My first bully and the first man to ever break my heart.
My father.
CHAPTER 9
SARINA
“Look who finally decided to answer. What the hell does a father have to do for his daughter to give him the time of day?”
The first thing that comes to my mind —that I wish I could say— is something along the lines of:‘Well, for starters, actually be a father.’But I know it’ll lead to an argument that I don’t have the energy for.
I learned from a young age that the only way to have peace when Michael Tesoro is your father, is to bite your tongue. Sure, it’ll lead to years of suppressed emotions, and a deep-seated resentment that seems to grow with time. But, if nothing else, my plethora of daddy issues has given me a great sense of humor. Not to mention the uncanny ability to disassociate when I feel triggered, which is any and all times I have to interact with him.
“I asked you a question, Sarina Marie.”
“I was busy, Michael, sorry.”
He scoffs. Clearly, I’ve struck a nerve. “Michael? Seriously? Since when is it acceptable to call me by my first name?”
Considering what I would have loved to call him, his first name was the most respectful option. He should consider himself fortunate.
“I have a lot of work to do, what’s up?”
“What’s up?” he mocks, imitating my voice condescendingly.
Nothing new there. If there’s one thing I could always count on with him, it’s that he’ll never miss an opportunity to belittle me. “I’ll tell youwhat’s up, you embarrassed me. Not to mention destroyed years’ worth of work I put in to secure a business partnership with James’ family.”
What he really meant to say instead of partnership was alliance, but when it comes to anything involving his work outside of his title as a real estate developer, he keeps things purposely vague. Just in case the phone line is tapped.
It's been months since I broke it off with James —the asshole that paid me an unwanted visit at Luxe, and the reason I changed my phone number— but any chance that my dad gets, he uses to remind me of how I betrayed him in doing so.
“I can only hope that things won’t be awkward when James and his family are at Harper and Chloe’s wedding.”
My stomach twists at the thought of having to see James again. The other night was enough to last me a lifetime. “Why would they still be invited?” I ask in an even tone, hiding the betrayalIfeel.
“Are you kidding me? It’s bad enough youabandonedtheir son, but to uninvite them, when your mother sent the invitations out nearly a year ago, would only add insult to injury.”
He drones on, but my attention begins to dwindle after he purposely chose the word abandoned, which I did not do. Though there’s no point in fighting it. That’s his narrative and it doesn’t make a difference what I say to fight it, that’s what he’s going to stick to.
As he continues to lecture me, I pour myself a cup of coffee before grabbing my laptop so I can get to work, and more importantly, tune him out.
A headache starts to form as I scan the contract I’m supposed to edit, due first thing tomorrow morning —on my first day at Turner & Vize. This was supposed to be a quick skim-over, but the more I read, the more it’s clear I’ll be up all damn night red-lining this contract. But if nothing else, it’s my cue to get off the phone.
I interrupt him. “I need to get going, it’s late and I have a lot of work to do,”
“Ah yes. Work. That’s another thing. I don’t know what has gotten into you or what I’ve done wrong, but you’re making a big mistake.”
“With what, exactly?” It’s rare I put my dad on the spot and challenge him, but my patience is wearing thin.
“I mean, where do I begin? The fact that James had to go to where you’re dancing…”
Nope. I’m not doing this today. I take a lot of shit from my dad in silence, but he’s not going to start with this judgmental shit. “Yeah, at Luxe. One of the most prestigious gentleman’s clubs in the city.”
“Am I supposed to be impressed? Give me a break. Anyway, I spoke to James after. You know, he’s been torn up since you left him.”
My heart stalls. I wonder if James mentioned Mr. Armani. Though knowing my dad if James did mention him, he would have started with that.
“Was that before or after he tried to get me to go home with him after I repeatedly told him no?” My voice cracks, emotions I try hard to keep under wraps breaking through, but, as usual, my dad isn’t listening. He doesn’t care.
