OLD FRIENDS' REUNION

"This is it, my dear. Are you ready for this?" My father says this as I help him out of the room.


Although he is weak, he is still dazzling in his three-piece custom-made suit. It seems like he renewed his energy over the night. He seems stronger than I would have thought.

"Of course. I am ready, Papa!" I respond.

"Are you sure?" He asks.


"I am sure. It has been long over time," I mumble, admiring his courage and his concern.

Why didn't I see this side of him before? He seems like a totally different person.


"Alright. Just know that whatever you decide on, your father will support you. "He reassures me with a labored grin.

Sounds sweet, right? But like I said, this offer should have come to me a bit earlier, when things were not this complicated. Now I don't think his offer will help, but it is indeed a joy to know that he cares about me this way.

I give him a smile. I just can't let him know that his offer is so late. "It is okay, Papa. Don't worry. Nothing will go wrong. I have caused you so many problems already. I won't add any more to the list."

"That is what worries me the most, my dear," he stops, making me stop too as he hugs my shoulders. 'You still want to make up for everything. Didn't I say that you have nothing to be sorry for, my dear? This is your future, my child. I don't want you to sacrifice your life and happiness for this old man. I have lived my life, and I am giving you the privilege to live yours without me dictating it anymore. I want you to choose your happiness before anything."

Ooh, daddy! If only he had been like this from the beginning, things would have been so different. "I am glad that you are giving me a chance to choose what is best for me, Dad. But let us just meet them first, okay? I don't want to assume things. I mean, it is only fair that I honor the Riccafortes this much after everything I have done. We will see how this goes after I meet their son."

"Sure, my dear. We will have a lot to talk about after. I want to know what my daughter has been doing for all those days you were away. And I want to hear everything. Every single bit of it all. I know you are doing well. Even better than you were doing before. Your glow says it all, and I want to hear it from your mouth. You promise?"

The glow! Am I really glowing amidst all this? I can't tell him everything, even if I want to. Some stuff can't be disclosed. "I promise. Shall we?"

I tuck my hand on his, and we descend the stairs together and into the sitting room.

The dining area is well set up on time, and I am both eager and nervous to meet them, especially him.

What if he asks for explanations? What if he detests me for what I did? It will be difficult to hold even a simple discussion with him. What is he like? What does he look like?

My! The anxiety is freaking me out. And the fact that Damian has not replied to my text is also freaking the shit out of me. He has been off since last night. The message is still lying on my phone without a delivery report. I have checked my phone a million times to see if he has switched on the phone, hoping for a call or a text back, but nothing. I can't keep fretting like this today of all the days. I should be calm like a cucumber and composed as I face the Riccafortes. Not battling anxiety like this.

"Are you okay, my dear? You seem restless."

See? Even my father noticed! Everyone would notice this every ‘now and then' check on my phone, craning my neck in the direction of the door whenever I saw the shadow coming in. I don't want to imagine the shock and disaster of him storming in here. Good Lord, please don't let Damian act irrational! He needs to trust me for the sake of everyone today!

"Yes, Pa! I'm okay. Um, why are they taking so long? It's almost seven," I try to lie.

Come, Damian! Respond to me!

"They should..."

My father starts, but he is cut short by one of the guards marching in with a bow. "Sir! The guests have arrived," the head of security announces.

My stomach rumbles. I swallow hard and dry. I tremble. Why the heck am I squirming like this for a stranger?

"Show them inside!" My father responds to the guards, and they walk outside to carry out the order, while for me, the air seems to heat up in a way that I don't like. "Are you sure you are alright?" My father asks, scanning my face.

I feel hot and cold at the same time. I don't know what is happening because I always thought I would face this day with all the bravery in me. This feels so strange. Maybe it's because of Damian. That guy is driving me nuts with fear of anything going wrong today. I will never be able to forgive myself or him if anything happens to my father because of his messing this up. "Yes. Let's go." I clutch my father's hand, and we stroll to the door.

The bright faces of the Riccafortes greet us at the door: Mrs. Riccaforte, shining bright and grinning widely beside her husband, and a man who looks younger than him. I know him from the few family dinners we have attended, but I am sure he isn't their much-awaited son.

"Riccaford, my good friend! How are you?" I release my father's arm so that he can extend the formalities freely, while I take a step back.

"I am doing great, my friend. Welcome," my father responds.

"Mrs Riccaforte!" I turn around to the suffocating face of Gracia and her little whore. Who invited these two b*tches here? Imao! "Pleasure to meet you once again," she says, going for the hug that is not so much welcomed by Mrs. Riccaforte.