Act like my wife

3. Bella

"Hey, baby," I cooed at my daughter, Bella, as she slept peacefully in her crib. The sight of her was enough to make me forget all my problems.

"Leave her be" My mother whispered from behind me. I hadn't noticed her come in.

I kissed Bella's forehead before leaving her bedroom with my mother hot on my trail. We made our way into the living room.

When I was certain that we were far enough to not wake Bella, I stopped and faced my mother. "Thanks again, mom" I sighed, remembering the rough day I had.

The frown on her face confirmed my suspicion. She folded her arms on her chest, a contemptuous look on her face. "Aren't you ashamed of yourself? What example are you setting for your daughter?"

Oh, good Lord, here we go again. "Mom please, I'm not in the mood" I began walking towards my room to escape what would ensue, this conversation never ends well. But she wasn't having it, she followed me like a jaguar chasing its prey.

She grabbed my arm and forced me to face her. "You're a disgusting harlot, and you expect me to applaud you? Bella turned two years old today, all her friends showed up for her birthday party, even their parents came, but you? Where were you? With some dirty old man!"

Her words struck a cord of hurt in my heart. "Says the woman who left me when I was a baby, only to return when I was twenty-one. At least, I'm doing all I can to take care of my child, wish you could say the same"

She paused. Her eyes gradually became wet with tears.

What have I done? I opened a can of worms, one which we both agreed to stay covered. But what can I do? She will never stop bugging me. Now I feel guilty.

"Mom, I'm sorry-"

"Don't touch me! You're right, there is no need for me here" She walked back to the living room. This time, I followed her.

"Mom, I didn't mean it that way. Please, I'm sorry-"

"I'll get out of your way by tomorrow, you don't have to worry about it" She got to the guest room and shut the door in my face.

"Mom! I'm sorry!" I pleaded, hoping that she would open the door and we'll just act like this little argument never happened, but no.

After begging for half an hour in futility, I returned to my bedroom.

Welcome to my world. I am a single mother of a beautiful little girl, fighting to keep my daughter far away from the life I had when I was her age. Asking desperately to be loved by a woman who abandoned me, a woman who leaves at the slightest discomfort...how typical.

***

   True to her word, my mother disappeared as early as 6 am the next day. Life must go on. Neither Bella nor I should stop living because she left. I went into Bella's room to get her ready for daycare.

She opened her big eyes, and those baby blue orbs stared back at me... a beautiful smile appeared on her angelic face, and she leaped onto me. "Mommy!!"

"My Princess !" I carried her up and kissed her forehead, gently tucking a few strands of her blonde hair into the space behind her earlobe.

She babbled delightfully, trying her possible best to communicate with me. And surely, I listened to her. A mother always knows what her baby is saying even when it sounds incoherent to others.

Continuing our unique conversation, I carried her to the bathroom and gave her a nice, warm bath. I may be a 'disgusting harlot', but I make sure my baby is well taken care of.

After dressing her, we got to the kitchen and had breakfast together. She is a handful, but she is precious.

"Come on, Bella, let's go," I said in a singsong voice as we made our way to my car, a Toyota Supra that I bought off Mr. Tencredo who lived down the street—for a few thousand bucks.
I made sure she was well strapped in her car seat before taking my place at the driver's side. The old thing came to life on my third attempt on the ignition, and off we went.

***

"Veronica!"

"Yeah" I looked up from my computer.

Mr. Sumner appeared miserable as always. That worn-out brown suit will forever be an eyesore.

"My office, now" His mustache danced when he talked, and not a pleasant kind of dance. He turned back on his heels and made his way back to his small office down the hallway.

I rolled my eyes and got up from my desk. It is bad enough that I feel suffocated in this small cubicle, now I have to sit across from my bald boss and pretend to listen to his 'life advice'.

I said 'hi' to Mrs. Tina, his assistant who is in her fifties, a nice lady— then I entered his office and took a seat across his small, wooden table.

"Veronica, my vixen" He grinned, revealing his yellow dentition. His eyes which reminded me of a dead fish—ran across my chest, before returning to my face.

"What do you want, Mr. Sumner?" I asked in the most unenthusiastic manner.

"Going straight to the point, I see" He furrowed his eyebrows.

"I have over three hundred reports to enter into the computer. The more time I spend here with you, the less time I have to complete my work before the end of today". I retorted, not caring that he was my boss. He should be thankful I ain't suing him for sexual harassment because of the way he gawks at me.

He rested his back against his swivel chair "You know, there is something called overtime".

"I don't want to work overtime, sir" I politely declared. It's bad enough I have to spend eight hours here daily, no amount of money in the world could make me stay a second more, no siree.

"A beautiful woman like you shouldn't be doing jobs like this, Veronica." He curled his lips, trying to appear mysterious. Gosh. He continued, "All you need to do is say yes to me, and all your dreams will come true"

"If I may ask, sir, what dreams?"

His expression turned smug. "Your dreams of being pampered by a rich man like me"

I found myself amused by his words. "I'm sure Evelyn, your wife is living that dream already. Don't you worry about me, sir, I am fine by myself". I got up. "Now, If there's nothing else, I'd like to get back to work, if you don't mind, Mr. Sumner"

"S-sure, Miss Veronica" He answered defeatedly.

I left his office and headed back to my cubicle, passing five of my colleagues, they each gave me knowing looks; yep, everyone knows how silly our boss can be.

I took my seat. Just as I was about to continue my work, I noticed a white envelope right next to my coffee mug. I picked it up and opened it.

I pulled out the small piece of paper inside, which read...

'7 pm, tonight. Be ready'

Who the hell is this?