''Here, deliver it to this address,'' Diana recited Maxim's address at the cash counter once she paid the bill.
''Certainly, Ma'am.''
''How long it will take?"
''Atleast 2 hours.''
''At most?" Diana asked just to be sure about it. After all, it would not be good if the baby got sick because of a cold or mosquitoes. These were absolute necessities.
''At most 5 hours.''
Before evening then. Diana smiled at the lady before she walked out, ignoring the weird gazes fixated on her.
Ah, not having decent clothes sucks so much!
She was still wearing the biker outfit that she ran away in.
Whatever.
Life sure threw some lemons her way.
'Grrr'
Diana placed her palm on her stomach, ''Let's go... I need some food to keep my mind running,'' she mumbled.
''Wuwu~'' The baby's neck wobbled as she leaned closer to Diana and sucked her jaw.
''Haha, that's ticklish, Princess,'' Diana chuckled, inwardly feeling relieved that she had no makeup products with her hence her face was bare of any chemicals right now.
She squeezed the baby's cheeks between her lips.
It looks a nice company can be a cure for a bad mood after all.
She was about to book a cab to the nearest local restaurant but her gaze shifted to the cafe on the other side of the road.
...
In the cafe.
Once Diana placed her order, she relaxed in her seat.
Placing the baby on her lap, she played with her little hands, ''Hmm, do you want to go back to Beijing?"
The baby just looked at her dumbly.
Diana smiled, ''I will take that as a no.''
Given her parents' bad temper, the last thing she wanted was to go back there.
When her mother spoke about sending the baby to an orphanage, it wasn't a joke at all. The woman really meant it and just the thought of it made her shudder. After all, if it happened, she would not have the power to stop it because, at this moment, she wasn't independent enough to raise a child.
She did not have a proper job, to begin with. No stable source of income.
And she could not bear to let this adorable fluffball grow up in some foster home.
So, even if she felt like she would not survive for a day in Los Angeles, she had to suck it up and try her best.
Her food was served, snapping her out of her daze.
''Thank you.''
Diana picked up the sandwich from the plate but just as she was about to bring it to her mouth, her gaze landed on the man sitting at the next table.
She could see his handsome side profile clearly.
Maxim's gaze was fixated on his phone. Maybe that's why he did not notice her for so long because just with one tilt of his head, he would have spotted her.
A woman was sitting opposite Maxim. A beautiful woman with waist-length black hair. Honestly, she looked like a model sitting with one leg crossed above the other, dressed in an elegant dress that reached to her knees. Her fingers were impatiently tapping the desk while her gaze was somewhat annoyed yet adoring.
Suddenly, Diana was reminded of the way Maxim's mother recited women's names this morning. Was she one of them? A blind date?
Maybe she should not peek or think about what he was up to but her ears were growing inch by inch without asking for her permission.
Dammit ears, don't eavesdrop.
Have some manners.
Ears: A little bit of information should be fine.
Diana: Just a little, okay?
Ears: Definitely
With the rules set in stone, Diana hugged the baby in her arms and slowly leaned forward. Since the table was right next to hers, she would more or less be able to eavesdrop...ahem... listen to them.
''Max, you are busy with your phone,'' The model-like lady spoke up.
'Max. Woah. How intimate.' Diana glanced at them intently, waiting for the 'Max' in question to speak up.
Maxim raised his head, ''Work,'' was all he said before shifting his focus back to his phone.
Diana nearly laughed out loud. One word reply. That was so like Warner. Be it when they were young or now, his trait of cherishing his words like Gold has not changed at all.
That's a different matter that in their younger days, he looked cute when he spoke like that but now, he seemed aloof.
'None of my concern,' Diana's lips stretched into a forced smile.
Diana's attention shifted to them when model girl placed her hand on Maxim's, successfully getting his attention this time. They were involved in intense eye contact without exchanging a single word.
The baby in her arms made a soft sound and Diana turned her around, ''You see that uncle... angel?" she whispered, discreetly looking towards Maxim, ''That man prefers hoes before bros... cough... in elegant words, he prefers girlfriends before friends. He even told me we are not friends anymore. Remember my crappy... cough.. bad mood from earlier? It's because of him.'' Language, Diana, language. You have an angel to raise now. She reminded herself.
When the baby remained quiet for some time, Diana turned her around to look at her face, ''This is how it is so now...'' she stroked the little girl's pouty lips with her little finger, ''If you come across him in the future or if he ever holds you, you need to pee or poop on him. If your teeth are out by then, you can try to bite his cocky face as well.''
The baby looked at her with wide eyes.
Diana looked back.
The baby blinked.
That must be the indication of coming to a truce. ''Omo, you are such a soulmate of mine,'' Diana whispered cheerily, hugging her closer before she looked at the next table again.
Model and Maxim were no longer hand in hand because the latter was now holding a shiny black coffee mug, bringing it closer to his mouth. He paused for a few moments before putting it down on the table, ''Need to go back,'' he said.
''Max, I hate this attitude of yours. Everytime I forget why we broke up, you just have to slap it on my face.''
Breakup. So, they were exes? Not blind dates.
'Haish, what a heartbreaker! You should be gentler with girls, especially with such pretty ones,' Diana shook her head in pity, her ears growing two more inches as she leaned forward to get a grasp on Maxim's reply.
Her internal monologue was snapped off when the man moved suddenly.
...
A/N: I really wanted to write another chapter today for y'all. I was so motivated to give you a bonus chapter ToT. But it's my b'day and I am really packed with family. With all the chaos, I am even starting to forget the characters' names "..."
On a second note, I definitely need to inform you that this book is now contracted i.e. you can support Maxim and Diana with golden tickets, power stones, gifts, reviews, comments, or anything you like (I am always biased towards reviews because it lets me have a peek at your thoughts about my creation hehe).
Lots of love and thank you for your support so far <333
Have a nice day y'all ^^