"Sure...I guess" I answered taken aback by this stranger's sudden request.

"Can we walk and talk?" Caden's voice was kind of a pleading one.

I didn't know why but I looked directly at Xander to find him looking back at me. Was I asking for his permission? Why would I ? A girl should do what a girl wants to do. Being deep in thought, I didn't notice that my husband was nodding his head at me as if allowing me to go with Caden.

It wasn't a show of submission. I just wanted to be nice to this friendly stranger next to me. I stood up and offered Caden a faint smile and he mimicked me. We walked few short steps in total silence. It wasn't a comfortable silence. It was plain wired. We were strangers and we didn't know what to talk about. God, I didn't even know why he wanted to talk to me...But I knew that he looked burdened with thoughts.

"I have a kid" Caden simply blurted while stopping next to a bench near the pool.

"A boy or a girl?" I asked excitedly while letting out a deep breath that I didn't know I was holding.

I love kids. You can guess so from my choice of career. My dad tried to pressure me into studying business and becoming his right hand in the company but I refused. I was passionate about helping and caring for people and kids just brightened my day.

Caden's dark eyes lightened when he heard my question and a small smile decorated his face now. He seems to adore this little kid of his. I love seeing proud loving parents but to my disappointment I will never be a mother. I will never be one because of my loveless marriage. I will never be one because my husband doesn't care about me. He will never accept starting a family with me. Here I am again for the second time this day being absorbed in my dark dungeon and unconscious.

"A baby girl" Caden replied with happiness clear in his tone.

"What's her name?" I asked trying to distract myself from those saddening ideas that colonized my mind today.

"Jenna or Ena as she calls herself" he chuckled and as if the scene of his daughter just ran in front of him

"Cute" I responded to this not knowing what I should ask or say next.

I gaze at Caden to see him still smiling as if he just connected with his little girl. A feeling of admiration rose in my chest, I admired parents who not matter how hard they work they will still spend time with their kids. Caden seems like a really nice guy and to be a parent at his age must be a challenge but he makes it seem so worth it.

"Caden what is the favor?" I asked hurriedly too anxious to wait.

"Jenna, I want you to come and meet her and if she is comfortable around you I will sign her in your kindergarten" Caden said in a pleading tone again

"Not to be rude but why don't you just bring her Monday to my class?" this question escaped my lips and I was wishing that I won't sound uptight or something.

"I tried to sign her up in a kindergarten before but she cried her heart out for a week and then started to develop a sleeping disorder which drove me insane. I had to go to work without getting any bit of sleep for two days. Jenna isn't that social. She grew up with a runaway mom and a workaholic dad. I am trying my best to keep my Saturdays and Sundays off just to be there for her while she grows. But my mum is an old lady and she cannot take care of Ena till then..." Caden said while passing his hand through his hair. He looked troubled yet always loving and caring.

"But what if she does not accept me ? And how old is she?" I asked nervously thinking about the hardships that Jenna had to go through.

"She is becoming three in two months and it cannot hurt to try, right?" Caden uttered hopefully and I nodded right away making him smile and hug me. I was surprised by his sudden action, and a blush creped in my cheeks as I stiffened but him noticing this he let go of and apologized saying that he was just too excited to find someone willing to help.

"It is okay. I was just surprised." I assured him that there is no need to apologize and I saw him smile widely. Was it because I decided to help or because I looked funny blushing?

"I asked Xander beforehand. And he told me that if he decided upon you, you will probably hunt him down." Caden said chuckling

"I will probably will." I agreed nodding and smiling widely.

The mentioning of Xander's name brought his image to my mind again and I wondered what was he doing right now? Probably he is flirting with anything that moves. That thought made the scene from today display in front of me again. Why should I care for Xander's passionate adventures! Why?

"You are thinking of him?" Caden's question was so abrupt, to the point and frank that it physically shocked me. My head was shot up and turned to study Caden's dark eyes.

"Who?" I tried to play stupid

"Come on El ! I know that you are smarter than this" Caden replied with a playful smirk

"I was actually think about Jenna and if she will accept me or no" I fluently lied knowing that the mention of his daughter's name will distract him

"I have a feeling that she will. So don't be stressed" Caden assured as he stood as if asking me to join the rest of the group so I did the same.

Our walk back was anything but awkward and boring this time. We actually continued to talk about Jenna; her favorite colors, foods, pets, Disney shows And Caden also took interest and asked about my classes and job. Talking to him felt good as if he is an old friend of mine. I smiled knowing that I gained a friend.

But this happiness was shortly lived. As we reached the group I saw the earlier mistress of my husband, Linda, on his lap again. Didn't her parents teach her that we use chairs and not people to sit on? The now familiar pain stabbed my heart. I gazed at my husband's feature and found his hand circling the girl's waist. He wanted her to be here, to stay there on his lap. And since we are wedded just by name why should I care? Puzzlement mixed with anger filled my soul.

Yet, Caden as if deciphering my feelings, took a hold of my hand and looked at me sweetly as if asking me to let my anger go and just enjoy the evening. I needed Caden's calming eye right now and that's why I kept looking at them. I held his hand tighter and our eyes battled silently. I wanted to throw a tantrum at Xander and how he can humiliate me like this by bringing and claiming his bitch in front all of his friends. He didn't care for me at all. So why should I not humiliate him?

A sudden voice cut me out of my thoughts. It was the sound of someone clearing their throat. And as I broke my gaze with Caden, I found the stormy eyes of my husband glued to mine. His orbs were as confused as mine. He looked as if he was fighting some demons of his. But why should I care?

I went back to my old spot in front of Xander and Caden sat beside me. I tried to keep my gaze away from that of Xander's. I won't look at him or else he would have to suffer the consequences. Yet, my stupid husband had to call my name.

"Ella, you already met Linda." Xander introduced

"Hi" I replied shortly and that stupid bimbo just nodded at me and studied me from head to toe disgustingly.

"So? Did you guys agree?" Xander asked again

"Yes, we did" Caden responded happily yet throwing Xander a dirty look

"I am going to visit Caden tomorrow " I said abruptly not knowing why or what I was trying to prove.

"Cool" Xander said coldly and then turned his attention fully to his friends; Ignoring Caden, Linda and me