Richard always did everything his daughter asked for. But after the event, Maggie had asked for the impossible.
"Daddy why did Alison leave? Call her back please." She had said with a big pout.
Call her back? Heck, Richard didn't know where she had disappeared to, or why she left in such a hurry like that!
"Oh come on, don't be sad, by sweet Kari." Richard tried to assure her not to worry. But Kari was too sad and couldn't even hide it.
Richard sighed. "Sweetheart, meet Linda for dinner preparations okay?"
Maggie shook her head in frustration, "no daddy! I want to see writer lady. I miss her already. Why did you send her away!"
"Send her away? No, honey. I didn't-" there was no point trying to argue with her right now. He leaned down to meet her height. "It's been over two hours. And I've explained to you before. Alison is busy with some stuff. She had to run off for an emergency something...book related things. I don't know."
Maggie still stared with hope that Richard would be able to clear himself at last.
He sighed again. "But she said we should call her once it's evening. I'll call her right now okay? Are we good?"
Deep down, he felt embarrassed he was acting immature over a woman like that. But there was just something about her that made him want to get closer to her.
He searched for her number and instantly began to form a different kind of prayer. That that line would be reachable.
As he was about to dial the number, his phone began to ring. He frowned, but picked up anyway.
"Hi good evening! I sent a little something, please accept it with love."
That voice was so sweet, soft. Definitely familiar..."Alison?" He called out completely shocked.
Then one of the maids hurried in to announce. "We received a package sir. From madam Alison--"
Maggie jumped up, chanting in excitement. "Yay! Alison! Alison!"
Richard couldn't stop himself from smiling. "Where are you?" He didn't know when he asked that question like some stalker.
"I have a story book!" Maggie kept on singing and dancing.
"A story book?" Richard frowned."Oh it's a magazine?" He quickly tried to change topics because he didn't want to appear like a psycho to Alison.
"Yes. There are a ton of dogs she can chose from." Richard clicked the speaker button so Alison's explanation only produced louder scream of joy from Maggie.
"Dogs?" Richard's expression changed now.
"Relax, I know I know, no dogs." Alison quickly said, while Maggie was shouting underneath "no! I want a dog!" "But here me out," Alison continued."Maggie and I can go dog hunting soon, and once we find a good dog, he'll be over at my place where I'll take good care of it."
Alison had a way with her words because everywhere became silent as she spoke confidently. "So we won't have to disturb you at all, plus it gives us more time for Maggie and I to bond when she visits me to play with the dog."
Everything made too much sense. This really was a nice plan for Alison to spend more time with Maggie! And him as well...
There was a big cake carried in next with big flowers and a simple "I'm sorry" note. Richard smiled, feeling overwhelmed with joy.
"What are you sorry for exactly?" He said to her..now she wasn't on speaker anymore. Maggie was off checking out the magazine already.
"Well," she paused, Richard thought she was smiling. He didn't know why he started to picture her pretty face in his head, "you were really nice to me and I acted like I didn't appreciate your care towards me. I actually do. Especially with your support over me against my ex husband and his family."
Richard didn't know but guessed it must had been uncomfortable talking about her ex. "It's fine. I'm actually not mad, as long as you get the cake right--" He gasped upon opening the tip of the box. "It's chocolate! How did you know?"
"I didn't know if you really liked it, but I watched an interview of you once where you mentioned you love chocolate cakes. Basically chocolates in general."
Wow. Why was she such a darling! "That's so brilliant of you. You have unlocked my heart right now, Alison."
While they were talking, something loud fell, and Maggie screamed out, terrified. Richard died that moment as he sauntered towards where the noise had been from.
"Maggie!"