Chapter 5 A reckoning with the past

Restless, Alexa's fingers continued to twitch incessantly as her mind spun with a flurry of thoughts and ideas. This uncomfortable sensation was something she despised, as if anxiety itself was relentlessly gnawing away at her insides. The mere thought of Angelina ever forgiving Michael for even the tiniest transgression, such as a single missing hair, seemed utterly unfathomable. Deep down, Alexa knew that Michael had the potential to provide for their child's needs, yet she couldn't shake the nagging memory of a time when he struggled to properly care for a neighbor's child.

It was evident that he possessed a certain carelessness that raised concerns in her mind.

"We're here, ma'am," the man said. She didn't care about remembering his name or thanking him for the drive. "Where is she?!" Alexa shouted and dashed out of the car with her hair slightly disheveled.

"I'll take you to them, ma'am. They are-"

"Don't you dare talk to me! Keep to yourself!" She snapped at the huge man in all black who had driven them to Angelina's school. Why did he have to look so sophisticated? He was probably Michael's bodyguard or one of the numerous bodyguards. He had the fit and also dressed like one.

"Mommy! You're here!" Alexa shut her eyes tightly, relief flooding her whole body. She turned around and searched for the source of the voice from the passage before her. Stephanie was already running towards her.

"Mommy, daddy came to pick me...he-he said he's my daddy." Stephanie's grin was wider than ever as she explained the reason she'd bonded with the stranger that claimed to be her daddy. "How are you, baby girl?" His eyes raked over the little girl's form, his brows already creasing at the change of clothes. Allen gritted his teeth in irritation, trying to rein his anger as Angelina wiped a nonexistent stain from the tip of her nose.

"Fine, Mommy! We ate burgers and fries. Daddy gave me-"

"Where is Michael-your...your daddy?" He bit out with a clogged throat and trembling lips. He didn't want to share his daughter with him, even though he knew the thought was wrong. The man didn't deserve it.

"He's with Mrs. Adelaide."

"Why are you not in your clothes?" He gritted out, patting Angelina's hair.

"She got mud on the other one when we were just playing and had to change it." Michael's voice said above his head, and he sucked in a deep breath, praying for the strength to be able to deal with him. He didn't even hear him approaching. His voice was so casual compared to his fidgety self. Allen hated it. Nothing was okay between them, and Allen would be damned if he thought he could waltz into his life after all these years and think he owned a thing, let alone his daughter.

"We are going home," he snapped at the man in a suit, whose eyes were penetrating his skin, avoiding his gaze. Their eyes met. Fire matched fire as he glared at him. He wouldn't have him being so much around his daughter.

"Why? I want to play with Daddy," Angelina whined and tried to release herself from her father's tight hold. Letting her go, Allen pecked Angelina's cheek and told her she had something important to tell her daddy and for Angelina to stand still and be a good girl.

Now that Angelina was cooperating, Allen stood straight and stepped closer to Michael so no one would listen to their conversation.

"What game are you playing at? Why would you come here all of a sudden, Michael?" Allen asked calmly. A storm was brewing inside him, and he didn't want to stay calm, but he had to do it for his daughter's sake.

"I came to see my daughter. You didn't tell me-" Allen held up his hand, anger flashing furiously in his eyes. "Don't even go there! Where were you all this time, Michael? Oh, I know. You were busy doing other things even though you probably knew about her existence. You know what, I can't do this right now." Her eyes were bloodshot as she watched Allen narrow his eyes her way. If he tried to take her daughter or get any closer to her, she didn't know what she would do. No one would take Angelina.

Angelina was hers, her daughter.

"Sweetie, it's time to go home." Alexa sighed as she cupped Angelina's cheeks, noting the way the little girl looked from her mom to her dad and back.

"I like daddy, mommy."

Her throat closed up. "We're going home baby girl."

"Bye daddy." The girl's lips trembled as she waved at the man who stared lovingly in return.

Taking gracious strides towards them, he crouched to her height. He wrapped his arms around Angelina and pecked her on the forehead, making her giggle.

"Bye baby... and daddy loves you. You'll see me soon again. Okay?" He gave her the softest smile Alexa had ever seen and Angelina equally returned a smile as she dangled her hand which her mother was holding.

Michael cleared his throat and straightened his stance. "Take care of yourself too. You both are the most important people in my life right now."

Alexa could hear the sincerity in his tone, which surprised her.

Puzzled and perplexed, a cascade of thoughts tumbled through Alexa's mind as she tried to comprehend the sudden shift in Michael's behavior. She couldn't help but wonder what had prompted this unexpected transformation, as the Michael she had known in the past had been characterized by a self-centered nature, showing little concern for anyone other than himself. The image of him displaying such tenderness and care seemed like an anomaly, an uncharted territory that left her questioning his motives and intentions.

Reflecting on their shared history, she acknowledged that the Michael she had once been intimately acquainted with had never exhibited such gentleness, except when it came to pursuing his own desires. Their past encounters had been defined by his relentless pursuit, his ability to effortlessly charm her into his embrace and bed. It was an unsettling truth she couldn't deny, even amidst the current confusion. Yet, she couldn't shake the lingering doubts and apprehensions that whispered cautionary tales in her mind.

Was this transformation genuine, or was it just another ploy to manipulate her emotions and gain an advantage? Alexa's heart remained guarded, well aware of the allure Michael possessed, but equally cautious of the potential repercussions. The unspoken history between them served as a constant reminder that his advances had always succeeded in drawing her closer, rendering her vulnerable to his persuasive charm. As the complexities of their relationship unfolded, Alexa grappled with conflicting emotions, torn between her past experiences and the possibility of a changed man standing before her.

She was lost in her own thoughts when she felt warmness on her cheek. Angelina giggled. Then Alexa realized Michael had just pecked her on the cheek.

Crimson stained her cheeks at his bold gesture in the presence of their daughter. She tightened her hold on Angelina's hand and they started walking away. Who knew the brute could be sweet when he wanted to.

"Bye daddy!" Angelina chirped at the male figure behind them. "Where's your car mommy?"

"Oh goodness, no!" Alexa groaned, remembering there was no way for her to leave except hail a cab and she didn't have her purse with her. She was driven here by his armed bodyguard, after all.

"I'll drive you home." Michael's cocky voice came behind her just when she was trying to figure it out.

"No, thanks."

"Then how do you intend to get home?"

Michael's jaw ticked as he raised a brow. This woman loved testing him.

She contemplated on it for a while. It was getting pretty late too and she had to think of Angelina. No matter how energetic her daughter looked, she tended to get worn out and sleepy in the evenings.

"Fine, but you won't come with us... your bodyguard will take us home."

She didn't want to imagine what Michael would do if he got her alone at any chance. Yes, she was still attracted to him and his charms were still pretty much effective on her. Michael's jaw clenched harder. "I'm taking the both of you home right now. Argue with me and there will be consequences."

"What consequences?"

As he mustered up the audacity to take a bold and daring step closer, Alexa felt a flicker of uncertainty tugging at her resolve. His arms encircled her waist, drawing her into an uncomfortably intimate proximity, while a mischievous brow arched inquisitively. The flood of memories that rushed back at the closeness was unwelcome, stirring a mixture of emotions within her. She instinctively recoiled at the possessiveness conveyed by his firm grip, recognizing that any display of resistance or confrontation in front of her daughter would only exacerbate an already tense situation. Thus, she made a conscious decision to withhold her inner turmoil and suppress any urge to lash out, prioritizing the preservation of a calm and stable environment for Angelina's sake. She would've done just that, but Angelina shouldn't ever have to witness such.

"You are mine and no way in hell will you keep yourself from me so you can desire the company of another man. So I am driving you home myself, let's go now." His tone itself gave away the message as he gripped her firmly by the waist, his eyes cold.

"What do you mean by desiring the company of another man? What's the difference between you two anyway?" An irritated Alexa snapped, annoyed with the tone he was using on her.

She took a step back, putting the needed distance between them.

"The difference is that I get to fuc-" his eyes darted down to see his daughter looking at him in awe and he instantly caught himself. No way was he going to expose her to any bad words. "I get to eat your...uh...your puss-kitty." He said awkwardly, clearing his throat.

"You son of a gu-" Alexa was saying when her daughter's face hardened.

"You don't eat kitties daddy." Angelina snapped, her eyes going watery. "That's bad...and ugly...say sorry to kitty, now!" The adults exchanged glances as the businessman's eyes widened. Michael never had to explain himself to anyone but this cutie had him wrapped around her pinkie already.

"I'm sorry baby... I'm sorry kitty. I meant to say...erm, cookie. Yes, cookie."

Then the grin was back on the little girl's face.

"Oh. Okay. I eat cookies too. They are sweet when mommy makes them." "Really?" Michael chuckled and leaned in to peck her cheek. Alexa fought not to breathe but when she finally did, she caught the masculine cologne she'd been battling since they met inside the elevator that morning.

"Really." Angelina giggled heartily.

"I'll eat one made by your mommy then. It must be really good." He thought aloud. The girl nodded in agreement.

Alexa rolled her eyes.

Fully aware that their conversation was bound to take an extended period of time, Alexa made up her mind not to squander even a precious minute lingering within the confines of Angelina's school compound, engaging in any further discussions with the man she desperately wished to distance herself from. With a resolute determination, she turned her gaze away from the immediate surroundings, realizing that her presence in that particular space was no longer serving any purpose other than prolonging an uncomfortable encounter. Instead, she opted to prioritize her own well-being and swiftly navigate herself away from the lingering tension that enveloped the air, sparing herself any unnecessary interaction with an individual she had grown increasingly averse to.

"Let's go."

"That's what I thought."

"Wait, where's your bodyguard?" Michael narrowed his eyes. Why was she suddenly so interested in his bodyguard? Was she attracted to him? He didn't want to fire Shane, but Alexa was pushing it.

"He left. Don't talk about him or any other man when I'm with you." He scowled, annoyed. Alexa paid him no attention as she glared, allowing her thoughts to wander to the man at the driver's seat. He'd always been so possessive!

She got in the back with her daughter and kept silent for the rest of the ride. When they drove in through the gates, Alexa hastily alighted with her daughter.

"Thanks for the ride. We don't want to see you again, for the rest of our lives." Alexa sassed.

Michael's jaw clenched as he weighed the options. He could piss her off by inviting himself in or just wait for a few more days to set the plan in motion; the same one that'd involuntarily draw her closer to him.

"Oh, you'll see me soon baby." He waved at a now dozing Angelina. "Bye baby. Daddy loves you and mommy okay?"

"Okay...bye daddy...love you too." The little girl trailed off and snuggled into her mother's neck sleepily.

Surprised and taken aback by his admission of love for her and their daughter, Alexa couldn't help but scoff at his boldness. Without uttering a single word, she marched angrily towards the door, managing to close it firmly without resorting to slamming it. As she locked the door behind them, her anger flared up. However, deep down, she couldn't shake the feeling that there would be more incidents like this, especially now that Angelina was aware of her daddy's presence. The daddy she had previously explained was on a never-ending adventure.