Tempting Kisses (ENGLISH)

Chapter 5

Chapter 5 

YESENIA ESCOBAR 

I WOKE UP exhausted and out of breath, as if I'd run a hundred miles in my sleep. I sat up slowly and poured water into the glass that was always next to my bed. I've been feeling this for as long as Ishie was born. 

The midnight awakening, drenched in sweat and my entire body is trembling. Fear's beating in my chest made my body quiver even more. I attempted to put a halt to the memories I wanted to forget, but they kept rushing back to me. I didn't believe that even if I didn't see him and only felt his caresses, I'd put up with the anguish he inflicted. 

“Mom, are you okay?” Ishie asked, still drowsy as she exited her room.

When I hear my daughter's voice, I swiftly fix myself. She should never have to see me like this again. Ishie asked me a lot of questions the last time she saw me. “Yes, baby! I’m sorry. Did I wake you up?” I replied, as I extended my hands to her. 

“I heard you vomiting,” she added. 

“Maybe it's just because of the cold, "I reasoned to Ishie again.

She seemed to believe it because she just said goodbye again to go back to her room and sleep. When Ishie left, I took another glass of water that was next to me and washed my face. It was only four in the morning, so I just decided to cook our breakfast first because I couldn't sleep anymore.

So I put my breakfast on hold and waited for Eury to arrive. I grabbed my jacket and walked outside to wait for her; she was in a rush and couldn't get out of the car. Eury's SUV was approaching just as I was leaving the building. "I had already purchased coffee. Eat and rest. Don't think about anything. I love you!" she said before hugging me and driving away. 

I just watched Eury's car disappear from my sight. I didn't get a chance to say anything to her since she swiftly drove away. Eury came from her part-time job in a coffee shop and now she was just on her way home. It's a good thing she doesn't have children since she won't be able to keep up with her schedule. 

I didn't spend much time outside because it was chilly, so I immediately went back inside. Ishie is still asleep, so I just cleaned and checked on some of her school activities. When she has homework or whatever, she never asks for my help. Ishie will try to do it herself since she does not want to bother or upset me. 

Later, I will send her to school before I go to the store that I plan to apply for part-time. I had to save up for Ishie’s education and our other expenses. Even though I make a lot of money in Paladizzo, I still need to have other sources of income beside dancing. 

Most of the time, being a single mother is hard, but faltering is the last thing I can do. I have a daughter who always believes in me and always looks up to me as being the strongest alley she ever had. I learned to embrace the challenges in front of me from the moment I gave birth to Ishie; if I did not do this, I would easily give up along the way. Now, my only source of strength is this young girl who always thinks ahead of me. 

“Mom, do you know that teacher Beth is getting married?” Because of what I heard, my hand remained in the air, and I focused my complete attention on her. "She said she'd send everyone an invitation, so make sure you have a free day on that date," she added. 

“I didn't know she had a boyfriend. I thought she just ended up an old maid,” I commented, making her frown at me. “What? I am just being vocal. Beside, your teacher is not that young anymore,” I snorted, making her scowl at me. 

“Yeah, but saying those things is bad. You knew that, Mom.” 

I just smiled at Ishie about her comments about her teacher. I loved how she matured every day, but was also scared that I might lose my only treasure and be left alone again. Ever since Ishie came into my life, I had already forgotten how to be alone. I’ve forgotten the feeling of having no one to lean on and that you don’t even have an ally in this chaotic world. 

I was driving to Ishie's school when my car suddenly stopped for no apparent reason. No matter how many times I tried to make it work, it still didn't start. “Why is it not working, Mom?” Ishie asks in concern when we suddenly stop in the middle of the road. 

“I don’t know either. Anyway, let's get your stuff and I'll probably just call a tow truck,” I told her as I got out of the car. 

We just took out Ishie's belongings and waited for a cab but due to the rush hour, we had a hard time getting a ride. In just a few minutes, my daughter will be late for her first class. Why is it that our car broke down on the day I was supposed to drop her off at school?

As we were walking, a car pulled up next to us. I quickly pulled Ishie away from there and searched again for a vacant taxi.

“Hi!”

Ishie and I looked up at the person who greeted us. And I was a little surprised, but I tried to hide it when I saw who it was. I didn’t expect to see him in this place or even remember me. We just met a few times, and I never wanted his attention in the first place. Tsk! 

My talkative daughter asked, "Who are you?”

“I’m a friend of your sister,” he said, pointing at me.

My daughter looked at me, astonished by what the man in front of us had stated. “Sister? Who? Her? " And before the man in front of us could respond, my daughter couldn't stop laughing.

“She’s my daughter, not my sister,” I said as I shook my head, making my daughter stop laughing. “Let’s go, Ishie!” 

“Bye, Mister!” 

We passed him and looked for a ride again, because we were late for school. I thought he was going to leave and stop bothering us but I was surprised when he appeared in front of me again.

“What?” I said, scowling at him.

“I'm sorry, but if you need a ride, I can offer you one,” he added, making my daughter exclaimed.

My wicked and bold daughter inquired, "I have to go to school; will you take us?”

“Sure,” he replied without hesitation. 

"No, thank you!" I exclaimed as I drew Ishie away from him.

"Why, Mom? We're already late," my kid grumbled, which was true.

She was late for school, and we still haven't found a ride. I returned my gaze to Logan, who was resting on the hood of his car, both hands in his pockets. He seemed like a model for high-end cars and a fvcking playboy. I took a deep breath and did nothing but let my kid lead me back to Eli's location. As Eli spotted us coming, a successful grin drew on his lips, as if he was expecting it. 

Ishie and I both sat in the backseat, which even surprised Eli. “What?” I asked curiously when he looked at me with a scowl.

“I'm not your driver. You might want to move here to the front,” he complained, so I could do nothing but do what he told me to.

“I’m Ishie. What is your name, Mister?” 

I heard Ishie ask Eli, trying to be friendly. “Is this a job interview? Or a friendly question?” The man beside me asks my daughter if there is something funny about those questions.  

“Just a friendly question, Mister. I can’t trust people just because you tell me you're my Mom’s friend.” 

I wanted to laugh at how my daughter talked to this man, who I guess had no idea how to handle a kid. Ishie is patiently waiting for a reply from this man. I don’t know when it will happen. “I’m Eli Logan Fletcher, 28 years old, single, and not yet ready to get married,” he said, with a playfulness in his voice. 

I even heard my daughter giggle when Logan looked at her in the rearview mirror and winked. They continued talking as if I was not there and they really knew each other. In only a few minutes, they discussed a wide range of topics. I hadn't realized we'd arrived at Ishie's school. We were only a few minutes late, and my daughter was still smiling when we arrived at her school, despite the fact that she was late for class.

“Thanks for the ride, Mister Logan!” 

My daughter waved at her new found friend before getting inside the building. I looked at Eli and was astonished to see him staring at me as if he was waiting for me.

“What?” I gave him a scowl.

“Come on in.” When he opened the door where I had come from earlier, he remarked. “I'll take you to where you're going.”

I just gazed at him in awe, not knowing what to do. I don't like having men around me. The only guys I'm comfortable with are the ones within Paladizzo, Orion, and Argus; there are no others. I'm not comfortable getting close to strangers, but this man acted as if we were.

And since everyone was staring at us since he wouldn't stop pestering me, I had no choice but to get into his car. When Logan asked where I was going again, I simply pointed to the ice cream store where Ishie and I used to eat because it was the nearest thing to there. Maybe I'll just walk or take a cab back to my destination.

“Thanks for the ride,” I told him before closing the door of Logan’s car. 

I thought he was leaving after I said goodbye, so I was surprised to hear that the door closed on his side. I watched in amazement as he approached me before pulling me into the ice cream parlor, smiling. 

For the first time in many years, there was a man holding my hand and acting complacent like that in front of me. He acts like we've known each other for too long, but I’m not like that. I have walls and barriers around me, so people won’t get near me no matter what. 

“Sorry, but I need to go now. Thank you for the ride,” I informed him as I dashed out of the ice cream store. 

I got a part-time job at a coffee shop, so I spent more time outside now that I wasn't with Ishie. Fortunately, the time they gave me is ideal for me because there is still time for my daughter to come home from school.

I was in the coffee shop for four hours during the day since Ishie had left for school, and I was in Paladizzo for a few more hours in the evening. I've been spending a lot of time there recently, and I didn't expect this type of job to be so exhausting. So it's also nice to work like this, especially because I haven't done it in a long time. 

“Have you heard that her new boyfriend is an old man?” 

“Oh my god! So it was true?” 

“She is already working at the club, then her daughter would see what she is doing. Isn't he ashamed? "

That's just one of the rumors I've overheard from my neighbors. I've become accustomed to them constantly having new rumors about me after only a few years of being here. I'm used to people constantly discussing my life, so I don't mind.  Sometimes their conversations become so excessive that even my daughter is shocked when she hears about it. 

When they saw me, a sweet smile drew on my lips, so they immediately fell silent. As I walked closer to them and greeted them one by one, they also answered me at the same time with their small smiles, as if they were really happy to see me. But the fact is that they were just astonished to see me and worried that I had overheard what they were discussing.  

“Good morning, ladies!” I greeted them. 

“Good morning, Yesia!” they greeted me. “Where are you up to?” 

I bid farewell to them after informing them where I was heading because we weren't close enough for me to remain longer and chat more. As I stepped away, I could hear them criticizing me once again. They didn't even wait for me to depart before taking it up again.  

When I came out of the building, I was not surprised that Eury was waiting for me to drop me off by the cafe. My car has not been fixed up to this point; I guess I need to replace it, but I can't since we don't have the funds.

“When are you going back?” I asked the person beside me. 

“When I get pregnant,” she exclaimed, giggling. 

When it came to her life, there was never a genuinely serious conversation with this woman. So frequently, we just let her do whatever she wanted. It's her life, therefore we never have a say in what she does. Vika, on the other hand, chastises her for being so easygoing. 

When I arrived at the cafe, I said goodbye to Eury and got to work. Fortunately, the people I'm with here at the café are kind, so I'm not having any trouble adjusting. When my employer discovered that I was working at a club, I was terrified. Fortunately, he is not as judgmental as other people I have known in my life. 

Because I was so busy, my working hours at the café flew by without me noticing. Many people come here since they appreciate the coffee, as well as the pastries and bread. I only said goodbye to my coworkers before leaving, as I still needed to prepare lunch for my daughter and I.

I went to a nearby grocery store to look for condiments for Ishie's favorite food. She likes pasta, so I'll make Fettuccine Puttanesca and serve it with the NY strip. And perhaps I'll include Caesar Salad on our menu because our meal is high in carbohydrates, and Vika will murder me if I gain weight again.

I was so busy roaming around the supermarket, finding everything I needed. So when I turned around, I didn’t notice the people behind me. When I felt the chilly water running through my body, I almost cursed. 

“Fvck!” 

I heard the man in front of me cuss. When I took a peek at myself, my white t-shirt was nearly red, and my black bra was also visible because it was so wet. “Fvck? Is that all you can say instead of saying sorry?” I hissed, and when I lifted my gaze, I saw Logan standing in front of me. 

I was a little surprised, but I tried to hide it because he wasn’t alone. Several men stood behind him, as if they were also surprised by what had happened. I tried to pull down the cap I was wearing to cover half of my face. I don’t want him to recognize me, especially since there are people around us. People I am not familiar with. 

"You ran into me. Why should I be sorry?" he said, as if he were innocent. 

From where I was standing, I could smell the alcohol on him. It's in the middle of the afternoon and he's already drunk. “Yeah, I'm sorry then. Happy?” I snorted and rolled my eyes at him before I pulled my cart away from them. 

“Tsk! b***h!” he whispered loud enough for me to hear and the people around us. 

I couldn't help but tighten my fists as I laughed sarcastically at what I heard. Is this his real personality? Or is it because he's inebriated? This is why I dislike guys in my life, because no matter what they do, they are still suckers.

I came to a halt, looked back at him, raised my middle finger, and walked away without looking back.