"Hello, Sir," Bianca greeted Ray Collins when they met him at the garden wedding party.
"Well, hello, my dear!" Ray Collins was so happy to see a rare beauty along with his known to be casanova of a son. The girl was tall and finessed. She even talks sweetly with her timid-like personality. Ray Collins could not hide his enthusiasm. He gently squeezed Bianca's hands as they exchanged a handshake.
"Dad, this is Bianca Han, my fiancee. Bianca, he is my dad, Ray Collins," Asher introduced the two.
"Nice to meet you, Sir. I have heard a lot about you," Bianca smiled as she recalled how this loving father of Asher had been arranging blind dates for his son.
"I just hope they're not one of my son's bad-mouthing of me you have heard of," Ray glared at his son, who was also smiling.
"Of course not. I only tell her everything that is true," Asher bashfully retorted.
"Tell me, sweetie, what did this jackass tell you about me?" Ray wasn't convinced, so he asked Bianca.
"That you have been arranging blind dates for him," Bianca stated without hesitations. She boldly asked. "Do I not pass as his fiancee to your liking?" she timidly asked. Asher was her first. Hopefully, if he really likes her, he wants him to be his last as well. Not to mention she is really beyond satisfied with him in bed. She might not find the same or even closely similar to Asher when it comes to pleasure in bed.
"Oh no, no, of course not," Ray eagerly defended. "I didn't know this rascal already had you by his side. It's his fault he never introduced us earlier. I swear!"
Bianca and Asher giggled, looking at Ray Collins panicked as he explained.
"Dad, she is worried you would not like her for me," Asher added.
"What?! No, no, don't be, my dear. I am after my son's happiness. And grandkids soon if I can have my requests granted," Ray gleefully added. His laughter became even merrier when he saw Bianca blushed furiously. She hid her face in Asher's shoulders as they were standing side by side.
"Come here, I have to introduce you to everyone," the gleeful Ray held the youngsters from both his sides with Asher to his left and Bianca to his right.
Asher was beyond cheerful and mirthful as his dad bragged around about his fiancee while Bianca was almost as red as a steamed lobster in mixed perplexity and embarrassment. But with how high-spirited and festive Asher's dad was, she could not complain.
She was also relieved that his dad was not against their relationship, even if it's not official yet.
The two, Asher and Bianca, were next to the bride and groom to be the center of attention. Everyone was cheering for them to be at the next wedding they attend.
Ray was looking forward to having dinner with them that very same day but they had to decline.
"Shouldn't I be going with you two?" The concerned father asked his son when they got the privacy to talk without Bianca beside them as she went to the ladies' room.
"Dad, I will be fine. But I will bring you there, too, of course, when we settle everything. Before that, you have to be patient and wait, okay?" Asher solemnly uttered to his dad. "And hopefully that will be soon," he added with an undeniable glint of expectation.
"Okay, okay. I will let you do your will this time, but I am telling you, I will disown you if you ever play with this girl," Ray glared at his son.
Asher was stricken hard at what he had just heard from his dad. Half of his heart was rejoicing that he got his dad's back when it comes to Bianca as he seemed to adore her as a father to a daughter and half was somewhat lashed with an invisible stick that he was doubting his son's sincerity this time. But the first feeling won over him. They both care for Bianca as to why his dad warned him so.
"Yes, dad. Remind me when I am out of line. I can't lose her, you know?" Asher softly admitted. She is like the perfect piece of the missing puzzles in my life."
Ray's face turned formal and dignified yet lovingly warm. Serenity cloaked him as he seemed to remember something so amazing.
"That is exactly how I felt with you mom," Ray smiled jovially. "And I am very glad I brought this with me today."
Ray fished something out of his suit jacket's pocket and handed it to Asher.
"This was your mom's heirloom. From her ancestors, she wanted to give it to your future wife. Had she been given the chance to wait till you got married before leaving, but... you know... Here you give it to my daughter-in-law for your mom," Ray was teary-eyed as he held Asher's hand along with the small box, tapped his son's hand, and let go.
"Thanks, Dad," Asher bowed his head. He did not want to show his dad he was teary-eyed as well.
"I will bring him back home safely, Mister Collins, please don't worry," Bianca playfully bid her goodbye to Asher's dad.
"What do you mean, Mister Collins? You have to call me dad from now on," Ray feigned a firm face as he corrected Bianca before he smiled widely. He would love to hear Bianca call him so.
"Oh, yes, Dad!" Bianca played along with an equally beaming face. "We have to catch a flight, we would love to have dinner with you when we get back, how about that, honey?" Bianca asked Asher, still with a gleeful face.
"Why, of course. I'm sure dad will love that, right dad?"
"Not as long as I am going to be the one to buy the dinner," Ray frowned as he pretended to disagree.
"Okay, dad, you're buying us dinner then," Bianca submitted.
Ray sends them on their ride. He was beyond satisfied with today's event. It has been a while since he smiled so much his face almost hurt. Yet he is not complaining. He is looking forward to having more of these happy days. It was only Bianca today, his soon-to-be daughter-in-law, how much more when they brought him home some cute little boys and girls? Oh, he would be over the moon.
He might have to make sure his heart is strong and healthy enough to handle such happiness.
"Bye, dad!" Bianca and Asher waved him goodbye seated in their car before they left a standing still Ray Collins.
He stood there for a while, his eyes cannot leave their backs as he can still see their car. When they took a turn, Ray looked up. He was hoping his wife was looking down at them. How he wished she was also here to join them in such a joyous moment with another beautiful soul added to their family.
On the way to the airport...
"Thanks," Asher held Bianca's left hand with his right as his other hand was on the steering wheel. They were at a stoplight waiting for it to turn green.
"For what?" Asked Bianca.
"For everything..." Asher kissed the back of her hand looking upfront.
Bianca smiled. She exhaled loudly.
"That went well, I guess," she uttered. "I was a bit scared your dad won't like me as I am not of the same race you were born with," she pretended to look down at her other hand's nails.