CHAPTER 23: PLAYING CUPID

Conversing with Lewis was both insightful and disturbing. The thoughts occupied my mind the entire evening as I randomly thought of ways in which I could help my father to further prolong his life. Though it was obvious that there was no other way, my heart couldn’t accept the fact of reality that was laid in front of me.


The truth about my father’s condition and health status gave me a feeling of remorse. I may not be at fault why I was away from my real family for such a long time, because I was also a victim myself yet still there’s a pricking of conscience that is caking inside of me, which I can’t get out of my system.


I couldn’t seem to grasp that with all my father’s riches and the power he possessed, no one and not even his abundance of wealth could save him from his approaching end. It’s such a shame that everyone’s hands were tied and there’s not a thing that we could do to stop nor prevent the inevitable demise from occurring. That regardless of everything around him, not a soul nor any amount could liberate him from dying.


It grieves me intently and gives me a sense of helplessness. This mixture of feelings, the joy of finally being able to be reunited with my long lost father and the pain of being given a chance to be with him in just a short span of time, was driving me insane. It was like I was given the most precious possession I could ever have in my life, and after a short while, it would just be snatched away from me. Like I was simply given the privilege to borrow it for a while and in due time, I have to give it back. That’s the feeling I am perceiving now.


It terribly saddens me, because there isn’t much I could do about it. All I can do is to pray to God for his mercy and divine grace to be upon my father. I have to put all of these in His mighty hands, because He is the only one who can save him right now. Only the Almighty Creator himself has the power and the discretion to pardon my father’s life or to completely take it back.


As much as I wanted to sleep early due to the matters I had to deal with the following day, these ruckus inside my head and the worries deep within my heart made me sleepless until dawn breaks. But still the show must go on. I didn’t want to dismay my father nor cause any trouble for him, so after choosing the right wardrobe for my first exposure at the Empire, I swiftly headed toward the bathroom to bathe.


Just in time, I heard a knock at the door the minute I was done preparing for work. Pauline informed me that breakfast was ready and my father was on his way to the dining room. Not wanting to be the center of attention again as what happened the night before, I followed her downstairs with haste.


I was just minutes ahead and was the first to come to the dining room before my father arrived, together with Lewis. Both men eyed me from head to foot, but the latter’s eyes lingered longer.


“Good morning to my most beautiful daughter! How was your first night?” Dad pleasantly said before taking his rightful seat at the head of the table.


“It was… Uhm… Good” I glanced at Lewis whose eyes were still fixed on me.


“I see you didn’t sleep well, Penelope. Well, that’s obviously normal. You’ll get used to it after quite some time. Now let's have our breakfast then after, we will be heading to the Empire” My eyes were searching for someone, but before I could ask my father about Mr. McConner, he told me his whereabouts. “I sent Gregory to some important errands today, so he won’t be joining us until later this evening.”


“Oh!”


“Let’s eat before the food gets cold.”


“It’s just the three of us, Dad? How about the rest?”


“I only asked Attorney Sparks to accompany us last night, but she wouldn’t be here as often. You will most likely find her at the Empire where she has an office there of her own. Nicole, on the other hand, was busy with some urgent tasks I mandated her to finish as soon as possible. I only summoned her to be with us the night before to finally meet you, but she doesn't normally dine with the masters of the mansion. So it's just Lewis here whom you will often see joining us.”


“I see.”


Lewis was quiet this morning unlike the night before. He simply spoke every time he was asked, but most of the time he just minded his food and occasionally glanced at me. There was something with the way he looked at me this morning that I couldn’t name, but I disregarded it as my father busily informed me of today’s itineraries.


After a light breakfast, all three of us headed towards my father’s limousine. I was mindful of looking outside while on our way to the Empire when my father commented something that made me awkwardly look at him.


“My daughter was such a fine lady, don’t you think so, Lewis? Her suit perfectly accentuates her physical attributes. I bet all the male employees will drool at the sight of her.”


“Dad, stop it, you’re making me blush.”


“What? I am simply stating the truth, princess.”


“You don’t need to brag about it, Dad.”


“What do you think, Lewis? Should I not brag about my daughter? I mean, look at her. Prim and proper, very sophisticated and utterly stunning.”


I simply shake my head at my father’s praises. Not perceiving the purpose of his sudden compliments of me. I disregarded him and was about to look back at the window when all of a sudden Lewis commented.


“She was indeed beautiful in her suit, Sir. It suits her well” He murmured in a most genuine manner while he stared at me and smiled, which made my cheeks flushed even more. His words were laced with pure admiration that made me uneasy on my seat.


“See? Lewis agrees with me, Penelope. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone would ask me the soonest if they could court you” My father’s statement made my eyes flip as I continuously shook my head at the nonsense he was talking about.


“Can I, Sir?”


The last words that came right out of Lewis’ mouth made my jaws drop in bewilderment. I looked straight at him in disbelief and confusion, searching for the truthfulness of his question.


“Of course you could, Lewis! I would be more than pleased and it would give me such an ease if you were to be my daughter’s boyfriend. A man of your stature and your characteristics, no parent would deny you of their daughters.”


I couldn’t take my eyes off Lewis as I doubted the sincerity of his words. What had gotten into him for him to say such a word? Has he slept on the wrong side of bed? We barely knew each other for him to say that in front of my father.


“Stop that, you two. We are not prolonging this discussion, because I am in no search for a boyfriend. And please, Lewis, don’t believe what my father was saying. He was just joking around.”


“I wasn’t joking around, princess. Sooner or later, I will not be around anymore. It is just appropriate and right for a father to know who his daughter will be with in the future. You deserve only the best, Penelope, and Lewis here is the best candidate for me so far.”


“Oh, Dad, stop playing Cupid. You're embarrassing the man. I deeply apologize, Lewis, I hope you don’t take this seriously” He smiled back at me, which eases the tension I suddenly felt. I was about to take the nonsense conversation at the back of my head when he spoke again that literally popped my eyes open and made my father's face beamed with delight.


“What if I do.”