Jay’s POV
After knowing the truth that Piper was Jessie’s biological mother and that she was the woman I spent the night with seven years ago, I felt happy. Especially since then, I often observed Piper and Jessie and I just realized that Jessie looked happy to be next to Piper. She smiled often, and I got a report from her homeroom teacher that Jessie’s grades improved. In addition, her behavior has gotten better. She behaves more empathetic and friendly towards her classmates than before. Piper’s existence had a big impact on Jessie.
Jessie has become a sweet girl whose attitude has become even more mature. I was grateful that Piper finally came into our lives. Aside from that, I’ve also been watching Megan, and I felt terrible for Jessie because I realized too late that Megan has never been nice to Jessie.
I was standing at the window of my office, watching Jessie and Piper swimming. Not long after, they climbed up and sat down on the lounge chairs close to the pool. I saw Piper gently drying Jessie’s hair and body and asking her to drink the juice that Lily had provided earlier. Jessie’s face looked thrilled. I can hear even their laughter in my office. I felt happy with them. My lips were smiling at them.
Not long after that, Piper and Jessie went inside the house while I was busy with my paperwork again.
In the afternoon, I realized that the sky had darkened and suddenly it was raining heavily with thunder and lightning. I immediately thought of Piper. I saw it was 6 pm, time for Piper to go home.
I rushed out of my workroom and up the stairs to Jessie’s bedroom. And I’d just remembered that I’d asked Ken to drive a company guest around Valdirra City so he couldn’t pick Piper up and take her home that day.
When I had just arrived at Jessie’s bedroom door, it suddenly opened and Piper stood before me, all neat and pretty. Much prettier than usual. Could it just be my feelings or my sheer admiration because I’d been observing her for a few days?
“Oh, sir. Have you been standing at the door for long?” she asked. Her eyes sparkled, and her pink lips looked so sexy. Her face looked as pretty as a bunch of flowers in a garden and her voice was as soft as a harp playing at a music concert.
Was I admiring her? What if one day I liked her and wanted to have her? Maybe I was just getting carried away.
“I just arrived. Piper, umm,” I replied a little hesitantly. An idea crossed my mind.
“Yes, sir? Are you alright?” she asked.
Not long after, Jessie came out of the room looking at me. “Dad, you rarely come here. What’s going on?”
Yeah, I wasn’t a good father to Jessie. When Megan came along with a beautiful baby girl, I wasn’t fully prepared to be a father.
Circumstances forced me to be ready to be a father when I was just getting started with all the missions to achieve my dreams. And because of that, I wasn’t able to be a good father to Jessie. She spent most of her time with Lily and my mom. I only saw her on the weekends, and even then, it was only an hour or two.
Guilt gnawed at me. What I did to Jessie was the same as what my father did to me. I shouldn’t repeat the past and cause hurt to my children even if they were born because of a mistake.
I have to fix everything from the beginning, even if it’s a little late. I’m sorry, Jessie. I’ve made you sad and lonely, especially by letting Megan be by your side and me rarely being by your side. From now on, I will fix everything.
“Ah, I just want to check on you guys and ask Piper to spend the night here if she is willing because the rain outside is very heavy and the lightning is scary. Surely it would be very dangerous for her to go home under these circumstances. What do you think, Piper?” I asked.
Piper looked confused, while Jessie looked happy.
Jessie was seen holding Piper’s hand while looking at her face. “Piper, stay here please, just for tonight. You can sleep with me.”
“B-but, my son might worry about me. I’ll call them,” Piper replied as she walked out of the room and away from us.
“Dad, can Piper sleep with me?” Jessie asked.
I knelt before her, caressing her cute face. “Yes, but your bed is too small for two. It would be better if she slept in the guest room.”
“Oh, okay.”
Not long after, Piper approached. “I accept your offer, sir. They thought it would be best if I stay here. The road to my apartment was just closed because of flooding. I’m sorry. I’ll be a nuisance tonight.”
“You’re no trouble at all. I’ll ask Lily to prepare the guest room and fix the bed for you. I’ll go first,” I said. Then I left with a smile on my face. I didn’t know why I felt so happy with Piper in my house. I may have been crazy, completely crazy, but I couldn’t shut out my happiness.
Jessie was my weakness and when I saw her happy, I was happy.
Suddenly my steps were interrupted by Piper’s voice, “Sir, may I cook dinner for you?”
I turned around and smiled. “Of course. You can coordinate with Lily.”
“Yeah, I want to eat food cooked by Lily. Let’s go to the kitchen,” Jessie said as she pulled Piper’s hand. I had honestly never seen Jessie behave like that to Megan, even though she knew Megan was her mother.
“Wait a minute, I’ll put my bag away,” Piper said.
“Let me put your bag inside,” Jessie said.
I was impressed, really impressed. Jessie loves Piper.
A few moments later, we went down to the first floor. I saw Piper and Jessie enter the kitchen and get busy with all the ingredients. I stood near to the entrance to the kitchen. The looks on their faces were so happy that I wanted to keep the happiness and beautiful smiles on their lips forever, and not let anyone or anything spoil the smiles on their lips.
“Sir, why are you standing here?” Ken asked.
I woke up from my reverie. Ken surprised me. “Ah, it’s nothing. I just want to get a drink of water.”
“Do you want me to get you a drink?” he asked again.
“N-no need. I,” I replied awkwardly.
“Dad, there you are. Didn’t you say you had something to do in the workroom?” Jessie asked.