Chapter 10

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birth day dear Angel happy birrthdaay took yooouu."

"How old are you now? how old are you now? How old are you now darliiing?!! How old are you now?"

"Uh, dad, can't you see I'm trying to sleep here?! Besides, I have right to some privacy! I'm thirteen already!! She said blindly throwing a pillow my way, which I skillfully dodge."

"I love you too darling. I love you too. But you should get up from that bed before I make you."

"Leave me b-"

"Ah!!!!what the hell?!" She yelled

"Was that necessary? You just had to pour a cold bucket of water on me? She asked with fury in her blue eyes which only makes her look like a raging puppy." Cute!

"Yup. It's been the ritual since you were five." I said with a smirk

"That damn ritual has got to change!" She yelled with aggression.

"Not if you keep being this grumpy on your birthday." I said with a grin

"You know I'm not a morning person. Never was, never will be." She stated as she glared daggers at me.

"Even if I told you I made chocolate cake?" I asked. Already knowing the answer.

"Yup, even if you made choco-"

"Wait a sec, you made what?! She asked as she sprung up to a sitting position, her hair standing in different directions." It is indeed a sight to see.

"You heard right."

"Were is it!" She demanded.

"Oh, no. Not until you're freshened up and dressed Missy."

"Sure. Whatever you say. You better not be joking about the chocolate cake thing." She said as she made her way towards the bathroom.

************************************************************

As you guessed, it's my daughters birthday today. Okay, did I ever tell you it feels weird calling her daughter? It sounds way too formal. So, let's rephrase that. It's my baby girl's birthday today. And as you can see, she is as grumpy as ever.

Just like every other year. I always had to bribe her with chocolate creamed cake. It works like magic as you can see.

This is one of the few moment I hold dear to my heart. It starts with a fight, and end with smiles,hugs and playfulness.

"Darling, would you hurry up? Its gonna get cold. I know you like it hot." I shouted from the kitchen .

Ever since the wedding and Getting into the company, it's been work work work work and work! Meetings with investors, charity ball, supervision of workers, press meetings, dealing with paparazzi, troublesome clients, competitors, all this work gives me headache!

I got to put on a smile around people that I wish to strangle, punch or totally avoid being in the same ground perimeter with. It's annoying. Plus I have to deal with the nerve wrecking infatuations I have towards my P.A. Remember that night at the wedding reception? When I said I wouldn't have any regret? I did regret it a lot actually. I never had a moment alone with Angel starting from that night. It was work, all the time. I get so busy,that I had to appoint A driver to take angel to school on a daily. And when I get back? She's either asleep, or at a sleep over with her friends.

I feel guilty cause I never got to celebrate my success with her or even my happiness of mums wedding, but I had time to dance at the wedding with my P.A, celebrate the success with her and still thinking of ways to get us both into a more out of work atmosphere. So we can talk more about her. While I had stop taking my responsibility seriously. I don't know what clothes Angel wears to school, if she eats enough, if she's been getting into trouble, or if she has a crush on some guy in her school. Why does the last one not sit well with me at all? Anyways, a wall is being placed between us. At the beginning, it was a thin layer of bricks, but as time breezes through, it's getting stronger. I don't want that to happen. I want a strong bond between my baby and I. So I plan to use this medium to do so.

As I ponder on what to prepare for breakfast, the home line rang. Indicating mother was at the other end. Wiping off the imaginary dirt on my hands on my apron, I grab the receiver and my mum went all banshee on me.

"Hellooo my cuties. Where's the birthday girl? Was she as grumpy as last year? "

"Yup, had to pour a bucket of water over her lazy bones."

"Same old, same old." My mum chuckled. "I wander what kinda person gets grumpy on her own birthday!" My mum wondered out loud. Causing my ear drums to vibrate.

"Mum, do you mind lowering the tempo of your voice please."

"Are you calling me a cave woman? Saying I am uncivilized?" She asked

"No, no. Not at all. How's dad doing?"

"He is great, but we both would appreciate if you guys come visiting one of this days. And me overjoyed, if you bring a woman other than your daughter along with you."

"Mum, not discussing this on Angels birthday."

"Its okay, fine. Just remember we had a deal."

"Mum a deal that took you five more years to keep your side of the bargain? Did I pressure you during the length of those years? No!" I said frustrated.

"Jack, at least I worked towards it. You are not showing any sign of seriousness on this issue. I-"

"Mum, "

"Okay, I wanna talk to my baby. Hand the phone over right now boy."

"I'm a man mum. Not a boy."

"Pzzt, prove it then." She challenged

"Mum I-" I began

"Hand the phone over to angel please." She said jot willing to talk on that issue anymore.

"Angel, mum wants to talk to you." I shouted from the kitchen in hopes she heard me.

I was about to go look for her after several minute of waiting, when she came out.

"Angel?" I said quietly for my mom not to hear. Giving Angel a once over, I gave her a stern and questioning look. Which got me a surge from Angel before she walked off screaming something into the mouth piece.

After some moment she came back smiling.

Spill young Lady.

"I don't kiss and tell dad. Never." She said with a sly smile.

"Wait, what's that suppose to mean? That you've been kissed before? By who? when? And how come I'm just getting to know about it !"

"Oh God," she said in between giggles.

"What's funny?" I asked confused and angry at the same time.

"What's funny?" She asked. This time busting into uncontrollable laughter. You're funny. That was just an expression dad.

Realizing what she meant made me loose a little of my testosterone.

"Whatever." I said. Resisting the urge to roll my eyes.

"Besides, what the hell are you wearing?" I changed the topic

"Clothes? " cake her brilliant reply.

"You call a black tank top and blood red Victoria's secret pant clothes? You're barely covered!"

"Why does that bother you so much?"

Good question. Why does it bother me? I inwardly asked myself.

"Angel, what if it wasn't me here? what if I weren't your father? If you make wearing undies around the house a habit what happens in a situation were it's not me here with you?"

"Dad, calm down. Its not gonna be an habit. Only with you.

Besides am a bad ass. I can handle my own shit..besides if you weren't my dad, I could think of a few things that could happen. But unfortunately you are, and thinking of any other thing other than pissing you off sounds gross. Hearing people in school talk about you with puppy love eyes makes me wanna puke. She concluded."

It bothers me that she could say those things with a blank expression. What does she mean when she said if I weren't her father? Why am I thinking so much about it?

For some odd reason, I feel my heart skip a bit at her statement. Looking at my daughter, you would see a lady rather than a growing teenage girl. Already filled up in the right places at a young age. With her height,and fiery personality, you never could think of her as a thirteen year old. It scares me to no end that she knows so much, (more bad than good) at such a young age. Is it selfish to want my innocent four year old daughter, in my thirteenth year old girl?

"Dad? Dad!!"

"Uh?" I said. Looking at her.

"Come back to earth." She said

"What?" I asked confused.

"You kinda zoned out for some minute there. I was starting to worry."

"Oh, never knew you loved your Da-da so much." I mocked.

"Shh, don't get too excited. Was only worried about how to find the cake and presents you got me if you became a living statue."

"Wow, am so honored." I said in a sarcastic tone

"Now, now, it's my birthday! I call the shots." She said confidently

"Naa, not until all the rituals are fulfilled."

"Damn rituals. What ritual's next"

"My favorite."

The one were you get to hug and give me a kiss on the cheek and say "daddy, you're the best parent in the world."

"No, not gonna do it." She countered

'Thought you'd say so."

"If you don't wanna, it's your birthday after all, I can't force you. I guess I'll just have to keep those presents and the chocolate cake."

"I think I might eat the cake all by my self." I said nonchalantly

"You wouldn't dare." She said with a stink eye.

"Try me." I dared.

After some minute, she groaned out a fine.

"Don't forget to smile honey." I said. Totally enjoying her discomfort.

"I hate you!"

"I love you kiddo. And don't you think that line is getting old? It's been on for three years now. I know you aren't that poor in English are you?"

"Daad? Do you still want that hug or not?"

"Hmm actually, I think eating the cake sounds like a better idea."

"Daaad!!"

"Okay, okay" I said between chuckles.

"Don't forget the kiss as well." I chipped in.

"Keep quiet!"

Hugging me reluctantly, she proceeds to give my cheek a loving peck. While I kiss her on the head."Happy birthday honey."

I feel her smile into my shirt as she Murmur's "I love you too dad. Annoying and all."