9. Rendal
CHAPTER 9
Rendal
A s I tap my pen against my desk, I don't even realize that there's a knock on my door until I hear Zola calling out for me.
"Daddy!" she says, her knocking becoming pounding. "Daddy, is Mommy still coming on time?"
Oh, shit.
Ever since Valeria has popped back into our lives, she’s been occasionally talking to Zola on the phone. Now, Valeria has been taking Zola for a few nights here and there, as if trying to rebuild the relationship that she irrevocably broke when she abandoned us in the first place.
Whatever. It makes Zola happy to see her, so I allow it.
I check my phone, seeing a text message from Valeria giving me an ETA of five minutes. Clearing my throat, I get up and open the door to my study, letting Zola run in and do cartwheels on my carpet in her excitement.
"She's still coming, honey. She'll be here in a few minutes."
"Yay!"
I swipe my tongue across my teeth. I've been daydreaming about Chloe too much. It happens everywhere now. At home, at work, in the shower, in bed. I can't stop.
That kiss… her warm mouth. Her intoxicating smell. I'm infatuated with her and I can't get her out of my head. It's riveting.
I take a deep breath, steeling myself as I hear the knock on the front door, coupled with the ring of the doorbell that echoes throughout my large home. Zola bolts past me, her little feet pattering against the hardwood floor.
"Mommy's here!" she squeals.
As I make my way to the door, I suck in a deep breath before swinging the door open. Valeria stands there with a practiced smile. Her eyes, cold and calculating, meet mine before dropping to Zola.
"There's my little princess!" Valeria coos, kneeling to embrace our daughter.
Zola throws her arms around her mother's neck, giggling with delight. "Mommy! I missed you so much!"
I force a smile, trying to keep things cordial for Zola's sake. "Hey, Val. How's it going?"
Valeria straightens up, still holding Zola. "Oh, you know. Same old, same old." Her tone is light, but there's an edge to it that sets my teeth on edge.
We chat briefly about Zola's schedule and any important things to remember for the weekend. As Valeria listens, nodding along, her eyes never leave my face. It's unnerving, like she's searching for something.
Just as I'm about to wrap things up, Valeria's lips curl into a smirk. "You know, Zola's been asking a lot about us getting back together," she says casually, her smile not quite reaching her eyes.
My stomach drops. I know Valeria's just trying to stir the pot, but I can't help worrying about the impact her words might have on Zola—and on Chloe, if she hears about it.
"Val," I start, my voice low and warning.
But she's already turning away, Zola still in her arms. "We'll see you Sunday evening, Rendal. Say bye to Daddy, sweetie!"
Zola waves enthusiastically. "Bye, Daddy! Love you!"
"Love you too, princess," I manage to say, my mind still reeling from Valeria's comment.
As they walk to the car, I stand in the doorway, gripping the door tight enough to break the wood. If she jeopardizes what I have with Chloe, I won't fucking forgive her. Not after everything she's done to me. To Zola and I.
Thankfully, the weekend passes by without an issue. Zola returns on Sunday, as promised, and she rants about her fun times with Valeria. Movie night, painting their nails together, eating the best food ever, according to Zola. She only says that because Valeria doesn't force Zola to eat her vegetables.
Valeria's remarks settle in the back of my mind, already forgotten about by the time the next playdate with Chloe and Penelope rolls around. I wear a tight-fitting white shirt for Chloe. I also make sure to wear the cologne she's complimented me for.
Zola bursts with excitement to see Penelope again. She immediately engulfs her friend in a tight hug once they meet at the swing set. Chloe is wearing a dress and a cardigan, her brown hair cascading over her shoulder and down her back in waves.
Fucking gorgeous, as always.
"Penny, I love your dress!" Zola exclaims, running around Penelope multiple times. "It's so pretty!"
Chloe smiles. "Hey, you."
"Hello," I say, crossing my arms over my chest. "Good to see you again. Come here often?"
Chloe laughs, ducking her head. "Quite frequently, actually."
"Is that so?"
Suddenly, Zola runs up between us, excitement radiating off of her little smile. "Mommy says she and Daddy might get back together! Isn't that great?"
My smile drops immediately. And my eyes flicker to Chloe, whose expression changes instantaneously. From joy to confusion. And maybe even hurt.
I open my mouth to explain, but Chloe's already turning away, heading for the benches with her shoulders tense. Shit. This is exactly what I was afraid of.
"Daddy?" Zola tugs at my shirt, her little face scrunched up in worry. "Did I say something wrong?"
I kneel down, putting my hands on her shoulders. "No, sweetie. You didn't do anything wrong. Why don't you go play with Penny for a bit? I need to talk to Chloe."
She nods, still looking uncertain, but runs off to join Penelope at the swings. I watch her go, my jaw clenching as I silently curse Valeria. Damn her and her meddling. She knew exactly what she was doing, planting that idea in Zola's head.
Taking a deep breath, I make my way over to where Chloe's sitting. Her back is ramrod straight, her eyes fixed on some distant point. I ease myself onto the bench beside her, leaving a respectful distance between us.
"Chloe, I can explain," I start, my voice low and urgent. "What Zola said... it's not what you think."
She turns to look at me, her green eyes guarded. "And what do I think, Rendal?"
I run a hand through my hair, frustration building in my chest. "Look, Valeria's been trying to stir up trouble. She told Zola that nonsense about us getting back together, but it's not true. Not even close to being true."
Chloe's expression softens slightly, but I can still see the doubt lingering. "Why would she do that?"
"Because she's manipulative as hell. Always has been," I growl, then catch myself. "Sorry. It's just... she's always playing games, using Zola to get to me. I should've seen this coming."
I lean forward, elbows on my knees, and look Chloe straight in the eye.
"I need you to know that there's nothing between Valeria and me. What we have... what we're building here... that's what matters to me."
I watch Chloe's face carefully, trying to gauge her reaction. She takes a deep breath, her eyes meeting mine.
"Rendal, I want to believe you. I really do. What we have... It's special. I think we both know that by now. I haven't felt this way in a long time." She pauses, and I can see the conflict in her eyes. "But I've been hurt before. I can't go through that again, and I definitely can't put Penelope through it."
My heart clenches at her words. I reach out, gently taking her hand in mine. "Chloe, I understand. I've been hurt too, and the last thing I want is to cause you or Penelope any pain."
She squeezes my hand but doesn't pull away. That's a good sign, right?
"I need to know you're serious about this, about us," she continues. "I can't compete with your past, Rendal. I won't. I fucking refuse to."
"You don't have to," I say firmly, my voice low and intense. "There's no fucking competition, Chloe. You, Penelope, and Zola—you're the most important people in my life now. I don't want to lose what we have. I can't lose you."
I pour every ounce of sincerity I have into my words, willing her to believe me. My blue eyes lock onto hers, and I can see Chloe searching my face, weighing my words. The tension in the air is palpable, and I feel my heart pounding in my chest.
I manage to crack a smile, despite the gravity of the situation. "No one else really gets me like you do. You understand me in ways I didn't think possible."
Finally, she sighs, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "Okay. I'm willing to give you a chance, Rendal. But you have to mean what you say. No games, no half-truths. I need complete honesty from you. I won't settle for anything less."
Relief washes over me, and I feel like I can breathe again. "Absolutely." I nod firmly. "I promise. No games, no bullshit. Just us, moving forward together. You have my word, and I don't give that lightly."
I squeeze her hand gently, marveling at how small and delicate it feels in my large, calloused palm.
"Kids, huh?" Chloe whispers, trailing her thumb along my skin. "They say the craziest stuff."
"Zola is a loose cannon, I swear. We're in for some trouble when she's a teenager."
"We?" She raises a brow, a hint of a smile on her lips.
"Yes, we," I reaffirm. "I'm serious. I'm with you for the long haul. I'm thinking about our future together and all of the little details in between."
I'd rather lose a kidney than imagine a life without Chloe. Now, my only challenge is proving that to her.