Page 15 of Sweet Temptation (Men of Honor 2)
I walk inside and follow him in a zigzag motion as we dodge any other customers. My stomach begins to sink with dread when I see that we are headed towards a private room where no one can see us.
Don’t jump to conclusions, Grace; he’s the Lieutenant Governor. Like Grumpy Alfred said he likes his privacy.
My little self-talk comes to an abrupt halt when I enter the room and see my father in person for the very first time. Time stands still as we both take each other in. He’s pretty much what I expected, since I have seen him in articles and news feed. He’s dressed in a crisp grey business suit that screams money. His dark salt and pepper hair is slicked back from his face, revealing hazel eyes. He’s your typical tall, dark and handsome. I really don’t look too much like him; there are some resemblances but not much.
He seems just as nervous as me, which makes me feel marginally better. He clears his throat, “Well, you sure do look like your Mama.”
Still too nervous to form any words, I offer him a shaky smile and nod.
He gestures to the table, “Come and have a seat. I already took the liberty of ordering for us; our food should arrive shortly.”
Oh, that’s a little strange. How does he know if I will like it or not? Maybe that’s how rich people do things? I shake off my thoughts and take the chair opposite him. I try not to let it sting that he doesn’t offer his hand or a hug.
As soon as I sit down the waiter asks what wine I prefer. He lists things I’ve never heard. “Oh, uh, anythin’, white is fine. Thank you.”
The waiter rudely quirks a brow at me before walking away. The room is filled with awkward silence; especially since Grumpy Alfred and the Men In Black guy are standing by the door watching us intently.
“So, Grace, what can I do for you?” my father asks, looking at me with expectation.
“Pardon me?” I ask, thinkin’ I’m misunderstandin’ him.
“You contacted me with a letter, so I’m curious what it is that you want from me. What is it you’re looking to get from our meeting?”
Isn’t it obvious? My already twisted stomach sinks further with dread. I try to hold in any pain I feel, not wantin’ to embarrass myself. I clear my tight throat. “Well
I’m not real sure. I wanted to meet you; I thought maybe we could get to know each other. Mama told me some about you, but not a whole lot.”
I decide maybe now’s a good time to tell him about Mama, but before I can say anything he interrupts me by letting out a weary sigh. “Listen, Grace, I’m going to be up front with you. I’m not sure what your mother all shared with you. I cared about her a lot but we came from two different families, and I had expectations I had to follow due to my family’s political position. I now have a family of my own, and I still have a reputation I need to stand by. If this…” he gestures with his hand between the two of us, “ever got out it would hurt the family I have now, a lot. Do you understand?”
No, I’m not sure I do. I’m not sure I understand anythin’ that is comin’ out of his mouth, because as soon as he started spouting the painful words, agony was rippin’ through my already damaged heart, making it impossible for me to follow him. He becomes blurry in front of me as tears cloud my eyes.
His eyes seem to darken a little with regret. Or maybe it’s my imagination.
Letting out another breath he reaches in his pocket and hands a folded piece of paper to me, “Here, I know your Mama never accepted anything from me, at the beginning when I offered, and that did make me feel bad. Hopefully this will make up for some of it, if not all of it.”
When I don’t take the folded check, he opens it up and lays it down in front of me. I gasp when I see the amount: $50,000.
Before I can get my mouth to work, he adds: “I’m truly sorry about what happened to your Mama, she was a good lady and didn’t deserve that.”
My gaze snaps to his in shock. “You know?”
He nods with regret and I completely snap. “You knew this whole time and you never came for me?” He shifts nervously as I start to shout. I can tell he’s about to open his ugly mouth again, but I don’t let him. “Do you have any idea who I was sent to live with? What I had to endure because I had no one or nowhere to go? How could you just leave me with him? How could you not have come for me?” Every agonized word falls with desperation from my lips.
Before he can give a shitty answer I stand up, grab his check and rip the damn thing up into a million pieces then throw it at him. “Money will never, ever make up for it. The best thing that ever happened to my Mother was you walkin’ out on her, because she was way too good for your pretentious ass.” Stalking to the door, I turn back to face him when my hand grasps the handle, “Enjoy your family. I hope you teach your kids more morals and values than what you were raised with.” With that last parting comment I open the door and get the hell out of there.
I thought my heart was already completely broken, but I must have had some still intact. Whatever I did have left was definitely shattered now.
As the driver takes me home I let silent tears fall as I think about every crack of the belt, burn from the pot and cruel touch that came from his hands all because I had no one. I still don’t.
