7. Daddy

"Are you sure you don't want to give your mother a chance?" Amber asked again. Ariana looked at her and then shook her head. Okay, Amber wouldn't persuade her anymore. If she was just ignored by Ariana, what if Ariana fired her later? She might also get scolded by Ariana's father.

They returned to the restaurant. It was already 11 in the morning when they got back. Both Ariana and Amber entered their workspace, which also served as their private break room. Ariana, who had left her phone in her bag, was now checking it. She slid the screen, unlocked it, and saw several missed calls.

"Mom?" Ariana pressed her mother's number and made the call. "Ariana, hello, dear." The voice on the other end sounded panicked and tearful.

"Mom? Is there..."

"Your father, dear," her mother interrupted before Ariana could ask.

"What about Dad?"

"Mom, you don't know. Dad called earlier, but suddenly the call got cut off. Mom went to Dad's office, but they said Dad left for an appointment. Mom checke