Will they allow him to marry her? She a.s.sured him that she would marry him regardless they approved or not, but that's not what he sought. He wished her parents blessing.

"Why am I a wimp?" He splashed water on his face. "Why can't I be as strong and courageous as her? Why am I so weak?" He wiped his face and whisked his hands, sprinkling droplets from his arm.

"Hey! Watch it." He heard someone said behind him. He turned and saw a towering blond-haired man with a mustache, wearing a white s.h.i.+rt, brown short pants, and a pair of sneakers.

"Sorry, Sir. I didn't mean to do it." He took some paper towels from the dispenser near him and pa.s.sed it.

The man shrugged. "No worries, I'm fine. Excuse me." He went to an open cubicle to relieve himself.

Ronald left the bathroom horrified. He looked for Jenna in the crowded lobby. Jenna was sitting beside a strict face old lady as tall as her who looked like a Filipina. She has no makeup on and her dress was plain. The sides of her hair exposed the gray hairs at its root. Her eyes drooped in old age but her posture was good.

He wondered if she was her mother but they had no resemblance whatsoever. Nonetheless, he built courage in his heart to face her with his a.s.sumptions.

He bowed a little to the elder lady and extended his hand. "h.e.l.lo, Ma'am. I'm Ronald, your daughter's boyfriend."

The woman's expression softened and amazed by his supposition. She was against Jenna's speedy engagement but looking at the formally dressed cordial young man, gave partly her approval. Somehow, she had no say to this affair.

Jenna couldn't hold her laughter. "Hahaha, Oh my. Sorry." She held the lady's hand and looked at Ronald. "I couldn't believe you mistook her as my mother. This is Yaya Rosario, my nanny since I was a baby." Her gaze went to the lady. "Yaya, this is my fiance, Ronald. Isn't he handsome?"

The elderly sized him up. She glanced at the proud face of Jenna then back to Ronald's. She couldn't relate the word handsome but stayed silent. She thought of all the men courting Jenna and compared his appearance to them. She winced. For politeness sake, she spoke one word. "h.e.l.lo," and a slight touch to the extended hand.

"Sorry, Yaya Rosario. I didn't know. Nice meeting you." The nanny nodded and her attention back on Jenna. Ronald felt awkward and left out.

Suddenly, a booming male voice spoke at his back. "Jenna, where is your man?"

He turned and shocked to see the same burly man from the restroom. The man had the same astonished look. "You?"

"Ah, I'm..." Jenna interjected before Ronald could continue. "Daddy don't frighten him."

She stood between them. "Dad, this is my wonderful fiance, Ronald. Ronald, this is my great Dad."

Ronald breathed deep and stood like a soldier. "Hi, Sir." His voice squeaked.

Jenna's father and Yaya Rosario couldn't hold themselves but laugh. Jenna thought it was hilarious but held it and turned her back giggling. Shame enveloped Ronald and thought his feet would go jelly.

He covered his mouth in shame and inhaled and exhaled. "Sorry for that, Sir, welcome to the Philippines," Ronald said respectfully. He used his competent voice though shaky.

In an instant, the man got serious and eyed Ronald. He wore a pair of black slacks with a horseshoe belt buckle and a well-ironed blue Ralph Lauren signature polo s.h.i.+rt. His shoes were s.h.i.+ny black leather. The hair was burgundy black and well combed. The father then glanced at his daughter who dressed like she was at home.

He stared at the young man again, an idea perked his senses and made a self-satisfied smirk. "Oh, I thought you're the janitor back in the toilet."

Ronald was dumbfounded. He didn't notice the silly grin but his mind fixed on the humiliating remarks.

He refused to receive the words spoken. The brand of his clothes was so expensive and his pants handmade tailored for his size. He ordered his shoes from an exclusive men's shoe store where only rich men buy, the total contrast of a janitor's uniform.

Ronald wanted to retort against the insult just like the way Clyde Peres made smooth replies but his mouth clamped. His mind replayed the offensive statement.

Jenna poked his Dad's arm. "Daddy, don't insult my man. He deserved better than that."

"Well, sorry, young man. I never expected my daughter to find a fiance while she had her vacation here. Most of all, BETTER suitors are lining up back home." He gave him an unamused face while fondling his mustache.

Ronald's face paled and felt his stomach churning. Jenna opened her mouth but unexpectedly her father gave Ronald a heavy back slap. The latter thought his lungs would collapse from such a hard blow.

"Haha haha, don't take it to heart, boy. I'm joking. Just call me Arnold but the surname is not Schwarzenegger." He laughed heartily with moist eyes for he thought Ronald's reaction from the start was so funny. Ronald's face was sweating bullets and he thought he would faint.

He shook Ronald's hand and put his arm on the young man's shoulder. "Come, I'll tell you all of those guys whom you bested." Ronald hid his shaking hands to his side. Her father's grip almost made him kneel in pain. In fact, Arnold didn't use any force at all.

"Daddy, please don't joke like that."

"What's wrong with that? He won your heart out of all the men running after my twinkling star."

"Please, stop calling me that. I'm now a woman, Daddy. Don't embarra.s.s me." She pouted and stomped her feet in protest.

"Hahahaha, you're still my baby." Arnold's laugh echoed in the lobby making those around them looked their way.

Her face changed as fast with her tactic. She gave her father a puppy-dog look and raised her dainty fingers. "If you continue to do that, just forget my amazing shoulder ma.s.sage."

"Oh no, no, no, no." He let go of Ronald and opened his arms. "Come, dearest, I missed your calming ma.s.sage." He drooped his shoulders. "I've been so tired lately that I insisted to come here soon just to get your magical hands' touch. You won't deny your father, would you?"

Jenna tiptoed and the father bent. She smacked a kiss on her father's right cheek. "I love you, Daddy. I'll give you a good ma.s.sage when we arrive home." She smiled and placed her hand on his arm.

Jenna giggled and tugged Ronald as her father led them with his luggage. The nanny followed with her own trolley.

Ronald remembered someone. He asked Jenna, "Excuse me, where's your mother?"

Her Dad replied in her stead. "She has some speaking engagements. She will arrive next week."

They sat inside the waiting van with Richard as the driver.

"How are you, Richard?" Arnold asked with spirit.

"I'm fine, Sir. Welcome back, enjoy your stay," said Richard without looking back.

"Thanks, I'll certainly enjoy my stay." Without thinking he asked Ronald sitting across him. "Son, tell me how good are you with martial arts or self-defense?"

Ronald began to sweat again; wiped dry his palms on his slacks. Jenna wanted to utter a word but zipped her mouth as she saw her father's solemn face. This was her father's only criteria he wished for her man.

She vowed in silence to help her fiance for the coming painstaking days.

Richard's mouth curved up. He almost laughed but held the bubble in his chest. He pitied the frail Ronald.