The Game Of Redemption (#2)

Chapter-6 Summer Reacts (Contd)

Hazel just climbed out of the shower when the doorbell rang. Summer was still fast asleep and she didn't wake her up. She still needs to figure out how she was going to tell her that Damien was her father. Grimacing, she opened the door and was startled to see a bunch of people carrying big gift wrapped boxes standing outside. 

"Yeah?" She asked, although she had a faint idea whose doing this was. 

"Hazel Connery?" The man at the front said and Hazel nodded slowly. 

"We have delivery for you," He answered. "Where do you want these?" Hazel was baffled as she stared at the pile of boxes. What the hell? 

"I am sorry...I didn't order anything..." She answered. "Are you sure yo..."

"I did," His voice pierced through her and Hazel craned her head a little too see Damien standing behind his troop of delivery people. He smiled at her and Hazel closed her eyes. She really didn't want to start this early in the morning. 

"You may keep these in the living room," Damien said, arrogant as always as if this was his house. The crew nodded and barged inside, not even caring for Hazel's permission and defeated she turned her eyes to his smug face, glaring at him. 

"What are you doing here?" She demanded and Damien made a face. He removed his sunglasses and stowed them in his pocket before stalking towards her. 

"I told you, I will come back in the morning," He answered, moving towards her until she was pressed against the door. He stared down at her with those brooding eyes of his, just like he used to, before...Hazel shook her head and focused on glaring at him. 

"Damien, you need to stop," She hissed at him. "'You cannot just keep..." Damien placed his index finger on her lips and shook his head. 

"Later...it's my daughter's birthday today," He said softly, tucking her stray hairs behind her ears. Hazel's breathing hitched as his skin came in contact with her, just like it used to, and she clenched her jaw in frustration. Both for him and herself. He gave her a smile in return before stalking inside, all high and mighty as always. Has six years really gone by? He hasn't change a dime. 

"Where's she?" He asked, eyes scanning the room as she gingerly followed after him. 

"She is still sleeping...if you can check your watch, it's just seven thirty in the morning," She retorted grimly. Damien shrugged nonchalantly, looking completely out of place in her small home as he stood in the center, his keen eyes assessing everything. Summer got this habit from him and Hazel grimaced at the thought. 

"It's nice," He answered smiling as his eyes bore into the photoframes hanging on the wall. Hazel watched him from the corner of her eyes and she really can't believe he was here. Or that he was the father of her daughter or the fact that they made this beautiful creation together. The thought made a shiver run down her spine and she shook her head. Don't go there. 

Six years ago, when she went to deliver pizza at his place or when she accidentally ended up in his bed six months before that, never in once did she ever think that this man would turn out to be the father of her child. That they would ever reach this point where they stood today. Summer was the only reason they have anything to say to each other at all. No, she has nothing to say to him anyway. She was just playing along for the sake of her daughter, that's all. 

"Where's she?" Damien asked, distracting her. "Can I see her?" 

"I told you...she is still fast asleep," Hazel replied and he nodded his head. 

"I still want to see. I have never seen a sleeping baby," He said, his face perfectly serious. Hazel was frankly surprised by his sincerity towards Summer. 

"Have you ever seen a baby anyway?" She couldn't help but ask sarcastically. Damien shook his head and Hazel sighed. God, really...why was he here again? 

"Please?" He urged and she had no other option. The last thing she wanted was for him to start about his right on Summer and all that. 

"Follow me," She grumbled as she headed to her bedroom. For some reason, she felt a bit queasy showing him into her bedroom and Hazel didn't ponder on the reason why. "Don't make a sound," She ordered before opening the door and he nodded again, his dark eyes shining with excitement. 

Hazel opened the door for him and he slowly walked inside, his body pressing against hers momentarily as he squeezed past her and Hazel ignored that and looked away. Summer was sleeping with hands and legs all over the bed. She had weird sleeping habits, kicking and throwing her arms around. It was hard to sleep beside her. Damien sat down on the bed and stared at the sleeping form and Hazel was again thrown by the raw emotions in his eyes. She can't believe he was so accepting of Summer. It was a revelation. 

"She's small," He commented, fascinated and Hazel rolled her eyes in response. 

"She is five, Damien. She is supposed to be small," She replied, folding her arms across her chest. 

"And soft," He added, poking at Summer's cheeks with his index finger. "Wow," His expression was that of utmost fascination and amusement as if she was some kind of magical extinct creature or something. 

His innocent emotions brought a  reluctant smile on Hazel's lips. He needed to grow up himself to be a father first and despite all that was between them, Hazel did remember how he bypassed his childhood. Her eyes flitted to the tattoos on his arms and she was reluctantly reminded of memories she pushed into the back of her mind. Her insides burned with the lingering pain in her heart and she took a deep breath to keep herself calm. 

"She's lot like you," He murmured, playing with her fingers. "And me. She's like both of us," He brought Summer's fingers to his lips and tenderly placed a kiss on each one of them. 

"She is our daughter, it only makes..." Hazel stopped as Damien glanced at her and closed her eyes. Wow. It just slipped her mouth. 

"Yes," He smiled softly. "She is our daughter indeed," Hazel didn't like the way he emphasized our which was ridiculous because that was the truth. She was their daughter. Summer groaned and Damien's eyes widened in fear. 

"What's wrong?" He asked, worry written all over his face. 

"She is waking up," She answered. "You should wait outside. She will start crying if she opens her eyes and spots you in front of her," 

"She knows me," Damien retorted and Hazel scowled at him. 

"She is just waking up...she cannot recognize you just like that. Remember she is just five," Hazel retorted. "Go and wait outside," 

"You will tell her now, right?" He asked, hope brimming in his voice. Hazel sighed. 

"Do I have any other option?" She demanded bitterly and Damien shook his head. 

"No, enough hide and seek," He answered with an edge in his tone which made her scowl. He better not go there. "I will wait outside," Damien added before walking out. She threw him a dirty look before turning to Summer. 

"Hey, sweetie," Hazel smiled, pulling her up in her arms. Summer nestled her head in the crook of her neck, throwing her small hands around her and Hazel felt the warm, fuzzy feeling of motherhood seeping through her. 

"I think it's someone's birthday today," She murmured. "I wonder whose birthday it is?" 

"Mine," Summer mumbled, blinking at her. "Summer's birthday," Hazel laughed and kissed her on her forehead and cheeks and everywhere she possibly could. She was her life. Her entire world resides within this small person and she was baffled by the love she felt for her when at one point she was almost ready to not have her. 

"Happy birthday, my love," Hazel said softly, feeling like crying for no reason. "May God bless you with my life too. And all the happiness in the world," This second one she knew will come true indeed because her billionaire father was actually capable of giving her all the happiness she could possibly want for at this age. The thought left a bitter taste in her mouth. 

"I love you, mommy," Summer smiled and reached out to kiss her. Hazel smiled back, stroking her face and she knew it was time now. She needed to tell her now and her heart beat furiously with nervousness. 

"Summer, do you want to...do you want to meet daddy?" She said and Summer's eyes widened. She was wide awake now. Hazel can't believe she was so enthusiastic about her father. She doesn't even know how it's like to have a father in the first place. 

"Did daddy come home? Is daddy here?" She asked, excited as hell, her tiny face going red and Hazel nodded. 

"Daddy is right outside. Wanna go and meet him?" She said, feeling a little enthusiastic herself. As long as Summer was happy, she was happy. Her daughter nodded her head vigorously and Hazel gave her a nervous smile as she picked her up in her arms and started for the door. 

"Why don't you close your eyes?" Hazel offered. "Surprisee," Summer nodded her head and pinched her eyes so tightly close that Hazel cannot help but laugh. Damien was pacing around, his face taut with nervousness as she walked out with Summer in her arms. He glanced at her and she raised her brow, asking if he was ready. It took him an eternity but eventually he nodded his head. Hazel took a deep breath and turned to Summer. 

"Sweetie, you can open your eyes now," Hazel said softly. "Daddy is right in front of you," Hazel's stomach was in knots as Summer opened her eyes and gazed at Damien with her dark eyes. Damien smiled at her softly as she stared blankly at him before turning to Hazel. 

"Where's daddy?" She asked and Hazel pointed to Damien. 

"Right there...sweetie. There's your daddy," She said softly. "Want to go to him?" But to Hazel's surprise, Summer stared at Damien as tears started to glisten in her eyes. 

Shit...what was wrong? 

"Summer...sweetie?" Hazel murmured. "What's wrong?" She didn't reply. She just jumped down Hazel's arms and ran to her room. Damien's face was ashen as he stared blankly at Hazel, who was just equally baffled. 

What the hell did just happen? 

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A/N: Hello readers! Good morning to you all :) Here's the next update. Finally Summer meets her father. There isn't much in this chapter so I hope you don't get bored. I don't want to drag the story but I also don't want to run because we do have a lot coming ;) I know this is supposed to be 18+ guys but I can't jump into that just yet. Given Hazel's hate for Damien, lol  I am confused how to add that anyway. This is definitely going to be slow burn so hold on :) Also, I released the characters on my Insta and sss yesterday but for those who missed it here's the list of inspiration. I always do this...lol it's fun...

1) Damien Hamilton: Nick Bateman (I am a little confused about this one though)

2) Hazel Connery: Lily Collins

3) Madison Meare: Sophie Turner

4) Richard Taylor: Kamil Nizinski

5) Sophia : Barbara Palvin

6) Lisa Robinson: Emily Ratajkowski

There's also another character inspired by Joseph Cannata but that's a secret for now;) 

Anyways, I hope you enjoy the chapter and just thank you so much for your support. Especially those who make the effort to drop a comment. It's very uplifting to a writer to see reader's comments...so thank you so much :)