Silence. Ivan and Rowena both stood still, staring at Vione without blinking.
“I’m meeting Usher, Dad,” Vione said again. She pouted as she continued, “We’ve been dating since the night of the Coming-of-Age Ceremony.” Her face flushed, obviously embarrassed. “When we were celebrating at the palace, and that’s when we…”
Vione didn’t finish her sentence, but both Ivan and Rowena understood. They could guess what had happened that night. But one thing was still unclear to them.
Ivan cleared his throat. He rubbed his chin, looking puzzled. “Usher?” he asked. “Which Usher are you talking about?”
“Papa,” Vione groaned, feeling even more helpless. She was completely embarrassed. “There’s only one Usher I know, the one you both know, Usher Thorne.”
Ivan’s mouth opened, but no words came out. He seemed genuinely shocked and needed a little more time to fully process the name Usher Thorne.
Ivan stared at Vione. “Usher Thorne?”
The doorbell rang at the same moment. Vione’s eyes widened. She looked excited.
“It must be him.”
Vione ran to the door, followed by Ivan and Rowena. She opened the door and there stood Usher.
“Hi, Vione!”
Vione smiled and then stepped aside so that Ivan and Rowena could see the truth in what she had just said. “Papa, Mama, Usher wants to take me to the cinema.”
Ivan and Rowena exchanged a look. Then they both smiled, although it was a bit stiff.
“Oh,” Ivan mumbled awkwardly. He looked between Vione and Usher. “So, you want to watch a film?”
Usher nodded. “Yes, and that’s why I hope you’ll allow Vione to come with me. Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of her.”
“Of course,” Rowena nodded repeatedly, gently holding Ivan’s hand. “Of course you will.”
Relief was evident on Usher’s face. “So, can we go now?”
Rowena nodded again. “Of course. You two can go-”
“Wait.” Suddenly, Ivan cut Rowena off. Everyone’s eyes turned to him as he focused on Vione. “I need to talk to Vione first. Don’t worry, it won’t take long.”
With that, Ivan turned and walked further into the house. His behaviour made Vione sweat nervously. She hurried to follow him, but not before giving Usher a quick smile, signalling that everything would be all right.
Vione’s pace slowed when she saw Ivan standing in the middle of the room. She gathered her courage and called out, “Papa.”
Ivan was silent for a moment and then approached Vione. Her heart pounded, preparing for anything that might happen, but instead she was enveloped in a tight embrace.
Vione was stunned. “Papa.”
“I didn’t realise Usher had such a sharp eye. I’m the fool. You’ve been friends for years, since you were children. So, it’s only natural that he fell in love with you.” Ivan shook his head, obviously frustrated with himself. “It would be impossible for him not to fall in love with you.”
A small smile formed on Vione’s lips. She raised her hand and gently patted Ivan’s back. “So, I take it you approve of our relationship, Papa?”
Ivan groaned softly and released the hug, while Vione let out a small laugh. “You know there’s nothing I can do about it this time.”
Vione’s laughter grew louder, and this time she hugged Ivan. “Oh, Papa. I love you.”
Ivan kissed the top of Vione’s head. “I love you too, dear. I hope you’ll always be happy. I will do everything in my power, whatever it takes, to ensure your happiness. Even if Usher hurts you one day, I won’t hesitate to stand up for you.” He squeezed Vione’s upper arm. “I would sacrifice everything. My life is nothing compared to your happiness.”
Vione’s laughter faded instantly. “Papa.” She pulled away from Ivan. “Don’t say things like that. I don’t like it.”
“I’m not saying anything unreasonable.” Ivan smiled, then gently pinched the tip of Vione’s nose. “I’m telling the truth. You and your mother are the most important things in this world to me. So, whatever it takes, I will do it for both of you. Even if I have to die to protect you and your mother, believe me, I would be happy to do it. So, promise me, Vione.”
Vione felt the air catch in her chest. Her emotions swirled, overwhelmed by Ivan’s genuine love and affection. His sincerity left her speechless.
“Promise me you’ll always be happy. Only then can I be happy.”
Vione could only nod. She forced herself to hold back tears as Ivan took her hand.
“Come. I’ll take you to Usher.”
The tension that had surrounded Usher and Rowena vanished instantly as Vione and Ivan arrived. Their small talk stopped abruptly and they turned to look at Vione and Ivan as they approached.
“I expect eleven o’clock to be a good time for Vione to be home,” Ivan said bluntly. Then he asked Usher, “What do you think?”
Usher nodded. “Vione will be home by eleven at the latest. I promise.”
“Good, and…” Ivan looked at Vione’s hand in his. “… you also promise to look after her.”
Usher nodded again. “Of course. I’ll look after Vione as best I can.”
“As best as you can?” Ivan repeated, now staring intently at Usher. “Will you really take care of her as best you can?”
Usher was taken aback for a moment. Ivan’s tone was different-there was an unusual emphasis that suggested something deeper. He wasn’t clueless and clearly understood Ivan’s intention, so he didn’t hesitate to reply. “You needn’t worry. I promise to really take care of her, just as you hope.”
Ivan took a long breath and looked relieved. He smiled as he stroked Vione’s fingers, then placed her hand in Usher’s. “I trust you, Usher.”
Vione’s tears flowed even more freely as memories swirled endlessly in her mind. Her emotions were in complete turmoil. She felt sinful and guilty, but also happy.
“Even if I have to die to protect you and your mother, believe me, I would be happy to do it.”
In her entire life, Vione had never met Ivan, nor had she ever heard his voice. Yet she could swear that now she felt as if she had experienced it all.
Vione felt that she had met Ivan many times before, enough to know that they shared the same smile and the same blond hair. She was also sure, in some inexplicable way, that she knew Ivan’s voice. She knew its husky, deep, firm quality. She knew it, and it was exactly the voice that echoed in her mind.
“Promise me you’ll always be happy. Only then can I be happy.”
Vione clutched her chest, then nodded repeatedly, her tears unstoppable. “I promise, Papa. I will always be happy.”
*