Chapter Fourteen

“I love you so much, Daddy!”

I immediately ran towards him and hugged him very tightly. My tears almost fell when finally, I saw Daddy smile at me. Sign that we are okay now. He burst a soulful chuckle the moment I went to him and he immediately catch me. Oh, I miss my Daddy so much. My tears can't stop from falling, I sobbed multiple times which made him worry about me.

“I miss my princess too. Very sorry about the things that happened a few days ago. It keeps me bugging, Helly. I miss you a lot.” He brushed my hair through his fingers. “If your Mommy could just see us now, she'd probably be happy too.”

I nodded as I agreed with what he said. It's a beautiful sight.

It's the weekend now so I asked Dawn to drive me to our mansion. Since he's free, he indeed drove me. It was also his words that one of the reasons why I felt compelled to apologize to Dad. Daddy didn't seem to see who I'm with a while ago because he didn't ask about it.

So yeah, I just made him my driver. He seemed always happy to do it, so I just let him. Until now, I still didn't know if these actions of his are still part of our friendship or more than that. I'm sure it wasn't anymore. I wasn't born yesterday not to notice every bit of the things that we do. He acts almost like my boyfriend. However, unlike Ethann, I'm not annoyed with it. In fact, I like it. I always hear my heart beat fast every time I see him. Every time I'm with him, it makes me wish that hopefully, this day won't end. How I wish that we can stay like this a little longer. That we could end up together...

I don't even want to pass a day without talking to him, without seeing him. I always wanted to hear his voice, it's like music to my ears. Sometimes, even though his jokes are a bit corny, it still makes me burst into laughter. When I'm with him, I am also with myself. I think I am free to show what's the real me, show my imperfections to him and he's always there to lecture me. I had so many realizations because of him.

Maybe, I am damn infatuated. I hate it every time I see him talk to me casually like, the heck! I am always stuttering every time I talk to him. What was that? I looked like a stupid hoe. I looked like a potato living under the soil. My face melts and becomes thin. Also, there's a feeling of mine that when I praise a random man, I immediately feel uncomfortable. As if I'm cheating on Dawn. Though, he's the most handsome and grown man I've known.

I wasn't born yesterday to act clueless about what I am feeling now. It's a bit hard to admit but I know, I am definitely falling for that Hadley heir. I am falling in love with the man who treats me like his sister. I'm not sure about that but that idea will help me stop assuming things between us. I suddenly remembered Eriesyl. How lucky she is that she has a brother who's very protective and very ideal. Oh, I envy her.

I know, he only sees me as a friend and that hurts me. I can't blame him if he treats me special, protects me like I am a precious stone that everyone intends to steal. There's actually one time that I asked him what I am and he answered “You're my friend, Helly.” Ugh! I want to punch him for giving me false hopes.

After that, I stupidly cried to my room alone after hearing his answer. I expected him to say that he somewhat likes me, he likes me for being me and he can't deny that he is slowly falling for me but then I am just expecting nothing. Stupid me. I couldn't stop thinking that... what if he's also acting like this to the other girls? Oh no, I don't think I could bear thinking about that idea.

“Don't make Daddy worried again. You know I just want your safety so I told you to stick to Ethann. He is the only one who can protect you except me. That suitor of yours, I trusted him Helly so please, just stick to him.”

I sighed heavily as I still lost it. I thought he would now let me study at Suneast without someone acting like my very annoyingly possessive bodyguard. Yuck. I thought he would leave me alone and study peacefully.

“Dad, I don't think I will need Ethann,” I admitted.

Daddy furrowed his brows in disagreement. Oh yeah, this time I can't resist him anymore. I am the spoiled brat who's like a queen, living in a world that I want. However, he glared at me, eyes like daggers.

“Fine, Dad. I don't want us to argue again.”

“That's good to hear. Don't be stubborn again.”

I just smiled at him and hugged him again. Though, I also want Daddy to drive me to school and pick me up there. Go out with him just like in the old days, back when Mommy is still with us. Damn, I remember her smile again. How I wish I can bring back those times so I can tell her how thankful I am to have a Mommy like her. My precious Mommy left us hanging.

After that moment of me and Daddy, I asked him if we can go out together and good thing, he is not that busy in the hospital. I went there with Daddy and gave my genuine smile to all the nurses and doctors there. They are working hard and they love what they're doing. Hopefully, someday I will be able to teach my future students warmly. That is all that I wished for.

We then went to the nearest peaceful seaside where the air was fresh. I smiled the moment the cold wind kissed me. This feels so damn good.

“I remembered those times that you also let the wind embrace you just like what you're doing now, Helly.” I heard Daddy sitting beside me.

I let out a little chuckle. Those days are years ago. When Mommy is still with us, we always go here and have our family date. The three of us were the almost perfect family back then.

“Do you miss Mommy, Dad?” I finally sat down and gave my full attention to him.

He let out a heavy sigh as he looked at the sea in front of us meaningfully. “I miss her every minute, Helly. I miss everything about your Mom.”

I can see the pain in his eyes. That looks to hurt me. “Then why don't you date someone who can make you remember Mommy?” I asked curiously. Heck, I don't even want Daddy to replace my Mommy. No one's better than her.

“I can't, I don't want to,” he responds, his voice so lonely. “The moment I and your Mom vowed to each other, I promised that I will love her no matter what happens. Her life ended but not my love for her. In my heart, there's nothing changed. She is still the only one I love. The both of you, actually.”

“How hard is it, Dad? To love someone who isn't existing anymore, romantically?”

His lips formed a line. “It hurts more than you imagine, Helly. When you remember all those things that you usually do with that loved ones of yours, you feel happy and sad at the same time. For me, I can't stop thinking that what if she survived? What if there was no accident happened?”

Dad was staring at the view in front as if the memories of him and Mom were being played at the horizon. He was watching it like that, that's what I could imagine.

I swallowed hard to stop my tears from falling. Being left by someone you really love hurts like hell. So I know what Daddy feels. I can't see myself in the future leaving someone I love, but if I do, I will let him open his heart to someone else after me. I don't want to become selfish. Though, I don't want him to forget me—forget how he loved me.

Out of nowhere, I remembered Dawn. I wonder if ten years from now, what will happen between us. Will he finally find his true love? How about me, who's my true love? Will he be going to love me forever, heck hopefully he won't cheat.

I wonder who he is? Someone I will love ten years from now? In what way will I meet him? Can I feel those sparks too just like what the fairy tales told us back then? Though, I know that fairytales are very unrealistic.

“Dad, I wonder how you and Mommy met?” A question popped up in my mind.

He glanced at me and then put his eyes back to the view. “The moment I first saw her was her downfall. She found out that her ex-boyfriend was just playing around. He only wants her to lift his grades up by dating her. You know, when they were still together, the guy often asked for answers and let her do his homework and after they graduated, a month after, he broke up with your Mom. In other words, he didn't love your Mom. I don't even know why that time I went to her and comforted her. From that moment, I helped her to love herself until I woke up one day, I am falling in love. Fortunately, your Mom admitted that she loves me too. I am the happiest man alive at that time.” I can see the longing for happiness in his eyes while reminiscing those moments of them.

“Daddy, how did you know that you're falling in love?” I asked innocently.

“Hmm, I just knew that I can't get my sight off your Mom. My heart beats abnormally. Until I saw myself wanting to know her more, she then told me everything about her. I don't know why but even her flaws, I love every bit of it. In my eyes, she is glowing. Uh, Helly it's a bit corny.” he chuckled.

Just the same as what I feel now. I suddenly become corny as heck. What was that? Okay, I admit it. I am falling in love but let's keep that a secret from Dad.

“Daddy, what if we fall in love with someone who feels the opposite? Can we force them to love us or just let them go and move on?”

“Helly, we can't force them to love us. Don't chase love, no one will care if you will get tired. If he can't love you back then fine, move on. I know it's not easy but I know you will get through it. You are strong just like your Mom.”

How did he know that I was talking about my feelings? My eyes simply widened. Damn, I'm doomed.

“Oh, my princess is falling in love now?” He patted my head while my cheeks became red as tomatoes.

“I-I'm not sure, Dad.” I swallowed as I muttered.

“Hmm, tell me who he is. I want to meet him soon. Unless it's someone whom I already met?”

I wish he's not thinking about Ethann.

After that talkie-talkie moment of me and Daddy, we leave the place and then drive back to our mansion. This day is tiring. I am sweating and exhausted.

When I finally opened my phone, a message popped up and it was from Yulla. I clicked it and immediately regretted why the heck I clicked the damn message.

It was Dawn walking on a red carpet while his hands were on the gorgeous girl's waist.

Bitterness filled my whole throat. I hate to admit it but they look good together. They are both in a formal suits. The girl is wearing a bodycon dress that definitely hugged her curved body. Damn, my insecurities. I mean, I have curves too but not defined as this.

I sighed heavily. Damn, I am nothing compared to those girls. I forgot to think about that. He's hot and handsome so sure, some girls are head-over-heels for him too. Yes, I am gorgeous too but I don't have the curves she has. I see, Dawn doesn't love me the way I love him—I mean, he loves me as his friend.

He didn't even text me that he's going somewhere now.