Bruises ↛a.c.m

eight.

word count: 1760

| A U S T I N |

I get a text from Aquila, letting me know she'd be home in half an hour and I'm thankful I ordered Indian take-out fifteen minutes ago.

the doorbell rings and I stand from the couch and I open the door to Hollis, who's carrying my take-out and I roll my eyes before I take the bag from him.

"how much?" I ask, bluntly and he clears his throat before pulling out the receipt from his pocket and I hear the elevator chime on my floor.

"um, fourteen dollars and fifty cents." he says and I watch Aquila step out of the elevator and my heart races as she walks down the hallway.

I pull out a twenty dollar bill and I hand it to Hollis before he walks off and he kindly greets Aquila who gives him a light smile and she walks to my door, letting herself in as she smiles at me.

I place the bag of take-out on the island and Aquila removes her cost, setting it on the couch. her flannel and crop top come into view. "I forgot how good you looked today." I say and she looks up at me, with a shy smile.

"thank you." she says. "I think I over dressed to go see my dad." she laughs and she shoves her phone into back pocket of her black jeans, walking over to the island.

"you look stunning. that crop top goes so well with that flannel." I say and I place my hands on her bare waist and I place a kiss behind her ear. she giggles lightly as she open the bag of take-out.

"you got Indian?" she says and I sit on the bar stool, my palm under my chin as I look at her and she pulls out the to-go box.

"yeah, I hope that's okay." I say and she looks at me and she nods before she walks over to me and she pecks my lips.

our conversation is cut short and we begin eating, moving to the couch and I let Aquila pick a movie to watch and she chooses the most corniest one.

"we're going to watch The Notebook?" I ask with a snort and she pushes my chest lightly and she glares at me.

"yes, we're watching The Notebook."she says with a sly smile and she leans back against the couch, cuddling against my chest and I place my hand on her back.

within half an hour into the movie, Aquila falls asleep on my chest and I pause the movie and I shift her slowly before I pick her up in my arms, bridal style and I take her back to my room.

I debate whether or not I should undress her and help her into a pair of sweats and I tee. she shifts in bed and I panic, not wanting her to wake up. I decide not to bug her any longer and I just pull off her boots from her feet and I pull the covers over her, kissing her forehead before turning off the lights and I creak the door closed.

I clean up the living room, throwing away the trash and I set Aquila's things on the stool, for her to see in the morning and I switch off the light in the kitchen before I hear Robert's bedroom open.

"hey, did you see Katya today?" he asks, stretching and I sit on the couch.

"yeah." I say and he sits beside me. "she had a baby about 2 years ago." I say and his jaw drops, making me nod.

"what the hell? is it yours?" he asks and I shrug, sighing as I run my hands through my hair.

"she says she is mine but I don't know if t believe her." I say and he sighs, leaning back against the couch and I do the same.

"there's only one way to know. are you gonna meet her?" he asks and I look at the blank tv and i think it over.

if I was willing to actually build a relationship with my two year old daughter, it would be harder than ever. I didn't know her and she didn't know me, I don't even have the slightest idea that Katya as ever spoke to her about me. besides that, Aquila didn't know and I feared that maybe if she did, she'd want nothing to do with me.