Taming The Mayor!

Why Now?

"What are you doing here?", I asked him as he sat casually on a couch with his legs crossed eating my Grandma's Lasagna.

"And stop eating my grandma's lasagna! That's mine!", I said with a louder voice.

"I don't remember you being that cranky. And by the way it's a delicious lasagna.", He voiced back as he took another bite from his plate.

"Honey... Just let him have it. I've made plenty of it. And sit down please, it's no way to talk to our guests.", Grandma said as she served him some mint margarita.

She loved it when people complimented her food. Because her food is rarely good enough to be complimented.

"What are you doing here?", I asked him again for the nth time, standing stiff with my hands crossed across my chest.

"What do you have inside you? A cassette? You've already asked me that around a hundred time.", He said eating down the lasagna casually.

"Sweety just sit down and eat.", Grandma ordered yet I stayed stiff with my eyes glued at him.

"I'm going to ask you for the last time... What ARE YOU DOING HERE?", I said emphasising each and every word.

"Can't a father come to see his daughter?", He finally said something besides dodging my question.

I knew he was doing it on purpose and now he just said that to infuriate me.

"A father can.... Only if he loves his daughter or if he would've come here six years ago. Why now?", I told asked him beginning my chain of questions.

"Who says I don't love you? You're my daughter, how can I not love you?", He said casually finishing out the last bite of his lasagna.

His words brought a tinge inside my heart.

Daughter.... That word was a joke for him six years ago when he thought I was capable enough of doing anything.

"What do you want, now?", I asked him shifting the topic before my eyes gave out the hint of sadness.

I stood stiff, masking off my eyes with the anger, channeling out my irritation and annoyance.

"I want you to come back home... We all miss you."

I let out a cold laugh.

"Really? Miss me? Your family is perfect without me. In fact it's complete. I figured it out during the past six years.", I stated trying to hide away the little tears forming at the corner of my eyes.

"You ran away.... You told me you wanted that. How was I supposed to come and get you when, it was you who wanted that? And even if I'd come, had you came back with me?", Now he was talking and arguing. Defending himself.

"Did you or uncle ever tried to reach me out?", I asked a question that disturbed me every day and night for over the past six years.

"We knew where you were. We were able to track you, three months after you left. But we also knew you would never come back home.", He admitted.

I felt a weight being lifted off my chest with his confession. I always felt like he knew where I was, what I was doing and what I was achieving. Yet not even a single time he tried to reach me out.

"What do you want now?", I asked through a heavy voice. On the verge of breaking down.

"I want you to come back home. I need you. Your family needs you.", He announced through a thick tone.

"Why do they need me now? Why now?", My anger was taking over me slowly.

He stayed silent for a moment and I knew that he didn't had any answer.

"What are you really here for, dad? Just get done with it.", I said out coldly.

"I need your help. I can't handle this.. business of.... I need you to come and takeover. I've seen you do so many big things and I couldn't be more proud of...."

"No.", I cut him off completely before he could finish his sentence.

My word made him look up at me with bewilderment. Even he was astonished with how cold could I be. But I wasn't going to let him win this. Not this time.

I looked deeply into his eyes and there... I saw a hint of sadness, perhaps the mist of tears was emerging inside his eyes.

I turned around before he could see the weaknesses inside my eyes.

"I've been able to build this life of my own. I'm finally able to take care of myself. I'm happy in this life. I'm happier than I ever could've been. So no... I won't be going anywhere. Now... You can stay here as long as you want or leave. But you'll be going back without me.", I announced coldly.

With said that I started walking away from the room.

"It's fair! I do deserve this.", He announced protrudingly.

I stopped at his words but didn't turn around to meet his eyes.

Looking at him, standing there like that. Asking me to come back home pierced my heart. Six years ago I never imagined that happening... Or even being away from him. And now things were a complete mess.

"But I can't do this alone. Your old man really needs your help. I just want you to come to Cherwood for once. Take over my business and you can come back and live wherever you want. You don't even have to see my face again.", He said through a cracked voice.

And I could sense that he was crying but I stayed put. Not moving a single inch. I already felt tears streaming down my cheeks.

It was for the first time in six years that I was crying. The tears were locked away from my eyes and today they were flowing down in streams.

What could be more heartfelt than a father asking his daughter, giving her an option to not to even see his face, if she doesn't want to.

"I understand you hate me for things I've done to you and your mother. But I've loved you with all my heart. I couldn't express it earlier because I was too scared to lose you in my work. I wanted you to stay away from that town and those people, and perhaps you coming here was a way to sooth my heart. But I am tired now. I can't take things anymore. You've made me more than proud. Just... Come back home... At least for once.", He finished his words with tears streaming down his eyes.

Seeing him look so vulnerable teared me apart.

"Dad....", I began but couldn't come up with the appropriate words. Tears were flowing down in streams and I couldn't muster up the courage to stand anymore.

I've made myself into such a strong person yet a small inadvertent incident with my family, the people I love made me so weak.

"Amy...", Dad walked all the way near me as he extended his arm to enclose me in an embrace.

I couldn't take it up anymore as I lost myself and leaped into a hug enclosing myself in his brace. I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him tightly.

I let out all the cries, tears and sobs to let myself feel lose for the first time in a while.

It did work though. For all these years, the stronger I built myself for the world, my heart was still weak for my family and the people I loved.

Sitting down at the couch, in dad's brace was a soothing feeling. I did feel myself loosened to all the stiffness that I've held.

I hid my face inside dad's chest as he held me closer to him, wrapping me in his arms. It felt so safe to be even there.

"She'd been really tough all this time.", Grandma told dad as we all sat in lounge waiting silently.

"How's Sarah?", I asked dad the question that concerned me on daily basis. She was my sister after all.

"You don't know anything about her do you?", He asked with a low voice and I shook my head in response.

"She.... She's in San Francisco.", Dad told me through a held breath.

His words dropped an anxiety bomb inside my heart.

"What about London? What is she doing there?", I asked him immediately. "What about Jake?"

"He... That asshole left my daughter at the Altar.", Dad said through a heavy voice.

The anxiety inside me turned into a huge depressed pang, that hit me hard.

"How?.... I thought they....", My lefts were left somewhere inside my mouth on my own.

"She's suffered through depression, I can never forgive that asshole for ruining my daughter's life.", Dad said with a hint of sadness in his voice.

"I'm so sorry dad.", I cried a sob and leaped into another hug. "I couldn't be there for her.", The guilt hit me pretty hard.

"How did Margaret handled everything?", I asked him as I cried heavy tears.

"She's suffered through pain and anxiety. She went under treatment for conceiving but the results didn't come out well.", He said again through a heavy pain and tears escaped my eyes.

"Daniel couldn't be there for her.", He continued and my heart got heavy to even learn about the person I loved with all my heart, "He... He married Claire but she... She died in a car accident."

His words ripped my heart in to two. My heart was burning by listening to all the pain that my family went through.

"I'm so sorry dad.... I couldn't... Be there for you guys.", I said with a heavy heart.

"None of this is your fault. It was meant to be. We just need you now. Your old man is suffering from atherosclerosis. I can't function much anymore.", He chuckled a cold laugh sending chills down my spine.

My entire family was in a turmoil and nothing was going to get better. All these years, when I struggled hard to be better I always thought that they might as well be doing good for themselves, little did I know that my entire family was struggling harder than me at life.

I felt angered at my own self for being selfish and running away and not being there when the people I loved needed me.

"Honey... I can't force you I just need you to come at least for once to let everything go by smoothly. Just come back home. It's incomplete without you. You can take your time but don't make it too long. It's been already quite late.", He said through sobs.

**************

Dad left last night, he had to go back home as he couldn't leave Margaret alone for too long.

I could only imagine the sufferings of my family in the past six years.

I kept on shifting and pacing throughout the entire night, thinking about whatever dad told me.

I didn't know when I drifted off to sleep but I woke up with my alarm buzzing and when I saw the time I was already an hour late for office.

I immediately got out of my bed and took a quick shower. I decided to wear down a button down, followed by a pair of slit bell bottom trousers.

I left immediately without even greeting Grandma, who must be busy with her mediation.

"Where were you? I already called you thirteen times since morning.", Hazel complained as soon as I came into my cabin.

"Yeah sorry... I... I didn't see my phone. I slept late last night.", I told her, grabbing my head that hurt like someone's been hammering it constantly.

I sat down on my chair, still rewording last night.

I checked my phone and saw thirteen missed calls from Hazel.

My face was completely dug into my palms as I felt it hard to keep my eyes open.

"You look like shit.", Hazel said again looking at my condition.

"Yeah thanks.", I sarcastically stated taking out a dispersion tablet and mixing into the water to smooth down the headache.

"Anyways.... What the hell happened last night with the Carters? Their lawyer called in and said they would like to hold down a meeting with you at their office today.", Hazel's words reminded me about last night.

My eyes shot up instantly at the realization of what might be about to go down.

"That asshole Aron Carter.", I began and told her down everything that happened at the hotel.

"So you just walked out... Just like that?", She asked bewildered with my courage.

"What else was I supposed to do?", I defended myself back.

"Amy your entire carrier, your dreams, your life. Everything was in that stupid contract."

"Not just that contract but Aron Carter's dick.", I argued back.

"But you just said that he was hot, good looking and not even old. I mean... You could've just had s*x with him. I mean your virginity must've grown back to a solid plate by now.", She attacked me viciously with her choice of words.

"f**k you!", I gave her the middle finger, "I wasn't going to let him f**k me for a contract. I have something named dignity. Besides, I really don't want to talk about this. Just handle their lawyer if they ever called in the next time."

"What exactly is bothering you?", She asked once she noticed my distress.

"My dad came to my place last night."

Her eyes shot out of their sockets at my words.

"You mean.... Cole O'Neil? He came to your house? To see you?", She asked with astonishment.

"Yeah.... Cole O'Neil... He came to my house, to see me. Just so you know he's my father.", I hit her with the sarcasm.

"Well..... I'm waiting for the story. Hit me.", She said sitting down on the chair opposite to mine.

*****************

"I'm sorry I'm late.", I announced as soon as I entered inside the doctor's office.

Grandma came in for her regular check up and I always accompanied her only given to today was the first time I got late.

"Ever heard of the word knocking?", Grandma complained.

She said making the doctor chuckle at her words.

Dr. Chase Victor was her assigned doctor, who was responsible for her treatment and regular monthly assessment. He was among the top rated heart surgeons of Miami and the the United States. For his age, he had achieved a lot.

"Yeah... It's not your office.", I hissed back at Grandma.

"Well... I could've been naked, giving this young handsome boy a lap dance, a blow job or having s*x with him. I figured out you won't so I might as well I should do it.", She said making me roll my eyes as Dr. Victor burst out laughing.

He admitted it several times that Grandma was his favourite patient. At first I thought it was because of how sweet and goofy she could be but later he told me that it was because of me. He liked seeing me coming here every time with Grandma. Well he did ask me out but I rationally had to eventually turn him down. My life was already an enough of a mess, I couldn't afford to drag someone else in it and Chase seemed more than a sweet guy to be part of any trouble.

"How's the old lady doing, except for her brain which I can tell doesn't function properly?", I asked Dr. Victor taking a seat opposite to his on his table as Grandma still sat on the stature adjusting her clothes.

"She's doing perfectly fine... In fact better than ever.", He said sitting down right opposite to me. "Just continue with her regular prescriptions and she'll do much better.", He gave out his vicious smile.

"I need to use the restroom. I'll be back.", Grandma announced leaving me behind in the room with Chase.

This is going to get awkward.

"So how have you been doing?", He asked once Grandma left.

"Good.", I smiled back at him.

His gaze stayed fixated on my face and I could feel the tension building up in a awkward tone.

"I'll just go and wait outside for Granny.", I smiled at him leaving out his office to breath properly.

*************

After dinner I decided to go and finally sleep as I already felt sleep deprived since last night.

"Where are you going? Come here.", Grandma called out and I went ahead to sit with her in the living area.

"Come here.", She pulled me closer and I rested my head on her lap, enclosing myself.

"What have you decided?", She asked the main concerning question that kept ringing inside my mind throughout the entire day.

"Even I'm asking myself the same thing.", I told her back.

She patted my head and a feeling of warmness hit my heart.

"Did you talk to Hazel? What did she say?",, Grandma knew how close I was to Hazel and perhaps she was sensible enough to understand me and my situation.

"She said I should go. She thinks that I'm pretty hurt after listening to what happened to everyone over the past six years and I need to be with them now more than ever. She thinks that I personally want to go, it's just my stupid infuriated ego holding me back.", I told granny about my conversation with Hazel.

"I think she's exactly right. At least try your folks out there. They really do need you Amy.", Granny spoke and I stayed silent for her to tell me more.

"Life doesn't give everyone a chance to have a family allover again. You're lucky enough to have them. Look at me, I've lost everything. My husband, my daughter, my son. I really need you to consider your family. At the end of the day it's just you and the people who love and care the most about you. And that's family.", She finished.

I laid still, with tears escaping down from my eyes, wetting my nose and flowing down.

Throughout the entire night I kept on thinking about Grandma's words. Her words came directly from her heart, perhaps she knew the pain of loosing the loved once.

I turned over and saw a card that dad left for me to contact him and inform him about my decision.

I got up and rested my back against the backrest of the bed. I moved the card in my fingers, still hoping to have the audacity to make the right decision.

Being a grown up was the worst part, you always had to think rationally before making a decision.

I heaved a sigh and finally picked up the phone and dialled in the number on the card.

*******************

Third person P.O.V

"She just called. . . She's going to come here by Saturday. I told you it'll work.", Cole stood up in the middle his study, holding down the glass of whiskey in his hands as he shared the information with everyone standing in the room.

"I'll inform him as well.", Joe Mayhew spoke, gulping down his wine. "And how will she agree to it? Now that you're bringing her here finally.", Joseph asked him the main dangling question.

"I have plans for that as well. You don't worry about it. Just make sure everything else goes according to the plan.", Cole told him back.

"And about the deal? What about that? Will you tell her?", Lex asked, being the smart suits person he was, he asked the major question at sight.

"It depends. The way she'll perceive this situation, we'll get everything in an order with her.", Cole told them back looking up at the hanging portrait of his daughter.

It was an old picture of hers, perhaps when she was sixteen. She smiled whole heartedly, ear to ear, innocence dripping down her face.

Little did her innocent mind knew, what everyone back home had planned for her.