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They have promised dreams do come true. But forget to mention that nightmares are dreams too.

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-Chapter 19--The cute little ghost -

If last night was a fiasco, just imagine today in the early morning when they have come back to their senses.

Right now, My dad was chatting with two of the guests.

One of the guests sitting on the long navy blue couch was a woman with very pretty green eyes. Her reddish hair is tied up in a high bun as little strays of curls framed her face. Her silky violet dress still looked wrinkle-free.

And the other one sitting right beside her if I guess his name correctly is Mr.Sung-ho. He seemed like a free-spirited soul, almost too friendly to a fault. It showed through his warm brown eyes that shined like a curious youngster looking for trouble and fun.

Three of his white dress shirt buttons were unbuttoned as his sleeves were rolled up his forearm neatly. His dark pantsuit has a few wrinkles on it. It's like he came back from a wild party, and was trying as much as possible to hide the fact that he lost some self-control.

Unlike my father who is freshly dressed up in a gray suit looking like he's heading straight to work after this.

Mr.Sung-ho's dark brown eyes settled on me. His dark eyebrows furrowed together as his eyes filled up with confusion and curiosity. He blinks a few times like if he was expecting me to disappear into thin air if he kept blinking.

I slowly tilted my head to the right the more he stared at me like that. My eyes never strayed away from his... Who seemed afraid to look away from mine.

Do I look so weird? Or is he still a little tipsy? Unconsciously, My fingers began to play with the hem of my sleeves.

"Dude, I think there's a little ghost in your house."He softly lets out those words as he doesn't take his wary gaze off me... Almost like he's afraid that I'll move from my spot if he does.

He probably thinks I'm a ghost because my whole outfit today consisted of white only; a large White sweater that is from Leo, white long Pj pants... And last but not least my fluffy white bunny slippers that my dad brought me three days ago.

He thinks bunnies are my favorite animal not knowing that he's getting mine and my mother's mixed up. Bunnies are my mother's favorite animal, on the other hand, mines are little blue jays.

I don't dare to tell him the truth, not wanting him to feel guilty for not even remembering my favorite animal. If he knows bunnies are my mother's favorite animal, he would burn these cute white slippers to Ashes. And probably avoided ever mentioning bunnies or anything close to sounding like it ever again.

He should have at least remembered that much about me… but who has time to think about the past.

My father and the girl with the pretty green eyes glanced at Mr.Sung-ho and then back at me. My heart almost leaped out of my ribcage when fits of laughter filled the bright living room.

"That's not a ghost, dumbass. That's my little girl," my father voiced out between laughs as he wiped the tear forming in his brown eyes away because of how hard he's laughing at his poor friend... Who still seemed bewildered by my father's response and reaction.

"Your little girl?" Mr.Sung-ho let out, as a look of confusion plastered on his face, He runs his right hand through his thick dark hair a few times as he stares into space, like if he's trying to recall something but it wasn't coming to him at all.

"Yeah, My Daughter. "My father proudly let out as a smile take over his features. An unexplainable feeling of joy bloomed inside me when he sounded so proud that I'm his daughter. My lips twitched up a little— loving this warm feeling that's expanding inside my chest. This is the first time that someone didn't feel so ashamed of me.

God, I hope this feeling lasts forever, it's nice to be loved... even if it's a little.

"When the hell did you have a daughter or even create one? If I recall you only have two sons... Damn... Am I getting so old that I can't remember her at all? Or did I hit my head somewhere hard last night and it's displaying the side effect now?" He asked that last question more to himself than to the two who were watching the poor confused guy in amusement as he drowns himself in self-doubt and worry.

He starts checking his head with his fingertips, feeling if he has any bumps on his skull. The redhead bursts out laughing again as she lightly hits Mr. Sung-ho on the shoulder playfully.

"No, my ex-wife had her. She recently died."There was a slight change in his voice when he mentioned my mother. Almost like it left a bitter taste in his mouth in mentioning her.

He even lied… It's like he wants to bury the memory of my mother forever. I don't know why but I felt a bit hurt by that... because now... Whenever he sees me he would remember my mother and the mistake she was in his life. Hopefully, I don't become one too down the line....

"Oh... You even had an ex-wife? Were you ever going to tell me? "

"No, There's no point in mentioning her... she's not important " My father mumbled out. As a soft frown took over his features.

I guess he didn't want to mention anything associated with her, either... The warm feeling in my chest that I had a few minutes ago was now gone... And now it had a bitter sensation poisoning my heart and soul.

If my stepfather never killed that man, would my father ever save me from them? Was I that insignificant to him to even be mentioned to anyone? Ms. Nancy didn't even know about my existence either... Even though they have been married for years.

Maybe, Kevin was right... If my dad cared for me —He would have at least checked up on me or sent me letters to let me know that he hasn't forgotten about me... I guess... I should have died that day in the dark dirty basement.

It seems like the redhead noticed how my mood was changing every time my father let more words out of his mouth because the fun spark twinkling in her green eyes vanished when she looked at me.

Mr.Sung-ho stood up from his seat and made himself towards me. The smell of hard alcohol still clinging faintly from his clothes.

My heart almost stopped when he stood right in front of me. He sticks out his left hand waiting for me to take it.

My eyes stilled on his outstretched hand.

’He's sober... He's sober... He's sober... He can't hurt me... Not here, I'm fine... He's sober. ’Those words repeatedly replayed in my head when my right hand timidly took his enormous one's.

He lightly squeezed it a little, forcing me to snap out of the little trance that I got trapped in. My eyes snap up to his warm ones that gleam with joy.

Why is everyone so tall around here? Do they all eat spinach? Maybe, I should start consuming some too.

He warmly smiles as he says these words that got my father to shake his head in objection." You can call me Uncle Sung or just Uncle. And if your dad gives you any trouble, just let me know and I'll kick his ass."

My eyes widened when those last words came out. For some reason, I think he isn't joking at all.

"Okay." My small response made a pretty smile appear on his unique features. This gentleman could work as an actor if he wanted to and the woman watching us quietly from the couch doesn't stay behind either.

Then I head towards the kitchen to get a glass of cold water to calm down this bitter emotion that is attacking me with no Mercy. My eyes instantly caught all three figures cooking up a storm, it was like witnessing top-notch chefs working in a five-star restaurant.

All three were working together and oddly enough it seems like they have been in this situation before. The delicious smell wafting through the air invaded my nose and subconsciously I hummed out as a small sad smile stretched out on my lips.

As memories of me sitting on a brown chair watching my mom making breakfast with a big lovely smile on her face while listening to her favorite music that she loves to listen to every morning as dad starts making his dark coffee while teasing my mother lovely playful words.... Now those are just bittersweet memories.

It never crossed my thought I'll survive to see this again in my lifetime.

I didn't dare enter the kitchen to not disturb the workflow. Instead, I seat myself at the dining table while observing them quietly from afar.

One of the three caught my eyes... He seemed like he was in the mafia, his hard eyes never melted at all, it's like he was born with that look in his honey brown eyes, his build is muscular adding to his mafia vibes instead of Mr. Sung-ho's who has a lean fit body, and a childish kind nature that radiated from him.

And as if he felt my intense stare on him, his sharp eyes snapped to me, and a flinch emitted from me, as my body almost jumped out of the seat in fright.

The first thing that fills his light brown eyes was curiosity... Then confusion kicked in seconds after.

Don't tell me he thinks I'm a ghost too... How ill do I look to look like a ghost? It seems like I would need to eat more stuff with iron to get rid of this sickly pale look.

The pretty brunette who was waiting for him to pass her the knife frowned. Then she looked up at me and she got surprised as she put her hand on her chest.

"Child, you scared me… "

"Who is she?..."The man next to her asks as he places the knife down on the cutting board.

"Roman that's Nancy's new stepdaughter... "

Ms. Nancy looked back hearing the woman's words, I ignored her sharp blue eyes as memories from last night of her slapping Kevin hard resurfaced clearly on my mind.

"What are you doing downstairs?" Ms. Nancy says as she turns around, both of the guests looked at her in confusion. Even I have a perplexed look plastered on my face.

Was I not supposed to be here... I always come down for breakfast...

"Um... I ahh..." I don't know what to say...I was too confused and a little bit scared to answer her the wrong way.

"Is she not supposed to be here? " Mr.Roman frowned as his words came out sharply. It has this accusing undertone to his tone, making the brunette next to him flinch.

"No, No it's just she always wakes up a little late... this is the first time she comes downstairs at this time. ” Ms.Nancy let out quickly.

What is she saying?... I always come downstairs at this time to eat breakfast.

"Oh," The guy frown smoothed out hearing her words. Why do I sense like he didn't believe that? But is letting it go because the poor brunette in between them looked troubled by the situation.

Are these two not on good terms? It feels like I'm watching a white serpent and an enormous lion observing each other for any missteps.

I wonder... .

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