Richard's POV
My gut churns.
As I rush out, I look around for Daisy, but she is nowhere in sight.
Following my instinct, I rush back to the ice cream spot, glancing around for a glimpse of her wavy brown hair, but she isn't there.
Quickly, I make my way back to the horse riding spot, my heart pounding hard at the thought of not finding her.
I will be in deep sh*t.
I didn't mean to kiss her. I didn't know what came over me.
I should have paid closer attention to Daisy to be sure she was still in.
Before I know it, I begin to run as fast as I can, hoping to find her there. I don't know where else to go, and I don't know what to tell Arabel.
I feel so much like a bad father already. I need to find her, or I will never forgive myself for this.
This is a child I am still getting to know. The same child was brought into the world without my knowledge. Just when I thought I was going to have a chance to right my wrongs, get closer to my child, and seek their forgiveness, this is happening.
A sinking feeling spread inside of me at the stupid imagination in my head about someone kidnapping her.
No!
Suddenly, I halt, my eyes blinking rapidly to check if it is indeed her or someone else who looks just like her.
Daisy and another girl, who appears to be older, are playing a game on a bench.
“Buddy,” I call and she looks up immediately; her eyes light up when she sees me. “Come.”
She rushes into my arms, and I hold her tightly, savoring the moment and wishing for something like this not to happen ever again.
I can't bear to lose her.
“We've been searching all around for you. Why…?”
“She is my friend,” Daisy motions to the pale girl, who smiles at me with a wave of the hand.
“Hi.” Before I can focus on Daisy, I wave back.
“Your mom,” I only say when fear jumps into her eyes. Arabel will be so mad at her. And me too. For distracting her.
I scan her once more to make sure she is fine. I grab her hand and walk with long strides back to where we saw Arabel still crying.
She is the center of attention as people move past while others watch, wondering what must be wrong.
I don't leave Daisy's hand as I move closer and squat next to her, pulling her into an embrace. “Daisy is here.”
She looks up immediately, tears striking her face, relief washing through her as she pushes past me and engulfs Daisy in a hug.
Daisy is also on the verge of crying. I signal to her to apologize to her mom.
“I'm sorry. I won't do this again. Did I scare you?” Daisy mutters, sniffing already, like someone who will burst into tears anytime soon.
“It's ok, darling. I love you,” Arabel confesses, surprising me. Then she pecks the girl's hair and pulls her tighter to herself.
The crowd disperses, and I continue to watch, feeling like the third party that I am.
I watch Arabel wiping her tears quickly before disengaging from the hug and bending down to Daisy's height, scanning her like I did earlier.
“Are you ok?” Daisy nods with a pout. “Can we go home now?”
She nods again.
Arabel pecks at her forehead and rises up to leave, not sparing me a glance.
For a moment, I think of letting them be. Giving them their alone time, but my selfishness won't allow it.
We came together. We should head back together.
Also, I need to be sure she isn't mad at me for what I did. I didn't kiss her on purpose. I didn't know what the hell came over me.
I was on edge, watching her beautiful face with those shiny, inviting lips.
Deep down, I know she is definitely upset with what happened. Her actions show it all. I should ask for forgiveness.
Hurriedly, I get up and rush after them. When I step in line with both my mother and daughter, Daisy holds my hand.
As soon as Arabel notices, she glances at me, fire and fury igniting in her eyes. I quickly look away, losing the courage to ask her for forgiveness.
We get to the car, and she helps Daisy in. She doesn't say a word to me, and I am sure she is going to leave me behind if I don't get in.
As soon as she is in, I open the passenger's door to enter. She still doesn't spare me a glance.
It feels awkward, but I must achieve my goal.
“I'm sorry, Bella. I swear, I didn't mean to do that…” She grits her teeth and finally turns to me, signaling to me to keep quiet because Daisy is in the back seat.
I shut up, and the rest of the ride is in silence.
When we get to the third house before my apartment, I speak up again, unable to ignore the guilt in my heart.
“Bella, I am deeply sorry for what happened,” I begin, watching her check out Daisy in the mirror. Relief fills her expression when she notices the girl is already asleep. "I swear, I didn't plan this; I didn't mean to do that. I don't know what came over me. I shouldn't have done that. Please forgive me.”
Asking her for forgiveness tugs at my heart, making a lump of dread settle in the pit of my stomach when it occurs to me that this isn't the actual forgiveness I want from her.
I wonder how the atmosphere will be when I ask her to forgive me for all my misdeeds in the past and when I finally tell her I know the truth about her identity and about Daisy being my child.
Will she forgive me? Is she still forgiving? Will she even hear me out?
“Bella?”
“Richard, it's fine!” She snaps at me, making me feel like I am a pain in the ass.
Of course, I am.
I keep running into her when I know she is trying so hard to avoid crossing paths with me. I keep chasing after her when I know she truly wants to be far away from me. I keep indulging her because I know how much she must despise me for everything I did to hurt her in the past.
I can't stop.
I just can't.
I don't bother to drag the issue further or ask her to forgive me again. Just then she slows down, making me realize we are home.
She drives the car forward into the entrance, where we see a figure of a man who appears to want to come out. When he sees the car, he goes back in, and she drives in.
I squint my eyes to see that dude, Alex, standing with confidence and his hands in his pants pockets.
And his usual cold demeanor.
Arabel throws me a quick glance as she stops the car engine, but I choose to ignore her.
I understand the meaning behind that look, but I refuse to act on it. Not for a guy like him.
Instantly, I step out, and our eyes interlock.
Rage distorts his eyes, which contain no humor at all, and I continue to watch, grateful that he is seeing us together once more.
Instead of turning back to head out of the gate like I know Arabel wants so he won't be shocked to realize we are next-door neighbors, I take a step forward and another until I get close to him.
Finally taking my eyes off his icy glare, I brush my shoulder against his before heading to the elevator.