The next day…
I was awoken by the rays of sunlight reflecting into my room. I reluctantly lifted up my head and the first thing I sighted was the digital clock, it showed me what time and date today was. I groaned angrily because it's the time for emptiness. That's what I call the weekend.
I hated the weekends, especially Saturday. As a corporate worker who enjoys being in the office, weekends are just too boring for me. I always have to figure out how to keep myself occupied all through the day.
"I wish Chloe was here with me", I whispered to myself.
Knock. Knock. There came the door. I rushed back underneath my duvets and pretended I was asleep. Suddenly, the door began to open, it was a very slow and quiet opening like it was being careful to not disturb anyone.
"Some things never change. She still hates waking up early even when the sun comes out." A voice said.
I wanted to prove to that person that I'm a grown up but it'll ruin my hiding. The door opened again.
"I'm not a kid, Ma." I said as I removed the duvet from my face and sat up.
She closed the door and walked towards me smiling. "You're still my baby though," she told me.
"Whatever Ma… so what do you want from me this early morning?" I raised an eyebrow and gave her the 'it better be important' look.
"Don't look at me like that. It's something you'd like. Trust me." She started.
"Go on Mother. I just woke up please."
"Okay. Okay… I got you an apartment in Italy." She blurted out.
"Wait! What! Are you serious?" I jumped out of the bed and grabbed her hands in excitement. She was nodding continuously and was smiling at me so hard. "Ma. Please don't mess with me." I added.
"Young lady, I'm too old for that." She replied and slowly removed my hands from hers. I grabbed them again quickly.
"Thank you so much Ma. I didn't expect this at all but… how did you manage to pull this off though?" I got curious.
"When you freshen up, come downstairs and thank your dad." She tapped my shoulders and walked to the door.
"Wow" I was in shock. I looked at her with no words in my mouth.
She turned to look at me and said, "Vogliamo giustizia per tuo padre tanto quanto tu vuoi giustizia per il mio bambino."
She shut the door. I could feel the tears trying to escape from my eyes because her words made me sad. She had just told me that they both want just justice as much as I do. I remembered the times that I always blamed her for not caring about me but now here she is.
I pulled my towel from where I hung it by the door and headed into the bathroom. I took a quick shower because I wasn't going anywhere this morning. I got dressed, picked up my phone and headed downstairs.
"That's a bright face for someone that hates the weekend. I'm sure your mother has given you the news." Mr. Smith said to me as soon as I made entrance to the living room. He was wearing a black Lacoste shirt with a cream-colored flared trouser.
"Well… yes, yes, she did…" I walked to him and hugged him, "thank you so much. I'm really happy that you want me to do this." I continued.
He stroked my hair and said, "I hope you can finally accept me to be your father because making you happy is something I'll never stop doing"
My heart sank hearing his words. I wasn't all so good to him, but he never stopped doing things for me. I think I might just give him a chance. I removed myself from the hug and stood upright.
"Deep down I always acknowledged you as a father, I just wasn't sure if I was ready to act on it. I'm sorry," I told him.
"There'll be plenty of time for a father-daughter bonding when you get back Marilyn."
My eyes widened when he called my middle name. I've never heard him call me that.
"Why do you look surprised? Is it not okay that I call you Marilyn?" he asked.
"No… No… it's just that you've never called me by that name before, so I just got shocked. It's nothing like that really."
"Okay dear. I gotta go now. Do you have any plans for today?" He asked me as he headed to the front door. He reached out for his brown Emporio Armani's leather loafers that were neatly placed on the shoe rack and began putting them on.
"I'll go to the club tonight… a drink would be helpful to push down my emotions." I said to him as he walked towards the door.
"Call me when you need me. Take care" He left the house slamming the door behind him.
I was standing there smiling sheepishly because I never thought I and my stepdad would get to this stage. I hurried back to the room so I could start packing my bags. I thought of Chloe and wanted to share the news with her, so I picked up my phone and called her.
* * * * *
"If it isn't Miss tequila shots, who else would it be?" The bartender said to me, smiling. I smiled back at him, throwing a little wave at him from the other end of the table where I sat.
"You know, I'm so glad you got home safely that night." He continued.
"I can't believe I called the person who made me come here." I replied.
"I hope she isn't the reason for your return?" I sounded concerned.
I chuckled and shook my head in agreement, "Well, yes… but… it's for a good cause this time" I assured him.
"Sounds like we're celebrating… are you alone again or y…" he was cut short by a figure behind me who blurted out "Or she is waiting for me".
I turned in awe because I really wasn't waiting for anyone to accompany me. "Excuse me?" I asked him.
"Allow me to properly introduce myself." He said as he walked closer.
"Do you know him? Or should I call security?" The bartender asked me.
I turned to him and gave a faint nod. I turned back to the man who interrupted my conversation. "How did you know I was here?"
"Rephrase that… I didn't know you were here. I saw you when I walked in."
"Oh, my bad. I'm sorry I didn't get your name the last time we met." I stood and stretched out my hands to him for a handshake.
"Yes. I am Antonio Devantè Vargas. You can call me Antonio. I'm happy to see you again, Miss Smith." He shook my hands.
"It's nice seeing you again too, Mr. Antonio. Also, you can call me Yvonne" I replied.
He smiled at me and I found myself blushing.
"Can I offer the both of you something to drink now or you're just gonna spend the rest of your night smiling at each other?" The bartender asked, trying to end the awkwardness. I turned my attention to him immediately and folded my hands.
"I'll have what you served me the last time" I told him.
"Can I trust that what you had was a good one coz I would choose whatever you choose" Antonio said to me.
I didn't know what to say to him, so I shrugged and smiled.
"Settled then." He said to me and faced the bartender, "You heard the miss." He added.
He led me to another side of the bar, and we sat down while we awaited our drinks. I couldn't get my eyes off him. He was really handsome and I got to realize that he has a nice smile.
"So, tell me… are you really interested in the young generation here in Philadelphia or is it just one of your public stunts?" I busted out.
"Will you believe me if I say I am too busy to pull a stunt?"
"Maybe." I replied to him with a little uncertainty.
"You should. I flew down here because I want to give the young ones the chance to build their own future. It's something I couldn't do when I was young."
"I didn't know that"
"Of course. No one does."
A waitress brought us our drink. She placed the glasses on the table and made him pay for the drinks and left.
"Thank you" We chorused.
His phone rang. He picked it up and turned it off, he didn't want to take the call. "Well, Yvonne, I leave tomorrow. I hope you don't change your mind about working with us because I could use your company." He told me.
"Never expected to hear that from a soon to be boss." I chuckled.
"I'm only being honest. Well, it's up to you Yvonne. Goodbye." He stood up to leave.
"What about your drink?" I asked him.
"Oh dear. I don't drink alcohol anymore. You should drink less so you can go home safe," he left.
I leaned back in the chair and gave a huge sigh. I wasn't happy with how my conversation with him went. I reached out for my purse and checked my phone for what the time was. It was past 10pm. I finished my drink, picked up his own drink alongside my bag and went back to the counter table.
"Hi." I said to the bartender.
"That was fast, I thought…"
"Yeah, I thought so too. Anyways, I'm with you now." I raised the glass, "Cheers." I added.
"Not for long. My shift ends soon."
"That's sad. I didn't know that."
"I'm Benjamin by the way." He continued as he reached for my hands.
"Benjamin… I'll never have guessed that" I laughed and gave him a handshake, "I'm Yv…"
"Yvonne. I know," he interrupted.
"Sharp ears… I see…" I smiled at him and gulped the remains of my drink.
"What can I say?" He laughed.
"Well… umm…I'm leaving the city." I blurted out. "I have work to do so I have to leave." I continued.
"This is goodbye I guess."
He dropped the cocktail shaker on the table and fixed his hair. I could see the smile on his face fading.
"I hope we meet again one day," I told him.
I picked up a flyer from a basket on the table then got out a pen from my bag and wrote down my number. I handed it over to him and left the bar and headed home.