Sucker for the Boss

by Blue Sky Books

  “What happened?” Her voice was raised now and she looked from her father to Alex and then to her father again. Lee remained silent, quietly rotating the roasting chicken as Alex started walking away.

  “I’m sorry Lee. I apologize. Goodbye Malory.” He said the words quickly and his eyes were downcast. Malory could tell that he was trying to leave as quickly and smoothly as possible.

  “I don’t understand. What happened?” She started walking towards Alex but he hurried his pace towards his car.

  “Malory, please. I have to go.” He said curtly, without turning to look at her again and hurried away. She stopped walking and watched as he reached his car, several feet away from her, opened the door and threw his bag in. Before he stepped in himself, he turned to give her one last look. His eyes looked tired and exhausted.

  When his car started up Malory turned on her heels. Lee had stood up from his bent position and was staring at her with an anger in his eyes.

  “Dad?” She squeaked. In any other situation, she would have run to him, wrapped her arms around him and he would have made her feel better. Now, she didn’t know what was going on.

  “He told me.” Lee spoke quietly, even though his eyes were fierce.

  “Told you what?” Malory asked, afraid, aware of what her father was talking about. She just didn’t want to hear it from him.

  “He told me what happened last night. He thought I was going to give him my blessing.” Lee spat out the words, while still glaring at his daughter. Malory was horrified. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. That Alex Temple had discussed the night with her father? That he had asked her father for permission to be with her? That her father had turned away the love of her life!

  “Dad!” She shrieked in panic but Lee held up his hands.

  “I told him to get out of here and to never come near you again.” Lee was speaking through gritted teeth and Malory lunged towards him.

  “Why would you do that dad? I’m an adult” She was screaming now as she gripped his arms tightly.

  “Malory. You’re not thinking straight. You both had too much to drink last night.” He tried to wriggle free from her grip and she couldn’t hold on to him for very long.

  “That’s not true. I’ve been in love with him for a long time. Since I was a teenager!” She was still yelling but fell quiet when she realized that her father was staring at her. She was embarrassed that she had confessed the truth to him. He looked like he was hurt, confused and angry, all at the same time.

  “You’re telling me that Alex Temple has been some kind of a teenage fantasy for you? For all these years?” Lee had raised his voice as well and he was screaming back at her. Malory could feel the tears pricking her eyes.

  “Forget that dad. I’m a grown woman now. You can’t control who I’m with. You don’t have the power to just send him away because you didn’t like the idea” Malory turned away from him. She could feel the tears rolling down her cheeks now and she didn’t want her father to see her cry.

  “You can’t be serious Malory. He’s nearly my age. He’s double yours. You can’t seriously be dreaming that you’d be happy with him.” His voice had softened a little now, perhaps because he knew that she was crying.

  “I can be with whoever I choose to be with dad. A teenage fantasy or a man double my age. That is not your decision.” She still hadn’t turned to look at him.

  “You’ve barely dated anybody. You don’t know any better!” He thundered again.

  “I know that I’m in love with him. That’s all I know.” She started walking away then, back towards her car.

  “You’re being a stubborn child Malory. Will you just think about it? Look at it from my perspective? Think about how this makes me feel?” She heard her father say. Malory whipped around, her arms were crossed across her chest and she glared back at him.

  “Alex Temple is a man and I am a woman. There is no other way you should feel about it dad. If you do, then that is your prejudice.” She spoke more calmly this time, even though she was still as furious at him as before. Lee didn’t respond, instead, he kept standing there, glaring at her. Malory resumed walking towards her car.

  “Where do you think you’re going, Malory?” She heard her father’s voice, but she didn’t turn this time.

  “I’m going back. I can’t stay here with you. Not after what you’ve done.” Malory reached her car and pulled open the door. Her car keys were lying on the driver's seat as always and she picked them up and slid in. Just when she started the car, she realized that her father had walked over to her and was standing by the window. She pressed the button and waited for the window to roll down.

  “He’s not going to change his mind now Malory. If that is what you’re aiming for. He won't be with you against my wishes. I know Alex Temple better than you think you do.” He spoke quietly this time, he knew he was right, as did Malory. He was less angry now.

  “We’ll see about that. In any case dad, it’s not your problem any more.” Malory said and stepped on the accelerator.

  *****

  Her father was right, Malory thought, as she stared at her computer screen. She was reading Alex’s last and only email to her, again. She had read it so many times that she knew his words by heart now. It had been more than two months since they were at the camp site, since Alex Temple had made love to her and since the night that she had conceived a baby by him.

  Malory’s hand instinctively went to her belly and she stroked it gently, trying to find her baby’s heartbeat. It was too early for that but it still made her smile.

  It had also been the same length of time since she had last seen or spoken to her father.

  Thank you for reaching out and expressing your thoughts to me Malory. However, after careful consideration, I see now that your father was right. It would be wrong and inappropriate for me to see you again.

  That was how Alex had begun his email. She had sent him three, over the span of a week before he replied to her and when Malory had first read it, she knew that her heart was now officially broken. All those years as a teenager, when she fantasized about him, grew to love him…she was still happy, content in the belief that he existed even though he would never be hers. However, now that she had him, even if for a night and especially now that she was carrying his child…losing him now, was the bigger loss. How would she ever get over him? How would she explain it to her child?

  You are a beautiful young woman. Even when you were younger, I was drawn to your big fawn eyes and kindness. I didn’t know what it was back then, now I know that it was a feeling of attraction and that of waiting, waiting for you to grow into the person you are now.

  Alex had written that too. Now, every time she read this part she could feel his hand over hers. The way his fingers had grazed her neck when they made love. She could picture his eyes, staring into hers. But his words were not enough, she wanted to feel him again. Even though she knew that she couldn’t.

  Whatever I feel for you, or the beautiful night that we shared together Malory; cannot continue. It will be hard but I will have to forget you, just as you must. Your father is right. I will never be able to make you happy. I will also, never be able to go against your father’s wishes in this fashion. He might be an employee at my company but we have been friends for years. I cannot betray him this way.

  Every time Malory read this part, the anger she felt towards her father welled up again. At the back of her mind she knew that he was doing it out of love, but the thought that he was responsible for her unhappiness was enough to enrage her again. She hated him then. She couldn’t understand him and she vowed to never speak to him.

  I wish you the best of luck in life Malory and I hope you only remember fondly.

  Forever yours and truly.

  Alex Temple

  Malory read it over and over again. She tried to imagine his voice as she read it, but she was afraid that she was starting to forget it. A knock on the door disrupted her thoughts. She pre
ssed her hands down on the desk and stood up, it wasn’t yet a physical struggle to stand up but she was psychologically preparing herself for the coming months.

  She reached her front door and peeped out through the hole. Her father’s face loomed outside and Malory immediately breathed in deeply. She remained standing behind the door for a few more seconds, unsure of what she was going to do.

  “I know you’re in there Malory. I can see your shadow under the door. Please let me in.” Her father’s voice sounded determined and a little concerned. She breathed in deeply again and cracked open the door to a slit. Lee was standing outside with his fingers laced together, a look of sadness and relief at the same time clouded his face.

  “What do you want dad?” She knew she spoke too harshly but just the sight of him was enough to anger her.

  “To see you and talk to you. You’re my daughter Malory.” His tone of voice was different from the one she remembered at the campsite when she was leaving. He was calmer and softer now.

  “I don’t want to speak to you dad.” She was glaring at him, but it didn’t affect him.

  “I know that from all the unanswered voice mails I left you. However, I am your father and I’ve been concerned.” He was calming her down and she was on the verge of nearly forgiving him already.

  “Don’t you see me on TV dad? Isn’t that proof enough that I’m alive?” Malory was still determined to fight him, she wasn’t just going to forgive him that easily.

  “No it isn’t. I know you’ve been upset and I want to talk it out with you.” He had placed one hand on the door but he wasn’t applying pressure yet.

  “Talk what out? You’ve made yourself very clear and as have I. Isn’t that enough talking? I don’t want to go over it again with you. It’s too painful for me.” As she spoke she swung the door open further, as a sort of invitation to come in. She left the door open after that and walked back into the house. She could hear her father following her and the soft closing of the door behind him.

  “So we can talk about something else then. I hate that this has come between us. You’re the only person I have in the world Malory and I don’t want to lose you.” She heard Lee speak the words as she walked up to the kitchen counter and started pouring herself some orange juice.

  “Would you like some as well?” She asked him without turning around.

  “Something stronger might be nice.” He said with a laugh. Malory turned to face him and took a sip of her juice quietly.

  “I don’t have any alcohol in my house anymore.” She said, seriously as she stared back at him. Lee broke into a smile, the thought of there being no alcohol at her house seemed to be too unbelievable for him to fathom. They had both been drinking together since she turned eighteen. Lee had brought her up to drink responsibly and they had always shared a healthy father-daughter relationship with alcohol.

  “You’re joking right?” He asked, he was still smiling and looked at her with disbelief. Malory didn’t respond to the question.

  “What, are you pregnant or something?” Lee asked with a laugh and when Malory didn’t join in, his face dropped.

  “You’re pregnant?” His voice caught in his throat when he asked the question. Malory’s silence confused him further and he rushed towards her and gripped her shoulders.

  “Malory answer me. Are you pregnant? Am I going to become a grandfather?” His voice had changed again, excited, confused, angry - all at the same time. Malory nodded her head gently, but she wasn’t smiling still.

  “Who is the father?” Lee asked this time and his expression changed immediately when he realized the obvious answer to the question. “Alex? Alex Temple? You’re expecting his child?” Lee ran his hands through his hair. It wasn’t really a question. It was more of a dilemma that he was trying to deal with by himself.

  “Yes dad. I’m carrying Alex Temple’s child.” Malory placed her glass back on the kitchen counter and walked over to the couch. Lee followed her, but didn’t sit down anywhere.

  “It can’t be true.” He said and Malory smiled.

  “Because you don’t want it to be true?” She was still cynical, but secretly enjoying his reaction. She wanted her father to be shocked, to see for himself what he had done by jeopardizing her relationship with the man she was in love with.

  “You’re too young Malory. What about your life, your career?” Lee had his face in his hands and she could see his neck turning red. She could see that her father was suffering with the revelation.

  “I’m twenty-three years old. I’m not too young to be a mother. Especially not when I want to be one. Also, this wouldn’t have affected my career if you didn’t drive the father of my child away from me.” Malory spat out the words while glaring at him. She wanted him to realize how he had effectively ruined her life. How he had turned this happy and joyous moment into something else.

  “You can’t seriously be thinking about keeping this child Malory.” He spoke after a few moments, dragging his hands away from his face. He was asking her a serious question and it threw her in a tizzy. She was more angry than she had ever been. She could feel her throat itching, her palms growing sweaty and her breathing getting rough. She stood up with a jerk.

  “And you can’t be serious by asking me this question dad. This is my child. Leave my house. Now.” Her eyes were narrow as she spoke to him. She was pointing to the door and she could see that Lee was shrinking in his shoes. He opened his mouth to say something but she interrupted him.

  “Leave. Now. You’ve ruined my life enough to question my decisions any further. I am not going to accept any more advice from you. Leave.” She rushed to the door and held it open for him. Silently and slowly, Lee walked out of her house. She banged the door shut behind him.

  *****

  A week later, Malory returned home from the studio and plonked her work bag on the couch. It had been a long day and she was tired. She ran her hand over her belly again and with a smile walked up to the fridge to look for leftovers. She wasn’t really in the mood to cook. She wriggled out of her tailored jacket after she placed a plate of lasagne in the microwave oven. The gentle knock on the door startled her. She couldn’t imagine who it could be this late at night.

  She walked over hurriedly through the door and peeped through the hole. Alex Temple stood in front of it. There was a fire in his eyes as he stared back at her, clearly he knew he was being watched. Malory hurried the door open, swung it wide and stood facing him with her eyes widened and her jaw slightly drooping. She couldn’t believe it. The man she was in love with stood before her, and she hadn’t had any time to think or prepare herself.

  “Malory” He said her name quietly and gently, just the way she remembered it. She had no response for that other than to his name as quietly and gently as possible, in return.

  “What are you doing here?” She asked. She couldn’t keep the excitement and the tension out of her voice.

  “I waited in my car outside your apartment building for you to come back home.” He said. He had still not entered the house and she stepped aside slowly to indicate to him that he should come in.

  “And how long did you wait?” She asked him as he brushed past her and into the house.

  “A couple of hours. Four maybe.” He shrugged his shoulders. Malory noticed how his muscles moved under the fabric of his suit jacket. A rich blue in color to match his eyes. A silvery tie peeped out from the folds. She could almost picture his strong chest, the muscles of his arms, his flat abdomen…under all those clothes. She hadn’t forgotten an inch of him.

  “Why?” She asked him after several seconds of silence had elapsed between them. Alex sighed loudly and stared back at her. His eyes looked tired, almost apologetic.

  “Your father spoke to me.” He said quietly and it stunned Malory. She didn’t know how to react to that.

  “What did he say to you?” She folded her arms in front of her chest and stood facing him, leaning against the arm of the couch. She knew that if she wa
s any closer to him she would fall into his arms. She yearned for that, to feel his arms around her and to breathe in his scent.

  She watched as his eyes traveled from her face to her slightly bulging belly.

  “He told me that I am about to become a father. That you have kept it a secret for the past three months.” His voice remained unchanged, even though he was looking at her intently. She still wasn’t sure how he felt about it, other than the fact that he was enough of a gentleman to come and visit her upon hearing the news.

  “My dad should start keeping his opinions to himself. I bet he commanded you to come check on me or apologize or something.” She scoffed and rolled her eyes. She didn’t want him to see how his presence affected her.

  “No, he didn’t. Say any of those things that is. He just passed on the information to me and said that he was concerned for you.” Alex had walked over to the couch himself and Malory held out her hand so he sat down.

  “Well, he shouldn’t be concerned. I am doing well and fine. So, thank you for stopping by to check on me.” Malory knew she was being harsh but given that in his email to her he had urged her to move on from him, she didn’t want him to know just how much she had not been able to do that.

  “I’m not checking up on you Malory. I’m not your father. Although, I am checking up on my own child.” Alex was still speaking gently and he let his eyes drop to her belly again.

  “The baby is doing well too.” Malory said.

  “Were you really planning on keeping it a secret forever? To keep me away from him or her?” Alex sounded hurt but Malory didn’t want to let her defenses drop that easily.

  “I hadn’t planned that ahead into the future, however, I didn’t want you to get involved. Not when you made it pretty clear that there was no prospect of anything for us.” She walked away from him but he had suddenly reached out and grabbed her hand.