SAD STORY

"Madame."

"Good Lord, it's Ko Phi Phi eyes," Ann-Catherin said, standing at her door.

"ㅡEh yes," Gregory didn't know what to reply even if the name she called him intrigued him.

"So what do you want? Are you coming to ask my daughter's hand?"

Gregory gave his stretched banana smile before saying, "I've already asked her twice, she said no."

"That idiot, twice, you say. Come in, don't just stand there as if you were trying to give me a Bible lesson."

Gregory stepped into the council flat. As he looked around, he realized it was where Xenia grew up. The apartment was significant for one person, perfect for two, but it was a matchbox for a woman with three daughters.

From the hall, one could go in any direction; the kitchen was on your left with its red IKEA decorated cupboards. You had the living room on your right across from it, which gave up on the balcony. If you advanced a little, there were two bedrooms, a bath, and separate toilets.

Ann-Catherine led the way to the living room.

"I'm sorry, but the only biscuits I have are Sia's Vanilla Petit Prince and Ginger root tea."

"Thank you; I'm fine, madame," Gregory took a seat.

They sat staring at each other a few seconds before Gregory began.

"If I'm here today, it's because I'm lost. I love your daughter, and I'm not very good with words. We haveㅡ," Gregory hesitated, furrowing his eyebrows as he searched for the most appropriate words.

"We have communication issues at times. What I'm trying to say is I don't want to lose her, but I need help to understand what is going on in her mind. Xenia hasn't got many friends, and she can knit conversations about any subjectㅡ," Gregory paused, he realized Xenia never talked about herself. She never officially presented her family, nor did she tell stories about her childhood, whereas Gregory showed her everything the good, the bad, and the weirdness of his background.

"What happened?" Ann-Catherin was afraid of his answer.

"I asked her to have a baby with me, and she went crazy."

Gregory explained, and ann-Catherin listened.

"Wait, Ko Phi Phi," Ann-Catherine got up and went to get two photo albums.

"Have a look," she handed the albums to Gregory.

"It's Xenia."

"Yes, do you notice something?" Ann Catherin looked at Gregory.

"She's beautiful. What am I supposed to be looking for?"

The answer made Ann-Catherin smile, but it's not what she wanted, she gave a hint.

"Sia."

"Sia?"

"Yep, Sia was born a week after we took this photo ."

"But Xenia isn't, I mean, she doesn't look-."

"Pregnant, Xenia's eight months pregnant in those pics. Sia was three weeks premature and weighed 1.4kg when she was born. Sia doesn't seem to look like it, but she has her mother's anxiety, the one transferred to her in her mother's womb. Sia is always afraid, as her mother, of being left behind.

"You see, Ko Phi Phi, Xenia was aware she was pregnant, but psychically there was a barrier she lived her pregnancy in denial. The fact that Mark didn't want Sia and not everyone around was overjoyed did that to her. I did it to my daughter when I scolded her. I kept telling my daughter to dress better, to cook better, to be a better lover. I kept saying to Xenia to do the necessary to hold her man down. Can you believe I even told Xenia to take Mark back if ever he begged her? I hurt my baby because I didn't want her to end up raising her child alone."

Gregory listened; he was surprised Xenia never mentioned this.

"My daughter barely looked pregnant, she spent almost all her pregnancy sleepless, and when Sia was born, she practically sunk in depression. You've seen Xenia's sister's every one of my girls has their dad. Unfortunately, Xenia's father is the only one I never heard of again. I found out years after he only got with me so he could benefit from French nationality. Listen, I'm not saying this justifies everything my daughter does, but Xenia has circumstances that pushed her to have an IUD. Xenia was even ready to live a life alone till you came along.

"And I have to admit she loves you; she loves you so much she doesn't want to take any risk. Please, Ko Phi Phi, be a little more patient. She'll come running to you.

Don't go to her; Xenia likes to think she can make it on her own. Like me, she is stubborn and proud. Let her realize my daughter needs someone. Let her see she needs you.

Gregory sat quietly as he assessed all the information he heard. The man finally had the answers to why the woman preferred to stay away from the dating game. And why Xenia was hostile towards him when they met.

Once again, the gardener understood how men transformed roses into prickly thorns.

"Thank you for hearing me out, Madame,ㅡeh madame, isn't another bay. You can call me because Ko Phi Phi eyes is a little, you knowㅡ," Gregory said, making queasy eyes only to meet the woman's don't mess with me crumpet boy stared.

"Nevermind," Gregory stood to take leave.

XY XX

A few days passed, Sia dug in her teddy bear's dungaree's front pocket; it was still there.

"Remember, Sia, if ever you need to talk to me, or you need my help, call me on this number."

Sia didn't forget, and so she went to the living room, checking to make sure Ann-Catherine was still in the kitchen. Everything was clear; she started dialing.

"What are you doing?" a voice from behind said her making Sia freeze her motions.

"Nothing, nanny."

"Nothing, what's that you are holding?"

There was no point in hiding it, Sia handed the paper to her granny.

"You know your mom is going to be very angry if she finds out."

"But grandmaㅡ."

"What do you want to say to him?"

"I want to tell him we are okay and not to worry."

"And you are you worried about him?"

Sia nodded.

"Do you miss him?"

"Very much."

Ann-Catherin sighed, "okay, call him, but if you get caught, I was unaware of everything, you hear me."

"Yes, nanny," "Sia dialed the phone only rang once.

"Hello, hello, the hasty voice replied.

"Gregory."

"Sia, good God, I'm so happy to hear your voice. Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine. I'm with grandma."

"Where's your mom?"

"She has gone to buy Groceries with aunty Louise."

"I see."

Sia clenched the receiver tighter, "Gregory, are you still angry?"

"No, I'm not angry, Sia."

"Are you angry at mum?"

"No, I'm not."

"Don't you love mom anymore?"

This innocence was one of the main reasons Gregory loved children; they were sincere.

"Yes, I do."

"Then why can't we come and see you anymore?"

Gregory could not see her, but he knew from the sound of her voice Sia was sad.

"Did your mom say something?"

"No, she just cries all the time."

"Sia, listen to me. I love your mother and you. I'm not angry with your mother, and we had a misunderstanding, but I'll do my best to fix this."

Hearing the child's voice made the man want to rush to her side, but he couldn't. The door of Ann-Catherin's house opened. Gregory could distinguish the clatter. Ann-Catherin went to welcome the woman hoping to stall them a few seconds at the door.

"Take off your shoes. I just hoovered."

"Mom, stop making a fuss."

The voice was distant, but the man's heart shattered as he recognized Xenia's voice.

"Gregory, I have to hang up," the little girl whispered.

"Bye, Sia."

"Bye."

Time, how much did Xenia need Gregory thought. The silence of his mansion weighed on his conscious he decided to go for a run to free his mind, but still, he thought of them.