WMMAP - [S1] Shelter You - (愛)してる

Chapter 26: I Should Have

Night bringer scintillated proudly in the Stygian color sky, in contrast to another artificial light reflecting its power from an office of Obelia's Company Headquarters. Files, reports, and documents that demanded to be filled and completed were neglected. Claude patiently anticipated the other line of the phone to be answered, though he didn't need to commit much effort as his call was responded to momentarily after he dialed the number.

"Oh, looks who decided to call back!?! Excuse me for disturbing your work!"

"...Was it not your request for me to call you more frequently, Athanasia?" The President was somewhat astounded at how his heiress could speak in such a tone.

"D-DAD?!"

"You are not disturbing my work. I will get it done later."

"It's-I- thought you were someone else..."

"Who are you calling at this time of the night?" His overprotective father's senses were tingling.

"...A friend?"

"Male or female?"

"DAD!!"

"Tell me exactly who that person is."

"I told you he is a friend!"

"...A male. I need a name and address."

"Really Dad? Are you kidding me?"

"Do I look like I am joking?"

"I know you are worried, but we are a really...really good... friend. YeS, FrIeNd."

"Why did you hesitate?"

"ARE YOU ASKING ME ABOUT MY DAY OR INTERROGATING ME?"

It finally hit Claude. The unawareness, selfishness, and desire to refrain his daughter from being snatched away from him merely pushed him away from her. The little girl who he had done wrong in the past had shifted the blame on her for something she had no control over. Only time could teach him that his daughter lost twice as much compared to him because, at least, he knew what Diana looked like in person, not portraits hanging on the wall.

Time flew and wounds healed though scars remained.

And as time flew, the bond slowly forged. He questioned his daughter through his gaze and why did she forgive him for everything that happened until then.

She only wished to be loved. Simple as that.

The thoughts flooding his head right at this moment were like a reminder that he failed as a father in those days. He failed to provide the warmth and affection of a father to his daughter who was now living far away from him. Despite growing worried sick about her every day, he was still ashamed of admitting out loud that he missed her dearly.

"Dad? Are you... Still here? I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to shout."

Those were just the past and he should be focusing on the present, where his daughter's needs and concerns were prioritized. Claude sighed loudly. "No, it's alright. It was my fault." Which in this case, allowed whoever the guy was, to breathe for another day forth.

"...Promise me you won't try to kill him if I tell you who he is. Please?"

"Why are you protecting him?"

"Because you always threaten to kill every guy I talked to!"

"Depending on your answer and how well he has contributed to that friend of yours. So I won't accidentally kill an innocent being."