“I love you; I always will, my little one. I’ll always continue loving you more and more as we take on life together,” I whisper, and a smile rushes to her face.
9
LIZA
the next morning…
I don’t know what happened, but one second, Bruno’s hand was gripping my ass while his tongue explored my mouth, which led to a whole night of exploring each other’s bodies. Then, next thing I know, I’m awoken by the sound of the bedroom door slamming against the wall.
Shit. Father?
I close my eyes tightly shut as if this is all a dream, just to snap them open to face reality. Nope, this is very much so happening. My father just witnessed his client grope his not so little girl anymore.
“I had a feeling that something like this could happen, but I gave you the benefit of the doubt you wouldn’t screw my daughter!” My father shouts, his voice echoing off the walls as he stares at Bruno.
“It’s nothing like that, father! You make it sound so dirty.” I glare at him, defending what Bruno and I have chosen to do. Yes, this may not have been the best situation to come out to my father like this, but at least Bruno is here with me. We can face this together.
My father disregards me.
“When we agreed you take my daughter in, we agreed on you teaching her some damn manners. I had only assumed you’d work her till she breaks, and then she’d come crawling her way right back home.” He continues to ignore me and continues to address Bruno as if I’m not even here.
“Could you leave so I can at least get dressed!” I scream at my father as I’m barely covered in this thin bedsheet.
He looks at me and shakes his head as if he couldn’t be more disappointed. He turns around and walks out of the room, slamming the door behind.
I snap my attention to Bruno. “Your big plan was to work me in hopes I’d give up and run home?” I ask, glaring at him as I move off the bed to gather my clothes.
“No. That was never the plan.” He replies sternly.
Then what was the plan?
He walks to grab a pair of slacks out of the closet to the right and throws them on as we get ready to face my father yet again.
I tidy myself up as much as I can and head out of the door with Bruno, only to find my father waiting in the hallway. If he thinks I’m going home with him, he’s in for a treat.
“You’re packing your things now, and we’re leaving.” He tells me.
“Father, you will not tell me what to do. I’m not coming home. I’m right where I want to be,” I say, leaning against the wall as I try to keep my nerves as calm as I can. This is all messed up. This is the last thing I want to do right now is stand between the two of these men in such an odd, awkward way.
“This is not what I want for you. I didn’t imagine he would take advantage of the situation.” He sighs while looking at me and then to Bruno.
“Bruno didn’t take advantage of anything. You want me to grow up and be an adult, yet you always have such an opinion on the choices I make. I don’t see how this has hurt anyone unless it’s pride we’re talking about here.”
I haven’t done anything wrong. Yes, my father is maybe right on how quickly this has all moved, but I don’t feel any regret. I wouldn’t take back the night Bruno and I had for anything.
He looks over to Bruno, shaking his head. “You don’t understand the deal we made.” Bruno looks heated, almost to the point of pain. It seems as if he’s holding back what he really wants to say, and part of me wishes he would speak up, but the other part of me knows how I don’t need him to. I can hold my own I’d like to think.
“What does it matter at this point? I’m not coming home, I’m staying here and there’s no need to make such a big deal of it. Even if I’m not staying here, I’ll find somewhere to go. I want to be on my own, father. How can you not see that? I know you called and checked on me earlier, already expecting me to give up on independence.” I point out to him, raising my voice a little more than intended on, but hopefully he gets my frustration now.
“You were in his bedroom when I called?” He questions me, then glares over to Bruno just to glare right back at me.
Crap. I’m not helping.
“Yes, I was. You made Bruno bring me here with the intention of staying for weeks, thinking I’ll just come crawling back home, thinking I’d tell you ‘I’m sorry’ while I am at it. I haven’t even been here a full 24 hours yet, and here you are, pulling me back home when you’re the one that made me go.”
His expression changes from disappointment, to almost a sense of sadness. Maybe he now sees that I’m an adult, and I can damn well make my own choices.
Abruptly, he turns around and begins walking down the hallway, moving down the stairs, as we hear his footsteps fade off and the front door slamming shut just a moment later.
That can’t be the end of that... not even possible.
I refuse to step away from the wall as it’s the only thing supporting my body from giving out. I glare over at Bruno. I’m not about to let him get off scot-free. How did he not say a word?
“I want to know what my father is talking about. Did you agree with him to work me hard till I run back home?” I ask him, keeping my voice level.
Bruno’s eyes lighten, but I know he can see the pain hidden in my words. I just had the most incredible night of my existence, but now, now all I can think about it what Bruno even wants from me...
Am I just here to give him what he wants; cook, clean, and sex on demand? Part of me is yearning to give him anything and everything he could want, well, maybe minus the whole cleaning part…
“Bruno?”
It’s taking him far too long to respond. Maybe that really is what he wants.
If this is just a game to him, I’m leaving. I’m not going to stay here to be played with at his dispense. I’ll stay with my cousin who’s a few hours across the state border. I know I have someone I can count on. I don’t need my father or Bruno in my life.
10
BRUNO
I couldn’t say a fucking word, I couldn’t. I knew anything I’d say wouldn’t help the situation. I wanted to blow up on Derek, but then was not the time, not in front of my little one. I can tell she’s hurt, and it’s killing me knowing I’m the one who had part in this. She’s not leaving, not now, not ever because she’s damm right, last night was incredible. I won’t settle for another night to slip by without her wrapped up in my arms.
“In the beginning, yes, maybe I had different plans in mind, but those plans have changed. I wanted to fulfill my agreement with your father, and at first, I had full intentions to do so; but everything changed. I fell in love with you, Liza.”
“That’s just great,” she mutters, rolling her eyes at me. It’s clear she doesn’t believe me; I’ll be damned if I don’t change that.
She folds her arms across her chest and starts tapping her foot as a means for me to explain further. If this is what it takes, then so be it.
“Liza, when your father called and asked how the night was going, you heard what I said to him but you had not the slightest clue how I felt at the time. He was insinuating you’d quit so quickly, and it wasn’t something I rather enjoyed hearing. He doesn’t know how you’ve taken care of the house, how you’ve cooked dinner, and how you’ve managed to make me fall so deeply in love with you to the point where I need you, Liza. I always will. Stay here, with me.” I tell her the truth; everything I’m feeling inside that she’s brought out in me. I need her to stay and realize she’s right where she’s meant to be.
Her expression lightens. “I didn’t realize... I-I’m sorry, Bruno. I’m sorry I was so quick to react, it’s just... this all happened so much faster than I would’ve imagined. I just don’t want to be some pawn in a game,” she tells me, the worry is present in her eyes.
She has this all wrong. There’s no game, and I’ll prove it to her each and every day if I have to.
“You are my everything, Liza. You a
re mine, you understand? I’m not a man of games and you should never fill your head with thoughts as such. This is real, Liza. This love is everything that is real in life, and I will show that to you every day, I promise.”
Her eyes begin to well up.
She walks over to me and before she can say a word, I pull her into a tight embrace. She nestles her cheek against my chest and I kiss her on her soft, lilac scented hair.
“I love you, Bruno,” she whispers.
“I love you, Liza. I always will, baby.”
Her sniffles ease, and I know we’ve had enough for one morning. She’s had quite the start to her day and I’m not going to let any more of our time get ruined.
“I want you to know your father will come around in time. I know how he is, trust me. I’m sure you know him more than I do, but I know his temper more than you do as I’ve seen it in business more than I’d like to. He needs time. Everything will work out just as it should.” I assure her. Everything really will work out, we just need to have some faith in the fact that time can make an impact.
She lifts her head, pulling back from my hold on her as her eyes meet mine. The twinkle in those eyes allows me to see she knows what I’m telling her. She knows everything will be just fine.
I kiss her, then pull away to take her hand in mine as I lead us back into the bedroom. I want to lie down with her in my arms.
I lead us back to bed; she climbs under the covers and I slide underneath, alongside her warmth.
“I know you’re right, I do,” she whispers, looking at me as we lay on our sides, holding one another. “I know in time, everything will work out. I love you, daddy.” She smiles at me, playing into our role-play that’s not really a role-play anymore; it’s us. She will forever be my sweet, loving, beautiful, playful little one, as I will always be her daddy, showing her the path through life as we take it on together.
The world that surrounds us isn’t always simple, but one thing I’m certain of is her love will always conquer any problem that’s thrown our way.
“I love you, my little one,” I say, sliding closer to her as I kiss her head, holding her tightly. I feel more love from her now than I even did last night, and I know it will only grow stronger. We will only grow stronger.
EPILOGUE
LIZA
one month later...
I ready myself for a party that should be worth my while, at least I think so. It’s been an entire month since my father walked away from me without a single word. Now, he wants to mend what’s broken as he called me for the first time just yesterday. He asked if I would accompany him to a surprise baby shower for a family friend of ours.
It’s not like I want to go, I barely even know the woman, but I know if I don’t attend, we’ll be stuck like this for longer. I’m sick of the silence between us. It needs fixed, and I do miss my father. I want things to change.
Bruno over the course of these weeks has insisted on reaching out to my father, but I couldn’t let him. I wanted to be the one who fixed this, but then, my father phoned me up, and that just helped speed things along.
Tonight, I’ve tossed on a white silk gown, pairing perfectly with my set of white, shiny heels. My hair is curled, my nails are done, and I feel the best I’ve felt in some time.
“I’m not sure what time I’ll be home, but I can’t imagine this running very late,” I say to Bruno as he eyes me up as if he’s ready to strip off the very clothes I’ve spent an hour prepping myself for.
“It’s alright, you take all the time you need.” His dark stare remains on me as he brings his hands to my waist, pulling me in for a kiss.
This past month has been one of the happiest times I’ve had in life. Spending every day with Bruno has only made us closer. I’ve fallen more for this man than I ever imagined I would, especially this quickly. We cook together now, and I even know how to make a variety of casseroles as I learned quickly what Bruno’s favorite dishes are.
I’ve come a long way in terms of cooking, cleaning, and décor, I must say. I’ve learned that I can make my own decisions. I’m independent enough to do as I please without anyone’s consent. There are times I do ask for Bruno’s opinion of course, but it’s because I want to know what he thinks of an idea—not because I want him to make the choices for me, or to okay the choices I’ve made.
I haven’t spent time with my so-called ‘friends’ in some time now too. The more I go on without them, the more I realize how I’m better off without them, and sadly, I probably always was. I just didn’t see it as clear as my father did when I was living at home. I’m not saying my father was right in his actions, but some of the points he’s made are spot-on, and this is just one of them.
I know it hurt him when I wouldn’t come home, but at the same time, he had to see I could live without him and that I didn’t need to be treated like a child any longer.
Though, with my absence from home, I’m sure he’s enjoyed the silence as he used to say my chatter just caused him headaches anyhow. So I guess in the end, he got his wish, and I got mine; freedom.
I get to meet his new girlfriend this evening as he’s invited her along to the party, so it should be rather interesting. At least it won’t be just the two of us trying to make small talk. It still bums me out that Bruno isn’t coming along. My father didn’t extend the invite to Bruno, which I’m not sure if he had assumed he’d tag along anyways, or if he truly didn’t want him to be there. Either way, that was enough for Bruno to not feel welcomed even though I feel as if he should. It’s my father we’re talking about here. He’s not that scary.
“I wish you’d come with me,” I tell Bruno again, slipping on my earrings. He sighs, but has a smile on as he looks at me.
“You know how I feel about this. Unless Derek invites me, I’m not going to impose on the evening.” He tells me what I already know. I know he’s not going to change his mind, especially just before I’m about to leave.
The doorbell sounds before I even have a chance to convince him that my father will just have to get used to us being together. I’ve been trying to convince him of this, but as much as I already know he knows, he still doesn’t budge. If my father wants to be part of my life, he’s going to need to accept the fact that Bruno is here to stay.
“Beautiful, absolutely beautiful. You look incredible tonight, Liza,” he whispers as he walks over to me, and plants a kiss on my cheek.
“Thanks, daddy.” I wink at him, feeling my cheeks blush by his stare alone. The way he makes me feel is unbelievable, a feeling I know will never fade.
Bruno steps back, taking in the full length of my appearance before turning to head out of the bedroom to greet my father, once and for all.
EPILOGUE
BRUNO
I head downstairs to greet Derek at the front door. I have high hopes that Liza and her father will work this out tonight. It doesn’t matter if he doesn’t want me around, I don’t have to be there. I just want the two of them to get along. They’re family, and that’s all that matters. I can tell how much it’s been bothering Liza as of late with her father distancing himself from her. This will be good for both of them.
These past few weeks with Liza have been amazing. She makes me feel young, adored, and appreciated in every way. I’ve never felt this from a woman and it only makes sense that Liza is the one that I was meant for. She brings the light into my life. I love her more than anything, and I know she loves me. If I didn’t love her so damn much I wouldn’t have kept pushing her to make amends with her father. I’m just happy the time has finally come now.
I reach the entranceway and approach the front door, opening it up to find Derek, also accompanied by who seems to be his new girlfriend. She seems rather young for Derek, but then again, who am I to talk. It’s just that his new girlfriend looks only slightly older than Liza, but not by much.
“Derek, it’s a pleasure. Liza is upstairs, finishing up as we speak,” I say, taking a step back to welcome their presence into the
house, and they move to step inside.
“You’re not ready yet?” Derek asks, catching me off guard with his question. Why would I be ready?
“The invite was for Liza, not the pair of us. When you asked Liza to the party tonight with you, I had only assumed it was for the two of you to spend some time together.” I clear my throat, feeling my face grow red as I hate surprises, and this, this feels like a surprise. If I knew he wanted me present tonight, I would’ve been ready hours ago.
“I would like the two of you to come with us tonight. It’s a coming-out party; a friend of the family is coming out about a surprise pregnancy and I think it would be a joyous time for everyone to celebrate together.” Derek informs me, smiling as if he’s happy with the thought of us all being together.
I suppose I will be in attendance for the party after all this evening. I just need to ready myself, even though it’s a bit ridiculous I’m in this situation in the first place. I should’ve just manned up weeks ago and spoke to Derek myself.
“If you just give me a moment, I will be back with Liza, and we’ll be ready to go,” I assure him.
“I’m sure Liza has been getting ready for some time now knowing her.” He chuckles.
He’s right though, Liza has been working on her look tonight for almost two hours, but damn, she’s fucking stunning.
I give Derek a nod, then turn to head up the stairs to get this moving. Once I hit the bedroom, I grab out a pair of slacks, pairing it with a white button-up, and grabbing a good pair of Oxfords that I only tend to bust out for special occasions.
Problem For Daddy: Please Me, Daddy: Book 6 Page 4
