Deceiving Destiny

Chapter 15: Tiana Transformed into a Four-legged Amphibian

Chapter 15: Tiana Transformed into a Four-legged Amphibian

I handed four bucks to the driver and went out of the cab, careful not to ruin my olive green dress. The starless sky had turned midnight blue, the wind howling in anger. The upscale building my father was currently residing looming above me, a surge of discomfort gripping my heart.

It's been ages ever since I last saw my father, this would be the first time he'd ever given me permission to visit him at his temporary home. He was surprised when I called him, expecting for the worst- not that I blamed him. Normally, I would ignore his calls, too fed up of his broken promises, and send him a message or two every month- just to tell him I was still alive.

When I started crying, he grew silent- only his ragged breathing could be heard at the end of the line. He patiently listened to my ranting, never interrupting me, but when I mentioned my mother's name, a grunt of anger left him. He told me, "What would you expect from someone like her? The only thing she's good at is opening her legs to every one. Don't waste your time on her, she's nothing to us."

I embraced myself against the attack of the night breeze, goosebumps filling my skin from the cold. The valet opened the glass door as I stepped inside, he offered to fetch me a cup of coffee but I politely declined. The warm interior of the hotel slowly discarded the remains of ice, I stood still for a moment and drank in my rich surroundings- everything was covered in hues of red and burgundy.

Telling myself that I'm warmed inside, I stepped inside the elevator and pushed the number 25.

***

Father and I was sitting awkwardly at his living room, mugs of coffee between us. I didn't have the heart to tell him how much I hated coffee, I was not sure about what his reaction would be. He, like my mother, hadn't changed a bit from my childhood image.

Elliot Grey was every bit of the intimidating man I remembered him to be. A fountain pen still hanging at the front of his shirt, a gold watch cuffed at his wrist. Looking at him close, I could see where my twin had gotten his looks, and like any other time I went to sleep- I thought of how my mother could have cheated to someone like my father.

Father cleared his throat, his face a perfect mask of neutrality. "How are you?"

My nails scratched at the porcelain mug I've just lifted, my muscles tensing from his words. A stab of pain hit me straight to the heart as I rewound how detached his question had been; we're nothing like father and daughter, we're strangers. It was like I was one of the witnesses he's questioning in court; the Elliot Grey who was patient enough to teach me how to ride a back and helped me trick Tyler was no more- replaced by this cool lawyer who resembled my father's physical appearance so much.

"I'm fine, and you?" I fought the urge to laugh at how ridiculous this situation had been, ignoring the fact that I was a quarter away from crying again.

Elliot sipped his coffee, a blanket of silence once again enveloping us. "Work is good, the company's planning to expand. After this crazy week, I'd hopefully be back at home."

It didn't go past me how my father smoothly avoided answering my question, I wonder if it was too hard for him to answer his daughter. I answered an uh-huh and once again, the conversation hit dead end.

My phone vibrated against the table, Nate's name flashing against the screen. I'd been ignoring his', Blake's and Tyler's call and messages for the past two hours, I was too tired to deal with them for now. Reaching for it, I pressed end call and went back surveying the area.

"Don't you think you're being too hard on the boy?" I was intently observing how cozy father's place was when his reprimanding voice pulled me out of my reverie.

Father's lips were thinned, his expression patronizing. I averted my eyes from his unreadable stare, not wanting to have an argument with him. If he wasn't so busy missing out in my life, he would've known the things I gave up for Nate.

"It's rude not to answer when someone asked you a question Madielyn Grey."

His words flickered a light for my anger and trying to be polite as I can, I told him how I really feel. "No I'm not. I'd been anything but patient when he constantly cancel our dates and laughed when his friends made fun of me. He keeps on telling me he loves me but was doing the exact opposite of that, like he's ashamed of ever being seen in public with me. If I did something bad, it's my fault; if he did something bad, it's still my fault. He was always choosing his friends over me and I'm getting tired of always being put at the pedestal. Can't I at least be angry? I'm human father, I think I deserve a break."

Elliot looked stunned at my heated statement, he didn't say a word and watched wordlessly as I calmed my breathing. He was the first person who ever heard what I actually felt inside and I was hoping that even just this once, he'll be the father I needed- to which I'm wrong.

"Nate's a good guy. I wouldn't have introduced you to him if he wasn't. I'm sure you have your own differences but you can sort this out. Try to be patient more, he's just adjusting to puberty and fame. You're his girlfriend, it's your duty to stand by his side no matter what. Fix this Madielyn, I don't ever want to hear this nonsense from you again."

Father's stern gaze meet my broken ones before he disappeared to his bedroom, the sound of his shutting door putting a lid to my beating heart.

Any of you here who've watched Fifty Shades of Grey? Asdfghjkl. Thumbs up if you think Jamie Dornan's hot. :"""">

Any book recommendations?