Into You

"DAPHNE TJIA, are you ready?"

Matthew Tjia buttoned his shirt sleeve. His slightly bald head looked up, his somewhat slanted eyes focused directly on his youngest daughter lying face down on the bed. Earphones plugged the ears of the girl about to enter high school. Her feet swayed to the rhythm of her iPhone, playing songs by her favorite musicians. Sometimes, he hums softly.

But did you know that I loved you?

Or were you not aware?

You're the smile on my face.

And I'm not goin' nowhere.

I'm here to make you happy.

I'm here to see you smile.

I've been wanting to tell you this for a long while

With his arms crossed with an angry expression, Matthew shook his head repeatedly. Since the beginning of the year, Matthew has diligently reminded him about the plan to commemorate the 15th anniversary of his citrus plantation. He bought new agricultural equipment to replace manual machines requiring human labor. Now everything is automated with computers. It can't be helped; other citrus plantations are slowly adapting, so Matthew must do it if he doesn't want to be left behind. Matthew is enthusiastic about this birthday, as are his two sons, Demeter and Denis. As for Daphne Tjia, she seems indifferent.

Matthew is still staring at Daphne with his mouth closed, hoping that his daughter will turn around and feel guilty that it's 7 am, still rumpled, in pajamas, and lounging around. What was Matthew's fault that his daughter didn't listen to his orders last night to set the alarm? The event will start at 10.

The watch on Matthew's wrist kept ticking, signaling the passage of time. His patience ran out. Matthew pulled the earphone cord until it was released from Daphne's ear. Now, her daughter gasped, turning her head in anger at being disturbed.

"Dad, what's wrong?" Daphne grumbled.

"Hurry up and put on that dress." Matthew pointed to a white, below-the-knee l, the long-sleeved dress he had deliberately chosen because it was the most polite. After all, Matthew was once young. He knew the contents of a man's brain when faced with the smooth skin of a woman, especially one with an innocent face.

"But that dress makes me look like a spinster," protested Daphne. "I'm a virgin, but not old."

"As long as you stay at my house, then you must follow my rules, Young Lady," replied Matthew. Daphne rolled her eyes.

"You conservative," whispered Daphne irritably.

"I don't want you to get pregnant before you finish your studies. I also don't want you to marry a man who can't work to support you." Matthew didn't mean to offend anyone, but he did refer to their neighbor's daughter, who was forced to marry an unemployed young man after becoming pregnant at 14. For God's sake, what did their parents do?

Daphne sat hugging a pillow. "But that dress will drive men away from me. Dad, I'm not Queen Victoria's lady-in-waiting. That dress is exactly what they wear."

"Why do you have to think about boys? You're only 15; it's not time to talk about boys."

"But, Dad..." However, Matthew did not accept any objections. He removed the blanket around Daphne's neck and then forced the girl to get up. "Hurry up and shower. Don't disappoint the most important person at our event."

"Who is it?"

Yes, how important was the person Matthew meant that he had to rush to welcome him? "You'll find out. Get ready quickly!"

***

The Royal Florida Orange Farm. The workers deliberately cut the tree neatly to make it beautiful to look at. Coinciding with the fruiting season, guests will be tempted by the abundance of citrus fruits that hang and are so easy to reach. According to Matthew's wish, the grass that covers the ground where the trees grow has also been trimmed short, so guests will be comfortable walking around the garden later.

Demeter and Denis fanned their chests. Matthew forced them to wear suits, shirts, and bow ties like Hollywood celebrities at the Oscars. Of course, they were hot in the hot Florida weather. They immediately giggled when Daphne appeared in a ridiculous dress.

"You look lovely, Sister," Demeter giggled.

"That's right, your beauty radiates like Beyonce combined with Shakira," Denis sneered.

"You know what, Raphael is coming," Demeter teased.

"Raph... Watson?" asked Daphne. As his two brothers nodded, her heart started to beat strangely. Daphne had a crush on Raph since the summer of two years ago. It's a shame the feelings are not reciprocated. Raph reportedly does not like women of Asian blood. Daphne Tjia is sad about it, but her love doesn't die.

"Raphale's father, Mr Arthur Watson, Daddy invited," added Denis.

"I'm sure Raph will fall in love with our little sister's incredible appearance," Demeter chuckled.

Daphne pursed her lips in disgust. As the only woman in the house after her mother died, she had to accept this treatment. Men are sometimes heartless when they joke. The dress is so annoying. Bake it in the oven like cookie dough. The ingredients are also itchy. Indeed, her father was always number one when torturing children.

"I'm going to report to child protection services. My father committed premeditated murder on his children, making me my first love."

Of course, her two brothers laughed louder. Their laughter dissipated as Matthew walked over, signaling them to come in, for the program was about to begin. Without wasting time, Demeter and Denis got up from their seats on the garden fence while Daphne fled into the middle of the orange trees. Her father calls, but Daphne hides instead.

Matthew's voice was getting softer. Daphne went further and further into the part of the garden, which consisted of young trees. Until she felt a creature crawl over his head. Daphne reached for the top of her head and screamed when she saw the orange caterpillar wriggling. Daphne threw the poor little creature in any direction while jumping up and down excitedly.

"Hey, calm down." A calming voice suddenly appeared from behind the orange tree. His voice was warm, reminiscent of a delicious sip of coffee in the morning.

"Please get rid of that disgusting creature!" Daphne screamed in panic.

"Are you angry with this noble creature?" asked the man.

Daphne looked up to find a dimpled smile that looked amused. His irises are brown. He is tall and very handsome. Too bad his brain is a little out of his mind.

"How can you call a disgusting creature a noble one?" asked Daphne irritably.

"They will grow up to be beautiful creatures that help these oranges pollinate. Without them, we can't enjoy oranges."

"Hey, stop teaching, wannabe Biology Teacher." Daphne hasn't had time to meet the man who saved her from itching from a caterpillar attack, but Daphne doesn't want to see her anymore.

Daphne looked down, observing the toe of this man's shoe. He didn't look like a teacher in Tom Ford shoes and a Dolce & Gabbana suit. On the other hand, Daphne will believe it if she admits that she replaced David Gandy on the catwalk, showing off the latest designs of famous designers.

"If you're afraid of caterpillars, why are you here instead of inside?" asked the man.

"Yeah, I..." Daphne is looking for the right words to express her father's cruelty and encourage her to do ridiculous actions. How could Daphne face Raph in such an outdated outfit? Maybe the boy will consider her an incarnation of her grandmother.

"You don't like adult shows," the man guessed before Daphne could open her mouth.

"Uh, uhm..." Daphne Tjia nodded. It's better to admit this so it doesn't appear weird.

"Don't worry. I wouldn't say I like it either. Adults are full of fakes. I prefer children. If you don't mind, you can visit my private island. I have an orphanage and a school."

"Ewww…. I don't like children either." Daphne shuddered.

The man smiled amusedly. "Why?" "They're troublesome and..."

"Daphne!" called Matthew from a distance. Daphne widened her eyes. "That's my dad. Please tell me you didn't see me." Then she ran again.

Matthew arrived breathlessly, standing right in front of the caterpillar man. "Mr. Balder?"

"Nice to meet you, Mr Tjia," said Ansel.

"What are you doing here?"

"Just having a look. Your garden is nice and well-maintained. I would love it if we could work together. I think a fertilizer produced by Shining Urea would suit your citrus trees."

"Yes, yes, of course. I am thrilled," said Matthew, forgetting his daughter momentarily. "I am also honored that you have come to fulfill our invitation as a guest of honor. I hope we can work together."