His heart leapt for joy at her sight. With his eyes fixated on her, lest she disappears again, he walked up to her. She was seated and eating alone.
“Hi! May I join you?”
Surprise, anger, regret and various emotions flashed in her eyes. This was a public place and the meeting was attended by dignitaries from all works of the earth so Nelly had to maintain her high status.
“No, you can’t join me. Leave.”
Nevertheless, Ivan wasn’t to be turned down. He smiled and sat down. Nelly pretended not to notice and kept eating her food.
“Nelly, I’m sorry. I apologize for everything. I was a jerk but I’ve realised my mistakes now. I looked for you in these past years but I never found you. Please, forgive me, I promise to set things right once you give me a chance.”
“I don’t want to talk about this. Don’t ruin my appetite. Get lost.”
A minute past but he was still seated. Nelly got up and carried her tray of food but Ivan stopped her.
“It’s alright. I’ll leave.”
“Better,” she rolled her eyes and sat down.
Ok the second and third day of the meeting, Ivan looked for Nelly but it seemed she was good at hiding from him.
The meeting was finally over and Nelly stood outside, waiting for Neuer. He had promised to bring Emma since the little girl was disturbing to come and see her mum.
“Mummy!” Emma cried and ran into her mum’s embrace. They looked adorable and some people even pleaded to take pictures.
One! Two!! Three!!! “Click!” went the camera and they greeted the camera with a striking pose.
“The mother and daughter are a perfect pair,” everyone agreed.
“I’ll be leaving, Nelly. I have a meeting in ten minutes,” Neuer said.
“Thanks babe for bringing her over and also for taking good care of her for me. I hope she didn’t give you much trouble?”
“Not at all. She’s my baby girl. See you,” he kissed her forehead and left.
Lucien enjoyed strolling so he pulled the reluctant Ivan along with him. It was always Lucien having his way and Ivan surrendering to him. Ivan only got to appreciate the stroll when he sighted Nelly. She was wearing a cooperate outfit that perfectly fitted her and outlined her figure. Her outfit accentuated her figure and long white legs that looked like they’ve been drawn from a comic book. Her black hair made her face look even more delicate and her fair skin glittered in the sun.
He excused himself from Lucien and hurried towards her.
“Make sure you come back, Ivan. Don’t leave me all by myself,” Lucien teased before letting him go. On his way, a little figure bumped into him and burst into tears. Ivan didn’t know what to do. He only lifted his hands and patted her head. It worked a bit but she didn’t continue in her way. She covered her face and cried back to where she came. Ivan got to Nelly and saw her holding the same crying little girl. Nelly massaged her forehead in a funny way and gave her a handkerchief to wipe her tears. Soon, she was back to being the bright eyed lovely Emma. Ivan stopped in his tracks when he saw her face. She was a miniature of him.
“Nelly?” he called in surprise.
Damn it! How did this man locate her in a place filled with so many people? To compound things, she had her daughter with her and there was no way he wouldn’t know she was his. Even a daft person could tell their relationship by their striking resemblance. She didn’t know what to do. The only option was to face the situation.
“Is she our daughter?” he asked to be certain.
“No, she isn’t. You rejected her, remember? She’s my daughter, not yours.”
“Let’s sit somewhere and have a proper conversation, please.”
“No. There’s nothing to talk about. Continue on your way and let me be. Don’t ever stop me or approach me for anything.”
Ivan could spot the change in her. She was no longer the Nelly who begged for his love and did all she could to win his heart. Now, she didn’t want to set her eyes on him.
“I’m sincerely sorry for what happened years ago. I didn’t know you were the one, although that’s not enough excuse, I’m still sorry, please.” Ivan couldn’t believe he was the one rendering a heartfelt apology. He was used to being apologised to and not the other way round.
“I don’t want your goddamn apology,” Nelly spat, laying emphasis on every single word.
“It’s fine if you don’t want the apology. Please, give me a chance to set the wrongs right, to make it up to you…”
Nelly laughed.
“Take that to someone else and never bother me. I don’t need you for anything.” Ivan wasn’t discouraged.
“I now know that I have a child, a lovely daughter. I don’t want her growing without a father, without me in her life.”
“You rejected her from the onset. Don’t think you can just barge into her life like that. You never wanted her and now, she doesn’t want you. We don’t want you. Stay away from us!” Nelly finished and walked out on him with her daughter. There and then, Ivan vowed to do everything within his power to get back his daughter and her mother, the only woman he loves.
Ivan sat in his room, cursing himself for being a jerk four years ago. Now, he had lost a lover and a beautiful daughter.
“But why didn’t she just spill it and tell me she was the one? I would have loved and treated her very well. Ahhhh! I’ve learnt my lesson the hard way.” He was determined not to give up yet. He drank cold beer and he thought a woman would make him feel better. He grabbed his phone and sent for Stacy.
The door was pushed open and Lucien entered.
“Common Lucien. Can’t you knock?”
Lucien moved back and tapped on the door with a mischievous smile.
“Knock Knock. I’ve knocked. Happy now? Listen man. I’ve got great news!”