Strength After Him

Chapter 14 : An Unexpected Gift

Three weeks later, I was finally done with Charles’s project, and everything was ready for delivery. He had requested that I bring the pieces directly to his office, but it wasn’t possible to deliver them all at once. When he called, he told my receptionist, “Tell your boss to deliver the pieces she can.”

The next day, I took a few pieces over for delivery. The moment Charles saw them, his mouth dropped open. “Wow, wow, wow! This is beautiful. You really did an amazing job,” he said, almost like he couldn’t believe his eyes. I couldn’t help but blush at his praises.

The way he kept staring at the pieces, like he didn’t want to look away, made me smile. For once, I let myself enjoy the moment.

“For this work you’ve done, I’m ready to pay more. You are truly creative,” Charles said, his eyes lingering on the frames as if he couldn’t get enough of them. Then he paused, turning toward me. “That reminds me… can we meet this weekend?”

I opened my mouth, ready to say no, but before I could, he added smoothly, “And I want you to come along with Ivy.” My chest tightened. He got me this time. He knew I wouldn’t refuse if Ivy was involved. Why is he so interested in my daughter? I thought, forcing a smile while my mind spun with unease.

I nodded as I asked to take my leave, but just as I reached the door, Charles rushed forward and held my hand. “I hope to see you this weekend,” he said with a smile. A chill ran through me. I hope this isn’t what I’m thinking… I’m not ready for any of this, I thought, slipping my hand free and walking out without a word.

I couldn’t stop thinking about why Charles held my hand. I just hoped the love he showed for my daughter was pure and not because of me, I whispered to myself as I drove to Ms. Maria’s house. Since I was done with the job, I could finally go pick Ivy up. I had missed her so much.

The moment Ivy saw me. She jumped into my arms, squealing with excitement. “Mom! Are you done with the job?” she asked eagerly.

I nodded. “Yes, and it went well.” Her eyes sparkled, and she knew immediately that it was time for us to go home.

I decided to let Maria in on a little about my client, Charles, this same man who had been pestering me lately. As I thought about him, a knot of worry formed in my stomach. Would he be safe around me? Around my daughter?

Maria smirked. “Well, for now, I think you just have to watch him closely, get to know him better. From everything you’ve told me, it seems this man is no longer just a client… he seems like he’s falling in love.”

She laughed aloud, shaking her head, and I couldn’t help but chuckle nervously along with her.

“He should better fall out of love,” I muttered, frowning. “I just hope the love he has for Ivy is genuine and not for me. He should wake up from his dreams of falling in love.” Maria couldn’t help but laugh, shaking her head at my words.

Early that Saturday morning, my phone rang, it was Charles. He asked if I was still coming as promised. When I told him yes, the excitement in his voice made it clear he couldn’t wait.

As I was getting Ivy ready, I gently told her who we were going to meet. I leaned close, brushing her hair back as I pleaded, “Please, stay quiet unless you’re asked a question. And if you don’t have an answer, just keep quiet, alright?”

Ivy nodded slowly, her lips pushing into a small pout. “Okay, Mom,” she said, though her curious eyes told me she wanted to ask more.

When we arrived, we spotted him from a distance. Charles was already waiting, neatly dressed, his car parked just beside him. As soon as he saw us, he smiled, and he opened his arms wide. Before I could even react, Ivy let go of my hand and ran straight to him.

I smiled back as he welcomed me, his handshake warm. We walked into the restaurant, the soft hum of chatter and the clinking of cutlery filled the air. A waiter quickly led us to a corner table by the window. Charles pulled out a chair for Ivy before I could, and she grinned at the gesture.

The connection between the two of them amazed me. Charles reached into a bag and pulled out a doll, the very one Ivy had been begging me to get her for weeks. My eyes widened. How did he even know?

Ivy squealed, hugging the doll so tightly you’d think it was alive. She looked up at him. “Thank you, Uncle Charles!” she said, her voice bubbling with joy. Her excitement blew me away, and for a moment, I just sat there watching. The waitress came forward to our table with a polite smile, notepad in hand, and took our menu requests while Ivy was still distracted by her new treasure.

“That’s so thoughtful of you to get her this gift,” I said, watching Ivy spin the doll around in her hands. “She’s always wanted it. But… how did you know this was the one?”

Charles leaned back slightly, a playful smile tugging at his lips. “Maybe call me a magician,” he teased. I laughed softly, shaking my head.

“Well,” he continued, his tone easy, “I study kids a lot, and I usually know what they like. Besides, I got this same doll for my daughter recently, so I had a feeling Ivy would love it too.”

“That’s so thoughtful of you to get her this gift,” I said, watching Ivy spin the doll around in her hands. “She’s always wanted it. But… how did you know this was the one?”

Charles leaned back slightly, a playful smile tugging at his lips. “Maybe call me a magician,” he teased.

I laughed softly, shaking my head.

“Well,” he continued, his tone easy, “I study kids a lot, and I usually know what they like. Besides, I got this same doll for my daughter recently, so I had a feeling Ivy would love it too.”

I was shocked when he mentioned he bought the same doll for his daughter. My eyes widened. “You have a daughter?” I asked, my voice barely hiding my surprise.

He nodded, a small smile on his face. “Yes. She’s the same age as Ivy, but she doesn’t stay with me in our city.”

Charles explained that he lived in a different city and had only come to London for a project. I blinked, trying to process it all, by how he managed everything and remembered such a small detail about Ivy. I stared at him, my mind racing. Is he married? I thought. I couldn’t imagine a married man falling in love with me. I quickly looked away, trying to steady my thoughts.

Charles noticed me staring and raised an eyebrow, a curious smile playing on his lips. “What’s on your mind, Ava?” he asked, his tone gentle.

I quickly shook my head, forcing a small smile. “Nothing… just thinking about the project,” I replied, hoping he wouldn’t ask further.

I didn’t ask him if he was married. All through my stay with him, I stayed silent, only answering his questions. I sat across the table, watching Ivy play nearby, her laughter filling the space while Charles occasionally glanced at her with a soft smile.

While I was still tidying up after our meal, my phone beeped. I glanced down and saw a text from an unknown number. Pausing, I unlocked the phone, and my stomach sank as I read the message: I am watching you closely.