Chapter 28: Chapter 28

First date,(sort of)

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Narrators pov

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Anthony and Emma left the mansion for their own home a few minutes past nine at night. He was happy to see his family again and looked forward to his date with Elena. He didn't know if she had remarried or not but he noticed she still had her wedding ring on.

For what it was worth, he hoped to get back his wife and child if they were willing to come with him. But, he would understand if Elena wasn't interested in the marriage again.

He hadn't intended to stay away for ten years but each time he thought about coming back he changed his mind and postponed it to a later date and months grew into years and years accumulated to ten years.

"Are you happy that you met your mum today?" Anthony asked his daughter who sat silently in the car as he drove. He knew she had a lot on her mind to process too, the whole situation was a mess literally.

"She is so beautiful and lovely," Ava replied, she took an instant liking to her mum and would love to spend quality time with her. Since she was a child she had always wondered what it would be like to have a mum and now that she had met Elena she didn't want to part ways with her ever again.

"What of Ava, why didn't you tell me about her. You talked about your other friends except her."

"She was too mean to me, so I didn't think it was necessary to talk about someone you weren't friends with."

"That's a fair point." His eyes focused on the road "But why did you reject her doll even though I asked you to take it."

Emma wove her fingers "No reason Dad, I have a lot of dolls already." She wasn't about to take anything from Ava, at least not yet. She knew Ava would tell the whole school how she gifted her a doll and would make it seem as if she doesn't have a doll of her own.

Anthony didn't linger on the topic again but drove straight home, thankfully there was no traffic on the road. He thought about Elena and their date tomorrow all the way home.

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"You look, good mum. Daddy is waiting for you to hurry up." This was the third time she came to the room to get her mum.

Elena checked herself up the umpteenth time, she was never indecisive about what she wanted to wear because everything fitted her perfectly but tonight was different.

The only man she had loved was downstairs after so many years of not seeing each other, she didn't know how to act before him. Her self esteem had been affected greatly by what happened

"Here she comes. Daddy isn't she beautiful."

Elena blushed so hard, she wished the floor would open up and swallow her.

"She is. You look good Elena." Anthony said she had always been beautiful and had aged gracefully over the years.

"Thank you, Anthony."

"You're welcome. Shall we." He held out his hands to her which she took gracefully and they left the house.

They drove in silence to the restaurant, Anthony had called earlier to book a table for them. The restaurant wasn't crowded and that was what they both needed, a place to eat, talk and if possible start their healing process.

The ambiance was warm and the restaurant was dimly lit. The settings weren't romantic but friendly and cozy.

Elena admired Anthony's self-confidence as they walked into the restaurant and took their seat. He had surely grown and done well for himself, they both ordered the same food which had always been their favorite, and waited for the waiter to bring their food.

"I don't know if I've told you this but look breathtaking."

"Thank you, you don't look bad yourself."

They ate in silence for some minutes both savoring the food before them. "Are you seeing someone else, Elena? I'm sorry for being straightforward and I won't judge you if you are. It has been so many years already." Anthony looked at his wife as he waited for her response. He hoped she wasn't seeing anyone, he had been celibate all this while and hopeful they would get back together someday.

Putting her fork down she looked him straight in the eyes before replying "No, Anthony. I'm not seeing anyone at present, not that I wasn't asked, but I was too broken to start a relationship."

"Oh!, I'm sorry."

"You shouldn't be, I played a part in our separation. Are you seeing anyone?"

"No, I'm not."

"Did you ever consider a divorce, I was scared you might have divorced me by now." Anthony scooped a spoonful of their chocolate cake dessert into his mouth.

"I was going to file a divorce on Monday."

Swallowing hard "Are you still going ahead with it."

"I don't know Anthony." Her voice shook

"I want us back."

"Why, Anthony." Her eyes filled with tears. The atmosphere in the restaurant suddenly felt cold. She had so many doubts in her.

" For us, for our girls."

"Is that all?" Elena whispered barely audible, the food before her didn't look appetizing again.

"Yes," Anthony replied confused at her response.

"Can we leave now, I feel unwell."

Signaling for the waiter, Anthony paid the bill and they left.

The strain between them could be felt till they arrived. "I will call you tonight."

"Please don't," Elena replied and almost ran to her room before locking herself inside.

Mr. Badmus saw everything and knew it was time to talk to his child.