Playing with Fire

Chapter 5

Reynold’s POV

It was obvious on her face that she didn’t like what she had heard. She was about to walk away when I grabbed her arm.

“Avery, wait. Hear me out.” I said as I looked into her eyes. I don’t want to lie to her. I want to tell her everything, so I wish she’d listen. Her eyes were full of confusion. It seems like her feet want to walk away but her ears want to listen. So, I pleaded with her to stay.

“Please, just at least listen to me.” I pleaded.

“Okay.” She said so I gently let go of her arm and led her to a bench nearby.

“All right. I don’t know where to start but I think I have to apologize first for not telling you that I have a daughter. I know it’s surprising right? But yeah. I have a daughter. Her name is Kyline, she’s now 5 years old.” I started by introducing my daughter’s name.

“Are you married?” She asked straightforwardly. I bowed down as she waited for me to speak up.

“I’m widowed. She died after giving birth to Kylie.” I explained and looked at her. Her eyes have unexplainable sadness. She might be feeling awe for me. She put her hand on my shoulder and spoke.

“I’m sorry to hear that.” She said and I shook my head.

“I’m okay. We’re okay now.” I assured her not to worry about me, or feel sad about my situation.

“She had post-partum depression,” I added explaining how my wife died. She just nodded to tell me that she was listening. But I don’t want to make this drama any longer.

“Sorry for ruining this romantic and beautiful night of ours.” I apologized to her.

“No. I am. I’m sorry.” She said. She hugged me for comfort so I took the chance to hug her back. Her smell is so nice that I don’t want to let her go. The strong smell that came from her neck was driving me crazy. She let go of the hug first so even if I didn’t want to, I had to.

“I hope you’re feeling better,” Avery said after that comfortable hug.

“Of course. Sure I am.” I assured her that even if I still needed those hugs longer.

“It’s getting late now. I think it’s better if we both go home and take a rest.” She advised as she looked around and in the dark sky.

“I’ll take you home,” I said. She flashed a surprised look and smiled.

“I mean, I’ll drive you home.” I corrected and stood up.

“I have my car.” She said breaking my hope to be with her longer.

“Oh! Yeah! Right.” I said and I just nodded not making obvious the sadness in my face. We both stood up and walked towards our car. Before we parted ways, I looked at her.

“Can we go out again?” I bravely asked. He smiled and nodded before driving her way home.

Avery’s POV

I slumped on my bed as I arrived home. Just when I closed my eyes, my phone rang. It’s Regina. I rolled my eyes before answering it.

“Yeah, what’s up?” I greeted in a lazy tone.

“What’s up with you, girl?” she asked. I raised my eyebrow although she won’t see it.

“I saw you a while ago in the restaurant with that guy from the mall. So, you’re not telling me anything huh.” She said in her most disappointed tone. I released a sigh before explaining.

“Uhm. Reg, that was just a friendly date.” I started but she cut me off.

“No, I’m not saying you shouldn’t date or meet a guy. I will even tell you to date more guys.” She said. Here we go again with her attitude.

“More guys, more choices.” She laughed. I just shook my head as I stood up from my bed and took my robe. I’d better take a shower before taking a good night's sleep.

“So, how was it?” she asked. Silence embraced our moment as I reminisced about the day.

“Well, it’s not bad.” I simply responded and prepared to take a shower. I put my phone on speaker and hang it in the phone holder here in my shower room. I bought this holder because I always bring my phone here in the shower to listen to music and even watch movies or shows.

“Oh come on, Avery. Could you please give me more exciting details? You’re so boring.” She complained and I sighed.

“Fine,” I said.

“What? Speak louder.” She said as the water splashes into my body.

“What if let’s just talk about this later?” I asked to make both of us comfortable and be able to talk well.

“Come on. I’m dying to hear it now.” She said. I can’t do anything. I can’t hang it up since she’d surely call over and over again.

“So, yeah. We just had a simple dinner. Oh, and by the way. I’ve learned that he is the owner of the food stall, he’s not just a waiter in there.” I said, starting the story.

“Really? Maybe we can get discounts next time we go there.” She excitedly responded.

“Oh come on, Reg,” I responded, as if I was losing my very long patience.

“Then what’s more? I am dying to know what happened after you ate. Did you taste each other?” she asked.

“Shut up.” I stopped her.

“So, you did?” she asked again.

“What? No! Nothing happened like what you were thinking.” I defended. I can hear the disappointment in her on the phone.

“And there’s something more intriguing,” I said as I remembered something.

“What is it?! What is it?” she asked.

“He has a daughter,” I said and as expected, she was shocked.

“WHAT?!” She asked loudly and it almost broke my eardrum. This crazy b***h has overreacting reactions.

“You heard me right, Reg. At first, he didn’t tell me. I even think he doesn’t have any plan to tell me after all.” I said.

“Imagine, we talked for several days, and he didn’t mention it to me unless I saw it myself.” I continued.

“Wait. Is he married?” she asked.

“Uhm no, he told me his wife died after giving birth to their daughter, who is 5 years old,” I responded while I finished showering and covered myself with the robe.

“Then, it’s good to go.” She said. I didn't quite understand what she meant.

“What?” I asked for clarification as I sat down in front of my vanity table and started blow-drying my hair.

“What do you think of him as a person, Avery?” she asked. I thought of it.

“Uhm, he’s a good person, I guess. He is hard-working,” I responded.

“That’s it. Girl. Don’t be choosy. Just give it a shot.” She said.

“Oh, but be sure first that he’s really available to mingle before falling in love deeply. You know, guys are guys.” She added.

“Okay, okay,” I responded. I put some cream on my face before heading to my bed again.

“Oh, how I wish you have f****d tonight. That would be interesting.” She said.

“What the?!” I murmured, she was caring and in just a few seconds, she was pushy again. She’s giving me a headache.

“You know what, you’re giving me a headache now. And it’s too late. We should be sleeping now.” I said hoping to end this call.

“Oh Okay, then. Thanks for the heads up.” She responded.

“Good night.” And I hung up without hearing her good night.

I threw my phone on the bedside table. I stared at the ceiling and the moment flashed again in my head. His smile, his face, his voice. Will I give Reynold and myself a chance to have more than friendship? Thinking about this deeply made me fall asleep.