CHAPTER 6 - Aren't you his Daughter?
The receptionist stared blankly at me, momentarily shocked by my outburst.
" He was discharged three days ago.” She explained.
It took over a minute for the shock to register. I was treading on a very thin line and the moment it snapped, I would lose my sanity.
I shut my eyes and drew in a deep breath. I was supposed to be pleased with this news, right? I mean, I was now saved from all the worrying and I didn't have to see him either, it was a win-win for me.
So why was there an ache in my chest?
And why did it suddenly feel so hard to breathe?
I heaved again.
“ Ummm… how was his health? Was he perfectly fine to be discharged?” I asked.
With the look on the lady's face, it was very easy to read her thoughts.
“ Aren't you his daughter? How come you don't know all these things?”
I felt a need to explain myself but I didn't know what to say. Luckily, she chose to give a response.
" He was recovering well and insisted on his discharge. I have no means of knowing how he's faring now, I think maybe you should call him.” She said.
She was stating the obvious!
" Thank you!” I said.
She managed a smile at me and I took my leave.
She had only reminded me of what I needed to do. But was I going to call? no!
Definitely no!
I got to the car and entered, slamming the door shut. Jeffrey stared at me through the rearview mirror.
“ Everything okay, ma'am?" He asked.
“ Just take me home!" I said, curtly.
He nodded and almost immediately, the driver turned on the engine and we began the journey home. My chest was having the entire ride.
I can't believe this.
Now, I don't even know what I'm talking about. Is it Andrew or my father? Or both?
Both men have done me wrong. The only difference is I blame myself for one of them ‘cause I walked right into it. And the other, I couldn't control that he's my father.
Trust me, if I could, I'd have had him swapped fourteen years ago.
To someone who understood that his child was supposed to be his priority no matter how grieved he is.
Worst part is, I was just as pained by mother's death. And he went ahead to marry someone else in the twinkle of an eye. I felt neglected.
Then and now!
The car drove through the gates and pulled to a stop. I found my way out before it could stop properly. The guards and workers greeted as I walked past but I didn't acknowledge any of them.
I just wanted to take a cold bath and sleep.
There is no better therapy than sleep to me.
I stopped in my tracks as I entered the living room and my eyes fell on Jayden. He was sitted on the couch, his long legs stretched and over one another. All of his attention was on his phone but when I walked in, he looked up at me.
“ That took forever!" He said.
I subconsciously squinted my eyes.
Were we talking everyday now? I wanted to ask but then I remembered it's still the same day. He probably wanted to finish off what he started.
“ A welcome would have been more pleasant." I managed to say.
I started walking up the stairs when he stopped me.
“ My parents and yours are coming over for dinner tonight.”
I turned abruptly.
“ What?"
" Welcoming, enough?" He asked.
No! Not at all!
I bit my lips and heaved.
Could today get any worse?
“ They'll be here in about two hours so rest as much as you need to and be prepared before then. Your dress and jewelries will also be ready by then.” Jayden said.
“ Dress and jewelries?" I questioned.
He looked at me like I had asked the most useless question ever.
" You don't expect my parents to meet you looking like that.” He said, his tone rude.
I opened my mouth to say something but chose to swallow it back instead. Without another word, I found my way to my room and slammed the door shut, leaning into the door. I buried my hands in my hair and shut my eyes.
If I had known today would turn out to be this miserable then I would have just stayed in my bed.
You know, I've always hated my life but today, that hatred has been doubled.
Tripled even!
I managed to shower and tried to sleep but there was only one thought ringing in my head throughout.
I'm so unlucky!
Two hours passed in a flash and I had to doll up and go downstairs for the dinner. The dress and jewelries was nice and on a good day, I would have praised whoever picked them for me but not today.
I felt like a puppet.
Both parents were settled in the dinning room by the time I walked in. I stopped on seeing my father, as my heart sank.
“ There's my beautiful daughter!" He said, a smile spreading on his lips.
The look on his eyes was genuine, like for once, he was genuinely satisfied with me. But I couldn't help but feel pained.
He could have called me. He could have called to tell me he was discharged. He let me be worried all this while and he didn't even care.
I was losing it. I didn't know if I could sit down with them and pretend to be happy when my heart felt so heavy.
“ Daphne darling, we are so excited to see you." Anna just had to add fuel to the fire.
I swallowed, clenching my trembling fists.
Breathe, Daphne!
“ Daphne, we've been waiting for you. Please sit.” Jayden said to me.
Five pairs of eyes were piercing into me and it only made me want to cry the more.
I can't do this.
Rather than embarrass myself, I turned and made to leave.
What was I thinking? That I could just leave peacefully.
Well, I was wrong.
“ Daphne darling, where are you going?" Anna said.
I tried. Believe me, I tried to hold back but her voice riled me up. And I couldn't.
I turned back to them and glared at Anna.
“ Don't call me darling, quit acting like we get along. It's getting on my nerves." I snapped.
" Daphne, what are you doing?” Father spoke up, surprised.
I directed my glare at him.
" You! You were discharged from the hospital three days ago and you didn't care to tell me. Would it have hurt you to call me? You let me be worried sick while you enjoyed the benefit of the shit you made me do.” I said, almost yelling.
His eyes widened in shock.
" Daphne…" Jayden called, I could hear the warning in his voice.
I looked at his parents who were staring at me with blank expressions and I felt like d
isappearing into thin air.
So much for not wanting to embarrass myself!
I turned back to Jayden, biting my lips.
“ I'm really sorry but I… I can't do this!”