Unrequited Love

Chapter 14 Dad and I...

Chapter 14 Dad and I…

          I sat there – thinking. I was giggling actually. But then, I had to leave and every smile turned into frowns. I just wished it didn’t have to be that way. I crossed my arm and slammed myself to the back rest.

“Is something wrong? Your look like you’ve been hit by a bus or something,” my dad noticed.

“It’s nothing dad.”

“Is it Austin?” my dad gave me a quick glance and I smiled.

“Your mom was right! You do love that guy,” he added focusing on the road.

“Wait what? – Mom told you? – when?” I stuttered.

“She didn’t have to tell me. I merely noticed it. You were always blooming despite your pain and suffering. You smiled more frequently.”

“How? – What? - I don’t understand,”

“Do you remember when Austin needed help? You were with him - always. You always came home bruised, tired and wounded. Your mom was concerned about you so we followed you the next day. She was like a squealing baby when she saw how happy you were to be with him. We saw how you looked at him. You had hearts flying around the two of you,” my dad parked the car.

“You two must really love each other that much. Imagine, some guy was messing with you but Austin protected you,” dad narrated.

          I knew better than that. I liked Austin that’s for sure but he doesn’t like me back…right? I mean…why else would he be with some other girl if he liked me in the first place.

“Sorry dad to burst your bubble but Austin doesn’t like me. He’s merely my bestfriend,” I said – the words halting in my throat.

“As much as I hate this…he likes you, believe me. The way he looks at you is not like that of a friend. Also, he-he-he-he…um…kissed you, remember? In OUR living room and in OUR house,” my dad stuttered.

He WAS mad when we did that. I laughed…well; I kind of blushed as well.

Dad’s right. He did kiss me. He does, he really does have feelings for me. Why else would he do that for? And to think, he did that after I asked him about how he felt. Is this true? So, I wasn’t assuming after all? He’s been so weird to me for all these years. Do we have the same motif for keeping this feeling a secret? I mean…I never told him because I didn’t want our friendship to perish over some problems.

           I kept smiling to the thought of this. I tried to keep my expressions to myself but they just kept showing.

My dad gave me a pat, “you should really stop that;” he went on, “your little dream is giving everyone the impression that you are mentally disabled.”

I bit my lip and looked around. Every single person in the room was staring at me. Some were even gossiping while looking at me. I gave them a smile then looked down.

“Mr. George Montegray,” a woman’s voice called.

“Just stay here and I’ll call you if I need you,” my dad turned to me and left.

He was always a perfectionist so he talked to an agent who would help him with all the arrangements. The agent took care of our flight requirements, our new house and our temporary transportation to our new home. I came here with him because I wanted to help my dad choose among the available suggestions.

             Dad was finally out. He was headed towards me. His expression was very unreadable. He gestured me to stand up and we headed to our car. Before dad hoped in, he heard his phone ring. He answers the call.

“Yes, what is it Abbey?”

Abbey? Why is dad’s assistant calling?

“Really? That was fast. Sure, go ahead and tell them I’ll be there tomorrow to give the orientation myself. Thank you very much,” my dad hanged up and went inside the car.

Dad started the car and shook his head. He was also smiling and giggling at the same time.

“So, what happened? What did she say?” I hesitantly asked.

My dad just smiled at me.

“What? Dad, come on!” I said. I was too serious to even let this slip.

“Let’s just say, you sure got lucky,” my dad shook his head while smiling.

“So you mean to say that in two days’ time, we are leaving yet I am still lucky?”

My dad laughed, “trust me, you’ll love it.”

So, we got home. Dad still didn’t tell me a word. Mom kept asking me as well because dad’s aura was still very weird. When mom tried to ask him, he just told her it was a secret and that we’ll know after dinner. I just shrugged it off and went to my room. I went to my veranda and I saw Austin’s mom inside his room. She was fixing the bed.

“Good evening, Mrs. Winslet. Is Austin around?” I hesitantly asked.

“He’s not here. He’s at a party.”

“Party? That’s a shocker. He’s never been into parties,” I thought.

“I guess he only wants to forget about this certain problem,” she went near.

“What happened?”

“He didn’t tell you? Alex and Austin broke up.”

“When did they break up?”

“I don’t really know. He just told me yesterday;” she went on, “I need to go, Bre. I still have a lot of work to do.”

I waived her goodbye and she left.

 Austin must really be upset. He was never into parties. He didn’t even want a party ever since and to think he was still eight. What eight years old wouldn’t want parties? I hope he’s fine. The last time, he handled his break up by trying kill himself.