One More Chance
Chapter 47: Cali's Party

~~Now, I don't wanna lose you, but I don't wanna be the one to cry. And like a fool who will never see the truth, I keep thinking something's gonna change. But there's a danger in loving somebody too much and it sad when you know it's your heart you can't trust. There's a reason why people don't stay where they are, baby, sometimes love just ain't enough~~~

-Patti Smith-

"Sam, the kids are waiting for Cali to blow out her candles. What are we waiting for?" My mom asked me, patting me on the shoulder.

"Uhm..." I stopped abruptly and thought about her question. She's right, what am I waiting for?

I looked around and saw the kids having fun playing while some were looking at the tall cake inspired by Frozen's character, Elsa. I also checked the time from my wristwatch and saw that it was already 3:00 in the afternoon.

Then I realized that my mother's question was wrong. It should be 'Who are you waiting for?' because until then, Luke is still nowhere to be seen.

"Nothing, mom." I shook my head and was about to call my daughter when she grabbed my hand.

"Is he not coming?"

I glanced at her and simply shrugged.

"I don't know, mom."

"Are you okay?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't I be okay?"

"Samantha---" but I didn't let her speak.

"I think we should gather the kids in the middle, so they could start singing happy birthday for Cali." I smiled and turned around immediately to go to my daughter.

I know my mother too well. She wouldn't stop asking me until she got the answer and I'm not ready to talk about it... not in front of everyone, especially in front of my daughter.

"Cali, do you want to blow your candles now, baby?"

"Yes, mommy, but isn't daddy coming?"

"Baby---" but I was interrupted when Luke suddenly spoke behind me and headed towards his daughter.

"Who said I'm not coming to my princess birthday party, huh?"

"Daddy!" Cali screamed in excitement the time she saw her father.

But I couldn't help raising an eyebrow and clenching my teeth as I watched him lift her with his two hands... the same hands he used to touch his mistress. He even peppered her light kisses... the same way he used to pamper his slut.

I felt a light tap on the arm and turned around to see Jack, pointing to my hands which I didn't know were formed into a hardball.

I took a deep breath and immediately looked away from his face before forgetting that it's my daughter's party and punched in the face... the one that will leave a bruise, so his mistress could die in worry.

"Let's go, baby." I took a step forward to get her from him.

"Let me carry her---"

"Your playmates are waiting." I ignored what Luke said and I still took my baby from his hold.

I didn't miss the confusion that manifested in his eyes, but I continued to take my daughter. He didn't protest, but I felt the stares he's giving me while we were walking towards the cake stand.

I know what goes in his mind... he used to be the one carrying Cali in her every birthday while she blew her candles... but sad to say that now is my turn.

"Okay, kids, let us sing happy birthday to Cali in one... two... three..."

And everyone happily sings happy birthday to the birthday girl.

After singing, all the girls in the family helped me distribute the sliced cake to the kids. We didn't invite many guests, those were just closed friends and some of our neighbours. The party is literally for kids only in which my parents and in-laws were happy to see lots of children running and playing around the venue.

I kept ignoring Luke as I wasn't ready to talk to him yet. The moment I saw him earlier brought back the scene... the painful scene that I witnessed three days ago even those horrible things that I imagined they were doing.

I noticed that he seemed to have something to say and that he wanted to talk to me, but every time he tries, it's either I walked away or I will talk to someone just to avoid him.

"Sam, I'm sorry if I didn't---" he started talking, but when I saw Jack, I called her attention.

"Jack, can you help me bring food from the kitchen?"

"Sure." She shrugged, smiling.

And we left the garden and went to the kitchen without glancing in his direction.

"Sam, if you need evidence once you talk to him, just let me know."

"What do you mean?" I asked Jack with a frown as soon as we entered the kitchen.

"Well, I took a picture of them at the hotel bar, you know when they were..." she just shrugged instead of continuing her sentence.

I gave her a weak smile but then I shook my head.

"There's no need for that, Jack."

"But why? Haist... anyway, in case he denies it and you need proof, I'll be just a call away."

"Thanks, Jack, but I swear, I don't really need it. Even if he denies it, I've already seen the truth and that would be enough." I sighed.

Honestly, I already thought about it when I caught them, but I stopped myself from getting my phone and took a picture. Because the scene I witnessed was enough to torture me even in my sleep and if ever, I'm sure I couldn't bear to look at it every time I check my phone. "Okay, so what's your plan?"

"Honestly, I still don't know."

"Haist... let's just enjoy the party." She patted me on the shoulder.

"Yeah, you're right."

When we got back to the garden, I saw him talking to my brother, but I pretended not to notice him. I was also avoiding my mother because I don't know how long I could be able to keep my mouth shut when she got a chance to talk to me again.

I gulped and held my breath when I noticed that Luke was walking in my direction, so because I felt startled, I almost tripped on the floor... but I pretended as if nothing had happened and called my daughter.

"Cali, do you want to open your gifts now?"

"Yes, mommy, please?" She turned to me with the widest smile written on her face.

"Okay, let's go."

"Yehey!" She even clapped her hands.

"Are you excited, baby?"

"Yes, mommy!"

I sighed mentally as I succeed to avoid my husband. I drew Rory and Elaine's attention to help me bring the gifts to the center of the long table.

I helped Cali open some of her gifts just to keep myself busy because Luke was just next to me.

"Wow, it's so beautiful!" She exclaimed upon seeing the beautiful doll which was Jack's gift to her.

"Ohh... your Uncle Dale's gift is a huge dollhouse while Untie Jack is a beautiful doll, do you think they talked about it or they were together when they bought them?" "Of course, not!"

Cali and I shared glances and we both laughed when Jack and Dale replied in unison.

"Uhm... okay, I was just asking." I shrugged and continued to open the rest of the gifts.

"Sam, what time did the party start?"

I heard Luke asked me, but I pretended I didn't hear him.

"Sam...?"

"Hmm?" I glanced at him but quickly turned my eyes away.

"What time did the party start?" He asked again. I know he was just starting a conversation with me, but to avoid talking to him, I asked my mom instead.

"Mom, what time did the party start?"

"Ohh... we started at exactly 2:00 pm, sweetie." She smiled at me.

"The party started at 2:00 pm," I said not looking at him but at the gift that Cali was opening at the moment.

I've never heard his voice again. Well, that's better. I can't talk to him because I feel that my emotions are still high and I don't know what I can do to him.

***

When the evening came and all the guests already went home, including our parents and my best friend, I started to think of the ways on how to avoid him for a while. Of course, I will talk to him sooner or later, but not when Cali is still awake. I don't want her to hear our conversation because it would surely affect her.

"Baby, let's get ready for sleep," I called Cali after checking the time from my wristwatch and saw that it was already 9:00 pm.

"Okay, mommy." She immediately got up from playing her new doll and let me carry her.

"Let me wash her."

"I can do it," I replied instantly and took Cali upstairs before Luke could even touch her.

He can think what he wants and I don't give a damn.

Cali and I took a shower at the same time and I gave her milk before letting her sleep. And because she was exhausted from her party, it didn't take an hour and she dozed off easily.

I was trying to sleep, but the damn sleepiness wasn't visiting me, so I decided to go downstairs and get some fresh milk.

But before I could get into the kitchen, I found Luke in the minibar, drinking his favorite whiskey.

-'Tss! I didn't know the mouse is still awake.'-