Chapter 20
1 parked in the garage as I walked through the silence into the mansion. The cold night wind had increased but I only noticed after Maya had left. I reached the front door and twisted the knob. I could hear the low hum of the television from the living room.
I walked through the corridor, the light from it directing me. Emelia was string on the couch, her legs folded and her eyes glued to the screen. She looked up briefly as I walked in and turned her attention back to the television
“Welcome, Dad,” she muttered without looking at my direction for the second time.
I smiled at her slightly pleased that she was still awake. I needed something to warm spelf up and I walked to the counter. I stretched and brought
a bottle of whiskey and poured myself a glass carried it over to the couch and sat down in one of them.
“You didnt pour me ag
sea glass. Dad?” Emelia broke the silence. I lifed up my head and looked at her.
“You’re joking right?” I asked, genuinely shocked. She smiled and bowed her head “Tm not a child, you know!” She muntered softly, thinking that 1 wouldn’t hear
“What
“How did it go?” Emelia asked, changing the topic as I took a sip from my glass.
A small smile broke out of the corner of my lip. “It went better than I expected.” I replied, smiling to myself,
She smiled wryly. “That’s good to hear.”
“She looked really beautiful” I said unconsciously
I didn’t ask that, Dad” She blurted out.
I chuckled as I took another sip from my glass. “You’re exaggering. Ein.”
She glanced at me and raised an eyebrows. “Am 1. Dad?” She asked sarcastically. “h seems you really like her”
“Well in fact I do, but it still preuy early
She nodded and turned her attention back to the selevision.
“Why are you still awake?” Lasked, trying to
o lift the growing tension in the room
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This bad if I wanted to wait for you to get hack?” she replied, her eyes softening
ال
1 smiled and reached over to pat her hand. “No, it’s not bad at all. Thank you for egiting”
“Mom, called” She said sharply, her voice changing almost immediately.
“On” I said without much interest.
“She was wondering if you’d like her to come visit sometime, just her, me and you” She said excitedly.
I looked at her, studying her for a moment. “Are you sure your mother said all that? Or did you suggest in so her and now you’re doing the came with me?”
She put her hand up in the air. “Okay, you go me, Dad. 1 suggested it. But is it okay? I mean it would be nicer to have her around sometime”
1 rolled my eyes and rested my back again the couch. “But you go to her place regularly. I mean if that’s what you want, you know I won’t stop you said, trying not to be too direct
“Dad!” She said, clearly understanding what I was
“Alright, Em.” I said, giving up. “Whatever makes you happy. If you want her to come, she’s welcome. She knows that.”
Thanks, Dad” She said, smiling widely
There was a small silener as I drank the last content from the glass. I turned to look at her and she didn’t look like she was watching whatever was playing on the serren
“Are you okay, love!” I asked her solily.
12
10:51 PM d
Chapter 20
- r. “I’m okay, Dad. Actually, I’m kind of sleepy. Goodnight,”
She turned so mr.
She got up and walked towards me and planted a kiss on my check. “Goodnight. Em. I love you”
I watched as she climbed the stairs with her arms folded together.
I stood up and walked over the counter and poured myself another glass and just then my phone vibrated.
I brought the screen to my face and looked at it. It was Lily.
“What the fuck does she want I mustered under my breath. I wondered whether I should answer the call, but eventually I did.
I
“Hello!” I said, suddenly feeling light headed.
“Hello, Derrick, her familiar voice rang through my head, bringing back a rash of memories. “Lilly” I said sofily
She chackled. “I bet I can smell the whiskey in your breath even from here:
Echuckled silently, rolling my eyes. “I guess old habits die hard, Lilly. What do you want!”
She sighed. “We haven’t talked since the divorce and you answer me like this.” I was already frustrated at the fact that I was even talking with her.
31 heard you rent on a date, moving on well. I see the continued.
I didn’t say anything, I was already too annoyed and was surprised at how quickly my mood had changed. “But that’s not why I called. Emelia cold me that you wanted me to come over. Why?” She asked.
“What?” asked myself.
I scratched my head. “I didn’t say anything of that son. You know how your daughter is. But if you want to come over, you should. For her sake.
you
She chuckled again, a sound u that sometime was comforting for me to hear was now getting on my nerves. “It’s good to hear from Derrick She said softly and somehow snunded distant.
I winced, not moved by her antics. “Yeah, well it’s not the same for me.” I said plainly.
1 could hear her breathing bearily. “I understand. Anyway, I’ll let you know when I’m coming. I wouldn’t want to bump inin one of your business meetings.” She said sarcastically.
“Goodnight” I said curtly and ended the call.
I looked down at the glass in my hand and 1 brought it to my mouth and gulped everything in it. Her mice had definitely stirred up emotions I didn’t want to revisit, especially not tonight.
1 set the glass down and was about to pour myself another glass and then I heard footsteps, turning around and there was Emelia, standing by the
stairway.
“Was that mom!” She asked softly.
I sighed and nodded. “Yea it was
“I didn’t mean to cause any trouble”
“You didn’t. Ens” I said calmly, walking over to her. “I understand you, I really do.” I whispered under my breath as I pulled her into a warin bug.
