1. Myla

The sun is bright and the sky is so blue as I sit next to my father's grave. 

I put the bouquet of carnations next to it and smile bitterly, feeling the tears sting in my eyes. "Hi, dad," I say and hug my knees closer. "It's been a while." 

Today is his death anniversary, and just like the previous years, I come to his grave and talk to him as if he's still alive. After all, that's all I could do since I never got to see him or meet him before.

Ironically, the day my mother realized she was pregnant was the day my father died. She called him when he was driving but the moment he looked down to search for his phone, a truck came out of nowhere and crashed into his car, ending his life in mere seconds. 

That's what mom told me, and I refused to ask any further about it. It seemed that it left a deep wound in her life and it was unnecessary to open that wound again. I have her and she's all I could ever ask for. Although having a father would have been nice. 

It hits me whenever I watch the fathers with their little girls and I find myself longing for him. 

Wilson Bright. I trace his name engraved on the tombstone with the tip of my fingers and feel a tear escape my eye and fall down my cheek.

"Mom is doing fine," I say and wipe the tear off, letting out a heavy sigh. "She wants to open a flower shop and I'm working so hard to help her achieve her dream. I think that's the least I can do for her... after all these years of her taking care of me and loving me twice as much a mother loves her child."

I know she gave up on her dream to raise me, but I refuse on letting it to waste. She once was a girl like me, full of passion, love, and admiration, and who had dreams as I do now. 

"Everyone is doing fine. The coffee shop is getting more known and Alex is always so hyper. He's the reason I don't mind working even after my shift ends." I chuckle.

The thought of Alex always brings me joy, he's literally a bundle of sunshine. He's always smiling so happily that he makes me forget all my worries, I can never get tired of his laugh and his jokes. 

"Sarah and June are new to the job but they're already getting used to everything and Mr. Roy is satisfied with their work. I'm happy, seeing that everything is going our way. And if the shop stays like this, I might make more money faster and I'll get to help mom soon. I'm so excited to see how everything would turn out."

I grab the bouquet of flowers and smell it, the corners of my lips lifting up. Mom was the one who got him the flowers but she couldn't make it because she has to babysit her friend's son. He's so cute, it makes me wish I had a little brother to play with. 

Being an only child is okay when you have both parents. For me, my only family is my mother and if she's gone, it would only be me against this world and I'm not ready for that at all. 

Apparently, her family kicked her out because she wanted to marry my father, and after he passed away, his family refused my mother and well... me. 

Their love story was tragic and unfair. I feel bad for my mother and for my father who didn't even get to know he was having a daughter. But I know for a fact that he would have been a great father from the way my mother talks about him.

She always has this dreamy and bitter look on her face whenever she does, revisiting her memories and moments with him.

He was charming, kind, and loving. Her words still replay in my mind as if it was just yesterday. I want you to meet someone like him, someday. 

I close my eyes and feel the gentle breeze dance through my hair for a while before I put down the flowers back next to the grave and stand up, grabbing my bag as I put a few strands of my hair behind my ears. 

"That's it for today. We'll meet again soon, but for now, just rest well." I caress the top of the tombstone and smile. "I love you, dad."

With that, I take a deep breath and turn around to leave the place. I head towards my motorcycle before I swing my right leg on top of the saddle and sit on top of it. I wear the helmet and start driving back to the coffee shop. 

Upon arriving at the place, I spot Alex smoking a cigarette in the back as he stuffs his hands in his pockets. He takes a puff, and another, oblivious to me staring at him. Seeing him like this is wrong, I'm so used to him smiling all the time that it feels weird to see his cold, almost emotionless eyes. 

"Alex," I call and he freezes, turning his head to look at me. And I just stare at him when he throws the cigarette on the ground and stomps on it, acting as if he wasn't just caught.

"Oh, Myla," Somehow, the bright smile is back on his face as he walks to me, and it's the fakest one I've ever seen. "You're already back?"

I want to tell him about how much I hate seeing him kill himself slowly, but his smile tells me that perhaps I shouldn't. So I just take off my helmet and fix my hair, acting as if nothing is wrong. "Yeah. Are you okay?"

"Yes." Alex chuckles, leaning on the motorcycle. "I'm always okay." He always says that even if he's not okay. I've been his friend for enough time to figure it out. 

"What are you doing here?" I get off my motorcycle and push it next to the back door as he walks behind me. "I thought you quit smoking."

"It's hard to do that, you know. Sometimes I can't help but find myself smoking." He says and I roll my eyes.

"Alex, you're addicted."

I hear him scoff, "Tell me something I don't know. Enough about me, how are you?"

"Oh, I feel better than ever. Visiting my father is like free therapy, I get to tell him about everything and he doesn't judge me." I smile, opening the door before both of us step into the place's back room. "I have you guys to thank for that, you always cover up for me when I'm away."

"Yeah," He folds his arms over his chest and leans on the wall, watching me as I put down my helmet and bag before I take off my jacket. "Although everyone keeps asking about you."

"They did?" I feel happy hearing that. Many people compliment the coffee I make. 

"Look at you smiling like an idiot," Alex says and I laugh. "You know very well you're the best."

"Oh no, I know I'm good but surely not the best." I try to be humble although he squints his eyes and gives me an I-don't-believe-you-but-okay look. Putting my hair in a bun, I wear my apron and Alex helps me tie it. "Thanks. Now let's go or Mr. Roy will fire me."

"He can't. You're his best gem." Alex fake-rolls his eyes and I smile in awe, wrapping my arms around him. "Ew. No touching." I pull away and laugh, knowing very well that he likes it when I hug him although he says he doesn't.