8 Chapter 8: Staying with Dad for a While

After telling dad the story of our first date, I suddenly feel tipsy from drinking flavored gin too much. Dad noticed and told me that I should stay here for the night. I agreed and dad escorted me to his room. He let me lie down on his bed and said that he will be sleeping on the couch. I insisted him to sleep beside me because I miss him too much. And the alcohol is taking control over me and I don’t know what I was saying to my dad anymore.

As I was about to sleep, he told me goodnight as he sleeps beside me and hugs me from behind. The bond between the two of us feels like it was restored. I hope the bond we have right now won’t break.

I woke up as I heard my alarm ring. I turned it off and noticed that dad wasn’t beside me. As I sat down at the edge of the bed, I felt a bit weak and noticed that it might be from the drinking last night. I went outside the room with my right hand on my right cheek and saw dad working on his laptop in the living room. He suddenly stops working, went to me, and escorted me to the dining table.

Dad: Good morning kiddo. You drank a lot last night. How are you feeling?

Freddie: I do feel a bit weak.

Dad: You’re experiencing a hangover. Is it your first time?

Freddie: Kind of. Whenever I drink, I always limit myself to like 2-5 glasses.

Dad: Well, now we know when your limit in drinking.

Freddie: I guess so.

Dad: Wait here and I’ll cook you a nice breakfast to help with your hangover.

Dad goes to the kitchen area and starts cooking breakfast for me. While waiting for him, I took my phone and texted Oliver saying, “Good morning Oliver! I hope you slept well last night. I’m still here at my dad’s because I got kind of drunk from drinking with him last night. Text me if I can come over. See you soon.” While dad was cooking, he asked me.

Dad: Did you text somebody?

Freddie: Yeah, I texted Oliver. Just checking on him. He arrived in town last night.

Dad: Why don’t you call him instead?

Freddie: It’s better to text him instead. He might be tired from his business trip.

Dad: You two are gonna see each other later?

Freddie: Yeah, we kind of miss each other, and we’re gonna hang out in his place.

Dad: So, when can I meet him?

Freddie: Maybe next week, if it’s okay for you? I just don’t want things to happen for him so suddenly.

Dad: Sure son. Just take your time.

Dad finishes cooking breakfast for me. He served me pancakes with bacon, a sunny side up on the side, and a cup of hot chocolate. He told me that the hot chocolate helps better with my hangover instead of coffee. Everything just smelled so good and I feel like that my appetite grew. I asked dad if he ate already because I noticed that he only cooked for me. He said that he already ate earlier while I was sleeping. Dad told me that he needs to get back on his work since they have a meeting in a few minutes. I agreed and told him that I will minimize my noises as much as possible. I put my phone on vibrate so that if anyone calls me, it will not make any noise while dad is at a meeting. I opened my phone and saw that Oliver replied and we started chatting while I eat breakfast.

Oliver: Good morning Freddie. How’s the feeling of having a hangover? I hope you’re doing fine.

Freddie: A bit weak, but the hot chocolate that my dad made helped. I’m still eating breakfast though.

Oliver: Same here. When you texted me, I was already cooking for myself.

Freddie: So, about later?

Oliver: You can come here anytime. But do me a favor.

Freddie: What is it?

Oliver: Rent a movie that will make us cuddle for hours and microwave popcorn. It could be any flavor of your choice.

Freddie: Sure. Does sour and cream flavored popcorn sound good?

Oliver: Add cheddar cheese flavor so that we can mix the two flavors.

Freddie: Okay. How about drinks?

Oliver: I got that covered with lime soda.

Freddie: See you later?

Oliver: See you later. Text me if you’re on your way here.

Freddie: I will. So excited for later.

Oliver: Me too.

I finished my breakfast and washed the dishes. I stayed in the living area with dad to keep him company while he works. While he was working, I told him that I’ll be going after lunch and asked if he has any requests for me to cook for our lunch. Dad said he wanted Japanese food, and since I don’t know how to cook Japanese food, we decided to have Japanese food delivered here. I looked up online if there’s any Japanese restaurant that has a delivery service. I found one and the name was KyotoMix. I just knew that they had a delivery service. I started to remember the day where Oliver and I first met. I asked dad what he wants to order as I handed my phone to him to look at their menu. As he gave back my phone, he tells me he wants tempura and California maki. I ordered on their website, input the address and the delivery time.

While waiting and dad were busy with his work, I decided to take a shower since I have extra clothes with me. I told dad that I will take a shower and asked where are his spare towels that I can use. “On the top right cabinet in the bathroom,” he answered. I went to the bathroom, took a towel from the cabinet, prepared my clothes, and locked the door behind me. I started taking a shower and started thinking that my life is starting to unveil its true colors. Ever since Oliver and I broke up, everything is just positive as ever.

I finished taking a shower, dried myself up, and wore my clothes. I went outside the bathroom and saw my dad near the window talking to someone on the phone. It must be a client so I kept quiet. I connected my phone to my wireless earphones so that I can listen to music while I read an e-book from my phone. While I was reading my phone suddenly vibrates as I received a call from the delivery guy. He told me that he’s in the lobby and asking what floor and unit number he should deliver the food to. I told him the top floor and the unit number is 1501. I prepared the money and told dad that our food has arrived.

A few minutes later, there was a knocking at the door. I looked through the peephole and it was the delivery guy with our food. I paid him and told him to keep the change as a tip.

I prepared the food on the table. KyotoMix kind of surprised me, because instead of food boxes or Styrofoam containers, it was a reusable bento box. And our food was stacked together like combined as one container that can separate. The food was also warm when we separated it. Like it was just served to us in a restaurant. Anyways, we started eating lunch and chatted a bit.

Freddie: So, how was work earlier?

Dad: Everything is on track son. Nothing to worry about.

Freddie: Talking to one of your clients earlier?

Dad: No, actually that was my secretary. I was worried because he hasn't been responding to my emails. It’s a good thing I also have his phone number, so I decided to call him and ask if he can work today.

Freddie: It’s a good thing your work environment is free of toxicity.

Dad: Is there present toxicity in your work environment?

Freddie: It’s a good thing there is no toxicity, but remember about what I said last night about me and Oliver broke up.

Dad: Want to tell me the story?

Freddie: Sure, but don’t bring it up when you get to meet Oliver.

Dad: Okay son. You have my word.

Freddie: It was another day at my internship…