Rrriiiiinnnggggg....

Mantisha jumped off from her bed. Cursing the clock, she turned the alarm off, and ran towards the washroom to get freshened. This day was going to be one of her busiest day in a while. Her stepdad would go to announce about the marriage of her mom and him, and this would be the first upper class party they would attend. Not to mention her mom, even she was also freaking out just by thinking it.

"Good morning Mom, Good morning Uncle", Mantisha took her seat, grabbed a sandwich and started munching it immediately.

"Where are your manners, Tish? Did you forget about the table manners you should maintain or you chose to forgot them?", Sylvia asked.

Shrugging her shoulders Mantisha replied, "Manners are for outsiders, we don't need to bound ourselves tight in front of our family. Right Uncle?"

Sylvia rolled her eyes, while Adi laughed out loud. "Yes, no need to be such courteous in front of us. We are a family after all."

Mantisha also gave a curt nod to him as she hurried to finish her sandwich. She gulped down the juice as fast as she could.

"Mom, I need to go now. My papers have to be submitted today. Besides, I have to go to the shopping mall, then a quick visit to the Salón... Aaaarrrgghhh... My head is already aching by the thought of it. I have so much to do today."

She made a playfully pitiful face as Adi laughed out loud again. 'Finally, this house became like a proper a home. It becomes so lively after they stepped in here', he thought as he gave a doting look to Mantisha, then his gaze moved to Sylvia. A warm smile formed at the corner of his lips. He felt that his life became full. So full that he was getting scared, if he'd loose it again, he would not stand it. He world would fall apart. 'I won't let that happen. I would protect them with all my might' He swore to himself.

"Bye..." Mantisha spinned off from the chair, and started to run.

"No need to rush, cross the roads carefully." Sylvia almost screamed behind her, while Adi sincerely asked her to take one of his cars.

"No need Uncle, I'll take the bus. The stop is just two blocks away anyway." Mantisha shot a flying kiss towards her mom, bid a 'bye' gesture towards Adi, and fled from the scene.

Adi didn't say anything. He understood her. She was too kind hearted to bother people around her. She might not accept him totally, she needed time, and he would gladly obliged to give that to her.

His heart ached, if everything went properly from the start, today Mantisha would be his daughter. His own flesh and blood. Neither she'd be so distant to him, nor would he allow her to be so cautious on each step. But now, he was still glad that finally destiny brought them to him. He got close to Sylvia again, as they brought sunshine to his dull, boring, and monotonous life.

No, he wouldn't be like that ex husband of Sylvia. He'd give them everything he got, everything he possessed. The ultimate protection, the ultimate care and the recognition that Sylvia deserved.

They had the rest of their breakfast in harmony. Sylvia's gentle laugh reverberated into the dinning hall. The servants and the attendants also became happy to see their master smiling so peacefully after so long.

After crossing the main gate, Mantisha sighed. Her eyes turned gloomy instantly, yet she had a kind smile on her face. But that contained disappointment, sorrow and longing.

"Yes, we are a family now, after all!".

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Hey folks, I am your happy-go-lucky author. Let's make an introduction. Reading and writing have always been my passion. But I always wrote into my native language, and that's also short stories, essays, and poems. This is my first Novel, getting out from my comfort zone, for the first time I'm writing it in English. I really am super nervous. I would be grateful if you don't mind my mistakes and send your supports to me.

Please stick with me if the first few chapters are a little boring. I'm just trying to get everything settled before the encounter of the main leads. Also I want you to know the pasts and presents of them, so that you can understand them and their decisions better.

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Feel free to share your ideas with me, and please correct me if I'm wrong anywhere. Your comments, votes will cheer me up. Thank you. Happy reading. :)