I walked back to our table, Priscilla turned to me and said,

"That's incredibly brave of you, standing up to that man like that."

I chuckled and replied, "Someone needed to stand up for her."

Priscilla nodded in agreement. "Very true, but I have to get going now," she said, glancing at her wristwatch.

"Alright, Miss Priscilla," I said, extending my hand for a handshake. She smiled and shook my hand firmly. She then signaled to her manager, who was sitting two tables away from us, and he stood up, escorting her out of the coffee shop.

I took a final sip of my coffee, paid the bill and gathered my things. As I headed outside to the parking lot, I noticed a park across the street from the coffee shop. The sound of children's laughter and giggles drew my attention and I felt a sudden urge to spend some time there.

"I'll just take a short walk in the park," I said to myself, making my way towards the entrance. I paid for a ticket and entered the park.

The park was a serene oasis, bathed in the warm glow of twinkling string lights that crisscrossed the lush greenery. The soft chirping of birds and gentle rustling of leaves filled the air, creating a soothing melody that seemed to lull the world into a peaceful slumber. The park's winding pathways, lined with vibrant flowers and towering trees, invited strollers to meander and lose themselves in the tranquil atmosphere. As I walked along the winding pathways, the soft glow of the string lights casting a warm ambiance around me, I couldn't help but feel a sense of peace wash over me.

I found a bench and sat down, taking a deep breath of the fresh air. The scent of blooming flowers and freshly cut grass filled my lungs, and I felt my tension ease. I closed my eyes, letting the peaceful atmosphere of the park wash over me.

I began to notice the sounds around me. The chirping of birds, the rustling of leaves, and the distant laughter of children all blended together to create a symphony of sound. It was as if the park was alive and it was singing a gentle lullaby just for me.

I sat there for a long time, soaking in the peaceful atmosphere of the park. It was a place where time seemed to stand still, where the worries and cares of the world seemed to fade away.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the park, I couldn't help but think back to my own childhood days. I remembered how my parents would take me to the park on Sundays, and we would spend hours playing on the swings and slides. I remembered my 10th birthday, when my parents took me to an amusement park and we spent the whole day riding rollercoasters and playing games.

After a while, I checked my watch and realized that it was getting late. I stood up, stretched my legs, and began to make my way out of the park. I walked towards the entrance, I noticed an unfamiliar figure leaning against my car,I looked closely and notice it was the guy from the coffee shop.

He was smiling at me, "Hey," he said, waving at me.

"Hi" I said waving back

"I just wanted to make sure you got out of here safely after what happened earlier."

Oh,I haven't even thanked you properly, thanks for what you did earlier I said smiling .

"I'm Alexander," he said finally, stretching out his hand for a handshake

. "I'm Maya," I replied, shaking his hand firmly. Alexander's handshake was firm ,when our hands met I felt an electric shock through my body but I felt it's cause the weather was cold.

"I have to get going now," I said, glancing at my watch. "It's getting late."

Alexander nodded, standing up straight. "Alright, Maya. It was nice meeting you. Maybe I'll see you around sometime."

I smiled,"Maybe," I said, getting into my car. Alexander waved at me as I drove away.

Maybe it was cause of my experience in the past that made me stand up for the girl at the coffee shop but I felt her pain, being embarrassed in public, some people we love will just end up hurting us even if all we did was to love them,I thought about the whole inside as I drove home, remembering Maxwell from years ago.

I drove home, lost in thought, trying to process my emotions. As I pulled into the driveway of my estate, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. I lived in Chita Power Estate, a luxurious and exclusive community that was home to some of the wealthiest and most influential people in the city ,not everybody could afford an apartment in this estate, talk more of owning a house, it it's known for its great artictural work and beautiful environment, it has only 5 building in this estate and my father owns one of them, I packed my car, went inside the house.

I had my bath, changed my clothes and made myself a bowl of noodles. As I ate, I watched my favorite TV,I didn't even know when I slept off.

Daddy Daddy Daddy I cried,I saw myself about 10 years old being tired to a chair crying bitterly

Daddy isn't here to save you ,I heard a man's voiced said

Before he pushed me into the River, I couldn't move cause I was tired to a chair and I could hardly breath, i silently prayed and cry as I felt my body being weaker by every passing moment, all I could say was daddy before I woke up from the dream sweating profoundly.

I woke up with a start, my heart racing and my sheets soaked with sweat. It was just a dream, I told myself, trying to calm down but the memory of that nightmare lingered and I couldn't shake off the feeling of fear and vulnerability.

I got out of bed and walked to the kitchen to get a glass of water. As I stood there, sipping my water, I couldn't help but think about my past. I had always been a strong and independent person but that nightmare had brought back memories that I thought I had long buried.

I walked back to my room, feeling a sense of unease. I knew I had to confront my past and deal with the emotions that had been bottled up inside me but for now, I just wanted to forget and move on.

I lay back in bed, trying to calm my racing thoughts, I began to feel the pain of being alone ,no one to love you, care for you ,no children to call your own and no one to protect you, the realization of dying lonely began to hit me and I could feel my body vibrate from fear of it, I shock my head opened my laptop and began to work on some documents to keep myself busy.

At least I have my parents I said to myself.