The Bad Boy And His Baby

Chapter 47

Lucky drops Bronwyn off at Tobias' house and I'm surprised to see something similar to a mansion. I can't help but gawk as I stare out of the car window and Bronwyn chuckles softly underneath her breath. It's a bit smaller than Kofi and Nevan's mansion but there's still a huge front yard with lush green grass and in the middle is a fountain spouting water.

There are three garage doors and a balcony right on top with two chairs near the railing and a small table in between. The house is painted a light grey and the front door consists of a double door with intricate designs carved into the wood. "You should wait till you see the pool. There's even a water slide." She tells me and I close my mouth.

"It's beautiful." I compliment and she gives us a wave and blows a kiss before closing the car door and walking up to the gate. There aren't many houses in this area either and it's far from our apartment but the other houses don't disappoint either. Lucky waits till Bronwyn's inside the house before driving off.

Lumi coos softly as she plays with a pink rattle toy, putting it in her mouth before waving it around. I stroke her cheek and she looks up at me with big brown eyes. The corners of her lips lift up into a smile and I smile back. "I'll drop you off and then grab some extra clothes." Lucky says.

I look up and shake my head. "No, it's alright. I think I can survive a night alone." She looks at me briefly through the front view mirror. "Are you sure?" I nod. "Uh huh. I'll call if anything happens." She smiles and nods. "Alright."

When she pulls up to the house, Buck's truck pulls up at the same time. I get out the car and sling Lumi's bag over my shoulder before walking around to maneuver her car seat out. I wave to Lucky and my mom gets out of the truck. "Wow, I missed driving. Almost got into three accidents but we're all good." She says breathlessly and her cheeks are flushed. My eyes widen. "Three?"

She brushes me off and shakes her head. "Let's go inside. I want to hold little Lumi." Once we get inside, I take Lumi out and hand her to my mom. "I'll just go put her things back in her room. Do you want anything to drink?" She shakes her head. After putting Lumi's things away and taking off my shoes to wear more comfortable slippers, I go back downstairs and sit on the couch beside my mom.

"I know she's not yours but I feel like a grandmother."

"You shouldn't. Push those grandmotherly instincts away." She chuckles and rocks Lumi, both of us watching her. "I have to go to Greece for a fashion show."

"When are you leaving?" The last time she left, I had trouble with Corbin and I can feel my heart sinking into my stomach. "Tomorrow." I lean my head on her shoulder. "I'm gonna miss you." She places a kiss on my forehead. "I'll miss you too. I hope to come back as soon as I can."

"You better. The guest room is always open." I say even though this isn't my house. But I'm sure Koda wouldn't be opposed. "I'll stay at Buck's. I haven't felt this happy with a man since your dad."

"That's because you never had a man since dad." She scoffs and lightly hits my arm. "You don't know that." I raise my head to look at her and raise an eyebrow. "Really?" She laughs softly and Lumi coos before blowing raspberries. I rest my head on her shoulder again and she asks, "Do you love him? Ji, I mean."

"Why is everyone asking that?"

"Because we can see... something brewing there. Now any sensible mom would forbid you from seeing him and trust me, I am sensible but, I've listened to Buck and that guy has really taken a liking to you and I trust him. Plus I've seen for myself how Ji treats you and how he talks to you. He's never really hurt you, has he?"

I shake my head. "He hasn't." I answer softly. There's no reason not to fall in love with Koda, but my heart is desperate for protection and my brain is ready to provide that protection. I'm stuck between the two and at this point, I don't know. We sit like this for what feels like forever until my mom stirs. "I need to get packing for tomorrow." She murmurs.

I notice that Lumi has dozed off in her arms. "When will we see each other again?"

"Soon." She promises. "We'll stay in touch." She gently hands Lumi to me and we get up. The right side of me is already missing the warmth of her body that was next to mine. "I love you." She pulls me in for a hug and I hug her tightly. "I love you too." I walk with her to the front door and almost feel like a little girl being left alone on the first day of school.

She flashes me a smile. "Take care of yourself, sweetheart. And call me anytime. I'll come back if I must." I nod. "I will." I stand behind the closed door holding Lumi against my chest while rubbing her back as she sleeps. I listen to the truck engine switch on before leaving a few moments later.

This isn't something I should be sad over. She's left before and she will come back again. Still, it sucks not having my mom near me even though technology allows her to be one phone call away. I sigh and turn around before looking at the empty house. It looks much larger now that I'm alone and I'll have to lock every door just to keep my mind at peace. I'm about to make my way upstairs to put Lumi in her crib when I hear a knock on the door.

I turn around to open it and I'm met with a beaming girl that looks about my age. She's got silky, long black hair and she's Asian with pale skin and a slender, petite body. She's wearing sneakers, a denim skirt with a sweater and a jacket. Her smile disappears when she sees me. "Where's Koda?"

I have no idea who this girl is and my eyebrows furrow in confusion. "He's... not here right now." Her eyes land on Lumi. "Is that his daughter? She's so small." The girl pushes past me, while hauling a large suitcase behind her. "Hey, wait a minute-"

"So, when will he be back? I'm in a lot of trouble you know but Koda promised me one hell of a party even though my birthday was a week ago. I had to get everything in order before I could come here. I hope you're not taking up the guest room because that's where I'll be sleeping. He can't expect me to sleep on the couch. Are you his nanny or something? I was sure Kelsey was the nanny but she hasn't come around in a while."

All I can do is stare at the girl as she talks. She's no stranger as she calls Koda by his name. She knows Kelsey and she knows about Lumi, so who is she?

She turns around to look at me, her hair flying out at the action before she extends a hand with short nails covered in white nail polish. "Sorry, I'm Kanna. Koda's sister." My eyes widen in recognition. I've heard about her many times from Koda and even his friends. I shake her hand and nod. "Oh yeah, he's told me about you." She chuckles softly. "All good things I hope."

"I'm Quinn. I'm his... friend." I say it sounding unsure and my cheeks flush in embarrassment. I don't know what we are so I'll just have to settle on friend. Her eyes narrow but a small smirk plays on her lips. "Friend, huh?" I nod and tear my gaze away from hers. "Yeah."

"Do you know when he'll be back?"

"Um..." I trail off, unsure of what to say. She's his sister so she deserves to know. But would Koda want me telling her? She looks at me expectantly and I decide to tell her. "Koda's in the hospital. He was... shot." I'm ready for the tears and I'm contemplating running upstairs to put Lumi down to console Kanna but I'm met with an eyeroll instead. "Seriously? That idiot." She mutters.

"What?"

"Did he get into a fight? Mess with the wrong person? Was he on the wrong turf? Which hospital is he in? I need to give him a piece of my mind. Doesn't he have a daughter to look after? He shouldn't be parading around town looking for fights." She shakes her head in disappointment.

"You're not... upset or anything?" She scoffs and laughs a little. "Koda is involved in some things so when this sort of thing happens then it's his own fault." I raise an eyebrow. "This has happened before?"

"Cons of knowing someone like Koda." She digs into her jacket pocket and pulls out keys attached to a pink keyring. "I'll drive."