult conversation, he said to the kids.
"Daddy, but you promised us that you would take us to get ice cream once Mom gets back," Sabrina pouted.
"Yes, Daddy, I also want to get burgers and fries," Rita chimed in.
Cole bent down and pinched the kid's cheeks.
"Don't worry, we are going to go; just go upstairs first, okay?" He asked her.
The kids nodded their heads and left happily. The love and trust they had in their father was visible in their eyes, and Bridget felt glad that her kids were growing up safe, happy, and protected.
She did not have that kind of luck when she was younger.
"Come with me," said Cole as soon as the kids were gone. He pulled Bridget's hand, taking her to sit with him on the couch.
"Is everything okay?" She asked since they were seated.
"I should be the one asking you that question. Are you okay? You can pretend in front of the kids, but I can see that there's something bothering you. What is it?" Cole asked her worriedly.
Bridget's heart skipped a beat as she looked up at Cole. Her mouth felt dry as she thought of what to say.
Should she tell him that her feelings for him were consuming her so badly she felt like she was losing her mind?
Cole patted Bridget's hand and smiled comfortingly at her.
"Bridget, I know that our marriage is only one on paper, but you need to understand that I care about you—a lot. You are a dear friend to me, Bridget. And if there's ever something on your mind, please do not hesitate to tell me. The words I told you five years ago still stand. I will give you everything you want and also protect you and the kids, he assured her.
Bridget lowered her head to hide the bitter smile on her face.
A contract marriage? Close friends? Just as she suspected, all of these feelings were just in her head.
When Bridget looked up again, she was smiling cheerfully.
After all, she was an actress, and controlling her emotions and expressions was something that she did well.
"It's just a little issue at work; you don't have to worry," Bridget said.
She was more determined to keep her feelings for Cole a secret.
Cole was not so easily convinced, though. "If there is someone giving you trouble in the production team, don't hesitate to tell me about it. I will make them pay," Cole swore.
Bridget knew he wasn't joking, and she shook her head urgently. She didn't want this to be made into a big deal.
"Please trust me, it's nothing serious at all. It's just...the actress I used to be an assistant for, she's in the drama as the second lead, and I think she's going to cause issues for me." Bridget could only use Jenna as a cover-up for what she was really thinking.
"You used to be an actress' assistant?”
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