"It's been two days. I hope Rowan has settled down," Thomas stated as he entered the room. "In your room." I sighed, and he occupied the opposite chair. "I know what you are doing." He chuckled at that. "I was a little bit worried about his well-being." He pressed the matter even more, and I huffed.
"Any information about the incident?" "No, not yet. They have planned this thoroughly, so it will take time." "It's been two days," I muttered. "Yeah, people are working on it; they are professional, don't worry." I nodded. "What about Rowan? Is he worried too much?" I laughed at the ridiculous question. "He is chilling, watching series, having popcorn, beer, and whatnot." I clarified Rowan's routine from the past two days. Thomas smiled at that. "Looks like he is enjoying the break." "To the fullest." He hummed in return. "He can't hide like this, Dante. As a CEO, he has some responsibility." I know that, but I let him be for a while. "He should show up sooner; the better." I nodded at that, mentally noting the point to discuss with Rowan. "I will discuss it with him," I affirmed Thomas, and he nodded.
We began to check the files; he was explaining our next project and investment regarding the same. We worked silently for a while; Thomas was engrossed in checking a file. "What is it?" I thought he was too focused to notice anything. "You are distracted," I sighed, pondering the topic. "I don't know how to discuss this with you." "Speak, Dante." Thomas gave his full attention to me. I leaned on the chair, thinking. I should let someone know so that there is more clarity before I stupidly do something. "Rowan gets hard in the morning." "It's normal and called morning wood." But I don't know why it's eating me up. "Leave the kid alone, Dante." I groaned at that. "He was hard for two days, continuously." "The kid didn't have sex, and it's been years. It's high time and normal. It has nothing to do with your presence." I nodded; that made some sense. "Please leave the kid alone, Dante. You are helping; that's it." I grunted in understanding. "I am not getting you guys and your deal with Rowan, always cautioning me for no bloody reason. What was so necessary to remind me of the same thing again and again?""We both know you." "What's that supposed to mean?" "Rowan is straight, and leave him alone." "His member is pointing to something else. He is clingy as hell; while sleeping, he would always end up at my side, and I am ok with it. Kind of liking too." Thomas sighed at that. "Dante." "I know, I know, don't even start. I have two fathers, for god's sake; don't try to be my third one." Thomas chuckled at that. "Whether you accept it or not, I am your father figure. Besides, for the first time you spoke openly about Brandon, I am surprised." I was a little bit shocked at that. Without even being aware of it myself, somewhere I have accepted Brandon. "He is too easy to deal with." He snorted at that. "Besides, he has successfully tamed my father." He chuckled at that.
He leaned on the chair and spoke. "It's why your dad is calm about the situation." I chuckled at that. "Too calm; he has visited twice and didn't shout or create a scene in front of Rowan." "Finally, he got the reality check, I guess." I snorted at that. "No, it has to do something with Brandon, I guess." Thomas nodded in understanding. "You accepted Brandon without a fight." That made me think about Brandon. "Because my dad is smitten." He chuckled. "Indeed." "My dad has not backed off completely about the situation. One way or another, he warns Rowan; trust me, he cares for him like hell." Thomas hummed. I have grown up seeing how he cares and loves people." My memories started to swirl around my childhood days. "The way he pleaded with every doctor that we visited about my conditions. Threatening them, cautioning, begging, I have seen everything." Thomas nodded at that. "Your way of showing compassion is crazy." I smiled at that. "Indeed, I am my father's bread; it couldn't be any less." Thomas laughed at that. "What about Brandon's wife?" "I don't know, but I love to choke her to death." Thomas burst into laughter at that. "Trust me, the woman is unbearable. I don't know how Brandon is still sane and alive." "Because of your dad." "Han, han." "Would they take this relationship any further?" "It's not my business; I am the least bothered about it. Let them do whatever they want." Thomas nodded at that. "Good, not making a scene like your dad." I hummed at that, and there was a knock.
We both turned to the door as the figure entered with a broad smile but faltered a little as she saw her dad. She was getting too bold as she was coming of age. Harmons is messing her up. "What are you doing here, Tiana?" She stood frozen and terrified. "I came to see you, Dad." Which was a lie. I saw Thomas, who looked sceptical. "We saw each other this morning; besides, you could have called." Thomas tried to dig in. "I was around, and it's not a crime to visit you, Dad." She huffed by crossing her hands on her chest.
"Why are you here?" I butt in; these days she is doing too much. With a charming smile, she spoke. "Mom has sent your favourite snack, Dante." I held back the incoherent words that were threatening to leave my mouth. "Why are you here, Taniya?" I once again questioned her calmly. "As I said," I cut her off at that. "Do you think I am an idiot? Your frequent visits to the company, always placing something on my damn table." My voice was lower, but she flinched at that. "What the hell is wrong with you?" "Dante," Thomas started; I cut him off. "Don't." I faced Taniya. "I am treating you as my sister; you will be that and nothing else to me. Got it?" I glared while seeking a response from her. She wiped the tears that were flowing and averted her eyes. "It was just a snack." I can't believe this girl. "It's not just about fucking snacks, but everything that you're doing blindly," I shouted at her. "Well, I can try my chance, and you can't stop me." She met my eyes with her fierce gaze. Thomas and I went into complete silence at that.
We stayed in silence while she still cried. She is going to be a bloody problem in the coming days, and I have enough on my plate. She is showing every symptom of being another Eddie mare in my damn life. "Besides, this fake relationship will come to an end any day now. Rowan is straight as hell; I have done my research." She has become bold enough to talk in front of her father. Thomas's and my eyes met at the mention of Rowan, and I averted fast. "I am sorry." She added quickly, too late for that. She will regret this. She should have listened to me; she should have. Now, no one could stop me, and I would make sure she would embrace her new damn life somewhere else.
I smirked as I watched her, and she gulped as she saw me. I turned toward Thomas and spoke. "She is moving abroad." Thomas was taken aback, and Taniya was in shock. "I will make the arrangements. A week—that's all you have in hand; spend as much time as you want with your daughter." "Dante." "Don't I have enough on my plate now? It's high time. This should be done, Thomas, before things go out of hand. She is moving." "Dad." She ran toward Thomas, who just sighed, watching her. "You will not return until I say so." I cautioned her. "Thomas, I don't want another Eddie on my plate." He nodded in understanding.
I wanted to say more, but I held back, and as a clue, my cell started ringing. As I saw the ID, I met Thomas's eyes, who nodded in understanding. "Wait in the car, Taniya." "But Dad, won't you say anything?" "Now." Wiping her tears, she walked out of the cabin. I swiped to answer.
"Baby." I sighed at her voice, which is soft; anyone could melt at that. "How are you? I missed you." She purred. "I hope you are not fucking Rowan to his core, like your dad fucking the doctor." She knows how to push the bloody button. "The doctor is a married man, and your dad is having an affair. Oh my god, Dante, are you ok with everything that's going on?" She couldn't take the bloody hint, could she? "Well, my dad is not fucking a bunch of teenagers." She always needs to taste the damn medicine. "I have a few videos that I love to upload everywhere." "Dante." She shouted. "The girls are using him; that's why he is still breathing. He is a fucking bastard. Do you fucking know that?" "Stop it." "You have a pathetic family, and you are asking about my well-being. Ironic, isn't it?" "Dante, let's not get into the family business. Stop it, please." "Well, who fucking started it?" "I called you for a reason; let's talk about that now." "I can't keep reminding you of your place, Shreya," I informed her in a sharp tone. "Get to the point now."
The call went silent. I bet she was pouting at the other end. "I hope Rowan is doing well." She chuckled over the call. "He is a coward, shit as hell," she further added. "Dante, baby, he can't run and hide forever. I hope you know the situation he is in." She poured more. "So, please tell him to come out of his hiding spot. Things need to be controlled, and you know it." I hummed at that. "Desmond is none of your business." "Baby, he is my almost fiancée, and we almost got married too." "Are you almost pregnant, too?" I mocked her, to which she groaned. "Dante, he needs to come out of your cave." I snorted at that. "He has to, baby; directors are going livid, and his family are worried as hell." "Thanks for the information." "It's my pleasure, and why he has switched off his damn cell. That's pathetic, and you know that, baby." "Shut it, Shreya," I groaned. "How can I? I have sacrificed so much for him. Trust me, this time I sweat for a whole different reason." I chuckled at that. "I am going to uncover this, you know that, right?" "Of course, I know that Dante always wins. That's what I like about you, always ahead of me." She paused. "You are not a hero, Dante. Rowan needs to come out and face the shit." "He will in time," I affirmed her. I knew she was smiling cunningly on the other end.
"Dante, I have come up with a deal." Here we go, once again with her shit. "I have given a lot of thought and come to a conclusion about this deal." She paused, humming. "A day." She started. "No more or less, 24 hours with Rowan is enough for me." She would never give up, always thinking, rolling around the idea, but would never fucking give up. "That's the best deal I can give you. Grab it while you can." She sang the words. "I have made up my mind with a heavy heart, baby; please don't break my tiny, fragile heart." She tried her best to speak softly with a pleading tone. Wow, she turns every damn thing into something interesting and intimidating too. "Baby." She whined. "You will remember me for your lifetime." By saying that, I disconnected the call.
Thomas groaned. "I told you." "I know, I know. I will speak with Rowan." He rolled his eyes. "What about Shreya?" "Don't worry about her; I have planned something just for her." He cursed under his breath, which I ignored. "I had predicted this long back." Thomas reminded our small chat about Shreya. "She is creating a mess." I nodded at him. "You should take Taniya, and please inform your wife about her shifting abroad. Don't worry, I will make sure about everything" Thomas nodded and walked out of the cabin.
I started dialling a number. "Did you get the data and information?" "I have collected a few; give me two more days; the final list will be ready." I hummed at that. "Did you speak with everyone?" "So far, I have covered the most, and they are eagerly waiting." "I don't want any to back out at the last moment." Vincent chuckled at that. "Backing out, you've got to be kidding. They are eager; trust me, they are going to use this chance to their fullest." I smiled at the statement. "Tell them our terms and conditions; they better comply," I warned. "They will, don't worry." I disconnected the call after adding a few more things. She is going to love this; I smiled in satisfaction.
"You don't love me." My daughter spat the words angrily at me. "What made you think that way?" I was intrigued by her accusation. "You never stood for me, always supporting Dante." "You mean I didn't support your feelings for Dante, while Dante is not on the same page." She gritted her teeth at that. "He would have given me a chance if you had supported me." "That would never happen; you know it. He treated you as his sister, as his family, but you took it for granted." "Dad, I am not going anywhere." "It's too late for that, Taniya. He cautioned you many times; as I said, you took it for granted." She started crying, and I stopped the car at the side. "Mom would never agree to this." "We have spoken about this before, Taniya. If things went beyond, we discussed the options, and moving you somewhere else was one of them." She was stunned on the spot, clearly taken aback at the statement.
"Dante informed me of everything that you did and are doing these days." My wife and I cautioned her about her feelings, but she brushed it off. "He is like my son, and I agree with his decision. You have crossed the line; he takes someone's bullshit up to a certain limit, not more than that." I tried my best to explain the situation and her actions, but she is too stubborn to understand anything. "He considered you as family, and Dante doesn't allow anyone so easily into his life, and you ruined it." I sighed in irritation. "He gave you chances, but you were stubborn; now you are nonsense in his life." "But I love him." I chuckled at that. "He doesn't love you, Taniya; never will." "How can you be so confident about it? Things could change." "I know Dante; something's never changed in him," I spoke in a sharp tone. "You should get over him." She averted her eyes at that. "So, things are real between them." "The future will answer your question. Dante will make sure of everything; study harder." I started the car. "No more bullshit, and you better know that we love you and visit you whenever it's possible for us." She didn't reply, and I didn't press for anything anymore. I hope she got the point. It's for the best if she gives up on her fantasy and moves on.