Chapter 4 Persistence

As we entered the living room, I exclaimed, "Isabelle, we're leaving right now. What? Why? We should purchase ice cream, right? Isabelle asked, "Ice cream?" while pouting. Olivia enquired

"Hey! You could send Olivia with us, and I'll drop her off later, but I'll just pass by an ice cream bus, and we could go together on the weekends. I know you both are busy.

"Nope, I don't want you to travel all that distance just to return here. We'll go together another day, but will you be alright, because?" She enquired

When they nodded, I added, "Theo, Isabelle, you don't have to worry; I'll be okay, okay? Just don't worry; I know you guys want me to stay with you, but we can't because our house is there and I have work and school and everything."

Theo held my hand and added, "You know, if you need anything, just give me a call once, and I'll be there."

Before saying farewell to them both and to Ava, I added, "I know Theo, and I'm lucky to have you, brother. Thank you guys so much. We got out and walked until we found an ice cream shop we always went to."

It has always been my favorite; I can still see my parents taking me here.

This location evokes several recollections.

Before we entered the ice cream shop, I remarked, "Let's get some ice cream for a takeout, so we can have it while walking.

What would you like to have? Hello and welcome to Joe's Ice Cream. Behind the counter, a girl questioned

"I'll h-"

Before we could turn to face him, a voice from behind us remarked, "I'll have one scoop of peanut butter and chocolate in a cup." I widened my eyes.

Happy, Ava exclaimed, "Dan!"

"What are you doing in here?" I yelled and muttered.

What would you want to eat, Ava? Despite me, Dan asked.

"I adore chocolate and peanut butter! It's my preferred," she grinned.

Before turning back to Ava, Dan remarked, "Make that two," adding, "It's my favorite, too; it's the most amazing thing Avar."

"Lilian?" He regarded me.

"Huh?"

His response was, "Your order."

"Dan, what are you doing? Why are you staying with us? And no, your order is independent from mine and Ava's order. I said

Dan began to say "Lilian" when Eva interrupted him.

Ava remarked, "She likes cotton candy."

"Ew, who likes cotton candy?" Ava heard Dan whisper to her before they both broke out in laughter.

Ava put on a disgusted grimace and stated, "It's disgusting."

They had so much in common, and I despised it so much that I felt like I was suffocating.

Then, Dan said, "1 scoop of cotton candy ice cream."

The girl responded, "That'll be £10," before I pulled out the cash and offered it to her, and Dan pushed my palm, releasing the credit card into her hands.

He shrugged off my "I'm paying" statement.

"Dan, I don't need you to cover my expenses! I answered, "I'm funding myself and my daughter.

He added, "I'm paying and consider it a reward for Ava's for coming in first in the play."

Before Dan would pay, he kept nagging me to eat my ice cream while Ava held hers.

I drew Ava with me and walked outside, saying, "We're going; thank you for paying; bye; but I knew he was following us."

"What do you want, Dan" Please cease following me, I said without turning around.

He turned around and waved to Ava before turning back to us and saying, "Going to my car."

She gave him a thumbs up, and he responded, "I'll see you at school, Ava," before chuckling.

"Ava! Whoa, what was that? What topics did we discuss today? I yelled.

Sorry, mommy, she said, "I forgot."

"Ava, I'm not kidding! I warned her to stay away from him before she nodded and began eating her ice cream.

I said, "Let's just go."

"Wagon or bus?" She enquired

Before we walked back to our house, I said, "We were walking, plus the weather today is great. I never called this place home because it wasn't home. I can hardly sleep at night, just to make sure Ava is safe."

Ava shouted "Ma" as she ran in my direction, a big grin on her face.

"Hey, love, how was school?" Kissing her forehead, I inquired.

"We're going on a trip tomorrow!" She enthused

"Wow! A trip? To where? I query

From behind me, I heard a voice say, "To Liam Enterprise."

Dan

Liam Business? His family's business, the family that runs a chain of exclusive hotels around the globe

"Dan! When did you start having kids without telling me, bro? Dan was being spoken to by a man who muttered something, and I recognized him even before I saw his face.

Thomas, his close friend

"We look the same, but he's not my father," Ava replied.

"Lilian! Oh my god, that's awful! Hello, Lilian. As soon as he saw me, Thomas remarked

Thomas, I said, "Hey!"

It has been some time! How are you doing? He smiled and questioned.

"How have you been? I've been good. I asked him.

"Excellent, truly excellent! Is she your child? I nodded as Thomas questioned

Thomas combed his hand through her hair and remarked, "She's a cutie."

Ava said, "Ow."

"What's wrong?" you ask. Dan and I both spoke at the same time.

She replied, giving us a sly smile, "Nothing."

Ava I'm sorry," Thomas said.

I murmured, grabbing her hands in mine, "Love, let's go."

"Are you sure I'll see you tomorrow?" Dan said while addressing Ava.

"She's not," I retorted.

"What??" Ava said while scowling.

Dan responded, "You are concealing something, Lilian George," but I disregarded him and left.

"You won't be leaving tomorrow," I said.

"What? Ma! Why! All of them are going! And the play's lead character is me, mom! I must be present. Please! You may go. "Please, ma," she pleaded.

I declared, "I'm coming with you."

'Thanks, Ma! I'm grateful. She grinned and encircled me with her arms.

You hear me? But you'll behave. You'll follow my instructions when I tell you to.

"Okay, mommy"

OK, what would you like to eat for lunch?

"McDonalds!!" She exclaimed fervently.

I replied, "Okay, then let's go."

She exclaimed joyfully, "Yay!" making me chuckle.