Eric jumped up and playfully sprayed Nid and the entire pool with the water gun. The cool water hitting her sunburnt skin provided welcome relief. 

Nid shrieked and ran, laughing at him. He loved the sound of her laughter. Actually, he loved her, period. She had such a magnetic, captivating personality.  Before he could shake the thought away…

She exclaimed from the other side of the pool with a triumphant smile, having splashed him when he wasn't looking. 

He quickly jumped up and dove into the pool. A large wave surged and crashed over her. She laughed as he surfaced, her large, round eyes sparkling brighter than the midday sun. She was soaked, her white bikini clinging to her like a second skin, and at the same time, he noticed it had become much more translucent. The small mounds on her chest were more visible, with the dark shadows of her nipples showing through. Below, her bottom hugged her form, and he noticed the dark pubic hair. 

It surprised him. Nid was a very small girl, not even 160 cm tall and so slender that he hadn't thought she was going through puberty. She looked too young. But with her jet-black hair pulled back in a high ponytail and her exotic Asian features, she was a very beautiful girl. 

The thought led him further. Did she have a boyfriend? Was he keeping her away from her boyfriend while she kept him company? In fact, why didn't she socialize with her friends? She must have some, right? Or did she not? He hoped it was the latter. 

He realized he knew very little about her and decided it was time for that to change. He had been too preoccupied with himself. 

Cool water splashed over him again as he floated. 

“Careful, you’re playing with fire,” he warned her as he swam to the edge of the pool. 

The little girl grinned and ran away. She was bright and lively, looking very happy. 

Finally, we sat comfortably under the shade of an umbrella. Nid put her feet up on a separate chair and sipped her Coke. 

“Do you have many friends at school?” he initiated the conversation. 

“Quite a lot. Why?” she asked, puzzled. 

“I don’t see you spending time with your friends.”

She took another sip of Coke and placed it on the glass table in front of the balcony. “That’s because we go out together when you go to work. That's why you don't see my friends.”

“Where do you go?” he continued. 

She just shrugged. “Sometimes we go to Starbucks, sometimes we go to the mall near Eden Park.”

“Invite your friends over sometime. I’d like to meet them.  How about a barbecue?” he suggested, testing the waters. 

She replied dryly, “Would that be okay?” Then she laughed. “Just kidding. Of course, I’ll invite them over for a swim and a barbecue.”

“Great! I’m happy to meet your friends.” He smiled at her. 

Then he changed the subject to her interests: fashion, music, and movies. Likes: books, Instagram. Dislikes: housework, studying (haha). 

He had finished looking at her report card. Nid was a perfectly average C student, not excelling or failing in any particular subject.  For Eric, it didn't matter much. He thought she could take care of herself. She loved art, and he was ready to support her. They weren't struggling, so Nid's happiness always came first. 

What he liked was the way she talked. She spoke clearly, expressed herself freely, and was herself. These qualities were much more important to him. And as he listened to her speak, he liked her even more -more and more with each passing day-. He liked her looks, her flawless skin, her beautiful smoky eyes when she wore makeup, and the way she spoke. Her thin lips that fit together and looked plump. 

He wondered if he was attracted to Asian women?  Perhaps because his wife was of Asian descent. However, he understood that Nid was very important to his life. She was his whole world, and he had experienced a new feeling: love. He loved her so much. If she weren't his daughter, even if she were his stepdaughter, it would be better, wouldn't it…

He stood up without thinking, walked over to her, bent down, and kissed her cheek. “You're amazing. I love you.”

Nid surprised him by blushing. He quickly walked away from her and headed to the kitchen. There was a new kind of blonde lager he wanted to try. 

The young girl, whose cheek had been stolen with a kiss, sat frozen in her chair, her heart pounding. She felt so loved by her father!  His expression was so clear, the warmth of his affection radiating through her, a feeling of pure joy blossoming. 

She couldn't remember ever being this happy. Suddenly, she had a bright spark of inspiration.  Dad didn't remember anything!  He wouldn't remember what hadn't happened! 

The excitement made her tremble. How would she handle this? What should she do? Her mind raced with plans and options, each one more thrilling than the last. 

She barely heard her father speak the rest of the evening.  She couldn't sleep. Her mind wouldn't stop, thoughts bubbling up incessantly. She only knew she had to think carefully and cautiously. But imagine if what she felt... he felt it too…

Nid watched Philip jump off the diving board. She liked Philip. He was a little chubby and the kindest, most considerate boy in school. Never a harsh word to anyone. 

Her pool party was going well. Music pulsed, her friends chatted animatedly, filling the backyard with life. 

“Here you go,” Anna said, handing her a clear plastic cup filled with ice. 

“Thanks,” Anna is Nid’s best friend. They’ve been through a lot together, but she’s also the biggest gossip. 

The young mistress of the house noticed Jack standing at the back of the pool. He seemed quiet. His neon orange swimsuit stood out, clashing with his personality. He's the smartest kid in the class; everyone calls him a nerd. 

“You seem much happier than before,” Anna turned to her and started a conversation. 

“Really? It’s nothing,” Nid secretly smirked. She knew exactly why. 

“You look happier than I’ve ever seen you. Why is that? I thought you’d be devastated if your father lost his mind,” Anna frowned, staring at Nid, trying to detect something. 

Nid laughed. “Dad didn’t lose his mind. He just lost his past memories.”

“Isn’t it the same thing?” Anna insisted. 

“No, losing your mind is like going crazy, but Dad isn’t crazy… Do you understand?” Nid tried to explain. 

“How is he now? Has he changed?”

Nid glanced to her right, at the patio. Her father walked barefoot, wearing gray shorts and a loose blue T-shirt, a casual outfit perfect for staying home. He was focused on grilling the barbecue, smoke billowing out, the aroma wafting all around. He looked good every moment, in her opinion. 

Yesterday, she made him buy a beard trimmer and had him sit down while she tidied up his unshaven face. She shaped his beard neatly, trimming it shorter. With his strong jawline, it made him look younger, and in her eyes, much more handsome. 

While grilling the barbecue, Eric chatted with Nick, probably about cars, since Nick is a car fanatic. 

Anna nudged her. “Is he strange? Is your dad lost in time when he's out and about?”

Nid laughed at her friend's question. “No, he's not lost, but…”

Anna lowered her voice. “But… what?” She paused, then nudged Nid again. “Tell me, tell me!”

“You understand, like, he's completely different,” Nid replied, crossing her arms. 

“Give me some details! Don't leave me hanging!” Anna exclaimed, eager for Nid to spill the tea. 

Nichanart sipped her Coke while considering how to respond. 

“It's hard to explain. Do you remember how he used to be? Like, always busy, preoccupied with work, seemed quite stressed, distant, and inflexible,” Nid elaborated. 

“Yes, I remember him being like that. He often left you alone,” Anna emphasized the last sentence. 

Nid nodded. “Yes, he did that often. But look at him now.”

Nid pointed at Eric. Anna followed her finger. Her father was intently grilling barbecue. 

Nid continued, “Have you ever seen my dad in shorts and an old T-shirt? Or with a beard? Or walking barefoot?”

“True. No, never,” Anna replied, understanding what Nid was getting at. 

“He’s so relaxed now. He laughs easily. Sometimes he plays with me like a kid. You know, last night, he ordered every single signature dish from Luck’s. And I mean every single one!” she said excitedly. 

“No way!” Anna gasped. 

Nid laughed. “He wanted to try all the different flavors. He couldn’t remember what they tasted like. If you had been there with us last night, you would have thought Dad and I had gone crazy! And another thing, I mean, he’s so different. He talks to me all the time. He’s funny and kind of goofy, but he loves spending time with me. I mean, he really does.”

”I’m happy for you, Nid. Your happiness is my happiness,” Anna smiled at her best friend. 

The sun began to set. Four boys and six girls were running around the house. Some were still playing in the pool with a giant purple inflatable ball. Others were dancing to popular rock music. Nid loved this chaos. It brought the house to life. She glanced at Eric occasionally. He looked happy. He was even dancing with her guy friends! She hadn't expected him to enjoy the party so much. 

Smoke wafted into Nid's face as she approached the barbecue. She waved it away and placed a slice of cheese onto the slightly charred burger. 

“Is it good?  If you want anything else, just tell me and I'll make it for you,” Eric said, taking a sip of his German beer. 

“Did you have fun at the party with your friends today?” Nid changed the subject. 

“I had a lot of fun. I learned a lot from your friends.  They are all so talented. I'm glad our house wasn't quiet and lonely today,” he replied with a wide smile.