Chapter 53
Tessy’s POV
“It’s me, are you okay?” I finally realized it was my dad.
“Daddy you scared the life out of me, please don’t do that again.”I said with uncontrollable tears streaming down my eyes.
“I’m sorry my dearest, I thought you took note of my presence, I never intend to scare you or make you cry.” Dad held me in his arms patting my back in the process. I cried like a baby for a few minutes but he never stopped calming me down. I finally got better and said to him, “Thank you Daddy for making me safe.”
“It’s my duty as your father to keep you safe, you know the day you were born, I realized a lot of things, thank you for coming to my life Tessy.” I knew Dad was serious with everything he just said through the expression on his face, I had never seen him this sincere in my entire life. What’s happening to my father? Is it because of the issues he is having with his mom?
“Why are you researching that?” He asked immediately when he saw my research about Dragon and Viper.
“Oh that, well everyone is talking about it, I can’t believe how ruthless they are Dad. People are wondering who the dragon daughter is, some say she might be ruthless like her father, others want to know her so they can avoid her so they don’t get burnt by a dragon.” I explained the whole thing to him and he gave me a faint smile.
“I doubt that, Dragon’s daughter might be hardworking, caring, and beautiful as well, nothing like her father. I am kind of sure of that, no daughter will take after such ruthless behavior you know.”
“You are right dad, thinking about the whole thing from another point of view, it could be she just wants a simple life, we shouldn’t use her father’s sin to judge her.”
“Exactly, she should be free like a bird and be loved by all, no one should condemn her, instead let the heat come to the father, the one with the sin,” Dad added but I felt a bit weird because Dad sounded as if I was the daughter of of the ruthless Dragon.
“Okay Daddy, I love your idea but you are making me feel like I am a dragon’s daughter already, I can’t be a daughter to a devil himself, I am glad God gave me you as my father, you are like my role model.” I finally said the truth I kept buried in my heart and touched my dad’s face. I felt like a baby right here. I just want to be close to my father, many said I looked a bit like him. My goal is for my dad and I to create a lot of memories and also for my mother to return to his life so we can become a family again.
“You shouldn’t make me a role model dear daughter, your mom should be a perfect model for you.”
I kicked against that suggestion from my father, there was no way I was going to take after Mom. She is good at controlling someone too much, not even caring about what I want. I am certain the whole marriage stuff wasn’t dad’s idea but hers, I have no way to prove it so I just flow with everything and obey them all too.
“No Dad, I’d rather take after you, you are nice, and hardworking and also care about the less privileged too, I know about the orphanage home you own but seeing you don’t want to talk about it, I kept mute.”
“You mean you found out?”
“Yes, daddy.”
“How about we go for a ride? What do you think?”
“Let’s do that dad, I am bored already.”
“Sure, I will give you time to change but can you stop researching that, it’s a total waste of time,” Dad suggested and I one hundred percent agree with him on that.
While putting on my clothes I thought about everything Dad said but I shook off my thoughts, whatever happens to Dragon and Viper shouldn’t be my concern at the moment. Right now I should focus on my father, this is all I ever wanted, to be daddy’s girl, get back the years I lived without him in the picture and finally my family will be back again.
I bounced out of the room, feeling excited like I was going to get sweet from Santa Claus. Dad was already waiting in his car for me to hop in which I did like a flash.
“Are you ready for a long ride?” Dad asked and I nodded in return screaming, “Dad, I’m so ready!”
He chuckled, smiling warmly at me. His eyes crinkled at the corners, and for a moment, I saw the happy dad I knew before the divorce he had with mom years ago, I might have been a kid then but I still remember.
As we zoomed off, the wind whipping through my hair, I felt alive. The world blurred outside a colorful streak of trees and buildings. I closed my eyes, letting the rush wash over me.
“Dad?” I asked, turning to him, my voice carried away by the wind.
“Hmm?” he replied, his eyes fixed on the road.
“Mom’s not reuniting with you anymore, is she?” The question slipped out, my curiosity getting the better of me.
Dad’s expression turned serious, his jaw clenched. “Let’s not talk about that now, Tessy. Today’s about us, okay? Just father and daughter” His tone was gentle but firm.
I nodded, understanding. “Okay.” Sometimes I wished he’d open up, and tell me what really happened between them and what was causing all the arguments too.
We drove in comfortable silence, the music playing softly. Hours passed, and my stomach growled, I hate it when my stomach embarrasses me this way..
“I’m not that hungry, Dad.” I said.
“Really?” he replied.
“Fine, you got me, I’m starving!” My voice rose, mock desperation.
He laughed, the tension easing. “Perfect timing! Let’s stop for some roasted steak.”
We pulled over at a roadside diner, the aroma of sizzling meat enticing. My mouth watered as we stepped inside.
As we sat down, Dad smiled warmly. “I’m glad we’re doing this.”
“Me too, Dad,” I replied.
We ordered our steaks and dug in, savoring the tender flavors. For a moment, everything else faded away. Just Dad and me. On the open road we were free like a bird.
I had the best moments with my dad and I wish to create more memories. He suddenly got a call and excused himself to get it but I could barely hear what he was telling the other party.
*
A few days later, I was back at my apartment and I concluded I wouldn’t be needing therapy since the nightmare is not repeated but it comes unexpectedly.
I sat at the rooftop enjoying the view and thinking about Anthony. I miss him so much, maybe I should just kill my pride off and ask Eddy for Anthony’s number coming up with a simple excuse.
“You are here, care for some drinks??” Sophia said interrupting my alone time and I nodded my head.
We had a little chat when she suddenly said to me, “Do you know the story of Dragon and Viper? I can tell you everything since we are enjoying the cool breeze from up here.” She smiled and I felt weird. Should I proceed to hear it or forget about it since it doesn’t matter as Dad suggested?
TBC.