Chapter 12: Who's the father?

Cassandra awoke early, and after feeding Akia, she loaded their luggage and loaded them into her beat-up Small car. And then, after strapping the little girl into her car seat, he started the car. She shrieked silently to herself when it wouldn't start. "No, not ever again."

When she gets out, she snaps the cap and looks inside. It wasn't going to help her since she knew nothing about autos.

"Are you having car problems?" a voice from behind her made her jump; she recognized the voice.

When she turned around and saw Edward leaning there, the blood in her blood vessel froze. "Back off and leave me alone," she said with a sigh and a roll of her eyes at him.

When he saw the car packed with stuff, he asked, "Are you going somewhere?" He noticed her becoming agitated. "What's the matter?" he inquired.

Cassandra began to tremble and her beads began to jingle.

sweat was forming on her brow. She didn't want him there, and she didn't want him to find out. "Can't you understand that I told you to leave me alone?"

Then there's a tiny voice yelling out the window. "Mommy, mommy."

Cassandra then took a deep breath quietly, her eyes squeezing shut as Edward's head snapped back toward the car. He approached the car's side and peered inside. A young girl with dark curly hair and blue eyes sat there. The young girl smiled at him, revealing her dimples.

After smiling at her, Edward turned to Cassandra and mumbled, "You really have a daughter? I thought you were just joking. So, it's true huh?"

She avoided his gaze, saying, "Yes, and it's none of your business." He returned his gaze to the kid, his eyes narrowing as the realization washed over him like a massive wave. He returned his gaze to Cassandra, asking, "How old is she, and where is her father?"

Cassandra gasped her eyes shut in distress when she heard the tiny voice. "I'll be One next month," she raises one finger.

"What's your name, sweetheart?" he asks, returning her smile.

"Akia," she responds, turning her head and giving him a big smile.

"I'll ask you again, where is her father?" he said as he returned to Cassandra, towering over her.

"That's none of your problems," she snarled.

"Akia looks exactly like me, with the same hair color, blue eyes, and even my dimples; is she mine?" he urged.

She knew it would be a big mistake to keep lying to him from something in his voice and the way he looked at her. "Yes, she is your daughter; So, can you please leave us alone, now!"

"F*ck! no!" he screamed, his eyes ablaze with rage, "let's go back inside, we need to talk."

"No, we don't need to talk, so leave us alone," she hissed as she walked away, but he grabbed her arm.

"It's too obvious she's my daughter; I'm not leaving, and neither are you," he yelled.

Once inside, Edward sat on the sofa with Akia while Cassandra made orange juice. She observed the two as they conversed. Akia was a bright beautiful girl who talked endlessly about her dolls and how much she enjoyed going to the zoo.

"Do you like animals?" he finally asked, getting a word in. Then Akia nodded.

"So, what are your favorite animals?" Edward asked.

"I love puppies, and I want one, but mommy says we can't buy since I have an allergy," Akia said, pouting her lips.

Cassandra then returned with the juice and sat down, smiling at Akia. "Would you please go to your room and finish your painting for a while, Honey?"

"OK, mommy," Akia said as she looked at Edward.

"I'll try to paint your."

"That would be fantastic," Edward says.

Edward turned to Cassandra after Akia had left. "I knew she was my daughter; why didn't you tell me about her when we were in California?" Edward inquired.

She locked her gaze on him. "I don't need you, and it's none of your business; I can look after my daughter; I'm a good mother."

When he saw the pain in her eyes, he felt his heart soften. "Yes, I'm sure you are, but she needs a father, a father who can protect her, a father who can protect both of you. Do you have work? how can you support the two of you?" Edward inquired, as Cassandra examined his expensive watch and clothes. Knowing that his shoes alone are more expensive than her monthly salary. "I have a job and we're doing fine; I may not have your amount of wealth, but she has food and a roof over her head; don't belittle me; I can support myself and my daughter," Cassandra explained.

"But she's my daughter, and I have a responsibility to her; she needs my guidance," he responded.

Cassandra sighed, "I know, but you don't need to do—" she was interrupted by a loud banging at the door, which made her jump. "Are you not going to answer?" he asked as Cassandra signed.

She slowly opened the door, and a large man in a filthy tank top barged in, pushing Cassandra into the wall. He started yelling at her while trying to wave a meaty finger in her face.

"Your daughter was so loud; that brat of yours is driving me crazy. I can't sleep properly with her loud music; shut her up or I'll do it for you," the man said as he was about to enter their apartment.

Edward leaped to his feet and dashed over, smacking the man into the door with his hand around his throat. "Don't ever talk to her like that again, and if I ever know you talking about that to my daughter like that, I'll knock your damn gums out."

"Edward, stop it, let him go," Cassandra pleaded, certain he was about to murder the man.

He stepped back, letting go of the man, his eyes dark and angry as he stared the man down.

"You're just lucky now, we're not done yet, remember that," he said as he turned and ran away from Edward could reach him

Cassandra's eyes welled up with tears as she snapped at Edward. "Look at what you've done; I'm just holding my breath because I don't want to fight with my neighbor."

"You were going to leave anyway," he pointed out.

"That was before my car broke down," Akia said, and then they heard her cry.

Cassandra then went to Akia and hugged her on her knees, saying, "Mommy, I'm scared."

"Don't worry, baby, mommy is already here, we'll spend some time with your Aunt Ava for now."

Edward took a step back, watching. He needed to act quickly, so he made a decision. "There's no need for that; you two are leaving with me; I know Cassandra, you're just trying to get away from me."

Cassandra then gave him a disapproving look. "No, just go, you've caused enough trouble."

Edward then said as he walked over to Akia and took her in his arms. "Hey, sweetheart, did you finish the painting for me?"

She hiccups, "No."

"Could you please go ahead and do it now? Mommy and I need to talk," Edward said.

"All right," Akia said as she climbed down and went to her bedroom. Edward then returned his attention to Cassandra. "Just give me a minute; you can't stay here, especially since it's so dangerous to stay here just the two of you, and your car isn't working; you and Akia will go live with me in my condo, and we'll sort out what to do."

"No, we will not," she said.

Edward swayed back and forth, his hand running through his hair. He just knew she'd make things more difficult, so he had to play the bad guy.

guy. "That's my daughter in there; if necessary, I'll hire a lawyer and file a custody suit."

Her eyes widened in terror, and her voice trembled as she spoke. "You wouldn't! you've just only known her for a short time. I'm her mother, and I'll do whatever I want," she exclaimed.

"I don't want to do it, but you gave me no choice. It's up to you, Cassandra," he said as he stared at her. Edward tried but failed to read her mind.

Cassandra was exhausted, feeling depleted, and knowing she had no choice but to succumb. "You've left me with no choice."

When he put his hand on her arm, she backed up, angry and terrified. They drove to the condo after Edward loaded all of their luggage into his car.

"I'm so hungry, mommy," Akia exclaimed.

Cassandra's response was given by Edward. "OK, sweetheart, we'll order whatever you want when we get back to the condo."

"Mac and cheese, mac and cheese," Akia exclaimed.

Cassandra and Edward both laughed. When he looked at her, he couldn't help but notice how stunning she was, and how beautiful her smile was. He remembered that night when her lips moved down his body, softly kissing him. How she lit the fire in his groin, and how she later cuddled in his arms, smiling at him. "I'll go to any length to get you, Cassandra," he told himself.

Akia was then carried up by Edward. She dashed from room to room, yelling at everything she saw. It was a large suite with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, and a spacious living room.

"You and Akia can have this room since it has a large king-size bed," Edward said.

"Just so you know, we're only staying one night," she said to him.

"You listen to me; no one goes anywhere until we make things right; Akia is my daughter, and I will take full financial responsibility for her, ensuring she has a good place to live and is well cared for."

"Are you saying I'm not properly taking care of her?" she retorted.

Edward shakes his head in distress, remembering how she was always twisting his words. "That's not what I mean."

Before anyone could say anything else, Akia burst into the room.

"Mommy, please, where's my mac and cheese," Akia said as she pouted her lips with a sad face in her face.

Edward laughed as he spoke for Cassandra.

"All right, sweetheart, I'll order us dinner and your mac and cheese, and you can watch Coco Melon on TV."

Akia stood with her hands on her hips, which reminded Edward of Cassandra, who does the same thing. "Mommy doesn't let me watch television during the day."

"Why can't she?" Edward wondered, looking at Cassandra.

"Children should be learning; they should be active, because I'm preparing her for your study soon, rather than sitting in front of a TV set, I don't want her to be lazy when it comes to her learning," Cassandra said, her hands on her hips.

Edward was taken aback and agreed with her. "You're correct, but I think you could make an exception this time."

Akia, who was listening, began to jump up and down. "Can I please, mommy?" Akia asked with puppy eyes.

Cassandra sighed and rolled her wristwatch. "I presumed it won't affect, but only this once."

When he picks up the phone, he asks Cassandra what she wants to eat.

"Whatever you want, anything will do," Cassandra said as she sat down with the glass of red wine he had poured for her. ' I know that you can eat anything, you even eat my banana twice," Edward said as he grinned at her. Cassandra then flushed before she looked away.

"All right, and after you put Akia to bed, we'll talk," Edward said, looking at her. Cassandra swallowed hard as she felt and heard her heartbeat pounding.