Melanie sat quietly at the gate of the school with her teacher, almost all the kids were gone and some even taunted Melanie that her parents had forgotten her. Once Havana stepped out of the car Melanie rushed to hug her, "Mom" She said loud enough for all those taunters to hear. Her words were more of an announcement and instead of calling mom, it seemed like she was saying "I've got a mom fools!".
'Mom?' Havana and Nolan thought, shocked.
Havana and Nolan looked at each other briefly and turned. The ride to Havana house was extremely quiet. "How was school today Melanie" Havana asked to lighten the mood of everyone in the car. "It was fine. I'll tell you all about it when we get home. Mommy won't you call me sweetie like you used to?" Melanie said as she watched Nolan's expression. This was a perfect opportunity to ruin their date and she didn't hesitate to take the opportunity. How did she know it was Havana's Boss, well, it was literally written on the logo he hanged in the car 'CEO OF LINUX CORPORATION'
Havana and Melanie were dropped off and Nolan drove home. He didn't know that Havana had a child...wait a minute, if she had a child why did she agree to the date? Oh well, at least they now have a topic to discuss when they get to the restaurant.
"Melanie what was that all about?" Havana asked Melanie when they entered into the house. "I was bullied for not having a mum in my early years of schooling and I don't want it to repeat itself. As you came to pick me up everyone assumed that you were my mum. Havana, can you pretend to be my mum..just for the mean time" Melanie said. This was not truly the reason why she acted like that in Havana Boss's car but it was the truth and when Havana nodded she was over the moon. To her Havana agreed to be her mum and it was not just for the meantime.
"Melanie when someone is bullying you, you stand up to that person and report to the school's officials. Don't give me that eye... Skylar was on a scholarship but you are not. Don't let bullies get the best of you, if they disturb you too much report them" Havana advised. Melanie nodded, she had finally gotten Havana's permission to beat up those fools. Tomorrow in school is going to be different. Skylar joined them in the parlour and they began to talk about that day's events. Melanie left out the bullies part, she'll handle that tomorrow.
********
"I'm so sorry for arriving late" Havana said as she took her seat opposite Nolan in the restaurant.
"No worries, it's totally my fault. I should have picked you up" Nolan said.
"No it's not..." Havana mumbled. She didn't want to start an unreasonable argument about who was to blame for her late arrival.
"Waiter" Nolan called and they both placed their order.
"So, about your daughter..." Nolan started
"She's not my daughter" Havana declared instantly.
"If she's your daughter, I don't mind actually. I wanted us to go on this date 'cause I need a girlfriend. You remember I told you about the company being a family thing..well, my grandad would be coming to the company tomorrow and he says I can't continue being the CEO if I don't get a partner. You were very smart to get that contract and I'm sure you'll make a good actress too" Nolan said.
"I don't know...." Havana started, she never liked relationships...they were stressful especially if the people involved are not in love.
"I'll pay you $200 per hour" Nolan said and Havana agreed. Nolan frowned inwardly, Havana was showing signs of a gold digger.
During the dinner Havana received a call which made her to get home quickly.
Here's what happened...
Skylar and Melanie were having dinner when a knock came on the door. Skylar went to check but she saw no one. "Weird... you also heard the knock right?" Skylar asked Melanie to be sure she was not hearing things and Melanie responded positively.
"I'll go check outside" Skylar said and left.
"I won't advise you to do that" Melanie responded but Skylar had already left the house.
Melanie came out of the house to see a bounded Skylar being dragged inside a van. Melanie scoffed, "Such stupid tactics for a low key kidnapping". They probably paid the people living in the compound to stay in their houses. Melanie took out a phone to call Havana and one of the abductors thought she was calling the police and grabbed Melanie, bundles her and threw her in the van with Skylar. Skylar's mouth was sealed but she was signalling Melanie to scream since her own mouth was free. "Help I'm being kidnapped" Melanie said ever so dryly.
*******
Havana didn't know what was going on but when she heard Melanie's hello, she knew something was going on in the house. She rushed back home to meet an opened apartment with no one inside, the dinner on the table was half eaten and cold. Havana realized that Skylar and Melanie were kidnapped. Suddenly a group of beggars came in and froze on seeing Havana. Bravely one of them spoke "We are here to rob this place". They had received news that an apartment had been abandoned by the owners and food was left inside so they took the opportunity.
"This is my apartment" Havana said to them and chased them out with her slippers. She had just locked the door when a sack was thrown over her head and she was carried into a vehicle. She screamed and kicked but her hands were bounded and her mouth was sealed. Turns out the beggars told their informant who came back to kidnap Havana.
Nolan was about to leave when he realized that Havana left her handbag since she exited the restaurant with her phone only.
"I better go give it to her" Nolan said being the gentleman that he is. He arrived to see her apartment key on the doormat. He knew Havana wasn't stupid to leave her apartment key on the doormat and then he knew something was up.
"Is this the police? I would like to report a case" Nolan said.