Chapter 272

Chapter 272
"What exactly is it that Hartley did to win you over? I'm genuinely curious," he questioned.

I'd already covered this with Carter, so I knew exactly what to say. "He met me at a lab I was working at. He'd come as an investor to listen to project ideas that he could invest in, and I happened to be one of the people pitching. He was impressed by what I pitched, and he wanted to be personally involved in the project. At the time, I thought nothing of it, but I had a crush on him. I've always had a thing for intelligence, and he also had this shy and geeky side that seemed to only come out around me. After two months working on the project together, he started pulling away. I was obviously hurt, especially since he didn't show any interest in me beyond the jokes he would make. He then disappeared completely for a week. At the end of that week, I was leaving the lab when a blindfold was put over my eyes. Once I realized it was him, I relaxed and let him lead me wherever it is he was taking me. He ended up taking me to the beach, where he'd had dinner set up for us, but that's not what stunned me then. It was instead the huge 'Marry Me?' sign that was spelled out on the sand with fire. He explained to me that he's not the best at expressing himself, but that he knew enough about me and our connection to know that I'm it for him. He wasn't always like this. It only started getting really bad the more prominent he became."

"Wow! I didn't expect any of that. Based on that, he sounds like a romantic," he commented.

I sighed. "Like I said, he wasn't always like this."

"What were you working as at the lab?" he asked.

"A physicist," I replied.

"So you're actually Dr Elizabeth McFarland?" he asked, taken aback.

I nodded. "Correct. I graduated when I was sixteen, which is four years ago. He just told me to stop using the title because it was taking away from his image."

"Your husband is an asshole. I would want the whole world to know that my wife is just as smart as me," he said.

"I'm not as smart as either of you," I denied.

"But you're still smart. Being a physicist isn't child's play, and neither is the journey getting there," he countered.

I wouldn't know since, well let's see, I'M NOT A PHYSICIST.

I shrugged. "I guess."

"He ruined your self-esteem," he noted.

"I don't even know if that's true or not anymore," I said lowly, feigning dejectedness.

He came around to hug me. "Don't worry Lillian. We're going to pick you up from the mess this man put you in."

I decided to join him in cooking, and we were actually having a good time as we laughed and made jokes. He's a very easy person to talk to, and I had to keep reminding myself that he's a mission and that I shouldn't get attached.

The doorbell went and I turned to him expectantly. "I forgot that I was expecting something. Please get the door."

"Okay," I said since he was busy at the oven.

I went over to open the door, and the last person I thought would be here was standing on the other side. Our eyes widened simultaneously. He was dressed in a smart suit with a slight beard that wasn't in my memories of him.

"Lillian?" he said in disbelief.

"What are you doing here?" I whisper yelled.

"What am I doing here? What are you doing here? I thought you were with Xander!" he said.

"I'm on a mission and I don't have to explain myself to you," I told him.

"I am your father. Watch how you speak to me," he warned.

"That's highly debatable," I snapped.

"Is there a problem?" I heard Lane asked as his footsteps approached the door.

"Not at all. I was just greeting Director Izzy here. I've heard a lot about him, but I've never met him in person," I told him.

"Well, today is your lucky day. Director, this is my beautiful friend Dr Elizabeth McFarland. Lillian, FBI Director Sergio Izzy," he introduced.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Director," I said, faking my smile.

"Same to you young lady. Lane, I have that document you wanted," my father said, showing him the envelope.

"Excuse me then. I'll just be in the kitchen," I said before heading that way.

I was beyond upset as I drank a glass of water. I have memories of that man, and not all of them are great- especially the ones from my childhood. He and my mother are two people who I just feel conflicted about.

So much has happened in the past that has messed me up, and not all of it is entirely the fault of the agency.

"Why are you calling? Do you need backup?" Tyler asked as soon as he answered his phone. I'd gone outside to the garden to make the phone call.

"No, but dad's here. He's here to see Lane about a document. Do you think you can find out what the document is?" I asked.

"You're there Ren. Why don't you do it?" he asked.

"I have his trust Tyler. The last thing I need is to be caught snooping," I pointed out.

"Fine! Stay away from dad. You know how your emotions get around him," he warned.

"Yeah, yeah, I will. Is Storm ok?" I asked.