Chapter 97: Chapter 97

Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into a month.

Amy was getting ready to go back to college, for her final year. She had spent the last two weeks of her summer break at her mom’s place, so she could be with her baby brother whom she had missed so terribly. She enjoyed her time with him, as he helped her forget about her problems throughout her stay there. But, now she was back to reality and she hated it.

Amy’s phone started to ring on the bed where she had placed it, while she stood before her mirror, wrapping her hair in a ponytail. A smile crept up her face as soon as she saw the caller ID.

“Hey, Mandy” she greeted her best friend, who was already done with college.

“Happy birthday!” Mandy cheered from the other end.

Although it was her birthday, Amy wasn’t one bit excited by it. This was by far the worst birthday of her life, and she’d never forget it.

“I’d rather not be reminded of that” she confessed with a frown, sitting on her bed, and picking up her phone which was previously on speaker.

“Don’t be like that, Amy. You’ll make me feel bad if you continue being this way” Mandy said in a sad tone.

She felt pity for her best friend, who didn’t get the chance to enjoy her vacation to the fullest.

“I’m sorry, Mandy. I just can’t help it”

“I understand… I wonder why you won’t let me get you at least a teddy bear”

Amy could hear the sadness in her best friend’s voice, and it makes her feel bad, but she doesn’t regret her decision not to receive any gifts for her 23rd birthday. What was point of celebrating, or even receiving gifts when she was unhappy. Besides, she was returning to school the same day, so she didn’t see the need for such frivolous pleasure.

“You can buy me one when you get your first pay” she replied to make her best friend feel better.

“Really?!”

“Uh-huh”

“Yaay!” Mandy squealed in triumph, feeling accomplished.

“What if I tell you that I received my first pay two days ago”

“No way!” Amy exclaimed in surprise

“I’m serious” her best friend said in her defense.

“Since I can’t make it to your place, I’m giving you my word. You’ll receive your teddy bear at the airport”

“Mandy”

“You must get a birthday present from me before you leave the city”

“If you insist”

“Of course I insist”

Amy let out a heavy sigh. She couldn’t argue with her best friend on this one.

“I have to get back to work before my dad thinks I’m lazy… Give me a call once you get settled in”

“I will”

The line went dead after that. As if on cue, there was a knock on Amy’s bedroom door. She tore her eyes away from the phone to see who it was.

“Princess. It’s time to leave” her dad said the moment he closed the door behind him.

“Give me a minute”

Amy didn’t want to be in the same place with her dad, as she was still angry at him, so she pretended like she wanted to use the bathroom. Henry got the hint, and left the room without a word.

The entire ride to the airport was a quiet one, as Amy kept staring out the window, refusing to look at her dad at least once. Henry on the other hand was hurt by his daughter’s actions. He stole glances at her, hoping that she would glance his way, but she did nothing of that sort. This is the first time he’s having a fall out with his daughter, and although she never said it, he can’t help but feel like she already hates him. He took his mind away from the unpleasant thoughts and concentrated on the road.

“Carl? Mom?!”

Amy didn’t hide the excitement and surprise in her voice. Her mom and baby brother were already at the airport waiting to say goodbye. She hurriedly picked up her baby brother, and swirled him around.

“Amy! I’m not a baby anymore” Carl said with pouty lips, frowning at his big sister, who was calling unwanted attention.

“You’ll always be my baby” Amy replied, ignoring him, as she began to kiss his cheeks.

Seeing her little brother one last time before leaving for college brought joy to her heart. She knew this was her mom’s doing.

“Thanks, mom” she mumbled with a sincere smile.

“I had nothing to do with this. It was all him” Paula smiled, pointing towards Henry.

Amy glanced at her dad, who was on a phone call. No matter how happy she is by what he did, she won’t say a word to him. He has hurt her so bad that nothing he would do now can make up for the pain he has caused.

She said a proper goodbye to her mom and baby brother before starting her way towards her dad’s private jet.

Unlike other times, she wasn’t excited to be flying on her dad’s jet because that will only mean one thing. She will be by herself. Of recent, Amy hated being alone, as she only has ugly memories and nightmares whenever she is by herself.

“Aren’t you forgetting something, princess?”

Henry’s voice made her halt in her steps. A frown creased her forehead. What is her dad talking about? If he expects her to give him a goodbye hug then he should think again.

Not wanting to seem rude, Amy reluctantly turned around.

“Or… Should I say someone” Henry added in conclusion.

Amy’s eyes bulged when she saw the figure that suddenly appeared beside her dad. Tears welled up in her eyes as she began laughing to herself. She couldn’t believe it. The love of her life was here in person. She immediately ran towards her dad, and didn’t think twice before jumping on him, burying her face in the crook of his neck as she sobbed uncontrollably.

“I love you so much, Amy. Never forget that” Henry whispered in her ear, earning a nod from her.

“I love you too, dad” she then mumbled into the hug when her sobs died down.

“Happy birthday my baby girl”

Amy began to sob again as soon as her dad said those words. Not once has her dad made her sad on her birthday, and he has proved that once again today.

“He’s waiting” Henry whispered, placing a kiss on Amy’s head.

She slowly let go of her dad, and walked towards Bryan, who was nervously waiting for her.

“I’m so sorry, Amy. I-“

She didn’t let him finish his sentence as she captured his lips with hers for a passionate kiss.

********FLASHBACK********

Henry was joined in the living room by Kyle, who came over to say goodbye to Amy. He was returning to Texas, since he had a lot of work to take care of.

“How is she?” Henry asked, staring into nothing.

After his encounter with Bryan one week ago, his thoughts has been conflicted, and to make matters worse, his daughter doesn’t want to have anything to do with him.

“You’ll lose Amy completely if you force her to be with any other man” Kyle honestly replied.

Kyle’s words stung Henry’s heart. He couldn’t afford to lose his daughter. She was his world, his life, his happiness. He had made a promise to himself after his divorce with Paula that he would do anything in his power to keep his daughter happy. He can’t break that promise now, but what does he do in a situation like this?

****END OF FLASHBACK****

That was how Henry made the toughest decision of his life.

“I love you” Bryan whispered between the kiss, securing his large arms around Amy’s small waist, to feel her even more.

He has missed the feeling of her soft lips pressed against his, and the sweet taste of her mouth.

After what felt like forever, they reluctantly pulled away from the kiss. Bryan then handed Amy a brown teddy bear. She shook her head in amusement while smiling at the cute teddy bear. Her best friend knew about this, yet she kept it from her.

She hugged Bryan, just to make certain he was indeed in front of her. Bryan’s eyes found his best friend, and he mouthed a

“Thank you”

“Hurt her and you’re dead” Henry mouthed back, earning a chuckle from his best friend.

Bryan excitedly swirled Amy around, causing her to laugh in delight.

Indeed, this was a birthday she would never forget.

THE END