Muse Flats
Jolene's flat.
''Mummy…. I missed you so much!'' Erica ran to hug Jolene after getting down from the car.
''I missed you too darling.'' Jolene kissed Erica and looked at Rosa.
''Are you alright? You don't look fine.'' Rosa asked. After being with Jolene for more than seven years of their life, she could read Jolene thoroughly without her saying much.
Jolene shook her head and turned to look at the penthouse just opposite her apartment. Rosa followed her gaze and turned to look at her suspiciously.
''Let's go in!'' Rosa said. She took Erica's hand and they went inside the apartment.
Rosa looked at the penthouse through the window and muttered. 'Whoa! Who would have thought such a big thing would happen to you, JoJo? The father of your child is your new boss and neighbour?'' Rosa turned to look at Jolene. She went back to sit on the couch and asked. ''What are you thinking about, JoJo?''
''Life has never dealt me the right cards but this time around I think I'm really a girl with no luck, Rosa.''
''Don't say that, JoJo. If anything you are really a lucky girl. How many girls are able to go back to school after giving birth? Even with the pressure and ridicule, you didn't give up and finally got your Masters. You worked your ass off to get to where you are now. This is not something an unlucky person will be able to achieve.''
Jolene smiled. Rosa has being her support system for a long time. From the moment she got pregnant and decided she wasn't having an abortion to now. Rosa has never left her side. She was grateful to her for helping her out most of the time and not judging her decision.
''JoJo, this is much serious than I thought. He is not just your boss, but he is your neighbour and he is going to find out about Erica sooner or later.''
''He has no rights over my baby. He… what happened between us was a mistake. I was naïve and he took advantage of that.''
''I know and that is my fault. I shouldn't have sent you to that party. If we hadn't gone, none of this would have happened.''
'But do you know something else, Rosa? He… he looked different. I know he has always being aloof but he didn't seem to even remember what happened between us. He addressed me as his schoolmate, his junior.''
''Really?''
''That moment, I didn't know whether to be happy he didn't remember or to be sad about it. It just felt weird. It's like I am the only one who has being living in the past. I love Erica, she is my baby but sometimes when I look at her, is as if I am looking at that boy except that he is a man now. A man who doesn't even remember sleeping with me.''
''You know anytime I see Erica, I feel I did her wrong…''
''Did who wrong Aunt Rosa?'' Erica came out of her room and asked.
''Nobody honey, come here.'' Jolene stretched her hand and held Erica.
''Look at what I drew at school, Mum. Our teacher asked us to draw our parents. I drew you, myself and I left this place for daddy. I will draw him when I find him.'' Erica said with a smile.
Jolene and Rosa looked at each other.
''This is beautiful. You are very good at drawing darling.''
''Really?''
''Yes, I wonder whose genes you inherited to be so brilliant and good at a lot of things?'' Jolene put Erica on her laps and kissed her cheeks.
''Of course I got it from you.'' Erica replied and turned to Rosa. 'Aunt Rosa, you didn't answer my question.''
''What question, darling?'' Rosa asked.
''You said you did someone wrong. My teacher said that as adults, if you do something wrong, you have to apologise and also correct that wrong.'' Erica said innocently.
Rosa smiled awkwardly and replied. ''I know honey, but in this case, aunt don't know how to correct it.''
''Then start by apologising.'' Erica said and got down from Jolene's laps. She picked up her doll on the couch and sat on the table across Rosa.
''I'm sorry Erica, I'm so, so sorry…'' Rosa said and kissed Erica's forehead.
''Are you apologising to me?'' Erica asked.
''Yes.''
''Now I know, you're apologising for refusing to go to the beach with me, right?''
''Oh, that is the reason. I'm sorry.'' Rosa said.
''It's okay. We can always go another day, right?''
''Yes, my darling.'' Rosa replied and sighed. She turned and looked at Jolene and they smiled.
…..
The Penthouse opposite Jolene's apartment.
The moving truck arrived outside the penthouse and started unpacking the things into the penthouse. Kai was at the door watching them keenly. He turned to look at the next house and saw the lights on. His gaze stayed there for a while curiously. When the lights went off, he looked away. There wasn't much expression on his face.
''Kai, how do you see the place?'' Chris walked out of the penthouse and asked.
Kai turned to look at him. 'Not bad!''
''Your cousin didn't lie to you, right?'' Chris said, referring to himself.
''You lied to me. The company is a mess. Do you think I am a magician? It will take a lot of work to get it back again.''
''I know, that's why I can only entrust it to you. You are a renowned business guru. You can revive even a dead body.''
''I am not Jesus. Don't elevate me too high.''
''Oh, JoJo must be asleep. You haven't met her daughter, right? She is one cute and bright kid. Very smart and…'' Chris looked at Kai carefully and said, ''Oh, she has green eyes, just like you.''
''What?''
''I'm serious!'' Chris said and removed his phone. He showed Kai a picture of Jolene and Erica. ''Look, she has green eyes just like you. Whoa, if I didn't know I would think you were the child's father. But that is not possible. You two don't even know each other.'' Chris laughed.