FADE 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.