CLOVE

forty-one

⨯ brennan ⨯

As I went about my work the next day, my father's words echoed through my mind. "You need to face your problems head on."I let out a sigh, my thoughts turning to Clover. Maybe my dad was right. Maybe I should try confronting my feelings for Clover instead of avoiding them.

The idea of talking to Clover made my stomach twist uncomfortably. The thought of laying my heart out on the line and potentially getting rejected made me break out in a cold sweat. But at the same time, I knew my dad was right. I couldn't keep avoiding my feelings forever.

I was zoned out, absentmindedly doodling clovers on a sticky note, when the sound of the door opening jolted me out of my thoughts. I looked up to see my dad walking into my office. 

"Bren," he said bluntly, his eyes flicking down to the sticky note in front of me. "What are you doing?"

I quickly snatched up the sticky note, hiding it from view. "Uh, nothing. Just...thinking," I said, feeling my cheeks heat up with embarrassment.

My dad raised an eyebrow, eyeing me skeptically. "Thinking, huh? Looked like you were doodling clovers to me."

I looked away, feeling my cheeks flush even more. "Yeah, well...I was just killing time," I muttered, knowing full well how lame my excuse sounded.

My dad chuckled, crossing his arms across his chest. "Killing time, huh? And what's with the clovers? You got a thing for plants now?"

I rolled my eyes, feeling like a teenager caught red-handed. "No, I don't have a thing for plants, Dad. Okay, fine. I was doodling clovers. Happy now?"

My dad smirked, clearly finding amusement in my embarrassment. "Yeah, I'm happy. Just wondering why you're drawing clovers when you've got a pile of paperwork on your desk that needs to be done."

I sighed, looking down at the pile of paperwork sitting in front of me. "I know, I know. Just...needed a break," I muttered, feeling my earlier determination to face my problems falter under my dad's watchful eyes.

His smirk faded, and he studied me for a moment. "You're still thinking about Clover, aren't you?"I felt a pang of defensiveness, his words hitting a nerve. "What makes you say that?" I snapped back, a hint of irritation creeping into my voice.

My dad gestured towards the crumpled sticky note on my desk, a small clover doodle visible on one corner. 

"You were literally drawing a clover when I walked into your office," he pointed out.

I flushed, feeling like a cornered animal. He had me there. "Yeah, so what? I was just doodling. It doesn't mean anything."

My dad's expression turned serious, and he sighed heavily. "You know, when I said for you to face your problems head on, I didn't mean for you to go back to Clover. In fact, I was hoping you'd move on from her."

I felt a twinge of irritation at his words, my defensive walls going up. "And why shouldn't I go back to her? I thought you said I should face my problems head on."

My dad's expression softened a bit, but his tone was firm. "I know I said that, Bren. But going back to Clover isn't facing your problems. It's just repeating the same mistake. You need to move on, not go back to someone who isn't good for you."

I let out a frustrated grunt, running a hand through my hair. "And what makes you think she isn't good for me? She's great, Dad. She's kind, and funny, and smart-"

My dad interrupted me, holding up a finger to stop my argument. "But she's also reckless, impulsive, and has a string of failed relationships behind her."

My dad leaned against my desk, his expression solemn. "Not to mention, she was the cause of her dad and brother's accident. You can't ignore that, Bren. Actions have consequences, and Clover's actions had some serious consequences."

I looked at my dad with surprise, taken aback by his mention of Clover's dad and brother's accident. "Wait, how do you know about that? I never told you about Clover's family."

His expression remained serious. "I've done some digging of my own, Bren. I wanted to know who you're spending time with, so I did some looking into Clover's past."

I felt a pang of irritation, feeling like my privacy had been invaded. "You were snooping into Clover's life? Without me even asking you to?"

My dad shrugged, unbothered by my tone. "I was concerned, Bren. You were spending a lot of time with her, and I wanted to make sure she wasn't going to lead you astray. Turns out, I was right to be concerned."

I glared at him, feeling a mixture of anger and frustration. "You had no right to go digging into her life without even talking to me first! That's not how you look out for me, Dad. That's called being a control freak."

My dad's expression hardened, and he leaned in closer to me. "I'm not being a control freak, Bren. I'm looking out for you. I know you're an adult, but I'm still your father, and I care about you. And from what I saw, Clover is not someone I want you involved with."

I let out a frustrated sigh, the memory of that time still fresh in my mind. "Yeah, I know, Dad. You're the one who talked me into cutting her out of my life in the first place."

My dad nodded, seeming pleased that I remembered. "Right, and I stand by that decision. Clover is not the right person for you, Bren. Don't let yourself be blinded by whatever feelings you think you have for her."

I gritted my teeth, feeling a mixture of anger and defiance. "And what if I don't agree with you? What if I still want to see her, despite what you say?"

His expression hardened even further, and he took a step closer to me. "Listen, Bren. I don't want to have to threaten you, but if you're going to continue with this idea of seeing Clover again, then I'll have to rethink you owning my company."

I was enraged by my dad's audacity. "I own the company now, not you. So given that you've already lost it, I suggest that you leave my office before you also lose a son."

He looks at me with the same expression he had before. "Whatever Brennan, my bad for trying to help my son. I set up a business meeting for you tonight, I'll text you the time and address."

I pointed towards the door, my voice firm. "Get out of my office. Now."

My dad glared at me for a moment, but he knew when he was beaten. He let out a frustrated sigh and stalked out of my office, shutting the door behind him with a loud bang.