"...so the princess and the poor orphan lived happily ever after. The end." Baby finally tore her gaze from the book. Her little girl was already halfway to Dreamland. She smiled and kissed her cheek. "Sweet dreams, sweetie.""Mama, can I ask you something?""Sweetie, I thought you were asleep already." Baby smiled affectionately, running a hand through her little girl's hair."Is that fine mister a friend of yours?" Angel asked with a yawn. She rubbed her eyes and slowly sat up. "What's this sudden interest in the Mister?""I like him, Mama. I think he's a good man.""What?" "Don't you like him?"Baby hadn't seen the questions coming. Her little girl had caught her off guard. Still, she tried maintaining her composure. No need getting alarmed. They're just... innocent, childish questions."Sweetie, Mama doesn't hate anyone." "Great! So he can be my Dada, right?"Now this was a shocker for Baby! Her eyes were barely hanging to their sockets. If she hadn't known better, she'd think

Halfway through her journey back to sanity, Baby could barely make out coherent words for her little girl.With her hands clinging to his arms, and his, firmly wrapped around her waist, Baby knew she was caught in the act.Devastation rushed in with great tide at the realization that her little girl might know exactly what they'd been doing.She was downright flushed; the stench of her juice lingered on the table; her lips were swollen from his kisses. They were all there – everything to point out what nastiness had gone on minutes ago. Still, with the last ounce of hope, she prayed her little girl doesn't figure it out."What happened?" Angel gasped at the broken plates on the floor. "My China!" They were hers; her favourite to be exact."They fell–" Diam finally picked up his words, and lowered his head to stare into Baby's eyes. –"from your Mama's hands. It was an accident." Startled by his lies, Baby could only gawk at him. His daring gaze had her speechless. There was more to hi

Downstairs, Diam found Angel exactly where he'd left her. Her plates were empty and she was gulping down the last of her coffee. She looked up and grinned, softly slamming her mug on the table."Thank you for the breakfast, fine mister." Diam took a seat next to her, taking her hands and placing kisses on her palms. "You should be thanking your Mama. I didn't move a muscle.""It's okay. I'll thank her too." Angel giggled. "Your Mama said I should come down here and say my good-byes to you,"Sighing, her smile vanished and she pouted. "Do you really need to go?""No. I could always stay here if your mama would let me.""Really?!" Angel shrieked excitedly. "You'll stay with us?""Only if your mama would let me." He shrugged, and bent closer to her. "Tell me something, dear. Does your mama bring home male visitors?""No. Except the mailman and the old neighbors across the street who brings us cakes occasionally, we don't get much visitors.""Why is that?""Mama said we're better off al

It took the words leaving him and her round eyes taking a deep shade of red for Diam to realize it was him who needed to be let down gently.Having to leave just when he was beginning to feel that home was shitty. But he hadn't realized just how much until he spewed out the words. As the tears dropped down her eyes, he felt the excruciating pain like he'd been jabbed by sharp spikes. "You're... leaving?" Angel sobbed, clinging to the collar of his shirt."Only because I need to," Diam took it upon himself to wipe off the tears before they could make their way down. "But, but you said...you said you didn't wanna go," "And I mean it. I'd give anything to stay. But, I've got obligations and it's crazy that I just can't leave them unattended," Diam tried explaining, chocking back tears."In the big castle? Mama said you belonged there, not here with us.""That's not true. I belong wherever you're at. Both you and your mama. But for the next few hours, I need to take care of something."

FLASHBACK"Are you alright?" Diam asked, his voice laced with immense concern.It's been weeks since Baby came into his life and home. Been weeks he stopped existing and started living. Everything changed with her around. His austerity was replaced with warmth and enthusiasm. Everyday, he looked forward to waking up in the morning and finding her in his arms. She was his muse, he'd learnt to embrace that fact. Those unsure feelings were sure now– he cared for her, more than he'd ever cared for anyone. All his life, he'd seen ladies as bland. Their incessant fawning to get their way into his bed had triggered the disgust he felt towards ladies. But Baby, she was different. You could see it all in her eyes, no room for pretence. She was an open book, and each day, he was addicted to reading her, knowing her. His rash decision in making her his partner certainly paid off. Now he wondered what life would be like if she wasn't here. But she was, by his side, in his car, with that flushed