Hayden & Dean (The Sequel) - A Tethered Love

Chapter 4: A twist in the night

Although my feet were heavy as I made my way towards my father it felt like an out of body experience. Once I noticed his silver hair in the crowd I kept picturing the disappointment on his face. The frown on his face becoming more permanent as I got closer. I continued to try and shake the images from my mind but the whispers that were beginning to make their way made it harder. I stop a few feet away from him in doubt. I tremble to move forward to grab his attention but can't seem to go through with it. Dean keeps his hand on the small of my back for encouragement but the pit in my stomach stays strong.

It must have been minutes of me standing there before Author coughed and motioned his eyes towards me for my dad to take notice.

He turns around curious to whom is distracting this man from their conversation. His eye brows are furrowed with frustration when I see them meet mine. They change to show confusion "Hayden?" He asks unsure of what he sees in front of him. Charles and I were engaged. He was so thrilled I ended up with such an important person even my mother gave me a kiss on the cheek that night. "It's so wonderful to see you my darling" he says putting both hands on my shoulders taking a look at me.

I blush in embarrassment "you too" is all I can think to say back.

"I've been trying to find you for a couple of months..what a wonderful surprise!" He continues to smile.

"Dad, where's mom?" I ask him turning my head slightly to the side. Dean stays behind me a few feet understanding I want to give them the news of my marriage when they are together.

"Oh, you know her. At the bar!" He says before turning to Author. "I must excuse myself Author. My daughter has graced us with her presence and there is much to catch up on!" He shakes the mans hand with pride and leads me into the crowd towards the set up bar area.

Dean stays trailing behind as my father is oblivious to his presence. I look to him and he mouths out to me "see, this isn't so bad!" I raise one eyebrow in response wishing he knew what I was thinking. He hasn't met my mother yet.

It's a far cry that my father has changed but hell would sooner freeze over then my mother giving a damn like that. "Charlotte! You won't believe who's here!" He calls out as we get closer.

I see the dark auburn hair swept into its up do and my stomach drops further into the pit of my stomach. Here we go, I mutter to myself. "Is it the chamber of commerce? I've been waiting all..." She says while turning around. Her words stop but her face doesn't falter with the shock of seeing me. "Hayden" she nods once in my direction.

My father has released my hand by now and gone over to my mothers side "Hello mother" I smile back, knowing better then to initiate physical contact.

"You know how I feel about that. Call me Charlotte." She retorts back to me.

"Yes, sorry. Hello.. Charlotte" I say letting the familiarity sting my tongue.

"So I guess you're father did get a hold of you and was to busy to tell me.." She glares at him.

"I actually did not find her." He returns ignoring her attitude.

She turns back to me "well, why have you returned? Are you going to try and get back together with Charles? He's recently single so he may give you another shot" she insults me with a stink eye while saying the last sentence. We always had a rough relationship, but after I left Charles, it got worse.

"No" I say back annoyed startled by her rudeness.

I go to respond further but Dean steps up from the side and hands a glass of wine to my mother "I know you're hear to have a good time, why don't you two do this later." He smiles turning on his charm.