All For You

Chapter XVIII ~ Permission

Genevieve opened her eyes tiredly and noticed the shower running in the bathroom. She blinked a couple of times before she reached her hand out on the other side of the bed and noticed Zack was gone. She looked at the sheets where he was supposed to have been. She let her fingertips run over the fabric of the still slightly warm sheets. He couldn’t have been gone for long. She heard the shower turn off and a minute or so later the door to the bathroom opened. She turned and looked at him. Zack walked out with a towel around his waist. His hair was wet and she could still see drops of water running down his bare skin. He looked at her and saw she was awake. “Good morning Love,” he said with a wide smile as he walked to her. She sat up and covered her naked body with the blanket as she smiled back at him. “Good morning,” she said sweetly as she winked at him. He chuckled at her cute expression and sat down next to her. He looked into her eyes and caressed her cheek gently. “Where is my good morning kiss? Now that I’m your boyfriend, I should at least get a good morning kiss,” he said teasingly with a smirk. She just rolled her eyes playfully and moved closer before placing a gentle kiss on his lips. He deepened the kiss by pulling her closer by her neck. She giggled against his lips, thinking he was being silly. He let go and looked in her eyes again. “I’ve never denied you anything. So why would I do that now?,” she said with a gentle smile. He raised an eyebrow and shook his head. She looked at him confused. “What?,” she asked, tilting her head with a cute expression. “I remember a time when you denied me and didn’t let me have you,” he said looking dangerously into her eyes. She looked even more confused. She didn’t remember such a moment. She always let him do exactly what he wanted. To him, she just couldn’t say no. “When?,” she said with a pout. He chuckled before looking at her with a smirk as he played with her hair between his fingers. “The first time we kissed. You rejected me and told me to stop playing with you. Well, the joke is on you, girlfriend. You are mine now,” he said as he moved his face closer to hers. She giggled. “And you are mine,” she said and kissed his lips. He removed the blanket from her and pushed her into the sheets as he hungrily kissed her soft lips. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. The fact that they were finally together was hard to believe. She had dreamt of it so many times. He didn’t really understand what it meant other than he could call her his own. But he will try to figure it out. He didn’t want to disappoint her. He would fight his nature and do his best to be good enough for her. His angel sent from above. He let go of her lips and looked down at his waist. His towel was nearly undone. He couldn’t feel himself starting to heat up from feeling and seeing her naked body against his own. He looked up at her with a smirk. “What are you doing to me? A little kiss and I am turned on,” he said as he removed some of her hair from her face. She giggled and moved her lips to his ear, kissing it lightly. “Then do something about it,” she whispered in his ear. He widened his eyes and moved his head to look at her face. Her cheeks were starting to blush and her eyes were glittery with love. He sighed in disappointment knowing he didn’t have time. “Sorry baby. I have to go,” he said, disappointed, and removed himself from her. He stood up and his towel fell off. She widened her eyes looking at his lower part. Even though she had seen it lots of times she still blushed and looked away shyly. He chuckled after seeing her cute reaction. He lowered his face to her bare shoulder and kissed it. “You are too cute Genevieve,” he whispered against her skin. He walked to his closet and put on a pair of boxers before starting to put on one of his suits. She looked at him confused as to what he was doing and why he was putting on a suit. She loved seeing him in a suit. He looked classy and handsome, in a different kind of way. But she knew it wasn’t exactly his favourite thing to wear. “Where are you going?,” she asked confused and right as she had asked the question, she remembered. The face to face with her dad. But they hadn’t talked about it. She hadn’t mentioned it being too focused on his wound and his dark past last night. “I’m going to see your dad.” He simply said as he buttoned up his shirt. She could see how he tried to play it cool, but it wasn’t hard to notice he was nervous. She grabbed one of his t-shirts from the floor and pulled it over her head. She stood up and walked to him. He put a tie around his neck and got ready to tie it. As she reached him, she stopped him and tied it for him. He looked down at her with gentle eyes as he just watched her being all cute and helpful to him. He felt that funny feeling in his stomach as she tied the tie and tightened it around his neck slightly. He wondered if moments like this were going to last in the long run. He liked it and guessed she was probably being what you would call a wifie. It's very cute. He couldn’t resist her even if he tried. She looked up at him and saw his cute little smile. “Why are you looking at me like that?,” she asked and giggled. “I’m just admiring your beauty,” he said shamelessly, making her blush. She tried to look away but he stopped her. He placed his hand on her chin and made her look up at him. “Let me see your face,” he said gently and ran his thumb over her red cheek. He smiled widely, mesmerised by her beauty. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She looked at him as his face came closer. He brushed his lips over hers. “Sorry, my love. I have to leave or I’ll be late,” he whispered against her lips before letting her chin go. He grabbed his jacket and walked backwards towards the door catching one last glance at her. He didn’t know what Mr. Wilson wanted to talk about. Genevieve didn’t either. But as Zack looked her in the eyes before he left out of the door, he promised himself he would do right by her and earn her father’s respect. He cursed himself for having ruined her father’s trust towards him. Mr. Wilson was Genevieve’s only real family and Zack knew he would have to get on his good side for Genevieve’s sake. He stepped out of his room and closed the door behind him. He looked up and put his game face on.

He walked into the foyer where Ethan and Tayden waited for him. “Good luck with Mr. Wilson,” Tayden said, placing a hand on his shoulder. Zack nervously sighed and fixed his tie. “Thanks,” he simply said. Tayden smiled and patted his shoulder. Zack looked at Ethan. “I would kill to have your communication skills right now,” he said, admitting this was not in his area of expertise. Ethan smiled lightly. “Just try and well... be polite. You’ll be fine,” Ethan said with a caring smile. “Is Genevieve okay?,” Tayden asked, wanting to know if his friend was alright after the hectic night before. Zack looked up at him and debated in his head what to say. “I told her.” He simply said as he looked away nervously. Ethan and Tayden looked at each other surprised. “You told her what?,” Ethan asked, wanting to make sure he knew what he was talking about. Zack sighed shamefully and looked up at them. “I told her about my dad,” He said shortly. “You told her everything or...?,” Tayden asked, confused. Zack just nodded. Ethan smiled. He was proud of Zack for opening up to her. “I’m proud of you. It mustn’t have been easy,” Ethan said and smiled widely. “Thanks,” Zack said, feeling a bit awkward, not knowing what else to say. “How did she take it?,” Tayden asked, thinking about his original question, if she was okay. Zack sighed awkwardly and looked away. “Well... She agreed to be my Girlfriend.... So yer, that happened,” he said, looking down at the floor, not knowing how to act in a situation like this. “Wow... that’s great and about time. Congrats bro,” Tayden said with a big smile. He was so happy for them. He knows how much they have been through and how hard it has been for Genevieve to hold on, giving Zack time to soften up. Tayden had always known Genevieve wouldn’t care about what he had done. Genevieve would see the good in Zack. Tayden knew Genevieve would understand the situation that Zack had been in as a 15 year old boy protecting his mom. “Thanks Tay,” Zack said with a smile he simply couldn’t hide. “She really is something else,” Ethan said, smiling as well. “Yer she is. Which is why I have to get on Mr. Wilson’s good side. I owe her that,” Zack said, feeling himself becoming nervous again. Ethan and Tayden laughed. They had never seen Zack this nervous before. They both thought the youngest looked really cute. “Just be honest with him. He is the kind of man who respects honesty,” Ethan said, trying to cheer him up. Zack smiled lightly and fixed his tie again wanting it to be perfect. “Well, wish me luck. I really need it,” Zack said as he backed away and walked to the front door leaving the mansion.

Zack arrived at a small house outside of the city. Mr. Wilson was moved here when Ethan and Isaac went missing. Zack stepped out of his car and took a deep breath before walking to the front door. He nervously knocked on the door and waited. He fixed his pants feeling uncomfortable as he tried to clear his head and remember what he had promised himself before leaving home. He was going to do right by Genevieve. This was the first step. The door opened and Mr. Yun stood in the door looking at Zack coldly. Zack nervously cleared his throat before he bowed to his elder. “You are earlier,” Mr. Yun simply said as he stared Zack down. Zack chuckled awkwardly as he came up from his bow. “Yes. I didn’t want to be late,” Zack said, scratching the back of his neck with a polite smile. “You can cut the act now, young man. The only reason I am letting you in is because I like my job,” Mr. Yun said, and stepped to the side guesting for Zack to come inside. Zack sighed disappointed and walked in. “Follow me.” Mr. Yun said coldly as he closed the door behind Zack. Zack followed Mr. Yun further into the house to a room with a closed door. On the way Zack saw more than a few guards with guns in the other rooms. Mr. Wilson was very well protected by what Zack knew were government agents. Mr. Yun knocked on the closed door and a few seconds later Zack heard Mr. Wilson’s voice telling them to come in, from the other side. Before Zack could open the door and walk in, Mr. Yun grabbed his arm and looked dangerously at him. “Genevieve is like a daughter to me. If I figure out that you have hurt her in any way. I will make sure you won’t be alive to regret it,” Mr. Yun said in a low voice, making sure Mr. Wilson didn’t hear him. Before Zack could react, Mr. Yun simply let go of his arm and walked away. Zack sighed, starting to feel himself getting angry. How could Genevieve see good in him when everyone else only saw his mistakes? He breathed in deeply and calmed down. He couldn’t lose his temper. Not right now. He was doing this for her. He opened the door and walked in.

Mr. Wilson was sitting at the desk reading through some documents. He looked up and saw Zack walk in. He looked at his watch and then back at Zack. “You are early Hayes.” He simply said as he looked down at the documents again. Zack cleared his throat and bowed deeply to him showing him respect. “Yes. I simply didn’t want to be late, sir.” Zack answered politely. “A real gentleman is never late, but he isn’t too early either. It is considered impolite to show up too early, not giving your host enough time to get ready,” Mr. Wilson stated as he read through the documents not looking up at Zack. Zack had never found Mr. Wilson intimidating. He in fact rarely thought anyone was intimidating. But in this exact moment, Zack did feel intimidated by Mr. Wilson. “My deepest apologies, sir,” Zack said as he bowed again. “Have a seat,” Mr. Wilson simply said. Zack did as he said and sat down on the chair across from Mr. Wilson. He nervously fixed his tie, feeling like it was getting hard to breathe. Mr. Wilson noticed and looked up. He had never thought that Zack could act so normal. He looked like a topical normal young man here to impress a dad to be able to be with his daughter. Mr. Wilson’s gaze softened and he noticed the scratch on Zack's cheek bone. Mr. Wilson remembered what had happened the night before. He remembered Zack laying on the floor bleeding from his gunshot wound. Mr. Wilson felt ashamed, he had lost his temper. “How is your wound? I hope my actions didn’t cause a setback to your healing,” Mr. Wilson said apologetically. Zack looked surprised at him. His gaze softened and he shook his head as he spoke up. “No. I’m fine. It is my own fault for provoking you, sir. I shouldn’t have done that,” Zack said and tried his best to think how Ethan would act in this situation. Mr. Wilson looked at Zack, surprised. He had never thought Zack would apologise and be so civilized as he was right now. This was a side to Zack he didn’t hate. “I should still have restraint myself,” Mr. Wilson said, feeling ashamed. “Mr. Wilson, sir. I know how it feels to lose your temper, way too well. I’m not exactly a patient man myself. I will take full responsibility,” Zack said, trying his best. He really didn’t want to f**k this up. Genevieve believed in him. “Very well then. We will put the matter to rest and move on to why you are here,” Mr. Wilson said and looked into Zack’s eyes with a gentle gaze. Zack swallowed nervously, feeling himself starting to sweat a bit. He didn’t know why he was called here. “It’s simple. What are your intentions with my daughter? I understand you two have some sort of a deal,” Zack cut him off remembering what Ethan had told him about being honest. “I apologise for cutting you off, sir. But I’ll be honest with you. I owe Genevieve that. The deal is off. My intention with your daughter is simple. I want to make her happy. I know I’m not the perfect man for Genevieve in your eyes and I know better than anyone, that I’m not good enough for her. It took me a while to figure it out but I really like your daughter,” Zack paused and frustrated looking down at his hand remembering hers smaller ones tieing his tie earlier that morning. He remembered how that made him feel. He looked up into Mr. Wilson’s eyes with a smile as his frustrations washed away, thinking of her gentle touch. “No, I love her. I haven’t told her that yet,” Zack said, feeling his heart beating fast in his chest. Mr. Wilson noticed how the young man in front of him wasn’t lying. It was clear that the feelings his daughter had for this young man were mutual. Zack really did love his daughter dearly. Mr. Wilson respected how Zack talked about his daughter. Zack was humble enough to admit he wasn’t good enough and he just wanted her to be happy. He wanted to be the one to make her happy. That was all Mr. Wilson wanted for his daughter. For her to be happy and this young man in front of him was pleading to get permission to do that. “Why? Why haven’t you told her?,” Mr. Wilson asked curiously. Zack’s smile changed into an awkward one as he laughed nervously. “It’s not that easy. I’m not good with words or feelings. I grew up in a dysfunctioning home. I guess I wasn't really taught how to express myself in that way. As you know I’m from a military family. I don’t speak to any of my family members. The team... and Genevieve is my family. Genevieve is teaching and showing me how to express myself better. I want to learn. I’m really trying my best, sir. I’ll do better. I promise,” Zack said with pleading eyes to the father of the woman he loves. The only woman he had ever loved besides his mom. Mr. Wilson smiled. Zack might not be as bad as he thought. “Only a true man can admit to his mistakes. It was never up to me. She already chose you. I just wanted to see if I could figure out what type of man you really are. I thought you were the selfish kind,” Mr. Wilson paused. Zack looked down at the floor sadly. Zack had been selfish, yes. “But I see now that you are the protective kind. You have been protecting yourself up till now having your guard up. Now you have chosen to protect my daughter instead and let down your own guard. I respect that. Just promise me you’ll keep her out of harm's way. Your way of living is not my ideal situation for my daughter. But that is what she has chosen. Please protect her. That is all I ask of you,” Mr. Wilson said gently with a worried expression. Zack couldn’t believe he had just gotten his blessing to be with Genevieve. “I promise. She won’t get hurt,” Zack answered reassuringly with a confident smile. Mr. Wilson nodded and smiled back at Zack. The atmosphere changed in the room as Zack’s expression changed. “Now how about we go to our mansion and we track down a Nazi, so you can win the election Mr. Wilson? I’m sure Genevieve would like to see you.” Zack then said with a confident look in his eyes. Mr. Wilson smiled, liking the idea. “Call me by my first name. Arthur.” Mr. Wilson said, starting their relationship on the new.