Chapter 3 Best father

CHAPTER 3

EVA POV

"I really don't understand the relationship between me and my father," I said as Ethan drove.

"One minute, he is the best father in the world, who cares for me, and the next, he is the cowardly man who couldn't protect his wife and my mental state," I explained.

"Don't you think you should have these talks with him?" He suggested as I smirk. "It would end with a big quarrel; he would say something that I don't like, thus annoying me, and I might not be able to control my words," I explained.

"If you don't want to go home, I have a quiet spot for you. No one would find out," he offered.

"My dad would make the whole state uneasy if he can't find my location, Just take me home," I mumbled, declining his offer. I don't think I trust him enough to go to a secret place with him.

He nods, making a U-turn and driving me home. "Stop," I ordered when I saw my dad's car passing us. He would find me, and it would be easier to get past security when I'm with him. I quickly gave him back his jacket and took my things.

"Dad," I yelled, leaving Ethan and running to his car. He still wasn't hearing me, so Ethan drove his car, blocking his.

He immediately slammed the break, coming out with a gun in his hand. "Dad," I called again as he paused, turning to look at me.

"My baby girl," he muttered, rushing to me. "I was so worried when your mom said you were not at her house," he said softly, hugging me.

"Fine, if you don't want to go to the same school with her, I will send you to a more expensive one, anywhere you want to be. I would listen to you, my darling. I'm sorry when I shouted at you," he apologized.

When he hugged me and saw that I was wet, he quickly pulled out his coat and gave it to me. "At this rate, you will fall sick. Let's go to the hospital and have you checked out," he says concerned.

"I'm okay; a warm tea would do," I mumbled. "Oh, my sweet girl," he says, hugging me, not minding I was wet.

I saw Ethan driving off, and I waved a bit, prompting my dad to pull away from me and look in his direction.

"Do you know the driver," he asked. "It's Ethan's dad. He is the one that brought me here when he saved me from getting into an accident," I lied.

I know it was Ethan that nearly hit me, but if I told my dad that, it would be written as a grudge in his heart.

"If he saves my daughter, then I will take him when I see him next time," Dad grumbled, and I smiled, knowing he wasn't entirely in the idea of expressing his gratitude to him.

"Come," he says, dragging me to the car and opening the door for me. Then he entered and drove to a mall rather than home.

"It's been a long time since we bonded," he says as we walk to the food aisle. I smiled when he blindfolded me, knowing we were playing my childhood games.

He spins me around and stops me. "Now, Eva, pick two ingredients that would serve as appetizers," he instructed as I nodded.

"This and that," I said, picking any random object. "Mushrooms and eggs, I see," he announced.

"Your turn," I tell him, wrapping the blindfold in his eyes. He picked chicken and a pack of ramen, making me suspect he already studied the aisle when I wasn't looking.

We didn't bother playing another round of dessert as chocolate ice cream would do. He paid for what we got, and we went home.

"Dad, don't you have an appointment tomorrow morning? You shouldn't be up by this time," I said, feeling bad he was making dinner just to apologize.

"Forget those. It wouldn't matter if I don't see my little girl smile," he brushed off. "Don't stand there, join me," he says.

"Dad, I'm sorry," I apologized when we finished eating and went to bed. "It's alright, sweetheart," he says. "I can't bring myself to get angry at you," he confessed.

"Can I stay in your room tonight?" I asked as he looked shocked but later agreed. I can't remember the last time I entered his room. I was telling myself I hated this, but now I just want to cuddle with someone.

However, it took me a long time before I could fall asleep. This was due to my earlier encounter with Ethan; my mind somehow drifted to them, and somehow I dream of how it would be if I had gone to his safe environment with him.

"Good morning, dear sis," Megan greeted warmly. I scanned around, knowing that the only reason she would be this nice was because someone was around.

And there at the door were my grandparents. "I'm so excited to start school with you," she said, giving me her fake smile.

"Me too," I muttered, not shaking her hand. "Dad, let's go. I'm ready," I announced.

"What about Megan? She is your daughter too, and they are going to the same school," Grandma charged.

"I bought a new car and hired a driver for her. Once she is ready, he will go with her, but for now, I can't afford to be late," Dad exclaimed, taking my hands, and we walked to the car.

Catherine lamented to them as we left, but it didn't bother me; he was taking my side, and that was all that mattered.

We talked on our way so much that I didn't want to go to school and just stayed in his office. He stopped inches from my school, pulling me to an awaiting car.

Bringing out a note, he wrote don't panic. "Your stepmother is using Ethan Woods to get information from you," he wrote.

"Information, what would I know," I questioned. "Exactly, you don't know anything, so just be careful, alright," he warned.

"What are you planning?" I questioned. "You don't need to know," he replied. Patting my head, he signaled I looked in the back.

When I did, I saw a gift box, which I took and immediately opened it. Inside were car keys, and I immediately gasped.

"An apology gift," he said. Whenever we had an issue, he would get me something I had always wanted, which made me happily open the box.

In it were car keys, and I gasped, looking at them. "I figured it's time I give you space, but only if you leave the house with your gun," he announced as I smiled, hugging him.

"I always wanted you near me and didn't like the fact that you always pushed me away, but yesterday, when you asked to sleep in my room, I realized something.

When you want me, you will come, and my arm will always be open, so it's time I start giving you a little freedom," he said, causing me to cry a bit.

"Thank you so much," I said, hugging him. "Your freedom starts at sixteen," he reminded me as he exited the car. I nodded my head the car he bought for me, wondering what type.

I waved goodbye to him before walking into the school, seeing the commotion already caused by Sasha.

Megan lay on the floor, a bit injured, and I could tell Sasha caused this. "Must you bully everyone?" I asked, walking over to Megan and helping her up.

"I'm teaching her to know her place. We all know for a short period, she and her mom bullied you," Sasha defended.

"Let me deal with my family matters myself," I politely decline. "Let's go get your wound checked out," I tell her, pulling her away.

"Why did you help me? You could just have walked out?" She asked as we waited for the nurse.

"I'm not like you, Megan," I replied. "Don't get me started with that, Eva; you are the worst," She argues.

"Thank you for helping me," She mumbled and requested I leave. I didn't see her again, not until closing.

As per my Dad's request, I made sure to keep my distance from Ethan, intentionally avoiding any interaction with him. However, I couldn't help but feel conflicted about it.

Dad came to pick me up, and so did Megan's driver. I saw her watching from a distance, and so did the other kids.

"Let go," I called with a straight face. "Megan, we don't have all day," I said, letting her know I meant her.

She came out, standing behind me, and I held her hand, dragging her with me to meet him.

He was quiet, letting us enter the car and dropping us at the company. Megan also works for my dad, but unlike me, she focuses only on clothes.

I know my dad had a lot of questions; work kept me busy, and when we went home, I pretended to be asleep.

At night, I woke up due to hunger and listened quietly in the kitchen. But then I saw Catherine sneaking out, prompting me to follow her steadily.

"Did you find out anything from her," Catherine asked. "Not yet," a male voice replied to her, and I decided to check who it was.

I was surprised to see Ethan standing there, talking to her. "How long would it take you to gain her trust? I need to know what this man is planning, and she is our last resort," Catherine scolded, trying to keep her voice low.

"Try and make sure she confides in you. It's not that hard," she snapped. "Don't come here unless you have good news," She warned, heading inside.

I quickly hid as she angrily walked past me, and I didn't come out until I heard the door shut completely.

I decided to check on Ethan, seeing him walk to the gates. The guards are working with Catherin so that he can gain access.

I can't believe he was using me to gain information, but what do they want to know?

Ethan turned back, and our eyes met, causing him to freeze. For a while, we both stare at each other, wondering who will come to each other first.

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