CHAPTER 4

"Jake, Watch the door for our guest!" I yelled from my room.

I heard the platter of feet as my son rushed to the window. He seemed happier for the past week. He smiled more often and was more cheerful. I was finally glad to see that he wasn't so keen to bring up the conversation about his father again, I was not ready to tell my five-year-old son that his father was a thug who had us kicked out before he was born.

Thinking of Arthur still made my heart ache, even after all this time. I often caught myself comparing each man that approached me with my ex, after a lot of pressuring, I had finally agreed to see Joe on a date.

Joe was a good guy. He was good with Jake, but he wasn't Arthur. I sighed and carefully applied my light makeup.

We were having Joe over for dinner and he should be here anytime soon.

"Joe is here!" I heard Jake's tiny voice call from the sitting room, and soon enough I heard the sound of a car driving into our driveway.

I looked at myself in the mirror before walking to the door. I opened it to see Joe standing there holding a bouquet of red roses.

"Hello Olivia," He said in a smooth voice.

"Come in," I said, stepping aside to let him in. He leaned in to kiss my cheek before handing me the flowers.

"You look pretty," He said. "Hey, Champ!" He crouched beside Jake as I went to dip the flowers in a game of water.

I stood at the kitchen counter and watched the both of them. Jake had not completely taken to Joe, he was still a little reserved, but Joe was determined and I'm sure that with a little time, they would be best buddies – If we got married.

I almost choked.

Where had that thought come from?

I had not even gotten intimate with Joe yet. Nothing more than a peck on the cheek.

"This little man's hungry, Olivia," Joe said, standing up.

"Oh yeah," I snapped out of my little trance. "Come and have a seat. Let's eat."

I was a professional chef, the meal was delicious and the air around the table was lighthearted. I could tell that Joe was taken by Jake, I watched silently as they chatted. Jake was talking about his school and to my delight, he spoke about his school friends.

So what was holding me back from taking things seriously with Joe?

That was a question that constantly hung in my mind.

And the truth was that; I didn't have any answer.

I sighed and stood up to clear the table. Joe and Jake kept on talking in the background.

"Okay, time for bed," I said when I saw Jake give a big yawn.

"Help yourself to a drink, Joe," I said as I led my son to his room. He nodded at me.

After putting Jake to sleep, I delayed a bit longer in his room for no reason. Knowing I could not put it off any longer, I went back to the sitting room.

Joe was relaxed on the couch with a can of beer in his hand. "I can't believe you got these," He said to me, holding up the beer.

I chuckled. "You said you liked them." I poured myself a glass of soda and sat down beside him.

"Olivia," He took my hand. His hand was cold from holding the cold can. "You make efforts on little things like this," he said in a soft tone. "But I don't know why you don't want us to go all the way."

"I'm not ready yet," I mumbled.

"I know, I know," He said. "It's just…"

"Give me a little more time, please?" I interrupted.

"Okay, okay," He sighed.

I knew that was a lie, but how could I tell him that my heart already belonged to another?

I need one of those cold beers to ease my throbbing headache.

JOE LEFT THE house early the next morning, we had both slept together on the couch. Fully clothes.

I heard him stretch and crack his back after he stood up. He leaned in to kiss my forehead, before leaving.

After I heard his car start and drive away, I sat up and rubbed my temples.

I should get serious with Joe. I really should. Good men like him are scarce to come by.

I went to the bathroom to brush my teeth and wash up before I prepared for the day.

I ONCE READ somewhere that a morning walk was good for both your physical and mental health. So I parked my Subaru a block away and decided to walk Jake to school. He could use the exercise, he looked like he was about bursting with unused energy.

"Why are we stopping here, mummy?" He asked from his car seat.

"Because I want us to walk," I said, unbuckling my seatbelt and stepping out.

I released him and locked the door. The morning sun was bright but felt cool against my skin.

"Come," I took his hand and we started towards his school.

I was still thinking of what to do next about my relationship with Joe. It had been bothering me since I woke up, suddenly, I felt Jake's hand stiffen and he slipped out of my grasp and ran ahead.

"MARCUS!!"

I felt my blood run cold as my son yelled out the name. A dreadful pool settled in my lower belly.

What are the odds that my son finds his father in the millions of people in the city?

Almost impossible, right?

But when I looked up at who Jake was running to, I recognized the blonde hair even before the man turned.

I watched in horrific slow motion as he turned, his blue bright eyes lightened in a laugh as he caught my son and lifted him high into the air before dropping him down.

"Hey, buddy!" The breeze carried his deep voice over to me. I didn't hear what Jake said in reply but Arthur threw his head back and gave a hearty laugh.

I noted vaguely that I was rooted in a spot.

His gaze rose and traced me from my legs up to my face. I saw his face widen in what might be shock or surprise. Maybe both.

"Olivia?" He asked.

I cleared my throat. "I see you've met my son, Jake. Everyone calls him Jake."

"Yes, I have met him. Last week," Marcus said.

"Mummy, you know him?" Jake pulled my attention back to him.

I nodded. "Yes baby, I do. From a long time ago." I looked into Marcus's face and apart from the colour of the eyes, I wasn't sure I recognized the man staring back at me. There was no warmth in the deep blue eyes.

"So he can come to have dinner with us tonight?" Jake piped.

"What? No. I'm sure Arthur has other things to do tonight." I looked at him.

A smug smile hung around Arthur's lips and he said, "On the contrary, I am very free this evening."

I looked from the smug smile to my son's pleading eyes and groaned silently. "Okay, dinner tonight." I gripped Jake's hand and walked away, taking deep breath to calm my nerves.