Episode 14

Sophia

"You look beautiful," I tell Mia, who has tried on all the clothes I got for her four-month anniversary.

I spent a good chunk of my salary on clothes and lots of toys for her, especially since I know no one else will give her a gift.

Her father has been missing in action. I haven't seen him at all, but I guess it's for the best. Especially after what I did. I blush just thinking about how what I thought was a dream actually happened.

After all, I think it's better I haven't seen him, I would die of embarrassment if I had to be by his side.

I pick up Mia and kiss her cheeks. The little one smiles and wiggles her tiny hands.

She has grown so much. The pediatrician is happy with her progress and so am I. Watching her grow has been one of the most beautiful experiences of my life.

"Sophia!"

"I'm with Mia," I call back.

Anna enters looking like she's about to deliver bad news.

"The boss demands that you and the girl be ready at six in the evening for a dinner," she says.

"A dinner?"

"Yes, I think they're asking for Mia."

I hide the little one with my hair. "What if it's dangerous?"

"The man wouldn't take his daughter anywhere dangerous."

I laugh. "The man doesn't even know his daughter."

"He's been very busy."

"I know, you've made excuses for him enough. Tell the man to call me, and explain what type of clothes Mia needs to wear."

"Sophia..." she begins nervously.

"Give me his number," I demand as I place the little one in her crib, supported by some boosters I bought.

Anna nervously shows me her phone. I quickly save the number on my cell.

I would like to write it down as Big Idiot, but decide Daddy Mia is less controversial.

"Oh, child, the boss is going to be mad."

"Let him be mad. He doesn't show up for months, doesn't check on his daughter, and now he calls and demands that the girl be at one of his meetings. No, Anna, he can't do whatever he wants."

"He's the boss."

"Yes, but he's not God."

Finally, I call him, and Anna decides to leave the room.

"Yes?" a deep voice answers.

The voice I haven't heard in months.

"Where are you taking Mia?"

"Sophia?"

"The very same. Where are you taking Mia?"

"To a dinner."

"Where?"

"That's none of your business."

"Of course it is. I won't let you take Mia out of this house if I don't know where you're going. And certainly not if there's any danger."

"Mia isn't your daughter."

Damn. That hurt.

"I know, but I won't let anything happen to her."

He sighs wearily. "I'm going to dine at Dante's house, and his grandmother wants to meet Mia."

I relax immediately.

"Does she need to bring anything special?"

"No. I don't know. She's a baby, just bring diapers."

"Is it necessary for her to go?"

"Of course. I need someone to take care of Mia."

"Alright, we'll be ready," I say and he hangs up.

Idiot. I'm the one who calls and he's the one who hangs up.

I guess no one taught him manners.

While Mia is busy chewing on her rubber elephant, I search her clothes until I find the black dress with little sunflowers. I also choose matching shoes and tights.

Now I have to figure out what I'll wear.

*******

When it's almost six in the evening, Mia and I are bathed, dressed, and styled. The little girl looks adorable with the butterfly-shaped clip in her blonde hair lock.

I'm wearing a simple black dress with a ribbon, the same yellow color as the sunflowers on Mia's dress, around my waist. I also gathered my hair with a clip, but in my case, it's a simple, yet pretty, golden barrette. And we both have red sandals.

Before we go downstairs, I take many pictures of Mia, she looks beautiful.

I walk down the stairs with her in my arms and the bag I've prepared with her things. I hope I've thought of everything.

At the foot of the stairs, her idiot father is watching us intently. He's wearing a gray tuxedo, white shirt, and is tieless. His hair has grown a bit since the last time I saw him, now it tends to curl at the tips, looking sexier than I remembered.

"You both look..." He stops before speaking again: "She's grown a lot."

"Yes. The pediatrician says she's doing well."

"I know, he's been keeping me informed."

"It's good to know you care about your daughter's health."

"Let's not start,” he murmurs, touching his temple. “We have a long evening ahead and I don't need this now."

I say nothing, just walk past him to the door. The car is waiting for us, but I refuse to get in.

"What's the problem now?"

"No baby seat."

"What?"

"A baby car seat. She doesn't have one. I won't put Mia in a vehicle without a car seat."

"She'll be in your arms, she doesn't need a car seat."

"She does need one. If there's an accident, the car seat can protect her."

"The driver won't have an accident."

"How do you know?" I ask irritably. He may be the boss, but he can't see the future.

"Because his life depends on it."

"I don't know..."

"I promise there will be a seat next time, there's no time now," he rushes. "Just get in the damn car."

What a temper.

I get into the car with Mia and to my dismay, he also gets in the back with us.

The car starts moving and the overwhelming silence feels uncomfortable. Even Mia seems to sense the tension because her eyes keep moving between her dad and me.

"You said I'd have days off," I say just to say something.

"Yes."

"But I haven't been able to take any day so far. Anna doesn't want to stay alone with the child and I won't leave her with the other employees."

"Hire a nanny."

"No."

"Then what do you want?" he asks, tired and irritated.

"I want you to take care of her while I have a day off. You're her father, and I'd like to believe you won't harm her."

"I wouldn't."

"Besides, I want to go out, meet new people."

"I'm sorry, but I don't have time to take care of a baby."

"It's not just any baby, it's your daughter," I reply.

He sighs. “Sofi, I don't want to argue now. Let's get through this dinner and then we'll see how to sort out your time off.”

I kiss the top of Mia's head. "Alright. I want to take her to the cemetery."

"To the cemetery?"

"Yes, I want to take her to her mother's grave."

"That won't be necessary."

"Of course it is. Mia has to know her mother. I also need photos and videos of her to show."

"She's not old enough."

"But soon she will be."

He looks at his daughter for a few seconds. "I will ask someone to go to her maternal grandparents' house and look for some things belonging to Kate."

"Don't you have anything from your wife?"

"No. I asked for everything to be taken away when she died."

"Did you love her?" I ask and I want to pull back my words as soon as they're out.

"What?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…" I hide my face in Mia's hair. "I'm naturally curious."

"Too much," he snaps.

"I know. My father always told me," I say, remorsefully.

I need to start thinking before I speak.

Silence fills the vehicle again. I force myself to look out the window and try to forget that Gabriel is sitting next to me. I swear I can feel his eyes on me. I struggle to keep my breathing steady, but it's hard.

With each passing second, I feel more uncomfortable.

"By the way, you look beautiful. You both look beautiful."

I turn towards his voice and have to suppress a gasp of surprise. His eyes are fixed on mine. Feverish. I feel like a chicken in an oven, slowly roasting.

Why does his gaze do this to me?

"I need a boyfriend," I blurt out unintentionally.

"What?"

"Never mind. I was thinking out loud," I mutter, my skin burning with embarrassment.

Me and my big mouth.

Luckily, the car slows down and enters a driveway where at a distance a large house is visible.

"We've arrived," he says when the car stops.

I take a deep breath.

"Let's go, little one, we need to make a good impression," I tell Mia, who responds with a resounding burp.

What a great start.

***This work has been signed with NovelToon, and piracy such as reprinting without permission is strictly prohibited.***

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***