Broken Aphrodite

Chapter 3

Eva~

The sun shining through my room window wakes me up , I open my eyes slowly and yawn loudly , god I'm so tired . 

Yesterday we brought dad home and brought everything he needs to make him comfortable , I stayed in his room talking with him until he fell asleep .

I get up and head to the bathroom to wash up , then I change my clothes into some jeans and camisole then walk out of my room and head to my dad's. 

I open the door to find him having his breakfast in bed and reading the usual news paper with his glasses on . I enter the room and he smiles when he sees me , " Good morning Papa" I say and kiss his forehead .

"Good morning baby girl" he says and kisses my cheek when I sit next to him , "stop calling me baby girl , I'm 23 dad" I say and chuckle .

He smiles and tugs my hair behind my ear "you'll always be my baby" he says and then pinch my cheek , I roll my eyes at him.

"So how are you today ?" I ask and hand him his orange juice .

He takes a gulp and says "I'm better , but I still need some rest" . I nod "of course" .

"Evangeline I need a lot of rest to be honest .. and I want you to do something for me" , oh no .. he only calls me by my full name when he's either angry or when he needs to tell me some important things . 

I nod again and say "of course papa , anything for you" . 

He puts down his glasses and says "I need you to manage the company's business".

My breath caught in my throat ... what did he just say ? "what?" I whisper .

I must have heard him wrong , Me ? .. Manage the company ? our business ? 

"Papa what are you saying ?I still don't have enough experience to run a whole company " I say and shake my head in disbelief .

"Eva I know it's a huge change for you but I also know that you're ready for it ..I've raised you to be a strong woman so I know for sure that you will run this company better than I ever did " he says in calm voice while smoothing my hair . 

Him mentioning how he raised me brings back so many painful memories that I surely don't wanna remember now . 

My dad seems to notice and he frawns so I take his hand and look at him . 

"Papa I don't know ..It's just ..how am I supposed to do that ? Do I even deserve this ? You are fine ..so why are you giving me the management ? You only need some weeks off ..the company can wait couple of weeks " .

He looks at me then take a deep breath "Eva I'm tired ..I want you to do this for me " he says while staring straight in my eyes and I can't read his expression ..is it pain ? Sadness ? . 

I don't know what to think ..I stare down at the matress ,I'm freaking out but he believes in me and I'm his only family .he needs me ..I can't let him down . My dad pulls my head up and nods as if in asking what is my answer .

What should I do ?. "Fine papa ,I'll do it " , the words come out of my mouth before I can stop them , I let out a long breath and my dad smiles in relief .

" But.. " I say and he looks at me , his smile fades " only for couple of weeks until you're completely fine then you can come back to your company , papa ..no one will ever be as good as you are in managing this company ..they need you and only you ..not another CEO , no matter who he is " I say and he smiles a little shy smile and I hug him ..I adore this shy smile ..oh papa ..I love you , but he did not answer me about going back to work .