Dave
My dad’s name appeared on the phone screen. Why the heck is he calling me at this time?
I answered the phone right away, “What do you want?”
“Oh, judging by your voice you seem pretty upset. What are you so upset over can I know?”
I clicked my tongue out of irritation. “That’s none of your business. Tell me why you called.”
“Why? Can’t I call my son without any reason?”
I heaved a sigh resting my head against the seat. “Because I’m your son, I know you better than anyone. You are not someone who would call for no reason. Tell me what are you scheming?”
“Scheming?” he burst out in laughter.
There he goes again.
“Why would I scheme anything? You make me sound like a villain.”
“Why? You aren’t?”
“Of course not! Anyway, let’s get down to business. Listen to me clearly.”
“I’m all ears.”
“I’d like to have a business alliance with your company over our new project. And that’s why you need to meet up with my investors next Monday. They’d like to discuss everything over dinner. And as I’ll be there as well, I thought this was a good opportunity to”
“Wait, wait! What did you say just now? Business alliance with you? When did I agree to it?”
“You didn’t. When did I say you did?”
“Huh? How can you make decisions in my place? Who gave you the authority to do that?”
He snickered. “Authority? Did you forget I’m your dad? Of course, you are obliged to listen to me. And this is a good opportunity for both of us to work together. Why would you even decline anyway?”
I took a few deep breaths to keep my anger in check.
“Cause, I don’t want to work with you. What else might be the reason?” I retorted calmly.
“Oh, you don’t? I didn’t know about it. Even if you don’t you have to. So, no point in arguing. We are sealing the deal on Monday. Arrive at the address I’m sending you by 8 p. m. And on the day of the grand opening which is by the end of the week, I’m throwing a big party at my house. Bring your family, your wife, and your daughter with you. Have to see what my granddaughter is like, don’t I?” he added with a hint of amusement visible in his tone.
Bring my family?
“Didn’t you used to say you hate Emilia? Then, why do you want her and her daughter to come to the party?” I inquired.
He paused for a few seconds before laughing, “Hm, that’s a very funny question. But, it’s sensible coming from you. Well, yeah. I do hate her, but I still do. I won’t deny it, she ruined my son’s future by tricking him into marriage. Still, there’s no harm in seeing each other, right? Especially, now when her daughter is living with the two of you. Your fake family is all complete now, isn’t it? Then, come to see me with them.” He added, bitterly.
My fake…. family, huh?
“Did I sound too harsh? But, I’m not sorry about it. Anyway, I’m done talking. Do as I said. Looking forward to seeing you, my son. Make sure to come on time.”
He hung up on me the next second, leaving me feeling anxious.
He always forces everything on me against my will, and that’s not new. But, why did he say he wanted to see Aileen? What is he planning?
It’s not just some family reunion, it’s something way more than that. I know my dad. He doesn’t have any good blood in him.
Afterward, I was on my way home. But, somehow ended up in the traffic. While waiting for a few minutes, suddenly the knock on my window drew my attention.
I looked outside to see Emilia standing with a smile.
I pulled down the window and took off my seatbelt. “You? Is your shift over?”
She nodded, opened the door to get inside, and sat beside me.
“Yes, a few minutes ago. I finished early. Mind giving me a ride while you are at it?” she asked, coiling her hand around my arm.
“But, you have to sit in the traffic. Do you mind?”
She shook her head, smiling. “Nope, I don’t. Cause it allows me to spend time with you alone. Isn’t that great?”
I gave a nod hesitantly.
Isn’t that the reason why, Aileen lashed out at me in the first place? And I can’t seem to make her forgive me anyhow.
Wish she’d tell me, where I am wrong. Then, I could rectify it.
“Hey, what are you thinking while ignoring your pretty wife?” Emilia’s voice interrupted my thoughts.
I glanced down beside me to see her staring at me with a grumpy expression.
“Uh…I’m sorry for not paying attention. I’m not trying to ignore you. What were you saying?”
“Do you not like spending time with me?” she asked with a straightforward look. “Answer me honestly.”
I was about to reply right away but suddenly, Aileen’s sad expression flashed in my mind.
I was left speechless unable to utter a word.
It’s not like I hate spending time with you. You are everything a man could ask for, the perfect life partner. But, if I prioritize you over Aileen, my guilt will end up engulfing me totally.
Between the woman I married, and the girl who’s my mate, whom should I choose?
“That’s a question, only you know the answer to,” Aaron murmured softly.
Unfortunately, I still don’t have the answer to that question yet. And, I don’t even know how much time that is going to take.
“As I thought, you really do force yourself to hang out with me. If only you had made it clear earlier, you didn’t have to suffer silently,” she murmured, retreating her hand away from my arm.
I grabbed onto her hand and looked into her eyes. “That’s not true. I enjoy being with you.”
“Do you really?” she emphasized the word ‘Really’.
“Of course I do! Do you have to doubt me?”
She adverted her eyes as if trying to avoid my question.
I reached out my hand to caress her face. “Look, I’m a bit overwhelmed with work that’s why I’m not feeling energetic at the moment. But, you don’t need to think I force myself to be with you. Alright? Never think that.”
Her lips curled upwards into a smile, and she looked me in the eyes. I could see a little bit of her faith restored again.
It’s getting hard to convince her lately. But, truth be told, I’m the one who’s convincing myself in the first place.
When will this game of pretend ever end? I’m really getting tired of all this.
“Let’s go and eat something on the way then,” she eagerly pleaded, snuggling closer to me.
I nodded in response. “Why not? Want to have some Teriyaki Pizza?”
“You bet I do!” she screamed in delight.
She truly looks so happy with me, and here, I’m betraying her every day. I’m really such a scum for playing with both of their feelings like that.
Unless I sort out my feelings, I’ll be guilty forever.
Arriving at the shop, we walked past the entrance and suddenly bumped into someone we weren’t expecting.
Aileen stood there next to Marshall with a surprised look on her face.
Meanwhile, Marshall looked as if he had seen a ghost or something.
“A-Alpha, you are here……” he stuttered.
His expression was something to be recorded.
“Aileen, you didn’t tell me you were here as well?” Emilia asked, pointing in her direction.
Aileen’s eyes widened in response. “Uh…I…. didn’t think you two were here….”. She kept looking up and down at me.
Of course, even in her worst nightmare, she wouldn’t expect to see me. She’ll be more than happy to see Marshall though.
“It’s okay, we don’t want to disturb you,” I said, clearing my throat. “Pretend as if we didn’t see each other, that’ll be great.”
Emilia was confused by that suggestion. “What? And why would we do that when we met just now?”
Marshall looked a bit puzzled but remained silent.
Aileen didn’t seem to like the sound of it. The frown on her face is the greatest proof.
“Trust me, it’ll be great,” I assured Emilia. “Both of them were before us, so let them enjoy each other’s company in peace. We still have time left to spend by ourselves. Let them go.”
“But….” She looked in Aileen’s direction and considered my suggestion. “Well, then….”
“It’s okay, we’ll leave you two alone!” Aileen stated, grabbing Marshall by the hand and dragging him past from our side towards the direction of the exit. And while she was leaving, I could see the desperation in her face, the suppressed anger and irritation.
I expected she would do something like this. It’s just like her. The only way we can hurt each other is by suppressing our emotions cause we can’t show our true selves in public.
“Dave! Was it a good idea to let them go?” she asked, watching them leave.
“Yes, believe me. And don’t worry, we can see her at home. Marshall is with her, he’ll drop her at home safely.”
“Well, that’s true. If he’s with her, there’s no need for me to worry. He’s quite trustworthy.”
How ironic. He’s trustworthy to you even though he keeps ignoring my orders. Wish you knew how she’s using him as a shield so she won’t have to face me.
She keeps running away from me, running away from all the problems. The things she’s bad at dealing with.
But…. how long will you keep running Aileen? And how far will you go? You can’t run forever, can you?