"I think your time is up young man," Dad noted in a stern voice which made me raise a brow.
"Dad," I said sharply, wiggling my brows at him.
"It's okay Elle" Cian interrupted and loosen his hold on my waist. He faced Dad with a nervous smile yet brave eyes.
"Uh, sir, sorry if I'd ask you this without notice but, will you spare me a minute after the party? I'd like to talk to you about your daughter" he asked calmly but his sweaty hands said otherwise, he was nervous.
My Dad maintained his stoic expression on the other corner, trying to elicit an intimidating aura from my nervous boyfriend.
"I agree that we should talk young man but let me dance with my daughter first" he replied arrogantly to which Cian agreed, nodding his head automatically.
Thereafter, Cian placed my hand in Dad's palm.
"Later Elle" he bid, leaving me alone with Dad on the dancefloor. I stared at his broad back as he went his way to their table.
Then, Dad suddenly puffed a sigh which retaliates my attention to him. My brows shoot up even more at his feated expression.
"As your father, I thought I would be your first dance, I should have known," he said with a grouch face, making me laugh at such a reaction.
"Oh come on Dad...The thought is I get to dance with the best father in the world, so don't stress your pretty little head" I said with a grin on my face, trying to cheer him up.
He kissed my forehead, erasing that smug look on my face. He held my hand and we swayed along with the music.
"Yes princess, you are right."He answered, though grimly yet I know Dad is trying to understand me.
I stared at him adoringly, shaking my head at the obvious jealousy in his eyes.
As his daughter, I know this is all new to him, and just like the old times, whenever I uncover another milestone of my life, he was there... adjusting himself to my every change. And this thing between Cian and I is the same matter he needs to take care of... but as I can see, it would take a long time before he could recover from this.
"You were just so tiny back then, why did you grow up so fast"
I chuckled while he guided me to a twirl.
"Dad, it is all for the better."
He rolled his eyes at me.
"Yes, I do hope so Princess."
I placed my arm back on his shoulder and we continued dancing to the lovely music.
"Hey, wouldn't you ask about me and Cian?" I asked, diverting our topic to which he scoffs.
I couldn't say if Dad was ballistic with the idea but his troubled expression was giving me all the hints that he is.
"I knew it already, but as your father, I needed to scare the child" he answered with a mix of distaste and sarcasm.
"Dad" I reprimanded but he shook his head before I could even continue.
" Yeah I know, don't fret, I am just kidding," then he stared at my eyes as if he is trying to find some answers in it. Reading my soul.
"But seriously, let me do it, princess. This is all for you anyway...I may not know he is the right man for you, but at least... let me know the man that stole your heart" he said calmly this time and with sincerity in his eyes.
"I know sooner or later you'll have this kind of path... but it just feels different now that it is happening. So for my peace of mind, let me talk to your boyfriend"
My frown was slowly fading when Dad said the word boyfriend. He could say anything else but he chose that to describe Cian in my life and it only means that he recognizes our relationship.
I rested my head on his chest and didn't say anything more. I am relieved not because Dad was not angry after all but because he is doing it for my sake.
Yes. Dad always made sure that I am included in his every decision, he always makes sure that I am on the favorable side and prioritizes my feeling. Yet knowing him too, I know it would take a lot of time before he gets used to this situation. I am not a kid anymore like he used to take care of before.
That whenever I hurt myself, he takes care of my wounds and sheltered me from hurting myself again. This time, I should let him realize that I am gradually getting out of my cocoon and it'll just be a matter of time before I'll be able to fly and survive on my own.
"Just go easy on him though, Cian is a good man, Dad," I said in a whisper.
He caressed my back and kissed my head.
"We will confirm that...together."
We finished the dance and for the remaining sixteen dances, I had the chance to dance with my Dad's associates whom I was able to talk to regarding politics and stuff about marketing strategies and all that serious talks about adulthood and business.
I also danced with some boys in my class and some of the Monteblanco brothers, particularly Claven and Brandon. My boy cousins didn't also fail to get a dance with me, teasing me about Cian and also threatening me about getting pregnant at a young age which is not gonna happen for sure.
Overall, my feet were already complaining. I don't think I could dance some more.
Luckily, it was Uncle Jonas who was my last dance for the night and he knows that my feet were too numb to all the dancing so we didn't move too much on the dancefloor.
"Just understand your Dad. He sees you as his baby... his only girl. He sheltered you for so long so there is... that separation anxiety going on with him now that you are weaning yourself from his care" he said, chuckling at his statement.
"But your Dad is cool, he can easily get this through. As for you young lady, you need to be extra careful... getting into a relationship could make you go crazy," he warned dangerously as if he remembered something in the past.
"That is the reason why I thought about this for years Uncle... I don't want to end up hurting myself" I answered.
He smiled at me.
"Elle, I had been to someone before your Aunt Clarissa came into my life and you know that..." Then he sighed as if he is hesitating. But then, he stared at me as if he can see Belle and Flora through me.
"You might wonder why am I telling you this Elle. ...but just remember Elle... if a man truly loves you... he would not let you think of any reason for you to hurt yourself and of course, you do the same to him... if you truly feel the same way"
It was no secret that Uncle Jonas was a playboy at his time before he finally settles with Aunt Clarissa. He had two children from his previous relationship before settling down with Aunt Clarissa. However, Keiran and Kaito is another story to tell. They are Flora's, Belle's, and Johanes' stepbrothers.
After my last dance and heart-to-heart talk with Uncle Jonas, I went backstage to find the emcee to inform the guests of my surprise performance. Belle was already backstage with her eyeglasses on, and I insisted to play the piano as my accompaniment.
"I am getting nervous cous, I never performed outside my room and you know that" she exclaimed worriedly. Belle looked extra hot with her eyeglasses. She only used it when she wants to focus on something.
"Me neither but you'll do it for me right?" I asked, pouting my lips and making puppy eyes hoping that she would not back out. She sighed in defeat and adjusted her glasses.
"I have no choice, you already drag me here. I just hope I won't mess up your performance" I shook my head instantly.
"Of course, you wouldn't, just think of this as one of your cases... you are not one of the most paid lawyers for nothing." She rolled her eyes at me.
"This is a completely different thing, Elle, I studied my every case...as for this, I don't think I won't mess up even if I studied hard" she answered, horrified.
"You will do just fine. You are Faith Yzabelle Pollo, you can do anything"
She took a deep breath and nodded. "Yes, oh my goodness, why am I freaking out. I'll be just your accompaniment anyway"
I raise my fingers, contradicting her statement. "Not a "just" Belle, you are my accompaniment"
Then we heard the host calling us to the stage and I took the violin out from the box as Belle nervously went to sit on her piano.
The main reason why I did this surprise performance is to thank my Dad. He loves music as much as I do and I just want him to know that I am still the same old Justine Elle before who would sit beside him as his favorite Beethoven play endlessly.
"Once again, let us hear our princess, Miss Justine Elle, together with her equally lovely cousin Miss Faith Yzabelle as they serenade us with their music. A round of applause please"
Then, as if on cue, the light focused on me. I could only hear the wild applause from all the guests and the anticipation in their eyes while looking at me. If this would just a different scenario, maybe I'd blush in embarrassment or even freak out with such a crowd.
However, music is my comfort and I know this isn't something I would mess up.
The crowd clapped further as the tune from the piano, done by Belle started, it was so soft... teasing. I smiled, having in mind the superb intro that Belle made. She surely knows how to play her instrument.
Then, I closed my eyes and placed the violin in between my jaw and collarbone... savoring the music as I raise the bow, preparing for my first note. Then Belle gave me the spot and I swayed my hands, drawing the bow across the strings creating rippling overtones. And I couldn't stop. I indulged in the spectacular sound as if it consumed me.
I swayed my body passionately, coordinating with the tempo created by the soft piano and the classical sound of the violin. Moving along its rhythm as I keep on stroking the string, intriguing those that are listening and watching.
I picked Amy Beach's violin sonata, for it screams a lot of romantic emotions, giving the audience the sound of love. It was a masterpiece indeed and I am happy to be able to pour my soul into this.