Aileen
Why the heck did I lash out at her like that? I’m really not feeling like myself today.
I’ll take a shower and calm down my head.
After undressing I entered the shower and let the cold water run down my back.
Within 5 minutes, I was starting to feel soothed. It’s really hitting the spot.
I came out of the shower wrapping a towel around my body. Then, I sat in front of the dressing table to blow dry my hair.
Suddenly, a knock on the door drew my attention.
Who’s here now? Is it mom?
I placed down the dryer and went to open the door with that towel. But, as soon as I opened the door I saw Dave standing.
I took a step back feeling surprised.
“You? Why are you”
“W-why did you come out in a towel?” he spat, looking sideways.
“Uh….. I just took a shower. That’s why.”
He sighed and facepalmed himself. “Anyway, let me come inside. We need to talk.”
Talk? Right now? What does he want to talk about?
“Alright, come in,” I stepped aside, allowing him to enter. Then closed the door behind him.
“Are you here to lecture me because of what I did in the car?” I asked straightforwardly, crossing my arms in front of my chest.
He turned to me with a stoic face.
“Maybe, or maybe not. Cause the behavior that you did earlier, is not something that I expected from you. But, I don’t want to lecture you about it. Because, unless you feel bad about your actions yourself, no one can make you feel that.”
“Then, what are you here to talk about?”
He pulled out something from his pockets, holding it out to me.
“What are these?”
“Tickets to a theme park. I was originally planning to go together as a family. But, I think it’s better if you can spend time together without me. So, yeah. Take them.”
“But, why won’t you come with us?” I asked. “It’s better if the three of us go together, right?”
“No, it’s not,” he retorted, forcing the tickets into my hands.
He had never been this much forceful before. What’s this sudden change in him?
“I want the two of you to have fun, enjoy, and bond as a family like you used to do before. And you won’t make your mom sad or angry there, can you promise me that?” he requested politely.
I gave a nod involuntarily. “Thanks for your concern towards our relationship. I appreciate it.”
He smiled lightly, patting my head. “I hope you mean it. See you during dinner. I need to give her the tickets as well.”
“Did you come to me first?”
He nodded. “Yeah. Why?”
I grabbed onto his clothes, making him lower his head, and kissed him on the lips forcefully.
He was a bit surprised but kissed me back anyway.
When I broke the kiss, he looked at me puzzled.
“What was that for suddenly?”
“Uh…. I don’t know. Just felt like it.” I chuckled.
He didn’t question me any further and left the room afterward. I closed the door and glanced down at the tickets in hand.
I don’t want to think about it. But, why do I have this lingering feeling in my chest that someone is going to try to take you away from me?
Dave, will you always promise to choose me over anyone else out there? Like you did today? Will I always be your first choice?
Give me the assurance that I need.
During the dinner, Mom and Dave were chatting happily, which I didn’t seem to mind that much. I thought Mom was going to mention the tickets but she said nothing.
Guess, she’s not going after all. If I think about it, She has always been busy with her work and career. Always in my childhood whenever I wanted us to go on trips together she never had the time for it.
Even during some of my birthdays, she couldn’t find the time for it. Things were really sad then. But, ever since Dave came he used to send me gifts whenever he could during any occasion before he and mom got married.
It was a small act of kindness, but it made me so happy. My mom never used to pay any attention to me, but he used to do that.
I always wanted to be the center of someone’s attention. But, neither mom nor dad, gave me that. Cause they were busy fighting or busy with their lives.
Why on earth did you have kids to begin with if you never had any time for them? Can’t they do nothing else other than just give excuses?
No matter how much he tries, unless she wants to take any action to fix our relationship nothing can make that happen.
The next morning, I got ready for college. When I came downstairs with my bag, I noticed Dave sitting on the table and my mom was nowhere to be seen.
I eagerly walked up to him, wrapping my arms around him from behind.
“Good morning!”
“Good morning,” he greeted, removing my hands away. “Go and take a seat. I’ll drop you on the way.”
“Uh…. sure.”
I took a seat and the maid started serving.
“Where’s mom? Did she leave for the hospital already?” I asked, looking around.
“Yes, mistress left one hour ago,” the maid replied. “And she told me to pack you a lunch box for college, which I did. Make sure to get it from the kitchen before leaving.”
Lunch box? I don’t have to eat the crappy cafeteria food anymore? God, it was so much worse in my high school. I simply detested their food.
At least there’s something good about living at home. I’ve suffered these two years while I was living in the dorms.
“Lunch box for Aileen. Didn’t she pack one for me as well?” Dave asked. “I love eating homemade food at the office.”
“Uh…. I don’t think so. You could’ve told her beforehand if you wanted one.” The maid replied. “If you’d like I can make one for you right away. It’ll only take 20 minutes.”
“Um, no, no. You don’t have to bother yourself with that. I’ll make sure to inform her next time.”
Afterwards, we got into the car and he started driving away.
He was driving silently, and it made me feel a bit anxious. Is he in a bad mood or something?
When I was about to speak up he interrupted, “Today’s your first day in college.”
“Uh…hmm”
“You’ll meet many new friends today. I hope it’ll be a great experience for you.” he smiled, “We are only young for a short period of our life. We should enjoy that time to the fullest. That’s what I think.”
Come on, you aren’t even that old yet. Stop talking like some old geezer! That’s what I want to say to him.
But, he really sounds mature for his age. Do people think differently in their twenties?
Or am I just childish?
“Will you come to pick me up from college as well?” I asked, looking in his direction.
“Uh…sure. Call me when your classes will be over. I’ll go and pick you up right away.”
“Won’t I be garnering too much attention if the Alpha comes to pick me up from college every day like my personal driver?” I teased.
He chuckled and looked in my direction. “So what? Are you afraid of being the center of all attention?”
“That’s…..”
I won’t deny that.
“You seem to be forgetting something crucial here,” He added. “The Alpha is not just an Alpha. He’s your dear father as well. That’s why I’m allowed to pick up my precious daughter from college every day if I want to. Got it?”
He may have said it as a joke, but he made me realize something crucial here. In the eyes of the world, he’s my dad, and I’m his daughter.
But, behind the doors, we have a relationship that we can’t speak about to the whole world.
I wonder how long will we have to keep the matter secret for?
And yet, the most important question here is, what is our relationship anyway? What does he think about me? Does he like me? Does he hate me? Does he even have any feelings for me? Or are we only there to fulfill each other’s lust and desire?
Is this what I want? Definitely not!
But, whenever I feel like asking him about it, I am unable to do that. What is it that I’m afraid of? Hearing the truth? Of being hurt by his rejection?
Even though we are mates, it’s not possible to claim him as mine in front of my mother. There are so much hurdle to cross before we can truly live our life to the fullest. And it’s going to take a while.
The car stopped in front of the college. I went out through the door and he peeked out his head, waving at me with a smile.
“Have a nice day. See you later.”
“You too, have a nice day.”
Where do we belong, Dave?