Chapter 20 Daddy's Girl
KARA’S POV
The door closes softly behind Mr. Stewheinz, but the heaviness he leaves behind lingers in the room like thick smoke. On the other hand, Mr. Lu exhales and leans back on his chair, massaging his temple as a small, strained smile appears on his face.
“Well,” he sighs, “that discussion was a failure.”
I remain silent as my hands clasped tightly in front of me.
“He didn’t agree with the new proposal,” Mr. Lu continues. “Not even a hint of consideration.”
I nod slowly, my chest still tight from Finnian’s presence moments ago. Mr. Lu looks at me then, really looks at me, like he’s measuring something invisible.
“Engr. Viancé,” he says suddenly, “do you know why I brought you here today?"
I blink, startled by the question.
“I—no, sir,” I answer honestly, shaking my head.
He lets out a small chuckle, standing up from his chair.
“I want you to understand the rotation of how business works in this field,” he explains calmly. “Negotiations, rejection, loss. What you witnessed today isn’t new to me.”
He pauses, walking toward the door before turning back, his expression more serious now.
“I’ve experienced that kind of rejection many times. More than twice.”
His eyes darken slightly as he returns to the table.
“But this loss,” he admits, tapping his fingers against the wood, “this one has a bigger impact.”
I swallow.
“You know,” he continues, lowering his voice, “Mr. Stewheinz is close to becoming a multi-billionaire. I want multiple connections with him, especially since we’re in the same field.”
He looks at me meaningfully, and suddenly my stomach drops.
“And that,” he says firmly, “is where you come in.”
And that's when my heart skips.
“Engr. Viancé,” he continues, “your new task is to make him partner with us.”
“M-Me, sir?” My eyes widen.
“I want you to make him decide,” he says plainly. “I want you to convince him to become our business partner.”
The words feel unreal, like they don’t belong in the same sentence as my name.
“B-But, sir—” I try to speak, panic creeping into my voice.
“No buts,” he cuts in gently but firmly. “I know you can do it.”
He places a hand on my shoulder as his tone is confident.
“I entrust you with this project.”
And just like that, he turns and leaves the room, leaving me standing there, frozen, with a thousand questions screaming inside my head.
I stare at the closed door as my pulse pounding violently in my ears.
How can I do this?
How can I convince the very man I desperately tried to erase from my life?
I let out a shaky breath, my hands curling into fists. Even when I run, even when I try to move forward, fate always finds a way to drag me back to him.
Back to Finnian Matthew Stewheinz.
And this time…
I don’t know if I’ll survive getting close to him again.
I carry everything with me until I reach my condo, the weight of the day clinging to my shoulders even as I kick off my heels and drop my bag by the door. The silence greets me like an old friend, familiar but heavy. I barely have time to breathe when my phone lights up. Dad's calling and a smile instantly curves on my lips.
I answer the call, my voice automatically lighter and stronger.
“Hello, Daddy!”
“Hey, kiddo,” his voice comes through the line, warm and steady, the kind that always makes me feel safe no matter how old I get.
I move to the kitchen, opening a container of food as I lean against the counter. In that moment, it hits me—I’m not the girl he used to guard so tightly anymore. I earn for myself now, I pay my own bills, and I live on my own.
I moved out even when he didn’t want me to. I remember how he frowned that day, arms crossed, and worry etched deep into his face.
"You can stay here," he had said. ‘You don’t need to rush growing up.’
But I insisted, because I wanted to grow.
Away from the wrap of his arms...
Away from depending too much on him...
Away from being the old Kara...
The crybaby and the needy little girl who always ran back to him at the slightest pain.
“Have you eaten?” he asks now, just like he always does.
I smile, opening my container.
“I was about to eat, but you called,” I tease. “Anyway, how are you?”
Our conversation flows easily and comfortably. I eat while he talks about his day, about the little things like the traffic, work, and the neighbors. It feels normal and it feels like home.
Then his voice changes.
“Kara,” he says softly, “was there ever a time you felt like I wasn’t your dad?”
My spoon freezes mid-air and my chest tightens painfully.
“What?” I whisper.
I swallow hard.
Never, not even once. Not even during the days he was too busy, too tired, too consumed trying to give me a better life. He was always there, always watching over me in his own quiet way.
“Never,” I answer firmly. “You always took good care of me.”
I pause, then force a laugh, trying to lighten the sudden heaviness.
“Wait,” I add playfully, “what was that, old man? Was that a statement from someone aging slowly?”
I hear him laugh on the other end, deep and genuine, and it makes my eyes sting.
“I’m still forty-six, kiddo,” he says. “Don’t call me old.”
I laugh too, louder than I feel, and wiping at the corner of my eye.
“I’ll call you old when you start complaining about your knees,” I joke.
After we hang up, the condo feels quieter than before. That question he asked doesn’t leave me.
That night, as I lie in bed staring at the ceiling, guilt creeps in slowly and painfully. Maybe I should visit him more, maybe once a week isn’t too much to ask.
He’s alone now and I left.
That thought consumes me. My dad isn’t getting younger and the years are catching up, even if he pretends they aren’t. I turn to my side, hugging my pillow tightly as tears slip out silently.
I miss him.
I miss his tight hugs, his strict rules, and his voice calling me by my full name when I mess up. I miss being his little girl, even if I fought so hard not to be one anymore. I cry late into the night, missing him every single day and longing for the comfort only he ever gave me.
Because no matter how strong I become, no matter how far I go, I will always love my dad and I will always be his one and only little girl in every way possible.