“I know, and I’m glad she has you now. I trust you, Ethan.”
“Thank you.”
“How is your business? Helena told me that you went to another city to do your business.”
“Yes, it’s true. I haven’t finished it yet. Since Helena needed me, I came home. I’ll go again tomorrow. Please take care of her.”
“For sure. Helena is my daughter.”
I took a deep breath. “Helena should stay with us, but I don’t think she is ready yet. So, I won’t take her with me, at least not before it is the time.”
“I see. Can I visit Helena if she has stayed with you?”
“Sure! She is your daughter. Nothing can change that.”
Freya took a deep breath. “Though she is not my flesh and blood, she is my daughter. I love her very much!”
“I know. I can see it when I meet you. Helena also told me how you loved her and vice versa.”
“I haven’t told this to Helena, but maybe I should tell you first.”
“What is it?”
Freya let out a sigh. “Helena’s mother was my best friend. We grew up together. Since we had no parents, it was like she was my family. Later, when Mia, Helena’s mother, met Jack Starr, Helena’s father, it was love at first sight. After a month, they got married and had Helena.”
“I see.”
“But then something happened. I can’t tell you the details, but Mia asked me to care for Helena before she passed away. Helena was so small at that time, only a few months old. She did not know her parents at all. So, Mia asked me not to tell Helena about them. But I wonder if she wants to know about her real parents.”
“Has she never asked you?”
“No. I only told Helena that I had adopted her and her parents had passed away. That’s it. Helena accepted it.”
I wrinkled my forehead. “So, why did you tell me about Helena’s parents?”
“Because you will be her pillar. I want you to take care of her if she knows the truth about her parents later.”
“May I know? I promise I won’t tell her that if you don’t want me to tell her.”
“Not now, but sooner or later, you will know about it. Helena is a love child. She isn’t thrown away or something like that. Jack and Mia passed away, so I adopted Helena.”
“Thank you for taking care of her, Freya.”
Freya sniffed. “No, it’s a blessing for me to have Helena. She is my precious one. When I see her growing, I feel happy but sad too since I know that I must let her go one day.”
“You two have each other. If you didn’t take care of Helena, maybe I wouldn’t meet with her. Thank you.”
She sniffed again. “I told you about Helena’s parents, so you don’t guess anything bad about her birth.”
“Trust me. It has never crossed my mind. To me, Helena is perfect.”
“Thank you, Ethan. Then I can let my daughter go since I know she is in good hands.”
I smiled and shook my head. “You won’t lose Helena, Freya. I promise that. Helena and I will visit you as frequently as possible.”
“It will be lovely.”
Since I didn’t have things to say anymore, I ended the call, “If Helena has woken up, I’ll drive her home.”
“It’s been late. Maybe tomorrow morning is better. Thank you for everything.”
Then I returned the phone to Helena’s bag. Finally, I went back to bed. Helena smiled in her sleep and instinctively snuggled her head to my chest. Maybe she felt the warm body next to her. Then I hugged Helena and went asleep too.
The following day, I woke up first. I smiled as Helena still held my waist as if she didn’t want to let me go, even in her sleep. I reached out my hand to tidy the hair that covered her face. Later, I couldn’t stop myself from kissing her forehead.
Helena let out a sigh. Then she said, “Ethan.”
“Yes, love, it’s me,” I whispered and smiled.
Helena blinked her eyes, then when she opened her eyes, she smiled. “I thought I was dreaming. I thought last night was just a beautiful dream that you were next to me.”
“No, my darling. I held you all night long.”
“Oh, I’m so happy!”
She sat, and the blanket dropped, revealing her bare upper body. She blushed and immediately grabbed the blanket to cover her body. I chuckled to see how cute Helena was. She was still so shy in front of me though we had seen each other without wearing anything repeatedly. Not only that, but I had already touched, kissed, and tasted most of her body.
So, I teased her, “So, since it was because of the drugs last night, maybe we should start again today.”
Helena blushed and shook her head. “I don’t think it’s a good time.”
“Oh?” I raised my eyebrows.
Helena’s face was red. Then, she murmured without glancing at me, “I still feel a bit sore.”
“Sorry about that. Since you needed me repeatedly, well ….” I didn’t finish my words as Helena’s face was crimson now. I grinned and cupped her cute face with both hands. “Yes, I believe I can still do this.”
I moved my face and kissed her lips tenderly. She sighed and kissed me back. Then I ended the kiss by kissing all over her face.
“I don’t mind starting my morning like this.” Helena smiled as I touched her cheek.
“Me neither.” But then I remembered about Constantine. “Tell me how you met Constantine?”