Everything you never had: on hold

11

I hesitated for a moment, trying to come up with a good enough excuse to why he couldn't come.

I couldn't exactly say 'you can't come because I've been hiding your unknown daughter all these years' that was obviously out of the question.

But I also couldn't outright deny him, it would make me seem suspicious. My mind muddled together with different responses I should say. The wheels in my head constantly turning trying to think of a new way I could get out of this.

"Athena" I heard him mumble my name and my head spontaneously shot up to face him. "Is something the matter" his voice changed into a gentler tone.

"Oh, no I'm alright" I replied.

"You don't mind do you?" Damien arched a brow.

"No, not at all. You can come over if you'd like" I broke out in a laugh too forced.

*****

"I'll give you a lift" the clock chimed 7pm as Damien walked out of his office that wooden smell of his cologne trailing after him with ever stride.

Just then jarred exited the lift walking to my desk with a too big grin. I returned him the same smile with a little hand wave.

He fingers did a little dance on my desk "are you ready to go?" He asked.

"Just quite" I answered grabbing my bag from the side of the desk and turning off the computer.

Once I stood up, a firm hand wrapped itself around my wrist. I turned my head to look at the culprit.

Damien stood a foot taller than before whilst he stared at jarred who seemed to be confused. "No need" Damien spoke "I've already offered, no if you'll excuse us".

"Wait-" I tried to speak but He finished his words by pulling my arm towards the elevator.

I instantly released my arm from his grip, my face twisted into something ugly as I stared at him.

"What" he frowned.

"What do you mean what? You can't just drag me to where ever you want" I said poking my finger on his chest.

"I don't know what you're talking about".

"Jealously never suited you Damien" I bit back.

"I'm not jealous" he resorted back a lie.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at him and turned to face the elevator door trying my best to ignore his presence.

The doors opened and I took that as I sign to walk it home instead. I needed to phone my father to make sure Sophia stayed in her room and I wouldn't be able to do that if I was sat besides Damien.

"Athena, where are you going" he sighed holding his car keys in his hands.

"I think it's better if I just walked it home" I lied. It would take me at least 20 minutes to get home and jarred and Damien would most likely be their already, but I didn't want to stay in a car with him.

The guilt growing inside of me would only increase and I couldn't have more that on my conscious.

"Don't do this, just... just let me give you a ride" he sounded tired and I would be lying if I said it didn't effect me. The look of complete exhausted coated him that I just agreed.

*****

"Happy birthday dad" I ran inside quickly leaving him behind to double check Sophia was in her bed.

"Thanks dear" he chuckled whilst I wrapped my arms around him giving him a tight squeeze. "How was work?"

"The same as always" I sighed "is she asleep?"

"Yes don't worry-" his eyes briefly looked over to the figure that walked inside "Damien?" My father questioned.

"Good evening Mr Rodriguez" he answered polite like always when he spoke to my dad. "And happy birthday" Damien moved to shake his hand.

My fathers eyes moved between me than back to Damien his eyes growing big with realisation. The answer that lay to his question all of these years stood right in front of him.

"I... thank you" my father stuttered turning to face me once more time.

I gently shook my head mouthing the words 'later'.

"Ding dong" a familiar voice came from the door and in stepped jarred but he wasn't alone, Gabriel trailed behind his face glowing a slight red.

"JARRED!" My father cheered looking at his new friend.

This wasn't the first time they had both met. I had introduced my father to him some time ago when we bumped into each other at the mall and became close in the span of 30 minutes.

"Are you doing well" jarred approached Mr Rodriguez giving him a heavy.

I turned to look at Gabriel who seemed to be flushed standing at the threshold "what brought you hear?" I teased and as always he rolled his eyes.

"You don't mind a brought him with me do you?" Jarred butted in between us, a smirk blooming on his rosy lips.

"Not at all" I responded.

Gabriel's stood shuffling his legs "you don't mind if I go to the bathroom?"

"It's upstairs on your left" giving him directions.

"Thanks" he muttered, his legs stomping up the stairs.

****

15minutes had gone by without any issues that it felt almost too good to be true.

My father was carried away speaking to jarred whilst they sat down drinking their beers, while me and Damien sat awkwardly besides each other unknowing on what to say.

Gabriel hadn't returned from the bathroom and I seemed to question what he was doing in there.

"If you'll excuse me, I'll go see if Gabriel's alright" i interrupted whatever was going on the living room and made my way up the flight of stairs.

From across the corridor, I could hear the low muffling of two people talking and once I made it to the noise, I could feel my heart drop to the pit of my stomach at the scene in front of me.

Gabriel sat on the floor besides Sophia reading some book.

"Mommy!" Sophia screamed and it caused the panic in my mind to grow.

"Shhh...shhh" I whispered afraid someone heard "hello baby" kissing the top of her head.

Two pair of eyes burned through the back of my head. Gabriel's face grew in disbelief "you have a lot of explaining to do".