Emily

Grayson was very curious about me. He said he wanted to learn more about me. He told me he was guilty for being away from my life.

Who can I blame? His wife didn't tell him for a reason.

He asked if I would like to spend sometime with him and get to know him. It was an uncomfortable question. Do I want to get to know this man? He's my Dad, but I don't feel comfortable about it.

Seeing his hopeful gaze made me say yes and I wondered if I will regret this decision. My cousins was polite and nice through out the dinner and it made me feel much more uncomfortable knowing they are faking it.

I couldn't wait for all of them to leave, and give me the privacy to ask my parents what was going on.

Grayson was the last one to leave. He said, he wanted to hear me play the piano and violin and said he couldn't wait to spend sometime with me.

When he finally left. I waited for my parents to explain, but they kept quiet about it.

"Is that it?" I asked. "You're not going to explain to me anything?"

"What's there to explain?" Dad said with an impassive look on his face.

I was shocked momentarily by what he said.

"He's your real Dad and he wants to get to know you. You should get to know him as well."

My mom was hesitant to say anything.

"What if I don't want to?" I said.

"It's better you get to know him. You'll be living with him, soon." Dad said in a monotone and my body froze.

"What?" I chocked as tears threatened in my eyes.

"He's your real dad after all.. he's all you have. He needs a heir, and you're his daughter."

"I'm your daughter." I said.

"You're his real daughter." He said to me.

And tears started to fall on it owns and I couldn't control it.

"You're my dad." I said.

"You should get to know him, give him a chance to know you. It will make things easier for you when you start living with him." Dad said as he turned around and made his way to his room.

Mom called out his name, but he shut the door behind him.

"Honey." Mom said. "Your dad didn't mean it that way. It was a shock to us as well when we learnt about his identity. He was the one who offered your dad the job and the house and everything, secretly. Your dad didn't know he was the boss because your dad have another boss and that boss is under Grayson.

We didn't know how to bring this topic to you. Grayson was so excited when he learnt about you. He wanted to meet you as soon as possible. We thought today would be a better idea."

I don't know what else to do than to cry. I was hurt by the way Dad said I should get to know Grayson quickly. He's a stranger. Even though he's my biological Dad, I've never seen him before, never spoke to him  or knew him before, and now suddenly. I have to get to know him?

None of them asked if I wanted to get to know him or if I needed time. They just want me to know him as quickly as possible.

I shake my head and wipe my tears and walked towards the stairs.

Mom called out my name, and for the first time. I didn't listen as I ran up the stairs and locked the door behind him.

I was overwhelmed by emotions. I have such a good weekend at Everett's place. Our own bubble and own world. Everything seemed perfect and now? We're back to reality.

I thought things was getting better between my parents and I. Dad was starting to open up and talk to me. His impassive expression was replaced by small smiles or stifle smiles. My parents was communicating more and now everything, all my efforts of trying to get close to my dad will be put on halt.

I was in the dark place again, I was in the corner of the room; crying and sobbing.

My phone vibrated and I reached out to check my messages while wiping my tears.

It was Everett and he was freaking out. He was asking me if I was okay and to let him know if I was okay.

What an irony.

I texted him I was fine and he replied back with:

Can I call you?

I didn't want him to hear me like this. It will make him worry and it broke my heart for the second time, as I lied to him I still had guests over.

"I'm glad you're fine. If you're able to call me back later, please do. If not, it's fine. I'll see you tomorrow. We can go to school together, tomorrow."

I replied with a quick 'okay' as I locked the screen and cried again.

I felt like I was in a dark place, all alone and all by myself. The world was dark, but then I thought of Everett. His beautiful grey eyes that brightens when he's happy, the frown that his face turns into when he's concentrating. The scoff on his face when he's unhappy and I did what I thought was the best idea at that time. I called him.

He picked up within few seconds.

"Em." He said. "Are you okay?"

I sobbed on the phone. "I-I'm not okay." I said admitting it for the first time.

"What happened?" He sounded anxious. "I'm coming over."

"Don't." I said. I look miserable now. "I just wanted to hear your voice."

He said. "I'll be there, baby. Wait for me, okay?"

"Okay." I said.

I wiped my tears once again and it seemed like forever, until my phone vibrated once more and it was Everett saying he was here.

He told me to open the window in room. I peeped outside and I see him climbing towards my room and I was worried about his safety. I didn't want him to fall and get hurt, but thankfully he made it safe to my room.

"Why is it so dark in here?" He asked as soon as he stepped inside. I didn't give him any chance to say anything else as I hugged him tight.