After a long wait of ten years, she was finally on the verge of fulfilling her dream - the dream of meeting her father. Excited and anticipated as she was so close to reuniting with her beloved father whom she had not seen or heard from for such a l...
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J E R E M Y
On Sunday, we drove to Everett's private estate, where we dropped off our bags at the country house. After that, Dad, Ava, and I headed to the arena for some riding, while Mom stayed in her garden with Melian.
Mom loves gardening, especially her collection of carnations in various colors, and Melian enjoys it just as much. So whenever we go riding, she always stays behind to help Mom with the garden.
When we arrived at the stable, Asil nuzzled Ava's head just like the last time. She recognized her instantly, and Ava giggled like a child, her face lighting up with happiness.
"It's rare for her to like someone that quickly. I remember how much you struggled to get her trust as your equestrian," my dad remarked as we watched Ava gently stroke Asil's mane.
Ava turned toward us with a lingering smile, sending warmth through my chest.
"Sir, can I ride your horse again today?" she asked, blinking slowly.
I smiled.
"Yes, you can."
Her smile brightened. "I'll head to the tack room to get the equipment," she said with enthusiasm, striding off, leaving both of us behind.
Dad turned to me, his expression serious but not harsh. "Do you understand the legal consequences if someone finds out about this? It could ruin your life." His voice was calm but firm, more concerned than disappointed.
"I know, Dad. But I like her a lot, and it feels like there's nothing more important than that right now," I admitted, feeling the weight of his words. Our bond had always been open, almost like friends, and we could talk about anything-well, almost anything. This, however, was something I hadn't fully shared with him. I wasn't sure if he'd approve, considering Ava's age. She was a minor, and I was a twenty-six-year-old man.
Dad sighed, his eyes softening. "I get it, finding someone you care about is a big deal. But the law doesn't care about that. You could be charged with statutory offenses, and those kinds of charges stick for life. You need to think about the bigger picture here."
That's why I had been keeping my distance, trying to ignore the growing feelings I had for her She had so much ahead of her, and I didn't want to be the one to mess that up. But with each passing day, it got harder to pull back. I knew she felt the same, which only made things more complicated.
"So... what should I do?" I asked,
"You need to set boundaries. Clear ones. I trust you, but as your father, I have to make sure you understand how serious this is. There can't be any kind of physical relationship with her-nothing that could even be misinterpreted. If you care about her, really care, you'll wait until she's of legal age. It's not just about you. Her future matters too."
"You're right," I muttered. "I get it."
Dad nodded briefly. "Keep things appropriate, and if you're ever unsure about anything, talk to me. I'm not against you, but I need you to stay smart about this. It's serious, and it's not worth risking either of your futures over."
