Dave
"So, you finally came to see me, didn't you son?" my dad spoke, holding the cigar in hand. "I'm truly delighted. You can't imagine how happy I am right now. Come, pour me some wine for me. We'll drink together."
I took a seat in front of him, and the waiter placed the bottle of wine close to my hands.
I picked it up involuntarily and poured him a glass.
"I'm not here to chit-chat with you. Tell me what you have to say, and I'll leave," I said, putting down the bottle.
He did not react to it, instead, he picked up the glass and took a sip. He then looked in my direction.
"Are you so busy playing that fake family game that you can't even spend some time with your dad? It makes me feel lonely, you know?"
"I'm not the cure for your loneliness. Find someone else for it." I retorted, staring into his face. "Where's your girlfriend? Not here with you today? Or is she out on vacation without you? Or jewelry shopping perhaps?"
"You didn't say you want to see her," he mused, putting down the glass. "Or else I would've brought her over. So, tonight it's only the two of us. Let's have a good father and son conversation."
"Father and son? Finally, remember you have a son? Why this sudden change? Did she dump you or what? Have you gone sane?"
"Certainly not. And why are you acting like I've forsaken you or something? We may not be on good terms. But, I didn't cut off ties with you, did I?"
I clenched my fists tightly underneath the table, keeping my anger in check.
"What you did was way off worse than that," I stated.
"Why are you making me look like a criminal? What crime did I commit? What I did was all for your own good. Still you keep on hating your dad. I don't understand why?"
I fisted my hands on the table, loudly looking at my dad quite angrily. "If you don't get such a simple thing then you are really an idiot. Don't even come talking to me. I simply detest you! And that woman as well!"
He smiled, resting his hand on the armrest. "You hate me? Fine, let's keep it that way. But, I also hate the decisions you took in your life. Just like your marriage to that woman. It's nothing but a failure. Don't you think so as well?"
"If you called me to lecture about my private life, I'm outta here!" I started, about to get up.
"How long do you plan to make yourself suffer by staying in an unhappy marriage? You should break out of it as fast as you can. Do you want to live unhappy forever?"
I stopped in my tracks, turning around to look at him.
"Whose fault do you think I'm in a situation like this?" That is what I want to say. But, if I do here then I'll be insulting Emilia in front of him. Which I don't want to.
Despite the circumstances, I married her. I liked her because I felt grateful to her. But most importantly, to give her the support she needed at that moment.
Aileen won't know that, but that broken marriage and divorce had affected Emilia mentally and physically.
I had seen, how fragile she was back then, her weakness which she couldn't show to the whole world.
She's really a strong woman for not breaking down no matter what are the circumstances. And I used to think how cool she was for that.
"I'm sorry, but I can't listen to your stupid advice," I replied. "You may be my dad, and with that authority, you had taken control of my life before. But, now that I'm an adult, I won't let you do that anymore."
"So, you'll go against me?" he retorted, with no change in his expression.
"Yes, if I need to. And I don't feel bad for you as well. So, no harm is there?"
Suddenly, I could see the anger rising in his eyes.
"You think your stupid marriage is going to last for eternity? Then you are so wrong!" he remarks. "I'm older than you. I've seen the world far better than you. And with my assessment, I can tell clearly that you are simply not happy right now. You are just forced to be in that marriage against your own will."
"Oh really?" I chuckled. "And how can you tell that?"
"Because I see no love for her in your eyes. You are simply pretending. Your heart belongs to someone else. And I know that better than anyone."
I was at a loss for words. My head went blank when he uttered the truth so easily.
Yes, all these years I've been telling myself that I love her was a lie. It was a lie all along, and I forced myself to believe that lie thinking it'd become a truth over the years, which it didn't.
Picking up the glass for a second time he took a sip, turning to me. "So, when are you going to stop lying to yourself and see the truth? If you become blind to reality you'll get hurt badly later. So, let Dad help you out. Come out of that marriage, don't keep any relations with that woman and her daughter! I'll find the best woman for you, how does that sound?"
Don't keep any relations with them? Is he for real?
"I'll find one of the prettiest and hottest girls in Seattle. But, I don't know what type of girls you like. If you just tell me your preference, I can help you out. Dad will gift you the best life you deserve! I can guarantee you that!"
"Best life?" I repeated.
"Yes, the best life!"
"Will mom be there for me? Can you bring her back for me?"
He was puzzled by my question. "What? Don't you ask for the impossible! How can I bring back your mom? She's been dead and gone for many years already. I'm talking about the present. Tell me what I can do for you now."
Something in me snapped when he mentioned her death so casually. Before she became my mom she was his wife, and yet he shows no remorse towards her now.
I'm astonished to see how anyone can change so much over a few years. He's the greatest example.
"And why do you keep mentioning your mom whenever you get the opportunity to? I'm alive, I'm your father. Show some affection and love for me as well, will you?"
"And what great deeds have you done that I need to show respect and love towards you?" I retorted, pointing in his direction. "If you can't change the past don't even try to meddle in the present. You've already destroyed half of my life. I won't let you destroy the other half of it. So, stay within your limits."
"You–" he was about to say something but I interrupted.
"I came here because you forced me to. I think I've done my part, so allow me to take my leave. It's already late. Have a good night and say my regards to your girlfriend as well. Tell her to stay away from my family or else she might regret it. bye." I turned away to leave and heard my father getting up from his seat.
"You are ignoring my words now, but you are going to regret it a lot later! That fake family of yours is going to fall apart any minute. Mark my words. And when you'll have no one to call your own you have to come back to dad only, your real family. Remember that!"
I heard everything that he said, but pretended not to hear it and just walked away from there without looking back.
He must be cursing so much behind my back, I could tell even without knowing.
I got into my car and turned it on. Placing my hands on the steering wheel I was about to drive away but no matter how much I tried to ignore, Dad's words were ringing in my ears.
"That fake family of yours is going to fall apart any minute."
Really? Are relations so easy to break that they will fall apart in minutes? What are they made of glass?
The bonding that people create over years and decades, it's so easy to break. Then what's the point of having relations anyway? Do they have any meaning to it?
I turned on the music and drove away from the hotel trying to distract myself. But, it was practically useless.
After 5 minutes of listening, I turned it off and rushed home as fast as I could.
Within 20 minutes I arrived home. I was about to ring the doorbell but stopped.
I told Aileen and Emilia to eat dinner and go to bed. They won't be up waiting for me. I should enter without disturbing anyone.
I took out the keys and entered, closing the door behind me. I headed towards my room after taking off my shoes.
"You are simply pretending, your heart belongs to someone else!" Dad's words rang in my head when I saw Aileen sitting on the couch with a book in hand reading something.
My heart belongs to someone else. Yes, it truly does belong to someone else. But, that someone else is my stepdaughter. How can this relationship be ever accepted by anyone out there?
I walked towards her without thinking my gaze locked on her.
Tell me, Dad, if relations are so easy to break then why is this girl waiting for me at this time even though I told her not to?
If this is a fake family, then is all of this fake as well? Their gesture is fake as well?