Chapter 8

Mia POV (1 month later)

Things between me and Kai haven't been the same. We have been avoiding each other since the night he told me about his feelings. Ava is starting to suspect something, but we could brush it off saying that we see each other at work all the time.

After that night I decided that is was time to jump into the dating pool. The only problem is that the men I attract are plain creepy. As soon as they hear I am a stripper they think that it is an easy way into my bed and don't get me started about when they hear I am responsible for my little brother. 

Now I am part of a dating app. Tonight is my first date with this guy. Ava is here helping me get ready for my date.

"So what is its guy's name?" Ava asks me curling my hair.

"His name is Patrick Phillips. He is 27 and works at a bank. He has a son of his own, so he will understand that I am looking after my brother."

"Sounds like a dream guy for you. I hope this goes well. Where is he taking you?"

"He told me it is a surprise so I will see how this goes."

Ava finished with my hair and I got dressed in my black lace dress. I hear the doorbell and Ava walks down towards the front door. 

"Hi, I'm Patrick. I'm looking for Mia?"

"she will be only a few moments more. I'm Ava by the way."

I walk down and see Patrick standing at the door.

"You two have fun. Don't worry about Liam. I will call you if anything happens."

I nod at her. Patrick gives me his hand and I take it. I smile at him while he leads me towards his car. On our way towards where ever he is going to take me, I decided to break the ice by making the lamest joke ever.

"You not taking me to the woods to murder me are you?"Luckily he thought this was funny.

"You haven't had much luck in dating have you?"

"Unfortunately no. And I have heard some horror stories about dating."

"You're in good hand with me don't worry. We are going into town and not to the woods."

We spent the next few minutes just filling the silence with conversation. I am so nervous. I feel the butterflies in my stomach that I was afraid of word vomit so I tried to keep the words to a minimum.

We stopped in front of a nice restaurant. He told me he made a reservation at a 5-star restaurant, but I didn't believe him. This must be the best restaurant in New Zeeland.

"I haven't even asked you, how old is your son?"

"He is turning 5 this year. He was this adorable baby. I just wish he didn't need to grow up so fast. How old is your brother?"

"He is turning 7 this year. I know what you mean, Liam is starting to get sassy, but he is the most behaved 7-year old I have ever seen. If I see what parents are going through with some of their kids, I thank the heavens for the brother that I have."

The waitress came and took our order. I could see the questions swirling round in his eyes. I realize that our conversation is going to turn awkward.

I ordered some steak and salad while Patrick ordered the steak and mash. After the waitress left Patrick turned towards me.

"I know this might be a too personal question and you don't have to answer if you don't want, but why is your brother in your custody? Where are your parents?" I knew this conversation was coming. I made it a point to tell the person that I was on a date with that I have a little brother that I am looking after and that if something happens to him that I will have to leave. I take a sip of the wine that the waitress brought.

"My parents were in a car accident about 2 years ago. They both died on the scene. We had a wonderful social worker. She didn't want to split us up, so she gave me the chance to prove myself. I left school and went on to find a job. My best friend is a few years older than me so she asked him to keep an eye on us. He then became our legal guardian since I was still a minor. I am planning to go to court this year to petition and to become my brother's legal guardian." I see the sympathy in his eyes. I wish it was different, but everyone that hears my story feels sorry for me.

"I am so sorry to hear about that. No child should go through that when they are still so young."

"Okay, my turn. Why do you have custody of your son? Usually, the mother gets custody." Patrick takes a deep breath and once he looked back up at me I can see his gaze became empty. It was like the whole room turned cold.

"My ex-wife and I had shared custody of my son at the beginning of our divorce. That is until I realized that she left my 2year old son alone while she did drugs in the bedroom. She will also leave him alone in the house while she went out to party at the neighbor's house. Once I found that out I asked the court for full custody and I won." I was shocked. How car any mother do that to her own child. Liam is my brother and I feel guilty to go out to work on most days.

"I am so sorry. I am glad you got custody of your son."

The waiter came with our food order and we start chatting about more happy things. We talked about the challenges of raising small kids. We kept our conversation light while we were eating.

Once we were done eating Patrick paid the bill and we walked to his car.

"Well, I have one more surprise for our date. The night is still young." He smiled at me while opening the car door for me. I must say that this date is going well. Great actually. Deciding not to mention my job title was the best decision I ever made. Maybe I will tell him on a later day.

I send a quick message to Ava telling her that I will be a bit late since I don't know what Patrick's plans are for the evening.

We stop outside a karaoke bar and I feel the excitement buzz all over my body. I love singing. I wanted to become a professional singer when I was younger except I couldn't. I had to place my dreams temporary on the back burner for Liam, but it was a small price to pay to keep me and my brother together.

"I saw on your dating profile that you love singing so I thought why not bring you to a karaoke bar."

"Thank you, Patrick. I haven't sung for a very long time. I hope you are not too disappointed." We climb out and started walking towards the doors."I actually wanted to be a singer. I was planning to go to the best music school I can find, but unfortunately Ilife got in the way."

We walked in and went to sit at a table. Patrick stood up and went to the bar to order us something to drink.

Patrick came back drinks in hand and the folder with all the songs tucked under his arm. He gave me my drink and a folder. I start flipping through it looking for the best song for me.

"Why don't we each do a solo song and then we do a duet?" Patrick suggested while taking a sip from his beer.

"Lets first do the duet. That way it will ease my nervousness. and I know what song we can do as a duet."

"I am going to regret this aren't I? Okay you pick the duet and my song while I pick your song. It will make this more interesting." I look at him and see he has a hint of a mysterious smile on his face. He was hoping to trip me up but that is not going happen.

"It is a deal. Our duet song is an island in the stream and your song is don't go breaking my heart."

"Now that is just plain mean. Cant, you pick another song?"

"Nope."

Patrick starts looking through the folder and he smiles up at me. He jumps up and went over to the man that works with the karaoke machine. He comes back and sits down.

"So what's my song?" I ask him.

"Nope not telling you. Although I can tell you that we are up next. Then it's me and your song is third."

The person that was singing the song ended. She placed the microphone down and walk off the stage. Our names were called and We walked up to the stage.

Patrick and I turn towards each other and our song started. I listen to his voice. He wasn't that bad of a singer. When my part came up and I started to sing Patrick's eyes went wide. I guess he thought my dream was just that a dream.

Our song ended and I went to sit down. Patrick sang his heart out hoping to impress me but he didn't realize that I was already impressed. He was truly a wonderful man.

My name was called again and I walked up. Patrick handed me the microphone. Once the first cords of somebody you loves begin I could only smile. Subconsciously Patrick picked the most beautiful song on the roster. I closed my eyes and start to sing. I imagined Liam being taken away from me and I used that emotion to make my voice more heartfelt. I place all my emotions into that one song.

The song ended and I opened my eyes. Everyone was crying. Once they realized my song has ended the crowd jumped up and started to clap loudly. I didn't know how to react so I just bowed down and walked off of the stage.