I steeled myself, my gaze ice cold as it followed his walk up my stairs.

Raw emotions threatened to break out of the cage I had imprisoned them in for the past two months.

I couldn't let myself feel anything, I had to show him I didn't care...atleast I could pretend.

I gave him a perfunctory smile as I welcomed my parents inside," Oh hi dad! We were just making breakfast, you both should join us. I hope you like waffles."

Dad frowned but said nothing.

I moved away from the door to allow them both in and they quietly did so.

Kate had been to my house several times but for dad, this was his first. He curiously examined my house, his eyes travelling from my Tv screen to my dining table to my sofa and finally settling on the huge, framed poster hung on the wall above the sofa.

It was the one I had received on being chosen to be on the cover of Eccentric at the party in Cairo, back in December...the one with Adrian, where we were dancing. Now that we were together, I found a new admiration for the poster.

Dad's eyes snapped back to me and then to Adrian as he asked," You both? Since how long?"

Oh right! He was too busy golfing alone to know the news that had broken so many girls hearts and which was going viral over the tabloids...even though it involved his own daughter.

"Two months, today.",Adrian stated.

He nodded and went over to take a closer look at the poster.

With his back facing towards me, he asked," Is the board okay with it?"

"With what?", I asked, too caught up in my inner turmoil to really pay attention to what he was saying.

"You both being in a relationship. Fraternizing is seriously looked down upon because, it is only good for the tabloids, and when you two...if you two eventually break up, it might affect the work atmosphere and..."

Kate placed her hand on dad's arm to stop him from saying anything else.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Adrian clench his jaw.

Dad turned towards her and then looked at me, "Forget it. It isn't my place to speak."

Since when is my father this humble?

"How is everything at the office?",he asked.

We both new he wanted me to tell him the details but he had shown how much he cared about the status of the company by not showing up at the party on second January.

It had surely raised several questions but they were quickly overshadowed by the news of my relationship with Adrian, thankfully.

"We have closed a few deals.", I replied curtly.

He narrowed his eyes at me but said nothing again.

Very, very unlike him...something was up.

"You were making breakfast, you said?", Kate asked.

"Yeah! You guys wait here, I'll get the waffles.", I have her a grateful smile before I quickly walked up to the kitchen.

I would have called Adrian too but he had only ever cooked for me, in the past two months, I wasn't sure if he'd be keen to help out with waffles for dad.

I put the waffle batter on the waffle iron and while I was waiting for it to cook, I placed my hands on the counter and shut my eyes, trying to contemplate why dad was here.

There was one reason that stood out to me...but it was so out of character for him...and maybe I hoped to much...maybe I just wanted a little normalcy...but would I still forgive him?

Even though me and Jennifer were pushing really hard, forgiveness was not something I could hand to her overnight, it was a journey and a long one at that but every single day we were making progress and eventually I would forgive her.

However, with dad it would be different. If he...he won't but still hypothetically, if he did apologize...he would want instant acceptance. He wasn't exactly patient and I certainly wouldn't be able to forgive him right then so he would say that I was too haughty and power had gotten to me and...

I was shaken out of my thoughts by someone and I quickly turned back to look at the intruder.

"How are you doing?", Adrian asked as his brows furrowed.

"I am...trying to be okay.", I sighed.

"You aren't doing a great job at that.", He rolled his eyes as he pointed towards the now open waffle maker with a charred waffle producing a grey cloud of smoke that was now leaving the house out of the window.

I gasped, "When did that happen?!"

"While you were busy worrying about all the possible ways this morning could go wrong."

"How did you...", I began but then I realised, of course he knew.

I slumped my shoulders,"I don't want to talk to him. I...I just have this feeling that he might apologize..."

Adrian widened his eyes,"Apologize? You are talking about your father, right?"

"You saw how he stopped speaking about how the company would get affected by our relationship when Kate motioned him to...he doesn't do that normally."

"I still can't picture him doing that but anyways...if he does apologize, what are you going to say? You are not accepting that on face value, right?"

"Even if I do, it would be dishonest. He has promised me over and over again about how he will make things right and then he doesn't. If I accept his apology, it will be just the same as every other time and if I don't...you know how he'll react."

"Kate should have given you a heads-up before dropping this bomb.", He shook his head.

"I swear. I...", I was interrupted by the ringtone of Adrian's phone.

He took his phone out of his pocket and after looking at the caller ID, put his phone on mute and slipped it back in his pocket.

"You were saying?", He motioned me to continue.

"Who was calling?"

"It's Miss Ludwig."

"Are you late for something?", I frowned, trying to remember if he had an important meeting today.

"Nothing I can't postpone."

"You sure...I...", I began but that's when I remembered, today was second March and he was meeting Montexo's president for update on Aurora 2.0. This wasn't something he could postpone!

"You are meeting Lucian Salvatore today, aren't you?", I widened my eyes.

"It's fine. My being here is more important right now.",He smiled.

"Blake nearly killed both of us for this!!",I panicked,"Adrian, you..."

"Relax. I already have the deal and he knows I am a busy guy, I am running one of the biggest multinationals.", Adrian said, wrapping his arms around me from behind and resting his chin on my shoulder.

"Are you sure about this? I don't want you to compromise in any way because of me.", I asked, worry still looking over me.

He nodded.

I relaxed, letting go of the tension building in my shoulders and then I smiled, turning around,"Your father will kill you if he found out about this."

"He won't. He'll actually be happy that I am prioritising family over work."

As my bittersweet association with the word morphed into a beautiful one, I felt heat rush up my cheek and I smiled.

"What?", he asked, trying to act clueless but by now I had learnt to read those blue eyes and I knew he knew.

I clasped my hands behind his neck and replied," You know I love you, right?"

His eyes widened in mock horror,"What? Really? That's the first I've heard of it."

I playfully smacked him on his arm before resting my head against his chest.

Family...I can't believe how horrible the memories I have associated with it. And my relationship with dad...I don't even think that if my father overreacted now I'd even be surprised. I'd be more surprised if he didn't. My relationship with him has become so strained that it can't get any worse, I expect the worst from him already and I know he expects the same from me.

Wait!

It can't get any worse...

My face lit up as I realised something and then I looked back at Adrian with regained confidence,"You know what, you should go. I've got this!"

"Are you sure?"

I nodded," Can my relationship with dad get any worse? Nope. What is the worst thing he can do? Insult me? Say horrible things? Ask me to never come back to the Hudson Estate? Been there, done all of that. So, what is the harm in hearing him out, right?"

"As flawed as that logic is, you do make a fair point."

"Alright then, I should get the waffles done now.", I said, remembering that we had been in here for way too long.

"I'll do it. You won't get it done till the next millenia.", Adrian mocked.

I rolled my eyes and switched over to making more whipped cream.

Once two waffles were made, I placed them on a plate with a dollop of cream and some nutella. I went outside with the plates along with glasses filled with water and placed it before my parents with an amicable smile.

When I went back in for mine and Adrian's plates, I saw him chugging down the waffle with a glass of juice.

"That was quick.",I frowned.

"I have to be there in fifteen minutes. I should get going now."

Adrian wiped his mouth and dusted the flour of his shirt sleeve and began to leave but then turned back to ask,"Oh wait! What about the dinner at the Estate? Will it still happen?"

Oh no! It is Nate's birthday tomorrow and we were supposed to go over to the Hudson Estate tonight for dinner and stay over till twelve...I don't know if any of that will happen now.

I sighed," I don't know...I hope it does happen but honestly, I can only confirm once dad leaves. I'll call you later."

"You better and don't you dare think twice before doing that. Understood?"

"Got it.", I nodded.

He smiled, "That's my girl.", And then went on to kiss me on the cheek before leaving the kitchen.

I heard him excuse himself from my parents and then close the house door.

I took in a deep breath and picked up my plate to go back to the drawing room.

What could possibly go wrong, except everything?

I sat down on the sofa, opposite my parents. Neither of them had touched their food yet. Kate was sitting ramrod straight, her hands interlocked over her knees while dad was leaning against the sofa, staring directly at me.

"Why don't you guys start?", I said, putting a piece of waffle in my mouth.

"I didn't come here to eat, Vanessa.", dad stated coldly.

Trying to keep the atmosphere light, I smiled,"You are here at breakfast time so you might as well and plus, Adrian's waffles are amazing."

"Adrian...he stays here?"

"No. This is my place. Adrian stays at the Greys Mansion."

Dad drew in a sharp breath," I know I shouldn't be saying anything, I promised Kate not to but...Adrian...how sure are you about him? Knowing about his past relationships, especially."

"I am very sure. I entered into this relationship only when I was sure that this was more than just a fling for him and so far it has turned out very good. Two months...this is his longest relationship, I think.", I proudly stated.

Dad nodded and then began eating. Kate still hadn't touched her food but I didn't comment and quietly started eating my waffle as well. Halfway through this silent meal, Kate elbowed him and looked at Dad who nodded.

Kate got up and said," I should leave you two to talk."

I opened my mouth to protest but Kate gave me a strained smile,"Please."

She walked out of the house and as I heard the door lock click behind, dad looked at me, clearing his throat.

"As you know, I was gone for two months. I had a lot of thinking to do...about everything that happened...back in January, with you and...with Nate.", he said, struggling to string words together,"I have accepted that all my hopes and faith has been crushed."

I narrowed my eyes," What hopes?"

He looked away,"The one I have had ever since Nate began showing interest in business, to see him as the next CEO of my company."

"You never did see me as an option, did you?", I asked as a familiar heaviness returned to my chest.

"At first I thought it was a phase, a foolish competition to upstage Nate but over the years it became so serious...I didn't understand why?"

"My dreams were a phase to you?", I asked,trying hard to not raise my voice.

"Well, what else could I think? I didn't really want to believe the other possible reason."

"That I might actually want to be the CEO?", I asked, at the verge of losing my temper.

"Yes! To upstage me, to show me that even after I left her, even after she...is gone, your mother won!"

This was the first time since her death that he had spoken to me about her...

"Won what?", I clenched my fists.

He replied resentfully," The day I gave her the divorce notice, she had said to me that I wouldn't be able to live with myself for leaving you and for the past thirteen years, you have done nothing but made her words become reality."

"I was never trying to upstage you. I wanted to be the CEO because I had seen mom, even after what happened with you, she continued to work and handle everything so efficiently. I wanted to be like her and then after the...plane crash...I felt like this was the only way I could feel closer to her, never mind the fact that business studies was my favourite subject. I thought by doing this you'd be proud of me, you'd love me more...well at least enough. And you, just because I made you feel guilty, you punished me for it?", I asked though at this point, I wasn't even shocked, I was...

...disappointed, really disappointed.

He struggled with words,"I didn't mean to...I really didn't but when you came to live with us...everything that I though was in the past, every feeling that I had buried somewhere came rushing back. I left you because I wasn't ready to be a father but not long after, I became a father of two and I realised that I could have been there for you but I didn't and I felt like a hypocrite."

I remained silent as he took a sip of water from his glass and then continued,"You may have my surname but you were always Catherine's daughter and it didn't help that you looked so much like her. Ever since you came to live with us, your day would begin with "mom used to do this" and end with "mom used to do that". I saw Kate struggling to make you feel at home, trying to fit into Catherine's shoes as your mother and I hated that she had to...and that no matter what she did, you'd never give her the same love that you gave your mother and I think I took out that frustration on you when you wanted to be loved as much as I loved Jennifer and Nate..."

He put his head in his hands," I have been a horrible, neglectful father. I don't think I can make it up to you but...I am sorry."

That word from him meant so much and nothing at all, both at the same time.

I would be the happiest person alive if he had actually realised his mistake and I would finally be able to get his love...but I remembered him saying that we'd mend broken bridges and fix things but all these promises had turned out to be hollow and meaningless.

I was afraid his apology would turn out to be no different.

I sighed. This was the moment I had been dreading.

I had two paths ahead of me.

One was to take the high road, tell him I forgive him and that all was well but I knew that even though that would make life so much more easier, I wasn't forgiving.

So I had no choice but to take the second option. I had to tell him the truth.

I took in a deep breath,"What do you want me to say to that, father?"

"To say that you'll...forgive me."

"I get it, I wasn't exactly the easiest child to handle. I missed my mom and I was mad at you for not being there and made things difficult for Kate but your way of reacting to me was even worse. Even if I forgive you, what guarantee do I have that you won't go back to being like you were, again?," I asserted,"Until I see some change in your attitude towards me, forgiveness is off the table, I am so sorry."

Dad silently looked at me for a minute and then to my surprise, nodded,"I understand."

We sat in an eerie silence for the next few minutes but when I couldn't bear it any longer, I tried to strike up a conversation again.

"Speaking of forgiveness...what are your thoughts about Nate."

"Not happening! He betrayed me. I had always put my blind faith in him and he caused the downfall of what I had worked so hard to build. I can't forgive him for that."

"It is his birthday tomorrow...just so you know."

"Why are you so pro Nate? You hate him."

"No! I never hated him. I hated his being the favorite and getting whatever he wanted. There is a difference."

"So now that you got what you wanted, you'll forgive him? Just like that?"

"No! What he did was horrible but he is literally slogging every single day to reverse the damage. His workload is nearly twice as much as mine and I am the CEO and fun fact, I didn't give him the workload. He realised his mistake and he himself wanted to take initiative to repair the damage. In the past two months alone, we have nearly replayed half of the company's debts. Things have never been better and a large part of it is because of him. So, the least I could do was grant him forgiveness, right?"

"He...I...", dad began but I interrupted," Dad, you came here hoping for forgiveness. If you can't grant it for one mistake, how can you expect to receive it for a whole lifetime of wrong doings?"

"I'll think about it. But I make no promises.", he warned.

"That will do."

"How is Jennifer? You are talking to her now?"

"Yes, I am talking to her. I am even one of her bridesmaids now...as for how she is, except her bridezilla moments, she is fine."

"Bridezilla moments? Already?"

"She is afraid you won't show up and walk her down the aisle...Nate suggested that he could do it but she refused. She wants you to do it but anyways, your call. After all, you made it very clear back in January that a few kids in their twenties should tell you how to live.", I said saltily.

I finally decided to ask the question I wanted to ever since he first arrived," So you are planning to stay or is it back to retirement golfing for you?"

"I am still debating. Is Nate..."

"Still living at the Estate? Yes. He wanted to leave, considering that it was you who asked him to shift back once Avery was born but Kate protested so he stayed."

He nodded and looked away, focusing on a vase, pretending that the flowers were the most interesting thing that he had ever seen.

After a lot of contemplation, he asked,"If I forgive him, will you forgive me?"

I scoffed," Oh no! Forgiveness is not a trade. You can forgive him in your due time, I'll forgive you in mine but it will surely make a difference if you show up for dinner at the Estate tonight, both for Nate...and for me."

"Wait! So, you are technically playing my card against me but not letting me do the same.", he furrowed his brows.

"Maybe.", I smirked.

"You can be downright vicious when it comes down to business.", he laughed, loosening up.