Peace and Love

Chapter twenty - Was it that hard?

Luke's POV:

Abby and I talked with one of the workers. He told us the total cost for her parents' house would be one hundred thousand dollars. I think that is too much. Materials are indeed expensive, but they can't cost that much. Something is going on here. That's what I think. I don't see another explanation. We need to see the receipts. Mister Lee has seen them, but I think he didn't check them carefully. The problem is that he won't give them to me that easily. Well, it's too late for that. Abby and I paid for the house yesterday. That's why we talked with the man. We asked him if they needed more materials. The answer was no. I sent him the money to the bank account of his company. Here is one thing. My girlfriend and I have separate bank accounts where we get our salaries. When she started working, we decided to get another account where we would put part of our salaries. This money will be used for the most important things. We should use the ones in our bank accounts if we want something else. That is how we had so much money to pay for the house. Also, we receive big salaries. What we earn is enough to pay bills. Also, buying groceries and even spoiling each other. That's why Abby loves doing it. I tried the newest game she bought me with Jason. It was great. When her birthday comes, I will spoil her too. It's not like I'm not doing it every year. In my defense, I love doing it. After all, she is the only one for who I care the most. That's why I spend so much time with her. She is the best girlfriend I have ever had. It's not only because she is my first one. I have been around many girls, but none made me feel the same way Abby does. She is unique in her way. I'm so happy she chose to stay with me all this time. I might not be perfect. I'm trying my best to make her feel good. I hope that I will never disappoint her.

I had a great weekend with Abby. I wish it had been longer. Sadly, I have to go to work. Well, I can spend the night with her. Miss and mister Lee's house should be finished this week. Then I can have their daughter only for myself again. That is great. I haven't planned anything yet, but I will do it. I love spoiling her. It's not about the money I spend. Let's say that I like showing her how much I love her. It's not like she doesn't know it. After all, that is a public secret.

I woke up and looked next to me. My girlfriend sleeps so cutely. I wish I could watch her all day. Well, I had the weekend for that. I better get up and make breakfast. I kissed the top of her head and left her to sleep. I will wake her up when the food is ready. I went into the kitchen and saw mister Lee. He is in the same mood as always. Somehow, he didn't understand what Abby and I did. I'm sure he won't like it. He can't do anything. When I finished with the food, I put it on the table and went to check on Abby. She was making the bed.

- Good morning.

- To you, too. You left me to wake up alone again.

- I'm sorry, but I have to make breakfast.

- It's ok. I'm hungry. We can eat.

- Why am I not surprised?

- What do you expect? I always eat before work. You too.

- I know.

- I'll check on my parents.

- Your dad is awake. He was in the kitchen.

- Oh, good. Mom will probably wake up soon.

- I guess.

All of us had a peaceful breakfast. Mister Lee probably plans to pay the workers when they finish the house. That will be at the end of the week. It's not like it will happen. Little does he know that Abby and I paid for everything. I know he doesn't like me, but I am a person. I will help him with what I can. At least I have money. I don't know what else I can offer him. It's not easy to talk with him. This man can be stubborn sometimes. Abby took this from him and her kindness from her mom. My girlfriend is a perfect mix of her parents. I love her so much.

After breakfast, all of us went to work. Carmen gave me all the documents for the day. This time, they weren't that much. I have some work from yesterday, so I better finish it before I start with this. Later, I will bring this to miss Baker. Some of the things are for Dave as well.

As I was working, someone came in. It was miss Baker. I told her to give me five minutes, and I will pay attention to her. I wanted to finish something.

- I'm sorry, but I had to finish something.

- It's ok. I came to bring you this.

- What is it?

- Read it and tell me what you think. It's a project which I want you to do.

- Really?

- Yes. I think you can do it perfectly.

- I will try, but I can't guarantee it.

- Knock, knock. May I come in?

- Mister Lee. Hello. My secretary told me you would come. - miss Baker said

- Luke? What are you doing here?

- Working, what else?

- Nice joke. I'm serious.

- Me too.

- Do you know each other?

- That is Abby's dad.

- You are the father of his girlfriend?

- Yes. I have a daughter.

- I know, but I didn't think it was her.

- Well, we have some differences.

- I see. I will leave you to talk. Meanwhile, I will read what you brought.

- Here, you can take it.

- Thanks. - miss Baker said and left

- Will you tell me what you do here? - mister Lee asked

- I told you I worked here.

- Come on. There is no way you work in this big company.

- Why? From where do you think I have money? They don't grow on trees.

- Because you are uneducated. You have never been to university.

- Yes, but I learn quickly. I have a team that works for me. - I said, and he laughed

- Nice try. I've been in the business way longer than you.

- What is your problem? You never miss a chance to criticize me. I didn't do anything.

- That is the problem. You don't do anything. I don't know how you take care of my daughter.

- You know what. Think whatever you want. I'm tired of you. I tried to be nice to you, but it's not working. I don't care what you think about me. I am more than enough for her. Otherwise, Abby could've left a long time ago. Since she is still with me, I have done something right. I don't steal money. I work hard every day for them. She too. We don't need your help. We are better without you. I don't want to listen to your comments. I am worth it more than you think. Do you want to know why? Because I am not the same boy. I mean the one you met that day. I have made mistakes, but I learned from them. Think whatever you want. I'm done with you.

- Was it that hard? - he asked, chuckling

- What?

- It's not that hard. Is it?

- I don't understand.

- All I wanted was for you to stand up for yourself.

- Repeat, please.

- It doesn't matter how many things you do for her if you can't value yourself. I wanted you to realize your worth. You are doing great, but you were insecure about that. How do you feel now?

- Good.

- Maybe perfect.

- I mean what I said.

- That was the point. I could've told Abby this. She would've made you say it. The problem is that you will say it as if it was a script for a movie. You won't realize the words, and neither will you feel them. Do you understand me?

- I think I do.

- Good. Why don't we go for lunch? We can talk more.

- Yeah, sure. I would love that.

- Ok, I will go to see your old boss. After all, I came here to work, not to talk.

- Sure. I'll see you later.

- You have no choice, boy. - mister Lee said, chuckling, and left

So I did it. It took me five years to understand what this man wanted from me. It was so simple. Now I know what all of this was for. He didn't hate me. Mister Lee wanted me to believe in myself more. I appreciate what he did even though I was mad at him. Well, I think we can forget about this.

Both of us went for lunch together. It turned out this man had liked me since the beginning. Well, not from the first time we met. I was a different person back then. Also, I was uneducated about many things. I don't mean school. This man loves my cooking and thinks I spoil his daughter too much. I never thought I would hear this from his mouth. Maybe it's time to forget about the drama and move on. I mean, I did what he wanted from me.

- Ok, boy, I will go back to work. You have to do it, too. I'll see you at your house. You better cook something good. - mister Lee said, chuckling

- You can help me.

- This time, I might do it.

- Great. I think we'll have a great dinner.

- Me too. - he said and left

The rest of the afternoon I spent in my office. I checked the documents from Carmen and read what miss Baker gave me. The project seems interesting. It looks a bit hard, which is good. I love challenging myself. I will talk with Abby about this. She always knows the answer to everything. That includes my problems.

After work, I took Abby. We went to the grocery store. I needed some things for dinner. Let's see if mister Lee can cook. We walked in and saw him in the kitchen. At least he is in a better mood.

- Hello.

- Hey, boy.

- What is going on? - Abby asked

- Nothing.

- No, no. Something happened. You two never look at each other like that.

- Like what?

- There used to be hate in your eyes. What happened?

- I will say that you hit the jackpot with such a good boyfriend. - mister Lee said

- What? Really?

- Yes.

- Oh, great. Does this mean the drama is over?

- Exactly.

- So he did what you wanted.

- Better than I expected.

- How?

- Abby, we'll talk later. - I said

- Ok, I will take a shower. Is mom here?

- She is in her room.

- Ok, thanks. - Abby said and left

- Let's make dinner, boy.

- I couldn't be more excited. - I said, and he laughed

Both of us were cooking and talking. Mister Lee is not a bad cook if you tell him what to do. Everything takes time, so I can't expect him to be perfect at this. Even I'm not. We finished everything in an hour. Later, we went to check on the girls. They were talking in the living room. I carefully sat behind Abby and wrapped my hand around her. She didn't say anything and rested her head on my chest. I love it when she does this. Soon, all of us were around the table.

- Can I know how the kitchen didn't explode? - Abby asked

- Why would that happen?

- Because you and my dad were together.

- Very funny.

- I'm serious. You two don't like each other at all.

- That was until yesterday. You can forget about that.

- I want to know what happened.

- I told you we would talk later.

- But I want to know now.

- I said something, ok?

- What was that something?

- Abby.

- Ok, ok. Don't tell me.

- Cool.

- Daddy, I'm your little girl. Will you tell me?

- Nice try, kid. You are not five anymore.

- But that's not fair.

- Life is unfair.

- True. - I said, and mister Lee laughed

- If you steal my boyfriend from me, I will kill you. - Abby said

- Don't worry. I have a wife.

- Good.

- At least one problem is solved. - miss Lee said

- What do you mean? - Abby asked

- The house is still not ready.

- It will be by the end of the week. I have talked with the workers. - mister Lee said

- That is great. I can't wait to go home.

- I thought you liked being here.

- Abby, I loved it. There is no better place than home. I'm sure you feel the same here.

- Yes, I do. Here I'm at home. - Abby said and looked at me with a smile

The rest of the dinner was good. We kept talking. I'm happy I don't have to fight with mister Lee anymore. That is a big win for me. I hope he won't get mad when he understands we paid for the house. I mean, we only wanted to help. He doesn't have that much money. They might be enough for the house, but he has to eat, too. Also, to pay bills. Everything needs money. The other thing is that Abby and I keep saving. We barely use them. Mostly, that is because we don't need anything. There are many ways to spend your money. We don't want to do it.

Abby and I were in our room, already in bed. She was curious to know what mister Lee wanted me to do. I still can't believe it was that simple. I better start taking notes.

- You want to know, don't you?

- Yes. Please, tell me.

- Ok, he wanted me to value myself.

- To what?

- To understand that I'm worth it.

- I don't get it.

- Your dad didn't want me to do anything to prove myself. All he wanted was for me to stand up for myself.

- That's it?

- Yes.

- You are joking.

- No, I'm not.

- I would've never thought of that.

- Me either, but he is right. What I said made me feel good.

- I'm glad you feel this way.

- The years of waiting were worth it.

- For sure, they were.

- I love you so much.

- I love you too, my prince. - Abby said and kissed me

Today was a very successful day for me. I achieved the biggest win in my life. Having mister Lee on my side was something I had wanted for so long. I needed to know what he wanted me to do. Now I know. It was something simple but effective. I could've done this earlier. I didn't think of it. He was saying all these things to me on purpose. I was too dumb to see it. Well, at least all of this is over. I have to talk with my mom as well. I might have avoided this, but I promised my dad and Sam. I will do it one day, but I don't know when. It's a mystery. I hope that my mom will listen to me. That is all I want from her.