Behind The Mask

Chapter 42

Anouk’s POV

I was ready to meet my father. As ready as I’d ever be. I readjusted my baggy pants and put on an indifferent pair of sports shoes, well worn in the Veldt.

“That’s how you’re going at the meeting with your dad? Honey, my mom used to buy better looking stuff at the Salvation Army shop.”

“He doesn’t deserve any better! If I could find a car mechanic’s oil stained overall, that’s what I’d wear!”

“Anouk, you don’t want to show him you’re a bitter tramp. That’s not what you want to tell him. You want to tell him that you’re happy, live a full life and have everything you need. Now, let me help you choose….Mmm…let’s see…this dress…with one strap…”

“No! That’s what I was planning to wear when you’d introduce me to your mother.”

“Good, then you’ll wear it now and when we’re having lunch with mother.”

I sigh in frustration. Michael is so stubborn!

“Why should I look nice for that bastard?”

“Why should you look like you suffer because of what he did?”

He has a point.

“Alright, I’m gonna change clothes.”

I must admit that I like this dress a lot. It’s simple and in good taste and it doesn’t require a special occasion to wear. You can wear it for shopping, for a visit, or simply just because you wanna wear a dress. I don’t put any accessories. I want dad to notice my ring. I want him to see that my life is going on just fine without his lying ass.

“That’s much better! You look great, Nooki.”

We hug and I hold on to Michael’s slim waist.

“I wish you could come with me”, I pout.

“I wish, too. But for what we know, your dad may run to the first tabloid with the story – my daughter is dating the King of Pop, blah, blah. He must be hard up for money after he had to pay damages to 3 families.”

“Yeah. And who’d hire a jailbird pilot? I guess that his only chance is somewhere in South America, doing drug transports.”

“By his actions, he seems too much of a coward to engage in criminal activities...”

“Maybe you’re right...Who knows, maybe he’s gonna beg us for money.”

Michael purses his lips and thinks in silence for a while.

“If he wants money, tell him that he’s gonna get it. I will give him money, through you, of course. Let him have some money if this makes him go away. Please don’t start contradicting me. I’ve been thinking about this ever since you told me that he wanted to see you and your mother.”

“So you’re gonna pay him off as if he gets a prize for being a bigamist asshole!”

“No, baby. I am paying for my peace of mind. For your peace and quiet. For your mother’s peace and quiet. For these things I am willing to pay.”

I sigh and shake my head.

“Whatever he wants, I just want this stupid meeting to be over and done with as soon as possible.”

Michael’s hands are framing my face holding it still as he drowns me into his large brown eyes.

“The moment you find thing get too uncomfortable for you, just stand up and leave, Okay? Assert yourself and don’t let him intimidate you. He is your father, but he’s in the wrong here.”