When The Waves Kissed The Shore

3

SAVANNAH

"Sir, Miss Claire is here," I heard Dad's assistant announce.

"Let her in," Dad responded.

As I stepped inside his office, "What is it?" I asked.

Dad looked up from his desk, noticing the spot. "What's that?" he inquired, pointing at the coffee stain.

I glanced down at my shirt, "Oh, it's just coffee. I bumped into someone at the coffee shop."

"I called you here because I have some work for you to do. See those files over there? I need you to work on them, and I need them by tomorrow," Dad said.

There's so much. Does he think I'm a robot who never gets tired? I wanted to complain, but then I remembered I'm his only child. I guess I'll just have to find someone for him to marry soon.

"What? Does it look exhausting? You already seem tired," he asked. This man, I mean, who wouldn't get tired just by looking at it?

"Why don't you just marry a young woman again and have a dozen kids so that I won't be the only one struggling here," I joked, but he gave me a disapproving look.

"Even you alone are already too much for me, and adding a dozen more? I'm not crazy yet."

"I'll pick them up later and work on them at home. Do you mind if I lie down on that couch over there?" I asked.

"Do whatever you want," Dad replied.

I settled onto the couch, allowing myself to relax. The office had a crystal wall that overlooked the city skyline and the sky, creating a calming atmosphere.

As I reclined, enjoying the view, my phone buzzed. It was a text from an unknown number. Curious, I clicked on the notification and saw that it was from the man I had bumped into earlier.

Unknown Number:

Hey, how are you? Have you applied ointment to your burn? The coffee was hot, so I'm worried you might have gotten burned. Also, have you changed your clothes?

I couldn't help but giggle at his concern. I wouldn't mind if all my clothes got stained by him. But his text made it seem like he was afraid of being sued. Oh no, my darling, I'll only kidnap you to marry me, not sue you.

"Who's that? A man?" I glanced over at my dad, who was eyeing me curiously.

"Oh, quit with the stern act, old man," I teased back.

While I was typing my reply, my dad kept asking.

"I didn't know you had a boyfriend," he stated.

To Mr Handsome so much:

Hello, thank you for your concern, but I'm okay, no need to worry much. It was just an accident. I don't blame you for it.

I changed the name into something that suits him,and as soon as I clicked the send button, I looked at my dad.

"Having a boyfriend is the last thing on my mind," I replied, although that's a lie. After meeting that man, I think this is the first thing I'll put on my to-do list.

"Really, huh," Dad said skeptically.

"Yes, so please stop," I replied firmly.

"Okay then. But anyway, has your mom still been in contact with you?" he asked, and I remained silent.

"I told you to work on that sooner rather than later. I know how hard it is to leave that path. I've been there, done that. She just hasn't changed. I gave up eventually. But before I did, I did everything I could. The problem was, your mom didn't do anything for herself."

I knew that already. He loved my mom deeply, but that love didn't save her. Was his love not enough? It was, for him. But my mom's love for him and for herself wasn't enough.

I thought about the depth of his love for my mom. It was evident in the way he talked about her, in the way he still carried a sense of responsibility and care for her well-being despite their separation. His love had endured despite the challenges they faced.

But love alone couldn't fix everything. My mom needed to love herself enough to make changes, to take charge of her own life. It made me realize that love, no matter how strong, couldn't solve everything if both parties weren't willing to work towards a solution together.

It was heartbreaking, my mom found someone else because Dad stopped providing her with anything she asked for. Dad knew she'd only use it for her addiction.

Dad didn't expect this to happen. He still loved Mom, even after she cheated. Mom was desperate, so she found someone else who could give her what she wanted. This made Dad fight for full custody of me. He wanted to protect me from the problems caused by my mother's choices.

After the man got caught and went to prison, she started contacting me again. It was a confusing time filled with mixed feelings of hurt, disappointment, and a desire for a family.

"Please always think of yourself before doing anything, Sav," Dad said, his tone serious.

"Sir, yes, sir," I joked, saluting him playfully to lighten the mood.

He threw an empty coffee cup at me, while laughing.

Love is indeed complicated.