CHAPTER 6

All of a sudden Asher decided to leave the picking of the models to me, everything… saying he trusted my judgment. yeah right- like he didn't threaten me a few days ago. the moment I saw him outside my door I realized he just did that because I was letting him see Melodie but I never agreed to him showing up in my home and how on earth did he find my house? I never left my house address on the contract 

“Let him in” I responded to the security guard. why was he here? So early in the morning as well.

Was he here to threaten me again?

Or was he here to finish what we started yesterday?

What am I saying? Nothing happened yesterday

I was so lost in thought that I hadn't noticed that Melodie come to me and was calling out to me. I shook my head as I felt her light tug on my night dress.

“Mummy, someone is ringing the bell”

“oh yeah right, sorry honey. why don't you eat your pancakes while they are still hot? I’ll get the door”

I hugged myself as I walked down the stairs, I should have grabbed my night robe. he should have called at least. I opened the door and before I could tell my heart to get a grip… I skipped a beat at the sight of him in his white dress shirt and khaki colored pants and Italian shoes, his hair was tousled just like it always was.

“hey. I was almost worried you’d leave me out here” He smiled, and I struggled with the urge to roll my eyes.

“um- what are you doing here?”

“I thought I could drop Melodie off at school… she goes to school right?” he asked with a worried expression on his face.

“yes she does”

“How did you find out where I lived” I added quickly as all kinds of thoughts filled my head. the last thing I needed was to be pulled right into his father’s hands.

“Please Sam can you at least let me in before you hit me with all these questions?” he pleaded as he stared at me. I scoffed and then stepped away from the entrance.

“I never agreed to this” I ran my fingers through my hair.

“thank you”

“Is she awake?” he added

“Can you answer my question?”

“I have my sources but the details don't matter” he shrugged as he grinned with satisfaction

he walked up the stairs leaving me in confusion and a bit of anger, I followed him in hot purchase, and just as he got to the dining area where Melodie was still eating I grabbed his arm and turned him to face me.

“they do if it pertains to my daughter” I tried not to yell as I glared at him, his countenance changed to frustration as he grabbed my hand and pulled me close to whisper loud enough that only I could hear him. My breathing turned ragged from climbing up the stairs and my stupid heart reacted to how close our bodies were.

“correction, our daughter. how about this? why don't you go change while I keep Melodie company? I assure you I don't want to but we should keep things PG for now for Melodie’s sake” he said as he stared from my collarbone down to my cleavage peeking from my nightdress

“Even if Melodie wasn't here, you wouldn't be anywhere near me”

“Yesterday would beg to differ. I hope seven forty-five is a good time to leave for you?”

“Perv”

“I’m only staring at what’s mine”

“Was yours”

I wriggled away from his grasp and walked over to Melodie who was staring at us in shock and confusion so I smiled.

“Hey Bean, mummy is going to get dressed so this guy is going to keep you company okay?”

“Okay,” she replied dismally, looking skeptically at Asher.

“It's okay my love, he is nice. I’ll be back”

The car ride wasn't awkward like I thought it would be it was the total opposite. Melodie had quickly loosened up to Asher which made me antsy. she had always been weary of new people like me and her warming up to him so quickly made me wonder if she knew something… she had always been a smart kid after all but I wasn't excited to have to explain I and Asher’s past. I always thought I’d have more time.

“Have a nice day sweet”

“Bye, mummy. bye Mr. Asher”

“Have fun kid”

As I watched her wave at us and run off happily, I couldn't help but worry about what all of this will bring. if Asher’s father found out about this he would be outraged… I wonder if he knows I and Asher are working together. everything is so complicated right now and I can't deny the number of times I've almost slipped up with him. Would it be okay to do this?

“Did you hear me?” asher’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts

“Huh?”

“Where did you go?” concern shone in his eyes, I looked away and shook my head.

“Nowhere. what did you say?”

“I was saying we should go to work”

“Umm… I think I'll just call my driver to come pick me up. Riding to work together would create a wrong impression” I replied as I took out my phone

“A wrong impression, huh? Last I recall we never broke up, you just vanished”

“Can we please not do this?” I said immediately

“I’m not going to stop until I get to the bottom of this but for now just get in Sam”

“No, I’m good”

“At least sit in the car while you wait” he opened the passenger door for me to get in. My feet were killing me in these heels and the drive would take at least twenty minutes.

“On one condition”

“What?”

“We won't say a word to each other” I state

“Fine by me. Get in”

This is worse than bickering all the time. the car felt so uncomfortable but I tried to focus on something else, like the materials we would be using for our new line but I couldn't concentrate. I glanced at Bim as he typed away on his phone looking so concentrated… I had forgotten how cute he looked whenever he was concentrating.

what am I doing right now?

“Are you bored?” Asher chuckled. my face grew hot with embarrassment.

“what? no, I’m not”

“Sure” he rolled his eyes

“What do you mean by “sure”?”

“I know we haven't seen each other in six years but in case you didn't realize you haven't changed much. you still drum your fingers on surfaces when you are bored” he stated as a matter of fact.

“That isn't true. whatever, I just have a question” I scoffed

“You said we shouldn't talk”

“I can talk to you but you can’t talk to me. I set the rules” I shrugged.

“How childish but sure. what’s your question” he drawled

“Melodie has heterochromia. no one in my family has it so I was wondering if your mom had it”

“No, she didn't, it’s my grandmother who does,” he said after a minute of silence

“Oh okay” I replied worried because his mom had always been a tough subject for him.

“I hope she doesn't get bullied for it. my grandmother was stereotyped a lot when she was younger”

“I don't think she does, but as far as I know, people compliment her a lot and Melodie loves her eyes”

My phone rang, it was my driver.

“yes. I’ll be there in a minute. okay”

“See you later,” he said as I stepped out of the car.

“Sure. please next time, call before you come over”

“You want a next time?” he joked, a smirk splayed on his lips as he leaned out to see me. I chuckled.

“It's not like if I said no you would agree with me so knock yourself out”

******

I couldn’t help but notice Melodie’s worried countenance as we prepared for our weekly movie night. Moana was her favorite movie but she didn’t seem very excited that we were watching it tonight which was unlike her. She got comfortable on the living room sofa as I placed our bowls of popcorn on the table. I stroked her curls away from her face.

“Are you okay bean?”

“Yeah” he replied, her eyes still trained on the television screen

“You don’t look it, or seem it. Want to tell mummy what is bothering you?”

“Are going to get married?” she turned to look at me. I sat up.

“What?”

“Sofia said when your parent starts seeing someone their age, it means they are going to get married soon” she explained while she played with her fingers

“Are you talking about Asher?” Melody nodded.

“Oh, honey. No, mummy isn’t getting married, not anytime soon at least. Tell Sofia not everyone who hangs out gets married” I giggled taking her little hands in mine

“But in the picture, you were smiling at him”

“We are just friends bean” I stated

“I’ve never seen him before like in real life until that day”

“Do you not like him?” I asked worried. if she didn't like Asher, it was going to be my fault.

“I like him very much I think he will make a good daddy” She nodded, the sparkle in her eyes couldn't be mistaken. I felt my heart skip a beat.

of course, she likes him, he is her father after all and there is only so much I can do to protect her from him and his family but family will always be family.

“You want him to be your daddy?” I asked

“Is that bad? I just wondered why everyone else got to have daddies and I didn’t” Her voice sounded so sad. This was expected but I hadn't realized she had started noticing things like this. my heart felt broken all over again.

“Oh-” I carried her into my arms 

“Are you going to ask Mr. Asher?”

“Ask what?”

“To go on a date… duh” she rolled her eyes

“We’ll see but if it doesn’t work out I’ll be your daddy too” I giggled

“It doesn’t work that way, mummy” she groaned as we both burst out laughing

“Okay, okay fine”

I watched Melodie as she cuddled into my arms fast asleep. No one ever prepares you for this moment as much as I want to explain to her how to tell her that the man she wants to be her father is her father but can’t be her father for her own sake.