A Lie So Beautiful

8.Sweet Date

Mia's Point of View.

Another day pass by again with me not able to do anything for my daughter. Today when Mia cry in agony, I told her everything will be fine and that her dad will take care of everything.

But me myself I don't have a clue, how to take care of anything. I feel like I know nothing at all. I don't know what causes her to fall this sick, I don't know what kind of disease she is suffering from and I don't know how to cure her and bring relief to her pain.

I just feel hopeless as always and angry at myself. I wanna destroy everything and just give up but I know I can't . How can I? when my Mia is waiting for her father, how can I? when just me appearing can put a smile on my daughter's face and how can I? when Iam her only hope, even though Iam this useless.

So, let's cheer up Adam and never forget My Lovely Daughter is waiting for me with full of hope.

Another page fill with my story and yet I know nothing about.

Whenever I read through this pages, it's funny that dad only write about my life but sadly even if I read it over and over, for me its like Iam reading someone else story. Someone who is a complete stranger. Cause no matter how much I try, I can't remember anything at all. The irony.

And as I keep on staring at that page for a while, I can't seems to turn to other pages. Iam curious, no doubt but looking forward to reading another part of my dad's life tomorrow and waking up giddily to do so is a feeling I really enjoy. So I decide to read a page a day, enjoying their one day story as my one day. I'll just enjoy it for as long as I can.

With that decision, I decide I should probably got up, mainly because Iam really hungry.

So I got up quickly and wash up in a jiffy and as usual goes downstairs. Today I wake up at about 10am, pretty late I know. Actually I was working night shift last night so, too sleepy and I have to sign in, in the afternoon for today works so Iam still free as a bird. But this also mean dad already leave for office so Iam alone and have to eat alone.

Just as I thought of eating I suddenly feel my hunger rising, so I was going to check the refrigerator for anything I can eat and quickly fix myself something. But before I reach the fridge, I can see a big pot place in the middle of the dining table with a bright pink paper note place in the lit if the pot. And when I read the note, it was written

'Gone for work. But prepared for you to dig in, eat a lot. Love you'

- Dad.

Well okay then, let's dig in and with that I hurriedly open the pot eager to see what's inside. And what I found inside does not disappoint me as I see yummy yummy looking fish, cook simply with red chili, tomato, some garlic and onion finish up with sprinkle of coriander.

I grin looking at it, I really really love fish mainly the ones cook by dad. They are real yum, but then again I love everything cook by dad, they are all yum. Thinking about all the dishes and the scent I get from the fish I was already salivating.

So without further a do, I rush to the kitchen and rush to get some warm rice. After that I was inhaling all the food till my stomach content.

After a while, I fill up my stomach to the fullest and what follow is laziness. As soon as Iam done eating, I was already feeling sleepy.I guess because Iam too full. But I gotta sign in to work in about an hour and if I sleep now, waking up in an hour is just not a risk I can take or should I say I'll never wake up in time.

So to kill time and not to fall asleep, I decide to disturb Jace who must be at work right about now.

On call

Mia(cheerful): Hey Jace!

Jace(sleepy voice) : Hey! Good morning angel.

Heh! Is he sleeping now? But he must be at work by this time. So, why does he sound like he just woke up. Did he work overtime and slept in office again? By the way, that always happen.

Mia: Its already noon, why do you sound like you just wake up?

Jace: Cause I just wake up.

Mia: Not going to work today? Or sleeping in the office?

Jace: Umm, not going to work.

Mia(shock) : Are you sick?

Iam not overreacting , also he is the boss of himself and get leave anytime he wants. But he never do, he really loves his job and is a workaholic proudly standing besides my dad!

Jace: No, I just decide to give myself a break for today.

Mia(teasing tone) : Now, Iam sure you are sick. Are you sure nothing is wrong.

Jace(fake offend) : Hey! I do get break for myself from time to time.

Mia: Don't lie, this is the second time I have seen you take a "break". And even the first one was because I was sick. Anyway not the point, be still Iam coming over.

But seriously Jace taking a break! That is shocking. Its either something is very wrong or he has gone crazy. Yes! Its that bad.

I knock at the door and a very disheveled and sleepy looking Jace open the door. I walk in while glancing down at my watch, and look up at him strangely cause its already 12pm and he is still sleeping? And that sleepily.

Mia: Don't you sleep at nights?

Jace: Of course I do.

After he said that I just look at him questioningly and when he see that, he just give me a shrug. Okay then.

He walk in the kitchen with me following him.

Mia: Had your meal?

Jace: Nop!

His answer make me think he is about to make himself something, but he just take a glass of water and drank and that was it.

Jace: I don't really have the appetite. I just wanna sleep for today.

Mia: Well Iam here so, you can kiss goodbye to your sleep.

By this time, I can already sense he is upset with something. Actually I can tell right away when I call him but looking at him now, it seems he is really worried and sad about something. Thinking about it, he is being like this from yesterday.

So I came up with a brilliant plan to distract him from this unpleasantness, even if its just for a day.

Jace(chuckling) Of course, I have to. But why are you not at work today?

Mia: I work night shift last night, so. But today is also my holiday.

Jace(suspiciously) : Holiday?

Mia: Yup! Justin is gonna cover my shift. So holiday for me.

For my plan to work, Justin have to cover my shift and I have a perfect way to force him to do as I please.

Jace: Does Justin know about this.

He really know me well. How he can guess I just come up with that is beyond me. But nonetheless, I just flash him a big sweet smile and take out my phone.

Mia: We are gonna call him now.

And I dial Justin who very quickly pick up as if he knew already that a call will come and was ready to pick up beforehand. Weirdo.

Mia: Hey Justin.

Justin(cheerful): Hello Mia Pia.

Mia(sternly) : You are gonna cover my shift for me today.

Justin: Says who?

Mia(smugly) : Her highness Mia.

Justin: Well then tell her highness Mia that Emperor Justin, decline.

Mia: Is it? I heard His Majesty Chris being sick was a ploy of some peasant who was bribed by the cunning merchant Jace who have precious goodies, do you have any idea about this, you petty emperor.

Jace: Iam sorry mate.

Justin: Come on Jace, how can you do this to me every time. Iam never doing anything for you ever again.

Jace: Well you didn't exactly do it for nothing so. By the way, how is the delivery of your bribe coming along?

Justin: You little, argggg this just anger me.

Mia: Back to the point, if you confess there will be no war, but if you don't your petty kingdom will be destroyed beyond repair. What do you say?

Justin: I say, please tell her highness Mia, that peasant Justin say he is glad to do anything for her and is very sorry about everything. Thank you, long live your highness.

With that the phone goes off, and I grin happily cause as you can see holiday.

No matter at what age you are, holiday always means happiness, well at least for me.

While Iam grinning Jace look at me in disbelieve shaking his head while I just give a shrug and give him a look that says what?

Although I know what exactly he is hinting to, Justin and me can be really be dramatic sometimes but that's what make us fun and not bored, so he got to deal with it.

Jace: Nothing! I should have never expect anything else from you guys. But Her Highness and peasants really?

Mia: Well a little spice can do no harm but only wonders. You dull merchant won't understand. But what was the bribe that Justin take.

I look at him curiously cause I wanna know what Justin got this time and will see if my punishment was enough.

Jace: I don't know, he said he will personally come by and take what he need, so? But if my guess is right, I think he will take that upgraded Virrion that come in just yesterday.

Mia: Making himself happy out of my suffering? Hah! I should repay this honor back soon.

Jace: But you just 'repay' it back.

He widen his eye and even make an action of quotation with his hand. Tch, now whose dramatic. But I can't back down.

Mia: So?

Jace(disbelieve) : Never mind me.

Mia: Good choice! Now, go get ready!

Jace: Hmm? Are we doing something today?

Mia: Yes! We are doing a very important thing today. So even me Iam gonna go get dressed.

Jace: Okay! I'll pick you up in a bit.

Mia: No, no just go get dress up casually, I'll pick you up.

Jace: That's also cool , but where are we going?

Mia: That! You will find out later.

Actually I have thought of a place to take Jace and cheer him up from whatever he is being upset about. He won't tell me anything, so I guess I have to wait for him to open up but while I do that, I'll just try my best to let my guy be as happy as he can be.

He even take a break from his work, something grave must have happen.

While thinking all this I have already dress up in a simple black shirt and a ripped blue jeans and some black vans. After Iam done, I again hurried over to Jace. And in just about a minute I was ringing Jace door again, ready to go.

Mia(dramatically bowing): Iam here to take the mister on a date, is he ready?

Jace: Of course my lady, how can I, a gentleman let a beautiful lady like yourself wait for me.

When I gaze up from my dramatic bow, I see Jace also dress the same as me. Black shirt and faded blue ripped jeans with a black shoe. Which make me grin more , its like one mind.

Mia(exited) : We are twinning.

Jace: Indeed, its like one mind.

That just make me smile more and I even jumped in excitement, clapping my hands a little.

Mia: I said the same thing in my mind. We are really meant to be.

That just make Jace chuckle and pat my hair. The adoring eye he always have when he look at me pass by making me feel all warm.

I snap out of that moment and raise my hand for him to take and doing another dramatic bow.

Mia: Anyway shall we sir?

Jace(chucking): Please lead the way ma'lady.

That was how, we made our way to the car which is parked just five six step away. We got in and buckled up, with me driving to our destination.

Jace(curious): But what are we doing? Or going for that matter.

Mia(proudly) : Iam taking you on a date. And the place is still a secret.

Jace: Okay then, since my girlfriend is doing such a lovely thing for me. Let me forget all about work and enjoy it to the fullest.

Mia: Now that's my Jace. By the way, you can look forward to today. It will be very much entertaining.

To that Jace just give me a smile with a nod.

After about 10 minutes we have reach our destiny. Actually it was a diner, open by my old friend Michael. The diner was such that it all have a different room for each diner and serve only chicken with some drinks.

When I park the car and got out, Jace look at me strangely and with a question mark.

Jace: I thought it was supposed to be entertaining?

Mia: Oh it will be, believe me. Just follow me.

With that I go to the reception area with Jace slowly following behind.

Mia: Hey, Iam Mia. Micheal reserve a room for me, can you please show me where it is?

And the sweet lady in the reception, show me where the room is after which we goes in the room and sat down. Actually I chose this restaurant mainly because Jace says he does not have an appetite and the food here can do wonders.

After a while a waitress come by ready to take our order.

Mia: Please give me 10 can of cold drinks? That will be all.

Jace(confuse) : Are we having a drinking contest?

Mia: You will see, my friend.

Jace: Okay?

Right then Michael walk out with my special pre ordered Chicken drumsticks looking as red as ever. And I grin looking at it.

Let the spicy hour begin.

Actually I let Michael cook extra spicy chicken just for me. This is not a thing serve here normally. But gotta take advantage when we can.

Michael: Hello Mia Pia.

Mia(laughing): Hello Michael, and don't call me that. Justin is enough.

I laugh while hugging him, but Jace is as confuse as ever. I forget he didn't know Michael.

Mia: Micheal this is Jace, my boyfriend and Jace this is Micheal an old college friend of mine. He is the chef here.

With that Jace stood up and shake hand with Michael, exchanging some simple Hi and Hellos

Michael : Okay then, I'll leave you to it, if there is anything more you want. Feel free to order. I'll see you later Mia.

Mia: Thank you Michael. See you.

After that I look at the red red chicken place on the table and excitedly rub my hand. As you can see I love spicy food. But for Jace , he look rather scared. So I look at him questioningly . As far as I know, he can eat spicy.

Jace(gulping) : Am I the only one who thinks even the smell is spicy?

Mia(grinning) : Of course, and that's the beauty of it.

Jace: Mia, come on this will just make us sick. You can order something less spicy, don't you think?

Mia: Nu Uh! This is the one I like. Now come on chop chop, dig in.

And I lick my lips just to put in extra effort to show that it's gonna be yum.

Jace: No, No, No. Iam not eating that fire like thing. Unlike someone I don't wanna suffer.

Mia: Well that someone is about to become sometwo very soon.

Just then the waitress walk in with our drink and some side dish , which was supposed to be r****h but I change it with cucumber cause cucumber is bae.

Mia:Thank you. Now Jace don't be picky. Come on chop, chop.

While I say that and take a bite he just shake his head and push the plate toward me as if distance from it matter. But after a while, and when he didn't touch any.

I forcefully let him eat a piece and the rest he eat it on his own. Iam kidding, I just keep on persuading him to eat one more each time he finish.And finally we finish two plate panting and huffing.

We look like we are volcano which is about to explode. With our mouth open wide and huffing like anything.

I know we look like smoke is coming out of us but when I carefully look up at Jace that just make me snap, and burst out laughing.

He was literally crying, red face and yes he is now on the six can of cold drink.

When I continue laughing he glare at me for a while, while drinking which make me laugh more. He keep on glaring and drinking for a while but afterward he also join in laughing with me.

As you know, Iam not looking very good myself, Iam like as red as the chicken by now. That chicken is really spicy and Iam also drinking anything that comes in front of me non-stop. We must look so stupid right now, but Iam living for it.

But then suddenly I remember someplace so I quickly grab Jace hand and we run out of the restraint. Jace is just running because Iam , he look so confuse but can hardly say anything due to the spiciness.

Which urge me to run faster. After a while of running we reach a corner where an ice cream truck is park.

We literally show with action for the truck owner to give us ice cream cause we can't really talk mainly because of the spiciness and a little bit because of the panting from the little running we did.

Thankfully the truck owner understand and offer us a lot of ice cream which we chomp down like some thirst driven beast.

And while we were greedily eating our ice cream, at some point both me and Jace look up at the same time making an eye contact.

And while we did, we freeze, and stop eating and just stare at each other for a while. Don't be mistaken, its not some Hollywood romantic eye contact thingy. We just freeze because we can see how bazaar each other look right now. After a bit of watching we both burst out laughing once again in the middle of the road.

I don't really know why we were laughing so much or what was so funny about that moment but at that moment we were laughing to our heart content and I think now I understand why they say, when you are with someone you love, everything is more beautiful.

But while laughing when I look up sideways I see the truck owner gaping at us at how much we eat probably, and the look in his eye literally shout crazy people.

Well I don't blame him cause, we have done nothing but just gulp the ice cream down and suddenly just started laughing like some kids high on sugar. If he does not think we are weird, that will probably make me think he is the weird one.

But after we had inhale enough ice cream to cool down the spiciness, we pay the truck owner, and were off to walking around.

Currently we are walking in a peaceful road covered with small plants and trees with not many houses. Flowers were grown here and there I guess as a decoration by the people who live there. The houses and scenery were quite uneven and every step we take a new scenery follow up. But I guess that is the beauty of this place.

We were walking silently enjoying the cool breeze blowing with the warmness of the sunlight. The sun is now not too hot anymore, as evening has started to pave his way to the afternoon.

Mia: So how is the date I prepare? Fun right?

Jace: It was spicy. Just spicy.

Mia(chuckling): Well, the spiciness make you look normal again. So I think I succeed.

Jace(confuse) : Huh?

Mia: You have been upset about something since yesterday, and you look super dull. Even when I call you this morning , you sound so down and when I come over I thought you had a breakup with your girlfriend even when Iam your girlfriend. And to add to my worries, you even take a break from work. So I decide to cheer you up, and spicy food was just the best idea.

And I snap my finger with a little wink to emphasise how great my idea was.

Jace: I knew something was up when I see the chicken, so this was it. I was completely immerse in the spiciness, I forgot about everything and was not a bit concern about anything. And later I just go with the flow doing whatever you were doing and busy enjoying it.So no time to be upset. So that was your plan? To distract me.

Mia: Exactly, and I don't see a speck of worriness or stress cause you were sparkling with spiciness for a while. And as a bonus you also laugh with me happily and wholeheartedly. Come on praise me for my good job.

Jace: Real subtle Mia. Real subtle.

Mia: Hey you should find your praises yourself, no one is so free to keep reminding you that you are good.

Jace: Then I guess you should just praise yourself.

Mia: Tch. After all that I have done!!

And I make weird weird pouts with my face while he just chuckle looking at me. Then he abruptly stop and pull me in for a hug. While I just smile and hug him back.

Jace : Thank you Mia. I have been having a tough time these day and you were like a sweet vacation for me. Whenever Iam with you and doing whatever crazy ideas you come up with, Iam always so happy. So thank you for making my day beautiful again Angel. And Iam so sorry I make you worried.

That make me smile more and I snuggle to him more but was curious so I loosened my arm from him but still hugging and tilt my head upward.

Mia: Is it your work?

Jace(confuse) : Huh?

Mia : Is it work that is making you stressful? Cause if that is, just do whatever you want and don't worry about it.

Jace: Really?

Mia(determined) : Yes! If worse come to worse, I'll be the breadwinner of our family. So, don't you worry, Iam a very capable women.

Jace(teasing) : But I don't think, you will be able to raise me. Iam a very luxurious guy.

Mia(giving in quickly) : Is it? Then we will just live off of dad. That old man of mine is very rich. So don't worry, you will be able to have everything you desire.

Jace(laughing) : Don't worry your little head, my angel. I swear Iam also very rich and capable so we won't ever have to live off Chris.

Mia(seriously): I was just letting you know there was this option too.

Jace(hugging her more tightly): I know, I know and I will always remember that Mia has my back. So don't worry about me anymore, I will settle everything and come tell you everything soon .

With that he give a kiss on my for head like a sign of his promise to me that he will share everything soon. Which just make me smile more. Ahh what a beautiful day, but my stomach hurt. I knew that spiciness will backfire.

Mia: My stomach hurt.

Jace: Thank god, it finally hit you cause Iam dying here.

With that we both laugh and rush back home.