"Because I told my friends you're my dad" Tulip said, still crying. Kayden stiffened. No, he froze.
Because I told my friends you're my dad
The words replayed.
Evan, who just burst in panicking also froze both at the sight and words. He haven't recovered from the shock of the news and now, Tulip is shocking him more.
Tulip looked up at Kayden when she didn't hear him say anything. Her grey eyes were boring into his, that Tulip felt convinced. She could feel the unknown bond.
'Is he really my dad?' she wondered.
"Daddy?" She called. The word 'daddy' effortlessly stumbled out of her mouth. Kayden's eyes widened in shock and disbelief.
"Are you also mad at me?" Tulip asked again, tears unstoppably streaming down her cheeks. Kayden snapped out of his thoughts and forced out a smile.
"No birdie, I'm not mad at you" he replied, gently putting her down. He shot her a smile and then turned to the frozen statue whose name is Evan.
Evan moved to the TV and switched it on. The breaking news beamed. Kayden turned to ice, his heart dropped into his stomach as he watched the news.
"Sir"
"Sir?"
"SIR!?" Evan called.
"I'm right here Evan" Kayden's low voice came as he shot Evan a stare. Evan heaved a sigh of relief.
"This media!" Kayden gritted, clenching his fist.
"It's everywhere sir, the news I mean. Everyone is waiting to hear your answer" Evan stated but Kayden stayed mute.
"What are you gonna do, sir?" Evan asked.
"I'll take care of it" he said and shot Tulip a stare. She was still sobbing.
Kayden crouched to her level, staring at her face. In his life, he'd never been so confused or thought-provoked like he was just now.
Because I told my friends you're my dad
Daddy?
Tulip's voice echoed in his brain again but he shook his head trying to clear off his head. He understands Tulip's feelings. It's not her fault that she called him daddy. She was just desperate to have a Dad and to feel what it is like to be loved by a father. And if that is really what Tulip wants, he would love her like a dad without having to be her real dad.
He smiled and cupped her cheeks.
"Let's go see mummy" he said and stood up.
"No, she's still angry with me. She doesn't want to see me" Tulip pouted.
"I'll talk to her then"
In Alynah's office, Alynah stayed on the floor for thirty minutes. She heard the door clicked open but Alynah didn't move. The footsteps drew closer but Alynah stayed still, she didn't even bulge. She felt someone crouched down and a slender finger brushed through the strands of her hair. Alynah cringed, feeling goosebumps all over her body and she slowly looked up. Her eyes were red and her cheeks were still wet with tears.
A pair of gorgeous grey eyes were staring at her with worry and concern.
"You're hurting yourself" Kayden stated, his voice was mild and soft that it blew away tensions leaving behind only a soft breeze of tranquility in his wake.
"I'm sorry Mr Hart" Alynah apologized, fresh tears rolling down her cheeks.
"I'm sorry this had to happen. That why I never wanted Tulip to be close to you" she cried. Kayden pulled her into a hug, comforting her. He was surprised she was worried about him and his reputation and not because she hurt Tulip.
"No it's alright, I'll take care of it" Kayden assured. Alynah looked up with teary eyes.
"But what about your reputation? The rumors, people will be talking about it for months" Alynah said.
Kayden looked away briefly. Gosh, coaxing her is a lot difficult than coaxing a four-year-old girl like Tulip.
"I will take does the news and address the issue. I will also secure Tulip's feelings and privacy" Kayden reassured.
Alynah sobbed and hugged him. She didn't know when she did that because her body moved on autopilot. But she needed a shoulder to cry on, no doubt about that.
"It's alright Lynnie. I may not know about your past but I know Tulip is the result. You should know that she's holds the key to your happiness and she's your blessing not a burden or something to be ashamed of. Tulip needs you more than anyone else and you need to be strong for her" Kayden cooed, stroking her hair the whole time.
His voice sounded like a symphony that lingered in her ear and calmed her down that moment. Alynah looked at his face and smiled.
"Thank you, Mr Hart. For seeing something in me that no one has. Thank you for being able to understand me when no one else could" she said with a smile. Kayden reciprocated the smile and wiped her tears.
"Tulip doesn't want to see the monstrous side of her mummy again" Kayden said half-jokingly and they laughed.
"This was the first time I ever yelled at her. It must be her worst nightmare" Alynah added with a chuckle.
And so, Kayden helped her up and together, they left the office.
Another person affected by the news is Lyra Casey, Alynah's best friend. She was in her final year at medical school and spent most of her time at the hospital.
She and two of her colleagues were close to the waiting room when they heard someone mention Kayden's name. Lyra made a U-turn and entered. The sight before her was enough to shatter her mindset for the time being. The picture of... Kayden and Tulip!!! Her secret!
"Never known Lyra is also obsessed with handsome businessmen" Anna, teased.
"Look she's gone" Jessica added and they laughed.
Little did they know Lyra is out of the world with reasons best known to her. Lyra felt as if she'll have a heart attack the more she keep staring at the pictures. She'd stopped hearing voices moments ago. The only voices she heard is the voice of Alynah crying four years ago, because of Valerie's betrayal and he parent's rejection. The sound of regret and remorse.
Lyra grabbed her hair trying to shake off the voices but they only became louder. That was her punishment for keeping the truth away from Alynah when she should have told her and saved her and Tulip.
And then, the news about Kayden and Tulip, one slight mistake, her secret will be revealed and she's afraid of picturing Alynah's expression after knowing her most trusted best friend betrayed her.
Lyra!
Lyra!
Her friends kept calling but she stormed out of the waiting room, scrolling through her phone, she dialed Alynah's number.
Meanwhile, Alynah and Kayden returned to his office to see Tulip sitting quietly on the couch.
"Pumpkin" Alynah called and rushed to here side. Tulip stepped back with a terrified look making Alynah pause right on her tracks.
"Pumpkin it's me, your mummy" Alynah said softly, taking cautious steps towards her.
"You yelled at me mummy" Tulip said, tears welling up her eyes.
Alynah rushed to her and enveloped her in her embrace.
"I'll never do that again Tulip. I'm sorry" Alynah cooed.
"I'm sorry too mummy" Tulip slowly wrapped her tiny arms around her, sniffling.
Kayden smiled, staring at the mother-daughter moment, he suddenly wished that he's truly Tulip's dad.
Just then, Alynah's phone rang and they disentangled.
"I'm sorry, I have to pick this call" she said and answered even before Kayden gave her a go ahead.
"I know what you're about to say Lyra, I don't know that will happen and there's nothing I could do about it" Alynah said.
"But you should have been more careful, Aly! Mr Hart is a public figure! You should have known that long ago since you work for him!" Lyra's angry voice was heard from the other side.
There was a long silence, almost deafening. The phone wasn't on handsfree but Kayden could still grab some of the things Lyra is saying because she was too loud and because Kayden is standing close to Alynah.
"Why do you sound angry more than I am? You ain't worried about Mr Hart, then why exactly are you worried?" Alynah asked. Lyra was mute for a while.
"About Tulip" she replied after a long silence.
About the truth. That should be the right answer.
"Everything will be taken cared of Lyra, you don't need to be unnecessarily worried" Alynah said softly.
"Unnecessarily?" Lyra repeated in disbelief.
"Yes! You're hiding something from me and you know that. If you can't bring yourself to tell me, then fine. Stop acting like you're worried about me or Tulip. That's hypocritical!" Alynah's voice was firm.
"But--"
Beep! Alynah ended the call and shove her phone into her pocket before heaving a deep exasperated sigh.
"I apologise for the distraction" Alynah said softly gazing at Kayden.
"Lyra is your friend?" Kayden asked rhetorically.
"Yes, she'd been pestering me about Tulip, I don't even know how to deal with her" Alynah huffed, ruffling her hair.
Kayden seemed like he's thinking for a while. He suddenly recalled that lady he saw at Scoop'N Buns Ice cream parlour, who scurried away when there eyes met.
He looked at Alynah and asked a shocking question.
"By any chance does she has an ombre maroon hair and deep blue eyes?"