Chapter 36

After leaving Chance's office, I make my way to the pizzeria to see Mrs. Rose concerning my resignation. I think this is for the best.

My coworkers greet me and ask how I’m doing after the incident. I go to Mrs. Rose's office.

"Miss Shiloh," she says, putting down the magazine she was reading with a pleasant smile.

"I heard about what happened. Are you okay?" she inquiries before pulling me into her welcoming embrace. I smile back at her.

Mrs. Rose is a very generous woman who keeps her employees’ welfare in mind and is always willing to help. She’s in her thirties, has short black hair, average height, and beautiful gray eyes. her husband is actually the owner of the pizzeria, but I know her better.

"Everything is fine," I say before taking a seat opposite her desk.

"That’s good to hear," she says, sitting back down. "So, are you here to resume working?"

"No, actually I came here to drop this off," I say placing a brown envelope on her desk.

She takes it with a confused look. "What is this?" she asks.

"That is my resignation letter," I say.

She pulls the paper from the envelope, reads it, and then places it on the desk.

"Okay. I won't ask what your reasons are. I trust that you thought really hard about this," she says, folding her hands on the desk. "I wish you the best. Just take very good care of yourself."

"Thank you. I will be leaving now. Thank you once again for this opportunity," I say sincerely.

She stands up and pulls me into a hug before I walk out. I wave goodbye to my now ex-coworkers before walking to my car.

My next stop will be the restaurant. I park my car and get out.

"Summer," I call as I walk into the kitchen.

"Hey, how are you doing?" she says with a broad smile. "Sorry I couldn't see how you were doing yesterday."

"No need to be sorry. Chole told me how you always dropped by to check on Wilmer," I say with a smile before pulling her into a hug, "so thank you."

"You are welcome." She flashes me a wide grin. "What are you doing here, by the way? You should be resting at home," she says with her eyebrow raised.

"I am here to see Shane. Is he in his office?" I ask, fixing my bag on my shoulder.

"Yeah, he is," she says.

I nod and walk towards the door. I knock on the door twice when he tells me to come in. His face is buried behind a newspaper. I walk toward his desk and take a seat on the couch. He sighs loudly and places the newspaper on the desk.

"Shiloh," he says.

I laugh lightly when the expression on his face turns from shock to concern.

"Shiloh, are you alright? Chole told me about what happened."

"I am fine now." I shrug.

"That is great news. We were all so worried about your safety," he says, looking more relaxed. "I am so glad you are safe."

"Yeah, me too." I open my bag and pull out a white envelope. "Shane, you are like an older brother to me. I remember how you stood up to your father to let me work here even though he didn’t like that I was pregnant. I am so grateful for the support you've provided me. I will be forever indebted to you," I conclude with a smile.

"Is this a new method you use to ask for favors?" he jokes.

"Maybe?" I say, handing the envelope to him.

"You’re also like a little sister to me." He opens the envelope and reads the letter inside. "Are you sure about this?" he asks, looking worried.

"Yes, I am sure," I say with a nod. "I know this may be a surprise to you, but I feel like I’m at a new stage of my life where I need to build a better future for myself," I explain.

"If you say so. I trust you to make the right decision for yourself and Wilmer," he says.

"Thank you for understanding," I say, contemplating if I should tell him about my great adventure today.

"No problem. Just remember I am always here if you need any help," he says sincerely.

"I will keep that in mind," I say. "By the way, I went to see Chance at his office today because I have finally decided to let him see Wilmer."

"I think you made the right decision. I hope he truly deserves it."

"I hope so too. I will be leaving now." I stand up to leave.

"I might come over to see baby Wilmer today," he says before wishing me goodbye.

In the kitchen, I call Summer over again. "Summer, I have something to tell you."

"I have good news for you!" she says happily, placing the serving tray on the counter.

"Okay, tell me what you are so happy about," I say with a teasing smile.

"The college I applied for just accepted me," she says, jumping happily while showing me a text on her phone.

"Seriously?! I am so happy for you!" I pull her into a tight hug. "I am so happy you got accepted into your dream college," I say with a wide grin.

"I just can't believe I’m going to my dream college," she says twirling around. "Okay, now tell me your news," she urges.

"I just submitted my resignation letter to Shane," I say hesitantly.

"What? You did what?" she almost screams. "Yeah, I know I’ll be leaving for college, but you can't leave me here alone!"

I sigh, placing my hands on her shoulders. "Stop being dramatic. I am not going anywhere. You can always visit," I say, telling her only half the truth.

"I know, but I will miss your presence here," she says pouting. "For crying out loud, you are my only friend other than Shane, and you know how Madam Jane is. She’s so strict," she says, whispering the last part.

"Okay, I’m gonna miss you too, but this is for the best," I say, patting her back.

"I will miss you too," she says with a frown.

"That cute," I say, pinching her cheeks. She glares at me.

"I’ll let you get back to work. Also, we need to celebrate," I say.

"Yeah, I have that all planned out," she says with a smirk. "I will see you this evening."

I wave goodbye.

~~~~~~~~~~

Yesterday was a great day. Everyone dropped by to celebrate Summer’s college acceptance and it was a lot of fun. Everyone was in such a happy mood.

"Okay, now let’s get you all dried up," I say, wrapping Wilmer in his towel and walking into my bedroom. After dressing Wilmer, I pick him up and grab his crib. I walk into the living room to find Chole cleaning.

"Good morning," I say cheerfully and place Wilmer in his crib.

"Morning! And how is my favorite boy in the world doing?" she asks, placing the rag on the table before walking towards us.

"He’s doing just fine, aren’t you boy?" I coo, kissing him on his cheek. "Stay here with Aunty Chole while mummy takes a bath, okay?" I walk up the stairs.

After taking a bath, I change into comfy shorts and a tank top.

"Let me help you wash the dishes," I say. Wilmer plays with his toys while we finish washing up.

After washing the dishes, we make breakfast. After eating and breastfeeding Wilmer, we decide to watch a movie to pass the time.

A few minutes into the movie, the doorbell rings.

"Let me get it," I say.

I gasp when I open the door and see Chance.

"Hey," he says, snapping me out of shock.

I stare at his handsome face. "Um…what are you…um…doing here?" I stutter, then beat myself mentally for letting him make me so nervous.

"Aren’t you gonna let me in?" he asks, trying to hide his amused smile.

"Yeah, of course. Come in, but if I let you in, please don't break anything," I tease him before opening the door wider.

"Hi, Chole," he says with a smile before taking a seat on the couch.

"Hey Mr. Chance," she says before meeting my eyes with a confused look.

"Chole, can I talk with you in the kitchen?" I pull her into the kitchen.

"What’s going on?" she asks immediately.

I sigh and explain everything. "But he didn't tell me he was coming. And I didn’t give him my address," I whisper.

"That doesn't matter right now. What matters is are you happy?" she asks in a soothing voice.

I gawk at her not knowing what to say. I know I feel happy, but there’s a nagging feeling in the back of my mind. Something is still holding me back from the true happiness I seek. I blink twice trying to push away my thoughts before focusing on her.

"I am so very happy," I say.

"Okay. If you say so," she says with an encouraging smile. She looks back at Chance who is sitting on the couch looking at the TV awkwardly. "You are being a bad host right now. Go on. Go talk to him," she says, pushing me into the living room. She winks at me.

I wrap my sweaty hands on my shorts and stand in front of him.

"I want to say I am very sorry for coming here unannounced," he says quickly.

I tuck a loose strand of my hair behind my ear with a smile. "Yeah…right…Do you want anything?"

"Just a glass of water is fine."

I nod and get him a glass of water.

"Thanks."

Wilmer is silently playing oblivious to what is going on.

"Wilmer, someone special is here to see you," I croon, tickling him while he makes a cooing sound.

I pick him up and walk over to Chance who is looking at us with an emotion I can't decipher in his eyes.

"Wilmer baby, this is your long-lost Daddy," I say, kissing his temple. "Here you go. Hold him like this." I place Wilmer in his arms and adjust them.

"Thank you," he says with excitement. He looks down at Wilmer whose attention is focused on Chance.

I watch as they examine each other’s faces.

"Wilmer Berney Cristian," he whispers and kisses Wilmer’s forehead. Wilmer makes a soft noise.

"Mum was right. He looks like me when I was a baby," he says elatedly.

I smile as I see the happiness on their faces. "I will leave you two to bond,” I say, moving to leave. But he grabs my wrist and stops me.

"Please stay," he says, making my heart skip a beat.

"Okay," I say, taking a seat beside him.

"Thank you for this," he says smiling gleefully.

~~~~~~~

He stayed for two hours.

"Thanks once again. This means a lot," he says, passing Wilmer to me, who immediately started crying.

"See? He is already so attached to you," I say, patting Wilmer's back gently.

"What can I say? I am quite a charmer." He shrugs before kissing Wilmer's temple. "I will be back to see you, little man."

After making sure he is fast asleep, I place him in his crib and put his blanket over him.

"Come on," I say walking to the door with Chance trailing behind me.

He kisses my cheeks before getting in his car with a wide smile. I wave goodbye and watch him drive off.

Before I can get back inside, Emma drives up.

I walk over to her as she gets out of the car.

"Hey, what’s up with the visit?" I ask with a raised brow and my hands crossed over my chest.

She shuts the car door and gives me a look. "The actual question is, was that Chance I saw leaving here just now?" She studies me suspiciously.

"Yeah, it was. He only came here to see Wilmer." I roll my eyes at her, and we walk into the house.

"Wow, he is actually trying to make things right," she says.

"Yeah, I guess so," I slump down on the couch while Emma walks towards the crib.

"He looks so cute," she croons and then turns to me. "Go get ready. I have a surprise for you." She pulls me up.

"What surprise?" I ask curiously.

"Stop asking questions and go get ready," she says, pushing me towards the stairs.

I roll my eyes and then walk up the stairs. I go to Chole's room and knock gently.

"I am leaving with Emma. I don't know how long it will take. Can you help watch Wilmer? He is taking a nap in the living room right now," I explain.

"Okay."

I get dressed and go back to the living room. Chole comes down with me.

"Hey, Emma."

"Hello, Chole. Having a relaxing day?" Emma says, hugging Chole. "Shiloh, let’s go." We say goodbye to Chole.

"Emma, where are you taking me?" I ask as she pulls out of the driveway.

"Relax, you will find out soon," she says, changing the radio station.

I sigh and stare out the window. She turns towards the park.

"What are we doing at the park," I ask, but receive no reply.

I sit in silence as she parks the car.

"Emma, what’s going on?" I ask, expecting an answer.

She turns to me with a pleading look. "Shiloh, don't hate me for this," she says hesitantly. "Sylvia called me this morning and pleaded with me to bring you to the park because—"

"Why are you telling me this now? Why didn't you tell me before bringing me here to set me up?" I say, trying to hold my anger back.

How could she just make decisions for me without consulting me first?

"No, I am not trying to set you up. She told me that bringing you to this park would help you solve all your unanswered questions," she says frantically.

I shake my head, disappointed. Avoiding her gaze, I look out the window. "Take me home," I say rigidly.

"Come on, Shiloh. I know you aren’t ready for all this, but I think it's time to solve the questions nagging you."

I look back at her and see the sincere look in her eyes. "Are you sure this is the right thing to do?" I ask, hoping for any comforting words from her.

"Yes, you deserve the truth."

I nod and pull her into a hug.

"Sylvia said she will be at the second gate," she instructs.

I step out of the car. "Are you going to be here when I get back?" I ask.

She nods with an encouraging smile.

"Do you still think this is the right time for this?" I ask.

"Yes, I am sure it is," she says giving me a thumbs up. I smile and walk towards the second gate.

When I get there, there is no sign of Sylvia.

"Where is she?" I ask no one in particular.

"Shiloh," a familiar voice says behind me, but it doesn’t belong to Sylvia.

I stiffen, afraid to turn around. I wasn’t expecting to see this person anytime soon.