Curing His Love Allergy

Chapter 37 - The Holidays

Today was Christmas Eve, and I spent it working on college applications. I finished all my Juilliard work and completed my new song. I'm still contemplating whether or not to take the risk, but I have to decide soon, as I need to start rehearsing for the auditions if my application goes over well with admissions. I read over my application and submitted it, hoping to get some news on it soon and whether or not I landed an audition.

After I finished my application for Juilliard, I began on the others. I was thinking about even applying to CalArts as a backup too. So it is NYU, CalArts, and Barnard College. I had a full plate and, as such, France and I have been up in my room working on applications for the past two days. Some vacation this is. The only break we get is when we have to use the bathroom or get something to eat.

It was now 9:43 PM, and I was exhausted. My aunt cooked Christmas Eve dinner, and France and I haven't even eaten yet. "I'm hungry," I tell my boyfriend.

"Then let's go down to eat," he says, closing his laptop. I do the same after saving my progress on my application. I sighed, then complied. As I was heading out the door, I heard my phone chime. I took it up and motioned for France to go downstairs without me. I sat on my bed and reached for my phone, quickly opening up my iMessage app.

Messages

Dad - When are you coming home, kid?

Me - In a week, why?

Dad - I'm coming to Texas, but not Waco. I'm going to Dallas for some business. I want you to come visit me.

Me - Fine, but when are you coming?

Dad - Dec 30, I will be staying at Jewels Resort.

I didn't bother answering the last message. The fact that my so-called father was coming to Texas, Dallas to be precise, and doesn't even want to come to Waco to visit me, he wants me to just pack up and leave to see him. What does he want? What is he planning?

"Tiara?" my boyfriend calls out. "Come down to eat!" I did as I was told and went to eat my dinner with someone who actually cares about me and how I am feeling.

Throughout dinner, I could barely eat my food. After the back and forth with my dad, I had lost my appetite. "Tiara?" France called out, reaching for my hand from across the table. "Are you okay?" he asks, concern etched on his features.

I sighed, preparing to tell him about my dad. I told him about the text message conversation and asked him what he thinks it means.

"I don't know, darling, but I do know I will be coming with you."

"France, I've been thinking about this, and I think this is when I'm going to hack into my dad's medical files and find out if he killed my mom or not," I tell him in one breath, a sense of determination embedded within me.

"Okay," he says. To say I was shocked was an understatement; France was not forbidding me to do something deemed as dangerous.

"What?" I ask, flabbergasted.

"You heard me. I said okay. If this is something you need to do to get closure, then I support you. Just know I'll always be there supporting you and helping you along the way," he said, then grabbed my hand and continued, "My darling, I'd die before I let anything bad happen to you again." A warm kiss was placed atop my hand that gave me goosebumps and soothed the slight worry I had from before.

"Thanks, France. I love you."

"And I, you."

After chatting and laughing about not-so-important things and finishing our food, France took the plates and cleared the table. I opened the dishwasher for him to put them inside. "You know what we need? Our first date. The day after Christmas, I will be taking you on a date," he states confidently.