One More Chance by Jaycelle Rodriguez

Chapter 46: The adorable Cali

~~~'Cause I can't make you love me if you don't. I'll close my eyes, then I won't see the love you don't feel when you're holding me. Morning will come and I'll do what's right. Just give me till then to give up this fight and I will give up this fight. 'Cause I can't make you love

me if you don't. You can't make your heart feel something it won't~~~

-Bonnie Raitt-

-'Yes, Mom... you're absolutely right, but none of them can cover the appointment he has for his mistress.'-

Those words were in the tip of my tongue and were merely slipped to spill the beans, but I stopped myself. This isn't the right time, besides, I still have to talk to him about it.

"Anyway, I'm so glad that you guys finally get along with each other. I heard that you went to a family vacation and he bought a private resort for you and Cali."

"Yes, mom, it was so much fun. We really enjoyed the vacation and e were actually surprised that he really bought such a private resort for us." I said, having the widest smile I could muster.

But the time I glanced at my best friend, I didn't miss the way she rolled my eyes.

"Oh, that's so sweet of him."

We continued chatting about the vacation while I was helping them scattered the mini lanterns all over the place.

We all have dinner together in our house and they said goodbye after a few minutes.

When it's our time to sleep, I tried to call him again. But I guess they were still enjoying the last night of his 'fake Asian business meeting'. I'm not sure if he can really come tomorrow, but I'm praying he can... just for his daughter.

I don't what time I fell asleep because my mind couldn't stop thinking about what happened yesterday at the hotel... until it repeats and reappears in my dream.

"Huh!"

I gasped, jolting in bed. My face was full of tears when I wake up and I started crying again.

Bringing my knees to my chest, I hugged them and I let myself be drowned in the pain and agony that slowly devour me at the moment. Loud sobs wanted to escape my throat, but I really tried to prevent them, so I couldn't disturb my daughter.

a little noise around her, so I covered my mouth with my two hands when she stirred

I hadn't even noticed that

get up? It's still dark outside." I immediately dried my tears and asked her... even though

when she wiped my

myself from bursting into more tears when

I'm not mad

came out hoarse. Maybe she was thinking about what I told

my party tomorrow, I just don't want to see you cry, mommy." She said, wiping my stubborn

I could protect her from all the pain and harm that this harsh world can

the right words to stop me from crying... but little did she know,

to swallow my whimper so that it wouldn't

I'm crying because your daddy couldn't come?" I asked, having a

you crying?" She broke from my arms and looked

4th birthday tomorrow, that means you're no longer a baby. And when you grow up, I'm sure you're going to leave mommy here to fulfil your dreams and

I grow up and have a

was suddenly

Christ! Where did

"Oh, yeah?"

promise." She said showing her little finger for a pinky

and then cupped

grow up so

she smiled at me and then shook

mommy, I won't grow

me, you will still

but can I make

suddenly stopped by her question. "And

giggled. "He's one of my classmate and my playmate and someday, I

or have a