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Episode 3

A few hours later, we were on the road to the Big Apple again. I hate big cities now, maybe because they gave me anxiety or just because every man I saw look at me felt like a threat. It literally felt like everyone was out to get me. And I hated feeling so vulnerable. Especially with Ivy close.

Maybe Jonna felt my anxiety because as time went on he would walk a little behind me and Ivy. Actually, now that I think about it, he would walk a few steps behind, always with his head down, but I could see him looking everywhere. Now that I felt like Jonna was on watch, my shoulders relaxed a little and my grip on Ivy's shoulder loosened. We had to ditch the car a few miles before we entered the city and hitch a ride on public transport. It was a little extreme but we had to. At least just to be sure we didn't get tracked or followed here.

"We need to pick up the new documents before we get to the apartment" Jonna spoke up, interrupting my thoughts.

"...right, fake identities again" I ranted. We literally did this everywhere we went, but the only thing I ever asked the organization was never to change Ivy's name. I wanted my daughter to feel normal despite how many times I had to uproot her in life.

"Grab the backpack and doll, I will find us a place to eat before she gets cranky on us" I said, handing over my backpack and Ivy's doll.

Jonna hummed and gave Ivy a smile before he turned and disappeared in the crowd. With him gone, I had to find a restaurant. We were starving as the only thing we had on the road were snacks and junk. I was worried Ivy would develop something with how much unhealthy stuff she has consumed in the past twenty-four hours.

"What do you want to eat?" I asked Ivy, who shrugged and looked the other way.

"Does that mean you're not hungry?" I rolled my eyes at her attitude. Ivy could be a drama queen most times. I was learning that my daughter and I didn't really have the best relationship already. Lord knows what it will be like in her teenage years.

"Anything" She glared at me as I returned her glare.

Should've aborted your little ass, huh? I thought with a smile in my mind. Kids were a nuisance bruh.

When our little war was over, I looked in all directions and saw a chinese eating place, but debated with myself if I really wanted to eat chinese today. When the answer was no, I turned again and saw a dark-themed place with good lighting. This would have to do as I grabbed Ivy's little hand and matched to the door.

Turns out it was a fancy one for rich people who had more money than brains. Anyway, when we were done with finding a table, Ivy and I took to looking at the menu, and lo and behold, it had way too many French pronunciations. I ordered two of which had pasta and meat in it with water. And the kid's menu seemed easier to read because Ivy didn't seem to have any trouble with it.

Seven minutes into waiting for the food to arrive, a presence made its way to my back and I didn't even have to turn around because Jonna's butt made contact with the chair next to mine seconds later.

"These are the photos of the apartments. We only have three options" Jonna put three photos on the table and slid them to Ivy, whose eyes widened as she picked one particular picture and showed it to me with pleading eyes. Now she looks more like her age than when she was whining. The picture was of a six-storey apartment building with red brick walls. It looked clean and modern with a white balcony on each floor and large windows. It was nice, but I didn't see the Thrill in tall buildings. A matter of fact, I hate heights of any sort. Humans were generally never meant to defy gravity. Gravity was there for a reason. Humans were just insane to start with in my books.

"Sure" I shrugged as she gave the photo back to Jonna, who didn't seem like he cared much for where he lived. Two waiters showed up with our food. I could tell it was going to be nice because it already smelled nice. I noticed Ivy had ordered spaghetti and meat balls, so I knew I wasn't going to be exchanging her food for mine because she actually liked meat balls and spaghetti. Ivy had this stupid attitude where she would buy food she didn't even want to eat and then swap it with mine. So I was always worried about what she ordered as I ended up eating the stupid food.

"Hmm" Jonna hummed as he ate a folk full of his food. He didn't seem bothered that I had ordered his food either, so we were all on the right path and enjoying our food.

After our meal, dessert was served but Jonna and I refused the sugary stuff, opting for just our water. Ivy, on the other hand, seemed to be in heaven as she ate her fill. When the bill arrived it was to no one's surprise that it was in hundreds. Told you, rich people's food was expensive.

Unsurprisingly, Jonna paid the bill. And we left the restaurant and headed for the apartment that would be our new home. For God knows how long we will be staying in this city.

Jonna had already gotten us another vehicle. It seemed like when we made our way outside, of all the cars he could've gotten us, an SUV was waiting for us. I'm sure Jonna must've felt my glare because he avoided my gaze all the way to the apartment, which turned out was just three streets away from the restaurant.

"Wow" Ivy's astonishment or awe must've run deep because even her eyes seemed to have taken a brighter shade.

Honestly, I never realized just how much I had deprived my daughter, all of her life. She had to run with me. If this measly apartment made her feel so much, I wonder how my parents' place would make her feel.

Maybe my dad was right. I should've left her with them. This whole mess was my fault. I didn't have to drag her in it.