Last Photograph

Chapter 71: What makes you smile? (Part 1)

     *knock knock*

     "Papa, are you up already?"

     Vince could hear their daughter outside as she unceasingly knock on the door and kept on calling him.

     "I'm up sweet pea, just a sec."

     "What took you so long to reply, Pa?"

     "I just woke up, lil' bean, okay."

     "Hurry up po, I'm waiting."

     As much as Vince wanted to stay in bed, he still carefully get off, made sure not to wake Tricia up beside him, which he succeeded then looked for a fresh towel.

     Once he found one, he immediately covered his exposed body before proceeding.

     He reached the doors then slightly opened them and saw Halley and Abbey standing outside, waiting for him.

     "Hey, good morning."

     "Good morning, Papa."

     "Good morning, Tito."

     After seeing Abbey, Vince quickly stepped outside then sleekly closed the door behind him.

     Halley found her papa's action a bit odd, "You wear towel in your sleep now, Papa?"

     "No," Vince replied instantly then think of an excuse, "I just came from the shower," he told them.

     It wasn't a strong one making Halley frowned, "Huh? Pa, you just said you woke up".

     "Yeah, I mean, I was about to take a shower pa lang."

     Even if Halley wasn't convince with his excuse, she sinply let this one slide—somehow.

     "Fine, fine, sabi mo eh."

     "Why did you wake me up?"

     "We're off to somewhere."

     "Somewhere like?"

     "We don't know pa eh."

     Halley chuckled at her papa.

     "Wherever our feet take us."

This made Vince frowned.

     Vince wasn't sure if he would allow them though he knew Halley loves to roam around the place, but he also knew how silly she could get sometimes.

     "Papa, c'mon it'll be fun. We'll just check out the place, I want to tour Abbey around."

     "Fine, fine. Just call us, okay?"

     "Yes, we will. Thanks, Pa!"

     Halley hugged her papa tightly.

     Abbey did thank him also.

     When all of a sudden, Halley withdraw from their embrace then walked towards her mama's room.

     "Hal, wait," Vince tried to stop her.

      Too late, Halley already reached the knob.

     "It's lock?" Halley frowned at her papa.

     "Huh? Mom never locked doors."

     Abbey curiously said as she look at them.

     She then reached the door herself and tried to open it but she simply couldn't, even if she asked Halley to help her do it.