Page 23 of Lovestruck at Sundown
“It’s very straightforward, kiddo,” he said, as if the nickname would soften me up. “You break up with William, and you get your apartment back. I already have an offer on the table that I’m ready to accept, but I will gladly reject it if you agree to the terms of this contract.”
Immediately, no.
I snorted. “What else?”
“No more security. You’ll be able to live a normal life, just like you’ve always wanted.”
“No.” I closed the folder and slid it back to him.
“I’m giving you what you’ve always wanted. Freedom.”
“And how about the freedom to make my own choices?” I didn’t see how freedom could be legally tied to a contract and still hold true to its meaning.
“Come on, kiddo, don’t be stubborn. You know this is a generous offer.”
Hard pass. Our concepts of freedom were very different.
“You still don’t get it, do you?” I stood. “This generous offer of yours would be genuine if you’d let me be with William, let me keep my apartment, and fire my security so I can breathe and live a little.” I bent over to grab the contract and tore the whole thing in half, folder and all.
He stood and closed the distance between us, looking a bit flustered. “He has a reputation.”
His attempts to get me to do his bidding were bordering on pathetic.
All I wanted was for my father to hug me and tell me how sorry he was about everything and that he would make things right from now on. That he loved me. And I would’ve apologized too for escaping my security and for worrying him.
We only had each other, but he’d always kept me at arm’s length. Even now, he refused to see things my way or any other way that wasn’this. And I knew this was the end of our relationship as we knew it. It had been built on lies and deceit, and even now, he didn’t seem remorseful.
He placed his hand on my shoulder. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“You’ve hurt me enough,” I said, gently pulling his hand off my shoulder. “Do whatever you have to do.”
I walked away toward my bedroom, listening to my father’s footsteps behind me. I needed to leave.
“I will sell the apartment,” he said to my back as I gathered my things to leave, not bothering to turn around to face him.
“I’ll find a friend’s couch to crash on while I figure out my living situation.”
“You will do no such thing,” he said sternly. “You will movein with me and remain under Aaron’s care. David gave me his two-week notice a few days before you left for South Africa. And today is Amena’s last day. Aaron will be enough.”
“Okay.”
I slung my bag over my shoulder, rolled out my suitcase, and clicked the elevator button. I couldn’t stay here a minute longer.
“I dismissed your security, and Mike doesn’t arrive until seven,” he said, the elevator dinging, announcing its arrival. “How are you planning to get home?”
“I’ll hail a cab.” I shrugged, stepping in. “I’ll survive. Or not. It’s scary as hell out there. But I’ll keep you posted,” I said with a forced smile as the elevator doors slid closed before me.
It turns outthat hailing a cab in New York isn’t as hard, scary, or dangerous as people believe it to be. And by people, I mean my father.
I arrived home in one piece, and even Senad, my doorman, was surprised to see me emerge from the yellow car alone. He offered to pull out my luggage from the trunk, and I was so thankful for him. I didn’t know how I was still able to stand and walk unassisted at this point.
Exhaustion was getting the best of me.
After unlocking my door, I rolled my eyes at the surveillance camera on the ceiling. I hated it and what it represented, especially after my last conversation with my father. But even so, I’d rather keep the camera and my apartment than live with him.
I needed to think of something. My mind was scrambling to come up with a solution to all my problems, but my body was giving out. So I dropped my things in the foyer, pulled out my phone and charger, and basically crawled to my bed.
It felt so good to lie down after being away for a few days. William’s hotel in Cape Town was beyond comfortable, and so was the bed, but there’s no place like home.
