"So you are suggesting I tell him the truth about his father?"

"No, not the entire truth, but enough for him not to remain curious. It won't harm him to know the dude is his father..." Amanda looked into her friend's watery eyes, her heart aching from seeing her in so much pain.

"I can't lie to him. I swear if I open my mouth to tell him about that wretch, I will spew everything... Maybe you should tell him yourself," She sat up with her hand to her head and walked to the window.

Amanda bit into her lower lip, knowing nothing she said would sink into her friend's head. Perhaps it would be good she told the boy about his father because she wouldn't want Daniel having the wrong idea about any of his parents due to their bad decisions. With that decision, she exhaled and went to stand beside Daisy and agreed. "I will tell him if he asks again."

"You will?" Hope bobbed in Daisy's eyes.

"Of course. He is my son too!"

They hugged so tightly, Daisy almost melted into the arms of Amanda.

That evening at dinner, there was an unhealthy silence on the table. From time to time, Amanda's lover would peek over her long lashes at Daisy who was having a hard time eating her porridge.

"Mom, I think Ella needs to go to the hospital," Daniel finally broke the eerie silence.

Daisy perked up and forced a smile on her face as her eyes flew to the chubby dog laying beside her son's legs as she inquired, "what is wrong with her, baby?"

"She has been drooling, and wouldn't eat anything." He complained sulkily.

"Oh," Daisy mumbled and took a closer look. She has been so carried away lately that we haven't even taken Ella for her weekly veterinary check. "I will take her to the veterinary tomorrow,baby."

"Okay..." he scooped food into his mouth, his eyes pinned on his friend. "Can I come, please?"

Daisy shook her head. "No, baby. You can...."

"Of course you can go with your mom, buddy!" Amanda chipped in, firing Daisy a stern glare. "Mom always wanted to take you with her around so you can catch the fresh air, isn't it, Dee?" She queried with a hint of 'don't you dare refuse' in her eyes.

Daisy, seeing Amanda would chew her alive if she turns the boy into a victim of her own fears, quickly bobbed her head with a fake smile. "Of course!"

"You see? settled!" Amanda clapped her hands and the boy giggled in juvenile vitality.

"So tomorrow, I will be going to the company to make sure that the dresses for the upcoming show are getting ready as planned, would you like to come?" Amanda chirped, asking her lover.

"Wow! You would want me?" The brunette's eyes skidded from Daisy to Amanda as though frightened Daisy would snap at her.

"I couldn't leave you alone here, can I?!"

"Doesn't she have a house or something?" Daisy interrupted their love eye combat.

The girl regained her composure and her eyes fell to the food in front of her in despair.

"She is from Argentina and was living with Ethan before, you know..." Amanda trailed off, fearing to say the avoidable. "So for now, she stays here." Her eyes met Daisy as though in a challenge. Daisy knows she could never tell her friend who to entertain in her house or not but she couldn't help but feel jealous.

For a long time, no one has claimed the space of Amanda's heart but her. Yes, Amanda had her tryst with different girls when she wanted but none moved in. It was just one-night stands or club quick bangs. And now, not only did this girl claim the heart of her ex husband, she also wants to claim her bestie's heart?

"I-I will go if I will cause any trouble!" The brunette sensing stiffness quickly offered.

"No!" Amanda hurried out and took her hand.

"Are you two like a thing?" Daniel asked with a red cheek.

"Daniel!" Daisy blurted with a disappointing glance at him. "Concentrate on your food, and don't get involved in adult conversation."

"But aunty Amanda told me it's not wrong to learn certain things at a certain age, isn't it, aunty?" The kid looked at Amanda who prayed for the ground to open and close on her that minute.

"Yes, darling, but can we skip the lesson over this one, okay?" she pleaded with him with her eyes.

"Okay..."

They were in silence afterward and the sooner they finished, Daisy dashed to the kitchen and kicked the maid out, believing the eye she spared Amanda before leaving the dining room should tell her she needed to speak to her immediately.

And the latter got the message as she appeared immediately.

"What was that about? You are now bringing her in to live with you? I thought it was just for fun?" Daisy attacked her.

"I like her," Amanda defended, "plus she has nowhere else to go. Won't you think me wicked to just let her go like that?"

"And you didn't bother to tell me? I am your best friend for crying out loud and right now I need you more than ever!"

"I know," Amanda took her trembling hands. "I will always be here for you, Daisy, I have always been haven't I? But, I need to also settle."

"Settle? You have two kids, isn't that enough?"

"I mean to find love... Till when am I going to continue jumping clubs and doing nightie?"

"I do..."

"Well, I think we will have to change that," Amanda wiggled her brow and Daisy pouted.

"I feel soon you will discard me and she will occupy every corner of your heart." She spilled her mind and Amanda broke down into a loud mirth.

"You are jealous! Oh my, I need a camera to keep this for posterity!" She brought out her phone and Daisy grinned, swatting her shoulder. "Seriously, dude, there is no need for that. You got married to Ethan, I never complained and it didn't affect our relationship, did it? Be happy for me and give her some chills so she won't feel uncomfortable. I really like her and I love you." She winked at Daisy.

"Well, soon the like might turn to love..."

"And yours would always be greater, don't be silly. Now you are acting like Daniel when you stop him from taking a cookie at Walmart!" Amanda quipped in mirth.

"Never!" Daisy joined in laughing. "Aww, you look so sweet in love..." She grabbed Amanda's shoulder and pulled her in for a hug. "Maybe I will try to like her a little bit."

"Just a little," Amanda implored.

"Mom, are you kind of a thing with aunty Mandy, too?!" Daniel appeared from nowhere.

"Son!" They both chorused, awestruck!

...