Seducing The Single Dad

Amanda

The heat was unbearable, I could feel myself sweating heavily until I open my eyes and saw the fire. I was alert immediately and start my trail of curses, I hurriedly grab my phone then put on my robe and slip on my house slippers then ran as fast as I could outside the house.

But I halted my step when I saw the words painted on the wall, my hands were shaking when I open my phone and snapped the writings just seconds before the fire catches it and burn it away. Can't be...I thought he was still in jail...at least for another year...

My heart was beating faster, I couldn't move my legs I was frozen in front of the wall until I heard the sirens pulling me back to reality and realized that I have been inhaling the smoke, my eyes were teary but I finally managed to move my feet and find my way out of the house through the front door.

The firemen quickly got me to their truck, then one of them was taking my vitals. "Mam, are you alone in the house? Do you have any pets?" the other men asked.

I couldn't answer him, I just shook my head my eyes were still stinging from the smoke, and my hands were still shaking to the realization that he was definitely back. The man that talk to me told his crew that there was no one else and there was no pet. Then it all went like a blur as they went into the house, and I was attended by the paramedic.

The police came moments later and start asking me questions, I was still shaken and were stuttering my words, but I finally showed them the picture. Then they escorted me to their car and take me downtown for further questioning. I couldn't even think, so I just went with them.

It was morning when Gina, my old nanny came to get me. My parents were still vacationing out of the country after my brother's scandal, this was when he almost killed my best friend Emilie unintentionally. So dad was calming mom down by taking her on a short trip. Though the matter was covered up by the media, but it was still the talk of the upper class.

Gina not only took care of me, but she was also my confidant growing up. Until now she still works for my parents, and I'm closer to her than to my own parents. She picked me up and bringing me everything that I need. I quickly changed to my casual jeans and t-shirt and she remembers my favorite hoodie that I kept at my parents then slipped on my sneakers and thanked her.

"Oh Amanda you are still thanking me in this situation, you know I would do anything for you. I have cared for you since you're a baby. It's him, isn't it? don't worry your daddy will pull some strings and get him behind jail again. I'm sure it'll be over before you know it. Come let's get you back home, you should rest you must be very tired..." she talked all the way to the house, knowing that I wasn't able to answer her questions, yet.

Gina tucked me in, I fall asleep the moment my head touched my pillow. It felt like minutes later when I wake up to the buzz on my phone. The next twenty minutes I was busy picking up and telling my girls that I was fine, they knew about my house from the news and the radio. I eventually invite them to dinner with my parents, just to assure them with their own eyes that I was fine.

I was at fault for not telling my manager to keep the news of my tragedy from the public and cover any issues with the news. He loves the buzz in the media obviously, thinking that it would attract more buyers and sell a couple of my paintings that would be on exhibit next month.

"Bad news is also news Amanda, stop being such a closet artist. Your paintings are phenomenal, you just have to trust yourself in your ability. I don't get how you can be out there with men but so shy with your work..." he kept on talking and advising me. But he didn't know that I had been scolded for years by my psycho ex-husband, Troy. He would make me feel bad about my work, while I know that now, but it was imprinted deep in my brain.

I sighed as I finally told him to handle the situation, though it might a bit late. But he was still excited with the cover-up, saying that it would surely intrigue people to want to know more about me.

You couldn't say that he didn't do his work, since he was very good at it. I was surprised when he wanted to represent me since he handles big named painters and artists. But he wanted me, from the first time that he saw my work at a group exhibition held by a friend of a friend that owns a posh gallery downtown.

"I already have a couple of exhibits scheduled for you for the next three months, I'm emailing our listings now, and I'll cc it to you." He sounded giddy on the phone, damn these managers are clearly go-getter. But he obviously gets the job done, this was him working for his money.

Giving him a yes was easier to do, knowing that he was doing this also for my own good. And the money sure made me feel independent enough to support my own after my marriage ended with Troy put behind bars for years to come.

That was what I thought four years ago, until last night's incident that made me go back to my parents like the coward that I am. Though deep down I said to myself that I was being realistic, thinking I would be safe with my parents.

My psycho ex-husband didn't show his true colors until we were one year into the marriage. I thought that I've found my prince charming, having the looks and the wealth surely made him one in my eyes. My sweet twenty-one-year-old self was head over heels by his dashing smile and persona. Gone was my virginity, and my adolescence since I was a late bloomer from having an overbearing, overprotective set of parents.

Troy would beat me and told me that I was stupid. It was not until Gina noticed my wounds and start to ask questions about my bruises, and I finally broke down in her arms. I was too afraid to come to my parents since they adored him so much. I was afraid that I would be blamed and that I made myself got beaten by him because I was indeed not good enough for him.

But Gina stood by my side when eventually I confess everything to my parents. They hesitated but then Gina told them about my wounds, and show them the recent ones, that was when my dad flipped and called his lawyers and he was arrested hours later.

So, here I was years later back at my parents as Troy was back on the streets. I didn't know how he pulled it off but he was definitely back. Mom and dad were on their way back home. I was having another day to relax and to calm my nerves, before the series of questions from them and their lawyers.

Dale

"Angelica are you sure? I'm sorry but she's been nagging me about having a girls' sleepover with you. I know that you've been busy with work and your Ivan thing..." I said to her apologetically.

Mable had been having her fit for a couple of days ago, she was telling me that she wanted to go and spend the night at Angelica. This was one of the things that always breaks my heart, I'd try to give her everything that she needs. But like Angelica said she also needs a woman in her life. And that was the only thing that had been bothering me, the only thing that I couldn't give her.

"Dale, I love that princess wanna be of yours. Don't say such a thing, and my Ivan thing is doing good he's been asking me to move in with him, thank you for asking by the way...how about you drop her off at my place tomorrow I'm having Amanda over, we could have a girls night thing." She said as she winked at me.

Oo..ohh

"Amanda? no strippers and alcohol right?" I asked her again cautiously.

I've heard about Amanda from her stories, and I've met her once a couple of months back while Angelica was ordering her coffee. Amanda was wearing her baseball cap obviously supporting a hangover from their nightly outings. I couldn't remember her face, what I do remember was her coffee order. Large hot, Quad, Nonfat, One-Pump, Extra whipped cream, it was like ordering sugar free cola and asking for extra cheese on your cheeseburger.

"Dale! I have Dennis at mine, what kind of mother do you think I am? No strippers and Alcohol...pinky swear, and while she at mine, why don't you have a date night. Open that dusty black book of yours, you seriously have to go on a date, your future wife isn't going to conveniently stumble into you here." She scolded me while sipping her cup of coffee. We were having our usual morning chat at her favorite corner table, while Denis was sitting and playing with his latest soft toy on her lap.

She had been pushing me to date for years that I've known her, I had dated several times but every time it was a waste of time. They are all the same, no one can compare to my late wife.

"Okay, I'll go on a date as a thank you, I'll have Tom to cover the register tomorrow." I was not feeling the mood for a date, but she was doing me a favor with Mable. So, I was doing the date thing for her, deep down I know that it would be a disaster. I sighed as she smiled widely at me, obviously liking the idea that I was going on that date.

"There you go... I know you can do it, Dale, I have faith in you. Well, I'm going to work now, and I have to drop Dennis off at my parents', I'll see you tomorrow... text me when the little princess wants to start her slumber party okay?" She got up and headed for the door.

I waved at her then getting back to my customers. Since I've been expanding the place last year, I had hired more employees, things could have not been any better. Weekdays are equally busy as the weekends and since Mable had entered kindergarten, I have got more time in the morning to do my bookkeeping while my employees take care of the customers.

I guess I'm going to shuffle my contact list for dates now.

Sighing to myself I entered my back office, I have a couple of more hours before I pick up Mable from her school. I started to boil a pot of water in the electric kettle while pouring the already ground coffee beans into a french press. This was the relaxing routine that I picked up months after I opened the coffee shop.

Those days, I would put baby Mable to sleep then do my french press routine to relax myself. I would think about her before I go to sleep, and wonder how would she look like when she's taking care of Mable, and what would Mable look like when she's around her mother.

Years later the hurt of losing her had slowly faded, I couldn't even remember her face sometimes. I would flip our wedding album from time to time. I even still have her voice message in my old phone that I refuse to delete, though I had not open in years. But it was just nice knowing that she was still there when I needed her.

"Hello hi, yeah this is Dale....from the corner coffee shop. I don't know if you still remember me...you do? Yeah, umm...I was wondering if you would go out with me tomorrow? Like on a date thing, yeah? ...ok, why don't you text me your address and I'll pick you up around seven..."

There date set, I still don't feel good about this.

I knew that it was going to be a disaster already, I sighed and put the phone down.

*****

"Come on daddy hurry, I don't want to keep them waiting...." She said as she paces her little step back and forth in her princess costume.

She had been Rapunzel for weeks now, and loving everything purple. She even asked me for a pet chameleon yesterday. The counselor from her school said that this is her way to cope with the loss of a woman's role in her life.

"Right, okay...I want you to behave at aunt Angie okay? Don't be too loud, while baby Dennis is sleeping, and be nice to aunt Angie's friend. Okay?"

"Yes...yes...daddy, can we go now?" She was pulling my hand, making me laugh at her. I picked her up and gave her my kisses, making her giggle in excitement. And she finally stops yelling at me, I pick up her purple rapunzel backpack and her purple blanket, then we headed downstairs to the coffee shop.

"Damn boss, you're looking fine! And you Mable...more feisty! Give me five!" Tom greeted us, and Rapunzel gives him a high five and lets out a giggle while I set her to stand beside me.

I was already in my casual date attire, freshly ironed white shirt, black jeans, and polished black leather shoes. I gave Tom a couple of more instructions for the night, saying that I might be late. But he was making sure that he would text me if he needed anything. And convinced me that he was good, that I should have a good time tonight.

"You need this boss, let yourself let loose from time to time..." he patted my shoulder, making me laugh at him.

I have an easy-going relationship with my employees, I like to keep it casual yet formal at the same time. They know their boundaries, that's one of the qualities that make them lasts, and Tom had been with us the longest.

We eventually said our goodbyes to him and headed across the street to Angelica's apartment complex. We have just gotten into the elevator when a woman wearing a worn-out hoodie stepped in.

She looked familiar, but I couldn't seem to recall from where maybe from the coffee shop. Her backpack looked heavy, her eyes looked sad, but she was still gorgeous. I couldn't even recall how Linda looked like, but I was obviously familiar with her.

"Daddy...let's go!" Mable was pulling me out of my daze from looking at the woman. I didn't realize that I was still staring at her until she looked at Mable then at me and smiled. She left us standing in the elevator, as Mable tugged my hand for the second time.

"Yes...Okay...let's go." I took her hand and we get out of the elevator seconds after her. I halted my step as the woman knocks on Angelica's door, I didn't think that she was aware that we were standing behind her.

"Amanda...oh sweety, come here..." Angelica gave her one of her I'm so sorry hugs, I know cause I've got that from her, once was when Mable was hospitalized for her very high fever.

So this is Amanda, what happened to her?

I was suddenly intrigued by her misfortune that I stayed back and waited until Angelica was finished with her greeting, and that was when Mable hug her thigh announcing her presence.

"Dale! and my little Rapunzel! Come in.. Come let me introduce you guys inside." She pulled her friend inside.

"Dale, Mable this is Amanda one of my closest friend Dale I think you've met her before she had this thing about ordering her coffee. This is aunty Amanda Mable, she will join our girls' night." She clapped her hands excitedly, while Amanda was still looking sad.

I was somehow wanting to take her away from there, and take her to an amusement park and make her laugh so hard.

Hmm... maybe I've been hanging around Mable too much...

What do grown-ups do for laughs, I should google it later. I didn't realize that I was still looking at her when Angelica was looking at me a bit funny.

"Earth to Dale...seriously Dale, we're good. You're freaking out my friend here...go on your date and have a great night, you look dashing by the way... she will be just fine, and by she I mean your little Rapunzel."

I eventually snapped out of it, and said my goodbye, and gave Mable my hug and kisses making her giggle and hugged me tighter.

"Bye, daddy! Go find me a new mommy!" She laughed at the same time as Angelica, while Amanda was grinning like she couldn't contain her amusement.

There... She looked even more gorgeous... wait why am I...

I eventually walked out of her apartment, I was back to feeling the old boring me. Suddenly not anxious for my date...

Maybe I should just cancel this...

Amanda

"Are you sure? maybe I should find another place and stay with my parents until then..." I was not convinced of Angelica's explanation. I didn't want to be a burden, I didn't want to be that kind of friend.

"Shut it, Amanda, I know all about Troy. Maybe I should ask Ivan to find and finish him off already, he could have killed you that night! His money could only get him so far, I'm sure you're safer at my place anyway. Just stay here for a couple of weeks, months I don't care. Just let me help you out, I owe you a lot more and you know it...."

She kept on pushing me until I finally settled on a girls' night tomorrow. She was having her little friend over, the little kid from the coffee shop across her apartment. I know that she was close to her father, like the brother and sister kind, the way that she talks about them I could feel her love for them. I was guessing because she's an only child, he was like the brother that she never had.

I've met him once, we were there months back after our night out. I was still having a hangover while Angie was our designated driver, and was as chirp as a morning bird. I lowered down my baseball cap, as my head was pounding from the loud noises that echoed in my head. She was making me go back to her place for something that I couldn't even remember.

What I did remember was the sexy coffee owner that looked hot as hell, but then made snarky comments about my coffee order when he didn't think that I was listening. I hated him, right there and then. He should know that I take my coffee order seriously.

Angelica told me that she will let me take a look around her place, and said that I should just pack my stuff for a couple of days, just in case. I gave her my, yes, just to get it over with.

I was tired already, today my father's lawyers interrogated me. My parents were in attendance, listening in to my explanation of the night of the fire. I was tired of repeating myself and reliving the incident. I just wanted to be left alone, and heal myself, get away from it all and just paint the day away.

But they were not letting me, I know they meant well, they wanted justice for me, they wanted him behind bars again. I just have to stay strong and do what they wanted me to and get it over with.

Gina was re-filling our refreshments when she looked at me and nodded. It was our secret language since I was a teen, back then I would get into trouble and my parents would lecture me. But each time before I went to bed, she would sneak in milk and fresh-baked cookies to make me feel better.

That night I slept with a tear trailing down my cheek. I just wanted to be happy, honestly, I was tired of my party life. I wanted to settle down, but always too afraid to take the next step since Troy.

I would have all the what if on the back of my head. Troy had certainly made me into the person that I am today. But I also blame myself for not being brave enough to start a new life after him.

"Hey, don't cry my child. Everything will be fine, your happiness will come. You have to believe in yourself, you're a beautiful and wonderful person...." Gina was by my bedside, caressing my hair lovingly, and talking to me while I listened.

I could feel my tears being wiped away from my cheeks over and over again until I was too tired to cry and finally fall asleep, while Gina was lulling me to sleep just like when I was a kid.

********

"I'm fine mom...I just need to be alone, I need to start on my paintings. I got my exhibition next month and I need to add more stuff to my collection..." I was lying expertly at her. While in reality I still didn't know what I want, I just needed to get out of there.

Yesterday was a very tough day for me, and the longer I stay there the more questions they would surely ask, I just need to get out for a while.

I've packed my clothes the other night and had decided to take my trustee painting kit, I would have the rest delivered should I decided to stay longer at Angie's.

I arrived at Angelica's apartment complex almost two hours later. I was really antsy along the way, I kept on looking into the rearview mirror. Making sure that I was not being followed, that Troy was not hot on my tail.

I was really tired as I get into the elevator, I could see that there were a father and daughter already inside. He looked familiar, but I was too tired to rack my brain and put a name to a face. So I just stared at nothing in front of me, while waiting until I get to Angelica's floor.

Seconds later a heard the little kid telling her dad that it was time to go. I looked at them as coincidently it was where I get out also. I could see that the father was looking at me, maybe he was waiting for me to get out first. I was being polite and then smile at them and got out of the elevator. My mind was busy elsewhere when I knock on Angie's door.

She greeted me with her pity hugs, but then greeted the two people behind me that were in the elevator before.

Angelica introduced us, and I eventually put a name to a face. The sexy yet annoying coffee place owner that judges my coffee order. That was his name, I finally remembered who this Dale was.

Though he looked tall and delicious, but I was still hating him for his comment about my coffee.

But he's hot, like seriously DILF hot...

My inner self was debating with my coffee self. I didn't even know who am I going to listen to, these two had been on my right and left shoulders since the first day I tasted coffee and decided that I need it in my life, like eternally.

They were like my yin and yang, my evil self against my good self, my dark and my light, and I love them both dearly and would not choose and pick a side.

Why am I even thinking about this?

I was trying to see my options with Angelica and have a girls' night, that obviously involved a little princess and her very hot daddy.

Damn...this can turn ugly very quickly...

Angelica was already looking at me smirking. She knows my looks, my wanting the sexy hot male in front of me look. Crap!

I could see that the hot dad was also looking at me from time to time. I was suddenly self-conscious about what I was wearing, a worn-out hoodie, and no makeup. I was up against him with his white crisps shirt, he looked like he was ready for a date.

Of course, he would be, that was why he was dropping off his daughter here. So he can have a good time with the ladies. I was still in my own world when I heard Angie was snapping her fingers in front of Dale's face.

"Earth to Dale...seriously Dale, we're good. You're freaking out my friend here...go on your date and have a great night. She will be just fine, and by she, I mean your little Rapunzel." Angelica said to Dale teasing him.

Her words were taking me back to reality, and then he was saying goodbye to Angie then giving his daughter a tight hug and kisses making her giggle in his embrace.

I was watching them when Angie nudged my elbow knowingly. She was grinning at me then she whispered to the little kid, and looked at me.

"Bye, daddy! Go find me a new mommy!" She laughed at the same time as Angelica, which made me grin as I was trying to hold my laughter.

It was evident that this was not his wanting, that he didn't actually want to go on this date. That made me sighed on the inside, as I was a bit upset that he might have a loved one already.

Woah....where did that come from?

He's "The sexy yet annoying coffee place owner that judges my coffee order."

Whatever lust I have should diminish... now!

I was telling myself but was actually checking his ass while he walked out the door. Angie coughed intentionally as to get me back in the now.

"Erm...yeah, so where was I?"