The next day, Lydia didn’t roll out of bed until almost noon. It was Saturday, and she took full advantage of it. She loved sleeping in, which was one of the reasons she dreaded going to school. Thankfully, all that was left were her final exams, and then she could leave that tiresome place behind for good.
After getting dressed, she wandered into the kitchen. As she’d expected, her father was there, bustling about. On weekends, if he didn’t have urgent work, he always made a point to cook breakfast himself.
“Morning, Dad,” she chirped, sliding into a seat at the table. “Can I have pancakes, coffee, and some ice cream for breakfast, please?”
“Isn’t that a bit much?” her father replied with a warm smile, setting a plate in front of her.
“I hope not,” Lydia grinned back. “You cook so well, after all.”
“It’s about time you learned to cook for yourself, sweetheart.”
“Why bother? Ira cooks for us all week, and you handle things perfectly on weekends.”
“Don’t you want to be a good homemaker in your own house someday?”
“Not really. When I marry Max, we’ll have staff. My job will be to stay beautiful and be a loving wife. If I wash dishes, how will my hands stay soft?”
“I washed dishes once upon a time,” her father remarked, though he didn’t elaborate. His first job at a restaurant wasn’t a fond memory.
They ate in silence for a while. After finishing her delicious breakfast, Lydia left her dirty dishes on the table and started to head back to her room. But her father asked her to stay.
“I’d like to talk to you, honey,” he said quietly.
“Me too. I need a new phone. And a dress. Oh, and I booked a manicure—picked out a blue shade. It’s Max’s favorite color.”
“You know where the money is. But Lydia, I really need to talk to you,” her father repeated softly. “You’re old enough to understand…”
“Oh, my sweetie just texted me!” she squealed. “Dad, I’ll reply to him real quick, then I’m heading out with Natalie to hit the shops. By the way, I’ve got my eye on some gold earrings. Okay, gotta run. Have a great day, Dad!”
The young girl dashed out of the kitchen, leaving a pile of dishes for her father to deal with.
Lydia was in high spirits. She’d had a fantastic day with her best friend. Naturally, the main topic of conversation for the girls was Max. Lydia knew her old classmates were green with envy that such a handsome guy had chosen her. Some spiteful tongues wagged that he was only with her because their parents were planning a business deal, but she brushed it off. She knew how jealous and catty her peers could be.
Now, feeling elated, she was heading home. She spotted her father stepping out of his car and decided to go over to say hi—and maybe ask for a little more money for that phone. She’d spent more than planned today.
She took two steps and froze. Because as her father got out of the car, he helped another person step out—a beautiful young woman, whose hand he held with tenderness.
Lydia was thrown off guard. For as long as she could remember, her father had always been alone. He never dated, never went on dates—at least, not that she’d ever seen. And now…
Her confusion quickly turned to anger. What was he thinking? He’d always told her there was only one woman for him—Lydia’s mother, his wife. Sure, she’d passed away giving birth to Lydia, but still…
Without overthinking it, she marched over to her father and his “companion.”
“Hello,” she said, approaching her dad but keeping a curious, almost accusing gaze on the unfamiliar woman.
“Hey, Lydia,” her father said with a wink. “Good timing. I’d like you to meet…”
“Are you coming up with us or what?” Lydia interrupted, almost challengingly, ignoring her father and addressing the woman directly.
“If I’m invited,” the woman replied, and Lydia couldn’t help but notice she was at least twenty years younger than her father.
“Figures. She’s looking to nest in someone else’s home,” Lydia thought bitterly. “Well, we’ll see who comes out on top.”
“Let’s go up and have some tea,” her father said, opening the building door and gesturing for the women to go ahead.
Lydia pointedly overtook her father’s companion and bolted up the stairs. Normally, she took the elevator, only using the stairs when she was upset. And right now, she was definitely upset.
“So, Dad, who was that bleached blonde?” Lydia asked, spreading butter on a slice of bread.
“I already told you, her name is Vera,” her father replied. “She’s not a ‘girl,’ she’s a grown woman. And maybe…”
“What?” Lydia’s face twisted as if she’d bitten into a whole lemon—and chewed it thoroughly.
“I think I’m ready to try…”
“To empty your wallet?” she snapped.
“To build a relationship.”
“What kind of relationship, Dad? You’ve told me over and over that Mom was the only woman in your heart. That you’d love only her for the rest of your life,” her voice trembled with tears.
Her father stood up and walked over to his only daughter. He crouched down in front of her, placing a comforting hand on her knee.
“My sweet girl, your mother will always be my first true love. She passed away giving you life. But it’s been almost twenty years. I’ve felt the desire to love again. Before Vera came into my life, I didn’t even try. But now she’s here, and with her, a chance at happiness.”
“Happiness for you or for me?” Lydia pouted.
“You’re still young; you’ll find your own path. I don’t have as much time. Even though I’m not old yet, falling in love at my age isn’t easy. Won’t you support me?”
“I… I guess… but I don’t want you to be with her,” she replied.
“You don’t even know her.”
“And yet she already annoys me…”
“Don’t be childish, Lydia. For the record, I’m not exactly thrilled with your choice either…”
The young woman jumped to her feet, her eyes flashing with hurt and confusion.
“What do you mean? You don’t like my sweetie… Max? But you’re the one who introduced us!”
Her father looked uneasy and averted his gaze.
“Lydia, I have business dealings with Max’s father. We’re planning to merge our companies. But I’m not convinced his son is the right match for you. Will he love and care for you? It seems to me that boy only loves himself.”
“He does love me!” Lydia defended him. “He’s just very refined, intelligent, and reserved. Don’t speak badly of him.”
“Alright, I won’t,” her father relented. “But you have to promise to give Vera a chance too.”
Lydia didn’t respond, maintaining a stubborn, childlike silence. Her father reached out and gently wiped a tear from her cheek. This was the girl for whom he’d do anything.
“I’m going to bed,” Lydia said quietly.
“Goodnight, my joy. Sweet dreams.”
Alone in her room, Lydia texted Max: “Sweetie! Goodnight! I love you! Hugs and kisses!”
The reply came half an hour later: “Same.”