Chapter 6 Is He Luke

Hope's P.O.V.

As Uncle leaves, Mommy's friend returns from the washroom. She sits down in front of me and apologises for taking so long.

"It's okay," I reassure her, smiling. "I had good company while you were gone."

She looks at me with curiosity. "Whose company?"

"My uncle," I tell her, my voice filled with excitement. "He went to finish his work, but when he comes back, I'll introduce you to him. He's my best friend now!"

"When did you meet your uncle?" She asks, narrowing her brows at me warily.

"It happened yesterday," I begin with a sparkle in my eyes. "Uncle saved me from a car that almost hit me, and then he bought me an ice cream." I lick my lips, imagining yummy ice cream before continuing, "He's really nice. You know we had so much fun together. He always listens to Hope."

She smiles. "It sounds like you two have a great bond."

"We do." I nod, beaming.

As we chat, I eagerly wait for Uncle to return. I can't wait to spend more time with him.

As I see Uncle walking, wearing a warm smile, I jump up from my chair, waving at him to catch his attention.

"Uncle, Uncle, look. I'm here." I call him out, my voice filled with glee.

Uncle's face lights up as he spots me. He walks over to me, his steps quick. As he approaches me, I tug at the sleeve of Mommy's friend. "Look, he is here."

"Uncle, this is my mommy's friend." I introduce them, my voice filled with excitement. Uncle holds his hand to her, greeting her, "It's a pleasure to meet you."

She smiles and shakes Uncle's hand. "Likewise. Hope has been talking so much about you. Thank you for taking care of her."

His smile widens as he looks at me and ruffles my hair. "Hope is an adorable little girl. I like to spend time with her."

We take our seats, with Uncle and I sitting on one side of the table and Mommy's friend across from us.

I notice something in Uncle and start jumping on the sofa while clapping in delight. "Wow. Yippee."

They look at me, startled.

"Kiddo, you will fall. Sit down and tell me what happened to you suddenly." Uncle instructs me, taking me in his lap.

I hold his face with my both hands. "You have such pretty eyes, just like Hope," I tell him, gazing into his blue eyes.

"Yes, we have the same eye colour." He nods before placing soft kisses on my eyes, causing me to giggle.

"Now, Hope will also kiss your eyes." He closes his eyes, and I place soft kisses on both of them before giving him my toothy grin.

"Hope and her uncle have pretty, pretty eyes," I sing, clapping my hands. He chuckles and pulls my cheeks. "Now let's take a picture together, Uncle. We should capture this moment," I tell him, still sitting on his lap.

I like his company so much. I'm enjoying being with him as much as I enjoy being with mommy.

"Hope, your mommy is coming back home, so we must leave now." Hearing this, my heart fills with joy and excitement-the joy of spending time with Mommy and the excitement of seeing a gift, because she always brings me toys when she leaves me like this.

"Okay, Mommy's friend. Just give me a minute." I turn towards Uncle. "Uncle, I had a great time with you, but now I have to go. Will you come to meet me after my school tomorrow?"

"Of course, kiddo." He slightly pulls my cheek, and I grin at him.

Mommy's friend stands up and walks over to us. "It was nice to meet you," she says to Uncle as she lifts me in her arms after standing up.

"Ta-ta, Uncle." I wave at him and give him a flying kiss.

"See you tomorrow, Hope." Uncle gives me a flying kiss as well, bringing a smile to my face.

As Mommy's friend escorts me out of the cafe, I beam and continuously look back at Uncle until we arrive at her car.

She settles down beside me in the driving seat.

"Hope, you told me you only kiss your mommy. Then why did you kiss your uncle's eyes?" She inquires, buckling my seatbelt.

Good question!

"Because Hope likes him so much," I say, showing her how much I like Uncle by splaying my hands.

"It means you don't like me." She pouts at me.

"I really like you, Mommy's friend. You mean a lot to me, but Uncle holds a very special place in my heart. And you know who is the most special? My world's best Mommy!" I babble while giggling.

Daisy's P.O.V.

I'm returning home after my interview at a publishing company. Although my interview went well and they might hire me, I'm upset because I will have to leave Hope in daycare if I get the job. She becomes so sad when I leave her for only a few hours sometimes. I wonder how she'll manage without me every day.

Whatever it is, I must go out and work. It's for Hope. I can't afford her expenses and needs by staying at home with her all day. Although I want to stay with her all day and take care of her, I need to do this for her.

After seeing Hope's video on the swing, which Ella sent me, I began missing her even more.

I purchase a small gift for her because whenever I go somewhere without her, I always buy something for my little Hopi to make it up to her.

Exhaling a deep breath, I pull out my phone from my purse and immediately text Ella to bring Hope home. I can't wait to see her. I want her there as soon as I reach home because that place is nothing without my Hope.

Ella: Wait for some time, Daisy. I'm having the day of my life.

I don't understand what she's saying.

My brows narrow in confusion as I type a message.

Me: Huh? What do you mean?

Ella: Oh god, Daisy, I'm sitting in front of an oh-so-hottie.

What is she saying? Hottie?

Me: What the hell are you saying? Aren't you with Hope?

Did she take my daughter on some stupid date with her?

I'm seriously going to smack her face if she pulled that stunt.

But wait!

I'm pretty sure she would not take Hope on any date, given the track record of my daughter.

Me: Where are you? Why aren't you replying?

I text her again when she doesn't reply for a few seconds.

Ella: God, shush, woman! I told you I'm having the day of my life.

PS - I'm with Hope. She introduced me to her uncle, whom she met outside of her school. Oh boy, he is the hottest man I have ever seen, Daisy!

Her uncle? What is he doing there?

Me: God, stop drooling over some stranger when you're with my daughter.

Ella: I'm not drooling over him. I'm wetting over him.

My jaw drops as I read her text.

Me: Shut up, Ella. You aren't supposed to talk about all this when my daughter is with you. God! Just come home. I'll see you there.

I feel my cheeks burning with her double text. I can't believe she just said that about someone my daughter admires so much.

Ella: Fine! I'm coming.

Me: Thanks for the favour!

I reply sarcastically, shaking my head in disbelief. Although I'm glad to have found Ella as my friend in Manhattan and thankful for her support, sometimes she can be a bit too much.

However, I must say, I'm lucky to find friends. First Sofia in Florida, now Ella in Manhattan-they both are gems. I'm certain I'll always have their backs if anything goes wrong in my life. Sofia visits me twice a year.

When I was leaving Florida, she was so tense about how I would manage alone. She is a sweetheart. When my parents didn't care about me after my divorce, she was always there for me. The connection of hearts is stronger than blood.

***

I reach home, and after changing myself into something comfortable, I prepare lunch for Hope.

Her favourite white sauce pasta.

As soon as I finish cooking, I turn off the flame.

"Mommy, I'm back..." A smile spreads across my face, listening to Hope's cheerful voice.

I rush out of the kitchen, and as I see her standing with Ella, my eyes shine. She approaches me, running, and I lift her in my arms and kiss her cheek.

"Mommy, I missed you so much." She exclaims, her voice brimming with joy and love. She leans in and plants soft kisses on each of my cheeks.

I whisper, "Baby, I missed you more."

"You know, Mommy made your favourite white sauce pasta." I lead her into the kitchen.

"Wow, it looks delicious!" She exclaims, her little tongue peeking out to lick her lips as she sees the pasta in the bowl.

"This is all for you, my love." I place my hand on her tummy and give it a loving caress.

I can't resist tickling her playfully, and her laughter rings out like music to my ears.

"I'm also here, guys," Ella interjects, stepping into the kitchen.

I turn to Ella and give her a warm smile. "Thank you, Ella, for taking care of her in my absence."

Despite our earlier conversation, I know Ella cares for Hope deeply and is always there for her.

"Anytime, D." She walks over to us.

"Mommy, now let's eat pasta. Hope is hungry." Hope utters, catching our attention.

"Okay, my darling. Mommy is just serving you the pasta."

"Do it fast, your Hopi is hungry," she orders, dangling her legs as I make her sit on the high chair by the kitchen counter.

"Okay, Hope. Now I'm leaving." Ella pecks on her cheek as I serve the pasta to Hope.

"Aren't you having lunch with her?" I ask her.

"I'm already full."

"Ta-ta, Mommy's friend. I enjoyed a lot with you today." Hope waves at her as she eats the pasta.

"Bye, D." She leaves after waving at me.

"Mommy, why aren't you eating?" She asks as I settle down beside her on the other chair.

"Mommy's tummy is full, Hopi."

"You know, Mommy, I met again with the uncle who saved me yesterday. Your friend took me to the cafe, and while I was enjoying my chocolate shake, I spotted him." She begins telling about her uncle, her eyes sparkling. "Mommy, there are a few things which are common between him and me." She continues her blabbering while I clean her face with the napkin. "We both love chocolate ice cream and we both have the same blue eyes." I freeze as she tells me that her uncle has blue eyes.

Is he Luke?

My hand shakes as this thought crosses my mind.

No, no. I'm thinking wrong. He can't come here.

I shake my head, chucking my thoughts, but my heart races in fright.

I compose myself and ask her. "Hope, what's your uncle's name?" My breath becomes heavy with anxiety.

"Uncle!" she answers and laughs, throwing her head back.

"Hope, I'm serious. Tell me his name." I demand, giving her a pointed look.

"Otay otay, wait. Lemme think." She replies and places her index finger on her temple.

Her adorable antics aren't helping me. At this moment, I just want to make sure that he isn't Luke.

"Oh, I remember Mommy."

"Yes, tell me," I ask in a desperate tone.

"Opsy Topsy, Mommy, I forgot to ask. I'll ask next time." As Hope tells me, I give her a faint smile in response, my mind wandering in tension.

No. He shouldn't be Luke.

If he is and discovers that she is his own daughter, he'll snatch her away from me, shattering my life again. The mere thought of losing Hope is unimaginable. What will I do if this happens?

No, no. He's not Luke. I'm just overthinking.

I take a deep breath and calm myself down.

"Mommy, he'll come to meet Hope tomorrow after school. Then you can meet him and ask his name." Hope's words pull me back to reality.

I'm seriously trembling in fear. However, I know I have to stay composed for Hope's sake.

After taking a deep breath, I muster a reassuring smile. "That's wonderful, Hope. We'll wait until tomorrow, and then I can meet him too." I reply, trying to sound calm and collected.

I watch her enjoy her meal, my mind spinning with thoughts of Luke. I desperately try to push away my fears and convince myself that it's just a coincidence. After all, there could be numerous people with blue eyes. It doesn't necessarily mean that he is Luke.

****

At night, I put Hope to bed, tucking her in with a kiss on the forehead.

I lie, cuddling her in my arms. I can't sleep because I'm restless. What if Hope's Uncle is Luke? I can't imagine that. I never want to cross paths with him again. It's been five years, but the memories of his humiliation and cheating are still fresh in my mind, haunting me every day.

"Luke is a monster, and if he enters our life, he'll bring destruction. He'll snatch my Hope for me, my sole source of living." As I murmur, hugging Hope tighter, tears trickle down my cheeks. I just can't lose her. I'll die without her.

The entire night I spent thinking about Luke and crying. Sleep finally claims me in the early hours of the morning, but it is restless and filled with unsettling dreams.