Heartbeat by Iem_Aivlis

EMILY POV

Finally my work is done. I immediately walked out after I finished changing my clothes. While carrying my bag and paper bag, I started looking for Abigail. But I can't find my daughter. Has she come home yet? I better call Aunt Jane to see if Abigail is home yet. I started looking for Aunt Jane's phone number after I took my cell phone out of my bag.

"Hello, Em." Aunt Jane's voice was heard after a few moments.

"Aunt Jane, I met Abigail earlier, but because I'm working so I don't know where she is now. I wonder, has Abigail returned home yet?" I explained my purpose for calling Aunt Jane.

"Wait a moment." Aunt Jane replied to me.

I heard footsteps and the sound of the door opening. Maybe Aunt Jane was walking out to see the condition of my house.

"It looks like your house is empty. Abigail is probably still at the mall. How could your daughter come home without you? Earlier Abigail asked my permission, she said she wanted to go to the mall to celebrate her birthday with you. So Abigail must still be at the mall waiting for you to finish your work." Aunt Jane explains Abigail's purpose for coming to the mall.

Aunt Jane's explanation made me feel even more guilty. My daughter must be disappointed in me. I walked towards the exit of this mall. Maybe I'll find Abigail there.

"Okay then, Aunt Jane. I'm going to look for Abigail. Thank You." I immediately hung up the phone after hearing Aunt Jane's reply.

But, would it be better if I waited for her at the place where I last saw Abigail? What if my daughter comes back to look for me while I'm out of this mall?

"Mom." I heard my daughter's voice.

Currently the mall is empty of visitors. Only a few mall staff are inside the mall because it is time for the mall to close. I stopped my steps when I heard Abigail's voice. I turned around to look for my daughter. I saw Abigail walking towards me. Carrying a plastic package as he approached me.

"Baby, where did you go earlier? I'm sorry. Mom, promise won't embarrass you again." I said as I bent down to hug my daughter.

"No, Mom, Bie should be the one apologizing for not understanding your situation, Mom." My daughter said to me while mentioning her nickname. Only the closest people call my daughter 'Bie'.

"No baby. You're not wrong, it was Mom who lied to you. Don't be angry anymore, okay? Mom promised that tomorrow night would be her last day doing that job." I explained to my little girl.

Because tomorrow night is my last day of giving out gifts. Or you could say tonight because it's already past midnight. So today is Christmas.

"Mom, let me introduce you, he is..." Before Abigail could finish her sentence, a grown man had already reached out

"Christ." Said the man while waiting for me to shake his hand.

Since when was this man here?Because I was too focused on my little daughter, I didn't realize there were other people here besides us. He was the man who came with Abigail, wasn't he? It turns out he kept his word to help me find Abigail. He is the man I met this morning. But how did Abigail get to know this man? Even though this man gave me a bad impression at our first meeting, I still have to thank him for helping me find Abigail.

"Emily. Thank you for finding my daughter, Sir." I said politely to him while shaking his hand.

As our hands touched, I felt his body suddenly stiffen. He acted like someone who had been electrocuted when he touched my hand. What happened to this man? He held my hand tightly without intending to let go. Temporary the way he looked at me looked a little weird. The look in his eyes was the same as when we first met, it looked like a pervert. This man doesn't look like a good person. I have to take Abigail home and get away from this strange man.

"Sorry." He said as I pulled my hand out of his grasp.

I saw him scratching the back of his neck. He looks like a nervous wreck. Why should I care? That's none of my business. I started to pick up the paper bag that I had put on the floor when I hugged Abigail. While helping Abigail carry her plastic bag I started to embrace my daughter.

"We'll take our leave, sir." I said to the man who was still standing looking at me.

"Do you want me to walk you?" He asked, looking at my daughter.

"No!" I rejected it spontaneously.

Before Abigail answered we had to hurry home. I suspect this man wanted to get my daughter's permission to drive us home. It seemed like Abigail was getting sleepy, so I quickly demanded that Abigail come home immediately. After arriving home I cleaned my body, then put on my pajamas. After I finished putting on my pajamas, I looked for my daughter. I didn't find Abigail in our bedroom. Maybe she is in the kitchen. It turned out she was sitting in the dining room staring at the cake. I started to approach Abigail.

"This Christmas-themed cake is really beautiful." I said when seeing the cake on the table.

There is a candle in the shape of the number ten lit above it. She must have used his savings to buy a cake as beautiful as this.

"Happy Birthday, Baby." I hugged Abigail from behind her back, then I kissed both of her cheeks.

"Wait a minute." I said as I walked towards the bedroom.

I bought she a present earlier. I grabbed the paper bag I brought from the mall. After I had enough money, I was finally able to buy her a birthday present. I immediately rushed to the dining room. Then I sat opposite Abigail.

"Now please say a prayer before you blow out the candles, dear." I ordered.

"Hopefully Mom will soon find a partner, Amen." She said in prayer.

Does he miss a father figure? Maybe she was jealous when she saw her friends with their fathers. Usually when my daughter wants something I always try to fulfill it. But, that was a difficult request for me to grant. After blowing out the candles, Abigail started cutting the cake. She put it on a small plate that he had prepared. Then using a spoon she fed me. This cake is so soft, it has the aroma of Sunkist oranges. It turns out that even though the outer layer of this cake is white, the base of this cake is sunskist sponge cake. So that makes this cake not too sweet. The cream immediately melted on my tongue. Then I took turns feeding her.

"This is your birthday present, Baby." While giving him the paper bag that I put on the chair next to me.

"Thank you, Mom." She said as she got up from her chair, kissed me and then hugged me.

"Take a look at your gift, do you like it?" I said after she let go of my hug.

She touched the paper bag and then started to open it to take out the contents. Abigail matched the contents of the paper bag to her body. A peach colored dress that reached her knees clung to her body. She was seen smiling and then turning around while attaching the dress to her.

"Tomorrow when you go to church you have to wear that, Baby." I told her.

"It's so beautiful, Mom. I love it so much." Abigail hugged me again.

"Thanks Mom." She whispered in my ear.

Abigail is only ten years old, but my little girl is thinking too fast for her age. Maybe because there was no father figure, she tried to be an independent girl. I hope that at his current age he can grow into a wise teenager.

"You're welcome, Baby. It's time for us to sleep now, come on!" I said.

***

Today is Christmas, so I have the day off. My daughter and I are getting ready to go to church. Abigail came out of the room, she looked beautiful in her dress. Then I grabbed a parcel on the table. I handed the gift to Abigail.

"Your Christmas present, Baby." I said with a smile.

"Thanks, Mom." She opened it.

"Wear it, it will make you more beautiful, Baby." I said while putting it on for her.

A pair of shoes in the same color as her dress adorned her feet. Abigail looks happy wearing it. While walking around the room Abigail tried on her new shoes. Suddenly there was a knock on the door.

"Bie, let's go. It looks like Grandma Jane is waiting out front." I shouted to Abigail.

It looks like she walked all the way to the kitchen. I walked towards the door. When I opened the door there was no one in sight. Is there anyone playing pranks? Since there was no one else, I intended to close the door again. But my eyes caught a box that had been wrapped in green wrapping paper tied with a red ribbon. This is a mysterious gift.

*Continued*