Sold?

A Bar...

I stood outside the underground bar entrance.

It was a bar…

She's working at a bar…

I entered the place and descended the stairs , as soon as people came into sight my eyes darted around in search of one specific person.

Azalea.

It didn't take me long to spot her but my speed significantly slowed down when I saw. Her figure came into view as I slowly walked ahead and the pillar blocking my view receded.

My heart beat slowly began to accelerate as my eyes followed her movement.

She was still as beautiful as ever. Long black hair, ocean blue eyes. Her curves that anyone could see along with her pale skin because she was wearing a cosplay cat costume for adults.

I gritted my teeth when I saw other men look at her with lust filled eyes but it angered me more when she touched them a little after serving them.

I mean, there was no need to do that!

Just give them their Goddamn serving and walk away!

I stepped forward as she finished at a table and turned around.

Her eyes landed on me and she froze in her spot, then smiled.

"Are you looking for a table?" She gestured towards a seat next to the counter, "If you're along you can take the counter seat sir."

I smirked sarcastically, "Sure." You want to play with me? " I'll take the counter seat."

She smiled as I walked towards the chair, "Will you be serving me?"

"If you want me to."

"Oh yes." I sat down, "I want you."

She paused at my moments for a brief moment then walked behind the counter, "I can only make some basic stuff, so what would you like?"

"I already told you." I placed my elbow on the counter and rested my chin on my palm, "I want you."

Azalea's smile faded, "I'm sorry sir, I'm already booked for tonight."

This time the grin on my face disappeared, "Booked… for tonight?"

"Yes. Maybe you can have me some other night." I felt my blood boil.

You finally appear after such a long time just to show me this?

She turned around and got me a glass and a bottle of wine, "Instead, is this fine?"

I clenched my fist, "Don't fuck with me Azalea." I stood up from my seat, "Who is it?"

She looked at me straight in the eyes, "Who?"

"Who are you going to spend the night with?"

"It shouldn't really concern you sir-"

"Stop! Sir? Drop the act will you? Why did you run away?" She didn't answer me, "Speak, Why did you just leave me without telling me you were pregnant?"

I saw the shock in her eyes, "How did you find out?"

"Answer my Goddamn question first!" She was about to turn and leave when I caught her wrist, "I want an answer."

She looked down on the ground, "I didn't want to lose the baby." She said quietly.

"What? Lose the baby? How? What even made you fear that?" I kept my grip on her tight but when she looked back at me, with that conflicted look in her eyes mixed with sadness my hold loosened.

"You." She answered, "I feared you."

"What…?" I let her go, "Why?"

She stepped back, "Because you didn't want a child and I didn't want you to reject her." She rubbed her left arm softly.

"Why-"

"Let me ask you something." She looked at me, "You would have asked me to abort the baby then if you knew, right?"

"What? !..."

"I remember the look on your face when you told me the child wasn't yours back in Paris. The relief on your face, those expressions of joy… Tell me honestly, think about that time, one and a half years back." She took a deep breath, "If you found out then, would you have asked me to abort the baby?"

I was at a loss for words.

There is no doubt that I never wanted a child.

I remember thinking that if I ever knew Macy was pregnant I would have gotten the baby aborted and no doubt was beyond relieved when I found that the child wasn't mine.

"Maybe…" I answered but looked down so I couldn't see her face.

I was too ashamed.

I saw her leave behind the counter from the corner of my eyes while I sat there devastated.

I looked at the bottle of wine, grabbed it and poured myself a glass.

Can I do something to make this right?

***

By the time I arrived back at the mansion night had fallen and I had developed a severe headache. It was probably because of the stress and guilt.

I dragged myself to the stairs and made my way to the fourth floor.

I was walking in the direction of my room when a voice halted me in my path.

It was the sound of Athena's giggling.

I turned my head towards the direction of her room.

She must be playing with Zara.

I turned around but didn't move.

My head felt heavy while my chest felt hollow but still I wanted to see her.

I walked to her room and opened the door.

Her room was decorated with pink and white themed colors. Her cradle was there by the window and Zara was trying to put her to sleep with the lights off.

The baby lamp was on but it didn't have much effect since the curtains weren't drawn and the moonlight came streaming in pretty heavily.

"Sir?" Zara looked at me concerned, "Are you alright? You look pale."

"I'm fine. You can leave."

"Uh-What about Athena?"

"I'll take care of her. Leave, and make sure no one disturbs me for the rest of the night."

She nodded and got up. After giving one last glance to Athena who was sitting in her cradle looking at us, she left and closed the door behind her.

The room was now only illuminated by the full moon yet there was a lot of light.

"Dada!" Athena raised her arms up for me and I smiled.

"It's time for you to sleep yet you're so full of energy." I walked to her cradle and picked her up in my arms.

She jumped around in my embrace, "Uuu." She pointed towards the window.

"You want to go there?" I walked to the window and she pointed at the moon, "It sure is shining majestically." I looked at Athena, "The moon."

"Ooon!"

She was very fascinated by it but since she was a baby her attention span was short lived and she turned to look at other things.

Her gaze landed on my shirt and her next target were my silver chest buttons.

She pouted, making her chubby cheeks swell a bit more as she started grabbing and playing with them.

She was beyond adorable.

I can't believe I used to think I didn't want a blessing like this.

"Athena…" I felt my legs get weak, so I slumped down against the wall next to the window, "I'm so sorry Athena…"

She looked at my face and kept staring at me in confusion, "I'm so sorry…" She brought her hands to my cheeks to wipe them dry, "Uwaa rya?" Even though the act warmed me it didn't stop my vision from getting blurry again.

"I'm so sorry for ever not wanting you...:"

I held her tiny arms in my hands and gently brought them down from my face.

"I'm sorry for not being there from the start…" I sniffled, "I just-" Words got caught in my throat, "I- I don't even know how it all happened…"

"Da," She tried reaching for my face again.

Her small hands wanted to wipe away the pain but I was hurting so much I didn't think it would be enough.

"I can't even blame anyone because I'm the one at fault. I was afraid… So terrified of the things that can possibly happen to you and it's not a lie that I still am." She looked back at me with a slightly open mouth, "But I guess that fear is over weighed by my love for you."

Is it because she's my daughter that I've grown so attached to her in just a few days?

I enjoy watching her play, love it when she crawls into my arms, it feels less lonely eating with her but most importantly. I love it when she calls out to me, dada, her incomplete words have such a strong impact on me.

I lowered my head, "I'm sorry," I took a shaky breath, "Forgive me for only thinking that only bad things could happen…"

I looked at Athena and let go of her arms, "Forgive your father Athena. He's a fool…" The moonlight made her eyes shine like lapis while she stared at me with a troubled expression, "I never knew," I shook my head lightly, "That such a small person could ever bring me so much joy… I'm so sorr-y" I felt my throat get dry.

She grabbed my shirt and pulled herself closer to me to give me a hug. Since she couldn't stand, all she could do was hug my stomach.

And honestly, it felt really cozy.

I held her and brought her next to my chest, she wrapped her small arms around my neck and laid her head next to my chest, listening to my heart beat.

"I want to make it up to your mom… I love her beyond words. Do you think I can do it?"

"Un!"

I smiled softly.

"I just hope she hasn't moved on from me. What will I do then?" I glanced down at Athena.

What if someday she comes and takes you away?

I noticed that she had fallen asleep.

I hugged her, "If that happens, there will be nothing left of me."