Daddy's Princess

Conceal

"Fuck..." I muttered to myself as I stand in front of the mirror while I applying another coat of concealer on top of another layer on the side of my cheek near my lip that already turned purple-ish. I tried to cover it up as much as I could and hope it would look natural, of course, it does not. The cut on my lip has dried a bit but it's something a lipstick can cover.

I just hope people won't notice it tonight.

I sighed out loud as I looked myself in the mirror wearing a black mini-dress underneath a black knitted cardigan.

"Looks decent enough..." I muttered to myself. But my eyes were once again taken by the unnatural color that particular spot on my cheek.

The concealer I applied doesn't look natural on my cheek and it reminded me of my father's threat. 

I realized, he did not beat me that day as much as he did in the past. But I knew he held back from hurting me because we're finally meeting that man. But the pain is still there to remind me of what he wants me to do.

All of a sudden, a loud bang pounded from my door which made me jump in surprise. It's definitely my father's doing. I look over at my wristwatch only to see it's almost 7 in the evening and we need to be at the gourmet restaurant by 7:30.

The ride to the restaurant was excruciatingly long.

I don't remember the last time I sat beside my father inside the same car. We're both seated at the back seat with complete silence engulfing the whole car. He didn't talk to me for the past couple of days which honestly had uplifted my spirit. 

I'm most delighted when he ignores me. It's better that I don't exist in his mind rather than to be the object where he would relieve his pain.

But what worries me now is that I haven't heard from Damon ever since I was locked in my room.I've tried to call him and sent a bunch of messages but he never picked up and he never replied.

What did my father do to him?

When we arrived at a fancy restaurant, my mouth hanging open in awe of the place. I don't remember the last time I ate in a place like this.

"We're late because of you." My father muttered, standing tall as he waited for me to walk beside him after getting off the car.

"I'm sorry," I apologized, keeping my head bowed down.

We were then ushered to our table and was greeted by Adam's mother if my memory serves me right since I once saw her on the news with her son.

She smiled softly and warmly as she shakes hands with my father and proceeds to kiss me on the cheek. She seemed very nice and she smiles sweetly.

"Where's your boy?" My father asked as he looks around searching for, of course, my fiancé.

"Oh, I'm sorry. He forgot to pick up something, but he's on his way, I'm sure." She replied before chuckling demurely.

After that brief introduction with my supposed soon to be mother-in-law, we were then seated with my father sitting beside me. I guess the empty seat across mine is for Adam.

I smiled at this woman's gestures for she seems warm and gentle in nature. She gives off that aura of a caring mother which I really crave for so much. It's something I haven't felt for a long time now.

I've never met Damon's mother and I always feel envious of my friends when I get to see their mothers taking care of them whenever I paid them a visit.

After a few more minutes of chatting, she suddenly looked behind me with her smile stretching wide and bright in excitement. Then, she raises her hand and waved.

"What took you so long, honey?" She asked then stood up. My dad also signaled me to stand so I did what he asked.

"Sorry, mom. I had trouble with the valet but all's good." He replied. His voice was deep and kind of raspy and it's not like what I hear on the TV whenever he has an interview.

It's different from the TV compared to hearing his voice personally.

It's somehow soothing to hear, but I kept my gaze down until someone says my name.

After he shook my father's hands, he introduced me to this man. I slowly look up to his eyes and saw him already smiling down at me.

He was wearing black dress pants partnered with black leather shoes, tucked in a round-neck white shirt underneath a black coat.

He's really tall...

Somehow, I felt a little intimidated. There's something in his appearance, maybe the aura around him feels like a boss that every employee is afraid but respected. He's maybe 6'2 or 6'3 tall, he had broad shoulders especially accentuated by the coat he's wearing. He has long lashes and a prominent nose and his brunette hair is neatly pushed on one side and looks slimly muscular. I kinda feel intimidated but what made those feelings disappear when my eyes caught that adorable dimple on his right cheek as he smiled at me

I think he's trully gorgeous.

However, I don't feel the attraction I felt when I met Damon. I mean, for me, Damon is more handsome than he is.

Maybe it's because I'm already in love with someone else. But if I were someone else who's not in love and sees this man, I can say that Adam is ahead from Damon in terms of looks.

He then handed over a red rectangular box neatly tied with a black satin ribbon.

"Thank you. Uhm what is it?" I muttered.

"I'm sorry?" He asked, leaning closer.

"Speak louder." My father commanded, scoffing with a disappointed expression already.

"I'm sorry... thank you," I spoke louder before chuckling in sheepishly. But then, I saw my father glared at me which had the soft smile I had on my lips disappear.

After we're seated once again, his mom asked to open the present he gave since she also doesn't know what's inside so I did what she asked and pulled the ribbon before open the lid.

I gasped at the sight of beautiful pink roses delicately arranged inside the box.

It was my first time to receive this kind of exquisite gift and it's a bit heart fluttering.

I looked at Adam once again and he was smiling softly, "Do you like it?" He asked.

"Yes. These are really pretty. Thank you so much." I replied shyly, feeling my blood rush into my cheeks. He smiled sweetly but then, I noticed his eyes suddenly focus on my left cheek near my lip rather than my eyes. It kinda made me flustered and worried that he noticed my bruise but I'm sure the concealer did its job in hiding what it needs to hide.

During dinner, our parents started conversing while I nonchalantly poke the steak with my fork.

It looks delicious but I do not have an appetite now since I still worry about Damon.

I already lost count on how many times I've called him and if I could have my phone right now, I'll try calling him once again.

I let out a soft sigh with the thought of him —what he's doing? Did he receive my messages? Why isn't reply to any of my messages nor returning my calls?

I knew my father wouldn't hear my sigh since he's too preoccupied with catching up with Adam's mom. They seem to be good friends or maybe, he's just faking it. I don't even know if he still has friends.

My eyes then traveled to the plate across mine. Adam's food's also left untouched. His left hand was resting above the table beside his phone which then lights up due to a notification received. I felt the vibration of the device upon the table but he didn't even touch his phone after that notification. Then, my gaze then lifts up to his face.

He was staring at me... more particularly, he's looking straight at my left cheek.

Was my concealer smudged?

I then asked permission to excuse myself to use the comfort room which his mom allowed me to.

I quickly went in and check on my make up and to my relief, the bruise is still hidden. I knew it looked unnatural since I've applied too much concealer but I tried to fix it once again.

After for what seemed like 15 minutes in front of the mirror, I finally went outside and to my surprise, Adam was already standing outside the ladies' room with both his hands in his pocket.

I was frozen on my ground as I look up to him. For a brief while, he was just staring at me.

"Uhm... Adam, is something the matter?" I asked.

"Your cheek..." he replied. I was about to touch my left cheek but then, he suddenly grabs my hand before my fingers could even touch my skin.

I froze once more before I realize I'm trembling in his touch. He was holding my hand gently but for some reason, I felt terrified and I knew he felt me trembling. I couldn't move nor look away from him and just stood there with these tremors.

His other hand then reaches for my left cheek. But I felt a soft cloth wipe my skin gently.

"As I thought..." he muttered.

"The side of your lip is also cut, isn't it?"

He noticed what's underneath my make up?

It was just a few words and a question, but I couldn't handle it. 

I feel and I knew I'm in trouble again.

My eyes started to well up tears. I then opened my mouth slightly, trying to think of an excuse to get away with the truth. But I couldn't speak. I felt like I was choking with the lump that immediately grew inside my throat after his question.

"How did you get those?" He asked, brows furrowing tightly and looking intently straight in my eyes.

"Uhm... I..." I couldn't take the words out of my mouth before feeling a tear fall as I try my hardest to speak.

"I... I was doing yoga and... m-my hand slip so... my face hit the floor." I finally answered stammering.

"Recalling your accident in yoga makes you cry?" He asked again.

I'm in trouble again.

I couldn't stop my tears from falling now. I was reminded of all the beating I got from my father and Damon. With just one question, it isn't even the right question, it all came back to me.

He then sighed softly before continuing, "I'm sorry. I'm not gonna ask anymore." He said as he cupped my cheeks and gently wipes tears using his thumbs.

"Were you alone inside the ladies' room? 'Cause I've been standing here for a while and you're the only one who came out..." he asked which confuses me on why he would ask such a thing.

Was he waiting for me?

 I don't even know how being alone inside the comfort room is connected with my situation but I answered immediately nonetheless. I nodded in response, "I think I was alone." I then answered, biting my lower lip to control how my jaw trembles with every word I say.

He then pushes me gently, extending his hand towards the door that opened the way and we both went inside the ladies' room. He then locked the door behind him. I was so shocked that I froze once again.

But now that he locked us both inside this room, it made me realize that my theory may be correct.

He's gonna hurt me, too.

What did I do wrong?

Is it because I lied?

My tears continued to fall and by now, my whole body trembles violently. When he turned and look at me, he was glaring. 

My gut feeling says he's upset. And then, to my horror, he bolted towards me.

"No.. please..." I pleaded, instantly wincing and shutting my eyes at the same time while taking a step away from him. I was already anticipating his forceful hand and somehow, I was ready to accept the pain.

But it wasn't what I expected.

"Jesus Christ... you're trembling so much." He muttered after his warmth caged my body. His arms wrapped around me while one is gently caressing my back and stroking my hair softly.

I was convinced that he would be hitting me but...

It wasn't what I expected at all.