Give Me Love

5

Victoria

"Beside you." my mum told the lad who checked on me while ago. The one who stares at my eyes.

He stood up properly, smiling. He extend his hand for a shake, "You must Victoria Adams." he says smiling, "I'm Arthur Peterson." I look at my mum and she just nodded, "Nice meeting you." I took his hand and we shake.

"Daddy!" Veronica scream extending her hand for a hug to Mr. Peterson. "I'm sorry." I say to him and look over mum. "It's alright," he laugh "I love kids." I look at my mum. She's seems so happy. Mr. Peterson took Veronica from me and placed her in his lap.

Mr. Peterson finish his soup, "Mrs. Adams, thank you for the soup again. I hope you will let me pay someday." he laugh, "And to you," he turn and smile, "Your mother were so worried about you. I guess, I should better keep going." and he left.

~~~

After the lunch incident at the store, I went home immediately.

I saw my mum walk in, smiling. Veronica is playing in the couch. "Who was Arthur?" I ask her as she walk in the living room, "Just a customer," she kissed my forehead. I don't care if Arthur is my mother's new boyfriend, I don't care. I just want to know who is he in my mother's life. "He's the one who took care of me when you're gone." I see but of course jealousy fires up inside me.

She change into her normal clothes. "Dinner is ready, mum." I call her. "I cook it." I say as I settle Veronica beside me.

"This food is delicious." my mother compliment. Being with my mother, I feel I have everything, I don't have to starved myself for Kenneth and Veronica. My mother's house is so peaceful. No shouting, no punching. There's no way I'm going to the hell.

After dinner, I wash dishes while mum plays with Veronica. In here, I don't need to stress myself. I do all the doings back at Kenneth's house. The dishes, washing the clothes, cooking if there's food to cook. Kenneth never took care of Veronica since she's out of this world. Never carried her. I was shocked when she says Daddy when she saw Arthur this noon. Veronica seems to witness every punch of Kenneth.

It's been two years since that incident happened. I was raped, abused. I thought being with Kenneth would be a fairytale. No, it was fairysh*t. I smile seeing my mum playing with my three year-old daughter. I wish I could have my mum always, to help me raise this child. Just like what my grandma did, she help mum raised me. Grandpa was an army back then. While grandpa was at war, grandma used to come over here, she's the one who took care of me while mother's doing the dishes. Good to know that grandpa is still alive. He's a hero for me.

Mum got pregnant at the age of 16 and so grandma. But the thing is, when grandma was pregnant, grandpa supported her. Never left. Not like me and my mother, I never meet my father. Never, and I'm not planning to look for him. How dare he is to leave mum like that. And I on the other hand, I should find a lad that would stand a father for my daughter. Sooner or later this child playing with my mum will grow and I'm going to make sure this child would cut the history which mum started.

"Victoria," mum waved her hand in front of me, "Are you listening?" she distracted me, "I'm sorry, what is it, mum?" her expression turns into a frown, "Are you alright?" I nodded.

I went to the kitchen to get some water, mum following. "Darling," mum hugged me from behind, "Tell me what's bothering you." I shook my head.

"Nothing's bothering me, mum."

"You're my daughter, now spit it out."

I sighed, "I'm scared, mum." she run her hand over my face. "I feel you." she hugged, rubbing the back of my head.

It's already 8 and it's Veronica's sleeping time. "Mum, gonna bring Veronica up stairs." she nodded. Turning the switch off and followed me upstairs.

"You're brave." she said putting her arms around me. "So do you, mum." I kissed her cheeks.

She walked me to my room, "Mum, I was planning that maybe you can take stay here at home and I'll be the one who's going to handle the store tomorrow. If you're fine with that." I give her a convincing smile. "Alright then," she says, "Don't let Mr. Peterson pay." I nodded and kiss her good night and closes the door.

Mr. Peterson? Who is he in mother's life? I should know, tomorrow.