Chapter 6

~~~~

"What took you so long?" Elio barked the minute I walked down the stairs.

I recoiled at his sight.

"Is that Elio?" Winter had her hand on her chest. "Oh my, I thought it was a dog barking. Turns out it was just you."

Elio's expression twisted rapidly, I was prepared for him to lunge for her, but he turned to me. "You are still friends with her?"

"What does that have to do with you?"

He frowned as if surprised by my words, but then a sneer crossed his face, he stormed over and grabbed my hand. "Do you think that by playing hard to get, I will chase after you? Do you deserve it? Someone like you deserves only the worst hell" A pause."And I will make it happen."

This was the same words he had said on our wedding night. A chill ran through me, making me frantically try to pull my hand out of his grip.

His touch made me feel like insects were crawling on my skin

"Let go of me." I snapped.

"Let go of her!" Winter tried to pry his hand off, yet Elio didn't let go, instead his hold tightened. Grey eyes burning with resentment.

"It hurts doesn't it? That is exactly how I felt when your Dad -"

"What is going on here?" Dad cut his words short before I could hear everything he had to say.

Elio adjusted his suit and flashed Dad a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Nothing, Dad. I was just having a little chat with Ray." My spine tingled at the nickname.

God. I hated it when he called me that. "Hmm." I expected Dad to ask more questions. He didn't.

Seeing him again after that night brought a strange feeling. "Dad."

"Let's go." He didn't wait for my words, he walked away. A part of me knew that I deserved this, but his action still stung.

I stood there for a second too long, staring at his retreating back.

Two weeks, it had been two weeks since we last exchanged more than a few words. Somehow, his silence hurt more than anger.

Elio glanced at me pointedly, before following Dad.

I tried to make sense of what he was saying before Dad interrupted but I couldn't. " What do you think Elio was trying to say?"

"I don't know. It sounds like he has some resentment towards your Dad."

I gripped the edge of my dress tightly as Winter and I exchanged a glance. " Is there something we are missing?" Did Dad do something wrong to him? Is that why he and Aurora killed him in my past life?

"I will investigate more on it."

I nodded, then remembered what Dad had just done. "Will he ever speak to me again?" I asked, after minutes of silence.

She slipped her hand into mine. "He won't be angry forever, just give him some more time."

Lips pursed, I nodded, letting her pull me to the car. All through the car ride, Dad and I didn't say a word to each other, and even though I was tempted to speak to him, I didn't dare to, not with what I was about to do at the party.

If he found out, he might end up hating me.

Unable to bear the thought, I pressed my head against the window, watching the city's glow as we drove by. Different thoughts raced in my mind, but I pushed them aside and focused on what I was about to do.

If my memory served me right, Dad would hand over the company to Elio tonight. I had to prevent that from happening.

Cameras flashed at us the instant we arrived, with the reporters asking Dad different questions. He answered each question flawlessly, the sight made my heart swell with pride.

Dad had sacrificed so much to be where he is now, he had given his all into caring for me and a child that wasn't even his.

Then why? Why did he end up like that in my past life?

After taking pictures and responding to the paparazzi, we headed into the hall. The hall was decorated in a grand way, men and women dressed elegantly mingled around the hall.

It was fancier than I expected.

I didn't attend the anniversary in my past life, due to the shame I caused from announcing my pregnancy.

It was even worse than now, Dad didn't speak to me until he died. I closed my eyes to rid myself of the memory.

Hand in hand, Dad led me around to introduce me to his business partner. We still didn't speak.

Halfway through the party, I scanned the crowd for the third time that night. Laughter drifted across the silver red hall, couples chatted by the champagne wall, and even at the corner of my eyes, I caught Elio discussing with a few business men, Thalia by his side.

Yet.

No green blue-eyes.

Something inside me cracked softly.

He really didn't come.

"Is everything ready?" I was by the champagne wall now.

"Yes." Winter confirmed. "Our men are in place, we are just waiting for your Dad to walk up the stage."

My fingers curled. "Good. This is our only chance, Winter. There must be no mistakes." Before Winter could respond, Dad was called onto the stage. "It’s time." Winter nodded and walked away, the warmth her body provided fading with her absence.

I turned my attention to the stage, finger tapping on the table before me, an habit I developed after Vance told me it could help improve strategic thinking.

Two weeks apart from him felt like a lifetime.

It took everything in me to tame the urge to go in search of him or even tie him down.

Deep breaths Raven, don't be a fool. I chided, forcing myself to focus on the stage.

Dad stood in his white suit. "We are all looking sharp tonight. I thought I was the most handsome man in the building." He said and the crowd laughed. "I would like to thank everyone for attending. To my business partners, my co-CEO, Vance Cobalt, the company management and staff. I am glad to have made it to twenty years. Thank you so much."

The crowd erupted in applause.

"And finally to my daughter..." Voice cracking, his eyes locked with mine. "Life hasn't allowed me to be the father I wanted to be. But there is no day that I haven't been proud of you. You have and always will be my precious jewel." My eyes brimmed with tears. "No matter what happens, I want you to know that I love you. Always"

My throat tightened.

For two weeks, I had convinced myself that he hated me, but here he was, telling a room filled with people that I was his jewel.

I took a step forward, almost running to him.

However, I stopped myself.

It's a pity that I would no longer be his jewel after tonight.

"And finally, Elio. You have been more than a son to me, and I am glad to have you in both my life and this company. I appreciate your hard work. It puts my heart at ease that someone will care for the company in my place." Knowing what was coming next I was already walking towards the stage.

"I am pleased to announce to everyone that, from today on, I will be handing over my position of co CEO of Knights Corps to Elio Knight-"

"I refuse."

"I refuse." Vance and I spoke at the same time.

~P-Lia~