Hello, Kenzo

Daddy Kenzo

"Mommy! I want this one," Vri called to me inside the toy store.

"Ok, but you should promise me you will have to take care of it." I asked her to be responsible, as I do not want her to grow up as a spoiled child.

"I promise, Mommy!"

It was my weekend date with Vri as well as my weekend routine to check on some clothing boutiques for children, but no matter how hard I tried to focus, my mind would not just focus. It had been two days since the last day I saw Kenzo.

Worries kept piling on top of each other, afraid and anxious that he had found someone else, that he was facing yet another problem because of me, or that his family was giving him a hard time. My brain was in disarray because I was not thinking about anything except him. He never answered his phone, so we have never talked or texted each other since Friday.

I let out a deep sigh as I saw a small family walk by the toy store, and my heart ached to see us like that someday—me, Kenzo, Vri, and our future child.

"Mommy, are you ok?" Vri asked, snapping my thoughts back to reality. "Are you hungry?"

"I'm sorry, baby; I guess I am hungry." I gave her a sad smile while I looked away from her concerned stare. "Do you want anything else?"

She shook her head before showing me her toys. "Can we go play after this then we'll eat?" she asked excitedly. She grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the entrance.

"Wait, baby, we still have to pay!" I couldn't help but smile. I couldn't imagine my state if Vri wasn't here to ease all my worries away.

After paying, we took the elevator upstairs and went straight into the play area, where a bunch of kids were screaming and running everywhere, pushing and kicking things for their own personal enjoyment. Vri dragged me through the crowd and ran to the toy cars while I followed close behind.

"I'm riding this, Mommy!" Vri said before jumping in the vehicle and driving away with a loud roar, which made everyone look at her with surprised expressions.

"Vri, slowly!" I shook my head, laughing quietly as I watched how she had grown up to be as cheerful and happy without having a whole family. A father, to be exact.

I made it alone for a long time, but right now, I just wanted someone by my side, specifically Kenzo.

My attention was caught by my phone's vibration. It was from my personal assistant, notifying me that some of the materials were running out of stock in my business.

I thought it was Kenzo. I hoped it was Kenzo.

After playing, I fed Vri in a restaurant and immediately drove to the warehouse supplier, where I bought all the supplies since I put my business.

I didn't have to make appointments this time; I am allowed to go anytime I want as I own half of the shares in this company.

"Ms. Del Mundo," a worker, greeted me while I carried Vri, who was sleeping in my arms. "What do you need this time?"

"We are running low again," I sighed as I handed him the bags filled with products. "I hope you find it soon. I want the same texture and quality of cloth as those in the bag. I need it as soon as possible. I'm pitching on new designs this next weekend. Please do me a great favor. Thank you!"

The worker nodded and proceeded to get to work. He quickly gathered the others, testing the fabrics I handed him, leaving me nothing but impressed as I left the shop.

From here, it was a four-hour drive back home. I badly wanted to make a short stop at Kenzo's sister's apartment, hoping to check if he was home or what, but when I made my turn at one of the intersections, my heart stopped for a moment when a motorcycle stopped beside my car and Kenzo was driving it.

He looked handsome and handsomely dressed in a black leather jacket, skinny jeans, and boots. He was even smoking some cigarettes while he stared intensely ahead, completely ignoring me. He was like another person. I could not believe what I saw! This is a complete 180 from how he was when I first met him! I could not contain myself; I did not know what to do. I am lost for words. I wanted to jump off my car to run closer to him, but my feet wouldn't move.

I stayed frozen, lost in thoughts, while I waited for him to take a quick glance, but he just waited for the lights to turn green and then drove away. The engine revved loudly while my eyes burned to follow him.

That's it?

What happened to him?

Did he change his mind about me?

What happened?

What did I do wrong?

I was too far away to make any sense to him; I needed to talk to him! Why does he always disappear without an explanation?

I took a deep breath, collected myself, and stepped on the gas.

I wouldn't just sit back and get myself crazy with questions only he could answer; I needed an answer directly from him!

"Vri, we are going for treasure hunting!" I whispered to my daughter, checking on her at the back while sleeping soundly.

My hand tightened its grip on the steering wheel, and off I swayed along the traffic, not losing sight of him. I could follow him wherever he goes; I could even use my power to make things easier, but this one was on me alone!

I saw him make a turn after three intersections, and I followed him, slowly driving about five meters apart so that I would not look like a crazy girlfriend stalking my boyfriend.

He stopped by a construction supply depot and got off the vehicle. He removed his helmet and exhaled before putting out a cigarette butt on the ground, then walking towards the depot building.

I parked a few meters away and stayed inside my car, waiting for him. As much as I wanted to rush up and call out to him, my body seemed to be immobilized. I was scared and worried; I did not even dare try to contact him through his cellphone. He came out of the warehouse after a few minutes and struggled to carry some piles of tiles and bricks inside a large cardboard box. It must be so heavy that he barely managed to lift the box. I could see him panting, but he didn't mind the heat and exhaustion. He then positioned the box behind the motorcycle and rode off to wherever he would be delivering those materials.

And as expected, I followed him all afternoon until evening, and my heart was breaking. I wanted to hold him tight. He was working so hard. I am filled with so much guilt.

"Mommy, I'm hungry!" Vri called from behind the car, as it was time for dinner.

I took a quick scan of the area, and there were several small restaurants around, so I brought Vri to feed her while keeping in sight of Kenzo. The restaurant just a road across from the depot where Kenzo was working, had no customers, just a few old ladies enjoying their meals together, workers and a woman ordering the food from the counter.

Vri was very interested in watching everything that went on around her, asking me numerous questions like where is the best candy bar and why is the waitress pretty, but then turned shy and embarrassed whenever anyone noticed she was staring.

It didn't take long before I managed to order us food when raging eyes appeared from behind as I turned around to look for a table to feed Vri.

"I told Kenzo that I would not cause a scene or harass you at your home, but what a grave coincidence that the universe brought you here at this time. I badly wanted to tell you how disappointed and furious I am with you!"

It was Kenzo's sister.

I froze in sight of her overwhelming anger, oozing at the moment.

"Can we talk somewhere privately?" I asked her calmly and politely, in fear that Vri might get scared if the situation got serious and out of control.

"Why?" she smirked, but her pain radiated from her weak smile. "Are you somehow feeling ashamed of how Kenzo's hard life turned out to be worse when you came?"

I turned to see Vri's face, afraid of everything that was happening. So I walked past Kenzo's sister and went straight back to my car.

"I'm still talking to you! How dare you turn your back?"

"I'm sorry!" I finally turned to her after putting the food we ordered inside the car.

Her eyes widened in shock; she must not have expected it.

"What?" she almost choked on her words.

"I'm sorry for everything and going behind your back, but I love him. I am not in any way in control of his decisions, especially who he will love, so as long as he would choose me, I could not refuse it. Whatever he was doing right now, I am sorry."

"THICK FACE!" Her sister gritted through her teeth and marched away from us when people inside the restaurant started to look at us.

"Mommy?" Vri called to me, so worried.

"Mommy's fine! We'll go home after we take a short stop at someone mommy loves so much too, ok?" I explained to her, and she smiled.

Carrying Vri with my other hand, the other holding the plastic bags of food for Kenzo, I nervously walked across the road while my gaze fixed on Kenzo. My heart was thumping hard, but I could no longer just watch him. I am not in any way ready for his answers, but I had to let him know that I would understand whatever his reasons were.

Kenzo had just finished loading the last box before getting up and turning around. Seeing me standing behind him, he froze and his eyes widened before he averted his gaze. His face grew red, and he quickly walked towards me with excitement on his face.

"Is...is this Vri?" His voice sounded hoarse and nervous, as if he were looking forward to this all the time, like a father's first time seeing his daughter.

"Yes." I almost choked as he immediately removed his jacket and wiped his dirt and sweat off his body, then gently took Vri into his arms.

"Who is he, Mommy?" Vri asked, looking at Kenzo intently.

"He is...Daddy Kenzo," I smiled weakly, hoping she'd love him as much as I do.

Kenzo was so happy; I never thought things would turn out this way. "You are so beautiful!" Kenzo whispered while cuddling Vri tightly. I could feel his love for my daughter more than I expected.

"Kenzo,"

"Stella, I'm sorry! I'm sorry I had to leave again without saying anything. The job called me already; I had not time to tell you, and I know you would not let me. I chose to work for us so I can help with the expenses. I promise to go home to you every Wednesday," he explained to me sincerely, and I had no reason to be angry as I saw his sweat dripping all over his face and how tired he looked.

I gasped and exhaled deeply before saying, "Make sure! And if I see a failing grade on your report card, I'll fire you!"

"What?" Kenzo was confused.

I grinned before waiving to one of my colleagues, the owner of the depot.

"Stella, what are you doing here?" Luke approached us.

"Well, just checking on how work is going on," I answered.

"Don't worry, your money is being used efficiently. You don't have to worry for a second. You can trust in our company. We will make sure that everything you want to sell happens. Everything you wish, we promise to deliver it as soon as possible, Stella."

"Thanks Luke, fire this one if he slouches, ok?"

"This new guy, how do you know him?" Luke sounded surprised.

I saw Kenzo fidget tensely, but I held his hand and introduced him as my boyfriend.

"Wow! Well, you can count on me with that!" Luke winked.

"But don't you ever try to flirt with him?" I pouted.

"I'll try my best not to check on him," Luke winked at Kenzo and waived his goodbye.

"I love you," Kenzo breathed, which took my worries away for an instant after Luke's car took off.

"I love you too, so keep your promises!"

"I love you," Vri interrupted us. "Daddy Kenzo."

"I love you so much, darling!" Kenzo couldn't contain his happiness, he grabbed me into a hug.

My heart was filled with so much happiness at that moment that I didn't want it to end. But something unusual wiped my smile off my face; something unwanted surged to my throat; I felt like throwing up. My heart raced abnormally; I felt like the world was spinning.