Mild Peace

In a different part of the city, Shirley's on a plain purple dress and flashy silver heels. She walked out from a building which had a sign board on its top labeled "Psychiatrist Clinic". Beside her, is a man wearing a lab coat.

"Thank you for choosing my clinic, Madam," the man said.

"This should remain between us," Shirley warned him cautiously.

"Yes Madam" he nodded sheepishly with a smile ravishing his wrinkled face.

"The balance will be sent to your account by noon. Take care" and so she left into the bustling street, observing her movement. Shirley headed towards her car that was parked at the far end of the street, it was so un-noticeable and difficult that one will find it hard to find her nor her current location.

The Greenwich garden, pervading clear breeze, wonderful atmosphere and fragrance from flowers. Different families and individuals cloud the garden attending to their various businesses, the garden was calm and at the same time exciting. The rich kids engaged in swing play, flower exchange and other stressless child's play.

Blake had his eyes fixed on his Samsung Galaxy fold android while Christine hopped around the garden scenting beautiful flowers and chasing butterflies. Emerald perfectly arranged the stripe line red and white blanket on the green carpet grass, and gently placed the picnic basket on it. She made sure to take out every dish and arrange them on the blanket, and when it was ready she called their attention but unfortunately only Christine rushed to her - taking her to sit on the blanket.

"These look delicious" Christine inhaled the yummy aroma, she smiled while standing.

"I will call your dad" and she walks to where Blake is standing.

"Sir" she begins.

"It is time for the picnic" she said with a smile.

He raised his gaze at her.

"I'm still busy, spare me a few hours" his eyes diverted back to his phone, she closed the gap between them staring straight into his illuminating eyes. He got anxious and confused while swallowing nervously.

"What?" he managed to ask.

"It is time for the picnic. Kindly devote some hours to make your child happy" she crossed her arms.

"What I'm saying in essence is that, no phones are operating during family picnics," she added confidently, still in a polite tone..

He activated the flight mode in his phone and slid it into his trouser pocket giving a sharp look at her. He shoved her off and strolled towards where Christine was sitting. Meanwhile, Christine was already entertaining herself with the crunchy cookies.

"Who asked you to eat first?" she questioned anxiously.

She had already planned to open the picnic day after Blake must have said some words. She sighed.

"I was hungry" Christine informed her sadly while avoiding her gaze, her mouth continued chewing the remaining content in it.

"Let's start eating then. It will be a waste not to have a taste of these delicious looking snacks" he assumed wearing a warm smile, they nodded in agreement.

"But..." all eyes swayed towards Christine's direction.

"The picnic won't be fun without a few games," Christine said.

"Have any recommendations?" she questioned politely.

"Yes," Christine said in affirmative.

"Let's hear" he sighed, having no choice but to admit defeat.

Risking one day for something this childish isn't a bad idea, he saw no escape route nor valid reason to turn away from them. He admitted the true fact of accepting fatherhood in either ways as it may come.

"It is the famous game that we all know, truth or dare" Christine chirped, enthusiastically and immediately she cleared her throat awkwardly while he almost sprouted the can energy drink from his mouth.

Christine could not tell when to bring such a game up neither does she know the basis, a four to five years old child urging adults to indulge in some truth or dare game, she has her actions all planned out.

"That... That's no child's game, Christine" he gained his voice back and spoke up.

"We are on a picnic, this gathering is rare to come by. We better catch the full fun while we are at it" she supported Christine, giving her a mischievous wink.

"Or, is dad afraid of failure?" Christine raised a brow looking so creepy, he shook his head in disbelief.

"Ha! Fail?" he laughed.

"I'm up for it" he said boastfully and then came a huge weight of drink dumping in his mouth, she exchanged knowing stares with Christine.

"Then, I will begin" Christine brings out an empty bottle can from the basket.

"If the cover of this bottle points at you, you will have to choose either Truth or Dare" Christine informed them politely, placing the bottle in the middle. 

Christine made sure to explain how the game will be played and the rules she is using. After the both seem to have come to an adjournment, Christine twisted the bottle and it began to roll.

One. Two. Three.

And it landed in front of the twister, Christine.

"Oh no" Christine closed her mouth in shock, it didn't go as she had planned. They smirked.

"Truth or Dare?" they asked in unison causing unwarranted goosebumps to flood all over her body, it's not as if it were some drastic questions.

"Dare" Christine said.

"Who is going to ask?" They stare at each other for a while, he coughs abruptly.

"Ladies first" he said with a grin, she beam.

"I dare you to tell us your deepest darkest secret" she said staring straight into Christine's little pair of eyes as if she's about charming her.

"I want to be loved by people I care about, especially by dad" Christine bloated out these words, in a sad tone.

"You..." he stopped his statement unsure of what to say, she sighed.

"Don't worry Christy, wishes don't just stay wishes forever. They come to pass" she reassured Christine with a warm smile and Christine nodded.

"Thanks, aunt Em," Christine said softly.

"Spin the bottle" he doesn't look interested in their girly time together, thus he broke their mild moment.

Christine spinned the bottle and it faced him. He stared at the bottle and back at Christine in awe.

"Truth or Dare" Christine said courageously without blinking, his response felt heavy in his mouth. He looked shocked as to when his daughter had turned intimidating overnight.