1 The Meeting

JULIA POV

Baby girl, wake up. Don't you wanna attend the school party?" I asked my beautiful daughter, Ciara.

"Good morning mommy"

"Hey, hope you slept well?"

"Yes I did" she replied.

"Don't you wanna attend the school party?" "Yes I do" she replied.

"Then, you've gotta take your bathe and brush your teeth".

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I'm a single mom. I was raped when I was a teenager and I gave birth to twins, but one died and it was a pain. Although their father was a rapist, I still loved them and kept the pregnancy. For that reason, I hate men and don't want anything to do with them.

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We arrived at the school and we were pretty early, so we sat in the front row. The event started and it was fun.

I was delighted when my daughter was called upon to present a song. She didn't even tell me she was going to sing on stage which was unlike her, she prolly wanted it to be a surprise.

She had a very beautiful voice and the audience was thrilled. She was given a standing ovation when the song ended. She ran down the stage towards me and I hugged her tightly.

"You've got a beautiful voice"

"thank you mommy" she replied.

"Did I sing well?" She asked

"yes of course" I replied and she giggled.

When the party was over, I took her to a restaurant because I wanted her to be happy and indeed she was. We ordered a meal and she kept talking while eating.

Just then, she stopped eating and faced a direction carrying a long face. Worried, I turned and saw a girl with both parents and I sighed.

"Mommy, who is my father?"

O God Not Again. I said to myself.

"You told me that you'll tell me when I was of age. I am old enough now and need to know. In school, my classmates me a bastard and they sometimes tell me that you are a whore."She said sobbing.

I sighed and carried her on my laps.

"Don't mind them, you're not a bastard, ok?"

"I'm no longer a baby" she rebuked, "don't treat me like one".

"But you're just five" I, said trying to switch topic.

She came down from my lap "I hate you mom,my. You don't want me to see my dad, right?" She asked and ran away, tears streaming down her face.

"Ciara" I called weakly as I ran to meet her.

"Don't touch me, mom, my, don't"

. "Ciara, I'm so sorry, forgive your mom, ok?"

"I will if you tell me about my dad. Other kids talk about their father, but I am the odd one out" she said and I tried as much as possible to prevent the tears from spilling out of my eyes. I sat on a chair and beckoned on her to come and she did, sitting on my I told her what happened. She is a little girl but she acts like an adult. I then summarised what happened to her.

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"My father owned one of the biggest multimillionaire companies in town. He got involved in some bad stuff which he didn't tell us, but I later got to know. Bad people came to our house asking for something and since it wasn't available, my parents and siblings were killed.

Before they came, my dad gave me something to keep safe. It contained everything about his company. He told me o run away and I did, but I was caught and raped". I concluded.

"Why were you raped? They just wanted the document, right?"

"Yeah they did. They threatened to rape me unless I gave them the document, but I didn't budge".

"Then why are they after me too?" She asked.

I was about to reply when a guy sat on one of the empty chairs.

"Hey, beauty. I've been watching you and I like you. I wanna know more about you".

I was really mad at him. Who does he think I am?

"Do you know you are an ass? You are very stupid. Get the heck out of here before I do something stupid"

His face turned red but he tried to cover it up.

"I'm sorry", He said and left.

"Mom, why do you hate men?" Ciara asked to my amazement.

"Men, they are heartless, cruel, and mean".

"Not all of them are"

"What do you know?" I rebuffed.

"I'm sorry mom" she apologized

"Don't worry, darling you've been forgiven". I replied.

Shawn POV

I and my younger brother, Steve attended the school party. I was forced, so I didn't pay any attention to what was done. I had my reasons for not wanting to accompany him.

My fans had always been wondering why I had not released an album for over a year now. If any of them see me, I will surely be questioned and it will go viral, for that reason, I put on sunglasses and a face cap.

Despite my effort, my presence was noticed and I was called upon to sit on the high table. They did ask questions, but I ignored them all.

Just then, something caught my attention. A little girl who was not more a six was singing on stage. She had an angelic voice and I was thrilled. I decided that I would meet her at the end of the event.

After the event, I looked around for her, but she was nowhere to be found. Steve was pestering me that he wanted to go home, so I told my driver to take him home and return as soon as possible. My instincts told me to go to the nearest restaurant and I did. I looked around the premises but I did not see them. I was about to give up when I saw the young lad with a beautiful damsel.

She had long, thick, and dark hair with long eyelashes. She was drop-dead gorgeous. I couldn't tell the color of her eyes from my vantage position.

I was attracted to her. I've never dated any woman before since my girlfriend betrayed me a few years ago.

Just then, my friend, Jack came towards me.

"Hey, Shawn, what's up?"

"I'm fine" I replied without sparing him a glance, my eyes were still on the beautiful damsel. Jack looked in the direction where I was facing and hissed.

"what's wrong? Why did you hiss?" I asked.

"That lady is a hard nut to crack. I tried wooing her but she turned me down and even insulted me".

"Maybe she could sense that you were a playboy. Does she know who you are?" I asked.

"Who doesn't know me?" He asked.

"I think I like her". I said and he chuckled.

"Don't even go close to her 'cause she will insult you as well as kick you in the ass, I've already warned you as a friend". He said and left.

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I and Jack had been friends since grade one prolly 'cause he was as naughty as I was. Jack is a playboy, all he wanted was sex, no commitment. Although I had sex too but was on a rare occasion but Jack's was getting outta hand.

The little girl was trying to tie her shoelace when I approached them.

"Hey," I said as I squatted and helped the girl tie it.

"Thank you," she said and I ruffled her hair.

"I heard you singing on stage, you've got a very melodious voice," I said still squatting

. "Thank you sir" she replied.

I stood up to face the beautiful damsel, I could now see her face clearly, her eyes were blue, sky blue. I was short of words as I kept staring at her.

"Ciara, come on, we've got to leave for home before it's too late," The lady said forcing out a smile. She pulled the little girl whose name I got to know was Ciara walking as fast as she could. I went after them, walking as fast as I could. I met up with them and held Ciara's hand, then I squatted.

"Do you want ice cream?" I asked and she grinned and then nodded.

"Do you think your sister will allow you?" I asked and Ciara looked at me as though I were insane.

"Sister?" She asked looking puzzled.

"Did I say anything wrong?" I asked.

"Ciara, stop it." The young lady interjected coldly.

"She's my mom," Ciara said ignoring the lady.

I was shocked but covered it up. She was too young to mother a child as old as Ciara.

"Uhm...." I said looking up at the lady. "Do you mind if Ciara accompanies me?" I asked standing up.

"She's going nowhere"

"Come on mom, I want to lick ice cream.

"I'll get one for you myself". She replied

"We should all go then". I said

"Who told you that you're accompanying us?" The young lady asked.

"Come on mom, stop being a jerk". Ciara said.

"Hey, mind your words, ok? At least show some respect" I said.

"You both can go, I'll stay back and wait for you". Ciara's mom said and I was greatly disappointed, but at least, I'll get to know more about Ciara.

"Let's go," I said to Ciara who ran ahead of me.

Julia POV

When they had left, I started having a double mind. What if he was a kidnapper? I decided to go after them.

I went to the ice cream section and after looking around for a long time, I saw them. She and the guy were chatting and he was laughing at something she said. I approached them and I sat beside Ciara.

"Did he hurt you?" I asked whispering to Ciara even though I knew that what I was asking didn't make sense.

"Nope. He can't even hurt a fly." She said whispering back. "Uncle Shawn," Ciara called, "My mom said she wants ice cream." She said and I glared at her.

The guy whom I got to know was Mr. Shawn smiled and ordered ice cream. When it was brought, I licked it slowly. I could feel his gaze on him, but I just ignored him. He cleared his throat before he spoke.

"My name is Shawn Michaels. I made a proposition to your daughter here. I heard her singing on stage. She's got a very melodious voice and I got interested in her in the sense that I want her to feature in my music. I bet you know me, don't you?"

I stared at him and he removed his sunglasses. He was a bit familiar but I couldn't remember where I had seen him. Maybe it's on TV

"I don't think I know you," I said and his eyes opened wide.

"Really?" "Well, I'm a musician and I want your daughter here to feature in my music."

I remained quiet for some time, but Ciara said, "Mom, come on say something."

"I don't like the offer so I'm turning it down," I said and Ciara gasped.

"Mom please. I've always anticipated this. I want to be a musician. Please don't let this opportunity slip away." She said looking at me with pleading eyes.

"If your mom doesn't want to accept the proposal, good and fine." Mr. Shawn said.

"I don't trust him," I said whispering to her.

"Not just him mom." She said out loud. "You don't trust all guys." She said and I glared at her. She ignored me and continued, "The fact that you were raped doesn't mean all guys are the same."

Anger soared through me. Is she out of her mind? Is it because I told her what happened? She even had the guts to say it in front of this jerk. I stood up immediately and slapped her then I walked out of the place and headed home.

She had just revealed my secret to that jerk. If she likes, let her get lost. I arrived at the little house and lay on the bed, crying my eyes out.

Shawn POV

Ciara was crying, while I admonished her.

"You wouldn't have said that. You hurt her so much."

"This is not the first time she's turning down an offer like this." She said in between sobs. "When I was four, a man promised to sponsor few people so that they could participate in a music competition. I was among the ones selected, but mom turned it down. My friend who participated won and she was awarded a huge sum of money. I could sing far better than hashed I know that if I had participated, I would've won." She came towards me and she sat on my lap.

"You know that what you did was not good. It's not good to tell other people someone's secret. You shouldn't try that next time, ok?" I said and she nodded. "We've gotta go look for your mom. I said and we both stood up and left the place in search of her round the building, but she was was nowhere to be found.

We even searched in the school, but she wasn't there. I decided to take the little girl home. I called my driver, Oscar, and he drove us to Ciara's house.

We arrived at the house and I was astounded because the house was very little, but it was neat.

"How could a human being live here?" I wondered.

We went into the house and it was a one-room apartment.

"Mom." Ciara called and Julia who was sleeping woke up, looking shocked.

"Uhm..." I stuttered, I'm sorry about what happened earlier, but here is your daughter."

Julia POV

"Mom," Ciara called and I awoke from my sleep.

I was shocked to find Mr Shawn in my apartment and I became embarrassed for my apartment was very little and I'm sure Mr Shawn is a billionaire.

What would he think about me, and what was he doing in my house?

Oh! I forgot that I left Ciara in the school premises how could I be so stupid to do such a thing that was so risky as that?

"Uhm..." He stuttered, "I am sorry for what happened earlier but here is your daughter."

"Thanks for bringing her, I'm so grateful." I said with all sincerity.

"Can I serve you anything" I asked as I itched the back of my hair

No, I'm fine." He replied "I'm already on my way, bye take care of Ciara."

"Uncle Shawn," Ciara called "Make sure you come to visit me please she said and he smiled at her then left.