6. Meet My Mummy!

With Clyde, that happily ever after was never possible.

The man who never wanted a child with her,

How would he react when he found out about her daughter? 

What would Violet's life be like?

What would Mimi's future look like? 

She couldn't burst her daughter's bubble, but maybe it was high time Violet told her the true nature of her father.

Mimi rejected other men, saying her Daddy was better. 

Should Violet tell her that her father was the worst man on earth?

That would be too brutal for a little girl's ears. 

But with each day that passed by, Mimi's resolve to find her real Daddy grew stronger.

Her eagerness was even turning into a wild imagination that scared Violet. 

Because some times, those imaginations fit Clyde's description perfectly just like moments ago. 

The Next Morning.

Violet woke up on the king-sized bed to find her daughter gone. 

She could recall Mimi whispering late in the night that she would resume the search for her Daddy this morning.

Letting out a helpless sigh, Violet left the bed and entered the bathroom.

Along with the anxiety of today's event was the lingering effect of her anxiousness from yesterday.

Hopefully, her daughter wouldn't come up with that topic again.

Hopefully, Violet wouldn't make any mistakes. 

Each moment was precious.

Everything had to be perfect.

If only this day would be postponed, just like the many other times since last year. 

Was she ready?

“Violet, are you all set!?” Freya barged into the room as Violet walked out of the closet.

She checked out herself in the dresser mirror. 

“Oh, my gosh!” Freya exclaimed, squealing and holding her cheeks. “You're perfect!”

Violet nodded, staring at her reflection. 

Wasn't this dress too flashy?

This was only an engagement. It wasn't like they were getting married today. 

“Come here, your makeup needs to be perfect too.” Freya pulled her to sit on the chair across the mirror.

“Unfortunately, I can only do a lousy job, Vi.” Freya lamented. “You're so scared of people that you can't even hire a professional makeup artist!”

“And next thing, my photos will be trending on the artist's website.” Violet chortled. “I'll pass.”

“Weirdo.” Freya sighed. 

She put the final touch on Violet's makeup and helped her to her feet. 

“By the way, there's a surprise waiting for you downstairs.” She wriggled her brows at her. 

What kind of surprise?

Violet was dying to know. 

She didn't like the suspenseful look on her best friend's face. 

“No questions.” Freya shushed her. “Put on your shoes. You'll see for yourself.”

And Freya helped her put on the glassy heels. 

Violet felt somehow giddy.

She could already guess what the surprise was, but she wasn't sure yet. 

Descending downstairs was even more difficult.

Violet couldn't wait to see what surprise Freya had in store for her. 

“Tad-da!”

No way! 

Violet came face to face with her whole family members in the living room. 

Not only were her mother, uncle, and his wife present,

Even her Grandpa Adrian and Grandma Lily were here. 

Tears welled up in her eyes and she sniffled. 

“Stop right there,” Freya whispered to her. “Don't ruin my hard work,” she said, referring to the makeup. 

Violet chuckled, her laughter mixed with tears. 

Her mother was the first to come forward, and she pulled her into a warm embrace. “Hey, look at you. Finally becoming a bride.”

“Getting engaged, you mean.” Violet laughed softly. 

She welcomed her Uncle and his wife too. “How's Hardy?”

“Finishing college-”

“Chasing women.”

They answered both at the same time, inciting laughter from the rest.

Finally, Violet turned to her grandparents, the ache from eight years ago awakening in her heart.

But this time, that ache was accompanied by a deep joy. 

When she ran away, her grandparents were the angriest, especially her grandfather.

She'd disappointed them big time. 

But she'd been scared, telling them that the guy they wanted her to marry was a drug addict, could break their hearts.

So Violet took the easiest way out by running away. 

Even after she returned five years ago, her grandparents weren't willing to see her.

To think that she was their favorite grandchild. 

It was truly heartbreaking.

“Grandpa, Grandma… I'm so sorry.” Violet hugged them tight, letting her tears fall. 

She didn't mind the earful she was going to get from Freya later. 

Surely, her makeup would be ruined. 

“You make us happy, Dear.”

“Don't cry… it'll break Grandma's heart.”

Violet chuckled. 

She pulled away, letting her grandmother wipe her tears. 

“Where's our great granddaughter?” Grandpa Adrian asked. “I heard she's a wanderer.”

Right!

Mimi.

Why hadn't Violet seen her yet?

Was she still outside searching for her imaginary Daddy? 

With her whole family present, Violet had full assurance.

From now on, everything would be perfect. 

She'd never disobey her parents again. 

She'd avoid anything that would make them sad.

It was time she told Mimi the true nature of her biological father, so she would stop asking for her Daddy's whereabouts. 

“I’ll get her, Grandpa.”

Violet volunteered to go look for Mimi. 

Any moment from now, Asher would be ready and they'd exchange the engagement rings. 

Maybe Violet wasn't ready, but she had a feeling this moment was perfect. 

“Little girl, let go. I said I'm not your Daddy.”

“Liar! My Mummy will decide that! Let's meet her first!”

Behold, Mimi was hugging a strange man's leg just outside the building. 

But how could Violet call him strange when his features were deeply engraved in her memory? 

No!

Clyde!