Pathetic

Riley POV

I spent the last three weeks in sweatpants eating mostly ice cream. I don't even like ice cream, it just what people who are sad always seem to do so I thought I'd give it a try. It didn't help. I think it made me put on a few pounds too.

I filled out every application that was out there from executive level to entry level. No one so much as emailed me back a rejection.

After two weeks Becky finally called me back. I was beginning to think she was avoiding me too. She said she had a family emergency and with work being so crazy she kept putting it off. I didn't know what to really think because I never had any close friends before.

She told me that Darrell had me black listed. He said I was mentally unstable, slowly becoming more uncontrollable after my mom died. That bastard actually told her that if I was willing to get help he would pay for my treatment and welcome me back to work.

It seemed the entire office and the world bought his lies because no one was giving me a chance. Becky begged for me to come back and just talk with him. They lost two big accounts already and she really needed me there before they started laying people off.

I was annoyed that she wanted me to just give in to him. I started to think maybe she believed the gossip. I told her I would never work for that slim again but if she wanted to come over I would help her with some of the accounts she had. She was my friend and I literally had nothing to do so it seemed like a good idea. Becky kept thanking me and said she would be over tomorrow after work.

We spent a few days working her accounts and it was making me miss my job. I was good at what I did. I know my clients and can give them the marketing tools and ads they need to advance their businesses. I never had a client that didn't see at least a 15% growth from my proposals.

Now it's been almost a month and I was still a bum on my couch living vicariously through Becky. She even got a top account this week and begged me to help her with it. I wanted to be happy for her but I wasn't finding the joy.

I went to grab more ice cream when there was a loud knock on my door. I didn't have any visitors except Becky or my dad so I had no idea who it could be.

I grabbed a kitchen knife walking silently to the door. I unlocked the chain then let out a big breath once I saw who it was.

"Dad! I'm so happy you're here." I gave him a big smile and tight hug.

"Ri baby, I was worried about you but now I think you need to come home. What is this?" He said grabbing the knife from my hands.

"I wasn't expecting anyone. I got scared but I'm fine."

"You don't look fine." He said eyeing my pajamas.

"I had a day off so I'm just relaxing. It's nothing big." I tried brushing it off walking to the kitchen. I needed to hid that ice cream. It was the middle of the day.

"Riley, I want you to get dress and come have lunch with me. Then I want to know exactly what is going on. No lies or half truths either. Do you understand!" He gave me that dad glare that I better not misbehave or I'll be grounded for a month.

"Fine! I need to shower though." I rolled my eyes caving to his demands. I love my father but I was embarrassed to tell him what happened.

"That's a good idea. I can smell you half way down the hall."

"Haha. Not funny. I'll just be a few minutes."

"Take your time. I'll clean up some." He said looking around my apartment. I immediately began turning red noticing the tissues, clothes, and empty ice cream containers everywhere. Wow! Maybe I am a little unstable.

I quickly showered then put on a pair of jeans realizing I did indeed gain a few pounds. I needed to stop wallowing in self pity and maybe even join a gym.

"There is my beautiful princess." My dad gave me a kiss on the head.

"Yeah, yeah. I know I was a mess. Thank you for stopping by. I didn't realize how pathetic I was becoming."

"That is nonsense. You can never be pathetic. Come let's get some food. I need to be at the hospital in a few hours for my appointment."

"Okay. I'll drive you if you want." I gave him my big emerald filled eyes pleading with him.

Ever since he got sick he had never let me take care of him. I wanted to be there for him but he wanted to pretend like it was nothing. I knew he was just trying to save me from the heartache. I didn't want him to be sick, but if this is how it is then I needed to be there for him.

"I'll think about it. Let's talk first."

We got to a fancy upscale restaurant downtown and were seated right away. My dad was the former commissioner and everyone loved him. I didn't understand how these two amazing people raised me and I turned out so shitty.

"So, why weren't you at work today?" My dad went straight to the point.

"Well, I currently don't have a job." I started playing with my fork praying the waitress would come back soon.

It was silent a few moments and even though I kept my head down I knew his eyes were on me. "And why don't you have a job anymore?"

I huffed in frustration. There was no avoiding this conversation. I'm a 28 years old, strong, confident women but when it came to my parents, I was a five year old again. "I had a disagreement with my boss. He sabotage my work and then tried to offer me a trade to keep my job."

My dad's face became beat red. "What kind of trade?" He demanded to know.

"Oh, well, you know the... S E X, kind of trade." My eyes began watering thinking how ashamed he probably was of me.

"That son of bitch!" My dad yelled slamming his fist to our table. Everyone shot the heads in our direction making me nervous. Before either of us could speak he let out a fit of coughs.

"Daddy are you ok?" I cried. He was clenching his chest while coughing up a lung.

"Here sir, some water." Our waitress ran over trying to help.

After a few moments the coughing fit settled down and he could breathe normal again. I was so afraid his anger would send him to an early grave.

"I'm so sorry for upsetting you. I should had reported him or done something but I just kept ignoring everything. Since I didn't give into him he destroyed my career and I have nothing left. No one will even talk to me in the business." I couldn't help but let a few tears fall from my eyes. Only with my dad was I such a baby.

"Ri baby, this is not your fault. I think we should pay this asshole a visit. I knew he was slime the second I met him." My father hands were in fist ready to fight.

I let out a small chuckle how quickly he was willing to defend me, even in his weaken state. He didn't even know the full story, but no one hurt his baby girl.

"It's too late. I have no proof and everyone thinks he is a god. You even liked him when you first met him, despite what you just said."

"I said he seems to have decent manners but not good enough for my daughter."

This time I laughed and wipe away the tears. "Well, I doubt there is anyone good enough for me in your eyes."

"No there isn't, but I want you to be happy. That guy was not going to make you happy and I knew it the second I met him."

We smiled at each other for a few moments. I really loved my dad. I wish I could cure this cancer and keep him forever but we weren't mythical creatures and earth didn't have a fountain of youth. One day soon I would lose him and I can't explain how much that broke my heart.

"I'm still here. Now eat and tell me about what you're going to do next."

"Well, I think my chances of finding a job in New York is slim to none, unless I want a career change."

"Do you want to change careers?"

I looked down at my salad pushing the tomato around my plate. "No, but I may not have a choice."

"Nonsense. Your mother and I gave you a nice trust fund that could set you up anywhere. Have you looked for jobs outside this area?"

"I won't leave you daddy. Not now. I can do something else until this all blows over then start from the bottom again."

"No! I want you to promise me you will apply to any job you want from her to California. Promise me."

"I can't do that."

"Don't make me order it as my dying wish."

"Dad! That is a horrible thing to say."

"Then do you promise?" He lifted his eyebrows to me and I cracked a smile. I couldn't ever say no to anything he asked of me.

"Well, I did receive an offer from Seattle. The company is very profitable and I love their portfolio I saw online. I don't know why they aren't bigger then they are though. I think they like their privacy."

"Then it is settled. The second you get home you will accept that offer."

"It's literally on the other side of the country. I can't do that. I want to be here."

"Stop worrying about me. It is my job to worry about you. Your mother and I did everything in our power to give you a good life. It won't be lessened from some horny bastard or my medical condition. Besides Seattle has some of the top hospitals." My dad took a bite of his food like he didn't just say he would move with me.

"Are you serious? You would leave New York to follow me? I can't ask that of you."

"I would follow you to protect my daughter. It doesn't matter where I die just who is by my side. I lost your mother and I wish everyday I was around more, did more. I won't have that regret with you."

"Daddy you were always around and you did everything for us. You didn't even have to care for us like you did." I looked at this man with so much admiration.

He wasn't my biological father but he never treated me as anything but his little princess since the day I was born. I looked a lot like him so many people didn't even notice. We both had light brown hair with green eyes and olive skin. I swear our noses were exactly the same shape too, but I guess it was just a coincidence.

"I did everything a real husband and father would do for his family and nothing less. Now finish your food and next time I want to see you eating a steak. This lettuce shit is for rabbits."

I giggled at his comment but nodded my head in agreement.