-Chapter Four-

The man quickly turns back to look at me in astonishment.

He takes off the dark glasses and narrows his eyes at me.

"Who are you?"

Shit!

It is not Ramon.

This is so embarrassing.

I clear my throat, as I let go of his denim jacket, feeling embarrassed as fuck.

"Sorry, Sir..."

Eric drapes his hand over my shoulder and scowls at the guy.

"What is the matter, Mila? What did this guy do to you?"

Oh God!

I not only embarrassed myself but I am also embarrassing this stranger.

"I mistook him for someone... " I explain to Eric.

I turn to the stranger. "I am really sorry..."

The guy just shakes his head and walks away, confused and a little embarrassed.

Eric cups my face between his hands gently. "Are you okay, Mila?"

I nod, still a little shaken.

"I want to go home."

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Roy scampers into the house the minute we step out of Eric's car.

Eric escorts me to the front porch, his jacket around my naked arms.

I can not believe I dressed up to go on a fucking date! And to make matters worse, I ruined it!

"Tonight was... Great," he lies.

I chuckle. "That must be nominated for lie of the year."

He laughs. "No. It was cool hanging out with you. For real. It was... A bit awkward and did not go as planned but I learnt something new about you."

I smile nervously. "And that is?"

"You are honest."

"I hope that's a good thing."

"Are you kidding! Ofcourse! The world is so full of liars and honest people are scarce. Finding people like you is so hard. You are rare, Mila."

That is so true.

He sighs. "I hope we still remain friends... If that is okay with you."

I would not call Eric and I friends.

We know next to nothing about each other. I just know he is a handsome single dad to a cute little boy, who is my son's best friend. The first time we met was last year when Renny refused to go back home because he wanted to play some more with Roy.

And since then, I have been babysitting Renny for him then he comes to pick him up in the evening after a long day of work. And strangely, we just smile at each other, exchange a word or two and that is just it.

I do not even know if he has been married before or if he is divorced or who the mother of his son is.

So yeah... We are not really friends. He is just a person that I know who I do not really know... Does that make any sense?

I grin. "Yeah sure!"

He scans me keenly and says.

"And... You can talk to me about anything if you would like..."

I bet he is talking about what happened at the date. Me hallucinating about Ramon. But he must be crazy... I would NEVER ever talk to him about my private stuff.

Ramon taught me a crucial lesson the hard way. Thanks to him I find it hard to trust or confide in anyone. Even my own mother and my friends... And just everyone in general.

I plaster a smile.

"Yea... Sure!" I lie to him.

Roy opens the door abruptly and looks at Eric.

"Wave my mom goodbye now," he clings on my dress. "I do not want her to catch a cold and get sick like Lumia."

My baby is the cutest, honestly.

He continues. "I mean, who will kiss me morning and make me chocolate milk if she gets sick?" he makes Eric laugh. "There is no way I am allowing a woman with a running nose to get near me and my stuff."

He has this stern, no-nonsense look as he says this. Eric and I just find ourselves laughing. I hold my baby's hand and wave him.

"Goodnight."

He turns to Roy.

"Goodnight little man. And take care of mommy, okay?"

He winks. "That is my job."

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I check my son's exercise book this morning and I am met with a shocker.

He has not done his homework!

"Roy, why haven't you done your homework?"  I inquire harshly.

The cute little thing is slurping through his milk, the toasted crumps of bread scattered allover the coffee table.

He shrugs. "Stop freaking out, Mom!"

I glare at him.

"Mrs. Morrell is going to be so mad at you. I don't want to be called to school for the second time because of this, Roy!"

He sips his milk without a care in the world.

"Mrs. Morrell has been transferred. She gave us sweets as "goodbye" yesterday. We have a new teacher coming in. "

Oh! Thank God!

Mrs. Morrell never really liked Roy and it used to bother me. She always complained that my son is mischievous and very naughty.

Roy did not hide his dislike for her either. So with a new teacher coming in, I hope they will get along.

I wend towards him, wipe his face and hang the backpack on his shoulders.

"But still, complete the homework immediately you get to school..."

He nods. "Yes sir!"

The bus honks outside.

it is time for my baby to leave. I hate it when he leaves. This house has no life in it without him. He is my only source of life and joy. He makes this house a home I love living in...

I bend then he pecks me on the cheek and tells me,

"I love you so much, Mommy."

Then he runs off.

I follow him behind and watch him as he climbs on the school bus and sits next to Renny.

The two boys wave through the glasswindow as the bus leaves.

When the bus vanishes completely, I spot a black car some few steps away.

That same exact car was there yesterday but I was not suspicious.

But now...

Now it is a little... Suspicious.

I strut towards the car.

I can not see the face of the driver clearly.

The driver suddenly starts speeding off.

What the hell!

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Maybe I am just being paranoid!

That could not be who I think it is...

Ramon!

I mean, I don't think he could ever find out where I live. I live far far away in a quiet town and there is no way he could have found us already.

I know my mom wouldn't dare tell him.

Wait... Riana?

Fuck! I will go crazy if this goes on...

I quickly make myself a hot cup of coffee and turn on my laptop.

A private message from my new favorite reader pops up.

hopelessromantic❤️

Hey... I am eagerly waiting for your next book. So stop it with the torture already... I crave a taste of your books.

Couldn't the whole world be like this? Kind and sweet to the other person.

Maybe that is just the cure to the countless forms of hate in this world. Just kindness and sweetness and lots of love. You do not know how the comment brought a smile to my face and instantly changed my mood.

Just a nice sweet comment was enough to brighten my day when I was feeling nervous and restless.

Me

I am writing soon I promise...

hopelessromantic❤️

And what is the book about?

Me

Not thought about that yet...

hopelessromantic♥️

I know whatever it is, it will be amazing and I will be here to cheer you on. 🥳🥳

My face breaks into a smile.

Whoever this reader is, they are my day maker and I love them.

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The day flies by so fast and before you know it, it is late afternoon and my two men walk bravely through the gate.

But this time, with a visitor.

A pretty little visitor with Golden hair pushed back in a neat ponytail. She is walking between the two boys. She looks so uneasy, her cute face all red from blushing I guess...

My son is also blushing and I find it so funny. He clears his throat and acts like a little adult.

"Mom, this is my friend, Lumia."

"Hi pretty doll."

She beams. "Hallo, Ma'am."

"I have heard a lot about you, Lumia..."

She is startled to hear that.

Roy glares at me, giving me a "warning" look. So I shut my mouth before I say anything to "embarrass" him.

"Welcome to our home, darling," I open the door wide for the three.

Lumia is really quiet the whole time, looking at the ground.

Roy keeps staring at her and it is so creepy.

Renny is just giggling, I don't know why.

"Lumia, will you have some chocolate milk?"

She looks at Roy as if to seek permission then nods. They sit around the table having the chocolate milk.

My son is unusually quiet.

"So boys, aren't you going to tell me how school was?"

Roy's face beams. "We have a new teacher!"

He seems pretty excited about this new teacher.

"That teacher likes Roy already... He kept looking at him and asking him questions in all the lessons," Renny groans. "You would think Roy is the only student."

He glances at Renny. "You are just jealous, dude!"

Strangely, Lumia finds that funny.

Nobody except her chuckles.

As she laughs, she splatters the milk allover the table. She blushes with shame and looks mortified.

Roy quickly shoots up from the seat, takes a tablecloth and wipes clean the mess. He then takes off his school shirt and is left with a yellow games T-shirt. He wipes Lumia's mouth and face with it and tells her softly,

"It is fine. Don't worry."

What the fuck is this boy doing? And, how old is he again?

He reminds me so much of... No!

My boy resumes to his seat after that and acts like nothing just happened.

"Mom?" he turns to me. "There is a PTA meeting at school tomorrow."

I groan.

"I know."

Thank God he reminded me! I would have totally forgotten. I hate PTA meetings. They are usually very boring and most of the time, I struggle not to yawn.

Roy looks at his two friends and announces to them,

"Guys! This is boring! Let us go play in my room!"

I throw them a stern look.

"Boys! Finish the milk first!"

Just then, I hear the doorbell ring.

Why has Eric come so early today?

I rush to the door and open it.

UGH!

NO WAY!!!

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