An Unusual Affair

Chapter 11

Hayden and Lily enjoyed to the full in the amusement park while Richard stayed in tow, not letting them out of his sight even for once. Vanessa seemed out of place though she was the one who suggested this excursion as neither Richard nor Hayden gave her much attention. 

After a few rides, the kids started to feel hungry. Vanessa went to get some food for the three of them. Richard refused to eat anything. 

'As soon as you finish the food we should leave Lily. I promised your mom that you would be with her in Two hours and the time is almost up.' Richard said gently giving her a warm smile. 

'Yes, I miss Mom.' Lily said with a smile. 

Richard noticed how much she resembled Emily. Their eyes, small mouth, and jawline were the same. He got up from the table as Vanessa came back with their burgers and fries. 

'You can sit with us. I won't kill you, Richard.' Vanessa said with a sarcastic smile. 

'As if you wouldn't love to do that. It's better if you don't say such things in front of the kids.' Richard said loathingly and walked a little away from them. 

'Thank you for today, Mrs. Sterling. It was a fun day.' Lily said bidding her farewell after half an hour. 

'I am glad you both enjoyed it.' Vanessa said giving the kids a brief hug. Straightening up she looked at Richard and said, 'If Emily had come maybe you would have enjoyed the day as well.' 

Hayden looked at Richard as a smile crept on Lilu's face. 'Is there something that I don't know about?' Hayden thought to himself. 

Without answering Vanessa, Richard held Lily's and Hayden's hands and walked towards the parking lot. 

The ride to Lily's house was a quiet one. The sun was setting already and the kids were beyond tired. It was a 45-minute ride to the Bakery from the amusement park and Lily and Hayden fell asleep in the car. Richard kept on doing his work. He was famished as he had skipped lunch and it was almost dinner time now. 

Emily had just closed the counters of her Bakery with the last sales. It was 6 in the evening. While cleaning the counters she kept on looking at the door for a sign of Lily. 

'I hope she is okay. I should have taken Mr. Sterling's number. How will I know when will they be back? It is dinner time now.' Emily said to herself feeling a little annoyed. 'Their family sure is messed up and now they are dragging me and my innocent daughter in it as well.' She was hungry, she was tired and she missed Lily. 

After ten minutes, a car stopped outside her Bakery. Emily was washing her hands being done with cleaning. Richard got out of the car alone and walked towards the open door. 

'Good Evening Mrs. Morgan.' Richard said from the door, giving a small knock. 'I am sorry we are a bit late.' 

'Where is Lily? Is she okay?' Emily asked directly panicking as she couldn't see Lily anywhere.

Richard was a little taken aback by the response he got from Emily. 'She is okay. The kids are in the car. They fell asleep on the way. I came to ask if I should wake her up or if I can help to put her to bed if you want.' 

'Oh, erm, yes we can put her to bed.' Emily said feeling embarrassed. 

Richard went to his car and came back with Lily in his hands. 'Show me the way. I'll tuck her in.' He said in a whisper not to wake Lily up. 

'It's okay. I can take her from here Mr. Sterling.' Emily said coming forward to take Lily from Richard.

'Mrs. Morgan, please. Show me the way.' Richard said a little authoritatively. 

Emily looked at him and started walking towards Lily's room upstairs. Richard followed in her steps. They reached the room. Emily turned on the bedside lamp and turned to take off Lily's shoes. She was undergoing a lot of emotions at the time. This was something that her husband should be doing for their daughter. Taking her to the amusement park. holding her in his arms, tucking her in the bed after a long and tired day. 

Richard was looking at her every move and he felt a pang of sympathy hit him. He could feel his heart getting softer looking at Emily's sad face. He wanted to hug her. In the dark room, the little light coming from the lamp felt like a ray of hope for him. Hope to love someone again, hope to protect someone once again. 

Laying Lily in the bed, he adjusted her clothes and covered her with the blanket. They crept out of her room silent and Emily closed the door. They both stood there on the small landing in the dark for what felt like an eternity. 

After a few minutes, Emily said in a low voice, 'I am sorry about earlier. I was just worried that something had happened to Lily. My husband also disappeared one day without a word and never came back since then. I don't want to lose Lily as well. She is all that I have.'

'I can understand Mrs. Morgan. I have a son as well who is everything for me.' Richard said closing his fists in a ball to stop his urge to comfort Emily. 

Emily cleaned her eyes. looking up at Richard she asked, 'I hope she had fun today?' 

'Yes, both he kids were very happy together.' Richard replied giving her a gentle smile. 

Emily smiled back. 'Is Hayden also sleeping in the car?' she asked. 

'Yes. They both had dinner so don't worry about Lily being hungry. You should rest as well. I will be going now.' Richard said and started going downstairs. 

Emily followed him till they reached the door. Richard was about to leave when Emily called from behind him, 'Thank you for today, Mr. Sterling. Thank you for everything.' 

Richard stopped in his tracks. Her calm and positive attitude was what he liked the most about her. She always calmed him down as well. He turned around and answered, 'I am happy to help Mrs. Morgan.' waving her bye he left.

Sitting in the car, Richard sent a message to his detective, 'Find out everything about Emily's husband. Where he is, whether he is alive or dead. What has he been doing everything as soon as possible.'