Via was so excited to wake up early to attend her father's birthday. She go to the bathroom to take a bath while humming her favorite song. After that she go to her closet to find a nice dress.Then she put a light make-up and spray a perfume. When everything is alright she picked up her things and drove off.
"I'm home..." she shouted when she arrived in their house.
"Avi, my princess! You're here," her mom said, hugging her tightly.She obviously misses her daughter so much.
"Easy, mom, I can't breath," she laughed.
"I'm sorry, dear, I just miss you, it's been a month you don't visit us." Her mom said emotionally.
"Mom, you know how much busy I am in the school. Checking test paper and attending some seminars." She let go Avi, and went back on her work on the sink, washing some vegetables.
"I understand, but you can't blame me that I miss you so much.You forgot to call us."Avi felt guilty after she heard that word from her mom.She spend more time on her work and forget her family.
"I'm really sorry mom, I promise I'll make it up on you." She said to her mom and hugged her.
"I will remember that. Now, change your clothes and take a rest.I know your tired."Then her mom go to the fridge to get some fruits.
"Mom, where's dad?"Avi asked, placing her bag on the counter.
"He's in the office, dear. Busy on his work," her mom said while chopping the fruits.
"Is there a problem, mom?" Avi stared at her mom and saw a hint of sadness flashed in her eyes.
"Your dad can handle it, dear. Just take a rest and I will call you when everything's ready," Venus managed to smile on her daughter,she don't want to make her daughter worry.
"Are you serious? Today's his birthday but he's busy working. Why can't he relax for now and leave his work for tomorrow?" Avi was worried of her dad. She feel that something wrong.
"Just let him Avi. He needs to fix it. You know your dad, he can't relax when there's a problem." Her mom want to her feel relieved.
"Is it a serious one, mom? Can I help?"Avi willing to help her dad.Ahe was afraid that her dad got sick because of stress.
"He can handle it. Besides, you don't know anything about business, dear. Let your father fix it." Avi sighed.
"Okay… I love you, mom. I'll head upstairs to settle my things and help you afterward."Avi smiled, she know that her dad can fix it.
"No dear, I can handle it. Also, Trina is here to help me. You better take a rest." Venus want her daughter to take a rest. She know that she's tired of trip.
"Oka mom.…" Avi walked up to her room feeling a little sad thinking of her choices in life. Her father want her to study business so she can manage their company but she want to be teacher and study education in abroad.
Avi opened the door of her room, pulling the trolly she brought with, and sat on the bed. It felt as if she hadn't left. The things stayed in where she left them… nothing changed. The smell of her room is they same.
"Avi, can you let me in?" The cute voice of her little brother made her stop at what she was doing. He's in Junior High and his voice still hadn't changed that much.
"Yes, the door is open, love." She heard the door of her room opened and his brother pissed face greeted her.
"I hate you. You never told me you'll come." That cute reaction, she miss it. It been a long time she did not see her brother because of hectic schedule.
"I've been so busy, Reno, I forgot to text you. But you already know that I'll never be absent on dad's birthday, right?" She explained to her brother. Avi don't want to see her brother getting upset.
"I know… I was just a little upset that you forgot to tell me. I wish I was one of your students so I can have time to be with you. You're always busy." She was so guilty again hearing that words from her brother.
"I'm sorry that I wasn't able to give you as much time, Reno. But I'm here now, we can do all things you want." She get the present she buy for her brother and give it to here. She bought him some of his favorites because she know that he'd ask her when she come home.
"Wow, I kept telling mom to buy me this one but she always says that it's a distraction for my studies." Reno was surprised when he received the present. "Your the best sister ever. I love you!"
"You, promise me, Reno, that you'll manage your time properly." Seeing her brother happy make her happy. But she don't want her to be distracted on his study.
"Yeah, I know. I promise you, I'll always be at the top of our class." Reno assure his sister. Then he said goodbye and leave on the room. Avi continue arrange her things then took a nap.
"Dear, time for dinner." She was woken up by her mom's soft call.
Rubbing her eyes, and looked at her mom and asked, "Is dad home?"
"Yes, he already arrived a few minutes ago."Venus said to her daughter.
She smiled to her mom and ask to changed into another dress before she go. When she's done she went down holding the present she have for her dad but she noticed three more people with them.
"Hi, Dad, Happy Birthday." Avi hugged her dad and handed her present to him.
"Thanks, Avi. I'm happy that you're here despite your busy schedule." Her dad said and so happy seeing her daughter.
"It's your birthday, dad. How could I not come?" She sat beside her mom.
"It's good to hear that you haven't forgotten about my birthday. By the way, this is Mr. and Mrs. Montelfalcon, my business partners, and their son, Kalix." Her father introduce their visitor.
"Hello, It's my pleasure to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Montelfalcon," Avi smiled at them. "And you, Mr—" She wasn't able to continue what she was about to say when she felt an intimidating aura the moment she looked into his eyes. The way he stared at her is cold and it brought chills to her spine. He's dead serious.
"It's also our pleasure to meet the beautiful daughter of Mr. Fernandez," Mr. Montefalcon cut the tension she felt. "You're a professor, right?"
"Indeed I am, Mister. I work at Middleton University."She replied it while smiling.
"Wow! I am so amazed. That's a well-known University," Mrs. Montefalcon replied.
"Thank you, ma'am," She smiled and glanced at their son. He was looking at nowhere but his serious face stayed as he sat still, looking proud and scary. He's handsome, though.
"Just call me Auntie, dear."
"Okay, Auntie."
"Let's eat," Venus intervened. Avi smiled at them and fixed the way she sat. Her dad and Mr. Montefalcon continued to talk about business and she can't help but take little glances at their son.
"Stop staring at me, will you?" She froze when he spoke and their eyes met. She so ashamed… and don't know what should she say? "So you don't know how to speak now?" Kalix said to her.
"What?" Avi brows arched.
"Nevermind..." Kalix said. Avi silently rolled her eyes and kept her silence devouring her food.
"Was the problem fixed, Bert?" Mr. Montelfalcon asked his eyes on Bernard.
"On the process. By the way, thank you for extending your help last time. I appreciated it," Avi dad smiled.
"No problem, Bert. In no time, our families will become one so no matter what problem you are facing, we'll be here, ready to help you." Avi got confused about what does Mr. Montelfalcon mean. She looked at Mr. Montelfalcon in confusion and turned to her dad after, who seemed suspicious at the way he reacted. He looked like there's something that he wanted to say but can't. The confusion they are inflicting on her had made her forehead crease. She looked at her mom and saw her sad face.
"Thank you," that was the only word that her dad said and continued eating.
"By the way, Bert, have you told her about our plan yet?" Her dad was taken aback at what Mr. Montelfalcon asked but immediately recovered from the shock. "What are they talking about? What's that something that I need to know?" In Avi mind.
"Not yet. But I'll surely discuss it with her later privately." Her dad said to them.
"Okay, good. I'm so excited." Avi see how excited the Montelfalcon.
"Dad, why can't you tell me now? What are you talking about?" Avi asked her dad,she really want to know it.
"Let's talk after dinner," Bernard said sternly.
"You can tell her, Bert. It's also a good idea that we are here," the wife beamed.
"I need to explain it other without her being upset. Let's enjoy this night first," her dad said, obviously trying to avoid the topic but she wasn't about to back down that easily. He looked problematic and that's not good. I'm worried and I'm persistent to know what's happening.
"Dad?" Avi called once more.She really curious about it.
"Let's talk later, Avi. I will tell you everything---" her dad stop when Kalix talk.
"Why can't you just tell her that she's going to marry me? It's that simple. She's not a kid---
"Kalix!" his dad cut him off. W-what?!
