Interrogation

Krizzia entered the hospital, to her surprise her father was there with her mother. She swallowed tightly before sliding the door open. Automatically, their eyes darted to her.

"Ma, Pa, I've arrived." She informed them with her arrival in a natural low voice.

Her mother's eyes were filled with worry while her father was a bit stoic and fierce. Looking so strict upon her arrival so late. "Where have you been, baby?" Her mother was the first one to ask her, while her father's gaze made her uncomfortable. Although, she went ahead to the table and placed the food she brought from a fast food restaurant when she was on her way back with Hunt. He was persistent to buy her parents some gifts, but she refused and told him directly that she didn't want them to know the relationship they are soon to have.

"I was busy doing some errands, Ma. I'm sorry for coming late." She said and gave her mother a sheer embrace and a loving kiss on the forehead. She then turned to her father who still had the same expression, "Pa, have you been here for long?"

"I've been here since noon, where did you go? What errands do you say that you're busy at? Today is Sunday, it's supposed to be your rest day." Her father seems to be wary of her answer to her mom. Not satisfied and bombarded here with corresponding questions about it.

In this situation, Krizzia can't avoid being nervous. Feeling tense with the simple questions that she shouldn't be terrified with. Perhaps, she was boldly reminded of her day and that she was with Hunt which she couldn't open to her parents. They might as well think of another way around, Hunt isn't a simple guy that everyone can grab from the street. He had everything including the wealth and the fame, while she had nothing. And what she did back then with him might be judged by her parents which she couldn't afford to swallow.

No one can blame her... The hospital neglected her mother because they don't have the amount to pay for the surgery and she was anxious to find the damn way just to get the amount they need.

"Pa, are you doubting me?" She felt bad and she couldn't hold back but asked.

Her father just sighs, "Where did you go and answer me directly, Krizzia. Don't complicate things just by asking that lame excuse." Krizzia never neglects her parents in terms of free time. Every weekend, she would spend time with them and tackle things that she'd been through for the entire week. Unfortunately, today is different so Mr. Quinn was bothered if Krizzia had problems in terms of the debts.

Krizzia had much in her shoulder, most of the time, she deals with everything in their family, including the debts and her father's income wasn't enough to finance a whole day meal.

Krizzia's mind flew backwards last night, she was kidnapped and experienced trauma from it. Also, her initial reason why she has to quit her job at the club. Later, she will talk to her boss about it. She just can't stay outside that late anymore. It scares her.

"You didn't come home last night, now tell me, are you seeing someone?" Her eyes grew wide at her father's assumption.

"No! It's not what you think, Pa!" She exclaimed, her cheeks blush.

"Then, why were you offensive? I'm just asking." Mr. Quinn just shrugged and stood up to get some apples from the table. Her mom chuckled.

Meanwhile, she got embarrassed. Does she react that much? Goodness, let someone come and take her somewhere she can hide from shame.

"Baby, we didn't hinder you from that. If there really is, you can be accurate with us and we will respect it." This is why she can't offend her parents, especially her mom. She's too kind and has always been understanding.

She looked back at her, "Ma, don't be like that. I thought we'd already talked about it?" Her mom reached for her hand and caressed it gently. Up until now, her mom can't be discharged. She's still in a close monitoring stage because there are signs of cancer in her body.

"Me and your father wish the best for you. We're already old, and we're not getting younger..." Hearing these sympathetic words coming from her is making her heart bleed. She doesn't want to hear such words because they do sound like saying goodbye to her. She doesn't want to be left behind. No one's leaving... she believes that they can get through it. "You are not a child anymore, Alastair. Supposedly, women your age should marry and create their own family... But here you are, entangled with us." Her eyes got blurry because of the tears yielding her sight.

"D-Don't be like that, Ma..." Her voice trembles as she holds her mother's hand too.

Mrs. Quinn shook her head with a genuine smile in the lips. "We trouble you much, you should give time to yourself too, baby... You can't be with us forever, one day, we will be gone..." Until Krizzia couldn't hold it and embrace her mom.

"N-No, Ma. Please, don't say that... I don't regret being with you and Papa. You guys are my treasure. Why would I regret such blessings to have you both? Don't say this to me, Ma. It's breaking my heart..." She sobbed in her mom's arms while her father was just awfully watching them. At that moment, he felt like he failed as a father and a husband. It was his daughter who suffered the most, neither did she protest or complain.

"It's better to be advantageous, Krizzia." He said and helped himself to prepare themselves a dinner. "Come on, don't cry and let us ease that sadness through food."

After a while, they ate in peace until Krizzia decided to break the silence. "Actually, Pa, Ma. A friend referred me to better work, it has a good salary and has much more value than my part time jobs..."

"Really? That's great, baby!" Her parents are glad to hear such news from her. The glint of happiness in their eyes can't perish.

"Yes, Ma. But..." She trailed and gazed at her parents alternately, worry is visible to her face. "It will be in the city, I couldn't be with you during the weekdays..." Should she clap her hands now for being a great liar? Apparently, her emotions weren't a lie. It will be the very first time that she will be separated from them.

"We will be fine with ourselves, Krizzia. Your mom was right, maybe this is also the moment that we have to let go of you. We've been together for years, learn to explore and be happy." Mr. Quinn said and tapped his daughter's shoulders. "It's okay to yearn for us, just be reminded that we're always here for you. You know where our home is, and we will always be there, waiting for you to come home." Krizzia felt really bad that she lied but she has to. Not for Hunt, but for the peace of her conscience.

"And when you find someone to marry, please introduce him to us immediately, okay baby?" Her mom added which makes them laugh. She got teary-eyed.

"Honey, don't rush things. I understand how much you like to have grandchildren." Her dad said to her mom who was frowning after hearing him.

"It was your fault, we should've produced children before. Look at now, Krizzia will be leaving us and we will be left alone." A pang of sadness crossed her heart.

"You knew we can't, honey. It was bad for your health." Her dad consoled her mom who just rolled her eyes in response.

"I'll be visiting you guys every weekend, how is that Ma?" She asked that stopped her parents from quarreling.

Both of them smiled at her, "That'll be great!"

---

"Dad, I have someone to marry now. I'll bring her to our mansion the day after tomorrow to meet you and mom. I hope you won't bend your words." Hunt is back in Michigan again, the meeting together with the huge shareholders of his company just got ended. Currently, he's talking to his dad over the phone.

His dad's chuckles can be heard, "I won't, son. So, bring the girl to us immediately and we'll discuss the rest here at home." He doesn't know what was going on with his dad's mind, and he knows him well. He just hopes that there will be no silly requests to add on, because it'll be awkward for him and Krizzia.

Lastly, it's just a contracted relationship. No marriage involved, but they will be treating each other as one for the sake of his inheritance from his father.