by Erika Rose
JB focused his gaze on Sasha. “You lied to me, avoided me and then show up at my fundraiser and bring him.” He pointed a finger at Stefan before turning back to Sasha. His disdain and anger vibrated from every cell in his body “I don’t think there is an explanation, but please if you feel you have one let’s hear it.”
Sasha wanted to curl up and die. She glanced at Stefan and thought about asking him to leave. Stefan smiled at her encouragingly and took her hand despite her father’s presence.
She found her courage in Stefan’s hand squeezing hers; she was done with JB Morris running her life.
“Dad, I’m seeing Stefan and I don’t plan to stop.”
Sasha could swear she saw steam billowing from her father’s ears, his hands fisted at his sides. Sasha knew her father was ready to put Stefan in his place physically.
CHAPTER 22
Stefan felt Sasha’s hand tremble in his. He had implored Sasha to tell her father, but it was obvious she hadn’t. With JB Morris staring him down, hands fisted at his sides Stefan couldn’t exactly blame her.
JB Morris’s voice cold and angry cut through the silence. “Are you telling me that I’ve worked my whole life to protect you only so you could end up throwing it all away on good time with this ill-reputed party animal?”
Sasha shrank against him and Stefan felt his own temper start to snap and fizzle.
“Daddy…please.” Sasha pleaded.
“You told me you wouldn’t see him again, you know what a field day the press had with your last encounter. Are you telling me my whole campaign is going to be riddled with his face and his father’s shady deals?”
That’s it, Stefan thought, he’d stand there and take it for himself but he was not going to let his father be dragged into it.
“With all due respect Sir, my father has nothing to do with this.” Stefan said hanging onto the last thread of sanity.
“Bullshit! Your father does deals with shady crooks and you spend your time blowing his fortune on parties and girls and now you’re bringing that shadow over my campaign.”
“Dad!” Sasha gasped shocked by her father’s wrath.
“No Sasha, this is between him and me now.” Stefan said without breaking the stare he and JB had going on.
“Between us? There is nothing between us and as soon as my daughter sees sense there won’t be anything between you two either.”
“You’re wrong, Sir. About a couple of things, but you’re right about some of them as well.” Stefan said his own voice low and threatening. “I might’ve been throwing away my father’s money on girls and parties and I might be a bad influence on Sasha but I’ve been making changes in my life because of her.” Stefan pulled Sasha’s hand to his mouth and kissed it briefly before turning back to her father. “Sasha has made me realize that I can’t build a future on my father’s fortune and before I can respect anyone else I need to be able to respect myself. Since I’ve started seeing Sasha I haven’t been to any raucous parties, I haven’t done anything to be ashamed of and I’ve even decided what I want to do with my life.”
“Great, so now she’s made you seen the light you can get out of her life.”
“I’m sorry, that’s not going to happen.” Stefan said resolutely.
“Excuse me; I wasn’t giving you a choice.” JB’s voice climbed a few decibels.
“Actually, Sir, the choice isn’t yours. It is Sasha’s. And before she makes it there is something you and Sasha need to know.”
“What!” JB roared.
Stefan took a deep breath and turned to Sasha, ignoring JB’s outburst. “I’ve never said this to anyone because I didn’t believe it was really possible. You’ve taught me about the person I want to be, someone with values, purpose and someone with a future. I’ll always be grateful to you for that, but that’s not why I feel the way I do. Over the past few weeks I’ve learned so much about you and every time I learn something new I fall a little bit further. You’re that person that looks for the good in everyone. You can be funny and smart and sometimes you’re thoughtful and deep, and it doesn’t matter what you are you’re the person I want to be with. I didn’t know how to tell you this, but I think it’s time I tried.”
JB sighed, knowing what was coming. Sasha dabbed a tear at her eye smiling at Stefan.
“Sasha, I love you. I love the way you light up when you speak about your parents, I love the way you’re dedicated to making something of yourself, I even love the way you sing out of tune when you’re wearing your headset and everyone else needs to cover their ears.”
“Stefan…I love you too.” Sasha sniffed before kissing Stefan.
“This is not going to happen.” JB huffed in their direction.
Stefan felt Sasha stiffen against him and for a moment thought she was going to send him on his way. Instead, she surprised him by turning to her father.
“Daddy, with all due respect, this is my life, my decision, and I choose Stefan. So you can either be part of my life with Stefan or you’re going to lose me.”
Stefan watched JB Morris shuffle in place staring at the ground before turning his gaze towards Sasha, “This isn’t over.” He warned.
Sasha took a deep breath and touched her father’s arm. “Actually daddy, unless you accept my relationship with Stefan, it is.”
JB Morris shook his head and walked out of the office slamming the door behind him.
Sasha let out the breath she was holding, Stefan picked her up twirling her in circles. “I’m so proud of you.”
Sasha laughed. “For what, for basically telling my father he was no longer part of my life.”
“No,” Stefan said kissing her. “For stepping out of his shadow.”
He set Sasha down and her eyes searched his. “You’re right.” Sasha smiled. “I have been living in his shadow.” She thought for a moment and a tear slipped from her eye. “I think I just lost him. Once he’s made his mind up, there’s no changing it, and he’s made his mind up about you.”
“He’ll change it.” Stefan said hoping he was right. If JB was really going to let Sasha step out of his life he was an asshole. A clever and important one, but still an asshole.
“I’m not so sure.” Sasha sighed before meeting his gaze again. “Did you mean what you said?”
“Yes, I am cleaning up my act.”
Sasha lightly swatted his arm. “Not that part, about how you feel about me.”
“Oh, the love part?” Stefan framed her face with his hands. “I’ve never been more serious about anything, except one other thing: coffee.”
“Coffee?”
“Yes, you need a coffee machine. I’m done drinking tea. I’ve done it for three weeks and I’m about tea’d out.”
Sasha laughed. “I love you too, and to prove it we’ll go buy a coffee machine right now.”
“Great!” Stefan said taking her hand and heading out of the hotel. “I know just the right one. It’s a light blue and will look perfect in your kitchen.”
“Not as perfect as you when you’re wearing a towel.”
“Well then, me in a towel with a light blue coffee machine will definitely make the world a better a place.”
“Definitely.” Sasha laughed as she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned around and met her mother’s baffled gaze.
“Sasha what’s going on?” Tisha asked confused.
Sasha sighed and pulled Stefan forward. “Mom, this is Stefan Kelson. My boyfriend.”
Tisha glanced Stefan up and down and Stefan felt her scrutiny wash over him. He held out his hand. “I love her ma’am.”
Tisha’s glance flicked between Stefan and Sasha before she took Stefan’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you Stefan, I’m sure you’re the reason my baby looks so happy.”
Stefan nodded smiling.
“Daddy doesn’t feel the same way mom, he told me to break up with Stefan.”
“Oh dear.” Tisha said placing a hand over her
heart.
“He says Stefan’s reputation will damage his campaign.”
Tisha mulled the comment over for a minute before smiling at Stefan. “I’ve raised my girl with a good head on her shoulders, and if you’re the man she’s chosen for herself I respect that. Don’t let me down.” She ended firmly narrowing her eyes at Stefan.
“I won’t ma’am, I love her.”
“I can see that.” Tisha laughed. Turning to Sasha she sobered. “I’ll try talking to your father Sasha, but you know how he can be. It might take a while.”
Stefan watched the women share a knowing look before Sasha spoke. “It’s alright mom, I know he won’t accept this, but I can’t go on living my life at the whim of his campaigns.”
“Of course not darling. Where are you rushing to?”
Stefan and Sasha laughed before answering together. “To buy a coffee machine.”
Tisha’s eyes twinkled before she leaned in and whispered, “Is that what they call it these days?”
As they exited the hotel Stefan stopped and smiled at Sasha. “Now I know I was right.”
“About what?” Sasha asked confused.
“Falling in love with you.”
“Why?”
“Because if you age as well as your mother does, which I’m sure you will. I’m going to have a hot woman for the rest of my life.”
Sasha swatted him playfully before she turned away, but not fast enough for Stefan to miss the shadows in her eyes. Her father’s reaction had hurt her and if she was right, he wasn’t ever going to accept Stefan.
CHAPTER 23
Almost a month later, Tisha Morris poured two tumblers of scotch early evening and joined her husband in the living room of their mansion. She handed JB a glass and sat down across from him.
“JB, it’s time we talked about Sasha.” Tisha said sipping on the fiery liquid. She usually avoided it but needed it for the conversation she was about to have with her husband.
“I’ve got nothing to say. I’m busy.” JB said leafing through the document on his lap.
Tisha grabbed the document off his lap and narrowed her eyes. “Nonsense, you’ve got plenty to say, mostly to yourself. You can’t go on like this. You miss her, I can see it. I miss her too. The only way I get to see her is if I go to her or we meet for lunch. Are you telling me that you’re going to let me spend the rest of my life not having my daughter over for dinner?”
“She made her choice.” JB huffed swallowing the scotch down in a smooth move.
“No, JB. You made yours. She’s happy and Stefan is the reason for that. You’ve thrown yourself into your work trying to forget about her. I’ve stood by and kept quiet, but it’s time I said my piece.”
“That’s not for you to say.”
“Of course it is.” Tisha said irritably. “You’re my husband and she’s my daughter and you’re being a hard-headed mule.”
“So now it’s my fault?” JB demanded.
“No JB, it’s not your fault. Being a hard-headed mule is good thing when you’re fighting for a good cause, not when you’re applying it to your daughter. We’ve raised her right, JB, and it’s time we let her spread her wings.”
“I told you that letting her move out was a mistake.”
“For goodness’ sake JB, this isn’t the dark ages. We can’t hole our little girl up until we find a suitable suitor to hand her off to. She’s free to love who she wants, and if you could open your eyes long enough to look at their relationship, you’ll see Stefan is good for her.”
“He’s a player; he’s going to break her heart.”
“Like you weren’t before we got married?” Tisha raised her brows and JB shrunk a little under her fierce gaze. “Most men run around a little before they meet someone worth stopping for, and if I’m right our little girl is that someone for Stefan.”
“I’m not going to apologize Tisha.”
“Yes, of course. Because you’re the mighty JB Morris, who never makes a mistake?”
“Come on Tisha, it’s not like that.”
“Then prove it. At this stage, you’re cutting your nose to spite your face and I’m done mopping the floor after you.”
JB frowned at his wife. Tisha rarely got fired up and for some reason he loved her more when she did. “I’ll stop again for you.”
Tisha gave him a knowing smile. “When you’re done being a hard-headed mule I might consider something silk and lacy tonight.”
“I don’t like apologizing Tisha, it’s a weakness.”
Tisha shook her head. “You’re wrong honey, it’s a sign of strength and you’re the strongest man I know.”
“I miss her.”
“I know.” Tisha patted his knee and left him with his own thoughts hoping she had said enough.
Sasha sat at her battered desk, staring out the window. She was trying to focus on the assignment in front of her, but her mind refused to focus. She missed her father, and even though she wouldn’t admit it to Stefan she wondered if she should go see him. She didn’t regret her decision, she loved Stefan and wasn’t going to give him up, not for her father or for anyone else but it was still hard to know her father hadn’t taken her calls in almost a month. Summer holidays were starting next week and Sasha wanted nothing more than to spend the holiday free from worry and studies, but the rift between her and her father hovered over her like a dark cloud.
She was going over to Stefan’s later that evening but first needed to finish the assignment, which she hadn’t even started yet.
Her mother had promised again last week to talk to her father, but Sasha knew her father wouldn’t change his mind. She had just chosen love over her father, and although it hurt like hell, Sasha knew she had made the right decision.
The first stars started glittering against the dark purple velvet sky and Sasha thought of all the times she and her father had sat on their terrace searching for stars in the light polluted city.
Did he think of her when he saw the stars? Sasha wiped a stray tear that escaped from her cheek when there was a knock at the door.
She opened the door expecting someone looking for Kris but instead found her father standing there, with his hat in his hand.
“Can I come in?” JB Morris asked softly.
Sasha felt a glimmer of hope but didn’t want to get excited too soon. She stepped back and joined her father in the small living room.
“I was wrong, and I am here to say that I was wrong. If you know me at all you’ll know how hard it is for me to say that.”
Sasha nodded, shocked and grateful for her father’s words.
“You’ve always been my little girl and I wanted nothing but the best for you. I’m still not convinced that that is Stefan Kelson, but I’d be willing to give him a chance.”
“Daddy,” Sasha said before leaping into her father’s open arms. Sasha hugged him fiercely, grateful for his honest words, knowing how hard it had to have been for him.
JB ran his hand over her hair. “Your mother says you’re happy and I hope you are, but Sasha, if than man hurts you…”
“He won’t daddy, I love him.”
“That doesn’t mean he won’t hurt you, but I’m done not being part of your life. I know I’ve always set firm expectations and boundaries for you, and it’s always worked. But somewhere along the line my little girl grew up. I’m still coming to terms with that Sasha, so you’ll have to be patient.”
Sasha wiped at the tears now freely rushing over her cheeks. “Daddy, I’ll make mistakes, many of them, so you’ll have to be patient too. But at least I know I’ll always have you to turn to when I fall.”
“Always.” JB said kissing her head. “It’s Friday night; I’m sure you’ve got a date with Stefan so I’ll just get out of your way.”
“You don’t have to rush daddy, Stefan can wait.”
JB stood up shaking his head. “Your mother’s waiting for me.”
Sasha could swear
she saw a hint of a grin as her father spoke and decided not to guess what he meant.
“Thank you for coming daddy.”
JB nodded. “Bring that boy by for dinner this week so I can grill him some.”
“Dad!”
“Don’t worry I won’t threaten him this time – well, not much.” JB smiled wickedly.
EPILOGUE
Summer was in full swing; the tufts of cotton clouds were far and few between in a bold blue sky. The sun cast its warm rays against the white sandy beach creating a shimmering backdrop for the waves. Gulls called to each other as they skimmed the water; bikini clad bodies already dotted the beach, as did the dog owners running after their faithful hounds who tugged them along, eager to explore.
Stefan sipped the rich flavorful coffee, a Guatemalan blend. He had bought it with his first week’s wages and appreciated it more for that reason. He looked forward to a weekend at the beach, appreciating it more because had applied himself to his work the whole week.
The past week was a test for both him and Max, the photographer at FACE, to see if Max thought Stefan was good fit for job shadowing. Max barely spoke and when he did it was more akin to barking, but in one week Stefan had learned more about photography that he had thought possible. He had learned that when you apply yourself to something you feel passionate about, you don’t mind working hard and putting in the time.
“Here you are.” Sasha said stepping out onto the terrace wearing nothing but one of Stefan’s shirts. What had been cute when they had started dating, had become a habit for Sasha, and Stefan couldn’t imagine her looking better in anything else.
“I was wondering when you’d wake up.” Stefan said, taking in her slept-on hair and puffy eyes. She had never looked more beautiful. “I made you some tea.”
Sasha sat down next to him, pulling her legs up against her chest, giving him a glimpse of her smooth legs. “This is just what I needed.”
“You mean having me in your bed every night isn’t enough?”
Sasha pulled a face at Stefan and turned her gaze back to the sea. “I never thought I could be this in love, or this happy.” She said almost to herself.