Chapter 16

It felt so good to have her in his arms. He felt, strangely, content than he had ever felt in years. His heart was beating wildly as he held her in his embrace for a few minutes but then he felt her tense up and pull away slowly.

"It's getting late." Jules spoke, finally breaking the growing silence between them "I should probably get Ivy..."

"Jules..." was all he could get out of his mouth at that moment. He cleared his throat "...we have to talk."

Still avoiding his gaze, Jules walked away from him.

"I have nothing to say to you."

Ceaser held her wrist and pulled her back into his arms before she could get any further.

"Well, I do. So, I talk, you listen."

Jules placed her hands on his chest which made his body ache for more of her touch. Sadly, she pushed him away making him release her from his arms. Not because she was stronger than him but because he knew she didn't want to be in his arms at that moment.

Jules folded her arms and looked away from him. Not that she was even looking at him in the first place.

"Talk." Jules said

Ceaser sighed

"I didn't tell you who I was because I didn't want you to know.

Jules snorted softly at his response which made Ceaser smile a little, happy that he at least got a reaction out of her.

"When I met you, you didn't know I was the Ceaser Thompson. It was surprising...but refreshingly different. I've learnt to adapt to fame for as long as I can remember. But when I realized you didn't know who I was, I felt...this joy knowing that there was someone who I didn't have to be who I really wasn't." He said to her knowing it wasn't totally the truth "I didn't have to be the Thompson billionaire everyone knew. With you, I could be...me. More of myself than what the media makes me out to be."

Jules looked at him then and he was frozen. He was caught in her eyes. It hurt to even look into her eyes knowing that he was lying to her.

It wasn't all a lie. Just part of it.

Ceaser thought to himself.

Keep telling yourself that.

"So, you took matters into your hands and lied to my face," Jules said and Ceaser saw the hurt flash in her eyes. "How do expect me to believe anything you say now when everything's been a lie?" She asked him.

"Not everything was a lie," Ceaser said

"Really?" She asked "I thought I was dating someone who had a simple job, who was honest and kind. But it turns out that I was actually dating my boss whom everyone says is ruthless." She paused "So, tell me, how isn't it all a lie?"

Ceaser remained quiet.

"You know when I first met you, the night you gave me a ride, I thought you were charming and kind even though I silently prayed you didn't kidnap me. But in the short while we've known each other, I confirmed it. Now, I'm not so sure."

Ceaser felt his chest tighten at what she had said.

"You seem to know more about me than I know about you and I'm going to take a wild guess and say everything you know about me didn't come from me telling you." Jules said hitting a jackpot without actually knowing it "Office information." She supplied. "It would have been only fair if you had told me the truth from the beginning. You took the choice away from me."

What the heck was wrong with him? He was just meant to get her to like him, get custody of his daughter and leave her.

A small voice reminded him.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't tell you." was all Ceaser said.

Jules studied his face before she looked away from him again while she nodded.

"Well, it looks like you still can't tell me the whole truth," she said and walked past him again

"Jules..." Ceaser turned around and called for her. She stopped and slowly turned to face him and he could have sworn he saw tears in her eyes. "...about what happened in your office the other..."

"Forget about it." She said with a sad little smile. "It was a mistake. A big one I wouldn't want to repeat again." She said and left leaving Ceaser standing there in shock staring after her. Every single word she said felt like a stab in his chest. He clenched his jaw.

He unbuttoned his shirt and jeans.

He needed to go a few laps to let off steam.

He thought as he dove into the pool.

Jules tried to push back the tears as she went in search of Eric and Selene who were with Ivy. She saw them playing with a now awake Ivy making her giggle. Jules smiled as she waited in a corner and watched them. She didn't know how long she watched the scene unfolding in front of her.

"I have to get going." She said as she entered the room.

"This early?" Selene asked. "I made snacks for later."

"Well, you two would have to enjoy our share." Ceaser came into the room in his jeans and a towel in his hand as he wiped his wet hair. Jules looked away feeling her face heated up at the sight of him half-naked.

"Ceaser put on some clothes. You're making Jules uncomfortable." Selene said.

"Well, that's my mistake. Excuse me." Ceaser said looking at her before he made his way upstairs. Jules looked away knowing what he was getting at.

So yes, she had lied and said "It was a mistake" when she knew all too well that it didn't feel like one.

"My friends have Ivy for the rest of the evening. I promised them." Jules said.

"Bummer!" Eric said, "I'd have loved to have this cutie with us for a while longer."

"Me too," Selene said sadly as she kissed Ivy's cheek

"Well, maybe some other time." Jules said as Selene reluctantly let Ivy out of her arms and into Jules'.

"Momma." Ivy cooed when she got into Jules' arms.

"We enjoyed both your company," Eric said.

"We definitely enjoyed yours," Jules said as she picked Ivy carrier and her bag.

They walked her to her car and Jules put Ivy's carrier in the backseat and her bag in the front.

"We hope to see you both soon," Eric said

Jules nodded.

"Bye honey." Selene touched Ivy's cheek.

"Byyyyyy-byy-byyy." Ivy began saying like a mantra.

Jules felt her skin tingle and she looked up to find Ceaser in the upstairs balcony watching them. He waved at them, at Ivy to be specific.

"Say bye," Jules told Ivy as she held her tiny hand and waved at Ceaser.

"Byy-byyy." she said again before she placed her in her carrier and secured her safely in it.

"Thank you for having us again," Jules said to Selene and Eric.

"It was our pleasure. Don't hesitate to come over anytime." Selene said.

Jules smiled as Selene hugged her before Eric did. Jules rounded the car to the driver's side and opened the door. She gave Ceaser one last look before she got into the car and drove off.

Jules sighed when she finally got home. She had planned on giving Ivy a shower, feeding her and putting her to bed before she finally took care of herself. But it all went flying out the door once she stepped through the door.

"How was it?"

"Was Ceaser there?"

Jules stared at Andy and Sofi in shock.

"What are you guys doing here?" She asked them.

"You promised us we'll have Ivy for the evening. Don't think you can get away with it." Sofi said picking Ivy from her.

"So?" Andy asked when they were seated in her tiny living room.

"So, what?" Jules asked.

"How was it? Was he there?" She asked.

"Yes, he was, surprisingly. And it was...fun. Except for the part where he got me alone."

"That bad uh?" She asked, "What did he say?"

Jules sighed.

"Some crap about being his true self around me." Jules said annoyingly "What does he think I am, stupid?" Jules thought about it for a second "You know what? Don't answer that, maybe I am."

"He seemed to genuinely like you when we talked with him the night of the function. And at the office yesterday, he seemed sullen. At least he's trying to make up for lying to you and he isn't a bloody conniving jerk that's trying to make you feel special." Jules looked at her "What do they think we are...toys? They play with our emotions and leave us for any slut they set their..."

"Whoa, Andy...what the heck? Are we still talking about Ceaser?" Jules asked her even though she knew she wasn't.

"No. I'm sorry." Andy said looking frustrated "It's just Danny."

"Problems again?"

Andy and Danny have been dating for close to five years. Their relationship has been off and on through the years. He has always cheated on her and she still loved him so much that every time he came back running to her, she forgave him without thinking. It has been like that for a long time and Andy ends up getting angry after he leaves her but accepts him when he comes back. Jules and Sofi have been trying to get her out of it.

"I told her to open her eyes and see him for who he really is. But she keeps going back to him." Sofi said "He came over when we were about leaving and apologized for leaving again. I almost smacked him in his shi..." She stopped and glanced at Ivy who was watching her. Sofi gave Ivy a smile "...if not because she stopped me."

"He said he was sorry," Andy said to Sofi

"Andy, no matter how many times he apologizes he'll never change. Just...try not to let him in this time. You're stronger than this. You deserve someone better. Someone that can make you happy without even trying so hard." Jules told her.

She sighed.

"It's hard." She said.

"We know it's hard." Sofi said "But you just have to let go of him. He's not worth it."

She sighed and nodded.

Yea, he's so not worth it.

Jules had to forget about everything Ceaser said and did. He was just a phase in her life she had to go through.

Now it was over...Right?