Chapter 9
SOSIE
It’s quite an accomplishment to rip me from the high I was riding after the best night of my life to making me feel small and nothing more than a burden. But as I stand here waiting to be let into my own house, my father has managed to do just that with three simple words. Get home. Now.
It leaves me wondering at what age will I finally be treated like someone he cares about or, at the bare minimum, a human?
The door opens to an unfamiliar face staring back at me. Dressed in a suit, he holds his chin in the air with a stiff, straight back and says, “Your father is waiting for you in his office.” That’s not good.
No shower.
No brushed teeth.
No clean clothes.
This won’t go over well. I wipe my cashmere-gloved hand under my eyes in hopes of getting any of the remaining makeup cleared before entering.
My pace is slow, the distance growing between this stranger working here and me.
I swipe on lip balm and start taking off my coat, only to realize I forgot my sweater.
A black tank, sweatpants, and combat boots aren’t going to go over well for a Stansbury.
I stop just before entering the hall that leads to the office and the library wing of the house and take off my boots.
Tucking my gloves in my pockets, I take a breath as I double-step to catch up.
Just before the door opens, I attempt to smooth down my hair so it’s less disorderly.
I’m not going to fool him. It’s not about how I look, though he doesn’t appreciate it when I look like a “city kid,” as he calls it. This will be another lecture on behavior and expectations. Keep your mouth shut and listen, Sosie. Easy, and the best way to get through this unscathed.
The man opens the door and stands with his back to it. “Ms. Stansbury, Mr. Stansbury.”
I plaster a smile on my face and whisk myself forward. “Merry Christmas, Dad.”
He glances from the monitor on his desk to me before shifting his gaze to the new guy working the doors in this place and shooing him away with a flick of his hand. “Sit down.”
An acknowledgment of my existence would have been nice, but apparently, we don’t see eye to eye on the issue. I sit in a chair on the other side of the large, ornately carved desk and clasp my hands together in my lap, like a good daughter, and wait for the first round of attack.
I’m kept in suspense as seconds drag into a minute that feels like ten. But if my dad taught me anything, it’s that the one who holds out the longest wins. You’d think he’d be impressed that I was paying attention. He’s not.
Dressed in a freshly steamed light gray suit, his tie is straight, and not a hair is out of place.
He doesn’t look rested despite his appearance and finally makes eye contact with me.
His eyes mirror mine but hold a starkness I don’t recognize, and I hope I never inherit.
He’s been mad at me before, but I’m sensing something else is happening. Why is he acting so weird?
“Where have you been?” He finally speaks. The blunt question is asked in a harsh tone. He’s a yeller, always has been, but that’s not what this is. This is simmering anger about to explode. I tread carefully.
“With friends. It was late, so—”
His hand flies up to stop me from talking. “Let me tell you about my night.” Okaaaay. “I hosted our annual holiday party for the company, our friends, and family. It’s usually a great event.”
“It was. I was there as requested.”
“I’d like to finish.” It’s not a question, so I keep my mouth shut.
“Unfortunately, I had to listen to your mother and the Lafoons asking about you all night. Is she coming? When will she be here? Is she upstairs?” His voice teeters on mocking, and his eyes hold no love or patience like they used to.
“You finally make an appearance but blow off Gregory all night, so what was the point?”
I’m not sure if I’m supposed to answer or if the question is rhetorical. With him staring at me, I figure it’s time to step into the ring. I reply, “I didn’t know my sole job was to entertain Gregory Lafoon.”
“It was one of many of your duties last night.”
“You do realize I don’t want to date Gregory, right? I’m not attracted to him like that, so why are we being forced together?”
His hand slams onto the desk, and he stands, causing me to jump. “Forced? You should be begging him to date you. Instead, you’re treating the Lafoons like they’re nobodies when you don’t realize who you’re messing with.”
“That’s not true. I like Gregory as a friend. Why does it need to be more? Why me, Dad?”
“Why you?” A deep-seated and humorless laugh escapes before he cuts off its air.
“I’m tired of this, Sosie. You’re acting like a stupid girl and making a fool of your mother and me.
” The insult sends shock waves through my system.
He’s known for getting angry, but I always figured it was part of becoming a titan of industry.
I’m unable to process that he just called me stupid for not wanting to hook up with a guy. “You’ve had your fun.”
He sits down, the sudden drop forcing an exasperated breath from his chest. “You don’t appreciate anything we’ve done for you. You’ve had the world given to you on a silver platter and reject it like it’s beneath you. Listen to me, Sosie, the Lafoons are billionaires.”
I’m left speechless as disgust coats my mouth. It’s always about money and the bottom line, whether it’s personal or in business.
He calms before my eyes as if reason has reentered the picture.
“They only have one son.” I knew I was giving him too much credit.
“Gregory is set to inherit everything.” And there it is .
. . “But you chose to run around with a server instead.” Wait .
. . what? How does he . . . my chest tightens and my breath labors from the inference to Keats.
Did the police bring it to his attention?
The cameras on the property? “I’m not going to tell them, but you’re twenty-one. It’s time—”
“Actually, I’m not,” I snap in full defense.
“I know my birthday has never been convenient for you, but it’s on the thirty-first, New Year’s Eve, not Christmas.
You seem to have forgotten.” The lines already embedded in his brow deepen, becoming more dominant.
His mood shifts as he does, sitting forward despite the light streaming through the large windows, trying to keep things light.
A view of the garden out back doesn’t stand a chance under these circumstances.
His hair is more salt than pepper these days, and patience seems to be something he no longer possesses by the disdain he holds so dearly in his expression.
“That’s irrelevant to the conversation we’re having now. You’ve been chasing dreams instead of living in reality. That time will come to an end today, so the ammunition you provided me last night won’t be necessary.”
My jaw practically hits the desktop as too many emotions to pinpoint just one run through me.
I land in shock, but it’s more disbelief, if I’m honest. I thought there was a floor to his cruelty.
I was wrong. “Is that what you needed to get me to conform to your wishes? You need ammunition against your own daughter?”
“Nothing else was working. I knew letting out the lead just enough would benefit me. You did not let me down, dear daughter.” The dog reference makes my blood boil, but somehow that just doesn’t feel like the worst of it.
The temperature between us is rising so fast that if we’re not careful with our words, we’ll never be able to turn back.
I guess this is the moment I realize I’m already there.
But I can’t give up just yet. “I’m in school.
” I slide to the edge of my seat, pleading my case.
“I start back in a few weeks. I’m not doing anything that wasn’t previously agreed to, Dad.
” My voice rises in pitch as my heart rate increases. “I’ve done everything you’ve wanted—”
Rocking forward, he steeples his fingers like we’re in a negotiation. I guess I was too naive to realize it before now. “Except what I needed you to do, and you refuse me at every turn.” I’ve seen him close deals before. This is when he goes in for the kill unless I stop him.
“Date Gregory? Is that what you need from me, Dad? I’m supposed to give myself to some guy so you can close a deal to secure your fortune.”
“My fortune? You’ve never had a job. You’ve never had to think about a damn thing in your life.
It was all taken care of before you rolled out of bed in the morning .
. .” He checks his watch. “Afternoon, in this case.” He’s not wrong.
I’ve been fortunate in many ways, but that doesn’t make what he’s asking acceptable in any world.
“You have millions, Dad. When will it be enough because it’s about to cost you your daughter!”
He’s too composed as he stares at me like I’m a stranger. I’m losing the battle. My hands start to shake, so I tuck them under my legs on the chair so he can’t see how he affects me. “You’ve always had a flair for the dramatic. That’s why your mother enrolled you in acting.”
“I’m not actually dramatic, but yes, I have emotions.
I’m real and the only kid you’ve got despite wanting a son all along.
” There. It’s out in the open. I always said I’d never let them know I overheard them when I was younger, but it’s been so hard to live with their disappointment.
“I will never be enough for you, will I?”
“Take a breath and calm down.” I’ll take the breath, but calming down seems to be out of reach. Resting his hands flat on the desk, he says, “You have options.”
“Which are?”