DAVID

The moment Janie screamed my name, I knew there was trouble. I led Kay to where they were.

"Yes, Janie," I drawled.

"Dad, how come she knows your name? I thought Mom was the only person who knew it... and your best friend, Mark."

OMG! She’s so childish.

"Can you stop acting childish, Janie?"

"I am a child, Dad," she retorted, her brow furrowed.

"But you don’t act like one. A good child would wait for explanations before jumping to conclusions.

This lady here is with me because I made her lose her money and worse, I ruined her dress."

I paused as my kids focused on the stained dress, finally noticing what they never saw in the first place.

"She isn’t my girlfriend, okay? We don’t know each other. We just met today. I was supposed to take her shopping for a new dress to replace the one I ruined, but she insisted I come pick you guys up first.

Isn’t that enough to thank her for?

I think that’s enough reason to show her respect."

I added, looking disappointed at their behavior.

"It’s okay, Mr. David. You’re making them feel bad," the lady — whose name I still didn’t know — spoke on their behalf when she noticed their faces.

"Now say sorry to her, kids." I ruffled my hair, frustrated.

"Let’s just go home..." Janietta grumbled, walking to the side of my car.

I stared at her reaction, not even sure what to say. Then I turned to the other two — Noel and Kay.

"You two, say sorry to her." I formed a straight face at them.

"I’m hungry," Noel complained, walking out of my sight.

This is crazy. Correcting my kids is one thing they never take well. The moment I scold them, they suddenly become upset and unhappy with me.

Great. Just great!

"Sorry..." Kayla smiled at the lady.

"It’s okay, sweetie. What’s your name?" she asked, squatting to my little girl’s height.

"Kayla. And yours?"

Yeah... one question I forgot to ask her in the first place.

"Rosiana."

"You’re pretty, Rosiana," my baby remarked.

True. Absolutely true. She isn’t just pretty — she’s physically endowed with beautiful features.

"And you’re beautiful," she complimented Kayla, who giggled in excitement and ran to meet her siblings.

"Omg! Janietta, she just said I’m beautiful!"

Hahaha! I love my baby girl so much.

"Dad! Come open your car. I wanna go home," Janietta called out.

"...and eat," Noel added.

"Let’s go, please," I said to Rosiana, and she nodded.

I used the key control to unlock the doors before hopping in.

Janietta quickly sat in the front seat beside me, leaving Rosiana standing outside.

"Get down, Janie. Join your siblings in the back."

"But Dad—"

"No questions. Rosiana wants to sit here." I hushed her.

She angrily mumbled something before stepping down.

"Don’t get too comfy with my dad," she said straight to Rosiana’s face before joining her siblings.

"Ignore her, she’s always like that," I told Rosiana as she got in.

"No problem. Thanks," she said, settling into the seat as I started the engine.

"Seatbelts!" I mouthed as I adjusted the mirror above me, watching my kids through it as they strapped themselves in.

"Good," I muttered as I reversed out of the school, heading straight home.

ROSIANA

The silence in the car as he drove was… something else. It wasn’t comfortable at all. I suspected I was the cause of it.

Why would a family be so quiet on a simple ride home?

Kids should be talking about school, homework, or something interesting to their dad.

I bet they’re not comfortable with me here.

I just can’t wait to get back home.

"Dad, I’m hungry..." David’s little boy said as his stomach growled.

"You’ll eat when you get home, okay?" his dad replied.

"The last time I checked before school, there’s no food at home. ’Cause you didn’t wake up on time to make us breakfast. And lunch..."

Wake up on time? So David makes breakfast for his kids before going to work?

What about his wife??

"Oh God! I didn’t remember..." he palmed the steering wheel.

"You kids will wait till I go get Junior from daycare. Then I’ll buy food packs from a restaurant so you can eat to your fill."

Another baby??

My eyes almost popped out as I realized he has another child.

This man is the father of all nations. Imagine staying home with the type of kids he has. Four in total.

"I’m gonna die of hunger before you get back..." my favorite, Kayla, almost cried.

I don’t like seeing her upset.

I like her so much.

"Kay, baby. You won’t die. I’ll beat the traffic for your sake. You won’t die, okay? Not when there’s enough water to revive you," David joked.

"Dad, no way! I’m hungry too, and I can’t wait for you to get Junior first. It’s our stomach first. Our stomach. Your first priority," the older girl declared.

I cocked my ears in amusement.

"Yes, Dad. Justice for our stomach!" Noel added.

"I want pancakes for lunch!"

The three kids began ranting.

Their ranting almost deafened my ears.

Passersby stared at the car — it was that noisy.

"Alright... kids! Kids! Calm down! Ca—"

But they didn’t even listen to their dad. Instead, the noise increased.

Is all this because of food?

"I’ll cook for you guys," I said.

The car suddenly fell completely silent as they stared at me, shocked.

"I mean... I could help with lunch before your dad gets back," I added.

Did I say something wrong?

Well, I used to work as a cook at Dean’s restaurant until he fired me this morning.

I could help them, at least for Kayla’s sake. I don’t want her to die — like she earlier said.

"That’s if you guys are okay with it," I quickly added.

"You sure about that?" David asked, as if unsure.

"Yeah," I nodded.

"Kids?" David called out, wanting to know their opinion.

"Sure, you can cook for us. As long as it doesn’t taste like Dad’s socks!" little Noel agreed.

Wait. What??

Did he just say his dad’s socks?

"NOEL?!" David screamed his name, his eyes turning smoky red.

I quickly suppressed my laugh.

.

..

.

TBC

DAVID

Saying I’m embarrassed right now is a total understatement. I don’t even know how to describe how I feel.

Noel is so annoying!

How could he say that? In front of a lady, too.

What if she was my crush? He would’ve buried me in shame.

Does it mean he’s tasted my socks??

I wouldn’t be surprised. He’s a foodie. He’s always been one since he was a baby.

As a baby, he would chew on his diapers and lick his cream…

I wonder what it tasted like to him. Strawberries?

And to think my socks weren’t left out!

Noeeellll!!!!

I silently cried inside as I pitied myself. I couldn’t help but wonder what Rosiana thought.

If I ever take my kids out in public again, I’m going to stitch their mouths shut with glue.

That way Janietta won’t freak out the moment she sees me talking to a lady and say ridiculous things.

And Noel won’t eat up the party and describe how my socks taste.

As for Kayla, I won’t just stitch her mouth — I’ll tie her to a chair, so she won’t wander off.

Because my baby Kayla is a wanderer.

There was a time I took my kids shopping. While talking to the cashier, Kayla wandered out of my sight without me noticing.

I didn’t realize until I was done.

Janietta and Noel were busy arguing and didn’t notice either.

I searched the entire store for hours and almost went mad because I couldn’t find Kay. I felt like I had disappointed my late wife, Maria — I promised her before she died that I would always protect our kids.

I contacted the police and asked customers for help, panicking.

I searched everywhere like a lunatic until I finally found her near the waste bin beside the mall, pouring trash into the dirt bin.

When I asked what she was doing and why she left my side, she opened her small mouth and said...

"Mommy always said we should be neat and never stay in a dirty place so we don’t fall sick. The mall was pretty dirty so I had to pick around."

She looked so innocent saying it.

Imagine that. Picking trash around a mall??

Meanwhile, I was searching like a madman. I even called the police.

"You will never frustrate me, Kayla," I said, not knowing whether to cry or laugh.

She thought it was a joke.

I compensated the police before they left.

The salesman in charge of the mall was pleased by her sweet nature and gave her a free toy.

He didn’t know giving her a toy would only encourage her to do more.

Kayla can be unpredictable sometimes, and she reminds me so much of my late wife, Mariah.

••••••

I finally drove into my compound and parked in the side garage.

My kids climbed out immediately and ran inside. Yes, they have their own keys — just in case.

Rosiana got down after me, and from the look in her eyes, she was definitely surprised to see such a magnificent building.

"Please come in," I said, and she nodded with a smile, following behind me.

"Welcome to my home, Rosiana."

She stepped inside, her lips parting slightly as a soft gasp escaped.

"Oh my... so beautiful," she whispered, staring around in amazement.

"Thanks. Feel free," I said, smiling at her.

Oh! That reminds me — her clothes.

She’s still wearing stained clothes. I don’t have time to take her shopping.

"Mr. David, please... I can’t cook in this outfit," she said.

"Yeah... I was thinking the same thing. You need to change into something. Come with me to the guest room."

She nodded and followed me.

I led her into one of the guest rooms.

"The shower’s inside. You can use it. But before that, I’ll get you a dress."

I walked out and headed to my room.

Mariah’s clothes would definitely fit her, I thought as I searched through her things.

Her unique scent filled my nostrils, and I suddenly missed her again.

I picked a free sun-dress and brought it to Rosiana.

"Thanks a lot," she smiled, taking it.

"When you’re done, ask one of the kids to show you to the kitchen. There are lots of uncooked foods. If you’re unsure what to prepare, just ask Noel — he’ll gladly tell you."

I chuckled lightly and she smiled again.

"I’ll be back shortly," I said before walking out.

With Rosiana in the kitchen today, I felt relieved from stress.

ROSIANA

I’ve never been in a house this big and beautiful before. I marveled as I washed up in the bathroom, letting the water cascade down my body.

I made sure not to spend too long because I still had to make lunch.

I dried myself with a new towel on the bed and let my hair fall over my shoulders before putting on the sun-dress.

I checked my reflection — wow. It looked so good on me.

I walked out and saw the kids playing in the sitting room. They’d already changed, and I guessed they had bathed too.

I approached and cleared my throat.

"Can someone please show me to the kitchen?" I asked.

"Is that my mom’s dress you’re wearing?" Janietta stared at me, shocked.

Her mom’s?

"Oh my God, I didn’t know. Your dad gave it to me—"

How could David give me his wife’s dress?

"Well, now you know. It’s my mom’s dress, and it doesn’t belong to you," she said with a straight face.

Oh hell. I felt embarrassed.

"But it fits her... and she looks pretty in it," Kayla said, her voice tiny and soft.

"Didn’t you notice she had stains on her own dress? What do you expect her to wear? Your clothes?" Noel laughed sarcastically.

"Duh… she should’ve brought hers," Janie huffed.

"You complain too much, Janietta. The dress fits her and she looks good. Don’t you know people have to look good before cooking... so the food can taste really good too?

Unlike Dad, who doesn’t mind tying a towel around his waist to prepare a meal," Noel added seriously.

Hell no! A towel?? Who does that?

"...and his food tastes just like his appearance," he added.

This boy is too much!

I wish David were here — actually, thank God he isn’t. Noel would be dead meat.

Noel stepped forward dramatically, clearing his throat.

"Most beautiful milady, I hope you don’t mind me taking you to the kitchen... because I’m starving," he said in a Spanish accent, stretching out his little hand.

He looked so funny.

"No, Mister… I certainly don’t," I giggled, replying in a Spanish accent too. I placed my hand on his and curtseyed, lifting my gown slightly as I bowed my head.

Then he led me to the kitchen, our hands still joined.

Kayla held the hem of my dress as she followed behind.

.

..

.

TBC

ALICIA

I texted him thirty minutes ago, and he still hasn’t replied. Huh!

Didn’t he see it?

I huffed as I shut down my computer, looking both worried and angry at the same time.

I hate being snubbed.

David is my colleague and yes, the supervisor of Duvel Company. He’s a single dad.

A hot single dad. Mark the word HOT.

And of course, I like him so much.

I’ve always had a crush on him, long before his wife’s death.

And now that he’s single again, I see a green light waving a passage for me into his life.

I know he likes me too. I see the way he stares at me sometimes—especially when we eat lunch together.

He’s got such a sexy gaze, and anytime our eyes meet, my body begins to heat up. It feels like he performs magic on me, and I want him so much for myself.

I wonder why he still hasn’t asked me out. For the past nine months, I’ve been treating him to lunch and most times bringing him breakfast—ones I always buy on my way to work.

I don’t know how to cook. I never learned how. I didn’t see any reason to learn when you can buy cooked food almost everywhere around you.

I heard he has four kids too. I’ve even seen a photo of them once.

Four kids are way too much. Didn’t he practice family planning with his late wife?

I may like David a lot, but I literally don’t like kids. Most kids are annoying.

And to think David has four children!

Gosh!

Though I haven’t met any of them yet, from the looks on their faces in the picture, they’re probably not above eleven or twelve… so I can handle them.

They’re small. So they know nothing.

I’ll just have to shove them aside so they won’t come between me and David when I finally have him to myself.

Because David is so engrossed in them, and it baffles me a lot.

If only he could spend more of his time with me, and not with his kids.

Their mates are even in boarding school.

ROSIANA

Noel led me to the kitchen, and my eyes darted around in amazement.

It’s huge! And well organized.

The burners, gas cooker, stove, dishes… fridge… everything was neatly arranged.

“Take your apron,” Noel said, handing me a piece of cloth.

“Thanks.” I smiled.

I put mine on as I watched Kayla bring out two more aprons from the side shelf.

“Uh… Kayla. I’ll be needing just one, okay?” I chuckled softly.

“I know. I want to cook with you.”

“Yeah, me too,” Noel added as Kayla handed him one.

“But… sometimes the kitchen can be pretty dangerous for kids like you, and—”

“Who said I’m a kid? I’m not a baby, mi-lady,” he drawled, putting it on.

“Neither am I,” Kayla added, wearing her apron inside out.

I laughed at the sight and helped her adjust it.

“Are you sure you want to join me in cooking? What if your dad comes back and—”

“Forget my dad. I can handle him, alright?” Noel waved it off, looking so serious.

I didn’t want to argue much, so I let them be.

Besides, they look so cute in the aprons.

“So… what do you guys want for lunch?”

“Oh, I want pancakes!” Kayla squealed.

“Noted. What about you, Noel?”

“I want pancakes, mashed potatoes and fish stew… grilled chicken and tomato soup… oh, and yes! Macaroni and cheese and baked fillets!”

“How many can you eat?” I asked, surprised by the long list.

“All. I want all!”

“Hmm.” I shook my head.

“Okay… let’s start with the pancakes. Who knows where the flour and baking ingredients are?”

“Mee!!!” they chorused in excitement.

“What about potatoes and fresh tomatoes?”

“Yay! Yay! Me, I know!” Kayla ran to the fridge to get them.

“Alright. Let’s start cooking.”

I brought out the frying pans and pots.

JANIETTA

☃️ Twenty-Five Minutes Later ☃️

I sat on the couch watching my favorite cartoon.

It isn’t so interesting today because Noel and Kayla aren’t here with me. They’re with that stranger.

Noel is a big idiot, you know… and Kayla is just too innocent and sweet to know what’s right.

As long as food is involved, everyone is Noel’s friend.

I don’t like this lady at all. She’s too pretty, and I fear for my daddy.

I don’t want my dad to like her either. That’s why I’m acting this way toward her.

I do not want a second mummy!

And to think Noel and Kayla are in the kitchen with her.

Ugh! So annoying.

I instantly switched off the TV, which suddenly felt like noise to my hearing.

I’m hungry, and my stomach aches for food.

Why isn’t Dad back yet? And how long does it take to make a simple dish?

I lay on the couch and started counting the ceiling.

I don’t want to go into that kitchen. I’m so hungry, and I don’t want to show it either.

It’s best I go to my room and sleep until the food is served.

I got up from the couch and walked out of the sitting room into the passage.

My room is just a few doors away from here, and I hope—

Oh. My. God! What is that smell?

Where is it coming from??

I stopped walking and sniffed the savory aroma.

It smells so good and yummy! I felt my stomach twitch.

I’m hungry. I bit down on my lips.

I stood there sniffing, trying to satiate my hunger.

Roars of laughter echoed from the kitchen, and I knew they were having fun in there.

What if they’re eating already?

I can’t take this! I do not want to beg that lady for food, nor do I want her to know I’m desperately craving it. I don’t even want to show how hungry I am.

But wait…

This is my father’s house. Literally my house too, and my dad owns the kitchen—giving me equal rights.

I want to eat.

And that’s final. I can’t kill myself with hunger in my own house.

I’m simply going to walk in there and order her to give me food.

I decided that and marched toward the kitchen with a straight face, disrupting their little fun.

My eyes caught the different delicacies in the kitchen and the breathtaking aroma.

I can’t take this.

The three of them stared at me as I walked over to grab a plate from the sink. Then I walked to the lady… cleared my throat… and stared at her with a bossy expression.

“This is my father’s house, so I want you to dish out some food for me…”

My bossy tone soon melted as my stomach let out a loud growl.

I’m hungry.

“Pl…ease,” I said softly, staring at her with puppy eyes.

.

.

.

TBC