Zackarius's POV,
My world flies in slow motion upon seeing the man who ruined my childhood life. He's wearing a formal black suit. The reason why I experienced such a terrible childhood, the reason why I got exposed into the big society in a such a young age, and the reason why my mother ended her life is currently standing in front of me.
He got some balls to come here after what he did to me and my mother? And how did he knows that I'm here?
"Zack my son, happy birthday."
Azalea glanced at me and says, "He's uncle Zyro right?"
I didn't answer, I just remain staring at this man.
"Uncle Zyro, it's been a long time! Come here." Azalea wave her hand at my father as she was about to approach him but I suddenly spoke.
"What are you doing here?" I asked coldly, cutting his sentence.
"I'm here to greet you, Zack," he answered, curving a smile. It's disgusting.
"Quit the crap old man. I don't want to see your irritating face!" I snarled, balling my fist. I don't care about the other people around us. I don't care what they will think. This is between me and my good for nothing father.
"Zack I'm really sorry for what I've done to you," he begged, entwining his hands.
"Do you think I'll listen to whatever you'll say? I don't want to see you, get out!" I shout, clenching my jaw.
Niger motioned the guard to take him away but he suddenly dropped on his knees.
"Please Zack listen to me. I know I've done a lot of terrible things to you back then, but please give me a second chance. I promise to make it up to you. I promise I won't be an aggressive father to you anymore," he pleaded, tears are trickling down from his eyes.
"Just leave already. Do you think your sorry will make up for everything you have done?" I said coldly, holding my tears in my eyes.
"I know it's not, that's why I'm begging for a second chance Zack. I promise I won't do the mistakes I've done before, please just—"
"Get out!" I snarled as my tears drop from my eyes.
"But Zack."
"You need to get out sir." The guard dragged him out.
"Zack please talk to me!" That was his last words before they went off the restaurant.
Sobbing, I closed my eyes, covering my mouth. Why this event happened to my birthday? We were all so happy but why he suddenly appeared and talked to me like nothing happened?!
"Zack?" Azalea held my hand, which made me open my eyes. "Are you alright? Come here." She drags me towards the chair.
"Here, drink this." Clarisse handed me a glass of water which I accept.
They all went to me, looking worried. I drank the water and after that I sigh.
"Sorry about what happened awhile ago. We can now continue the celebration," I assured, flashing a smile. I hope they won't ask me different questions about that 'cause I'm not yet ready to answer those.
"Bro, are you alright?" Owen asked worriedly.
"Of course I'm alright bro," I answer, tapping his shoulder.
Owen and Ashley look at each other as they nod.
"I want to ask what happened between you and your father, but I think that question is insignificant for now. Just calm yourself first bro," Ashley mutters, tapping my head, making me chuckle.
"Yes yes I will."
"Then we'll go back to the dance floor. Come with us if you're already fine," Owen reminded, pointing at the dance floor.
"Sure!" I nodded.
Leonel arrives in front of me beside Azalea. He gave me a concern look, tapping my shoulder.
"Stop crying dude. I don't know what happened between you and your father, but come on cheer up. You're a man," he reminds, flashing a reassuring a smile.
"Thank you Leonel." I smile too.
"He's right." Maica nodded.
"I don't know what to say, but I agree with Leonel," Krystal added, making me laugh. They are really funny.
"All I can say is calm down. It takes time to forgive what he did to you," Clarisse utter, crossing her arms. She knows what happened to me and my father, since she's the one who always listening to my rants when we were in Pangasinan.
"You know what happened?" Azalea asked Clarisse. The latter nodded, glancing at me.
"If you want to know, you should ask him instead of me. Excuse me," she mutters, taking her leave. Leonel and the two girls left us too. That will leave Azalea, Trisha, Aunt and I.
"So all this time you and your father isn't in touch?" Aunt asked.
I nodded.
"I understand why," she replies. "Even me, I'm mad at him. But remember he's still your father." She tapped my shoulder, dragging her daughter away. That leaves Azalea and I alone.
Sighing, she pulls a chair in front of me. "I thought uncle Zyro was a good father to you." She sat on the chair.
"You're completely wrong. He abused me and my mother. He was the reason why I started to work in the public market at such a young age. He was the reason too why my mom ended her life," I explains everything. There's no need to hide everything to the person I love. She deserves to know my past.
"I'm sorry for experiencing that nightmare." She tighten the grip on my hand. "But if you look on the other hand, that's also the reason why you became strong."
"You're right. And I promise myself that, if one day I'll become a father, I won't do the same thing he did to us," I pointed out.
"That's right, you shouldn't hurt our future children," she whispers, making me blush. Her eyes widen too upon realizing what she blurted. "I-I mean—"
"Of course Azalea I won't."
Swallowing a lump, she says, "But are you okay with this? You should at least try to give him another chance."
"Will he really change if I give him another one?" I asked, lowering my head.
"We don't know at least we try. Zack you saw earlier how he is sorry, so perhaps there's really a chance that he'll change," she assures, rubbing my hand.
Tears are flowing out off my eyes again. Despite the hatred I felt towards him, there's still a small piece of hope in my heart that the two of us will become normal father and son.
"Shh don't cry, Zack." She grab a handkerchief, wiping the tears on my cheek.
"Thank you Aza." I hold her hand as I stood up from my seat.
"Where are you going?" she asked, standing up from her seat.
"I'll talk to him. I hope he still wants to talk," I reply.
"Will you be okay alone?" she asked worriedly, making me nod.
"Yes, tell the others that I'm going out for awhile," I answer, striding to the door.
Upon arriving outside, I grab my phone into my pocket, dialling his phone number. It took few minutes before he answer the call.
"Zack is that you?" he asked.
"Yes it's me. Come to our old house, let's talk there." After that, I end the call and put the phone into my pocket. I hope this talk will go smoothly.
Azalea's POV,
"Where's Zack?" Maica asked as soon as I went near them.
"He said he'll talk to his father," I answer. I just hope they can sort it out.
"Will he be alright?" Krystal asked.
"I don't know, but I hope he will," I reply, crossing my arms.
"Then how can we celebrate without the birthday celebrant?" Leonel ask worriedly.
I was about to answer but my phone vibrated. It's from Zack, he says, I shall end the party, since he can't feel coming anymore.
Sighing, I turn off the phone and face everyone. "Guys, Zack told me that I should end the party. He's not in the mood to continue this."
"We already expected that." Ashley nodded.
"Then we'll help you tidy up here," Owen suggested but Niger refuse.
"No, it's our restaurant. So I'll be the one to tidy this up. Just take out the foods, and the crews and I will arrange this restaurant," she explains.
"Anyways, did you know where did he go?" Krystal asked but I shook my head as an answer. "I see."
"What time is it?" I asked suddenly.
"4 in the afternoon—hey where are you going?!" Krystal shouts.
"You can all take out the foods. I'll go to the place where he will heading," I answer, opening the door wide.
"You know already?" Krystal ask, making me nod.
"Yes."
Zackarius's POV,
Once the traffic line turns red, I grab my phone from my pocket and texted Azalea. I'm not in the mood anymore to celebrate for my birthday. For now, I want to sort things out with my father.
Frantically, I shove my phone into my pocket and drove off.
After few minutes of driving, I arrive at our old house at Halayhay Cavite Philippines. The parts are already broken and plenty of grass are scattered around.
I wonder where is he living now?
Upon putting my helmet on the motor handle, a car parked in front of me. As soon as the sound went off, he went out still wearing what he is wearing earlier at the restaurant.
"Did I make you wait for too long?" he asked nonchalantly, curving a smile.
I shook my head. "No, I just arrived here."
"I see. But why do you want to meet here?" he questioned, shifting his gaze at the old house.
"To bring back memories," I answer, walking towards the house. I don't care if it's old or smells bad, I just want to travel inside. "Why are you silent? Don't you want to apologize to me?" I open the dirty wooden door.
"Zack I admit that I treated you badly back then. But now, I've come to my senses and reflect to my mistakes. It's because of me why our family is broken, it's because of me why you experienced the inequality of this world in such a young age, it's because of me too why your mom ended your wife," he mutters in a low tone. "I'll accept any punishment from you. I'm really sorry my son."
Wordlessly, I stop in front of the kitchen, spinning on my heel to face him. "When you said earlier that you'll change if I'll give you another chance, did you really mean it?"
Sobbing, he nods his head as an answer. He was not crying outside but now he is.
"Okay." I breathe in. "I'll give you another chance. Just make sure that you'll change, because if you will not do your promise, I won't talk to you anymore." I turn around, striding to the old sala. Plenty of leaves are inside.
"I promise I will! Thank you Zack!" he shouts cheerfully.
Smile curved into my lips. I've been wanting to have a good relationship with my father since I was young, I hope this will be the start.
"Just don't be annoying to me," I remind, proceeding outside the house.
"Zack I have something for you," he mutters, making me turn around to face him. "Here."
Mechanically, I look at the paper bag he's handing. "Is it really true? You bought a gift for me?"
"This is the first time I've bought you a gift. And this will be my first step to make up with you," he stated, curving a genuine smile.
Wordlessly, I accepted his gift, peeking inside. Upon seeing what's inside, my eyes widen in shock. "For real? You're giving me this?!"
"Yes, you've been keeping the same phone since you were young, I thought of buying you a knew one," he answers, nodding.
I felt the tears forming up in my eyes, that's why I immediately wipes it. He shouldn't see me cry.
"But this is E-phone 11 pro mix. As far as I know the cost of this phone is around 50k-70k, are you sure you're giving me this?" I questioned again.
He nodded.
"Thank you," I mumbled, tightening my grip on it. Happiness is drew all over my face. I couldn't hide it anymore.
"You're welcome."
"Anyways, how did you know that I was in that restaurant?" I asks nosily.
"Someone helped me track your phone," he replies.
"So that explains why. I still want to ask plenty of questions but I need to go back to talk to Azalea," I mutters, hopping on my motorcycle.
"There's no need for that, look." He pointed behind my back.
"Zack!" Azalea ran towards me, but before she could come closer, she stops to bow at my dad. "I'm sorry for meddling in your conversation, I just want to check Zack if he's okay."
"No need to apologize for, Señorita. Zack and I are done talking," he assured, making Azalea to smile.
Wordlessly, Azalea approaches me, cupping my cheeks. "Are you okay? Did you cry?"
A smile crept up on my lips, holding her hands on my cheeks. "I'm fine Azalea. Dad and I already sort the things out. And how did you get here?"
"I'm glad. And I used a bus to get here," she answers, withdrawing her hands.
"Are you two dating each other?" he asked, making the two of us blushes as we look at him.
"N-not yet," we answer in unison.
He laughed. "I see. But you two are good to each other."
Azalea and I look at each other's eyes as we both laughed. I don't oppose my father. Azalea and I are really good to each other.
***