On Her Daddy's Bed (Adeline and Luciano) novel Chapter 50

Author’s POV.

Riyyan woke up the next day with a swirl of happy thoughts in her mind. She had spent hours preparing a meal that she hoped would sway her father’s decision. It was an odd feeling, being in the kitchen—she had never really done anything like this before, but she was determined. Her fingers fumbled a bit, but with every step, her confidence grew. The maids watched in awe as she hummed softly, the melody of a song from her headphones filling her ears. They were used to seeing Riyyan in fine clothes, but this was different. Today, she was in a simple, short pink jersey top, something comfortable and sweet, yet she moved with grace.

It was almost comical to think that a week ago, Riyyan had no idea how to boil water, but here she was, pulling off a meal that she hoped would speak louder than words. She had Googled every recipe, watched tutorials, and taken mental notes to make sure this would work. If it succeeded, she would be able to celebrate this small victory for herself—and perhaps, celebrate Charity as well.

Riyyan arranged the table with care, her hips swaying to the beat of the music, lost in her own little world. A few moments later, her father’s familiar steps echoed down the hallway. He wasn’t hungry when he woke up, but Riyyan had made sure to send one of the maids with the message that something special was waiting for him at the dining table.

The moment Mr. Li set foot in the dining area, he paused, a surprised smile curling on his lips as he saw the spread. He’d never expected his daughter to go this far for him—if anything, it was the kind of gesture that could only be appreciated in silence. The scar running across his cheek didn’t seem so menacing today, not with the warmth in his eyes.

“Who do we have here?” His teasing voice broke the silence, and Riyyan couldn’t help but chuckle. She pulled her headset off and ran straight into her father’s arms, her heart swelling at the sight of him.

“It’s been a week, Daddy,” she said, her voice full of joy. Riyyan loved her father more than anyone else in the world, and even though they went long periods without seeing each other, they always stayed in touch.

“Good morning, Daddy.” Her arms wrapped around him as she embraced him tightly, feeling his strong, reassuring presence. He patted her back as he pulled away from the hug, looking down at the meal she’d so carefully prepared.

“Good morning, pretty one… What’s all this?” He chuckled, eyeing the array of food in front of him, and Riyyan couldn’t hide her smile. It felt good, really good, to have her father notice her efforts, even if she wasn’t entirely sure if the meal was a culinary masterpiece or just a bunch of mismatched ingredients thrown together.

“Take a seat, Daddy… You should try some,” she said brightly, pulling out the chair for him. He smiled, seated himself, and looked over the spread.

“These are quite a lot of young women,” he commented, raising an eyebrow.

“I know, right? You barely eat, so today, you can taste a bit of everything and go hungry for the rest of the month,” Riyyan teased, sitting down opposite him. Just as they began to settle in, Charity walked in, the smile on her face evident.

“Good morning, Sir,” Charity greeted, and Mr. Li gave her a smile in return.

“Hope you had a good rest?” he asked, his tone polite but distant. Charity smiled shyly, her head nodding in agreement. Even after all these years of living with them, she still couldn’t quite look him in the eye. It was one of those strange things that Riyyan often found amusing but never questioned.

“You should try some of what your friend made,” Mr. Li encouraged, gesturing toward the food. Charity gave Riyyan a quick wink as they all began to dig in.

The first bite was all it took. Mr. Li’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.

“Mmm… this is quite good,” he murmured, his voice filled with approval. Riyyan blushed, her heart swelling with pride. The meal wasn’t perfect, but the fact that it was something she had made with her own hands made it all the more meaningful.

They ate in contented silence, the soft clinking of silverware on plates the only sound. For a moment, Riyyan allowed herself to simply enjoy the moment, basking in the feeling of accomplishment. She had done something on her own—without any help, without relying on anyone else. It was a rare feeling for her, and she cherished it.

But as the meal continued, her mind returned to the task at hand. She had to bring up the subject of Axel, and she knew the longer she waited, the harder it would be.

Her grip tightened on her spoon, her palms slightly clammy as she swallowed. Charity gave her an encouraging look, and Riyyan nodded slightly, taking a deep breath.

“Father,” she began, her voice calm but with an edge of vulnerability.

Mr. Li looked up from his food, setting his glass down as he met her gaze. “Yes, baby girl?”

Riyyan hesitated for a moment, her heart pounding in her chest. She had never done this before—she had never asked her father for something this serious. But today, she was ready.

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