EIGHTEEN

Skye

It was just another day at Avalon Bistro, only I couldn't get Derek and the whole incident with David out of my head. Derek had texted me that he was meeting with him this morning, but I had no idea what he had decided. I figured if it wasn't a breakup with me, I'd find out about it pretty quickly. I jumped at the sound of my father's voice, just as that notion entered my thoughts.

"How could you, Skye?" He yelled at me as he dashed toward the café.

My cheeks flushed instantly, and I raised my hand to prevent my father from approaching the counter. The sound of my father yelling through the foyer startled my manager. Before setting it on the counter, I removed my apron and folded it. I rushed up to Gabby, who had just been promoted to manager, and leaned in to speak with her. She was appalled by what was going on around her.

"I'm very sorry, Mavie," I murmured, trying hard not to cry. "I'll be right there."

She nodded and walked over to the counter to assist the clients who were waiting. For a time, I stood there, looking out over the mass of people who were staring at me and then over at my father. I was mortified in a manner I had never felt before. Whatever transpired at that meeting, the cat was out of the bag, and my father didn't seem to be taking it well.

As I moved through the rear and out the side door to meet my father in the lobby, I took a big breath and tried to hide my face. I grabbed his arm and began dragging him to a separate area off the main lobby. It served as the venue for meetings and festivities. I stood by the threshold of the empty room and pushed my father through.

When I turned around, I noticed Derek running in our direction from the elevator. To avoid drawing too much notice, he slowed down. I entered the room and turned to face my father, who had a beet red face. After entering the space behind me and shutting the door, Derek sat down immediately next to me. I shook my head as I glanced up at him and then across at my dad.

"You did tell him, did you not? "I enquired.

While giving me a hard squeeze, Derek nodded and grabbed for my hand. He had made the decision to stick with me rather than end our relationship. He also appeared to have refused David's demands, which had left him with little choice but to return right away to the Avalon and tell my father in front of him. My father was glaring at both of us when I turned to face him.

He spat, "You are being foolish. You are wasting your life for a man, a playboy, who will simply throw you out on the street once he is finished with you. Falling for this fool was the biggest mistake you have ever made in your life.

Derek cried, "Enough," grabbing my dad's and my own attention. What about the fact that I adore your daughter do you not understand? Not in lust, but in love. The girl I'm playing is not me. She is at my side as I navigate life.

"You're in love with me?" With my cheeks red and my heart racing, I turned to face him. I couldn't believe he had finally voiced it and that I wasn't the only person who had the same thought.

Derek gripped both of my hands in his and turned away from my father. He tenderly kissed them while holding them close to his lips and gazing intently into my eyes. A smile forced its way over his lips as his furious scowl quickly vanished, electrifying my chest. He appeared to have lost the battle as his shoulders dropped and he took a deep breath. However, it wasn't the case. Actually, it was just the reverse. He felt revitalized by merely being near him in the same manner that I was.

"Yes," he replied, grinning. " I am so madly and deeply in love with you."

My eyes were watering, and my mouth hung open slightly. Derek and I were being closely observed by my father, who instead of squeezing his fists in rage appeared to be recognizing that we were actually in love with one another. He was now realizing that I wasn't a kid, but a woman.

Derek continued to hold my hands while saying, "You have brightened my life in a manner I don't deserve. I had given up on the notion of love. When I first met you and had come to terms with my loneliness, but you came along and pulled me out of the shadows and restored my hope."

After hearing what he had said, I had trouble finding the words to express myself. It was the kindest, most thoughtful thing a man had ever said to me. I confronted him, my hands trembling in his as my eyes were fixed firmly on his. To tell me how much he loved me, this man had just endured the worst possible circumstances. In spite of his friendship with my father, he chose me over anything else. I drew in a big breath and smiled widely because my heart was so full that I could hardly move. I could hardly believe that I had at last found my place in the world.

I replied with rosy cheeks, "I love you too, Derek."

I had never experienced such softness and gentleness from him before as he reached out and caressed my face in his hand before bending forward to kiss me. I peered into his eyes as our lips parted, my breath catching in my throat. I remembered that my father was there, watching us, and a shiver ran down my arms and down my spine. I inhaled deeply. I mustered up the strength to face him and turned.

I said, "I understand that you don't agree with this, and I understand the cost that this relationship has for me, but I don't care. I don't want anything from you if you can't stand by me when I need you, cheer me on when I succeed, and be happy for me when I find love at last. I'll work everything out on my own."

I had mixed feelings about saying that, but I needed my father to know that he couldn't manage my finances. I was old enough to know that nothing could be purchased with money, and I would never give up my relationship with Derek so that my father could continue to cover my expenses. This was the ideal opportunity for me to leave.

"What about the media?" My dad enquired. Although gentler, his voice was still confrontational.

Derek roared, "I don't give a crap about the media. And I already took care of everything else. I know not everyone will like me, but I told the truth as it should be. David made an effort to extort me. Unless I reinstated him to the board, he threatened to contact you and the media. I declined him since I was aware it wasn't the solution. I contacted my own media contacts before coming right to you."

Spencer rubbed his chin and muttered, "David was always a douchebag.

Derek remarked, "I know they are going to make a big deal out of the age factor. She is of legal age to make her own judgments, that much is true. Age is only a number after that. It says nothing about my ability to love this woman. I love her with all of my being."

Spencer exhaled deeply and murmured, "All right." He was resting on the table. I'll give you my approval.

I screamed, "Daddy, thank you so much," as I ran over to him and encircled his neck with my arms. " Your approval of this means the world to me. I was afraid you would despise me forever."

He whispered into my ear, "I only want the best for you. If that man is Derek, I have no right to judge,"

Derek extended his hand and shook Spencer's, saying, "Thank you, Spencer.

My father took his hand and said, "I'll tell you this. I'll murder you with my bare hands if you hurt her,"

Derek responded with a smile, "Understood. I swear that I will never intentionally hurt her. She is the most important thing in my life now."

"On top of your business?" My father cocked an eyebrow.

He looked at me and replied, "Yeah, well she's on top of my company."