Richard's POV
Shrieking excitedly, Daisy jumps into my embrace, tossing the bouquet away.
The action jerks me out of my reverie, making me wonder if she knows I am her father just like I just got to know tonight.
It makes my heart tug in pain. Seeing Arabel again reminds me of what I have lost; love, a good, kind, and submissive woman, and a beautiful baby like Daisy.
“Hi,” I wave awkwardly at Arabel who has confusion written all over her as to why I am here. She does not reply to me.
Instead, she asks. “Did you follow me here?”
I should have known she would ask that. Everyone would have asked that but I didn't.
Just before I can defend myself, Daisy cuts me to it.
“You made it,” Daisy screams again, making Arabel open her eyes wide to stare from me to her daughter.
Daisy took my number that day at the anniversary. It was as though the Heavens were working for me tonight.
As soon as I figured out that there was a high possibility that she was mine, I thought of tracing Arabel to her home address and pleading with Griffin to tell me if he knew where she stayed until a call came in.
It was Daisy. She was throwing a tantrum over the phone after waking up to the absence of her mother.
Glad for the opportunity, I told her her mom was on her way home and I would love to check up on her too. She willingly gave me the address. Not wanting to come empty-handed even though I have no slightest idea what I came here for, I bought a bouquet on my way.
Visiting a lady late in the night meant something. Coming along with a bouquet meant a lot.
I didn't want to think much about what I was doing, I just wanted to make amends. I wanted her to see how much I had changed. I wanted her to see the true me and forgive me for my past mistakes.
If I wasn't obsessed with Eve, perhaps, we would still be together today.
"What are you doing here?” The coldness is back in her voice as she glares at me with an icy pierce, her arms folded around her bosom.
Not knowing what exactly to say about my sudden appearance, I turn to the smiling Daisy in my arms. “She called for help.”
“What?!” Arabel turns to her daughter with a deep frown. “Daisy? What help is he talking about?”
She doesn't respond. She only pouts.
“Get down!”
“I'm sorry if I am interrupting anything but can I come in?”
A sharp no is what I expect but she isn't saying anything. She is busy glaring at Daisy, expecting her to obey her orders.
However, Daisy isn't budging. She doesn't look like someone who would come down from my arms in a million years and I am praying she doesn't too.
As if remembering immediately that we are now business partners, her eyes soften and she steps away from the door, permitting me to enter.
I squat to pick up the bouquet before stepping in. Her home is beautiful. It speaks so much about her career, ranging from the artistic beautiful frames on her wall and the colorful paintings alongside ancient antiques.
It makes me feel a knot in my stomach. At the fact that this is no longer the woman I married. She might be pretending to be someone else but she is indeed a changed woman.
If I were in her shoes, perhaps I would have done the same thing. Getting to know Daisy is probably mine, I can't even get angry.
The one who deserves to be mad about everything that happened between us is Arabel. What I am left with isn't anger but lots of regrets. Her forgiveness is what I want.
She leads the way, striding fast towards the living room. When she points to a sofa for me to sit on, Daisy moves away from me with a smile.
Arabel frowns at her again.
“I'm sorry for coming uninvited,” I apologize with a light smile. She nods without a word.
She isn't sitting too which obviously means I am not welcome or I need to leave soon. It makes my head race back to the thought of that young dude.
Is she expecting him? If she said she was single in the recording, is she speaking the truth? Is he her boyfriend?
I wave the thought away.
I don't want that to be my focus but I can't help it. I need to know if she is indeed single. I need to know if there is still any chance that we might work. I need to know if my love is forever lost.
“You have a beautiful home,” I comment and she nods before stepping back to sit. The atmosphere is awkward and I feel like leaving immediately.
“I should be back in NY tomorrow,” she blurts out unexpectedly. “The deal here is already done.”
Is she telling me this so I can leave? Was it the deal with Griffin? Their meeting didn't even take up to a minute. Is this what she came to London for?
I nod in understanding.
“Have you signed the contract? I don't mind going with the contract or perhaps…” I trail off, a sudden idea hitting me. “We could fly back to NY together. I am also done here,” I announce, hoping she will agree to this but she shakes her head.
“Thank you but that won't be necessary…”
“Do you have an airplane?” Daisy cuts in sharply, earning another icy glare from her mother which she ignores.
With a smile, I nod in the affirmative. “Yes, darling. Would you like to fly with me on it?”
“Yes!”
“So why were you troubling the nanny? Do you want your mother to be mad at you?”
Her smile fades and she shakes her head, sparing Arabel a glance.
“I woke up alone. She wasn't here,” she whines.
“Mommy went to get you some flowers. She forgot them and I helped her bring them home,” I grab the bouquet back from the sofa beside me before stretching them to Daisy.
Her eyes grow wide. “It's mine, not mom's?” Arabel and I share a look. She is more intelligent than I think.
How does she know bouquets like these are meant for adults? I wasn't in my right senses as I drove here so I bought the first thing that jumped into my head.
I should have gotten Daisy something instead, like chocolates or some sweets.
“No, dear. It's yours,” I tell her and she falls silent again.
I gaze up at Arabel. “What do you think, Mrs. Portillo?” She seems taken aback by the name so she sits upright, and gulps down loudly before shaking her head again.
“I'm sorry sir but it's not necessary. My flight has been booked already.”
“You can cancel.” I insist.
“No.”
“But we are going to the same place, aren't we?” Her jaws tighten and it dawns on me that I am crossing the boundary.
Having overstayed my welcome, I exhale deeply and rise up to go. “I'm sorry once again for the interruptions. I should go,” I inform her and Daisy, who is intrigued with the big flower in front of her.
At my announcement, she stares up. “You are leaving?”
I nod and watch her pout sadly. Arabel shoots to her feet instantly, as though expecting my announcement to leave. It makes my heart jolt painfully inside of me.
It shows just how much she detests me now. It is obvious. First, she pretended to be someone else. It is evident enough that she despises me now. Then she hid the fact that we have a baby together and now she shows just how much she hates my presence.
At the thought of how she felt in my arms an hour ago at the party of Griffin, something stirs in me dissolving my sadness and opposing my idea of her supposed hatred towards me.
Does she still love me? Is she also pretending not to? How do I figure all of this out when I haven't even told her I know the truth?
At first, I wanted to come here for that. To tell her it was high time we stopped pretending not to know each other.
I wanted to tell her I knew she was my ex-wife and Daisy was our child but the moment the door opened and I saw the anger flashing behind her eyes, I lost the courage.
Lack of courage coupled with the fear of what she would do stopped me from spilling the beans. I was scared she would go away again. I was scared I would never see her or Daisy ever again.
I was scared she would never sign the contract that would bind us as partners for the next five years. I was scared I was going to lose her again. I was ready to pretend.
For as long as it would last. If only that meant seeing her. Watching her. Admiring her in secret. While tending to Daisy, our child.
It hurts but I deserved it all. I flash her one of my signature smiles before striding towards the exit. I know she isn't seeing me out and I don't mind. Daisy's voice reaches to me as I get to the door.
“Will you visit again?” I halt and close my eyes. Her voice sends a tingling sensation down my spine.
It makes me want to turn back and grab her into my arms for another tight embrace, feel her soft body on mine, and peck her forehead lovingly.
I need to pretend, I remind myself.
Slowly, I turn.
Arabel is standing awkwardly but she manages to plaster a light smile on her face.
Nodding at Daisy, I finally step out before I lose my mind and ask Arabel if I can visit again or not.