Aileen
I was stunned by his words. They were ringing in my ears.
How could he say that after all the things that he made us go through?
I clenched my fists and yelled with all my might, “And whose fault do you think it is that I turned out like this? You were the one who destroyed everything, our relationship, our bond, our family. And now you are asking me why I’m acting rude towards you? What else did you expect from me?”
He stared at me with a stoic face devoid of all emotions.
“I destroyed everything? It was partially your Mom’s fault as well. Both of us couldn’t stand each other. That’s why we went our ways. And unfortunately, she took you with her, that’s why I couldn’t see you again.”
“And when she was taking me away, you said nothing about it, cause you didn’t care,” I retorted. “Stop trying to be a saint which you are not. You wanted the divorce from the bottom of your heart. You couldn’t stand mom, you couldn’t stand me. Is this not the truth?”
“No, it’s not. I was”
“Peter, what are you doing here?” Mom’s voice drew our attention.
She came out of the bathroom and stood a few inches away from us. She looked as much shocked as I was when I saw him.
“Emilia, I was”
“Aileen, are you alright?” she asked, running over to my side to hug me. I seriously needed that. “Did he say anything weird to you? I heard you yelling.”
“Um…. no, just…” I was at a loss of words. I didn’t want Mom to see him. I didn’t want them to meet again after so many years. This is not the reunion I wanted.
“You are overreacting as always,” Dad remarks, putting his hands in the pockets. “I’m her dad. Why would I say anything strange to her? What kind of a person do you take me for? I haven’t seen her in so long so we were just catching up on things.”
Mom held me close, and looked in his direction, “I take you for the Man, who can leave his family for any selfish reasons without caring about their well-being.”
Dad clicked his tongue in irritation. “I see, so much time has passed still you haven’t lost the fire in you huh? You are the same as before, rebellious and resentful, always disobeying me.”
“Some people really don’t change over time.”
“Yes, just like you. And why do you think I’m going to obey you after so many years have passed? You were the one who left us. We won’t live in your misery forever, will we?” Mom replied.
“I’m not the one who left you,” he added coldly with a smirk. “You are the one who left me just so you could get together with a rich guy. I’ve heard all about him, and your second marriage. A big catch, isn’t he? You managed to get all that you ever wanted in your life. You must be living like a queen, aren’t you?”
“Yes,” I replied, pulling away from Mom. I faced him with my head held high. “She’s living like a queen, cause she has found her King who treats her like his queen, which you didn’t. And you shouldn’t talk about him with that mouth of yours. It makes me feel petty from inside.”
“Aileen!” Dad yelled, his nose contorted in anger. “Don’t forget I’m your dad. You can’t talk to me like that. You must’ve taught her to talk like this Emilia, didn’t you? You are really so evil”
“Mom didn’t teach me to talk like this. It’s you who taught me to talk like this,” I replied, peering into his eyes with no fear. “I’ve learned to insult and judge people from you. Because I carry your blood in me, which I detest so much!”
Dad glared at mom with an angry face. “You took her away just so you could turn her against me? Is this the reason behind your fleeing? You must’ve used her to marry that rich guy who’s half your age, didn’t you? How could you stoop so low, Emilia? Just for some money!”
“I’m not as greedy as you Peter, unfortunately!” Mom replied, wrapping her arm around me. “I didn’t use my daughter to marry him. And I could never do it just for money. I married Dave in order to,” she glanced down at me. “Give my daughter the family she needed, a roof above her head, and the father figure which she always wanted. So she won’t be raised in a broken family no more. Not because of your cheap thinking. You should be ashamed to call yourself her dad, shame on you!”
His eyes narrowed at me. “You Mother and daughter are ganging up on me now, huh? But, it doesn’t change the fact that you married for money. No matter how you try to sound noble, you just can’t in front of me. Cause I can see through your facade very well.”
“I don’t need to clarify myself to an abuser,” Mom retorted. “Go back to the rat-hole you belong to. Cause, I don’t wanna see your face no more.”
“You are running your mouth as you please,” Dad yelled, pointing in her direction. “I know you are a gold-digger. You don’t deserve to speak no humbly. All of this is your act. How much is he paying you to pretend to be his fake wife and family? Or are you just a mistress?”
“Peter, you”
“Refrain your words and actions,” I warned replying very calmly. “Or I might be forced to call security to kick you out.”
Dad was a bit bewildered by my words cause it made him shudder.
“You will call security to kick me out? Is this how you are repaying me for raising you? You ungrateful girl!”
“No, you are wrong,” I replied, glaring at him. “You didn’t raise me. My Mom did. And she’s not a gold digger. She’s the kindest and strongest person I’ve seen on earth. At least she’s not a coward like you. She didn’t abandon me like you did and pretended to have turned over a new leaf. You should be ashamed to call yourself my dad.”
“You”
“Honey, who are you talking to?” a lady came out of the bathroom and asked Dad.
She seemed to be a few years older than me, but definitely younger than mom. Why’s she calling him honey?
Seeing her Dad composed himself. “Oh, it’s just my….. old family.”
“Your old family?” she inquired, standing right beside him. Then looked at all of our faces, observing closely.
Her big eyelashes were just ticking me off. She was a bit on the thinner side with curves showing off through her red bodycon which hugged her body perfectly.
“Oh, you mean the old family you used to have? Your wife and daughter?” she asked, aloud.
“Yeah, that family.”
“I see…. it’s such a coincidence to bump into them here. How are you two? Doing well?” she asked, smiling.
Is this the way to greet people after the way he was confronting us? Isn’t she a bit carefree?
“Yes, we are fine. You must be”
“Yeah, his wife,” she addressed, wrapping her arm around his hand.
Mom’s face became a bit saddened to see that.
“His wife?” Mom stuttered. “You got married afterwards?”
“Hm, yeah.” The lady nodded, turning to Dad. “Today is our 8th wedding anniversary. That’s why he took me out to celebrate. After this we are going to a nice restaurant to eat. Right, dear?”
Dad nodded, “Anything for you my dear. Did you like the earrings I gave you?”
“Yeah, they are so pretty!” she tucked aside her short hair to show off her ear.
“You stopped going out with us to celebrate occasions and here you are taking her out to celebrate, huh?” Mom comments, a bit sarcastically. “Guess, you really have changed a lot these past years.”
“Hm…yup, he’s not the same man you used to know,” the woman replied, caressing his cheeks. “He has changed completely for me. Right honey?”
“Yeah,” he wrapped his arm around her back, pulling her close. “Ever since I married Lola, my life has taken a 360 degree turn. I’ve learned to enjoy life and is very much satisfied with my married life. Unlike before.”
Mom lowered her eyes, feeling a sense of shame of guilt and anger.
I need to do something.
“So, you were here with your wife and yet you tried to sweet talk your previous daughter and also wanted to get together with your old family? That’s quite ironic, isn’t it?” I inquired, looking in dad’s direction. “Are you alright with this, Miss Lola?”
“What?” the lady looked at dad, and removed her hand from his arm right away. “You tried to do what?”
“She’s lying Honey! I didn’t said anything like that at all!” Dad replied. “They are trying to get between us after finding out about me, that’s all.”
“Is this true?”
“Yeah! Believe me!”
“Lies, lies, how much lies are you going to tell her just to keep her with you?” I asked, “She must be fed up to keep up with your lies at this point. Aren’t you Lola? How much lies have he told you at this point? That he’s a billionaire or something?”
Dad clenched his jaw and pointed at me. “Look, if you believe you can spout nonsense then you are very wrong. I only joked with you when I said I wanted to get back together. Who would even like to get back with that old ancient sculpture when I have a beauty like Lola at my side? She’s stylish, smart and educated. She’s everything I ever wanted in a wife. But, never found it in your Mom. I would be a laughing stock if I ever go out with her in public, do you understand me?”