Chapter 74 I know what I want

Chapter 74 I know what I want
"Dad, what are you doing at home at this hour?" I asked, intrigued, and checked the watch on my wrist, fearing I had lost track of time just imagining Rachel.

"The ball is today, isn't it?" He looked at the invitation in his hands, and I froze.

He had never attended any university events before, so I was surprised that he remembered.

"Yes, it is," I nodded, and he approached, tapping my hand that was struggling with the tie.

"Let me do this," he grumbles and starts to adjust my tie, seeming to analyze me from head to toe before asking. "Is that annoying girl going to be at the ball?" He asks, intrigued.

I nod, and he smiles when he seems satisfied with the work he was doing on the tie.

"She's the one organizing everything," I explained, and he seemed to analyze the information.

"This girl is always organizing something, isn't she?" He asks, but seems to already know, and I roll my eyes.

"Did you investigate Rachel?" I asked, exasperated.

"I have to investigate since you seem to have moved in with her," he defends himself, and I mess up my hair.

"You didn't want me to focus on my studies? Well, then, I'm doing that. I've been studying day and night, killing myself with extra hours, and I'm even involved in organizing this ball, but nothing seems enough," I shouted, and he stared at me, astonished.

“I know very well what you must be studying with that fire-haired girl; I’ve been your age before.” He states and sighs, looking displeased before continuing. “I never thought you would let yourself be dominated so easily. What does that little pepper have that left you like this?” he asks, intrigued, and seems to reach a conclusion before going on. “As debauched as she may be...” He tries to speak, but I interrupt him.

“No! I won’t let you talk about Rachel like that! She’s not how you think. And I’m not there because of that. I’ve been studying day and night, killing myself doing extra hours, and I’m even involved in organizing this ball, but nothing seems to be enough.” I shout, and he stares at me, stunned.

“She’s poor and comes from a completely problematic family!” he says, irritated, but I wouldn’t be intimidated this time.

“I don’t care. I can’t blame her for having a bad family when mine is no different! I barely see you—you’re always at work or so tired you can barely say a word,” I retort, and he grows so angry his eyes seem to bulge.

"Our family isn't good enough for you? When it comes to using my money, you don't seem to mind that I'm always working!" He yells, and I shake my head.

"Nowadays, I really don't care. Today's Jayden no longer misses having a father to play ball with. Today's Jayden doesn't cry when his father doesn't show up for school presentations. Today's Jayden doesn't cry himself to sleep missing the brother you kicked out for disobeying your rules!" I complain, but when my voice falters, and my eyes fill with tears, making me realize that I'm not as immune to these feelings as I thought. I took a deep breath before continuing. "I needed you so much in the past. Today, you tell me I disappointed you, but you disappointed me first, so maybe Rachel is right. I learned from you, but I won't let you speak ill of the woman I love!" I asserted, and he was astonished.

"Love? You don't even know what love is, Jayden!" He retorts, and a tear rolls down my face.

"I didn't know, but now I do, and that's just one of the many things Rachel has taught me!" I shouted, and he laughed, mocking my words.

"I know very well what she must be teaching you, and I guarantee that none of it is worth your future, Jayden!" He speaks even louder, and I don't back down.

"Stop talking as if she's just any girl. If you want to know, I've never slept with Rachel. She's not that kind of girl!" I explain, and he laughs.

"So, I see. That's how she's driving you crazy! She's playing with you, pretending to be different, pretending to be innocent, to get what she wants," he asserts, creating a ridiculous theory that made no sense at all.

"You know what's happening? You play with people! You use people and position them as pawns on your board, so you think everyone is the same. But she's different, and that's why I love her. I love her, and if she's not what you want, know that she's exactly what I want!" I assert, and he stares at me incredulously as I leave.

I go straight to university because Lexie would take Rachel since they would go straight from the beauty salon. When I arrive, I see the perfect decoration and the carefully chosen food. I had never participated in anything important, so I looked at the well-arranged buffet, proud to see that everything went well.

With every movement I see at the top of the stairs, I think it's Rachel, and my heart races. She was taking too long, so I check my phone to check if there's any message, but I didn't see anything. I was already dialing her number when I saw Lexie at the top of the stairs and I stared at her confused as she descended alone.

"Where's Rachel?" I ask, and she rolls her eyes.

"Where's Rachel, that's the first thing you're going to say after I spent hours getting ready?" Lexie complains, indignant, and I roll my eyes.

"You're always beautiful, Alessandra. Now, where's Rachel?" I insisted.

"She's scolding the flower people who are late," she explains, and I laugh because being late and scolding those who are late is so Rachel.

A red blur catches my eye from the corner, and I lose my breath. She was holding the skirt of her long dress, sliding her delicate hands along the railing as she descended. I walk up to the first step, and as soon as she reaches it, I take her hands, kiss them, and smile.

"You took a long time," I commented, and she smiled.

"Was the wait worth it?" She teases me, and my heart races.

"You're always worth everything to me!" I affirmed, and she blushed.

I didn't know how the night would go, but I had carefully planned its ending, and I couldn't wait for everything that would happen.