CHAPTER THREE.

'Hi dad.'

Olivia has been waiting patiently in her room for about thirty minutes now, expecting someone to come in but no one did. She felt a little disappointed but she does not even know why. Perhaps, it was because she had thought that if the older man earlier was her father, he would have rushed upstairs to receive his daughter.

What was she thinking? She never even knew he existed until recently, he probably thought of her as a burden. Olivia’s inner voice wouldn’t let her rest with those depressing thoughts.

Her line of thought was interrupted by a knock on the door, she said a ‘come in’ and the door opened to reveal the older man she saw earlier. He walked towards the bed where she was sitting with his hands tucked into his pockets, the suit he had on earlier was gone, now replaced with casual attire.

She wanted to break the silence but she doesn’t know what to say and the man wasn’t helping her case either as he just stared at her with an expression she couldn’t point out. She looked downwards avoiding his lingering stare.

“You look exactly like her….. beautiful.” The man finally spoke and Olivia knew the 'her' he included in his sentence was her mother. The compliment pulled her lips into an automatic smile, she wasn’t used to being complimented.

“Thank you.” Her voice came out in a whisper but loud enough for the man to hear.

She does not know what else to say or if she was supposed to ask questions so she just kept quiet expecting him to say something. And he did, after a few moments of excruciating silence. He went ahead and sat beside her on the bed leaving a considerable distance so she won’t feel intimidated or spooked.

“Huhh….this is kinda awkward. Well, let’s start from the introductions since you know nothing about me. I’m Peter Summers and I’m your father, even though I just got to know about you one week ago.” Peter chuckled trying to make light of the situation in hopes that Olivia would loosen up.

He had never been in a situation where he couldn’t control the outcome or manipulate it the way he wanted it to go but right there, in front of his daughter, Peter was nervous, for the first time in his life. He does not know exactly what to say or how to begin.

‘Should he apologize first? Apologize for what exactly? Because Olivia deserved so much apology from him. For how he wasn’t in her life? For the fact that he never even knew he had another daughter? For what she had to endure due to what he made her mother go through? For not looking hard enough? For giving up on her mother? For not coming to pick her up himself? For not being around to sweep her into a hug when she arrived at the house? Where could he possibly start from?'

These are the thoughts brewing in Peter’s mind and they were making his hands clammy which was why he had kept them in his pockets.

He had settled Diana and her agency well just to make sure Olivia was treated well and wasn’t made uncomfortable throughout her journey. He made sure to repaint her room and stock it with new furniture, stocked her walk-in-closet with clothings and also made sure her bathroom was stocked with the necessary items as well.

On his way back home, he had thought about all what he did and convinced himself that he had made a mistake. He should have asked for her opinion on what she wanted or what she liked. He should have made an arrangement for her to go shopping by herself and purchase whatever she needed or wanted.

But Peter had been too excited and all reasoning left him, the only thing he focused on was how to make her feel welcomed, how to impress her and how to make her understand that whatever she wants, she would get. So making all these decisions for her, he realized how unreasonable he was and all that only added to his nervousness.

“Your grandmother told me all about you and I know how close you are to her, I’m so sorry about her death.” Peter said.

Olivia can’t help but feel sad all over again hearing him speak about her grandmother, She tried holding back her tears but after one escaped her eye, the others followed hastily and she sniffled.

Peter heard and looked towards her, he wondered if he had said the wrong thing. Maybe he shouldn’t have brought up her Grandmother especially since the wound was still fresh for her. However, He moved closer, lifted one arm over her shoulders and moved her into his chest.

“Let it all out, dear.” He encouraged.

Olivia held unto his shirt and let it all out. This was what she had been craving, wishing for all along; comfort. Someone to hold her tightly while she fell apart till she’s able to gather herself back together.

Her cries were muffled as she buried her face more into her dad’s chest. Peter suddenly doesn’t feel like a stranger to her anymore and she found serenity in his embrace.

He patted her back with one hand while his other hand were caressing her hair as she hiccuped. She calmed herself down and removed herself hesitantly from his embrace.

“I’m sorry.” She apologized looking at the mess she made on his expensive-looking shirt.

“You have nothing to be sorry for. I’m really glad to have you here, Olivia. We have a lot to discuss but that will have to wait for some time. Do you feel okay now?”

“Yes, thank you.”Olivia replied gratefully.

“Freshen up and come downstairs for dinner, I will be expecting you in twenty. ” Olivia perceived his tone as authoritative and Peter noticed that too which made him sigh.

He wasn’t used to this; being soft, providing comfort, expressing himself or showing physical affection. Nevertheless, he would make the effort for his daughter. She deserved it and more. He had thought she would push him off at first when he hugged her. After all, she has never had a father figure in her life.

He wouldn’t have been able to handle her rejection, it would have killed him inside. The last thing he wanted was for Olivia to hate him, fear him or feel like she couldn’t come to him for anything.

“Okay.” Olivia had replied quietly.