JUNE’S POV
"Hurry up, my angel. Your babysitter will be arriving shortly, and we would not want you to appear unkempt, would we?" I addressed Lily as she brushed her teeth. She responded with a toothy grin, despite the foamy toothpaste around her mouth, which elicited a small laugh from me.
I hurried to the kitchen to jot down a list of instructions for the babysitter. I must admit, I still had reservations about going on a date with Bryan and leaving Lily alone with a complete stranger. It felt premature, but I tried to dismiss those thoughts. It had been a while since I indulged in the pleasures of life, and perhaps this was not as daunting as my mind made it out to be.
The doorbell rang abruptly, snapping me out of my thoughts. Glancing at the grandfather clock in the living room, it showed 4:50 pm. The babysitter was not scheduled to arrive until 6:30 pm, and Bryan was supposed to pick me up by 7:00 pm. So, who could it be? The landlord? I dismissed the idea, having paid him two years' worth of rent in advance from my modest savings.
The doorbell rang again, and inexplicably, I found myself unable to move.
"Mum! Someone's at the door," Lily alerted me. I tore my gaze away from the door to see her rushing down the stairs in just her underwear. I scolded her, "Lily, please put on your clothes immediately."
"Okay," she replied solemnly, heading back upstairs to get dressed. I cautiously approached the door, peering through the peephole, but couldn't discern a face in my line of sight.
"Who is it?" I inquired, a hint of apprehension creeping into my voice. This was New York, and I was not in any way willing to take any risks that could put Lily and me in imminent danger.
"Delivery for June!" a voice from the other side of the door wafted through the air. "Delivery?" I pondered aloud. "I didn't order anything," I mentioned as I opened the door, greeted by a young woman, likely a college student.
"Please be more prompt next time, ma'am. I have other deliveries to make," she meekly stated, handing me a notepad to sign and passing the package into my hands.
"Apologies for the delay," I responded.
"Yeah, whatever," she replied, loudly popping her bubble gum before pedaling away on her bike.
"What's that?" Lily inquired, joining me at the door and focusing on the package I held.
"I have no idea, my dear," I replied, stealing one last glance at the retreating figure of the delivery girl before gently ushering Lily inside and locking the door behind me.
"Well, let's open it," Lily suggested cheerfully, prompting a soft chuckle from me.
"I will, but first, please step back," I instructed, delicately placing the package on the table. Lily looked at me, puzzled. "Why?" she asked, to which I offered a wry smile.
"Because, for all we know, it could be a bomb," I stated sincerely, causing her to burst into laughter. I gazed at her, puzzled by her reaction.
"You are so dramatic mum," she observed, leaving me slightly taken aback. For a six-year-old, she possessed an impressive vocabulary and knew when to use it.
"I'm serious, young lady," I asserted with my hands on my hips, gradually quieting her laughter. She stared at me pointedly, gesturing towards the package.
"If someone intended harm us Mum, they wouldn't leave a note now, would they?" she pointed out. Following her gesture, I noticed a note, realizing I had overlooked it. I glanced at her, sticking out my tongue playfully but also giving her a gentle pat on the head for her keen observation. She was remarkably astute for her age, a fact that occasionally unnerved me.
I retrieved the note and read it:
I spotted this dress and thought it would complement you well. It also reminded me of your eyes, which, in turn, brought to mind the sea. Eager to see you in this dress.
Your friend,
Bryan."
"He's quite the gentleman," Lily remarked, giving me a knowing look. I attempted to suppress the notion that he sought more than friendship from me. I sincerely hoped he only desired companionship, and I had no intentions of offering more.
"I quite like him. He has made quite an impression on me," Lily declared with a genuine smile that reached her eyes.
"You've only known him for less than twenty-four hours, Lily," I pointed out, but she merely shrugged and reached for the TV remote, signaling her disinterest in further conversation. I grinned sheepishly, shaking my head in amusement. Upon entering the room, I retrieved the dress – a stunning, blue garment. The deep, lustrous hue of the fabric caught the light, shimmering like the ocean's surface on a sunny day. The intricate sequin embellishments added a touch of elegance, rendering the dress perfect for the occasion.
For a fleeting moment, I pondered whether it was too extravagant, but I swiftly dismissed that thought, focusing on preparing myself.
An hour later, I was ready. Glancing at my reflection, I was content with my appearance. The dress draped my body flawlessly, prompting me to wonder how Bryan had ascertained my exact. I donned black heels and carried a matching purse. Adorning myself with the silver jewelry that accompanied the dress. Since I wast a fan of makeup, I applied minimal makeup to avoid looking disheveled.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
"The babysitter is right on time," I remarked to myself, casting one final satisfied glance before heading to the door. Descending the stairs, Lily looked up at me, her eyes alight with joy.
"You look stunning, Mum!" she exclaimed, her eyes brimming with delight.
"Thank you, my darling," I acknowledged. Opening the door, the babysitter gazed at me in awe, her eyes wide and mouth agape.
"Wow! You look absolutely stunning," she marveled, as I ushered her inside. I chuckled softly and offered a quick thank you.
"You must be Stacy, correct?" I inquired, seeking confirmation. She resembled the individual I had seen online, albeit older. That must have been an outdated profile picture.
"In the flesh, at your service, ma'am," she responded energetically. I regarded her with concern, but she returned a reassuring smile. For now, I had to trust that she would suffice for the evening.
"You may address me as June," I stated simply.
“As you wish June.” She said with a bow and I did not know whether to think that was sarcasm or her personality.
“Moving on…” I said trying to shrug out the earlier incident.
"Alright, all the necessary details are on this list. I've left some snacks for you and Lily. Please refrain from giving her ice cream, as she has already had her share this week. It's not a school night, so she may stay up until 10. I'll check in every hour, and if you sense any issues, contact me immediately. I aim to return by 10, allowing you to depart and rest at your leisure," I relayed in one swift breath, scrutinizing Stacy, who beamed back at me.
"Have you understood everything?" I inquired, hoping not to appear overbearing.
"Got it! You needn't worry, June. Your daughter is in good hands," she assured. Glancing at Lily, engrossed in the TV, I felt grateful that she was compliant. At least for now, I didn't have to fret about her rebellious phase. That would probably come in her teen years.
A sigh of relief escaped me when I heard a car pull up into the driveway. Bryan was right on time. I had thought he would have been a bit tardy. Opening the door for him, he greeted me with admiration, presenting a bouquet of flowers. Stacy offered to assist with watering them.
"We know!" Stacy and Lily chimed in unison.
"You look enchanting, Mia Cara," Bryan sincerely complimented. A blush tinted my cheeks at the endearing term I was still getting accustomed to.
"Hi, Bryan," Lily greeted him warmly, extending her arms for a hug.
"Hello, little one," he replied, lifting her and twirling her around. It was then I noticed his refined appearance – clad in a black suit with a blue rose that rested, perfectly just above his breast pocket, not only adorning it but also matching the dress I was putting on.
"Shall we?" he proposed, offering his arm for me to link mine with his.
"Goodbye, my darling. Please cooperate with Stacy and be good. I love you," I bid Lily farewell, tenderly adjusting her hair.
“Okay Mummy,” Lily beamed in response, and I planted a gentle kiss on her forehead.
Entwining my arm with Bryan's, we silently made our way to the car. Exhaling deeply, I pondered what the future held for me from this point onward.
Hours later, we returned to my apartment. Casting a lingering glance at the darkened rooms, with only the living room light aglow, I presumed Stacy was still awake or probably dozed off on the couch. When I called thirty minutes earlier, Stacy said Lily was already fast asleep which esed my worrying heart a bit. It was then I noticed my in the driveway, “You fixed my car!” I exclaimed with excitement about the repaired vehicle, receiving a nod and smile from Bryan.
"Did you enjoy yourself?" Bryan inquired, taking my hand in his.
"It was wonderful," I affirmed truthfully. It had been ages since I had a pleasant meal without worrying about Lily, work, or finances.
"I'm glad you did," Bryan expressed with a mischievous grin.
"Thank you so much, Bryan."
"June..." he began, our gazes locked.
"I was wondering if you'd like to go out with me again, perhaps tomorrow. And before you decline, you can bring Lily along. That way, you won't have to fret about her. There's a fair in town, and I think it would be lovely if we went together," Bryan proposed cautiously, hoping for a positive response.
Torn between my job search and ensuring Lily's childhood was memorable, I didn't want her to miss out on fun experiences due to my employment quest. Besides, it was a Saturday, and I needed a break. I could resume my job hunt on Monday.
"Okay," I found myself agreeing, eliciting an excited beam from Bryan.
The following day, we had the time of our lives. Bryan soon became a frequent visitor, and we ventured out more often. He grew more involved in Lily's life, offering to pick her up from school or assist with her homework. Lily enjoyed his presence, as did I. Although, I could not deny the happiness and contentment he brought I and Lily, I also could not help but feel the sensation of impending gloom as it lingered in my head.
I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was amiss, a nagging suspicion that whispered doubts into my mind. Despite Bryan's warm gestures and Lily's evident joy, a part of me remained guarded, hesitant to fully embrace this newfound happiness. It was as if a dark cloud loomed on the horizon, casting a shadow over our blossoming companionship.
As the days turned into weeks, my unease only grew, festering like a wound that refused to heal. Bryan's charm and kindness were undeniable, but there were moments when his gaze lingered a little too long or his words held a hidden meaning that sent a shiver down my spine. I tried to dismiss these thoughts as paranoia, attributing them to past experiences that had left me wary of trusting too easily. But one thing was certain – I had to tread carefully, to guard my heart against the storm that brewed on the horizon. And so, I braced myself for the turbulent journey ahead, unsure of what the future held but determined to face it with courage and resilience.