18 After 7 years
George POV
THE PARK
"Ashley" yelled the top of my lungs.
"Yes, Dad?" a cute little angel running towards me.
"Didn't I tell you, you shouldn't run and don't go to places that I can't see you." I scolded her and wipe her sweats.
"But Dad, you didn't look for me, and besides I can see you well from there." she retorts and pointing to the place she goes.
Deep Sigh.
My daughter takes after my feisty attitude but she looks like her father. They have the same eyes, mouth, and smile. It is been 7 years since I left Andrei, the day I broke up with him is the day that I gave birth to Ashley. After a week of recovery, we went to Korea, where Lucas doing his business. He helps us a lot in a year financially and emotionally. I am indebted to him and after a year of being taking care of, I decided to went back home and start our own life.
I borrowed money from Lucas for our start of life. I change our surname and used my mother's surname, Rivera.
At first, I was struggling because Ashley just turned one. I open a small Milktea shop, where I can take care of Ashley while running the shop. However, it didn't last, because of a lot of competition my shop only last for three years. So I have no choice but to work for a company. Luckily, I got hired immediately and have been working as a manager for three years.
It is a small construction company and no one questions my identity.
My boss didn't care that I am the castaway son of Santos Development Construction, I am glad that he sees my potential, he like a father to me and Ashley treats him as a Grandfather. She likes him a lot and from time to time, I bring Ashley into the company. She is well-loved by everyone and I am so happy about it.
THE HOUSE
"Dad, What's for dinner?" Ashley went to the kitchen and disturb me while I'm slicing onions.
"Hmph. Uhm... Spaghetti, baby girl." pat her head.
"Go take a bath then we will eat afterward," instruct her to take a shower.
Ashley is a sweet, mature, sharp tongue and very independent. Sometimes, I thought I am not talking to a seven-year-old, I am proud of how she turns out to a strong little girl. She never asks about his father or anything about my family. I knew she frequently teases by her classmate at school about not having a mother. I always tell her that she comes from me, that I gave birth to her. Her teacher informs me about her struggle at school because Ashley never speaks about it. But she responded to children bullying her with a death glare. I couldn't get mad because she takes after my attitude. She just death glare her bullies as if she cursing them. I knew there will be times that she will lose her temper and she will strangle them. Sigh.
I set the table for our dinner, and wait for Ashley to finish getting dress in her pajamas.
"Baby, the food is ready. Let's eat."
"yeah, coming dad."
We starting to eat our dinner. I asked her, "How's school?"
She responds, "Same as always...boring..."
Deep Sigh.
We are done eating and Ashley is doing her homework while I am washing the dishes.
"Dad, I am done with my homework. I'll go to bed."
"Okay, Baby."
Ashley can sleep on her own and sometimes I kinda sad because she doesn't depend on me. She likes to do things on her own. I am proud but I feel sometimes she is too young to be independent. Well, I guess she takes after his father's independent behavior.
Before going to sleep, I usually check my emails and checking Andrei Lopez's achievements. Yes, after seven years of being part ways, I haven't forgotten about him. Though he is famous now, he achieves so much, I'm deeply happy that he is a successful man already, at least leaving him did do good.
My heart flutters. My heart pounding seeing photos of him. I miss him so much. Sigh. The good memories of his flashback, how sweet he is. But looking at him now, all the stolen shot he has, I haven't seen a photo that he smiles. I miss his sweet smile. So I open the hidden folder where I store our photos together. I couldn't get enough of him. I can stare at his photo all day but I need to move on. I broke his heart, I don't deserve him. I am a mess but I have to be a great father to my daughter. So I closed my laptop and went to Ashley's bed.
Oh, baby, you look exactly like your father. Be like him. I kissed her forehead and left her room then went to sleep. I hope to dream of him again.
