"See you in there."
As soon as Chris was inside, Dad's attention turned to me. His scowl was back only ten times worse, directing it all towards me.
"Why haven't you been at the apartment?"
I had to try hard not to show the fear that suddenly gripped me. Of course he was keeping tabs on me. I should have figured as much.
"I've been staying with Chris," I lied hoping he would believe me.
"You have?"
He sounded surprised, sending an instant relief through me. He wasn't watching Chris' house, at least. Dad smiled, pleased by the answer.
"Good. For once your whorish ways seem to do me a favor."
His words stung more than I thought they would. I shouldn’t care about his opinions of me, yet for some reason my heart did immensely. It wanted the approval of my father, even though he was a sick bastard who had caused me nothing but misery.What is wrong with me?
"Gee thanks Dad, just what a girl wants to hear."
I rolled my eyes at him, stupidly. He hates when I do that, it only makes him angrier. I saw his fists coil at his sides before he shoved them in the pockets of his blazer.
"Just keep your mouth shut while the men talk. Don't embarrass me, Lisa."
His voice was soft, but his tone was cruel with a deep threat hidden in it. I took a deep breath, exhaling heavily before I nodded my head in agreement. I was forever grateful that Davis was saving me from this hell. This would have been my daily life for years to come had I stayed with Chris that night. If Davis had not carried me away, there was no telling what kind of state I would be in right now.
Dad led the way inside, having me follow closely behind, but never allowing me to walk by his side. He had to lead, and I had to follow like a dog. I kept my head held high, despite Dad's best attempts to break my spirit. He seemed to want to degrade me any chance he got, thinking that was how he would keep me in place. Who really knows what goes on in a twisted mind like his?
"So sorry to keep you waiting, Daniel. This is my daughter Lisa."
Chris' father Daniel was a handsome man, but that was no surprise, as Chris was good looking as well. Daniel stood to greet me with a warm smile. But I won't be fooled again. These Darnell’s seem to be two-faced sneaky little devils. The apple rarely falls far from the tree.This apple was pretty rotten, so I could only imagine the state of the tree.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Lisa." He extended his hand out as he greeted me. I shook it with my ever present fake smile plastered on my face.
"Likewise."
We all took our seats, and of course I was seated beside Chris with Dad across from me. Everyone looked over their menu as I sat and watched them all. My appetite had vanished the moment Chris' lips touched mine. My stomach still felt sour, turning further at the memory of it.
He literally made me sick, causing bile to rise in the back of my throat. I was staring up at the glass ceiling, admiring a cloud shaped like a turtle, when the server came by. Dad ordered first, as usual, followed by Daniel and then Chris. All eyes fell on me and I just asked for water. Dad's eyes narrowed at me suspiciously, as if I was up to something.
"Are you alright, dear?" Daniel asked me after the server collected our menus and left. "Surely you must be hungry."
"I'm fine, really. Just not very hungry."
"Lisa's trying to slim down for her wedding dress," Chris lied.
I hated that lie more than anything. I have never been one to worry about my weight. My weight had always been healthy and my body beautiful. I took care of myself by eating well and exercising. There was no one here that could call me fat, yet the way Chris' comment sounded, it was as if he thought I could stand to lose some weight.Ass face.
"Nonsense. You're perfectly beautiful the way you are now. I'll flag the server down so you can order. You won't starve yourself on my watch," Daniel informed me as he motioned for the server to come back before I could even respond.
I felt extremely embarrassed when the server returned. I flushed as I was forced to look at the menu and pick something. When I tried to order a small salad, Daniel denied me, telling me he would order me a juicy burger if I didn't pick an actual meal.
Finally, I chose the salmon, feeling I could stomach seafood the best. All the while, Dad was silently fuming over the way I had embarrassed him. How was I supposed to know that Daniel would actually care about what I ordered?
Throughout lunch Daniel continued paying me compliments and asking me many personal questions. I felt a bit put off by his behavior as I tried to eat. Honestly, if Dad and Chris weren't here, I would think he was flirting with me. The questions he asked seemed like the ones you would ask someone on your first date.
Dad was growing increasingly irritated as lunch went on, since he hadn't gotten a word in business wise. He'd told me to let the men speak, and it seemed the man of the hour wanted to hear all about me.
"Dad, you're going to spoil my soon to be wife at this rate," Chris joked, but I knew he was actually serious.
