by Claire Angel
“I know we agreed that this would only be until I have full custody, but I’m convinced that without you in our lives, there would always be a part missing. Please come back to us. Please come back to me. I need you and I love you.”
Throughout the entire speech, Diane just sat there in her seat. She was looking at me with a blank face for the most part of it, but now I could see there was a small tear forming in the corner of her eye. But still she didn’t say a word. I felt lost, like I’d forgotten something. My fight or flight instinct kicked in and just as I was about to flee. I realized that this probably was the biggest thorn in her side. Was she testing me to see if I was going to give up and run, just because I wasn’t getting my way the easy way?
Suddenly, I felt ashamed at my past behavior, “I’m sorry that I’ve been a jerk and that each time things started to get serious I walked away. I will admit that I have been scared of getting hurt as my Mom left my Dad and me and then Lolita also ditched me. I had hatred for women as each one that came into my life caused me heartache and pain. When I met you, I liked you at first sight. You were different, so pure and innocent and not like the others. But I was scared that it was all just a game to you. I know now that I was wrong. I respect you and I want to give you your freedom to express your own opinions and not force you to do anything.”
I didn’t know what else to say but I still continued, “If you need time to think, please take your time.” I gave her a weak smile, bowed my head and turned around slowly, hoping she would just say something and stop me. But all I heard was the noise of cutlery and the movement of chairs. As I started walking out slowly, her warm arms were wrapped around my waist from behind and I took a deep breath.
“That was a beautiful speech. Slightly rocky in the middle, but you recovered very well.” She had been playing me, testing my limits. As I turned around, she was smiling up at me.
“You sly little fox,” I bent down, picked her up and kissed her. There was applause from the patrons and a whistle from behind me.
After I put her down back on her feet, she turned to the counter and picked up a coffee pot. “Table twelve, ten and five need to be topped-up.” I took the pot from her and although I had no idea what I was doing, I still felt like I’d just conquered the world. She had forgiven me for my bad behavior and now I was actually doing something good for her.
“Okay. Which table is twelve?”
She pointed behind me and as I turned, there was an elderly lady raising her cup, “Over here, Sweetie.”
The rest of the day, I helped in the shop in serving coffee, taking orders and reading the menu, as I’d never been on this side of the counter. “You’ve got chocolate chip scones with ice cream? When did that get on the menu?”
She smiled at me and whispered, “It is one of my inventions; you should try it.”
I nodded and turn to the kitchen, “Can I have two choco-chip scones with ice cream, please?”
The cook smiled at me and then asked, “What table is that order for?” I looked over at Diane and she just looked at me with a challenge in her eyes.
I turned to look around the shop to see that there was a table open and I called back to the cook, “Table number sixteen, please.”
“Coming right up.”
I picked Diane up from behind the counter and carried her to the table. “Now, you still have to give me an answer.”
“I was wondering how long you would allow me to think on my own terms.”
“That’s not fair; you cannot tease an impatient man like that.”
“Of course I can. I just did.”
I felt the fight or flight instinct kicking in, but I reined it in and decided to stick it out and stay there. “Fine. I will give you more time to think.”
“I didn’t need time to begin with. I had already made up my mind yesterday.” Suddenly I wished the floor would swallow me up. What did it mean that she made up her mind yesterday? Was my whole speech for nothing? Had I been helping out for no reason? Why couldn’t she spare me from the humiliation of a break-up in her cafe?
She reached over the table and placed her hands on my forearm. I looked up into her eyes, but I was sure my face showed every ounce of the hurt I was feeling inside.
“I love you, too, Xander. I wanted to speak to you about your impulsive need for control, but I thought we could talk about it at a later stage. So this morning when you came in, I was testing you and I’m very proud of you. Sure, it was wrong to test you, but I need you to get the words out of your chest.”
I felt confused. She had already decided that she loved me yesterday, but this morning she kept me hanging on a string. “Why are we playing with each other?”
She became quiet and then serious. “We haven’t been completely honest with each other. This contract bound us and we both know we want more than just a contract marriage, so we are playing this game and bending the rules.”
“You’re right. We can cancel the contract and Maybe we should start from scratch.” I suggested with a smile.
She frowned at me, “I don’t know how contracts work or how we can change it. But I’m going to trust you to do the right thing and I will promise that I will do the right thing until you have your full custody. Is that a sufficient verbal agreement?”
Her straightforward way of understanding the matter and stating it so clearly made me smile and I felt proud to fell in love with such a girl. “I accept your terms.” I leaned over the table and kissed her, just as the waitress brought two bowls of scones and ice cream to our table.
Then I helped Diane cleaning the cafe and sort everything for the next morning. “Will you come home with me tonight?”
She smiled and nodded. We left the café and she locked the door behind her. Tonight we would take it slow. She placed her hand on mine and we walked towards the car. On the way home, we started to chat about the cafe and some ideas she had for the menu. It felt so comfortable to have her back in my life.
Kayla jumped up and down with excitement, giggling and laughing as Diane walked into her room where she was playing with Becky. “Dyna, Dyna, come drink tea!” Little Kayla moved her teddies and dolls to make space for Diane. I stayed at the door, looking at my girls playing. I smiled at my thought.
After dinner, we put Kayla to bed and I invited Diane for a glass of wine on my porch. “Please sleep with me tonight. I just want to hold you and feel you next to me.”
She looked at me while taking a sip and it felt like she was trying to read me. She said, “If you don’t mind, I would like to take things slow for a while, just until the contract expires. Things are very confusing and I’m also thinking of Kayla. I want her to learn the truth in a more natural way than to be blunt and abrupt with her.”
“I agree that we can take it slow. I just want to hold you.” I walked towards her where she was standing next to the balustrade. I placed my arms around her waist and she turned around, looking over the city. “For now, this is all I want.”
Chapter 22
Diane
The last few weeks of the month had gone by so quickly and today was the final court hearing on the custody case. Xander knocked on my door. I opened the door and I could see he’d just woke up. “I forgot to ask last night, but would you mind coming with me to court? I just really think it is important, you to be there. And I also want you to be there; I need you today.”
Things had been going really good between us. We’d been taking it slow, sleeping in different rooms most of the time and he had involved me in almost every aspect of his life. Going to court with him would be the only part that I didn’t think I would belong in. “Sure, I will be there for you. What time are you leaving?”
“Thank you.” He kissed me. “We’re leaving right after breakfast at eight.”
“Then I’d better get ready.” I quickly ran to my closet. What you should wear to the court? I tried to find something formal and professional, but all I had was summer dresses and jeans. Except my café apron
and branded shirt, there was nothing professional.
There was a knock on my door and I walked over to open it. One of the servants was standing there and handed me a hanger with a bag over it. “Mr. Paul said you might need this.”
I took the hanger from her and thanked her. I closed the door behind me and wondered what on earth this could be that I would need right now. I placed the bag on the bed and zip it open, finding a lady’s suit: a pencil skirt, jacket and white blouse. There was still something at the bottom of the bag and as I completely unzipped the bag, there were delicate black strappy heels. I had never worn such soft silky material and as I ran my hands over the blouse and the jacket, I felt a small pouch in the jacket pocket. Inside was a tiny jewelry bag with earrings, a matching bracelet and a very delicate necklace.
This was a complete outfit and it was amazingly smart. I rushed to the shower hoping that I would be able to do my hair up so that it would fit the cleverness of the suit. I would probably have to wear proper make-up and not just a quick lip gloss and mascara.
Breakfast was being served and I didn’t feel anywhere near to being ready, but I had to do the best I could with what I had. I was dressed and I had the earrings on, but the bracelet and the necklace were still in the little pouch in my pocket. I’d put those on in the car on the way. My makeup was done and I just needed to touch up my lipstick later in the car.
But my hair was still a mess. All wavy and curly, sticking out all over the place. I rushed downstairs to the dining room and one of the servers noticed my hair. “I know. Bad hair day, right?” She smiled at my comment and then disappeared into the kitchen. Not very talkative, but they were always courteous.
Xander looked dashing in his suit and little Kayla looked like a princess dressed in her frilly pink dress. I took my seat next to Xander and the servant placed my breakfast in front of me. The next moment there was a flurry of other servants coming into the dining room and the one from before came and stood next to me, “If you would like, I can help with your bad hair day?”
Next to her, a trolly appeared with combs and heated tongs, clips and brushes. “Sure, go ahead. Anything would be better than this.” I gave her an encouraging and thankful smile.
The next moment my hair was being dressed and I was still able to eat my breakfast. She held up one mirror at the back and gave me another to view the reflection. “Wow, you are really talented. I wish I could have amazing hair like this every day.”
Xander looked up. “Would you be up to it daily?”
She giggled. “Yes, sir. I would love to.”
Xander looked back at me and smiled. “As you wish, my dear.” I was slightly shocked at how quickly that just happened. I hadn’t even thought about asking her, but here she was willing and excited to do my hair every morning. The life of rich people was different from anything else I’ve ever experienced.
We reached court and Xander steered us towards the door. “Please, let’s get inside before she gets to us.” I didn’t have time to see who he was referring to, but just behind us the doors opened again,
“So, this is your new bitch? Pretty little thing, isn’t she? Do you really think she has it in her to raise my daughter?” A guard at the door quickly intervened and directed her towards her side of the courtroom.
I leaned towards Xander and whispered, “Is that Lolita?”
He just nodded and held onto Kayla even tighter. “Try not to look in her direction and don’t talk to her. Michael will be here soon. Please hold Kayla. Do you see Jared?”
I could feel he was very tensed and nervous and it gave me heartache. I squeezed his hand and took Kayla and took a seat next to Jared.
He smiled and gave Kayla a kiss on her cheek. “Hello, sweetheart. You look stunning today.”
Kayla smiled and made a small turn. We took our seats and I put Kayla on my lap. “There’s Daddy.”
Xander was seated in the front, but he turned towards Kayla and waved at her. Michael joined him and they started whispering to each other. Michael smiled at him and turned around and waved at us. Jared leaned over to me and told me that I was looking beautiful as well. I smiled and thanked him. Everything felt so severe and morbid, but I knew that everything would be fine. Soon, this whole affair would come to an end and I will make sure Xander was the happiest man on the earth.
The guard announced that we should all stand up and honorable Judge entered from behind him. I could see why they described him as old-school; his hair was gray, he looked wise and caring. As he took his seat, he scanned the courtroom.
“I see we have been honored with our little princess today and I hope she will remember this day as a good day. I have reviewed the case and after much deliberation, I have come to the conclusion that Ms. Lolita would not be able to fulfill her duties as the mother of this child. Her recent history and reluctance to cooperate with the rehabilitation center has made it clear to me. So I have to award full custody to Mr. Xander Paul, with zero visitation rights to Ms. Lolita.”
Lolita immediately shouted, “That man will never be able to raise her by himself. He needs an army of servants just wipe his ass! I want to see my daughter and I will take her home!” Her lawyer tried to pull her back down into her seat and after whispering something to her but she jumped up again.
The judge looked up from his seat, “Miss Beckster, if you harass Mr. Paul or Mrs. Paul in any way I will issue a restraining order against you. Regain your composure and act in a civil manner. The court deserves some respect.”
As she stormed out of the courtroom, the judge just shook his head. The court had been adjourned and Xander turned back to pick up Kayla. “We won, my precious little princess. One day, when you are big enough I will explain it to you, but for now, all you need to know is that you are safe and I will always protect you and give you the best you deserve.”
Xander turned towards me and with tears in his eyes, he leaned down to kiss me. “Thank you. This means the world to me and I couldn’t have done it without you. I love you.” He kissed me again.
Xander pulled away and asked loudly, “Who’s up for ice cream?” Little Kayla screamed with excitement, “Me.” Everyone was smiling and it felt like one big happy family.
Hiding from media, Xander took us to ice cream parlor where you could create your own ice cream where they mix the flavors and then freeze it in a blast chiller. Once the ice cream was set, you chose your toppings and then you could enjoy your own creation.
Kayla designed one with gummy bears and sprinkles and it actually looked very nice, but I opted for my old-time favorite. Crushed cookies in a rum and raisin ice cream with chocolate sauce over it. Xander went all out with chocolate, toffee and strawberry sauce with nuts and blueberries in a vanilla ice cream. When it came out, it almost looked like a rocky road. “Now you just need marshmallows for a proper rocky road.”
Xander looked at me with a twinkle in his eye. “Then that is what I will have.” He turned to the ice cream maker and said, “Marshmallows on top, please.”
Xander chose a table in the corner and we immediately started eating our ice creams. Kayla wanted to taste mine and offered some of hers to me, but she didn’t want to have a bite of Xander’s, saying, “It looks yucky, Daddy.” She pulled her little face into a big wrinkle and stuck out her tongue. We just laughed at her expression and she joined in the laughter.
I caught Xander staring at me, with a smile, “Do you want to say something?” Suddenly it felt like déjà vu, except this time he didn’t hesitate and run away. Instead, he smiled and said, “Can I take you out tonight for dinner? I really want to ask you something very important.”
“Sure.”
What important question he wants to ask me? Is he going to propose, or was he going to ask me if I would like to become Kayla’s godmother, or was he going to ask me if he could buy the café and change it into a money-making machine?
I smiled at myself and the silly thoughts that were running through my mind. I kept reminding m
yself to enjoy the present moment.
Kayla asked Xander if she could design another ice cream and he agreed, so the two of us were standing in front of the counter. I was also creating my second ice cream. Who would have thought it could be so much fun to design a dessert and then ten minutes later eat it all up and do it all over again?
Chapter 23
Diane
We got home after the ice cream outing. “Diane I have some business meeting to attend to. I will catch you at dinner if you don’t mind.” Xander asked.
“Yes, sure.” I kissed his both cheeks. There was s peaceful expression on his face which made me happy and relieved.
He left for the office and the rest of the afternoon I spent playing with Kayla. It felt so good not to worry about the café, as the new staff had learned the ropes so quickly and Mom said she would check in every day just after the lunch rush to make sure all was still in order.
Mom was doing much better since she was back at home and her next treatment was only in month’s time. She told me the other day she didn’t like to think so far ahead, but rather enjoy each day as it comes. It was such a pity that people realize it when it was too late to enjoy it and with that thought, I enjoyed our fake tea party and dressing up all Kayla’s dolls.
Becky was a darling and I soon found myself becoming close friend. She was a few years younger than me, and still had a vast knowledge of people and social standards.
She wanted to become a sociologist, but in her third year she had a big car accident and all her father’s money went to pay the hospital bills. So, now she had to take whatever opportunity she got.
“I love Kayla and Mr. Paul pays well. So I can’t complain, but I hope one day I will be able to complete my studies, even if I won’t ever be able to practice politics or further research.”
“Have you spoken with Mr. Paul about your ambitions and dreams?”
She looked at me as if I was crazy. “No, never. My dad says I can’t place my burden on someone else head.”