He's not my dad

Part 18

It had been a long day and it still wasn't over, Greg hadn't been joking about me meeting his parents. We we're meeting his elderly parents at the riverbank restaurant only an hour after work so I didn't have time to go home to change. Instead I ran to the nearest open boutique and bought a simple cream dress and a jacket. I wanted to make a good impression, I knew they may not approve of me. I was younger than their grandchildren after all.

My heart was in my throat as we walked to our table, his parents had their backs to us. All I could see was a mass of shock white hair.

When we left the restaurant two hours later we both had smiles on our faces, things had gone well. Gregs mother Harriett had adored me, she was a spunky woman. Harriett had said that she had never seen her son so happy and that his happiness was the only thing that mattered. His dad Oscar just kept asking when we were getting married. I hoped my parents would be just a understanding but I knew that it would not be the case.

I didn't have long to worry because as we escorted gregs parents to the valet , we saw my parents leaving their own car.

My dad smiled firstly before his eyes drifted to Greg then the fact that we were holding hands caught his attention. My dad didn't help my mother from the car, he just stormed over to us.

"My dad" I whispered to Greg.

I could feel Greg stiffen besides me. He was as nervous as I was although he wouldn't admit it. Greg was much too proud.

My dad was coming towards us at an accelerated rate. My mother was finally out of the car and was chasing after her husband.

"Taylor, why are you holding his hand" my dad sounded mad, he looked at Greg and mines entwined hands like they held the plague.

"Dad this is Greg, he's my boyfriend" I sounded more confident than I felt. I was a nervous wreck.

"Greg groves" Greg put out his hand, my dad was reluctant but took the offered hand.

"Groves" my dad repeated. I could see the exact moment he realised why that name was so familiar.

"As in groves ltd, your dating your boss" my dad was growling, I had never heard him sound like this.

"Maybe we should go somewhere private to talk, Let's not do this here" my mother said as she approached. My mother would hate for the high society to realise that our family wasn't perfect.

"Your house now" my father demanded. He didn't wait for a reply, he just stormed off back to his own car.

"Lets go, I need to get there before they do" I sighed and followed Greg back to his car.
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I  quickly ran around the apartment hiding anything my parents may have disapproved of when I heard them at the intercom.

Greg busied himself making drinks as i welcomed my parents. Neither of them looked particularly happy.

Greg had sat on the sofa with a large glass of gin and tonic. My parents took the drinks I offered and sat opposite Greg and me.

Dad:"How long "

Greg: I met Taylor in Paris last month.

Dad: did you know that she had taken a position at your company

Greg; no I didn't know until the day after she started, I only met her by chance

Dad: and you have been dating all this time

Taylor: we have, and I didn't know he lived in New York let alone worked in my building

Mom: he doesn't just work in your building darling, he owns it. What will people think

Greg: it's not a secret mrs white, our relationship is out in the open at the office

Dad: relationship, you call this a relationship

Greg: I do yes

Taylor: so do I and it's the best one I've ever had

Dad: hes older than you, how old are you

Greg; I'll be 50 in October

Mom: Taylor you really want to date a man who's older than your father. No offence mr groves your an attractive man but my daughters only 22

Greg: call me Greg please

Mom: only if you call me Dianna

Greg; Dianna your daughter knows how much I care for her, we enjoy each others company. If there was ever a point where I didn't make Taylor happy I would walk away

Taylor: I know he's older than me but I don't care, age ain't nothing but a number right

Mom: I guess so

Dad: no Dianna, there's no guess so. Mr groves what is it you get from being with my daughter, were there no women your own age

Taylor: dad !!!

Greg: no it's ok. There are women my age, I'm sure there are. I hadn't been looking for romance when I met Taylor I was happy alone or at least I thought I was. Taylor is a wonderful woman and she makes me feel things that I thought were impossible.

Dad: what things, please enlighten us.

Taylor: you don't have to explain yourself to him.

Greg: no it's okay. If it were my daughter I'm sure I would be thinking the same. Taylor challenges me, both intellectualy and physically.

Mom: I don't want to know what you two get up to physically.

Taylor: mother would you not.

Greg: Taylor and I go running, we go to the gym she even made me go dancing. I would never have done any of that if it were not for her. Taylor may be younger than me but she challenges me, if I'm wrong she will tell me and put me straight.

Dad: she's a strong willed woman

Greg: she's a credit to you, I love her very much.

Mom; you love her ?

Taylor: you love me ?

Greg: isn't it obvious ?

Taylor: I love you too

Dad; I've lost my appetite