3

"Dad, do you need anything?" I queried, seeing his almost empty plate.

He turned to me before shaking his head vigorously before giving me a small smile. "No, I'm full," I gave him a small nod in response.

"So, Hope, what are you going to wear for tomorrow?" He asked out of the blue. My features instantly morphed into confusion.

What is dad talking about?

"Tomorrow?" I asked, voicing my curiosity.

"Yes, for tomorrow's party?-" There's a party? "-You are going with Xavier, right?" This time dad's tone was laced with uncertainty.

Going with Xavier?

I had no idea there would be a party tomorrow. He didn't even feel the need to mention the party, let alone invite me to accompany him. My heartache at the thought.

When?

When are you going to accept me, Xavier?

"Actua-" I trailed off, trying to come off with an excuse, but dad swiftly cut me off.

"You didn't know?" Judging by dad's tone, I knew it wasn't a question. He just wanted to hear the truth from me....pain and simple.

"I knew I was just busy, it just got out of my head," Ignoring my rapidly pulsing heart, I lied straight through my teeth.

I very well knew what would happen if dad came to know about the truth. I didn't want them to fight, especially because of me. Their relationship is already rocky and I don't want to do the job of fueling a fire. By the way, dad's eyes hardened. I instantly knew he didn't trust me.

His orbs were burning in fury to the point I was sure he was going to shoot fireballs. He aggressively snapped his head towards Xavier. I was surprised he didn't break his hyoid bone.

On the other hand, Xavier was eating without a care in the world. He was laid-back about it all.

"You didn't tell her?" Dad's voice trembled with outrage.

"I'm not taking her anywhere," Xavier utters in a calm, dispassionate way.

"Xavier, your behavior is uncalled for. When are you going to accept her and give her the respect she deserves?" Dad's remark seemed to have infuriated Xavier as he glared back at dad, incensed.

"Why don't you take her? You seem to like her more than mother," I couldn't believe he could say something like that.

I know Xavier is doing all this on purpose but I couldn't help feeling humiliated and disrespected. I have always told myself, I'll not let his words get through my head, but every time they pierce through my head like a bullet. I was barely holding myself not to burst out into tears.

"XAVIER, YOU ARE CROSSING YOUR LINE," Dad yelled.

A loud smack resonates throughout the room as his palm hit the wooden surface of the expensive table.

I jumped in fright at dad's sudden aggressive action. Xavier, on the other hand, didn't even bat his lashes. Instead, he looked bored like the day was wasting his time.

"SPEAK YOU UNGRATEFUL BRAT," Bitterness leaking from Dad's tone seeing his son's disrespectful behavior.

He looked almost like he would pounce on Xavier any moment or in straight words he looked close to snapping. I can't let that happen.

"No, it's okay dad. I'm not a party person. I'll just embarrass myself."

I let out an awkward laugh trying to lighten up the mood, but it didn't seem to have worked since no one cackled. Instead, the tension in the room seemed to have risen. The only thing I wanted right now was the floor to crack open and consume me inside.

Dad let out a series of curses under his breath which I could clearly hear, but let's just pretend I didn't. I could feel someone's stare, drilling a hole in the side of my head and know whose it is very well. Xavier is my husband.

Without intending my head to turn towards him and I was right, he was gawking at me in a strange way. My gaze dropped to the floor feeling intimidated under his scrutinizing.

Why is he staring at me?

The next thing I knew was the sound of the chairs scraping reverberated around the big silent room, making me cringe at the unpleasant sound. My eyes immediately shot up to see Xavier standing. Without wasting a moment. He rushed towards the exit.

"Xavier honey, where are you going? Eat the food," Sandra called him, but Xavier, being the typical him, walked out, shutting her out.

My eye unconsciously traveled to his plate. A defeated sigh escaped me as I saw the half-eaten food.

This wasn't supposed to happen.

I looked towards Sandra, who was throwing daggers with her sharp gaze. "Are you happy now? You are not going to be happy without troubling my son, are you?" Her tone was accusing.

I'll confess her attitude irked me slightly at times, but I refused to be provoked. I have to keep calm at all costs. After all, she is my mother-in-law.

"I-I" I stammer like a fool, trying to come up with an answer that won't put me into a difficult position.

"Sandra, it's not her fault, it's your son's," Dad said, taking Sandra's attention from me.

"Of course, you'll tell me that. Everyone knows how much you hate my son," Sandra's tone dripped with malice. Sometimes I really believe Sandra is nothing more than a hot-tempered child with a woman's body.

"Don't speak nonsense, he's my son too."

"Well, then act like one," Sandra flushed angrily as she abruptly rose from her seat before walking towards the entrance.

Stung by Sandra's mockery, dad shook his head in disbelief. "Sandra, I'm not done-"

"Dad, I'm sorry for cutting you but I really don't want to go," Dad didn't look convinced, he looked ready to protest. "Please," I added desperately.

His gaze softened at my words. "I'm sorry, Hope it's all my fault," He almost sounded defeated.

"Dad I'm fine," I straightforwardly lied to him.

Dad's expression clearly said he didn't believe a thing, but fortunately, he didn't push the matter forward.

"I don't know why can't Xavier see how wonderful you are?" He said, rubbing his right temple using his middle and index fingers.

"Because not everyone has good taste," I joke, wiggling my brows.

Dad, fortunately, let out a little cackle at my lame joke. The skin of his forehead wrinkles as he laughs. I know I've mentioned before, the situation we all are in is pretty much dad's fault, but he doesn't have to live in remorse. That was never my intention nor ever will be.

"Why are you standing? Come eat with me," She said, patting the empty site beside him.

"Actually, dad, I'll take some food for Xavier first get he didn't eat properly."

"Xavier doesn't deserve you," he said with a sad smile.

"I know," was all I said.

Even though I never felt like that, dad doesn't need to know that, right?

Dad rose from his seat and headed towards me until he was standing inches apart from me. My brows knitted in confusion.

I was about to inquire if he needed anything but before I could, I was pulled into his warm chest as his long limps encircled around me. For almost a minute, I just stood there trying to process what happened before I found my hand wrapping around dad.

I won't lie, it really felt nice to have a fatherly figure in your life. I never knew my biological father. My mom got pregnant with me when she was just fifteen. She was stupid and careless, but who isn't at that age?

His warm and lovely embrace gave me a sense of comfort and security which I hadn't found after my mom. I really miss her. I do a lot. After all, she was the only person I had in my life.

"You are such a kind child. You don't deserve this," he said, gently unwrapping his limbs.

He stared at me with his sad and kind orbs for a moment and, in a swift motion, he turned around and walked out of the room. I grabbed another plate and filled it with food and began to head to Xavier's room.

Taking a deep breath to steady my racing heart. I lifted my hand and stopped right at the midway, suddenly feeling nervous and scared.

Relax, he is not a ghost. Hope, he's your husband. You can do it.

After the small self-encouraging speech, I struck with a series of rapid soft yet audible blows on the door to attract Xavier's attention. I waited for him to respond or answer, but nothing even after two minutes passed by.

I was about to knock again when the door creaked open. Xavier stood at the other side of the door on his white T-shirt and grey sweatpants. He looked bewitching even in casual clothing.

"What are you doing here," I flinched at the acidity in his voice.

"Your food," was all I managed to answer.

His eye flickered to the plate in my hand for a brief moment before returning to my face.

"Why are you acting like you care about me," Did he really think I don't care about him and all my concern and care is just a mere act?

"I do care about you," My voice surprisingly came out firmly.

Xavier almost looked surprised by the use of my tone before he went back to his usual stoic expression. He grabbed the plate from my hand and, without another word, he shut the door right in my face.