Skylar was dumbfounded to hear that. “W-what? Who’s this?”
“It’s me, David McGarten, the one who’s all over the news now, all thanks to you. Did you think you managed to get us into trouble by leaking the pictures? No, you only helped us. See how the situation turned out. The game is in our favor now. What are you going to do? Cry about it?”
Skylar paused briefly before remarking sarcastically, “If I was more prepared, you had no chance to win. It’s your good luck that I wasn’t seriously competing for Aileen. Or else, you would’ve been out of the picture long ago.”
Dave was even more amused by his response, “Oh yeah? You can still try and compete with me. How about instead of throwing dirt at each other, we try to settle this with our fists? That would give you a good advantage as you are younger than me, right?”
“This old man will be no match for you.”
Skylar hesitated before answering, “The moment she kissed you in front of the media and stated that she loves you since then, it was proved she’s your woman. There’s nothing to argue here about it. So, my trying to fight against you is futile when your feelings are mutual. I’m trying in vain.”
Dave smiled, looking at Aileen beside him, “Before talking with you, I was thinking of how to punish you for your wrongdoing. But, now I think there’s no need for it anymore. Cause you’ve already learnt your lesson. Fine, I forgive you.”
“There was no need for i., bye,” Skylar hung up on him.
“What did he say?” Aileen asked, taking the phone from his hands.
“Uh…. nothing. Just something between us guys,” he replied, snuggling close to her.
“Really now?”
The doorbell rang the next minute. Dave and Aileen both looked at each other, puzzled.
“Who’s here now?” she asked.
“Did you call someone?” he asked.
“No, I don’t remember….”
“I’ll go get the door,” Emilia said, walking past from their side.
She opened the door and was surprised by the person standing outside.
“You?”
“What’s taking Mom so long?” Aileen inquired of Dave, who was sitting in the living room beside her.
“Hm…let me check up on her then-”
“There’s no need for anyone to go anywhere. I’m already here,” Emilia interrupted.
Aileen and Dave both turn to look at her, only to see a man standing beside her.
Seeing the man’s face, Aileen’s eyes widened in shock.
She immediately got up from the couch onto her feet. “You? Why are you here? And who allowed you to come in?”
“I did,” her mom replied, a bit sadly.
“What? But why? You know what kind of a scumbag he is. Then-”
“Aileen, calm down. Let me handle it,” Dave assured her, rubbing her back.
“If you are already here, there’s no helping. But you must state your intentions. What are they?” Dave asked him.
Peter, her real dad, looked at Emilia and lowered his head in front of Dave.
“I know none of you are happy to see me here. But please hear me out before sending me away. Please.”
“Fine, we’ll hear you out. Sit down.” Dave replied, “Aileen and Emilia, you too.”
Aileen sat beside him, and Emilia sat across Peter.
“I saw the news on TV and had also seen the article about you two,” Peter begins to speak. “I was trying to contact Emilia for a while but didn’t have the opportunity to. Cause I don’t have her number, and she wouldn’t like me visiting her at the hospital, so I stayed back.”
“I also tried to see Aileen at her college, but most of the time, she’s usually with her friends, or someone else picks her up.”
“And why were you trying to contact both of them? Any special reason?” Dave asked.
He glanced down at his hands and replied, “Well, my current wife had cheated on me with another guy and left me one month ago. And after she’s gone, I’ve come to realize that no matter how much love or money I used to spend on her, she never cared for me once.”
“But, during the years I’ve spent with Emilia and my daughter Aileen, both of them cared for me without asking for anything in return. I’ve always chased after looks and beauty, but all along, what mattered was the thing inside of us, our heart. And I’ve no heart. I know it. That’s why I could be cruel to the person who loved me for who I am. I’ve done a wrong deed. And I want to atone for it.”
“I’ve realized how horrible of a mistake I’ve committed by divorcing her and leaving them both alone. I know what’s been done can’t be taken back. I’ve said many worse things to Emilia as well. And I’m ashamed of it. The past can’t be changed. But I want her to give me one final chance to prove myself to be a better husband and father. Please, give me one chance. I’ll not disappoint you.”
“It took you one month to realize your mistake even though you had so many years to waste?” Aileen retorted, “How can we trust your words? How can I be assured that you aren’t trying to hurt my Mom again? And none of this is your acting to acquire Dave’s wealth? Can you prove that?”
“Yes, I can prove that,” Peter replied, I don’t want her to forgive me. But, give me a chance to prove myself, change myself. That’s why I want her to move in with me for some time. If she thinks that I’m up to no good, she can move out, and I won’t bother her again. I won’t force anyone, it’s up to her whether she agrees to the proposal. I’m no one to make decisions.”
“And if you want, Aileen, you can move in with us also. All three of us can fresh start all over,” Peter added with a smile. “”Mom, Dad, and you. We’ll be a happy family again. Just like old days.”
Aileen’s eyes filled with tears. She asked with a quivering voice, “Is…is it really possible for us to get back to our old days? For everything to become normal again?”
“Everything is possible if you want it to happen,” he replied, “But it depends on your mom mostly. What she wants to do.”
“I’m willing to give you a chance,” Emilia interrupted, gazing at Peter intently. “But, if you mess it up this time. I’m going to make sure no woman dates you ever again. And don’t think I’m joking, I’m being serious.”
Peter smiled, “Thanks for putting your faith in me once again. I can’t thank you enough for this. I’ll not give you a chance to complain. Trust me.”
“Are you really sure about it?” Dave asked, bitterly. “There’s no turning back from this. You know it, right? What if you get deceived again? Will you let the man who once broke your heart break it twice? Can you accept a betrayal and sadness, emotional baggage twice?”
“Yes, I’m ready to risk it all again. And I hope it’s only for the better,” Emilia replied with a smile, looking at Peter. “And after all the suffering and sadness I’ve gone through, nothing really affects me anymore. So, I’ll think of it as a trial of the moon goddess. I’ll bet on my love again.”
“What do you think about this, Aileen?” Dave asked, “Do you agree with your mom? Do you think she should give him a chance? And if you agree to it, will you move in with them?”
Aileen glanced at Dave, then looked in Peter and her mom’s direction.
After thinking for a few minutes, she nodded, “Yeah, I want to give him a chance also. If mom is moving in, then I’ll move in too. Cause families stick together.”
After assessing the situation, Dave heaved a sigh, getting up on his feet. He went over to stand in front of Peter.
“Well, if the ladies had agreed to it, who am I to say no? Welcome to the team, Peter. I hope you’ll stick to your word. Cause, if you make any of them cry, then you’ll be the one crying rivers afterward. I’m not a man you should mess with.”
Peter smiled, holding out his hand towards Dave, “I know that very well. You are very protective over them. Thanks for taking care of my family for all these years. They are my responsibility now. You can rest assured. I’m not the same Peter I used to be.”
Dave shook his hand, “I hope so as well. Call me if you need help. I’m always ready to help out.”
“Thanks.”