Daddy's Little Girl

It was time to leave my nest and walk downstairs to meet the rest of the bridesmaid team. By this time, the anxiety had passed. Angy is a genius. She rescued me from the drowning nerve breakdown.

For the first time, the staircases down to the main door felt much. Perhaps I was moving too slowly to avoid breaking a sweat or ruining my wedding gown.

I want to be the city's perfect bride, with ideal makeup from the city's known makeup artist for her remarkable work and impressive gown. With perfection in place, it called for the tortoise moves.

Mother followed my pace without a word. One might have assumed she lost her voice to joy or tears of giving away her only child.

Perhaps mommy was just nervous but didn't want to admit it? "Is this how she carried herself during her wedding day?" I couldn't help but feel bothered by mommy's silence.

My mother, Mrs. Grey, is known for being a timekeeper. A very strict lady. Despite old age battling to catch up with her. She always wants her things done swiftly and perfectly. Mrs. Grey assumes lateness and slow pace for laziness and lack of confidence.

Were it not for this ceremonial day, Mrs. Grey would have already walked past me. If not passed me in haste, she would've already startled me with her firm, sharp tone.

Besides, it's hard to catch a glimpse of Mrs. Grey's dentine. Her stone-cold face scared jokers away. She claimed her facial appearance is her weapon of sieving jokers from serious business persons.

Still, I fail to understand why such a wealthy, strong, and beautiful woman would still wear a stone-cold face to scare scavengers and laziness. With all her wealth and our family's name, mommy could easily put off anyone overstepping her boundaries.

However, today, Mrs. Grey plays the role of a loving and devoted mother. She has an angelic and charming natural smile, only seen within her compound and on a few occasions for the camera.

Today Mrs. Grey dazzles in a long chocolate dress, revealing her curves to the public. I envy mommy for being 20 years older than I, yet looking like my age mate. Whenever in social places with her, people, including my friends, mistake mommy for my sister.

Mrs. grey pushes aside her old age with a continuous workout. Mommy enjoys morning and evening runs. She participates in weekend hiking and hill-climbing activities to maintain her perfect curves.

Mommy always carries on the public's misjudgment. She enjoys misleading the public into their beliefs that we are sisters. Today, she agrees to bear the title of mother in the public eye.

Today mommy trails as I lead, dazzling in a long chocolate dress. Speaking of Mrs. Grey, where is Mr. Grey, my father? I hadn't seen him for three days; he'd left for an urgent business trip.

Upon daddy's departure, my heart sunk in. I felt so empty. My best friend was leaving...again...! That evening, I couldn't bid father goodbye.

I tried to put up a tough girl act, but sadness won. Still, I wore a plastic smile.

I tried to speak up, but tears choked my throat. I could feel a lump choking my throat. That evening, I was blinking away shades of tears.

Mommy couldn't help but notice my silence. As soon as daddy got into the plane, momma held me closer to her chest, rubbing my chest, "you can cut off the show, baby girl," mother comforted me in a low tone. I could also tell her underlying sadness.

Wait..., why does mommy get sad whenever dad leaves? I thought this scene shouldn't be recurring since they've been together for the longest time.

"Could this be sparks of intense love or fear of loneliness?" I got curious as I laid my chin behind mommy's shoulder. I lacked answers to my intrusive thoughts.

Before the scene turned into a crying party, I wiped off the tears with a pocket tissue. "I'm okay, mommy. I don't know why I always have to get emotional whenever papa leaves," I comforted mommy with a giggle, and she joined me in the laughter.

Today, I'm not going to pull out a crying party. I want the world to see a strong girl. An iron lady ready to leave her parents' nest. So, I didn't bother mommy about daddy's whereabouts.

Despite my mature act, I couldn't help but wonder about daddy's current location. And whether he'll make it for my wedding. Even though I couldn't stop wondering about daddy, deep down in my heart, I comforted myself, "daddy can't abandon me on my wedding day. He promised he'll walk me down the aisle."

I gave my audience and spectators a plastic smile, matched with a confident posture. I avoided seeking extra attention.

Before I walked midway through the staircases, I got startled by a loud noise. The loud sound of smacking hands slapped my ears and woke me from my wonderland.

"Oh-My! Daddy...! You made it...." I screamed, nearly running into daddy's arms.

Tears of joy nearly rolled down my eyes. I wanted to rush into daddy's arms. Run carelessly into his arms like a little girl and be lifted to experience childish joy. Then I recalled Angy's effort and suppressed my overwhelming emotions.

Angy has done an incredible job on me. Besides, I didn't want to run late for my wedding day.

No bride keeps a groom waiting on purpose. Other than the walk down the aisle. I've never heard a bride delay her wedding deliberately. Not unless it is a fixed reunion.

My reunion with Jerry is natural. Flawless... Nobody forced us to fall in love with each other—we allowed nature to take its place.

A love that is found naturally lasts. I want something that will last. A man that I won't regret spending the rest of my life with. In sadness, sickness, and old age... Lol... the wedding vows should be edited to capture old age.

"What a lovely bride... I couldn't miss this day for anything," daddy said, gazing at me. The scent of his joy filled the room. His comments left my spectators smiling and gazing at the Grey's family.

One could tell daddy's joy. Seeing me dazzling in the white, long, outstanding gown in the city of New York. Dad couldn't disguise his joy.

Daddy waited for me down the stairway, admiring me walking down the stairs.

"If not me, who else to walk the most beautiful girl, bride, and daughter of the most powerful man on earth," daddy bragged with a wink and a gentle smile with a glance, then his eyes went past me.

Perhaps grandfather or uncle would have walked me down the aisle in daddy's absence. But I guess that won't be happening today.

Daddy knew how much this day meant to me. He knows how his presence would bring me joy. His absence would've just called for a low-key mood.

Daddy knows how to treat his little girl. Oh! I'm no longer daddy's little girl since I'm a fully grown woman, ready to desert her parents' nest. Still, daddy treats me as his little girl.

From daddy's gaze, I could tell his eyes were no longer on me. One could tell he was gazing at mommy. Daddy only acknowledged my presence, then tossed me aside for her lovely wife.

They were talking to each other using their eyes. Dad's smile broadened, and he kept changing his facial expressions. I bet the comments were to blow me off; for daddy to concentrate on mommy.

Every day, I look at my parents and admire what they have. They have flawless love. In each other, they find peace and happiness.

Daddy and mommy have remained irresistible to each other all these years. Thirty years into marriage, they still steal glances at each other. One might confuse them for newlyweds.

I also wish to have this kind of love. A love like theirs. No, it's not love; it's joy, eternal happiness. I believe Jerry and I will have love and happiness greater than this; I envy.

Most times, I'm caught up amid their glances. At times I feel like an intruder. Like I'm invading their space. How daddy balances her love for mommy and me, I can't tell.

I hope they don't make me envious today. Today is my day. I think they shouldn't be flirting in my presence. No... I won't allow that. But I can't interrupt their moment. I'll let them have it; after all, henceforth, I'll give them peace. I'll be with Jerry.

Even though I admit my jealousy for what they have, Mommy fails to admit how easily I rob her daddy's attention.

Being the only child and heiress, daddy engages me in nearly all his business. Late-night business meetings and luncheons. Places mommy fails to appear as she has her deals to run.

Unlike mommy, daddy always puts me forth in all his business deals. Dad never doubts my confidence and ability to run his business throne successfully.

Since mommy has her businesses spread in most parts of New York City and outside the city, mum and I barely get to spend time together.

Still, I know momma loves me. But, I cannot match dad's love and attention to hers. I always accompany daddy wherever he goes. One would assume me as his shadow.

Indeed, a body never deserts its shadow. While alive, wherever a human goes, so does the shadow. Daddy's body couldn't flee its shadow on this grand day.

There I was, standing close to daddy. Daddy ushered me to place my left arm on his right arm. Then with a warm smile and nod, one of the housemaids opened the front door only to be met by big lights, like flood lights.