Chapter 47: One Last Ride

I didn't know how long it's been since Rose left the room but being stuck with my father for any amount of time is just agonizing.

My father's office is pretty wide and very business compact, and we're at the highest floor of the building. It's probably because, as he mentioned earlier, he has a high position in his job. When Rose was still in the room, she felt very professional and started examining him about surprisingly deep questions. Based off of that, I think he's, like, the highest sales manager CEO or something. I didn't really care about any of that. I don't even care about him, honestly.

But Rose does.

I was quiet most of the time earlier and I just watched their interactions, partially because she told me that she 'wants to do all the talking'. I really wasn't lying when I said she's a real detective. That was some serious Jessica Jones shit. Later on, though… she did become a little emotional and confessed that she does kinda miss him. Dad said the same thing to both of us.

I sighed and looked away as they have a mini-conversation of random topics while I was doing my own investigation of looking around the room. It's all exactly as I imagine of him. Bland.

Finally, Rose spoke up about being done for today and left to the lobby. And now I'm here, alone with him and his assistant. I never thought I'd ever be sitting on here, at this time with this person as my hands subtly shake along and on top of my knees.

He was facing out his large windows and I was staring at his back as we both listen to the sound of tea being poured into 2 cups by his assistant. While she was, I go through my script in my head.

One more reason I am terrified is because this is the perfectly similar view that I saw the day he left us. I was right behind him yelling and asking where he was going. And his back was just facing me, not answering. When I was younger, I've always wondered the reason why he left us when he put extreme control over us as we were being obedient little children. The more I grew up, the more I couldn't care less about that answer. Scary how years of trauma can put you exactly on the spot you currently are. You feel controlled by it. You try to prepare for the future in case something like this happens again. Now, I didn't need any words right after I say mine. His stupid actions were already enough, and I'll know when he does the same thing until today. When the assistant finally leaves, I'm now alone with him for the first time in a decade. It's as if a big portion of air was taken out of me and the room was compressed as fuck. I felt weak.

Then, "Rhys."

Nope, stay strong.

"I want to you to listen carefully to everything I'm about to say," I cut him off immediately. Stick with the script.

He turns to me and looks at me. His face is different than before. This situation from that day is already different, too. I've already been in this room for a couple of minutes when Rose was here. But his face remains the same. And although it is, there was still something not right about this entire thing. Clenching both my hands, I try to hold on to this barrier.

"The second I heard we were moving in with you, I completely shut off the idea. Like the way you shut me and Rose off." I made sure to put the emphasis on that, "Now, Rose is an exceptionally smart girl. She's always been. No question about it. But everything that happened in the past… she didn't completely understand it, she even told me so. She's always thought of you as a father, even if you were an absolute asshole to us. When this chance was given, she still thinks of you as one. But I know that you haven't acted that way to us.

And look, I really don't want an entire emotional apology speech from you because of it. I don't even want anything physical from you. You could cut off my $200 weekly allowance for all I care. All I'm asking from you is to start being an actual father. Rose wants a father. She's the only reason I'm talking to you right now. She is the only reason I'm giving you a chance. So, I need you to start acting like a Father. That's what you intend on doing anyway, right? So, if you mess up at least one more time, one little slip up, just a single mistake, we're cutting you off from my lives for good. Got it, Rider?"

He clears his voice, "I understand. I really won't screw up this time."

"And about the tuition fee you wanted to pay for me… I don't want it. I make my own choices. And Rose will, too. But then again, she might want to talk with you. And I expect you to act better. You ran away from our lives, so I'm not going to let you back in that easily." I pause, "You can start visiting us once we finish moving into our new place."

I stand up and start walking out the door. He goes, "Rhys. You said I shouldn't but… I am sorry. Thank you for giving me a chance. I will try this time."

Finally leaving his office, I make my way to the elevator. Once it closes, I take the deepest breath ever. And I continue breathing heavily. I look at my hands and they were shaking. I gather my 'sen' and calm down.

That went well than I've imagined. I dreaded for this day to come, but I've survived it. Thankfully. But as I was preparing that whole speech, I kept remembering about that time he guided me out the forest. I would never mention that to him, of course. Also, I seriously don't know what it is about that story, but I think it's also a reason that's lead me to be here. Right, because it is still a test. I wanted to see if he'd be here again for us. And I'm sticking by my word when I said that I'll throw him away from our lives if he proves that he's still a shit guy. I calm down some more knowing that I have a clear plan on what lies ahead.

The elevators open and Rose runs toward me from the lobby area.

"Rhys! What were you talking about with dad?" She asks.

"It was nothing, just had a little happy reunion."

"Seriously? You made me leave the room just for that?"

I cackle, "Don't worry about it. Right now, you should think about our new home. You are excited, right?"

"Yes, I am!! I'm finally going to see it today, right?"