Part 21

Long after they had done their work in Flavia's room, the two teenagers finally got up and planned to leave. As they descended to the first floor, Antony entered the house.

"Are you guys leaving?" Antony asked with his eyebrows knitted together. Flavia and Abigail nodded their heads together. "Where are you going?" He asked again.

"I'm going to Abby's house to get her clothes and after that we're going to Aunt Claire's." Flavia explained.

"I'll take you." Antony offered, but the two teenagers shook their heads together.

"No need, Uncle. We'll just walk. My house is not far from here." Abigail refused gently.

"Then how will you go to Claire's house?" Antony asked again.

"I'll ask Uncle G to take me." Abigail replied.

Antony frowned. 'Uncle G again, Uncle G again. Who is this Uncle G that Abigail mentioned?" Antony wondered to himself. But he couldn't possibly ask the two teenagers directly in front of him.

Antony still stood where he was as he watched the two teenagers walk away. He had been surprised enough by Anastasia's sudden presence in his home and anxious enough by Flavia's seemingly casual reaction. His head was filled with questions as to what her daughter and best friend knew about him and Anastasia's relationship.

Then a thought crept into Antony's brain. After the two teenagers' meeting with Anastasia, would they tell Claire? One thing Antony knew was that Abigail would not give Anastasia positive marks.

Why did it have to start in such a bumpy way? And about this 'Uncle G' that Abigail keeps mentioning, is he Claire's future husband?

Would this Uncle G be one of the obstacles in his way to Claire?

Antony fussed with his hair. Why did he feel like an unstable youngster? Remember, he was old. He was forty years old now. He should have handled things maturely, not like this.

Antony stepped into his room and changed. Hopefully a shower would put his mind at ease. Or at least he would suddenly have an epiphany about how to get close to Claire.

Claire.

The very mention of the name made Antony imagine a beautiful figure staring at him with a flat stare and even a glare.

Antony realized that he was not young anymore and he also had a teenage daughter. But on the other hand he also realized that he had not lost his charm apart from being an established businessman, he was also still quite handsome. The nickname hot daddy is often directed at him.

Not a few women glanced at him. The age range from twenties to five heads is still fascinated by him. Not because he's arrogant, but that's the fact. Although Antony himself didn't know if they would still look at him if only he wore shabby clothes and tattered pants.

Meanwhile, at Claire's place.

"So what, you still want to make my aunt your stepmother?" Abigail whispered. Her eyes leered at the woman who was sobbing with her back to them. "Look at her, do you think a whiny woman like her can be a good mother to you?"

"What's wrong with her? What is she crying about?" Flavia asked innocently.

Instead of answering, Abigail invited Flavia to approach Claire and stand behind her. Her head was cocked towards the cell phone in Claire's hand and Claire seemed unaware of the two teenagers' existence because her ears were plugged with a headset.

Claire was staring at the square screen she was holding in one hand, while the other hand was clutching a wet tissue.

"Drama?" Flavia looked at Abigail with wide eyes.

Abigail tried to stifle a giggle, but answered Flavia's question with a nod. "Isn't she overreacting?" she asked. "The drama is all she's crying about." She continued as she pulled Flavia away.

"My God, she's so sweet." Instead of shuddering in amusement or showing a mocking expression like Abigail did. Instead, Flavia beamed and admired Claire's attitude. "Of course I still want her to be my mom." Flavia shook her best friend's hand enthusiastically. "When are you going to carry out your actions to bring them closer together?" She continued and then fell silent with her forehead furrowed.

Abigail shook her head and walked further away from Claire. Flavia followed behind her.

"Abby...come on... Think of a way to make Aunty C my mother" Flavia whined again as she shook her best friend's hand.

"How much can you pay?" Abigail asked her best friend back. Flavia smiled meaningfully and whispered something to her best friend. Hearing her best friend's whisper instantly made Abigail round her eyes. "Deal!" She said enthusiastically. "Call your father, ask him to bring dinner here, I'll call someone." Flavia complied even though she had no idea what her best friend was planning.

About twenty minutes later, they heard the sound of the gate being opened. Claire, who was still lost in her Korean drama, didn't realize anyone was coming.

Abigail opened the door and saw a tall man with white skin and handsome waving. "That you, senile is not far from Claire." Gladwin's grunt was a conversation starter.

The man thrust the bag towards Abigail while she took off her shoes and placed them on the shoe rack. What a neat guy.

"Sorry, Uncle. I forgot." Abigail replied with a guilty expression. "I promised you a nice meal instead, so you can have dinner here?" She coaxed.

Gladwin looked at Abigail with one eyebrow raised. "Yeah sure, where else would I eat. There's no one at home." He grumbled as he entered the house. He saw Claire sitting on the sofa watching a drama. He approached and suddenly lay down on Claire's lap.

"Oh my God. You scared me!" Claire screeched as she hit her twin's arm. "What are you doing here?" She asked as she took off one side of her headset.

"Hungry, want to grab a bite to eat." Gladwin replied casually.

Claire wrinkled her forehead in confusion. "What? How can you eat here? You also brought food here." Claire reprimanded him.

Gladwin shrugged his shoulders. Finding a comfortable lying position and ignoring Claire's question. "I'm sleepy." He replied. "Wake me up when the food is ready." He said then pulled one of Claire's hands and placed it on top of his head. Asking her sister to stroke her hair silently.

Claire just obeyed. It was their habit to spoil each other. Maybe because since they were babies they were always together. Going everywhere together, going to school together. Even though they had been accelerated and chose a different type of college, their closeness was still there.

Ten minutes later the bell rang again. Abigail and Flavia, who were back in the room after Gladwin arrived, looked at each other and got up at the same time. Both of them called out to the door ignoring the pair of adults who were still sitting on the sofa.

Moments before.

Antony had just finished showering and was quite surprised to find his daughter calling. Flavia rarely, if ever, contacted him. Usually if there was anything her daughter preferred to contact her Granny and Grandpa.

"Hello."

"Hello, Papa." There was a soft grumbling. "Papa, where would you like to have dinner?" Asked his daughter hesitantly. "Do you have an appointment with that aunty?"

Antony rubbed the back of his neck. Why was his daughter suddenly discussing Anastasia?

"No, I don't. I haven't planned where to eat yet. Why?"

"Mmm... I actually want to eat Korean food. But I'm embarrassed to ask Aunty C out. I'm afraid that Aunty C will treat me instead. Didn't you tell me not to bother Aunty C? And the food at Korean restaurants is expensive."

"So, what do you want me to do?"

"I want you to buy the food for us and we can eat together at Aunty C's house. How about it, do you want it?"

That was it. Actually, it would be Antony's chance to get closer to Claire. But he tried his best not to show his enthusiasm.

"Won't Claire mind if I eat there?" He asked casually. There was another whispering sound.

"Abigail said that Aunty C won't mind because Aunty C also really likes Korean food. How about you buy it for us?" Coaxed her daughter again.

This time it was Antony who was silent. But then agreed. Soon he got a message from his daughter telling him where to go and what food he should order.

Antony was already standing in front of the gate of Claire's housing complex. The gate of Claire's house was closed tightly. Antony got out of his car with two packages of food in his hands. He looked around for a moment, searching for where the doorbell was. It didn't take long to see the two teenagers coming out of the house with enthusiastic faces.

"Papa."

"Uncle."

The two teenagers exclaimed at the same time. Antony couldn't help but smile at the compactness of the two. He felt something warm in his heart.

Thirteen years, the time he missed to see his daughter's development. Did he still have a chance to make up for it? To get to know his daughter better?

He could. She can definitely do it. He said to himself.

Antony raised his hands, indicating the orders his daughter had requested. "All your orders have been bought." He said, handing the two packages to the teenagers in front of him.

"Come on in, Uncle. Let's eat in the backyard again. Uncle G happens to be here too. So it will be crowded." Abigail said with a friendly smile on her face.

Uncle G? Antony's forehead frowned instantly. Why that word again?

"Won't my presence be a nuisance?" He asked without really feeling bad. It was actually him who was bothered.

"No, Uncle. You just relax." Abigail then walked into the house.

Flavia boldly pulled her father's hand. They passed Claire sitting on the sofa who Antony noticed was focused on her cell phone. But he also caught a glimpse of someone's feet beside her. Did that man fall asleep on Claire's lap? Antony really didn't like it.

Flavia continued to lead him until they were at the bar. Irritated, but trying to look casual. Antony sat down on a barstool. He tried to refrain from looking back where Claire was still unaware of his presence. His gaze was fixed on the two teenagers who were busy taking out food and cutlery from the cupboard in the kitchen set. Carrying them and placing them in front of Antony before going back to the business of removing other items.

After taking inventory of all the tools they needed. Abigail and Flavia carried them to the backyard together. Both of them openly refused Antony's help.

After making sure everything was placed in the backyard. Antony saw Abigail walking back towards the front. "Aunty!" the girl's voice was high pitched. "Uncle, wake up!" the call was accompanied by soft smacks.

"What's wrong?" The distinctive hoarse voice of a man just waking up answered in a distracted tone. "I'm still sleepy." He continued lazily.

"Just continue sleeping later." Abigail scolded. "Now you get up, wash your face and eat. Flavia's father has brought a lot of food for us." She continued enthusiastically.

"Via's father?" The man's voice answered again after clearing his throat. "Why is Via's father here? When did he come?" There was a screeching sound and a tall man with a handsome face and thick black hair looked at Antony with a furrowed brow.

"No, sir. When did you come?" Claire asked flatly.

The girl looked beautiful and radiant in a loose saffron yellow T-shirt that reached down to her thighs and three-quarter black leggings that reached her calves. Showing off her smooth, white ankles. Her long black hair that Antony was used to seeing in official style was now pulled up in a high ponytail in a relaxed style and left a wisp of hair at the nape of her neck.

Like? Of course Antony liked the way she looked, but his dislike dominated as another thought entered his head. Did the girl intend to tease Uncle G with her casual appearance? Antony felt annoyed with himself.

"Papa, Aunty C asked you a question." Flavia said, which inevitably made Antony blush.

"Oh, that. Flavia said she wanted to eat Korean food." Antony answered honestly. The girl's eyes suddenly lit up.

"Really?" Claire asked. Antony nodded and showed her the package behind him.

"Isn't that the logo of your restaurant?" The man beside Claire raised his voice again. His eyes looked at the package Flavia was holding. Antony looked at his daughter in confusion, and she nodded.

"Why are you still standing here?" Abigail gazed at the four people in the room. "Come help me prepare the food." She said again.

Claire walked over to Flavia, grabbed one of the bags and looked at the contents. She then put her arm around Flavia's shoulders and led her enthusiastically towards the backyard. As for Uncle G? That guy went inside the room.

Why? Why did he come into the room? How far had their relationship gone? How close were they? The questions kept coming into her head. Were they really that close?

"Sorry, I didn't realize you were coming." Claire had returned to the pantry and was now pouring cold water into a glass. "Would you like something to drink? Tea? Coffee?" she offered kindly. Antony shook his head slowly.

"No, I don't. I'll ask for a drink if I'm thirsty." He replied.

Claire just nodded. She leaned her hips on the kitchen set and started drinking. Antony did not take his eyes off her. Even her usual drinking motion looked tempting in his eyes. Shit!

"Why are you still here?" Uncle G interrupted them again. The man already looked fresher. His face was slightly moist, as was his hair. It looked like he had washed his face in the room.

"I want to make something first. You go and help the girls over there." Claire ordered. Then she began to take out some ingredients from the cupboard and refrigerator. Picking up the pot and boiling the water.

The girl's movements in the kitchen were very skillful. It seemed so effortless. It was as if it had become a normal activity for her.

Surprised? Of course he was.

In this day and age, kitchen work was not an activity that many girls were interested in. Especially those who have a good career like Claire.

But behind his surprise, there was a sense of admiration. Claire was truly a woman to look up to. She is a hardworking girl, but also has the figure of a dream wife and mother outside of work.

Unwilling to stay silent and afraid of becoming even more mesmerized by Claire, Antony finally chose to get up and walk towards the backyard.

"Can I help you?" He asked Flavia. The girl who was arranging the food on a short round table looked up and shook her head. Antony glanced over and saw that Uncle G was attaching something to the portable one-burner gas stove.

"You just sit back and relax. Uncle G has taken care of everything." Abigail replied casually. Antony looked at Claire's niece who was now making a spice blend.

Not long. The two portable gas stoves were already lit. One stove was occupied by a pot of red sauce and the other was fitted with a grill pan. Abigail and Flavia were like two children playing a cooking game. Then her aunt came over with a rice bowl and a plate of stir-fry in her hand.

"Let's mukbang." She said as she set the rice bowl down on the side of the round table.

Antony felt like a stranger among the group of four. Claire, Abigail and Flavia seemed familiar with the figure of 'Uncle G'. Meanwhile, Antony could only stare at the man with an annoyed look.

How not to be annoyed, he who initially hoped to approach Claire, had to hold back desperately seeing the treatment of 'Uncle G' towards Claire. The man didn't even hesitate to touch Claire in front of Antony.

Even though Antony's brain told him that the touch was a normal touch, not leading to a lewd touch. But Antony still didn't like it.

Antony even thought of confronting the man. Yes, it seemed that if he saw that man doing something more intimate with Claire, then he would not hesitate to confront him.