Marigold — Chapter 23

Mari's POV

There are five things I realized after what happened.

First, kissing is an effective way to stop someone from crying.

Second, my Dad is such a pain. The moment he can no longer hear me crying, he immediately barged into my room so it's not my fault why, in his exact words, he almost had a heart attack because he saw his daughter making out with a guy.

Third, I really have a very cool mom. She was able to make Dad get out of my room by simply screaming out his full name, insert the word "fucking" in between. Though I swear Dad was acting like a silly child, stomping his feet while glaring at Z. I didn't get off his lap though. I was too drained from all the crying, plus the kiss so how can I? And I don't really want to.

Fourth, I like kissing Z. I like the feeling of his lips with mine. Heck, I like him, that's just it.

And lastly, Z is the most precious in the world.

After Dad went out of my room. He kissed me once again before making sure I get to sleep comfortably.

He promised to see me tomorrow. I wanted him to stay but he said he's afraid we might have to bring Dad to the hospital if he sleeps beside me so I kind of agreed because I was also feeling guilty.

I drank my milk and Z left after I fell asleep.

Dad was sulking the next day though. I was feeling better but still running a mild fever. I saw Dad but he just avoided my gaze, his lips pouting and he just looks so adorable. Mom said Dad barely slept. And that Dad had woken up Uncle Skyas early as five in the morning, insisting that they actually need to talk.

He was making everything seem so serious but I like it that I wasn't keeping any secrets from Dad.

"Z, in under any conditions, can no longer stay with you, alone in your room," he commanded. Latch was laughing hysterically at Dad's seriousness though. I can never take Dad seriously when his bunny eyes showing even when he is mad.

"Fine, I'll just stay in his room then," I teased and Dad chokes on his food. I bit my lower lip as I try to stop myself from laughing out loud. Mom was laughing her ass off too. It's fun to tease Dad but I love him so much.

I spent my whole day in my room and Z messaged me the entire day. During his vacant, he tried calling me but the guys were too loud, and they were teasing him so much so we just ended up messaging each other again.  I slept in between due to the medicine though and Mom also talked to me in the afternoon.

"I'm trying not to be strict to you because I trust you, baby. Z is almost my child too and I know he won't do anything that will hurt you - deliberately. But you have to remember that you two are still young and I know you both have so many things in your lists that you want to achieve," she said to me coolly. She was lying down with me on my bed and it was the weirdest conversation I had with her but I wouldn't have it any other way.

"And your Dad, you know your Dad loves you right? He's just being overly dramatic. He always camps in my room too back when we were having our secret relationship," she chuckled and I covered my ears in case Mom says something nasty. Because she does sometimes, it's horrible. I don't want to know how he and Dad had coitus or whatsoever.

"Mom, please spare me the details!" I whined and she just laughed.

"Are you two official now?"

I bit my lower lip. "Not yet Mom. We haven't really talked about it, to be honest. He wanted me to take a rest last night,"

She turned her head on my direction and saw her doll eyes that made millions of hearts flutter, especially dad's.

"Z is such a sweet man. He won't force you if you're not ready..."

I pouted a little, a thought came into mind. I've been thinking about these ever since the villa but I refused to accept that we will really go there. But since things are happening now, they might as well lay everything on the table.

"Mom, what if it doesn't work out? Z and I had been best friends for so long. What if-" I wasn't able to finish my words because it got stuck on my throat.  Because just the mere thought of it scares me. To be honest, that is one of my fears. I don't want to lose Z in the end just because things didn't work out.

"Baby, stop thinking about those 'what if's'. Think about what will make you happy now. And if you're scared, then make it work no matter what,"

"It's not that easy, Mom,"

"It's also you who's making it difficult,"

A smug smile show on her lips, as if she was sure she said something amazing. She hugged me so tight and I fell asleep in her arms.

When I woke up, it was already seven. I fixed myself and went down the stairs and I wasn't even half the stairway, I can already hear Dad reciting some weird memorandum shit. Who is he talking to?

"Curfew is at ten. It's either you go out or stay here. And you two can't stay inside Mari's room,"

"Grey, you do realize you were sneaking in inside Tokyo's room back then too, right?" I heard Aunt Max speaking.

"It's not the case right now!"

"Oh, c'mon! I can enumerate the things you did with Tokyo and -"

"I was way over twenty at that time!"

"But you were still acting like a kid then,"

"Really, Tokyo? You're not backing me up?" I heard my Dad's voice, he was starting to get upset. "What now, young Z?" My father raised his voice and I heard everyone laughing at my father's frustration.

"I will respect your rules sir," I heard Z's voice and my heart fluttered a bit. A small smile escaped on my lips.

Oh God, I just saw him last night and even talked to him earlier but why do I miss him this much?

"Thank you very much. I hate your father, by the way," my father snickered. He seemed to look at someone else because his tone actually changed. "Hyung, just remember I'm dropping honorifics once your son breaks my daughter's heart, okay?"

"Whatever floats your boat, Grey," Uncle Sky answered.

I know Dad was just panicking. Maybe because he was the youngest and people always look out for him. So now that he has someone to look over with, he's starting to really feel pressured. Plus, he loves me to death - that I know.

Unable to handle my father's antics and adorableness, I decided to show myself to them. My arms wrapped around my father's waist as I hug him from behind.

"Dad..." I cooed. I felt his body loosening up from the tense and I hugged him tighter. Everybody was sitting on the couch and only Dad was being frantic, walking back and forth.

"Why are you up? You're still sick, baby " he whispered. He wrapped his arms around me too and I saw how his face softened. My father must have been so stressed since last night. It easily shows on his face whenever he is thinking too much.

I smiled at him and hugged him tighter. "You know I love you, Dad, right? I love you and Mom, and I will always love you, and cherish you, and love you so so so much forever, right Dad?" I whispered, I looked into his eyes and pouted. I am feeling really warm and I am just so happy I have him as my father.

His eyes closed for a moment, a soft grunt escaping his lips. "I hate the fact that you got your mom's ability to make me crumble. Damn, I hate it. I hate that you have already grown up," he whispered. When he opened his eyes, I saw how it was starting to get moist.

"Dad, why are you crying?" I whisper-shouted, unable to handle my own emotion. Before I knew it, I was already crying too.

"Yah!" We heard Aunt Max screaming, her voice cracking too. "They're not yet getting married, I hate you guys, I don't want to cry!"

Dad kissed my forehead and before I knew it, he was already letting me go. He smiled at me and I kissed his cheeks. Mom just gave me a wink and soon enough, the four of them were drinking in the living room while Z and I decided to walk around the garden.

The moment we went out, he removed his jacket and put it on me to keep me warm. I was only wearing a shirt and a pair of shorts.

Before I can even say anything, he reached for my hand and engulfed me in a hug.

"It wasn't even that long since I last saw you but I missed you so much, baby..." he whispered, his right hand on my back while the other behind my head. He was hugging me so warmly; I have never felt this contented on my life.

"I missed you too..." I didn't bother hiding what I feel.

"Baby..."

"Hmmm?" I closed my eyes as I enjoy his warmth all over me. I automatically smiled the moment I realized that him calling me baby seemed so natural to both of us.

"I know I have always been just a best friend to you in the past and I don't have any plans on changing that. I realized it would be harder for you so instead, I want to add the role of being your boyfriend in your life. I can be both. I can be everything you need me to be, will that be okay with you, baby?"

My stomach just felt like Anacondas just swarmed inside it and my knees are almost shaking.

Holy Shit. Is this how loving Z feels like?

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