Chapter 9 Father?
Dahlia
" Just use this period to rest and reflect. After one week, I will come to bring you home." He whispered as he calmly draped his jacket over my shoulders, his actions igniting a current of warmth all over my body. He was just a stranger. We had just met, but he treated me better than Jason had, whom I had known my whole life.
" You are about to become my wife, stay away from other men." He added, his voice deep with seriousness. He meant Jason, when he said that.
To others, that statement might have been offensive, but to me? It sparked something within me, and for some reason, I felt needed, desired, more than I had ever felt before.
And especially when I compared the experience with my past with Jason, something twisted within me.
The difference between love and indifference couldn't have been clearer. I had thought that Jason loved me, but after just spending a few hours with Dalton, everything became clear
Jason never loved me. He had just tolerated me because he never had a better replacement.
" Now get in. It's freezing out here."As he spoke, he gently opened the car door and it was not until I was settled in my seat that he approached the driver's side. We were in the hotel's parking lot, and nestled in the warm leather seats, I became dazed as I listened to the conversation between Dalton and his personal driver.
" Adjust the AC and drive slowly. Make sure she gets home in one piece. " His voice was filled with authority as he commanded, devoid of the softness and patience that he wore a while back when he was talking to me. And as his tone registered, everything started making sense. No wonder they all praised his ruthlessness. No wonder the media called him heartless. He was cold, and his soft side was only reserved for me.
Did that make me special? I had no idea, but one thing was for sure, it made me feel special.
The drive from the hotel to home passed in a blur, with my mind preoccupied with different thoughts, spanning from how to face my father, to how to reveal the news of Jason's betrayal to him.
My father might have failed as a husband, but I couldn't fault his parenting. He might not have been the perfect father in the world, but he was always there, always present, and that's all that mattered to me.
And if I was sure of one thing, he was going to support me, to stand by my side after learning about Jason's betrayal.
Yes, he would be disappointed, especially since he had eagerly been looking forward to my wedding, partially because he wanted the union between the two families to scale his business to another height, and partially because he wanted his little girl to be happy.
'If you are in love with Jason, then don't hold back. Show it through your actions and devotion. Men can be blind sometimes. They only need a little push, and they will come to their senses.' Searing pain tore through my heart when I recalled my father's familiar words.
My father used to tell me that and his gaze was always filled with warmth and encouragement as he said those words. The fact that I was helplessly in love with Jason from a young age wasn't a secret to my father. He had seen through my crush long ago, and he would secretly encourage me, telling me to follow my heart.
And I did. I listened to him, I showed my devotion through cooking, through supporting him, and what exactly did I receive? My actions were labelled as philanthropic.
I gained nothing from it all. All I got was disrespect.
And as I faced the familiar building, where my father was probably waiting, I hesitated. I didn't know how to face him after everything that had happened.
And then there was my upcoming marriage to Dalton. I didn't know how to break the news to my father, but that was not even my main concern. How was I supposed to face him and say it on his face that I had decided to change my name from Dahlia Brooks to Dahlia Banks?
Our father-daughter relationship was okay. I had spent most of my time with him, after all, so, the news was bound to find him by surprise.
But no matter how much I dreaded the upcoming conversation, I had to do it. I had decided to take my Mom's maiden name, to be initiated as a Banks, not because I was cutting ties with my father, but because it was a necessary process.
' As Dahlia Brooks, you aren't in a favourable position to marry into the Riggs family. But as Dahlia Banks, you have all the power in your words.' In our last call, my Mom had advised, her tone firm and steady.
If I wanted to take my revenge against Jason, I had to become a Banks, so, I had agreed on a heartbeat. Back then, my heart had been pulsing with hurt, and I didn't even think deeply about it before I said yes to my Mom's suggestions.
It was not after I calmed down that everything dawned on me. But we were already there, and I was sure my father would understand.
" Miss Banks, we are here." Throughout the drive, I was so lost in thought that I lost touch with reality and it was not until the driver called out that I snapped out of my daze.
We were outside the huge and intimidating Brooks mansion, the place that I had grown up in.
" Take care. " The driver spoke, taking a slight bow as he opened the door for me.
Maybe it was from fatigue, and hunger, but my legs shook slightly when they connected with the ground, but I steadied myself, taking measured steps towards the front door.
Endless chatter came from inside the house and I zonned out for a moment, pausing mid-action as I punched the passcode. That was weird.
Ever since I could remember, our house was always filled with deep silence. It was always just me, my father and the three housekeepers, after all.
As I opened the door, a laughter cut through the air, familiar and unmistakable. It was my father's.
Then came another, and even before I saw the owner, I could tell who it was. Just the thought of her had my blood running cold with hatred.
It was Sofia.
All the earlier fatigue vanished from my body and my movements were fueled by hatred and anger as I rushed forward, dying to see what was happening.
Well, nothing prepared me for what I was about to lock my eyes into.
On the couch, my favourite couch, by the way, sat Sofia, her mother and my father.
They looked happy, like a perfect family of three, and as I stood there, I couldn't help but feel like an outsider, in my own home.
What happened to me being his only daughter? What happened to him staying single until my mom decided to give him another chance?
" Father?" I called out, my voice trembling...