The Sellout's Queen [2] » WWE

Chapter 16

Wednesday:

"It's good to just be out together, isn't it? Just the two of us. Not worrying about a plan. Especially since we didn't do anything last week." Seth pulled out my chair and I took a seat. He sat across from me.

"I'm glad we made the time." Our 9 month anniversary was last Wednesday, and we didn't really have time to do much but say "I love you", then on the road to the next city. It was exhausting.

I look at the restaurant. "This place is nice." We were having dinner at a quaint little restaurant in Florida.  The Royal Rumble was this Sunday and we flew down early, just to get away and have this nice outing. I didn't wear a beanie, and I was wearing heels. Avengers heels, but heels none the less. 

"Yeah it is. I knew you'd like the firefly lights they have hanging up," he says twirling his finger in the air.

I nod looking around. "They're beautiful."

"Not as beautiful as you."

I turn to look back at him with a smile. "You're so sweet, it kills me."

He smiles too, and looks me in the eyes. "Asher, I love you so much."

I was so glad I found him. "And I love you so much, Seth." I reach across the table and intertwine his hand in mine.

He gives it a gentle squeeze. "Asher, I-," my cell phone starts blaring out a ringtone.

I pull my hand away. "I'm sorry, Seth. Do you mind if I answer this?"

He looks hesitant but then shakes his head. "No, not at all."

I accept the call without paying attention to the ID, and put it to my ear. "Hello?"

"What's up, Helmsley?"

"Ambrose?" I glance at Seth who furrows his eyebrows. "What do you want?"

"I'm just wondering where you are? You aren't at your parents."

"Of course I'm not, I'm with, wait...how do you know I'm not there?"

He sighs on the other end. "Stephanie and Hunter called Paige and asked if she wanted to come to dinner at their house, and she dragged me along with her. I'd rather be anywhere but here. No offense, but your parents aren't exactly my cup of tea."

I was still stuck on "dinner at their house". "What do you mean by "dinner"?"

"Um," he pauses, "it could be a family thing, but it's more than likely corporate since Kane showed up. Though still it's weird that you aren't here. Seth either. Looks like somebody's got a hidden agenda," he sings on the other line. 

"Thank you Dean, I'll see you Sunday." I hang up my phone and look at Seth.

"Did you know about a dinner my parents were having at the house tonight?"

He nods. "They asked me if I'd be able to make it and I said that me and you were flying to Florida early, so I couldn't."

"How come they didn't tell me about it?"

Seth shrugs. "Maybe they thought that it wouldn't matter since you would be with me. That's all."

A waiter comes and asks us if we're ready to order, and we tell him not yet. When he leaves I look back at Seth. "It does matter. I'm their daughter. I'm supposed to know these things. Excuse me for a minute." I back up my chair to stand and walk outside, to make a quick call.

"Hello?" My dad says on the other line.

"Hi, dad. How's the family dinner going?"

"It's not a family dinner, Asher. It's a business meeting." I hear laughter on the other end, but it recedes after a moment. He must have stepped out of the room.

"Sure sounds like a lot of fun for a business meeting." I don't let him respond. "Why didn't you tell me about it?"

"Because we knew you would be with Seth."

I shake my head as if he can see me. "No. That's not all. It's because you'd rather have Paige there than me."

"No, that is not true."

"Oh is it? Because the last time me and Paige were at that house together, tempers flared and I shoved her face into dressing. I understand why you wouldn't want both us under that roof together again. The logical decision would be to just invite one of us. So that brings the question: why wasn't I invited instead of her?" 

He sighs. "Asher, this is strictly business. You've been going off on your own as of late, and haven't really taken as much interest in The Authority like you used to. I invited Paige because she seems interested in working with us for the long haul."

"And that's reason enough to not invite your daughter? Because it's not "best for business"? Who gives a crap? I'm your daughter!"

"You're blowing things out of proportions here, Ash."

"Me? You're the one..." I stop myself. Arguing with my dad was pointless. He was always right. "You know what? You're right, dad." I let out a light laugh. "Actually believing that family came first...how silly of me." I hang up the phone and look up at the stars in the sky.

My parents and I hadn't really talked since the accident. I don't know if they were ashamed of me, angry with me, or just didn't want to look at me. My frustration with them was wearing thin, and I was set to blow up in any moment.

I walk back into the restaurant and take my seat across from Seth.

"You okay?" He asks stroking my hand.

I nod. "Yeah, um..." I look up at him and give him a reassuring smile. "Let's just eat."