Everything you never had: on hold

12

"I don't know what you're on about." My voice cracked with each lie that came out of my mouth.

Gabriel's face morphing into distrust. His eyes constantly wondered to Sophia then the door as if he'd go down there and announce what I had been trying to hide.

"Does he know" his words laced in venom "how long did you think you could this a secret Athena"

"What are you talking about" I whisper yelled afraid someone would hear.

Gabriel let out a scoff "don't act dumb, this child is Damiens. It's obvious to anyone with working eyes".

"This is none of your business" I began to protest "what I do has nothing to do with you."

Silence creeped into the room both of us staring at each other fighting an impossible battle. Gabriel's eyes glinted with something, maybe it was disappointment or was it disgust? All I knew was I didn't like it.

"He has every right to know Athena" he sighed.

"You won't tell him will you?" The panic inside growing. I didn't want to Damien to find out about his child from another persons mouth, when the time was right I would tell him.

He paused for a moment and in those moments I held my breath "no" finally releasing the words I was hoping.

"But" another pause

"If you don't tell him soon, I'll have no choice but to tell him myself" he finished his sentence patting Sophia's head.

"I understand" I mumbled turning to face Sophia.

"Go to bed baby" I smiled at my daughter kneeling down and planting a soft kiss on her forehead.

"Night mommy" she yarned crawling her way inside the duvets.

*****

The clock ticked 10pm when Gabriel and jarred decided to leave. Giving my father one last hug before they departed out the door.

All that remained was my father and Damien, the room thick with tension no one speaking to each other.

"So I think I should head out" Damien abruptly stood up wiping his suit jacket from invisible creases.

"I'll walk myself out, goodnight"

"Goodnight" me and my father said in unison watching him walk to the door. The door clicked close and that's when my father bombarded me with questions.

"That's Sophia's father isn't it" was the first thing he said to me after Damien. His features marked with distraught.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you" I mumbled.

When Damien had first met my father he wasn't in a good place and their first interaction wasn't the best.

5 years ago*

"Are you sure about this" Damien grumbled pulling his arm down the road.

It was late in the afternoon and I had gotten off work early and decided to spend my day with Damien . The park was crowded at this time, filled with laughing children and watchful mothers.

"You'll be fine" I encouraged nearing my house. The streets littered with glass bottles and news papers.

My face bloomed red at the sight, compared to Damiens home that screamed money, mine was the opposite. We weren't poor but we weren't exactly swimming in cash.

We finally reached my house. Opening the door, the sound of sports played in the background whilst my father sat on the couch a bottle in his hand.

"Hello dad" I moved towards him planting a gentle kiss on his forehead. I didn't know if he was drunk or not but I could only hope it was the latter.

"No work today" he gurgled taking another swig of his drink.

I sighed dropping my backpack on the couch. It wasn't like he wasn't going to remember this in the morning so I left it.

"Athena" I heard my name forgetting for a split second that I had brought Damien hear.

Right. "By the way I brought a friend over if you don't mind?" I asked my father patiently waiting in front of him for an answer.

He rose his glass up and I took that as I sign of approval grabbing Damiens arm and leading him up the flight of stairs towards my room.

"Is he always like this" Damien questioned scanning my room.

"Sometimes" I shrugged tying my hair up into a ponytail. "It's not what you think, he's a good man who goes to work and pays his taxes, just sometimes when he gets home he relies on alcohol a bit too much".

"Does he ever-"

"No he would never touch me, don't worry about me Damien" giving him a gentle smile.

****

We spent hours talking, from favourite flavoured ice cream to what types of movies make us cry.

"Really?" Damien exclaimed as we lay on the floor "frozen makes you cry" he began bursting out in laughter.

"Hey" I slapped his side "I always wanted a sister and watching it makes me wish I had siblings".

I moved to lay on my side watching his expression "do you have any siblings" I questioned.

Damien paused for a moment staring at the ceiling as if that would give him the answer.

"No, I don't" was all he said the mood suddenly souring.

Just as I was about to speak, I loud crash came from downstairs. The sound of grumbling echoed all the way up to my room and I instantly shot up.

Damien started to yell but all I could focus on was my father and his safety. My legs carried me all the way to the kitchen where a line of blood trailed.

"Dad" I yelled finding him on the floor "what did you do now" picking up his hand to find a cut. His eyes fluttered open but they weren't staring at me but what was next to me.

"Who are you" he groaned.

I turned to find Damien staring at us, his eyes wide at the scene in front of him. "Athena" he whispered.

"You should go" I insisted helping my dad from the floor and moving him to the nearest chair.

"I can't just leave you, are you crazy" his voice growing frantic.

"Get out of my house" my fathers voice grew "what are you going in my house"

"Damien please"

But he still didn't budge.

"Damnit Damien" I yelled "just go home this has nothing to do with you"