chapter two: Happiness

The next day, Amalia wakes up as early as 3:30 am to do her work as usual. She went on washing the floor in the living room, the water is cool as if it was just removed from the freezer, shivering now and then, Amalia has no other option but to work.

Mr. Brown finishes earlier than expected from the business trip he had to China and was excited because he'll be able to see his family, especially Amalia Brown, his beloved daughter. Just at the mention of her name, Mr. Brown's thought runs wide and his most treasured memories were reawakened. He found himself thinking about Melissa, his first wife whom he loved with his life, he thought of all the happy moments he's shared with her, and how she made a wonderful mother and a perfect wife.

Coming back to the present, he couldn't help but think of how Amalia is growing and she's becoming very beautiful as her mother(his late wife) and how she takes everything about her mother. He couldn't be any less proud and happy, that Melissa left him with such a wonderful gift that he will always treasure for the rest of his life. Booking a flight, he was told his flight will take off at about 2 am. With that, he was set to go home.

Mr. Brown arrived at the airport at 4:am in the morning, he called Mr. Wu to come to pick him up. But before mr Wu could reply, he warned him not to tell anyone about his arrival. To him, he wants to make it a surprise for his family, especially for his favorite daughter Amalia. Mr. Wu obediently left to pick up his boss at the airport, in his heart he was more than happy because he was tired of seeing little Amalia abused by her stepmother.

Mr. Wu has been working for Mr. Brown for 15 years now and has been like a family to Mr. Brown. He witnessed everything Mr. Brown has gone through with little Amalia, especially during the process of mourning his first wife Melisa. due to this, mr Wu promises to always stay close to both mr Brown and his little child Amalia. Mr. Brown arrived at exactly 5: am at the mansion, upon opening the door, he couldn't believe his eyes shock was evident in his eyes, what he saw. His little prince Amalia was cleaning the floor at this early hour of the morning, shivering but yet not stopping. her face is pale as if she had been unwell for days, her lips are cranky, her air ties up in a messy bond and her dress was torn and could be used as a wrap. All the things he is seeing now didn't go well with him.

" Amalia"; he called out to her with a staggering voice not being able to hold his emotions. "Dad"; replied Amalia who couldn't believe his dad is standing in front of her. Without any word left in her mouth, Amalia runs and hugs her dad so tight as if her life depends on him. she misses her dad So much, because of work, he hardly stays at home and with him being a here right now, it feels like she's dreaming and never wish for this dream to end.

As she was in her dad's embrace, she didn't know when she started sobbing thinking of her she have missed his warmness and care so much. He has been absent for a month but it felt like a lifetime to her. Staying silently, in his arm, her sobbing slowly reduces. Holding her closer and tighter in his embrace, he could feel a hot liquid drenching him on his shoulder knowing that it is Amalia's tears, he had a sudden urge to punish the person responsible for her tears. Thinking about it, realization dawned on him that he has never been there for her. All he ever did was come home for a few days and go back for a business trip that may take about a month, two, or more.

With her in his arms, he felt the comforts his been missing for some time now. Helping her to the couch, he wipes away her tears while comforting her. He had the urge to cry but couldn't do it in from of her, so being a man, he brave up himself and acted as one.

The two continued their father and daughter reunion for a while. After some time, curiosity kicks in and he( Mr. Brown) wanted to know how she ended up like this. Amalia was afraid to tell her dad the truth because if she does, she will be as good as dead. Amalia chose to lie to her dad about the whole thing not only to save herself from her stepmother's wrath but also because she wants her family to be peaceful even though she knows it's something she isn't guaranteed but she wishes and prays that itis should come to past.

Amalia left her room to freshen up and get dressed properly while her dad left upstairs to see his other daughter and second wife Lizzy.

Getting inside her room, Amalia couldn't be happier than she is now because she knows she'll spend time with her dad in the field filled with blossom flowers under the night sky with stars and the moon shining so bright. Not that she hasn't been there before but because she'll be going there with her dad, she won't have to feel the loneliness and emptiness of night but rather, will be enclosed in her dad's warmth and love.

With all these wonderful thoughts in her mind, she couldn't stop herself from tearing up thinking about her late mother Melissa. She always prepared dinner and snacks and they will always go to the field, eat and laugh, play and sing songs. Doing all the things that complement the beautiful colors in the field. Coming back to the present, she hurriedly went inside the bathroom and close the door.