Tempting Kisses (ENGLISH)

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

YESENIA ESCOBAR 

“Mum, hurry up! Will be late,” Ishie shouted from the porch. 

“Wait, I forgot my purse.” 

It’s my day off, and we are going on a date. 

I decided to take her out today and spend the rest of our days bonding outside. We always stay inside the house because I hate going out. But I always consider her wants and needs too, not just mine. 

When I got out, Ishie was talking to some of our neighbors who were strolling around. She was born to be a head-turner, and I wonder where she got those traits. 

"Where do you want to go?" 

I turn to the little girl humming in the back seat. I smiled when she put her hands under her chin and acted like she was thinking hard. "Hmm, I want to eat lunch and ice cream, Mom." She said, but when I looked at her. Ishie looks like she wants more than what she told me. 

I drove to Malcolm Blvd. This is Ishie’s favorite ice cream because it is delicious, and there are different flavors to choose from. Even though it's a bit expensive, I still let her, especially since I often take Ishie here.

I just parked the car across the street. When we entered, Ishie went to the table where we used to sit. Even the storekeeper already knew us because of how often we went here. 

She ordered a double scoop of chocolate ice cream, and I have a mint chip in a cup. Once in a while, we also need a little sweetness in our lives, especially when we are going through a lot. There are times we go through things that even if you tell other people, your feelings are still not relieved because they often don't understand it either. So sometimes food really helps a lot to alleviate whatever I was feeling.

Is it too shallow? Well, I am just a simple person. I don’t need anything more than to see my child happy and see her healthy. 

"Mum, we have a parent-teacher meeting on Monday. Are you coming?" Ishie said, making my hand stop in the air. 

I always attend all her programs, meetings, or even small gatherings for parents at her school. But as time goes by, I become scared as I hear people around her judging me by my work. Of course, I'm not lying to her about my job. But hearing kids or even parents bullying my daughter scares me a lot. 

"Of course. My princess needs me," I turn to her and pinch her nose. 

"Tsk! It's Ishie, Mum." 

"Don't grow up so fast, Princess. I might miss you a lot." 

My happiness when she came into my life was beyond words to express. But now, as I see her grow, it scares me that one day I don't have a baby anymore. I can't do these things with her anymore. 

All I could do was watch her from afar and be proud of what she became. 

"I'm not going anywhere, Mum. And stop being sentimental, I'm not going to be thirty tomorrow," she snorted, making me burst into tears laughing at her remarks. 

Yeah. She really won't, but time moves faster than we always expected. 

Ishie and I were strolling at Target when Argus called when I was needed at the club. I could do nothing but leave Ishie with Eury for a while. She’s the closest to where we are now. It doesn't seem a problem for me to leave my daughter with Eury because I can sense the joy in her voice when I call. 

“I’ll pick you up after an hour. Okay?” 

“Yes, Mum. Just go,” Ishie shoo me away because her activities with her Aunt Eury are already waiting.

I just shook my head before driving away. Whenever my daughter gets a chance to be with her aunts, I am scared that she will choose them more than me one day. 

When I arrived at the club, Vika greeted me, who had just gotten out of her car. “What's happening?” I asked Vika when I got out of the car.

“There’s a client that keeps insisting on requesting you and Argus can’t do anything about that,” Vika said as we walked into Paladizzo together.

Even though I didn't understand what she was saying, I couldn't do anything but just follow her. When we entered, I immediately saw Argus and the man next to him. And when he turned around, I almost burst out laughing at what was happening right now. 

“Do you all know how nervous I am now?” 

They laugh in unison. “Sorry, Yesia. We just want to surprise you,” Argus shrugged. 

“Am I disturbing something? I thought you didn't have work today?” Orion asks as he kisses my cheeks. 

“Yes, you are. It’s Ishie’s day today, Orion. If you don’t know that,” I snorted. 

He chuckled and scratched the back of his head. “I forgot. This is the only place I know I can find you easily.” 

I just shake my head and follow them at the table that Argus and Orion were sitting at earlier. Vika had already taken food for the two of us because the two men were already busy with the wine in front of them.

Vika and Argus always tell me that Orion has a thing on me. They always force me to go out and date. Somehow it excites me but I really don't care if there are other men who like or love me. I don't need a man because I need someone to love me. I have Ishie to love me and that I love the most.  

Somehow having a person who cares and takes care of you makes a girl happy. But that doesn’t mean you are also free from stress, pain, and toxic relationships. All the good things in life always have a catch at the end. 

You can’t just grow a tree without a single leaf dying. 

“Are you leaving, already?” 

I turned to Orion who was already beside me. “Yeah. I still need to pick up Ishie at Eury's house,” I told him before I bid my goodbyes to the couple on the other table. 

“I can give you a ride.” 

“No need. I brought my own car and you drink. So, you can't drive either.” He just smiled and scratched his head before escorting me to the front of Paladizzo. 

He waited for me to get in the car and then exited Paladizzo. I just smiled as I remembered how he looked a while ago. I'd even think we had a chance if I didn't know what family he came from. But who am I to be delusory? Even if Orion comes from a simple family, I know it's still impossible.

I don't want to ruin his life because he is a nice person. It is sufficient for me to have a friend like him. I'm sure he'll find a woman who will suit him one day.

I woke up early to fix Ishie’s meal for the whole day. “Good morning, Mum!” she greeted as he sat down in front of me. 

She was sound asleep when I picked her up from Eury's house. Ishie seemed tired of playing with her Aunt the night before, so she slept the entire trip. Eury stated that she brought Ishie to the park so that she could play outside and slide.

I'm afraid when they're with my daughter because they give her everything. They can't say no to her, which bothers me because she gets spoiled over trivial matters. I don't want Ishie to become accustomed to such treatment because we aren't wealthy. I'm just a club worker, and if I don't dance, Ishie and I will go hungry.

“Do you have any activities today?” I glance at Ishie sitting in the back seat. 

“Teacher says we will just watch a movie,” she shrugs. 

“Oh, what kind of movie?” 

“Wonder. Do you know that movie, Mum?” 

“Yeah. It's a good movie. You’ll learn a lot from the story so watch it carefully. Or do you want me to tell you--” 

“Mum!” she interrupted what I had to say. “Stop spoiling the movie!” 

I just chuckled at her irritated expression. Even if many problems or difficulties arise in our lives, I am confident that I can overcome them all as long as my child is by my side. So I don't forget to be thankful every day because he gave me something like a companion. God gave me a gift that would bring color to my sad and lifeless world. 

I just smiled and waved at Ishie as she walked into their school building. And as Ishie walked, I noticed some children, who were most likely her friends, greeting her along the way. 

I know my daughter is brave and capable of defending herself against all those who insult us. Ishie changed schools several times as a result of my job. I don't want her to be involved in my work, but people always involve Ishie in their negative issues with me.

“I heard Orion paid you a visit?” Feliz asked as she sat down next to me.

“Yeah. He just passed by for a moment,” I responded to her sparingly. 

“Don't you intend to respond to his courtship with you?” Feliz went on to say that I also expected she would ask. 

I shrugged and checked on my makeup again. “Orion is a friend to me. We live in a different world to expect more than that relationship we have now,” I uttered as I put my lipstick on. 

“We know you’ve been through a lot, Yesia. And we know that when good things come into your life you deserve it,” Eury added as she pinched my shoulder. 

Even when I want to give up on my life, they are always by my side. They have always supported me as if they were also involved in the problem I was dealing with. 

When Vika came in with a box of pizza, they stopped talking about my love life. Because of our laughter, our small lounge was filled with noise. Argus also joined us because he could hear our noise from the hallway. I walked out of the lounge, there weren't many people inside. Paladizzo's members are exclusive, so almost everyone who walks in knows Argus and Vika. 

“Yesia, table ten please.” I smiled at Eury and got the drinks for table ten.  

I suddenly remembered that when the accident happened to me, the couple was at a loss for words as to how to apologize to me. I'd only been here a few days, but I'd already lost myself due to my carelessness. I can't blame them because the accident happened is not their fault and I was careless too. At the very least, when that nightmare occurred in my life, an angel appeared to protect me. It was as if everything that had gone wrong in my life had been made right and returned to its proper place. 

When not crowded we help serve drinks. Especially since Argus doesn't have that many staff, not because he has no money but to avoid exposing his private and wealthy customers.

What happens in Paladizzo, stays in Paladizzo.

That was Argus' motto for his client and we understand that part. Every client wants security and assurance that all their secrets are safe in this place. And that was what Argus did to meet their needs and make them happy every time they came here. 

“Is there anything you need, Sir?” I ask one of our regulars as I put their drinks on the table. 

“We’re okay, Yesia. Thank you!” I just nodded and walked away. 

I was in a hurry to get back to the counter when I turned around and didn't notice the person behind me. “s**t!” I cursed, shocked by the force of my impact on him. But the speed of events was matched by the speed with which his hands held me and drew me back to him. 

And before I could react, we were both on the floor, with me on top of him. “Oh, Miss Virgin.” I blinked a few times as I stared at him, unable to believe what I was hearing.

It must have taken a few more minutes for me to realize who he is and where we met. 

“You?” 

He smiled and smirked at me, saying, "I told you we'd meet again," with a sly grin on his lips.