5

SCARLETT.

After my afternoon shift, I went home to get dressed for the meeting with Liam. By the time I got home, Bianca was getting ready for the night shift.

“How was the parents meeting?” I asked while searching for something to wear in my closet.

“It was good but...” She trailed off and then turned to me.

“Do you notice anything strange about Clara lately?” She asked.

I stopped and turned to her.

“What?” I asked.

“Did her teachers say anything?” I added. Bianca shrugged.

“No, nothing you should be worried about,” Bianca answered, getting ready for work.

“I am going to meet Liam, we are going to talk.” I sighed.

“Are you going to break up? I heard Liam has sickle cell, do you think breaking his heart would affect his health?” Bianca asked, looking at me.

This was one of the reasons I accepted Liam in my life. He was as fragile as an egg, I didn't want to hurt him. I didn't answer Bianca, rather I looked in my closet for something to wear.

Soon, I was done and I arrived at the restaurant Liam booked for us. It was one of the most expensive restaurants in the city. This wasn't unusual, Liam loved to impress me with his money. It was like he wanted to buy my love but I knew that he meant no harm, he was just in love with me.

The first time I came to the city, I met Liam - he was my doctor. I found it amusing that all of his family are doctors and very intelligent people. Anyway, he took care of me and helped me settle in and soon we became best friends. He didn't care that I had Clara, he loved her and he genuinely loved us. It was just hard to fall in love with him.

“What do you want to order?” He drew out the chair for me, a perfect gentleman.

“We are not here to eat, Liam,” I said gently.

“Oh,” he simply said, realization setting in.

“What do you want? Do you want to relax? Have fun? Tell me. Don’t worry, we are not getting married now. It was my fault, I should have asked you before popping out the big question.” He laughed nervously, his fingers going in his hair.

I sighed, breathing out because I didn't know how to begin.

“No, it isn't your fault. It was all mine,” I said.

Liam stretched his hand to me and took my palm in his own.

“You have no fault, I am the man, I should have known what you wanted.” He assured me. Liam always said the sweetest words, and he was the perfect gentleman. It shouldn't be hard for me to fall in love with him. However, it was.

“Liam?” I called, my lips quivering. I did not want to break his heart but I needed to do this. I have deceived him enough. He deserved someone more genuine.

“Yes?” He looked at me with a smile.

“Let’s break up.” The words rolled out of my mouth in the same way his eyes dropped.

“You need a break, right? I shouldn't have popped the question. This is all my fault.” He ran his hand through his hair blaming himself for something that was my fault.

“I just thought that four years was enough.” He took his hand in mine, returning his gaze to me.

“It's not your fault, Liam. You didn't do anything, I just...” I paused, my voice cracking. I was the one breaking his heart yet I was on the verge of tears.

“I just can't do it anymore, Liam. I can't lie anymore.” I withdrew my hand from him and walked out.

When I got in my car, the tears I held back rolled down my cheeks. I felt guilty. I shouldn't have accepted to date him at all. For four years, I lied to myself and I lied to him.

By the time I got home, it was late. Paula was in the kitchen preparing dinner, she also did the cooking.

“Mommy!” Clara shouted, running to me. Kate followed her and they both wrapped their tiny hands around me.

“Baby, how was school.” I bent before her, moving her hair behind her ear.

“Fine,” she said simply. Then I looked over at Kate.

“Was school good, Kate?” I asked.

“Yes Aunty, we were asked to draw our best fruit.” Kate went and grabbed her drawing, she showed it to me. Her drawing wasn't very great hence she didn't get an impressive mark.

“It looks good.” I roughed her hair.

“What about you, Clara,” I asked and she went to bring her drawing. Hers was better and she got an outstanding mark but she didn't look happy about it.

“Wow, this is great Clara, you should help Kate out sometimes.” I roughed both their hair and pulled them closer to me.

I went into my room and freshened up for the night.

I tried not to think about Liam, not to think about how much I had hurt him. He waited four years yet I wasn't ready. I lied to him. I lied to myself. I could never be ready when I have a piece of Khan in the house.

Once I was done, I heard a knock on the door. It was Clara, she walked in with a bouquet.

“A man at school told me to give this to you mommy.” I turned to her as she stretched my favorite flower to me.

“What did I say about accepting things from strangers?!” I shouted, and she flinched.

“My - my teacher told me to...” Her eyes fell.

Goodness, why did I yell? Sometimes, Clara reminded me of the monster that killed my mother. She reminded me of Khan with her dark green eyes. I tried not to be hard on her, and I tried to be the best mother but Sometimes I couldn't help it.

“I am sorry, Clara. Bring it.” I collected the flower from her and then read the note on it.

My eyes widened as I read the note. My hands started to shake with fear. Trepidation curled my belly and I almost fell from the chair I sat in.

Was he here? Did he see my daughter?

“Scarlett, I found you!" - From Khan.