France's Daughter // Hetalia

Chapter Twenty-Nine- Truth Hurts, Lies Sting

Charlotte (Charlie, Lottie)

Two Weeks Later....

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Pap- Francis- has called Ivan's home phone twice a day for two weeks now. Every time, Ivan comes to me, asking if I want to talk- and every time, I shake my head no. I assumed that the first time he threatened Francis with death, he'd leave us alone, but no. In fact, I think it made him more determined. 

I don't want to talk to him yet. I will, eventually, but I won't be moving back in. I just- can't believe he'd keep this from me for seventeen years. He treated me like I was his daughter even though I wasn't. Why would he do that? 

I just want to know who my parents are... and what I should make my last name.

"Hey, Branginsky, did you finish off the coco pu-", I freeze in the door frame of his bedroom, taking in the scene.

Yao's there, cradling a giant hello kitty head in his arms, Ivan sitting on the opposite side. A hello kitty tea set is set in front of them, imaginary tea filling the cups. I scoff, and quickly snap a photo. 

"Bonjour, Yao"

"Char! Join us, da?", Ivan flashes me his signature smile, holding up a teacup. 

"Of course!", I stare at Yao, admiring his flushed face with a smug smile. 

I throw myself next to him, and pick up a teacup. "So are we talking about boys, or are we braiding each other's hair?"

"Aiyahh! Cut it out! Kids these days, never appreciating cute things!", Yao swipes the cup from my hands, and I can't help but burst out laughing. Ivan doesn't understand, and tilts his head in confusion. 

"No, no, I appreciate it, I do!", I take the cup back, and take a dramatic fake sip. He just pouts and looks away as a response. "Okay, seriously, what are we doing here?"

"We are discussing your father, my sun", Ivan grins, and I slump my shoulders.

"You mean Francis?"

He nods, and Yao face palms subtly, hiding his face in his palm. I guess I wasn't supposed to know that. I suck in a quick breath through my teeth, and jump to my feet, surprising both men. 

"Well, I'm gonna go find cereal."

With that, I scramble out of the room, ignoring Ivan's protests. I'd love to sit and chat with Yao- I remember he likes to cook- but not about Francis. I don't want to hear anybody's input on that. God, if Yao knows, then everyone knows. I glance down at my phone, and scroll through the notifications. Usually, they're all from the girls. I haven't been prone to answering questions in a while, though. However, I'm not looking for a text from them. 

When I don't see his name on screen, I sigh, and shove my phone back in my pocket. I don't know why I expected something from him. I mean, I did run away from him in an ally after he poured his heart out to me.

 I feel a bit bad... I just hope he's over it by now. 

Suddenly, my phone starts to vibrate violently. I whip it out, and stare at the name on screen. Bold move, calling my cell instead of Ivan. A bit out of pattern though- He usually calls in the morning and at night. It's mid-afternoon. Perhaps something happened.. 

My thumb hovers over the answer button. What if something's wrong- what if he got hurt? What if something happened between him and Arthur? I shake my head quickly, and decline the call. What am I doing, wondering if he's alright. He's not my father. 

Still... He raised me. I love him. Without him, I'd be dead before my first birthday. 

Vibrating, again. I stare at the screen, again. Okay, if he's this persistent, then something has to be wrong. I take a deep, shaky breath, and realize how sweaty my palms are. My heart is pumping faster than I remember...