Chapter 83 The Drive
Arden's POV
As we drove home, Miranda was sitting in the back. She was fuming about my dad. I was not impressed with him either. His eyes were on Lana the entire time and I wanted to f^cking leave sooner or just beat the shit out of him. I tried my best to remain calm during dinner. He did the same with Lucinda. I just wish that he could stop looking at the women I have in my life like a piece of meat.
My knuckles tightened as I gripped the steering wheel. He tried to get rid of Lucinda, and now he might need to reconsider that with Lana if he wants to do business with Sternpoint. I know that Lana's uncles won't allow that to happen to Lana.
"He is a piece of work. Mom refused to see me because I was on f^cking drugs and she didn't even believe me when I said I'm clean." Miranda sounded heartbroken.
I hated my dad for that. I must admit that sometimes I did push Miranda away while she was on drugs. I should've helped more. I should've protected her after I knew the type of job that my dad gave her. He never cared much about us. My mother just left because he wouldn't change. She was a wonderful mom. But she left us with him to end up being f^cked up. I was happy that Lucinda was the one to stop that ways that I grew to be back then. But then things went downhill.
"I haven't heard from mom in a month. I think she is traveling with Barry," I replied. Barry is our stepfather. My mother remarried after leaving my father. At least Barry treats her well. Her last words to me were "don't turn into your father, leave home once you are out of school. I have money saved up for you. Your father is a cruel man who just uses and takes what he wants." those were my mother's words to me at the age of fourteen. I didn't understand and I was a quiet boy that didn't ask questions. I just wanted to be in my own world.
"Perhaps, but she loves you more than me. It was always the case," Miranda replied.
"You were a bit much to handle as a kid. Let's wait and see when she gets back to me," I replied.
"If you want to spend a day with me, then you can do so tomorrow. I need the company," Lana, who was sitting next to me in the passenger seat, said to Miranda. I wanted Lana to myself tomorrow. I am still trying to be patient with my waiting.
"I would love that, Lana. Arden, please can I just have the day free from Charl to spend with Lana?" Miranda asked.
I let out a sigh, she asked me nicely. "Yes," I said, even though I wasn't happy about it. I will remain at home to take care of Charl. I can have some quality time with my son.
"Then I will see you tomorrow, Lana," Miranda says with excitement. I want Miranda to be happy too. She deserves it. "I heard that uncle Jona was coming to visit New York. He is invited to the function and, with the new club opening, all of dad's friends will be there." Miranda let out a breath.
"Steer clear from them. I only trust uncle Jona," I said.
"I don't want to even be near any of them. All that these men think about is having a good time and s^x. I swear they are like horny boys. Lana, word of advice. Stay away from men that approach you at the function. These f^ckers are after s^x." she warned Lana. Which I was happy about, I have to remain at Lana's side for the entire time for that function.
As we came to a stop at the red traffic light, I saw out of the corner of my eye that Lana moved her hand to her flat belly. I looked at her immediately but she seemed in a bit of discomfort. "Are you okay?" I asked with concern, placing my hand on her thigh.
She looked at me, but she nodded her head instead and said, "Yes," it was a soft reply. I looked to the front again. The traffic lights were green and I drove so that I could get Lana home. I am worried now, but maybe it's just nothing.
"Lana, I'm sorry about my dad. He can be intimidating and a handful. Please, take it easy. Stress less for the sake of yourself and the baby," Miranda said. I know why she is saying that. It's because of my past.
"I'm fine and thank you," Lana replied. I really hope that she is okay.
I pulled up in front of Lana's apartment and I got out of the car, walking fast around it to get to her side of the car. I opened the door for her to get out. I held out my hand for her and she took it, helping her to get out of the car. I closed the door behind her, following after her.
She unlocked the apartment door and she turned around to face me. "Thank you for dinner with your father," she smiled.
"I'm really sorry about him," I said, which I was.
"Don't worry about it. I am a Stern, so I can handle whomever I can. I bet your father didn't like that," she said, but her smile seemed more flirtatious with me now.
"Are you really okay?" I asked because I didn't want her to pretend with me that she was okay.
"Yes, I just felt a slight cramp. But I'm really okay," she replied.
"Do you want me to stay over tonight in case anything happens?" I want to be by her side if something bad happens.
"I will be okay. Miranda is waiting for you," she smiled again. I must admit that I'm happy to see her smile again.
I moved forward and I placed a kiss against her forehead, lingering a bit before I pulled away. "I will see you tomorrow. Please, call me if you need anything." I said.
She nodded. "I will, thank you."
I turned around and left. I just want her to be okay. Miranda was now sitting next to me in the car as we drove away. "Do you think that something is going on?" Miranda asked.
"I don't know. Lana says that she is okay. I trust her, she will call me if anything happens. I need to make sure that my phone remains on loud throughout the evening. I need to get a nanny tomorrow too. Ansel would've been great, but I don't want my son around dad. I don't want him to affect my son the same way that he did to us," I replied.
"I was more surprised that he was fond of Terry, he treated her like a daughter that he never had. At least he cares for her."
"Yes, he does. I guess it's his way of being a better parent with his grandkids than with what he was with us. It's as if he is making up for those times of being a bad parent, but I just don't want Charl there and I don't trust him," I said.
"Continue to keep him away. Its better not to expose Charl to dad's ways," Miranda replied.
I will not allow my dad anywhere near both of my kids. I need to move to New York when Lana is ready. The only problem is that the money that my mother had left for me when I was a kid, my dad found out about it somehow and then he took all the money and opened a f^cking club. A club that made me lose Miranda at that time. She was desperate for a job and then my dad told her to work in a club because she didn't fit in at The Queen Tower Enterprises. Miranda met someone and that was the end of my sister. So I want to protect the family that I have and that includes Lana and my kids.