Midnight Mist

Chapter 5 - White Lie - His Audacity

On the next day, when Antares arrived in the restaurant of the hotel he stayed for some coffee and brunch he met the little girl again.

Luna’s daughter. Grace.

Yes, he remembered how Luna called her yesterday.

That morning Grace was alone with Fredy at the restaurant for breakfast. Luna and Gwen were going to the hospital for Gwen’s check up. They left Grace with Fredy as she was still sleeping when they went.

“Uncle!”

Grace called Antares as she saw him. She then ran to him.

“Hi, Little Girl.” Antares squatted on his foot to lower his eyes to her level as she stood in front of him. “How’s your knee? Is it okay now?”

Grace looked at her wounded knee that was covered with some cute aid-bands. “Ne. Eomma gave it some ointment and a pony band. Look! It’s cute! It will heal soon!”

Antares couldn’t help as he reached his hand to stroke her hair and smiled. 'Good! It will heal soon.”

“Uncle, what's your name? My name is Grace and I am three almost four years old.” she said as she looked at Antares with her big eyes, her hand showed the three fingers.

Grace was such a brave, smart, and bright child. She was an angel and sunshine.

“You can call me Uncle Antares, Grace.” Antares answered.

“Okay. Uncle. Thank you for helping me yesterday.” she said with a little bow.

“Yes. You’re welcome, Grace.”

Fredy came closer to them.

Antares then stood up. He remembered this guy was the one Grace called 'Daddy' yesterday.

They both stared at each other.

For Antares, to think that that man was highly possible the father of Luna's daughter hurted him.

And for Fredy, he was actually really curious who this guy was. Yesterday, this guy seemed to have a very serious conversation, which even looked like a hard confrontation, with Luna as if they knew each other. And when Luna came back to them, she looked too emotional and Gwen calmed her down. Luna's mood was just back to normal when Gwen told her the happy news about her pregnancy, as she and Grace got excited to hear that. Luna even then offered to go with Gwen for her check up, outcasting Freddy's existence as Gwen's hubby and the father soon to be.

Fredy reached out his hand first. "Hi, I'm Fredy. Thank you for helping Grace yesterday."

Antare shook his hand, "Antares Lee. Nevermind. I just happened to see her fall in front of me."

"Daddy Fredy, I want to see the fish. Can I go there?" Grace said to Fredy and she pointed to the aesthetic fish pool on one corner of the restaurant.

"Alright. But be careful. And don't try to jump in. Ok?" He said.

"Yes!"

Grace then ran with her little feet to the pool and helped the staff to feed the fish.

Antares watched all the interaction between them. He would believe that Fredy was Grace's father. Even though his heart didn't want to believe Luna had a child with another man.

"Mr. Antares, do you want a coffee? It's on me, as a thank you for your help." Fredy offered.

Antares actually felt rather uneasy for this guy. But a little part of his heart said he might be able to dig a little bit more the truth about Luna and Grace, and this guy. So he nodded and said yes.