Chapter 5 The Best Mommy

Hope's P.O.V.

"Please, Mommy's friend, take me to the park. Pretty please." I bat my eyelashes at Mommy's friend. I want to go to the park because I'm getting bored. When my mommy is not at home, I don't like to stay here.

"No, Hope. You're very naughty. Last time, you made me run after you so much. When I asked you to go home, you lay on the ground, saying that you wanted to play more. Gosh, I had to drag you. I won't take you."

She is complaining about me-with me only. Huh! But I need to make her agree. Think something, Hope. Think something.

Idea!

"I'm sorry, Mommy's friend. I will not repeat my mistake. Please forgive me." I hold my ears, making an innocent face. She stares at me with raised eyebrows suspiciously.

Just take me, and I'll show you how sorry Hope is. Hehe. I'm mentally giggling. I know it always works on big people when small people apologise.

"Aww, don't say sorry, my baby. Fine, we will go. But promise me you won't do anything naughty." She picks me up in her arms, and I nod with my best innocent smile.

***

"I can be an actress, I guess. But I will only do the princess's role." I murmur, raising my imaginary collar as Mommy's friend locks the door.

"What did you say, Hope?" She asks, causing my eyes to widen.

"Nothing, Mommy's friend. I was thinking how sweet you are." I immediately answer, smiling at the end.

Well, it's not a lie. My mommy's friend is very sweet, and she takes care of me with so much love.

"Aww, you're the cutest, Hopi." She comments, kissing my cheeks, but I frown at her.

How can she call me Hopi? Only Mommy calls me that.

"I'm not your Hopi. I'm only my Mommy's Hopi. Understand?" I ask her, pointing my finger at her.

"Okay, baby. I won't. Now let's go." She takes me towards her car.

***

"Mommy's friend, see how high I'm going?" I giggle from the swing.

It's my favourite.

"Hope, don't go too fast." She comments, but I ignore it and close my eyes to feel the fresh air touching my face. My mom taught me to feel the fragrance of nature, and I'm doing exactly that. Oh, how I wish she would have been here.

Your Hopi is missing you, Mommy!

"Mommy's friend, make a video of me. And send it to Mommy. Please." I request her and giggle, saying, "I love you, Mommy," as soon as the video starts.

Once I'm done playing on the swing, I carefully wriggle out of it and go to mommy's friend. She's sitting on a bench, doing something on her phone. I've called her so many times, but she's not paying proper attention to me. She tells me to sit with her on the bench because she is doing something important.

I sneak away from her. Huh!

***

I'm playing with a girl, Hannah, whom I met in the park. Mommy's friend's voice interrupts our game, calling out for me.

"Hope, where are you?"

"Okay, Hannah, I'm going. My mommy's friend is calling me. It was so nice to meet you." I tell Hannah, waving goodbye, and she smiles back, saying she had a lot of fun today.

Well, of course, she did because I was there with her. Hehe! I'm such a great company.

I approach Mommy's friend, who stands with her back to me, searching for me.

I'm about to tap her when I overhear her next words. "Okay, baby, I'm sorry. I will give you my full attention and also record your hundred videos. Just come out."

Oh, she thinks I'm angry at her. Hehe. That means I can use this opportunity to my advantage.

I immediately hurry away and hide behind a tree.

"God! Where is she? Hope, if you're listening to me, then please come out. I'll take you to the cafe, where you can enjoy your favorite chocolate shake."

My mouth waters at the thought of chocolate cake.

"Really, Mommy's friend?" I blurt out from behind the tree before quickly covering my mouth, realising I spoke too loudly.

"Thank goodness." She breathes a sigh of relief and rushes toward me. "You're so naughty. From now on, I'm not coming with you ever." She chides me, lifting me in her arms.

"It's your mistake. I was just playing. You didn't give me attention, and that's why I went on my own." I pout.

"Okay, I'm sorry. But when I was calling you, why didn't you come?" She asks, raising her brows at me.

"I was coming towards you, but then you started apologising, so I thought to use it to my benefit. Now I will have my yummy chocolate shake. Right, mommy's friend?" I ask, giving her my sheepish smile.

"Oh god, Hope. Who would say you're four years old, seeing your brain?" She shakes her head in disbelief, causing me to laugh.

"I'm smart like my mommy. Right, Mommy's friend?" I inquire, batting my eyelashes.

"Right, sweetie. Now let's go." She carries me to the car, and I chatter nonstop with her.

***

Mommy's friend goes to the washroom after ordering my chocolate shake. As my shake arrives, I lean down on the table and drink it from the straw, making a slurping sound.

I stop drinking it and my eyes sparkle with immense joy as I see my favolate (favourite) uncle in the cafe.

Wow! My new friend is here.

***

Luke's P.O.V.

As I'm engrossed in a meeting with dealers, I notice their eyes suddenly shifting downward. Intrigued, I turn around to see someone tugging at my coat from behind. To my surprise, it was the same little girl I had met just the day before who had left a lasting impression on my mind. Forgetting about the ongoing meeting, I stare at her in astonishment.

"Hello, Uncle." Hope greets me with her sweet voice, instantly bringing a smile to my face. However, I wonder why she's alone in this place.

Giving her a warm smile in return, I turn to address my clients. "I apologise, gentlemen, but I need to leave for a few minutes."

As they nod, I lift Hope in my arms and lead her to a corner of the cafe.

"Hope, what are you doing here all by yourself? Where is your mommy?" I ask, my tone filled with concern.

"I came here with Mommy's friend."

"Where is she now?" I ask her.

"She went to do poopie," she replies, giggling.

"What do you mean, poopie?" My brows furrow in confusion.

She slightly hits her head, asking, "Oh, Uncle, you don't know what poopie means?"

I shake my head in response.

"Poopie means poop, Uncle," she explains. "Mommy's friend has gone to the washroom to poop."

I chuckle. "You're adorable." I pull her chubby cheek, which elicits a giggle from her.

"You know, Uncle, I'm just as adorable as my mommy," she praises her mommy. "And you know she is the most beautiful, the most intelligent, the hottest, and the best mommy."

"And what about your daddy, kiddo?" I inquire about her father, and her jaw drops in sadness.

"What happened, Hope?" I ask, concerned as she gazes at me, her eyes filled with sorrow.

"Hope doesn't have a daddy, Uncle," she says, her voice laced with deep pain, and her eyes become moist. "All my friends have daddies, but I don't have one."

I can't bear to see her upset. I must do something to cheer her up.

"So what if Hope doesn't have a daddy? You have the most beautiful, the most intelligent, the hottest, and the best Mommy," I reassure her, repeating her words in her playful tone, bringing a smile back to her face.

Great job, Luke. After ages, you have made someone smile. However, I feel good to be the reason for her precious smile.

She nods. "Yes, my mommy is the best in the world."

I just smile and plant a gentle kiss on her forehead. What is this little girl doing to me? I haven't smiled this much in a long time. Her innocence and genuine affection are like a balm to my shattered soul.

"Sir, the clients have been waiting for you," my assistant interjects.

When I'm with Hope, I completely forget about everything. Yesterday, I had to cancel a meeting, but it was worth it because she brings so much joy into my life.

I nod to my assistant before turning toward Hope. "Hope, I have to go now to finish the meeting, but I'll spend time with you afterwards, alright?"

"Okay, Uncle. See you soon," she replies, planting a kiss on my cheek, capturing my heart.

Although I long to stay with her, I gently settle her down on a chair and return to finish the meeting, stealing one last smile at her.