Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 26254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 131(@200wpm)___ 105(@250wpm)___ 88(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 131(@200wpm)___ 105(@250wpm)___ 88(@300wpm)
Once I’m presentable, I open my office door and see Parker’s father standing there. I’m instantly irritated because he never comes to my office this much. I realize his daughter is here, so I try not to be too frustrated, but I could tell by their interaction earlier that something between them is strained.
“Hello, Louis. Can I help you?”
“I’m headed home for the day and I was going to give Parker a ride back to campus.” He steps into my office, and I don’t miss how he didn’t wait for an invitation.
“She’s staying a bit longer.” I try to keep my voice calm, and I put my hands behind my back so he doesn’t see me clench them.
“Really?” He pretends to check his watch like he doesn’t know what time it is. “Human Resources reached out to the staff earlier about not allowing the interns to work over a certain time because they aren’t being paid.” He smiles like this should solve the problem.
I’m wondering, not for the first time, what is his problem with Parker. It feels as though he doesn’t like her having a choice, or at least he likes to be the one calling all the shots.
“I’ve made an exception.” My tone is cool, but my words leave no room for negotiations.
Just then the bathroom door opens, and Parker exits. When she sees her father, a little of the light that was in her eyes a moment ago dims. I hate that he’s taken even a spark of her joy.
“Parker, we’ve got plans with your mother tonight.” Louis looks at me and gives me an apologetic smile. “Family business, you understand.”
“Are you sure? Because you mentioned only giving Parker a ride home.” I step a little to the left and nonchalantly put myself a bit more in between him and his daughter.
“Of course, but after our family meeting is finished.” He shrugs and then looks around me at Parker. “Get your things, it’s time to go.”
“Um, Dad—” Parker begins, but her father ignores her and talks directly to me.
“There are plans we have to go over for her future.” He leans in closer to me like he’s sharing a secret and speaks low enough for only me to hear it. “We’ve had our eye on a young man to finally take her off our hands.”
“Excuse me?” I say, but even if he answered me, I’m not sure I’d hear it. There is rage burning in my ears, and the thought of Parker with anyone but me is a nightmare. I must stand there frozen in stone because when I blink again, I see that he’s holding Parker by the upper arm and they’re leaving my office. “Wait.”
Parker looks back over her shoulder at me, and she communicates everything with that one look. She’s telling me to keep the peace and not to make a scene. She’s begging me to play it cool and trust her. I’m not sure how I know all of this in a split second, but I can feel her in my soul, and I have to do as she asks. I have to believe her.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Samuel,” she says, and I’m left standing in my office alone, with my heart sliced in two.
Chapter Nine
Parker
The elevator ride down is tense, and my heart aches for Samuel. I know the only reason he stood down against my father was for my sake. He has no idea what that meant to me. I loved that he was willing to not only stand up to my father but also step back if I asked. I only pray that he doesn’t hate me after this.
It would have killed me to hear someone talking about him marrying someone else. My small glimmer of hope is that he knows I’m not marrying whoever this person is, and it’s not like I'm meeting this person tonight. At least I would hope not. This is the first time I’ve ever heard my parents speak on me even dating someone. I wasn't allowed to date in high school because my father would have flipped out. Not that anyone piqued my interest back then.
I don’t understand why my father is so mad. I would if he actually knew what went on today, but for all he knows, I’ve been working. This is what he wanted. He’s always spoken so highly of Samuel, but it’s not until we’re in his car that he finally speaks.
“I raised you better than this, Parker. You’re not some whore.” His words are a smack to my face.
“What?!” I hiss.
Okay, maybe he does know what went on today, but how? Warmth blooms through my whole face. Sex of any kind is not something I’ve ever spoken about with my parents. Ever.
“Don’t play dumb with me. I saw the way Samuel was looking at you. What did you do? Throw yourself at him?”