“I’m waiting for you to stop me, Sereia. One word from you and I’ll risk it all for you.” 
I glared at him. Theon then appeared after that and I grabbed his arms, “Let’s go, Theon.”
Theon’s lips curved into a smirk at that and he raised his eyebrows at Phoenix mockingly.
Phoenix looked at me in disbelief, “You’re choosing him over me?”
I glanced at Theon and shook my head, “No, I’m choosing myself.”
And with that, I grabbed my bag, held Theon’s hands, and dragged him away from Phoenix. 
“I knew you would choose me,” Theon commented as we reached his car, his chin held up high proudly. 
“I’m choosing no one, okay? Stop boasting about it.” I answered back and went to my own red sports car.
Hopping on it, we decided that I’ll drive ahead of him,  with him trailing behind me. 
I saw Phoenix standing outside the villa as he watched us drive away. His face was now stoic, and I bit my lip. 
No regrets, Sereia. No regrets. You have to stand your ground and maintain your dignity. 
The six-hour ride was a bit tiring for me but we took a few stops on the road, and it was lunchtime when I arrived home. 
I spent the remaining days in the house, helping mom in taking care of my grandma. I never got out of the house aside from work. And Theon has been bugging me a lot lately, happy that Phoenix is now out of my life.
And for Phoenix, he never called me. 
I feel a bit sad, but it’s my fault. I honestly want to say yes to him that day. But I’m still not ready. 
This continued on for three months, me working, helping mom, and locking myself in the room. I knew mom and grandma are starting to worry about me but they didn't dare to ask me about it. 
When I got down from the stairs one day, I saw something unexpected. 
I blinked, seeing a suitcase from the door, and a certain man grinning face looking at me happily. “Hello, my dear daughter.” 
Still processing it, my father laughed at my dumbfounded expression as he came to hug me. 
“Surprise, Sereia. I finally returned home.” He said, stroking my hair and his eyes turning watery. 
I bit my lip, trying not to cry but the tears in my eyes fell. “Dad!” I yelled, hugging him back. “I missed you!” 
“I missed you too, “we stayed like that for a few minutes, hugging and crying. I never knew I needed dad until now. I had always thought I would be fine without him, but now that grandpa is gone, my only cousin is married, I don’t have anyone beside me other than mom and grandma.
 It feels a bit lonely. 
I feel like crumbling into pieces. Dad came just at the right time. 
“How about your work in Canada, dad?” I asked when we finally calmed down. He was seated on the sofa now and I offered him a glass of water.
He took a sip on the glass and shrugged, “Oh, I quit. Good thing that my friend Samuel approved of it.” He answered. “I wanted to stay with you. I saved enough money to build my own business here.” 
Now that I look at him clearly, my father looked old. His once healthy black hair turned a bit gray and his smile was still the same, it reached his eyes and his tanned skin turned lighter. He looked healthy now that he gained a bit of weight. 
“Where’s your mom?” He asked, now turning on the television to watch the news. 
I stiffened as Phoenix’s face appeared on the news, clearing my name and saying the rumors about me and him were false. The news about me had died down a bit, thanks to him…
“She’s at the grocery store with grandma..” I answered. 
Dad noticed the sudden change in my mood and he sighed,  “You know, I may not be here beside you but I’m updated with your life, my dear daughter.” 
I purse my lips.
“I’m sad that you’re locking yourself in your room. You even were linked to that man?” He asked, pointing at the TV screen. 
I stayed quiet until he asked a sudden question. “Do you love him?” 
I cleared my throat, not wanting to talk about this for now. 
“Dad, do you know Grandpa and grandma’s tragic love story?”
He nodded. “Yes, your mother told me about it.”
“I’m scared I will end up like them.”
He nodded understandingly, his expression turning soft. “You know my dear, have you seen me and your mom?”
I raised my eyebrows at that, not sure why he was asking me that. “Yes?” 
He offered a smile, “We’re still together after these years. So why are you afraid of the idea of love?” He asked.
That made me think. I have always told myself that the reason why I rejected Phoenix was that I’m scared of ending up as miserable as my grandma. But now, it’s because I’m afraid to try to love a person. I’m afraid to risk the unknown knowing that the result would be inevitable. 
“I hope you clear your mind Sereia. I’m sad to see you being sad like this. We have lost your brother. We don’t want to lose you too.” Dad said, rubbing my back in comfort. “Come on, smile for me.” 
I pressed my lips together and smiled for dad. “Thank you, dad.”
He ruffled my hair. “You’re welcome. I'm always here for you, my dear.” Saying that, he gave me a coy smile, “Also, introduce that man to me so that I can test him.”
I gave him a pointed look, “Dad!” Really, he’s still the same protective father. 
He shrugged, “What? I have to know if he’s suitable enough for you.” 
I sighed. Mom and grandma arrived later and mom was ecstatic to see dad. Thank goodness we are finally complete now. 
If only Grandpa was still alive…
Well, there’s no use clinging to the past now. 
I excused myself from them and dialed a number. I hope he will pick up.
“Hello? Who is this?”