The next morning, Mr. Gabriel burst into Cassandra's room without knocking, his face beaming with excitement. "Cassandra!" he called out, his voice booming through the hallway.
Cassandra's sisters, Rose and Ruby, were already up and about, and they exchanged amused glances at their father's antics. "Dad, be careful," Rose said, laughing.
Mr. Gabriel chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mirth. "Even if I fall, fall, and fall again, I won't feel any pain," he declared, his enthusiasm infectious.
Ruby grinned. "Looks like you're in a good mood today, Dad."
Mr. Gabriel's smile grew wider. "Yes, and Cassandra is the reason."
Cassandra rolled her eyes, her expression skeptical. "Why must it be me?" she asked, her voice laced with annoyance.
Mr. Gabriel's face softened, and he walked over to Cassandra, his arms open wide. "Come here, my sweet little princess," he said, his voice dripping with affection.
Samantha, who was sitting on the bed, giggled. "We're going to be jealous," she teased.
Ruby chimed in, her voice playful. "Yeah, Dad's got a crush on Cassandra."
Cassandra's face turned pink with embarrassment, and she walked over to her father, her eyes flashing with annoyance. "Dad, just go straight to the point," she said, her voice firm.
Mr. Gabriel's smile faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered. "Today is the day I've made you proud, Cassandra," he said, his voice filled with pride.
Rose spoke up, her voice mischievous. "What about the day Mom gave birth to her? You said that was the happiest day and proudest day of your life."
Samantha nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Dad, you said it yourself."
Mr. Gabriel chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "That day too, but let's not focus on the past. A child is a blessing, a joy that every family should experience."
Cassandra's eyes narrowed, her expression suspicious. "Dad, what are you talking about?"
Mr. Gabriel's smile grew wider. "The Rodriguez family sent you a marriage proposal."
The room erupted into a chorus of shocked gasps and exclamations. "WHAT?!" Cassandra's sisters shouted in unison.
Mr. Gabriel's expression turned serious. "Isn't it good news?" he asked, his voice tinged with disappointment.
Cassandra's face turned pale, and she shook her head emphatically. "No, no, no, this is bad."
Samantha nodded in agreement. "Very bad, Dad."
Mr. Gabriel's expression turned stern. "Look here, I don't care about the past one you rejected, but this one I have already accepted."
Cassandra's eyes flashed with anger. "Dad, you shouldn't have done that. It will sound like a king forcing his daughter into marriage."
Samantha chimed in, her voice laced with sarcasm. "Yeah, and that king will cut off your head if you don't shut your mouth."
Mr. Gabriel's face turned red with anger, and he stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
The room fell silent, the only sound the stunned gasps and whispers of Cassandra's sisters. Ruby was the first to break the silence, her voice laced with amusement. "Woah, where is the person who was very happy now?"
Rose giggled. "Argh, Dad is a mood spoiler."