Chapter 33 I Found Your Daddy
The car's front screen could let Emma see what was ahead. No one could spot them from outside since it was tinted. She tried to speak, but no words came out. Deep down, she thought she could escape this, yet it seemed like she would always be haunted. Her hands rubbed together, her heart raced as if it might leap from her chest, and a few beads of sweat formed on her forehead, even with the air conditioning running, making her painfully aware of her fear. Fearful of hurting the man next to her.
Ezra was at his wit's end. They hadn't exchanged a word in the ten minutes since they entered the car. Before turning to her, he took a few deep breaths and let them out. "If you choose to leave the company, I’ll completely understand."
Emma shot him a quick look. Even if she left, the guilt of lying to Ezra about Zoe and making him think she was his child would still linger. "What good would quitting do anyway?"
"Huh?" Ezra was confused.
Emma shook her head. "I guess I just needed this little break to clear my head."
"What do you mean?"
"Mr. Queen. I genuinely love my job as a designer, so I really want to keep it." She tried hard not to mention how miserable he had said he was. She wouldn’t be able to handle it if he kept saying that or if he continued to look at her with those sad eyes.
"I’m glad you want to stay. I knew if I came here, I could persuade you, Miss Facer." Ezra looked at her and could now see her whole face. The size of her eyes, the smoothness of her skin, and the beauty of her hair. He felt certain that he would also sense it if he touched it. "I know what I’m about to say might sound strange, but..." He paused, gazing into her eyes again. "Can I meet her? Zoe?”
"What?"
"I've been thinking about it. For days and my heart really wants to meet her. I want to meet her."
"But what about your parents?" Emma asked.
Ezra paused. He had thought about it too, but he felt it wasn't the right moment to tell them. "What about them?"
"Do they know? About Zoe."
He shook his head. "No. I haven't told them. I didn't plan on it just yet. I just want to meet her first, and um…" he laughed nervously. "The fact that I suddenly have a child is just shocking. Who is three years old. You know what I mean?"
Emma nodded. "I get it. Trust me, I do." She understood this completely and knew that it wouldn't lead to them becoming a couple or anything like that. There was no space for an office romance. That definitely doesn't seem like Ezra Queen’s style. "I should head out. The boss is probably waiting."
"But, what about…"
"My mind hasn't changed. I just want to go tell the boss that I'm quitting. How can someone like Emma Facer work in a place like this? I'm a celebrity now."
"Mini celeb, you mean?" Ezra laughed.
"Whatever." She opened the door and stepped out. She looked back inside. "I should take you to her school. But maybe we shouldn't."
"Why not? I’ll come."
"Not for the reasons you think. Mr. Queen, your parents are unaware, and there are paparazzi everywhere. You don’t want to wake up to headlines tomorrow saying you have a kid. Plus, I don’t want Zoella’s face out there. She’s too young to be on camera."
"I totally agree with you. So, where do you think I should meet her?"
Emma pulled out her phone from her pocket. "You can come back in the next couple of hours. She won't be at school during that time. They got out early today since it's Friday. Mr. Queen, Zoella will be super happy to see you."
Ezra took a deep breath. "Okay. But I have to ask. What does she like? Chocolate? Chips? Pizza? Big Barbie dolls? Kids are into that. I read that somewhere. Where was it again?" He was a bit confused.
"Let’s forget about the toys. It’s not the right time for that kind of attention." She smiled warmly. "Chocolate is good. Zoella will really enjoy that."
"So, are you excited?" Emma asked as she and Zoella walked towards the door.
"What am I supposed to be excited about again?" Zoe’s small voice piped up. She looked up at Emma while continuing to walk.
"About tomorrow, silly." Emma knelt down to Zoe's level once they were outside. "The playdate with Bella."
"Oh. I’m really excited." Zoe said, her face lighting up with a big smile.
"I’m sure you are," Emma took her hands and gave them a gentle squeeze. "I want to tell you something. You might be surprised, and I know I shouldn’t be telling a three-year-old this, but—"
"I can handle it. Go ahead."
Emma laughed. "You’re so clever."
"What’s this about?"
"Um. If you could make a wish, what would it be?"
After a short moment of quiet, Zoe turned to Emma again and placed her hands on Emma’s cheeks. "I wish you were my mummy. My real mummy. And I have a Daddy. We’re together. We go outside to play as a big, happy family."
Tears filled Emma's eyes. She still wore a smile, but it was starting to fade. She never expected a three-year-old to think like that. She’s just not old enough to feel that way. She gently took Zoe's hands off her face and kissed them. "You are my baby. Don’t ever forget that. Okay?"
"So you’re not leaving me?"
"Why would I leave you? You’re a good kid and my kid." She sniffled. "You’re my baby, Zoella. I would never abandon you. I’ll give you the world because you deserve it. I’m not going anywhere. The decision we make today, Zoella, will impact the future. I have someone coming over today."
"Aunt Phoebe?"
"No. Your Daddy. I found your Daddy, Zoella."
"What?" Zoe's expression shifted between happiness, confusion, and sadness. Emma could see it all.
Emma nodded. "Daddy will be coming home today. So be nice to him, okay?"
"Emma."
"Can we talk about that too? Before you start calling me 'mummy,' I want you to take your time. Whenever you’re ready, but Daddy doesn’t know I took you from the orphanage. He thinks I raised you."
"You lied to him?"
"I wouldn’t call it a lie. When you’re older, you’ll get it, but for now, it’s just a secret between us. Right?"
"Right. I pinky swear, Emma. I can keep secrets." She grabbed Emma's hand. "Now, let’s go meet Daddy."
Emma hugged the little girl and nodded. She felt bad she had to do it this way but this was the only way she could save herself and also get Zoe a happy life. "We’ll get through this. We’ll both make it, you and me."
Emma often checked in on Zoe during their ride home to see how she was holding up. Comments like that would only make a child feel worse. She really hoped Zoe was okay. She was worried that anything she had said might make Zoe want to run away from her. Right now, Zoe was the only person in her life. Losing her was not an option.
"Let’s get you in the shower so you can change and grab a bite to eat." Once they were inside the house, Emma said this. She locked the door behind her and Zoe dashed into the room to take off her clothes. Emma followed closely behind. She opened the young girl's closet and picked out some clothes.
There was a knock at the door a few moments later. Emma's eyes met Zoe's. "I think he’s here!" Zoe exclaimed with excitement.
"Stay here for a moment. I’ll check the door." Just as Emma was about to leave, Zoe stopped her.
"I have so many questions for him. Why did he leave me?"
"What?"
"I want to know that. Was his dislike for me strong enough to make him walk away?"
"Don’t say that. Until just a few days ago, he didn’t even know you existed. He doesn’t realize he had a daughter, a wonderful girl like you. If he knew, he would have held onto you tightly because you’re so amazing." Emma smiled. "I’ll explain everything when you’re older, but for now, can you please be a good girl for me?"
Zoe nodded. "I will."
"Can I leave now?" Emma inquired. Zoe removed her hand from Emma's and observed her as she exited the room.
Emma approached the door then she flung it open. "Mr. Queen."
"Am I late?" he was nervous and she could tell.
"Nope. You're right on time." She noticed he didn't come empty-handed. Zoe would take three months to finish all the chocolate he had brought. "Oh. Wow."
"What's wrong?" He could see Emma's eyes fixated on the boxes of chocolate he was holding. "Since you mentioned she loves it, I decided to buy every kind of it at the store. You don’t mind, do you?"
Emma shook her head. "No. Not at all. Come on in, Mr. Queen."