5 Where is the man you left me for?

"In the flesh." He said. Mandy Huo stepped back for a second trying to explain how her ex metamorphosed in front of her. It has to be an illusion, she thought. The mud was really doing something to her.

"Esteban, "Mandy repeated. Is that really you?"

Esteban bent down to meet her trapping gaze. He could read the downright horror in her expression. He wiped away the sticking wet mud on her face and said, "Were you expecting someone else?"

His touch sent a fuzzy feeling that sent warmth. The cold was replaced by the inferno his fingers seemed to ignite within her. Time stopped. There was a force stop in the rhetoric of space and time but then, Mandu had to remember this wasn't an encounter with the same stupid teenage boy she cuddled with. Things had changed. Times had changed. Reluctantly, She took just hands and helped herself up.  By that time the downpour had reduced to a bearable drizzle.

"What are you doing here?" Mandy asked, dusting her wet dress to avoid looking into those dark orbs.

"I came to see you. Is that so surprising." He replied.

Mandy wouldn't lie. It was surprising. She hurt badly the last time they met and even she couldn't forget the awful words she said but why was he so elated about seeing her? Why didn't her sight disgust him?

"Well... Who told you I was here?"

"Your sister."

"I thought she was at one of her NGO retreats."

"That doesn't matter," Esteban said, brushing off her further questions. "How are you Amanda?"

Mandy's cheeks flushed hearing him call her by her full name. It had been a long time since anyone had called her that. Still, She couldn't understand the purpose if Esteban's visit. Was he aware of her condition? She had a gut feeling that sensed he was only here to mock her so she figured she would not entertain him.

"I'm fine if you must know. Goodbye." With that, Mandy marched to the shed in the distance. Esteban of course did not let her go so easily. He ran after keeping on her tail closely. When Mandy teacher the shed, She flared back at him unable to keep quiet.

"What do you want Esteban? I'm trying to do something."

"You forgot your umbrella." He simply replied, handing it to her. As Mandy grabbed her umbrella, She decided to apologize for being rude. There was a fair chance he wasn't here to mock her. Maybe he had moved past petty revenge and just wanted to say hi. She wanted to believe that so she gave him the benefit of doubt.

"I'm sorry for screaming. Thank you."

"Apology accepted. If I may ask what are you doing alone in the middle of the night?"

Mandy opened the old door of the shed where the archaic generator was preserved. Her late father had refused to obey a new one claiming the old machines worked and lasted more than the new ones. She hoped he was right.

"Well, I'm trying to get this thing on." She replied trying not to stammer. Esteban was acting as if there was no bad blood between them. It just felt unreal.

"Why can't your husband do it?" Esteban questioned, stepping forward to help Mandy. Mandy stood there, tongue-tied. She already knew it would eventually get to this. There was no way she was giving him that piece of information. It wasn't over the top terrifying to say but Mandy knew she was talking to Esteban. No matter the bad blood, She was sure she wouldn't be able to contain the tiny and incriminating detail of her husband's demise. So she remained quiet and hoped he would let it passed. She watched him check the oil quantity, then the gasoline.

"Isn't Hugh here?" He asked, facing her and refusing to let it slip. Mandy had to decide between pushing him away or accepting she needed his help. She was ninety percent sure she couldn't jack that thing to start.

"He is not here." She finally said.

"Really?" He chuckled, a wicked glint in his eyes. Mandy ignored it believing it was all in her head. Besteban returned his attention to the generator, flipping the right switches and finally giving it a strong jack. The machine screeched madly as it came to life filling the darkness with a warm yellow brightness.

"I should receive a thank you for that." He said, walking to her and taking advantage of the opportunity to make her uncomfortable again. Mandy could barely breathe while he was at her face. His heavy and slow breathing which scented of a sharp vanilla cologne was enough to make her lungs weak while her legs wobbled. It was a bad idea but Mandy thought it would be nice to invite him to dry up in her house. It was warm there and she could make hot cocoa to help with the chills he had since she sensed him shivering.

"Thank you Esteban. If you like, you can have a cup of hot cocoa before you leave."

It was too late to swallow her words. Mandy chastised herself for being a stupid goody two shoes. What was she trying to prove? Hopefully, Esteban would reject her offer and get on his way as quickly as possible.

"How can I resist that?"

To Mandy's undying shame, He didn't say no she sighed in defeat and lead him inside.

"Look at the rain dropped by." Olivia whistled adding to Mandy's embarrassment and it was followed by a "Who is he?" and "You have a daughter?" question.

Mandy exhaled so loudly that it had to be considered a sigh.

"Yes I have a daughter." Mandy disclosed then turned to her daughter, "This is Esteban, He is...was my friend."

"We were more than friends." Esteban chimed in making Mandy's face turn beet red.

"I will be in the kitchen. You too can get talking." Mandy said and left the living room to Esteban and Liv before another uncomfortable situation popped up. Esteban got rid of his wet jacket and sat on a couch close to Olivia. He was surprised to learn Amanda had a daughter. He wouldn't have imagined that her relationship with Hugh had blossomed such a child. She looked an awful lot like her mother yet retaining her father's eyes— Always searching.

"You look like your father." Esteban lied just to start a conversation with her.

She gave him an odd look before speaking,

"Why would you even say that?"

Her irises were brazen and she sounded hurt. Esteban was oblivious to what was going on. What did he say wrong?

"I'm sorry. Was it what I said?"

"You don't know?"

Esteban tensed. Apparently, there was something he didn't know.

"Know what?" He asked, probing her to spill whatever she had.

Olivia's head descended and tears cascaded down her cheeks just seeking the strength to say the words.

"My father is dead." She finally said.