My Baby Daddy Isn’t Human

Raelynn sank into the plush chair of the restaurant, letting out a sigh as she glanced around. The place was busy, but not packed. The warm vibe was thanks to the soft lighting and mellow music playing in the background. She was hoping the mall would give her a break after everything that happened earlier. Changing locations had been a spur-of-the-moment decision, but she couldn't risk running into Mr. Mints or Gina again.

Hera sat across from her, as stiff and composed as ever. Her back was straight, her hands resting lightly on her lap, her expression as unreadable as always. They had just placed their orders, and now they waited. There was a long pause, the silence stretching between them, thick and almost suffocating.

Raelynn fidgeted with her napkin, folding and unfolding it as her gaze darted around the room. She could feel the quiet weighing on her, heavy and uncomfortable. Hera didn't seem bothered by it at all; her face remained calm, her eyes fixed on a point somewhere over Raelynn's shoulder.

This is so awkward, Raelynn thought, biting her lip. She wasn't used to this kind of silence. She had to do something, say something—anything to cut through it.

"So…" she began, her voice hesitant, "here we are."

Hera's eyes flicked to her, and she gave a small nod. "Yes, Miss Moore."

Raelynn forced a smile, feeling the tension in the air grow thicker. Okay, not exactly the icebreaker I was hoping for. She tried again.

"Um…" She hesitated before letting out a small laugh. "I wanted to say sorry… for making you carry all those books earlier. I know they're heavy, and I could've helped."

Hera's expression didn't waver. "It's okay, Miss Moore. It's part of my job."

Raelynn leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "Of course it is," she muttered under her breath. "You always say that."

Hera blinked, her brow furrowing slightly in what might have been confusion.

Raelynn shook her head, a small grin tugging at her lips. Never mind. Let's try something else. She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. "I'm curious—how long have you been working for Elion?"

Hera paused, her lips pressing together as if weighing her words carefully. "Quite a long time," she finally said.

Raelynn raised an eyebrow. "That's… kind of unclear. Are we talking years? Decades? Centuries?"

Hera's lips twitched, a hint of a smile almost breaking through. "Years," she clarified, her tone polite but careful.

"Ah, so you've been dealing with him longer than I have," Raelynn said, sitting back again. "Impressive. He's… quite a character."

Hera didn't respond, but there was a flicker of something in her eyes—amusement, perhaps?

The silence settled between them again, and Raelynn felt her nerves creeping back. She couldn't stand it anymore.

"Alright, I'm just going to say it," she said suddenly, leaning forward again. Hera raised her brows, taken aback by how straight to the point she was. "The reason I switched malls was because of my ex-manager and a colleague. I saw them at the last place, and I didn't want to run into them."

Hera tilted her head slightly, her gaze questioning but still reserved.

Raelynn sighed. "Mr. Mints—my old manager—is a complete jerk. He always found a reason to criticize me, even when I bent over backward to do everything right. And Gina…" She shook her head, her expression darkening. "Let's just say she was the queen of mean girls. Always whispering behind my back, making me feel like I didn't belong."

Hera didn't say anything, but her eyes were locked on Raelynn.

"I just didn't want to deal with them," Raelynn continued, her tone softening. "Not now, when things are finally starting to feel… okay again." She laughed softly, almost as if mocking herself. "I guess I'm a coward for running away."

Hera's voice was clear as she spoke, "You're not a coward."

Raelynn blinked, caught off guard by the response. "You don't think so?"

Hera shook her head. "Avoiding unnecessary conflict is not cowardice. It's wisdom."

Raelynn stared at her for a moment before breaking into a wide smile. "Hera, that might be the nicest thing you've ever said to me."

Hera's lips twitched again, and this time, it was unmistakable—she was holding back a smile.

"Well, since we're on a roll," Raelynn said, leaning forward with a playful glint in her eye, "I think we need to address something important."

Hera's brow furrowed slightly. "What is it?"

"This," Raelynn said, gesturing between them. "The whole 'mistress and maid' vibe we've got going on. It's weird. I'm not used to it, and honestly, I don't like it."

Hera looked taken aback, clearly confused. "I don't understand."

"I mean, I want you to feel comfortable around me," Raelynn explained. "Like, I don't want you to feel like you have to be so… formal all the time. Treat me like a friend, not your boss."

Hera hesitated, her gaze dropping to her hands. "I… don't think that would be appropriate, Miss Moore."

Raelynn groaned dramatically, slumping forward and resting her chin in her hands. "There you go with the 'Miss Moore' thing again. You're killing me here, Hera."

Hera's lips curved into a small, hesitant smile.

"I'm serious," Raelynn said, lifting her head and fixing Hera with a mock pout. "Do you not want to be my friend? Is that it?"

Hera's eyes widened in alarm. "Of course not. It would be my pleasure."

"Good," Raelynn said, her pout transforming into a grin. "Then it's settled. From now on, you're my friend, and you're going to call me Raelynn. No more 'Miss Moore' or nonsense."

"But—" Hera began, her voice uncertain.

"No buts," Raelynn interrupted, holding up a finger. "You agreed, remember? Friends."

Hera's hesitation lingered for a moment before she finally nodded. "Okay… Raelynn."

Raelynn beamed at her. "See? That wasn't so hard, was it?"

Hera's smile grew a little wider, though it remained faint. "I'll try my best."

"That's all I ask," Raelynn said, sitting back with a satisfied sigh.

Just then, their food arrived, and the waiter placed the dishes in front of them with a polite nod.

As they began to eat, the awkwardness seemed to fade away. Raelynn felt a warmth spread through her, like the weight had lifted.

For the first time, she felt like she wasn't entirely alone.