Chapter 12: Being Papa

It had been a few days since Pablo threw Angie out and he was ignoring calls from family and family friends left and right. Of course Angie cried to them and instead of asking why he did what he did everyone just assumed he was the one in the wrong. Pablo didn't regret what he did. At the end of the day throwing her out was protecting Gloriana.

Gloriana seemed to not be phased by her mother not being around which deep down bothered him. Pablo felt that Gloriana deserve a mother that took motherhood seriously. He sat staring at Gloriana coloring in her coloring book while she waited for her breakfast.

“Don’t overthink it Pablo.” Joe noticed Pablo deep in thought.

“Since the day that little girl was born you’ve been cleaning up her mothers messes. And I literally mean since the day she was born.” Joe was standing next to Pablo.

“That’s the part that scares me. Angie will never get it together and I think Glori is beginning to figure that out on her own. She shouldn’t be living this reality.” Pablo put his head in his hands.

“Pablo your one hell of an amazing father to that little girl. Without me and you she has no one except her goldfishes Goldie and sunshine. I mean brother think about it this way if we wouldn’t have been there the day she was born when Angie left the hospital without Glori and the staff took you as her dad we don’t know where she would even be.” Joe pat Pablos shoulder.

“That’s the point though. I stopped my entire life to be a father and although I wouldn’t ever in my entire life change it at some point Glori is going to find out the truth. And what will happen then?” Pablo was beating himself up.

“The truth about you not being her father and Angie has no idea who her father is. Or that her entire life she’s been raised and spoiled by her uncle. Pablo you have given up so much for Glori and the love she has for you couldn’t ever be replaced. She is daddy’s girl and Angie can’t take that from you ever. Look around this place, there’s more pictures of you with Gloriana then anyone. Your walls aren’t covered in fancy murals and paintings anymore, it's covered in pictures drawn by her. ” Joes stressed to Pablo as he pointed to a drawing closest to them of him and Glorianas handprints that said “papa and glo forever on it. With that Joe turned and walked away.

Joseph was right but Pablo still worried about what would happen as Gloriana got older. He refused to lie to her forever. But he was the father to this beautiful girl. He may not have actually fathered her but he was the closest blood relative she had since Angie was his sister.

Joseph appeared back in the room holding a wooden tray with a napkin over his arm as if he was the waiter.

“I have an order for a Ms Glory Rana… Is there a Glory Rana somewhere in here?” He jumbled her name up on purpose to mess with her.

Gloriana hopped out of her chair and walked into the dining area.

“Excuse me Mr Jose I believe you mean Glori.” Gloriana replied with a little pep in her step.

Pablo couldn’t help but laugh because if it was one thing Joseph hated was being call Jose. The look on Joes face was priceless. It was obvious Glori had won this one.

“Well yes ma’am i can see it now I’m sorry for the misunderstanding.” He chuckled and pulled out Glorianas chair. She giggled the entire time Joe walked away. He returned with his food and Pablo’s coffee.

“So what’s the plan today Glori?” Pablo asked.

“I would like to go to the park and maybe get ice cream while we’re there again. Can we do that papa?” Gloriana always had a twinkle in her eye when she wanted ice cream with him.

“I don’t see why not. But first I’m going to drop you off at that daycare with the nice ladies while me and uncle joe go to a meeting this morning.” He took Another sip of his coffee.

“Oh yay! I get to see Ms Gigi again! Papa, she is so nice. Can you meet my new friends too Papa?” She was now bouncing in her chair and beaming with happiness.

“I don’t see why not. I can take a minute to say hello. But you know the rules.” Giana nodded and pretended there was a lock and key on her mouth.

After breakfast Gloriana went upstairs to her room to get ready for the day while Pablo and Joe went to Pablo’s Study that attached to his room.

Pablo was just about ready to go when they heard the doorbell ring. Joseph went down to see who it was while Pablo put on his shoes. It wasn’t long before Pablo heard what sounded like an argument and hurried to Glorianas room which thankfully was just opposite his main bedroom door.

“Papa who’s at the door?” He saw Gloriana about to walk out of the room.

“Glori baby idk but do me a favor? Let's pretend it’s someone really bad and I want you to go through my room and into the hidden stairwell and go straight to the panic room and lock it. If you look at the door camera and it’s not me or uncle Joe with your absolute favorite book and saying our secret word do not open the door and hit the emergency alert button okay baby?” Pablo wasn’t trying to scare her but the argument sounded to be getting louder and closer.

Only 4 people knew about the panic room and 3 of those people were in the house. The 4th he wasn’t worried about because she had been gone since the day Pablo brought Gloriana home from the hospital. Pablo headed to the stairs to find out who Joe was arguing with and he wasn’t surprised by what he saw.

It was 7:30 in the morning and he wasn’t surprised one bit that she was a blubbering mess and drunk as usual. Angie had brought her group of friends and a couple of weird looking men. Joseph was arguing with Angie as Pablo noticed one of the guys moving in to grab joe. He rushed down the steps and punched the guys inthe face knocking him a few steps back before he hit the ground.

“Angie what the hell are you doing here?” Pablo was furious.

“I live here and tried to use my key so me and my friends can go inside but my key wont work. So I rang the bell and your lap dog here wont let me inside.” Angie slurred her words and pointed her finger in Joes face.

“Bitch call me a lap dog one more god damn time” Joe warned her.

“Angie you dont live here. I told you to get out days ago after the stunt you pulled with Gloriana. Here I thought youd be here causing a scene for her but no once again all you care about is everything but your daughter.” Pablo was pushing Angie and her group away from the front door.