Blackmailed For Love

My mother was back home.

She was feeling a little drowsy from all the medicines but no one woul even guess that from how Anna and her Gammy had greeted each other.

One would think that instead of just a day they had been separated for a month.

1 I smiled as Anna regaled her grandmother with all the details of what she did downstairs with Bianca.

was pleased to know that my daughter had hit it off with her babysitter, who was really a nice girl.

"Come on, it's time to go to bed."

I said as I stood from the chair I was sitting on while my little angel went on and on about the new friends she made.

Walking to my mother, I kissed her forehead and whispered, "Good night."

I looked at my daughter and said, "Tell Gammy good night and come here."

Anna pouted even though she was blinking hard and there was exhaustion in her eyes.

"But, Mama, I missed Gammy."

"And, she will be here tomorrow.

Come on, then…"

I rounded the bed and held my arms open for her.

She pouted but turned to her grandmother and kissed her forehead.

"Good night, Gammy."

"Good night, my angel."

My mother replied, caressing her head in a loving gesture.

Anna stood up on the bed and padded toward me.

I engulfed her in my arms and she said, "You know, Mama I'm too big now."

I kissed her cheek, pretending to eat her soft cheek.

She let out a high pitched giggle and I said, "My angel will never be too big…"

1 She circled her arms around me and laid her head down on my shoulder.

I could feel that she was going to fall asleep in the next ten minutes.

When we reached the bedroom, I made my way straight to the bathroom.

I sat my angel down on the counter and said, "It's brush time."

Without saying anything, she held out her hand for her toothbrush like the good girl she was.

It was when we both were sliding under the covers and she had her face buried in my chest, she asked, "Mama, can I ask you something?"

"Yes, baby…"

I caressed her dark hair, marveling at the gift god had given me even though most of the time he ignores my prayers, I will always be grateful for her.

She looked up and met my eyes.

them just this morning were exactly the same as hers but

"What is his name?"

have to know who she was talking

she talked about a 'him', it was her father she wanted

my lips and replied, this time with

closed her

my body and asked her next question, "Will I ever meet

her

"Good night, Mama."

said and looked up

and brushed it

"Good night, my angel."

though I felt exhausted my eyes refused to close and fell asleep, all I could think about was him as my mind played out what had

couldn't forget the look

looked so furious and vulnerable like he hated how much I had hurt him and how much I still

arms, cared for me until he had gone back

only for them to pop back open

jostling the little angel

I unlocked it, his text appeared

"Open the door."

the three words on the

I

didn't, he would think that I was

came just then, "Open the door or I'm going to ring the doorbell

quickly typed back my reply, "Are you insane? It's close to

mother just

Go away."

"I am waiting."

at

of the bed and

the robe from the chair and pulled it on over my camisole

and made my way toward

through the peephole and yup there he

door, little

you're standing right behind this

a breath at his deep voice and the way

"Little girl…"

Oh god.

my lips, I cleared my throat and said, "Mom

can't let you

you

in your

soft scoff which made me frown

He was talking oddly.

little girl… I want to take you upstairs

door, it wasn't loud but it made me jump

"Little girl?"

the door or he would start banging loudly and wake up

eyes fell on

hung pajamas looking like he had just walked out of

you doing

why are you not

strong arm circled my waist and pulled

"Kristian!"

We don't want your mother to wake up,