Novel Full Chapter 231: Father & Daughter [1]
Chapter 231: Father & Daughter [1]
I stood, and she ran towards me, stopping just a few paces away, her neck so tilted I feared it might hurt, so I crouched to her height, just enough to be eye level.
“You’re hugeeee…”
I couldn’t help it as a grin spread on my face, mirroring hers.
“Hi!”
“Hi.”
She stretched her hand out to me, and I took it in mine. I was careful not to hold too tight so that I wouldn’t hurt her.
“May I sit with you?”
“Of course.” I sat back in my space.
I thought she was going to sit opposite me, but when she braced her hands on the table at my side, I realized what she was aiming for.
I took over as I picked her up and sat her next to me, making sure she was well seated.
“Thank you.” She met my gaze, smiling so widely, and it was infectious.
I wasn’t sure she had taken her eyes off me since setting them on me, and neither have I, almost as if we were both enthralled by each other.
“Do you like the diner, Mister King?” she asked.
“Yes, I do.”
“Good! Because it’s the best in town. They have so many delicious things. You should try the chocolate cake.”
A sweet tooth, just like Catherine.
“I’ll give it a try.”
Esme took off her backpack. “I have questions, Mister King.” She brought out a note and opened it, holding a pencil in her other hand.
I was amused as I scanned what she must have taken her time to write down. The words were large, and some of them had missing letters, but I think I could make it out.
“You wrote this?”
“Yes!” She said, tipping her chin in pride.
“Amazing.”
“Really?” She giggled, almost forgetting her question as she got lost in my eyes again.
“Here, Esme, eat up.” The waitress dropped a plate of chicken tenders and fries, with an apple juice, before leaving.
Esme drank her juice first and set the cup down. “I hope you don’t mind my questions.”
She looked remarkably like Catherine, a much younger version of her, and the only thing that stood out was her eyes. They weren’t icy or dull but bright and full of energy.
“You’re not much of a talker, are you?”
I blinked. “Why would you say that?”
“Just a feeling. I’m not much of a talker, either, only with mommy.”
“I only talk more with your mommy, too.”
“Really?!”
“Didn’t she tell you?”
“I told you already, she has never said anything about you. I only keep seeing your pictures. Now, first question. How do you know my mommy?”
I got comfortable, my arm spreading over to the back of the seat. “We have known each other for years before you were born.”
“How come I haven’t seen you around?”
“Your mommy… she moved.”
“Moved?”
“Yes, she used to live in a city called Midnight.”
“That sounds like a cool name.”
“It is…”
“What’s Midnight like?”
“It’s loud, more people. Tall buildings that reach the skies.”
Esme was deeply fascinated by my words, so I continued my description.
“It’s called Midnight because it only comes alive at night.”
“Comes alive at night?” She tilted her head in curiosity.
“Day is night and night is Day. The lights come up, it’s like dawn. I have the best view in the house, too.”
“Cool…” she drawled. “Do you live there? In the best view in the house? Like that tall building that reaches the skies?”
“Yes, I do.”
Esme gasped. “Is it like a castle?”
“Something like that.”
Esme was in wonder, her eyes lighting up more as if she could picture it. I wanted nothing more than to show it to her.
She ticked the box for the first question and got to the next one. “Are you my mommy’s friend like Reed?”
“No.”
My answer was quick and almost stern before I covered it up with a smile.
“Then you’re not mommy’s friend?” She sounded sad and dipped her gaze.
I placed my hand beneath her chin and lifted so that her eyes were back on mine as I whispered. “I’m special.”
That seemed to satisfy her as her eyes lit up again.
“Last question!”
“Shoot.”
“Are you a fairy?”
“A fairy?”
She nodded. “Mommy told me my eyes are this color because I’m a fairy. Are you one like me?”
“What do you think about that?”
Her face lit up again. “I think you are!”
My smile broadened. “I am.”
“That’s fricking awesome!” She blurted.
But then she slapped her hand over her mouth, looking over at Catherine, who was busy taking orders.
Esme motioned her hand for me to lean close, and I did, giving her my ear.
“Don’t tell mommy I used the no-no word. I don’t have any more coins for the swear jar.”
“My lips are sealed.” I winked.
“Pinkie promise?” She showed me her little finger, and I wasn’t sure how I could wrap mine around hers.
Sensing my thought, she turned it into a handshake.
“Good doing business with you, Mister King.”
“Likewise, Ms. Walker.”
“Want some fries?”
“I don’t…”
She took one and brought it to my lips, and I parted them, using my teeth to take them before I chewed.
Esme fed me and herself as we talked more.
“School is fun but…”
“But?”
She didn’t say anything, like she was almost hesitant.
“Talk to me, angel…”
“They announced it last week, and it’s coming up this weekend. It’s a school fair.”
“A school fair.”
She nodded. “Last year, the others said mean things, saying that I don’t have a daddy. That… if I have a daddy, why didn’t he come?”
A tightened feeling gripped my chest.
“I didn’t tell mommy, and now there will be a new fair. I have to go, and I don’t wanna, they will say mean things again.”
“They won’t…”
Her eyes met mine, holding softly.
“They won’t say mean things anymore.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because I’m a fairy like you. And when they see two fairies, they won’t dare say anything.”
Her smile grew big, and she jumped at me, wrapping her tiny arms around my neck.
I was startled at the action at first, my hands freezing before I placed them on her back, feeling an unusual comfort as I closed my eyes.
Daddy’s here now.