On Wednesday, I had plans to take Amalia out for dinner.

If she wasn't at the parlour, she'd been cooped up at home with her sister. Who was now better.

But my girl needed a change of scenery and an evening out. She was meeting me at Delgado's at closing time and I couldn't wait to see her again.

Amalia loved the coffee from the street cart that set up shop a few stores down, so I got her an ice latte and went back to the gallery to wait.

I'd barely put the coffee down on the counter when the door opened and closed, letting in a chill.

I turned around and found Marnie standing there with her black coat and scarf on. She must have just come from work because she was wearing her usual pencil skirt and charcoal blouse underneath the coat.

"Thought I'd come and see what stole you from our serene work environment," she pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose and peered around. "Can't imagine why this place holds appeal over our tiny cubicle that lacks natural lighting, smells like body odour and has people like Thomas on the loose."

"You sound a bit jealous," I laughed.

I knew that she was thinking about the fact I got to work in a bright open space with no one else around me apart from customers.

She lightly laughed, which shocked the hell out of me. I didn't react though. "No suit and tie huh?"

The benefit of working in a more casual environment, was more casual clothing. Today it was a grey long sleeve V neck, fitted black jeans with shreds and timbs.

"I don't mind a suit and tie but this is definitely better."

"I'm going to buy a painting."

I blinked. "Uh, alright. What painting?"

"I don't know," she started to wander around with her chin in her hand, calculating the art work on the walls. "Something that isn't on display. Something that has never been seen to the public."

"Elias is a brilliant painter," I stood next to her. "But he's not Picasso. Relax."

She stared up at me with a no nonsense expression. "Never. Been. Seen."

She was an odd individual. But I sighed and turned around to head out back.

When I pushed open the office door, my mouth fell open and I stared in disbelief because Kiara - Marnie's sister - was sitting on the edge of the desk in nothing but her bra and underwear.

"What the f—"

"Max?!" She stood up straight, panic all over her face. She tried to cover up but it was futile. "Wha—"

"What's—"

"I didn't know you'd be here."

I kept my eyes above her shoulders but my head was in a shambles. "You're not here for me, right?"

Her eyes bulged. "No! Oh my goodness. No. No. No. I'm so sorry. I tho—"

The door swung open further and I turned around to find Elias behind me.

He looked at Kiara and then he looked at me and his face turned red. "What the fuck is going on in here?! What are you doing with her?!"

I stammered over my words. "I— she— I'm—"

"Elias—" Kiara looked like she was going to pass out with panic.

Marnie poked her head through the door.

Her bored stare went from Elias, to her sister and then landed on me. "Are you sleeping with my sister?"

"No!" Kiara and I both shouted while Elias practically growled.

Elias gripped a fistful of my shirt. "Explain yourself!"

"Elias!" Kiara panicked.

He turned his furious glare on her. "Why are you with him?! In your underwear!? Who is this little gothic woman?!"

Marnie scowled at him.

It was starting to seem like Elias might punch me in the face. "I don't know what's happening!" I held up my hands in defence.

As if things couldn't get more complicated, Amalia walked in.

The office felt claustrophobic. Her expression became more confused with each piece of the situation she took in.

She saw Kiara in her underwear.

She saw her Dad with a look of murderous rage.

She saw the collar of my shirt being held by her murderous father.

She saw Marnie in the corner with her arms folded and mild amusement in her expression.

"Uh, what the hell is happening in here?"

Elias' grip tightened. "I would also like to know!"

"I think it's obvious," Marnie drawled, standing up straighter. "Kiara and this Spanish silver fox are dating. She was here to surprise him for a little backroom bang. Max came in here while I was out there and Elias followed and it's all blown far out of proportion from that moment on."

She squeezed between Elias and I so he had to drop his hold. He watched her with confusion as she slipped out of the office door and called goodbye.

"Call me, Kiara."

Kiara nervously laughed. "O-okay, sure Marnie."

"That was your sister?" Elias pointed over his shoulder and attempted to hide his surprise when Kiara nodded. 

It was the sort of thing you would never guess. Kiara had dark skin and taller height. Marnie was the total opposite.

"Papá," Amalia folded her arms and gestured at Kiara. "Who is this?"

Elias swallowed. After all of that macho intimidation, he'd dropped the scare tactics and now appeared nervous.

He slipped his hands into his pockets and I subtly looked for a towel or a blanket or a coat, anything that Kiara could put on because she looked as mortified as I was.

"Kiara," Elias gestured between them. The air felt thick and it had nothing to do with how many people were crammed into this small space. "This is Amalia. My daughter. Amalia, this is Kiara. We're — in a relationship."

Amalia's entire face fell. It was brutal. Her cheeks relaxed, her brows pulled, her lids fluttered with fast half closed blinks as if she was attempting to catch her own thoughts before they slipped past.

She was hurt.

Amalia and I sat in my apartment later that night. She was curled up with a hot chocolate, legs under her bum.

She'd tried to convince me she would be fine going out for our dinner date. But the fact that she kept crying, made me believe otherwise.

It wasn't huge, leave you breathless, snot everywhere tears. It was a light sob and a glistening gaze.

She'd taken it hard. The fact that her father was dating again. I was surprised at her reaction. Amalia took everything in stride. She's got a positive attitude and infectious smile.

"Hey," I sat down beside her after I'd changed into a pair of sweats and pulled her in close. She immediately rested her head on my shoulder. "I'm here if you want to talk about it."

She sipped on her hot chocolate. "I'm sorry for ruining the evening. I know we were going out for dinner. Knowing you, it would have been perfect."

"I dunno," I kissed the top of her head, just to feel her soft hair and inhale her sweet spice scent. "I couldn't cuddle you like this at a restaurant."

She lightly laughed. "Perfect."

It was quiet for a while. The sun had set and Queen played on the turntable. I knew she loved Marvin Gaye but I also knew it reminded her of her father.

So I went with the safer option and felt my heart squeeze when she smiled and said she loves Queen.

"Do you think I'm being a brat?" She asked, putting her empty cup on the floor beside the sofa.

Afterwards, she turned herself into me and snuggled against my chest. Like she wanted to get closer than possible. I wanted that too.

"Of course not," my fingers ran up and down her arm. "Why would I think that?"

"My dad is an adult. I don't have the right to pack a tantrum because he's dating someone."

She sounded as if she was trying to convince herself.

"You're allowed to feel upset," I chose my wording carefully. This was still her father, even if she was upset with him. "He kept it a secret. That's what's bothering you, right?"

"Yeah that's the worst part. But I think I'm also . . . worried. My Dad hasn't dated since he left Mom. And he loves passionately. That's the thing. Like, I'm just scared of him getting hurt. I had to watch him go through things that I'll never be able to forget. And— I just couldn't—"

"Hey," I softly interrupted her, running my fingers through her hair as I rested my chin on top of her head. "I get it. It's a shock and it's hard. I can't make you feel better about it, but I can tell you that I know Kiara. And she is a really, really great woman. She's bubbly and happy and she never stops smiling - today was the exception - but I kind of can't imagine someone better with your Dad."

She was quiet for a little while. My fingers continued to run through her soft strands and for a minute, I thought she'd drifted off to sleep. But then she sighed.

"I trust your opinion. And I'm glad that she's great. I'm just— I'm hung up on Dad keeping it from me. I shouldn't be. He's an adult. He's allowed to have privacy. I can't help it though. I'm just hurt right now."

"There's nothing wrong with taking a bit of time to get through it," I kissed her head and smiled when she practically shuffled herself onto my lap. She fit so well. Curled up and snug. "What would one of your books advise about this situation?"

She deliberated for a moment. "There's strength in empathy. There's strength in forgiveness. There's loss in pride and there's loss in stubbornness. Take your time in finding this knowledge, there's power in self reflection. Just remember that each second gone, is a loss."

"So basically, it's okay to lick your wounds, just don't take too long doing it?"

"Something like that," she said.

I smiled. "Who said that one?"

"Just this author, Tay."

Amalia fell asleep like that. Tucked up in a blanket, head under my chin. Cheek against my chest.

No doubt she could hear my heart beating. Feel it. I wonder if she liked it. I picked her up, bridal hold, and carried her to my bedroom.

When I looked down at her peaceful expression, lips softly parted, relaxed, I felt the overwhelming sense to protect her.

Protect her heart, her mind, her body.

I laid her down and then snuggled in behind her.

She stirred at night. Tossed and turned, kicked the blankets off. But right now, she was still and curled into me.

I felt so much peace as my lids got heavier. I decided I'd wake up early and make her breakfast. A hot coffee. Maybe some pancakes because she likes sweet breakfasts.

She could have a shower in my bathroom, she would smell like me. And then we'd go to work together, after we'd eaten our pancakes of course. Maybe I could do French toast too. It sounded so perfect.