Underestimated Heiress

CHAPTER 17 - Mental dilemma

Eric and Jess enjoyed their tea in the library while chatting casually about recent events. After a serious confrontation, Eric wanted to make sure that he is still on friendly terms with his teenage daughter.

After some laughter and jokes, Eric asked, "Colin is a nice guy, he gets along with all of us."Eric smiled and looked at Jess. Jess was confused, she didn't understand what Eric meant, was he trying to matchmake them,"hmm?"Jess asked, a bit surprised, she continued, "Yes, he is a good guy and I was surprised about how well he got along with all of you. But why did we suddenly start talking about him?"

Eric smiled, he said, "Most of the girls in your class have a boyfriend and I thought if you are thinking about it then Colin is a good choice and I can see that he has a crush on you."

Jess was shocked and embarrassed, "when did I start discussing boys with my father?" she thought and said while standing up to leave "Ok dad. I am tired. I will see you later." Her dad stopped her, he said, "I am not done yet."

Jess sat down disappointed, she knew that she had no way out, Eric said, "I don't want to interfere with your affairs, but I think we can at least discuss it."

"Ok dad." Jess agreed, she continued, "I don't think Colin has a crush on me. He is just trying to be a good leader by maintaining the unity in the team and helping his team."

"Ok, let's not debate on that, but I have a question, if Colin asks you out on a date, will you agree?" Eric asked.

"No." Jess replied immediately as if she was sure that she would never date Colin. Her quick answer made Eric smile and ask "Why?"

What game was Eric playing today? Did he really want his daughter to date Colin?

Eric looked at Jess expecting an answer, but she was quiet and was looking at her feet, thinking when Eric asked, "Do you still have feelings for Nate?"

Jess suddenly looked up at her dad, she was not sure where this discussion was headed, her dad had never wanted her to date that was one of the reasons she didn't mention Nate to her dad. "No," she said hastily. She realized that she has been giving answers in haste and a person only does that when they want to hide something but she didn't think she was hiding anything.

Eric's expressions changed, he was satisfied with himself, as if he found what he was looking for, this made Jess annoyed. She was still confused about her feelings, she was lost deep in thought when her dad interrupted her thoughts and said, "I had a doubt that you still had feelings for Nate, you just confirmed it."

Jess interrupted her dad and said, "No dad. Nate is history, it was nothing serious."

Eric got up to walk out of the library but he stopped, he looked at Jess and said, "It doesn't matter anyway, I will not allow you to date that guy in fact I don't think you will have time to date anyone. If you want to achieve what you have planned for yourself then you need focus." he paused and started walking out of the door while Jess was quiet, then he stopped again, turned towards Jess and said in a serious tone, "Jess, do you know Richa and Nate met over coffee for more than couple of times. Did Richa tell you about this? Please clear your thoughts before your next year starts and choose your friends carefully. I will let you think about it." after saying that he walked out of the library.

Jess was lost in deep thought, she couldn't believe what her dad told her. Was he keeping Nate under surveillance? But why would he do that? Jess looked worried, she went back to her room.

Eric went to his study and was reading one of the contracts when Jenna, his wife, came in. She was the only one who didn't need permission before entering his study. Without looking up Eric asked, "are you worried about her?"

Jenna sat down on one of the chairs in the study without replying, Eric now looked at her with concern. He kept his contract aside and sat next to Jenna, he wrapped one of Jeena's hands in between his hands and asked her,"what are you thinking? Jess is fine. Why are you so worried?"

Jenna comfortably leaned her head on Eric's shoulder and said, "I might be overthinking but people around her will only cause trouble for her. How do I keep my kids safe? Sometimes I feel helpless, that's why I kept surveillance on all the people around her, so that I can smell danger and protect her from it. I know she will be upset after finding this out, but I cannot relive the moment where her life was hanging by thread. I know I act strict with her but I don't want those rich kids to bully her and take advantage of her simple personality. Eric, tell me if I did anything wrong." By this time tears were flowing down her cheeks.

Eric's heart ached for Jenna, he couldn't bear to see his wife sad and in pain. Eric caressed her hair and said,"I have never questioned your actions, because you always acted appropriately and ultimately benefited our family. I trust you and even if something goes wrong I will be here, so don't worry and do what you want."

Jenna hugged Eric and said," thank you for always supporting me. I still remember the day when I asked you to take us far away from all the cruel chaos and you brought us here. You sacrificed a lot to fulfill my wish. I know how much you wanted to take revenge but didn't because of me. Trust me, I haven't forgotten anything and I will show no mercy to the people who are responsible for the pain and harm they caused you and our kids."

Eric's eyes were red, it seemed as if he went into flashback, he spoke hoarsely,"I will never forget the day they tried to poison our 2 year old daughter, they also tried to harm you while you were carrying Ethan. I will never spare them for their actions, they will have to pay." Eric paused, he calmed down and spoke with care and concern, "when you told me that you want to go as far as possible from those people, I understood how hurt you felt. You were not in good shape and both my kids' lives were in danger, I would have done anything to keep you all safe. Stop blaming yourself, I have not sacrificed anything, most important people in my life are with me, happy and safe, that's all I want." Eric stood up, he walked towards his desk and sat in his chair, his eyes were cold, he said, " but that doesn't mean that those people will live a happy and peaceful life. Even when I am not around I have made sure that they are miserable."

Jenna understood what Eric meant, he has been fighting a cold war with those people. She also knew about all the kidnapping attempts on Jess, but they had hidden their children well and no one knew any details about them, not even their closest relatives. For some reason Jenna was feeling uneasy, she was not able to point at it.

Jenna said,"Eric, after Jess graduates can you please send her overseas for her further studies? I will not be so worried about her over there as she will be under your teacher's protection."

Eric looked at Jenna and nodded, he was now worrying about her, he didn't remember when was the last time he saw her this worried, he was not able to understand what was going on in her mind. He thought she needed a distraction so he got up, picked Jenna in her arms and took her for a swim. He always thought that exercise was the best form of relieving stress.

In Jess' room, she was sitting on the swing, lost in deep thought. She was upset, but she was trying to reason with herself, what was she upset with? Was it her dad, who kept her friends under surveillance? Was it Richa, because she was hiding something? Or Was she upset with herself for still having feelings for Nate?

She was not able to come to a conclusion, she felt powerless, this made her angry. To channel her energy, she decided to go for a swim. She changed and went to the swimming pool in the house, she was surprised to see her parents swimming. Without giving in much thought she jumped in, both Eric and Jenna saw that. Jenna looked at Eric with concern, her expressions spoke louder than words, Eric went to her side and asked her to continue swimming.

Jess did continuous laps without taking any break, her face turned red, she still didn't stop. Now, both Eric and Jenna were concerned for her, they wanted to stop her but they also wanted her to fight the battle going on in her mind. They decided not to approach her until she needed them, but they were constantly watching her while seated on the side of the pool wrapped in a towel making sure she was safe.

Suddenly, Jenna screamed while Eric jumped into the pool, Jess had fainted.