There are so many reasons why I haven’t, and I’ve thought of it enough times to be certain. But right now, it all feels like crappy excuses. I should be on my own already, running my own company. I’m sure I could raise some funds in some other way, get investment somehow, start out the usual way. Sure, it will be slower, but it will be all my own. I could just… walk out of here before I have to deal with anything.
“I’m back!” But then his voice comes, and I know it’s too late. I don’t stand a chance.
I slump into my office chair and wait. My computer isn’t even on, I guess I don’t have time before everything crumbles and falls apart. My world is about to change again. Twice in just as many days.
Dad torments me by not coming to me right away. I know what he’s doing as he heads to everyone in turn, talking loud enough to make sure that his voice grates on me, making me even more nervous. I try not to succumb to it, because I don’t want to give him what he wants, but it’s a massive challenge to control.
By the time he finally gets to me, I’m grinding my teeth with anxiety. Judging by the smug look on his face, he knows this, he can see right through me, and he likes how much he’s wound me up.
This isn’t normal. It’s not a typical father and son relationship. I doubt other people have this.
“Get it over with, Dad.” I fold my arms across my chest. “I already know that you have come here to yell…”
“I haven’t come here to yell.” He clutches his hand to his chest, acting shocked. “I’ve come to talk.”
“Sure you have.” I just about resist ro
lling my eyes. “Well then, let’s talk.”
He sits across from me and smirks. He taps his fingers together looking like an evil villain in some shitty movie. “I want to talk to you about Lexi Tyler… the woman I told you to fire.”
“I know, Dad, but I already let you know that wouldn’t happen because she’s a great PA…”
“But she hasn’t been recently, has she? From what I hear, she hasn’t been here at all.”
I purse my lips together tight, pondering my answer before speaking out. I need to phrase this in the correct way to stop him from yelling. “She’s been having personal problems.”
“Personal problems and business don’t mix. How many times have I told you that?”
“Even when it involves the hospital and family members, Dad? Because not everything is black and white.”
“You’ve been fucking her.” He leans back in his chair. “Don’t think that I don’t know what’s been going on. You practically admitted it the last time that I was here. That’s why you’re giving her this leeway. You wouldn’t be treating her like this if she wasn’t in here sucking your cock. I know what’s going on.”
“Don’t be so gross, Dad. It isn’t like that. We’re in a relationship.”
“Oh bullshit.” His eyes nearly roll to the back of his head. “What a load of crap. You’re never in a relationship. That’s part of your charm. It’s always just flings. This one must have just lasted longer than others.”
“We’re in love,” I insist. “We’re having a baby. This is long term stuff.”
“Oh shit, really? Well, I guess that makes it a bit more complicated, but it isn’t the end of the world.”
“Complicated, how? I don’t see how my feelings for someone else can be complicated.”
“Don’t be an idiot, son. Don’t make me say it aloud.” He tries to stare me down, but I’m not going anywhere. “Okay fine, I will. High society will never accept you with Lexi, and that looks bad on me and your mother. That will affect business and I can’t have that. I have allowed this little charade to go on for long enough. Too long, by the looks of things, but that ends now. I’m putting an end to it here.”
I shake my head hard. “Dad, you can’t control me. You can’t involve yourself in this. It’s my life. I don’t give a shit what high society thinks. I never have. I’m living my life for myself. Me, Lexi, and my baby…”
“Do you hear yourself? You sound ridiculous.”
“I don’t care how I sound to you. You hate me no matter what I do, so I may as well be happy.”
I fold my arms across my chest and stare at him, but he isn’t backing down. I know that he won’t, he isn’t that sort of a person. But now I have something more powerful to fight for than he does. I have my life.
“I will give you money,” he finally announces. “Ten million, of your own to do what you want with.”
“What?” I gasp in shock. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
“You want to start your own business, don’t you? I’m sure you mentioned that at some point.” I don’t know if he did or if he’s been spying on me, but I’m too stunned to ask this. “So, you need the money for that. Really make something of yourself. You could do it, I know that of you.”