~Recap~

Frowning in disapproval, Azura just shakes her head and shifts to another topic. “Whatsoever. Anyway, let's get started already because I'm getting hungry and it seems like we already lost our spot today. Many students came before us.”

Theo nods while making a thoughtful face and then he says, “You're right. Then, how about we go and have our meal together in the woods. All alone in silence and brilliance?”

The lady frowns again. “What? In the woods you said? Have you lost your mind?”

“No, Azura. I just hit it. With this idea. It's not too far away from here. We'll be back in time. Now let's go!” And before Azura could even react, she was already being dragged by her now really good friend and she doubts if this was actually good or bad.

Either way, it was something she won't refuse, regardless.

______

“So, when are you planning to tell me if who is it?”

“Who is who, Dad?” The daughter nonchalantly asks while still totally focused on her cell phone and typing more keywords in it.

The man giggles at his child's cluelessness. “Obviously the one who has had you all head over heels since the past few months. And probably the one you're idiotically texting right now even.”

And only now the young woman was hit by reality as she shifted her attention from phone and made an oblivious smiling face. “Texting, of course not. I was just…” She then breaks in between, not able to come up with any valid excuse.

“Oh, come on, Azura. Not even days or weeks but months. It will become a year eventually as well. Why to be so shy from your daddy? Just let it out. Maybe I can help you with impressing the one you've been trying so hard?”

Yes, it has been a long while since Azura has become openly friendly with Theo. They've even exchanged numbers and ever since Azura has been engaged with her phone like never before.

“Me and try hard to impress? Oh definitely a big no.” Azura scoffs. Then she finally proceeds to tell semi reality. “However, yes. There is someone, whom I really like…” As expected, an excessively excited smile curves Frederick's lips. But Azura also made sure to not waste another second as she breaks the little bubble of buzz of her father. “As a friend.”

What else? The smile turns into a sigh as Frederick says, “Okay so, what about this just a friend?”

Chuckling to her father's loose reaction, Azura clings over Frederick while fluttering. “Aww, Dad. Why so upset over this? Are you not happy that your Azura finally got someone who cares for her, who looks after her, who appreciates and encourages her and mostly, accepts her for who she is. Just like you.”

Now that melts the man's heart. “So, my little lovely lady finally has someone who will take care of her when her dad will not be here anymore.”

“Dad!” Azura whisper-yells in disapproval and disguise and the latter just chuckles.

“So, when will I have the opportunity to meet this person who has got the opportunity to be Azura's friend?”

Slight giggles come out of Azura's mouth. “So soon, Dad. Very soon. I'm just waiting for the right time.” A tint of blush appears in Azura's features as she answers and Frederick was more than content over it.

“I see. But, why are you saying it as if you're waiting to announce your marriage or something?

“Dad!” Azura yells once again but this time more with satisfaction and joy which she was obviously trying hard not to show.

“Okay, okay. Well, let's get you to sleep now because it's already almost midnight. You wouldn't want to be late for college tomorrow and miss time with your friend, right?”

“Wow, Dad. Talking about sleeping while keeping me awake for countless queries, yeah?”

The man began to laugh while chirping. “Just preventing curiosity from killing the cat so.” Azura rolls her eyes at the terribly unfunny joke. The man stands up and leans down to leave a subtle kiss on the young lady's temple. “Good night, honey.”

Smiling in glee, Azura replies, “Good night, Dad.”

The light goes off as the lady goes into the dreamland.

______

“Ahh, finally lunch time. I've been a little more hungry today and can't wait any longer to eat the special pie.”

It was just the beginning of another day of college as the duo met each other like the usual and were making their way to their respective classes.

“You're really acting like a girl suffering from cravings and even a girl doesn't flaunt it off like you do, Theo. Besides, not everyday I can bring something fancy. My Dad is definitely a great chef but unfortunately an unpaid one. Maybe you should start billing if you want something mouth watering every time.”

Although the man nodded in agreement to the lady's words, he decided to correct her debate more properly. “Well, if it's just about mouth watering dishes, then I will have to pay for even a watery soup because even that just tastes amazing when your Dad makes it. So you are the one who's neglecting his skills, my lady. So ungrateful.”

Which was about right because even the simplest category of dishes surpass the flavour of expensive and fancy dishes if they were made by Azura's father. Which means that poor Theo could not he really blamed for his act but it legitimately felt as if the guy was being hard to overreact. It made him look cringe but also cute at the same time.

“Oh really? Me and ungrateful? Then how about you begin paying for real, especially when you could pay for the trash from the canteen, then why not me?” Azura retorts.

“Not a bad idea. But why should it be you? I'll directly reward Mr. Barnes. Or are you trying to make money out of him?” Theo suggests playfully and begin laughing on his own while the lady just shakes her head in disguise and shifts her head straight to the direction.

It was the moment when Azura noticed someone she hadn't seen around in a while.