12 Chapter 11: Misunderstood his silence

(Amy's POV)

"Are you sure you want to go home, Amy?" Troy asked me again. He probably has doubts clouding his head. I can't blame him though, because when dad called and my brother called earlier, they warned him not to take me back to the States unless they settle the mess I left.

But I'm not Amy if I won't confront the problem itself and my dad didn't raise me to run and hide from the troubles that are coming my way.

"I am certain." I replied, "love if we won't face this, then how do you think we'll be able to fix this? Troy, you know me better than I know myself now. My intuition keeps on telling me that being away from home won't resolve any matter. Also, Al and dad need help in the company."

"Maybe, it was a wrong idea to be here in the first place," as I continued, I saw his eyes dim in disappointment. But before he could say anything, I held his cheeks and resumed,

"Let me finish, okay. Maybe it was a wrong idea to be here in the first place but I didn't regret any of that. I will not regret any of my time spent with you because all of it is worth it. But maybe we should've faced it in the first place. If I didn't run away from home and talked to my parents, maybe it didn't have to come this far. Weeds removed together with its roots won't be able to grow again, and that's what we have to do. We must deal with this from its roots."

"But…" before he could continue from what he's going to say, I spoke once again.

"I need you, Troy. There's no way I would be able to face this alone."

"Alright." Helpless, he gave up refuting my wish. "But we have to talk to Uncle Young first. If he will not agree, we are not going."

I nodded in agreement.

***

After I took my shower, I changed into a floral-patterned sleeveless dress and a pair of white flats. Troy told me to come to the study room to talk to my dad and brother. He also told me that he's hoping I can't convince them to come so that I don't need to go home to the States but that's unlikely to happen.

Looking at his defeated expression, I couldn't help myself but laugh. If there were people who can dote on me so much, that would be my dad, my brother, and my man.

"Baby, from the time you went out of my room, you were still carrying that frustrated face. Aren't you afraid to get yourself a wrinkle?"

He raised his eyebrows at me, as I continued. "If you're keeping that look, I might not want you anymore," I childishly whined.

"You dare?" He threatened.

"I won't." Leaving no room for discussion.

"Finally, Amy the Great got defeated." He chuckled. "I just can't help myself worrying for you. We were just worried for you, Am. If I could give you a trouble-free path, I would willingly give it to you."

"If you gave me a trouble-free path, then I would end up like a spoiled princess."

"I would be willing to spoil you to death, my princess," he replied and winked. I just shook my head at his flirtatious response. Though I feel like this conversation will just lead to nothing, listening to his words still warms my heart. I mean, who in the world wouldn't want to be doted by their man.

I grew up being a strongminded, independent woman who wouldn't need a man by her side but after Troy pursued me to be in his life. I realized that no matter how bold or how self-reliant I was, having your soulmate to dote you until the end changes the entire story. It's not that you needed a man for you to be strong, but being with that person pushes you to be more passionate about the things you wanted to have or achieve. It's like you have found your purpose, it's like it gives you another reason to wake up in the morning.

I was snapped by my train of thought when Troy called me.

"Love, it's your dad," Troy said, gesturing me to come to his office table to talk to dad through a video call.

"Hey, dad!" I greeted. I saw my old man, with his gray hair and gray beard, almost jumped with joy to see me. But I couldn't help but not notice his wrinkled forehead, it seemed that he had a lot of burdens to carry. "You look stressed."

"You can remember now, Princess?" my old man spoke.

"Not really, dad. Just bits and pieces, but it's better than before. I felt like a blank tablet!" I complained like a small child. "What's up?"

"Hehe, it's good to hear that, princess. Well, your mom is still pestering me about the Smiths' which is giving me and your brother a hard time, our stock market continually drops." He massaged his temples. It looks like he's very stressed.

"But, my dear, don't mind us here, your brother and I can manage. You must spend your time well with Troy."

"How I cannot mind you, dad?" I protested. "I'm not an unfilial daughter who would neglect you when you needed me the most."

"B-But…" before dad could continue, I persisted talking like I always do. Well, I can't keep on talking when mom's around, but I can freely speak my heart and mind in front of dad.

"No buts, dad. Troy and I will be coming back. I will not let you and bro face it alone. You're my family, we are family and family sticks together, okay?"

"Alright…" dad gave a heavy sigh knowing that he wouldn't be able to contradict his daughter's wishes.

I shrieked in excitement and looked at Troy, who is as helpless as my dad.

"That was easy."

"Don't worry Uncle Young, I will go with Amy and see what I could help. My dad temporarily took over my position to spend it with her, I'm sure he wouldn't mind." Troy reassured my dad.

"Son, stop calling me 'Uncle Young', your family now." He corrected, "Call me, dad."

"D-dad."

"Wow, when did you two became so close?" I intruded their 'father-son' moment.

Dad: "…"

Troy: "…"

As far as I can remember, although dad doesn't comment much about my relationship with Troy I guessed that he had the same point-of-view as my mom. My mom was just more vocal than my dad, that's all.

But witnessing my dad being outspoken about Troy and mine's relationship left me speechless. I mean, I'm overjoyed that finally, he approved it, but still being dumbfounded surpassed my joy.

"Princess, I witnessed how he fought against the odds just to prove his love for you. And as I father, I wanted to see my daughter be with the man who will love her and dote on her very much. For a very long time, I was carefully observing Troy and I know that he seriously loves you so much. To be honest, I don't have a say on who will marry or not in the end, it's your own decision to make. I just want my princess to be happy." My heart was overwhelmed with warmth as I listen to what dad is saying.

All along, I misunderstood dad's silence. He was just being protective of his princess.

"Daddy…" I smiled at him through the screen and at the same time, intertwined Troy's hands. "thank you. I love you, daddy!"

"Both of you deserve to be with each other." My teary-eyed dad said before bidding goodbye to us.

I looked at Troy with a wide smile and hugged him tightly.

If there's another good thing that happened because of this incident, it would be my dad's trust in Troy.