Why Don't You STAY

SHADOW'S AT DINNER

My thoughts tangled in a mix of surprise, curiosity, and a dash of nervousness. I felt my cheeks flush as our gazes held for a beat longer than necessary.

"Victoria!!!" I mentally screamed, snapping back to reality as Dad asked, "Hey kiddo, want dessert?"

I felt Victoria's gaze still fixed on me, making my cheeks flush. Dad's question broke the spell, and I responded with a mix of excitement and nervousness, "Oh, yeah! Olive Garden's special Tiramisu sounds amazing, Dad!"

Dad smiled, and Ace chimed in, ordering three desserts for us to share. "We'll try the Zeppole, Tiramisu, and Cannoli," he said with a grin.

As we waited for dessert, I snuck another glance over Dad's shoulder. Victoria was still there, accompanied by Olivia and her husband. I quickly looked away, noticing Dad's curious expression.

"Dad, focus on dessert," I teased, trying to divert his attention.

Our desserts arrived, and we dug in, savoring the sweet treats. The conversation flowed easily, with Ace regaling us with funny stories.

As we finished, Olivia rushed over to our table, introducing herself and her bright smile. "Hi, I'm Olivia! Nice meeting you, Mr. Hernandez."

Dad introduced himself, and Olivia exchanged warm hugs with Ace. Turning to me, she exclaimed, "I'm Catherine's new friend from university! We're going to have so much fun together!"

My face lit up, surprised but pleased by Olivia's declaration. Victoria, however, looked taken aback, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"It was great meeting you guys! I have to run – my parents already left," Olivia said, gathering her belongings.

With that, she dashed out of the restaurant, waving goodbye.

As we parted ways, Dad said, "I'll see you at home, kiddo. Ace, thanks for joining us tonight."

"I had a blast, Mr. Hernandez," Ace replied, smiling.

Dad headed to his car, while Ace and I walked to ours. We drove away, the evening's events replaying in my mind.

As we pulled into my driveway, Ace turned to me. "You okay? You've been quiet since we left."

I smiled, feeling grateful. "Yeah, just processing. Thanks for tonight, Ace. It meant a lot."

Ace smiled back. "Anytime, Catherine. Get some rest."

I nodded, grabbing my bag. "You too."

With that, I stepped out of the car and headed inside.

After  bidding Ace goodbye, I headed inside, seeking refuge in my nightly routine. I changed into comfortable clothes and began my skincare regimen, trying to shake off the lingering unease from Victoria's gaze.

Just as I was about to slip into bed, a loud bang and screams pierced the air. "Catherine, get down here right now!" Dad's slurred voice sent terror coursing through my veins.

I knew that tone, that drunken rage. My heart racing, I slowly made my way downstairs, each step heavy with dread.

As I reached the bottom, a searing pain shot through my stomach, and I crumpled to the floor. Dad's kicks and punches rained down on me, his fury unleashed.

"Who were you looking at in the restaurant?" he bellowed, his face twisted in anger. "Answer me!"

Tears streamed down my face as I struggled to speak, but words caught in my throat.

"Answer me, Catherine!" he yelled, his fist connecting with my face. My nose throbbed, blood gushing from the wound.

"I warned you," he snarled, "I don't want to hear about you dating someone I don't approve of. You're not going to chase after pathetic people, do you get that?"

I managed a barely audible "yes" before he stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

Breathless and battered, I sat by the staircase, bruises blooming on my arms and legs, my nose still bleeding, and a gash on my forehead. Tears streamed down my face as I struggled to process the chaos.

Eventually, I mustered the strength to stand, wincing in pain. I cleaned up my wounds, applied ointment and bandages, and crawled into bed.

As I drifted off to sleep, I whispered to myself, "Tomorrow will be a great and bright day. A new beginning, a chance to heal and move forward." With that hope, I let the darkness carry me away.

THE NEXT DAY :

My alarm pierced through the fog of pain enveloping my body. Every inch of me ached, a stark reminder of last night's horrors. I gingerly swung my legs over the side of the bed, wincing as my bruises protested.

A warm shower and simple makeup helped conceal the visible marks on my face. I opted for comfort over style, slipping into baggy jeans, a cozy T-shirt, and a hoodie. My trusty white Air Force Ones completed the outfit.

Downstairs, I settled into breakfast, lost in thought. Dad joined me, his expression somber.

"Catherine, I'm so sorry," he said, his voice laced with regret. "I don't know what came over me yesterday. I had a disastrous business meeting, and then I drank too much... I took out my frustrations on you. Unforgivable."

His apology caught me off guard. I hadn't expected contrition.

"Ace won't be joining you today," he continued. "I sent him with you yesterday so you'd feel more at ease, knowing someone familiar was around. But if you need anything, just call. One ring, and the bodyguards will be there in an instant."

Dad's kiss on my forehead, a gentle gesture, spoke volumes. For a moment, the pain and trauma receded, replaced by a glimmer of hope.

After he left for work, I finished breakfast, feeling a fragile sense of relief. His apology didn't erase yesterday's terror, but understanding the reasons behind his outburst helped.

"I'll let it go," I whispered to myself. "It was a mistake, not me."

With newfound determination, I gathered my belongings and headed out the door, ready to face the day.

A/N:

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