Peace and Love

Chapter twelve - Criticism

Luke's POV:

Abby's parents came to live at home for a while. I let them here only because of my girlfriend. I have nothing against her mom, but her dad is playing on my nerves. This man is watching everything I do. At least he is not in the shower with me. I mean, all of this is too much. His daughter tried to talk with him, but he was not listening. I know he doesn't like me, but he lives under my roof. My house, my rules. I would like it if we could talk calmly. Sadly, I don't think this is possible. That's why we might end up arguing. That is the last thing I want to happen. Mostly, it's because of my girlfriend. She doesn't need to see this. I will try to make up things with her dad. That won't be easy, but it doesn't mean I will give up. I don't want to argue with him every day. Maybe it's good that we don't talk much. Honestly, I don't know what to tell him. This man still thinks I am not good enough for his daughter. The decision is hers. He can't tell her who to date. At least her mom is on my side. Miss Lee is a nice woman. Also, she likes my cooking. She asked me for the recipe for the meatballs with white sauce. I think we can understand each other. The good news is that we'll have progress. I mean, from Abby's side of the family. I would like it if something similar could happen with my parents. Dad is ready to talk, but my mom isn't. Both of us have perfect parents. They don't like us at all. I have no idea what to do to prove to Abby's dad that I'm good enough. I already know it. Otherwise, she wasn't going to be with me for so long. She loves me, and I love her, too. Well, I guess it's not enough for him. Even if I ask him, I know he won't tell me. Maybe I don't need to do anything. My relationship is already perfect. I hope that mister Lee won't try to break us up. I won't let him do it.

Today, I have a meeting with my team. Also, I wanted to invite Carmen and her boyfriend for dinner. I think she and Abby will be good friends. Miss and mister Lee are here, but the house is mine. I can invite whoever I want. Also, it will be only a dinner. Nothing else will happen. Both of us are dating, so I won't get accused of cheating. My girlfriend knows me well. That's why I'm not worried about her. Well, her dad might have some comments. It's not like I care about that.

I woke up and went to get ready for work. Abby is still sleeping, so I will make breakfast. I walked into the kitchen and saw mister Lee. What a great start to my day. Honestly, it's not that bad. I can use the chance to talk with him. I put some coffee in the machine and started with the food. When the cups were filled, I gave one to mister Lee. He didn't even look at me. Can someone tell me why I even tried? Abby owes me a lot. I put too much effort into this man.

- It's only coffee. I won't poison you. - I said

- How can I be sure?

- If you want, make yourself one.

- No, thanks. I will drink at work.

- It's your choice.

- Good morning. Is Abby still sleeping? - miss Lee asked

- Yes. I will wake her up when breakfast is ready.

- What are you cooking? I might steal another recipe.

- Pancakes. I put a bit of butter into the mix.

- That is a great idea. I might start taking notes.

- If you want.

- For who is this coffee?

- Your husband, but he doesn't want it.

- Then I will take it. Thank you, Luke.

- You're welcome.

When I finished preparing breakfast, I went to check on Abby. I laid down and pulled her close. I would never have done it if it hadn't been for her. I kissed the top of her head and started playing with her hair.

- Five more minutes.

- You can have as much as you want.

- What?

- Hey.

- You never let me sleep. What happened?

- Nothing.

- Tell me.

- I tried to be good. It didn't work.

- What did he do?

- He rejected my coffee. I will poison him.

- Ignore that.

- How? He is doing it all the time. No matter what I do, he never appreciates it. I don't need a thank you. At least he can try what I cook. It's not that bad. Since your mom eats it, my food must be good.

- I'm sure everything will be fine. Let's go to eat now.

- Ok.

After breakfast, everyone went to work. As usual, I dropped Abby off and went to my office. I checked myself and walked in. Carmen was in her place as usual.

- Do you have something for me?

- Only one letter. It's on your desk.

- From who is it?

- There was no name. I don't know.

- Ok, I will check it. Anything else?

- Only these documents. You have to check and sign them.

- Thanks. Do you have plans for tonight?

- Why?

- I want to invite you and your boyfriend for dinner. I think you will like Abby.

- I appreciate it, but we wanted to go out tonight.

- It's ok. The invitation is still available. Tell him I am taken, so he doesn't need to worry.

- He already knows that, but thanks.

- Ok, I will go now. Please tell me if something comes up.

- Sure. No problem.

I walked into my office and left the documents. I looked at the letter. There was no name again. Maybe it's from mister Donovan again. I opened it and checked the bottom. It was from him.

I'm sad that you didn't accept my offer. Maybe the money I can offer you will make you change your mind. How about sixty thousand a month? Is that enough for you? Think about this and call me. I would like to have a personal conversation with you. Such talents shouldn't be wasted. Mister Donovan.

This man will do everything to make me go to his company. The money is insane, but I can't go there. Also, I don't want to. Maybe if he pays me a million, I will change my mind. Apart from the joke, I won't go anywhere. No matter how much money he offers me, I will stay here. That is my final decision. I should write this in my letter to him. Hopefully, it will be the last one.

On the lunch break, I walked out with miss Baker and Dave. I can call her by her first name because she is not my boss anymore. The thing is that I got used to calling her like that. Also, she doesn't mind.

- I see that you are still here. - Dave said, chuckling

- I'm not going anywhere.

- I'm glad to hear it.

- He offered to pay me sixty thousand.

- What? Really?

- I got another letter. It's not like my decision will change. I like being here.

- That's good.

- Hopefully, he won't get mad.

- You shouldn't care about that. - miss Baker said

- I know, but I don't want him to do something to this company.

- He can't do anything. You can relax.

- I hope so.

The rest of the afternoon I spent in my office. I checked the documents that Carmen gave me in the morning. Later, I gave them back to her. I signed everything. Now I have to finish my work. It's not like it's that much. I tried to focus, but my mind was busy with that letter. Why would he offer me so much money? Is he that desperate? I don't know what to say. I tried to be polite, but I guess he wanted me there. I wonder how much he is ready to pay for me. Well, I won't take it. I am satisfied with my salary.

After work, I went to pick up Abby. She had to finish something, so I waited for her. Later, we walked home. Her parents came from work as well. I was about to make dinner, but miss Lee had already done that. She has ordered food.

- Thanks, but you didn't have to spend money. - I said

- It's ok. You are not the only one who can cook. Also, you need a rest.

I took the plates and put the food in the middle. That way, everyone can put in as much as they want. Most of the time, I was playing with my food.

- Are you ok? You're not eating. - Abby said

- I'm fine.

- Come on. You can tell me.

- Read this. - I said and gave her the letter

- Sixty thousand! That man is desperate.

- I know.

- Will you accept?

- What? No! Why would I do that?

- I think you should tell him that nothing will change no matter how much he offers you.

- Can I know what all of this is about? - miss Lee asked

- Luke got an offer for the same job. Well, at a different company. Also, for more money.

- Did you accept?

- No. The money is good, but it sounds too easy. I don't want to get scammed or played.

- What do you mean?

- I never talked with the man. In the first letter, he only mentioned the money. Nothing else. I have no idea in what conditions I will work. Also, with what people.

- If you had talked with him, you would've known. - mister Lee said

- Thank you, mister Lee. I didn't know that.

- I'm just saying.

- Maybe you have to talk with him and decide. How much will he pay you? - miss Lee asked

- Initially, he said thirty thousand. Today I got a letter with an offer for sixty thousand.

- Sixty thousand? That is a lot of money. Are you sure you won't accept?

- Yes, I am. I like where I'm working. Also, the money is more than enough for me. I don't need more.

- Then what will you do?

- Tell him no. Again. Hopefully, there won't be more letters.

- I guess he is ready to do everything to make you work with him.

- That's what it looks like, but I'm not changing my mind.

- I hope you won't regret it later.

- I won't. The job is not my priority anyway.

- Then what is it? - mister Lee asked

- Something better and irreplaceable. - I said and looked at Abby

- What? - Abby asked

- Nothing.

- Then why are you looking at me like that?

- Like what?

- I don't know. It's weird.

- I always look at you the same way.

- Whatever. Is there a dessert?

- We have some biscuits. I haven't made anything.

- Ok, I'll go and take them.

- Luke, is she always eating like that? - miss Lee asked

- How?

- A lot.

- Yes, why?

- Mom, I'm not pregnant, and I'll never be. Get this idea out of your head.

- I didn't say anything.

- But I know that you are thinking about it.

- Well, you are old enough.

- I eat a lot because my boyfriend cooks amazingly. We haven't tried for a baby. Neither will do it. Stop daydreaming.

- But I want to be a granny.

- Then take care of someone else's kids. I won't be a mom. That's it.

- Abby.

- Final decision.

- Luke, won't you talk with her? - mister Lee asked

- Nope. I agree with her.

- What? Why? - miss Lee asked

- None of us wants kids. I see her only for an hour in the morning and then around dinner. The whole day, I am alone. I appreciate the time I spend with her. Kids will only ruin this. Also, they are too loud.

- Agreed. We have to clean double what we do now. No, thank you.

- So you never want to have kids. At all?

- Yes.

- Ok, will you at least get married one day?

- Let me think. Um, no.

- Abby.

- Sorry, not sorry.

- You don't want to get married either, don't you? - she asked, looking at me

- I agree with your daughter.

- I hope that you will change your mind.

- Don't have high hopes, mama bear. - Abby said

- What did you call me?

- Sorry.

- You are lucky that I love you because you deserve me to get mad at you.

- Why?

- For crushing my dreams. I wanted to attend your wedding and take care of your kids one day.

- There are many kids in the world. Get one and take care of it.

- That is not what I meant.

- Oops. - Abby said, chuckling

Abby and I talked with her parents for a while. Later, we went to our rooms. I made the bed, and she was quick to get in. My girlfriend fell asleep quickly. I guess he was tired. Well, I couldn't sleep at all. I have heard that milk helps to fall asleep faster. That's why I went into the kitchen. I drank a glass and washed it. I was about to go to my room when I saw mister Lee in the backyard. I thought he was sleeping. I walked there and sat next to him.

- Are you ok?

- I'm good.

- Can we talk?

- I have nothing to tell you.

- Look, I don't want us to fight.

- Then don't do it.

- Why do you criticize everything I do? Yes, I'm not perfect, but I'm not that bad.

- You're not good enough for her.

- She doesn't think like that.

- I know better than her.

- Is there a way I can prove to you that I'm good enough?

- No.

- I think the answer is yes. What do you want me to do?

- Nothing.

- Why?

- Because it will be too easy.

- So you won't tell me anything.

- Yes, I won't.

- Then what do I have to do?

- Figure it out yourself.

- How?

- I don't know. Since you have a job, you must be smart enough.

- What? I don't understand.

- It's not only that.

- Very funny. I'm serious.

- Me too.

- Tell me what I have to do.

- I can't.

- Why?

- Because there won't be a point. If you are smart enough, you will do it.

- Do what?

- I'm going to bed.

- Now? You can't just leave me.

- That's exactly what I'm planning to do. - mister Lee said and left

You have to be kidding me. It's visible that he wants something from me. The question is how I have to do it. As I see it, he won't tell me. It looks like I will do it on my own. That won't be easy. It's not like I will give up. I will do it if that is the only way to end our fight. I will do everything for Abby, even if I have to die. Not really, but you get the idea. This man wants something from me, and I will give it to him, no matter what it takes me. Somehow, I will figure out what that thing is. It can't be that hard. Mister Lee wants me to prove myself, and I will do it. I hope this is the last thing I have to do for him.