At Chua's Mansion…


  It was quite lively today in the Chua Family Mansion. Everyone was occupied with something as if a big occasion was about to happen.

  After receiving the news that Master Jack would be discharged from the hospital today, every helper: the family chief, the maids, the butlers, and others had become busy cleaning, arranging, and decorating the house.

  Kenzie and Daryl wanted to give her father a welcome party, congratulating him for his fast recovery. It had been so difficult for the Chua household when their patriarch got sick.

  But this time, they felt relieved since Master Jack completely recovered after undergoing brain surgery for his tumor.

  This was also a joyous occasion since his temporary amnesia had been cured. Those dark moments in the Chua Mansion were long gone.

  More happy days were coming to them. Good things kept on happening. Kenzie was pregnant and now her father was coming home. Many things were to be celebrated today!

  Daryl and Kenzie fetched her Dad in the hospital. He had no idea about the surprise welcome party they organized for him. Only close family friends were joining the Chua Family in welcoming him.

  It was just a simple gathering during lunchtime. But that simple gathering was not really simple at all, since it looked like there was a big feast.

  The Chef prepared lots of food for everyone, having three to five main courses, not including the desserts.

  When they were near the mansion, Daryl sent a message to the head butler that they were coming.

  The car stopped at the main entrance of the mansion. Daryl stepped out of the car first to open the door for Kenzie and his father-in-law.

  Jack paused for a moment, taking a deep breath while peering at his surroundings. He felt like it had been so long that he didn't come home but the environment and surroundings were still the same.

  Kenzie and Daryl also stopped, just standing next to Jack. They were waiting for him. They could see the surreal expression on his face as if he couldn't believe that he was back… back to their home.

  Kenzie's father felt blissful and grateful today. He thought he would never survive nor recover from his illness.

  He had already prepared and conditioned himself that he might die. But God was always good, giving him another chance to live longer and be with his daughter.

  Soon, he would also become a grandfather. This was something he would look forward to every day.

  He took another deep sigh after he was done assessing his surroundings. 'Indeed, there was no place like home.'

  His lips curled up into a faint smile, his face glowing with happiness as he darted his gaze back and forth between Kenzie and Daryl.

  Kenzie extended her right hand to her father as if inviting him to go inside with her. Her father nodded at her with a gentle smile before accepting her hand.

  After a few seconds, the three of them started walking towards the entrance door of the mansion.

  They walked side by side. Kenzie was on the right side of her father, holding her left hand while Daryl was following them behind.

  They just reached the door when her father took a pause again. Kenzie and Daryl also came to halt, giving him a questioning gaze.

  "Why, Dad? Is there something wrong?" Kenzie asked her father with a worried look on her face.

  "Hmm, I just noticed… Why is no one welcoming us? I can't see any people around the mansion? Did they quit their job?"

  Jack asked them curiously as he didn't see any helpers since they arrived. He felt like the mansion was too quiet and empty today. He was used to seeing their head butler at the entrance door.

  Kenzie tried her best to hold her laughter. She simply glanced at her husband. They exchanged meaningful gazes at each other.

  No one was welcoming them because they gave them instructions to hide in the dining hall. Everyone was gathered there to surprise Kenzie's father.

  "Dad, we forgot to tell you. They are on leave today. I asked them to take a day off for working hard for the past few months," Daryl said as an alibi.

  He smiled sheepishly at his father-in-law while scratching his face. He hoped Jack would buy it.

  'Eh, did he sense already that we prepared something for him?' Daryl pondered to himself.

  Jack Chua just nodded his head. It seemed that he believed his words. However, Kenzie and Daryl had noticed the gleam of sadness in his eyes.

  It seemed that he was sad because even the helpers were not there to welcome him. Daryl and Kenzie fought the urge to laugh after seeing the dejected look on her father's face.

  Soon, they continued walking inside the mansion. Upon reaching the entrance of the dining hall, loud cheers and falling confetti welcomed them.

  "Welcome Home!!!" The people yelled in unison.

  Jack was stunned for a moment, a look of surprise spread across his face. He didn't expect to see everyone, including their close family friends, to be there, welcoming him.

  Daryl and Kenzie could no longer hold their laughter. They succeeded in surprising her father.

  "Dad, welcome home. Everyone here missed you so much. We are so happy about your fast recovery. You are a strong man. I admired you for that. Thank you, Dad, for not giving up and for fighting with us! We won in this battle, Dad!" Kenzie said, getting emotional.

  She hugged her father tightly. She couldn't contain the joy in her heart.

  Meanwhile, Kenzie's father hugged her back, his eyes became teary. He really appreciated this surprise. He could feel the love from them.

  "Kenzie, my dearest princess. I should be the one thanking you. You are my source of strength, the reason why I am fighting every day. I want to live longer so that I can still watch over you. Thank you for being there for me in those difficult times of my life."

  Though this was a happy occasion, they could not stop themselves from becoming emotional.

  Even the other people inside felt touched just watching the interaction between Kenzie and her father.