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“You can become someone different, follow your dreams...”
Of course, but... She was so not going to feel sorry for him.
Michael sobered. “I can’t turn back the clock.”
She took a deep breath and addressed the elephant in the room. “Why did you leave that first time?”
She’d never asked because posing the question might be interpreted to mean she cared what the answer was. And she’d spent years making sure she didn’t care—ignoring Michael Feran, leading her glamorous life and making sure her image stayed polished. Except he kept putting a dent in it.
Her father looked at her for a long moment, and then heaved another sigh. “I was an ambitious musician and I had dreams to follow, or so I thought.”
She could relate to the career and the ambition part. Wasn’t that what she’d spent her life pursuing? She loved acting...getting to know a character...and, yes, even getting immersed in a role. Except had she ever gotten to know herself—before Rick convinced her to stop and deal with her problems?
“I had some moderate success. We were the opening act for top singers. But I never broke through in the way you have.” There was a note of pride in Michael Feran’s voice, before he went on, “You’re more successful than I was. Maybe...you always wanted to prove you could be more successful.”
Again, she was floored by his observation. Had her drive to succeed been motivated by her need to outperform him—the absentee father? She’d never looked at it that way, but in any case she wasn’t about to admit anything, so she said aloud, “You don’t know me.”
Michael Feran’s face turned grave. “I don’t. I don’t know you, but I’d like to.”
“As you said, we can’t do a rewind.”
“No, no, we can’t.” His face was grave, sad.
“You’d have to clean up your act if we’re going to be any sort of family.”
Where had that offer come from? But the minute the words were out of her mouth, her father perked up. Her father. Looking at his face, the resemblance was undeniable. She saw herself in the texture of his dark hair sprinkled with gray, in the shape of his face...in the slant of his aquiline nose.
Okay, she did feel sorry for him. He’d done very little for her since she was born, but he’d done even less for himself. Maybe it was for the best he hadn’t been in her life. She’d been protected from the gambling...drifting... Ugh. It sounded just like life in Tinseltown, except she was committed to clean living even if she was based in Hollywood.
“I’d like to try,” he said.
“Well, you’re going to do more than try this time, you’re going to succeed. You’re checking into rehab for your gambling addiction.” She felt...powerful...in control...relieved. She’d been the helpless kid who’d watched him walk away, not knowing when her father would be back, if ever. But this time, she was calling the shots.
She set down her terms. “I’m prepared to offer you a deal. You get into a facility to help with your problem and agree to stop making headlines. In return, I’ll cover your living expenses. The deal will be in writing, and you’ll sign.”
She had Rick to thank for that bit of inspiration. After their last sexual encounter, they’d sat in her garden and watched the sun set. He’d revealed himself to be more than a lover. He’d shown himself to be a partner and skilled negotiator who’d helped her come up with a plan for this meeting.
“And if I relapse?” There was a hint of vulnerability in her father’s eyes that she hadn’t expected.
“Then back to rehab you go...for as long as it takes.”
He relaxed into a smile. “That’s a gamble I’m willing to take.”
“Because you have no choice.”
“Because I want to improve if that means having a relationship with you, Chiara.” As if he sensed she might argue, he continued in a rush, “It’s too late for me to help raise you, but I hope we...can be family.”
Family. Wasn’t that what she’d yearned for when she’d been around the Serenghettis? And now here was her father offering the ties that bind. Choked up by emotion, she cleared her throat. “Fine, it’s a role I’m willing to take on, but I’m putting you on notice, I expect an Oscar-worthy performance from you as a family member getting a second chance.”
An unguarded look of hope crossed her father’s face before he responded gruffly, “I have faith that the acting gene runs in the family.”
* * *
Trouble for Chiara Feran and Her New Man? Sources Close to the Couple Admit That Blending Two Careers Is Causing Stress.
Chiara looked up from her cell phone screen and at Odele’s expectant gaze. Her manager was clearly waiting to hear what Chiara thought about the web site that she’d told her to pull up.
They were sitting sipping coffee in the Novatus Studio commissary. Chiara had met Rick here earlier, where postproduction work had begun on Pegasus Pride. As an actress, she wasn’t involved in picture and sound editing, but since Rick was a producer on this film, she’d tagged along when he’d said he was interested in checking in with Dan to see how things were going. Afterward, she’d made her way to the commissary to wait for Odele, so they could discuss business.
