CHAPTER 3

My sleep was peaceful until the sound of my phone ringing woke me up. With a groan, I reached for the phone and answered the call.

“Hey! Darling.” My dad spoke.

“Dad!” I exclaimed. “How are you doing?”

I heard my dad sigh. “Well, what can I say darling? I'm good. You sound sleepy, did I wake you up?”

“No Dad, I'm already awake.” I lied and sat up because I didn't feel like sleeping anymore.

There was a little pause until my dad cleared the air.

“I've missed you, sweetheart.”

“I've missed you a lot too, Dad. I hope you're taking care of yourself by the way?”

“Yes, yes, honey. No need to worry about your old man.” He giggled and I did too.

“Well, my super ol' man… I won't worry if you don't give me a reason to.”

“I promise, sweetheart. When are you coming home? It's almost like forever since you came here.”

“I’ll be home soon Dad.. but I'm not telling when. Are we good?' I asked, at this point, I was smiling because I liked to surprise my dad even though as we were talking, I didn't know when I would be visiting him.

“Okay, dear. I'll be expecting you. Be good. I love you kiddo.”

“I love you too Dad.”

I buried my face in my pillow, trying to sleep again but just then, Jerome barged into my room.

“Hey, baby girl.”

“You could have at least knocked, Jerry,” I spoke, my brows furrowing and rolling my eyes at him.

“Who's kicking on your mood this morning?” He asked, a little concerned.

“Sorry. What have you got there?” I asked, noticing the tray he settled beside me.

“Breakfast for my best friend.” He smiled, pulling my cheeks.

“Ooh! Salad, bacon, toast, and fresh juice. Nice. Oh, I love you, Jerry.” I squealed like a child. Food is something I can not and will never send my anger on, and I love good food.

“Mm! Jerry, this is good. I love it.” I spoke with my mouth full.

“Of course, you need good food.' After a while, he spoke again. 'I heard you on the phone with your dad.”

Jerome was the only one who knew I worked at a club and still didn't judge me.

“Yeah, he wants me home. Jerome, I know that he still wants to know how I manage to give him money all the time even if he doesn't ask what I do for a living and all that but I can't. I just can't tell him now. He'll be so disappointed in me, I'm scared, Jerry.' I rattled my fears and covered my face in my palms.

“Come here.” He pulled me closer to him whilst he patted my back. “You'll be fine. Just give yourself time. I'm here for you.”

“Thank you, Jerry. You are the best.” I pushed closer to him, enjoying the warmth from his body.

“Go ahead with your food. I've got work today and some other plans for the day so I'm going to be super busy. But you know what to do right?” He asked.

“Yeah, yeah. I'll call you if I need anything.”

“Yes, anything at all.” He placed a kiss on my forehead, then left my room, leaving me alone with my food which I didn't waste time on.

How do I even explain my dirt-filled job to my father? Everything was a mess and he would be mad at me for choosing to work in a club, but the truth is, it pays more.

I was ten years old when my mother left my dad and me for another man. At that time, my dad had lost his job as the general manager of Kayla Real Estates. He was accused of spending the company's money which was a lie. Life became hard but he still never left me, and he always tried to give me the best.

“DING.” A text from my phone brought me back from my trance.

Alexa: I'm at your door.

I sighed and dragged my lazy body from my bed to open the door for my friend to come in.

“Have you been sleeping all this while? It's almost noon.” She asked, looking around like something about the apartment excited her.

“Why are you looking around like that?” I asked, rolling my eyes at her, obviously aware of who she was looking for.

“Where's the handsome man here?”

I scoffed. “You mean Jerome?” I asked, trying so hard not to laugh. I knew Alexa was into Jerome but he wasn't. Every time she came around, he would go out because he was not your typical boy who had committed relationships.

“What's so funny Morgan? Jay is handsome, admit it. His sandy-brown hair, black eyes, full round lips, and omg.. not to forget how tall he is.” She dreamily described Jerome while I looked at her in disbelief.

“You know how much I like him. Why don't you just help me get hi—”

“Slow down Alexa.” I cut her off. “I know how much you like my best friend but I won't advise you to try and get him. He's just gonna break your poor heart,” I pouted and faked that I was about to cry. “Jerome is not looking for any commitment at the moment, he's always with different girls every day. I don't want you to get hurt, and yes, like you said, he's handsome. Got it?” I patted her lightly on the shoulder and she sighed defeatedly, nodding as well.

“What are your plans for today?” She asked and I had the brightest idea of how to spend my day.

“Want to go visit my dad?” I asked her.

“Of course. Your dad is one great cook I know.” She beamed. “I don't know where you came from,”

“Hey, what do you mean? I know how to cook, okay? I’m just too busy to do it.

“Whatever.” She laughed.

Alexa made herself comfortable as I went to take a bath. After a while, I went into my closet and grabbed a short, Royal Blue, sleeveless jumpsuit and flats to wear. Pulling my hair into a messy bun, I took my purse and glanced at myself in the mirror for the last time, almost forgetting how innocent I could look in my simple dresses.

“Whoah!” She exclaimed. “Simple but nice. Why on earth are you still single?”

“Because I'm not looking for a man now.”

“Whatever is wrong with you and your friend must be cast out.” We laughed and took the lift to the ground floor, stopping a taxi.

“Please take us to Old Town,” I said to the driver and he nodded, starting the car.

“You won't believe this guy at my office who won't stop disturbing my peace, Morgan. He's always giving me those goo-goo eyes.” She turned to me and made the face of whoever was talking to her at her office.

“I think this guy likes you, so why don't you er.. give him a chance.?”

“Give who a chance?' She asked, irritation lacing her voice.

“Mr. Goo-goo eyes,” I said with a chuckle.

“Ha ha.. very funny.” She rolled her eyes at me.

I must admit that it was good to have a girls' time sometimes, even if it was just for a short while.

We arrived at my father's house. I paid for the fare and then, Alexa taking the lead, rang the doorbell. Within a second, my dad was at the door, smiling at us.

“What a surprise, you two.” He said and enveloped us in a hug.

“I did tell you to expect me, old man,” I replied while laughing.

“Er, Mr. June, sorry to interrupt your sweet moment, but have you got any food?” We all burst out laughing as we entered the house, and my dad decided to make us lunch.

“I'll be making myself comfy here. You two have fun.” Alexa excused herself. One thing I liked about her, she knew how to give privacy.

I sat quietly on the kitchen stool, watching my dad make a quick pasta for us.

“Are you okay, my dear?”

“Yes, Dad,” I said with a smile on my face. “What about you?”

“I'm keeping up.” My dad kept moving graciously in the kitchen, with his apron neatly around his waist. Even though he was in his 50's, he still looked handsome and young. And that was because he ate well.

“Dad?” I called and he looked up at me, raising a brow. “Don't you think you should get another woman in your life? I mean, you're handsome and still young,” now it was my turn to wiggle my brows, which made him laugh.

“I haven't thought about that yet, dear. But what about you? You're just 25, and also very beautiful, why am I not seeing my soon-to-be son-in-law?” At this point, I couldn't stop my laughter anymore. The whole thing wasn't funny, but my father's gestures made it very funny.

“I haven't also thought about it, Dad. If I do, you'll know.”

“Do not fuck just anybody.” My dad said and later, pretended to be coughing.

“Dad! I'm not doing that.” I laughed more.

My heavy heart felt light again. I missed spending time with him, and I know he was trying hard not to bring up my work issue and I cherished that, because the last time we spoke about it, it did not end well.

I will tell him when I'm ready. I said to myself.

My dad and I took the served dishes to the living room where Alexa was busily typing away on her phone.

“Ohhhh! Pasta!”

“And here I was, thinking I was the foodie,” I said.

“I'm only a foodie when it comes to Mr. June’s food.” She replied.

“And I love it when you all have my meal.” My dad replied.

Time went by faster than we wanted. Thus the saying; time flies when you're with your loved ones.

“I'll miss you, sweetheart.” My dad spoke softly when he hugged me, kissing my hair.

“I'll miss you too. But I'll be back before you know it.”

Alexa hugged him after I did. Our rides came and we went our separate ways. I was back to my apartment, to myself again. Jerome wasn't home and I knew he wouldn't be home either. I went into the shower, getting calm by the water running down my skin, after that, I climbed into bed, ready for sleep to take over.

Alexa... she's got feelings for Jerome, but he doesn't. Isn't that kinda sad?

I hope y'all liked this one too. Don’t forget to comment because I love comments. And share with others as well. See you in the next chapter.