I Wish You Were Mine

CHAPTER # 18

PAST - PART 1

ACE'S POV

A while ago, Celeste attended an event with her uncle and aunt.

Personally, I'm not a fan of taking my daughter to such events. Celeste, too, prefers staying with family when I must attend gatherings like this. However, Alizey's persistent calls urging me to allow her to take Celeste with her and Xavier to the party became unbearable.

The occasion was Scarlet Jones' birthday party, and her mother had sent invitations to all the prominent figures in society. The King family also received an invitation, but I declined due to other commitments, and Celeste initially showed minimal interest. Xavier and Alizey were attending the event on behalf of the King family, and Alizey was fixated on taking Celeste with them.

She believed the party was an opportunity for my baby to socialize and make new friends of her age outside family.

Despite my doubts about Alizey's reasons, I didn't voice them aloud. Her love for my baby is genuine, regardless of any other motives. Moreover, I thought it would be good for Celeste to socialize, and she was excited about spending a night out with her uncle and aunt after Alizey's convincing her.

However, things didn't go as planned. Celeste returned home the same night, even though the original plan was for her to stay the night at Xavier's after the event. Even Xavier couldn't convince her otherwise. Celeste never says no to a chance for a sleepover with my brother's wife.

So, when Xavier dropped her off at my office that night, I sensed something was wrong.

I was busy finishing some work with Leo when my poor baby freed herself from Xavier's hold and climbed onto my lap and hugged me.

"Papa, when is Mamma coming back?"

I've faced intense board meetings and drug deals and a shit ton of interrogation, but this question caught me off guard. It left me speechless.

"Muffin, did someone ask you this?"

Leo's voice came from across the table, his all attention on her, forgetting the tender documents. Screw the tender for now. Someone else needs the screwing first. She shook her head, and I felt a mix of emotions.

I despise the woman my daughter calls "Mother," and I'll likely continue to do so until my last breath. But what bothers me more is my own inadequacy as a father. I've seen Celeste transform into a silent, obedient girl after her mother was gone. She rarely questions or complains, so her sudden inquiry unsettled me. This was her second time bringing up the question and again I have nothing to say.

"Baby, do you miss Mama?" I asked, I'm terrible at this-what do I say? What can I do? Why did I even ask when I know I won't have a satisfying answer?

She nodded hesitantly, as if fearing my reaction.

My baby is such a people pleaser at such age which again me feel like a shit father.

She has never thrown a single tantrum despite the immense spoiling from everyone.

I've avoided explaining to Celeste what happened with her mother when she first questioned it. Her silence doesn't mean she's forgotten; she simply avoids the topic, perhaps because I do too.

Should I tell her that her mother is not coming back because she's on a mission to the moon? Or maybe she's busy with a photoshoot on Mars? I don't trust her lifestyle or influence around Celeste, and I fear my daughter might experience the same scars I did.

I find it easier to tell Celeste that her mother is on a mission to the moon rather than admitting that she simply doesn't care enough about her.

It reminds me of Amelia's neglect toward Celeste from the very beginning. Amelia was never there, never spent quality time with her. My princess was always surrounded by my family who loved her dearly, blinding me to the fact that her mother was often absent from our life.

Now that the veil of love has lifted and reality sets in-as if the Gods declared us an imperfect match-each revelation hits differently.

"Baby, Mamma is..." I began, but Leo interrupted.

"Oh, I forgot, Muffin! I got you a new set of princess-colored pens. Would you like to see them?"

An excitement glitters I her eyes, she thinks about it for a while, faces me as if silently communicating that the conversation is not over and we will continue it, but for now princess pens awaits my presence. She then opens her arms for Leo to grab her and he carries her outside the office. My baby has the attention span of a child... which is how it should be.

Leo's timely distraction allowed me to avoid stumbling through an explanation I had no clue how to provide one either. I mentally patted myself on the back for having him forcefully sit with me to finish the tender agreement documents tonight. I can't evade this conversation with my daughter forever, but Leo's interruption bought me some time. I'll come up with an explanation soon.

Alizey's number appeared on my phone screen. She better have a damn good explanation for taking Celeste out in high spirits and returning her so despondent. Otherwise, Xavier won't need to work too hard on his divorce plan-I'll personally make Alizey vanish from the face of the earth.

"Hi, Ace, uhm..." Alizey's hesitant voice came through.

"Speak, Alizey, before I assume shit myself and you face life-threatening injuries," I replied in my deep, no-nonsense tone.

"I'm sorry. I never thought she would say that. Honestly, I never took her for a person like this. I thought she meant well."

"Who said what?" I pressed, my patience thinning.

"It was Mrs. Jones, Alizey explained. Mrs. Jones had approached us at the party to greet us. Out of nowhere, she brought up Amelia and how children from single-parent households face difficulties. She expressed sadness for Celeste having to go through it.

I hadn't realized Mrs. Jones' intentions until she tied her speech to her NGO's new campaign. Disgust churned within me as she used Celeste as an example of troubled children."

"She said Celeste didn't deserve to live like this, and how adults' choices impact children. "Celeste became instantly sad and wanted to go home. So, before I could give Mrs. Jones a piece of my mind, I found Xavier to drive Celeste back saying that she misses you."

I heard silently and she said everything in one go.

"Does Xavier know about this?" I asked Alizey.

"No, he was busy with something else when she approached us," she replied, her voice breaking.

"But I want you to know that I took care of her. She won't dare say shit like that again. I just didn't want things to get ugly in front of Celeste." She continued.

"I expected no less Alizey." I cut the call without saying anything further.

One of the reasons I allowed Celeste to go out with Alizey without bodyguards in her immediate vicinity was because I trusted Alizey's ability to protect her. She was more than capable and so I trusted her when she said she took care of the situation and the person. Still, I mentally kept a note of this as Mrs. Jones 's one and only strike.