Hey! Jacque here! I've always had crazy thoughts. It's pretty nice how you laugh at the funny situations the characters are in. Thank you so much!

CHAPTER 7

"Daddy, I want chocolate," Ana pointed at the window of the bakery. There was this chocolate cupcake and her eyes glimmered when she saw that. I could almost see her mouth-watering from the sight itself. She's only eight years old, and chocolates are a big deal.

I checked my pocket and found a few nickels. These few dimes will be for our food and other needs. My heart clenched at the thought that I couldn't give her a simple chocolate flavored cupcake.

"I'm sorry, my little girl, but Daddy has no money."

She looked sad, but she held my hand tighter and said, "When you have money, you'll buy me one, Daddy?"

I sat down this time to level her innocent gaze. I kissed her forehead and promised, "You'll get all the chocolate cupcakes you want when Daddy finally has his money. I guarantee you that."

She held on to that promise and wrapped her small arms around my neck.

"I love you, Daddy."

"I love you too, Sweetie." She didn't see, but teardrops threatened. I wanted to give her the world, but the world rejected me from the moment I was born.

000

I woke up from a dream or a memory rather. My heart clenched at that pain of not being able to give her what she wanted. That day haunted me even up to now.

My phone was ringing, and I answered it sleepily, "Hello?"

"Ray, I am really sorry to bother you this late, but can you please pick my brother up from the club. I'll text you the address. I cannot attend to him because I'm dealing with . . . something here."

There was an oddity in his voice. Did I want to sleep? Yes. But did I want to lose my job? No.

"I'll be there, Sir. I'm going to pick up Sir Elliott from the club."

"Thanks. Appreciate it. This is paid."

With that, I had all the energy to get up and change into my corporate attire. I checked myself in the mirror and I looked fine enough. It's already one in the morning, and Ana's not around. A part of me wanted to ask where she went and fetch her, but I decided that my daughter must be having a good time. It's time she takes a relaxing night too. I trust her, and I know she isn't won't do anything stupid.

Aside from the corporate wear, Christian also provided me with a Mercedes Benz car. He said I needed it for emergency. Well, tonight's emergency.

I worked as a driver before, and I was good at it. It felt like heaven to drive this vehicle. From a truck to a luxurious automobile, I consider myself blessed.

Christian texted me the address and I went to the location using the GPS. The first time the female voice spoke, I almost had a heart attack. I thought it was a ghost. I ran out of the car and reported to Andrea that a ghost was inside the Mercedes Benz. She laughed and introduced me to GPS.

I was glad that Andrea just laughed it off.

I finally reached the club and when I got there, Sir Elliott was already being kicked out by the bouncers. I immediately ran to his aid.

"Sir, are you with this guy? He was throwing stuff! You must be grateful that we didn't call the police!" The bouncer complained, and I apologized over and over before taking the very wasted Elliott from him.

I placed him at the backseat of the car and checked Christian's text message once more. He sent me Elliott's number, so I used Ms. GPS to guide me to our destination. I have to admit: her voice is sexy.

Looking from the mirror, Elliott was lying down and mumbling the name "Kate" over and over again. The way I look at it, he was heartbroken. He was filled with regrets.

When we reached his home, I was beyond astounded. It was packed with security checks, and the architecture was very modern. It was a glass castle, if I were asked to describe it. It had three floors, and my jaw reached the underground. Then again, I realized that he's all alone, and no one's with him. I'd rather not live in this glamorous place if it would cost me the people I love.

I guided Elliott who was slurring words at me now, "What are you doing here? Why you do this, huh? I'm better off dead! You should've left me to die."

I know better than to talk to a drunk guy. I let him rest on his enamel white colored couch and there he picked his phone up from his pocket and dialed a number.

"Hello?" A woman answered. She was surprisingly awake at this time of night.

"Don't marry him, Kate. Don't marry him!" He was very repetitive. I stayed still because he was actually sobbing. Tears streamed from his face and he was far from the man I met earlier. From the composed man, he transformed into a sad, lonely, and heartbroken person. Maybe this was truly who he was.

From the other end of the line, I can hear the woman breathe. It was as if she's crying too, only silently.

"I am begging you, Kate. Do not marry him. Do not marry him!" He shouted and threw his phone away. It was cracked and not functioning anymore.

Instead of running to the phone, I sat by Elliott's head instead. If he were my son, I would drink with him. Now I knew that he needed someone to be with him. I patted him on the shoulder.

"If you were my Dad, you'd be happy I'm like this, huh? 'Elliott, why are you crying? You have everything. That's just a woman!', 'Elliott, stop crying. There is no reason to cry!', 'Elliott, you weakling, real men don't cry'."

I hushed him as if he were my son, "Elliott, it's okay to cry. I could tell that this woman means everything to you. You are not a weakling. You are in pain, so just cry."

With that, he held on to me like a little boy and kept screaming that Kate must never marry someone else. I stayed until he fell asleep. I took care of his broken phone on the floor and even left him medicine for his hungover tomorrow.

I left realizing that I am luckier than these rich people.

000

Ana and I hooked arms when we strolled the streets. I got money from work now, and it was a great time "chilling" with her, as she would call it.

I told her all about Elliott and how he got drunk because of a woman named Kate. She listened absentmindedly, and it got me worried.

"Is something the matter, dear?"

She shook her head and told me to go on with my talk.

"Another thing is that I went to Christian Grey's apartment! You should've seen the apartment! It was like a museum. I'll bring you there, next time. Although I got to warn you, it's haunted. Ana, I heard it! I heard the ghost of his dog bark. Dear, if I were Christian, I'd leave his apartment because it's scary. His dog, Cookie is haunting the place. Can you believe it?"

She gave me a rather forceful smile.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, Dad. Uhm . . . a random thought came into my mind. What do you say about me dating Christian Grey? Leila's got a huge crush on him so . . . we kind of talked about it."

"Young Lady, stay away from that Leila. She cannot bring you to dangerous boys."

"Dangerous boys?"

"Yes! Christian Grey is a dangerous man! Dear, if you date this person, you would be the loser. He'll treat you like nothing after he's done with you! Oh dear, stay away from him. Yes, he's my boss and he's a generous and kind superior, but as a lover? He's a leaver!"

"He is?"

"Ana, don't even think about it coming near him that way. Tell your fake friend to stay away from him too. He's very dangerous. He's the type of guy who'll get you pregnant in a one-night stand and won't support you when your baby grows up."

She smiled at me, "Okay, Dad."

"Enough about that. Christian with my baby girl? I'm not going to let that happen. Over my dead body!"

This time, my daughter laughed, and I told her to stay where she was. I quickly went inside the store and bought the one thing I wanted my daughter to have.

When I came out of the bakery, I gave the chocolate cupcake to Ana and she stared at me incredulously.

"Dad? You remembered?"

"Yes, Sweetheart. Daddy keeps his promises." No matter how long it's going to take.