Daddy's Little Lamb

Chapter 2

[Disclaimer: The scenes and occupations narrated are highly fictional. Any semblance to a real person or event is purely coincidental.]

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“Will you stop going back and forth? You’re making me lose focus here!” Tristan bellowed while stitching the wound on Rhian’s head.

After seeing her lose consciousness, my initial reaction was to call him over to check up on her. Thankfully, he was not on duty. He was probably resting at his apartment near my place since he arrived quickly while carrying his medical tools with him.

“How is she?” I finally asked when I saw him finish suturing her wound and wrapping it all up.

“She’s fine, but it’s better to take her to the hospital for further check-up. She knocked her head after all.” I sighed in relief and sat on the edge of the bed, looking at her peaceful face. My eyes stopped at the sight of the bandage.

“This won’t leave a scar, right?”

Tristan faced me with his grumpy look. “It won’t. Just make sure to keep the wound clean and dry for the first 24 hours and take her to the hos.pi.tal not to me!” he reiterated.

“Fine. Thanks again for running over quickly.”

“Tsk! At least make eye-contact with me if you’re grateful, jerk.” He commented but I didn’t bother. “What about you, do you need help? You look like someone who had a brawl with zombies.” He pointed out my ripped and bloodied shirt.

I didn’t even notice how wasted I looked like, because my attention was all on Rhian.

“These are just scratches. I’m alright.” As long as my daughter’s safe.

“What were you even doing to make her head bleed like that? Even the living room is a mess. If I didn’t know that she was with you, I would think she had wrestled with a burglar and---”

“…”

“You bastard! You didn’t…” he looked at me with horrified eyes and turned to the sleeping Rhian, almost wanting to check what was underneath her clothes.

So, I grabbed a pillow and hit his bewildered face.

“Stop ogling at my daughter.” I said in a serious tone.

“Daughter my ass! And I’m not ogling at her, okay?” he blurted out before calming himself down.

“Seriously, Stan. I honestly think this will not work anymore. You’re a fine bachelor who’s only in your mid-20’s and yet you’re calling a young lady who has just reached adulthood your daughter? Who would believe in such a messy arrangement?”

He frustratedly dropped his weight on the sofa next to the bed and leaned his shoulders on the back rest while crossing his legs.

“She’s my daughter. Why would those things matter?”

“Then is that also the same for her? Does she only see you as her father too?”

“Well, of course! What kind of nonsense are you even thinking?”

Although we act more of each other’s buddies because of our close age, we’re perfectly fine as father and daughter. There was not a tinge of awkwardness between us!

Why would I even think of her as a woman when I was there beside her and saw all the chances in her? There's no way I would, right?

I’ve seen her slowly changing from her previous shy persona and skinny body to becoming an active and stubborn young lady. It all felt natural to see her growing up.

In my eyes, she’s still that kid whom I met in the orphanage, and I know that’s the same for her. It’s because we’re a family.

“You said that, but are you willing to give her up to another man when the time comes?”

Tristan’s words caught me off guard. She’s been under my care ever since. Now that I think about it, she said she’s been confessed to a lot of times.

I didn’t feel the need to give it some thought because she always rejected them, saying that she’s not interested. But what if…

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“Dad, I met someone I like, and I wanted to marry him…”

“Please give us your blessings!”

“I will just visit you with your grandkids. So long, dad!”

"Aaah! My daughter... No!"

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“Heh! That’s it! That’s the look!” Tristan’s voice pulled me back to reality.

“I’m just---”

“Shut it! You won’t, right? Damn! I knew this would happen when you decided to adopt a twelve-year-old girl out of the blue.” I saw Tristan run his fingers on his hair, looking frustrated at my actions.

“Send her to the dorms once she recovers. She’s already a college student, let her stay there and don’t even think of opposing this time. Dad’s already mad at you after what you did, which ended up breaking your engagement.”

He stood up and grabbed his bag ready to leave. But upon reaching the door, he paused and gave me a warning.

“You know that I always supported you as your older brother, but you should also know that I, too, have my limit. So, don’t wait for me to make a move and start to straighten up your way of thinking. Don’t make me become the bad guy.” He slammed the door and left us behind.

“Close the door gently if you want to leave!”

I turned to Rhian to see if the sound woke her up. Fortunately, she’s still sleeping soundly, and her breathing was calm.

I fixed the blanket above her and tucked the unkempt hair that was strewn on her face. My brother’s words made me contemplate our situation. I didn’t even know that this would be a big deal.

Sure, I made a rash decision to adopt her. At first, I just wanted to break away from the marriage arrangement my parents put me into. So, I went on to get a child of my own.

That time, I was only nineteen and I didn’t want to be tied down. I figured out that the other family would cancel our engagement if they knew I had a child. Even if I didn’t really father it, that’s still a big deal in the matter of seniority and inheritance.

The reason why I chose her was nothing special. I just didn’t know how to take care of a baby; that’s why, I chose someone who can already take care of herself.

Thinking back, you just didn’t become my daughter. You’re that grumpy little kid that gave me a ray of sunshine.

You were the spring that embraced my winter and melted down the glaciers that rendered my world frozen.

I wanted to stay with you and hear your laughter and nagging early in the morning, but I don’t want to see your bright smile to falter because I selfishly keep you at my side. As much as possible, I wanted you to have a normal life and forget about your lonely childhood. You already learned how to smile and I wanted to protect that.

Damn it! I don’t know what to do, Rhian.

I held her hand tightly and clasped it with my hands.

I don't know what my brother was capable of. And it's exactly because I didn't know what he could do that's making me anxious for this clueless girl.

Is it the only option left?

“Should I really just send you away?”