Reunited With The Bad Boy CEO

Forgive me

SHAWN DONNELLY
~~
As Shawn walked in, his heart in his mouth, he saw that the years had etched lines on Calista’s parents’ faces. However, their eyes still held the warmth he remembered from Calista.

He stood in front of them, unable to tear his gaze from their faces. It was safe to say that fear had rendered him numb. The words he’d rehearsed in his head had vanished.

“Hello. We do not know you but you seem quite familiar.” Mr. Whitaker took to speaking since he’d been choking on silence.

Shawn did his best to shake his anxiety off. He couldn't even sit. He felt his palms going moist as he nodded. “Erm—yes, Mr. Whitaker, Mrs. Whitaker.” He nodded at Calista’s mother also. “I am the one who asked my worker to fix this appointment with you.” A nervous laugh, “I’m sorry if it's not to your convenience. I sincerely hope he has compensated you for that and if he hasn't,” He brushed his pockets. “I’ll see to it that your times are well spent and paid for.” Hell, he had no idea what to say. Didn't this seem like he was trying to buy them over with money?

However, money was all he had. He wasn't a good man.

“Oh, no, no. Your friend already paid our bosses off.” Mrs. Whitaker pointed at Sunny with a smile. “My husband is glad that he can take the day off and I—” She rubbed Mr. Whitaker’s shoulder. “I am glad that I can get to spend the morning with him in such a nice environment and the rest of the day in the bliss of our home.” She beamed.

Even her smile was scaring Shawn. He was worried those would disappear as soon as he spilled the beans. They seemed to have forgotten his face.

Well, they didn't quite know him well back then. “I’m happy to hear that.” He sheepishly chucked, bowing.

“Please, have your seat already Mr…?” Mr. Whitaker asked and Shawn hastily provided his name.

“Donnelly. Shawn Donnelly.” He dropped the bombshell.

It was either he’d get his head broken by the cups or his clothes soaked in lemonade. Either way, Shawm was ready for both.

He deserved it.

A curious glint flashed across Mrs. Whitaker’s face while the lines on her forehead deepened. “Shown Donnelly. I could have sworn that I knew that name.” She tapped her nape.

Shawn swallowed, deciding to spare them the trouble. With a dry throat, “Mr. and Mrs. Wilson," he began, his voice trembling slightly. "I know my request is—unconventional. But I come to you with a heavy heart, seeking forgiveness."

They both turned questioning brows at him. “Forgiveness?” Mr. Whitaker mused softly. “Do we know you, Mr. Donnelly?”

“Heavens! Shawn Donnelly. I know him.” Mrs. Whitaker gasped with an epiphany glint flickering in her eyes. “Honey—it’s—it’s him.” She began to tap her husband’s shoulder repeatedly.

Shawn couldn't bear to see the mixture of surprise and disgust that filled Mr. Whitaker’s eyes as he slowly came to the realization of who he was.

“The same Shawn Donnelly?”

“Yes! The one who ruined our daughter’s childhood.”

“I mean— he’s all grown now. I barely recognized him.”

“What does he want with us?!”

Shawn gripped the arm of the chair like it would stop the harsh sensation burning in his heart. It was as though it’d been prickled with thousands of needles simultaneously.

He wanted to evaporate. To disappear into nothingness before his shame swallowed him.

Perhaps—this was what Calista felt back then. If not more. How could he ever attain the amount of pain he’d subjected the poor girl to? What was the amount of goodwill he needed to carry with him to erase that awful memory from her heart and mind?

Would it ever leave?

“What are we still doing here? Let's leave at once!” Mr. Whitaker hollered, forcing Shawn to bring his gaze to them with a plea dangling on it.

“Please, listen to me. Don’t leave yet. I mean, you can decide to leave after listening to me. But please, allow me to make the time you've spent here worth it.” He begged, hoping they’d at least let him speak.

With eyes burning with contempt, “What do you want from us, young man? After all those years, you dare to show your face now? What do you want from us now?! Isn't it too late now?!” Mrs. Whitaker bellowed, causing the attention of the restaurant on them.

Sunny had also hurried to them since he stood a distance away before. “I can not say I understand your pains, Mr and Mrs. Whitaker but I can testify to how much work and money Mr. Donnelly has spent on locating you. Please, give him a little if not enough of your time. Give him a chance to talk.” Sunny pleaded.

“What does he want?” Mrs. Whitaker related.

Shawn had to speak. “Before anything else, I want to seek your forgiveness first.”

A muscle twitched in Mr. Whitaker’s jaw. "Forgiveness?" he spat the word as if it were poison. "Do you truly believe that after what you did to our daughter, you deserve forgiveness?"

Shawn flinched at the harsh words. He knew they were justified.

He lowered his head, unsure of the right words to use. His brain seemed to be hazy now. "I know I can never undo the pain I caused Calista," he admitted. "I can never erase the past. But I beg you, please give me a chance to atone, to show you that I am truly sorry."

Mrs. Whitaker’s eyes welled with tears. "You ripped our daughter's world apart, Mr. Donnelly," she said, her voice choked with emotion. "You left her broken and scarred. Do you think a simple apology can mend such wounds?"

Oh, he knew a mere apology wouldn't undo what he’d done. Hell, it could never be undone. Anyone could dig up Calista’s nudes from the internet at any point in her life. Whatever life she’d built for herself now could be ruined all over again because of that.

“No, I know it won't. But I am willing to do whatever it takes to make amends. I will spend the rest of my life trying to earn your forgiveness. I yearn for Calista’s forgiveness.” He forced himself to look into their eyes with a pleading gaze. “Please, give me a chance.”