Aster Veren
Episode 248's

- Arshel

After the dinner was over, everyone immediately said goodbye as they watched the look on my face slowly change as Mr. Ian continued to tease him.

I who kept thinking and worried about my father could only step foot into my room after driving everyone away.

I don't know, when viewed from the expression of the father who was half moody, it seems that the father was worried about something. But I don't know what you're worried about. Many times I guess I did not get the answer, so I decided to meet my father.

"I hope it's not something big and it's just a job ...," I murmured as I thought of my father's concerns.

Arriving at my doorstep, I knocked on the door three times before calling my father's name.

"Dad, it's me. Can I come in?"

Silence, there was no answer I heard from inside the room. Did dad sleep?

"Dad?" Once again, I heard the voice of my father who allowed me to enter.

I slowly opened the door in front of me and closed it again when I got inside.

Then I saw my father's back looking solid with slumped shoulders showing his sadness, in his right hand I saw the picture frame that dad held and slowly dad turned to me making our gaze meet.

There was no sound coming out of my mouth when our eyes met, but judging by the look on his face, I really understand that you are very sad now. I carefully set my feet toward my father and grabbed his hands as gently as possible.

"What's the matter dad? Why do you look so sad like this?" I asked after gathering all my courage.

"I'm not sad .. maybe a little." He answered while paying attention to the picture frame in his hand that caught my attention. I see you watching our photos? Wh why?

Was it because of the conversation at dinner last night? Don't you look happy too? Even if it was just at the beginning of the conversation.

Ah I understand now, mother is long gone, grandma and grandpa too. And the only father's family left was me and uncle. Then in a few days I will get married and leave the Veren residence, is it possible that you are sad because of it?

"It feels like just yesterday I met you and spent a lot of time living in Singapore together. But now, suddenly in front of my eyes, my daughter has grown up beautiful and mature. Then in a few days my only daughter will get married. Is that fast time turning?" Said the father with a sad look staring at the photo in his hand, making puddles of tears my eyes gathered in the eye.

Hearing the father's soft-sounding speech was also sad, making me feel the sadness that father is experiencing now.

"Hiks father, should I cancel my marriage?" I don't have the power to hold back my tears anymore.

I saw that my father had turned to me and laughed lightly as he grabbed my body into his arms, "it doesn't have to be that way, I said it wasn't to shake your decision to marry Carel. I only regret our short time together. In that moment, I even had the chance to hurt your heart. I—"

"I've forgiven that, haven't I? So don't talk about it anymore." Cut me tightening my embrace.

"Haha, I'm sorry."

"... after marriage, be a good wife to your husband, do not forget me and visit often. Then, I will continue to pray for your happiness. So happy Aster." Then dad really spilled the rest of my tears that I had been holding since.

"Hwaaa father ...."

"Haha, why are you crying? I said good things for you. Look at your daughter Helen, she's so easily touched, isn't she?" Laugh before stroking my hair and returning my arms warmly.

I didn't know if my father's affection for me would be this big, even from his voice and warm treatment I could tell if he really loved me more than I knew. Whereas back then, I could only see cold and awkward treatment from her.

If you recall, it turns out that my journey and my father were so far away that I felt that my father had been living with me long before our first meeting.

"Dad don't worry, I will definitely visit father often. If need be I'll come every day to see dad." I said while looking up at my father's red bead that looked shady.

"What does father mean? You'll be lonely without me."

"Hahaha, that's right. But I also have a job that I have to finish, if you visit every day is not—"

"Dad, didn't you sign the handover letter to me and Carel?" Cut me to remind me of the agreement that Dad signed.

In the letter the father handed over his position to me as the next successor of the Veren family and Carel as his deputy. Although I wanted to make Carel the leader, but he rejected it because he thought it would be good for me and him.

Well after all I will only lead until the age of Khael meets the age of adulthood to accept the responsibility of the Veren family as the next leader. So I feel like it's not a big deal, but if I had to think about it, wouldn't I be so busy after marriage? Can I make time to visit my dad every day?

"Even though I retired, I still have some work to do. You knew? The company your father runs is not just a Veren family company. I also have my own company that I built from scratch." Obviously dad with his shitty face.

"Yes that's true but ...," my murmur made my father frown, but I didn't intend to continue my words when I saw my father was calmer than before.

I slowly wiped my tears and let out a long sigh, then hugged my father tightly while shouting "i love you" like a fool.

I hope with this I can calm father's feelings even a little. I also wouldn't be happy if Dad kept moody because I'd leave home soon after my wedding. Therefore, before that happens, I want to make some moments with my father to calm my heart.

Mom, did you also feel the way I feel now? Did Grandpa also behave like this to mom? I didn't know how my grandfather and mother felt at the time, but I seemed to understand a little of what I was afraid of. Don't worry, I'll keep looking after you even though I'm married. Trust me everything. I said in my heart still hugging my father's body that felt warm and soothing.

***

The nights after my conversation with my father passed, and the day that followed came.

Right now all the maids are so busy helping me get ready, even Hana helped me put on the wedding dress that uncle made for me. As for Mila, she was busy putting on my makeup and styling my hair.

"It's over." Their words all made me stare at my reflection in the mirror.

Seeing my figure reflected there really makes me pangling, I don't even recognize myself right now. I don't know if the ability to make up Mila has increased considerably, and again the white dress I wear also looks very beautiful despite being a little heavy on my body.

"It's over?" My father's voice surprised me, I saw my father standing in the doorway with his suit that looked fashionable and authoritative.

"Dad." I answered smilingly looking up at the father standing up, then carefully I walked up to him to receive his hand.

"My daughter is really pretty."

"Haha, of course his mother is beautiful and my father is also very handsome. Sure your daughter has to be pretty, right?" My laughter was trying to tease my father to ease a little bit of my nervousness which had honestly been bothering me a lot from last night.

"Then, we're leaving now? Carel's waiting for you downstairs." Dad's question made me nod, I also want to see Carel soon.

With careful steps I walked down the stairs with my father, attracting the attention of all the invited guests. Even the attention of Kalea, Sarah and my other friends did not escape me. They were really watching me with their sparkling eyes.

"Aster." Carel's voice caught my attention as I set foot on the last rung of the stairs. Then I saw that his right hand had been stretched out to me with a faint smile and a warm gaze that touched my heart.

I lyricized the figure of the father beside me and calmly the father nodded his head with his faint smile, making me grab Carel's hand.

From here my new journey with Carel begins. With our wedding day as the beginning.

.

.

.

End~