A Trip Down Memory Lane

Chapter Fifteen, Part Two: Surprised. Shocked. Scared.

A/N: Here's the continuation. Thank you for your patience. Enjoy. ;)

POV: Annika

Yay! Daddy is here! What a surprise.

"Oh, Dad! Since when you arrived? You should've told me so that I can prepare." I let him inside, closed the door and we seated on the couch. "Look at me, my hair looks messy!"

"It's okay dear. You are still beautiful, more beautiful!"

"Aaaw Dad, I missed you!" I hugged him as hard as I can. I really missed him.

While my Dad and I are hugging, Zieg came out in the bathroom - half-naked! He walked towards the table without looking at us

Dad saw him, uh-oh.

"What the f***. WHO THE HELL ARE YOU? WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?" Dad ferociously said. He charged to where Zieg is. I saw a shock-faced Zieg for the first time, and then he immediately rushed back to the bathroom to hide.

I tried to calm down my dad but.... It's too much. "HEY, GET OUT OF THERE!" He tried to knock down the bathroom door as hard as he can.

"Dad, dad, dad! Calm down! I know him -"

"So you know this bastard? How could you bring a guy here? Are you up for something? Tell me Nika, this is what you do here? We're going back home!"

I'm confused, "Dad, what are you talking about?"

"Are you seeing this guy? What is he doing here? Why is he dressed like that?"

"It's not what you think Dad!"

"What I'm supposed to think, huh?"

"Dad? Dad! Chill... Just calm down. Do you trust me?" I assisted him to go back to the couch. "We know him, Dad. He actually lives here for a mean time."

"Huh? What do you mean by that? How could John and Susan let this happen? Where are they?"

I explained to Dad what is happening here, that Uncle John and Aunt Susan went out-of-town and Zieg and Zoe are here for a mean time. Thankfully he's calm now compared to earlier.

I knocked to the bathroom and asked Zieg to come out. He came out, but this time he wears his jersey shorts and black tank top. I pulled him to the couch and he seated in front of father.

"Dad, this is Zieg. He's my classmate and my friend as well. Zieg, he's my father."

Zieg stood up from his seat and offered a handshake to Dad. "Andrei Ziegfried Laudes sir. Just call me Zieg for your convenience." But Dad just stared him and let him hanging. "Nice to meet you, sir."

After he pays respect to Dad, he came back to his seat. Still, Dad just staring at him. I can feel the tension is building up. Geez.

Thank heavens, Suzy and company finally arrived. Suzy and Luanne immediately gave father hugs and greeted each other. It's been a long time that they didn't see father. Thanks to this, the tension subsided.

After few minutes, all of us ate dinner together. Zieg didn't say even a single word the whole time. I think he is still terrified. I can sense it.

During our dinner, Suzy confirmed what I told Daddy what is going on here in the house. I think she was able to convince Dad. At least, the situation is improving.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

POV: Zieg.

Dayum! Nika's dad is no joke! No wonder where she got his fierce attitude. Haha. I'm speechless right now. I can't even move because I might piss off him again. Wews.

"Zieg." Nika's dad called me. "Garden. Now."

Wait. Whaaat? What I've done? I went silent the whole time just to avoid being confronted again, but now... Kowai.. -_-

No, no, no. Be a man Zieg! There's nothing you've done wrong. Calm down!

I went outside, to the garden. I saw him seated to one of the benches installed there.

"Mister?"

"What took you so long? Anyway, how well do you know my daughter?"

Huh? How well do I know Nika? "Hmmm. Pardon, sir?"

"You heard me, right?"

Damn. This man is too much.

"Not so much sir. But I'm getting there."

"What are your intentions to her, huh?"

What is this? An interrogation?

"What do you mean by that sir?" I asked.

"Don't play dumb!"

"I don't have bad intentions to her sir. I can assure that. If you're on doubt, kindly ask Uncle John and Aunt Susan when they came back. They can provide you our family background."

"I see. Do you like my daughter?"

Huh? What kind of question is that all of a sudden?

"Sir, what is not to like to her? I mean - besides she's beautiful, I also like her personality. She's cool to be with."

"Hmm... Interesting..."

There's an awkward silence.... I looked up to the night skies and as usual, the chain of stars never ceased to amaze me. I just realized that the sky is calm compared this afternoon.

I'm surprised that Mr. Madrigal talked to me all of a sudden, "Zieg, I'm sorry to what happened earlier. I admit I exaggerated that time. I just want to protect my daughter as much as possible, you know, I just want to make sure that she's alright here."

"Ah Okay, Mr. Madrigal... Apology accepted."

"Ah, thanks. You see, I just surprised that I saw you and my daughter living in the same house. I don't even know you. And besides, you dressed inappropriately that time. You feel me? Imagine this, if you're on my shoes. Seeing your... let say your sister... in that kind of situation. What will you feel?"

"Hmm. Surprised? Furious to the guy?

"See! The first thing that comes in our mind is to protect our dearest ones!"

"I now fully understand sir."

He then offered a handshake. I'm surprised at first, but I took it and we 'man-hugged' after that.

"We cool?" he asked.

"Absolutely sir!"

"By the way, I'm just testing you earlier. Well, it's hard to admit but you seem to be a nice guy. And based to what I observe so far, the girls are very comfortable with you."

"Really? Thank you, sir."

"Another thing, I never imagine that Annika will have a male friend. I think most guys are intimidated to her. You know, the way she looks at you, it feels like that you done something bad to her. Think of this, I'm her father, but there are times that I feel uneasy whenever she looks at me."

"The feels sir, the feels."

"Stop calling me sir, yea? It feels like I'm too superior. Just call me uncle."

"Yes, si-eh Uncle."

"Ah lastly Zieg, can you do me a favor?"

"What is it, Uncle?