-- Chasing Fate --

-XV- (unexpected)

JENNIE

Ruby Jane: "thank you so much guys for all your help and I'm sorry if I've taken too much of all your time but It's too much if I would let you keep going with me."

Irene: "okay. We will just let you have your moment alone with Nini"

Jisoo' "just sent us a message if you need anything okay?"

It's a relief when Irene agreed as I nod. They both gave me hug before going home separately. I deeply exhale with a smile on my face and a little nervous on my heart.

The receptionist didn't told us if something bad or good happened to my daughter and maybe that's the reason why my heart keeps pounding hard. The most important now is that my I will finally see my daughter.

It's already 12:45 in the morning when I arrived at the hotel. The full packed people I used to see in the morning is the reverse in this very hour.

I looked around if Nini is in the lobby with a random stranger who brought her back but no kid is around the lobby. I walk-run to the receptionist who I believe called Irene and as soon as she laid her eyes on me, she quickly pick up the phone to dial someone.

Maybe the person behind my daughter's safety.

After a second of her saying..

Receptionist: "yes good evening madam Mrs. Lee is here now can -- oh! Okay okay. Bye handsome"

She picked up a pen and a piece of her colored sticky note and write something.

I remember she said "madam" and I was relieved that my daughter's superhero is a girl but at the end, she called "handsome"  which made me confused so much.

Receptionist: "hi ma'am. Here's the miss batman's room, you can take the south elevator to reached her room cause she said your kid is sleeping"

I nod eventually as I fully understood what she was trying to tell me when she added something I clearly choked myself with.

Receptionist: " But be careful Ma'am she's totally gorgeous and handsome at the same time so better tucked in your undies tightly"

I was shocked with her statement but I eventually ignores her giggles for the main reason is only my child and I'm sure that's a girl by using a "she". 

I run as fast as I could to the south elevator and entered the 2nd opened elevator as I press 22.

2203

2204

2205

2206

2207

2208

2209...

I inhale deeply and my thoughts bugged me of what will happen. Even if the woman who found my child slaps me, pull my hair or cursed me to death for losing my child, maybe I deserve that. I press the black button with a drawing of a bell and waited for 3 seconds as the door opens and my whole world stops. ---

Beanie lady. 

-

-

LISA

One box of pizza, 2 bottled water and two can of soda  was delivered to my apartment 5 minutes ago and my little visitor already ate 4 slices of it.

I was stunned on how little tummy can fit 4 sliced of pizzas that caused her to burp simultaneously which I found cute.

Lisa: "you know what? You looked like someone I knew especially when you eat"

Nini: "ex girlfriend?"

Lisa: "woah. How do you know I'm into girls? and no! not an ex-girlfriend! aish! this kid!"

This kid keeps me amazed on how matured her mind is and maybe her mom did a really great job.

Nini: "the way you act, dressed, used your deep voice and how you can easily attract girls especially the receptionist Joy, I know you believed now that I'm a genius"

I chuckled.

Nini: "and I know there's something going on between you and aunt Irene"

I almost choked on my soda as soon as she said those phrase casually.

Lisa: "you keeps on amazing me kiddo but still, you're not a genius, you're just a talkative,  gossiper kid but let me changed the subject--"

Nini: "see? You're changing the subject! Admit it! you're amazed batman"

Lisa: "but that's -- wait? Batman?"

Nini: "yeah. Everyone who entered and will enter your door can see your batman collection first and- you saved me and I don't know your name so you're my hero and I will call you batman but if you don't like, I will call you superwom--"

Lisa: "stop right there kid! Fine batman but my friends call me Lili. But I'll give you an exemption and batman's better"

She stops and looked at me in a wide eyes that made me curious and worried at the same time so I looked down and act like I'm busy scrolling  through my phone.

Lisa: "what's with the look? I know I'm handsome and I'm too tired hearing it so--"

Nini: "woahh. my name's Nini.. short for Jani Nicolai!"

I was stucked and shocked as my scrolling on my phone stops. Nini.

And that  reminds me of Jennie again. How didn't I noticed before. Nini resembles of my Nini when she was young but  Jennie's cheeks are more puffier than Nini.

Maybe she resembles Jennie but there's no way she's Jennie's kid. 

We talked about lot's of stuffs on how she got lost and I can't still figured out with her story who's fault it is. 

Lisa: " and what's your mom's name?" 

I asked even though I know that it's impossible but I still wanna know.  Nini remained silent that caught my attention and looked up. I saw her laying her head on the top of the table, eyes closed as she slowly answered my question almost fading. 

Nini: "Ruby.. Ruby Jane" 

And the environment turned in silence and all I can hear is her cute little snores. I stood up and went on her place and kneel down to meet her height. 

Lisa: " I hope we can meet again Nini." 

I kissed her forehead and all I hear right now is my heart beat that dancing because of happiness i am feeling with this kid. I picked her in a bridal carry and put her on the bed when she moves slowly. 

Lisa: "I'll wake you up when your mom arrives" 

She nods and I know she will go back to sleep peacefully again. As I switched off the lights, and I'm in the middle of closing the door, Nini shouted. 

Nini: " thank you batman. I love to have a dad like you. goodnight" 

I found myself smiling ear to ear when someone like a smart kid NIni will say something like that.  Me? as a dad of NIni, maybe it is far from reality. 

 why did she said that? I mean does Nini have a dad? 

It's almost 12:45 am when Joy called me and Nini's mom arrived. I have this feeling of wanting to know how Nini lost from her mom but I'm not in the position cause in reality, I'm still a stranger who helped a little girl from nowhere. But still, this concern inside me for Nini made me questioned myself  why? It's like meeting Nini in a very unexpected situation for almost 3 hours and yet, I'm like a father who wanna screamed at her mom because of losing her but still, I'm not in the right place to do that. 

I have my third glass of wine while looking at the dark sky on my balcony when my doorbell rang. I grab the bottle and drink my wine on the glass while walking and putting the glass on my dining table that I already cleaned up after having my quick shower while Nini's sleeping. 

I let out a deep breath before unlocking my door and turning my doorknob clockwise. 

My world stops. 

Cat-eyes.

Chubby cheeks. 

The lady in front of me is somehow looks like Jennie. 

Please make same mistakes twice Lisa! You almost humiliated yourself when you mistaken Roseann. 

Or maybe it's just the wine. 

Yes it's the wine. Remember she's Ruby Jane not Jennie. 

Lisa: "hey! spilled coffee queen! it's you!" 

She startled as I greet her. I noticed that she got paced out like other girls do after meeting me.