I dried my tears because I didn't want Kai to see or hear me cry. I washed the dishes and prepared Kai's bottle of milk. Then, I lay down beside my son until I fell asleep.
I woke up and acted liked as if nothing had happened. I had to go to work even if I was feeling broken. I have to keep going. I cannot stop just because I am hurt.
I went to work and did the usual thing I had to do. I smiled and greeted the customer. I want to be busy, so I will not think of Acwell.
The next day, I found Acwell outside my door. He smiled at me as if I did not shout at him yesterday.
"Why are you here again?" I asked.
"I still have rights to see my son, don't I?" he replied.
I sighed and opened the door. Selene and Kai were in the living room playing.
"Hi, Selene!" I greeted.
"Oh, he came back," Selene said, surprised to see Acwell behind me.
"Was he the one who came yesterday?"
"Yes."
"Selene, this is Acwell, Kai's father. Acwell, this is Selene, Kai's babysitter."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Selene. Thank you for taking good care of Kai."
"No problem. I did thought you were Kai's father because he looks like you. But Kamiah said you were in Dubai."
"I just arrived two days ago."
"I see. Anyway, it's nice to meet you. I will go now."
"Thank you, Selene."
Acwell went directly to play with Kai after Selene left.
"How are you doing, my little man!"
"Daddy.. daddy," Kai said.
And I went to the kitchen to prepare something to eat. I called them after I finished cooking. We ate in silence.
"I am going to stay in LA, Kamiah. I will be coming here almost every day to see my son. I will act as a father and husband whether you like it or not because I am not giving up," Acwell said and immediately turned about to leave.
"I will file for divorce," I blurted.
"Go ahead. It's your choice. But I will still be here. It would not stop me."
He took Kai, and they went to the living room. I was left in the kitchen to finish my other chores. And when I went to the living room, they were playing.
"What time are you planning to leave because I am working tonight," I asked.
"You are working the night shift?"
"Yes, so?"
"Where?"
"I was the first one to ask a question."
"Go and sleep. I will take care of Kai until the babysitter comes."
"Don't you have anything to do?"
"No. I currently don't have a job, so I have nothing to do. Kai is still very active, so please sleep. Don't worry about him."
I looked at Kai, who was still happily playing with his toy car. He is still not sleepy. But I am exhausted because I did not really sleep yesterday.
"You look tired. Please take a rest."
"Okay. Thank you."
I went to the room, changed my clothes, and lay on the bed. In a matter of minutes, I fell asleep. I woke up when my alarm started ringing. I groaned and picked up my phone to stop the alarm. I remember Kai; I left him with Acwell in the living room. I went out to find Selene watching cartoons with Kai.
"Hello, Kamiah. Acwell wanted me to tell you sorry he left without saying goodbye. He did not want to wake you," Selene said.
"What time he left?" I asked.
"About five minutes ago."
"Kai did not sleep?"
"He said no, but he looks like he will sleep soon. I will put him to bed when he sleeps."
"Thank you, Selene. I will prepare myself to go to work."
I went to work feeling grateful and pity over Acwell. It was the first I was able to sleep that long on a working day. And this was all because Acwell offered to take care of Kai. At some point, I wished he did not leave so early because I wanted to say thank you. Maybe I will do that tomorrow if he comes back.
I started my shift like the usual routine. Hazel, who started her shift an hour earlier, just finished serving the only customer we have.
"Hi, girl," Hazel said.
"Hey. It's not busy tonight?" I asked.
"Well, I can't tell. Thirty minutes ago, it was busy. Then I don't know; it becomes quiet all of a sudden."
"Probably, it will be busy later when most of the restaurants close."
"Yeah. Hey, you remember the man I told you that looked like Kai?"
"What about him?"
"He came again, and I really think he is Kai's father."
I just laughed, although I think Acwell might have probably been here.
"Don't be silly. How will he be here?"
"I thought of that, too. Anyway, I just can't get over that he looks like Kai. And you always missed him. I wanted to show him to you."
Oh, no! I prayed I would never see Kai here inside this diner. I want to be able to work properly and not be bothered by his presence.
Two couples came, and we had to stop talking. We went back to work and dropped the topic. But I wondered if Acwell knows that I am working here. What would he think? Would he feel pity over me because I gave up a career that I love?
The shift ended busy but great because I earned $300 as tips. I went home to find only Selene with Kai. Maybe Acwell will come a bit later. I went on with my usual routine with Kai during working days, but Acwell did not come today.
"Did he gave up already?" I wondered.
Then I realized it would be for the better. But to be honest, I feel a little disappointed. I was starting to think that Acwell is serious about changing.
"Oh, well. Some people cannot change after all," the voice in my head said.