The Deal...

The Deal...Meeting Him

Izabella

I woke up to my phone vibrating across my cheek. I groaned and answered it, without looking at the caller ID.

"Hello?"

"Good morning, Izabella," my dad said. "You're awake?"

"I am now," I groaned into the phone and sat up. "What's up?"

"I know you may be a little busy now, but there's something I need to tell you. And I would like to tell you face to face," he told me. "How fast can you get here?"

"Um, about two hours."

"Two hours? Why is that?"

"I'm actually at the apartment dad. I've been here for a week now."

"Oh, ok. I'll see you in a few hours then. Bye pumpkin."

"Bye dad," I laughed a little at the nickname before hanging up. I noticed that it was 7:30. I decided on ‘the early bird gets the worm’ tactic and hopped in the shower.

After my shower, I slipped on some shorts, a tank top, and flip flops. It looked hot out so I grabbed some sunglasses and put them on as well. I ate a quick breakfast and I grabbed my keys before returning home.

I parked my car in the driveway and shut the engine off. I walked up to the door and opened it.

"Dad! I'm here!" I called, shutting the door.

"In here!" he called back.

His voice was coming from the living room so I walked there and notice how lifeless he looked. Even though his back to me, I could just tell how sad he was. His shoulders were slouched and his hair was a huge mess.

"Hi dad," I say and he turns, revealing his face. His eyes were red, puffy, and swollen. He hasn’t shaved and he looked tired. "Are you ok? You're not sick or anything or you?"

"No. But there is something I need to tell you. Have a seat."

I walked around the couch and took a seat next to him.

"What's wrong dad? You're never like this."

"I know. Last night, when I came home from work, I discovered that your mother had cheated on me."

He knew. He found out. Should I tell him that I knew?

"Dad. I'm so sorry," I said, giving him a hug. He sniffled a little and returned the hug.

"Thank you, pumpkin."

"Where is she now?" I asked.

"I don't know. I kicked her last."

"She didn't take the car, so she can't be far," I said.

"How come you were at your apartment? Your mother told me you were staying with Roxy since she was pregnant or something?"

"No, I have no idea where Roxy is. I haven't seen or heard from her or Stace in a week. We've just been busy."

"Oh."

"Dad, what are we going to do about this? I can stay with you for the next month or so. We both know I don't have to check in until August at the latest."

"Well, I was thinking about getting a divorce," he said.

"Why don't you give her a second chance? Unless, this is something you want, dad."

"I don't know what I want anymore. All I know is, I won't forget what she did. I may forgive, but I'll never forget."

"Dad, there's something I need to tell you. Well, a few things actually."

"What is it, pumpkin?" I sighed before opening my mouth, but my phone rang instead. I looked at the caller ID this time.

"Sorry, I get this. It's work," I lied.

"Of course," he said, allowing me to answer my phone.

"Hello?"

"Wow, you actually answer.” His voice was laced with surprise.

"What do you need?"

"We need you to come in for an interview today at noon if you want the job," Benji told me.

"Noon? But I'm with my dad right now. I live hours away," I said.

"Look, he doesn't want you to be late, so I suggest you say bye to daddy and get over here."

"Fine, I'll see you in two hours," I grumbled and hung up.

"I'll assume you have to go now?"

"It's a new job thing. I quit my old one and I'm trying to get a new one somewhere close to the school so I don't have to make that commute every day."

"Ok. Well, make sure you visit daily, ok? I can't be alone forever."

"I will," I promised and gave him another hug before standing up. "And dad?"

"Yes?"

"Go find her," I told him before leaving.

I drove the two hours back to Albany and parked into the Starbucks lot. It wasn't full, but it wasn't vacant either. I walked in and see Benji in his working clothes.

"Good, you're here. A little early too, good job. Just head inside that door. You'll see my boss."

"Ok," I said and head through the door. I open it and see a little bright office. Far from me is a desk, with the chair facing the other way, so I couldn't see the person sitting in it.

"Close the door please," a male said and I did what he said. "Take a seat."

"Um, all right," I said and take a seat in front of the wooden desk.

The chair turned around with one seat and revealed a familiar man.

"Do I know you?" I just had to ask.

"No, but I know your mother," he said with a smirk.

"W-what?" I stuttered. He reached across the desk and stretched out his hand.

"Hi, I'm Cole Andrews. I'm the leader of the Phantom Devils and I'm the one who my mom cheated with on your father.

Fuck, my, life.