Chapter 46 A Father's Worry

Chapter 46 A Father's Worry
William's POV,

A black tux was the standard but this was a high school party. The guys weren't just going to wear boring old classic tuxedos. Much like the girls weren't going to wear simple black dresses. Each student would be attempting to make a statement, grab attention. I could bet that if anyone wore a simple black tux, it would be the waiters serving the drinks.

And that's exactly why I wore it.

I straightened the collar as I gave myself a last look in the mirror. A simple tux, nothing more. My goal was to blend in, disappear into the background. No pomp or showboating save for the blue pocket square tucked in my left breast pocket. Melanie's dress was blue. She'd told me when we had tea at my place the previous day but she refused to tell me anything else about her outfit. I was prepared for a jaw dropping surprise when I saw her later today.

The black limo I rented sat on the street. One of my father's guardsmen was acting as my chauffeur and bodyguard for the day. He stood at attention by the car, decked out in an impeccable white uniform.
The limo had been a last minute choice. I'd wanted to drive my Chrysler, keeping to my simple and classic theme but decided on a whim that I'd go all out. For Melanie's sake.

This was her first time experiencing this. I could save it for prom but that was still half a school year away. Besides, I didn't know what the future held for us. If our plan tonight worked, Conner would be the one taking her to prom. Not me.
So Imight as well set the bar high and have him struggle to reach it. Not that the prick deserved it.

For the thousandth time that day I questioned the insanity of what I was actually doing. I had been so focused on getting Melanie's crush to fall for her just so I could sever the bond that I was neglecting asking myself if her current crush was the right one for her.
Granted, I didn't care in the beginning when we first met and the bond clicked into place. But after getting to know her….

I groaned and turned away from the mirror. None of that mattered now. And even if it did, Melanie was too stubborn to give up on her crush for my twin brother. She was smitten by him.

I got to Melanie's place by 4pm. As I walked up the porch, flower in hand, to ring the doorbell, I was very aware of the open mouthed stares I was receiving from people peeking through their windows. Which was to be expected. The car did look out of place in the poorly lit, rundown neighborhood.
The door opened exactly two seconds after I rang the bell and I came face to face with a huge, angry looking man in grimy overalls.

“Mr Sinclair," I said with a smile, “I'm glad to finally meet you sir. I've heard so much about you." I stretched out my hand.
He stared down at it in scorn and then drew his eyes back to my face. I dropped my hand, feeling embarrassed.

“Why are you here?" He asked with a grunt.
“I'm here for Melanie. We're supposed to attend a party together." I kept my voice steady, showing him I would not be easily intimidated.
“A party huh?” His eyes strayed to the car idling on the curb and the driver who had hopped down from the car and was now standing rigidly, ready to jump to my defense at a moment’s notice, "That's what the limo's for? All you glitter necked folks and your grand posturing.” Each word was said slowly and with so much venom I almost took a step back from him.

"Sir, I don't want any trouble. I just came to take Melanie to the party.” I replied, still keeping my tone steady. Melanie had mentioned her dad didn't really like Rich folks or her being at Dalderia but I didn't know it was this serious.
" I made a mistake allowing her take that scholarship." He bit out through gritted teeth, "She should never have been mixed up with the likes of you.”

I had no response to this. I could sense Melanie was in the house and I began to wonder if her father had forbade her from attending the party at the last second.
If he did, that would be cruel. Melanie had said nothing about her dad being cruel. In fact, she constantly referred to him as sweet.
Looking at the hunk of smoldering male in front of me right now, it was pretty hard to picture him as anything but angry and mean.

His bulky frame completely covered the doorway so I couldn't see into the house. He hadn't moved a muscle or said anything further and just stood there, hands balled into fists, giving me the death stare like he was holding back from punching me in the face.
It was like a fucked up stare down.

I had half the mind to back up and just get the hell out of there. Maybe Melanie would explain what the fuck this was tomorrow. It wasn't like I really wanted to attend the party anyway. I was only doing it for her.
But then I heard her voice call out softly,

“Dad?

Mr Sinclair's features softened a bit at the sound of her voice but he didn't pull his eyes away from me.

“Dad, Please leave William alone. He has done nothing wrong.” She said again.
Her voice was gentle, soothing. Rhys sighed with longing and I wanted more than anything to see her. But her Dad still blocked the doorway even though the anger was all but gone from his eyes now.
Finally, he sighed and turned around but he did it in such a way he still blocked my view.

“You're right doll. I'm sorry." He rumbled, “C'mere."
I heard Melanie's heels walk forward. Heard him sigh and plant a kiss on her forehead. “Have fun okay? But be careful. I don't trust him.”
" I'll be fine, Dad.” She giggled.

Finally, Mr Sinclair moved to the side and the world froze.