NOT JUST A GIFT

Chapter 8

The past few days were marvelous as Charles took every single opportunity he had to make Vera feel good, but something was off the growing distance between him and Vera, despite their living together, they seemed to be drifting apart. He cared deeply for her, and the feeling is still there. Even if their relationship wasn't romantic anymore. Vera's behavior had become increasingly puzzling. Hard to figure out she seemed perpetually on edge, her eyes darting anxiously around the room, as if bracing for an unknown threat.

One evening, as they sat in the living room, Charles tried to bridge the gap between them. " Hey, Vera, what's going on? You seem... Bordered," he said gently, his concern etched on his face. Vera's gaze fluttered towards him, then quickly retreated, her shoulders tensing.

"I-I'm good, Charles," she stammered. Charles's eyes narrowed, sensing her fear, and her inability to open up. He leaned in, his voice soft and reassuring.

"Vera, I'm here for you. If it's something I can help, I'll do it. You've not been yourself lately. You're jumpy, always on guard. Is anybody disturbing you? Is anyone threatening you? "Charles's words hung in the air, his eyes locked on hers, pleading for her to confide in him.

Vera's lip trembled, her eyes welling up with tears. Charles's heart ached, seeing her struggle. He reached out, his hand brushing against hers, offering comfort. "Please, Vera, trust me. Let me in."

Vera sighed and looked away.  "it's nothing, Charles. I'm just stressed, that's all." She withdrew herself and ran upstairs.

Charles felt a surge of frustration, but he knew he had to be patient. "I know you're hiding something from me, I hope it's not something that will hurt you or Ariel cause I'll not let that happen."

Charles served dinner after he had bathed Ariel fed her and put her to sleep, he wasn't surprised that Vera was not down yet probably sleeping or something.

He knocked at Vera's room door "Food is ready" smiling Hoping Vera would be surprised but her reply made him mad.

"Oh, thank you, I'm not hungry." Trying to keep a calm voice.

"Hey, Vera. I prepared dinner for two and you don't expect Ariel to feast on the second plate, please come meet me downstairs, I'm waiting." He rushed downstairs to set the table.

It was a dinner where two adults observed table manners, as soon as they were done Vera tried to clear the table which Charles didn't accept. "I'll do it myself just sit back, I have something bordering me I'd like to share with you."

Charles walked right back with two glasses of orange juice from the kitchen, "Vera, can I ask you something?" He said, his voice casual. " What were you doing, before you became a nanny? During your pregnancy with Ariel."

Vera's eyes narrowed before she answered. "I worked in a hotel," she said finally. As an assistant cook."

Charles's mind raced, that was not his intended question. But wasn't sure to ask, he had to ask anyway.

Charles's gaze narrowed, his mind racing with no intention to upset Vera. He cleared his throat. "Vera, I know you're Ariel's biological mother, But what I don't understand is how you got pregnant. And who's the father?"

Vera's face went white, her eyes darting away. The dining room was heavy with emotion, the tension palpable. Charles's question hung in the balance, waiting for Vera to say something. "Charles, I..... I can't tell you that." She whispered.

Charles held onto her arm as she tried to walk away. "Vera, I need to know. Who her father is? Do I know the person?"

Vera's eyes flashed back to his, a hint of fear in their depths. "I hope so, Charles. But I don't pray you know him. Can't you see? It's not that simple, It's confusing, let's not push it, Charles."

Charles's face crumpled with frustration. " Not simple? Vera, hope you're aware that it's my daughter we're talking about. And you don't think I have the right to know who her father is."

Vera's face swelled up with tears. " Charles, please. Just leave it alone. It's too painful and shameful a word to let out."

Charles's heart softened at the sight of her tears. He knew he had to be gentle, but he couldn't shake the feeling of losing his daughter to anyone. He softened the grip on her arms.

Vera's eyes dropped her voice more like a whisper. "It was my fault, Charles. I was frustrated and felt like, if I should lose a diamond it Should be for a worthy price. I was vulnerable and he saw it. And I gladly gave in as he took advantage of me. That night was supposed to be forgotten. But, no! It is not meant to be. Because Ariel happens to be from that night, Charles. She's the moment I can't erase."

Charles's eyes widened in shock, there must be a lot I didn't know about this person in front of me, a lot kept unfolding. "You were paid! to forget?" He repeated, his voice low and urgent. Is she also a prostitute?

Vera nodded, her eyes filling with tears. "Yes. I was paid to keep quiet, to pretend it never happened. But I couldn't forget, I felt used, I felt like I was taken advantage of. And then I found out I was pregnant.... and I knew I had to keep it. I had to keep Ariel?

Charles hearing all of this from Vera made him heartbroken amidst the feeling of wanting to know more.

"Oh, Vera," he whispered, his voice cracking with emotions. " I'm sorry. I'm so sorry you had to go through all of that.

Vera's eyes flashed to his, a hint of defiance in their depths. "Don't be sorry for me, Charles," she said. "It is a choice I made. I have to deal with it. I have Ariel. She's the best thing that I ever have.

Charles looked at Vera. He couldn't believe where that strength came from. But he craved one thing - he had to know who Ariel's father was. Who could that sad and Happy man be, to have taken advantage of Vera's vulnerability and paid her to forget? If I had such a chance I'll wife her up, damn.

"Vera," he said, his voice low and urgent. "Why don't you want me to know him?" He must be such a fool to have done this to you Vera. " Who is the father of my daughter?'

Vera's gaze dropped to the floor. "I..... I can't tell you," she whispered. "I promised I wouldn't."

Charles's heart raced with frustration. " Vera, does he know you had a daughter for him," he said. "I just need to know who he is. I can't give my daughter off to anybody at the end.

Vera's eyes flashed to his, a hint of fear in their depths. "Charles please understand," she said. "I can't tell you. He's not someone you want to know, and no one will take Ariel."

Charles's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with possibilities. "What if he comes for Ariel?" He asked his voice low and urgent.

Vera's eyes seemed to hold a secret, a secret she was reluctant to share. "Till then, some words are better unspoken," she whispered.

"Vera, please," he said. " You're speaking in riddles. "Just tell me the truth, it will be between us I promise."

Vera's eyes flashed up to his, a hint of fear in their Depths. "The truth is dangerous, Charles. This truth could destroy lives." She ran upstairs.  "it's late, Charles."

Charles's face hardened, "I believe it's not Alex, not my Alex?" He soliloquizes