Chapter 95
RAVEL
PRESENT TIME
I accompanied Hazel to the apartment she had thoughtfully secured for her temporary residence. Although I had generously extended the offer of one of the penthouses, particularly the one I had personally bought for her, she gracefully declined, firmly asserting that she had already settled the rental fee and had no intentions of seeking a reimbursement. A hunch crept into my mind, suggesting that her reluctance to accept any form of assistance from me might be intertwined with June’s presence in our lives. This inkling grew stronger when, in a sincere attempt to compensate her for the expense she had incurred on renting the place, she courteously rebuffed my offer.
As our vehicle pulled into the designated parking area of her rented apartment, I shifted my gaze towards her and broke into a warm smile. “I truly appreciate your presence,” I expressed with sincerity in my voice.
A soft smile graced her lips as she posed the inviting question, “Would you like to join me for a late-night coffee?” I couldn’t resist such a gesture. “If you feel the need to head to the hospital, I completely understand,” she added, displaying her considerate nature.
I pondered the situation briefly. “Anne is there with her, and she’ll keep me informed if anything arises. Besides, Raymond returned today, and I’m certain he’s with her,” I assured her as I removed the key from the ignition and stepped out of the vehicle.
Hazel also exited the car, and she shared a crucial piece of information, “Daisy is in there with her nanny.” Her words halted
my tracks. “You don’t have to come up if you don’t want to,” she kindly offered.
me in
I weighed my options, realizing it had been far too long since I should have seen my daughter. I glanced down at my empty hands, a hint of regret coloring my expression. “You should have informed me earlier so I could have picked up something for her,” I mused, acknowledging the missed opportunity to bring a little gift for Daisy.
Her laughter danced through the moment as she playfully teased, “She’s just two, Ravel. I’m certain she won’t mind your visit without a gift.” Together, we entered the elevator, continuing our light-hearted banter. “My daughter is not materialistic,” she quipped, eliciting another shared chuckle between us.
uncommon
As we strolled down the hallway, my steps came to an abrupt halt in front of her door. My nerves seemed to betray me, an
n occurrence for someone like me. It was curious how Hazel had the power to make me feel this way. I moistened my lips nervously, my uncertainty betraying my usual composure. “What if she doesn’t like me?” I found myself blurting
out.
Her laughter bubbled forth again, clearly finding my momentary vulnerability amusing. “She’s just two years and a few months old, Ravel, and trust me, Daisy is very open to anyone, as long as you’re kind to her. Just remember to smile a lot,” she reassured me with a playful grin, dispelling my doubts with her gentle guidance.
I enthusiastically nodded in agreement, allowing Hazel to open the door and guide me inside. The moment we stepped into the living room, my heart was immediately captured by another human presence.
It was the unmistakable figure of Daisy, whose striking resemblance to me left no doubt about her identity. As she raised her head, her gaze first locked onto mine, and then she slowly shifted it towards Hazel. In that fleeting moment, our eyes connected, but she quickly turned her attention back to Hazel. Her face lit up with an infectious, radiant smile, her eyes brimming with warmth.
I fought to suppress any twinge of pain that may have surfaced from the realization that my daughter seemed indifferent to my presence. It wasn’t her fault, after all. This was her first time seeing me. In a burst of excitement, Daisy exclaimed, “Mama!” before rising to her feet.
Hazel’s whispered reminder to “remember to smile at her” echoed in my ears as the adorable little girl rose to her feet and dashed over to Hazel. In Hazel’s arms, Daisy was met with a shower of affectionate kisses, which, in turn, evoked joyful giggles from her.
I observed their endearing interaction, patiently awaiting Hazel to take the lead. I understood that she wouldn’t introduce
Chapter 95
me as her father just yet; Daisy was still a young child, and we would let her come to that realization on her own.
After countless kisses and a chorus of giggles, Hazel gently redirected Daisy’s attention toward me. I summoned the widest, warmest smile I could muster. In this moment, it was the most precious offering I could provide: my smile, love, and
support.
Hazel, speaking in a tender tone, inquired, “Would you like to say hi to mommy’s friend?”
A shy nod from Daisy signaled her willingness, and Hazel gently lowered her to the floor. Kneeling to her eye level, I placed one knee on the ground, ready to make her acquaintance. To my pleasant surprise, Daisy extended her tiny hand for a handshake, a gesture that caught me off guard. I glanced briefly at Hazel, who nodded in encouragement, urging me to accept the gesture. With gentle care, I enclosed her delicate hand within my own.
“I am Daisy,” she introduced herself softly, her innocence and charm shining through.
My already wide smile couldn’t help but broaden further. “I am Ravel,” I replied, offering my own introduction. “I’m Mummy’s close friend.”
She glanced at Hazel briefly before returning her gaze to me, her curious innocence shining brightly. “Closer than Uncle David?” she inquired innocently.
I fought to maintain my smile, determined not to let any other emotions surface. It irked me to think that David was even a point of comparison in my daughter’s mind, especially since he had no rightful claim to the title of “uncle.” “Yes,” I affirmed, “closer than David.
”
I took a gentle step forward, requesting, “Can I give you a hug?” Daisy looked to Hazel for approval, and upon receiving a nod, she inched closer. Her tiny hands encircled my neck as my larger ones enveloped her delicate frame. It was an embrace that filled me with overwhelming emotion.
Daisy’s sweet voice whispered in my ear, “Are you feeling sad? Mama said to give hugs to people when they’re feeling sad.”
My eyes welled with tears, touched by her kindness. “I am happy,” I whispered in response, answering her question. “I am overly happy, which is why I requested a hug.” Tears rolled down my cheeks. “I am happy to finally meet you.”
Daisy’s curious gaze fixed upon me as she confessed, “I’ve seen your pictures in Mama’s room.” Her revelation caused my eyebrows to shoot up to my hairline, a mixture of surprise and intrigue washing over me.
I turned to Hazel, a smug expression playing on my lips as I inquired, “Have you?”
Daisy nodded in confirmation, but the smugness quickly faded when Daisy continued, “But your pictures make her sad. She cries a lot every time she stares at them.”
The revelation struck a chord, leaving me somewhat disarmed by the emotional impact my actions and betrayal seemed to have on Hazel.
Before the conversation could delve further into uncomfortable territory, Hazel intervened, taking Daisy’s hand and gently guiding her away. “I think you have said enough.” She redirected her attention to the other lady in the living room, inquiring, “Has she had dinner yet?”
The young lady nodded and responded, “Yes ma’am, she had dinner a while ago.”
Hazel’s phone rang from her purse, and she retrieved it, stealing a quick glance at the screen. In that brief moment, I managed to catch a glimpse of the caller’s identity – none other than David. Hazel politely excused herself to take the call, leaving me to engage in a delightful storytelling session with Daisy. She regaled me with countless tales of princesses, towers, and wicked witches, which kept me thoroughly entertained.
As time passed and Hazel failed to return, I decided to entrust Daisy to her nanny’s care temporarily and set off to find Hazel. My search led me to the hallway, where I discovered her engaged in a heated argument with David. Respecting their privacy, I chose not to eavesdrop, even though my curiosity gnawed at me, and I quietly returned to the living room.
Thirty minutes later, Hazel returned to the living room. Despite her efforts to maintain a relaxed demeanor for Daisy’s sake, I could discern that something had unsettled her. “Is everything okay?” I inquired, studying her closely.
Chapter 95
She nodded and settled down beside me, her eyes fixed on Daisy as she played with my Rolex. “If you can stay for one more hour, you can read her favorite bedtime story.”
I chuckled, recognizing the story she was referring to. “The one about the wicked witch who locked the princess in a tower?” I asked, and Hazel joined in with a soft chuckle.
“She already told you the story?” she asked, and I nodded in confirmation. Her response was reassuring. “Well, that’s good news.”
“Yeah?” I inquired.
Hazel nodded and affirmed, “It means that she likes you.”