Chapter 1

"Are you sure this is the right address?"

"I'm pretty sure."

She had been dreading this moment. She vowed herself never to come back to this place ten years ago, but because of her daughter, Sasha's request, she had to endure it. Taking a deep breath, she parked the car in front of the house with tall black gate. No one could see through the house from the gate it looked sealed as if to warn neighbors of danger lurking inside if someone ever dared to rob it.

"Wow, Mom! Looks like he's a big shot. I wonder what it looks like inside," and Sasha tried jumping up to look over the gates as soon as they stood before it. But since she wasn't tall enough, she couldn't reach it. After a few tries, she soon gave up.

They rang the doorbell.

Rrringg.... rrrrriiinnnggg... ringggg...

Three times they rang.

"I don't think he's home, honey. Let's try again next time," and she was about to turn her back when suddenly the gate opened. A tall, handsome man in his thirties stood in front of them. Alex caught her breath as the familiar face dawned before her.

"Who the hell-" he stopped as he saw her standing in front of him.

Ten years... It had been ten years. He didn't expect her to ever come back after that. He thought she was gone forever and yet, here she was, standing in front of him. He froze.

What is she doing here now? He thought.

He gazed into her brown eyes, surprised how he remembered how it looked. She still got those beautiful, attractive eyes where most guys fall in. He heaved a deep breath as he blinked once, and cleared his throat before speaking.

"Alex?" his eyebrows furrowed. Mixed emotions. Should he be mad or glad to see her? He wasn't sure. His mind just focused on how her looks didn't change after all these years.

"H-Hi, Robbie," she finally said after probably a few seconds of just staring at each other.

"It's been a long time," all he could say. There were so many things he wanted to tell her, but now is not the right time.

"Yeah, well.." Alex lowered her eyes and crossed her arms. She shook her left foot, as if she was putting out a cigarette. It had been her mannerism since they were younger.

"Mom," said a girl who emerged from behind her. She had the same pair of brown eyes just like her mother. "Is he the one?"

"The one what?" Robbie asked, confused. "And who are you?"

The girl rolled her eyes at him.

"Duh?! Can't you see? I'm your daughter," she replied.

"What?! That can't be right," he said in disbelief.

His daughter? DAUGHTER? No way!

Then it dawned on him. Could it be? His eyes met Alex's brown eyes who was now smiling faintly at him. She shrugged her shoulders as if to answer the question in his head. His brown eyes focused back on the girl.

"Better believe it, stupid!" she crossed her arms. She is literally a mini-version of Alex even the sassiness.

"Sasha, honey!" Alex reprimanded and glared at her.

"What, Mom?" Sasha turned to her mother. "He needed to know. Isn't that why we're here?"

"I thought you said I'm gay, Alex?" his eyes accusing. He couldn't believe this news.

God!  He told himself nervously. He didn't know exactly how to react to this.

"You're what?!" Sasha's eyes turned back to him, surprised, and her hands fell to the sides.

"You hear that right, honey. Your daddy is gay."

"I don't believe you."

"Well, better believe it, HONEY!"

Sasha narrowed her eyes at him and he smirked.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I am late for my appointment," and he closed the gate on them.

"Ugh! Are you sure he is my father? Well, look at him. He is the most arrogant man I have ever met! To think he is rich, he could have had some manners. But, no! He closed the gate on our face, Mom!"

"Sasha, please. Let's not embarrass ourselves and go. I told you we shouldn't have come," and she turned towards her car.

They made a terrible mistake. She thought that somehow he will be delighted to know he had a daughter and yet, instead he mocked her. She sighed. It's all her fault. They should never have come here.

Sasha, however, didn't move from where she's standing and crossed her arms.

"C'mon, Sasha! Let's go! " Alex called from inside the car.

"No! I'm not going, Mom," the girl answered defiantly and turned her back on her. She rang the bell again.

"Please, honey. Stop! " And she got out of the car again. She hated how determined her daughter was and it annoyed her most of the time since it resembled her father exactly.

"Sasha! I told you enough already! " And she pulled her arm.

"No, Mom! I'm not gonna give up," and she rang the bell furiously.

The gate opened once again.

"You're still here?" he asked Sasha.

"Listen, DAD! I don't care if you're gay or straight, but at least consider us. We traveled at least seven long hours just to find you and we got nowhere to go," Sasha explained.

"Wait, what?" his eyebrows furrowed and Robbie got out of the gate. "What do you mean you got nowhere to go?"

"Sasha, please. We don't need to bother Robbie anymore. Let's go!" And she tried pulling her daughter's arm again, but she won't budge.

"Mom, please! You got to tell him."

"Alex... Is this true?" Asked Robbie, concerned.

"You don't need to do it, Robbie. We'll be fine by ourselves like before. Sasha! Come on!"

"But, Mom!"

"Stop arguing with me and let's go."

"Stop, Alex! If you need anything, let me help you."

"It's okay, Robbie. Don't bother. Sasha!"

"Mommy, stop it! Dad, we don't have a home."

Alex glared at her daughter.

"Tell him, Mom," she urged Alex.

She pursed her lips together and forced a smile turning to Robbie.

"Is it true?" he asked her again.

She was about to open her mouth when Sasha answered.

"It's true, Dad. Now, I am hoping you are not that cruel, just as mom used to describe you, then you will let us live with you since we are your family, right?"

Alex clenched her teeth. "Sasha!"

"You're really persistent, are you?"

Sasha puts her chin up towards him. "You bet!"

He chuckled. This girl really amused him.

"Let me think about it," he teased.

"Look, Robbie, we have bothered you enough. We're going and we can all go on with our lives like we used to. Thank you for your time. Sasha, if you want to stay here, it's up to you. I'm going," and she walked towards her car.

"Alex, wait!" and he followed her to her car.

"Robbie, please. I don't need your sympathy, okay. Sasha only wanted to meet you and I think it's enough that you know the truth."

"So that's it? You're just going to leave again?"

She didn't say anything and just opened the door to the driver's seat. She was about to go inside when quickly Robbie opened the back door and took out Sasha's bags.

"What are you doing?" she asked, slamming the car door quickly, and went over to him.

"I'm not letting you take away my daughter from me."

She scoffed. "Now, she's your daughter? A moment ago you don't even want anything to do with her."

Robbie took the bags, ignoring her and Alex gasped. She can't let him get his way. Not before, not now, not ever!

She looked at Sasha, who smiled widely at her.

Oh, you better hide, baby girl, because I was gonna whip your sweet little ass for this, she thought angrily.

"I'm not gonna let you do this!" and she tried to pull the bags from Robbie.

"If you want to leave, then leave, but she's staying with me," Robbie pulled the bag but Alex won't let go.

"I'm not leaving without her. Let go!

"No!"

"Robbie!"

"Alex!"

Sasha laughed as she watched them do a tug-of-war with the bag.

"Well, why don't we ask her instead?" Robbie asked. "Do you want to stay, honey?"

Alex gave Sasha a warning look and the girl chuckled in return.

"I want to stay here, Mom," she stated.

Alex couldn't believe it. She's choosing him? How could she? Ridiculous!

Traitor!  She raged in her mind, narrowing her eyes at her.

Robbie plastered a winning smile and Alex let go of the bag abruptly.

"So, Alex, are you coming or not?" Robbie queried, his eyes teasing her.

"Ugh! I can't believe this! " And she flung her hands.

"So?" Robbie raised an eyebrow.

"FINE! But only temporarily."

"Agreed," said Robbie as he grinned.

"Sir, is everything okay?" an older man came out of the gate.

"And where have you been, Felipe?" he remarked in his authoritative voice.

Felipe just scratched his head.

"Take their bags inside. There's more in the car," turning to Alex he said, "Keys."

Alex gave the keys reluctantly to him.

Robbie jiggled it in his hands teasingly, as Alex stared at him furiously, before throwing it to Felipe. Felipe amazingly caught it with one hand.

Taking out a black remote from his pocket, he pressed a button and the gates opened, revealing a long driveway leading to the house. On their right was a fountain with a beautiful statue of cherubim kissing forming a heart. Flowers of many kinds encircled around it, leaving a haven of tranquility as the sun shone on it and the grass glittered with its lusciousness.

Sasha's eyes grew wide with excitement. Without a warning, she took off her sparkled silver flats and ran off towards the grass. She spun and cartwheeled, laughing as she fell on the ground.

Alex didn't know what to do. She wanted to get mad at her daughter and yet, seeing her enjoying herself, she decided to just let it go.

Robbie smiled. It has been a long time he heard laughter inside the house and seeing Sasha having fun in the grass, he felt he wanted to join her.

But then, his phone rang. Annoyingly, he answered it.

"Robbie, where are you?" a female voice said on the other line.

"Tell the client to reschedule."

"But, Robbie-"

He hangs up. A grin plastered on his face. It's a risk he had to take but he wouldn't trade this moment for the world.

A moment, watching his precious daughter play under the sun.