Chapter 3 What to do in the future?

The next morning, Fiona sat down in front of me, sipping her juice. The mood was weird, and the dark clouds covering the bright morning sun could not help but dampen my spirits further. I should’ve been crying and jumping in joy! I got cute little Fiona as my daughter. I repeated that again and again. Fiona is my daughter. Fiona is my daughter. Fiona is my daughter. Fiona is my daughter. WAIT! FIONA IS MY DAUGHTER? But I’m broke? How am I supposed to take care of her? I spent the last of my savings on apples... I drew a deep breath. Fiona, what do you want to do in the future? She looked up at me. Her long, silvery hair, those big and innocent eyes, and best of all, the cheeks! The damn cheeks! I want to pinch them so bad... I want to stay with daddy. BAM. Critical hit! My heart thumped as my heartbeat rose. Bam bam bam, it felt like a blacksmith experiencing enlightenment through hammering. I stood up, losing all rationale. The chairs clattered. I reached over and pulled her into a deep embrace. Thank you, Fiona. Daddy has issues to deal with first, then we can do some activities together, okay? Okay! Fiona replied with a merry tone. I gave her a peck on the forehead. It was warm and smooth. I want these moments to last forever... I thought. Fiona then put her cup down and broke free from the hug. Daddy, I want to go back. To my world. I want my old daddy to meet my new one. That made me a tad disappointed. Guess I am just a replacement... it doesn’t matter. I already adopted her, so she is my responsibility! I’ve always wanted a daughter, but I can’t even get laid! This is a god-sent opportunity, so how can I forsake this? Daddy? Why are you so quiet? I didn’t mean it like that... Fiona said, flustered. Smart girl. Unless it meant something else. I flicked her forehead with a little bit of force. I was a little bit annoyed that I wasn’t her true father, but she still is my adorable adoptive daughter. Cuteness conquers all emotions. Silly girl. Daddy was thinking how are we going to go back to your world? Fiona furled her brows. Her apologetic face turned into a pondering one until it turned into a frown. Fiona came out of the transport array and this is where it brought me. Fiona tried to explore but got lost. So Fiona asked for help. Then those nice big brothers gave me a bottle and said it was juice. If Fiona doesn’t drink it, they won’t help me. I sighed in exasperation. It seems that child trafficking is becoming easier these days. Do all children drink random bottles given from strangers? Didn’t your old daddy tell you not to take things from strangers? I said, in a low voice, getting angrier. If I didn’t gamble to try to earn some bucks, the traffickers would have earned a couple of grand by selling her! There are so many problems with that. First, my little girl is definitely worth more than a few grand... F-Fiona thought it-t was j-juice. A-and g-gets help. I narrowed my eyes. She’s shrewd, in a dumb way. So you think it was killing two birds with one stone? Huh? She said with a blank face, as her nervousness disappeared. Succeed in achieving two things in a single action. Ah, she’s from another world. Our metaphors don’t apply. Hmm, like you tried killing two enemies with a single attack! Yeah! Exactly! Fiona said with a proud smile, her face beaming with pride as if waiting for praise. ’Hehe, look, daddy, Fiona is so smart!’ Stupid! I flicked her forehead again, having a bad premonition that this will happen a lot in the future. What if the enemies dodge? Also, their two attacks are stronger than yours! Then you’ll get injured. Fiona, listen, convenience always comes with a sacrifice. Don’t try to do two things at once because it’s easy, okay? I don’t want to see you hurt, otherwise, daddy will be sad. Fiona’s face grew solemn. I won’t let daddy be sad. Yes, yes. Come, let’s go to the park. After, daddy has to fix his issues. Okay! _______________ I piggybacked and carried Fiona as I walked to the local bank. To be honest, I dreaded coming here. To pay my father’s debt, I’d come many times asking for loans, so I could get back on my feet again. Besides, I was always face-smacked with rejection and ostracization. The looks of contempt from the employees and disgust from the consumers were humiliating. Thinking about this, I got worked up and almost shook Fiona up. I can’t be doing that. I looked at her peaceful, sleepy face lying on my shoulder. Her cheeks were rosy red and her open mouth trickled a little stream of drool down her chin. ’It doesn’t take a genius to know she’s dreaming about juice,’ I thought as I wiped her drool. Looking at the tranquil Fiona also calmed me down. It doesn’t matter if I’m humiliated anymore, because now I have a daughter. I won’t allow her to face the problems I did as a child! Fiona, thank you for being in my life. She stirred. Mmmmm? Did you say something, daddy? No, honey. Go back to your nap. Mm, she mumbled, as the automated door of the bank invited me in. Welcome, sir! The lady receptionist greeted. Eh? She doesn’t recognize me? Usually, she scowls first. Are you here to make a deposit or withdraw? Not the usual Here for a loan again? You’re wasting your time. Is this the legendary ’one’s temperament and looks change after going all the way?’ Do I have afterglow after getting a daughter? Thank you, Fiona, you made me feel like I did the facts of life...the bird and the bees... I’d like to request for a loan. Oh, then please wait for a minute. She walked down the hallway and into one of the rooms. I sat down on the couches and stroked Fiona’s hair gently. The fine, silky texture was pleasurable to my fingers. I think I developed some obsession towards that sensation on my fingers... That little girl with you is pretty cute. She is? Daughter. You two are both so lucky. Oh, and are you perhaps a vet? A veterinarian, interesting. It’s a profession I thought nobody would mention about me. Though I am pretty good with animals. Wait for a second, she thinks that I have afterglow and now she’s talking about animals? Could she.. she.. think I am a zoophile? ..... So is that debt collector also a warlock? His curse came true... I still recall the Damn bastard, stop running! Get over the fuck over here! Your first time will be with a fucking dog! And @#$%%*$@#$#.... That sent shivers down my spine, as thoughts spiraled across my mind. Honestly, I have more thoughts towards Fiona than a dog. Before, I mean. Now that I’m her father, it’s wrong to have thoughts on her daughter! Be a lolicon but no incest. I have some morals, ok? I looked at the receptionist and she smiled. Oh my god. Blood drained from my face. That smile felt like a scene in police dramas when an officer undercover a criminal in disguise. Why is the FBI at the bank? My criminal record... it’s going to be terrible, like my credit score. I can imagine the offender practices zoophilia, has pedophilia, and WINCEST. No, that cannot be done. Fiona cannot have a criminal as a father. But..but... the truth is there. Damnit, I gotta salvage this situation! No. I gave a cold and stern reply. It makes me seem dangerous and unapproachable. Cold and domineering. You, a lowly officer who violates privacy laws, cannot mess with me! Oh, I thought because of your strokes. You seemed like you were experienced with stroking cats. She replied, thinking. ’What a lucky girl. I want a man to stroke my hair like that. Too bad that the prince charming I dated was a scoundrel in disguise... Sigh, God bless my love life. Oh, I thought because of YOUR STOLEN GOODS. You seem like you were EXPERIENCED in those areas of CRIME? I hope she is not referring to Fiona or the money... I gave a dry chuckle. Well, Mister Esber is ready to see you. Please come with me. I carried Fiona and walked down the hall. ’Geez, Fiona is dangerous. Beautiful women are dangerous! Why can’t an average guy like me get a cute daughter without FBI surveillance? Femme fatale victims, my heart grieves with you... Anyways, it’s Mister Esber again. My last few visits were all in vain because of this man. A stern, straightforward middle-aged man. In addition, his daughter wanted to cut off ties with him... Sucks to be you! Fiona will always be by my side. I’ll leave you to Mister Esber’s care. Except when Miss FBI agent is here. *swearts profusely*