Chapter 04: Whose Father?

After Kimberly got home and had a cool bath that evening, she sat on the edge of Cindy’s couch, her hands wrapped tightly around a mug of tea she hadn’t even taken a sip of.

She was still trying to process her unexpected encounter with Bryce today. Those piercing gray eyes that bore into her soul were the same as her daughter's. But they held so much hurt, as if he was mad at her for something she didn't even know.

Was he mad at her for not staying after that night? Or was there something else he was mad at her for?

If it was the latter, then she could only imagine how mad at her he'd be when he found out she had a child for him.

She pulled out her phone and opened the gallery, landing on a photo of her daughter. The same gray eyes. The same expression when she was serious.

Kimberly couldn't help but smile. She looked so much like her father, and exhibited her father's character, even though she had just met him today. But what he displayed at his office earlier today said it all.

"Okay, spill. You've been zoning out since you walked through that door." Cindy suddenly flopped beside Kimberly, shattering her tranquility, as she watched her friend closely.

Kimberly hesitated, staring down at the steam curling from her mug.

Then, in a quiet voice, she said, "Cindy..... I saw him today."

Cindy blinked, confused. "Him? Who?"

Kimberly looked up. Her eyes were wide, scared. "The man from six years ago. The man from that night. The father of my daughter."

Cindy nearly dropped her phone upon hearing that.

"You what?!" she half screamed, sitting up straighter. "Wait, are you serious?" She asked, seeing the serious expression on Kimberly's face, which only meant Kimberly wasn't joking.

Kimberly nodded slowly. "He walked into the audition room....and I couldn't believe my eyes. At first, I didn't recognize him, because I didn't even get to see his face that night. But the resemblance to Keira —" Kimberly exhaled shakily. "It was too strong to ignore."

Cindy's mouth fell open as she tried to process it. "Holy crap! Are you sure, Kim?"

"I'm not even guessing this, Cindy. You wouldn't believe he confronted me! He literally recognized me!" Kimberly took a sharp breath, her grip on the mug tightening.

Cindy gasped, covering her mouth.

This was getting more interesting than she thought.

Silence hung between them for a second, before Cindy grabbed Kimberly's arm, rubbing her palm gently.

"OMG, Kim! I honestly can't believe this." Cindy shook her head in disbelief.

Not like Kimberly was never going to find Keira's father though, but this came so soon and unexpectedly! It was just her first day of going to an interview, and she had already found Keira's father! Not to mention that he was the boss of the Agency she went for the interview.

"Okay, but back up for now. Did you get the job?" Cindy asked, switching the topic for now.

Kimberly hesitated, then gave a faint nod. "Yeah...they said I start next week."

Cindy jumped to her feet with a squeal, excitement written all over her face. "Kim! That's amazing! Your dreams, your second chance. This is huge!" Cindy was all smiles, genuinely happy for her friend.

But Kimberly didn't share in her excitement.

"I'm not taking it," she said quietly, finally taking a sip from her already cold tea.

Cindy froze mid-jump, her smile fading. "What?"

"I can't do it, Cindy. Not after seeing him. Not with this much at stake. What if he finds out about Kiera?" Kimberly breathed out. "I mean, he's already so mad at me for running away that day, leaving him no trace. What do you think will happen when he finds out he has a daughter all these years?"

Cindy stared at her, heart still pounding. "Kim… are you really willing to walk away from your dream again? Just because you think he's mad at you? And who cares if he finds out about Keira? Wouldn't that be a good thing? I mean, this has always been what Keira wanted anyway; so chill, girl."

Kimberly didn’t answer.

Because she didn’t know what scared her more....getting close to Bryce… or what might happen when the truth came out.

Cindy suddenly crossed her arms when Kimberly didn't utter any word, and gave her a sharp look, the kind that made Kimberly feel like a teenager again, under her mom's scoldings.

"Oh no, ma'am," Cindy said firmly. "You are not backing out of that job. Not after everything you've been through. If you think so much of declining that offer, I swear, I will make your life miserable." Cindy's face was as strict and as serious as ever.

Kimberly blinked, with a deep frown spread on her face. "Are you threatening me?"

"Absolutely," Cindy snapped. "And I'm doing it with love. Call it tough love, mom-style. I swear, I will hunt your dreams if you walk away from this."

Kimberly gave a weak chuckle, but her eyes still looked troubled.

"You don't understand, Cindy. I just want to protect my daughter. People have started talking about me trying to seduce Bryce just already. Do you know what will happen when they learn the whole truth? I don't want to make anyone feel trapped." Kimberly shook her head, her mind replaying the harsh words of those girls.

"Since when did Kimberly Owens start caring about what other people say or think about her?" Cindy said playfully.

Kimberly couldn't help but chuckle.

"Gosh! I can't believe how much Kiera looks like her father." Kimberly found herself smiling, but her hands trembled a little.

“Mommy? Whose father?” came a tiny voice.

Both women froze, heads whipping toward the doorway.

There stood Keira, clutching her stuffed bunny, blinking sleepily in her pajamas.

Cindy’s eyes widened, and she mouthed a silent oh crap while Kimberly’s heart leaped into her throat.

Kimberly tried to smile. "Hey, sweetie. You're supposed to be sleeping."

"You said something about my dad," Kiera said, ignoring what her mom said as she stepped further into the room, her brows scrunching. "Is he coming?" Kiera rubbed her sleepily eyes, hugging her bunny to her body.

Kimberly opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

But Cindy, ever the quick thinker, stood up from her seat and scooped Kiera into her arms. "No, sweetheart. Mommy was just being silly. Grown-up talk, you know?"

"But I think I heard her clearly mentioning my father..."

"And now it's time to hear bedtime stories, not grown-up talks," Cindy said cheerily, walking her toward the bedroom. "Let's go finish that princess book, okay?"

Kiera gave her mother one last curious look before nodding. "Okay, Aunt Cindy." She yawned, rubbing her innocent eyes again, her head gently resting on Cindy's shoulder.

As Cindy carried Kiera away, Kimberly slumped her shoulders on the couch, guilt and fear twisting in her chest.

Why was she doing this? Why was she depriving her daughter the joy and love of her father?

She had finally found her father, she was supposed to break the biggest news to Kiera, right?

But the fear of the outcome kept making her heart pound so loud in her chest each time she thought about it.

What if he took Keira away from her as a pay back for what she did? Or what if he ended up not taking Keira away but actually rejected her?

She couldn't even imagine the emotional breakdown it would cause her child. She didn't want that to happen to Keira, and that was why she was scared....worried.

What should she do?