Overbearing CEO's Contract Love
Chapter 164: Childish

Chapter 164: Childish

Watching Damien Sterling’s retreating figure, Emma Hart couldn’t help but wonder, was he truly intent on molding her into a marriage-worthy, domesticated woman?

And to learn all his preferences—she could only surmise that his actions were aimed at keeping her tied to him.

For Emma, this was not an encouraging sign. She realized she couldn’t simply acquiesce to his desires.

"Hey!" Emma calls out, somewhat reluctantly, to the man striding ahead.

His casual yet sharp attire, hands in his trench coat pockets and wearing Martin boots, suggests he’s out on a leisure pursuit, oddly enough, to a cooking class of all places – not exactly Emma’s idea of a date.

The man halts, then slowly turns, his piercing gaze fixing on Emma. "Who gave you permission to address me in such a manner?"

His look is all too familiar to Emma, who can only roll her eyes internally to avoid inciting his anger further.

She’s tired of his condescending attitude. Who gave him the right? The Constitution?

Pouting, Emma retorts, "When do I get to have the upper hand?" The thought alone amuses her, causing her to chuckle quietly to herself.

Damien watches Emma approach with a peculiar expression and muttering under her breath, puzzled by her behavior.

"What are you doing?" he asks.

Emma, still sporting a goofy grin and caught off guard by Damien’s bewildered stare, decides not to share her amusing thoughts with him.

"Nothing, I haven’t done anything," she replies breezily.

"Hurry up, then!" he urges.

"Hey—" Emma starts to protest but stops herself upon noticing the growing storm in Damien’s eyes.

Swiftly, she flashes a smile and jests, "My mistake, Mr. Sterling, the great CEO, the invincible Mr. Sterling."

What’s gotten into her now? Damien can’t help but lose his irritation at Emma’s antics, though he remains expressionless and turns away. "Speak," he commands.

Emma, lips pursed, walks over. Her petite frame contrasts starkly with Damien’s towering presence. Looking up, she pleads, "Do I really have to go?"

"What do you think?" he responds.

"Please, I really don’t want to learn. Whenever I study, I get headaches, neck pain, back pain, butt pain..." she trails off, realizing the inappropriateness of her complaint, "well, pain everywhere, basically."

Emma Hart watched as Damien Sterling showed no hint of sympathy, completely ignoring her.

Deciding to up the ante, she let out a dramatic "Ouch..." while clutching her stomach and squinting her eyes, occasionally casting glances at Damien.

It seemed his heart was made of stone, completely unaffected by Emma’s theatrics behind him.

Her cries became louder, wondering if her usual tactics had lost their effect.

Just as she pondered this, she suddenly found herself hoisted up and carried over Damien’s shoulder, positioned carefully to avoid putting pressure on her stomach.

Was Damien Sterling researching the most comfortable ways to carry someone daily? The posture, however, seemed somewhat inappropriate.

"Put me down!" Emma started to pound on Damien’s back with all her might.

"Be still," the man said impatiently. Neighbors watching the scene of Emma being carried by Damien couldn’t help but turn their heads in curiosity.

Emma, embarrassed, tried to lighten the mood, "Nice weather today, isn’t it?"

The neighbor, taken aback by her greeting, looked even more bewildered, managing a hesitant, "Yes."

Damien continued walking with Emma on his shoulder, the driver following beside them, unsure where to stop the car as Damien kept moving forward.

"This is absurd! Put me down now," Emma demanded.

Damien Sterling abruptly halted, surprising Emma Hart, who had been fervently pounding on his back.

Was he about to set her down?

Damien mused, as if reminiscing, "This feels pretty good, much better than lifting equipment at the gym."

What? Was he treating her like a piece of gym equipment? Emma was on the verge of exploding with frustration, "The baby says this isn’t comfortable!"

"Which baby?" he inquired.

Emma’s face flushed with embarrassment, "Which other baby could it be?"

Damien’s smile broadened teasingly, "How come my baby didn’t mention that to me?"

Damien Sterling positioned Emma Hart so that her stomach was pressed against his ear. Leaning closer, he murmured, "Let me listen."

Damien, when did you become so childish? Emma thought, exasperated.

"Liar!" Damien shook his head, obviously using this as an excuse to keep her in his arms. Did he really need a reason to continue carrying her?

Emma yelled at him, "Try listening again, listen once more."

Damien once again moved his head closer to her stomach.

Emma held her breath and in a childlike voice teased, "Daddy, move your head away from mommy’s stomach. You’re squishing me."

Emma couldn’t help but study Damien’s reaction as she mimicked the voice playfully.

A flicker of something indecipherable crossed Damien’s eyes.

After a moment, he muttered, "Childish!"

What? Emma wondered if she had heard him wrong. He had known perfectly well that the baby couldn’t talk and yet he had teased her, only to call her childish now.

Emma Hart, flustered and exasperated, said to Damien Sterling, "So, Mr. CEO, can you put down your childish companion now?"

"No!" Damien responded firmly, then turned just as the driver, having observed the situation, hurriedly stopped the car and opened the door for them.

Clearly, with Damien’s hands occupied by carrying Emma, he couldn’t open the door himself.

Emma was almost ready to stop struggling.

If he enjoyed carrying her, then let him carry on. The neighbors had seen enough to gossip about, and she wasn’t afraid of a bit more ridicule.

Yet, just as she resigned herself to her fate, Damien gently set her down on her feet, "Get in the car."

Was she really being put down just like that? What was she waiting for?

Emma, momentarily dazed, quickly climbed into the car.

"Alright, Mr. CEO, I’ll get in the car and sit quietly now, not saying another word to upset you," Emma said as she made her way into the car.

If Damien changed his mind and decided to pick her up again, that would be the last thing she wanted!