Chapter 8 08

Chapter 8 08
Vanessa’s POV. 
I moved the ingredients I used to make the pasta back to the cabinet absentmindedly, my eyes fixed on Emily who sat at the small table by the window, slurping her orange juice loudly through the straw. 
Her little legs kicked back and forth beneath the table oblivious. 
She wanted pasta for lunch, and like always, I gave in. I whipped it up quickly, trying not to think too much but my mind was still stuck on what happened earlier.
I placed the plate of pasta in front of her, and she smiled wide.
“Thank you, Mama!” she said, already picking up her fork.
“You’re welcome, baby. Eat slowly, okay?”
She nodded and started eating right away, slurping the noodles with a happy grin.
I go back to clean up my mind whirling. Everything that happened earlier felt like a dream or more like a nightmare.
Elliot running into Emily was not supposed to happen ever but somehow it happened and he had met her. I was frozen when I saw them and even more shocked to see his daughter with Bernice who looked like Bernice except she had Elliot’s hair.  
My hands were still shaking from the encounter and in that moment I thought he had found out the truth; about who I was and that Emily was his daughter.  
I didn’t plan for him to ever meet her. I had built us a life away from him, raised and protected her for three whole years, there was no way I’ll let him find out about Emily. I knew it was selfish and Emily will ask who her Dad was one day but until then I never wanted their part to cross.
I was lucky she didn’t look much like him or me even. She had his brown hair, yes but all her features looked exactly like my fathers’. 
I had grabbed her quickly and there was no way I could let her return to that crèche and risk her running into Elliot again or worse Bernice. 
The doorbell rang and pulled me out of my thoughts. I dropped the rag on the kitchen counter and wiped my hands wondering who it was. I wasn’t expecting anyone and I definitely didn’t want to see anyone. I stopped midway wondering if it was Elliot. 
No, It couldn’t be. Right?
I walked to the door and paused looking through the monitor screen; It was Asher.
I let out a long breath and opened the door quickly.
“Hey,” I said opening the door wider. 
Asher smiled and leaned forward to peck my cheek. “Hey.” He greeted stepping in and I closed the door behind him. I had called him earlier and explained what happened but I didn’t know he’d show up to the house.
“Uncle!” Emily shouted from the table when she saw him.
Asher walked straight to her and gave her a big hug. “Hey, munchkin, how are you?”
“I’m eating pasta!” she said proudly.
“Pasta for lunch?” he laughed. 
“I’ll be with you in a second,” I told him and turned back to the kitchen leaving him with Emily.
I cleaned up the rest of the counter and walked back to Asher, who had already made himself comfortable on the couch.
“You okay?” he asked, looking at me closely.
I nodded, sitting beside him. “I’m okay now but earlier…” I sighed rubbing my hands together. “I thought it was over and he found out.”
“Did he notice?” Asher asked frowning.
“No he didn’t, I’m certain he didn’t. I hurriedly left with Emily.”
The odds that the crèche I registered Emily in was the same one Elliot’s daughter went to was so low and almost impossible but somehow it had happened.
“What do you plan to do now,” He asked. 
“I’m considering homeschooling her. I can’t send her back there,” I said quickly. “I can’t risk him running into her again? What if Bernice is there next time? Or worse something happens and he starts getting suspicious?”
“I agree with you and that’s why I came with this” he said handing me a list.
The thought of Bernice next to my daughter made my blood curl and I shudder.
“I just found out he changed her crèche three weeks ago,” Asher said quietly beside me. “Right before you came back.”
I turned my head to look at him. “You’re sure?”
“Yes. I don’t know why but I know it has something to do with Bernice.”
I scanned the list and look up “What’s this?” I asked, confused.
“That’s a list of every good crèche you can enroll Emily into,” he replied.
I stared at the paper for a second, then looked back at him. My heart softened a little at how thoughtful he was and how much help he has been but I also knew how much he hated Elliot for ruining his life.
“Aww, Asher… thank you,” I said quietly, reaching out to hug him.
“You’re welcome,” he said, wrapping his arms around me. 
I tried to let go but he held me tighter and the hug went on longer than it needed to. His hand rubbed my back slowly and my body stiffened slightly. I started to pull back from the hug, trying to make it less awkward, but he didn’t loosen up.
I knew about his feelings for me; He had been vocal about it over the years but I never wanted to lead him on. He had always been kind, helpful and showed up for me and Emily everytime but I never saw him that way. I tried to keep a line between us, even though I could tell he wanted more.
Just as I opened my mouth to say something, a small voice rang through.
“Mammy! I’m done!” Emily called, popping her head around the corner from the dining table.
Asher let go of me immediately and sat back straight and cleared his throat. 
“I’ll go help her,” I said quickly and stood up.