Love In Between

CHAPTER 43

It was past midday, the blue sky was dotted with fluffy that drifted lazily in the gentle breeze. The blazing midday sun shone relentlessly on the hikers

It was about time for Chloe to get back from school, as Ava stood at the bus station waiting for her to alight by the bus, she was carried away by the series of calls from her company, the bus alighted just in time for her to get back to the office.

“Hey little princess,” Ava said, hugging the little girl who looked gloomy, she barely smiled and even when Ava offered to give her a piggyback ride she rejected.

Chloe’s countenance was enough for Ava to know that all wasn’t well with her, she led the child home and started interrogating her warmly to get the truth out of her,

“I made your favorite apple pie, do you want me to get some for you?” Ava questioned as soon as they entered into the house.

“No mama,” she replied dryly, Ava pulled the girl close to her and cupped her beautiful fragile face.

“Sweetie I know something’s wrong with you, but you know Mama’s always there for you yeah?” Ava said, not sure if it was a question or an assurance all she cared for, is her daughter’s wellbeing.

Chloe nodded in response, she reached out for her mother’s hands and held onto it tightly.Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

“Sweetie what’s the problem, is it about the picnic?” She asked, Chloe shook her head by now, Ava was frustrated by the attitude of her two year old.

“Mama, the other day at Avila said no one came for me during the father’s day because I don’t have a Papa,” Chloe responded, the words from Chloe pierced her and caused her deep pains.

How could a child say such words to her, anyways the child was right afterall there was no father figure in Chloe’s life thanks to her—- she wouldn’t want Bruce anywhere close to her daughter.

“Oh baby, that’s not true,” she replied pulling the child in a tight embrace, she quickly wiped tears from her eyes lest her child sees mommy crying.

“Mama where’s Papa?” Chloe said with trembling voice.

“Ummm, Papa… He ummm travelled but he’ll be back,” she replied guilt overshadowing her, it was just right for the child to ask for her father, she knew she’d have to face this phase what she didn’t know was how fast the phase would creep in on her.

“He’ll be back before you know it and he’ll accompany you to every father’s day at school,” she replied smiling, Chloe didn’t appear to buy her explanation as she was still visibly sad, attempts to bring her out of the gloominess proved abortive.

“That’s why he sends you the gifts baby, because he loves you and would be back I’m sure he misses you more than you do,” Ava added making a hazy attempt at cheering up the child.

There was only so much she could do—- times were different now, she and Bruce are world apart and she had learnt to live with that even though he tried to cover up by sending packages everyday to them in the last two years.

After so much nudging and numerous promises to the park she cheered up and finally agreed to have her lunch after tuning to her favorite TV show.

The guilt of lying to her child weared her, pacing around the room thinking of how to reconcile father and daughter together or better still find a suitable lie to tell her child to keep her from longing for her child,

She pulled her phone out from her bag and made to dial Bruce’s number, he should at least have an idea of what bringing up a child alone felt like— having to lie and distract the poor child could only last for a while, the child was growing and would one day not be distracted by apple pies and TV shows.

Andrew have been of immense help to the company and she didn’t want to hurt his emotions by bringing Bruce into the picture— he wasn’t in their life anymore and she still needs to find a way to give her daughter the privilege of having a father figure.

When she thought about the consequences her actions may bring to her company, between her and Andrew she decided against it, there was no point bringing two people at loggerheads,

“Maybe I should just tell her he died in an accident,” she muttered under her breath, she looked at Chloe who was enjoying her favourite TV show,— Chloe seemed to have forgotten about the incidence at school as she was jumping and intimating the images on TV.

So instead she dialed Andrew’s phone,

“Hello beautiful,” Andrew’s mawkish voice sounded over the phone,

“Hey Andrew, how’re you doing today?” Ava thought of asking Andrew to fill in as Chloe father’s he could at least do that for her, to lighten up the mood of the little girl.

“I’m very well thank you,”

“Ummm, I wanted to know your schedule for this evening,” that was the only way to bring up the topic without sounding too demanding he has already done so much for the company and that was something to be thankful for.

Andrew let out his usual throaty laughter Ava was forcing herself to cope with, “are you asking me out on a date?”

“Well if that what you think… Then Yes I’m asking you out on a date,” she replied, hopefully they’d talk about it and it would come off as awkward or weird she believed he wouldn’t mind playing the role of a father to her child— she heaved a of relief, alas! Everything would be fine.

Chloe wouldn’t have any reason to be sad seeing that all she lacked is a father figure, she quickly tidied up the office work she had to do and prepare for her date with Andrew that would be the beginning of a new thing for both her and the baby— a family wouldn’t be a bad idea to start, how much she wanted to have one with Bruce but oh well, things don’t always go as plan and she was beginning get comfortable just the way life comes at her.