Chapter 4 the announcement

Chapter 4

I stared at him for a few moments, waiting for him to say he was joking, but nothing came. After a long silence between us, I finally spoke up.

"You don't need to do this if you're just thinking about my child," I began, struggling to say the words but knowing I had to continue.

"Your intentions might be good, and I appreciate your concern for the child, but you don't have to trap yourself with us just because you think she'll struggle without you," I said, voicing the first words that came to me.

"I also think it would be harder for her if she gets used to you being there when you shouldn't be. You have other things to prioritize, and I understand that. I don't want us to interfere with the flow of your life." I had to pause to swallow the lump in my throat, finding it increasingly difficult to say each word.

"I'll talk to my child and explain that you're not really her daddy..." After saying those final words, I felt a sharp pain in my heart.

There's nothing to cry about yet, so why does it hurt so much to think about Quiy?

Is this my fault?

I didn't mean for her to get so close to Damien; I didn't push for it.

I can't blame the child, though, because she has her reasons. If I had grown up without a father, maybe I would be just as eager for one, so in a way, I understand her.

But... I can't just drag him into our lives because my child recognizes him as her daddy even though he isn't.

This is heavy for me because I don't want to see my child hurt, but it's also not right if, because of what Damien wants, we become a hindrance to the things he should be doing if he weren't part of our lives as he wishes to be.

For now, all I can say is that everything is so confusing... and somewhat painful.

"I'm ready to take responsibility. I don't want to break her heart," he said, making me even more confused.

Why would he take responsibility? He's not her father. We have no connection other than Quiy.

"You have no obligations to the child because you're not the-"

"I already know that," he cut me off, so I stopped mid-sentence. I could almost taste the irritation in his tone when he said that.

I fell silent, so he continued.

"It's my own decision, because in that short period of time, I learned to care for that little kid. It's also my fault for going along with what the child wanted, even though I could have told her that I'm not her daddy, but I didn't. With that, I should be held accountable. I am willing to take the role of her father," he firmly said, making it even harder for me.

"What about your girlfriend?" I blurted out. I didn't even know where that came from, and it just slipped out!

His brows furrowed, and his head tilted to one side as if processing what I had just asked.

"Girlfriend?" he asked instead of answering me.

I was the one who asked the question, and now he's throwing another question at me?

I shook my head, hoping to dismiss it, but it seemed we were not on the same page. When he stepped closer to me, I knew a mere shake of the head wouldn't suffice.

"It's the first time I am being linked with a girl, and you're asking about my girlfriend?" He stepped closer, and I stepped back to create distance. "Were you too shocked earlier that you didn't clearly hear the announcement my uncle just made?" There was a hint of mockery in his tone, causing my brows to furrow.

Why does he seem pleased that I'm struggling with his barrage of questions when I didn't even intend to ask him about that in the first place!

I was just worried that if I agreed, someone might suddenly storm into the house and sue me for stealing their boyfriend or husband.

"Didn't my mom make it clear earlier?" A playful smile graced his lips.

"But alright... since you asked, I don't have a girlfriend. Did I answer your question properly?" He asked in a playful tone.

"I don't know... and you didn't have to answer because I won't agree to this. I don't want a scandal," I said, trying to save myself from further embarrassment.

How many more humiliations will you endure today, Paige? Can you still take it?

"But everyone in this town thinks you're married to me and that we already have a daughter. Isn't that already a scandal?" He raised an eyebrow at me, causing me to let out a deep sigh.

Why does he have a response to everything I say? This isn't a mandatory recitation, so even if he lets one question slide, I would understand, but it seems he has something to prove, which is frustrating because I'm running out of reasonable answers and things to say!

"Even so," I defended, rolling my eyes. I didn't care what he thought of me anymore. "That thing you want is invalid. You don't have to do anything to be part of Quiy and my life because I don't want you to think I'm just taking advantage."

There. I finally had the courage to say it! I should have said it earlier, but I only managed to dig it up from the depths of my mind now.

"You're free to do whatever you want. I'll let you because that's how it should be," I added to emphasize my initial words.

"Are you sure about that?" he asked. My response wasn't positive, but to him... it seemed like it was because his face lit up.

"You really are free to do whatever you want. It's your life, so do as you wish," I added, but I suddenly felt scared of the smile that formed on his lips.

"If I'm free to do whatever I want... then I want to be known as Quiyana's father. Not only that, I want to be officially part of your lives," he said, causing a nervous laugh to escape my lips.

He just repeated what he said earlier, but with some added details.

"Dream on, Salvatore. What do you mean by 'officially'? How would you do that? Are you going to adopt Quiy?" I said, still laughing.

At first, I really thought he was sane, but now... it seems we're both losing our minds. If I'm delusional, it seems he's even more delusional because of the things coming out of his mouth.

"That's possible, but I know another way to make things more official," he said, stepping even closer to me. I wanted to back away further, but there was no more space, so I ended up rooted in place.

Nonetheless, I still faced him bravely, even though my legs were trembling in fear.

"And that is?" I confidently asked with a raised brow, not caring that we were in a house full of people who might see or hear what we were talking about.

"To marry me," he said straightforwardly, and at that moment, I completely lost my mind.

"No," I replied after regaining my composure, realizing that he was truly out of his mind. I glared at him, but he didn't even flinch. "That's not gonna happen," I added, but he remained unfazed.

Instead, he leaned closer as if we weren't already close enough. Did he want me to fall over before he backed off or gave me some space?

"Are you sure?" he asked meaningfully, his gaze trailing down to my lips before returning to my eyes.

A shiver of nervousness ran through me because one wrong move and he would have kissed me.

"Hey! Are you kissing Mommy, Daddy?" That was Quiy's voice, and in shock, I pushed him away. He didn't resist, so I quickly broke free.

I quickly went to Quiy, who was standing not far away. I was sure the shock was still evident on my face, and my cheeks were flushed, but I was determined to explain to my child that what she saw between Damien and me wasn't what she thought.

"We weren't kissing, okay?" I explained to Quiy as I knelt in front of her, my hands holding her elbows.

She tilted her head to one side, indicating that she wasn't satisfied with my explanation. It wasn't enough for her, so I knew she would ask more... and I was right.

"Then why was Daddy so close to you? Was he smelling your breath?" she asked, and I couldn't understand where she was getting these ideas.

"Yes, little kid," said Damien, whom I hadn't realized was standing behind me. I looked back at him with sharp eyes. If looks could kill, he would have dropped to the floor by now.

Both his hands were in his pockets as he looked down at us. He was really tall, and I was even more aware of it now that I was kneeling at his feet. He looked calm, and there was even a hint of a smile on his face. It was so irritating!

"Really, Daddy?" My daughter asked, and I immediately looked back at her. Excitement was evident on her face as her eyes sparkled.

I grimaced because I couldn't believe my daughter believed what this shameless man said. But what could I do? She's just a child. What does she know about Damien's tricks?

"Was Mommy's breath fresh?" Quiy asked, and my jaw dropped.

What the heck? Why would she even ask that?! Was that even necessary?

"Quiy-"

"Uh-huh," Damien simply replied, and I turned to look at him again. He was now kneeling too, just like me. I shot him another glare. I really take back what I said earlier about him looking like a saint's

To Be Continued...