Alycia Reese is in her office going through the files she is supposed to bring to her next meeting which is just an hour away. As it is already evening, the upcoming meeting will be her last before calling it a day.
As she focuses on going through the contents, Kevin knocks on the door and enters once he hears her response.
"It's time to leave for the meeting, President," the private assistant informs her. "I received..." His voice trails off when Alycia receives a call.
Looking at the caller ID, Alycia Reese flashes a gentle smile and spares Kevin a glance. "Give me a minute."
With that said, Kevin Shaw slightly bows and walks out of the office as Alycia answers the call.
"Father."
General Patrick Cortez who just settles in the backseat of his car after meeting the Defence Minister, looks quite flustered when he hears his daughter. Maybe because it took so long for him and his daughter to meet again, he still hasn't gotten used to being called like that. However, hearing it indeed warms his heart and it brings a small yet genuine smile to his face.
"Are you busy?" He asks as he signals the driver to start driving.
Alycia glances at her wristwatch as she says, "I have one more meeting for today but I can spare some time. What's the matter?"
Recalling the meeting he had just wrapped up, Patrick Cortez hesitantly responds, "I got the approval for the project you proposed. All that's left is a meeting with other officers to discuss the details." He deliberately pauses before he adds, "You will also have to attend it once it is scheduled."
Alycia Reese understands why her father's voice was especially low when he said the last sentence. After all, they both know how much of a sensitive topic the military has become for the family, especially Alycia's mother.
"Will you be alright?" General Patrick quietly asks when his daughter says nothing. "I doubt you told your mother about this. She might not even agree with this."
"I plan to tell her myself," Alycia Reese responds and briefly narrows her eyes but soon forces a smile again. "It will not be easy but... I wish to go through with it no matter what." Letting another moment pass in silence, she concludes, "I will talk to her tonight."
The General is more than worried for his daughter but there is nothing he can do, like always. Now that he reconnects with his daughter, he is reminded of how useless of a father he was when he still had his family by his side. Even now after years, the fact remains and he hates it.
He is considered one of the most capable soldiers in the history of the country with a successful career and countless merits under his belt but... the price he paid for it was his family - his beloved wife and his cherished daughter.
"Don't worry too much about it, Father," Alycia Reese reassures as she manages to guess why her father cannot say anything to her. Once again, she glances at her wristwatch and rises from her seat, grabbing the file with her other hand. "I will call you after I talk with Mother. I have to go now."
Once his daughter ends the call, General Patrick slowly puts down his phone. The short phone call reminds him of the painful separation from years ago which remains the most painful wound in his heart. Yes, it never gets to be a scar because it is never healed.
Those hurtful words he heard from his now ex-wife... he still remembers them vividly. At times, it even feels like he can still hear them.
Nevertheless, he has no right to blame anyone. He does not have the right to resent his wife even after she forced him out of her life and also of their daughter's life. After all, he was the one who chose his duty until the very end.
'Choose it, Patrick! Even after all these happened, will it still be the duty and responsibility you always talked about?! Will it be that uniform or our family? Choose right now!'
These were the options his ex-wife gave him before their divorce and... his answer was evident even now. 19 years have passed and he is still wearing the uniform that Alycia's mother has grown to hate... or even dread.
* * *
After having dinner alone at home, Alycia is waiting for her mother who is yet to come home. Though her mother is usually late due to her busy schedule, the wait is especially longer for Alycia Reese that particular night. After all, the pressure that only grows as each minute passes is killing her.
Around two hours passed since Alycia finished her dinner when her mother finally came home. However, nervous as she is, she still decides to wait a little more to give her mother time to change and also rest up a bit. Then finally, she walks downstairs and enters her mother's room with an unnerving mind.
The sight of her daughter entering her room in such an hour is not that surprising for Miranda Reese because her daughter often comes to check her out after a long and busy day. Not to mention that she is busier than usual these days with the upcoming anniversary event.
"Have you had dinner?" Miranda Reese calmly asks as she knows that her daughter has a habit of skipping meals, especially when she has to eat alone.
Alycia Reese nods her head and walks closer. "I have something to tell you, Mother."
Finally, Miranda Reese senses the unusual atmosphere yet she still has no idea of what it is. Even when she observes her daughter and gives a thought, she cannot come up with anything.
Without saying a word, Miranda Reese walks toward the couches and sits down before looking at her daughter who remains standing in her place. "Come and have a seat."
Trying her best to not appear too nervous, Alycia Reese walks to her mother and takes a seat opposite her. Still, it takes her mother just a single glance to guess that it is something huge.
"Did something happen?" Miranda Reese patiently inquires when her daughter does not say anything. However, it is also not easy for her to hide her concerns. After all, her daughter rarely acts this way.
Alycia Reese thinks of how to start but... her mind goes blank. Now that the time has come, it turns out that it is much harder to bring up than she had imagined!
"Something happened," she finally mutters and looks at her mother, apprehensively. "But... it's something I did."
"What are you talking about?" Putting aside the concern and curiosity, Miranda Reese looks more than confused at the moment. She does not understand her daughter's words at all.
Something happened but it was something she did? What is her daughter trying to say?
Taking a moment to prepare herself, Alycia Reese has to summon all the courage she has yet she still feels like it is not enough. However, the fear of her mother finding it out through other sources pushes her from the interior and she ends up muttering, "I met Father."