Page 42 of Degrees of Acceptance
Chase leads me up the winding staircase to a second-floor suite. The sitting room is furnished with a leather sectional, and a large screen monitor and Mac sit on the desk in the corner. The views from the expanse of windows are green treetops of pines and hardwoods as far as you can see, seemingly surrounding the entire property. The bedroom is furnished with a four-poster mahogany bed, another desk, and walk-in closet. The adjacent bathroom overlooks the opposite direction and is encompassed with a forest of green pine trees creating its own level of natural privacy. I open the door to the balcony, and go outside onto the patio, enjoying the cool crisp breeze from the beautiful autumn day. “You like it, Baby?” Chase asks, putting an arm around me from behind.
“I love it. It’s so peaceful,” I say.
“You have a lot on your mind,” he says.
“Yes, I didn’t think I would be quite this nervous.”
“Let’s go inside,” he says, guiding me back indoors. I slip my shoes off and curl into the corner of the leather sofa. Chase takes his suit coat off placing it on the back of one of the dining room chairs, loosens his tie and takes off his shoes. He sits on the couch next to me and pulls me into his lap. “Baby, it’s going to be okay,” he says.
“I’m trying to think of what to say to him when I meet him. It’s sure to be awkward… you know, my mom is going to be pissed, and I can deal with that, but the look on her face when I told her I wanted to meet my dad. I’ve never seen it before, Chase. She was terrified,” I say.
He pushes the hair out of my face and kisses my lips tenderly. Dad and I will be with you. It will be okay. Now rest your eyes for a little bit,” he says, rubbing the back of my neck with his thumb and forefinger. I close my eyes and surrender myself to the feel of his hands massaging my neck and feel my body slowly begin to unwind and relax. I open my eyes and realize I’ve been sleeping and am stretched out on the couch with my head in his lap.
“Feel better?” he asks, looking down at me and pushing a stray hair out of my face.
I nod, feeling his hardness beneath my cheek. I shift slightly, nuzzling him with my lips and breathing him in.
“Baby, if you keep that up there’s only one way this will end. Let’s save your energy to meet your dad. Why don’t you get showered up first? I didn’t want to wake you, but I have a little work that I need to complete, and your dad should be here within the hour,” he says.
I take my belongings and head to the bathroom trying not to let my nerves get the best of me. I can’t believe I am really going to meet my father. I have half a mind to call my mom, but I don’t want her to try to talk me out of it or worry her needlessly. I peel out of my clothes and step into the warmth of the shower, relishing in the massaging sprays, taking the time to wash and pamper my hair, before drying off with the oversized velour feeling towel. I slip into a mid-thigh skirt, long sleeve belted blouse, and brown boots that only show a hint of my lace trimmed socks. I scrunch my hair, drying it slightly, but allowing it to hang in its naturally curly state, then add some hoop earrings and a little makeup, before I head into the living area.
Chase is already out of the shower and has dressed casually, in dress pants and sports shirt. He leads me downstairs to chat with his dad and have a glass of wine before the bell announces my father’s arrival. The housekeeper announces Mr. Larussio, and a tall man just over six foot tall, with an athletic build, dark brown hair and eyes, walks through the door. He appears much younger than his forty-nine years, although deep brown sharp eyes and a smattering of grey flecks gives a hint to his real age. He stands erect, surveying the dining room and his eyes connect with mine as he walks into the room and shakes hands with Don and Chase.
“Don, thanks for inviting me. Chase, it’s good to see you again,” he says, his eyes never leaving my face. “You must be Kate,” he says, extending his hand to mine. “You look so much like your mother,” he says, taking my hand and brushing it with his thumb. I’ve been trying to picture what you would look like since Don told me about you. You’re absolutely stunning,” he says, and I try to conceal my blush.
Don hands Carlos a glass of wine and urges us to take a seat. Chase sits on the love seat with me, and Carlos sits across from us in a wing-back chair while Don makes himself comfortable on the couch adjacent to ours.
“Don tells me that your mother just recently told you that we were married and that she left. I wish to God that we could somehow turn back the clock and that your mom had not felt the need to move, but I don’t blame her. I wasn’t truthful with Karissa, and it must have been a shock for her to learn she had married someone other than a fine upstanding businessman. You can’t know how thrilled I am that she is alive and have my assurance that there is no ill will towards her, only regret. I did not know that I had a daughter, Kate, but I am delighted,” he says.
I feel myself relaxing at his words and Chase’s hand on the back of my neck. “Carlos, I don’t know if Dad shared everything with you or not,” Chase says.
“I’m in love with your daughter, and want to make damn sure that her meeting you does not result in backlash for her mom or her. I assured Karissa that if her daughter wanted to meet you that they would be safe. I just need to make sure we understand each other upfront,” he says.
“I appreciate your candor, Chase. I think a great deal of you and your family and couldn’t be happier that you and Kate are together. We will need to develop a plan to ensure that if and when we acknowledge this publicly that my family is supportive or that we have counter measures in place to mitigate any risk to my wife or daughter,” he says.
I look up at his reference to his wife, and he sees my contemplation. “Kate, I fell in love with your mother over twenty-six years ago. There has never been anyone but her for me. She is not dead and still legally my wife. You must know that I want to find her and talk to her, but I won’t push you for information about her location.”
Dinner is served, and the conversation is comfortable and relaxed. Don and Chase converse about the medical facility expansion, and I share some of the model's early successes before Don and Chase talk about its national development capabilities with Carlos. The evening goes by much too fast, and Carlos takes my face in his hands and places a kiss on both of my cheeks. “I can’t tell you how pleased I am that you wanted to get to know me. You’ve made me a happy man tonight, Katarina. Please talk to your mom and if she wishes to meet with me, I am glad to do so, discreetly, with you and Chase present. You have my word that I will do everything in my power to keep you both safe,” he says.
He leaves, and Chase pulls me close to his side holding me around the waist. “Are you okay, Baby?” he asks. His dad pours us a drink and waves us to take a seat.
“I’m fine, just a little overwhelmed with emotion right now. He seemed happy to meet me and obviously still just as much in love with my mom as she is with him. I didn’t tell you this Chase, but in the hospital, my mom said that she still loves him. She was just too scared of what his family or the syndicate may do to us if she went back to Carlos,” I explain.
“His brothers came into manhood after your grandfather passed on. There was a period I thought they would never settle down, but time changes everything,” Don says.
“Thanks again for introducing us and allowing us to meet in your home,” I say.
“You are more than welcome, young lady. I hope to see more of you and Chase now that this thing in the Middle East has blown over. I’m sorry you couldn’t spend more time with Emily this trip, but we’ll plan ahead next time,” he says before retiring for the evening.
“Your dad is great,” I say to Chase when we’re back in our room and curled up in bed. “I was hoping my dad would be something like him.”
“Were you disappointed?” he asks, holding me close.
“Not at all. He seems sort of old worldly, like your dad in some ways. I just can’t put my finger on it.”
“They grew up in hard times, Katarina, but with a high code of ethics where family is concerned. Are you going to tell your mom that you met him?”
“I am. I’m sure to catch her wrath at first, but she’s still in love with him. I just don’t think she ever thought there was a way around dealing with the family or syndicate. Maybe it will be different now that he is head of the household? Do you believe there is a way to keep her protected, Chase?” I ask.
