Christian walked towards her with an angry expression.
"I almost hit you girl. Where were you running so fast that you didn't see a car coming huh?"
Christine looked frightened, "I'm so.. sorry.. I wanted.. to meet my Mommy so I could tell her I topped my class." She said innocently.
Christian's frown disappointed and his expression softened, he bent down, "Hey where is your mom? How come you're the one going back hone yourself?"
"My Mommy's in a restaurant not too far from here. There it is." She pointed to the restaurant.
Christian looked in it's direction. "Oh. But you shouldn't be crossing the road yourself. Yunno?"
Christine pouted, "Sorry mister."
Christian smiled, ,"Anytime you're about crossing the road, you should watch properly okay sweetie?"
"Yes sir. Thanks for not arresting me." She battered her lashes.
Christian looked at her amused, "Why would I do that?"
"Because I almost made you cause an accident."
"Christian smiled, "Good thing I stopped the car in time hey?"
"You're a wise man mister and a really good driver too. When I have a car of my own I'll drive exactly like you. So I won't cause accidents. She smiled.
Christian looked at her eyes, they made his heart skip. Those soft brown eyes reminded him of Annie.
"Your mom will be waiting for you c'mon go." He smiled at her and stood up.
"Bend down mister."
"Why?"
"Please." She pleaded with puppy eyes.
"Okay." He bent down again.
She kissed his forehead, "I like you mister. Bye!" She ran off.
He felt a pang of sorrow hit him hard. This girl made him miss his child. He just couldn't believe he told her to get lost.
Every day since Annie left was a living hell. He was always restless and frustrated. It's been five frustrating years but he couldn't find her to tell her sorry.
He could hear his inner voice cursing loudly at him. He wasn't in his right senses telling Annie to get lost.
Remembering he had somewhere to go, he stood up and walked to his car.
Looking at the running child for the last time, he sighed, entered his car and drove off.
Christine ran into the restaurant and to the kitchen, "Mommy guess what? I topped my class in a math test."
Annie felt proud, "I knew you will always make me proud. Come here." She spread her arms for a hug.
Christine ran into her arms.
"Mommy remember what you promised?"
"Of course. I'll throw you a feast."
"Yayyyy!"
"C'mon baby. Just a few more meals for this afternoon. Your lunch is on that table." She pointed to a table.
"Mommy I met someone today."
Annie glanced at her and continued her cooking, "Who's that?"
"Mr. Handsome."
"Mr. Handsome?"
"Yes Mommy. He's damn cute."
"Christine? What?" She looked at her surprised.
"Of course Mommy. You'd love him if you met him." She drawled.
Her mind raced back to Christian. He was the only man she loves or loved more like. She never involved herself with any man after what Christian did to her.
"He saved me... from death."
Annie whipped her head up, "What?" She rushed over to Christine, "What are you talking about? What happened?"
"I was coming to tell you I topped my class and I didn't notice his car coming and it almost hit me but luckily for me he stopped it before it hit me." She narrated.
"Christine how could you not watch where you were going? This should not repeat itself Christine. I don't wanna lose you."
Christine pouted, "I'm sorry Mommy. It won't happen again."
Annie hugged her, "My child, my sweet Angel."
"Mommy." She drawled, "It's getting burnt."
Annie snapped her head up and rushed back to the pot. She momentarily forgot she was cooking, "See what you caused you naughty girl.'
"Not my fault." Christine laughed.
"Christine, in case you happen to see that mister, tell him your mother appreciates. Okay?"
"Yes Mommy."
"Good girl."
*****
Christian slowly sipped his wine. Christine's face kept appearing in front of him. Each time he remembered her cute smile, he'd also smiled.
She made him want his daughter badly. He shouldn't have told Annie to leave. He missed his child, he missed Annie.
He could still see her begging to be taken care of. He could see her still crying with so much tears in her eyes. He wished he could wipe her tears, accept his child and start a family with her but it wasn't possible anymore. It was now a thing of the past.
"I'm sorry Annie, I wasn't there when you needed me the most."
He dropped his glass of wine on the table and picked up his car keys.
He was going back to the place he saw Christine.
He didn't know why and he knew quite well it was weird and odd but he couldn't help it.
He left the room. He got out of the building and walked to his car, he entered it and drove off.
It was a fifteen minutes drive. He arrived at the restaurant. He parked and turned off the engine. He got down. His eyes searched for Christine.
Christine saw him and she felt exicitement in her veins.
She ran towards him. Christian beamed at her, he bent down and spread his arms for a hug. She ran into his arms.
"Mr. Handsome you came back!" She grinned.
"Mr. Handsome huh?" He smiled.
"Of course. You're damn cute." She tugged his cheeks.
Christian chuckled and ruffled her hair, "And you're the cutest girl ever."
Christine giggled.
"What's your name my dear?"
"It's Christine."
"Oh wow. My name's Christian."
"Oh."
"Our names are similar. Christine, Christian."
Christine clapped her hands exicitedly, "Yay! Our names are similar!"
Christian smiled, he loved this girl.
"You're such a sweet child. Your mother must be the luckiest woman ever. "
Christine beamed, "Mommy says that all the time. I'm such a lucky charm."
Christian laughed, "Really?"
"Yeah. Mommy says I give her luck."
"Mmh.. I also want some luck. Will you be my lucky charm too?" He stretched out his palm.
"Yeah. You're my friend now." She took his palm.
"Aww! That's so sweet of you."
"Christine beamed.
Christian sighed, "I feel better already."
"I know. I'm medicine. That's what Mommy tells me."
"Hmm. True. You made me feel good. Thumbs up." He gave her a thumbs up. She also gave him a thumbs up.
"Where's your father?"
"I dunno. Mommy says she's my Mommy and Daddy."
Christian raised his brows, "Oh wow."
"Mmh-mmh."
"Can I see you tomorrow dear?"
"Come to my school tommorow."
"Okay. Where's is it located?"
"Across the road, down the street. The kindergarten school, that's where I school."
"Oh cool..."
Annie walked back to the restaurant with a grocery bag in her hand. She sighted Christine with a man. She seemed to be so happy with him.
Annie frowned, "Who is that?"