Page 105 of Committed to You

“I saw you together at the gala. I see your love. You wouldn’t fall for someone who wasn’t a good man.”

“Tell Páppa that,” I quip.

“Don’t worry about your father. He was no saint before me. Everything will be fine between Chase and him. You’ll see. Just give it some time.”

With everything going on, something huge had slipped my mind. “Mama, I almost forgot about what Chase did for me.”

“What is that?”

“He created a foundation for me to run.”

“What?”

“He funded it with more than enough money to buy the land from the city, clean it up, and create the park and gardens.”

Her eyes water, and her hand covers her mouth. “Vivian!”

“And, he met with the mayor and wrote up the purchase agreement for the land, and it includes the permits, too.”

A tear drips down my mama’s face.

“Oh, he moved some property into the foundation, too, so there is a few million dollars of income coming in every year. It can pay for the upkeep of the park and gardens if needed, but there is plenty to do other things with.”

She holds her hand over her heart then pulls me into a hug. “Chase did all this? With his own money?”

“Yes.”

“Wow.”

I don’t say anything.

My mama inquires, “Does he want babies? You two will make gorgeous babies.”

24

Chase

Vivian’s father hates me.There is no doubt in my mind.

Her mother surprised me, but I have no clue what she said in Greek, and Vivian’s father looks like he wants to kill me for his appetizer.

We walk across the hall and into the suite I reserved for them. I follow him to the living area, and he orders, “Sit.”

I take a chair and he settles on the sofa next to it.

Vivian’s father is almost my height, and while I saw him beaming most of the night at the gala, he doesn’t resemble that man tonight.

Not sure if I’m supposed to talk first or not, I wait for him to speak or give me some indication. My insides are flipping, my pulse pounding against my neck. I know how close Vivian is with her parents. I do want them to like me, but most of all, I don’t want to cause a rift in their relationship. This man will do anything to protect his daughter. I respect him for it, but I hope it doesn’t somehow impact Vivian and my relationship.

His warm eyes are cold slits as he sizes me up. “What are you going to do to protect my daughter from this crazy woman?”

I take a deep breath. “Tomorrow, we will have security on us—all of us. And I apologize again for the trouble and position this has put you, Mrs. Caras, and Vivian in.”

“My daughter deserves a man in her life who is honest.”

“Sir, I am not perfect, but I am not a liar. I am an honest man. I have never lied to Vivian, and I never will.”

“My daughter deserves a faithful man, not a womanizer.”

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