TWENTY-EIGHT

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There was banging at the door that immediately woke me up. I stood up from the bed and grabbed my robe. I slipped on my night shoes before hurrying down. Lauren slowly came down the steps with an annoyed look.

"What's that noise?"

"How am I suppose to know?" I sighed.

The banging intensified.

"Oh my God, where is Tobias?" Lauren said.

"He's at the gym, I think. Is it five?"

"Yes. Look through the peephole and see."

"Why do I have to?"

"Because I'm over here. Look, there's a bat by the door."

I grabbed the bat before looking through the peephole. I squinted before opening the door. A young boy sat on the ground with a bookbag and a piece of paper in his hand. He looked up at me, his vibrant blue eyes.

"Hello? Who are you?" I questioned.

"What?"Lauren walked towards the door. "Little boy, where are your parents?"

"My mommy said that my daddy lives here. She left this."

"Your dad?" Lauren chuckled. She looked at me. "Is this a joke?"

"I don't know." I furrowed my eyebrows. "Come here."

I pulled the kid in before closing the door.

"What's your name?"

"Theo." He shyly said. "You're very pretty."

"Well, uh, thank you. Can I see that note?" I questioned. He nodded before handing me the folded piece of paper. I quickly unfolded it.

"Read it out loud," Lauren said.

"Duh." I rolled my eyes. "Dear Tobias, we have a son. I'm sorry that you found out this way, but I didn't know how to face you. I will be picking him back up in two days, but I thought you should decide if you wanted to be in his life before I file for child support. Theodore is four, also this is Jalena."

"No way this kid is his. Little boy-"

"My name is Theo." He furrowed his eyebrows.

"Right, Theo. Where is your mom?"

"I dunno. I'm hungry, miss, do you have any mac and cheese?" He looked up at me.

"Uh." I looked at Lauren for help

"I'm going back to sleep." Lauren shrugged before walking up the stairs.

"Sorry for my manners, what's your name, miss?"

What a respectful kid.

"Athena"

"Alrighty, well miss Athena, do you have mac n cheese?"

"How about we go check," I said before walking away. He stood in his place while looking at the ground. I walked back over towards him and bent to his level. "Everything okay?"

"Miss Athena, I usually go uppie with my mommy."

"Uh, fine." I picked up the toddler before walking to the kitchen. I placed him down in the chair before walking toward the fridge. I opened it and quickly scanned it. "Looks like no mac n cheese."

"Well, how about grilled cheese? My mommy makes it with bread and cheese."

"I could do that." I nodded. "You said bread and cheese? That's it, I thought grilled cheese had more."

"Nope!" He wiggled happily in his seat.

I gathered the ingredients and set them on the counter. What to do first?

"Woah, never in a million years would I expect you to be up this early." Kaleb chuckled while walking into the kitchen. He sat down the bag of groceries and sighed. "Who's the child?"

"I'm Theo!" He exclaimed.

"Well hello, Theo!"

"Someone dropped him off. They're claiming like he's Tobias' kid." I sighed. "He wants a grilled cheese."

"Coming right up." Kaleb nodded. "So."

He lowered his voice.

"How are you holding up? We were worried sick about you."

"I'm okay." I nodded. "We can chat more later."

He nodded.

"Theo, let's watch television while Kaleb cooks."

"Okay! Uppie!" He held up his arms.

I picked him up and walked towards the living room. I sat him down on the couch and began flipping through the channels.

~
"This is amazing." Theo smiled while eating the sand which.

"Glad you like it."

"I expected breakfast to be served to my bed. I guess I have to do it myself." Lauren sighed. "Where's my plate?"

"Here." Kaleb placed it down.

"Miss, are you going to eat with us?"

"No."

"Well my mommy said that everybody should eat at the table together." Theo frowned. "Miss Athena is eating."

"I don't care." Lauren huffed before walking out.

"I don't like her." He shook his head.

"I don't either," I whispered causing him to giggle.

"Good morning." Tobias walked in. He grabbed his plate and placed it down on the island. "Looks delicious Kaleb."

"Hello!" Theo exclaimed.

"Hey? Who's kid?"

"Allegedly, yours." I chuckled. "This is Theo."

"What?" He stood up walking towards us. He looked at the toddler. "Who's your mom, Theo?"

"Jalena." He responded. "That other lady is not nice."

"Jalena." Tobias scoffed. "Of course."

"Whose Jalena?" I questioned.

"I know." Kaleb mouthed. I nodded.

"Nice to meet you, Theo. If you don't mind, I have to get to work, but lovely Athena and Lauren will take care of you."

"I have work too!" I exclaimed.

"I know, but I have an important meeting. I can't watch him."

"Can I please you with you, miss Athena? I don't like Lauren." Theo begged. "Please."

"Sure."

"Thank you, I owe you big time!" He smiled. "And I'll be taking him to get a paternity test."

"What's that?" Theo questioned.

"Candy land. Theo, I'm going to get dressed. Just wait right here with Kaleb."

"Okay!"

~

"Athena! We were worried sick and who is this kid?" Valeria questioned.

"Allegedly It's Tobias'. I got stuck babysitting." I sighed. "And he only goes 'uppie'. He hates walking."

"Look how cute he is. How long has he been asleep?" Valeria questioned.

"He just fell asleep. I'm gonna lay him down on my couch. Where's Lotus?"

"Athena Love Solana, I could kill you." Lotus walked up to us.

"I'm sorry, I know. A lot happened and I needed to getaway. What's the schedule for today?"

"Who's child?"

"Maybe Tobias'." I sighed.

"Okay. Today is pretty clear except social media strategizing which Valeria handles. We have a final design and a material meeting."

"Great." I nodded. "Okay, I'm gonna lay him down, alert me thirty minutes before the first meeting."

Lotus nodded. I walked towards the office and placed Theo on the couch. My phone buzzed and I picked it up.

"Hello?"

"How's he doing?" Tobias questioned.

"He's sleep." I sighed. "I still don't understand why I'm stuck watching him."

"I know and I'm sorry, I promise I'll watch him tomorrow. I scheduled a doctor's appointment then."

"Alright." I sighed.

"See you later."

"Bye."

"Miss Athena!"

"Yes, Theo?" I questioned.

"I have to potty." He pouted.

"Let's go." I sighed.


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