Rivals Redemption

chapter 69 : Unwavering support

Tina Diaz

I arrived at my dad's building, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. Rowan had finally started his job as a junior aerospace engineer, and I wanted to be there to support him, especially considering the tension with Dad. I hoped Rowan wasn't having too hard of a time with him, but knowing my father, it was wishful thinking.

As I made my way to Rowan's office, I spotted him at his desk, looking focused yet determined. My heart skipped a beat. He looked so good in his shirt and tie, like he was born for this. I knocked lightly on the door, and when he saw me, his face lit up in that way that always made my stomach flutter.

"Hey, you," I said, stepping inside.

"Hey, yourself." He pulled me into a tight hug, his arms lingering around my waist. I could feel the tension of his first day melt away as we held each other.

"I missed you," he whispered into my hair.

I smiled up at him, leaning in for a kiss. It started slow, tender, but soon turned heated as all the time we'd been apart seemed to come crashing down on us. His hands found their way to my hips, pulling me closer, and my fingers ran through his hair as our lips moved together.

For a moment, the world outside didn't matter. Not the office, not my dad, nothing. Just Rowan and me.

We finally pulled apart, breathless. "We should probably stop," I said, a smile tugging at my lips. "We're in your workplace, after all."

Rowan chuckled. "Yeah, probably not the best place for that." But his eyes told me he wasn't entirely opposed to the idea.

I gave him another quick kiss before pulling back. "How's it going? I hope Dad isn't making it too rough for you."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "He hasn't made it easy, but I knew what I was signing up for. It's... a challenge."

I nodded, feeling a pang of guilt. My father had always been hard on Rowan, and it didn't seem like that was changing anytime soon. "I'll talk to him again."

Rowan gave me a reassuring smile. "I'm not going anywhere. No matter how hard he tries to push me out."

After we spent a few more minutes together, I left Rowan to finish his day, making my way to Dad's office. I had to face him eventually. When I walked in, I was greeted by the usual stern look on his face.

"Dad," I started, "I visited Rowan today. He's doing great, and I hope you'll give him a chance. He's really dedicated."

My father didn't even bother to look up from his paperwork. "I see you're still defending him, Tina. But I'm telling you, that boy isn't right for you."

"Dad, he's working here. He's trying to prove himself. Can't you see that?"

He sighed and leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples as if I was giving him a headache. "Proving himself? He's just trying to get close to you. I don't trust his intentions, and you shouldn't either."

"Rowan loves me, Dad. He's not here to play games."

"You're too young to understand these things. Men like him, they're opportunists. And I don't want you to end up hurt because you believed in some fairy tale."

I clenched my fists, feeling frustration boil inside me. "Rowan is not like that."

"You'll see one day," Dad continued, his voice hard. "And I'll be here when it all falls apart. Just don't say I didn't warn you."

I could feel the sting of his words, but I wasn't about to back down. "Well, Dad, I'm not giving up on him. No matter what you say."

With that, I turned and walked out of his office, my heart heavy but my resolve strong. I just hoped that one day, he'd come around.

But even if he didn't, I wasn't going to let that come between Rowan and me. We had already been through too much.