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57
Chapter 57

Derek Woods

My hand tightened around my phone, my jaws clenching tightly as I read through the message Scarlet sent to me for the umpteenth time.
And yes, she stood me up yet again. She made me so fucking excited when she agreed to go out with me without having to do too much, only to opt out at the last minute.

I huffed, lifting my hand to my face, rubbing my eyes slowly and gently, trying to compose myself. It was too good to be true. It was suspicious when she agreed just like that. I should've known that she was trying to humiliate me.

My gaze dropped to the flower on the table. I figured she loves daisy flowers, and I had gotten it on my way here just to put a smile on her face. And all the meals I ordered. Who the fuck was going to eat them?

My phone screen lit up with a text, and I anxiously reached for it, hoping the text was from Scarlet, and hoping she had changed her mind and was coming over. However, disappointment flashed through me when I saw otherwise. The text was from Ruse.

'This is what I could find, boss. I will try to dig more and see if I can get any more information on him'
I hesitantly clicked on the email, and everything about Ronnie was displayed on the screen. He was a businessman.
I clicked on the attached image, which displayed a picture of him and a lady of about the same age as me. I presumed that would be his daughter.

'I will send some money into your account'
I replied to Ruse's text, then stood up and walked over to the counter to make payment for the things I bought.

After I made payment, I had turned to leave when the waiter called my attention.

"Sir, you didn't touch your food." He looked straight into my eyes, blinking his brown eyes, curiosity and surprises written in them.

"I have something to attend to. Do whatever you want with it."
And with that, I walked out of the restaurant and headed to the parking lot.

"Is she okay? Did something happen?"
I hated myself for still thinking about her even after what she did, but I really do care about her.

I reached for my phone once I hopped inside my car, and dialled her number. She didn't pick on the first ring, but on the third.

"Hey, Derek." My heart fluttered, and a smile subconsciously crept up my face the moment I heard her beautiful voice, melting the anger and worries that were initially in me.

"Hey! Are you alright? Did something happen? Do you want me to come over?" I asked in a single breath, forgetting to breathe.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just had something to deal with. I'm sorry for opting out at the last minute. I really didn't mean to."

"Hmm. It's fine. Let's do this another time." I smiled.

I heard someone groan in the background, and my eyebrows creased as I listened carefully to the voice, but it didn't come up again.

"I'm so sorry, Derek. I need to go now."
Scarlet said hurriedly, and just before the call ended with a beep, I heard someone throw up. It was a man's voice.

"Is she with a man?" I muttered as I brought down the phone from my ear, but I brushed the thought away, convincing myself that it wasn't.

It was already past 4pm by the time I arrived at my apartment. However, as I approached the entrance door, I spotted Rob walking up to me.

"Welcome, sir." He bowed slightly, and I just hummed, walking past him.

"Sir... Mr. Woods is here."
I halted abruptly on my track, turning to him.

"He is waiting in the living room. He has been waiting for you for over an hour." He added, and I scoffed silently. What the fuck does he want?

I looked back to the parking lot, and it was then I noticed the car parked there.

"Hmm." I nodded before proceeding into the building.

I rolled my eyes the moment I walked inside and saw him sitting on the couch with his legs crossed while reading a book.

He still looked the same even though it had been five years since I last saw him in person.
He hadn't aged. Not even for a day. Why the fuck would he age when there was enough illegal money to spend? Gosh! I hate this man so much.

"What brings you here after being away for five years?" I walked past him, going to sit on the couch across from him.
He lifted his gaze to me, his pale blue eyes gazing into mine with no emotion. As always.

"Don't be rude to your dad, Derek." He glared hard at me, and I huffed.

"Dad?" I raised my eyebrows, and huffed again, mouthing a 'wow'.

"What brings you here?"

He put the book away, then stood up and headed to the wine cellar.

"Let's have a drink together."
I watched as he picked a bottle of wine. His favourite wine. The wine I hated most.
He then turned to me, and said. "Follow me."

He walked away, and I hesitated before following him.
By the time I got to the poolside, he was already sitting under the tent close to the pool.

I sat across from him.
I hated to be around him, but I was curious to know why the heck he was here.

"I don't drink that." I rejected the glass of wine he offered me.
He glared at me murderously before dropping it on the table.

Silence crept into the atmosphere for a few seconds, and it felt really comfortable. Well, that was until he spoke up. "It's enough, Derek."

"Let's stop this already." He added, looking straight into my eyes.

I stared back into his eyes, disgusting crawling through my body. Not that I care about those, but he couldn't even ask how I was doing after being away for five fucking years, and this is what he is telling me now?

"Why?" I leaned close to him, my lips curling up in a smirk.

"Are you scared? That I might ruin your political career if words should get out that your son is a serial killer?" I raised an eyebrow, and his eyes flashed with anger.

A dry chuckle tore through my throat as I pulled back, reclining on the chair.

"I am done covering up for you, Derek. Just stop this already." He stated coldly.

"Or what?" I gazed into space, crossing my legs.

"What are you going to do?" I glanced at him and scoffed. "Throw me to the cops?"

His face twitched.

"I will be waiting for what you have to offer." I stood up, then tucked my hands inside my pockets and turned to leave because I was done here.

"Go to Poland..." I halted abruptly as his voice cut through my ears.

"Take over my companies there and start a new life." He added.

I huffed. Does he think he could tempt me with that? That I would jump at the offer as soon as he said it?

I was welcomed by his gaze when I turned to face him. "Keep it, dad. I'm sure you will need the money later for something more important." I smiled at him faintly before walking away, not sparing another glance...