I got so pissed at my alarm for its nonstop ringing. "I heard you the first time!" I yelled, picked it up, and flung it in an unknown direction. It was a beautiful morning, and I needed to sleep more. I kept caressing my bed to fall back to sleep but got disrupted by a phone call.
"Oh heavens! Who's this?" I freaked out, picking it up. It was Mia.
"Come to the spa now; my boss is around. He would be leaving in a few minutes. Hurry!" She said, and hung up.
In a hurry, I dashed to the bathroom, had a quick bath, rushed out, got dressed, and headed out of the house.
"You look baroque in that dress." A voice from behind echoed. That was my mom, Charlotte. I felt so displeased that I needed to go back and change, but Mia's words, "He'd be leaving in a few minutes," kept resounding in my head.
"I know I'm late. Is he still around?" I asked as I walked through the door, breathing so heavily.
"You're very lucky. He was about to leave but got delayed by one of his clients. So put yourself together and wait for him." She replied.
So I sat calm and relaxed, breathing in and out. This was the moment I'd always imagined, being interviewed by Mr. Taylor of Glamour Beauty Spa.
The beauty spa was nothing I'd witnessed until then. The architectural designs were perfect and glazed exquisitely with all kinds of beautiful-looking tiles, trending decor styles, and decorations that made it seem like I was spending my time in a "dreamland."
"Bella! He's coming down the stairs. Go to him." Mia whispered.
Getting myself ready and stable, I walked nimbly toward him. For a moment, I drooled over his cute and enchanting looks, and his pleasant fragrance filled my nostrils.
"Good day, sir." I'm.....I'm Isabella." I stuttered, getting rid of my mildly flirty thoughts.
"I dropped my CV a few weeks ago, and I was informed I'd be interviewed when next you come around. I'm here for that reason, sir." I continued, trying to look away from his glance.
"None of my workers walks up to me the way you just did; that's feisty. Let's have a date." He requested.
For a second, I felt it was my imagination again until I heard, "Here's my card. Call me when you've finally picked the venue, day, and time." he said, handing me his card.
I got his card and walked back to Mia, dumbstruck.
"How did it go, Belle?" Mia asked.
"You never told me your boss was such a handsome dude," I said.
"Don't tell me he beguiled you with his good looks." She asked in an undertone.
"Not so, Mia! At first, I thought it was love, and I almost acted flirty. But it's something deeper, though I can't seem to wrap my head around it." I replied.
"Just so you know, he's in his mid-forties, and you're just twenty-two. Don't get too overjoyed." She reminded.
"Alright, Mummy! And hey, thanks for making this new town enjoyable for me. I'm beginning to adapt, except for my mom, who stays home all day."
It was noon, and I'd just arrived home.
"We've ended our marriage, Belle! It was a mutual agreement between me and Robert." My mom said as she walked out of the kitchen with a bottle of whisky.
"How? When? Just like that?" I asked in shock.
"We dissolved it over the phone. Don't worry, my child, it's for our good." She said, taking a sip from the bottle.
"Mom! This has been your sixth marriage, and you're ending it just like the rest? You know, before now, I was deluded to believe that they were the problem, but I've been so wrong. It's you, Charlotte. You are the problem." I snapped in anger. That was the first time I'd ever called my mom by her name, and that's because I was furious.
"Belle dear! I know you're upset, and it's not exactly what you think. I ended it with Robert because I couldn't keep up with his licentious lifestyle anymore." She said, walking closer.
"Right! "For the same reason you couldn't keep up with the other five men." I replied and walked away.
Right in my room, I'd drenched my pillow with tears, trying to find answers to my questions. Why has my mom been so unhappy? Why doesn't she find happiness in her marriage? Why does she find comfort in drinking? Those were the puzzling questions I needed answers to.
After a few days of staying indoors, I resolved to go on a date with Mr. Taylor. That evening, I'd gotten myself beautifully dressed in a red gown, had a mild face beat, and wore a sweet-scented cologne. I looked into the mirror and smiled beautifully at it. I felt really pretty, so I picked up my bag and headed out.
"What's the occasion?" Charlotte asked as I walked toward the door.
"I have a date, Mom!" I responded abruptly.
"Have a good one then." "Be sure you don't come back late," she said.
Getting through the traffic was hectic and annoying. But I'd managed to still get there, though fifteen minutes late.
"I'm so sorry, sir! I got caught up in traffic." I apologized.
"No, it's fine! By the way, you look dazzling." He complimented.
"Thank you, sir! You don't look bad yourself."
We got served, and we immediately started vibing and giggling like we'd known for years.
"So tell me, how many children do you have?" I asked.
"None," he replied.
"Why? Never been married?" I asked again.
"I have, but it didn't stand the test of time. We got divorced." He answered.
"What's wrong with everybody?" I asked in bewilderment. "My mom just got her sixth divorce.
We both laughed sarcastically.
"That's crazy, you know."
"Yeah, I know! My mom is unhappy, and I don't know why. I wish I could help, but how can I when I don't even know the problem?" I uttered.
"Gosh!" I exclaimed.
"What's the problem?" He asked.
"It's late; I need to go. My mom would be worried." I replied.
"Alright, let's go. I'd drop you off at home," he offered.
"You don't have to; I'll be fine."
"I insist," he reaffirmed.
A few minutes later, we arrived at my house.
"Thanks for the evening; I had fun. And I'm grateful you brought me back home."
"Thank you more for going on a date with me. I had fun too," he replied.
"Would you mind introducing me to your new date?" Charlotte called out from the window.
We both chuckled. "That's my mom." I smiled.
"I know! "I guess I'd have to say hello to her before leaving."
We both got out of the car and walked toward the door. I gently opened the door, and we walked in. I noticed the shock in my mom's face; it was overt. Perhaps not the kind of guy she expected, I thought.
"Taylor Smith!" My mother exclaimed in a flabbergasting tone.
"Charlotte Davis!" he called back in shock.
I stood there motionless, eager to know what I'd missed.
"Do you two know each other?" I asked
"Yes, Belle! He was my first love. We were so in love until everything took a twist. His parents never approved of us, so they sent him abroad, and we lost connection. By the time I realized I was pregnant, he was already gone. Belle! The man you went on a date with is your father."
I gasped in awe.
"I'm sorry, Lotte. I had no idea there was a child. When I got back, I searched everywhere for you, but there was no trace of you. My life was empty and bereft of marital bliss because all I could see, think of, and dream of, even now, was you. I still love you, Lotte." Taylor said.
That was too emotional, full of warmth and passion. So he turned to me.
"Daddy's Girl! I'm so sorry for not being part of your life for all these years. I promise to make it up to you, my little heiress. When you walked up to me at the spa, you reminded me so much of Charlotte because of the striking resemblance. So a date with you has changed my life.
"I love you too, Tay! I can't believe I had a series of marital crises simply because I couldn't get you off my mind. We were only meant for each other." Charlotte said, and they both chuckled and hugged passionately.
I loved the moment, and for the first time, my mom smiled so heartily. I immediately picked up my phone and called Mia.
"Hello, Mia! "I wish to joyfully announce to you that Mr. Taylor is my real dad."
"Like for real?" Be serious." Mia asked.
"I'm for real. So you'd come over to my place tomorrow for the full gist."
"Not too sure. I can't leave work; I don't want to be fired," she said in a low tone.
"Then consider yourself fired if I don't get to see you here tomorrow." I giggled
"Alright, Madam!" We both laughed, and I hung up.
