06. Daddy!

POPPY:

“Mommy, I’m bored,” Kelly muttered while licking her lollipop. She kicked her feet continuously and it hit the feet of the chairs in front of her. 

She was back at the house the next morning. It was Saturday. No school. We can have all the time in the world for our bonding.

As always, Christy had done a great job of taking care of my child.

After cleaning the kitchen, I walked towards Kelly and hugged her back.  "Do you want to go to the park, love? The other children are playing there."

Kelly faced me, frowning. Her cute little lips pouted. 

I was thankful she resembled me instead of my good-for-nothing ex-husband. There were no traces of Nolan on her physical looks. The only thing she got from her father was liking tomatoes and could even eat them raw, something I could not do. 

And speaking of that bastard, he never called me again. 

Good for me. If he continues making my life chaotic like what he did six years ago, I will make sure I will be asking John to give him the best scare of his life.

“The park?”

“Yes, love. You said you wanted to go there on the previous day. I remembered that. Why? Did you change your mind? Or do you want to do something else? I’m free as of the moment, love. Come on. Be open to Mommy and tell her what you want.”

Kelly thought for a moment. “I’m not in the mood right now. Maybe later.”

I raised my brows while watching her lick her lollipop.

Now that I noticed it, Kelly was sad today. She was not in her usual happy mood.

“Hey. Is there something troubling my little pumpkin?”

To lighten the mood, I tickled her on both sides, and the house was filled with her giggles. “C-Can’t breathe, Mommy!” she exclaimed. “P-please,” she begged as her tears fell from her eyes. 

I stopped and sat next to her. “O-okay. I will stop now. So…can you tell Mommy the things you want now?”

My phone beeped. Wiping both of my hands, I fished the phone out of my side pocket. Someone sent a message. Another unknown number. Nolan? Maybe he already knew I blocked his number and bought another SIM card.

[Prepare, woman.]

The words were familiar.

My phone beeped again.

[You read my message? Don’t waste my time and reply. ASAP!]

I exhaled a long sigh.

Sebastian Holding. Right. Who else would always remind me not to waste his time?

Despite my irritation, images of his handsome face resurfaced in my mind. His soft lips which had no traces of cigarettes. His clean shaved face. His cold eyes which made you shiver. 

I typed a few words, erased everything, and pressed the send button.

[Thumbs-up sign.]

There. It was considered a reply, right?

"Mommy?"

I blinked a couple of times when I realized Kelly was tugging my apron. 

"I’m sorry, love. Someone sent me a message. What is it again, love?"

“Was it Aunt Christy?”

I shook my head.  I wished it was. “It’s someone else.”

“Who is it, then?” Kelly asked, with puppy dog eyes. “Is that your boyfriend?”

I chuckled and pocketed my phone. Sebastian could wait. He should wait. My daughter was more important. 

“Boyfriend? Where did you even hear that? I have no boyfriend, love.”

Sebastian Holding my boyfriend? That man was out of my league. He will never choose a pauper like me. What he was looking for was not a princess, but a queen and that was Olivia Green for you.

Realizing the train of my thoughts, I chastised myself. Why would I be thinking of being in a relationship with that man? I was already happy with Kelly and having a man in my life again would only bring nothing but heartaches.

Kelly’s smile widened. “Is it Daddy?”

My heart skipped a bit while my hands turned cold. 

I chuckled nervously, looking for a way out. The topic I had been dreading talking about–Nolan. 

Oblivious to my internal conflict, Kelly leaned in, and inquired, "When will I be seeing Daddy? I want my Daddy."

I was stunned for a moment. 

Kelly rarely asked about her Dad. It looked like she knew I did not like talking about her father. Was I considered a bad mother if I never allowed her to see Nolan's face? That every time she asked about her real father, I would say he was out of the country working? That was better than killing him, right?

However, as Kelly grew, she became persistent in asking about her Dad's whereabouts and I had a feeling she already knew that I was lying to her. 

It will only be a matter of time before she will know the truth that her biological father, Nolan did not want her. 

I will protect my baby as long as I live. She will never know she was unwanted by her own father. 

"Mommy?" she asked again.

I chuckled nervously.  "Y-yes, love?"

She stared at me with her wide eyes. "My classmates are asking about my daddy. They said they haven't seen him. Not even once."

My chest tightened. Hiding my nervousness, I combed her hair using my fingers. 

"And what did you tell them?"

I sat beside her while I looked for a comb to brush her blonde hair. 

Kelly pouted and shrugged her shoulders. "I said Daddy is out of the country. And he is working. Like what you said. You did not lie to me, Mommy? Miss Abby said lying is bad."

I exhaled. "G-good. Good. Y-you were right. Daddy is working abroad."

She was no longer listening to me. After a couple of seconds, she muttered, "Mommy?"

"Yes, love."

"Why do we never call, Daddy? Not even once? My friends and classmates, whenever they miss their mom and daddy, they will be calling them....what do you call that, Mommy?"

"They use social media."

"Yes! That's it, Mommy." Her eyes lit up as if an excellent idea came into her mind. "Why don't we call Daddy, Mommy? I want to see him! I want to hear his voice!" she exclaimed and jumped on her seat.

A lump formed in my throat. 

Calling Nolan was no longer an issue. He was the one who wanted to see his child. All I had to do was scan through my call history, press that number, and viola! He would certainly answer his phone. 

But...until now, I cannot forgive him for what he had said before. For voicing out his solution to the problem. 

"L-love? M-maybe, Dad is busy right now? Can we call him again next time?"

Tears swam in her eyes. "Why do you always say next time, Mom? Maybe...my friends are right."

"What did they tell you?"

"That I don't have a father and he doesn't want me. He doesn't love me."

My breath caught in my throat. I was about to tell her another set of lies, but the doorbell rang. Technically saved by the bell. 

Wiping the tears from her eyes, she exclaimed, "Is that Daddy, Mommy?"

Before I could stand, Kelly was already running towards the doorway. 

I called her name a few times, but she never listened. 

My heart thumped wildly against my ribcage. 

Nolan! What if it was Nolan? What if he never gave up?

No! I won't let him see Kelly! I won't let him steal Kelly away from me!

Forcing my feet to go after her, I ran.

"Love. Do not open the door. Let Mommy open it! If it’s a stranger, what did I tell you about talking to strangers?"

"No, Mommy! I want to see Daddy!" she exclaimed while dancing with joy. "Why did you not tell me Daddy will be coming here? Oh. Was it your surprise, Mommy?"

It was too late. I could no longer stop her from turning the knob. 

"Love! Please don't—"

My words froze when I did not see Nolan, but Sebastian Holding on our doorstep.

Kelly gasped, her mouth falling open upon looking at our visitor. 

I knew, love. I had the same reaction when I saw Mr. Holding. Until now, he still looked like a god in my eyes. 

“Love. Wait!”

And before I could stop Kelly, she ran into Sebastian's arms, hugged him tight as if she did not want him to let go, and blurted, "Daddy! I found you!"