"Just go to the shade of the cafe. You look like a wet chick there."
He chuckled. I didn't answer but I realized he was right. I turned to the child.
"Let’s go? Let's go there so you can eat properly?"
And so we did that. The guy still holding the umbrella on us. I turned to her as I supported the child.
"You’re getting wet."
I speak here. He raised his brow and said,
"As long as you’re not getting wet." I side eyed him. "I mean… the kid."
He continued what he said. I chuckled and can't help to hissed. His uniform is familiar. Maybe he's from the neighbor univ of mine.
We quickly took shelter in the cafe and the child continued to eat there. I turned my head to the guy and saw him removing his ID from his neck.
"Thank you. Even you got wet."
"It’s alright." He simply answer.
"Are you from AD?" I asked.
"Yes."
He didn't even look at me because he removed the uniform button one by one. I cleared my throat and looked at the kid. He's still eating and I smiled lightly.
I looked at the rain which was not strong but it seemed that there was no intention to stop.
"Uhm, I'm Jade you ar-"
My introduction was left on the air because when I looked back at the man he was no longer beside me. I saw him stepped out while holding his uniform in his hands.
He was wearing only a plain white shirt paired with slacks and I could see how he could get wet in the rain because he didn't have an umbrella bit by bit now. I was surprised and looked at the umbrella next to me.
I still wanted to call him but a few seconds later I knew the point of what he did. When the rain stopped, me and the kid parted ways. I gave him the umbrella which the guy have left.
"Yaya,"
I said while mini-gesturing the coat of my uniform. It got wet a while ago and so I didn't wear it anymore. I might even get sick.
"The Governor is already waiting at the dining ma’am."
The maid informed me. I just nodded and went to the dining room right away. I'm too tired for this but I don't want to keep dad waiting.
"Dad." I uttered.
He's busy reading news paper in his hands while the utensils are in front of him He's all alone in the 10 seats dining table.
I quickly grabbed his attention. A heart warming smile immediately showed in his face upon seeing me. I came to him and kissed him and he did the same.
"Why are you so late?"
"Thesis." I simply say.
"You should have eaten without me."
He sighed and started to touch what's in the table while the maids are all busy serving the food.
“You know it’s sad to eat alone.”
I looked at him once and I didn’t take it long. It hurts my heart to hear those words from him. I regretted saying those words.
On the midst of our dinner, me and dad just talked about things and such. More like about the campaign and how he's still convincing Jax to run the election.
"What will you take up in college, Jade?" he asked.
"Hmm. I don't know, haven't thought of it. Maybe something inclined with math? Since ... that's the only subject I'm good at?"
"Numbers? Again?"
He said disappointed.
"Dad, it's different from Jax. Besides, I'm not yet sure." I shrug.
I heard him sigh. A long silence was left after.
"For sure a lot of guys are flirting on you. Is anyone courting you?"
I'm a bit puzzled with his next question. His tone is different and he can't manage to look at me. Seems like he doesn’t want to ask that thing either but he has no choice left.
"Uhm ... some. But, I don't have a boyfriend dad."
"Because you still like Erato?"
I swallowed my food wholly before answering.
"Dad ..."
I couldn't continue what I was going to say, because the truth was I didn't know what to say either.
After some incidents and happenings between me and Erato, since then my mind couldn't think straight whenever I hear his name. It's a different matter now.
"Are you sure it's still him?"
"Dad, I ..."
I bit my lips. I'm a daddy's girl. Growing up I only have him, yet I'm still shy having this kind of conversation with him.
"How about Aiden? Aren't you good with him?"
I looked up at him.
“You know, they are a family's friend. A political ally and ..."
"Are you saying that you don't like Erato for me?"
"Of course not."
He laughed in faint. He even avoided looking at me.
"Then why are we suddenly having this conversation?"
He did not answer me. I gulped and a bit nervous about what he's about to say.
"You liked Erato from the very beginning. You treat him like your own son more than Jax's."
I emphasized because I think that’s really what he’s aiming for. I can't understand why it seems now that he suddenly doesn't want Erato.
"And are you forgetting dad? You're one of the reasons why I grew fond of that man. Growing up he's the only gentleman I see here, except from you, Jax and the guards."
I reasoned more. He did not move and just looked at his food seriously.
"And besides ... I just like him. I’m not saying that we’ll be getting married."
My last words were weak. That's true. Ever since Erato let me know that he can play with me, I seem to have doubts as to how far I can go. Why it seems that the closer I get to him, the more it hurts. I saw from my side eye how dad turned his head towards me.
Seems like he's a bit surprised hearing those words from him. I toyed with my food with the fork I was holding.
"So if you don't like him for me ... just, let me like him for a while."
I heard his loud sigh.
"Because he don't like me anyways."
With a complete dejection and desolation, I uttered.