Chapter 5 Is it worth it

Emily stood in front of the kitchen sink, thinking about her first-ever meeting with her baby daddy, ever since he abandoned them. All she wanted was to hit his chest so hard enough that he would feel or get close to feeling the kind of hurt he put her through. How could he have left her when she needed her the most? He had promised to stand by her regardless of what the situation might be but he went against his words and hurt her so deep enough that she couldn't bring herself to overlook and now what? The same man who hurt her bought every one of her displayed art.

She was supposed to reject it, she was supposed to throw it up in his face and tell him to get lost but how could she? Her rent was due and the word "please," does not pay bills.

"Mommy, who was that man from yesterday? He looked like he knows us," Olivia questioned, stuffing a spoonful of her cornflakes into her mouth.

Olivia's voice pulled her mother out of her trance. She walked up to her daughter, placing her hand on her head. She tucked her hair behind her ear, "Olivia, you worry too much. I have told you already that he is no one important. Eat your food and go to your room," she responded, walking to the sink to wash the dishes.

Olivia shrugged a bit but then she decided to let go. If her mother said the man from the other day was no one, then he was no one. She continued to eat her food when Bryan entered, making her roll her eyes at him mentally.

"Olivia! How're you, princess?" Bryan giggled, reaching out for Olivia's face.

"I'm fine, Uncle Bryan. What brings you here?" Olivia asked reluctantly.

"Oh, don't be like that, Liv," Emily cautioned. She had always known that Olivia had never liked Bryan but it was more shocking that she had begun to make it known whether anyone around liked it or not. "Don't speak to your uncle Bryan like that,"

Bryan cleared his throat lightly. "Emm, let her be. She's just a child," he said, enclosing the distance between them. He pulled her into an embrace which made Emily giggle a bit. Olivia scrunched up her face, trying so hard to finish her food in a go.

Bryan pulled away from the hug. He gazed at Olivia who was paying them no attention and then to Emily, "Have you told her yet?" He asked, smirking

Emily darted her eyes around the room, wondering what Bryan was saying could be. "Tell her what?" She queried, confused.

"About us. She needs to know that we're a thing now," he said softly, staring intently at Olivia as if to say "Yes, we are. What would you do about it?"

Olivia yelped in shock instantly, her spoon hitting her ceramic plate. "Mommy, what is Uncle Bryan saying? Is he going to be my new daddy?" She queried

"Umm..." Emily hesitated. "Just go to your room, Liv," she instructed. She thought that was the best thing to do at that moment. She couldn't just have her daughter listen to the conversation as it might be unhealthy for her. Emily had finally reciprocated Bryan's feelings for her but she just didn't like how it was moving. She wanted to take it slow, making sure that she was ready to love and Bryan was the right person. Olivia was about to leave the scene when Bryan spoke up, making her halt in her tracks.

"Are you serious right now, Emily? What's so hard in acknowledging me? Are you not proud of me? I have patiently waited for this day to come and now it's finally here but you have chosen to let your unfaded feelings for that bastard who hurt you take control of you!" He yelled, making Olivia jolt.

"Bryan, please calm down," Emily pleaded. "You can't be doing this here. Not in front of her,"

Bryan scoffed. "Oh, c'mon Emily, a thirteen-year-old is not a baby anymore,"

Olivia stood there watching her mother go back and forth on words with her uncle Bryan. She had always known from the onset that he was no good for her or her mom. How could he talk to her like that? What happened to talking to her amicably just like the way men in the movies do? She gazed at her mom one more time. She looked like she was scared of him or what he would do. On second thought, she figured out that what she saw wasn't fear. It was a shock. Her mother, Emily was shocked to see the not so ugly side of Uncle Bryan and then after a while, the shocked expression shifted to an understanding look. Really? She understood why he had to be that way with her?

"Mommy..." Olivia tried to speak but a knock on the door interrupted.

"I will get the door," Emily said softly, headed towards the door.

"No, you won't," Bryan replied, yanking her over to him. "You're only going to get the door when I'm done talking. For now, you're going to stand and listen to me," he ordered

Emily stood frozen in a place, her mouth agape. The Bryan she had known over the years has never raised his voice on her but the Bryan right in front of her has not only been yelling but had showcased the signs of being somewhat violent. Or could he be on something? Is he troubled and probably to let it all out? Well, if that was the case, she understood. He had done so much for her and Olivia over the years and the only payment he had ever asked for was to love him back and support him which was something Emily had made up her mind to do.

The knock went off again, drawing their attention.

Emily grabbed Bryan's hand, caressing her thumb on it softly. "Allow me to get the door. I'll be back shortly," she said, walking towards the door once again. Olivia stood there watching Bryan, with fear swallowing her.

Emily got to the door and who she saw shocked her instantly.