Together With You

[SATURDAY]
Since it was the weekend already, Annie had work the entire day.

Before going on her lunch break at [2PM], Annie told Liz that she will be heading out for a while. Annie was getting her jacket and bag from beneath the counter. Liz saw her and asked........

Liz (*asks) : your going to your car ?
Annie : i'm leaving for my lunch break.
Liz (*asks) : why aren't you staying here ?
Annie : i have to go meet someone for lunch.
Annie : i'll be back in a little bit.
Liz : alright, be back soon.
Annie : i will.

Annie walked out of the diner and walked to the Amor La Cafe down the street from where she worked. She walked into the cafe and took a seat waiting for Richard. She was so nervous waiting for him and she didn't expect anything from him but an explanation. She ordered a cup of coffee to ease the nervousness away.

Then a man in a suit came walking into the cafe walking towards Annie and she figured that it was her birth father. She stood up and bowed to greet him.

Annie (*bows & greets politely) : Hello.
Richard (*bows & greets) : Hello Annie.
Annie : please take a seat.

Both Richard and Annie took a seat face to face of each other.

Annie (*asks) : would you like anything to drink ?

A waiter came over to take his drink order.

Richard (*says to the waiter) : a cup of coffee please.

The waiter walked away and there was a huge silence between Richard and Annie. The waiter quickly came out with his coffee and left again.

Richard : you don't know how happy i am that I've found you Annie.
Annie (*asks) : how did you know where to find me ?
Richard : i saw you on the UCSC website and figured that you go there for school.
Richard : so i had a chance to come to LA for business and i wanted to find you too.
Annie (*asks) : why did you walk out on my mom when she was giving birth to me ?
Richard : so she told you.
Annie : she did. (*asks) why did you do it ?
Richard : i had an important presentation from the hospital where i worked at.
Richard : i passed it and they told me to fly to Korea right away to work for them.
Richard : after the presentation was over, i went to the hospital to see your mother.
Richard : she had already gave birth to you and in the ICU room.
Richard : i told your mom about the job and she told me to go.
Richard : she wanted me to live my dream of becoming a worldwide doctor.
Annie : but you never came back.
Richard : i wanted to come back to see your mother and take care of her.
Richard : but she wouldn't accept me in her life anymore.
Richard : she said that she could raise a child on her own and she didn't need my help.
Annie : she was tired of waiting for you so she told you to leave her forever.
Richard : and years ago when i wanted to come back to see her,
Richard : she had already passed away.
Richard : the only thing i could do now to make up for that is to be there for you now.
Richard : I've missed 23 years of your life and i want to be there now.
Annie : this is too hard to process.
Annie : i want to believe that you are my father but i'm not sure.
Richard : maybe this will change your mind.

Richard slides the DNA document towards Annie. Annie opens it and sees the results. It turns out that Richard is her birth father.

Annie : well, this explains everything.
Richard : now that you the truth about who i am to you, should we start ordering food ?
Annie (*smiles & says) : sure.

The two ordered food from the menu. They got to know each other more while waiting for their foods to come out.

Annie (*asks) : whats your occupation now ?
Richard : im the Head Doctor at the hospital i opened up in Korea.
Richard : i also have small clinics in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, and Korea.
Annie : wow. thats impressive.
Richard (*asks) : how about you ?
Annie : im in my last semester at University of California, Southern California.
Annie : im getting my Doctorate Degree in Biochemisry and Physiology.
Richard (*asks) : your also becoming a Doctor as well ?
Annie : yes i am. i think i get it from you.
Richard (*smiles & says) : i think so too.

Annie smiles brightly at Richard having a good conversation. They continued on talking.

Richard (*asks) : how was it like growing up for you ?
Richard : it must've been hard.
Annie : i lost mom when i was only 9 years old.
Annie : after that, i was sent into a Korean foster family until i was 16.
Annie : there, i grew up speaking both Korean and English.
Annie : i lived on my own in my house in LA since i left out the foster family.
Richard (*asks) : there wasnt anybody there to take care of you ?
Annie : i had close friends and their family from preschool until now who took care of me.
Annie : there was a guy named Mark Tuan. he was my best friend while growing up.
Annie : his family took care of me when i was growing up. they were always there for me.
Annie : they came to all of my winning events and ceremonies.
Annie : they had celebrated my birthday every year no matter what day it was in the week.
Annie : im always thankful for having them in my life when i needed them.
Annie : they were like my real parents.
Richard : thats so nice of them to do that for you.
Richard : i want to thank them myself one day for taking good care of you.

They're food came out. Annie held onto her silverware thinking about something while Richard was also looking at his plate of food too. He took the courage to tell her the reason why he found her.

Richard : there's a reason why i asked what you were majoring in college.
Annie (*asks) : why ?
Richard : i wanted to offer you a job after you graduate from University.
Annie (*shocks & asks) : where ?
Richard : i have clinics around Asia and a main hospital in Korea where i live.
Richard : i want you to come work for me.
Annie (*asks) : i know how this works but what will i be doing ?
Richard : you will come with me back to Asia.
Richard : we will spend about 2 weeks in each country in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Japan.
Richard : then afterwards, we will head to Korea and work permanently at the hospital.
Annie (*asks) : do you own this hospital ?
Richard : just like the other clinics around Asia.
Annie (*asks) : how do you know how good i am in becoming a Doctor at your workplace ?
Richard : you have my genes so im assumming you have what it takes to become a Doctor.
Richard : and your on the verge of graduating med school.
Richard : i want you to work right away after you graduate.
Annie : in my entire life, i always needed someone to believe in me for me to do it.
Annie : you, as my dad, believe in me and that's enough.

Annie smiles as saying those words and Richard was so proud of his daughter.

Richard (*asks) : so how about it ?
Annie : this is too much to process in one day.
Annie (*asks) : is it okay if i think about it ?
Richard : sure. im going to be here for the next two weeks just until your graduation.
Annie : okay. if you need a place to stay, your welcome to stay at my house dad.
Richard : sure, i would like that.

They smiled at each other and continued to eat their lunch together.

Notes