Chapter 7.2

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Continued

I sometimes miss being young. When I was young and when I was forced to have dinner with Clara, I gobbled up my dinner as quickly as possible and asked to be excused. I wish I was still young so I could ask to be excused from this dreadful dinner.

The tension in the room is so palpable that it felt as though the room is dosed with gasoline and a tiny word will lit the place in flames. I use every ounce of my strength to stop myself from screaming at the jerk sitting opposite to me with his jaws clenched and glaring at me like everything is my mistake. If my etiquette's teacher was here, she would be so proud of me for keeping my composure and not stabbing Dean with my fork.

We quietly eat the delicious grilled salmon with avocado salsa cooked by some Michelin Star Chef. After a long silent deliberation, Dad finally breaks the tension by asking me about Prince. I tell him about Prince's engagement and impending wedding. When Dad senses that I am relaxed, he asks me about Kevin. I narrow my eyes at him trying to understand why he brought up Kevin.

Kevin was my last boyfriend who I broke up with about a month ago. After things ended with Prince, I didn't date anyone for almost 2 years which made Prince feel like it's his fault which was partially true since I was feeling less confident about myself after the break-up even though I don't blame him. So Prince took matters in his own hands and started setting me up with his friends and colleagues who he thought were good guys. Most of it ended on a single date or two while some lasted a couple of months. Kevin and I dated for about 3 months.

We met on a blind date and hit it off immediately. He was handsome, funny and sweet. We went on a couple of dates before we did the deed. Everything was fine until one night when we were having dinner at his twin sister, Kendra's place. I had a couple of glasses of wine and was loopy so I thought nothing of her hands caressing my thighs. After a little while, Kevin coarsed me to the guest bedroom and we were middle of sex when I felt someone behind me. I turned around and saw Kendra naked with a strap on. I scrambled out of the bed and tried to hide my body with a pillow asking them what's going on. I was hoping Kevin to be shocked as well but he climbed off the bed coolly and came to explain that they want to share me. I was so confused it took me a while to understand that they share girlfriends and thought I would be interested. I was not into threesome so I immediately put on my clothes and rushed out of the apartment while Kevin tried to explain that I don't have to do it if I don't want to. The fact that they are siblings grossed me out and I lost the spark I had with Kevin after that.

Anyway, the point is I broke up with Kevin a month ago and Dad knows it even though I didn't get into the details of the breakup. Why is he bringing up Kevin? His expectant look tells me he wants me to say it out loud. But why does he want me to admit it? Unless he wants Dean to know I am not seeing anyone. Oh My God. Dad wants me to date Dean. What the hell is wrong with Dad? What is he playing at? Is this some kind of merger and acquisitions kind of thing? But Knight Foods and Ford Industries have merged 20 years ago when Matthew, Knight's Dad and Dad became good friends and decided to merge their companies to make a much bigger one. Dad became the CFO and Matthew the CEO which Dean took over 5 years ago after Matthew's sudden death. There is really no need for some arranged marriage thing. So why is he doing this? Why does he want me to date Dean when he already knows that we fell apart? It doesn't make sense. I am not going to let Dad succeed in whatever game he is playing.

"He is good. We are back together", I say looking at Dad straight in his eyes.
His eyes twitch and for a quick second peeks at Dean. Dean clenches his jaw, even more, making me wonder if he will lose his molars.

" When did that happen?", Dad asks

"Two weeks back. We ran into each other and let just say rest is history", I lie in hopes it's convincing.

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