Should I Stay or Leave? novel Chapter 35

"But I am sorry, I still could not love you the way I did with Kamiah. I don't know if, as we go along, it would change. Maybe it will if I see I am happy here."

Catrina cried. She doesn't know whether to be happy with it or be sad that Acwell just got forced to be with her.

"Don't cry. Isn't this what you wanted? I will be here more often, and now you could show me what you think I have ignored all these years."

"I am grateful that you even considered that. But I also can't stop feeling hurt that this situation happened by force and not to your liking. I wished it was something different."

"What you wished I could not give. Maybe not now. Who knows in the future."

"I know. I will try my best to make you happy."

"Now, I need to go."

Acwell went home that night feeling hurt and responsible at the same time.

"This is good. At least I could take responsibility for Amara. Happiness might come in the future," he said to himself.

For the following days, Acwell would go straight to Catrina's apartment after his shift. He would play and watch cartoons with her. Sometimes they would go for a walk in a nearby park.

He also noticed Catrina changed a little. She had become for smiling, less argumentative, which made it easier for him to deal with her. They would talk but more about Amara, not about themselves. But it was good in a way; they began to throw jokes that made them enjoy their company somehow.

After a week, Acwell had started to enjoy his time with Catrina and Amara.

"I guess it's not bad. Maybe, indeed, it's a change that I need for myself," Acwell told himself one night.

Three days before the month ended, Acwell held Catrina's phone because his phone was low battery. He wanted to order food for their lunch. When he unlocked the screen, the Facebook messenger appeared right away. Acwell was about to close the app, but there was a message that caught his attention. It was the one with Raven Cruz. It reminded him of Kamiah's Facebook account; she put only parts of her name - Raven Cruz instead of Kamiah Raven Cruz-Peters.

He opened it and was shocked to read the message. Catrina sent a message the last night he saw Kamiah.

"Amara is sick today, Acwell came, and I wanted him to stay. Stop asking him to come home and at least let her daughter see that her father was there for her."

Acwell frowned and felt like he could slap Catrina out of anger. He was about to yell at her when he turned his head, but he saw Amara.

Acwell closed his eyes and sighed. Then, he said, "Catrina can we talk?"

"Sure, Acwell! What happened? You can't contact the restaurant?"

"You did enough to tear us apart! Can't you see that?"

"Acwell I am sorry."

Acwell turned and left. Now, he understood what made Kamiah gave up. He is so angry, but he can't show it to Amara. It's better for him to walk away and find ways to cool down.

Acwell went home, so angry that he called Ace, who has a liquor license, to buy him something to drink. Ace dropped the two bottles of vodka at his apartment.

"What is the celebration today?" Ace asked.

"Ah, nothing much. I wished you were here to drink with me. It will be more fun," Acwell replied.

"I wish that, too, but I need to go to work. Next time then. Inform me in advance once you decide you want to drink."

"Sure! Thanks a lot, Ace."

Acwell opened one bottle and immediately drank from it. The alcohol had helped calm him down. Otherwise, he would be in a bad mood the whole night. His phone vibrated, and it was Catrina calling. He ignored it because, as of this moment, he really hates her.