AVA
"Melissa! Melissa!!" I called the name of my two year old daughter as I frantically opened the doors of every room in the house.
I trotted down the stairs as fast as my legs would take me. I walked towards the kitchen to find a small human seated on the floor with her back to me.
"Lissa, you scared Mama" I tsked, approaching her.
She giggled, glancing at me before looking back at what she was doing.
Her magical, dark blue eyes always remind me of Ryan's when I stared into them. Her black hair and pointed nose, however, were mine. She is a perfect combination of Ryan and I.
I peeked over her tiny shoulders, "What are you doing?"
"Dwaing. Mama see." Lissa told me, showing me a paper. The lines were out of place and the drawing was rough but I could still make out what she was trying to draw.
My dad had taught her to draw shapes and animals, including the first amateur painting of herself.
The paper she was showing me had three drawings on it. It was a drawing of two big people and one small one right between them.
"This you, this me, this Dada." She explained excitedly, pointing her tiny finger at her drawing. I nodded my head at her, showing that understood.
"Mama?"
"Yes baby."
Her big eyes stared up at me, "Where's Dada?" She asked with a hint of sadness laced in her voice.
Numerous thoughts ran through my mind, I had no idea how to answer that question.
How was I going to explain to a child of two years what divorce is? How do I explain that her dad won't be coming to see her... ever.
He doesn't even know she exists.
I remember the number of times that I had called Ryan to tell him about Melissa, but never got the chance. Ryan always taunted me. He made the biggest effort to let me know how much he hates me and wants nothing to do with me.
I've promised myself that I was going to be the best mom, and the best dad to her.
God forgive me, but this is the only way she'd drop this topic.
"Your Dada is in heaven." I lied shamelessly to my daughter.
"Heaven with gra-grandpa?" She asked, tilting her head to the side slightly. I nodded my head.
Her small lips jutted out in a pout, "Mama, sowy don't cwy." Lissa said using her small palm to clean the tears on my face.
I nodded my head once again, picking her up from the floor and carrying her towards her room. I needed to bath and dress her up before taking my bath.
"Mama?"
"Yes dear?"
"One day I'll go to heaven and meet Dada." She decided.
"Will you go with me? " She innocently asked me. Of course,I nodded my head
-
We were seated in the dining area, having warm breakfast. I took my time to feed her as well as eating my own, I have become very good at multitasking.
"Mama!" Lissa called. I faced her while waiting for her to speak.
"Will you give me a new Dada?" She asked me.
I never expected this question from a two year old. I guess she must have seen the neighbours with their dad and it resulted in these painful questions.
I took my time to think about the best possible answer. Lissa stared longingly at me, waiting for an answer. I just didn't want to disappoint her.
"Yes Lissa, I'll get you a new Dada" I said to her. A huge smile broke out on my daughter's lips, showing her beautifully straight teeth. Her eyes sparkled... just like Ryans used to when he smiled.
I felt guilty because I had just made her a promise that I have no intentions on keeping. I couldn't give her a new dad.
The memory of how I had met Ryan without knowing he's my husband to be came rushing in
FLASH BACK, SIX YEARS AGO
"Dad, I'm off to the grocery store!" I shouted at the top of my lungs so he could hear me.
The grocery store was not a stone throw from but it was a trek-able distance so, like always, I decided to go by foot.
Upon reaching the store, I made a mental note of all the items I needed. I walked through the maze of aisles, collecting each item and checking it off my mental list.
I was done getting all I wanted and needed when I realised I haven't gotten sugar. With a frustrated groan I had walked to where it was arranged. Instead of the usual stake of sugar, I saw only one package.
I sped up as fast as I could so I could reach it before anyone else. I was stopped in my tracks when I ran into a huge wall of muscles.
Looking up to see who it was. Immediately I became hypnotized by dark ocean blue orbs, my eyes accidentally trailed to his lips. His lips were plump, pink and perfectly kissable. His hair looked like it needed some ruffling from me Which I personally wouldn't mind. I could imagine how smooth his hair would feel when passing between my small feminine fingers.
His dark eyebrows suddenly dipped, making me realize the awkward position we were in and how stupid I must have looked staring at him.
"Sorry." I muttered, my cheeks growing red with embarrassment.
Turning to the sugar, I stretched my hand to collect it when I noticed another hand aiming for it. A frown overtook my face as I hurriedly collected it, smiling like I had just won a trophy.
"Please, I really need the sugar. My wife to be, loves baking and I'd love to give that to her." The handsome stranger said.
His voice would have made my knees buckle and my stomach produce butterflies, I'd have also gladly given him the sugar... if he hadn't mentioned his stupid, stupid wife to be.
Rolling my eyes I said, "Well Mr-my-wife-to-be, I love baking as well and I'm pretty sure I bake better than her. So, I'll be leaving here with the sugar because I do it better. And most importantly, I got it first." The man's eyes softened and his shoulder sagged.
I was about leaving when I found myself impulsively stretching my hand with the sugar in it towards him.
He immediately collected it, showing off his perfect dentition, "Thank you so much."
I nodded my head and watched him leave. I pouted the entire walk home, disappointed that I wouldn't be baking this evening.
"Dad, I'm home" I shouted, opening the door and walking in.
"Princess, you came right in time." My dad said, walking towards me with a grand smile.
"I'd like you to meet Ryan," he said, pointing at the man sitting on the couch.
When he lifted his head, I discovered he was the sugar stranger.
"You?" We both said in unison.
My dad stared at us confused, "You both know each other?" He asked, confusion evident in his voice.
We sat on the couch and I told my dad about the incident at the grocery store I had gone to, making both him and Ryan laugh.
AVA“Hello Tracy. " I said into the phone. Tracy was my dad's secretary before he passed away last year. When he passed, his company was handed over to me, since then we've gotten pretty close"Good day, Madam." She replied politely."I'll be coming into town this week. I want to relocate to a place closer to the company." I explained"Would you like me to inform the board?" She asked, trying hard to conceal the excitement in her voice,Most of those that worked with my dad have no idea who I am. I plan to use that, to my advantage. You never can tell how the manager treats his coworkers unless you go a day in their shoes, you know.Mentally congratulating myself for this mischievous plan of mine, I replied"No, I do not want a si
AVAI was driving to the place where I could get a new identity. I don't want to gain any form of attention from people just because of my name. Besides, since Ryan hates me so much for no reason, He wouldn't care. I'll rather it remain that way than being taunted by him or his family.Looking at my daughter from the rear view mirror, I noticed how close she had been to falling off the chair, "Lissa, just lie down on the chair if you're feeling sleepy." I told her.She nodded her head with a little yawn, and did as I said. Soon I heard her soft snores confirming how sleepy she had been. I think I can really give myself an accolade for being the best mom and dad to her.I drove for thirty minutes straight before I finally arrived at my destination. The compound was vast. The building was a two story building, painted white with beautiful flowers surrounding it. The national flag in front o
AVAMelissa has been asking for Ice cream while I drove. It was very, very difficult to concentrate with her persistent whining so I parked my car in the nearest Ice cream parlour and carried her out of the car, walking to the entrance of the parlour."Just one Ice cream Lissa, and you promise not to disturb me till we get home?" I asked her while walking, she just nodded her head and pouted. I couldn't help but smile at how adorable she is.The door of the parlour was opened by a young man who I assumed worked here. He must have noticed how tired I was while carrying Melissa.I smiled admiring his kind gesture, "Thank you."He followed us to our seat, standing beside the t
AVA I've been very moody throughout today, so moody that I think Isabelle noticed. I was just not in the mood for anything. I didn't even say a word to Melissa, but thanks to Isabelle I didn't have to deal with her much. "Dinner is served!" Isabelle announced after returning from tucking Lissa into bed. "Thank you so much Isabelle, you may leave" She just stood there. It looked like she was trying to make her mind up on what I'd said "Ma, I'll like you to see me as not just your cook but, but I'm -, your friend too, if there's something bothering you, you can let me know." she pleaded with a sad smile. Hello Miss, just leave her alone, Snapped a voice in my head She stood there staring intently at me, a smile played
AVA"I am Ava Ryan Howard. Heiress to Forever Events with Randolph." I announced.The look on Mr. Jayson's face was priceless.I mean who would have expected the nerdy looking job applicant to be the sophisticated heiress of the company. I wouldn't even believe it if I were him but that's who I am, isn't it?It's take over time, I thought.Taking off my glasses, I dialed Tracy's number while removing the band that held my hair in a tight bun, allowing my black hair fall effortlessly on my shoulder while I watched Jayson cringe in his seat."Ava." Tracy's voice came up on the phone"Tracy, can you come to the manager's office with his letter of termination and all the account details from the company to his account within an hour?""Sure, I'll be on my way." She answered. I didn't miss the excitement
AVAI've been working restlessly in the company ever since I took responsibility.The part that annoys me the most is how close the former manager had been to wrecking this company. I have had to fix so much.If I hadn't intervened, my dad's sweat would have crumpled in the hands of one of his most trusted staff.Sitting in the office all day, my mind keeps going back to my daughter. These days I barely have time for her and it hurts me so much.I don't want to be the kind of mother that neglects her daughter because of her work. I want to be actively present in her life, I hate to admit it but I'm almost becoming a workaholic mother. I miss Lissa.Ever since she came into my life, I've never gone a whole day without her until I start
RYAN"Hey, Ry." The blonde I came home with last night called me.Why can't most of these ladies understand the meaning behind a one night stand?She was rubbing her hands on my chest, when I peeled them off in disgust.Ever since my divorce with that evil wretch, I have found it hard to feel anything for any woman. I'd go to strip clubs thrice every week and pay for the best among the girls to go home with me.I'm usually rough with them. There is a reason it's called having sex not making love. The reason behind it was to ease off pent up energy, no strings. I always make it clear to the girls before they come home with me. I don't want them developing useless, worthless, pointless feelings.My attention was brought back to the blonde beside me. She wasn't even that good and here she is acting all lovey-dovey around me. I hate it when they become clin
AVA It was Friday today, Isabelle was off duty today and was just about to leave Melissa and I. I planned on going shopping with Lissa as I noticed she has outgrown most of her clothes. It has been a while since when last we both went out to spend quality time. I don't even remember the last time I took her to the park, I've been so busy with work. We were in the sitting room, on a couch with her between my legs, watching some kids show as I tried tying her hair up in a bun. "Mama?" "Yes, Lissa, Mama's listening," I said, finally succeeding in tying her hair up in a loose bun. Smiling, she said, "Me want cake!" I smiled back at her, nodding my head, I understood why she craved it. I rarely baked anything but for her I'm willing to go back to my old self. I never got the chance t