Chapter 73 Private Meeting
Mariko's POV
I didn't want sh^t to happen that I was not aware of. I want transparency when it comes to Gerard. Maddie stood up from her chair. She seemed nervous and I did not like that. Is that because I treated her like sh^t yesterday that she isn't telling me anything? Is that the reason she went to her father?
"My father will see that the dress gets to Ash. I won't have to see Ash because my father will deal with him," she replied.
I nodded as I looked at Gerard, he just watched me, not saying anything. "Can I speak to you in my office, please?" I asked him.
"If this is to be mean to my father, then that will be a no," Maddie chimed in. I looked at her, and she was begging me, yet still being stern.
"I will follow after you," Gerard replied. He placed the bag where the dress was in, on her desk, and he followed after me to my office.
Once we got to my office, I closed the door behind him. "You may take a seat," I told him as I walked to my desk.
"So, what is this about?" He asked. "If this is to lecture me again about my past, then there is no need. I am not that man again. I am trying to be a father who missed out on years of Maddie's life and trying to make amends for everything that I did in my life to some people." he said as I sat down in my leather chair.
"It's not about that although I am keeping a close eye on you when it comes to Maddie and my loved ones." I began, resting my arms on my desk, clasping my hands. "It's about Ash."
"I will deal with him. I don't want him anywhere near my daughter. So, I will do anything to protect her too. That is why I asked for the dress so that I could take it to him. I don't want him to bother her about it. Maybe if he has the dress then he will leave her alone. Maddie stopped by after work last night, and she told me what had happened. So I'm doing this for her." he was serious.
I nodded my head, "I was also planning to deal with him, but in a way that was not expected. Something that...he won't see coming. We have a function coming up and as much as I would like you to be there despite circumstances, I cannot have you there."
"I do understand that, and I don't blame you or anyone for that matter. I am trying to build my name again from scratch. I don't want to fight with my ex-wife to get my company back or the club, I feel that I need a clean slate with something new. I plan to stay here in Seattle. Build my life and, hopefully, I can find the one woman that I long to have in my life, Cynthia." he mentioned.
"I know that everyone should deserve second chances, but I am watching you closely. I will be doing this for Maddie, to try to accept you for being a changed man. I just don't want you to f^ck it up because if you do, then you have all of us that will be hunting you down," I gave him a stern look.
"I got it. You have nothing to worry about. I have other things to focus on. A relationship with my daughter, making amends, finding Cynthia, finding my feet. Hopefully, you will allow me to be in my grandkids' life. I...I don't want to miss out on being a grandfather either."
"You messed that up when it came to Arden and Lana. So I will give you a chance with my kids, but don't f^ck that chance up," I warned him.
"Like I said, you have nothing to worry about. I want this more than anything," he said. He didn't falter at all.
"I also want to ask you this." I shifted in my chair before looking at him again.
"What type of business will you run when you find your feet?" I asked.
"I haven't decided yet. But I have my eye on one thing. That is to bring the Leonard's down. That is for sure. After what they did to my daughter, I am willing to take them down," he stated.
I can't believe I am thinking this, but now I like him even more because of that. It is another thing that we both want. It's to take the Leonard's down. I smiled, impressed. "I like that."
"They don't deserve to belittle and harrass women, I want to crush them," I stated.
"Then I will let you in on my plans too. How about we meet at my apartment tomorrow evening, and then we can discuss further?" I asked.
He nodded in thought. "I will be there," he said. "Is there anything else?"
"That will be all, I will see you tomorrow evening," I said as he stood up from the chair.
"See you then," he replied, and he walked out of my office.
I will trust him with this Ash problem. I hope that our plans will go as planned. They need to go down. I want Maddie to be able to enjoy functions and be able to walk in the street without walking into the Leonard's. I hope that my own plan knocks them over because I have had enough of them.
Tonight, I will be focusing on Maddie and Bella. I want Maddie to relax, and I hope that she feels much better compared to this morning. I want her to know that she is safe, and she doesn't have to worry about anything. Gerard and I have this under control. She doesn't have to know as yet, but perhaps when we have dealt with the Leonard's, I want her to remain stress-free, for our babies' sake.
Maddie's POV
I was worried about what Mariko might have to say to my father. I hope that he isn't threatening my father, that would just drive me to be mad at him. As much as I tried to focus on my work, I couldn't. I kept looking down the hallway, but nothing. What is taking them so long?
Should I go check up on them and see if they are not ripping each other's heads off? I remain in my seat and waited a while longer each time that I want to get up and go check up on them. Maybe I should just go and take Mariko some coffee and see...that would be a bad idea for myself seem that I am only recovering from my morning sickness now. I don't want to add to it again. So I am waiting yet again. Sighing, I try to work once again, but it's good for nothing.
Eventually, my father showed up. "Is everything okay?" I asked as I stood up. He took the dress that was on one side of my desk.
"Yes, everything went fine," he replied with a faint smile.
"I hope that Mariko didn't...was he threatening you?" I asked out of genuine worry.
He chuckled, "He warned me, but we are fine. So don't worry," he reassured me and I nodded. "I will see you tomorrow evening at your apartment. Mariko invited me because we have a meeting. This is also nothing to worry about," he winked at me.
I nodded slowly, not sure if I should believe that. "Okay, I will try to cook dinner, with morning sickness, I'm not sure if I can."
"Don't cook if you can't. I will bring dinner with me," he said as he rounded my desk. He pulled me in for a hug, and he placed a kiss on the top of my head, and then he pulled away, still holding the dress in his other hand.
"Thanks, Dad," I said. He left and I blew out a breath. I kind of felt relieved about it. I sat down and continued with my work.
Mariko and I got to Bella's hospital room, and she was sound asleep. I moved beside her bed and I sat down on the chair. Mariko stood on the opposite side. He leaned over her and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. He pulled away and stroked her hair.
"You are an amazing father, please remember that." I looked at him with awe.
He held my gaze, "You are an amazing stepmother to Bella, and you will continue to be an amazing mother to our twins." he smiled.
I looked at Bella, "I hope that she gets to recover fast. I hate to see her this way. I am sure that she hates it too," I said.
"I hope the same," he stated as he stood up straight.
I leaned forward and reached out, taking Bella's little hand in mine. "What is the meeting about that you will have with my father?" I asked.
"It's business. He wants to do something, so we will discuss something," he said, but yet I had this feeling that it was not that. I decided not to dwell on it but on this moment with Bella.
"Would you want to attend a function with me for Sternpoint?" he asked.
I looked at him, worry creeping up as I did not want to run into Ash just so that he could crush my heart again...humiliate me in front of people. "I don't know..."
"You don't have to if you don't want to," Mariko said.
"I hate that I can't even be with you to attend a function. I want to be there with you and I will be your wife soon. People will talk. So, no matter how I feel, even if Ash is out there, I will go and be your support." I gave a faint smile. I want to be able to support him and I also don't want tother people to talk about Mariko and I, that we are never seen together. So, to shut people up, and despite Ash being out there, I will attend the function for my soon-to-be husband.
"You don't have to attend right now, I will be fine, and I do understand," he replied.
"I insist. I will attend," I smiled.
"I will be with you for the entire evening. You will not be out of my sight." he reassured me, and I was grateful for that.
Bella stirred and groaned, she was cute as she scrunched her face in pain and I still felt bad that she was in this position. I nearly stood up to leave the hospital room because I cannot see her in pain anymore. But I have to be here for her and Mariko. I still held her tiny hand. She opened her eyes and she looked at Mariko.
"Daddy," she said softly.
"I'm right here," he leaned over her again and placed a kiss on her forehead. As he pulled away, he said, "Maddie is here for you too," he looked at me, and she turned her head towards me and she smiled.
"Maddie!" she said weakly.
"I won't be leaving your side," I leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on the back of her hand.
"You're pretty today," she said, her smile still on her face.
I smiled in return as this just warmed my heart. "Thank you. You are just as pretty, sleeping beauty."
"I'm a princess," she said with excitement.
I was happy that she was able to smile through her pain, and I was here to put that smile on her face. I looked at Mariko, and he was already watching me, but his gaze burned into me and I shifted in my seat as my core began to throb. I broke eye contact with him. I just focused on Bella. With hormones, I would say that I want to surprise Mariko tonight, but that depends on how I will feel later. The argument of yesterday has been long forgotten. Now, we have to focus on our little family and getting married.