Page 46 of Lovestruck at Sundown
“William didn’t tell me anything about it until it was done,” I continued. “We didn’t plan anything. No one deceived anyone. You placed the apartment on sale because you chose to do it, and William bought it. He’d been waiting for years to do so because he wanted to own the entire floor.”
He looked away and shook his head a few times. I couldn’t read his expression. It was a mixture of hurt, bitterness, and betrayal.
“I didn’t choose this,” I reminded him. “You’ve always, one way or the other, forced my hand or manipulated me into doing things your way. And we were fine with that dynamic because I never argued with you or questioned your authority. And I’m thankful for everything you’ve done for me, but I’m not a child anymore. I should be free to make my own choices without you having to condition your support.”It’s hurtful. But I couldn’t make myself say it. Pride is a bitch.
“Manipulated?” he almost shouted back. “I will never get behind the idea of having my daughter scrutinized by the media and harassed by the paparazzi because of who she wants to date!” His phone rang, and he took the call before the first ring fizzled out. Neat.
He hung up and tossed the phone on the couch next to him after a quick “Is it done?” and a “Thank you.”
“Don’t know if you’re aware of this, but four men with cameras were standing outside your apartment building when I arrived. Since they wouldn’t leave, I had to call someone to remove them. And they called me just now to confirm they were successful in doing so. But I cannot protect you if you insist on dating William and living in the same building as he does.”
“It’s funny how this is the first time we’ve ever seen a paparazzi outside the apartment building in the year and a half that I’ve been living here,” I countered. “And now you’re responsible for making them go away?” Suspicious as fuck. I wouldn’t think he’d be above calling the paparazzi himself.
“That’s how it is with celebrities.” His tone was darker now. He uncrossed his leg and leaned in, resting his forearms over his knees. “When a high-profile one like William starts dating someone, the media goes out of its way to investigate as much as they can about the person their beloved star is dating. About what their relationship looks like.”
I wasn’t stupid. Of course I knew how nosy the media could be when it came to William, especially about his private life. But they had never waited for him outside the apartment building.
He stood and paced back and forth in front of the couch. “They need to know how to market the love story. They’ll make a fortune selling images of the two of you together. So no, I don’t think it’s odd for them to show up outside your doorstep because you haven’t been seen together much. So now that the media suspects you’re together after those photos of the two of you in Tel Aviv surfaced on the internet, they’re hungry for that winning photo to confirm the relationship.”
Maybe William should’ve hired my dad as his PR consultant because he acted like he was an expert on the subject.
“I can take it,” I said, wishing that were true. And it’s not that I felt like I wasn’t strong enough to deal with William’sfame, but I hadn’t been “tested,” so to speak. Our relationship was still very private, so there was no way to know if I would succumb to the pressure or not, but I sure as hell was going to do my best.
“Kiddo.” He sighed with frustration and directed the green of his gaze at me in a pleading way, but it was easy to detect the “or else” undertone. “This is ridiculous. Pack your bags. We’re going home.” He waved a hand at me, urging me to get moving.
“Thisis home,” I reminded him, staying put. “And I will continue to live here. I told you William will lease me the apartment since he isn’t planning on doing anything with it yet.”
“And how do you plan on paying for that, exactly?” he asked almost mockingly, crossing his arms at his chest. “When you have no money.”
“Oh, about that,” I said, snapping my fingers once. “I got a part-time job at the magazine. It pays enough for me to survive. And William, of course, gave me a nice discount on the rent.” I smiled.
My dad snorted and shook his head with disappointment.
“I hope you don’t take any money from him,” he warned. “I didn’t raise you to depend on a man like that.”
“Actually … you did.” I chuckled at the irony. “But no. I’m not going to be living off William’s money.”
My dad sighed and said, “This will be my last offer.” He sat on the sofa in front of me again. “You won’t have to live with me. I’ll rent you another apartment—any apartment you want. I’ll reinstate your credit cards and ask Aaron to leave. You’ll be free to live your life like a regular college student in New York. I can even consider letting you go on a few trips with your friends. But you need to end things with William.”
I considered him in silence. He thought he was offering me what I’d always wanted: freedom. But it was nothing but theillusion of it, and the price to pay was beyond steep.
“What do you say, kiddo?” He smiled, but I could feel the anger vibrating off him. “This is what you’ve always wanted. Don’t throw it all away.”
“I respectfully decline,” I said. “What I want is for you to trust me with my choices. The only reason why you’re even offering this is to steer me into doing whatyouwant. You’re conditioning me to make a choice. So I choose William.”
He gnawed his lower lip and looked away for a moment, his hand flexing on his thigh. His displeasure was more than evident, but I was becoming immune to it.
“Why do you disapprove of our relationship?” I asked. His wide gaze met mine, seemingly stunned by the question. “Aside from you thinking it’s dangerous for me to be tossed into the spotlight with him. What is it, really?”
William and I could handle our relationship however we chose to do it and make it as private as we wanted. We knew the media would be hunting for information, and hiring a new publicist was part of William’s plan to appease the media. But my dad didn’t trust William to take care of me, even after he took a literal bullet for me.
My father inhaled deeply and cocked an eyebrow, his expression letting me know he would get candid with me, and I knew I had to prepare myself for the blow.
“William is just an actor,” my dad finally declared, “who rose to stardom due to nepotism. If it weren’t for his father, would he be where he is right now?”
My jaw dropped to the floor. I sucked in a harsh breath to reply, but he held up a hand and interrupted me again.
“You asked, and now you’ll listen to what I have to say.” He pointed at me with a shaky finger. Seeing my father displaying so much emotion through his gestures wasunnerving, especially since I’d been used to his measured, meticulously polished, and diplomatic persona.
