The Last She

"It has been a week or two and I haven't visited my mother. I don't know if you can kindly give me a day to visit" she scratched her head awkwardly while saying her request, he nodded.

"Sorry, I went back on my word concerning your weekly holidays. You can go" he said, relaxing back on the seat.

Soon, Christine rushed into the room after her heavy footsteps were heard from the staircase.

"Daddy" Christine called out and he raised his eyebrows slyly.

He doesn't look like one who is ready for any more bickering, though she tried to stop Christine yet it did not work out as thought.

"Can we have a mini picnic?" Christine asked bluntly with her eyes pervading anxiety.

"It's the weekend and since you are a single parent, we need to stay closer and have fun," Christine added impatiently as she struggled to avoid her father's fearful gaze.

"I'm busy with work. Go have your picnic with your friends or better still alone" he scoffed.

"Forgive me for intruding sir, the courts are still observing and watching your attitude towards Christine and if it is displeasing, she might be taken away to your wife" she halted wearing an unbreakable smile.

"I advise you to go with the flow for the main time to avoid further annoying consequences” she informed him politely and he rubbed his forehead in silence, Christine smiled happily giving her a thumbs up.

"It's alright. We will do that tomorrow. As for today, I'm busy and your maid will be absent" his voice resonated in the room, he sighed and left.

"Thanks daddy!!" Christine squealed in excitement while she laughed.

"You helped me again, aunt Em" Christine strolled closer to her.

"Anything for you, sweetheart" she poke Christine's soft cheek.

"I need to step out for a while, in my absence make sure to prepare your outfit for tomorrow" she informed politely.

"Definitely, take care" with happiness all over her face, that her father is finally going out with her and spending a whole day with her, she danced happily to her room.

"Fatherly love" she muttered softly to herself and left the room.

Meanwhile, beside the staircase was Blake. He has been standing there for quite some time and listening to their conversation, and when they were out of sight he came out from the hideout.

"She is super nice and understanding" he rubbed his chin in silence, focusing on the picture frame hanging on the wall as though he had found another meaning beside the picture there.

"Having her as someone I cherish won't be a bad decision but..." he stopped his statement in the middle and shook the thought off his head.

He tried not to think of any emotional affair with Emerald but it's obvious that he is head over heels for her and can't hide it any longer. Is his feelings requited (one-sided)? And on another note he vividly reminds himself of the clear fact that he can't fall in love with anybody. What is there to gain from getting married to a maid? He needs benefits not liabilities.

………..

Using the designated car to fasten her movement, she got to her former apartment in the mid of noon. As usual, the neighborhood is isolated and quiet as some tenants have gone to work or their personal activities.

She strolled into the hallway gleaming with white electricity bulbs when she crossed paths with the landlord, Mr. Ken.

"Good evening, sir" she thought of greeting to show respect even if she was no longer living there aside from her mother.

They were still residing in his estate but no longer in one room but a well equipped flat.

Ken smirked with contempt immediately he saw her, he circled her with his eyes synchronizing every part of her body. He was so focused on the classic outfits she was wearing.

"Your mother never told me you have started prostitution" these were the words that escaped from his mouth and in astonishment, she turned to him, irk(ed).

"What do you mean?" her eyebrows were furrowed down, she didn't take her eyes away from him.

"For the past few months, you hardly come here but send huge funds to your mother. What do you work aside for prostitution that enables you to buy these extravagant outfits" Ken ran without respect, mannerless.

"So you mean without prostitution, I can afford my needs?" She walked closer to him, all she had in mind was giving her landlord a piece of his own cake within caring if he is elderly or not since he doesn't respect himself.

"Of course, else what are you?!" After his loud irritating voice came a hot slap on his face, her hand rested on his cheek heavily.

Ken's cheek immediately turned red, he stared at her in fury.

"Did you just slap me?" he shouted in anguish with his hand holding his face, she smirked.

"Yes, and what will you do?" she raised an anxious brow still standing gallantly in front of him.

"I'm calling the police..." the creaking sound of her mother's apartment door interrupted him.

They both turned to the opened door.

"Emerald! You are here" her mother said rhetorically, looking amazed.

"Mom" she smiled happily, strolling down to the door.

"You... You .. you" and she shut the door without giving him a hearing.

The apartment of Felicia was warm and extremely neat that even the slightest dust can not be spotted. Accordingly, the quality furniture was arranged. Emerald looks impressed as to how her mother keeps her home very warm and clean, she takes her seat on the soggy couch.

"Em, my child. Have you been well?" Felicia placed a cup of coffee on the table, she smiled.

"I have missed you so much, mum" her cheeks rise in for a bright smile.

"I thought you had forgotten about your sick old mother" Felicia said dolefully with her eyes gradually creating tears, she hurried closer to her mother on the armchair where she sat.

"In this world, you are the only family I have. I will never abandon you, mum" she reassured her mother with a warm smile.