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.

with dark desire and betrayal in them just this morning were exactly the same as hers but hers were filled with innocence and

"What is his name?"

didn't even have to know who she was

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

replied, this time with the truth,

her eyes

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

arms tightened around her and I replied,

"Good night, Mama."

and looked up

puckered my lips and brushed it

"Good night, my angel."

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

the

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

arms, cared for

closed my eyes only for them to pop back open when my phone indicated an

little angel attached to me and picked up my

unlocked it, his text appeared on

"Open the door."

the three words on the

if I should reply to

I didn't, he would think that I was

just then, "Open the door or I'm going

my reply,

mother just

Go away."

"I am waiting."

teeth and looked at the sleeping angel by

I slid out of the bed and tucked

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

out into the hallway and made my way

peephole and

the door, little

you're standing

breath at his deep voice and the way he said

"Little girl…"

Oh god.

lips, I cleared my throat and said, "Mom

let you

don't want you

in your

which made me frown

He was talking oddly.

girl… I want to take you upstairs to

he slapped his hand on the door, it wasn't loud but it made me jump all

"Little girl?"

start banging loudly and wake up both the other

opened the door and my eyes fell on him,

shirt, wearing only low hung pajamas looking like he had just walked

are you doing here,

why are you

arm circled my waist and pulled me closer

"Kristian!"

"Hush… We don't want your mother