chapter66 Mommy issues

two days, two freaking days and her dad still hasn't talk to her. she was only supposed to stay over on Saturday night but since the 'basement incident', she has been trying to appease the angry spirit that is her Dad and damn Matthew Tang is a stubborn man.

Anna said to give him time to come around but two days should be more than enough time. her dad is going to have to talk to her whether he likes it or not.

she barged into his home office with every intention to have a conversation. when she entered the room, her dad had a bowl of melted chocolate in one hand and a strawberry in the other. the man is obviously and visibly sulking.

"what." her father hissed

"what?!.. what do you mean by -what.' she incredulously "you have daughter -which is me by the way and you wouldn't say more than two words to me when I try to talk to you!!"

the grown -elderly man huffed and turned his face to the side like a grumpy man baby.

"seriously? w-why do you insist on ignoring me and being so -so childish?"

"enough!" her father slammed his palm on the table. he is trying to intimidate her but she won't back down.

"how dare you! how dare you.. why did you go there alone. what if something had happened to you, what if you fell and hurt yourself or your had an asthma attack? 2:34am we found you by 10:09. you were in that basement for so long, you could have been -dying. and I wouldn't know until its too late. what would be have done? why didn't you come to me?" his tone and emotions changed so fast. from rage to sorrow. she preferred the rage, she can handle her father's anger but what is she supposed to do or say to vanquish his sorrows?

"I'm sorry. I was dumb for doing something so impulsive and reckless" her head was cast down in shame.

her dad hugged her. tight "I forgive you" her dad is not a hugger and neither is she but this feels so right.

"are you ready to meet her?" her dad whispered. if they weren't hugging, she wouldn't have heard him.

"I am."

~~~~~

the basement is now clean, without a speck of dust to be seen even by Grace's meticulous eyes. Miss Belle (the maid) really did a great job.

"I should increase Belle's salary" her dad muttered to himself but she heard it.

"I was thinking the same thing" she chuckled as her dad patted her head.

"I have always known your mom, always loved her too. she was Mrs Huang's daughter -my Mom's Secretary. she was older than me by six months and she would never let me forget it. always teasing even till she died. she was so cool, she could anything thing she put her mind to do -just like you. a model, an actress, a musician, an author she did all those things successful but she was horrible with children. she tried teaching but she got fired for calling a ten year old 'a load mouthed demonic cry baby goblin' I remember when you were coming along. she was so scared that she wouldn't be a good mother. we even bet on it, easiest hundred thousand I've ever made ." her dad laughed loudly and fondly at the memory. she now understand what Ivory meant because she was smiling too. her mom sounds like an amazing person.

"and she can't cook too, she can't cook at all. do you remember when you were turning ten and she tried to bake you a cake?" She remembers. she truly does. the cake was so bad her dad said it tasted like sadness.

"I remember" she said happily.

"I remember the first time she cooked for me. ugh." he made a gagging noise. "I love that woman but I swear she tried to kill me that day"

they both laughed to memories of her mother. sorting through her belonging one by one. every story she heard, every memory she recollected warmed her heart and dampened the ache in her heart.

"you were her pride and joy, I bet you still are, you will always be." Grace beamed.

"of course I am. I'm awesome"

her dad laughed loudly. "you got your narcissism from her, she was always so cocky. like mother like daughter"

Grace was beaming before but now, she's shining.

"I know it was hard for you, growing up without a mother but I need you to move on"

you want me to forget about her?" Grace choked. "I just got her back!"

"you didn't get anything that wasn't there all along and I'm not telling you forget anything. I'm telling you to flow. I'm pretty sure your mom kicked out your guardian angel and took over it's job. what I'm trying to say is, don't get too caught up in the past that you get stuck."

solid advice but,

"t-that day, on the day of accident. she died protecting me and I- i- I saw her die, I saw her eyes when she was going an-and I didn't do anything"

"you weren't supposed to do anything. if you saw her face then you also saw her smile. she died smiling, a big smile because she knews you are safe. because she kept you safe"

she smiled? -of course she did. another example of being focused on the negative and failing to see the beauty.

"don't get stuck again. got it?"

"got it" it was more of a promise to herself. the next time she would think of her Mom it won't sad and heart wrecking. it would be a fond, happy and loving memory. even the memory of that day has been put to new light.

looking back, it is sad that the only memory she had of her mom at that time tormented her for so long.

"now give Papa a hug"

"I don't know.. I've been hugging people too much lately" ..Luna, Jade, Anna, Maya,her Dad even Ivory.

her Dad hugged her regardless "I've heard. Ivory has been talking about it all day"

"of course"