FIVE YEARS LATER
"Move your ass, damn it!" I yell maniacally, slamming my hand repeatedly on my horn. But it only earns me a couple of complaints and cusses from the other drivers.
Dejectedly, I slouch back in my seat, hating how terrible my day has become. I check my Rolex wristwatch, and I'm already ten minutes late.
Oh no. My poor baby. She's definitely feeling bad right now. I promised I'd be in the front seats, cheering her on. She's graduating from preschool today, and she needs me to tell her how proud I am. But here I am, stuck in messy traffic, with no hope of getting out any sooner.
The soft tune of 'California King Bed' wafts through my speaker, chilling my agitated nerves. I glance at the massive rose bouquet and the box of chocolate on the passenger seat, and it makes my heart bleed anew.
If only the meeting hadn't taken so much time. Recalling the meeting and everything discussed sends thrills to my body. It's a complicated mixture of being happy and sad.
In the five years I've spent building a career out of business planning and working for the biggest company in California, I've wished for nothing but my big break. A big global break. My coworkers chastised me for being overly ambitious, but who gives a shit?
I'm not some damsel in dismay who'll sit around and wait for a man to give me the world. I'm an ambitious queen who'll seize the world myself, with no help from any man.
Finally, I did. I got what I wanted. The big break I've strived for in so long, but it comes with a condition. I am going back to my past. And that's something I'm not so thrilled about.
The loud honks from the back jolt me from my thoughts, and I notice the cars are moving now.
"Finally!" I exhale excitedly, revving my engine and speeding off to my little girl's school.
She's already holding her diploma when I arrive, but she has a forlorn look on her face. I place my bag on an empty seat, taking out my phone to take pictures of her.
Somehow, her roaming gaze singles me out in the crowd, and her face glows with a smile.
"Mummy!" She squeals, waving at me. My God, she's so beautiful. More beautiful than I ever was at her age.
"I love you, baby." I blow her a kiss, still clicking and taking millions of pictures. I need so much to always remember today.
When the event ends, she runs into my arms, and we hold each other so tightly. Talk about the bond between a mother and her daughter. Sofia and I got the best. We are joined at the hips. Inseparable. She's literally my only friend.
"I thought you forgot about today, Mummy." She pouts as we break away from each other. Her eyes were glistening with tears and happiness. "I was so scared…"
"What are you saying, baby? I'll never forget about a day as important as this. I'm so sorry I came late. Hope you forgive me?" I stretch the box of chocolates to her with a pouty smile.
"Chocolates!!!" She squeals, grabbing the box. "Thank you, Mummy. I love you." She pecks my cheek.
"I love you too, baby. Come, let's go take more pictures of you. We have to show them to your Grandma Anna later."
"Okay, Mummy. But can I carry the flowers?" She asks, and I hand her the flowers.
"Of course, baby. They're for you." Hand in hand, we leave the hall and join the others in taking pictures.
We take a ton of pictures, but halfway, I realize she has a frown on her face. And she isn't looking at the camera anymore. She's staring at a family, -a man, a woman, and their two kids– taking pictures close to us.
"Baby, what's wrong?" I ask worriedly, going close to her. "Are you feeling tired?"
She shakes her head. "Mummy, where is Daddy? I thought you said he'll be here today. Where is he?"
Caught off-guard by her question, I'm speechless for a few seconds. And then I squat in front of her, giving her a playful pinch on her chubby cheeks.
"I'm sorry, baby, but Daddy had to work. He couldn't come."
"But you promised he'll be here."
What else was I supposed to say when she kept bugging me about her Daddy and if he'll be coming to the event? I had to say the only thing that would make her calm.
For five years, I've been thrown the "Where is Daddy?" question once or twice every month from the moment she started speaking. And I always gave her the typical "Daddy traveled for a long-term business" reply. But she's never satisfied. She asks for a picture. A letter from him. His phone number. Those questions leave me so depressed and bitter. If only I could tell her the truth, that her Daddy doesn't exist. He was a mistake of one night, and I have no memories of what he looks like.
"I think Daddy hates me. That's why he never wants to see me. My friends are really lucky because they've got their Daddies."
"Hey, Sofia. That's not true –" My words are left unfinished as she walks to the other family, distracting their photoshoot.
"Hello, Mister. Would you please take a picture with me?" She says to the man, who's staring at her weirdly. "You see, my Daddy couldn't come, so I have no Daddy to take pictures with."
"Sofia," I mouth, signaling at her to get back to my side, but she ignores me and continues.
"Please, it'll only take a minute." She puts her hands up in a plea, giving her best doe eyes.
"Of course, little princess. Where's your Mummy?" The man obliges with a smile. Who will ever say no to her? She has a way of making anyone do her bidding.
Others call it 'sweet.' I call it a bit of that and 'manipulative.' Still, it is what it is.
The man comes over to where I'm standing, and we both share a quick handshake.
"I'm really sorry about my daughter. She's just a child and doesn't know much. I'm sorry for the inconvenience." I say in a ramble, feeling nervous and somewhat embarrassed.
"It's not a problem. You have a charming daughter. I think you should be proud of her." The man replies. Good thing he's understanding and warm.
I take a picture of both of them, and Sofia flashes her best smile. She's never smiled that much when we both take pictures. Is this how badly she's craving a father?
I wish I could give her that, but I can't. Her Father is nonexistent, and I'm never trusting my life in any man's hand. I'm never taking such foolhardy risks. I've built so much, and I'll be damned if I let any man come into our lives and destroy it.
At dinner that evening, Sofia eats quietly, but she still has that frown.
"How did the event go, baby?" Aunt Anna asks her, breaking the silence.
"Fineeee…" She draws, stuffing the meatballs into her mouth with zero enthusiasm.
"Sofia looked so beautiful today, Aunt Anna. You should see the pictures we took." I chirp in giddiness, trying to ease the tension.
"Really, baby?" Aunt Anna turns to her again, rubbing a hand over her back. "I'm so proud of you."
"Yeah, but Daddy isn't," Sofia replies blandly.
"Why do you say that?" Aunt Anna asks her.
"He didn't show up. And I know you'll say that he has work, but my friends' daddies have work too. But they came. Why is mine different? Why, Mummy?" She breaks into tears, excuses herself from the table, and runs to her room.
A tear slides down my eyes and another before Aunt Anna places her hand on mine, giving me a soft squeeze.
"I want to tell her the truth, but I can't. She won't understand. If only she would…"
I cry a bit more until I'm calm enough to discuss what is churning my insides.
"I got a job offer today, Aunt. Something big. Worth over a billion dollars."
"Really?!" Aunt Anna gasps. "That's good news. But why do you look so sad?"
"Well, I have to be an exclusive business planner for the Galiano corporation."
"Yeah, the multi-billion company. They have a branch here in California,"
"Yes, they do. But the offer is from the headquarters in La Nostra Terra."
"Oh." A frown flickers over her face, but it leaves immediately. "It's still great news."
"No, it's not. I don't want to return to La Nostra Terra."
"Why not?" She resorts sharply. "You have nothing to be ashamed of anymore. You got a great reputation now in the business world. You're a successful woman. You have the most beautiful daughter in the world. And you're doing great. You have no reason to keep hiding, Irene. It's time we go back home, and you face your fears. It's time you show the whole world that you were never a disappointment…."
I let her words sink in, and she's right. I have no more reason to hide. I survived my pain. Came out stronger. Why the hell am I still hiding?
"I'll be right back, aunt. Let me call my boss and tell him that I accept the offer." I say, feeling extreme excitement for the first time since I got the news.
"That's my girl."
The cozy breeze of La Nostra Terra engulfs us as we step out of the airport. Five years have gone, and these places still have the same familiar looks. Still feels a bit like home.Aunt Anna had already arranged a ride, but then I got a quick text requesting I head straight to the Galiano corporation."I'm sorry, Aunt Anna. But I can't join you both. I need to be at the Galiano corporation." I say apologetically, already flagging down a taxi."Please take me with you, Mummy!" Sofia squeals, running to me and grabbing my hand."No, baby. You should go home with your Grandma Anna. You need to eat and rest. We just got off a long flight.""But I'm not tired, Mummy." She says with a pout, hugging me tightly. "Please, take me with you. I promise I won't disturb you or do anything stupid. Please, Mummy."I glance at Aunt Anna, and she already has her permission written all over her face. She got this weird soft spot for Sofia, making her indulge all of Sofia's whims. She never says no to So
The sick idea of visiting La Nostra Terra again has been hell from the very start — the only available private plane that can bring me down here suddenly develops a major fault, so I have to board a flight at the airport. The female flight attendants won't stop trying to get my attention, making the 2-hours flight super irritating. I got swarmed at the airport by the paparazzi, and now the traffic won't let us get through. Can it get any worse than it already has?"I'm sorry, boss. I didn't know the streets could get this busy…" Marcelo sighs, glancing at me. He's my best friend and my underboss. He's also the only reason I haven't shot at anyone yet, despite how badly they've been getting under my skin."Remind me again why I decided to come to this crappy city," I snort, swallowing past a wave of aggressiveness. "Well, for starters, you have to meet Leonardo Dante for whatever business offer he has for you.""Believe me. I didn't take this unpleasant visit for him. I'm the least in
Irene"What do you mean you saw your daddy?" I questioned Sofia, squirting to her size but her smile was beeming with excitement making me doubt if it was an imagination of her's."Yes I saw him and he told me he would be back, he just had to make an important call." Sofia said to me with excitement, I looked up at the CEO who was clearly angry at the little trouble Sofia was staring at and she doesn't even seem to care about any of that."Stop saying that, how can you just assume your father was her when you have never seen him before?" I questioned again, trying my best to keep my voice down so the CEO behind me won't hear."It doesn't matter mommy, it was him. I know it was him." She insisted." Can you please take her out of here already?" The CEO said." You heard what the boss just said, we need to leave." I said to her but Sofia who smiles back," That's better, that way we would get the chance to see daddy outside. If we stay here we won't be able to see him". Sofia responded
My mind was filled with worry and confusion as I paced back and forth in our small apartment. The stranger's promise to Sofia had caught me off guard, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. How could he make such a promise when he knew nothing about us? What if he never showed up again? Sofia's hopes would be shattered, and my heart would break along with hers.I couldn't ignore the nagging feeling in my gut that something wasn't right. How could Sofia be so sure that he was her father? I had always told her that her father was on a business trip, but now doubts began to creep into my mind. What if I had been lied to all these years? What if Sofia's real father was out there somewhere?As I continued to worry, Sofia came running into the room, a big smile on her face. She had a way of bringing light into even the darkest moments."Mama, did you see how much daddy loves me?" she exclaimed, her eyes shining with e
Benjamin —I watched as Irene took Sofia away with her, I don't know what had suddenly gotten into me I can't even let go of Sofia for a second, like she is already a part of me and it hasn't even been up to a day."Boss, Miguel is ready to see you". One of my guard said clearly surprised to see me in the building kitchen."Tell him to come and meet me here." I instructed still trying my best to get the image of Sofia out of my mind."Sir, here in the kitchen?""Do I need to repeat myself?" I asked making the guard rush out. I need to see Sofia again atleast that would be the only way I would be in my right state of mind.Few minutes after continuously thinking about the little angel that just walked into my life.When Miguel walked also a bit stunned to see my waiting in this area of the building."
"So tell me princess, what and what did your daddy buy for you?" I asked Sofia the minute we stepped into our apartment but she seemed quiet and walked directly to the sofa."Why can't daddy stay with us?" She asked, staring deep into my eyes with her sparkling deep blue eyes."That wasn't the answer to the question I asked you." I said also avoiding her questions, Sofia might be just 5 years old but she was definitely wiser than I expected."And why would you want him to stay with us don't you know he has other jobs to do than stay here?" I said a few minutes after not getting any response from Sofia."Because he is my daddy and I want to have a happy family like my friend's." She said sniffing quietly,I dropped the luggages in my hands and rushed up to her cleaning the tears on her cheeks."You don't have to cry Sofia, no one is taking your father away from you." I said but she
Irene —"Why would you assume that I was being scolded by my boss?" I asked, feeling the intensity in his eyes as she stared directly into mine with a fierce look. I slowly tried to pull my hands out of his grip but he wasn't letting go and for a split second there I was totally out of breath.Suddenly, he gave out a sheepish smirk."That's better, if he did not scold you in any way then let's go out for lunch like Sofia requested." He said relaxing back on his seat making Sofia jump up in excitement.As Benjamin, Sofia, and I walked out of the building, hand in hand, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. I knew that Miguel's threat still lingered, and his encounter with Benjamin earlier had only heightened my worries.As we stepped outside, the afternoon sun greeted us, casting a warm glow over the busy streets. Sofia's excitement was contagious as she bounced beside
Irene —"Sofia I love you and so does your father." I said slowly cleaning the tears from my cheeks before she notices anything."That's a big lie, because Daddy told me he wasn't sure he was my father."My heart broke into a thousand pieces as Sofia's words echoed in my ears. How could Benjamin say such a thing to her? It felt like a knife to my chest, and I struggled to find the right words to comfort her."Sofia, Daddy loves you more than anything in this world," I said, my voice shaking. "Sometimes, people say things they don't mean when they're angry or upset. It doesn't change the fact that you are his princess, and he loves you unconditionally."Sofia's eyes welled up with tears as she looked at me, searching for reassurance. "But why would Daddy say something like that, Mama? Doesn't he want to be my Daddy anymore?"I took a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts. "Sometimes, adults have their own problems and worries,