A Lie So Beautiful

5. Half pant man.

Mia's Point of View.

The next morning I was about to get up but when I saw my father's journal sitting on the nightstand, I started reading it forgetting all about waking up.

When I open the first page of the book, it was written in a beautiful handwriting that

My little Mia is turning four today, growing a little more each day. Today I got her a birthday gift, it was a simple red dress with white flower printed all over it.

Thankfully she loves it!

She even thank me with a little kiss in my cheeks and give me a smile which worth billions.

Though it also makes me wonder why she loves it so much?

I wonder what so beautiful about red and white dress that she give me such a wide smile?

But I don't care whatever the reason may be, as long as she is happy, that's all it matter.

All I wish for is for my daughter to be always as happy as she is right now, when all the many birthdays arrive.

As I read through the lines one at a time, I never realise the tears streaming down my cheeks, I dont know whether they were happy tears or a sad one. But one thing I know for sure is that the text here are the most precious gifts and the very memories which are written here is something I can never experience elsewhere, which make it more precious.

And I hope dad will look down and see that all my birthdays celebrations has been nothing but a pure bliss and happiness.

I hope he can rest assured and know that Iam really happy with everything and I have got the most precious people who always got my back and who will always make sure that Iam well cared for.

I was about to flip to the next page when, I hear my dad urgent call to come and have breakfast before both of us are late for work.

My dad is that person who never eat by himself.

Even when Iam late and will get him late as well, he always have to wait to eat with me. Not to mention, no matter how busy he got, he always prepare breakfast for me, always! I guess its like our little routine.

We always do breakfast together and make it our bonding time since I was very little.

And dad always says and follows the rule that no matter how busy we are, we must eat together at least once a day.

But thinking about this little things make me realize how lucky Iam.

I may have lose my parent as a little kid and be named an orphan, but I was given a second chance with my dad again, who never make me feel as an orphan.

Rather he take care of me like Iam his own, he never compromise my happiness for anything and always lookout for me since I was just a kid and till now take care of everything for me.

He always make me feel secured, cared for and loved. And I could have never ask for anything else. He is like an angel send by God just for me to love and for him to love me.My dad is the only reason I could grow up as who Iam today.

And I can never thank him enough.

Thinking about all this put a big smile on my face and make me feel giddy and overwhelm with happiness. So I jump out of my bad and run downstairs.

When I got to the kitchen I can see dad setting the table as usual.

When he heard me coming he look up with the warmest smile and wish me.

Chris : Good morning Mia, come and...

Before he finish I was flying toward him giving him a hug and a scare at the same time . I just feel all the more blessed to have him today. So I hug him and with happy tears said.

Mia: I love you, Dad. You are best.

Chris(hugging back) : I love you too, little one.

But what's with this emotional confession and that tear?

He wipe off my tear and look at me warmly, yet full of concern. And there I know Iam never an orphan, I have dad who will always be my family.

Mia: I just feel emotional today, and want to say that I love my dad more than anything.

He just look at me weirdly, not looking convince but accepting it anyway.

Chris: Okay! If that's the case, but if anything comes up you know Iam always here right?

Mia: Umm.

I nod my head and give him a big smile, showing that Iam fine and everything is okay. While dad just look at me with a smile, pat my head and goes back to setting the table.

Chris: Now breakfast time! You need to eat a lot to be prepared for the day ahead. Come on chop chop.

With that we eat, dress up and went for work which as usual is a very very busy day.

But later I realize, I never got to share my father's journal with dad.

But then again, after a bit of thinking I decide I'll give it to him later when I finish reading it. Maybe I'll retrieve some of dad's secrets too, who knows! I mean they are best friend after all. They should know each other secrets right?

Ahhh I wanna know everything, I can't wait to finish the journal.

Anyway working as usual, the day pass quickly and in the evening.

As we have discussed, in that weekend Jace agreed to bring his friend over which turns out to be a single damn person.

But according to him he is coming with a date, so two person I guess.

Ohhh and when I say come over, it means in his home not mine. So here Iam! Preparing food for us to eat. No Iam done preparing, actually Iam setting the table, as everything is set.

Oh! By the way Jace actually don't know that Iam here. I was suppose to come a bit later, No! a lot later.

But I want to prepare some snack and food for us , so here Iam.

And as I wait for them to come, I just lie around the couch munching an apple while watching 'One and a half man' and laughing to myself. This show is such a great show, I can watch it over and over and over again. And never get tired of it.

20 minutes into watching and laughing like a hyena, I hear the door open and someone comes in, I guess Jace is here. With that I get up to greet him but when I get to the door, I saw a stranger who is covered in mud.

One side of his pant is completely ripped off from his thigh while the other half is just covered in mud. I guess he is wearing a half pant.

Also his shirt, is ripped here and there , and I can even see some blood from beyond the mud.

For sometime we just awkwardly stare at each other in complete silence .

And that's when I realize he could be a burglar but then again in this state, I think even me I will win against him very easily and like that my worries about burglary was gone. But the awkward staring continues, so just to end the silence I said.

Mia(awkwardly) : Unfreeze?

I mean he was frozen, like he did not move at all and I just don't know what to say. But right after I say that he cough and say.

Half pant man: You are?

Mia( to herself) : Yeah! I could have said that.

Tch where was my common sense, I mean unfreeze! like really. But looking at his confuse expression, I don't think my common sense is back just yet.

Mia : I mean, doesn't that question suits better to be ask by the person standing on this side of the door?

I mean I did miss my chance but how come he come to my house , not literally my house but you know, he is the outsider and he is the one to ask that?

Half pant man : Yes, but when the owner is on the other side of the door, it says otherwise.

What is this half pant dude going on about, this is Jace house and I know for a fact that he lives alone. Iam pretty sure about it.

Mia: But you are not the owner, so what's your point?

When I say that he look really annoyed and even angry.

I can tell, cause his face is going red like literally.

Half pant man: You see, Iam very tired and not in my best condition right now. So I say, you get lost and I won't involve the police.

Wow now he thinks Iam the thief , the nerve of this guy.

I just look at him up and down and fold my hand and say.

Mia(smugly) : I don't know about the police, but your condition I can very clearly see.

Now I can definitely see that he is angry. I can see the smoke coming out of his ears. Which says Iam winning.

Half pant man: Just get lost, you thief.

Mia: Now Iam the thief? Tch just go away, I also won't call the police cause unlike you Iam in a very good mood.

Tch Jace is introducing me to his friend for the first time, and Iam so not gonna mess that up for a half pant man.

Half pant man(angrily) : Get out before I made you.

I can clearly see the frustration in his eye but hey! Iam also frustrated.

Mia(scowling) : Why should I?

Half pant man: Cause it's my damn house.

Mia: And why will I believe you?

Why does this man keep on saying it's his house? When its very clearly not!

Half pant man(scowling) : Why should you not believe me?

Mia(confidently): Cause it's my house.

It's a lie, but its for a cause so it's fine.

That is what I'll like to believe for now.

Half pant man(angry): Go and lie to someone else, now move and get lost from my house.

Mia: You do that, cause this is my house.

Half pant man: It's my house!

Mia: No its my house!

Half pant man: No its mine.

Mia: No its mine.

Okay Iam lying, but its fine cause his lies are much worse than mine. That is what I'll believe for now.

Half pant man: It's my house.

Mia: No, it's my house.

Jace(confused): Excuse me!

Thank god Jace is here now winning is my other name.

Mia,Half pant man(shout) : JACE! Whose house is this.

Wait he know Jace, which means he is not a thief.

Jace: I want to say mine but looking at it, its Mia's.

Half pant man: What do you mean? this is your house right? So how is it hers?

Mia: See you admit its not yours, so why lie?

Half pant man: Tch like you didn't , this is not yours either.

Mia(proudly) :Well what Jace's is, is also mine.

Half pant man: Well then what's Jace's is, is mine too.

Mia: You Half pant man!

Half pant man: What did you say.

Mia : I said half pant man, just look at your pant.

Okay I see it, I see the smoke in his ears turn black. But no backing down.

Half pant man: You little! Are you making fun of me.

Mia: Yes Iam, so what?

Half pant man: Jace.

Jace: What?

Half pant man: Take care of her before I do.

Mia: Why? You can't do it yourself.

Half pant man: You little, you are the one in wrong here and yo..

Mia: How am I the wrong one. Jace, who is wrong among us?

Jace: Of course you are the right one.

Half pant man: You don't even know what happened. How do you know she is right?

Jace: Cause its Mia.

Half pant man: Ahhhh this is pissing me off.

While me I just smile in victory and stick my tongue out childishly at him and he did it back too.

Half pant man: This is still not your house.

Mia: Jace?

Jace: If she says it's her's , it's her's.

Okay now Iam lying cause I wanna lie, and Iam loving it.

I also give another smug smile to him, angering him more.

Half pant man(frustrated): I really might kill you.

Mia(sternly): Try me

And we started a very heated staring contest. If only look could kill, both of us will be rotten and skeleton by now.

Jace: Okay, okay stop it you two. Mia, meet Cane my friend and Cane, meet Mia, my girlfriend. And what happen to you dude, you look miserable.

Cane: Wait! Girlfriend?

Mia: Yes half pant man, girlfriend.

Cane: Stop calling me that and Jace what's happening?

And he look at him strangely while Jace also look at him strangely, its like they are talking with their eyes.

After a while of talking with their eye Cane storm in the house, in the process pushing me against the door making me wince.

Jace(worried): Hey you okay.

Jace was examining my hand while I just give him nod and give a small smile indicating Iam fine. While Cane stop and look back at me in guilt, I think he was about to apologize when Jace say or warn.

Jace: Watch it Cane.

Cane(bitterly) : Like you really care.

And with that he storm in, but what was that suppose to mean, and why is he so angry that Iam Jace girlfriend?

I look up at Jace with confusion written all over my face and expecting him to explain what just happen.

Jace: I know you are confuse and all but right now I c..

Mia(serious) : Is he gay?

I mean, why else will he be that jealous? Tch, going after my Jace, that little.

Jace(confuse) : Okay, I was not expecting that but No! He is not. What makes you think that?

Mia(shrugging): He is angry because Iam your girlfriend, I figured he is jealous.

Jace(disbelieve) : Of all thing , you come up with that? Wait a minute, what are you doing here now.

Mia: Why can't I be here? Ah are you really cheating with me with Cane?

And I squint my eye and stare, acting like IAM suspicious of him .

Cause for a matter of fact I know, boy or a girl Jace will never cheat.

Jace(sighing) : And you call Justin the drama king. Just to be clear Iam not gay.

Mia: Cane?

Jace(shrugging) : Who knows.

I bet Iam right, cause if not why would he be jealous?

Mia: I do. He is so gay and a jealous one at that.

Jace(chuckle) : Don't use that little mind of your too much, it come up with way too much ridiculous ideas. Now come on let's get in and see how my kitchen is.

Mia: Tch I can really cook!

Jace (smiling) : I never said anything about you cooking. I just said kitchen. And you are already doubting about your cooking. What does that say about you?

Mia(sulking) : Hmph, I can tell by the look in your face, mocking is written all over it. And come on, Iam not that bad, why don't you believe me?

Jace: Cause last time you thought vinegar was oil.

Mia: No fair! It was one time thing, and you can't deny they are pretty similar.

And he just laugh and goes to the kitchen which was clean and spotless and mainly no burn sign whatsoever.

So I give a quick twirl like thing pointing everywhere and say

Mia(proudly): See!

Jace(doubtful) : You order didn't you? If not this does not make sense with all the food in the table.

Mia(admitting) : Tch! Mary made it, I just made the table. You should have just played along, and praise me.

I mean cooking need talent and is a very hard thing to learn. And me, Iam talent less and too lazy to learn so I just gave up on that.

By the way Mary is Jace chef like thing, cause he live alone and is always very busy so he need help sometimes so Mary slide in to help.

And Jace, he just laugh and take me in a side hug.

Jace(teasing) : At least you know how to serve right?

Mia(sulking) : Tch! Iam good at other things, don't underestimate me.

Jace ( chuckling): Sure! Sure!

Mia: But Jace, on a serious note, don't you need to talk to Cane? He look pretty angry with the girlfriend thing and I think he is hurt too, I see some scratches here and there. Let me treat him, you go talk to him.

Jace: Emm! I should, Iam just waiting for him to finish taking bath. He is covered in mud.

Yeah that too, what happen to him?

Mia: OK! You also go change! Meanwhile I go take the first aid and wait.

Jace: Hmm ok.

With that Jace kiss my for head and goes to his room, while I go to the kitchen and look through a small cupboard where first aid is kept.

I think Cane will very much need it, I mean I can see dry blood above all that mud. Which screams many bruises to me.

How childish of me to blabber away when I can clearly see that he is hurt.

And I call myself a doctor.

Well I guess Iam not that good of a person .

But to redeem myself I should seriously do a good job in fixing him up.

When I was pondering with all this thoughts , half pant man walk out with a towel drying his hair. He is wearing a short sleeve shirt which make the bruise in his arm clearly visible now. There is a big bruise and many scratches here and there.

Cane: Done checking me out.

Mia: Yes! Your bruises are worse than I thought.

And I pat the couch, indicating for him to seat next to me, so that I can treat him.

Cane: Now that I have a full pant, you are interested?

Mia: Talking about pants, I think half pant will suit your situation now.

Cane: What? Now you even wanna look at my leg?

Mia: I see some bruises on your leg before.

Cane: So?

Mia: Just roll up you pant for now, if not I can just rip it to half again.

Cane: I can clean up my own bruises, thank you.

Mia: Just come sit already, Iam a doctor I swear I'll not mess you up.

And I pat the seat next to me, putting on the cloves and taking out some cotton to clean him up.

Cane: Do you ever listen to what I say?

And I just stare at him hard, he also return the favor by just staring. But after a while he give in. And I start cleaning and bandaging his wound in his arm.

After I was done with that I was about to see his leg, when his phone rang. He pick it up and just a second later he sprint up, took Jace car keys and run out while shouting.

Cane: Tell Jace we will talk later and that it's my mom.

Before I can answer back he is already out of the front door and within minutes I can hear the car's engine roar. Well I guess, OK then.

But did something happen to his mom, maybe Jace could help I should inform him quickly. With that in mind I was about to get up but at that exact moment Jace walk out,

Mia: Oh! Cane just ran out saying it's his mom. Is something the matter with his mom?

Jace: Ohh, never mind, its just his family thing. He will handle it.

Mia: Is it? He look pretty worried.

Jace: It's alright, if he need help we will go then okay?

Mia: Oh okay! By the way, does it always take you that long to change? I have already finished treating his wounds for crying out loud.

Jace: Tch! I was on a phone call, why would I need more than 20 minutes to just change back to casual.

Mia: Oh! What a relief! I was starting to get worried that you were secretly applying make up to look good for Cane.

And I wipe an invisible sweat, making a huge sigh, acting relief. While just stare at me with disappointing gaze, and keep on staring.

Jace: Iam not gay!

That just make me laugh out loud.

While Jace just stare at me, thinking I don't know what. But suddenly I remember today's plan.

Mia: Is Cane supposed to be the friend who visits?

Jace: No! He was not supposed to be here. The others must also be arriving.

Just as Jace says that we hear the doorbell ring and a knock follows right after. Sheesh, talk about impatient.

Anyway I get up excitedly, I mean this is the first time Iam meeting Jace's friend or for that matter anyone related to him. So excitement is a big understatement.

And when I open the door, I see a pretty tall guy, brown hair, grayish eye with a pale complexion standing there carrying something in his right hand dress in casual, jeans and a white shirt.

But that was not what caught my eye. The one who caught my eye was the beautiful lady standing besides him. She look like a fairy, with beautiful red hair cut at shoulder-length, stunning electric blue eye which seems to hold many secrets, screaming mystery. Her skin seems to be glowing up, a beautiful golden color. She look very fair with some tinge of yellowish color.

Her aura is a palette of gracefulness, beauty, calm and mainly it screams secrets and mysteries.

And scarily the only thing that come to my mind is Claire. She look exactly like Claire, I know its not possible but the only thing that come out of my mouth was.

Mia: Claire?