“No, Pepper. Don’t try to redeem him. He’s a horrible person.”
“I know he is, but he’s our father.”
“I can’t stand the sight of him.”
“You’ll be gone in two weeks.”
“Can I crash here until then?”
“He won’t like that.”
“I’d rather sleep on the streets than to go back there,” he says, determination etched on his face.
“I’ll talk to Mia.”
“Appreciate it.”
“Anything for you. Want some lunch?” Food in his belly always lifts his spirits.
“Yeah.”
“Any requests?”
“Cheesesteak and French fries.”
“You got it.” I squeeze his hand in solidarity. “We’ll be okay.”
He nods.
With my father’s secret being exposed, the blackmailing scheme is over. The whole thing left a bitter taste in my mouth anyway. I’ll work my butt off and apply for loans to pay for school.
Today a luncheon was given in honor of it being the last day for interns. Dom said a few words, mingled for a while, then left. I barely saw him this week. My intuition is blaring that something is wrong. I watched him the entire time, willing him to look at me, but he didn’t—not once. I stopped by his office to put my concerns to rest, but he wasn’t there. My worst fear was confirmed after I arrived home to find my diary laid primly on my pillow and atop it, a gold cross pendant necklace resembling the one Dom broke. Phone calls and texts to him went unanswered. Throwing my dignity to the wind, I searched for Drew’s profile on Facebook and messaged him my cell number, asking him to call me. I sit cross-legged on my bed and impatiently wait. Within twenty minutes, my phone rings.
“Hey,” I answer.
“Hi, Pepper, is everything okay?”
“Have you seen or spoken to Dom today?”
“I haven’t spoken to him for a few weeks now.”
“Why?”
“We had a bit of a falling-out.”
“Because of me?”
“No, because he’s a giant asswipe.”
“Can you do me a favor?”
“Yeah.”
“Tell Dom to call me right now. It’s urgent.”
“Pepper—”
“Please, he’s ignoring me.”
