"I'M HERE, Father. It's been a long time. I hope you're doing well," Electra greeted as she entered her dad's home office after eight years.
He sat behind his desk, engrossed in a file, not bothering to acknowledge her presence, a familiar behavior from her childhood that she had grown accustomed to—his peculiar way of expressing love.
As she stood at the door, waiting patiently, she knew better than to disturb him.
It was crucial not to say anything or even breathe too loudly; otherwise, his temper would flare, and she aimed to avoid that.
After what felt like an eternity, he finally looked up from his glasses, casually dropping the file on the table, gesturing for her to take a seat.
She settled onto the sofa, anticipating a more profound conversation after eight years of silence.
His initial inquiry about her age seemed somewhat underwhelming, but she couldn't dismiss the fact that, at the core, he cared—she was his daughter.
"I just turned twenty-six," Electra shared in response. "Last year, I graduated from law school and earned the title of attorney. Presently, I'm employed at a law firm located on the outskirts of the city," she continued, offering details voluntarily.
Somehow, she sensed he might want to know about her life; after all, he was her father.
"You went to law school and graduated?" Genuine shock played on his face upon learning about her academic achievements.
"That's good," he acknowledged, eliciting a proud smile from her. It took him twenty-six years to commend his daughter, yet the emotions that surfaced when he finally did made the extended wait worthwhile.
She felt proud of herself.
As she settled into the sofa, he shifted the conversation toward her personal life. "What about relationships? Are you seeing someone?" His inquiry brought unexpected joy, as it felt like he was asking questions in a fatherly manner.
She couldn't believe it – genuine interest from her father after eight years of silence. It made her day; internally, she wanted to scream and jump for joy.
"No, I'm not seeing someone right now. I've been concentrating on my studies and work. It's been hectic, leaving me with little time to meet new people, aside from my usual friends," she replied with a broad smile, hoping he'd appreciate her focus on studies and work rather than being entangled in romantic pursuits.
"It's good that you're single; that means you're free to get married," his response drained the color from her face as the implication became clear.
He was suggesting an arranged marriage, a common practice in the likes of their family for business.
"Ma-marriage?" she stuttered, seeking confirmation, unwilling to believe her ears.
She needed to be sure that she hadn't misheard, as she wasn't prepared for marriage, not even ready for a committed relationship.
The sudden prospect left her taken aback.
"Yes. With the second son of Cadel Group, Ryker Cadel. I'm sure you know him since he's very popular in the world of law and justice," he explained, and she felt a pang in her heart.
The news shattered the positive expectations she had harbored about their meeting, leaving her devastated.
She had hoped for a genuine connection as a father and daughter.
"Ma-marriage?" she repeated, seeking confirmation, unable to believe the sudden proposition. "Yes," he simply stated.
Closing her eyes tightly, she fought back the tears welling up.
After eight years, instead of expressing concern or catching up, he plunged into orchestrating a business transaction that would alter her life.
The disappointment was overwhelming.
"What about Neveah? Why can't she get married to this man? She's older than me and still has a long way to go. Why do I have to get married first? I'm just twenty-six, and she's already thirty.
She needs to get married first, not me," she finally mustered the courage to speak back, challenging the arranged marriage proposal that threatened to disrupt her life.
Living alone at the outskirts of the city was not something she desired during her high-school years.
When her father insisted that she move out of the main house and relocate to a condominium, she lacked the courage to voice her opposition.
Consequently, she agreed to the decision without putting up a fight. At the age of seventeen, she left the familiarity of the main house, navigating the challenges of living alone.
"Are you talking back to me? Do you think because you're an adult and earn your own money, you can talk back to me? Do you have any idea who I am? I am your father! What? Why can't Neveah get married? Why can't you get married? Neveah has done a lot for the family, and you haven't done anything. I am giving you a chance to show the family that you care about us. Are you going to prove that you care or not?" he retorted with authority, dismissing her objections.
"B-but—"
"Electra, you need to get married to this man. The fate of our family depends on this marriage. You care about the family, right? And you would do what you can to help us because you're a big part of the family, right?" he stood up from his rolling chair and walked to the sofa.
"Well... Yes, I care about the family, but..." The family hasn't asked about her whereabouts or called her in eight years, and she wasn't so sure that she was a big part of it.
That was what she wanted to say to complete her sentence, but she couldn't find the courage to express those thoughts.
"But nothing. You will get married in a month. For the meantime, you should stay here in the main house before you move into your in-laws' place. I'll have some workers help you bring your things from your place; just write down the address," he said, grabbing her hands for the first time.
It brought a smile to her face that he wanted to spend time with her before she had to change her surname to Cadel.
"Ah, no. I can get my things; it's no big deal," she said, glancing at her hands that were tightly held by him.
She knew deep down he loved her; he just wasn't the type to show it through affection.
"Okay, dear."
He called her dear? The subtle surprise and warmth that filled her heart were beyond words.
HE CALLED HER DEAR!!
Well… that was her being delusional.
Growing up all alone, Electra had found a coping mechanism that worked well for her abandonment issues.
Fooling herself into believing everyone meant well and everyone loved her, worked well in preserving her mental health, otherwise she would have committed the unthinkable.
To Electra, delulu was the solulu.
Smiling eye to eye, she nodded and stood up from the sofa, "I'll be on my way now, I'll be back before nighttime," she said and headed out of the office but bumped into her step-sister, Neveah.
"Oh my, oh my, Bonjour! Electra, It's so nice to see you again. How's your daughter?" she slurred.
Scanning her from head to toe, she was in a typical clubbing revealing outfit and was reeking of booze which translates to; she was drunk.
"My name is Electra, Not Electric, and I don't have a daughter. How have you been, Neveah? How's work?" she corrected without taking offense that her sister didn't know her name, taking into consideration that she was a little bit drunk.
"Well, you know, I've been enjoying my life. Why should I work when my family has money? Yo-you wouldn't
know what it feels like. What about you? How's work? Wait-You are working, right?" She struggled to stand straight as she spoke.
"Yes, I'm an attorney, and work is gre—" she was bragging but was cut off by one of the workers, Mrs Dubois in the house.
"Miss!" The elderly woman whispered-yelled. "Mr Cunningham must not see you like this, you must go into your room and freshen up." she scolded and pulled Neveah away, towards her room.
"Au revoir, Etcetera!" She got her name wrong again but she knew she didn't get it right because she was drunk and she was sure that by the time she moved back into the main house, she would be sober and finally, her sister could correctly call her name.
"Bye, Neveah!" she said, waving as she watched her and Mrs Dubois disappearing from the hallway.
She may be sad that her father wanted her to push her into an arranged marriage but she was happy she would be helping the family.
Delusional.