*TESSA*

“If you had manners,you wouldn’t have turned my father against us.”I snapped,standing up.

For so many years…My father hadn’t looked at me as if I was his daughter.

Instead,he stared at me as if I was a stranger.

When I was younger,my mother had been unable to pay my tuition fee and I went to meet him for help but he kicked me out.

And it hurts a lot that Anna gets to live a very good life.She isn’t even his biological daughter!

Now…I have equally shut him out.

He stopped being my father a long time ago.

“Patrick,how can she talk to me like this?!”Cassie cried.

My dad sprang up to his feet.”Start being polite to my wife!”He thundered and slapped me across the cheek.

It was unexpected and it cause me to fall to the floor.

“It hasn’t come to this,Patrick.”Uncle Wilson barked coming over to my side.

“How dare you touch my daughter?!”My mom yelled.

“She deserved it.”Anna snapped,laughing.

I was almost blinded my anger.

Losing my temper completely,I got up and picked up a some plates of dishes,throwing them at my father…no…he’s not my father…Patrick,Cassie and Anna.

Their clothes were stained and I smirked to see him shooting daggers at me.

“You little…”Patrick tried to hit me again but uncle Wilson stopped him.

“Enough!”

“You’re such an horrible daughter?What kind of daughter attacks her own father?!”Cassie yelled.

Eleanor and my mother pulled me to their side.

“You started this.Couldn’t you just get through the evening without asking for trouble?”My mother asked Cassie.

“I can’t believe I have a daughter like you.”Patrick spat.

I rolled my eyes.

I can’t believe I have a father like him either.

I was very satisfied with how dirty Patrick and his family looked right now.

But then my heart sank when I noticed Declan was still sitting there witnessing all the drama going on.

I wish he wasn’t here.

I wish he didn’t have to see how fucked up my family was.

I was starting to feel embarrassed so I whispered to my mother.

“I…I have to leave.”With that,I hurriedly left the hall.

I crossed my arms when I was immediately assaulted by the cold breeze outside.

I started to walk trying to board any taxi that drove by but I was very unlucky getting one.

My cheek was burning and tears pricked my eyes.

I blinked rapidly trying not to make them drop.

I don’t regret what I did tonight.

I refuse to be intimidated by my father’s family.

I’m glad I put them in their places but I couldn’t stop feeling sad at the same time.

I wish my family was different.

I wish my life was different.

And the tears dropped.

I sniffed when my feet started to hurt as well.

When will life ever go my way?

A car suddenly pulled up beside me.

I looked sideways to see the glass window rolled down and it revealed Declan.

I frowned at him.

“Get in.”He ordered.

Get in?

We’re not in his company and I do not have to take commands from him.

And besides, I don’t know how to face him after what had happened tonight.

“It’s not easy to get a taxi here.”He pressed on.

I ignored him and continued walking.

He in turned started driving slowly after me.

Seriously?

What is his problem?

“I think you aren’t current with the news.If you are,you would know that several cases of rape and murder had occurred lately in this street…and the worse part is that…the murderer is making it impossible to be arrested.”

Fear gripped my soul.

“Have fun walking home.”With that,he drove off.

Oh no!

I should have swallowed my pride!

I should have gotten into his car.

I looked around not bold enough to take another step.

Even if life has been hard for me…I still don’t want to die…

Life is beautiful however you see it.

Oh God.

I saw his car stopped upfront and then he drove backwards and stopped beside me again.

He didn’t have to say anything this time.

I ran around the car and quickly opened the door of the passenger’s seat.

I got in and fastened my seat belt.

I chose not to look at his face…I’m sure he has a cocky expression on.

I told him my address and he imputed it into the GPS.

The ride was pretty quiet.

I placed my hand on my cheek wondering why it still fucking hurts.

I can’t believe he slapped me because his wife urged him to.

Soon,the car stopped in front of my apartment.

“Thank you,Mr Hudson.”I unfastened my seatbelt.

“It’s nothing.I just couldn’t let my employee meet her possible death when I could have saved her.”

My teeth clenched.

Is death something to say so nonchalantly?

“You don’t have to worry.I plan on living until I’m old and grey.“I got down and slammed his door shut.

And then he sped off.

What’s the need of having an handsome face when he’s so mean?!

*TESSA*

When I walked into the house,I met my sister and mother seated on the couch.

It turns out that they were waiting for me.

“Tessa,where have you been?I was worried…you weren’t even taking my calls.”My mom began.

I sighed and slowly sat down.

I was exhausted.

“How did you get home?”I asked,curiously.

I couldn’t even get a taxi and she got home before me.

“When you left,I had to say my goodbyes to Wilson so he asked his driver to give me a ride.”

I nodded in comprehension.

“What happened your face?”My sister,Ashley asked.

“Dad hit me.”

“What?!”Ashley exclaimed.”Why…how..”She hurried out of the living room.

“Don’t take it to heart,Tessa.You should’ve ignored Cassie instead of….”

“Are you seriously trying to justify what he did?”

“My dear…”

“Here…take this.”Ashley walked in again,giving me an ice bag.

“Thanks”I murmured.

“I’m just saying that if you had ignored Cassie’s outburst then…”

“Then she would see the need to trample on us more.You really need to cut off that soft spot you have for dad.He hates us!We’re literally strangers to him!”

Tears burnt my eyes.

I hate that my mother was this way.

Weak…she’s so fucking weak.

If I were her,the only thing I would feel for my father was hatred but I’m pretty sure she still has him in her heart.

It was so annoying.

“He’s still your father.”Her voice cracked and I really didn’t want to continue this conversation.

“I’m going to bed.”

************

I walked into my bedroom,dejectedly and slumped on the bed.

I was glad tomorrow was weekend…

My mind was scattered all over the place and I had no idea how I would put up with work.

I laid down flat staring at the ceiling wondering when I would finally be happy and not worry about anything else.

Almost an hour later,a knock sounded on my door and Ashley walked in.

“Does your cheek still hurt?”

I sat up and faked a smile.

I’ve always wanted to be the one to bear the problem of the world…not her.

So I always make sure to be okay for her sake.

“I’m fine now.”

She slowly sat beside.

“Don’t let them bring you down,sis.They aren’t worth it.”

I nodded and agreed.”You’re right.”

“What you should be doing now is finding a good guy.”

I rolled my eyes.”No…After Marcus,I think love isn’t for me.”

“Don’t say that.You just have to keep looking and speaking of looking…mom told me to inform you that a friend of hers showed pictures of you to a professor.He’ll like to meet you soon.”

I scoffed.”I should have known this whole boyfriend conversation was heading to this.”

She held my hand.”I’m also in this with mom.Just check him

out.Who knows?He might be the one for you.”

I snickered.”What do you know?Tell her I’ll think about it.I want to get some sleep.”I replied lying flat on the bed again.

Should I really get into the dating world again?

All men may not be like Marcus.

And that was how a week later found me in a restaurant in front of my date.

He was on a navy blue trouser,a white shirt and glasses.

We had exchanged pleasantries and he was called Edgar Duke.

We placed an order and started eating.

But I just wasn’t feeling any good vibes neither did I see myself seeing him again.

I decided to leave a bad impression so he wouldn’t want to see me again.

“Can I ask you some questions?“

He smiled.”Sure.”

“What kind of house do you live in?”

He might see me as a gold digger for asking this kind of question on our first date.

And in my records,men hate gold diggers.

“I own a duplex and an apartment complex.I live in the duplex hoping to share it with someone someday and the apartment complex are for tenants.“

He doesn’t seem a bit offended by my question so I pressed on.

“Do you own a Ferrari?”

His smile deepened.”I have a Benz and Land Rover but I can get a Ferrari if that’s what you want.”

I swallowed.

This isn’t going as I planned.

Why isn’t he disgusted by my questions?

“I don’t have a high paying job compared to yours and I’ve got a really bad temper.”I continued.

“It doesn’t matter.For the temper,I’m sure everyone has their own flaws.”

Ugh!

So I decided to tell him everything about myself to scare him off permanently.

“You’re a professor.You’re rich and handsome.Men like you shouldn’t be with women like me.”

“What’s wrong with you?”He asked,looking genuinely confused.

“I don’t have a good relationship with my father.I live with my mother and sister whom I take care of.My ex-boyfriend left me because according to him,I’m not gentle and feminine enough.”

“Anything else?”He probed.

There was still a smile on his face.

I shook my head and slowly sipped my juice.

He should back off now.

“You’re quite funny,Tessa.Honestly,I hate blind dates but when I saw your pictures.I was fascinated by your beauty and I really wanted to meet you.For now,I can tell you do not want to take this any further but it’s okay for us to be friends,right?”

I smiled and nodded.”Yes.”

I let down my defenses and we had a very fun and pleasant conversation after that.

I eventually enjoyed the date and I was all smiles when he insisted on taking me home.

I stood at the front of the restaurant waiting for him to get his car from the parking lot.

“Tessa?”

On hearing my name,I looked sideways to see Ethan Bascon…my superior at work.

“Good evening,Manager.”I greeted.

At that moment,Declan walked out of the restaurant with a middle aged man.

My lips parted….

If there’s anyone I hate running into…it’s him.