Chapter 18
Chapter
Eighteen
Alana
What happened at the restaurant last night still plays on my mind, and I can’t shake the feeling that I’m being kept in the dark about something.
If Alejandro won’t give me any answers, then maybe my father will.
I dial his number and it goes to voicemail, as it has the past few times I’ve called him. And he hasn’t called me back, so I don’t hold out much hope that he will today. However, a few moments later, he does. “Alana, what is it, sweetheart?” He sounds out of breath.
“Are you okay, Daddy?”
“Yes, just been for a run,” he wheezes. “Think I pushed myself too hard.”
“I can call back later if you like.”
He sucks in a ragged breath. “No, sweetheart. I’m fine. What is it?”
“I just wanted to check in and see how you’re doing. We haven’t spoken in a while.” It isn’t a total lie.
“All good here. You?”
“I guess. Alejandro seems … Well, we went for dinner last night and …” My resolve to demand answers from him wavers.
He’s never responded well to my curiosity, and it’s so nice to hear his familiar voice.
Maybe it would be better to wait until I’m not hungover and can come up with a strategy to get him to tell me what I want to know without upsetting him.
“Well, it was kind of enjoyable actually.”
He breathes deeply. That must have been a hell of a run.
“It’s not all bad here,” I add.
“I’m glad you’re happy, sweetheart. Is that all?”
I take a breath. “Why did Alejandro marry me, do you think? I know why I married him, and that makes sense to me, but why did he choose me when he could have had any number of women?”
He doesn’t reply for a moment, but his breathing is still labored. Finally, he speaks. “Because you are Alana Carmichael, and that means something. Don’t let him fool you into thinking otherwise, Alana.” He wheezes again.
“Are you sure you’re okay, Dad?”
“I’m fine. The Montoya name is tainted. He will never make it big in the circles he wants to swim in unless he has our name to open doors for him. He may never admit it, but he needs you. I need you, sweetheart. You’re my lucky charm.”
I’m hit with a rush of affection for him. He isn’t the easiest father, but he has always been there when I needed him. He’s given me a purpose, even if it is to be his lucky charm.
“I miss you, Daddy.”
“Miss you too, sweetheart. But I have to run, okay?”
I promise to call him soon and end the call. Strangely, I feel a bit better. Alejandro needs me, and I like being needed. Maybe that’s how I’ll earn his respect and, if I’m lucky, a little more freedom and independence with it.
Maybe these three years won’t be totally terrible.