Chapter III.Present

"Nari..." the three years old cute little girl looked up when I called her. She is too busy chasing the butterfly she found on one of the flower, trying to catch it.

She's too young but very smart for her age. She's my everything. She's a reminder of my past. And she's my daughter.

"Mama... I can't catch the butterfly..it flies too fast.." my daughter said looking at me while pouting.

" Sweetie, the butterflies are not supposed to be caught on. They should be flying freely. Just like us, people are free because we are not being manipulated. We can do whatever we want just like them. So let them be, okay? " I said.

" Okay Mama ", she replied while still wearing a disappointed face. She loves nature so much that it hurts me to think about it. I sigh while shaking that thought out of me.

I am waiting for my bestfriend to pick up Nari since I need to work.

It's already quarter to eight when I glance at my wrist watch. At nine o'clock, I need to go.

Just a few minutes later when my bestfriend decided to show up.

She smiled while parking her Audi R8 car.

"Where's my beautiful girl?! " she shouted.

I hush her coz we are not the only people in here. Of course I have neighbours, that's why I told her to be quiet.

We are friends since the day that I met her. I was once an English teacher before and she was my student. She's a year younger than me. Eventhough I am teaching different nationalities, but we still click despite our differences.

I was making friends and even boyfriend. It was unexpected but anyways I'm not ready yet to tell you about it.

" Mommy Jen......" my daughter shouts after seeing her godmother. They are so close that my daughter sees my friend as a second mother.

" Are you excited to bond with your daddy Hoon? " she said looking at my daughter fondly.

Nari looked up at her mommy Jen while answering.

"Yes, mommy. I wanna play with daddy Hoon again. " my daughter replied enthusiastically.

I walk towards them to remind Nari some things.

"Nari sweetie, Mama needs to go to work already. Just stay with your mommy Jen while I'm at work, okay?..." I told her.

"Okay Mama " she replied smiling while kissing on my cheeks.

"And always remember to be a good girl, understand? " I remind her again then kiss her forehead.

" Nari, let's go baby " Jen ask her while helping her with the bag, glancing at me.

" Take care of her for me " I said smiling. Then she nods.

I waited for them to depart before going inside the house to get my things. After a few minutes, I went out and open my garage.

I choose my Cadillac CT5, the car that I usually use for work. I only have two cars. The other one is a Mini Cooper SE. I don't buy a lot even if I can afford it. It's just that I'm being practical. Given that I have a daughter to support to, wasting money is not in my vocabalury.

It's nine o'clock and I'm almost there. I am the one to open the restaurant. Early.

I can now see that there's not much people at this time in the parking lot. I made a halt in my parking space.

I get out of the car and lock it. As I was about to open the place, someone called me.

" Miss Ly....." I turned around and saw the manager. Actually, only a few people know who really I am. And he's one of the few who doesn't.

" Morning Miss Ly " he said. I just look at him then nod.

I don't talk to him that much. I just don't know why. Maybe because I'm not comfortable with him.

" Hey, Ly. "

I didn't mind him.

" Aren't you gonna answer me? " he said then I sigh to myself.

" Hey, morning too. " my voice was laced with sarcasm but I don't know why he can't figure it out himself. Out of all people why me that he keep on pestering.

After saying that, I unlock the door then go inside. I need to prepare already coz anytime now, customers will come.

A few moments later, the door opened and a couple entered.

I welcomed and ushered them to their table. When they sat down, I gave them the menu.

" Should I be back in a few minutes to get your orders Ma'am? " I asked.

" Yes, please. "

I nod at them then went back to the kitchen.

Are you wondering why I did that? What you are thinking right now is right. Yes. I am a waitress in my own restaurant.

Because of what I have gone through I strived to stand back again, but this time stronger. And NIC restaurant was borned.

I saw my customers earlier waving their hands.

I rushed towards them then take their orders.

" What do you want to have Ma'am/ Sir "

" We'll have Caponata, Brodetto and Linguine allo Scoglio."

" Noted Ma'am. Is that all your orders?"

" Ohh, for desserts can we have gelato and for the drinks, fresh juice is fine. " she added.

" Your orders will be right away. " I said then goes my way to the kitchen.

I gave the orders to the head chef. He nods then signaled me to wait a little bit.

I waited in the waiting area for waiters and waitresses.

After a few minutes, the head chef called my orders.

I then went to my customers and continue the same routine for the whole day.

It's quarter to five and time for me to end my shift. Today I gave the keys to our manager because it's Friday. I don't go to work during the weekends. That's the only time that I have for me to bond with my little girl.

A few minutes passed and I went to my locker to get my things. I saw some of my workers getting ready to go home too. I bid goodbye to them then went out to the parking lot towards my car. I sigh a relief then hovered my car out onto the road.

I want to go home fast because I miss my baby. It's only a few hours passed but I already miss her. If only her father is here.