Chapter 4:

Devon:

She stares at me like she wants to murder me, she makes an attempt in blocking the door, preventing me from coming in. “You can’t be here, I didn’t give you permission.”

“Do I need permission to see my daughter, Arya?” She flinches only slightly when I say her name with so much coldness, attorney Lee has already told me this could happen, and the best way of approaching it is to be gentle with my words, “Look, I know you don’t want this, but this is our daughter, for us to make it work, we have to co-parent.”

“I am not co-parenting with you.” She says the word so boldly, but her voice wavers.

“Then, I guess we will meet in court.” I say matter-of-factly, her lips purses as she mumbles something under her breath, she opens the door and gestures for me to come in.

Stepping into the cold room, I take a while to look everywhere. There are plush sofas and armchairs around a coffee table, behind the glass wall is the view of the city skyline and a sliding door that probably leads to the balcony.

Blankets, papers and toys are scattered all around the chair, this looks like any contemporary family house that involves children

And, then I see her, she’s seated on the floor, her back resting on the sofa, fondling with crayons, my breathing stills for a moment that I just stand there, without even moving.

“You are not staying long,” Arya’s voice echoes behind me, “Just ten minutes and you can leave, then you can come back next week,” I look at her and she frowns deeply. She’s wearing a lightweight white knit sweater tucked into tailored joggers.

I nod slowly, before moving close to my daughter who is on the floor and crouching to her level, granted, I am just seeing her in person for the first time, I have only seen her in photos and she was always smiling, but seeing now, upfront, in pigtails and a light gown, time stops.

She looks up at me and light green eyes rake with confusion. I think of the first impression that will come to her face, but she looks at me blankly before returning her gaze to Arya.

Ever since I found out about my daughter, I have been thinking of ways to approach Vera gently.

Arya smiles slowly, pointing at me. “This is Daddy, and he is happy to see you.”

My heart squeezes, never in my entire life have I been expected to be called daddy.

“Da-dd-y,” She repeats, looking at me, “Daddy.”

She reaches out her tiny arms and I take it, it feels soft and warm, my tension flies away as I hold her arm.

“What are you doing?” I ask, staring at the paper.

“She has been drawing a lot.” Arya moves behind the couch, “Who knows? She might have a talent for drawing.”

“That’s amazing, Vera,” Even saying her name with so much emotion is making my throat get clogged, she’s mine, and I am not letting her go.

“Thank you,” She babbles at her words at me warmly, and I feel that tug at my heart again

“We are about to have dinner, I think you should go, you can come back tomorrow, but you aren’t allowed to stay longer than thirty minutes.” I stare up at her in disbelief, but she just shrugs. The hate is radiating throughout her body like an electricity charge, the woman in the cruise ship last three years was different, vulnerable, but different.

But the same woman stares at me like she wants to murder me.

I straighten up, clearing my throat, “Yes, you are right. I should leave,” I hand her the box of chocolate Daphne got from the store, she stares at it hesitantly for a while before taking it from my hands.

Walking me towards the door, she lingers there awkwardly as though she’s excited about my leaving. “See you tomorrow evening,” without any more words, she slams the door right in my face.

--

The next morning, I sit in my office, signing the contract for the development of our branch in Korea when Daphne walks in; she holds a few folders to her chest.

“Good morning sir, I wanted to ask how it went.” She smiles formally, only Daphne knows about Vera, I can’t risk the outside parties knowing about her, but if anybody messes with my daughter, I will crush them whole that only their ashes will be left.

“I think I fucked up.” I lean against the chair, pulling my tie.

“How, sir?” Daphne always knows what to say: She has been working with me ever since I became the CEO, she is competent and hard-working.

“It’s complicated,” I blow out a breath, reliving last night’s memories. Arya didn’t want me to stay longer, it’s there in her eyes, like she was scared of me.

I hear a knock on my door and a woman barges in, her light blonde hair is tied into a ponytail, and she’s wearing a faux gown over a trench coat.

“Devon!” She says happily, moving over to me. Her heels dance along the marble floor, she gives Daphne a hard glare to leave and she obeys.

“Alisha,” I say tiredly, “What are you doing here?”

“I am here to see you, silly.” She takes the seat facing me and stretches out her perfectly manicured nails, “I missed you so much.”

Alisha, Jasper and I hung out in college- I won’t call it hanging out; we just assisted ourselves in business strategies.

“You are married to Jasper, Alisha.” I say coldly, returning to my numerous stacks of papers, they have been dating ever since college and now they are married.

She breathes in. “Let’s just go out and eat lunch, please.”

“I have a meeting with some people from a design brand in an hour.” I meet her stare.

“Another time then.” She grabs her Louis Vuitton bag from the table and stomps out. The phone on my table rings, Barbara’s name flashing on the screen, I turn it off and focus back on the papers. She has caused so much darkness in my life, how can I just pretend like everything's okay?