Chapter 16
Iris:
“I need you to go to a gathering today, Iris.” My father said, and I frowned in confusion.
Mom kept her eyes on me, waiting for me to tell dad about her withdrawing her shares. I knew that it would end up creating an argument, and I knew that it would end up stressing him more than he needed to be. And for that, I was forced to suck it up and handle whatever happened. If anything, I could easily take these shares instead and hide whatever happened. I could easily afford it, but that was not something that she knew.
This was the first time that he has asked me to go to a gathering since I was eighteen or nineteen. Therefore, for him to call me right now for a gathering came as a surprise to me. However, I knew that since he was asking, that it wouldn’t be something that I liked. It was most likely one that he wouldn’t be able to attend, and I couldn’t help the bad feeling that I got as I looked at him.
“I am sorry, but I am lost right now.” I said, frowning in confusion and dad sighed. He took my hand in his and gently ran his finger over mine. His eyes met mine and I could tell that he was debating on how he would be able to tell me about something. He often did that when I was a kid. He would take my hand, and look me dead in the eye, letting me know that he was sorry for what he wanted me to do, but that it was something that had to be done.
I knew that he was a man who wanted to try his best for his daughter to stand strong, and I knew that he wanted me to be the best. Though it sometimes did hurt, like I could tell that it would right now, I knew for fact that he never did anything to actually want to hurt me. But when it came to social duties, even I knew that sometimes, I was forced to suck it up.”
“Dean’s parents are holding a gathering. I know that you going is not something that you want, but it is something
that I need, Iris. The..”
“Hold on, hold on, you want me to go where?” I asked, shaking my head in question as I stopped him. I had to admit, I was more than just a little surprised after hearing about what my father was telling me. The man knew for
fact that I found it hard enough to go to the office to see Dean. To go to his parents‘ house was more like a punishment to me, and I had to admit, the last thing that I wanted was to deal with Dean and his questions. I knew that he would be asking about Lillian, and though the man is her father, I didn’t want him interfering in her.
The fact that he could have also told his parents about it by now was something that scared me. Neither one of them called me once after the divorce, letting me know that they too have cut ties with me, and despite my pain, they managed to make their son’s wedding one month after the divorce. The wedding was streamed live, and it was one that broke my heart as I knew that they not only didn’t care, but that MY heartbreak was used to build someone else’s happiness. I don’t even know how I managed to survive the night without losing my daughter after the tears that I cried, but it was one of the nights that told me that I had to be strong no matter how painful it was.
He was the one who chose a scandal years ago. Our marriage was consistent with her being around. Though I wasn’t aware of it when we first got married, it didn’t take me long to figure out that he had a mistress.
The smell of women’s perfume that often used when he came home told me that he was with her, and the number
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of times that I had seen lipstick on his shirt’s collar, and not my lipstick, told me that he was with her. However, I never did have the courage to confront him. In my head, considering that I chose to stay with him, knowing that he would eventually get over her, he just proceeded with whatever he was doing over the years.
I had to admit, it killed me inside when he did it. And by the time that I saw them publically together, the two of us had been married for over a year. The two of us were supposed to travel based on our plans, but he changed them last minute, and I found out why. Mariana, the woman who was initially his secretary, had him traveling with her. It was the first time that I felt like my world was crumbling down beneath feet.
my
“I know that you don’t want to see the man, but I know for fact that your presence would be changing a lot. The stock market would skyrocket, and that is something that we can benefit greatly from especially considering the fact that we both know that we need new investors now that you are in charge. The older ones also have to meet and get to know you.” Dad said, and I smiled, leaning in to k*ss his knuckle. He smiled at my gesture before moving his hand to my right cheek.
“Dad, you are the owner of all this. I am merely representing you right now. However, I know for fact that you will be back in the office, scaring the employees like you always did. For now, you need to heal, and I know for fact that you will.” I said, feeling thankful that I managed to at least have him proceed with his therapy.
I knew that it would be hard, and that the doses that he would be getting were nowhere near being easy. They would be painful, and I knew that he would need to be strong to be able to overcome them. But I trusted his skills and knowing my father, I knew that a small sickness would hopefully not be too hectic on him.
“As for Dean, the two of us know my reasons for not wanting to be in the same room as he is. Don’t get me wrong on this, but going to his parents‘ house is like telling him that everything that he did didn’t matter to me. Believe me, dad, I know that it shouldn’t matter to me that much, but I also know that I am not a stone piece that can forget everything.” I said, trying to talk sense into my father.
I hated to admit, but I knew that my bargain would go in vain. The man knew that I was the type to know what she had to do, and this was not only a choice, it was a must that I did it. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been at the company to begin with. This was something that both my parents knew very well.
“I know that you don’t want to see him, Iris, but this is something that is important to the family.” He said, squeezing my hand gently. “I know that everything that he has put you and Lillian through might have been hard on you. But, Iris, this is work, and he is one of our investors, and the two of us know that we can’t just drop him.”
I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose, ignoring the clench that I felt in my ch*st as I knew that there was no other option. The man was right, and if I was going to act as childish as I was being right now, then I might as well
I
just drop my position to someone who could actually handle it. This was not one that I should be weak in, nor was
it a situation where I should be allowed to think that I could hide from.
I was going to end up dealing with the man, whether it was at meetings or in gatherings, and therefore, I knew that the way that I was acting wasn’t going to take me anywhere. I just needed to clear my mind enough to know how to deal with the man without punching him in the gut.
As for Lillian, I knew that only time would tell how things were going to be managed. I couldn’t be as selfish as to
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Chapter 16
deprive her from her father. It was not something that I should think that I was allowed to do.
“So, until we find someone who is as powerful as he is, I am stuck working with him in such events?” I asked, and dad smiled, knowing that he already had me submitting. Either way, I knew that I was going to submit.
“Yes. As long as it does you well, this is what you will do.” He said, and I nodded before he smiled.
“Good, now try putting on a little smile. Y
