Amy nervously stood in front of his bedroom door.
‘Why am I nervous all of a sudden?’ she mentally asked herself.
‘Because you didn’t thank him for the gift he got for you. You feel guilty’ her subconscious told her.
She took a deep breath and gently knocked on the door.
“Come in” Bryan said from inside.
Amy opened the door and walked into the room. Bryan was getting dressed for work. He was just wearing his blazer.
“Hi” Amy greeted in a quiet voice.
“Hi, Amy. Do you need anything?” Bryan asked while making sure everything he needed was in his briefcase.
“You didn’t come down for breakfast. Aren’t you going to eat something before going to work?”
Amy was concerned that he wanted to go to work on an empty stomach.
“I ate out” Bryan simply replied, closing his briefcase, and giving his complete attention to Amy.
“Why?” She worriedly asked, desperately searching his eyes for anything that would give away the fact that he was indeed upset with her.
‘Why do you think that way, Amy? He spoke to you earlier today, didn’t he?’
Her mind seriously needs to stop messing with her.
“I figured you and Henry would talk over breakfast, so I didn’t want to make things awkward with my presence” Bryan explained, bringing Amy back to reality.
“Oh” she exclaimed, feeling embarrassed for ever thinking that he was disappointed at her behavior, when in reality, he was being thoughtful.
“You thought I had left?... Amy, you know even if I had a plane to catch, I won’t leave without saying a proper goodbye”
“No, no. That’s not it. I just… Forget it. I’ve been thinking too much, of late”
“If you ever feel the need to talk to someone. I’m right here”
“Thanks, Bryan. Um… Here. I got this for you”
Amy handed over the small shopping bag she was previously holding to Bryan.
“Hmm. Let me guess… This is your way of saying thank you” Bryan said while staring at the Prada water proof wrist watch Amy bought for him.
“About that…”
Amy nervously tucked her hair behind her ear.
“I’m really sorry for my rude behavior. I know I should’ve called, or preferably sent a ‘thank you’ text, but I didn’t. I was just really-“
“Hey, hey. It’s okay. I understand.. I was there” he interrupted her in a calm voice when he sensed her nervousness.
“Besides… Wearing it already proves that you like it”
She blushed scarlet red at his comment, as she came to the realization that she was wearing the perfume.
“And, thanks for the watch. You have quite a taste” he concluded, already putting on the watch.
“Thanks… And, thank you for the perfume. I love it”
Bryan smiled at her reply and finally picked up his briefcase from the bed.
“So, you guys are good?” He suddenly asked, changing the subject.
“Yeah. Everything’s sorted out”
“That’s good… I’ll be going back home from the office”
“Right” Amy mumbled, wishing he didn’t have to leave so soon.
“You said something?” Bryan enquired
“No. Nothing” she lied, trying to conceal her sadness.
“I know that look, princess. I wish I could stay longer, but I really have to go because, I haven’t been at the office since I got back from Germany”
Amy felt a sense of guilt after Bryan’s explanation. He was here taking care of her dad when she was at her mom’s place. He wasn’t forced to do it since her dad was a grown man who could take care of himself, but he did it out of concern, and she is grateful for that.
“I’m sorry” she apologized, feeling rather ashamed of her immature behavior.
“It’s okay. I’ll be back in a couple of weeks, or days. Whenever you want. But for now… I need to be at the office. Bye”
He pecked her forehead and rushed out of the bedroom.
“Bye” Amy replied to an empty bedroom.
***ONE MONTH LATER***
“Princess. Are you sure you’re going to be okay by yourself?” Henry asked in concern.
He wasn’t too keen on the idea of leaving Amy home all by herself.
“Dad. We talked about this. I’m an adult now. I’ll be fine on my own”
Amy didn’t know what other way to convince her dad that she could take care of herself.
“We could go together like we always do, or you could go over to your mom’s place” Henry suggested, hoping his daughter would change her mind at some point.
This is the first time he would be going on a business trip without her and he wasn’t comfortable with it.
“You don’t trust me”
She had a look of anger and hurt. Her own father couldn’t trust her to be by herself. It’s not like she had ever done anything to make him doubt her.
“It’s not that, princess. I just don’t feel good about leaving you by yourself” Henry admitted, checking his suitcase one last time, to make sure he wasn’t forgetting anything.
“I can take care of myself, dad. I’ll even give you a call to prove that. I promise”
“You promise, princess?” Henry asked after a few moments of consideration.
“I promise, Daddy” she replied with a sweet smile.
“Come here, my love” he said, gesturing for her to give him a hug.
Amy crawled down from her dad’s bed and gave him a warm hug.
“I’m gonna miss you, my angel”
“You’ll be gone for only a week, dad, but I’m gonna miss you too” she laughed
One of the maids came into Henry’s bedroom on his request and carried his suitcase downstairs. Amy entwined her dad’s fingers with hers as they made their way downstairs.
“Don’t forget to give me a call everyday” Henry reminded his daughter when they were outside the mansion, and in front of his Mercedes SUV.
“Princess. If at any point you feel scared or uncomfortable, please go to Bryan’s. His house is a lot closer to ours than your mom’s”
“Okay, dad. I love you”
She gave him a goodbye hug.
“I love you too, princess”
Henry climbed into the back seat of his car and the chauffeur drove off. Amy watched as the car gradually drove out of the compound until it was out of her view. She reached for her phone in her pocket and dialled her best friend’s number.
“Mandy. He’s gone”.