Chapter 28: Mum says hi

The ride back home was long. He dreaded waking up this early on the weekends, but he had to be home on time.

Tyler promised his daughter that they would spend time together today, and he would tell her all about the fundraiser and how it went.

Well…not everything entirely. Especially not how last night ended.

Last night was his little secret. His and Lauren's of course. He hadn't felt like that in a while.

All his emotions were revoked at once. Undeniably, it was amazing. He couldn't help but want more of it.

That wasn't such a good idea, was it? Besides, he didn't want things to get messy.

He still hadn't figured out what exactly kept pulling him to her. At first, she was more of a disturbance.

But now he wanted more of her. Was that all it was? He couldn't deny that he was attracted to her. And nothing else.

He got to his mansion, welcomed by his workers all lined up at the entrance.

Bruce picked him up from the penthouse earlier. Hopefully the other driver Paul would be available for Laureen when she wakes up.

He went upstairs, straight to Emily's room.

Just about to knock on her door, he heard her on the phone.

“I haven't asked my dad yet.”

Asked my dad what? Tyler repeated outside the door. What was she going to ask him?

He stood still, his ears closer to the door.

“That's because I'm scared he would say no. Remember the last time,” Emily went on and on.

Okay, it either he stood here forever, eavesdropping on his 13 year old daughter's conversation or he just went in at this point.

He did a one second knock before turning the knob.

“Hey, sweetie.”

Emily was startled, sitting at her vanity obviously sorting teenage makeup stuff. Her phone was glued to her ear with her shoulders as support.

Her eyes widened at the sight of her dad, Tyler Gray.

“I'll call you back Sam.” Emily quickly hung up.

Oh it's just Samantha, Tyler said in his head. Now he had a clue on what their conversation was about.

“Hey dad,” Emily said, dropping everything and going to give Tyler a hug.

“I haven't seen you since your trip yesterday, and of course the fundraiser. How was it?” she went on to ask.

“Well for starters, the fundraiser was nice,” Tyler stated, smiling as he walked over to her bed to sit.

What exactly was fun about the fundraiser? Or was it the after-party at his penthouse? His inner voice shot back.

Well thank God Emily couldn't read his thoughts at this point. He would be screwed.

“It was?” She asked, also making her way to her princess bed.

“I low-key wanted to hear that you didn't go,” she teased.

“Why would you say that?” Tyler chuckled, sensing where this was going.

“You don't usually go to school functions, Dad. I am still wondering what principal Frank said to you that made you go for this one,” she added, nestling at the edge of the bed.

“He didn't have to say much. It was important to your school so I had to be there,” Tyler responded.

“Well I'm glad you didn't get bored to death,” Emily said. She had a good sense of humor for a 13 year old.

Tyler sometimes wondered where she got that from. Then he remembered the woman he married.

That reminded him of yesterday.

“My trip on the other hand was also nice. I met someone,” Tyler started.

“That's interesting. Do I know this person?” Emily asked, in an eager tone.

“That someone sent a trunk full of gifts for you, and said she misses you a lot.” Tyler said, trying to be enthusiastic about the whole thing.

Immediately Emily heard that, her expression sank from ten to two. She didn't need to be told who it was.

“You saw mum?” She asked, resting on her elbow and looking directly at the other end of the bed where her dad sat.

“Yes I did,” Tyler said. He had a little clue how she'd react, still he had to talk to her about it. He really wished he didn't have to do this repeatedly.

“Why didn't you tell me? I could have gone with you on the trip. You could have told me that you guys planned to meet up,” Emily shot at him. Not leaving any space for him to answer her first question.

“Calm down Em. I didn't know your mum was going to be in Washington.

It was after I got there we scheduled a meeting. You know how hard it is with her job…”

“I know,” Emily cut in.

“Still, she should have made efforts to see me. I haven't seen her in months Dad, and I miss her so much,” Emily sat up, trying to hold back her tears like a grown-up.

That was what living with just one parent turned a 13 year old teenager into.

“She said she would make it up to you,”

Tyler said, trying to defend who was clearly at fault.

“I take it she has already done that with the gifts. That's exactly what she does all the time.” Emily barked back, unable to hide her annoyance.

Tyler walked over to the other end of the bed, sitting next to his daughter now.

“Trust me, I understand how you feel. It hasn't been easy for both of us, especially you. What I want you to understand is that I'm here for you,” he said, pulling her into his arms.

Emily's soft sobs filled the room.

“Please don't cry,” Tyler said, fighting back his anger now. This was now a routine. For Natalia to keep screwing up her duties, and him being here for the aftermath.

The worst part was even if she got here the next minute, Emily would still want to hold her, and tell her about everything that has been happening.

She'd forget all of this in a heartbeat. But then again, she was just a child.

Sometimes he didn't even know why he shared custody with his ex-wife. Clearly, she was nowhere to be found. It was not as if he needed her money or any kind of help.

From what he remembered, her job even put their lives in danger at some point. And that's the same job she picked over both of them

Over her daughter.

Emily pulled back, staring at her dad now.

“Thank you for always being here the best way you can Dad. I love you.”

Her words melted his heart. Around his daughter, he wasn't Mr Gray the billionaire. He was just a Dad.

And that's the part of him Miss Lauren didn't get to see before questioning him at the school.

Not like she was entirely wrong. He promised to be there for Emily every step of the way. Even at little scrawny school plays.

“I love you too, Ems. I know what would cheer you up,” Tyler said, trying to light up the mood.

“What's that?”