Chapter Six - Love Spell

I take a seat on the grass with a sigh after telling Aria to stay close. I've just bought her a bike and she wanted to ride it so we're currently in the park. Taking out my sketch pad and other materials I stare out at the calm waters of the lake with the evening sun directly in my view. I smile at the sight of my daughter happily cycling down the path before coming back.

With a thoughtful hum I begin to draw the sight in front of me. I make sure not to become that engrossed in it, looking around every now and then to check on Aria. Midway I decide to use some color to capture the autumnal scenery ahead of me. It turns out great and within twenty minutes I set my materials down before holding up the sketchpad.

"Mum can I go to the slide?" Aria pants as she runs up to me, depositing her bike right beside me.

"Sure, be careful though and stay where I can see you." I nod and watch as she hurries off to the playground.

I flip onto a new page and start drawing random things I see around the park. Until my gaze lands on a familiar figure running through the entrance of the park. Tufts of hair peek out from his hat messily and he's dressed in a grey t-shirt with black track pants. I watch as he keeps his head down probably listening to music coming from his earphones.

A few people wave and greet him which he responds to before light green connects to grey. Instantly a handsome smile lifts his lips and I can't help but mirror the action. He takes off his earphones and wraps them around his phone as he walks over to me. Those damn butterflies come rushing back as he leans down. I look up at him in anticipation as he cups my cheek.

"Can I?"

I blush and nod in amusement. "You don't have to ask any more Theo."

"Good." He grins before kissing me sweetly. We pull away and he takes off his hat before sitting in front of me. "Aria's bike?"

"Yeah she's in the playground." I point to her and he glances back with a smile. "You can continue your run if you want? I'm just drawing."

"I'd rather be with you." He shrugs before tapping my sketchpad. "Can I see?"

I hand it to him and he flicks through the pages filled with drawings. His eyes light up in awe and he shakes his head in disbelief almost. I watch as he reaches the one I drew today before turning to look at the lake and setting sun.

"You're crazy talented sunshine."

"Thank you." I murmur before whipping out a smaller sketchpad, my pencil furiously flying over the page. "Wait...hold that pose."

"Sure Char, draw me like one of your French girls." He quotes with a smirk which makes me shake my head with a smile.

I draw a quick sketch of him, not as detailed though because I didn't want him staying like that for ages. He tries to peek several times but I lift my knee up in response and hide it from him. I scold him lightly when he moves again but this time he pushes closer and kisses me slowly.

Unable to resist I give in to the short yet sweet moment, craving much more than a simple peck. I check on where Aria is and find her happily running towards the swings. Finishing the sketch, I hand it to him and his eyes widen in response.

"This is amazing...and you did it so quickly too!" He chuckles breathlessly as he stares down at it. "Do you mind if I keep it?"

"Of course, I wouldn't want people thinking I'm madly obsessed with Theo Jackson." I joke which makes him laugh loudly.

"Trust me, I wouldn't mind at all if it's you." He smirks devilishly and I roll my eyes.

"You're such a flirt." I murmur as I gesture for Aria to come back.

"Only with you sunshine." He winks just as Aria jumps onto his back and wraps her arms around his neck.

"Theo!" She shrieks when he quickly grabs her and starts tickling her. "No! Stop! Mum...help...me!"

"Sorry Ari, you're on your own!" I grin and watch as she jumps on him again and he loses his balance jokingly.

They fall back and laugh to themselves before Theo grabs my wrist. My eyes widen but it's too late and in a split second I land in the middle of them with a yelp. Uncontrollable laughter escapes me when they both tickle me and I quickly jump away.

"Get her!" Theo grins cheekily and I immediately start running.

"We're going to catch you mum!" Aria yells as she chases me and I shake my head with a laugh.

"I don't think so!"

Theo joins in and it's clear he's not fooling around. A squeak of surprise escapes me as he catches up and I start zig zagging to dodge him. But it proves to be useless because in less than thirty seconds he swoops me into his arms and twirls me around. I laugh breathlessly as he sets me down just as Aria hugs my legs.

"Got you." He whispers before discreetly pecking my cheek.

"We won!" Aria grins up at us before high-fiving Theo.

"Ugh it was one against two, that's not fair!" I pout and tickle her side which causes her to squeal.

"You just weren't fast enough mum!" She giggles before running ahead to her bike. "Can we get food? I'm hungry."

"Sure, Theo do you want to come with us?" I ask as I grab my things and put them in my bag.

"I'd love to." He smiles as he brushes his hand against mine. "Aria I bet I can beat you to the entrance."

"No way! My bike is fast!" She grins and before I know it they're off.

I chuckle at their antics and follow behind. I've realized that Theo isn't being affectionate in front of Aria which I appreciate. I'd like to get to know Theo more and although he gets along with my daughter very well I'm not so sure if she'd be comfortable with the idea of us dating just yet.

Catching up to them Theo falls into step with me as we keep an eye on Aria cycling ahead. I hear his phone ring and he fishes it out of his pocket with a deep sigh. He ends the call and starts texting with a frown on his lips.

"Something wrong?" I ask worriedly when he puts it back in his pocket.

"Nothing...just a project that we're trying to get." He bites his lip nervously with a shrug. "We've been trying to branch out into video games and a huge opportunity has come up. The game's extremely popular and in high demand so we're trying to get them to partner with us to help design the graphics for the next version."

"Wow, sounds amazing yet incredibly stressful." I glance at him knowingly before checking on Aria.

"Obviously since I'm the owner I'm in charge of the deals but it's insane every time I go into the office! We have so many other projects to finish, new ones coming in and with this being the final quarter things are just going to get even more hectic –"

"Theo, calm down." I soothe as I grab his arm. "When's the deadline for the deal?"

"Next week." He sighs as he takes off his cap just to run his hand through his hair in frustration. He puts it back on and I stifle the urge to chuckle.

"Only a few days more and you'll know their decision. As for the other projects you have your entire team who are working on things with you." I reassure him as he stares ahead at Aria cycling down the street. "You'll get through this quarter just fine. Take things one step at a time okay?"

He exhales deeply and nods. "Thanks Char, you have no idea how much I needed that."

"I think I could tell quite clearly." I wink at him cheekily and he shoves me lightly in response.

We decide on a Chinese restaurant and I lock Aria's bike outside before heading in. The food arrives quickly and we dig in. Theo teaches us how to use the chopsticks and like every other time I fail to get the hang of it whereas Aria learns quickly. She's always been bright and determined to learn new things so it comes as no surprise to me when after two minutes of struggle she's handling them like a pro.

"Theodore Jackson?!"

We look over to the middle-aged woman who smiles excitedly as she walks over. Theo recognizes her immediately and gets up to hug her. They exchange pleasantries before her gaze settles on me and Aria.

"I didn't know you got married! What a beautiful family you've got there!" She swats his chest before shaking my hand eagerly.

"Uh...we're not –"

"I didn't get married Brenda." He chuckles as he drapes an arm over her shoulder. "This is my friend Charlotte and her daughter Aria."

"Oh, I'm so sorry dear!" She shakes her head with a low huff.

"That's alright, you didn't know." I smile gently and she pats my hand in response.

"How long are you and Sam here for?" Theo asks as he pulls a chair over for her to sit down.

"Just for a few days to meet old friends. Michelle and Evan are home right?"

"Afraid not. They're visiting Hunter in New York. Won't be back for another week but I'll tell them you were here though." He replies with a kind smile.

"Oh, not to worry! We're heading there next so we may be able to catch them." She grins and he laughs in response.

"Order twenty-one!" The cashier calls and Brenda perks up.

"That's me." She puts her hand up before standing. "It was lovely meeting you Charlotte and Aria. I'll see you before we leave Theo. You've grown up quite a bit since the last time I saw you!"

"Well of course, I was only twenty back then." He chuckles as he hugs her.

"Yes I certainly remember you drunkenly running across your backyard in nothing but your boxers drunk out of your mind." She teases and I laugh softly when the tips of his ears turn red.

"I didn't hear you nor Sam complaining Brenda!" He grins back and she smacks his head lightly.

Aria listens on with a wide grin before we bid goodbye to her. I wave to her as she leaves the restaurant before turning back to Theo. "Care to share?"

He sighs dramatically before crossing his arms. "We were back in time for Christmas and decided to play truth or dare one night...although soon enough everyone was just picking dares. Roman dared me to do that and I'm glad Brenda doesn't remember me singing that song about being a Barbie girl at the top of my lungs."

Me and Aria burst into laughter and she begins to tease him. He rolls his eyes playfully with a smile as we finish our food, eventually singing the song with Aria. I pay for the food before we leave but not before catching Theo's phone blowing up with calls and texts again.

"Need to go?" I ask with a nod to his phone.

"Yeah, Noah's on his way back from training and I'm the one with the keys."

"Alright, I'll text you later." I smile and he nods before hugging Aria goodbye.

"Bye sunshine." He murmurs with a glance in Aria's direction.

I look back at my daughter and see her gesturing for me to hurry up as she gets on her bike. Turning back to Theo I bite my lip and shrug. I start to pull away when I feel him grip my hand tighter. While Aria's not looking he brushes his lips against my knuckles before properly kissing my hand. With a sly wink he starts walking away.

I catch up to Aria and we start our journey back home. A content smile is stuck on my lips the entire time but I can't bring myself to care. Theo Jackson has me completely under his spell and I don't mind one bit.

Update schedule is: once a week whenever I find time!

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