"Father? Are you there?"
I repeated into the phone when my father didn't reply for a few seconds. He had just left my place a while ago, and now this sudden call, yet he was silent.
What was wrong with him today? His behaviour felt a little off, even now on the call.
It must be stress from overwork. I had told him so many times to take a break, but that stubborn old man never listened when it came to work.
"Father!"
I said it again, a little louder this time. I get annoyed so easily when I don't get attention, it's frustrating.
"Ah, I'm listening. Just got some work. I'll call you later, sweetheart. Bye."
He cut the call before I could say another word. What was he thinking?
I stared at the phone screen glowing against my face before it went dark. In the blank reflection, I saw my own image: red hair messy and carelessly tied in a loose bun, strands falling around my cheeks.
"Ashhh... this old man is making me worry for nothing."
I whispered, my grip tightening on the phone until my knuckles paled.
My father is my only family. After Mom passed away, he did everything he could to make sure I never felt lonely. As an only child, he worried I'd be sad if left alone. He had a massive business empire to run, yet he always managed to carve out time for me.
I was raised like a princess. I never struggled for anything, I got whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted it. That's probably why my attitude toward others changed over time.
I became a little spoiled, a little annoying. I didn't realise it on my own; it took time... and a painful breakup with my boyfriend, or should I call him, my ex.
No one ever got openly upset with me. Maybe they were annoyed, but they never showed it in front of me, because of who my father is: one of the richest men in the country. Everyone around me acted sweet and polite.
That breakup opened my eyes to what I really needed to see.
So I stepped away from the full princess life. I didn't abandon money or hate it like in those dramatic novels, I just bought a modest apartment in a decent society and moved here to try doing things on my own.
It was hard at first. Without maids, I couldn't even manage basic chores. But slowly I got used to it. I still behave the same way most of the time, so I'm not sure if my attitude has actually improved. Still, living apart from Father has only deepened my worry about his health.
He's getting old now. I visit him every week, and he sometimes drops by my place two or three times a week.
But today I've felt a strange nervousness since morning, like something bad is about to happen. Maybe that thriller movie I watched last night left more of an effect on me than I thought.
Be-beep! Be-beep!!
I snapped out of my thoughts as the oven beep echoed through the kitchen. I turned back toward the other side of the kitchen.
"Finally!~"
A smile spread across my face as I took a step toward the oven. I had baked my very first handmade cake, and now I was finally going to taste it. I hoped, really hoped, it had turned out fine.
I tapped the display to turn off the oven, then carefully opened the door. The first thing that hit my face was a rush of intense heat, like stepping into a hot bath. Steam poured out, carrying the soft, warm smell of freshly baked bread and chocolate. My brown eyes lit up with pure excitement.
It might not seem like a big deal to anyone else, but I felt strangely proud. I had cooked something completely on my own, without once looking up a recipe online.
I slipped on the oven mitts, pulled the cake out, and nudged the oven door shut with my hip as I set the pan down on the kitchen counter.
It was still steaming hot, but my excitement overpowered any caution. I couldn't wait, I pinched off a small piece with my fingers, blew on it quickly to cool it, and popped it into my mouth.
"Aakhhh!!!"
Salty!! I spat it out instantly into the washbasin. Tears sprang to my eyes from the shock. I had only put in three teaspoons of salt... fuck!
I turned on the tap, cupped water in my hands, and rinsed my mouth thoroughly, swishing it around to chase out every trace of that awful salty taste. Then I splashed some cold water on my face, trying to cool the embarrassment burning in my cheeks.
I left the kitchen without looking back at my failure and headed straight to the living room.
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As I entered the living room, the sound of the TV echoed through the space. Looks like I forgot to turn it off earlier. I spotted the remote lying on the coffee table in front of the couch and leaned over to grab it.
"Why the fuck would I buy a dog when I don't even have one?"
I muttered as I changed the channel. I still don't know why I even bother watching TV anymore, it always feels like stepping back ten years into the past.
My gaze drifted down to my clothes. I was wearing an oversized T-shirt and shorts, comfortable, sure, but how long had I been lounging around in the same outfit?
"BREAKING NEWS: ONE OF THE BIGGEST BUSINESS TYCOONS, THE CHAIRMAN OF KEY TECH, IS NO LONGER WITH US!"
"Huh?"
I froze in place. What the hell was that? I looked up at the TV did I hear something wrong?