Richard's POV
Regret forms a jagged rock in my stomach as I watch her walk back the way she came without a word.
Even though no one is in sight, shame soaks my skin and frustration eats at me.
I know I made a huge mistake by asking her for a divorce, and I made an even bigger mistake by leaving home that night to go to Eve. If I hadn't left home, maybe I would have been able to stop her from leaving.
But then Eve was my obsession. If I hadn't caught her cheating on me with my best friend, I wouldn't have thought of ever stopping Arabel from leaving.
It makes the regret slump deeper in me as I drop my head to the wheels, thinking of what exactly to do to get her forgiveness.
Obviously, she does not just hate me. She has not forgiven me yet, and I doubt if she will. She is finding it so hard to keep up with the pretense, and for the very first time since we met, I am beginning to feel scared of her coming out clean to tell me she is indeed Arabel.
If she confesses, how do I apologize? How can I explain myself? How do I tell her how much vacuum has been left since her disappearance?
Will she even allow me to speak? Will she want to hear me out? Will she ever forgive and forget?
Is it necessary to involve my mother?
I am shaking my head at the thought of my mother's interference when a tiny voice pulls me out of my thoughts.
"Hi." The first thing that reaches my eyes is the tiny fingers waving at me.
With realization dawning on me, I open the car door quickly and step out with a huge smile on my face.
“Hey, beautiful," I mutter, squatting down to her height and placing a hand on her shoulder. “How are you?”
“I am fine. Mommy said not to call you. I'm sorry," she apologize innocently, making me realize Arabel doesn't know she is out here with me.
“It's fine," I say, still smiling as I stare closely at her.
Her eyes. They are so blue and beautiful.
Staring closely at her makes my smile widen as I begin to note the similarities between us and the possibility of being her father.
I know I am not supposed to take my mother's word seriously. That woman ought to be a fictional character. She acts like one. But I can't help it.
Daisy has my eyes. And the hair, too. It's brown, just like mine. She shares my pointed nose and cute round cheeks.
She is going to be one beautiful damsel.
Suddenly, I remember the ice cream she mentioned, so I rise up quickly, digging my head back into the car to grab the ice cream cup.
Stretching it at her, she takes it with an excited grin on her face. “Thank you so much.”
“You are welcome, darling." Even though I know I should tell her to return inside before Mommy starts looking for her, I squat back to her height.
I want to spend more time with her. I want to talk to her. Ask her questions and get answers.
A sense of pride fills my soul, suddenly mixed with more regrets.
That one night must have led to this. Arabel and I only had an affair for one night. If Mother is right, then it means she conceived after that.
The regret of not being a part of her life and Daisy's four years is overwhelming. It is weighing me down heavily, tugging at my heart, and rippling at my conscience.
I was wrong.
I did bad.
And I am sorry.
I wish I could say this to not only Arabel but also Daisy. I wish I could tell her everything so she doesn't end up hating me when the truth is out.
“I should go," she says instantly, pulling me out of my reverie. “I sneaked out so you wouldn't be angry with me.”
I nod in understanding.
“You should go. I will come see you soon if your mom permits," I tell her, standing up again and taking a hold of her last finger as we approach the gate.
She looks curious for a second, as though she has something to ask and needs answers immediately, but within a minute, the curiosity disappears and the gate is thrown open roughly from inside.
“Daisy!” Arabel yells in disbelief when she sees me holding her daughter. She looks from me to Daisy and from Daisy to me, anger crossing her expression.
I murmur, thinking of what to say to defend her. “I think she was in search of you.”
I imagine her rolling her eyes at me and telling me to mind my business and never come here again, but she isn't doing any of that.
“Thank you," she forces herself to say as I let go of Daisy's finger and wave at her. Daisy is clutching the ice cream bowl to her chest, and she waves too with a wide smile.
Suddenly, a thought jumps into my mind, and I stop going back. I clear my throat and take a step closer to mother and daughter, who look surprised to see me not leaving.
“Do you mind if I come check…”
“No need. I will be in the office tomorrow," she interrupts immediately.
“Not you. I wasn't talking about you," I point out, hoping she won't feel embarrassed. “Do you mind if I come here just for my friend's sake. She mentioned that you had stopped her from calling me. I can come check on her instead.”
Disbelief flows through her.
“Daisy!” She scolds angrily.
“It's fine, really. I don't mind…”
“There is no need for that, Mr. Giodano. I really am not comfortable with how you mix business with pleasure and how we tend to meet coincidentally. I believe it is a huge unprofessional act that my child shouldn't be involved in our business.”
I nod.
She is right, but I don't see what I want to do as wrong. It is what I wish for. To always see them both every single day. To make them happy. To make up for the lost years. And to be forgiven.
Just before I can say anything else, a horn resounds from behind, making me turn back quickly.
The tall, slim guy from the other day steps out in casual wear, looking from me to Arabel with a puzzled face.
“Is everything okay?" He demands, shutting the door and moving closer with a bowl in his hand.
“Uncle Alex, meet my friend, Richard," Daisy introduces me, ignorant of his advances towards her mom.
“He was just about to leave," she mentions and adds quickly. “He came to drop off my medications. We forgot to take them from the hospital.”
Alex turns to me slowly, with the same threatening look from earlier as he scrutinizes me from head to toe.
“I didn't know I was going to meet you so soon again," he says, stretching his hand for a handshake. I stare at his outstretched arm for a second before taking it, kicking against the desire not to.
I am doing this for Arabel.
I shake his hand. “Same here, Alex.”
With a widespread grin, I watch his face turn into horror at the mention of his name, and he gazes at Arabel apologetically, making me figure out what this is about.
Arabel is single. Alex desires her. She told him to pretend to be her husband until I was out of the picture, but that wouldn't be possible.
Being single is what I need to do to push ahead with my plans to get her back. I will go to any lengths to chase her until she becomes mine again.
But before then, forgiveness comes first.
When no one is saying anything, I drop his hand and walk to my car, feeling victorious when I see him moving close to Arabel and hanging his left arm over her shoulder.
Her body hits him, and I shiver.
Slouching in my car seat with my two hands on my wheels, I watch them both speak in low tones before Arabel lets out a smile and hugs him passionately.
At this sight, anger courses through me.
So I ignite the car into action and drive off without sparing them any other glance.