After a week, Zara returned to her office. Her boss thanked and appreciated her for successfully completing the task she had been assigned.
Zara was on clouds to be praised by her superiors and dedicated herself to work. She stopped thinking about Sebastian after Paula told her not to bother about him.
"Zara, come here"
Andrew called Zara when he saw her coming from the office
"What's up dad?"
Zara sat beside her father and leaned on his shoulder lazily. She really got tired after a day's work. She had been working from home for the past four weeks and today she submitted all reports regarding the project.
"Are you tired?"
Andrew asked massaging her temples. Zara moaned at the relaxation and hummed "Hmm"
"Just quit the job already, I have a perfect match for you, you don't need to work for money, he is rich"
Andrew clicked his phone to show his picture making Zara sit up straight.
"Seriously dad, even after everything I have done and achieved, you still want me to me like a porcelain doll. Am I that unworthy to be independent in your eyes?"
Zara stood up angrily and threw her handbag on the sofa
"I didn't mean that but why work hard when you can have everything after marriage?"
Zara couldn't believe her father, she scoffed and went into her room locking the door.
"Zara, come out, I am talking to you" shouted her father.
"I am tired and wanted to sleep, please do me a favour and don't disturb me" shouted back Zara and went to the bathroom to take a shower.
After coming out of the shower she laid on the bed facing the ceiling. She called Paula and told her about her fight with Andrew
"You are living the life you wanted, don't take uncle's words to heart"
Paula soft voice brought smile on Zara's face
"I don't understand darling, why is he still believing that only marriage can give me everything I wanted?
I can have anything without marriage. In my opinion marriage can make us compromise and sacrifice somethings to maintain the relationship. Marriage is to make two people happy but now I feel that it's nothing but to collapse dreams of many people"
Zara spoke annoyed at her father's nagging
"You are right baby, only when you meet wrong person but if you meet the right person you feel marriage is the best thing in the world" said Paula chuckling.
"Not everyone can be as lucky as you darling" said Zara rolling her eyes.
They talked for an hour before Zara went out to have dinner. She saw her father sitting on the sofa in the living room watching TV. She didn't spare him a glance and walked towards kitchen where her mother is making her favourite dinner.
"Zara, sit with me, we have to talk"
Andrew spoke after spotting Zara. She clenched her fists and turned around walking towards him 'We have to talk? It should I have to say' when did he give her a chance to speak.
"If you want me to quit my job then it's better if WE don't talk"
Zara spoke in a determined tone standing in front of Andrew. Andrew sighed and pulled Zara hugging her to his chest
"I am not a heartless person, I just don't want my daughter to work hard. You are my princess" said Andrew kissing her forehead.
Zara giggled and kissed his cheek hugging him tightly
"And you are my king but dad I love my job, please don't ever ask me to quit my job"
Zara pleaded him with her puppy dog eyes. Andrew nodded his head making her jump with happiness.
"I know my dad, he is my king"
She kissed his cheek again.
"Well my princess, now look at this prince"
Andrew lifted his hand and displayed a photo on his mobile screen
"Dad!"
Zara called him in deep voice and glared at her mother who came out of the kitchen with food.
"You are twenty four, when are you going to get married?"
Andrew's voice grew stern
"Dad! Can't I just stay with you like this forever, without marriage, doing my job, living my life"
Zara knew arguing was never a good option with her father so she sat beside him and spoke softly.
"Bullshit!! Enough with this nonsense, you are going to meet him next week" said Andrew in commanding tone.
"But I planned a vacation with Paula"
Zara spoke hurriedly. She lied, they never planned a vacation but to escape this blind date she has to lie. Andrew took out his phone and called Paula immediately.
Zara fiddled with her hands anxiously praying god not to expose her lie. She hoped Paula would sense her situation and lie to her dad.
"Hello Paula!! How are you?" asked Andrew without blinking his eyes staring at Zara.
Zara cursed Paula for picking up the call. Brainless Paula, didn't you smell something fishy when you saw my dad calling you at this hour? Why did you pick the call? You better speak cautiously otherwise you are dead.
"Hello uncle! I am alright. How are you?" asked Paula furrowing her brows. Uncle never called her unless her stupid baby did something to anger him.
"What are your plans for the next week?" asked Andrew and Paula's phone buzzed.
She saw the popped up message and answered "I planned to go on a short vacation with Zara, uncle"
Paula wiped her sweat and Zara did the same when she heard her dad's question. Andrew frowned hearing her answer.
Zara gulped nervously holding her breath when she saw her dad frowning. She is dead, it's over.
"Where are you going?" asked Andrew and Zara exhaled sharply after hearing him. That's her darling, she should really take her to a vacation.
"We are going to the resort" blurred out Paula.
"Okay. Take care dear. Good night"
Andrew hung up the call.
"Where are you going Zara?"
He asked her folding his hands and Zara's face turned green in anger. Why did god give her dad super brain?
"Well! Dad!! We are going to...."
Zara stuttered unable to think of a place when Meredith sat beside Andrew feeding Zara
"Why are you hesitating to tell him about the resorts Zara?"
Meredith spoke and Zara sighed in relief.
"We are going to the resort our company invested dad"
Zara swallowed her food answering him
"Do you know about this?" asked Andrew staring at Meredith.
"Yeah! She told me yesterday"
Meredith fed Zara another spoonful and Zara blew her a kiss winking at her.
"Why didn't you tell me?" enquired Andrew.
"Enough with your questions dad, you are making us feel like we are criminals" said Zara pouting.
"Cancel the trip" said Andrew with cold voice and Zara lost her patience
"We planned this vacation months ago and you can't always say no to our plans dad" with that she took her dinner to her bedroom.
"You can arrange their blind date after she returns from her vacation"
Meredith held her husband's hand and rubbed it smoothly. Andrew nodded his head and planned the blind date.