Chapter 9

"Summer?"

"Yes, Mommy?" she said, focusing all her attention on me.

I swallowed hard. I wasn't sure if I should ask her about it. Is this the right time? Or should I wait until she's older?

"Do you want to meet your father?"

I kept my eyes on her as I asked that. She just looked at me, and I felt nervous about how she would answer.

Never once has Summer asked me about her father. She never questioned me, and I have no idea why. I know that kids usually look for their parents, just like I searched for my dad when I was little. But Summer Frost is different. Still, I know she must miss her father. I can see how she looks at families when we go to the mall together, and it always breaks my heart.

Summer looked down and played with her fingers.

"I don't know, Mommy," she said softly, then glanced up at me after a moment. "Do you want me to meet my father?"

I had to hold back tears at her question. I didn't understand why she turned the question back to me. I wanted to say no. I didn't want her to see or meet her father. But deep down, I knew I was only thinking of my own feelings. What about my daughter? I know she needs to meet her father.

"Why are you asking me, baby?" I asked, my voice shaky as I stroked her hair.

"I feel like you don't want me to meet my father, Mommy. You looked sad when you asked me. I don't want you to be hurt."

I couldn't hold back my tears when my daughter hugged me. Sometimes, I forget that Summer is just a child when I talk to her. She often speaks like an adult.

She's a genius, just like her father.

Summer pulled back and wiped my tears away. I saw that she was crying too, but she was trying to hold it in.

"Don't worry about Mommy, baby. Your happiness is my happiness," I said, but Summer shook her head and hugged me again.

"Your happiness is my happiness too, Mommy. I love you a million, million, and gazillion times."

The next day, we were at the airport early in the morning. Summer was so excited that I had no trouble waking her up. By the time we got on the plane, she was fast asleep.

The flight took more than fifteen hours. By the time we landed, I was exhausted because I couldn't sleep during the trip; I had too much on my mind. But since Summer had slept, she was full of energy.

We arrived at Mom and Dad's house at one in the afternoon. They weren't home because they were at a party and might not come back until tomorrow. My sister Zelda was at work, so only the helpers were there. I fed Summer and left her with the staff before I went to sleep because I was really tired.

I woke up at ten in the evening. Summer was already asleep because she had played so much. Just then, Zelda came home from work and was surprised to see me.

"You didn't tell me you were coming home!" said Zelda as she grabbed some wine from the cellar and poured it into two glasses.

"I got a one-week leave."

"That seems sudden! Where's Summer?"

"Upstairs. Asleep."

She handed me a glass of wine, and I winced.

"What's wrong?" Zelda asked. I shook my head.

"I just have a very bad memory that involves wine."

We went to the porch and drank our wine there. I sipped slowly while Zelda already finished two glasses.

"He saw Summer."

Zelda paused drinking because of what I said, but it was only for a moment before she continued drinking until her glass was empty.

I didn't know why I told Zelda that. She doesn't know who Summer's father is, but I really didn't know what to do anymore and needed someone to talk to. And Zelda was here now.

"That's why you're here now," she said matter-of-factly.

"I really don’t know what to do anymore, Ate. I know he will take Summer away from me when he finds out the truth." Ate Zelda took a deep breath before pouring more wine and finishing it. "You’re not a child anymore, Zuri," Ate Zelda said. "You’re a mother now. You have to be responsible for your decisions, not just for yourself but also for your child."

"What should I do, Ate?" I asked, almost crying.

"What do you want to do?"

"I want to hide Summer from her father."

"Then hide her," she said. I stared at Ate Zelda when she said that. "If you think you are doing this for Summer’s sake, then hide her. I have a vacation house at the beach far from here. If you want, you and Summer can stay there."

I was speechless at what Ate Zelda said. This was the first time she gave me advice, the first time she helped me, and the first time she acted like a big sister to me.

"I know my mistakes..." Ate Zelda continued. "And I’m really sorry for what I've done. I want to make it up to you, so I will help you. And I love my niece too. If you think what you’re doing is best for her, then go ahead."

Ate Zelda took us to the vacation house she mentioned. She would also talk to our parents about it. The vacation house was big and had five rooms inside. It was quite far since we traveled for five hours to get there, but it was okay because there was a beach. Summer and I would definitely have fun there.

I texted Mrs. Gallagher to tell her where we were. She replied that she would come tomorrow because she suddenly missed Summer.

The next day, Summer and I took a bath. We only stayed in the sun for an hour because Summer's skin gets red quickly when exposed for too long. We rinsed off at the vacation house and left Summer in the room because she said she would play while I cooked lunch for us.

I had just finished cooking when I heard someone knocking on the door. It must be Mrs. Gallagher, I thought. I smiled as I opened the door, but my smile quickly faded when I saw who it was.

"Boss..." I said, trying to catch my breath. He scanned the inside of the vacation house before looking coldly at me.

"Missed me, Zuri?"

"What... What are you doing here?"

I stepped back as he moved closer, but I stopped because he pulled my waist toward him. Our faces were almost touching.

"Guess..." he said, and I could smell his fresh minty breath. "If I'm here because you didn’t finish the report that I need or... You have something that belongs to me?"

I tried to turn my face away from him as he leaned in closer. "What are you talking about?" I said irritably, but his next words made me forget my annoyance.

"My daughter... Summer Frost Gallagher, right?"