? The Deal ?
Written by Idara Kingsley
? Chapters 17 ?
? Charlotte ?
Finally, I was gonna see my dad after a long time. I wanted that father daughter bond we used to have before his separation with my momma. I wanted the little old me and Dad, stuffing our faces with ice cream, hamburgers and hotdogs. I wanted us to take silly pictures and post them online with the father daughter sweet caption.
I missed my dad so much.
The car came to an abrupt stop. I looked out of the window to see my dad’s fleets of cars. Some new sets were parked along side the one I knew. I smiled from ear to ear. I opened my bag and brou-ght out my mirror and li-pstick. I applied another layer of red li-pstick, and sharpened my eye liner again. I looked superb, and like a queen that I was. I smiled to myself. I tucked everything back into my bag and steeped out of it.
My dad had sent one of his driver’s to have me picked up. I was excited that he did not think of pushing my invitation away like he always did. At least, he considered my feelings.
Stepping out of the car, I was filled with smiles as I sighted my dad. He was looking around till his eyes landed on me. A wide grin appeared on his face.
I walked to where he was and pulled him into a big hug.
It brou-ght back memories. Memories of my dad and I playing, being best friends and going out to our favorite place in the world. I missed him so much.
“My baby never gets old.” He complimented, smiling at me.
I chuckled softly. “Of course.” I whipped my hair dramatically. “Charlotte Hudson never grows old.”
“Oh.” He laughed. “You never cease to amaze me.” He ki-ssed my forehead, almost ruining my make-up. At that moment, I did not care. After all, it was his love and care I craved for as my father. He could ruin my make-up, I don’t give a flying f.uck about something I could always do.
We walked to take a seat. A waiter rushed to us immediately we sat down. He was full of smiles, and was staring directly at me. I rose my brows when the grinning and smiling was becoming too much.
“Your order, please.” He said politely, taking out a pen from his hip pocket.
I picked up the menu on the table and glanced throu-ghit.
“I’ll have some steak and fries. Iced coffee and apple pie.”
“I’ll have same.” My dad said immediately the waiter turned his attention to him. “Excluding the coffee.”
The waiter nodded and walked away. Severally, he’d turn back with smiles. He must be a big fan.
My attention turned to my dad. He was smiling— grinning to be precise. “What?” I asked in between chuckles.
“I’m happy seeing my baby. I’ve longed wished for a moment like this with you again. It feels just like old times.”
Old times. Old times where we were best friends. I loved the father daughter bond so much.
You might be thinking I hated my dad for leaving. No, he deserved happiness too, but I hated him for leaving me. He left breaking our strong bond. It affected me so much since my dad was the only one I trusted so much.
“Yeah.” My voice came out more like a whisper. I was sure he heard me clearly.
“How’s your mum?”
I searched his face. It held sadness, regrets…. Lost. I had never seen my dad in such mood, ever.
The last time we had a conversation about mum, he threw me und-er the bus.
He looked irritated by the topic that I had to stop talking.
So, him looking all sad and filled with regrets, got me. He had never looked this sad about his separation with mum.
“She’s good.” I simply stated, my eyes still studying his face.
A smile broke on his face. “I miss the old days with your momma.” He stopped and took in a de-ep breath.
At that moment, I pitied him. He looked broken, hurt. All these years, I thought he was living his best life.
Being away from us was taking a big toll on him.
Just in time, our food arrived. I lic-ked my li-ps as the waiter placed it front of us, tasting my sticky, strawberry flavor, li-pstick.
Immediately my food was placed on the table, I picked up two fries and threw them in my mouth. Gaaah, I’ve never loved fries so much.
I looked up to see my dad staring at me. Ouch, I forgot we were having a conversation. After throwing more fries into my mouth, I turned to him.
“Why did you leave?” I sounded so innocent, so unbothered, but trust me, I really cared for him.
All these years, I had been meaning to ask my dad why he suddenly left us. Why he abandoned his wife and daughter just to regret his actions later on.
He shook his head. “I made a big mistake. Your mother couldn’t endure my cheating ways no more. She was tired and had to splash some divorce papers on my desk at work.” He swallowed, sadness slowly creeping into his eyes. My heart melted just mere staring at him.
“I got someone pregnant, your mum got to hear it and asked for a divorce. I was reluctant at first, before I let her go. I left with a broken heart. I left my family. I hate myself right now.”
My heart was racing so fast. I couldn’t even say a word to him. All I could do was just stare at him vomiting the truth that I had wanted to hear for a long time.
Mum thought it wasn’t necessary telling me what led to their divorce. She had cooked up some lies once. She said that was the one that asked for a divorce. She lied to me. I wouldn’t let that go into my head, as I love them both.
I picked up his hands into mine and smiled at him. “Having you and mum in my life has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. I don’t regret it, even though you guys are separated. You guys have thought me a lot of things. Take your separation with her as you finding yourself. Trust me, she’s okay.”
He nodded with a smile that looked for-ced. He looked really down. I couldn’t help but feel sad for his sake.
Both of them needed to discover themselves. They needed to love themselves again. They were still hurting and still needed each other back. I would wholeheartedly support them coming back together, but not without them finding themselves.
I threw another fries into my mouth and chewed on it slowly.
“I heard you’re dating that boy.” Dad brokevrhe silence.
I raised my sleek brow up, wondering what boy he was talking about. “Excuse you?”
“Brian. Brian Nicholas, the famous basketball player.” He said, his eyes not leaving my face.
If I acted suspicious, he’ll notice something was off. I sat still, smiling to myself.
“Someone is in love.” Dad chuckled shoving his steak into his mouth.
I feigned being shy. God, I really should be an actress. I was literally getting everyone to believe me.
“I don’t really feel good about your sudden relationship with him.”
Ugh, why was everyone having different feelings about my fake relationship with Brian.
Was it that obvious that what we were delivering to the world looked fake?
After much contemplation, I decided to turn to my dad, at least to convince him. “Why?” I asked, taking a sip from my coffee.
“It’s so sudden. I’m scared he’ll do same like the rascal did. Damn that Noah, I would have almost killed him.” He formed his fingers into a face, while gnashing his teeth.
I chuckled softly. “It’s in the past now. Trust me, Brian is different. He respects me, I respect him. We love each other.”
Dad searched my face. For a second, I feared he’ll see the lie throu-ghme.
“I’ll be watching. He better not do anything silly.”
“He won’t.” I a-ssured him.
Well, when we eventually break up, I was so sure dad would try to cut off Brian’s head. I’ll make sure to let him know of our deal when the times come, in other to have Brian’s name written in my dad black book.
“I wanted to talk to you about two things.”
“Go on.”
I lifted my coffee cup to my li-ps, drank a reasonable amount and swallowed.
“I was thinking of having my own hotel here in California.”
“That’s not a problem.”
“It feels awkward you’re still giving me money. I’m grown up and I have to work for my money.”
“I ain’t complaining.”
“I am. I talked to Brian the other day, and somehow, he talked me into having something of my own.”
My dad nodded his head I’m agreement. “I like him already.”
I blus-hed slightly. “So you see, he’s different. He’s encouraging, unlike Noah, who wanted to spend all my money.”
“So, I’d need your help as I’m new to all these.”
“Dada is always at your service. So, what’s the second thing.”
I paused. The second thing. He’d defined turn down my request of he eventually gets to know about it.
“Charlotte?” He called. “What’s the matter.”
Breathe in. Breathe out.
“It’s Zoey.”
He began to shake his head sideways. Just what I expected. He’d never want to help because of Zoey’s parents warning the last time we did try to help. Mum had bluntly refused too.
“We ain’t doing this. You should stay away too.” He warned.
“I can’t, she’s my bestfriend. She’s suffering.” Tears had clouded my eyes, almost blinding my vision.
“You’re gonna get into trouble. Her parents are dangerous. They hate you and would do anything to make you hate life.” How he acted so unbothered about a situation like that bothered me. Mum did something similar. They avoided the Zoey conversation.
I knew best not to disturb anyone but to help my best friend out alone. I was the only person she had, expect from Jack.
I straightened myself and have dad a small smile. “She’ll be fine, soon.”
Dad eyes went wide, as if und-erstanding what I just said.
Yeah, I said what I said, I’m gonna help my best friend.
Zoey, would literally give up everything just to help me out. Why was I delaying when it came to her turn?
Why was I being all sluggish and acting helpless when I could literally save her a-ss.
I’m gonna be the best friend I could ever be. I’m gonna help my best friend go throu-ghwhatever she was going throu-gh.
She’d come out of it, soon.