“Sophia calm down.” My dad rationed even though I wasn’t really upset. “I invited him here because I wanted to meet him. I thought you would be at least welcoming towards him but I guess not. I hope this doesn’t have anything to do with your resignation. Are you two on bad terms?”
“Not at all sir. In fact, it’s the exact opposite of that.” Mr Wilson said. “We reached a… mutual agreement after her resignation. I assure you that your daughter and I are not enemies. Isn’t that right Sophia?”
By ‘mutual agreement’, I knew he was referring to all the hot sex we’d had before I left New York but I refused to pay attention to him.
“We’re not on bad terms dad. I just don’t see why you would invite him over all the way from New York just to come have dinner with us. I mean, you barely know him. Why wasn’t I informed about this?” I tried to reason.
“There’s something we haven’t told you Sophia. Recently, this gentleman here has helped us.”
“Gentleman?” I mocked.
“I do not like your attitude on this table young lady. Treat our guest with a little respect. He was once your boss.” My dad said sternly.
“I’m sorry.” I said as I picked up my fork and continued eating, trying my best to ignore Mr Wilson’s burning gaze on every cell on my body.
“As I was saying, this gentleman here has been extremely generous to our family. He offered you your first graduate job and kept you employed for two years, before you decided to throw everything all away.”
Only if he knew the real reason why I threw everything away. If my parents found out that Mr Wilson and I had been together, I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t be as inclined to him as they currently are. Right now, it seems like they love him.
“Despite your actions, Adam here still decided to help us. He has cleared the hospital fees and we are no longer indebted.” My dad said.
“Huh?!” My head snapped up in shock.
He did what?!
“You heard me. He contacted your mum and I before he did it and I accepted his benevolence. He only did it because he was worried about you. We all knew that you couldn’t pay the debt on time, and I’m sure you knew too.”
Yes, I definitely knew. I already had some plans of my own to take a loan when I get back to New York.
“Sweetie, we didn’t tell you because we didn’t want you to throw any tantrums or refuse.” My mum said, holding my hand supportively.
“I- I don’t k- know what to say.” I stuttered. Part of me was grateful but another part of me who wanted to be responsible and independent protested at the idea. “I must pay you back.”
“No.” Mr Wilson shook his head. “It’s fine Sophia. You don’t owe me anything.” He smiled.
“That’s why I invited him over. I wanted to personally meet with him and thank him for his actions.” My dad said.
Everything all made sense now.
“I’m sorry if I was rude earlier on. I didn’t know you did this. I am forever grateful for your charity.” I said to Mr Wilson.
“It’s okay lo- Sophia.”
Did he almost call me ‘love’?
“Now that all that’s out of the way, let’s enjoy dinner. We have Cajun and all sorts on the table. Feel free to help yourself Adam. Sophia made most of the food.” My mum said.
“Did she? I’d certainly love to have a taste.” He smiled and winked at me.
Not only did my thighs clench once again, so did my heart, and a persistent throbbing between my legs began.
All through dinner he kept his eyes peeled on me. Sometimes he would occasionally glance at my parents to respond to questions but his gaze was majorly on me. I hated it but I also loved it at the same time.
“Have some pie for dessert.” My mum offered him and he accepted a slice. “So, is there someone who is currently filling up Sophia’s old position at the office?”
“Uh, we are currently hiring at the moment. Previously I had a few temps come in every now and then but none of them could keep up with the job so I decided to go through a proper recruitment process. There’s no one there yet.”
“I’m sure the whole office misses Sophia a lot.”
“We all do. But there’s nothing we can do about it, that’s just the way things have to be from now on.”
“Well… Sophia could-”
“Mum, please.” I stopped her before she could say any further. I knew she was going to make the same silly comment she made earlier about me going back to work for him.
“Your mum is right, I mean… that’s if she was implying what I think. You could come back and work for me Sophia, we’d love to have you again with us. You’re welcome at any time.”
“Thanks. but not thanks.” I fake smiled.
He raised his brow in amusement.
“That was so rude!” My mum gasped.
“Sophia, you’re being over the top.” My dad warned.
“But I’m just saying the truth dad.”
“You know what I mean, enough with the attitude.”
*
Dinner became awkward and we all ate in silence. The mood was completely destroyed. I felt bad for ruining everything even though it wasn’t my intention so I stayed quiet most of the time.
Mr Wilson and my dad went into deep conversations about everything, from business to politics, to sports, to cars… typical ‘men talk’.
I helped my mum clean up because I was a bit embarrassed and I didn’t want to be around Mr Wilson. I avoided him as much as possible.
I was in my room most of the time and when I finally came downstairs to get a glass of water, my dad called me from the living room.
“Sophia, come in here for a second.”
I went into the living room to see everyone there. They had been talking for hours while I hid myself away.
“We just wanted to let you know that Adam will be spending the night here with us.”
“What?” I croaked.
“Please prepare the guest room for him.” My dad ignored my outburst.
I didn’t know what to say. I was dumbfounded. I looked at ‘him’ and I saw him stifling a smile.
“And who’s idea was this?” I glared at him.
“It wasn’t my idea if that’s what you think. Your parents requested that I stay here, I already booked a hotel beforehand.”
Why is he doing this?
“Sophia, If you have a problem with me staying here then I won’t. It’s not a big deal.” He said.
“It doesn’t matter whether or not she has a problem with it. This is my house and you are welcome to stay. Now Sophia, go and prepare the guest room.” My dad said. I didn’t want to be rude to him so I walked away.
I couldn’t take that mans nerve anymore. Showing up unexpectedly at first, and now sleeping here?!
I don’t know what his intentions are but I know they’re no good.
I could swear he was doing all this on purpose and my parents were falling for it, just because he did us a huge favour. He’s acting all good and innocent in front of them but I know he’s really up to something.
I tidied up the guest room for him. I changed the sheets, put some fresh towels, washed the bathroom and cleaned the floors. Everything was perfect and spotless before I went back into the living room.
“The guest room is set.” I announced.
“Thank you Sophia. Would you like to retire to your room now?” My dad asked him.
“I’ld stay a little longer if you don’t mind. Thank you Sophia.” He said.
“No problem.”
“Why don’t you stay with us for a bit?” He asked, looking at me intensely. I felt self-conscious under his gaze again, as always.
“No thanks, I’m tired and I was going to bed anyway.” I made an excuse and fake yawned.
“Goodnight my darling.” My mum said.
“Goodnight.” I said before I turned and went up the stairs.
When I got to my room, I quickly opened my phone and called Lily. I needed to update her on what just happened. I had texted her before, saying that Mr Wilson was in my house.
“Hey, what’s up?” She said immediately after answering my call.
“Guess what, he’s staying over!”
“What?! You mean, he’s sleeping at your’s?! Your parents let him?!” She gasped.
“Yeah, it was their idea.”
“Are you sure? Maybe he might have influenced it.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he did.” He’s been acting like a saint all evening, and my parents actually think he’s one.
“To be honest Sophia, I think he’s trying to get closer to you and being in your house is his cue. It’s kind of sweet.” She laughed.
“Lily! It’s not sweet! My parents are here! Nothing can happen between us if they’re here! I told you what my parents are like!”
“And what if they weren’t there?”
“Lily, I can’t! I feel guilty as hell for what has happened already. If my parents found out about us they won’t be happy. I can’t let that happen again.”
Lily already knew that I’d been with Mr Wilson once because I told her.
“Sophia you should’ve never let it happen in the first place if you knew it would lead to this. He’s obviously going to want it to happen again because he’s a man, and remember that he’s in love with you. Don’t expect him to think it’s a one-time thing. You gave him your consent once, he won’t stop now.”
She’s right. I brought this upon myself.
That day, I should have just waited for my documents before booking my flight. That way, I would’ve had time to show up at his office on Monday rather than going to his apartment at night. I walked into the lions den and we ended up sleeping together.
What was I thinking?!
“So what do you suggest I do?” I asked her.
“You have to be with him, if not you’ll tear him apart. Your parents might not approve when they find out about the two of you, but you know you love him and you have to do what’s best for you.”
“Honestly, I really want to be with him. I’ve been hiding away because I was scared of the kind of person he is and what my parents will think. But you’re right. I shouldn’t be scared.”
Beneath all my anger and hostility towards Mr Wilson, I truly love him.
“So are you going to tell them?”
“Eventually, yes.”
Im going to tell them how I didn’t meet their expectations of a perfect little daughter and how I began a relationship with a man I’m not married to. The scariest part was telling them that we’ve been together but it had to be done.
I have to take the leap.