Chapter 74 Chapter 74 - Nicka's Heavy Heart

In Taste of Antonio...
"Wow! Uncle Paul, your cheesecake here is delicious." Nicka adored the food.
"Is that true?" Paul asked smiling.
"Of course, kids do not lie!" she did the thumbs up.
"All right, I will give you a box of cheesecake and take it home," Paul suggested.
"This is also my dad's favorite!" Nicka giggled.
Ella and I peeked at each other. Then I looked at Paul who seemed to feel ruffled at what Nicka had said.
When we finished eating at Taste of Antonio, we had not finally returned to the Garden of Leto. Paul invited Nicka if she wants to go to an amusement park. And of course, Nicka said yes quickly.
Ella and I sat while watching Nicka and Paul play in a booth.
"He is a perfect man, right? Why does he not have a girlfriend yet?" Ella raised a question.
"Ella, he wanted me to come with him to their family reunion! But I refused." I informed her.
"What? Does that mean, he is going to confess it to you? You know what, Eve, I already know that kind of man's moves. He is just like Luigi before. Paul likes you." Ella shook her head while grinning.
"I am not deserving of him." my simple answer.
"Why not? You deserve all the best in the world because you are a good person. Eve, our mistakes in life are not the basis that we will no longer be deserving of someone.
You see, you became a surrogate mother and you found Nicka's real daddy in the person of Nikolai. And you loved him. Perhaps it goes this way, you do not want to give Paul a chance because you are still waiting for Nikolai to come back.
I a sure, when he returns from his conference, Nicka and Nikolai will come back here to be with you." Ella's litany.
"I am confused by Nicka's manner toward Nikolai. She told me last time that her dad does not love her.
Ella, if it is only about lacking time to be with Nicka, I know for sure Nicka would understand. His child is a smart kid.
Back then, I also worked and was always away from her but she never got upset with me. I can feel something strange is going with Nikolai." I said worriedly to Ella.
"If he had another woman for sure Nicka should have told you on her first day here. Or Aunt Vina would have told the truth.
Eve, maybe you just miss Nikolai so much. He will soon come here to see you. It will lose your doubts." She patted my shoulder.
I just let go of my doubt that Ella might be right, Perhaps, I am just missing Nikolai. And then probably because I was just disappointed that he was not able to come with them.
"Mommy, Aunt Ella, we won!" Nicka shouted.
"Wow! My baby is great!" I cheered on here.
She ran over carrying a big bunny stuff toy.
"Uncle Paul did great to win this!" Nicka shakes the big bunny stuff toy.
"You did great too! Give me five!" command of Paul.
Nicka is delighted with the situation. It was fun to see her enjoying it. It is getting dark when we get back to the Garden of Leto.
"Looks like you had fun!" said Ella to Nicka.
"I enjoyed Uncle Paul's company, Aunt Ella! Dad is always busy. He has no time for me, like this!" Nicka announced.
Ella glanced at me.
"I am sweaty. I will go to our room to change my clothes." Nicka declared openly.
"I will follow you!" I told her.
Nicka came running to our room.
"What is the problem?" Ella shrugged.
"I do not know either. I want to know too!" I rested deeply.
I followed Nicka to help her change clothes and clean her body. Nicka became close to Paul. Paul also regularly visits her here at the Garden of Leto.
"Mommy, tell Grandma and Grandpa I am going to stay here. I do not want to go home," mumbled Nicka.
I am currently arranging her bag because they will be returning to Manila later.
"You have school, Nicka. Have your summer vacation here with mommy." I tried to convince her.
"It will still take a long time for the summer vacation. I am happier here with you." again Nicka complained.
"I am sure, baby, when Dad comes back from his conference, you two will come back here. We will be together again as a family.
Do you like that?" I moved toward Nicka and stroked her hair.
"That is impossible!" she said softly.
"When mommy is not too occupied, I will visit you in Manila. Is that okay with you?" I begged to smile.
"When daddy makes promises, he will not grant it. Hopefully, mommy, you keep your promise." she still let out sadly.
"Yes, I will. I will go home there to visit " and I kissed Nicka.
I want to be with her but she is already going to school so she can not just be left here.
Later, Mommy Vina, Daddy Ramon, and Aunt Ellie bid goodbye to me and Ella. They are returning to Manila.
"Hey! Nicka!" suddenly someone called her.
"Uncle Paul!" Nicka's face lit up.
"Here is the cheesecake that I promised you! Be careful on the flight!" and Paul was holding a box.
"Wow! Thanks, Uncle Paul!" Nicka applauded.
"Baby, be a good girl, alright?" and I sat down in front of Nicka.
"Keep your promise, Mommy," Nicka whispered pleading.
"Yes, I will!" and I hugged her very tightly.
My heart is feeling hefty to get away from Nicka again this time. From time to time I call them where they are. Until they told me that they have returned to the mansion.
Their Point-of-Views
"Who is Uncle Paul?" Vina implored Nicka.
"He is a friend of Mommy and Aunt Ella. He is kind, Grandma." Nicka retorted while they were in the dining area.
"You must be very fond of him." smiling Vina announced.
"Because he was playing with me. We even went to the amusement park. Then I won this big bunny. He fed us delicious cheesecake.
Unlike Daddy, he puts Aunt Fritz first. When Mommy was pregnant with baby Gabriel, they did not lose time for me. Why is it like that, Grandma?" And Nicka nuzzled the bunny stuff toy.
"I will talk to your dad. Nicka, did you tell your mom about Fritz?" Vina begged weakly.
"No! I do not want to hurt mommy. I know she will cry if she finds out the truth. She has been expecting that Dad would go to Mom after the conference.
Grandma, can I just stay there with mommy? So that dad can look after Aunt Fritz without being irritated with me." Nicka said sadly.
"Let me hug you, Nicka! Sorry that these things are happening to our family. Everything will be okay too." Vina cuddled Nicka.
Vina went up to their room to call Ramon and they are going to have dinner. Nicka was left at the dining table and still busy clasping the big bunny stuff toy.
"Oh! Nicka, you are back!" Nicka looked away because someone recited.
"Baby!" she heard another call.
Nicka did not say a word instead she hugged the bunny stuff toy even more.
"How is my baby? How was your vacation?" Nikolai asked and he approached his daughter.
"It was fine!" Nicka's short answer.
"I like that cuddly bunny. Wow! Is it a cheesecake?" and Fritz moved toward the table.
"Can I have some?" she implored again.
Nicka did not answer again.
"Nikolai, tell her to give me some of the cheesecake. I am craving for it." Fritz held Nikolai's arm.
"Taste of Antonio?" Nikolai reads what is written on the cake box.
"I will open it and I will eat!" said Fritz again.
Nicka gets down from the chair and then runs out.
"Nicka! Wait! Nicka!" and Nikolai followed Nicka.
"Where did you go? Nicka, tell me!" when Nikolai catches up with Nicka.
She shook her head!
"Did you see mom?" Nikolai pleaded to Nicka.
"I want to be with mommy. Let me be with mommy." weeping Nicka announced.
Even though Nicka did not answer, Nikolai seemed to know the answer. He clenched Nicka in his arms.
"She is waiting for you! Please, just let me be with her. I do not want to be here. I do not want you anymore!" furthermore asserted Nicka.
"Do not say that Nicka!" Nikolai tried to stop her.
"You do not love me. You only want Aunt Fritz's child so I will just be there with Mommy. She loves me and she cares for me." she continued to sob.
"Where is Mom?" Nikolai asked again.
"She is at Grandpa's house. I am glad there because Mommy has a lot of time for me. I do not want to be here! I want to be with my mom." Nicka repeated.
"Ssshhh... That is enough! I am sorry!" and Nikolai caressed Nicka again.
Nikolai felt Nicka's suffering. He felt abrupt ease when he knew that Nicka met with Eve. He wanted to see Eve and talk to her.
But how would he rationalize that he got Fritz pregnant because of a one-night stand?
For sure, Eve will ask him for his reason for going into a one-night stand for a stranger.
How will he get through this crisis? He is missing Eve with all his heart but how can he be with Eve if the situation has worsened to this?