Love Under Construction

19. Daddy Issues

Olivia's POV

"Please let me do the talking," Spencer states as he wipes the palm of his hands down his sweatpants.

"Okay," I say seriously.

"I'm just saying— I can't be the reason you and your Pops falls out again. This is my problem. Just let me handle it." He continues and I don't disagree.

"I'm just taking you to his house. I won't say anything."

He looks over at me as I pretend to be too focused on the road to make eye contact with him.

I'm infuriated, so I can't make any promises. Especially because my dad's spent months claiming he's changed when he's still the same self-absorbed, career-obsessed man he was back when him and my mom split.

"I should've told you about this last night, but everything was so perfect between us—," he tries to explain but I stop him with a slight touch my index finger to bottom of his chin.

"None of this is on you. And if people had half the heart you have, they would understand."

And by people, I mean my father. For him to not have a heart in this situation, really doesn't sit well with me.
____________

We pull up to his house and I take calculated breaths.

We walk up and knock.

"Oh my goodness. Olivia! I'm so happy to see you." My step-mom, Marie, says but the feeling isn't mutual.

"Hi! Is my dad in his office?" I ask as I allow her to hug me.

She steps to the side and lets us inside before waiting for me to introduce Spencer.

"This is dad's leading actor on his newest film," I tell her.

"Spencer— Spencer James. Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Baker." He says hesitantly from the nerves, possibly, sitting at the pit of his stomach.

"Wow, mannerly and handsome. And is that an accent I hear?" She says excitedly and I roll my eyes behind her back.

"So is my dad in the office or not?" I ask seriously.

Now is just not the time to be pretending I want to be in the same room as her.

"Yes, sweetheart. Apparently, he's on a Zoom call," she tells me before I grab Spencer's hand and escort him to the office door.

"Olivia, calm down. If you go in there all fired up, you're only going to make things worse." He whispers and I open the door before he can change his mind.

"I'm in a meeting," my dad yells, not knowing who's entering. "Spencer?"

His voice is laced with surprise as I stay out of site.

"Sir, I— I—," Spencer hesitates before looking back at me through the cracked door.

My hands motion him to speak up and I see his hesitation turn to a little confidence.

"How'd you get my address? Better yet, what are you doing here?" My dad asks.

"You said—" his throat clears and the base in his voice heightens. "You said I'm a star. You said I'm not just the one, but I'm the two as well!"

"Look, I have a sched—"

"—-Let him talk," I say as I finally enter the room and stand about ten feet away from.

"Olivia," Spencer whispers and I'll have to apologize later. "It's only right since you're out looking for his replacement."

"What is this? A joke?"