Scott was already at the resturant some minutes after nine in the morning, waiting eagerly for Anna to come walking through the doors. He hardly slept throughout the night as his thoughts were clouded with Anna. Memories of the past was what made him giddy. For the first time in years, he was nervous to meet a lady. He took his time to prepare his outfit and made sure to look nice.

   "Oh! Scott Ontario, you're here so early!" Jackie grinned as she walked up to him.

     "Good morning." Scott smiled up at her.

     "Good morning, what can I get you?" Jackie asked politely.

     "No, I'm fine." He smiled at her.

  "Just in case you change your mind, just go to the counter over there." She pointed towards the counter.

    "I will." Scott nodded.

   Jackie walked towards another table.

................................................................................

   "Hello Dee?" Anna had just arrived at the airport.

    "Are you home already?" He asked her.

   "Not yet. I just got to the airport, I'm about to take a taxi to Galway." Anna told him while pushing her carrier.

    Anna heard him sighed. "You know I could have arranged for you a more preferable and comfortable transportation, I wonder why you didn't want me to."

    "Dee.... It's fine. I'm not complaining about it."

    "Let me send someone to come get you at least."

     "No really, I've got this." Anna knew he had restrained reluctantly from not joining her on her flight back to Ireland since he was currently in U.S. 

   "Don't forget to call me when you reach home okay?" He told her.

    "Yes daddy..." Anna scoffed. She rolled her eyes on why he was acting like she was a child.

   He chuckled... "I really care about you a lot Anna, you and Isla."

     "I know that. I've gotta go now, my taxi has arrived." She told him as the taxi driver loaded her things into the trunk of his car. "Bye." She heard him say bye before she hung up.

      Anna sat at the backseat, looking at the  windows. She was thinking. Thinking of yesterday, thinking of Scott. She had so much emotions swirling in her but she couldn't voice it out. She wasn't the same naive girl she was years ago, she had a mind of her own and was never going to hide under someone's shadow. She never forgot how Scott ditched her, he was not there when she needed him the most, he pushed her away. He broke her heart. Even though she had moved on, her heart was never the same again. She became afraid to love or be loved.

    She got home, she was glad to be back. She missed her comfort zone and... Her baby.

      "Mommy!!!!" Isla screamed running to hug Anna.

    Anna was almost thrown off balance. "Munchkins!!" Anna hugged her tight, lifting her up. "Did you miss mommy? Huh? Huh? Huh?" She asked, accompanied with lots of face kisses on Isla's face. "Huh my baby?"

   Isla giggled. "Mommy... Mommy..." She couldn't stop laughing aloud. "I missed you so much."

     "I missed you more my sugar plum princess." Anna blew raspberries on Isla's cheeks before dropping her down.

    "Mommy I made a cake for you, it's really beautiful! Come on mommy!! Come on!!!" Isla pulled on her mommy's hand.

    "We're in no rush sweetie." Anna chuckled, being dragged by Isla.

     "Welcome home Anna." Syla smiled at Anna.

      "Thank you." She smiled back. "Peaches I want to give aunt Syla a hug, first."

     "She doesn't need a hug, she has had lots of hugs from me since you left." Isla said still pulling her mother towards the kitchen.

   Anna chuckled at Isla's response. "Have you been naughty Isla? Did you trouble aunt Syla?" She narrowed her eyes at Isla.

    "I was the best!" Isla grinned at her mom.

   "Are you sure?" Anna smiled down at her.

    "Yup! Let's go to the kitchen, aunt Syla won't mind skipping a hug." Isla kept on tugging on Anna's hand.

    Syla laughed... "You better go. I'll help you with your luggage." Syla told her with a grin.

     "Thank you." Anna thanked her. "Okay buttercup, let mommy see the surprise." She said, finally giving in to Isla who started running, holding Anna's hand.

    Anna got to the kitchen, and on the counter she saw a big cake, lots of pastries and balloons that spelt out welcome home mommy.

    She covered her face with her hand, trying to suppress her squealing. "You did all these for me?" Anna looked up from her hand, admiring the whole countertop.  "It's so pretty." She walked over to the counter. "Even if I was only gone for—"

   "Two weeks!" Isla completed. "Two weeks were two months to me. I know I had seen you two weeks ago but I really felt your absence." Isla told her.

   "Awww. I thought last time you wanted me gone because you complained I was getting too strict." Anna smirked at her daughter.

     "I don't want you gone anymore, I missed you too much." Isla pouted at her.

    Anna ruffled her little girl's hair. "Mommy's here now. I missed you more." Anna smiled before going to the sink to wash her hands.

    "I don't want you to leave anymore mommy." Isla followed Anna. "Tell Justin that you don't want to go away anymore." Isla said to Anna.

   Anna walked back to the counter. Maybe her leaving was affecting her daughter. Even though Anna made sure to come home at least once in two weeks since her transfer to America two months ago, she could feel her daughter was not happy about it. Two weeks ago, when she was to return back to the U.S, she got into an argument with Isla and Isla told her to go away.

     "Peaches..." Anna bent to Isla's level. "I know how you feel, but you know mummy has to work." Annna said to her daughter.

    "But you work so far away, we don't get to do the things we do anymore because you're not here." Isla sadly said.

    "My poor baby." Anna hugged her. "I'll make it up to you, I promise." She stroked Isla's long hair. "Please don't be mad at mommy."

    "I'm not mad, I'm only... Sad." Isla hugged Anna's neck.

     Anna pulled away... "Guess what? The toys you asked for, I got them for you." She grinned.

   Isla's eyes widened... "You did?"

  "I did! You can go check them out. They are all in the biggest blue suitcase." Anna said to her.

     "Wow!!! Thank you so much mommy!!" Isla placed lots and lots of kisses all over Anna's face.

    Anna laughed.... "You're... Welcome honey."

    Isla raced out of the kitchen leaving only Anna.

   She picked up a cupcake and had a bite. Her daughter had a thing for cakes and she knew how to make them taste right. God, she was just perfect. Anna heaved a happy sigh.

    "She's right." Anna heard from behind her.

    She turned only for her to see Syla. "Huh?" Anna placed down the cupcake.

   "I'm talking about what your daughter said. It's like choosing your work over her." Syla shrugged.

    "No, I would never do that to her." Anna frowned at the accusation.

    "You know what she said to me yesterday, Isla said she missed you and was feeling lonely. When I told her I was right there with her and that she had no reason to be lonely, she said maybe if her father was with her, maybe she wouldn't miss you too much." Syla spoke calmly.

     Anna tried to speak but her mouth kept opening and closing. For a fact, Isla would bring up the topic of her father once in a while but Anna would always find a away to avoid the topic. She knew Isla was smart and sensitive, she knew that Isla was always curious about her father, but Anna kept leading her away from the topic.

     "Isla is growing everyday, she can see what's happening around her. She knows that a family consist of a father, mother and kids, she's not stupid." Syla frowned at her.

     Anna finally found her tongue. "I can handle the situation, i always have."

    "I know. I just hope you don't regret depriving her of knowing who he is." Syla sighed.

     "That man doesn't deserve my daughter. He's not worthy to be Isla's father." Anna told Syla.

     "I've said this before, Isla doesn't have to suffer for the personal mistakes of her parents." Syla shook her head.

     "What if... What if he takes her from me? What if he rejects her?" Those were her two fears. "I don't want my baby to go through the same rejection I went through, I will not be able to handle it." Anna choked on her words.
🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀

     Scott glanced at his watch. It was already 1pm and Anna hadn't still shown up.

    He sighed... Maybe she knew he'd be waiting for her. "Excuse me," he called on a waitress.

     "Good afternoon Sir." The young lady smiled.

      "Can you tell me when Anna gets here? It's past one already." Scott asked the lady.

    She frowned at the name but suddenly she made a face of recognition. "Oh, you mean our boss?"

   "Ye-yes." Scott didn't know Anna was the boss.

     "Miss Windsor will not coming in today sir." The lady smiled.

     Scott raised a brow at her. "Why not?"

  "I'm not sure. Do you have an appointment with her?" The lady asked him.

     "Em... Yes... Yes I do." Scott nodded to her.

      "Maybe you should talk to her assistant, she can help you." The lady smiled.

    "Yeah, thanks." Scott nodded while the lady excused herself. She didn't come? Why? Scott rubbed his forehead.

    Just then Jackie saw him and walked up to him. "Mr Ontario, you're still here." She grinned.

   Scott looked up at her, before standing. "I'm on my way out already." He said to her.

     "Okay." Jackie nodded.

  "I wanted to meet Anna today so I came." Scott sighed sadly.

   "Oh, sorry. She isn't here." Jackie told him.

    "Would she be here tomorrow?" Scott asked her.

     "For the rest of the week, no. She has gone for a compulsory leave in Ireland."

    Scott furrowed in confusion. "I'm sorry, Ireland?"

     "Yes. That's where she stays with her family, she is only here because of this resturant." Jackie told him.

    "What?!" Scott couldn't believe it. "Really? Where, where in Ireland?" He asked curiously.

   Jackie gave him a look. "I'm really sorry, I'm not supposed to give out personal informations about her." She gave him an apologetic look.

    "No please, I really need to know." He said quickly.

     "I'm sorry. It's our policy." She said to him. "I just can't give you."

    Scott could not take another dead end. Why was the universe doing this to him?!

   Jackie noticed his flat expression. "I could give you her number?" She suggested. "Since it's business related... Right?"

     A ray of hope. "Please, please do." He got out his phone.

     He knew if he called and introduced himself to her, he'd frighten her away and then she would ignore him. So he had a better plan, he would call and when she picks, he would have the number traced. He was going to pay her a surprise visit in Ireland. He had already wasted precious time.
................................................................................

      Anna had been home for two days, she was wanted to make up for all the time spent away from her daughter.

       "Are you still looking for a job?" Anna asked Naraya who was playing a video game on her phone.

      They were in Anna's house, in the living room.

     "No luck yet." Naraya told her.

  "What if... What if you move in with me to America? You'll work with me. Please you have to say yes." Anna told her.

     Naraya looked away from her phone to look at Anna. "What?" Naraya frowned at her.

     "You won't have to pay for rent, I can do that. I'll pay you for working at the restaurant too." Anna said.

    "Really? You'd do that?" Naraya had a small smile. "Can I think about it... America is a big place, and moving is a big deal." Naraya told her.

     "Think about it, now that I've made up my mind that Isla is coming to stay with me, I need you —"

   "Oh my God. Isla is coming with you?" She widened her eyes at Anna.

    "Yeah. I want her with me." Anna nodded.

      "What about Syla?" Naraya asked.

   "Aunt Syla loves it here and no matter how hard I tried to persuade her, she always came up with a reason not to join us." Anna shrugged.

    "Hmmm. So, about that rent issue, I won't put all the burden on you because I will be living with you. We'd split it." Naraya pointed at her.

   "Yes we— wait!!" Anna widened her eyes. "You're coming?! You're joining us?" Anna left her mouth open.

     "I didn't say that baby girl." She scoffed. "Don't get excited yet." Naraya smiled at her.

     "You have to say yes okay?" Anna batted her lashes at Naraya while giving her a wide smile.

     "I have to think about it." Naraya rolled her eyes.

     Anna nodded, looking at the wall clock. "It's 2pm, aren't you going for your dance class?" She asked Naraya.

   Naraya chuckled, "I am." She stood up.

  "Make sure you think about my offer okay?" Anna carried a bottle of water from a side table before standing.

    "I will." Naraya chuckled.

    They both walked to the entrance hall.

    "See you." Anna hugged her cousin.

   "You too." Naraya patted Anna's back before pulling away.  "Byeee!" She said, opening the entrance door.

     Anna waved at her. "Tell your parents I owe them a visit." Anna grinned, watching Naraya leave the porch.

    "I will!" Naraya waved.

   Anna closed the door. She decided to check on Isla who was playing in her room. Just as she climbed a few steps, the door bell rang.

     "Did she forget something?" Anna said, going back down. She took a big gulp of water from the bottle as she walked to open the door.

     Anna opened the door, her eyes widened in great shock that the water she held in her mouth could not pass down her throat.

      "Hi." He smirked confidently.

   She spewed out the water from her mouth to his whole face, down to his suit.

     Scott closed his eyes. "Ugh." He said wiping out the remnant from his eyes. "Great way to welcome me." He said sarcastically, pulling out a handkerchief from his breast pocket.

    Anna was dumbfounded, just staring at Scott who stood before her.

   
    After he wiped his face dry, he gave her a warming smile. "So," he dramatically cleared his throat. "I'm Scott Ontario, I'm the new neighbor. I just thought to come by and say hello." He said to her.

     "Wha-what are you doing here?" Anna finally asked after finding her tongue.

    "I just said I recently moved across the street." He turned pointing at the mansion across. "I bought that property." He turned back to Anna. "Aren't you going to invite me in? Or.... Should I invite myself." Scott didn't wait for her answer, he pushed the door and went in. "Nice place." He said placing his hands into his pants pocket.

   Anna snapped out of her daze and quickly closed the door. "You can't be here, you can't be in here?" She frowned, walking up to him to stop him from going further.

Scott looked around, nodding his head. "Why not? Did you really think you could run Anna?" He turned back to look at her.

    Anna scoffed... "If you don't leave, I am calling the police." She narrowed her eyes at him.

    "Yeah right," he rolled his eyes. "I'm so scared." He taunted her. "You made it so difficult for me to catch you, why?"

     "Don't test my patience Mr Ontario." Anna glared slightly at him.

     "Mr Ontario?" He clicked his tongue at her. "You're right, a reunion won't do. Let's start over, I think that will be better." He told her.

    "Get out of my house." Anna hissed at him. "That's it! I'm calling the police." Anna snapped, retrieving her phone from her pant pocket.

     "Go ahead." He didn't seem moved by her threat.

      Just then, Isla walked down the stairs slowly causing Anna to halt.

      "Mommy, look at me." Isla said to Anna.

      Scott looked up at the staircase. He looked back and forth at Anna and Isla. He soon noticed Anna's nervousness, he took a few steps to the foot of the staircase.

       "Sc-Scott..." Anna stuttered nervously as she watched him stare at Isla.

      Scott stared at the little girl, wearing oversized jewelries around her neck, wrists and arms, she was also wearing an oversized gold strappy pumps, obviously Anna's shoes.

   He smirked at the girl and to his surprise, she smirked back.

     "Hey pretty girl." He said, staring at her.

   Isla kept staring back. "Hey, pretty boy." Isla smirked tilting her head to the left.