Eden was breathing heavily on her way back to her mother's apartment. No doubt Lionel was there to cause her nothing but trouble and now she couldn't even breathe as her daughter was involved. It wasn't a surprise for her that Lionel got a court order so quickly but what did shock her was that he wasn't bluffing and for some reason was interested in seeing and getting to know Mia which was never the case before.
She got to her mother's apartment and payed her fare. She rushed towards the gates when her eyes landed on his Porsche that was parked a few steps away from where she was standing. Her breathing increased and wandered what was going on inside the house.
She calmed herself down not willing to show how defeated she was at the moment before she increased her walking steps straight to the apartment. She was already hearing her mother's loud voice all the way downstairs. It was evident that they were arguing in there and Eden only hoped the neighbors don't complain because of this.
Again the apartment issue made Eden to recall how her mother had lost her job which was also what payed the rent for their stay in the apartment. She felt so useless with herself and only hoped she will not disappoint Souqeline tomorrow night. She needed the job especially with Lionel around. A part of her was still a little relieved that he hadn't filed for custody case yet and only a court permit to see Mia but she still didn't let that calm her mind down. She knew Lionel was full of surprises.
She quickly reached and was in front of the door before she pushed it open to spot Lucia blocking Lionel with her hands from entering Mia's room.
"Oh Eden, you're finally back from work early. Look at this cheap bastard here claiming he has every right to see Mia." Lucia glared at Lionel who then chuckled loudly at Lucia making her to narrow her brows and frown. "I clearly didn't remember cracking a joke." She was annoyed.
Lionel then turned to Eden and walked over to her. "Don't tell me your mom doesn't know about you being jobless?" He asked and Eden felt like hitting his head against the wall. Why did he have to be like this and so uncivilized right now and not caring about the situation. Eden turned her eyes to face her mother whose eyes held lots of questions within. Eden felt terrible and wished Lionel wasn't related to her through Mia.
She chose not to say anything about loosing her job as she was sure she would receive a call from another big company but to her dismay it never came and now she was banking on getting a spot among the makeup artists and hair stylists in Souqeline's team.
"What is he talking about? You're jobless? That certainly can't be true." Lucia shooked her head but Eden's silence and her refusal to look into her eyes as confirming it to be true.
"And the company which she was to work for was actually my own company and she was supposed to be my personal secretary but look she refused the job and now she's out there without a job and so are you." Eden quickly turned to look at him after he spoke those last words out of his mouth. She narrowed her eyes at him and it all made sense to her. Maybe it wasn't the manager who fired her mother but probably on someone's orders. She gave Lionel a glare. She didn't want to jump into conclusions but at the same time couldn't put it past Lionel.
Mia's cries erupted from her room and Lionel's gaze darted straight to her room. He took quick steps towards the room but Lucia forbade him again from entering her room.
Lionel's face hardened as he gave a hard glare towards Lucia who returned to him as well with her own glare. "Let me pass Mrs Lucia. I have a permit from the judge and believe me you don't want any more trouble from the law." He threatened her and turned his neck to face Eden. "Tell her. It will be better if you don't push me otherwise you know what will happen."
Eden gritted her teeth in anger. The nerve of him to dare threaten her and her mother when he wasn't even there during the first three years of her daughter's life. She went past him and stepped into Mia's room to pick her up before cuddling her. Mia stopped crying the moment she saw Eden.
She stepped out from the room and stared at Lionel whose hardened face softened the moment he later eyes on Mia. Mia also stared at him weirdly, after all this was the first time she had seen him.
"My.. angel." Lionel walked closer and Lucia tried again to restrict him from passing by her but Eden held her shoulders and gestured towards Mia being present. The last thing Eden wanted was to be having issues with the law and which made her chances slim. She would prefer to have Lionel visit than try to file for custody.
Eden gulped before walking further and slowly handed Mia over to Lionel who already had his arms spread and wide open to receive Mia. Mia frowned instantly and threw herself back to her mother's arms wrapping and tightening her hold around Eden's neck.
Lucia immediately grinned and looked at Lionel holding a mocking glare. She walked to him while folding her arms. "Such a shame and pity. Tch...your own daughter doesn't even want to be in your arms. This is what you get for being a terrible dad."
Lionel bit his cheeks as Lucia's words were like daggers stabbing his chest. He didn't want to admit it but her words bothered him. He turned to meet Mia who took only little glances before hiding her face against her mother's neck.
Eden caught the glint of sadness in Lionel's eyes which was completely unreal to her. Was he only acting up or being sincere. She couldn't tell but chose to believe he was pretending to act up.
"Mia? My angel. Look what I got for you." Lionel placed his finger in his right pants pocket and brought out a tiny box. Eden's eyes narrowed at the box which Lionel showed a now curious Mia. Lionel smiled softly seeing those curious eyes landing on the small box.
Lionel opened the box and Mia's eyes sparkled seeing the shining little bangle that had gold and little pieces of diamonds plated on the sides. Lionel smiled seeing how Mia's eyes didn't divert from the bangle. Lucia hissed before she rolled her eyes. "Trying the tactic of wooing Mia with expensive and shiny stuffs."
Mia spoke something which couldn't be placed together into words and giggled before wiggling her hands towards the bangle. What excited the three years old girl was the light that was illuminating from the gold and diamonds on the bangle.
Lionel took the bangle out and held Mia's hand which she didn't protest this time. Eden gulped seeing her daughter attracted to the bangle and knew Lionel could use all sorts of expensive and shining gifts to have his way to Mia.
Lionel wore the bangle on Mia's little arm and kissed her hand before looking at Mia lovingly. Lucia was getting irked by Lionel's tactics and was even more annoyed that the little girl was mesmerized and drawn to the bangle. Well can you blame the little girl?
Mia giggled and Lionel offered once again by stretching forth his hands towards Mia. Eden widened her eyes seeing Mia happily spread her arms and slowly got into Lionel's arms. Lionel sighed deeply feeling his heart getting warm as soon as Mia's little body made contact with his.
Eden watched in silence seeing Lionel cuddle and play with Mia. He was acting like the perfect father that always appeared in her dreams which also made her smile at times. But now the feeling wasn't the same and this time she feared loosing Mia seeing Lionel being more interested in Mia now.
Just then a knock was heard and Lionel's eyes went to the door before a smirk was laced on his lips. Eden's heart raced and went towards the door to open it. Her face narrowed in confusion seeing the tall elderly man who would be in his late forties at her doorstep.
"And you are?...."
"Good evening madam. Am Gerald Forger and Mr Bluebird's lawyer." Eden's eyes widened. She wandered if there was a need to bring his lawyer to her house. She had obeyed the court order and allowed Lionel to see Mia. The man at the door smiled at her before Lionel's voice interrupted. "Please come in Mr Forger."
Eden gave him a wandering and a questioned look but Lionel who held Mia in his arms while Mia played with her new bangle completely unaware of the situation smiled at his lawyer.
Mr Forger walked into the apartment and stood by Lionel before wearing a smile at Mia. The little girl was an angel no doubt and could easily make anyone smile. Lucia kept staring at the lawyer and back to Lionel. "And why are you here Mr? Let me guess, you're here with another surprise for us. Lionel showing up was the first one and now...." Lucia shooked her head while rolling her eyes.
Eden clearly didn't like the visit from the lawyer and knew they were going to get the shock of their lives tonight. Her palms were sweating out of anxiety as she looked at Lionel who held Mia softly while rubbing his nose with hers. Something pushed her, her legs on their own walked towards him and her chest heaved.
Lionel looked at her now and narrowed his eyes at her. Eden gulped before her eyes darted to Mia. "Please don't separate her from me Lionel. I beg of you."