Not like I usually do.
Because two weeks ago, Iwantedto see him, so I just went. Earlier today, I alsoneededto see him, so off I went.
It doesn’t matter what excuses I told myself—so that he wouldn’t get involved with Niko, so I could teach him a lesson.
The fact remains, I indulged in an impulsive action because I wanted to see Yulian.
And what did that get me?
More confusion.
More regrets.
More fuckinghunger.
“I don’t want to scold you.” Dad releases a sigh. “And I certainly don’t want to treat you like a kid, when you’re more adult than some middle-aged men in the organization, but you and I are fully aware this isn’t like you, son. Care to tell me the reason?”
An asshole with mismatched eyes I can’t seem to erase from my head.
I can’t tell Dad that, though, so I remain silent.
“Is it because of the breakup with Danika?” He softens his voice. “I know you’ve been together for years, so whatever misunderstanding you two had can be worked out if you want to try.”
“There’s no misunderstanding here, Dad. She cheated, and I’ll never get back with her.” My voice is firm and clear, but then I peek at him. “Do you want me to?”
“Doesn’t matter what I want when it’s your love life, but I will say I wouldn’t be thrilled if you were with someone who wasn’t loyal to you.”
I smile. “Then you won’t have to worry, because she’s history.”
“Good.” He nods. “If it’s not Danika, then what is it? What’s the reason behind this change?”
“It’s not…” I trail off because if I said there was no change, I’d be lying, and Dad would figure that out in a heartbeat. “I’ve been thinking about transferring to The King’s U.”
He raises a brow. “All of a sudden?”
“It’s not all of a sudden, really. All my friends are there, and Danika, for whom I stayed in New York, is a footnote.”
“Don’t let your mother hear that. She thinks you stayed for us.”
“I did,” I say softly.
“But?”
“But I want something different. Even if only for a year or two. Will you…allow it?”
“There’s no reason why I wouldn’t if that’s what you want. Besides, it always struck me as odd that you didn’t follow Jeremy and the others there. Your mom might need more convincing, though. You know she’d hate not living on the same continent as you.”
“It’s not that I want to go right away…”
“You want to have the option,” he finishes for me, and I nod, smiling.
I’ve always loved how Dad and I get along, to the point of finishing each other’s sentences, because we’re both thinkers and very much goal-oriented.
Only, right now, the path to my goal, inheriting his position, is being muddied by a complication that I should’ve squashed a long time ago.
But I didn’t.
And now, it’s there to haunt me.
