Bound by fate

Chapter 6

Matilda’s POV

I assist Lily with her schoolwork after supper. After finishing, she watches her favorite program while curled up on the couch. She quickly closes her tiny eyelids and fills the room with her gentle breaths.

I take her gently in my arms and carry her to her room. I tucked the sheets around her and gently laid her down. Her brown curls spread out against the pillow give her such a serene appearance.

"Goodnight, my princess," I mutter as I lean down and give her a gentle kiss on the forehead.

I switch off the light and shut the door as softly as I can before tiptoeing out. I returned to my art room and focused on the painting I had begun earlier.

As I immerse myself in each brushstroke and pay close attention to every detail, the hours pass without my noticing. I'm only startled out of my reverie when my phone rings.

I glance at the screen. Caresha.

“Hey, girl! How are you doing?” she chirps her voice as bubbly as ever.

“I’m fine, and you?” I reply, stretching my stiff neck.

“I’m good. I called because you never told me how the meeting went,” she says, her tone suddenly inquisitive.

I put the phone on loudspeaker and put it on a table close to me then pick up my brush and continue from where I left off

“Oh, we finally wrapped it up. He decided on the set of paintings he wanted today. I had to cut dinner short, though, because Lily had food poisoning that evening,” I say, a shudder running through me at the memory of that terrifying ride home.

“Oh my God! How is she now?” Caresha’s voice drops to a concerned whisper.

“She’s better. Thankfully, it was mild. After throwing up and taking some medicine, she felt much better,” I reassured her, putting the phone on speaker and resuming my work.

“So...” she begins, her tone shifting to something more playful. “Is he as hot as I described?”

“Caresha!” I exclaim, mortified.

“What?” she says, laughing. “I just want you to meet someone. You can’t keep hiding behind mom duties forever. Lily’s important, but so are you. You deserve to live a little, Matilda.”

I sigh. “I know you’re trying to look out for me, but I’m just not ready to date. Not right now.”

“I hear you,” she says, her voice softening. “But I’ll keep nudging you. You’re amazing, Matilda. You deserve happiness not just for Lily but for yourself too. And hey, Lily might love having a father figure someday.”

“Thanks, Caresha.” A small smile tugs at my lips. “I’ll think about it. Maybe someday, just not now.”

“Fair enough,” she replies brightly. “But at least have dinner with me tomorrow. No excuses. Just us, good food, and plenty of art talk. You bagged a lot of deals from the exhibition. Deal?”

“Not tomorrow,” I say hesitantly. “I have a lot on my plate. Friday night?”

“Perfect!” she chirps. “I’ll text you the place. And don’t even think about canceling.” “Wouldn’t dream of it,” I say with a chuckle.

Friday arrives quickly, and the restaurant Caresha picked is buzzing with life. The murmur of conversation and the clinking of glasses blend with the gentle melodies of live jazz music.

When I get there, Caresha is sitting already and grinning broadly as she waves me over.

She yells, "You made it!" and quickly hugs me. I slide into the seat across from her and add, "I promised I would."

We order drinks; a cocktail for me since I need to pick up Lily later, and a glass of red wine for her.

“Girl, live a little”, she says laughing when she sees my choice of drink.

Our conversation flows effortlessly as we laugh over her chaotic work stories. Just as our entrées arrive, someone calls out to Caresha.

“Oh my God, Simone!” she exclaims, waving to a woman approaching our table.

Simone is stunning. Her dress clings to her figure, and her confidence is palpable as she walks over with a handsome man in tow.

“Caresha! You didn’t tell me you were out tonight,” Simone says, leaning down to hug her.

“It was a last-minute thing,” Caresha replies. “Matilda, this is Simone. Simone, meet Matilda.”

“Nice to meet you,” I say politely, extending a hand.

Simone shakes it but doesn’t hide the curiosity and something sharper behind her smile. “Small world,” she says with a hint of amusement.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask, narrowing my eyes.

“Oh, nothing. I just didn’t expect to see the woman who replaced my best friend in Bryan’s life having dinner with another friend of ours,” she says with a huff.

Caresha jumps in quickly, her voice smooth. “Simone, darling, your date is waiting.”

Simone snaps out of it, turning back to her companion. “Oh! I’m so sorry, baby.” She locks her arm through his. “This is my boyfriend, Taylor. We’ll leave you ladies to your night. See you around.”

With one last look directed squarely at me, she air-kisses Caresha and saunters off with her man.

“Well, that was awkward,” I say, laughing nervously as I take a sip of my cocktail.

“Don’t mind her,” Caresha says, rolling her eyes. “She can be... territorial.”

“But what’s that about though?” Caresha says, wiggling her brows at me.

I shrug it off laughing, focusing on my shrimp pasta, as the tension dissipates from the air.

Just as we’re waiting for dessert, the room’s energy shifts. The chatter grows louder, and I notice several heads turning. Curious, I glance toward the entrance and freeze.

Bryan Michaels steps into the restaurant. His eyes scan the room until they land on me, and he starts walking straight toward our table.

My stomach drops as I dart a glance around the restaurant and it lands on Simone, who’s glaring daggers at me from across the room.

I turn to Caresha, who looks at me with guilt written all over her face. Oh, s**t. Dinner just got a lot more complicated.