Victor listened to his daughter Maria's childish voice on the other end, unable to help smiling. He absentmindedly extinguished the just-lit cigarette in the ashtray.
"Why aren't you asleep yet, my little princess?" His voice was softened, drastically different from when he was reviewing documents earlier.
"I miss Daddy."
Maria said on the phone, her voice full of a child's undisguised dependence, "Daddy, my birthday is coming up. Will you come home?"
Victor was startled, glancing up at the calendar on the wall.
Indeed, Maria and Bruto's birthday is next month. Time flies amidst the smoke and machinations.
He rubbed his forehead, his voice becoming even gentler: "Of course, Daddy will come back, to celebrate your and your brother's birthday, okay?"
"Okay!" Maria immediately cheered up, and sounds of her jumping could be heard from the receiver, "Daddy's the best! Mommy, Daddy said he's coming back!"
