Flora was surprised by the sudden kiss from her lecturer. Her eyes widened. So far there has only been one man who has kissed her, and now the handsome lecturer was giving her a soft kiss.
"Sorry, Flo. I just wanted to protect you," Evan said.
"Emmm. I have to go now. Maybe the dinner will be tomorrow at another time. I will come to visit you again. And one more thing, Flo. I don't mind paying your tuition fees or being your personal lecturer," Evan whispered, making Flora's fur growl. The girl did not expect that her lecturer would make several offers, including being a replacement for her ex.
Evan immediately said goodbye. The man gave time to his lovely student who was still hurt.
Until the evening, Flora had to face her father again at the dinning room. The girl felt an unpleasant aura emanating from Gerald.
"I heard Evan wanted to marry you," Gerald said in a cold tone.
"Dad. Please finish our meal first," said Deborah.
"Now is the right time, Deborah. I just wanted to know if it's true? Because Evan told me that earlier," Gerald explained. It was true that the lecturer had met him to tell about his feeling for Flora.
"Erm. Yes, Daddy. Mr. Evan said that, but I refused," Flora answered.
"Why did you refuse? It's still good that a man wants to marry a blind girl like you," said Gerald, who did not care about his daughter's hurt feelings.
"Dad. Don't say like that." Deborah tried to intervene.
"It's true, Honey. She's blind, isn't she? She can't even do anything now. Her college had to stop. And because her marriage to Tristan was canceled, we went bankrupt and that's not a small amount," the man rebuked.
Flora was silent with her head down. The girl was filled with guilt again. Her appetite was gone. Although there was not much food on the plate. Even only three quarters of the normal portion of the meal.
"Dad," said Deborah.
"Never mind. I don't want to lie anymore. Our company went bankrupt because of her fault! I can't understand why you still think so strict? Where do you think you can have sex only after marriage? That if you're dating a low class man. But this is Tristan who was your boyfriend. There are lots of girls out there waiting in line to sleep with him, and you, as his girlfriend refuse? Stupid!" Gerald cursed his own daughter again.
Indeed, from a young age, Flora was educated so hard by her father. The man wanted a son, but Flora was born. Deborah could not t get pregnant anymore because she had problems in her health of pregnancy. Gerald actually wanted to have another child. This man could not remarry another woman and if he divorced Deborah, then his inheritance rights will be lost. What's more, Gerald really loves his wife, but hates the presence of Flora.
"Honey ...." Deborah cried again at her husband's cruel words.
The woman never thought that Gerald would be mean to his own daughter. Even though Flora had given up and buried her dream of becoming a piano player for her father. Flora even deliberately forgot her last piano lesson in elementary school, so her father would acknowledge her existence.
"I refuse to sleep with Tristan because I love him very much, Dad. It is a proof of sincere love from me so that I only give my virginity when Tristan becomes my husband. I also maintain your names, Daddy and Mommy. I don't want to be labeled as a cheap girl because of course many people don't like our relationship," Flora said with teary eyes.
"Whatever. But in fact you broke up with Tristan! And now there is a man who wants to marry you. Just accept Evan," Gerald replied with a glare at her blind daughter.
Flora was silent. She knew Evan well. That was why the girl did not want to trouble her lecturer. However, she felt that her father already hated her uselessness. He just wanted to expel Flora from the house.
"I'll think about it, Dad," Flora answered quietly.
"Good. Think of the best for our family," Gerald said before taking a sip of his drink and leaving his wife and daughter at the dinning room.
"Flo, don't force yourself. You deserve to be happy," Deborah said in tender voice to her daughter. The woman hugged Flora warmly. She did not expect that the life test of her beautiful, kind, and intelligent daughter would be this heavy.
"Yes, Mom. I just don't want to trouble all of you. And I don't want to be accused of only taking advantage of Mr. Evan's kindness to our family. Mr. Evan is also has to fulfil for his life," said Flora who had already know the hard life of her teacher.
"I know, Dear. Now, don't think too much about what Daddy says, okay? Just think about yourself."
"But, Mom. After thinking about it, there's nothing wrong if I marry Mr. Evan. But maybe later it will be difficult for him," said Flora, who returned then hug her mother.
"Never mind. Even though Evan is good to you, it doesn't mean you have to force your heart and love on him. Temporarily heal your wounds first. Fix your heart before choosing a life partner," said Deborah, giving her best advice for her beloved daughter.
"Yes, Mom. You are indeed the best mother I have ever had. I am very grateful that I still have Mommy and Darcy," Flora said gratefully.
"Yeah. Mommy is also grateful to have you. Now, let's continue our dinner, okay?"
"Yes, Mom."
***
One day on the afternoon, Flora was taking a walk accompanied by Evan and Darcy. They deliberately invited Flora to go to the beach to cheer her up. Evan was the one who had this idea. As Darcy's cousin, the man relied on his cousin's information about Flora and what she liked.
"There! You two, just go on. I'll buy food over there," Darcy said while gently pushing Flora and Evan's back.
"Okay, Darcy. Don't eat too much before we get back," Evan sneered.
"It's up to me, Mr. Evan Samuel," Darcy replied while sticking out her tongue.
Flora chuckled hearing the little quarrel. The girl was comforted by the presence of Evan and Darcy.
"Come on, Flo!" Evan invited her and unexpectedly embraces Flora's hips gently.
This man pulled Flora and carried the girl towards the shore. Then Flora could feel the coldness of the water carried by the waves. Her two bare feet could now step on the beach which now she could not see its white sand.
Evan folded Flora's cane and tucked it in the back pocket of his pants. He wanted Flora to trust on him while enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of the beach. Until when they were laughing happily playing on the water, there was a disturbing sound.
"Wow. Have you just moved on, Flo?" the sound was very familiar in Flora's ears.
***