Chapter 24

Samantha's POV:

I was told to wait outside a room and I kept tapping my feet nervously. I was surprised to see that I was the only person waiting. The company was huge and the job paid really well. I couldn't understand why no one else showed up so I browsed through the website on my phone and noticed that the hiring advertisement for this company was no longer available.

Weird.

I shook my head, brushing it aside and mentally prepared myself for the interview. 

"Ms. Perez?" I turned my head to the sound of my name and saw a petite young Asian woman gesturing for me to follow her. I stood up, straightening out my skirt and followed her silently. 

"You may enter now," she smiled at me politely and walked away. I took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

"Come in," I heard a rough yet familiar voice and pushed the door open slowly. The sight before me knocked the air out of my lungs and I stood near the door frozen. My mind went blank and I felt my head spinning.

Was this real? I pinched my arm. 

What the hell was he doing here? 

I couldn't understand.

"Dad?" The words slipped out of my lips and it felt so weird to say it out loud after so many years. 

"Samantha, come inside. It's so good to see you." I couldn't physically move and kept staring at him in shock and disbelief. After coming out of my trance state, I slowly walked towards him, all the while wondering how the hell did he find out about me and what the hell was actually going on. 

"Is this some kind of a joke? What are you doing here?" I asked, trying not to lose my shit.

"This is one of the companies I own, well we own it." He corrected immediately, shoving his hands in his pocket and I scrunched my eyebrows in confusion. He still looked the same, with his salt and pepper hair combed back neatly as always and I could see bags under his eyes. He was getting old and my heart ached at the sight of him. He was still my dad after all. I squeezed my eyes tightly to prevent the tears from falling and took a deep breath.

"I have no idea what the hell is going on but I'm out of here." I was about to turn around and walk away.

"Not so soon, my dear. Don't you miss your father?" he asked, making me turn around and I grimaced at his question.

"Seriously? You are asking me that? Well, let me ask you this then, how is your new family and your children?" I spat at him, hitting the sore spot.

"That's not fair. It's not like I didn't try to connect with you. You never let me in." He tried to defend himself and I scoffed in response.

"Oh my god! I can't even look at you right now and listen to your bullshit excuses. I'm better off without you or mom," I yelled, wiping away the tears that I didn't know were flowing down my cheeks.

"Listen to me, sweetheart. I'm really sorry for not being around much but I have changed now." He tried to convince me again but I was stubborn as hell. He had no fucking right to waltz into my life as he wishes.

"Stop, stop! Just stop it! Why are you doing this to me? Why now?" I sobbed, holding my chest, unable to control myself anymore. All the memories of my childhood came rushing to my mind and I was an emotional wreck. 

This wasn't how I planned my day to go.

"I know this must be so random but I really need your help, sweetheart." He paused, pinching the bridge of his nose and he looked like he was contemplating whether or not to speak. I remained silent, and he took that as a sign and continued, "Our business is running at a loss, and I'm almost bankrupt. The lawyers advised me to get a partner to invest, but no one is willing to partner with me. They simply don't believe in me anymore." He explained and I rolled my eyes already knowing why he tried to reach out to me.

God, was he even for real?

"And since you are helpless, you want me to become a partner and help you out." I finished for him and he gave me a small nod, "What makes you think I would even consider this?" 

"Because you are my daughter." He stated as a matter of fact and I wanted to laugh out loud.

He was freaking unbelievable. 

"You know, for a second, just a second, I thought you were finally trying to reach out to me because you care about me but I was wrong. You never change. You just can't love your own daughter. All you care about is your money and business. Paying for my education and necessities doesn't make you my father, dammit." I burst out and bit my lips to hold back my sobs.

"Please don't cry, my dear. Of course, I want to be in your life." He took a step forward and tried to touch my shoulders but I pulled away from him and walked towards the door.

I should have done that sooner.

I just wanted to leave before embarrassing myself further. Just when I was about to open the door, something struck me. I turned around slowly afraid to know the response of the question I was about to ask. 

"Did you have anything to do with me getting fired?" I asked, holding my breath.

Please let it not be him.

I don't think I can take it anymore. 

He wouldn't go that far, would he?

"I'm not going to lie and make you hate me more when you find out later." He muttered, not meeting my gaze and I felt a wave of nausea hitting me. 

Who was this person standing in front of me? 

"H-how did you even know where I worked?" 

"I had my sources. I'm not proud of what I did but I had to, sweetheart." The fact that he was trying to justify his dirty deed made me scrunch my face in disgust.

"You got me fired on purpose for your selfish needs and just when I was desperate for a job, you tried to lure me with this fake job advertisement to become your partner and help you out. This was all a fucking plan. Fuck!" I let out a dry laugh as the realization sunk in and ran my hands through my hair in frustration and anger. "I must say, well played. God, you know what? You are the most selfish and arrogant person I have ever met. Stay the fuck out of my life," I shouted and walked outside, slamming the door shut behind me and rushed towards the nearest washroom to throw up.

I kept sobbing uncontrollably. How can a person be so heartless? It fucking hurt so much. Out of all people, it was my own father who ruined my career for his selfish needs. I still couldn't believe it. God, I hated him so much. I wiped my face and looked at my myself in the mirror. I tried to breathe through my nose as I was feeling suffocated. 

Oh god!

Inhale.

Exhale I closed my eyes and thought about Nate to calm myself down. I wanted to be with him right now. I immediately took my phone out of my purse with my trembling hands and dialed his number. He picked up within a single ring.

"Hi, baby. How did it go?" he asked in an excited tone and I covered my mouth and cried harder. I didn't want to worry him but I couldn't help it.

"N-Nate," I stuttered, trying to control my sobs. 

"Sam, what's wrong? Baby, where are you?" He asked in a panicked voice and I swallowed hard and took a deep breath.

"I'm not feeling good and I just want to see you." I replied, trying not to sound miserable but failed at it.

"Fuck, I'm coming right now. Text me the address, baby and just take deep breaths, okay? I'm already outside getting a taxi," he cut the call and I shared him my location immediately through text. 

I decided to get out of the building first but just when I was about to walk outside, another wave of nausea hit me and I threw up again. Christ, why the hell was I throwing up? I must reek of puke. I was feeling weak and tired and just wanted to go home already.

This must be the worst fucking day ever.