#06 Who is that?

Father told me to eat lots mainly because my fiance loves strong women.

Firstly, I don't even know who my fiance is. Secondly, why did father arrange us to be together knowing his type of woman is not me?

I had so many questions to ask, but if I talk any more, I will get into trouble. That is enough of an explanation to why I never said 'no' to my father.

"I will, father."

"Do not talk while you eat," says the person who is talking while eating right now.

After dinner, I bid my parents goodnight before returning to my room. I took a warm showere before heading to bed for the night.

'I wonder if we're having turkey meat for breakfast tomorrow.'

I couldn't care less about breakfast since I never get to eat what I want whenever father is here.

Before long, my eyelids shut on their own will, and my mind was brought into a dream. Maybe it's because father just came back, so it's quite a different environment than usual, which I have not gotten used to.

The next morning, I could smell something roasted, even from my bedroom so far away from the kitchen. Are we really eating turkey meat?

Despite not going to school, I still have to change into a nice dress for my father. I took a quick shower and washed my sleeping face. While I was at it, I recalled the boys in class talking about their types.

"As long as she's a beauty with a good personality, it'll be good enough for a failure like me. What about you, Eric?"

"Me? Hmm... I like strong women, I guess...?"

Well, I guess there are a lot of guys out there who love strong women. Of course, I would like to be a strong woman too, so I can stay single forever, without needing anyone's help in living.

As soon as I was done showering, I dressed up myself in a nice dress, and tied my hair up into a tidy bun after blowing my hair dry with a hair dryer. It's been a while since I last tied my hair seriously, so it looked weird when I was looking at myself in the mirror.

Anyway, has my sister woken up yet? I hope I do not have to bang the door madly like how I usually do. Mum will get angry.

I knocked on my sister's room door and surprisingly, she was just done styling her hair. We went to the dining room for breakfast together.

I would be lying if I said I was not surprised to see pancakes served on the table.... with turkey meat as the side dish.

"Good morning, father. Good morning, mum." Andrea and I greeted them before taking our seats.

I did not eat the turkey because I feel it's weird to eat it with pancakes. Thanks to my father being here, my sister did not tease me about being as flat as pancakes.

"Didn't father say before he dislikes pancakes?" I asked out of curiosity. My mum made a sharp glare at me, as if she was angry at what I said.

"Your father insisted on having pancakes this morning because he remembered you loved them."

I was embarrassed for a little, and then father spoke to me.

"Do you want to go to school?"

I was shocked when I heard his question. I wanted to say 'yes', but my mum budged in.

"Patrick, you were the one who said to not let her go. What now? Did you change your mind?"

As usual, father did not respond.

"Father..." I decided to talk my thoughts out. "I would like to go to school, if you would allow me to."

It took quite some time before he nodded his head. I assumed it's a 'yes' by that action. However, my mum looked somehow displeased.

"Amanda, be thankful you have a father like him." She said as she took a sip of coffee.

"Yes, mum." I replied and resumed eating.

Meanwhile, Andrea has just finished the pancakes and ate some turkey. Father realized I didn't have some, so he passed me a plate of turkey meat, indicating to me to eat it.

"Oh, no, it's fine. I'm full." I rejected it and he took the plate away.

I brought my empty plate to the sink for the maid to wash.

"Thank you for always washing the dishes." I never forget to thank the maid before leaving the kitchen.

I went to my room to get my stationery set. It's about time for Mr. Anderson to come, so I guess I'll wait for him in the study room, or so I thought. When I was about to go to the study room, my father knocked on the door.

"Amanda." I opened the door to hear what he wanted to talk about. "You can go to school today, but in one condition."

"Do not interact with Eric Frederick."

My eyes widened when he said that.

"How is that possible? You know we have group work that requires communications."

"I already told the school to switch him to another class."

Without further ado, I changed into my school attire.

'Hmm... Let's go for a ponytail today.'

I packed my phone into my school bag, and waited for Alice at the door. "Alice, I'm ready!"

"Just a moment, Miss." Alice took the car keys from the top of the shelf and opened the car doors for me to enter. She started the car engine and turned on the air conditioner, so I wouldn't pass out from the heat since it's summer. It did not take long before my school's signboard was in sight, Calnan Academy.

I got out of the car in front of the school gate. I did not forget to thank Alice for sending me here before she drove away. "It's my duty, Miss. Have fun in school."

Finally, I'm back. Well, it's not that long, though. Just... two days? No, it's actually only one day. I wonder which class Eric was switched to. Poor him, switching to another class because of me.

I took out my phone to check if anyone texted me, and just as I was about to do so, Eric texted me.

Ding!

His name was not shown since he was deleted from my contacts, but I could recognize by just looking at his profile picture.

"Heard you're finally back?"

"Yea. Heard you switched classes?"

"...No?"

Wait, what? Was what father said untrue? Did he purposely say that just to make me feel bad?

Suddenly, I heard a woman's voice coming from behind.

"Persistent."

I turned around to find the owner of the voice. There, I saw a woman walking towards a familiar car that was stopping in front of the school gate.

I squeezed my eyes so I could see the plate number of the car clearer.

"Isn't that..."

"Frederick."

I turned around to see whose voice was that, and was surprised to see Eric. So that car belongs to the Frederick clan? No wonder it's familiar. But how is it familiar? I don't remember visiting them before, and it's not like I've seen Eric ever come down from that car?

"She called me persistent. Great."

I couldn't care less about the smug he had on his face because I had something on mind.