Chapter 2

Luke has his back on me. Yet, it seems like he heard me approaching.

"Get him to talk and Do what you need to do, no matter what it takes. Make sure that person learns his lesson. I'll hang up now."

Right before I reach his desk, Luke hung up the video conference.

He ended the video before I can even see it.

"What is the conference about? Isn't it late already for that?"

Oh, is he just going to laugh now? What I heard wasn't anything laughable.

"You don't have to know. "

"Why? Is it that serious?"

"It's about work, nothing for you to be concerned about."

"Is it really about work? I thought I saw something else."

"Are you busy doing something?"

Luke leaves his chair and looks at me with a smiling face.

"Not now. You are here again. It's about the thunderstorm, right?"

"I hope I'm not disturbing you then."

"Come. Hold my hand and let's get you to bed, okay?"

I can only feel this way when I'm close to him. Is it alright to depend on him too much? Is this normal?

"I'm so used to you coming here whenever it is raining, or during thunderstorms."

"You're in high school now. Why are you still scared? "

Dad!

I sit in his bed next to him.

My heart is beating so fast. However, it is no longer because I am afraid of the thunderstorm.

"Are you feeling okay now?"

"Yes, I think so."

Luke pats my head like a kid and then caresses my face. I blushed the moment his fingertips touch my cheeks.

"Are you sure? You can tell me whatever is in your mind."

Dad is so kind to me, that's why I feel so guilty for feeling this way towards him.

Is this love? Or I am just misunderstanding my feelings?

"You look troubled. I don't think you're okay now but You can tell me anything. I'm all ears."

"Dad, are you still okay with me coming here? I want to be close to you this much."

"So, you're still scared of rain and thunder."

He tapped the bed next to him, telling me to climb up the bed.

"Of course, you're so precious to me."

"Dad, I said it already. I'm okay now since I'm here in your bedroom."

"Then it's settled. Come up to bed. You should be taking a rest now."

I hope there will be another chance. For now, I will just keep it to myself.

Once I’m on the bed, I immediately felt safe and relaxed. I forgot about the things I were worried about that night.

I gently lay my back on the bed. I reached for my cow doll on the bedside.

"Good night. Sleep well."

"Good night, Dad. "

I close my eyes and felt someone putting a blanket on me.

It feels much warmer now. This person next to me could be the reason.

I hold my cow doll closely and then fall asleep.

******

It is morning and I was half asleep. I heard a knock on the door.

"Wake up. You will be late for school! "

"It's so early, Dad. I still have time. Just give me five more minutes of sleep."

"You have to leave the bed now."

I reluctantly get up. I stretched my arms upward and yawned.

"Come on, fix yourself now. I'll have someone drop you off at school."

I changed my clothes.

I arrive at school. As soon as I enter the classroom, the Casanova, Jason Connelly, comes up to me.

"Good morning! You look beautiful today. As always. "

It's Jason, a friend of mine. I will try to avoid him and greet him nicely.

"You really know how to play with words, Jason. I know you tell that to your girlfriends. "

"Are you being sarcastic to me? It's true, though. "

"Then maybe I should say thank you so we can move on already."

"Don't you think it's nice to have a handsome face greet you every morning?"

"Uhmmm ... Jason, you can't always be with me. I don't want to be in trouble."

"Good morning, Jason. Thanks for the validation."

"Of course! We are friends, right? Compliments are no big deals."

"No wonder you have numerous girlfriends."

"Says who? You're making blush, you know."

"Come on, everybody knows that."

"It's just a normal way of saying hi. I'm glad that that made you happy."

"You too look good today."

I and Jason continue with our conversation, not aware of the piercing stares coming from the corner of the room.