Harris's Punishment

During dinner, Mallory and Harris were incredibly quiet; the only sound was from when the utensils clinked against their plates. Harriet found this silence to be rather disconcerting - it wasn't often that none of them had anything to say during a meal. She observed her Mom and Dad as they ate in this awkward silence, but no one seemed willing to break it. After some time had passed, the innocent child decided that she would take the plunge and start a conversation. 'Um, Mommy, Daddy… Why are you both so quiet?" She asked hesitantly. Mallory let out a small sigh before responding. 'Mom and Dad are just tired, sweetie," she answered, looking up at Harris with an unreadable expression on her face before turning her attention back to Harriet. 'Mom was right, Harriet," Harris seconded. 'But don't worry I didn't forget what I promised you. We will play with your new toys in the playroom," he smiled, trying to be enthusiastic for Harriet. 'Yay! I'm excited. Daddy, what games are we playing tonight?" Harriet asked, and couldn't contempt her excitement. 'I will let my princess choose whatever she wants to play with. Daddy will give her what she wants." Harriet was giggling while thinking of the game that came to mind. 'Daddy, I want to try cosplaying. I am a mermaid and you are a Barbie doll." Mallory almost wet her knicker as she tried to stop herself from laughing. She found comfort that Harris will get punished for what he did differently. Harris was speechless. 'Are you not up to it Daddy? I will give you a manicure and pedicure and also I will make up your face, and you will wear a wig." Harriet said, beaming with happiness. It took a while for Harris to reply. 'Of course, I'm up to it. Anything for my princess," he said, forcing a smile. Later on, Harriet is joyfully doing Harris's pink manicure while wearing a blonde wig, a short skirt, and a crop top. He is a reflection of a sexy Barbie, according to Harriet who was his stylist and makeup artist. Harris was uncomfortable during the whole playtime with Harriet because of the dress and makeup he was wearing but seeing the joy in his daughter's eyes was enough to help him get through it. 'I'm done," Harriet exclaimed. 'Daddy, look! Isn't it cute? You have beautiful nails now," Harriet announced happily. 'Wow," Harris said, looking at the messy nail polish dripping from his fingernails. 'It's beautiful. Thank you, my princess. Are we done now? Daddy needs to go somewhere." 'One last thing," Harriet gets her Mom's phone that she borrows. 'We have to take a selfie so I can show this to some of my friends." Harris wants to cry thinking her daughter will share the photo of him as a Barbie doll. But Harriet is just a child; his dear daughter. As he tucked Harriet into bed later that evening, Harris was filled with contentment and happiness despite the tension between him and Mallory. Knowing that they are with him is enough to weather whatever storm that comes their way. Mallory was in her room all along after having dinner. She's not ready to talk to Harris yet. As she noticed Harris was gone, she made a call to Heidi. Heidi took the call immediately. 'Hello, Mally, how was life going in there in Harris's mansion?" Mallory heaved a sigh. 'It's not really well, Heidi. After the photo leaked incident, here comes another one. Nicole was here earlier and was so happy to break my spirit. That woman is pure evil, I swear." 'Oh, my God! Tell me what happened." Heidi could feel the tension in Mallory's voice as she was narrating the whole commotion between her and Nicole and even when Harris came over. Heidi was shocked to learn Harris knew about Nicole and his mom's plan of getting Harriet's full custody. 'But Mallory, we can't just jump to the conclusion that Harris is conniving Marian and Nicole with their plan to get Harriet's full custody." 'Why not? He didn't protest when Nicole said it in front of him, so he knows and yet he chose not to tell me." 'Yes. But that doesn't mean he wants to take Harriet from you. Harris is not even on Harriet's birth certificate as her father. It's a long way to go Mallory. We don't have a basis that he is secretly planning to get Harriet's full custody. Maybe he chose to hide it for your own good." 'What good could it be, Heidi?" 'You'll get worried about it, like what you're doing now. Trust Harris, he will protect you and Harriet. I know he still loves you, Mallory." There was a silence on Mallory's line before she answered. 'How can you say that?" 'Oh, Mallory, come on. Don't tell Harris hasn't told you about how he feels. And besides, the way he looks at you was everything, girl," Heidi said with butterflies in her stomach. 'Heidi, what do you mean?" Mallory asked to confirm what she already knew. She could clearly feel Harris's feelings toward her. 'I mean, Harris looks at you, the way Scott looked at me. There's a different spark in their eyes. I know you know what I mean, Mallory," she said, giggling. Mallory heaved a sigh, giving up her stubborn mind, her heart won this time. 'I know, Heidi." 'See…" 'Can we talk about a different topic? I called you because I need advice on something," Mallory said, diverting the topic. She couldn't be naive anymore especially when Harriet is at stake. 'Oh, what is it? I'm all ears." 'I'm planning on having an online business while I'm stuck in this mansion and can't get back to work. I have a small savings I can use." 'Mally, that's a good idea. Why don't you ask Harris for good business advice? I'm sure he has a lot," Heidi teased. 'Heidi, because of the tension earlier I don't feel like talking to him yet." 'Seriously? You're giving him a hard time, Mally. I don't think he has a hidden agenda. I think he only wants to help and protect you." 'Not now Heidi. I need some time. Would you care to visit whenever you can? We have a lot of things to talk about." 'How could I say no? Besides, I'm also bored alone in our house while Scott is working. And I also have questions for you. One of them is about the flowers. Tell me honestly, do you really don't have any idea who might be sending you flowers?" Mallory paused thinking about the time she was in the small town while pregnant with Harriet. Dominic was one of her friends there and he was persistent to know her and even help during her labor. Dominic used to send her flowers but he was miles away from them. Not unless he is in the city now. 'Mally?" Heidi called out her name, taking her out of her reverie. 'Sorry, Heidi," she tapped her forehead to wake her up. "There might be someone I know who could send those flowers but he is miles away from here." 'Oh, we'll talk about that when I visit," Heidi said excitedly. Meanwhile, Harris is with David and his Dad, Anthony Steele who stand as one of Harris's mentors even before his Dad passed away. The three gentlemen are drinking as a way of their reunion. 'It's been a long time since you visited us, Harris," Anthony complained and then he took a scotch. 'Uncle, I apologize for that. You know how much I've been so busy after Dad was gone. And even so, now that I have a child." Anthony was startled. 'A child?" He asked in confusion. Harris looked at his best friend, David. 'I told you, I didn't share your daughter's info with anyone. Not even Dad," David said. 'I know I can trust you but David it's not a problem sharing it with your Dad." David cocked his head. 'You said not to share it with anyone. I did as I was told." 'What is going on here, Harris? When would you tell me about your child with Nicole?" Anthony chimed in. 'Uncle, it's not a child with Nicole. I have a child with my girlfriend before," Harris paused, trying to think of how to explain his relationship with Mallory clearly. 'Well, it was a very short kind of relationship." 'One-night stand," Anthony said. David chuckled, and then he took a sip of his drink, eyeing Harris on the rim of the glass. Harris rolled his eyes at him. 'No, uncle, I don't wanna call it that way. She's not a one-night stand. I love Mallory," he said sincerely. 'OH," Anthony whistled. 'Is that why you don't want anyone to know about her?" 'Yeah, that's the reason. But it's too late. Now, everyone knows about Mallory and our daughter Harriet." Harris heaved a sigh after gulping his martini. It was the first time Anthony saw how desperate Harris was. 'You clearly love her as I see. That's a problem. Isn't it?" The old man gulped the last drop of his scotch. Anthony looked at his son David and Harris back and forth. 'You two have the same problem. Don't you? I might have a solution to your problem." Harris and David were speechless as they exchanged looks. 'Could it be true? Does Anthony really have the solution? Is it really possible for him to have a complete family without worrying about his father's legacy?" These are the questions running through Harris's head.