Chapter 29 Chapter 29 - Imagining A Complete Family

They are fun to watch. I could see that Nicks is happy. It was as if in an instant they were so intimate to each other.
I know that somehow, Nicks is looking for his dad. She is not just asking because I filled her with all my affection and attention.
She is also close to Luigi but her bond with Nikolai is a distinct one.
"Nicks is asleep!" Nikolai announced.
I cannot imagine how Nikolai guarded Nicks while I am occupied with my work. After the taping, I am also writing some of our scripts for review.
They entrusted me and they believe that I can make incredible scripts that would catch the viewers.
Was what I did fair? The CEO of TvN8 Station took care of a child in his own company for me to proceed with my job?
I did not want to agree but he volunteered.
"I will bring you home." He implied.
"Not anymore! I am so apologetic that you took care of her. The CEO must be busy taking care of his company, not my child." As I arranged for Nicks to be lifted.
"I enjoyed being with Nicks. Promise! It is as if I want a new career now." He gagged.
"What is that?" I begged.
"Be a daddy!" he let out smiling.
Shocks! I did not know what to say to him. I shook my head and turned back to Nicks.
"Eve, I will carry her! I will bring you home. I am sorry, but I already instructed Brother Ricco to go ahead." He mumbled suddenly.
I glanced at him again. I just nodded. I agreed to let him take us home.
That is really what I want to happen. He carried Nicks in his arms. I picked up Nicks' belongings.
We were like a typical family. I am the mother, Nicks is our child and Nikolai is the father.
I could imagine that Nikolai could be a responsible father to his child.
Nikolai laid Nicks on the backseat who was still sound asleep and then I took the passenger seat next to him.
Luigi also accompanies us on our saunters. But only now did I dream that we were a family.
Only now I have imagined that Nicks would have his dad looking after her.
I know Luigi is concerned about Nicks but I also know that somehow he regrets what happened to me.
But for Nikolai, I feel like he already love Nicks when they first met. There is an unconscious connection between them. Nikolai and Nicks seem to have chemistry.
"I am not interfering, but maybe if his Dad just met Nicks, he will feel sorry that he abandoned his child." While Nikolai was driving.
"She is a blessing to me. I hope that Nicks will stay with me for the rest of my life." I glanced at Nicks who was still deeply asleep.
"She is a talented child. Imagine, at the age of three she can read. She has not been to school yet, has she?" Nikolai was relieved.
"Not yet, she will enter next school year. I did not teach her either. I am just surprised that she can already read.
She is intelligent. Maybe she inherited it from his dad." I am also becoming comfortable with my storytelling.
"I remembered, I also was able to read early, my Mom said.
I had a good time with Nicks. I told her to read some words, she was able to read them." Nikolai chuckled.
Our situation is like my husband and I have a fun conversation after work. I am the wife and my husband had a good time with our child.
I am the wife who listens attentively to my husband's litany.
Eventually, we got home. I opened the gate and returned for our belongings.
Nikolai has already picked up Nicks so it means he will go inside.
The house is nice and clean even if it is tiny. I will not get upset even if the CEO gets in.
"Come in! This house is too small. But you can still seat on the settee if you want." I said and I opened the door.
He proceeded Nicks into the room. And gently dropped off her to the bed.
I smooched her. Then we went out.
"I do not know how I can make up for you. The CEO of TvN8 Station served me and my daughter." And I was surprised when he stopped walking.
He averted his eyes.
"A cup of coffee is enough." And he smiled.
He wants to stay a little bit longer. I made him sit on the settee and I made a coffee for him.
"You do not have anyone else with you here? A nanny? Your parents? Siblings?" When I get back to the living room.
"No! I do not have a family anymore. I only have Nicks.
My mom died. I did not get to know my biological father. I do not have siblings either." I forced a smile.
"Are you fine here? I mean, isn't anyone bothering you here?" There was concern in Nikolai's voice.
"We have been tenants here for a long time. Almost two decades. I already know our neighbors here.
They are kind to us." I clarified.
"Tenant?" he repeated in a form of query.
"Yeah, I cannot yet buy a house. But it is really on my bucket list.
I promised my late mother that I will buy a house for us. A house that we can call our own." I feel I need to tell him everything.
"This place is too small but honestly too cute and cozy." And he drank the coffee.
Really? He is not that arrogant. With his wealth, he was able to drink coffee from our cup. He is not a snob guy!
I am proud that my mom taught me how to clean and organize the house. This is still a better place to live. Everything is in order. There is no foul smell either. Our house is relaxing!
"For someone like you, it is small. But for me, it is a home. Especially since I am with my daughter here. This is our haven. This is our refuge." I whirled my eyes.
"That is worth hearing from you!" He suddenly stared at me.
Our eyes once again meet!
"Eve!" Nikolai and I turned to gaze at the door.
"Oh! Luigi!" I got up from my seat.
"Our conversation earlier was interrupted. Where is Nicks?" But Luigi looked at Nikolai.
"She is already asleep," I announced.
The two of them lost their attention to me. They are staring bitterly at each other now.
They do not speak any words. But I could see their eyes are conversing.
They are both asking each other "Who are you?".
"Luigi, Sir Nikolai brought us home. I have to bring Nicks to the taping. She fell asleep and Brother Ricco was not there anymore." I interrupted the silence.
I do not know how I am going to start the conversation.
There is an abrupt tension between them. Why?
"I hope you just called me so I could pick you up. That is what Ella told you." Luigi let out without looking at me.
"I accompanied them home safely," Nikolai uttered.
"You should not let any man enter in your house." Only now have I seen Luigi like this.
Is Luigi mad at me?
"I am not just any man out there. I work with Eve. And Nicks already knows me." Nikolai looks irritated but he is still handsome.
Does not he have a ghastly look? Wait! Are they fighting?
Are they quarreling over me? Or over Nicks?
Luigi's phone unexpectedly rang and he attended to it.
He has to go for an urgent circumstance.
"Who is he again?" Nikolai abruptly inquired.
"He is Luigi, a friend of mine. He is also Nicks' godfather during her baptismal." I answered back.
"He likes you! Not just as a friend." He ejaculated.
"What? How could you say that?" I pleaded.
"The way he looks at you." Nikolai's face was serious.
"Are you a fortune-teller?
Nikolai, I want to apologize for Luigi's actions. He is the only man who enters the house. Perhaps that is the reason why he is overprotected towards us.
Alright, go home too. You have done so much for Nicks. I know she is grateful that she met you." I told him.
He peeked at Nicks before he finally left.
"She is grateful because she finally met the prince she has been looking for." Nikolai blinked.
"Hey! That was just Ella's teasing. Please, I am feeling timid about that." I halted him.
The many stuff in my mind did not put me to sleep.
Why would I think we were a real family?
Why do I think Nikolai's actions make sense?
Here I am again, trying to hope for a vague instance to transpire.
The world we live in is very far from each other.
He is affluent while I am impoverished.
He is my boss while I am just an employee of him.
He is heaven while I am earth.
He is a young bachelor while I have a child.
How can we be meant for each other?
I must not forget her connection with Kisses.
Their intimate connection reminds me more that I am nothing compared to Kisses.