TEACH ME NOT 2 HATE LOVE

74

🧑Nik Anthony POV🧑

When I was done setting things into order, you know, to get sole custody of baby Kira, I went to McCarty's place to give him a full update on what's currently going on in my life. And as always, he's amused by my tragedy. Teasing me and making fun of me even. Puh, some brother he is.

Anyway, I didn't stay too long there to indulge in drinking and games like always. I headed home. Reasoned be, I'm really worried about Tajea. She is taking this whole Amelia's baby being my child way too easier than I thought she would. Even more than I am. Or so it seems.

I mean, I just learned baby Kira is my child and am still a bit uneasy. I'm feeling as if I am in some sort of dream, and at any minute now I'll wake up. So imagine her.

And don't think that I resent baby Kira or that I don't want to be her father. It's just that I don't feel the same amount of love for her as I do for little Nik. That same thrill and excitement that I felt the first time I found out I was going to be a dad.

Believe me, I try not to feel that way. I want to love her unconditionally, but something just feels off. Or maybe a part of me just doesn't want this to be true. I don't want any connection between me and that wench, Amelia.

Yes, I know. It was proven by the best of the best doctors that baby Kira is my daughter. But it might be possible they made a mistake at the lab or something else. Sigh. This matter is taxing me mentally, so I might as well leave things as they are and see how it goes.

Golly, I could stand here all day and watch this. It brings me so much joy and puts a smile on my face. Tajea and little Nik are at it again, playing some silly games. However, as soon as little Nik discovered I was there, the game ended. He came running into my arms, fueled with excitement, and gave me his strongest hug. Oh, how I love this kid so damn much. Words can't express how much.

"Mother told me I had a baby sister. And that her name is Kira." The boy started blabbering.

"Yeah. You are an older brother now. Which means you need to protect your little sister?" I said, pinching his little adorable cheeks.

"Of course, I will." He assured me with a broad smile.

"That's my boy." I smiled back at him, making a mess of his hair, which now reached his shoulder. He really needs to get a haircut. "Now run upstairs. I need to have a grown-up chat with your mother."

"Alright." Little Nik ran off to his room. I presume to go do whatever kids these days his age do.

"Hey," It took me about five minutes to muster up the courage to greet Tajea, who was just looking annoyed at me.

"I was starting to wonder if I had something all over my face. Is that why you are staring at me like that?" She replied sassily. I guess some things never change.

"Yeah, there is." I taunted.

"You better not mess with me," Tajae warned. We both laughed afterwards.

"So really. How are you doing?" I was practically begging her to be real with me. Lay all her cards on the table about the whole baby matter. How she really feels about this.

"Well, to be honest, I'm not too thrilled about you being the father of that b*tch's daughter or any other b*tch. But that doesn't change anything between us." She gave me an honest response. "At least, I hope it doesn't."

Did I do something for her to doubt my feelings for her? I need to make this right. Set this straight.

Confronting her, I took hold of her cheeks and said without even thinking, "Of course not. I love you too much to let you go, woman."

Then I became conscious of what I just said. Oh no, I just said I love you out loud in such a tacky manner. I mean, I've been rehearsing it in my head for some time now to tell her how I truly feel about her. But I couldn't get it to pass through my lips when I attempted to or when the mood arose.

OK. Enough about me; Tajea looked a bit tense. Uneasy by my sudden confession. Oh no. Did I scare her? I hope this doesn't ruin what we have.

"Damn it." Tajea punched my right arm. Ouch! What's that for? This girl is crazy. But I love that and more about her. "What took you so long to say it?" She dried her now-watery eyes and snuffled. "You do love making a girl cry, don't you?"

"Only if it's tears of joy or cries of passion." I smile with a bit of arrogance. But I was relieved that she was alright. I was also waiting to hear her return the love. However, that didn't happen. Deep sigh. Maybe she doesn't love me that much yet to say the three magical words.

But then, seconds later, I realized it was stupid of me to think that. My face was strongly held by a delicate yet powerful woman's hand. Tajae's hand. And my lips were devoured hungrily and passionately. I could feel the love in that kiss to my very soul.

If this is not true love, then I don't know what it is. And, to be honest, I don't care as long as she's always by my side.

I don't really know how it happened, but she was now in my arms, and we were going out of control, about to put it down right here in the living room. But unfortunately, the crying baby interrupted us. Deep sigh. Bad timing, baby Kira.