[ONGOING] NOT JUST PENELOPE

37: Mom Replacement

PENELOPE

I stared at our front door for a few minutes. 

Though, I am really excited to see dad up close after months of  not seeing him, I am also really very nervous about it.

What are we going to talk about? Is he sending me off outside the country this time, instead of freezing my accounts or something?

The agony is killing me. All I need to do is to walk my way in and get this done. 

Yes, that's so easy. You can do this, Penelope!

I opened the main door and usual, the house is so quiet. I walked towards the living room and I saw a familiar figure sipping his cup of coffee while reading a newspaper. Even though he has his back on me, I do not need to double check who he is because I know for sure it's Dad.

I just stood there, not quite certain if I should walk near him or not. However, it's like he sensed that someone was watching him so he turned around to face me.

"Penelope?" He frowned. My heart is pounding. Is he mad at me? "Since when did you get here?"

"Just n-now, daddy," Lies.

I can't just tell him that I've been staring at our front door for a few minutes. He'd find that very weird. I would too, actually.

He frowned a bit more then he stood up, walked towards me, and enveloped me in a hug. "I miss you, my baby."

I hugged him back, "I miss you too, daddy." 

Hugging dad right now is enough to take away all these worries and replace them with my longing for a father. I don't care if he'll be lecturing me. As long as he's here, I'm okay.

"Philip food is—Oh, sorry." I broke away from daddy's hug and turned my gaze to where the voice came from.

"Wait, I know you." It was the woman I met at the mall near downtown earlier this week! 

The one who gave up that stilettoes for me! 

But, what is she doing here?

"Yes, I met you at that mall, right?" And she faced my father while placing a tray with food on the coffee table, "So, she's Penelope?" Dad nodded.

Can somebody explain to me what is happening?

"Wow, you're right." She faced me again. "That's why when I met you, you looked familiar. You really look like your Mom."

"Wait." I just stood there frozen because my mind is so messed up right know. "You know my mom?"

"Yes, of course." Then she smiled.

Dad cleared his throat. "I see you've already met. Do I still need to introduce you to each other?"

"Yes, please." 

I answered dad without breaking eye contact with this woman who's still smiling at me as if remembering something.

Daddy walked beside her, "Margarette, this is Penelope. My daughter. Penelope, this is Margarette..." I can feel my pulse raising, not ready to hear his next words. 

"My girlfriend."

I wish yesterday never happened. I wish it was all just a dream.