The Goddess of Don Pablo
Chapter 40: The Encounter..

Marlon opened the car door. He smiled as the girl got out of the car. Then blink one eye at a hotel guard standing right in front of the lobby.

The hotel guard served Maria. He took the girl to the restaurant. They take the elevator to the rooftop or the highest part of the hotel.

A man in a collared black shirt and in a hat and wearing sunglasses had been waiting. His face looked much younger than his actual age. He had prepared himself before. The drug has been covered with hair paint in line with the original hair color. The man also shaved off his beard and beard. Only small shaved hair remains. He was the only visitor to the restaurant that morning.

He chose a spot in the outdoor. By the pool. He seems to have finished his breakfast the next morning. The hotel maid took Maria to where the man was sitting.The man sat back to the entrance of Maria at this time. Maria's heart began to beat. Looking at the silhouette of the back of the man who was slowly getting closer to him.

"Excuse me, sir.." said the hotel maid. The man looked towards the voice. He saw a hotel maid with a very beautiful young girl. The father and son looked at each other. They were silent for a while. Until the hotel maid pulled the chair and let the girl sit in front of the man.

Mary seemed to be in disbelief at his sight. Is this his father ? her face and appearance were much younger than the woman's shadow. It looked more stylish than Maria used to remember as a child.

"Maria.kau..kau looks different now.." said the man in front of him while removing his sunglasses.

"You.I mean...Daddy also looked different from what I knew before." said Maria sounding soft and vibrating. Actually he was nervous. This was the first time he had seen the man who had made him born into the world since the last time he entered a dorm when he was a teenager. Until then he never saw her again.

" Have you had breakfast ?" the father asked but Mary did not answer, she turned her head and flicked her hand at the hotel maid. The waiter rushed to their table and gave Maria a menu.

"You choose first, son.we talk while you have breakfast.", he said.

"Chicken Cordon Bleau, French fries of large size and mineral water" she said.

"That's it, madam ?" ask the waiter to come back.

"Yes." said the woman, nodding her head and giving back the menu to the waiter.

"How are you doing now ? You're already working ?" ask her father later.

" Well, that's how. ever since I graduated and earned my computer degree, I've been working in the IT police department. Now I'm stationed at Bellarose Police." he replied flatly.

"Hm ...Daddy...and.how are you now ? Seems ...Daddy looks successful and established than ever ? " ask Mary very politely.

"Well, that's how I have my own business. A Cafe and Pub that is quite luxurious ", said the man.

"Hmm .. Are you married now ?" ask Mary softly. It was actually awkward and confused. There were many things he wanted to ask his father. But, he did not know whether this would be polite or not for their first meeting back.

" I didn't marry any woman except your mother, Maria ..and I have no children but you're the only one." said the man before her. Shortly after, the waiter approached their table and gave the ordered order. Maria nodded her head and smiled at the waiter as soon as the waiter invited her to the dish she was carrying. After that he passed and left the couple back.

"Then...What have you been doing since Daddy...I'm a hostel...?" Maria cut the chicken Cordon Bleau in front of her. He chews and enjoys every bite. He offered a plate of French fries to his father.

Maria was still chewing the chicken in her mouth. The melted mozzarella content of her bite makes her chew longer. He sipped mineral water. Then he took a deep breath and said :

"I've been trying to study hard since I went to college until I got my IT degree. When I was about to graduate, I actually hoped that my father would attend my graduation procession...I'm trying to find you with my IT skills...But I can't find anything about your whereabouts. I was confused looking for you.To be honest at that time I was sad.just time keeps me busy with other things...I then look for work.apply here and there that opens vacancies. That's when the police in Coveland were in need of IT personnel. Luckily, I got away and worked there. And then I transferred here.to the police department at Bellarose .. There hasn't been a year I've been here.."he said so smoothly.

"You live here alone ? You mean dad's in your apartment ?"

"Well.of course Daddy ..I'm alone in my apartment and it makes me comfortable.." replied Maria. He knew everyone always thought he was a nerd and selfish just because he lived alone. Usually girls his age, prefer to stay sharing, which is to live with a close friend or partner who makes rent per month will be cheaper because it has a sharing friend. But for Maria it was a nuisance. He is more comfortable living alone without worrying that someone will graze his life.

"Hmm.alright...You don't have a boyfriend yet ?" asked his father, smiling.

"Well..you know.I'm an IT guy in the police.I don't think there are many men who want to date women with the type like me, do I ? but for me no problem.I also feel it is not time I have a boyfriend.My work is quite a lot..it is enough to take up my time and energy.."been Mary at length.

The father smiled. He chocolates a piece of fries in the chili sauce available in a small container that is on the table.

The man felt proud, Maria can grow into a smart girl, independent, and have self-esteem. Not like most of the women in the cafe. Beautiful women who are willing to peddle their bodies for men to taste just to meet the needs of their lives.

The man knew he was not a good father. All the sins and worldly pleasures he tasted. It's just like most guys are assholes. But he felt like a lucky man to have a child like this woman before him.

"Today you have a schedule or an appointment ?" ask the father.

"No. My spare time all day." answered Mary clearly.a plate of Chicken Cordon Bleau she had spent. Now he is downing his mineral water bottle.

"Then you're done with your breakfast ? I want to invite you shopping ..near here there is a mall quite large ..." said the man. He felt guilty about not being a good father to the girl in front of him. The harshness of life has made him justify anything to be what he is today. And now when he has all the dreams of any man, he wants to make up for it all.. He'll give you whatever this girl asks. Maria. She was the only woman who meant anything in her life. The spirit that brought him to endure the rigors of life.. After the only wife he loved left him.

"Yuk...we go now...?" mary asked, rising from her seat. The father just nodded his head. He put his sunglasses back on. The hat and sunglasses had left part of his face covered and were difficult to spot.

He hugged his daughter while walking into the elevator and down to the hotel lobby.

A limousine was waiting in front of him. Just as the driver opened the passenger door, a tall and thin man came and entered the hotel lobby. He looked surprised to see a woman in a red shirt walking towards the Limousine car.Women he had only known for a few days. Maria. The woman was unaware of Thomas' whereabouts.

He seemed to walk cheerfully while smiling at the man next to him. A man who looked rich and exclusive.The man who looked full of affection and affection was embracing him so tightly.

Thomas could not see the man's face. But he looked familiar seeing it. I don't know why his heart was like burning heat looking at that scene. Jealousy as well as heartbreak suddenly came just like that.

Should the feeling come together ?

***