Chapter 32

32 FATHER’S LOVE

ABBY

My heart is still in my throat as I check the peephole to see who knock. Somehow, I feel relieved.

I roll my eyes before I answer. “What do you want, Logan? I thought I already made it clear that I don’t want anything from all of you.”

“You must be hungry. Tennings said you might burn down the whole apartment if you’d try to cook. I’m hungry, and I hate greasy Chinese food, and I’m tired of pizza every day. I can try some simple meal, you know?” Logan says.

It’s tempting, and I can’t eat sandwiches every meal, but I want to be alone right now. I can call the restaurant for delivery, though. And I know they get paid to do their job, but they also remind me of Sebastian and that he did to me.

“Did Sebastian sent you to check on me?” Why I even asked? Of course, he did.

“Abby, open the door, please? I’m harmless, and Mason is also hungry. You need us to cheer you up. I mean, we’re not that boring people, you know.”

I smile. “You didn’t answer me, Logan.”

“Abby, we’re just doing our job. We have some bills to pay.” At least he’s honest, and if I am to be, I need someone to talk to as well.

I open the door, and they rush inside as if I’m going to change my mind in seconds. Mason locks the door behind him.

“Honestly, why are you really here? I don’t think it’s about food or my cooking skill. Your excuse is so lame, and I’m not buying it,” I say as I walk to my living room.

“I’m hungry. Couldn’t eat dinner after what happened here. Mr. Hughes debriefed us. He’s scary, and he may be younger than us, but he can intimidate the hell out of us,” Mason explains.

He sits on my couch while Logan is checking for something I don’t know, maybe part of his job.

“I make us something to eat. Do you mind if I use your kitchen, Mrs. Hughes?” Logan asks. It hurts to hear as addressed as Mrs. Hughes. It just reminds me of my failed marriage. Not yet failed, but about to. Ugh! Same thing.

“Go ahead, and stop calling me Mrs. Hughes. Call me Abby,” I demand or I will kick them out.

“Sorry. It’s just we have to address you properly. We work for your husband,” Logan says professionally.

“My husband is not around, and you may work for him, but that’s because of me. In my house, my rules, so follow it, or I’ll kick you out and call Sebastian that you failed to do your duty. He’ll fire you. Don’t you want that to happen? Oh, and please, I want a friend, not a bodyguard.”

They exchange a look, and I raise my brows when they seem to disagree with my condition. They sigh.

“Good. I should start cooking then.”

Are you sure you know what you’re about to do?” I ask Logan.

“Yes, ma’am. Both of you can watch or play or do whatever you both want. Mrs. I mean, Abby. Is pasta alright?” Logan asks. He looks huge, but not intimidating, because he is friendlier.

“Anything. I don’t mind as long as no peanut butter. And I don’t think I have peanut butter here. I’m allergic,” I answer, then he walks to my kitchen.

I remember the voice mail. Should I tell them? If I tell them, they will tell Seb, then he will update Dad. They will all come rushing, or worst send me to London.

I take a huge breath when it seems to become more complicated.

“You alright, Abby?” Mason asks and looks worried.

“I’m good. So, how did you end up working for Sebastian? You wanna watch something?” I ask and offer him the TV remote.

“White recommend us to your husband. I’ve known White for years. He’s our Mentor. You can choose what you want to watch. It’s fine with me.” He returns the remote.

I scan some shows, and I start to relax around them since they are going to keep me safe. I try to bury what happened yesterday to the back of my mind.

“Um, can I ask you something?” asks Mason.

I look at him and smile. “Ask away, Mason, or should I call you Mr. Foley?”

“I thought we already agreed on a first name basis. Um, does she have a boyfriend?” He looks suddenly shy.

“Who has a boyfriend?” I know exactly who he’s referring to. I can’t help but grin because they both attracted to each other. I just wish I can call Trixie right now and giggle with her.

“Ms. Williams.”

I laugh. Oh, did I just laugh? It feels good.

“Care to share, Abby?” I hear Logan from the kitchen.

“Someone here is lovestruck,” I sing to Logan, making Mason groan.

“Oh, I see. He finally asks you. He’s been bothering me since yesterday,” Logan says while he’s busy chopping something.

“Now, I know the reason why both of you are here. Not for food or to protect me.” I laugh again.

“This is so embarrassing.” Mason rubs the back of his neck.

“What’s embarrassing of liking someone. To answer your question is she doesn’t have a boyfriend, and she thought you’re hot.” I cover my mouth. I shouldn’t have said like that. He’s now as red as a tomato.

“Wait a minute. She thought that I’m hot?” He raises his brow and smiles.

I start to like this conversation. ”Yup. She’s not dating anyone at this moment. I have her number anyway if you want to ask it from me, or you can come with me when we go to see Dad.” I can see the excitement brewing in his eyes.

“I don’t think she likes me. I’m sure she dated rich guys.” He slumps his back on the couch.

“Well, ask her out for you to find out,” I encourage him. ”I think she likes you, Mason.”

“I don’t know.” He shrugs.

I yell at Logan. “Do you need help there, Logan?”

“I’m good, Abby. Thanks.”

My phone rings, and I excuse myself from Mason and head to my room. ”Dad, I’m sorry. I know I should have called you after listening to your voicemails.” I bite my lip.

“Sweetheart, how’re you feeling? Did you talk to Seb?” Why does he have to say his name?

“I’m fine, Dad. I’m actually with the guys right now. I’m sure you already shared some info with Seb about the two he hired to look after me.”

“Yeah, I know about Mallory and Foley. I’m sorry, sweetheart. I should’ve told you about Tennings years ago. I just want you to enjoy and have friends and live like other young women. I can’t hide something from Seb, and he found something about you that I couldn’t hide it anymore. He said you almost fainted, you flinched, and he was worried. He also heard from Williams about Mackenzie.”

My eyes widen, and I swallow hard. Did they know who Mackenzie is? ”What did he hear about me? How did Williams find out?”

“They don’t know you are Mackenzie, Abby. At least not from the last time we talked. Only your husband since he needed to fill the Marriage certificate with your full name. I gave him the information that I thought he needs to know. Everything.” He sighs.

“Forgive me, Abby, but that’s your husband we’re talking about. He should find out from me than he would hear it from other people. No matter how we tried to hide that incident, it’ll come out sooner or later,” Dad explains.

“Why can’t you just wait until I’m ready to tell him? I’m planning on telling him, Dad, because I want him to accept my past. I’m making progress and start trusting him. I love him, Dad.” I just admit my feelings. Great.

“Abby, I told him when you’re ready. He loves you too, Abby. Before he met you, this man has only one thing he worried about—it’s his work. He buried himself with his work, and now he’s distracted and devastated, and if he doesn’t care about you, I don’t know how to call it. He’s affected by what happened yesterday. You two have to talk, Abbygail. You should call him.” I sit in my bed.

“I can’t. I already told him that I’d ask my lawyer to file a divorce.” Dad will unquestionably throw me to London.

“You will not do such thing like that, Mackenzie Abbygail Catherine! What about your mom’s assets? Are you just gonna throw everything outside the window? You just admit it to me that you love him, and now you’re telling about filing a divorce? You’ve been married for how long? A week, and now you decide to do something so drastic? This is not just changing clothes, young woman! Pull yourself together, or you will deal with the repercussion of your action.” Dad breaths heavily, and I feel bad for giving him so much trouble.

“Dad, please? Give me a break. I don’t wanna talk about him right now. I’m still hurt.” My tears start to fall to my face. Why the hell can’t I just control my freaking emotion?

“If anyone has to blame, it’s me, Abbygail. I hired Tennings behind your back. I gave Seb no choice to promise me not to tell anyone, even you. So blame me, pumpkin.”

“I can’t blame you. You just did the right thing to protect me. You’re my dad, and I love you. You’re my only family. Though I’m kinda angry with you with what you did, I understood. It hurts though like I’ve been stabbed from my back. Worst was from the three of you.”

“You have to talk to Tennings, sweetheart. He left you messages. He still works for me. I didn’t fire him. I can’t let him lose his job. He’s investing his money and plan on buying a house.”

“I know he did mention it to me. I read his messages, but I haven’t replied to anyone.”

“Talk to your husband. If you understand the reasons why I did all of these, then you have to understand him as well. He just did all of these to protect you. You can’t teach your heart to love someone, can it, Abby?” He takes a breath. I know it’s also hard for him to force me into doing something, but he does this for my safety and future.

“Before your flight to back, he asked me if I could cancel your flight because he wanted to spend some time with you. Seb never did these before, never even looked at every woman the way he looked at you. I noticed it the first time you two met, pumpkin. Give him another chance.”

I wipe my tears. Dad has a point. But I need to clear my head for a while then decide.

“Um, I need to go back to guys. They’re preparing for our meal. I’ll call you soon. I love you.” I hang up and wash my face. I plan on texting Drew, but not now.

“What happened. Abby?” Logan creases his brows when he notices my eyes are still red.

“Oh, the story of my life. Nothing new.”

“Food almost ready.”

“I’ll help.” I open the cupboard and take some plates and cutlery. I get some table napkins with me and prepare the table for three.

I missed Seb. I remember our dinner when we first made love. I blink twice, forcing my tears not to fall.

I can do this. I’m a strong woman.

My heart says that I’m a terrible liar.

“Ready,” I announce.

Logan is transferring the spaghetti with meatballs and tomato sauce to a large serving dish.

“I’ll get us a drink,” Mason volunteers himself.

We dig in silence, and Logan can cook. I miss my best friend. We should have been eating all together as one big happy family, but I’m too stubborn.

After our meal, I volunteer to clean, but they both refuse.

“And why not? I can’t cook, I admitted, but I know how to clean and wash dishes.”

“I just sit on my ass there and do nothing. So it’s my turn, Mason.”

“Just sit down and make yourself pretty.”

***

We decide to watch a movie, and they choose Logan. I stay on the couch while they’re on both sides.

I may have passed out in the middle of the movie. I feel someone carry me and place me under my blanket, and I make myself comfortable.

“Sweet Mackenzie, do you still remember me?”

I’m facing a man with a hollow face.

I can’t move. I’m tied in the chair.

He traces his cold fingers on my face and his thumb on my trembling lower lip. I try arching my head back. Instead, he grips and grabs my hair hard enough that will pull out from my scalp.

I wake up, sweating, and someone is knocking on my door.

“Abby, are you okay?” It’s Mason.

Why are they still here? Are they babysitting me now?

“I’m fine.” I wipe my sweat from my face.

“Are you sure? I heard you yelling.” Did I yell?

“Just a bad dream, and why are you still here? I don’t want to be rude, but you can go. I’ll be fine.” I stand up from my bed and walk to open my door.

“Do you mind if we stay here for a while?” Mason asks.

I roll my eyes. “Like I can shoo both of you away. Just doing the job, ma’am blah blah blah. Make yourself at home.”

“Thanks,” they chorus.

“Just making your job easy, boys,” I respond.

“We’re still friends, aren’t we, Abby?” Logan asks.

“I guess so. Night.”

“Good night.”

Before I close my door, a phone ring goes off.

Then I hear Logan. Seb’s might be asking for an update.