Deja vu

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

I never thought I would ever see my daughter again.

But there she was outside a café, alone. Bella was peering through the window, her tiny face smushed against the glass. I didn't want to approach too quickly. However, I couldn't help but worry about why she was by herself.

As I walked up to her slowly, she caught a glimpse of me in the glass and her face lit up. "Daddy!" she exclaimed. I knelt on one knee, and she rushed into my arms.

I didn't expect her to remember me. 

"Where's your mom, princess?" I inquired while holding her. She squirmed out of my arms and replied, "Mommy's inside buying me a cupcake!"

Surprised, I asked, "Did Deja leave you alone here?" while raising an eyebrow.

"Annabella! I told you not to talk to-"

I was interrupted by a familiar voice before I could get an answer from her. I turn around to meet eyes with Deja. "Strangers..." she continues.

"But daddy's not a stranger!"

"Yeah, my bad." She gives Bella her pink cupcake.

I take Deja's hand and kiss it. "What are you doing in Paris?" I take her hand in mine.

"I moved from Lyon." She takes her hand away. "Why are you here, Aaron?"

"My mom's sick. My dad doesn't want to take care of her."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Tell her I'll pray for her." She gives me an awkward but sympathetic half-smile. I nod and Deja shifts over to Bella who's on a chair shoving her face with the cupcake.

Deja grunts as she crouches down to wipe the frosting off Bella's face before picking her up. I walk up to them and put a hand on Deja's waist as I kiss Bella. Deja pushes my hand away without alerting Bella of the hatred she has for me.

"Daddy, can you stay, please!" Bella frowns.

"I have to go, princess. I'll be in Paris though. I'll see you guys around." I smile and then look over to Deja.

She looked me dead into my eyes and mouthed the words "No, you are not," before turning and walking away.