CHAPTER FIFTEEN

LYDIA

“Dad, it’s me,” I called out as I walked over the threshold.

Good thing I had a key.

“Lydia.”

“Yes, go back to sleep. I’m spending the night. I need to wash clothes early in the morning.”

“Alright. See you in the morning.”

My phone was on silent. Hayden kept calling. He didn’t understand what he did wrong. I wasn’t sure I was going about things the right way.

I wanted Hayden to go home and get some rest.

Text message:

Hayden, I’m sorry about tonight. I am not at home. I’m not sure when I’m going home. I can’t be with you. I’m sorry. Please, get some rest.

Lying in my old bed, I watched as the phone lit up. I knew Hayden was furious.

Text message from Hayden:

Baby, pick up the phone. I just want to hear your voice and I will let you go.

Hayden called again.

I answered. “Hayden, I’m tired.”

“Ok, I wanted to make sure you’re alright.”

“I’m fine.”

“How did you get to your destination?”

“Uber.”

“Baby, are you going to tell me what I did wrong.”

Why did he have to call me baby? I hate his delicious voice. I wanted to go to him. The tears rolled down my face. “Hayden, you now know I’m fine. Get some rest.”

“Baby, you’re crying.”

“God, Hayden. I told you not to drop me off at work. Let’s take it slow. I remember those being my words. Now look. We aren’t together. I can’t trust myself with you. I am not strong enough to allow you to take my virginity and destroy me afterwards. Goodbye Hayden.”

I disconnected the call then turned my phone off.

I cried myself to sleep. I didn’t wake until noon. I felt hollow inside. No more Hayden’s arms wrapping around me. In one week, I’ve fallen in love with Hayden Gaster. I already miss the way he cares for me. Part of me believes he was sincere. Oh well, I guess we will never know.

After slipping into a pair of tight jogging pants and a small t-shirt that’s been in my closet for years, I washed the clothes I’d worn to my fathers. I refused to turn my phone on right away. I need to tell the club bouncers to keep Hayden away from me.

“Good afternoon, Dad,” I chimed, kissing his cheek.

“Lydia, you haven’t slept over in a long time. What’s going on?”

He walked over to the window gawking down the street like he’s always done. “Where is your car?”

“At home.”

I walked toward the kitchen. “Dad, I’ll make us breakfast.”

His eyebrows wrinkled as he limped toward me. “Lydia, tell me what is going on?”

I sighed. “I fell in love with a man. Now it’s over.”

“Is he after you?”

“No, he just doesn’t understand why we can’t work.”

“What did he do?”

“Dad, it’s complicated.”

“Lydia, it’s ok to say you don’t want to be with him. I heard you crying last night. Sounds like he meant a lot to you.”

“I’m in the mood for grits, turkey bacon, eggs over easy, and wheat toast.”

My father left the subject alone. After breakfast, we watched a recording of Jeopardy. My father loved to test my knowledge.

The house phone rang. My father answered. “Hello. Yes. I see. Are you the reason Lydia was crying?”

My eyes shot over to my father.

My father put the call on speaker.

“Mr. Carmichael, it seems Lydia and I had a misunderstanding. Our feelings for each other have progressed in a short period of time. I’m going to be frank sir. Lydia is under the impression my feelings for her are not real. I assure you they are. My sole purpose for courting your daughter sir, is to eventually ask you for her hand in marriage. We haven’t known each other long, but please hear me out.”

“I’m listening.”

“I don’t know if you believe in love at first sight. I didn’t until I laid eyes on Lydia. I can’t think straight half the time. She makes me crazy. I’ve never been in love before. I long to be in her presence every chance I get. You raised a special woman Mr. Carmichael.”

“Thank you. What is your last name Hayden?”

He paused. “Gaster.”

“Hayden Gaster. The Billionaire, wanting to date my daughter. I know your father. Tell him Alastair said hello. We took a couple of courses together at Yale.”

“I sure will sir.”

“I’ll let you talk to Lydia. I look forward to meeting you Hayden.”

“Likewise, sir. Thank you.”

I was floored. Hayden doesn’t know when to stop. I can’t believe he told my father he wanted to marry me. I strolled onto the front porch.

“Hello.”

“Hello, Lydia.”

“Hayden, why did you do that?”

“It was only a matter of time. I told you a couple of times. I’m only seeing you and I have no desire to see other women because truthfully my goal is to make you my wife.”

My mouth fell open.

“Lydia, I’m trying hard to do the right thing. I want to honor your wish. You want to give yourself to your husband. I will wait until we are married to have sex with you.”

I changed the subject. I glanced back into the house to make sure my father was still sitting in the living room. “Thank you for not mentioning to my father I’m a stripper. He doesn’t know. He believes I work at a Law firm. I need to keep it that way.”

“I understand.”

The sun felt pleasant against my feet. I sat staring out into the street. A black Suburban came to a halt in front of my father’s house.

Hayden climbed out walking toward me.

My heart plummeted to my feet. This man knows no boundaries. I placed the phone on the porch. Stepping toward him, my arms crossed my chest. He wasn’t clean shaven. He wore a 5 o’ clock shadow. Hayden appeared sleep deprived. His dark aviator sunglasses hid his tired eyes. The custom designer clothes masked the mad possessive man inside. He was dressed in navy dress slacks, a blazer, and a white and blue striped dress shirt. He thumbed my cheek as he gazed into my gray eyes. “I missed you baby.”

I sensed a part of him was lost without me. How could that be? Tears rolled down my face. Hayden embraced me. “I’m here and I’m not going anywhere.” Hayden kissed my hair. I shivered beneath his touch.

“Can I come in and officially meet your father?”

“First, how did you find me?”

“I have my ways.”

“I’m listening.”

“I asked Bryce to call Karena. I told him to ask her where you would go if you didn’t go home. She said your fathers.”

“She coughed up the address too, huh.”

“No, I was resourceful and obtained the phone number and address on my own. Lydia, introduce me.”

I rolled my eyes before walking up the steps and into the house.