Chapter 11 Daphne
11 Daphne
‘So how’s it going with Milosh?’ Daddy asks, before stuffing a forkful of venison into his mouth. I always find it funny how the man who wanted to send me to finishing school has the manners of a graceless fish.
‘Fine,’ I answer bluntly. Even though it’s been two weeks since our disagreement, this is the first time we’ve been properly alone. I haven’t really seen much of my father, as for the past few days he’s been locked up in his study, even eating in there, and I’ve been going to bed earlier in preparation for my morning training sessions with Milosh.
When I bumped into him on my way downstairs yesterday he was quiet and evasive when I tried to make peace with him and start a conversation. I’ve always been raised to be polite and kind, and I do like those characteristics about myself, but I like mutual respect more. I don’t take kindly to being shouted at and then ignored for a week. If it weren’t for Amelia practically forcing me in here tonight with the promise that she and Henry would join us, I would’ve eaten elsewhere.
‘Daphne, how long are you going to keep this up, huh?’ my father asks, dropping his cutlery and turning to fully look at me. ‘What do you want me to say? You want me to say sorry?’
‘Sorry would be a start,’ I quip before popping a slice of carrot into my mouth and turning to look at him. ‘I don’t want you to say sorry just for the sake of it, I want you to mean it.’ He rolls his eyes and scoffs in response just as Amelia and Henry walk through the door.
‘Good evening, Green family, how are we doing today?’ Henry enquires cheerily, pulling out a chair for Amelia then taking the seat next to her. I go back to eating my food, and I guess my father does too because Henry doesn’t get an answer to his question.
‘I asked Milosh to join us too tonight,’ Amelia says warmly, trying to break the tension. ‘I thought it might be nice for all of us to eat together.’
‘That was very thoughtful, Meelie, thank you.’ I offer a small smile and go back to focusing on my food. The quicker I eat, the quicker this meal can be over.
‘Great choice for dinner today, gorgeous,’ Henry says, focusing solely on Amelia.
‘Thank you, Hen,’ she replies, blushing profusely when his hand disappears under the table.
‘You want me to say I’m sorry and mean it?’ Daddy says, pretty randomly. Amelia, Henry and I all turn to look at him when he starts laughing. ‘You want me to apologize for your wrongdoing?’
‘Daddy, what are you talking about?’
‘The necklace, Daphne. The necklace.’ He takes a swig of scotch and looks at me blankly. ‘You took – no, stole – the necklace and then you went and lost it. It didn’t belong to you but you didn’t care, you took it anyway.’
‘I was eleven and missing my mother,’ I say, then take a deep breath. There’s no need to get worked up over this. My father’s clearly just stressed and is acting like a petulant child.
Does this happen often? No. But when it does you’ve just got to ride it out and wait till he comes to his senses. The alcohol definitely isn’t helping matters, though.
‘No, you were a stupid brat who couldn’t keep her hands to herself.’
‘Woah, George, that’s not necessary,’ Henry chimes in, his face serious. ‘It was an honest mistake Daph made when she was a kid. How about you apologize and we can all move on and enjoy dinner?’
‘Mr Harris, if I need your help, I’ll ask for it,’ Daddy responds. ‘And did I ask for your help? No. So don’t give it.’ He takes another swig of his drink and goes back to eating, just as Milosh walks in. He takes the empty seat next to me as Josh brings round his plate.
‘What’s wrong?’ Milosh asks quietly, looking at me.
‘Nothing,’ I whisper, offering him a tight smile. He nods and picks up his fork, stabbing a carrot and bringing it to his mouth.
‘Listen, Daph, I’ll apologize for getting in your face. That was uncalled for,’ my father says after a beat. ‘But I’m not going to apologize for shouting at you.’ At that, Milosh halts his fork mid-air before placing it down to hear what wonderful insult my father has for me next. ‘Frankly, you deserved it for stealing. Do you know how much more difficult you’ve made my life by losing that necklace?’
‘No, I don’t, because you never tell me anything,’ I say softly, once again trying to collect myself as I place my cutlery together, finished with my dinner and this conversation. ‘You hardly talk about Mother at all, and when you do it’s only if you need something. You never let me in and always push me away instead, as if that’s going to help matters. I’m sorry that I caused so much turmoil for you, Daddy, I really am, but none of that makes any of this okay.’
‘Oh, shut up with the sob story, Daph,’ he scoffs, rolling his eyes once again. ‘I’ll shout at you if I damn well want to, because this is my house.’ I feel Milosh shift next to me before pushing out his chair and walking over to my father.
‘Get up,’ he says curtly.
‘Mr Petrov, I advise you to sit back down,’ my father says, reaching for his scotch glass.
‘I’m only gonna say this once more, Mr Green.’ Milosh moves the scotch out of my father’s reach and stares down at him as if he’s a parent and my father his irritable child. ‘Get. Up.’
‘Or what?’ Daddy sneers.
‘George, maybe you should lie down for a bit and sleep off some of the alcohol,’ Amelia suggests, trying to diffuse the situation.
‘Oh, shut up, Amelia,’ snarls Daddy. ‘This really isn’t the time for your stupid peacekeeping antics.’
‘Okay,’ Henry huffs, standing up. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Henry over the years it’s that you can make fun of him all you like, but as soon as you say anything less than positive about his wife, you and he are going to have a problem. And Henry is not the kind of guy you want to rile up.
‘Hard way it is,’ Milosh says, grabbing Daddy’s arm and hauling him up with ease. ‘I suggest you treat your daughter with a little more respect, Mr Green.’
‘Let go of me, Mr Petrov. I’m warning you,’ my father slurs, his stern tone spoiled by his obvious inebriation. Clearly Milosh doesn’t care for threats, as in response to this he shoves my father up against the wall, trapping him there with his forearm. Amelia and I both gasp with horror as the room disperses into complete silence and tension.
‘You can threaten me all you want, George, it ain’t gonna change a thing. Don’t. Disrespect. Your. Daughter. It’s really that simple.’ Milosh shrugs. ‘Now, Henry is going to take you upstairs, you’re gonna sleep this off and tomorrow you’re gonna come downstairs and apologize to Daphne and Amelia for your behaviour. Understood?’
Henry walks over to them and starts guiding my father upstairs, leaving me and Amelia to stare at Milosh in disbelief. I don’t think my father has ever been spoken to like that, let alone by someone he employs.
Did I enjoy seeing my father threatened? No, of course not.
However, did something warm settle in my stomach knowing someone was threatening him for my sake? To defend me? Yes.
Without question.
‘How often do things like this happen?’ Milosh asks as he returns to sit next to me, picking his fork back up as if it’s just a regular Thursday.
‘Not often, just when he’s really stressed or upset,’ Amelia answers. ‘He’s not a big drinker, and he does know how he gets when he drinks, but I think he’s just concerned that’s all. I’m sure he’ll be ready to apologize tomorrow.’ Amelia gives me a sympathetic look before turning her attention back to her dinner.
I look over at Milosh to find him gripping his fork awfully tight. ‘What you did was a little… unhinged,’ I start, shifting slightly so I can see more of him. ‘But, thank you. I appreciate it.’
He looks at me, really looks at me, almost as if he’s seeing me for the first time, taking in my statement. ‘My job is to protect you, Miss Green,’ he responds. ‘That includes protecting you from a potentially volatile situation. No matter who or what is the cause.’