Adore me- the fourth novel

Chapter 139- Dad

Meeting up with your dad again in your early twenties, is weird. No getting around it; this relationship should be different. I should know him, he should have watched me grow. Watched me attend my first dance show, helped me through my exams. That kind of stuff.

I shake off my negative thoughts and focus on the here and now. I'm walking to a small Italian that I know; Jay is in the big 8 down the road. Probably sipping whiskey waiting on my text.

It's hot as hell today and I'm wearing a little cami dress and sandals, it's yellow. My hair is out loose and now reaches down to my waist. I've got a small purse for my phone and keys. And for a wedding invitation, more on that later.

I walk confidently up to the double doors of the small Italian, its red brick work and ornate tables and chairs outside make me smile. Opening the door, I'm a little early, I did want to get here first to take a seat and a few deep breaths before seeing him.

The small Italian lady greets me as I enter. She has long dark hair and tan skin. Her warm smile radiates and makes me smile back at her.

"Hello Miss" she smiles remembering me and I give her a genuine smile back.

I can already see my dad. He hasn't noticed me just yet, which is a relief. His brunette hair, the same shade as my own is wavy and thick like mine too. He's wearing a shirt and tie. A coffee in front of him which he's looking into deeply for answers.

"Hello I already have a table" I say softly.

I notice him look up, his expression at first unreadable, but then a mixture of shock and pride. He smiles at me, and I half expect him to say that's my girl and for me to run up to him like I used too. However that does not happen.

Instead I walk over to my dad, he's ordered me an orange juice and a coffee and I laugh. I sit down looking into eyes that are the same as my own.

"I didn't know whether you would want orange juice or coffee" he chuckles and I laugh again.

"Hey dad" I say and he smiles.

"Taylor" he says.

"How are you" he asks and I can tell he genuinely wants to know.

"Dad I'm good how are you" I say and he wipes his eyes. Not what I had imagined his response would be.

"Sorry Taylor I'm just happy to see you again" he says and he wipes tears away like he used to when I would fall over and scrape my knee.

"Me too" I say and I'm lost for words.

"Before anything, I would just like to say thankyou for reading my letter and for agreeing to meet up. I am truly sorry for the absence I have had in your life, missed you growing up and so many other things that a dad should have been there for" he says and I just listen.

"It's inexcusable, I as a parent should have found a better resolution." He says.

"I understand" I say

"It's truly unforgivable, but I would like you to know that and it's not much but" he says sighing and retrieving documents from his bag.

"This isn't me trying to make amends, with money. However it is important to me that you receive this because I was not there to support you, buy your first ballet shoes or pay for your clothes. So please accept it as almost like reimbursement. And my amends comes from my continued support and presence in your life now" he says handing me a bank account overview.

"It's in your name and I contributed to it every month." He says as I open the slip.

"Dad this is like tens of thousands of pounds" I say shocked.