5. Rendal

CHAPTER 5

Rendal

I sit on the couch, watching Zola play with her favorite stuffed animals. She's creating an elaborate tea party, complete with imaginary cakes and tiny cups. A smile tugs at my lips as I observe her infectious joy.

My phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out, expecting to see Chloe's name on the screen. My heart drops when I see who's actually calling. Valeria.

"Zola, sweetheart, Daddy needs to take a call. I'll be right back, okay?"

She nods, barely looking up from her toys. I step into the hallway, taking a deep breath before answering.

"Hello, Valeria."

"Rendal." Her voice is sharp, cutting through the line. "How's Zola?"

"She's fine. What do you want?"

"I want to see her. It's been months."

My jaw clenches. "We've been over this. You made your choice when you left."

"I just want to see how she's doing," Valeria says, her tone dripping with accusation. "I have a right to know."

"You gave up that right," I growl, struggling to keep my voice low. "Zola's happy and settled. We don't need you disrupting that."

"Are you saying I can't visit my own daughter?"

The anger bubbling in my chest threatens to spill over. I take another deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. "Valeria, this isn't the time or place for this discussion. If you want to talk about visitation, we can do it through our lawyers."

"You can't keep her from me forever, Rendal."

"I'm not discussing this now. Goodbye."

I end the call, my hand shaking slightly as I lower the phone. Fuck. This is the last thing I need right now. Just when things are going so well with Chloe and Penelope, Valeria decides to throw a wrench into everything.

I lean against the wall, closing my eyes for a moment. The thought of Valeria barging back into our lives, disrupting the peace and happiness we've found, makes my stomach churn. I won't let her do that to Zola. I can't.

I take a moment to compose myself before heading back to the living room. Zola's still engrossed in her tea party, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing just beyond her little world. I watch her, my heart swelling with love and protectiveness.

Valeria's call has reopened old wounds I thought had long since healed. The memory of our marriage's collapse floods back, bringing with it a tidal wave of emotions I've tried so hard to keep at bay.

I remember the fights, the accusations, the nights spent sleeping on the couch. Valeria's increasing dissatisfaction with our life, her restlessness, her eventual decision to leave. The day she walked out, leaving behind a confused and heartbroken Zola, is etched into my memory like a scar.

Since then, I've poured everything into creating a stable, loving home for Zola. I've worked tirelessly to build a life where she feels secure and happy. And now, just when things are looking up, when I've found someone who brings light back into our lives, Valeria threatens to upend it all.

The thought of her barging back in, disrupting the delicate balance we've achieved, makes my stomach churn. What if she tries to take Zola away? What if she poisons our daughter against me? What if she ruins what Chloe and I are building?

I run a hand through my hair, feeling the weight of these worries pressing down on me. The stability I've worked so hard to create suddenly feels fragile, like a house of cards that could collapse at any moment.

A deep sigh escapes me as I lean against the doorframe, watching Zola play. She looks up, her bright eyes meeting mine, and for a moment, all my fears melt away. I won't let Valeria disrupt her happiness. I can't. I've fought too hard, come too far, to let that happen now.

But the unease lingers, a shadow at the edge of my thoughts. How do I protect Zola from this?

And what about Chloe? I've slowly brought her into my daughter's life. Will that be a mistake too?

Even as I think it, I know it won't. I can't stop thinking about Chloe. Her smile, her laugh, the way her eyes light up when she talks about Penelope. It's like a constant buzz in the back of my mind, distracting me from work, from chores, from everything.

Fuck, I've got it bad.

But with these feelings comes a gnawing sense of fear. Opening up to someone again, letting them into our lives... it's terrifying. After Valeria, I swore I'd never put myself in that position again. Never risk Zola getting hurt.

Yet here I am, falling for Chloe despite my best efforts not to.

I glance at the clock on the wall and realize it's well past Zola's bedtime. "Alright, princess, time to wrap it up. It's bedtime."

Zola's head snaps up, her eyes widening. "But Daddy, I'm not tired yet!" She hugs her favorite stuffed animal of the night, a worn-out elephant named Trunky, close to her chest.

"I know, sweetheart, but growing girls need their sleep." I take a step forward and hold out my hand. "Come on, let's get you tucked in."

She pouts, her lower lip jutting out. "Five more minutes? Please?"

I shake my head, trying to keep a stern face despite her adorable expression. "Not tonight, Zola. It's already past your bedtime."

Suddenly, her face lights up with an idea. "Okay, Daddy. I'll go to bed... if you do the funny dance!"

I raise an eyebrow. "The funny dance? I don't know what you're talking about."

Zola giggles, jumping up and down. "Yes, you do! The one where you wiggle your tusks and shake your butt!"

I can't help but laugh. "Oh, that dance. Well, I don't know..."

"Please, Daddy?" She bats her eyelashes at me. "I'll brush my teeth extra good and everything!"

I pretend to consider it for a moment, tapping my chin thoughtfully. "Hmm... extra good teeth brushing, you say? That's a tempting offer."

Zola nods enthusiastically. "And I'll put on my pajamas super fast!"

"Well, when you put it that way..." I grin and start wiggling my tusks exaggeratedly, shaking my hips in a ridiculous dance. Zola erupts into a fit of giggles, clapping her hands.

"Okay, okay," I say, stopping the dance. "A deal's a deal. Now, let's get you ready for bed."

True to her word, Zola races to the bathroom and brushes her teeth in record time. She changes into her favorite unicorn pajamas and hops into bed, still giggling about my dance.

As I tuck her in, she looks up at me with those big blue eyes. "Daddy, can we see Miss Chloe and Penny tomorrow?"

I smile, pushing away the worries from earlier. "We'll see, sweetheart. Now, close your eyes and dream sweet dreams."

I kiss her forehead and turn off the light, leaving the door slightly ajar. As I walk away, I hear Zola's soft voice. "Goodnight, Daddy. I love you."

"Love you too, princess," I whisper, watching her eyelids flutter closed. Stepping out of her room, I leave the door slightly ajar, just the way she likes it.

Back in the living room, I start tidying up the chaos left in the wake of Hurricane Zola. Stuffed animals litter the floor like fuzzy landmines, and half-finished crayon drawings cover every surface.

I'm in the middle of rescuing Mr. Snuggles, Zola's favorite teddy bear — she has a favorite of every kind of stuffed animal and is insistent on continuing to collect — from under the couch when a loud knock at the door nearly makes me jump out of my skin.

"Who could that be?" I mutter, glancing at the clock. It's way too late for visitors.

I yank open the door, ready to tear into whoever's on the other side. My irritation fades when I see Grak's ugly mug grinning at me.

"Well, well, look who decided to grace us mere mortals with his presence," Grak says, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

I roll my eyes. "What are you doing here?"

"I've had an easier time getting a hold of a saint's halo than you," Grak retorts, shouldering his way past me into the house. "Figured I'd better check if you were still alive."

"I've been busy," I grumble, even as relief washes over me at the sight of my friend. "And watch it, you'll wake Zola."

Grak holds up a six-pack of beer. "Relax, big guy. I come bearing gifts."

I eye the beer, then nod towards the back porch. "Fine, but we're taking this outside."

We settle into the patio chairs, the wood creaking under our weight. Grak cracks open two beers, handing one to me. The cool liquid slides down my throat, a welcome respite from the day's stress.

"Alright, spill," Grak says, leaning back in his chair. "What's been going on with you? You've been MIA for weeks."

I take another swig of beer, buying time. "Nothing's going on," I mutter unconvincingly.

Grak snorts. "Yeah, and I'm the tooth fairy. Come on, Rendal. I know that constipated look on your face. Something's eating at you."

I take another long swig of beer, the cool liquid doing little to calm my nerves. Grak's eyes are boring into me, and I know he won't let this go. Fuck it.

"Alright, you nosy bastard," I growl, setting my beer down with a thud. "You want the truth? I'm seeing this girl, Chloe. And I think I'm starting to fall for her. Hard."

"Chloe?" He stares at me, and I huff out a sigh.

"She teaches kindergarten at Zola's school."

Grak's eyebrows shoot up. "A hot teacher? Damn, Rendal! That's not what I thought you'd been up to."

I can't help but chuckle. "Yeah, yeah. But here's the kicker - Valeria called today. Wants to see Zola."

"Shit," Grak mutters, his grin fading. "She has some nerve."

"Tell me about it," I grunt. "I can't shake this feeling she's gonna come back and mess everything up. Just when things are getting good with Chloe."

Grak leans forward, his face serious. "Listen here, you big green idiot. You deserve happiness. Don't let your ex dictate your future."

I snort. "Easy for you to say. You're not the one dealing with her."

"No, but I've watched you mope around like a kicked puppy for years," Grak retorts. "It's time to man up and face the shit life throws up at you."

"Man up?" I raise an eyebrow. "What am I, twelve?"

Grak grins. "Sometimes I wonder. Look, Rendal, you're a catch. You're built like a brick house, you've got a good job, and you're not completely hideous."

"Gee, thanks," I deadpan.

"My point is," Grak continues, ignoring my sarcasm, "Chloe would be lucky to have you. Don't let Valeria's ghost cock-block you from happiness."

I can't help but laugh at his crude but effective pep talk. "You've got a way with words, you know that?"

"It's a gift," Grak says, puffing out his chest. "Now, are you gonna stop sitting on your ass and whining to me or are you gonna go after what you want?"

I don't point out that he showed up here bugging me. Instead, I punch him in the arm, hard enough to make him wince. "Watch it, asshole. But... yeah. Yeah, I think I am."

Grak grins, rubbing his arm. "That's more like it. Now, tell me more about this Chloe. How does she put up with someone like you?"

I roll my eyes, but I can't keep the smile off my face. "What do you mean? I'm a damn delight."