Dave
My heart almost skipped a beat, even though I couldn’t see her face right away.
“Who’s this beauty we have here?” I said out without thinking, admiring her from behind.
Emilia lets out a soft chuckle, “Did you hear that? Dave is calling you a beauty even without looking at your face. Turn around please.”
Is that, Aileen?
The girl turns around the very minute. There stood Aileen in front of me, looking like a goddess with her hair down in wavy curls.
That white stoned necklace around her neck complimented her make-up and dress. I was mesmerized by how pretty she looked.
I always thought she looked younger than me, but this dress-up is making her look very much attractive and gives an adult vibe.
She has finally graduated from a girl to a woman. That’s great.
“Aileen, look at his jaw drop. Your daddy is impressed. I think you should look out for the guys you might be killing with your looks. We need to get an ambulance ready.”
“Come on! I’m not looking that good,” Aileen remarks, tucking away the strand of hair behind her ears. “Am I?”
I think that question is directed towards me.
“Don’t worry, you look amazing,” I replied, scratching at my cheeks.
Her cheeks flustered red in response. She lowered her gaze the very minute.
“I see…. thanks.”
“I think we are ready to move now. Let’s go,” I suggested.
“Yeah, we are. Come, Aileen,” Emilia grabbed her by the hand and we headed towards the car.
Emilia sat beside me at the front and Aileen sat at the back. During the ride, everyone was silent. So, I just turned on the music to lighten up the mood.
Emilia looked up at me as if wanting to say something but stayed silent.
We reached the hotel in a few minutes.
We were greeted by the staff upon entering. But, right in front of the entrance, Emilia stopped in her tracks as if stumbling upon a ghost by any chance.
“Mom, what’s wrong?” Aileen asked, grabbing her by the arm.
Emilia clutched onto the strap of her hand bag tightly and stood still.
“What’s wrong? What are you standing here for?” I asked. “We are late. Are you alright?”
She turned to face me with a worried look.
“Dave, do you think it would be alright if I leave? I don’t want to attend the party.” She pleaded.
“Leave? But why? And right after arriving? What’s the matter?”
“Uh…well, I don’t want to see your dad. I have a bad feeling about meeting him after so long. Leave me out of it, please!”
I heaved a sigh, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. “Dad was the one who told me to bring my family. And you were the one who agreed to come with me. Why are you getting cold feet now? It’s not like you to do that, is it?”
“I know! But, I’m not feeling all courageous suddenly. I feel as if all the strength in my body has left me. I can’t move!”
“Haha, there’s no time for joke. Come with me! Aileen, follow us!” I grabbed Emilia by the hand and pulled her forward with me by force.
We made our way towards the main hall. There was a crowd of guests gathered around, with drinks in their hands.
“Dave, let me go!” Emilia whispered, trying to free her hands from my grip.
“No, you aren’t going anywhere. So, stand still with me. There is Dad waiting. Let’s go.”
I headed towards my father’s direction. And I kept checking on Aileen so she didn’t get separated from us.
I need to be alert all through the party.
She has dressed almost like a prey today. Men are dangerous, I need to protect her.
He stood there with people surrounding him. Just look at his laugh, you can never see him laughing even at home.
This man only finds it funny when things are related to either money or involving even more money. He has devoted all his life to money making and neglected his family, his wife and his children who never got to spend any time with him.
I bet he doesn’t feel even a shred of loss regarding it. Cause he never cared about other people’s sufferings.
But, I won’t do the same. I won’t take after him, that much I’m sure.
“Good evening,” I greeted, standing a few feet away from him.
His attention turns to me the second he hears my voice.
“It seems my son is here. Excuse me for a minute,” he said, moving past the crowd which surrounded him and came over to my side.
Emilia held onto my arm tightly, as if being frightened by his presence.
He examined my face and looked in Emilia’s direction.
“Hm…. it seems you’ve really brought your family. Good, good. Good to see you here, Mrs. Emilia. It’s been a long time since I saw you. How many years had it been?” he asked with a sarcastic grin.
“Please just call me, Emilia,” she asserted, “It’s been two years since I last saw you. How is your health now?”
“My health? Uh…. it’s going fairly well. I haven’t been that seriously ill since you helped with my recovery. Guess, you are a good nurse after all.”
“Oh, you flatter me. I’m glad to hear you are alright. Please limit your alcohol intake even if it’s not regular. It’s not good for your age.”
He snickered, “Yeah, I’ll make sure to listen to you. But, didn’t you say you were going to bring your whole family? I don’t see your daughter anywhere. Where is she at?”
“I’m here,” Aileen answered, appearing from right behind me. She came to stand right in front of Dad.
Dad examined her for a minute before his lips curled into a smile.
“Hm…. ain’t she a beauty? Where have you been keeping her all these while?”
“Uh, I’ve been staying away from everyone during my two years of high school. That’s why you didn’t see me,” she replied. “But, I hope to see you more often now that we have met. Nice to meet you, Grandpa.”
He looked at me a bit flabbergasted to see me call him that.
“Grandpa? Oh, yeah. I’m your grandpa now. I forgot all about it,” he laughed. “I mean, you would be the same age as my daughter if I had one hypothetically. That’s why I can’t imagine you being my granddaughter and calling me grandpa when you should’ve been my daughter.”
His daughter? Yeah, I’m soon going to become your daughter-in-law instead of your granddaughter. I hope you are prepared for that.
“What is your name again? I forgot,” he inquired.
“Uh, Aileen.”
“Yeah, Aileen.”
Lying old man. He never forgets the name he once heard and now bothering her to tell her name again.
“What is your age, Aileen? Which grade are you studying now?”
“I’m 18 and I’m in my first year of college.”
“First year? Now, that’s good. What are your plans for the future? Get married to a wealthy guy like your mom did? Or do something out of your own abilities?”
He’s being mean even without trying the least.
Aileen smiled and replied with her head held high, “No, I don’t want to marry a rich guy. For now, I want to get my hands dirty with real job experience and then try out things which might suit me and then I can figure it out later.”
Yeah, give him a piece of your mind.
“It sounds like you have nothing planned yet. Is that what you are saying?” he asked.
Did it sound like that? How the hell is his brain processing things?
“No, it’s all planned. I’m sticking to my plan and going according to it. And I know it’s going to be successful. I’m confident about it.”
Good for you to hold onto your ground and not give in to his random questions.
“Really? Don’t you think that’s overconfidence?” he laughed.
“No, I take pride in myself. And it’s only my confidence. I have faith I’ll be able to achieve the things I want to and lead my life according to it.”
He smirked, putting his hands in his pockets. “I hope you have a backup plan if your plan backfires.”
“No, it won’t. I can assure you that.”
Go for it, Aileen! You may be the first person after me who can make him lose the debate that he started.
Dad looked up at me a bit impressed. “You’ve got a pretty little interesting family here.”
“It was a nice experience talking to you,” he said, holding out his hands towards her. “I hope you can drop by to my house for some tea. Or do you prefer some sweet snacks with it? Cause I like my tea bitter.”
“I hope you can add some sugar cubes to it. Cause your life might become too bitter if you only drink bitter tea,” Aileen remarks with a smile. “And no, I like spicy and salty snacks. Not sweet.”
Dad laughed out loud, making everyone look at him only.
“Aileen, mind your words a bit,” Emilia whispered low. “He’s your grandpa.”
“As I thought, you are really interesting. At first, I thought you were a dumb girl who has no brain to call your own. But, I’m wrong it seems. I definitely want you to come over to my house. Drop by whenever you want to. Here is my card and address,” he took out his business card and held it in front of Aileen.
I was about to snatch it away but Aileen accepted it.
“Thank you. I’ll make sure to drop by if I want to.”
Why did she have to take his contact number?
He looked in Emilia’s direction and said, “Your daughter doesn’t take after you at all. She’s smart and pretty. Do you want her to meet some of the most bachelor men in the town present at the party?”
Meet men?
“No way! I disapprove of this!” I yelled aloud, fisting my hands.