37

Ricardo -

I can't believe it's my father-in-law. He's the kind of man who commands respect with just his gaze, and he intimidates me a little. I knew I would have to face him at some point, but I didn't expect it to be so soon. I left him in the living room and went to the bedroom to let Mel know that her visitor is none other than her father. She noticed but acted naturally, seemingly unaffected.

She found it strange that her father is here since he rarely comes over, so it must be something important for him to show up unannounced. She asked me to keep him company until she finishes getting ready. I can't believe she asked me to do that. I'll have to be alone with him until Mel is ready.

Maybe by then, I won't be alive anymore. Just kidding, at most, he'll give me a stern talking-to, but nothing more. I take a deep breath and return to the living room, my heart racing. I feel like a kid asking his girlfriend's father for her hand in marriage. My father-in-law is one of those intimid