After putting Sophia to sleep in her newly pink-themed room, I chatted with Miss Lennon while inspecting every corner of this white monochrome house. Everything looked good, clean, and ready to be occupied, so I immediately signed the documents for ownership of the house.
Everything was in Sophia's name, as I didn't want my mother to know that I bought this asset for her. My mother is dangerous, but that doesn't mean I'll fulfill her. Maybe I'll introduce Sophia to her once I successfully get Victoria. Is that possible? She's so annoying now, especially since she also has a boyfriend. But I'm doubtful if she has a boyfriend.
"Okay, now this house officially belongs to your daughter," said Miss Lennon with her friendly smile, looking so pretty but not at all appealing. Her lips seemed to have had a lot of filler.
"Thank you..."
She got up from the sofa and bid goodbye. I escorted her to the terrace, let her leave, then turned to pick up the documents and take them to Sophia's room.
"Humm..."
I saw Victoria immediately rise from the sofa and approach me with her worried look, making me wonder what she would say next.
"We have to go back home," she said.
"Why?"
"Because we have to go..."
"You don't need to go back," I said, placing the house ownership documents on the table, then sitting on the sofa and looking at Victoria, who was looking at me with frustration.
"What do you mean?"
"This house belongs to Sophia, so she doesn't need to go to your house anymore... Besides, it's not your house since you're just renting, right? And since you don't want to be far from her, you should stay here too." I told her casually, looking at her increasingly beautiful but sulky face.
"Why are you doing this? You don't understand my problem!"
"What problem?"
"Of course, the problem is... You mother! She'll be furious if she finds out you bought a house for Sophia, she'll be even more furious if she finds out that I've already told you that Sophia is your daughter!"
"I found out, not you who told me..."
She immediately sighed, walked to another sofa, and kept staring at me.
"Brandon, please... You're moving too fast," she said again, furrowing her brow. "I need privacy... and... And I also need to work so there won't be anyone to take care of her... She has to stay there so Kim can take care of her while I work."
"Why do you have to work when I've given her everything she needs? You can use her money to buy whatever you want," I said casually, crossing my legs.
"Oh my God, Brandon..." She leaned her body against the sofa, massaging her head as if she had a headache. "You're crazy!"
"Because of you."
"It's because of your mother!"
"Because you're stupid, you don't trust me... Truly idiotic!" I said sharply, turning my face away, not wanting to look at her anymore.
For a moment, we were silent, she kept fidgeting, sometimes massaging her shoulders, making me think she was tired. Yes, she must be tired from working all day and then having to follow me and Sophia. But why did she insist on going home when this house was already comfortable for her? Did she want to meet her boyfriend?
"I'll still take her home," she suddenly stood up.
"No!" I stood up immediately. "No one can take her away!"
"Brandon!"
"What?" I glared.
"I know I was wrong not to rely on you when my mother was being harsh on me... I know, I realize my mistake... and I won't limit your closeness to Sophia. But now is not the right time for this new house!" she said with frustration, occasionally looking at Sophia. "Moving here will make Sophia far from her school..."
"So, that's the problem?" I furrowed my brow.
She nodded hesitantly.
"Well..." I put my hands on my hips and looked at Sophia. "I'll always take her there, or I'll hire a new driver... That means a new car."
"What?" She was surprised.
"Okay, tomorrow I'll take her to the car showroom... I want her to choose the car she likes the most," I said, walking towards the bed, and smiling at Sophia, who was sleeping so peacefully and cutely.
"Brandon, why are you getting more outrageous!"
Suddenly Victoria pulled me until I faced her, seeing her pouting face, only made me want her more, especially her naturally pink lips.
"You can't do that!" She emphasized again. "I still can't accept this house, but why would you buy a car? This is outrageous, you don't respect all my opinions as her mother!"
I sighed heavily and shook my head.
"And I think you've had enough rights to show your opinions to her... As her mother, to give her anything she wants in simple ways that you can... You've done your best... But it hurts because you didn't involve me as her father. And that means, now it's my turn to do that... I'll handle everything... And this can also help you... It's not to bring her into suffering... Don't you understand?" I raised my eyebrows, seeing her silent as if cornered by my words.
"I just want the best for her... And don't worry about my mother... You won't deal with her, and if she's mad at you... Be strong, and uphold Sophia's right to have her as my daughter. Get rid of any pride and hatred, this is all just for our daughter!" I reiterated once again.
She shook her head.
"Brandon, Please... Don't... You know, this will surprise everyone. My friends, my mother..."
"I'll talk to them," I said, then sat on the edge of the bed. "Don't worry... Your friends will understand you, then I'll meet your mother... Maybe tomorrow, after buying a new car for my daughter," I said again while lying down and embracing Sophia gently so she wouldn't wake up.
"Oh my God, I can't let this, I'll get into trouble!"
She's still worried as if I'm bringing trouble to her. What is she afraid of? Does she think I won't dare to stand up to my mother to be with my daughter? Does she think I'm a weak man? Or perhaps is it because she feels she won't be free to meet her boyfriend?
I immediately turned to her, finding her crying on the sofa.
"If it feels burdensome for you because you feel you don't have the freedom to be with your boyfriend, you don't need to worry. You can be with him, spend time with him... But not here... You can trust Sophia with me when you want to go on a date with him," I said casually, and she immediately looked at me. Her gaze was so deep, and for some reason, my heart suddenly trembled, my mind wandered, imagining another man having her.
'It's so painful... Should I just stay silent and let her find new love? Then what about me? I don't think I can love another girl besides her... And what about Sophia?' I wondered in my heart while looking back at Sophia. 'I feel like I can't let her call another man "dad"... She's mine... I should only be her father!'