Chapter 88

Charlotte intended to spend the rest of the day with Aháva. She took her out to the city of El Cairo, along with their special guest, Carlos. Between him and Charlie, the passion smothered six years ago was rekindling, and it showed from afar. They chattered for a long time, while the girl got on a few rides. He took the time to get her up to date regarding Dominik, and how he was a victim of deception by his manager.

At the end of the day, all three of them were playing in the spacious gardens of Al Azhar park. They were running, playing ball and eating some fruit.

“Sorry. Didn't meant it” apologized Carlos when he threw the ball further away than he should have.

“You go get it” ordered Charlie.

“I'll go, auntie. Don't worry” said Aháva right before she ran out, looking for the ball.

Charlotte punched Carlos' shoulder.

“Just Great! Now you go get the girl” she commanded.

“Chill. She'll be fine.”

Carlos had a naughty smile. Charlotte looked at him, intrigued.

“Carlos! What did you do?” If there was something she was an expert at. that was reading between the lines and she knew Carlos was up to something.

Aháva approached the ball carefully and, the moment she bent over to take it, a pair of huge hands appeared out of nowhere, holding it. When she looked up, she saw a huge silhouette before her. Well over six feet in height. Compared to the one yard and a few inches tall Aháva was, the man before her was a giant. The girl squinted and, having the sun in her eyes, she could not distinguish his face. But she knew his voice.

“I reckon this belongs to you” the man said.

“Mr. Dominik?” Aháva's voice was music to the ears of Dominik.

“I hope you can call me daddy someday.”

“My father's name is Amir. You are not my dad” Aháva frowned and tried grabbing the ball from his hand.

“Please, little girl. Don’t treat me like that.”

“You did not want me, I don't understand why you want me now” sadness was palpable in Aháva's words.

“No. No, my love. That is not true. I loved you from the moment I learnt you existed” the child looked at him closely.

“I can tell when grownups lie. You don't seem to be lying.”

“I am not. I am telling you the truth.”

“I don't understand grownup issues, all I know is my father is Amir. I can't have two daddies” the girl shrugged.

“You can. I had two mommies. When I was born, my daddy had a daughter with another lady. My sister's mother was very nice to me and she became a second mother to me.”

“I know you. I can't love you just like that.”

Dominik smiled after the girl's sincerity.

“I will be patient, doll. Very patient.”

A few feet away, Carlos and Charlotte were watching, they couldn't help but feel moved by such an emotional moment. Dominik was on his knees, holding Aháva.

“Shall we?” Asked Carlos wrapping his arm around Charlotte.

“What? You expect me to leave the girl with this man?”

“This man is her father and he won't hurt her. He will take her for a stroll and bring her right back. We can talk in the meantime.”

“Are you crazy? If Samanta or Amir find out, they're gonna kill me.

“Then, I guess it'll be our secret?”

Carlos took Charlie's hand and dragged her out of there, while Dominik walked, holding his daughter's hand. He could not believe it, his first father-daughter day, he wanted to learn everything about her, and let her get to know him. Make up for the lost time.

“Auntie Charlie told me you are very famous. Is that true?” The girl's voice broke the awkward silence.

“It is. That is what people think” he answered.

“Why are you so famous?”

“I am a footballer. Have you ever watched any of my games?”

The girl denied with her head.

“Mommy never lets me watch football. She says it's violent.”

Hard to believe, but, it was. Aháva had never had the chance to see her father play. Samanta impeded that at any cost. The grudge she held was so great, she never wanted her daughter to ever look up to a man she thought was a heartless jerk, until recently.

Time went by between talking and joking. Dominik told her she had a little brother called Abraham. She told him about his job and all the cities he had been to and promised he would take her travelling the world someday. He also told her about her grandmother Patricia, her aunt Karol and how beautiful Munich is. Aháva could not deny, she was very excited to know all those things Mr. Dominic was telling her about.