Emily

Laura pov 

The damage caused by those idiots was bigger than I thought, they were not only selling my financial details but my recipes! 

Why do people with hard work always get little for their toil? We started this business from  scratch without any help, and now that we are booming someone decides to sabotage me!

It was past midnight I was in my home office, swirling the chair in search of solutions to the mess. Nothing came to mind, I walked to the window. The moon was full today with twinkling stars scattered in the sky, it was a cloudless night. Opening the window I allowed the cool air into the office, rubbing my arms to stop the goosebumps.

'What would you have done Tony?' I whispered, in times like this I wish he was here to give advice.

Sighing at the fact I have no answers and there was no possibility of me getting anyone soon. I shut the window and left the office to bed, in hopes that tomorrow will unfold with some sort of solution.

****** 

'It's morning! wake up, mama!' I woke up to someone jumping on my bed.

'What time is it, Eddy' I said still feeling sleepy.

'You're awake mama! good morning mama'

I smiled as I received kisses from him.

'Good morning baby, how was your night?'

'Good mama, it's time for you to wake up, you promised to take me to the park today.'

I sat upright on the bed.

'Park, when did I make that promise?'

'Yesterday, when you came back from work'

'I did?'

'Yes mama, hurry up so we can go.'

I opened my mouth to postpone but I didn't want to crush his happy spirit. 

'Alright, go pick the cloth you would like to wear to the park, while I take a shower.'

'Okay,' he said running out of the room. I fell back on the bed, yesterday was hectic all I wanted was to rest. Guess my plans for today have changed, I entered the bathroom, to do my business.

After an hour we were done, ready for the pack. He picked brown khaki shorts with a yellow T-shirt and his green baby shark sandals. It took a lot of bribing to swap the sandals for sneakers. I would give it to him though, he sure has taste.

(At the park)

'Mama, mama, can I go on the slide?' he asked pouting.

' Yes you may, I will be on that bench watching you.' I pointed to a bench under a tree.

'Okay mama' he responded before running with his chubby legs.

I watch him play with other kids, I was expecting him to be timid but he wasn't. He played with them like they have all been friends for years.

'May I sit beside you?' 

'Sure' I said not paying attention.

'Aren't they cute, which of them is yours?'

I looked at the man distracting me and boy, he was a fine distraction. I looked at his brown eyes to his five o'clock shadow on his square face. 

I looked away before he realised I was starting too much, what did he ask again?

'I mean the kids,' he said pointing at the slide.

Oh, ' yeah, they are.' I said after clearing my throat.

'So which is yours?'

'Him' I pointed to Eddy who was chasing a girl.

'And yours?'

'Your son is chasing her.'

I looked at the pair running around, they were running toward us.

'They would become best friends I can feel it.' h

' Mama! meet my friend!'

'He shouted' still running.

I carried him on my lap.

'You have made a friend Eddy, what is her name?' i asked him, he frowned for a while before asking her.

'Ermm... what is your name again?'

'Emily' she said.

'That's a lovely name Emily'

'Thank you' she replied timidly.

'Mum can we go for some ice cream

'Sure'

'Can Emwy come with us?'

I looked at her father for permission.

'We would love to join you.'

'Yeah'

'Yeah'

The children screamed and did a happy dance.

'Am Gilbert'

He said suddenly as we walked to the shop. 'Laura' 

'That is a beautiful name'

'Thank you' I smiled.

We reached the shop before he could continue chatting, he pulled the chair for me to sit then placed the kids on their chairs before he sat down.

Nice, his wife is really lucky.

'Hello, Laura, it's been a while since you came here, how are you?' Raphael the owner of the shop greeted us.

'Am fine Raph'

'I can see that, you are a strong woman erh, who is this gentle man' he asked looking at Gilbert, I loved Raph but he never stops being noisy.

'He is a friend and that is his daughter, Emily'

'Oh, I thought....'

'No, don't think, and please bring Eddy's favorite ice cream, Emily?'

'I take what Eddy is having'

'Awww look at that she is shy,' Raph cooed and walked away.

'Daddy I want to go pee' Emily whispered to her dad, it was still loud but I pretended not to be listening.

'Okay, let me helo you.'

'No, don't go with me.' she said on getting down struggling a little.

'Emily you can't go alone' he bent to talk with her.

'I know, I go with her.' she pointed at me, causing me to choke on my water. 

What is it with this family and surprising me?

'Emy...'

'Don't worry  I will go' 

'Eddy, mama would be right back stay with Gilbert okay'

'Where are you going mama?'

'Am taking Emily to the washroom'

'I will go with you' he said trying to get down, oh dear did I say something else?'

'No, you can come with us, we will be right back oh look your ice cream is here.'

'Yeah, he dug into his ice cream forgetting our conversation, taking advantage of it.

'Come on' I held her hand leading her to the washroom.

'Can you sing please?' she requested from the cubicle.

'Why?' I asked before I could stop my mouth.

'My mum use to do it.'

'Oh'

'Done' 

Thank goodness I miss my boy already, we got back to the table Eddy's ice cream was almost finished. 

'Start eating your ice cream it's melting.'

'grreee grree' l looked at Gilbert who looked confused.

'That is not my ringing tone'

Realizing what he was saying, I quickly dug into my bag for my phone. I answered without looking at the caller ID.

'Hello'

'Laura I have found a way to solve our problem'

'You have?' I asked thinking how he found the solution very fast.

'Yeah, you have to come to the office so I fill you in.'

I was about to agree but, seeing how happy Eddy was with his new friend I could not take him back home to satisfy myself.

'I can't come to the office now.' i whispered yelled into the phone.

'Why?' 

I rolled my eyes at this,  sure that he would ha e creased his eyebrow.

'I have taken Eddy out, it had been a while we spent time together.' i explained looking as the chatted on.

'Okay, I will have to summarize everything.'

'Can I call you back when I get home?'

'Sure no problem.'

'Am not in a good position for us to talk.'

'I understand, tell Eddy I will visit him soon.'

'Alright, later.' I ended the call and joined them on the table, both children had finished their ice cream.

'Sorry about that.'

'No problem at all, they have kept me entertained they are cute when chatting.'

' What are they talking about then?' I asked looking at the two who were giggling.

'Frankly, I have no clue.' he scratched the back of his head nervously.

'Don't worry, as long as they are happy am good with it.'

'Okay,' he relaxed at my reply.

'I think we have to go, Eddy is beginning to feel sleepy.'

He turned to look at the children, exhausted Eddy was rubbing his eyes and Emily wouldn't stop yawning.

'I think Emily is also sleepy, it was nice meeting you.'

 He smiled and I could't help but notice his dimple, damn.

'Erm, can I have your number so the kids can hang out again some other time.'

My number, he wants my number gracious, where is my phone?

'Your phone is on the table.'

'Oh, here'

He gave me his phone as I gave him mine, we said our good byes.

Today have been eventful, you don't meet men like this everyday. I hope he calls me, not that it matters if he doesn't. It would be nice to have someone Eddy could play with or visit.

'Sure you want him to call so only Eddy can visit.' 

'No, I will be there, you know I've to start putting myself out there, I...Ineed to move on'

I had to stop this bad habit talking aloud with myself. I parked at the drive way, came out of the car to carry Eddy who had fallen deep asleep.

I wonder how Nic found a solution so fast. Making a mental not to call him when I place Edmond in his cot.

Thirty minutes later, I had showered and popped some corn. I took the phone and dialed Nic's number before I changed my mind. 

'Hello, are you home now?'

'Yep, I am now, spill.' I demand.

'Yes ma'am we might have a new partner.'

'How?' I have not gone into any contract with anyone yet, so how again?.

'That's where you come in.' 

I heard shoveling of papers before he replied.

'The grape vine has it that a wealthy business man, who wants to invest in a different line of business is ready to invest into a restaurant or bakery that is doing well.'

'Where do I still come in? you can meet up with him and seal the deal.' 

'Yeah, that's sort of the problem.'

'How?'

'He is not from here you need to meet him at sunny City.'

'Nicholas am tired of asking questions, tell me everything.'

ou have to meet up with him.'