FORGIVEN

"So, am I forgiven?" Damian speaks in a soft whisper, disregarding my questions, and I am not mad at that. With time, I want to believe that my curiosity will be quelled. He has promised, and I will hold on to that hope that someday, soon, he will be able to open up to me.


"Mmh, no, because you added a crime on top of one," I fire, faking a serious face.

He cocks an eyebrow, his face frowning with unawareness. "And what could that be?" He shows me his beautiful puppy's eyes.

"Why did you have to bring a bar into my house, huh? You know I detest that shit!" I state, and he smirks.


"I know. Sorry for that too, babe. You see, I desperately needed to speak to the one and only Miss Riccaford, and that shit is the only thing that could make me dare you after you kicked my ass out of your office."

Ah, I see.


"Since when did you become so afraid of me, huh?" I cross my hands over my chest. I definitely find that amusing, and I can't explain how I am able to hold back the laughter. Is he afraid of me? Since when?

"Since I knew who your father was, I never would have imagined anybody daring a man with so much power as Mr. Riccaford. I just realized you are the perfect match for your father, and that, Ellie, scared me to my bones. I need some strength to face you."

Perfect match! I also don't know how I found the courage to do what I did, but I am glad I did it. Maybe I really am my father's match. After all, an apple does not fall far from its tree, right?

But, wait. The way he speaks of my father, it is as if he knows him too well. Have they met somewhere? "You speak as if you know my father so well. Do you know him that much?" I state, shifting in my posture to gaze at him properly.

He gives a genuine broad grin as he speaks, wiggling his head once, "Who in this country doesn't know your father, Ellie? It is like asking me if I know the president of this country. Or someone like Ngugi Wa Thiong'o, he explains so easily, but still, I am drawn in.

'Is my family, precisely my father, really that famous?" I implore.

'He was once in politics, and that boosted his fame, not to mention his vast, growing chain of hotels that reaped him an emblem in the list of the top most successful and richest business gurus in the country. We are in the same industry, to say the least, so I know him just like I know my other competitors. I am sorry to say this, but I wish for my hotels to be successful like his someday."

And so, my father happens to be his role model now? Wow!

I flickered my eyes a few times as the news sank in. "Wow! I didn't know my impossible autocratic father is an idol to some people out here." I'm just pulling his leg. Who wouldn't want to be as successful as the far-famed Richard Riccaford? He even made me fall in love with the career he chose for me. Meh!

"Nobody knows about his vices as a parent, Ellie," Damian says, looking at me with sincerity and pity. 'People know about his thrives in business and leadership. The world would probably crucify you if they learned you defied him. He is that refined and aspired in the eyes of society!"

Simple and strong. The bittersweet truth of my life. I perfectly understand what he means. I get that picture so clearly. Flawless and influential. stainless! That is what my father is to everyone in society. When he was in politics, he even received an award as the most polite and hard-working governor in the country. He was crowned ‘the man for the people' in the county he led back. His works still speak volumes for him, even today.

Oh well. If only they were aware of the extremes he would go to to keep up his sterling reputation and cordial relations. If only they knew that his career and image came before even his only child's life and happiness... What a terrific guy he is, tsk!

"Why don't we stop talking about our problems, huh?" He cups my face, perhaps after noticing I was sulking. "You are becoming sad, and I don't want to see you sad." He caresses my cheeks.

"You nonetheless want to stick around me? I mean, you know who I really am." I query, and he smiles.

"I want to be the lucky star to shine for this beauty. When, or if, your father shows up, we will face him together."

Huh? That is quite deep! He will fight for me. As in, he will help me fight my father?

"Together?" I had to emphasize.

"Mmh. You and I, because I don't intend to spend even a single day or night without you, Ellie Marrie!"

Is that a vow?

My lips are sealed with a wet kiss, which I couldn't resist. Our lips lock. I detest alcohol, but I think it tastes a bit different in his mouth. He draws away after a short while, keeping my face in his arms.

"I know you hate alcohol, so how about you help me scour off this scent and taste in your shower so that I can kiss you sweet and right, huh, baby?"

That sounds delightful. He knows way too well, but he is missing a point here. Alcohol tastes sweeter in his mouth, honestly. But I cannot tell him that because I don't want to encourage him to keep drinking.

"Okay. Will you sleep here?" I ask as we walk up the stairs to my room.

"Do you want me to leave?" He implores.

Sha! Why would I when we have so much to make? I don't even know how fast I was dying for these two days without him. Only now that he is back with me do I realize just how lonely and dead inside I was. And should I expect him to leave?