Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
J ack
There was a knock at the front door. Opening it, a young man and woman stood there.
“Mr. Atlas?” the young man asked.
“Yes.”
“I’m Russell from Carmine’s, and this is Lauren. We have your food.”
“Excellent. You can put it in the kitchen,” I said.
“Do you have a warming oven?” Lauren asked.
“I do.”
“If you turn it on low, we’ll just put the food in there. It’ll stay warm until you’re ready to serve.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
After they left, I walked into the living room, where I found Sierra sitting on the floor with Ellie, playing with the Barbie house. I stood there momentarily and stared at them. A smile crossed my lips.
“Was that the food?” Sierra turned and looked at me.
“Yes. It’s in the warming oven. My father and Gabriela should be here in forty-five minutes.”
“Come on, Ellie. Let’s take you upstairs and put you in your new dress,” Sierra said.
“But I want to play.”
“You can after you change your clothes.”
Walking over to the bar, I poured myself a bourbon. This was going to be one hell of a night. I hadn’t seen my father in three years. I wasn’t sure how he would react, finding out he had a granddaughter I never told him about.
“Relax, Jack,” Sierra said, noting the nervousness inside me.
“I can’t, Sierra. You don’t know my father.”
The doorbell rang, and I inhaled a sharp breath.
“Here we go.” I walked over to the door and answered it.
“Son.” My father smiled.
I hugged him as he and Gabriela stepped inside.
“Gabriela, it’s nice to see you.”
“You too, Jack. It’s been far too long.”
“I see you’re the only house on the street that hasn’t decorated for Christmas,” my father said.
“Yeah. I guess I am.”
Sierra walked into the foyer.
“Dad. Gabriela. I’d like you to meet my assistant, Sierra.”
“It’s nice to meet you, darling.” My dad smiled, extending his hand.
“It’s nice to meet you, too, Mr. Atlas.”
“You are simply gorgeous.” Gabriela smiled as she hugged her.
“Thank you. Wow. Look at that ring. It’s beautiful.”
“Thank you. My handsome fiancé did a wonderful job picking it out.”
“Let’s go into the living room, shall we?” I spoke.
“What happened to your other assistant?” my father asked.
“I fired her.”
“Why? I thought she was nice.”
“I had my reasons. Bourbon, Dad?”
“Make it a double, son.”
After pouring him a double, I poured myself a triple. “Gabriela, wine?”
“Red, if you have it.”
“I do.”
“Why are children’s toys sitting in that corner, Jack?” My father pointed.
I swallowed hard as Sierra walked into the living room with Ellie.
“Dad, I’d like you to meet your granddaughter, Elianna. Elianna, this is your grandpa.”
“Excuse me?” My father’s brow arched. “What do you mean by ‘my granddaughter?’”
“She’s my daughter, Dad. I’ll explain later. Now isn’t the time in front of her.”
The look on his face brightened as he stared at Ellie.
“Come and give your grandpa a hug, little girl.” He bent down and held out his arms. “My, you are a beautiful little girl.”
“Oh my gosh,” Gabriela said. “I adore her already. Hello, sweetheart. I’m going to be your grandma.”
“Wow. A grandma at the age of what? Thirty-five?” Sierra blurted out, and I lightly kicked her foot with mine.
Gabriela smiled at her and didn’t say a word.
“How old are you?” my father asked Ellie.
“Four.” She held up four fingers.
“Wow. Four years old.” My father looked at me with a look only I knew all too well.
“Dinner is ready. Let’s go into the dining room,” I said.
I went into the kitchen and poured Gabriela a glass of red wine while Sierra took the food from the warming oven.
“Can you please watch what you say?” I asked her.
“Sorry. You didn’t tell me she was half your father’s age.” Her brows furrowed.
“Gretchen will be over after we eat and take Ellie upstairs to play so we can all talk,” I said. “Let’s eat and get this over with.”
I handed Gabriela her wine while Sierra set the food on the table.
“Did you cook all of this, Sierra?”
“Uh, no. I wish I could say I did, but I don’t cook.”
“So, Jack. Why is your assistant here? Are the two of you involved?”
“No, Dad.”
“They sleep in the same bed,” Ellie said.
“Really?” His brow arched at me.
“She’s helping me with Ellie until I can find a nanny.”
“I see she’s going above and beyond her job as an assistant,” he said.
“Can we not talk about this now.” I sighed.
“I hear you’re getting married on New Year’s Eve in Spain,” Sierra said. “It must be beautiful there.”
“It is.” Gabriela smiled. “But, there has been a recent change in events.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“We’ve canceled the wedding in Spain and decided to get married here in New York instead,” my father spoke.
I nearly choked on my food.
“What? Why?”
“Because I want my son as my best man, and I know damn well you’re not going anywhere for New Year’s Eve and you won’t come to Spain.”
Churning started in the pit of my stomach as I set my fork down and picked up my drink.
“Oh?” Sierra said. “How are you getting married here on such short notice? I’m sure no venues are available this time of year.”
“I’m good friends with the owner of The Pierre, and he was happy to accommodate us in the Cotillion Ballroom. The wedding will consist of two hundred people.”
“And how the hell did you pull that off already from Spain?” I asked.
“When you’re in love, magic happens.” He smiled as he leaned over and kissed Gabriela’s cheek.
I wanted to vomit.
“What about the fabric for the tablecloths you said you were flying here to get?”
“I simply used that as an excuse because we wanted to tell you in person.”
“Gabriela, I can’t imagine you’re happy about this,” I said. “What about your family and friends in Spain?”
“I’ve rented a private jet and flying them all here for the wedding. I’ve also reserved all of their rooms at The Pierre,” my father said. “We had appointments today with the florist and the lady who will be doing our cake.”
“What about a wedding dress?” Sierra asked.
“I already have one and have brought it with me.” Gabriela smiled.
“So, where are the two of you staying until the wedding?” I asked.
“We’re staying at The Pierre,” my father said.
“For a month?” I asked.
“Well, for the time being. There’s something else I wanted to tell you.”
The sickness already in my stomach intensified. I knew what he was going to say.
“Gabriela and I have decided to move back to New York.”
“Excuse me?” I cocked my head, and Sierra glanced at me.
“As much as we love Spain, we’re ready to return to New York City. We have appointments tomorrow to look at Penthouses for sale.”
I couldn’t react in front of my daughter, so I kept my mouth shut for now.
“Excuse me. I’m going to get another drink.”
“Refill mine, son.” My father held up his glass.
I walked into the living room and pulled out my phone.
“Gretchen, I need you to come over now.”
“On my way, Mr. Atlas.”
After refilling our glasses, I sat down at the table.
“Gretchen is on her way over,” I said to Sierra.
“Who’s Gretchen?” my father asked.
“The girl a few doors down. She’s going to take Ellie upstairs so we can talk privately,” I said.
“Good idea, son. There are a few things I need to say to you and questions I want answered.”
The knock on the door broke the silence. Getting up, I opened the door and let Gretchen in.
“There’s plenty of food if you’re hungry,” I told her.
“Wow. It looks so good. I’ll make a plate and take it upstairs with Ellie.”