Chapter 7
1537 Words
{VICTORIA}
"WHY are you still awake, my daughter?" Daddy asked me.
I am currently sitting on the terrace of our house. He sat beside me on the long bench. The sky was dark. The cool breeze could be felt, and the sound of crickets could be heard all around.
"I'm just thinking things, Dad," I replied. I tried to smile at him.
He put his arm around my shoulder. Then he leaned my head on his shoulder. It feels so nice being in my father's arms. How I wish I could feel my Mom too.
"By the way, how are you?" he asked after a while.
If he was referring to the difficult past I had with Liam, I can say now that I am okay. I have completely moved on. Many years have passed. And when I met Jackson, I can't deny that he helped me forget all the pain Liam caused me.
But now, thinking about Jackson, I am getting afraid. Afraid of having him and losing him in the end.
"I'm okay now, Dad," I replied in a light tone.
He tapped my shoulder. "I'm glad," he said.
"Demi told me that she will have a Daddy soon," Papa added. I was momentarily stunned. My jaw almost dropped upon hearing what my Dad said.
I looked at him with teary eyes. "What are you talking about, Dad?" I asked.
"I'm talking about the guy named Jackson," Papa replied with a smile and then he pinched my nose.
I almost blushed upon hearing his name. I didn't know what to say. Jackson would really be in trouble if I saw him at the office because of what he said to my child. But if he still wants me until now, why does he treat me that way? Sometimes, men are also unpredictable.
"MOM, where is Mr. Thornfield?" Demi asked me disappointedly when we couldn't find Jackson inside the office.
I put Demi's things on the sofa.
"Why are you looking for Jackson?" I asked my child curiously.
She pouted her lips. "He promised me to take me to the rooftop, and there we will play with a kite," she replied in her small and cute voice.
The rooftop of this building is safe because it has glass barriers and the roof itself is made of glass. Another beauty of this rooftop is that it looks like a little garden. Jackson's father was said to be a nature-friendly person.
"Maybe he just went somewhere briefly. He will be back soon, don't worry," I said with a smile.
"Really, Mommy?" Demi asked to confirm.
"Yes," I replied, and then she finally smiled.
I sat her down on the sofa while she waited for Jackson's return. I sat on the swivel chair to start my work. Sometimes, I glanced at Demi, who was busy playing by herself. She was jumping and sometimes rolling on the floor.
I am thankful for what Jackson does for my child. But that's as far as it goes. I will still hold onto my promise to myself.
It didn't take long for Jackson to arrive. He was holding two kites. Demi immediately got off the sofa and eagerly welcomed Jackson. I watched as Jackson handed a kite to Demi.
Demi pulled Jackson towards me.
"Mom, we're going out for a while!" Demi said goodbye to me.
"Kiss!" she said.
I leaned my face towards her, and she kissed me on the cheek. Then she turned away from me and headed towards the door.
I looked at Jackson, who was still in front of me. "Do you need something from me?" I asked with an awkward smile.
He placed both his hands on the table in front of me. He lowered his gaze towards me. I felt uneasy. I didn't know where to look. I couldn't help but glance at his tempting lips, as if he was about to kiss me.
Before I could react, Jackson quickly kissed me on the cheek. Then he left me without saying a word, together with Demi, leaving me in shock with my mouth almost wide open. I was left stunned. I touched my right cheek where Jackson kissed me.
I felt butterflies in my stomach as I remembered what happened. My cheeks were burning red.
"MOM, Mr. Thornfield wants to be my Daddy and your husband!" Demi said directly to me while I was busy sketching a wedding gown.
I stopped my work. My eyes lit up as I looked at the man standing behind my daughter. He was currently sitting and eating cake. I also noticed him discreetly laughing at what my daughter said.
"Tell him he doesn't have a chance," I said calmly to my four-year-old daughter.
Demi immediately followed my instruction. She approached Jackson. "Mommy said you don't have a chance!" Demi innocently repeated my words.
I looked around, aware that all the employees were paying attention to us. I wished I could sink into my chair at that moment due to extreme embarrassment.
"But don't worry, Daddy Jackson! I'll help you convince Mommy!" Demi added excitedly, clapping her hands. I saw Jackson smile at the child.
When Jackson shifted his gaze towards me, I covered my face with the sketch I was working on. Not only was I extremely embarrassed, but I also felt my cheeks turning red at that moment.
It had only been a week since Demi met Jackson, but she already wanted him to be her Daddy. Back then, I thought Jackson had already given up on me, but it turns out it was all part of his plan.
"I was just testing you. You always used to argue with me. I wanted you to miss me," he said to me the other day.
When he met Demi, he became even more determined to win my heart because now he had an ally. Demi was very young to be a matchmaker, yet she was doing her job very well.
"MOM, wake up!" It was Demi's voice.
She shook me with her small hands. I slowly opened my eyes. My eyes were still sleepy.
"Why, honey? It's still early. Mommy is still sleeping," I said.
Demi crossed her arms in front of her chest. Then she smiled widely. There was something suspicious about her smile.
"Dad is downstairs," she happily said.
I immediately got up. "Your Dad?" I asked in surprise, even though I knew who she was referring to. It could only be Jackson. What was he doing here?
"Go downstairs, Mommy will follow," I told Demi. She nodded at me and left my room.
When I was alone, I let out a sigh. I quickly went to the mirror in my room. I winced at my appearance. My hair and clothes were messy. My eyes were half-closed, and I had dark circles around them.
Wait! So what if I looked like this? It's just Jackson. There's no need to fix myself up. I shouldn't care about what he thinks of my looks.
When I came out of my room, I looked presentable. Yes, that's right! I fixed myself up for Jackson. After all, he's a visitor! Oh self, you can't admit that you just want to look good in Jackson's eyes.
I found Jackson and Dad talking in the living room. When they noticed my presence, they both turned to look at me. Jackson was smiling from ear to ear. Dad had a teasing smile on his face, directed at me.
"What are you doing here?" I asked directly as I approached them.
I crossed my arms, trying not to smile back at Jackson. Argh! His smiles make me want to smile too. But I can't. I need to stay strong.
"I just wanted to introduce myself to your Dad, and I want to see Demi too," he replied with a smile.
I raised an eyebrow at him.
"Victoria, it's too early in the morning to be grumpy," Dad intervened, blocking Jackson. He held both my shoulders.
"Okay," I managed to say.
"Daddy Jackson, let's play outside," Demi excitedly said to Jackson. She clung to Jackson's thigh.
Jackson smiled at my daughter. He bid us farewell and went to play with Demi. Dad and I were left in the living room, watching the two of them leave the house.
"Jackson seems like a good person," Dad said after a while.
I looked at him. I sat on the sofa, and he joined me.
"You said the same thing about Liam before," I said sadly.
"But they are both different people. Just because Liam hurt you doesn't mean Jackson will do the same," Dad explained to me.
I leaned my head on his shoulder.
"But I've only just met him. And I'm afraid to find myself in a situation where I'll get hurt again. I don't think I can handle it if it happens again," I reasoned.
Tears escaped from my eyes. My chest felt tight.
"You're still the one who will decide, Victoria. But I really hope that you'll open your heart again. True moving on means being free from the bitterness of the past," Dad said before I broke down completely.
Am I being too hard on myself?
- Writer
