Can I call you father?
Lorraine
Late in the afternoon in Monterrey, Mexico, I decided to take a stroll around William’s gigantic house. At the hospital, he told me to stop calling me Mr Rogers when we left the hospital last week since he had already taken me as his daughter.
I was clad in my skinny blue swimsuit that matched the color of the pool, but I had a lace white robe covering my scantily covered body.
Being away from all the chaos in California was like taking a breath of fresh air. I really liked it here, but the hollow Jess at the pit of my stomach just couldn’t be filled up.
“Can we take a swim together?” I flinched but I didn’t bother to look back because I knew who it was.Content © NôvelDrama.Org 2024.
My lips twitched as I took off my robe. “Sure you can, William. It will be nice to have a dip while the sun baths us.” I replied and headed for the pool.
Before I could take a dip, he’d already thrown himself in, the effect causing a heavy splash on both sides. I did the same and we both burst into laughter and started swimming after each other.
“I thought you’d be going to work today?” I started a conversation.
His eyes danced with amusement. “Today’s Saturday. Shouldn’t I be resting?” He joked as I palmed my forehead.
“I forgot. I’m used to being around people who wake up early in the morning and head to work.” My smile faltered as I remembered the startling news I saw on television which made William take me out of the country.
He had gone to work that morning and since I’d recovered, there was no need for me to keep staying in the hospital. Feeling bored with no one to talk to, I turned on the television and decided to keep myself busy.
But I regretted my action immediately because the news that greeted me was the last thing I expected. Apparently, Dexter had sued me for the death of his sister and he was willing to pay any amount to anyone who found me.
I quickly passed a call to William and he rushed home from his supervision, made quick arrangements with his jet and in less than four hours we got to Mexico, and ever since I’ve been indoors thinking about the present direction of my life.
Some things had to be set right, but that would be after I’d put some things in place.
“You are still thinking about Dexter?” He asked quietly, though I couldn’t deny the slight surprise in his voice.
I nodded and swam to the edge of the pool. “I know he hates me right now, but I miss him so much. Assuming I didn’t love my life, I’d have ran back to California to explain things to him.”
William snorted, his expression darkening. “You’d better not ponder on that too much or you will be making a big mistake.”
Our conversation was becoming serious and the pool wasn’t the right place to have such discussion, so I climbed out through the rail and he did the same. We both wiped our bodies with towels then headed to his living room.
It was one of my favorite places in the house because of the floor-to-ceiling see-through window that faced his beautiful garden. I liked Dexter’s penthouse but it couldn’t be compared to William’s beautiful mansion.
Every nook and cranny of the house, including the furniture screamed luxury, and I wondered if he was just a businessman because he looked too simple to be this rich.
I plopped down on the sofa and he did the same too, ready for the conversation I’d been subtly evading.
“What’s your plan, Lorraine?” He held my gaze while sitting across me.
I lowered my lashes and fiddled with my fingers. A plan had been brewing in my head since the kidnap, but remembering that I wouldn’t have Dexter by my side for the execution hurt me badly.
It was worse when I remembered that Emilia would be digging her manipulative claws into him, and I wouldn’t be there to fight her off.
The thought triggered my anger as I clenched my fist. If I couldn’t fight her as Lorraine, then I’d have to do it as another person.
I sucked in air and raised my head proudly. “I’ll return to California.” I said tersely and his brooding eyes popped, his forehead creased as he got to his feet.
“You will do no such thing!” He countered and I smiled, crossing my leg over.
“I will,” I replied firmly, “As Melissa Rogers.”
His brows became furrowed as he processed my response. “What are you talking about? Who is Melissa Rogers?”
A triumphant smile crawled to my lips, my mind reeling with ideas. Yes, I’d been craving for revenge, but I was confused on how to go about it, now it looked like a flood of ideas had poured into my mind, bringing clarity along.
“I will become Melissa Rogers, William, so can you relax, let me explain to you?”
He sank down on the armchair beside me, giving me a serious look. Boldness engulfed me as I gave him a run down of my plans. I would have to take things one after the other, including changing my identity, but I had a feeling that it would be worth it.
All I needed was his support financially since my account was frozen and I couldn’t take the risk of showing up. That would be signing my own death warrant.
I glanced at his face and sighed at the worried expression so I held his hand. “I know you’re scared, William, and you have every right to be, but you know I have to do this.”
He exhaled and raked his fingers through his hair. “That night I saw your body lying in its own pool of blood, I knew that something had gone really wrong. And after you explained what they did to you, I knew that you would have to take revenge, but presently I see you as my little girl whom I’ve grown to love, and the thought of seeing you get hurt again fills me with terror.” He admitted and I didn’t even know when I began to cry.
He pulled me closer to him and let me sob on his neck.
“Can I call you father?” I sniffled.
He palmed my cheeks and gazed at me lovingly. “I’d like that very much.” He replied and planted a kiss on my forehead.