85. You're Grounded.

Deangelo.

My heart was pounding against my chest as I struggled to control my anger. The image of my innocent little girl with some boy, who probably had no real feelings for her, kept playing in my mind. I tried to take deep breaths to calm myself, but my blood was boiling with rage. Suddenly, I heard the sound of the front door opening, and I knew that Mia and Andrew had returned.

As the pair walked in, swinging their hands and laughing, my eyes locked onto Andrew, and I knew instantly that this was the boy who had captured my daughter's heart. I let out a rough laugh, causing the couple to stop in their tracks.

The phone in my hand felt like a hot coal, burning through my fingers. I could feel the weight of my late wife's memory pressing down on me, and I wondered if I had failed her. My daughter's voice echoed in my mind, and I could not shake off the feeling that was losing her.

Elena stepped forward, trying to calm me down, but I brushed her aside with a fierce look. I was too consumed by the need to protect my daughter, even if it meant being the villain in her eyes. I knew that I might be seen as being being unfair, but I could not help it. I had been through too much, lost too much, to let my guard down.

"Where did you get the guts to bring your boyfriend into my house without permission, at your young age?" I said, my voice laced with anger.

My face turned red with embarrassment, and my eyes widened with surprise. They both looked like they had been caught in the act, and for a moment, the room was filled with an awkward silence.

I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself down. I didn't want to scare my daughter or her boyfriend, but I couldn't help feeling angry that they had kept this secret from him. Mia was still young, and I didn't want her to get hurt by some boy who was only interested in her for a short while.

"You need to be more responsible, Mia," I said, my tone stern but controlled. "You're too young to be involved in any form of relationship. You need to focus on your studies and your future, you are just twelve."

Mia as usual was not having it, “dad, I am fourteen, I will be fifteen in weeks or so. I am no longer twelve, how do you always say I am twelve every year.”

“I do not care. What is the difference between fourteen and twelve? It is the same thing!” I snapped. My chest heaved with the effort of controlling myself, but the anger inside me won't let go.

Mia looked down at the floor, feeling guilty for whatever like she should be. She then stared at me, her eyes wide with fear and confusion. I was sure that she had never seen me like this, and she doesn't know what to do. The boy took her hand, trying to reassure her, but I growled, "Don't touch her."

Mia flinched, and the boy stepped back, not wanting to make things worse. I could see that he could also feel the tension in the air, thick and heavy, and he must wish that he could just disappear. He should know that he's made a mistake coming here, he was however, still quick to defend her. "I understand your concern, sir," He said, his voice confident. "But I assure you, I have nothing but the best intentions for your daughter. I care about her deeply, and I want to make her happy."

I stood there, my eyes fixed on the boy as I listened to him speak. I could smell the fear emanating from him, but I also detected a hint of determination in his voice. I had to give him a little credit for standing up for himself and for Mia. The boy seemed to genuinely care about his daughter, which was something I had to respect. But the moment did not last long.

I looked at him for a moment, studying him carefully. I could see the sincerity in his eyes, and it seemed like he was a good kid but I still could not care less so I simply decided ignored the boy trying to play hero before me.

But then again, I took a deep breath and turned back to face him, deciding against my initial decision. "I'll give you a little credit, kid," I said, "for at least standing up to me even as I am so angry like this." I could smell the fear on the boy, but I appreciated the fact that he was brave enough to man up and talk tome. "But I'm going to need you to leave now," I continued, my tone firm, cold and unyielding.

The boy nodded, looking relieved but also a little disappointed. "I understand sir," he said, "but I just want you to know that I really care about Mia. I wouldn't do anything to hurt her."

I studied the boy for a moment before speaking. "I believe you," I said finally finally. "But that doesn't mean I want you dating my daughter. Now, please leave."

The boy nodded again, his face pale, and quickly headed for the door. I turned to Mia, my voice low and dangerous. "You have no right to have any boyfriend like this, you know nothing about love and is only mistaking some stupid infatuation and childish crush for love! You disobeyed me, young lady. You know the rules. You're grounded."

Mia opened her mouth to protest, but I cut her off. "Go to your room now!"

She hesitated, looking at me with defiance in her eyes, but then she saw the rage simmering in me, and she knew better than to argue.

As soon as he was out of earshot, she started yelling. "I hate you!" she screamed, her voice echoing through the house. She then stomped up the stairs and slammed her bedroom door shut, locking it behind her.

I watched her go, my heart heavy with regret. I wished I could take back what I had said, wished I could turn back time and do things differently. But I knew it was too late for that. All I could do now was wait for the storm to pass. I could hear her crying and shouting, the sound echoing through the house. I wanted to go to her, to comfort her and make things right, but I knew that I also needed to be firm with her. I could not let her think that she could get away with disobeying me and doing things like this.

I still did not go up to talk to her, instead, I leaned against the wall and closed his eyes, feeling a pang of guilt in my chest. Maybe I should have handled this differently, I thought.

But it's too late for that now. I turned to his men and gave them a nod. "Keep an eye on Mia," I said. "Make sure she doesn't try to run away, we can not have another Diego experience in this house."

They nod back, understanding the gravity of the situation. I watched them leave, then headed into my study, closing the door behind me. I needed a few moments to myself, to think and to process everything that's happened. I knew that I needed to make things right with my daughter, but I also knew that I could not just let her get away with disrespecting me like this. It was a difficult balance to strike, but I was determined to find a way to make it work.