Love Does Cost A Thing

Book three: Chapter eight

Luigi's POV

You such a fool!

"I'm an idiot, I've been a fool!" I hissed under my breath, banging my fist on the seat in front of me which earned me a scowl from the cab driver. He was about to say something but shut his trap when I shot him a glare, he went back to looking on the road and minded his business like he should have.

Immediately I laid my eyes on Jakira, I knew without any doubt she wasn't her biological daughter. The strange thing is, they do have a striking resemblance, the same skin tone, facial beauty and the way she talks and behaves but I saw through it. They looked so much alike yet so different in a way I can't point a finger to.

I was intrigued, very intrigued, I wanted to find out more cause there was more to it. I realized it when Zuri cut her off repeatedly and the more I looked between them closely, the more I noticed how different they are, Jakira looked way older than a three year old kid.The age Zuri's child would have been if she truly was pregnant or have birth and she's also very smart, smarter than any kid should be around her age.

But then I thought about it, she could have been pregnant and miscarried, who knows? My curiosity got the best of me, I needed to find out the truth, something was off somewhere and I had to find out.

I took Zuri's absence from the kitchen to quiz Jakira who gladly filled me in with every information I needed.

I scooted closer to the little girl whom I've come to know as Zuri's daughter but have doubts she isn't and smiled at her. She smiled back then went back to eating her food quickly like Zuri had instructed her to.

"Hey."

"Hi." She replied without looking at my first. I was left dumb after that, I had no idea how to begin with my questions and I didn't want her to get suspicious either, kids tend to see through us easily.

I opened my mouth to ask her how she was, I know it's kinda lame but she beat me to it. "Do you wanna say something or you'll keep staring at me till mama comes, she's surely going to get mad if she sees us still here with our foods half eaten in front of us." She told me and looked at my avocado toast with egg that hasn't been touched.

My doubts about her has eaten deeply into me I've forgotten I have food in front of me.

"Really?"

"Uhm not really, she will get mad but for a minute then she will warm up if I tell her, 'I love you so much mama, you're my world!" She squealed childishly before giggling and again, she did it like Zuri does.

I was confused and wanted to give up, she must be her real daughter after all but a stirring within me wouldn't allow me to, I needed to put an end to my curiosity any way possible.

"Of course she will warm up, no one can get mad with a cutie like you and she loves you so much."

She nodded, "I know, mama always tells me that and then goes on to say, I'm the best thing that ever happened to her."

"The best thing? Why what was wrong?"

"She was always sad."

"Why was she?"

Her eyes widened as she realized what she had blurted out. I heard her mutter something like oops before looking away from me to her bowl, sitting quietly as if she didn't hear my question.

"Jakira?"

"Mnh."

"Talk to me."