3 Daddy's little girl

Wu dong's expression changed in split seconds from a frozen, tight frown to a warm and bright smile before laying a kiss on her soft brown curly hair. He perceived a soft baby smell of freshness on her hair. She must've already prepared for bed he sighed. He was late again. And kept his date waiting. As if she could read his thoughts, she backed away from him slightly and crossed her little arms.

"You broke your promise again...daddy" a little frown identical to his own appeared at the crown of her head.

Wu dong let out a slow laugh as he tried to pacify his date "Nie...Daddy is sorry for being late. Something unavoidable made me late tonight"

As he spoke, the memory of that psycho girl passed through his mind. He swallowed the urge to swear out.

He could feel his chest tightening at the thought. Crazy woman!

Nie pouted "I even had nanny jie style my hair just because of you! I even wore a dress!"

Wu dong grinned. Nie sounded just like a pissed off girlfriend or worse a nagging wife but the thought of that only made him grin wider. His date. He had postponed everything he had planned to do just to have one dinner night with his daughter. He had been seeing her fewer and fewer ever since saw her DingDong telecom took up a huge nationwide project and have been heading for stardom. He had been busy with daily conferences, Business meetings and trips, interviews with business blogs and articles and...the list was endless. He didn't want to think about work not now that he was with his little bundle of warm sunshine. Nothing else in the world mattered more to him right now except her. Fatherly instinct rose in his chest and He suddenly reached for her and hugged her small frame and planted another kiss on her head.

"Daddy!" she shrieked still wearing a frown. She had a ridiculously serious expression on her face.

"What? You're still mad at daddy? " Wu dong asked enjoying her expression.

She shook her head "No... nanny jie said that a lady should not be kissed without permission" Nie said with a poker face

Wu dong scratched his head in bewilderment wondering just how old Nie was now. He was sure she was Five years plus but suddenly he didn't know anymore. He was beginning to doubt her age. Sighing internally, he shook his head.They grow up so fast.

"Aren't you daddy's little girl anymore? "

Nie kept a poker face as she answered "No.. Nanny jie said I'm a little lady"

Wu dong took a mental note about what to do about nanny jie and her 'teachings'. It's about time she retired. He mused.

"Okay fine. you win. I agree. Little lady Nie, what should I do to show that daddy is sorry?" He asked playing along with her tide. To his delight she broke into a wide smile before flying into his bed and bouncing on it before grabbing a pillow behind her.

"I want to sleep here in daddy's room!" She crossed her legs and hugged a pillow. Then she looked at him wide-eyed mistily "Because... I'm afraid I won't see daddy when I wake up tomorrow morning and the day after tomorrow and... "

Wu dong's heartstrings were tugged at her statement. He worked so hard just like a bull while he kept his most important possession neglected. Nie. She was the only motivation he had left in this world and he made a solemn promise to himself that night to love and protect his baby with all his heart. He was breaking that promise without realizing it. Suddenly a thought occurred to him.

"You know what Nie? I'm not going to work tomorrow and the day after tomorrow also"

Her eyes brightened as he spoke "Really daddy! What are we going to do? "

"We can do anything you want baby. Go to the beach or go to the park or.. "

"The park! I like the park daddy. Let's go there tomorrow" Nie said puffing her chubby cheeks as she spoke

"Let's go on another date tomorrow then" Wu dong said as he got up but was cut off by another witty remark.

"Nanny Jie said that a date is between a man or a woman and if they're boyfriend and girlfriend" she informed him

Wu dong :"..."

He was shattered internally. That's it! Nanny jie is retiring tomorrow. She was old enough already.. almost close to 4 decades of serving the Wu household.She should concentrate more on handling the household affairs and not on feeding his baby weird things.

"Well... You're my girlfriend aren't you?" he retorted trying to cover up his initial speechlessness as he tickled her. She giggled as she replied

"Noo... I'm not your girlfriend daddy. But, I'm your daughter and your...baby" she said coyly

Wu dong: "..."

Sometimes she made him wonder how she grew up so fast. Seemed like yesterday when he had gazed at her soft fluffy pink form through the glass at the incubator unit of the hospital feeling a strange sensation in his heart wondering how a living human could be so tiny.Now five years had flown so fast but the feeling hadn't changed. It was still there.

"Daddy is going to take a shower" he announced as he walked towards the bathroom door.

"Don't take too long daddy! Remember you'd have to read to me a whole book before we sleep! I'll wait for you" She said with a serious tone to her voice

"Yes baby!" he said obediently as he closed the door like a little kitten "Won't be long!"

FIVE MINUTES LATER

Wu dong came out of the bathroom humming a tune still wearing a robe as he walked towards the closet and opened it.He was surprised Nie hadn't said anything as she heard the door open. He stole a sneak peek at her and smiled. On the bed was a small mushy figure sprawled on the covers still holding on to a pillow as she breathed softly.Her small eyes were shut tightly and her lips were pouted into a small rosebud as she slept. Her brows were still raised in a comical angle. He shook his head as he walked towards her. Slowly he extracted the pillow from her arms and arranged the covers quietly before covering her well. She didn't even stir as he adjusted her. He ruffled her hair as he snickered. Just a while ago she was ordering him not to take long and here she was already asleep! He snorted as he planted a kiss on her head and walked back to the closet. Suddenly he stopped and slowly retracted his gaze back to his daughter. Soft brown curls, brown eyes, rosebud lips, comical eyebrows...Just like Her. He was suddenly reminded of a grown vision of Nie's mother and his expression darkened deeply. Though it was only fleetingly, he still stood rooted momentarily. Suddenly as if it was a trance, it passed. Wu dong shook off the already shut out memories. Smiling a bittersweet smile he adjusted the covers again blowing a kiss towards his daughter.

"Sweet dreams little lady"

....

Qui wei turned and tossed around feeling anything far from sleepy. Finally giving up. She found her phone and unlocked it randomly flipping through her phone. She noticed some unread messages. Her heart skipped a bit as she sighted the name. Zhi Chang. She hesitated for a while before clicking on the message tab.

It read "I've tried reaching you Wei. Please let me explain to you everything. Tomorrow by 11am @ the garden park"

Qui Wei snorted and tossed the phone aside suddenly feeling like eating. She had a long day and had skipped dinner due to the subway event and all the drama made her feel full. Recalling the murderous gaze Mr shiny suit had given her sent chills down her spine. Hopefully I'd never meet him again. Never.

Sighing she reached for the bedside lamp and flicked it off before throwing the covers over a face. Only blackness remained and her breaths coming out in pairs and her grumbling stomach which kept on protesting. After listening to the systematic rhythm of her intestines for some seconds. She gave up. Tossing the covers aside. She jumped off the bed

"Even a jobless person deserves dinner at least!'' she mumbled.