The two friends cocked their heads to the side to have a better view of the person who had Ariel in his arms and as the realization dawned on them as they finally caught sight of the person, their breath hitched in disbelief and they gasped. “Spencer?”“Spencer?”Bree’s eyes widened at the realization. What on earth was he doing at the child’s school? How did Spencer know Ariel's school? She couldn’t remember telling him the child’s school but then again, he’d said he has his ways. Surely, those ways had fetched him information. “Bree, omo. What the fuck is he doing here? Did you show him Ariel’s school?” Iris latched onto her arms, her voice hushed as she tried to connect the dots. “I’m just as surprised as you are. I didn’t. Come on, let’s hide for a while, I’m sure he’s up to something.” He might sneak Ariel away for all she cares. She held Iris’ hand, trying to lead her to the back of the car but she refused to move, her feet rooted to the ground in defiance. “Come on, Iris.”
“It must feel good to call me a bastard, hmm?” Spencer asked as she got into the car. She gasped. Did she say that out loud? “You didn't hear that.”“You wish.”Rolling her eyes, she looked ahead as they drove silently to the destination. She wanted to ask him how he knew Ariel’s school and confirm her doubt whether it was really Ariel who let it known to him but she remembered his words the other day. He has his way around information. Considering his status, he could literally get his hands on any information that he wants. She was sure of that. He was no longer the reserved Spencer that she'd once known. The man beside her won't even hesitate to throw someone off a six-floor building. The man beside her would harm someone and go scot-free. That was how powerful he was. From his act that day at the hospital, she could tell that he was no newbie at stuff like that. He could unalive her and go free with it. She hopes it never comes to that extent. “Where are we going?” Bree asked f
“Spencer? What are you doing here?” Bree awkwardly broke away from him, her eyes staring at everywhere but him.“This is my room.” He looked around for any change, hoping nothing was lost in the woman’s presence. As if he knew she’d come to his room, he had immediately followed after her when she left the dining earlier. She was predictable, so predictable. “You were having dinner.”“None of your business. What are you doing here?” His deep voice asked, staring into her soul so that she was forced to look back at him.“I wasn’t snooping around or anything. I was only wondering how this room changed drastically through the years.”Taking steps toward her, his deep body towered over her as she backed away until she was caged between him and the hard wall. “I told you, things change all the time.”She looked away, staring down to her toes.“I know. But how can anyone change so drastically? I can’t find the old Spencer.” Her fingers weaved together. “Where did he go?”Spencer’s cold chu
“Ariel, are you okay? Come on, talk to mommy, please.” Bree pleaded, her voice tingled with anxiety as she gently sat Ariel up on the bed, her face laced with worry. She laid a concerned hand on the child’s forehead only to flinch from the searing heat. Her daughter was burning up.“Oh my goodness, Ari, you’re burning up. Where does it hurt?” She asked, panic slowly creeping into her voice. “Mommy, my headaches.”“Oh my.” Bree’s head darted to the wall clock, the ticking hand marking the passage of time. It was nine in the morning and her daughter was only just waking up. She’d tried waking the child up twice but she’d slept through her attempts only stirring when Bree noticed her shivering and temperature. “Your head? I’m so sorry, I’ll get you something for the pain. Wait here, okay.”Ariel gave an obedient nod as her mother rushed to her closet, searching through the neatly folded clothes until she brought out a box. Returning to Ariel’s side with the box in her hand, she popped
Two days later, Ariel was discharged from the hospital to receive home care from her parents. For the past two days, they have refused to leave her side even for a minute. They hovered around her, every second was spent asking her if she was okay, their faces each time laced with worry. “Mommy, Daddy.” Ariel chanted repeatedly as she caressed their hands. The three of them sat huddled on Ariel's small bed, the child in between her parents as she held their hands, their attention solely on her. Her eyes sparkled in joy at the undivided attention of both her parents.In the past, it has always been her mother showering love and attention on her, taking care of her in times of sickness and need. But now, her father was around. Her parents were together and she could now brag about it like every other kid out there. There was now her Daddy to protect both her Mommy and herself. “You want something, baby?” Bree asked, her voice dripping with honey. “Mommy, Ariel is hungry.”“You are al
“What are you saying?”“What are you saying?”They asked in unison. Ignoring the awkward moment, Bree cleared her throat. As they both bent down to hear the words of the child clearly, their heads collided, their lips brushing against each other. Bree’s eyes widened as they both froze, their lips on each other. The electrifying feeling traveled from her lips to her spine, goosebumps forming on her skin from her first kiss in years. She felt his lips move on hers, his tongue invading her mouth. “Mommy? Daddy?” They immediately broke away at the call of the child. Bree pushed him aside so that there was a good distance between them, a blush creeping up her cheek. “Ariel, you’re a…awake.” Her heartbeat increased at the child’s knowing stare, her conscience ringing in her head that she did something inappropriate, something she wasn’t supposed to do. “How are you feeling?” Surprisingly, Spencer quickly composed himself unlike Bree, his expression returning to normal like his lips were
“Ughh,” Bree groaned, turning on the comfortable bed, her back slightly bruised. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open, accessing her surroundings. Her eyes widened immediately as memories flooded in her head. She sat up from the bed in haste, frantically scanning the room for any sign of the cruel man who had locked her up in the bathroom the night before. It wasn’t a pleasant memory at all. After she got tired from banging on the door and disturbing his sleep, she realized how cruel he became that he let her sleep in the bathroom. She’d slumped on the floor, grumbling for minutes until the arms of sleep finally carried her away. But if that was the case, how did she wake up tucked in the bed, sleeping comfortably? If it wasn’t for the dull ache on her neck for sleeping improperly, she would have called it all a dream. Before she could piece together the fragments of her thought, the door of the room slowly creaked open, and slow deliberate footsteps echoed in the silent room. “You. H
“Mommy, you’re drinking so much,” Ariel warned, her eyes staring at the empty bottles as they sat astride each other at the dining table. While she was having a glass of juice, her Mommy was having bottles of beer. “Mommy, drinking is bad.” “It’s just tea.” Ariel gasped. “Mommy must think I’m two years old. I know what that is.” Bree raised her eyes to stare at her daughter in disbelief. “You don’t. How would you know? It's not like you've tasted it before.” “I’ve seen so many people in the streets drinking this. It is beer and alcoholic. But what if… what if.” Her eyes widened. “What if Mommy becomes one of those men on the streets who act like they’re walking on ice? That would be so bad. “Don’t say things like that, Ari. It’s just drinking. Besides, I’m home. Nothing like that is going to happen.” Saying that she gulped the glass of beer and let out a tiny gasp. Usually, she wouldn’t drink in front of the child but she didn’t even know how it started. From a bottle to two an