Chapter 59

HAYDEN

The conversation with dad ended, I wonder how he got to know about everything despite being away.

But then I didn't have to wonder for long, it could only have been one person.

He wanted to meet them... Most especially his granddaughter.

My face was settled permanently in a dark scowl.

They weren't ready yet.

Most importantly I wanted to spend every of my time with them. After our conversation this morning I felt a little change in me, it was a little sense of reassurance that had spread through my heart

She needed me... And she wouldn't leave me. I didn't want to ruin anything by disappointing her, getting her to know about our business and the sort of things we do may be too fast and might just scare her away.

That was the fucking last thing I needed

Fuck.

This was going to be way much harder than I would ever have thought.

I wished the three of us would just stay in this isolated penthouse and forget about the cruel dirty world outside...

I slipped my cellphone back inside my breast pocket and made my way back to the living room.

It was just Hazel, she looked up for a moment as I made my way towards her where she appeared to be mixing colors on pieces of paper scattered all around

I scrunched down to her level to stare at the work she seemed to be deeply concerned about.

"What are you doing princess? " I asked stating the obvious, but hell sometimes I just needed to hear her voice to convince me that this all wasn't a beautiful dream that would just fade when I wake.

"it's a drawing "

"Then can you show it to me? "

She nodded slowly, I took that moment to take a glance at the piece of paper she shifted my way.

"Mommy, Hazel, and uncle Hayden! " she explained with a happy smile.

She stared at me expectantly, unaware of the sudden burst of emotions she'd awakened inside of me.

Even though I could barely make out the resemblance of the picture to the three of us it was still as hell the most perfect picture I've ever seen.

I couldn't break my gaze away from it for a moment.

"It's perfect, love it so much, can I keep it with me?"

"You can have it if you like " she offered

I could only nod in response I would definitely keep it close to my heart, I wouldn't lie, it was the most beautiful thing anyone has ever gifted me.

Even more so it was from her.

Her shoulders slump, her face suddenly had a sad expression, my stomach tightened, I would set the whole world ablaze to see the smile back on her face

"I would love to draw daddy, but mommy said daddy left and won't be coming back anymore "

Her words were like a thousand knives plunging deep into my heart, it hurt more than anything I've ever known, I didn't remember having ever felt this way..... maybe except that night when she left me.

"But you're mommy's friend, so I can always put you in my painting right? " the new hopeful glint in her gaze so much like mine got me.

That's my girl! she would never be put down for long, she always found a way to remain happy. Happiness I'll always be sure to secure.

"Right " I responded

"Then can you be my daddy? " she spoke aloud with a hopeful expression.

I was at first taken aback by her request, then I was overwhelmed by a sea of emotions.

I wanted to scream that I'm her father, but for an unknown reason I didn't, maybe it was because I felt that I didn't deserve her, but at the same time, I couldn't hurt her feelings.

" I can be your daddy if you want..." The words were barely out of my mouth when a full-toothed radiant smile broke her face delightful squeal escaped her lips as her tiny arms wrapped around my neck, I froze for a moment. slowly my hand reached out on its own to pat her back gently.

We broke apart after some time and stayed in comfortable silence.

"I loved your mommy, but I didn't know... couldn't show it to her. I hurt her kid "I whispered.

Her gaze studied me quietly, I didn't know why I told her this, maybe it was because I felt her young innocent mind could understand how I felt deep inside...

Perhaps this was all I needed all along, this kind of close bond with her....even so, young I could learn from her. She adores Gracie so much, I could take the steps from her...

"I don't think you're a bad person " both her brows furrowed deeply as if she was still contemplating on my earlier words.

"Why so? "

I didn't know why but I found myself anticipating her response.

"Mom said anyone who had eyes like mine could never do mean things " she replied sounding every bit confident.

The corners of my lips curved in the tiniest bit of a smile which transformed into a chuckle despite the turbulent emotions I felt inside.

"Then your mother was wrong " I murmured in a low tone, I did do very mean things, I didn't think she would hear me, but she did.

"No! mommy is always right! " she argued seeming to be in her Gracie's defense

My heart clenched tight as if being clasped in my fist, emotions I've never felt before pulsated through me.

"I love you kid " the words slipped out of their own accord, It didn't bother me because every bit of it was true.

I heard a slight sound behind me, I turned around only to meet her swimming gaze.

I reached to call her.

But she didn't wait before she bolted out the door.

GRACIE

I heard him calling for me but I didn't stop, I kept moving even though I could hear his footsteps right after me. I didn't know why I was crying, but I couldn't stop either. I wasn't sad or anything, I just didn't know how I felt...I was just a scattered mess of emotions. I inhaled and exhaled aloud trying to comport the raging feelings inside.

If only we weren't enemies from the beginning... If he hadn't hated me would we have perhaps ended up better than this? Or there would have been no use in the first place. The thought saddened me but I brushed it aside.

I felt a clasp on my arms before he whirled me around to face him. I saw the tenseness and urgency in his gaze.

"I didn't tell her to call me that, she requested and I had to agree"

I swallowed hard forcing the knot in my throat down.

"I'm not accusing you Hayden "

Confusion and something similar to relief crossed his features for a moment.

"Then why are you crying? "

"It's nothing " I mumbled wiping my face clean with my palms.

His gaze darkened as his grip on my arms tightened, backing me against the wall.

"Don't lie to me! " He seethed out in a commanding voice that was all too familiar to me, I couldn't avoid a flinch.

He muttered a curse looking frustrated, but this time I somehow knew it wasn't directed at me.

His gaze softened as he abruptly let go of his grip on my arm.

"Just tell me what's wrong so I can correct it okay? "