To Be Yours Again-Chapter 261 A wish

*DANICA*

Philip.

I had called him last night and proposed, well, a quite sick plan to him.

Philip was one of the people I first met when I relocated to this place. He was nice and he helped me a lot.

He was also there for me during the early years of Lucy’s life. I knew he liked me but I had purposely feigned ignorance to it.

He had travelled about three years ago, I’m sure Lucy couldn’t remember him anymore but then I ran into him just few days back when I went grocery shopping.

We had talked at length and I suggested a quite crazy thing to him.

For him to pretend to be Lucy’s Dad.

Lately, I’ve been scared of what would happen to me once Lorenzo regains his memory.

He had the money and power and he would definitely punish me for lying to him.

Worse, he might figure out that Lucy was actually his kid and I was scared he was going to take her away from me.

I know this was wrong. I know my lies kept piling and piling.

But I had no choice. I do not want him to ever suspect Lucy is his kid even if he regains his memory.

"Are you sure about this?” Philip asked me again.

“Yes, Cora is close by. Let’s make it look as if we’re arguing. You know, you’re supposedly back after abandoning me with a child.”

He nodded.

I felt so glad he was so willing to do this for me.

Pretending to be a father to a kid was a big deal.

I slowly sat opposite to him.

"I’ve been looking for you, Danica. I had almost gone mad thinking I would never find you.” He began.

"What do you want?"I asked, trying to look as angry as possible.

"I missed you. And I wanted to apologize for leaving you to take care of our child alone. You told me you were going to keep it, you eventually did, right?"

Before I could form my words to continue the act, I heard Lucy’s voice.

"Mommy!"

Lucy ran over to my side and hugged me.

Gosh, I wasn’t ready for her to meet her fake Dad.

"How was school today, honey?"

"It was great."

She turned to face Philip and I knew my ever curious daughter was wondering who he was.

"Hey, pretty girl...I’m Philip."

She grinned. “Lucia."

"You have such a pretty name too. How old are you?"

"Seven."

"Lucy, c’mon, go upstairs and change so you could come have lunch." I cut in.

"Okay. Bye Philip.” And then, she walked off.

"I never knew I had a daughter so beautiful.”

I eyed him. “You’re really into this act, completely. I’m sorry again for making you do this."

“Danica, I’m more than willing to do anything for you...as your friend.”

I glanced behind him to see Cora and Markus staring our way, definitely trying to guess who this person was and what was with the reaction.

I quickly turned to face Philip, turning on my hostile look, signaling him to put on an act again.

"You disappeared from my life!"

"I’m so sorry, I was scared, I was still so young and I had no money with me to look after a child."

"Why are you here?"

"I want to make up for lost times with you and our daughter.”

"With me? I’m married"

"I see no ring on your finger."

"I..."

“Danica, before coming here, I asked the neighbours about you so they made mention of no husband. Also, have you forgotten, you can’t lie to me, girl...I know and understand you better than anyone, that was what one of this things you love about me before...the ability of knowing what my darling girl is thinking... you’re still so beautiful, Danica."

I eyed him, he was good.

"The same way you disappeared from my life years ago, I want you to do that again now. Lucy and I don’t need you.”

"I’m her father!"

I laughed, hysterically.

"Now, you know"

"Danica, I’m sorry....just let me..."

"You have to leave now."

"I made a mistake before but I won’t make the same mistake again. I want you and Lucy in my life.”

I huffed. “In your dreams. In fact, I’m done here, you can keep sitting and when you’re tired, you can see yourself out.” With that, I stood up and walked away.

When I got to the kitchen, I was more disoriented than ever.

Seriously...what was wrong with my life?

*********************

The following day, I stared at Lorenzo as he headed towards the bathroom to have his bath.

We haven’t talked much since I rejected him.

He was in the same house with me yet I miss him so much.

But this was what was best for the two of us.

Lucy walked into the living room, I bent down to lace up her shoes.

A knock sounded on the door.

"Come in.”

When I lifted up my head, I acted surprised to see Philip.

"Good morning, Danica." He greeted and turned to face Lucy.

"I was in a hurry to get here, I wanted to see you before you head off to school.”

Lucy stared at him and then at me.

"Philip, please go..."

"Daddy got you something.” He announced, stretching a parcel to her.

"Daddy?"Lucy asked, confused.

"Yes, princess, I’m your father"

"What?" And that was Lorenzo walking out of the bathroom with a towel around his waist.

"Who the fuck are you?" Philip asked.

"Can you not use that word in front of my daughter please?"

"I’m sorry. But who’s he? Why do you have a man in your house?"

"He’s Andro."Lucy replied.

She didn’t look shaken or excited to finally meet her supposed dad.

I really hated lying to her.

But I have to make this believable so that Lorenzo will never think there was a chance Lucy was his daughter.

She walked over to Lorenzo.

"Miss Mona loved the painting we did together."

Lorenzo smiled. “I knew she would. I mean we are two great artists.” Lorenzo joked and she giggled.

"But mine was more beautiful.”

He snickered. “I think we’re gonna have a major argument right now.”

Just then, the school bus signaled his presence.

"We’ll have the argument later, bye Andro."She hugged him.

She walked over at me and kissed me on the cheek.

"Bye mom.”

As she passed by Philip, she awkwardly let out.

"Bye.”

"Oh, bye angel. Have a great day at school. Make sure you study well. Daddy’s gonna get you many more stuff.”

She suppressed her lips in a tight line and walked off.

Now, it was just Lorenzo, Philip and I in the living room.

I ruffled my hair.

Things couldn’t get any more awkward.

"What is a man doing in your house, Danica?!"Philip thundered.

"I owe you no explanation.”I shot back.

He looked so worked up.

I also had to act like I hated him for now.

I mean, he supposedly abandoned me when I was pregnant.

"And you, after so many years, why did you come back?" Lorenzo asked.

"This is a family’s issue and you should stay out of it.”

"Family? All of a sudden, you’re a family man now?" Lorenzo sneered.

"You piece of shit.”

I stood in front of Philip before he could start a fight in my house.

That wasn’t part of our agreement.

"You should go now.”

"Danica...I..."

"I don’t care what you’ve got to say.”

He sighed. “When does Lucy get off school?"

"Philip, just leave us alone.”

"I can’t do that. I will never do that.”He said and stormed off.

I turned to face Lorenzo.

He didn’t say anything to me.

He walked away probably to wear his clothes.

************************

"Why can’t you let me take her home?! I’m her father."

I headed up to Lucy’s class hearing a man screaming down his lungs.

Why do people love causing a scene?

As I came close to it, I gasped seeing that it was Philip.

Holy Molly.

"I’m so glad that you’re here, Danica. I was about to call security on this man.He keeps saying he’s Lucy’s dad.”

"He’s not."I clarified and pulled him aside.

“What are you doing here? I didn’t say you could come get her from school.”

“I thought I needed to spend more time with her so she could easily believe I’m her Dad. Can’t you see that she seems to hate me? Your plan isn’t working.”

“She doesn’t need to be super close to you. I already said I just needed everyone around me to think you’re her dad. That’s it.”

“You still haven’t told me why that man is in your house...”

"Mommy!"I paused as Lucy hugged me.

"Daddy’s here too.” Philip said waving at her.

She grinned and held my hand.

I didn’t like seeing my daughter so uneasy about something.

And I hated myself more for it.

**************************

"Is he really my daddy?" Lucy asked me as I put her to bed that evening.

I sighed."Yes"

"Why hasn’t he been around since I was born?"

"I don’t know, honey.”

"I don’t like him.” She confessed. “I want Andro to be my daddy"

I looked away from her.

Unfortunately, that was a wish that wouldn’t come true.