Chapter 5

Rosalia 

I carefully observed the stairs as I headed for the living room. It was unexpectedly made from White oak, I had thought it was iron when I passed by it last night. Well furnished, expensive as shit. I couldn't have afforded it my whole life even if I tried. I really don't understand how a poor woman like me who had been almost at the verge of being a beggar managed to snag a rich man. 

 If later I'm found out to be his wife, I'm lucky but if it was a misunderstanding all along and I only looked like her, that would be very terrible. Very very terrible in fact, because at this point, I'll just go straight from here to living on the streets. 

I could hear Maria's voice from where I am, she seems to be discussing something with her Dad. I finally climbed down the stairs and headed for where they were sitting by the exquisite couch. Maria was telling something to her Father excitedly while he was on his cellphone but I could tell he was paying attention to what she was saying because of his constant nods. I looked around the living room and everything around it screams 'wealth' I'm even afraid to touch anything. 

Maria saw me and waved at me to come join them. I took quick steps towards them and took my seat beside her, and with her Father on the other side, she was in between. 

"I have an emergency so I'll be leaving after breakfast, Jules would show you around while I'm out then when I get back, we'll talk?" Damien told me even before I could get comfortable on the couch. I turned to him in surprise but he was still focused on his cellphone. So the talking would be postponed again? Was he doing it on purpose? However, I decided to let it slide. After all, what was wrong with me enjoying the wealthy lifestyle for a while? 

"What about Maria? Would she be home with me or she goes to school?" I had finished talking before realising I had said 'home'. Nice, I was already thinking it's my home already before even confirming if Indeed it was. 

 Maria tapped me and replied to my question "Mama, my teacher comes home to teach me" 

 Uhn? She's homeschooled? I looked at Damien to give me an answer but he looked away like he was guilty. Then he rubbed the back of his neck. 

"Well, going to school doesn't seem safe so I decided to homeschool her"

"That's not good, how would she get along with her peers then if she doesn't interact with them?" While homeschooling was a safer choice, it's not the best for the healthy growth of a child. 

He sighed "That's the reason I take her to the park on weekends to spend time with them. My sister's children also play with her occasionally" 

"Mama, I don't get bored alone at home. There's the tab and Ruby to keep me company. And now, there's you" Maria quickly injected. I could tell this little one was a core defender of her Father. He does no wrong in her eyes....well he had never done anything wrong so far except bursting into my apartment, uninvited. 

"Who is Ruby?" 

"My cat" Maria replied, pointing to a curled white fur not far from us. I hadn't even noticed it. 

"Sir, Breakfast is ready" I heard a voice coming from the kitchen. Shortly, a middle aged woman appeared. Her eyes were originally on Damien but the moment it moved to mine, she froze. She caught Damien's eyes and gestures with her eyes in my direction. I could see him give a small smile in response. 

The middle aged Woman dropped the plates in her hand and hurriedly stalked over to me. "Oh my!" She exclaimed with widened eyes. I stood from the couch to meet her. I don't know what caused her action but I could guess it was because I suddenly reappeared after allegedly disappearing. 

 "Oh my!" She held my hands when she got to me. "Poor little thing" She says which made me confused. What does she mean by that? 

Before I knew it, Damien was beside me and pulling me away from the woman. 

"Daisy, we need to have breakfast" He says and that seemed to pull her from whatever trance she was in. 

"Yes, Yes" she nodded and started walking back to the kitchen. Food first, I'll ask about what happened later. 

I looked down to see Maria staring at me, she smiled when I meet her eyes. Then I realised she held out her left hand which meant I should hold it, which I did without question. Together, we headed for the dining area with Damien ahead us. 

It was silent during breakfast. I quietly observed the father and daughter duo, it was then I realised they both had lots in common. She certainly did look that much like him but her mannerisms was from him. I could tell she'll grow to be the female version of her Father. 

After breakfast, Damien picked up his phone and jacket then he started walking out. As if he forgot something, he paused then suddenly turned back and started walking to where Maria and I were standing, watching leave. He came to us but bent to Maria's height before kissing her briefly on her forehead then he spared me a glance before walking out. 

"Why did Daddy not Kiss you too?" Maria asked innocently after her Father had left. Of course, he wouldn't have as we were literally still strangers now but the little one didn't know that so I pondered on the perfect response to give her. 

"Uhmmm.... perhaps Daddy was in too much of a rush and forgot to kiss me goodbye" She seemed not to buy my response and it seemed she was going to say something but I immediately diverted the discussion. 

 "So, what shall we do now that we've finished breakfast?" 

She seems to be seriously thinking about it, then her eyes suddenly lit up. "How about we plant some flowers in the garden? "

"Are there no flowers in the garden?" I wondered why there was a garden to begin with if there are no flowers in them. She nodded in response "Daddy said we'll plant them together but he never has the time for it but it's fine, now that you are here we can plant them together and show him when he gets back" She seemed very excited just talking about it. 

I couldn't refuse her so I readily agreed. It wasn't like I had anything to do anyways, why not plant some beautiful flowers to lift my mood.