Marrying my high school bully

Melissa

The room suddenly became too hot for me to stay in, but the desire to hear about my father overwhelmed the need for me to get some air.

“No, I don’t know anything about him.” I admitted, my heart racing faster than normal. “Can you tell me his name?”

I wasn’t sure about what I’d do with his information. I couldn’t even begin a journey of finding a man that didn’t care to reach out to me, and there were other important things begging for my attention, but at least I’d get to know his name since my late mother never told me about him.

She sighed and held my hands. “I’m going to tell you a story. It will be lengthy but you’ll get all the answers to your questions if you are ready to listen to me.”

“Just go on, ma’am, I have all the time.” I encouraged her and prepared myself for what she was about to say.

“Your late mother was my friend and we ran this business together. She was loving and caring, and knowing that I didn’t have much money, she gave me a job when she finally started her business as a jewelry designer. Things weren’t all that great at the beginning because there were other big companies that had infiltrated the market, but your mother was a determined woman and slowly we began to get noticed.”

A smile crawled to my lips as I listened to her intently. It felt good to know that my mother wasn’t a heartless bitch I once thought her to be.

After she died, I loathed her because I thought that she fell in love with Leonardo and forgot all about me. But when I discovered that she actually left a huge inheritance for me, my perspective about her changed.

And having Mrs Gonzales talk about her in this manner increased my respect for her. “I really wish we weren’t having this conversation.” I whispered and she caressed the back of my palm with her thumb.

“Two years later, I found out that your mother was pregnant with you and we were elated, but she never mentioned anything about your father. When I asked her if she would try to tell him that she was carrying his child, she told me that she wouldn’t because it didn’t matter. Then something happened a few months later…”

“What happened?” I asked out of unbridled curiosity.

“Your father traced your mother and visited her here. He asked her why she didn’t tell him about the pregnancy, but Sarah spoke rudely to him and told him to forget all about you. Your father never came back after that day, and it hurt me to see that Sarah had to combine taking care of a newborn, growing her company and hurting from rejection at the same time.” Her countenance fell as she withdrew her fingers from me.

Fresh resentment sparked in my heart for my father. Now I understood why I didn’t have the urge to look for him. The man never cared about me, so why should I care?

But the one question I needed an answer to still gnawed in my chest. “What is the name of my father, Mrs Gonzales?” I asked with a chill tone.

She inhaled deeply and massaged her forehead. “I don’t know his surname, but I heard her call him William.” She replied.

Streaks of surprise surged through me as my eyes widened, the name ringing a bell. There was only one man who bore William around me but he couldn’t be my father.

My biological father was heartless, but dad was caring and loving. He saved me countless times from overwhelming situations and he was always ready to help me out.

My mind skidded back to the conversation we had at the cafe the first day we met, but I shoved it aside. I recalled how he observed my resemblance to my late mother and I shivered visibly.

‘No, he can’t be the one.’ I muttered under my breath.

Rosa stared at me intently, her gaze questioning. “Do you know him?”

I quickly masked my conflicted expression with a smile. “I don’t think I do,” I waved off her question, my innards jittery with fear. “And even if I ever get to see him again, I’d lash out at him for being a wicked father who never took responsibility.”

“You don’t have to do that, Miss…” Her eyes lit up in realisation as I chewed on my lower lip. “I don’t even know your name and I told you everything about late Mrs Hills. What if you have been lying the whole time?” She said without mincing words.

“That’s because you know deep down that I’m her daughter. And as for who I really am, we’ll fix a day to talk about it. Is that fine with you?”

She didn’t look convinced, but there was no way I’d tell her all about my new identity while Leonardo could be gallivanting around. It would only upset my plans and return me to zero level.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

“Alright, but you’d better be her daughter.”

“Back to the other reason for this meeting, how’s Leonardo treating you all?”

She snorted and began to tell me how the company was on the verge of collapsing. They had lost most of their buyers because they weren’t producing, and most of them that were coming to work everyday did it because of the love they had for the company.

My ears burned with irritation as I wondered if he had no one challenging him. “What about other directors? Aren’t they saying anything about it?”

She kept quiet, then darted her gaze around. “Look, Miss, rumors have it that our boss bribes the other directors to keep electing him each time there’s a new contestant. At this point, I hope someone will come and buy off the company, but I’m scared that my friend’s legacy will die.”

I understood her conflict and I wanted to tell her that she shouldn’t worry about the affairs of the company, and assure her that the company will be back in the hands of the rightful owner in no time, but this wasn’t the right place and time to tell her all that.

“Thank you for giving me your time. I hope we meet again.” I said and dipped my hands into my bag to bring a bundle of notes.

I gave it to her but she stared blankly at me like she didn’t understand what I was doing. “Are you giving me money just because I spoke to you?”

I shook my head, surprised at her outright disapproval. “No, I just want you to have it.”

She smiled and held my shoulders. “There is no need to give me anything. I’ve been holding up fine before you came and I’ll continue to do my best. All I ask is that you find a way to help us with this company.” She said and left the room.

Feeling satisfied with the outcome of the meeting, I strolled happily to my car and drove off to the house. I needed to get ready for my presentation at the next board meeting, then have a good night’s rest.

I’d gotten to a street to get some ice cream when I found a little girl toddling across the street. My heart clenched in fear as I stepped on the break and raced out of my car.

She flung her arms against me the moment I scooped her up, but I held her tightly, massaging her back. Then I scrutinised her face and saw a striking resemblance.

This had to be Emilia’s daughter because they had the same blonde hair and piercing gaze. But what could she be doing outside of her house all alone?