Órion Fantone
Spending a week by my daughter's side in the hospital made me feel frustrated. I was good at everything I did, always dedicated and hardworking, but as a father, I had failed miserably. No matter how hard I tried, Melissa kept blaming me for her mother's death. It was impossible to look at her and not remember that damn day. I kissed my wife's forehead, admiring her beauty as she slept. Abigail had become my home, the only place where I could forget all my problems and just be myself. The world could be falling apart outside, but I felt happy.
"I love you," I whispered in her ear. Those words came so easily, and I felt everything intensifying more and more.
"We need to leave," she said, slowly opening her eyes. "I have class tomorrow, and you must have tons of meetings and speeches to prepare."
"Sweetheart, just enjoy the moment." Smiling, I kissed her lips. "I just want to forget the world outside, to stay here with you forever, just smelling you." I held her body close, smelling her neck.
"How long are we going to keep doing this? Living our love in secret." She looked at me—I knew it hurt her, and honestly, I wanted to tell everyone about our romance and show the world the woman I love.
"I'm sorry. I wish I could give you more, but that would ruin my career and affect your academic life."
"I know all that." She pulled away, taking a deep breath. She was sad, and I hated seeing her like that. "The heart should have a remote control, so we could choose who to fall in love with."
"You wouldn't choose me?" I sat on the bed, stroking her back.
"I don't know. It's all so complicated."
"Well, I know. I'll choose you, sweetheart. There's no other woman I want to share my life with but you." She turned to me, looking into my eyes, and kissed me with a smile. Even if I had to face the whole world, I wouldn’t stay away from her.
After that conversation, Abigail went back to her aunt’s apartment, and I returned to my mansion. I walked through the cold, lifeless place and went to my daughter's room. Melissa was still awake, listening to music. I walked over and took the headphones off her ears.
"Hey, what are you doing?" she asked.
"How are you? Does your hand still hurt a lot?" I was going to follow Abigail’s advice, trying my best to show my daughter how important she was and try to change our relationship.
"I'm okay. The medicine helps a little."
"I'm glad. How was your day?" Melissa widened her eyes, surprised by my question.
"Normal. And yours?" She shrugged and smiled.
"I spent the day stuck in the office, signing some contracts and talking to boring people."
"Just like you?" We both smiled.
"Daughter, I know I've been too busy and haven’t given you as much attention as I should, but know that I love you." I held her hand.
"Dad…" I was surprised when she hugged me tightly. "I love you too."
"How about we have lunch together tomorrow? What do you think?" Melissa looked at the bandage on her right arm. "I can order your favorite food."
"Who are you and what did you do with Orion Fantone?" I laughed out loud.
"I could go back to being like before and leave you alone all day."
"No, let's have lunch together."
I hugged my daughter once more before wishing her good night. I was happy to have exchanged a few words with her, without fights, just a healthy conversation with Melissa. Leaving her room, I went straight to mine. I was exhausted and needed a shower and sleep. I entered the room, went to the bathroom, took off my clothes, turned on the shower, and stood under the warm water. After finishing my shower, I wrapped a towel around my waist and walked to my closet. I put on comfortable clothes before going to bed and picked up my phone from the nightstand, typing a message to my wife. It was amazing how much I needed to be by her side and how a few minutes away from her felt like an eternity.
I already miss you…
I looked like a lovesick fool; I had never felt this way before, and despite so many obstacles, I would fight to stay by her side. I fell asleep with the phone in my hand and only saw her reply the next day. Abigail missed me too and wondered when we could live together without caring about the nasty comments from people around us. But I didn’t care just about my reputation and my candidacy—I cared about her well-being. I was afraid something bad would happen to her, like it did with Mary. I would die if I lost my golden sweetheart.
I walked to my office. My assistant was already waiting with a pile of papers in her hands. The life of a governor was not an easy task. Every day brought a new problem to solve, and it could spill over into your personal life—you end up with no time for your family.
"Is it true that you’re having lunch with your daughter today?" I took off my glasses and stared at my assistant.
"Yes, I reserved the restaurant we used to go to when your mother was alive. Melissa loves the food there."
"I'm glad you're getting closer to her. Too bad that will end when she finds out about Abigail." I closed my eyes, trying to stay calm. I couldn’t stand hearing how reckless I was being with that romance anymore.
"She won’t find out." She laughed.
"You’re losing your mind since you met that girl—going to her apartment, sending her roses, and taking her to your family’s chalet." She crossed her arms. "When your daughter finds out you’re dating the girl she hates, she’ll be furious."
"What are you talking about?" We were interrupted by Melissa’s voice. My daughter had come in without permission and hadn’t even knocked. "The girl I hate? You’re dating Abigail? What the hell is this?"
I stood up from my chair, and just as I was about to answer her questions, my secretary rushed in.
"Sir, I’m sorry. She didn’t wait for me to announce your arrival."
I looked at the three of them, trying to come up with something to ease the situation. It wasn’t the right time for my daughter to find out about Abigail, much less like that. She wouldn’t accept the romance.
"You two, get out," I shouted, looking at my assistant and secretary. "I need to talk to my daughter."
They did as I asked, leaving us alone. Melissa sat in the chair across from my desk. Her cheek was slightly red, and her eyes were distant, as if trying to understand what she had just heard.
"Daughter, I…"
"Tell me it’s a lie. You’re not dating that girl," she almost shouted, slapping the table. "She’s old enough to be your daughter."
"First, I need you to calm down. Stop yelling. No one can know about my relationship with Abigail." She smiled bitterly, running her hands through her hair, and stood up, placing her hands on her hips. She paced back and forth, unable to look me in the eye.
"Relationship?" She stopped and turned to me, her eyes full of tears. "You have a relationship with the girl I hate? This has to be a joke—my dad sleeping with that tramp."
I went around the desk to her. I wouldn’t let her ruin Abigail’s image. It wasn’t her fault. Actually, it wasn’t either of ours. It just happened, and we were completely in love.
"Never speak about her like that again. I put up with everything from you for four years, Melissa, but I won’t let you speak badly about the woman I love."
Another laugh. My daughter was out of control. She ran her hand over her face before grabbing my arm.
"Look, Dad, I know men like you like to have fun with younger girls, but saying you’re in love is a bit much." She squeezed my hand, shaking her head in denial. "This will ruin your candidacy. It will be a scandal."
"Melissa, you know very well that I’m a man of principles. I’m not just having fun with Abigail. She makes me feel good, and I love being by her side. I know it’s wrong, and I tried my best to keep my distance, but I couldn’t. I hope you respect my decisions."
"Of all the women, you had to choose her." She let go of my arm. "She will be your ruin, governor."
She finished her sentence and quickly walked out of my office. I smiled bitterly, putting my hands in my pockets. Standing in the middle of the room, I wondered why I couldn’t be happy—why I always put reason first and forgot about my heart.