Treasures

I didn't even complete that thought before the cells in my body screamed a bloody explosion that sent my arms shaking.

Acceptance then rolled over, sending waves of bliss and contentment throughout. I lowered Fiona back down to my chest, which made her beam with happiness. Her happiness was mine, and I've never really thought hard about my own happiness.

"Do you like it there?" I asked. She had pressed her face so deep down into my chest that I began to feel a dampness and uneasiness, wondering if she could breathe like that.

Fiona mumbled an acknowledgement and then relaxed herself completely. The grip on my shoulders loosened whilst I felt her weight shift, sitting comfortably on my arm, press down even heavier.

Time flew by in our silence and positions as I didn't know what to make of the situation. "YES!" I started to get tired of that voice in my head. Even more so to my own voice which I didn't even have control over. It asked Fiona so embarrassingly gently, "How do you know I'm your daddy?"

The sparkles around her seemed to have glowed brighter. "Daddy can see this, right?"

I gave two firm nods. Fiona did the same.

"Then you're my daddy!" she cheered.

For the nth time, my gaze blackened. That didn't explain anything about the who, about the why and, about the how. Nothing. Nothing but reinstating the fact, again, that I'm her daddy.

I pointed to the glowing lights around her. "What is that?"

Her smile broke thin. The boundless energy in the air wavered before the orbs dimmed. Fiona turned her head away, a weak and helpless frown now hung on her lips.

"Daddy has to promise me he will be daddy before I can promise to tell you," she said after two deep breaths.

"I can't."

"No, you have to!" Fiona bursted out. She jumped from the bed to my arms with zero care of danger. "You're daddy, Fiona's one and only daddy, wuuu..."

I didn't even have time to react before her hands grappled my shoulders and arm. She landed with a FWUMP and that familiar cushion-like warmth. Hearing her gentle sobs, my heart softened. It melted like microwaving butter late at night. Real depressing. I found myself growing despondent. I didn't know how to deal with crying children. Especially her.

There was a silence and stillness that hung over the two of us. Fiona bawled softly over it. I found my heart wrench the longer it lasted. What kind of insufferable trauma that made her like this?

When two beeps that of a microwave's rang in my head, it woke something within me. I could hear clearly Fiona's soft cries for me between her sniffles. It wasn't even an annoying or piercing sound but I never wanted to hear anything like it again. That was when something clicked.

I started to adjust her position in my arms. One hand wrapped around her legs with a little toss. Her koala cling turned to a koala sit on my arm. Another hand reached out to pat her back, a gentle beat. In no time, the bawling stopped. Her blank face gaped at me—a third surprised, a third shocked, a third confused.

The movies burned this scene so vividly inside me, I couldn't believe it was happening in reality. Right here. Right now.

My thought process went a little like this—since I've wanted a daughter all my life, why should I reject this opportunity? All the new, eye-opening supernatural occurrences clearly wasn't going to stop her from demanding me to be her daddy. By my own judgment of Fiona and whatever those things were, I concluded that they weren't dangerous. Instead, much to cute. My vision of a perfect daughter and an easy-going, normal life didn't seem so far out of reach anymore.

Thus, the last bars around my heart dropped. I felt a heavy weight from my shoulders drop to focus on my hugs and carries in my arms from now forth. I saw the last knots of my heart slowly unravelled itself after her constant cries of 'daddy' squirmed it's way through. Since you want me to be your daddy so bad, I'll have to take up on that offer. I'll treat and spoil and raise you like the daughter of my fantasies.

Fiona's hot breath continued to tickle my nose. I noticed something strange. Her heart-rate and breathing slowly thumped louder and faster the longer we stared at each other. My hands, knowing that she was aware of her of what was happening moved from her back to the sides of her head. I brushed the two strands and bangs of her to the jolt of her body.

When her soft hair hung around her ears, we froze again. I stared into her eyes. Delicate lashes. Little bubbles still glistened. They blinked rapidly—she avoided my gaze. On my arms, she shuffled from side to side. Her head darted across the room. I didn't know she had this cute side of her. Her proud, princess-like demeanour that walked with demands and spoke with orders now trembled in my arms, although I didn't know from what. I made up my mind to find out.

"Fiona," I called to her slowly.

My voice was a bit raspy, more of a low-toned rumble. I didn't know how to sound gentle or comforting. It was my best attempt—and it seemed to have worked. She swivelled her head back to me. And although she turned away just as fast, I caught that glimpse of excitement.

"Fiona," I called again.

Her expectations let her snuck a peek my side once more. That was when I striked. One hand wrapped around her back and up and pushed her baby face to me. I leaned in for a decisive peck on her cheeks. That sent her body tense before her legs and arms squirmed on my chest.

"I've always wanted a daughter," I murmured into her ears. "Maybe this is fate."

"Yeah! I said so—ack! Stop, stop it, daddy..."

The floral scent from her hair was a breath of the wild. A sharp contrast from the pungent odour of dead bodies and blood I was familiar with. We were six feet underground, locked in a room but the spring breeze still tinged my arm.

In my mind, I thought it was worth overindulging myself to see this cute and embarrassed side of her. I think Rose called this tsundere. Fiona, the little princess was a tsundere. Her little punches and kicks came sudden and sharp, a bee attack that stung over the honey-like mood. She wanted out.

"Daddy!" she shouted, having enough with it.

I couldn't or didn't want to detect that trace of anger. It sounded cheery and joyous to my ears, so I took my time. I sniffled and snuggled against her. It sure felt as if I'd completed half of my life's dreams then.

When I finally set her on the bed again, she immediately threw a pout my way. The sight of her sitting on the plain sheets was irking. Coupled with the sense of loss of the warm bundle of joy in my arms, a slight annoyance rose within me. She didn't belong there. Fiona didn't belong anywhere but my arms.

I tried appeasing her. "I'll be gentler next time."

"Humph." Turning sideways, she harrumphed.

To me, the princess attitude was a bothersome fifty-fifty. Like a lowly commoner, a part of me detested that haughtiness, while another part of me truly wished she was a royal princess. That would give me an excuse to spoil her. Which I wanted to do. Badly.

I tried again, asking Fiona more gently this time around. Maybe she would have a change of heart.

"Hug again. Get in my arms," I prompted.

It didn't work. I flashed a smile as she turned an eyeball. My heart sank. Not even a second had passed before her gaze curved upwards again. She didn't even acknowledge me, and I couldn't believe I was outdone by the ceiling or whatever she stared at. I took a moment and some deep breaths to try and make sense of the situation. I was the dad, and Fiona was MY daughter.

Wasn't she supposed to be the one bugging me for attention? Weren't hugs and kisses the norm icebreaker? Why were things south between the two of us?

Somehow the fact that we've just met not even an hour ago slipped out of my mind. While I evaluated all the other factors that may have influenced her to act like this--no, my hygiene was great; it couldn't be stench that's deterring her. I didn't doubt my sense of security to protect her either, for I was a master assassin. I never considered that our sudden, familiar connection--this invisible string that I thought was our blood-relations would make things awkward.

I wasn't to type to back off of something trivial or somewhat head-aching like this. I've had years of experience making split-second decisions and swift strikes to meet my goals, that was, to complete my missions. As soon as these thoughts came and went, I moved swiftly. Nothing was more important than this. I scooped her up into my arms, and sat in her previous. Though this time, Fiona laid on my arms in a cradling position.

You wouldn't believe her aggravated pout. Her warmth and scent were all my senses could think off. Coupled with her expressions and her little fingers wrapped around in a fist, I thought nothing of but how impossibly cute she was. As well how happy I was around her.

Fiona's uncomfortable shuffles turned into angry twist and turns. However, my eyes never left hers. My arms stuffed her closer and tighter into my chest. She was about to shout when my words slipped out of my mouth. "I think I love you alot, Fiona."

Again, I felt her body tense up. Seconds past. Then a minute. I think I was getting the hang of teasing her like this. If I could keep this up, she'd remain in my arms forever. While her mouth hung agape in a small but wide 'o-shape', I could see her little tongue pressed against the roof of her mouth. I had to give myself a slight smirk seeing the words caught in her mouth.

My words seemed to have finally registered within her, for she flushed red all over. Another minute ticked by and she still hadn't said anything or even moved. Was she surprised that the whole 'be my daddy' thing went so well?

Feeling a bit nervous and a bit guilty for overstepping my boundaries, I loosened my grip around her. I patted the blanket beside me, fixing the creases before gently helping her sit. Her arms and legs now hung free were drained off energy somehow. She toppled over. I inhaled, quickly grabbed her back. Then, I set her in a proper, upright position this time, and let her lean on my side.

Just like that, we sat in the comfortable silence for quite a while.

I guess Fiona must've sorted out her own thoughts because her princess attitude returned. Believe me was I surprised when I felt a slight tugging from the back of my neck. It was not a pleasant sensation. Some bad memories resurfaced, mostly involving nooses, killings and death. Not what I wanted. Out of reflex, my thoughts would automatically translate to twist whoever's wrists that dared to do this to me.

Fiona's creeping warmth from my sides stopped me.

I wanted to break free from these shackles of my past and these parasitic thoughts. It was part of my dream to retire peacefully this life of crime. I couldn't be randomly choking people in my normal dad life whenever somebody patted me on my shoulders, could I? So don't even get me started on Fiona. Heaven or god or whoever had sent me a daughter. I didn't dare to any think of doing anything that would harm her. Or make her unhappy.

Boy, it was so pleasing to announce that I let Fiona do as she pleased. Anything she did, from her warmth to her breaths, seemed to have tamed me. Those parasitic, daylight nightmares turned into nothing but a lub-dub sensation each time she tugged and breathed. The nerves there were in a drug-like bliss, and that slowly translated into everywhere.

The corners of my lips couldn't help but curve to a genuine smile. When my jaw froze--jawslacked, I realized that I, I was smiling. What in the world. My cheekbones and lower jaw turned into an uncomfortable grind. It hurt to smile, that was how long I'd been indifferent for.

It was stifling it felt to acknowledge your own feelings. It was even more disappointing so when Fiona only continued tugging my shirt twice.

When she noticed that I had noticed her antics, she gave me a brave but careful blink. I couldn't quite discern her expression, but I didn't think anything off it. The heaven-like bliss I was wallowing in couldn't be more distracting. Why did she feel so good and fulfilling when she ONLY returned to lean on my arm? Why was I so happy smiling?

This must be the blessings of having a daughter, I thought. The movies and all the life-advice given out to the people were right. Having a child or being a parent really does give one new joy and hope in life. I've never felt this way. I didn't think I deserved to feel this way. Fiona was like an angel. Everything about her--from her features, her aura to her countenance brought what was an epiphanic satisfaction to my heart. My dreams, were truly coming true.

Yeah, I stuffed her my arms again. Couldn't help it--she was irresistible.

Fiona didn't seem to mind either, allowing to do as I pleased. That is, until I started sniffing.

"Daddy," she cried out weakly. Her body returned to shy twists. "Stop it, d-don't do that."

Hear me out before disgust flashes. in your minds. I was aware it was slightly creepy of me to do so, but there was just something about her fragrance that was enchanting. As I said earlier, about the spring breeze she brought around--I've never smelled flowers or trees or nature that fresh before. There was something pure, and serene about it. The opposite of an aphrodisiac--it calmed me, down to the soul.

My future plans revolved around being a normal dad, but this was a definite no-no and borderline criminal. Ain't that funny? A ruthless, psychopathic murderer, who emotionless but for the greed of money would care about staying on the good side of law and morals? Laugh all you want. It's true. I didn't want Fiona to see or experience this dark-side of the world. Thus, complied, though with a condition. I hoisted her by her waist and let her sit comfortably on my lap.

"What do you want me to do, then?" I asked, but my attention was elsewhere.

Fiona's long, brunette hair dangled in front of me. As I waited for an answer, each of her breaths sent them tickling my nose. Another urge started building up inside of me. I found myself back in time--the spring fields were covered with dandelions, the yellow flowers and white puffs alike. I found myself charging into the fields with an ingrained instinct: that was, the kick all of those seeds and watch as the wind carried them away. It was this same instinct I tried so hard to resist. Helpless, I began counting each stand of her hair. How silky and amazing would that feel...

Fiona seemed to have read my mind. She didn't answer my question but instead replied with a spin of her head. "Humph, daddy! Don't touch my hair!"

That was the first time I felt her hair, and it was a literal slap across the face.

"It's like you've adopted me instead of me adopting you," I murmured.

Her eyes squinted at my words, but Fiona crooked her head. It didn't look like she understood. And as far as I was concerned, I'd didn't mind that. Not at all.

"Let me hug you instead, then."

Fiona shook her head.

I paused, not knowing what else I could do with my newly-adopted daughter.

"Headpats? Cuddles?" I prompted instead.

"No!"

I made a pouting face. "Dad... daddy will be sad, then. Fathers and daughters are supposed to hug and kiss."

A burning sensation grew from behind my cheeks. I must've gotten deep into the mood, calling myself 'daddy' like that. Augh. I never knew I had the capability to throw my dignity away like that.

Apparently, Fiona thought the same. At my stutter, she had flinched when all throughout before (I was very proud to announce this) her cute gaze bore and never left mine. Her fingers curled around my shirt along with little blinks here and there. The flutter of her eyelids were just so captivating, I had counted them in my mind whilst I was talking.

I wanted to kiss and nuzzle her right there and then, during my words. Why did I choose to speak?

Our eyes met again. It seemed that my words had riddled Fiona into speechlessness and rendered her embarrassed again. I realized that it was the electrifying sparks that flew between us that brought out that shameless referral.

Much to no one's surprise Fiona regained her composure, fast. She crossed her arms and gave a firm rejection. "Fathers aren't supposed to take advantage of their daughters either, humph!!"

I leaned on her shoulders. "You're so smart. Where did you learn those words? It makes me want to spoil you even further, Fiona. What did you do to me?"

"You tell Fiona why she wants to slap you so badly right now!"

Right as she finished her 'all bark, no bite' threat as a cute puppy, the image of her blushing face slowly crept and appeared into my vision. That was when my brain kicked into high-gear: this was the prime opportune to strike. I think I've started to get a hang of this--a deadpan, teasing declaration of love would certainly send her over the moon.

"Because my daughter Fiona is so cute and she loves her newly-found daddy very much," I stated as cool as a cucumber. With zero hesitation, I turned sideways and gave her pikachu-like blushing cheeks a quick peck.

Almost immediately, Fiona stopped her twisting and turning. The correct prediction seemed to have sent me over the moon as well, for time in that little room seemed to have halted again.

Instead, this time around I didn't give a damn anymore. The corners of my heart were already curled into an evil smirk. I continued relishing her fragrance and stroking her hair, knowing and thanking God or whoever that Fiona was weak to compliments.

When she finally responded with one sniffle (gods, that went straight through my heart) I knew had to restrain myself, no matter how fake or real the sniffle was. I pulled back and loosened the hug around her.

The impatient wait for her to do something was more nerve-wracking than ever. My mind blanked out again from rationally and wandered into stupidly scary possibilities. Maybe I truly crossed the line this time. Maybe Fiona was truly annoyed and angry and was going to disown me. Only now did I remember the lines to always respect one another's boundaries no matter, else that relationship would sour.

"F-Fiona?" I prodded, carefully.

Her words earlier of taking advantage of her resonated like a ship's bell struck at noon.

I was nervous, truly nervous, so when she did nothing but let herself slide down my leg, my heart almost went with her.

In the end of it all however, Fiona snapped out of it and hung her head forwards, seemingly in remorse.

"... I didn't know you were like this, daddy," she sulked. "You were so cold earlier."

"I think you still are... but you were definitely much cuter and bubbly earlier, jumping into my arms and whispering to me!" I retorted instantly and regretted it just as fast.

Adrenaline and overthinking does wonder to people. As soon as she ended her sentences, blood started to pump. I thought her words her foreshadowed her flight or my complete fright. Sucks that it was both. Couple that with the earlier trainwreck of anxiety and you get a submissive sociopathic adopted father that was I.

"... You like the cool me?" I asked, amidst the familiar, unsettling silence that had followed.

I was an absolute dimwit for asking this. Fiona drew her back straight. She shuffled herself forwards quietly, inching farther and farther away from me. The bright and cheery aura grew sullen as she responded slowly. "Looks like daddy likes that Fiona more, too."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"You'll never not be cute or never not be my daughter, Fiona."

"Daddy is daddy, Fiona won't run."

MY OLD WORK BELOW. NEW CHAPTERS AND EDITS WILL BE ADDED THROUGHOUT THE WEEK.

"Fiona, can you pass the mirror to your big sister?"

"Yes, of course!" Fiona reached and opened the drawer under the desk. She pulled out a small, handheld mirror and passed it to the woman.

"So, uh, miss. Around now, you can see the effects. As per price, how does $170 sound?"

"OOOH! This beauty pill truly works as you said! I only bought it for the little girl. Didn't expect something that you are selling would work so well! Look, my skin is becoming so radiant! Eeek! My complexion is better, too! The mole, even the marks are all gone!" She rubbed her cheeks. "The texture is so smooth, like a newborn's!"

The woman then put her purse on the desk. "Tell me, little girl. How did that useless-looking father of yours get his hands on this pill? This will take the cosmetic world by storm!" She paused for a second, her energetic voice becoming almost like a whisper. "Wait. Don't tell me. Did he make this?"

"No, Fiona helped daddy make it!"

"Aha. That makes sense!" She nodded her head, then turned her attention to the mirror.

Ahem. Excuse me, what makes sense? Woman, I see no differences in your appearance, except a smaller brain, bigger mouth, and thicker skin! First, what useless-looking person are you talking about? Second, who do you not believe that useless-looking people cannot refine pills, huh? Are you looking down on my brethren?

"$200. Thanks for your review."

"I look so much younger!"

"So big sister is now little sister?" Fiona piped up.

"..."

Pfft. We both turned to look at her, before bursting out laughing.

"Hahaha, little girl. I would tote be your younger sis if father wasn't....." she turned to look at me.

"One thousand and two hundred dollars, tax included."

"Such a shameless bastard!" She exclaimed, turning to Fiona and patting her shoulders. "Look at our father, sis. He's such a wuss like he can't even take an insult! Aiya, and he's a businessman who tries to scam others! $1200? Is he kidding? I hope he is! Even Chanel's beauty products aren't worth that much. It seems like Father can't read either..."

This audacious woman! Don't bring Fiona into this!

She gave me a disgusting wink. "Big sister, how about we run away from home? Look at father fuming, he is getting furious, I think he might want to punish us."

Oh, yes, I want to punish you. Don't you dare try to warp Fiona's thoughts! Her purity! Her innocence! Her younger sister has ruined them! That's it. No more siblings for her, else no amount of holy water can cleanse the corruption!

"Let's stop this, trope. Are you paying or not? Else, the police can settle this situation, and we can move on to talk about your new foster home, my youngest daughter."

"Tch. You're no fun. How much?"

Hahaha, you let your guard down! You got way too into character, my audacious scornful slanderous daughter. Now, the shameless king strikes back!

"Two grand with child support and legal rights to see your sister. How about it?"

The woman pouted and acted pitifully, with her arms dangling close to her chest. Taking a whimper, she sounded as if she wanted to cry, "Hey, daddy, why do you make it sound like I'm disowned already, and I'm buying benefits for it?"

Fiona burst out laughing. "Daddy and big sister are so funny!" she said with a beaming smile.

Ah. Smiles are contagious, especially from the ones you love. I gave a light chuckle as my mood improved. The laughter where the clouds steer clear, the flowers blossom and the birds dance in the skies. Fiona is a little angel.

"I'll give you a discount. $200."

"What's with the $30 increase from the original price?"

"Ah, you got a cute big sister. You've got to pay for that, you know."

"... You are selling your daughter..."

"No, you are buying her happiness. And that's what matters." I hugged Fiona as she nuzzled into my chest. "Hey, stop laughing at daddy."

The women watched as I patted Fiona's head. She paused for a second before reaching into her purse and dropping 2 bills.

"I will spread the news of this product on beauty forums. I'm reputable there, so you'll get quite a few customers to help the business."

Hesitating for a moment, she blinked, her eyes full of longing, before turning around. "And... you are a brilliant father. Take care."

"Bye-bye, big sister!" Fiona waved.

Another one with a story. She reminds me of Fiona, with that glint in her eyes. The longing of a father, that is. Come to think of it, I got her name. What a pity. She's an interesting first customer.

I turned my attention to Fiona. "Do you sense any other cultivators around?"

Fiona shook her head. "No one, daddy."

"Ah, I guess we will have to wait again."

_________

"Sorry, the price is $170, non-negotiable."

"Are you kidding me? This smol ass thing for almost two hundred dollars? You must try to scam me! Don't think I don't realize you, you, you homeless thing! Huh, looks like you picked these so-called herbs off the sidewalks! Trying to make some quick bucks? Your poor ass should just hand over your run-down shop! Only citizens like me who contribute something to society and the economy should own the-"

"Fiona, knock her out, and erase her memories."

"Hey, wait I was talki- " don't cut me off-" She fell to the ground with a loud thunk.

"And the only way you contribute to society is the livelihoods of the garbage collectors! Their economies couldn't grow without some trash in the world, am I right?"

"That lady talked too much. Very annoying. I want another big sister to visit the shop."

"It doesn't seem like anyone else is coming. Let's close up for the day, and get some food, all right?"

"En."

"Come, daddy will take you to this noodle shop. They make some tasty noodles!"

"It won't be as tasty as the noodles that daddy makes."

"Aww, you're so sweet, Fiona!" I hugged her again. "Daddy is hungry and you must be too. Let's just eat the noodles and daddy will cook later, okay?"

"Mhmm mm."

__________

We walked to a small and shabby place at the corner of the street. It was more of an outdoor stall than a restaurant, really. There were only two seats on the inside, and some picnic tables on the outside. A white drape divided the kitchen.

"Hey, boss! Get me two sets for today's special!"

"Hey, is that you Vincent?" A gruff voice called out in shock. "Didja say two sets? You got somebody with you?"

"Yes, it's me, and I want two sets! Gone senile yet, old man? My daughter and I are here for a meal." I called out.

Silence fell behind the kitchen. "Didja said, daughter? Do you have a daughter? You, that introverted cold man who refuses to talk to anyone?"

Why the hell is he so surprised that I have a daughter? "You've gone senile, old man."

"Fiona, say hello to uncle!"

"Hello, noodle-uncle!" Fiona said happily, sniffing the air.

The bowl shattered, followed by a loud clank of a pot falling.

A buff man popped out from behind the curtain. "I can't believe it." He took a good long look at Fiona and turned his astounded eyes back to me. "You've done it. Crazy son of a b*tch, you did it."

He rolled up his sleeves. "Oh, heck yeah! This meal's on me, as congrats!"

"Who is that uncle, daddy? He seems friendly." Fiona asked.

"Mmh. Daddy met him when he was low on money. Uncle would give me some noodles to eat, or else I would've starved. He's a kind and principled man, though he looks a little scary."

"I should thank him, then!"

"Bwahaha, you're such an angel, Fiona. Come, let's eat." I pointed to the two steamy bowls that 'noodle-uncle' brought.

"Enjoy your meal, m'boi. Little girl, uncle gave you some extra eggs. Grow up to be pretty and tall, mmkay?"

"Yes, thank you for everything, uncle."

"Hahaha, you're so polite. Are you sure he's your father?" He pointed to me. "One day, I saw him in the dumps and gave him my leftovers from today. He sat down, ate a bowl, and then ran off! Then he comes back every 4 days and does the same!"

He grew solemn and said with a serious tone, "don't grow up to be a freeloader like your father."

I gave him a kick in the shins. "Shut up and go take your medicine!"

"Okay, little girl. Enjoy your meal and remember what I said. Don't grow up to be like him."

"911, emergency here. There's a mentally ill patient here, selling noodles and his delusions!"

"Cheh. Just eat already. You've changed a lot after getting that daughter of yours." He waved and walked back towards the kitchen.

I guess I have. I've been talking to alot more, and I'm much happier with her around. And now that I have a goal in life, I can work towards it! That means spoiling and pampering her to no end!

Fiona took the first bite with a long slurp, followed up by small sips of soup. "Hot!"

"So, how is it?" I asked, wanting to poke her cheeks. Her face was red from the heat.

"It's not as bad as I thought it would be… but daddy's noodles are still better."

"Haha, eat it for now. Uncle's noodles aren't bad at all. Daddy will cook later."

We continued to eat in silence, except for the occasional slurps, and the sizzling sounds coming from the kitchen.

The wind howled, bringing a sudden chill in the air. I felt like this was the right moment to ask Fiona a question that's been lingering on my mind for a while now…

"Hey.. um... Fiona, be honest. Do you think daddy is useless? Daddy has to rely on you to do almost everything…"

I felt like all the marvelous things happening in my life recently were all because of Fiona. The loan, for example, I would have never gotten it without Fiona being by my side. And… now, the experiences from today. Everybody I've met today is shocked or looking down on me, though some meant it as jokes… I cannot help but wonder, is Fiona too good for me? Does a man like me, who has no education, no job, and practically nothing deserve a daughter like her?

One may recall my past and pity me, but that is sympathy for the devil. The pain inflicted on me was far outdone by the illegal deeds and the hurt I've done to others.

Only my dream kept my rationale at bay... I've turned over a fresh leaf for the sake of it.

Was it worth it?

Yes, definitely. I don't doubt that. Fiona is my dream, my everything. She is a new meaning, a new beginning.

But.... is it the same for her? One can easily coerce her into rejecting me. Today is proof of that. This damn noodle-stall owner, I'm never eating here again.

When you gain everything but lose it right after, it hurts more than having nothing at all. Fiona... I hope you'll never leave me. No matter what, I'll always be at your side.

She placed her chopsticks down on the table. The wind howled again, making her silver hair flow in the wind, looking like an angel who descended and graced us mortals with her presence.

"Fiona thinks daddy is perfect just the way he is." She said with a wide smile, arching all the way to her eyes.

I heaved a huge sigh of relief, and shook my head. I'm too possessive, too nervous in this relationship. 'I shouldn't be asking a 7-year-old that these types of questions, that is way too immature of me.'

"Hmm, so you think he is useless."

"Ugly-looking too, hehe!"

"Humph! Daddy is handsome, you know."

"Daddy needs to take beauty pills. And the body-refining liquid while at it."

"..."

"Fiona, daddy doesn't do drugs."

"Hmm? These aren't drugs. These are pills, medicine pills, for the ones that need it!"

Ouch. That kind of hurt Fiona. Well, I need to get healthier. We need to go back to Fiona's world, and it's inevitable we'll be fighting and cultivating there. My scrawny frame won't even last a heartbeat.

"If you put it like that, then fine. I'll eat them with the noodles. Could you pass it from your spiritual ring?" I asked.

Fiona tossed them over to me.

I popped the pill into my mouth and drizzled the body refining liquid like a sauce on top of the noodles. Grabbing a chopstick, I mixed it around before eating it.

Pffbt. I almost spat it all out! I forgot that these pills taste bitter as f*ck!

Fiona was dying from laughter. "Bwahaha, daddy looks so fun-"

The wind picked up at speed and drowned what Fiona was saying.

"Fiona? Hello?" I grew panicked by the second. What was going on? There shouldn't be a tornado in the middle of the city!

Rumble

The sky vibrated like a volcano about to erupt as it shook and fell.

"Urrgh." I almost vomited, as I felt something hot stirring in my stomach. Looking up with loud gasps, I saw Fiona sitting cross-legged with her eyes closed.

Damn, did she get scared?

"FIONA!" I cried out and ran to her.

I hugged her close, gripping her shoulders, and waited for that sickening sensation in my stomach to go away.

crack

The sky split with a deafening thunderclap, as a hole emerged from it, slowly swallowing us in.

'What the fuck is that?' I thought as I gazed into the hole, looking like the cosmos from science fiction films.

"Are those stars? Planets?" I asked to god knows who as I felt my body lifting into the sky.

The wind tickled my skin, making me shiver. I gripped Fiona, who was sleeping in my arms harder.

"En," she stirred, waking from her trance. Thank God she was awake, I thought, regaining my composure.

"Ah, sorry, did I hurt you?"

"No. Daddy, you opened a space rift. I was forcing my spiritual sense to cover it up from everyone that's here. And I got the noodles." She held up a bowl of noodles, with a pungent smell coming from it. "You had a reaction with the pills."

A reaction? Allergic reaction? I had an allergic reaction to the pills and open a space rift? This is some next level cliche shit. If I were a character in a novel, I would totally curse the author. This makes little sense! Alas...

"As long you're safe, Fiona. Don't scare me like that. I'm scared of you being scared!"

"It does not scare Fiona. Fiona is more worried about daddy's thoughts on coming to my world."

"I am all right with everything, as long as I am with you." I nuzzled closer to her, as a wave of drowsiness coursed throughout my body. I felt my vision blurring and my arms weakening... Fiona... falling... unconscious...

"Daddy? Daddy?"

My world went black.

Oh? Is that Fiona calling me? She sounds panicked; I have to greet and comfort her.

What's this? That's my arm, my leg, and me. Oh. It's me. In space, floating and leaving this world.

I'm really leaving this world.

I have no genuine connections to this world, except gratitude. I'm grateful for the tiny minority of people who have shown care in my toughest times. I'm grateful for people like the old noodle man, and that woman, my first customer, for giving laughs and providing for me. I'm grateful for the batsh*t parents that I have, for they have given me life, to live life for Fiona.

I'm entering an unfamiliar world, a new beginning. One with Fiona, the one I'm giving my life for.

Am I worthless? Yes, yes, I am. I'm not knowledgeable, and I'm not strong. I'm not handsome, nor am I rich.

But I am one thing. Fiona's father. And that's great. That's amazing. Cause that's all that I need to be.

The wormhole swallowed us up and left no trace of us.

A silent departure, kind of like death. Ironic, since this is like death, huh?

Death is the end, and the end brings new beginnings.

Goodbye.

A bowl fell onto the ground with a loud plop.

__________

A burly man walked out from behind a white curtain. He stopped for a second, confused.

"What in the name of heavens happened here? Chairs flipped and tables turned. Did a fight occur, and I did not hear?"

He paused again before cursing loudly.

_____________

"Holy f*ck! Are my noodles so good that they kidnapped people who were eating them?"

"So, Fiona, where are we going? I can see so many planets... I never would've thought space was like this."

"The pill contained traces of spiritual essence from my world, so we will go there. Fiona thought the same when she first entered."

"Interesting."

It was interesting. I've never wanted to become an astronaut, but sometimes I wondered what it felt like to float around in space, where there is no gravity. Look, I can do somersaults and my weird sleeping positions! Eh? Huh? Is this really the outer space that I know?

I looked around me. There were rocks, more rocks, some planets with rings, a dark hole, and Fiona sitting cross-legged with her eyes closed. She's cultivating even here, how dedicated.

I flexed my fingers. Didn't my science teacher in grade 6 say something about how objects with mass have lots of gravitational pull on them? We passed by what looked like the planet Jupiter, but there was no pull. Strange.

"Fiona, how come these planets don't pull us towards them?"

She blinked her eyes open. "They have a dense layer of spiritual essence covering them. We don't get pulled because our essences are different. How we are moving right now is because our planet is pulling us towards it."

"Where did you learn all of this from? Your master?"

"No. Fiona read it from a book. Afterward, it burned away."

"So Fiona is the only person that knows about the other worlds?"

"Yes!" She replied, proud of herself.

Not good, it's not time to be proud, Fiona! If someone realizes that you have knowledge about other worlds, they'll try to get it out of you. We are definitely too weak right now. They can try to forcefully enter other worlds, in hopes of world domination or something of that sort.

Conduct experiments on guinea pigs? Search for treasures? A source of entertainment? Who knows? Every antagonist in the novels though has crazy thoughts and even crazier means to achieve them.

That means there is no plan undertone if they do not know about the other worlds. We should not get caught in that mess.

I flailed my arms and swam to Fiona.

"Fiona, remember daddy's words. You must keep this a secret, okay? Don't tell your friends, your family, or even your master. You'll be in grave danger."

She stared back at me, her large, bright eyes shimmering with slight traces of worry.

Was I too stern on her? Or maybe she told someone already?

Hesitating, she bit her lip before saying, "Okay, daddy."

"Good girl." I didn't want to press the issue further as she bit her lip, not wanting to talk about the topic. What's she hesitant for? Hmm. I'll get the answer out of her one mouth day. She's already at the age where she's keeping secrets from her daddy, huh?

It is depressing to know. I flipped around and lay in space like a starfish. Am I still untrustworthy? Well, that makes sense, it's only been 2 days since we met and I became her adoptive father. Damn it, why couldn't I have had a daughter earlier? That bastard is so lucky...

The more I thought about it, the more hurt I felt. Ayy, this is giving me a headache. I placed a hand on my stomach. It's acting up again... god.

gurgle

"Fiona, where is the nearest stop? I... I... I need to take a shit."

________________

"How... how far further? I can't hold on any longer."

My insides were churning. My head was pounding, my stomach was full, my skin was itching and my damn bottom was feeling the urge to sh*t.

Wait, why did I slow down as I'm flying? Did all the feces in my body just clump together in the rectum area, and like that, I gained weight?

That's fucking disgusting. I need to vomit.

Suppressing my urges from top to bottom, I could only ask Fiona in a feeble voice.

"Are... Are We There Yet?" I felt like a grade-schooler on a field trip. Except I wasn't excited, I was scared. Scared shitless.

No. Scared full of shit.

"Daddy, I can't tell you how long it will take. There's no mention of distance and time between the worlds in the book. And," she paused, looking at me, squeezing my stomach and panting like a dog in heat. "If you need to take a poopie, just do it in your pants. We can buy and change later."

No way in heaven was I going to take a dump in front of my daughter. Where's the dignity? Where's my face? And how come she looks so nonchalant saying that?

I remember saying those things before too... could it be that all cultivators don't have dignity or shame, even if they're cute?

"No... that's too embarrassing... I can hold on, I think.." I mumbled, as my vision turned foggy.

Fiona's enthusiastic voice shook me. "OOH! We are arriving soon! Yep... that's my world, daddy! Look!"

Oh... I moaned. It looks blue... like water, water in the toilet bowl. Need a toilet!

Fiona's voice grew serious. "We are not going fast enough. We need more speed to enter the barrier! Daddy, get ready. Fiona will add a stream of spiritual essence!"

Thank the gods! Go, Fiona, go! Enter the world faster, and land somewhere empty of people!

The vomiting feeling in my mouth turned into a sigh of relief. I can save my embarrassment...

Wait! Did Fiona say something about 'entering the barrier?'

Isn't... Isn't it a barrier like an atmosphere? And... and when you reenter a planet's atmosphere, it's bound to be hot, boiling even, from air resistance on the object.

And now I'm the object.

That means I'm about to feel the heat of a whooping few thousand degrees celsius.

I will burn up!

The poop will burn up inside me! Heat causes changes from solid to liquid... which means... diarrhea? Is this how diarrhea forms?

I passed out.

___________

There was a rustle behind the bushes before a 'plopping' sound.

After a few moments, a figure of a man approached from behind the bush. He looked around, before stopping to glance at the little girl meditating in the shades of the tree.

"Fiona, you can open your eyes now!" He called out, before reaching over and patting her.

The man was Vincent.

God, that was the most pleasant dump of my life. That shitty feeling in my stomach has disappeared! And...

I examined my body. I flexed my arms, did squats, massaged my skin, and squeezed my bones.

"DAMNIT!" I exclaimed. "Nothing's changed! I don't feel any difference and see no difference... The novels lied!"

Fiona scrutinized her brows before replying, "There are no external changes, daddy. The body-refining liquid cleans impurities. Your body was too weak before, and it supplemented with impurities instead of nutrients. Your body is neither healthy nor sick... its just weak."

Sigh, the problems unfold when you're malnourished.

But where is your doctorate degree, Fiona? That makes little sense. If a body is weak, it's not healthy. I would get sued if I were to diagnose somebody from Earth like that.

"What, doctor? Are you saying that his body will detoxify the poison if he doesn't eat? Starvation is a detoxification method?"

Aiya, these unique world traditions are hard to get used to...

"But there cannot be any difference. The body refining liquid should at least help energize your internal energy again, daddy! That way you can run for as long as me."

Huh. Fiona's right! I can feel my breathing becoming lighter and walking seems to have become easier. I jumped a few times. My circulation feels the same though.

I dropped myself down and did some pushups.

"Two, four, seven, fifteen!"

Previously, I could barely squeeze out 8 before collapsing. That's amazing! A little strengthening in the organs makes such a difference... and now, coupled with some daily routines of exercises, I can get fit much easier. I'll look much more like a father now, not some lanky guy from the slumps.

Speaking of my looks, didn't I also take the beauty pill? I turned to Fiona. "Hehe, does daddy look even more handsome now?"

She snorted. "Nope, not handsome, just less ugly."

Pang. Three arrows shot through my heart, and I stifled a tear. Oh, how I wish those were Cupid's arrows...

"Fiona, what do you consider handsome? Daddy will take the appearance changing pill for you..."

Fiona threw her arms down in a fit. "Daddy, you idiot! That's not important! What's important is that you just be my daddy!"

Wuuuu, I will cry. These tears are even harder to hold back than the constipation earlier...

"Oh, there's something more important than that."

"…"

Fiona sniffed the air. "There are treasures nearby!"