Chapter 98. A meeting
Jackson Johnson
I arrived at my penthouse with a headache I hadn't had in a long time. I had so many things battling in my mind that it distracted me completely.
"Mr. Johnson, welcome," greeted the housekeeper.
"Thank you, Mrs. Green."
"Would you like dinner to be served in fifteen minutes?" I shook my head.
"Thank you, but I'm not hungry." I could see the surprise in her eyes. "Can you save it for later?" She nodded slowly. "Thanks."
"It's the ribs you love," she mentioned as she passed by. I smiled at her tactic, but I really wasn't hungry.
"Thank you, but I won't be having dinner tonight."
"Excuse my intrusion, but... Are you okay?" I stopped on the first step, sighed, and looked in her direction.
"I have a headache. If I get hungry later, I'll heat it up myself. Thank you for asking."
"Would you like a pill for the pain?"
"Thank you, I appreciate it." She walked to the kitchen and returned with a glass and the pill. I accepted it, drank the water, and handed her the empty glass. "Thanks, if everything is ready, you can go rest."
"Yes, sir. See you in the morning. I hope your headache goes away and you can have something to eat." We said goodbye, and I went up to my room, took a bath, and lay down. I closed my eyes, and the image of Lilly and Oliver having dinner together, the way he looked at her, drove me crazy. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"Calm down, Jackson." The effect of the pill didn't take long, and I fell asleep without realizing it.
"Lilly and Oliver were sitting at a table in my restaurant, holding hands, laughing about something. I swallowed hard, my heart pounded, and I started trembling with rage, jealousy, and something else I couldn't define. I saw Oliver lean towards Lilly to kiss her. I prayed inside to stop that kiss, but my feet were rooted to the ground, in cement. I shouted her name, but she didn't hear me, no one seemed to. Then I saw something that made me lose it: They kissed passionately. I screamed her name, wanting them to stop. The pain inside me was immense."
"LILLY!!" I screamed her name so loudly that I shuddered at the echo of my voice in the dark room. My breathing was erratic, my heart pounded as if it would burst out of my chest, and the bitter taste of desperation lingered in my mouth. "Lilly..." I finally whispered her name. "What was happening to me?" I had never felt this way before. I didn't even recognize myself. I closed my eyes and mentally replayed the moments I had shared with her until I fell asleep again.
In the morning, I had left the penthouse early. I hadn't eaten enough due to lack of appetite, but Mrs. Green insisted on a natural smoothie so I wouldn't have an empty stomach, and I thanked her for it. This morning, I had sent Richard to pick up Lilly and bring her to the company. I would drive my Bentley. I arrived at the building, parked in a spot, and as I got out, nerves hit me hard. I walked towards the automatic double doors, people were coming and going. I entered and walked to the reception.
"Good morning," I greeted politely.
"Good morning," replied the woman. "How can I help you?"
"I have an appointment with the chief of surgery, Dr. Harry Bradley." The woman smiled.
"Alright, I'll call him. Please wait a moment." She made the call, then approached me. "He's on his way to meet you. You can wait here."
"Thank you." The knot in my stomach grew as the minutes passed. I stood up and began pacing back and forth, anxiety building inside me.
"Jackson?" I heard a male voice behind me. When I turned towards it, I saw Lilly's father. He was wearing a white coat, his name badge, and he looked cheerful. Why am I the one who's nervous?
"Good morning, Mr. Bradley," I extended my hand to greet him, and he accepted it kindly.
"Call me... Harry," he smiled.
"I'd prefer to keep it formal, if you don't mind."
"Then I'll call you Mr. Johnson," I quickly shook my head.
"No, no, you can call me Jackson."
"Then you can call me Harry. Come on, don't be nervous, I don't bite," he joked and smiled at my reaction. "Let's go up to my office, you can breathe now." He gave a small pat on my arm. I followed him until we reached his office, and he pointed to the chair in front of his large desk.
"Thank you, very kind of you." He sat in his majestic chair.
"It was a big surprise to hear you wanted to speak with me directly. Sorry for summoning you to the hospital, but I'm here almost all day."
"Don't worry, what matters is that I can talk to you."
"So, tell me what you want to talk about." I couldn't speak for a moment because of my nerves. "Relax, exhale and inhale, you look quite nervous."
"Sorry, this is the first time I'm doing this." He raised an eyebrow.
"Doing what? Talking to me? We've talked before, son." His words moved me; he seemed quite calm.
"It's the first time I'm asking for permission to officially court your daughter, Lilly." He was surprised by my words. "I want to do things right. I have no experience in what to say to my girlfriend's father..." He interrupted me.
"Girlfriend? Are you two dating?" His tone was surprised.
"Yes, I asked her yesterday to be my official girlfriend. I know she comes from a failed engagement, but I promise my intentions with your daughter are good and sincere. So, my question is: Do I have your permission to be in a relationship with your daughter?"
"I'm surprised. Does she know you came to talk to me?" I tensed up. Should I have told her first? "From your reaction, I guess not." He smiled.
"Sorry," I said quickly. "But I'll tell her today." He nodded slowly, still looking at me.
"Communication is key."
"She said that," I smiled, seeing the similarity in their words.
"I've raised her to be a good woman."
"Thank you for that. She is a beautiful young woman, strong," I sighed, "warm and confident."
"I like how you describe her." He paused briefly. "May I propose something?"
"Sure, go ahead."
"I'll postpone my answer to your question." I raised my eyebrows in surprise, thinking I had ruined it. "And I'll give you not only my answer but also her mother Beatrice's." I tensed up. "So, I propose a family dinner on Sunday night. Let's talk in a calm environment, no rush, relaxed, with good wine and a delicious dinner. What do you think?"
"That sounds perfect!" I might have been too enthusiastic. "Yes, of course, that would be great." He smiled, amused.
"Then we'll see you on Sunday. Don't be late... Jackson." He stood up, and so did I. He extended his hand towards me. "And in advance, welcome to the family." I accepted his hand and nodded. My nerves grew even more. He accompanied me to the exit, and we said goodbye again. I loosened my tie with my trembling fingers, the heat I felt was indescribable. I reached my Bentley and got in quickly. I placed my hands on the steering wheel and reviewed what had happened, then furrowed my brow: "And in advance, welcome to the family." I opened my eyes wider in surprise. He has already accepted me dating his daughter.
You're slow, Jackson!