Chapter two - I am not like you

Cara's POV

"Dad !"

The word came out of my mouth as a mere whisper. Saying it after all this time somehow managed to slightly break my heart.

"You know cupcakes I prefer it more when you call me daddy but-" Alex started to say something through the phone but i tuned out his words as the phone slipped from my hand and hit the floor.

I couldn't help how all of a sudden the memory flashed back right in front of my eyes.

I saw it clearly, i saw how the tears left my eyes , how I couldn't shut my cries as i saw him walking away, leaving us behind.

Twenty years ago, yet still, the image is still so clear. The memory is still so fresh. The wound is still opened.

I didn't want to remember, to recall it. I didn't want to feel that pain again. But I couldn't help it, my mind acted against my own will and took me back there.

**Flashback**

He knelt down in front of me to level himself with my short figure, "I just have to go for a while." He said, as if that would make me feel any better.

He tucked a strand of my brown hair behind my ear, "You know that i love you so much , right?" He said with a small smile, but there was something different about the look in his eyes.

Something like.. pain.

I nodded and blinked my tears away.

Daddy loves me. I know that.

He will just go for a while.

I am sure he will come back.

Like every time. He just have work to do. But like always, he will come back.

I let my teddy bear slip out of my hand as i inched closer and threw myself in his embrace.

"I will miss you daddy." I said, my voice hoarse from all the crying. I sniffled as i buried my face in his shoulder. He instantly hugged me back, his hold so tight. Tighter than ever.

"I will miss you too, little princess." He whispered, as he nuzzled his nose in my hair and took in my scent. The vulnerability in his voice, is a thing i am not used to.

We stayed like this for few seconds. He didn't let go of me, he kept on holding me so close. There was something different about this time. Something..weird.

I sniffled and backed away. I didn't want to, but i had to. He have to go, he will miss his flight.

His work is important.

Sometimes, i think it is more important than me and mommy.

But it's okay.

At least, he is going to come back in few days..or weeks- or maybe months.

He brushed the tears from over my cheek, he smiled and patted my head before standing up straight.

His eyes traveled to mommy beside me but he didn't say anything. He just looked at her. The look in his eyes, it is just-- I can't explain it.

I saw a tear scroll down my Mom's cheek, she directly wiped it and looked away.

Daddy's gaze dropped down, his jaw ticked, he ran his hand in his hair before looking back at me.

He took in a deep breath before giving me a smile- a forced one.

He placed his hand over my head and ruffled my hair, "I'll be back." He said, then looked again at mommy-who in her turn kept looking away, "I'll be back little princess."

The promise in his voice got me a bit more relieved. But when he turned around and walked away. I couldn't help but wonder; Daddy always hugs mommy before leaving.

Why he didn't this time ?

I looked at mommy and saw how more tears left her eyes. She covered her mouth with her hand trying to suppress her cries. She usually doesn't cry when he leaves . Then why this time.

The sound of her sobs made a weird ache rise in my chest. And I couldn't help my tears as well.

I looked at daddy again, to see his back as he made his way inside the airport.

I wiped my tears and inched toward mommy and hugged her leg, it hurts me seeing her cry.

She sniffled and looked at me, she directly knelt down and hugged me so tight.

"It's okay." I said to her as she kept on crying. Why she is crying !

"It's okay mommy." I said again, "Daddy will come back."

But she seemed to know something I don't, because her tears kept their flow and her sobs just increased.

** End of Flashback**

I was pulled back to reality when i felt the tears forming in my eyes. If i would blink now, they would just fall down.

No. Don't you dare cry.

Don't show him you're weak.

I cleared my throat, i tried my best to not let them fall. My eyes started itching at the side, my throat closed up as i tried to bury these memories back inside, back in the deepest part of my brain, far away-- where they belong.

"What are you doing here ?" I asked, my voice blank. I was surprised that I actually managed to pull a cold act, because i feel myself on the verge of breaking.

He looked away as he took in a deep breath, then his gaze dropped back on me, "Aren't you going to let me in." He asked, a small smile formed over his lips.

I curled my hand into a fist. "I said, what are you doing here ?" I asked again gritting my teeth.

I converted the pain inside me into anger. I can't let him know that seeing him is slowly breaking me down. I can't give him that satisfaction.

"I came to see my daughter."

Oh, he is kidding me, isn't he ?

I let out a humorless chuckle, "Oh ! So, you do remember that you have a daughter?" I said sarcastically.

I shook my head , my eyebrows pulled together, "My bad, I thought you actually forgot that."

"Cara-" he started, his tone changing into a warning one.

"What- dad ?" The word came out as if I am even disgusted to say it. I heard footsteps behind me but I was too busy with what's actually happening to look back.

"We need to talk." He simply said.

How dare he ?

How dare he come back now, and act as if everything is-- normal !

"Really ? Talk ?" I asked mockingly, "Well guess what,"

"You're twenty years late !" I added bitterly.

The ringing of a phone behind me made me turn around directly. I saw Katherine, her eyes wide as she looked between me and…him. I can say she probably realized who he is by now.

She looked down at her phone, "It's Alex." She said before placing the phone beside her ear.

"Yes Alex." She said, her eyes kept looking at me, eyeing me warily, "She is here."

"I think it's better if you come-" She added as she looked again at the man I should call a father. "-Now."

She hanged up after that. I saw her swallow hard before inching closer toward the door.

"Uh- come in." She hesitantly said.

My eyes widened, "NO !" I snapped, "He is not entering my house."

"Cara !" Katherine hissed as she looked at me with wide eyes, "Calm down."

"He is not-"

"I won't take a lot of your time." He said interrupting me, "Just few minutes, is it too much, little princess ?"

I clenched my jaw. I don't want him to call me like this. I don't want to see him. Because i am afraid i may break down right in front of him.

I hate him.

I hate how his presence brings a weird sourness to my soul.

I hate the fact that despite everything, a small part of me wants him to come in. A part of me wants to hear what's he is here to say. A part of me is curious to why he came now , after all this time.

So I didn't say anything, i just stepped aside giving him the space to enter.

I am probably making the biggest mistake by letting him inside my house. But I won't do the mistake of ever letting him into my life.

He will say what he is here to say. He will leave. And i will never see him ever again.

Yes. Never.

Because I don't want to.

He stepped inside, his eyes not leaving mine, something like sadness clouding them. His hand went to touch my arm, but before his skin would made any contact with mine i directly flinched away, "Don't !" I directly said.

Something like hurt flashed in his eyes, but I didn't care.

What does he think ?

He thinks he can come back and i would just throw myself into his embrace and welcome him in.

Does he not know how much he had hurt me? How many days i wasted by waiting for him to come back home ?

How I believed in his promises even when everyone around me was telling me he's not coming back ?!

I believed in him. I trusted him.

He broke that trust.

He taught me to never trust anyone again.

He made me feel insecure about everything in myself.

He made me hate him.

He was the very first man to ever break my heart.

And nothing will ever change that.

Katherine ushered him inside, and i took a moment alone trying to calm myself. I covered my mouth with my hand and pressed my eyes closed.

Don't cry. Don't cry.

I kept on reminding myself.

I swallowed past the lump in my throat, i took in a deep breath. Then i made my way inside.

Just few minutes. You can handle more few minutes.

I sat down on the couch facing him, I placed my hands in my lap and nervously fidgeted with them.

His eyes traveled to Katherine -who was standing beside us, then went back to me.

"Uh- I will just uh-" Katherine started, "Okay." She said and awkwardly left the room leaving us alone.

"What do you want ?" I directly said, not wanting to waste any second.

He let out a sigh, "Look I know you're mad at me-"

"Mad ?" I asked mockingly. "You disappeared for twenty years and you expect me to be mad ?"

"Cara, I had my reasons." He said ever so seriously. I almost laughed loud at that.

Reasons my asś.

My eyebrows pulled together, "What are these reasons ? What's so big that made you leave your wife and your only daughter ?."

"I had to." He just said.

I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from letting my anger lash out on him, from saying words I am not supposed to say.

"It's your mother's fault." He added.

My eyes widened and I directly shot up from my seat, "How dare you ?" I snapped , unable to contain the anger in me anymore.

I pointed my finger toward him, "Don't blame her for your own mistakes. Don't you dare !"

"I saw what she went through after you left." I said , "So don't make up some lies now to show that you're the innocent one."

"I am not lying." He shook his head and stood up as well, "She asked me to leave."

Oh god. I can't believe this man.

What's wrong with him.

"You know what, i am so stupid for letting you in. I thought you have something valuable to say, I thought you would at least apologize-"

I shook my head, "Just leave, now, get out of my house !"

"Cara listen-"

"I said leave now." I said stressing on each word.

"You have to listen to me !" He added, his voice raising a bit.

"I don't want to; I don't want to talk with you or even see you." I shook my head, "Just leave my house !"

I couldn't take it anymore, so i turned around and started walking away. I can't hear any other word from his mouth.

He followed me and suddenly took a hold of my arm from the back making me abruptly stop , "You need me Cara." He said, his tone showing he knows something that i don't. I didn't turn around as I tried to free my arm from his hold. He tightened his hand around my arm that it started to hurt me, "And if you don't listen to me, bad things are going to happen."

My eyes widened at his words. What is he trying to do? I turned my head and gritted my teeth. He is so crossing the line.

"Leave my ar-"

"What's happening here ?" I heard Alex's voice before seeing him. He directly stepped closer and removed my father's hand from over my arm and gently pushed me behind him.

"What the f*ck you think you're doing ?" Alex snapped looking at him.

My father's jaw tightened. I can see the anger building up in his eyes.

"I am talking with my daughter." He said, his tone taking a more dangerous shade, "Don't interfere."

"Well, if i heard correctly, my wife doesn't want to talk with you." Alex said, he looked angry as well. "I think it's better if you leave."

He let out a sigh, his eyes flicked to me, after a short while, he nodded, "Okay, we'll talk later then." He said it as if sure I am going to accept seeing him again.

I shook my head, "Don't think of ever coming back here."

"I won't. You're the one who's going to come to me." He said , "You'll see."

Alex directly stepped closer toward him, "Look here , I’ve never met you before and I don't care if you're her father or not-", he started, his tone threatening, "- but I advise you to be careful, I won't let you hurt her this time."

"Remember that she is not alone." He added.

My dad chuckled, as if Alex just told him a joke, "I won't hurt my own daughter."

I really wanted to laugh at that. Like seriously.

"You better not." Alex said.

With one last look at me, he turned his body and walked away. And in that moment i let the first tear escape.

Feeling my inside about to explode, I directly turned around and ran upstairs. I heard Alex calling my name, but I didn't stop. I couldn't, I hate crying in front of anyone. Even in front of him.

I entered the room and closed the door behind me with a loud thud. I slammed my back against the wall, my breathing getting heavier, my tears kept their flow, I wasn't able to control them anymore.

I sank on the floor, my body going numb, but my sobs didn't stop. What I buried inside for the past years, all came out as i saw him again. What i was avoiding to not feel, invaded my chest and penetrated through the opened wound he left in my heart.

I heard the door opening, but I didn't look up, i placed my head in my hands letting myself drawn in my tears more.

I heard his footsteps nearing before i felt his arms around me as he pulled me to his chest and hugged me so tight.

I held his shirt tightly as I let myself cry in his embrace. He ran his hand in my hair and kissed my head, but he didn't say anything.

He didn't need to. Him holding me like this was enough.

He didn't even tell me to stop crying, he knows I need to let it out.

We stayed like this for I do not know how long. It was comfortable somehow.

I sniffled and backed away, Alex directly cupped my face in his hands and with his thumb, he brushed the tears on my cheek away.

"Why he had to come now ?" I said, my voice muffled with my tears, I shook my head, "I don't want to see him."

Alex nodded, "Don't worry, I won't let him come near you again." He said as he removed the hair that fell over my face away.

He kissed my forehead and again wiped the left tears on my cheek. He gave me a weak smile to which I returned.

"So, I go away for half an hour and the whole world crashes." He said, his tone went back to the usual playful one, "I didn't know I am that much important."

I smiled weakly and wrapped my arms around his neck, "You are."

I inched closer and pecked his lips, "You are the most important person in my life." I closed my eyes and whispered the words to him.

And I meant them.

He is so important to me.

I was always afraid he may just leave like my dad did, but no, he won't, i am sure.

Alex is nothing like my dad.

He won't leave me, or even leave our child. He loves me, he cares about me, even more than my own father ever did.

A smile crept its way to his lips, "Well I didn't know you become romantic when you're sad."

"Don't let me take it back." I said raising an eyebrow.

He chuckled, "Okay okay, i won't ruin the moment." He said, "It's once in a lifetime that you actually start pouring your feelings out."

"Hey, if I don't say it, that doesn't mean I don't feel it !" I said and shot him a glare.

He laid his back on the wall and pulled me to his lap, "I know."

"I know you're deeply in love with me, i mean come on, who isn't ?" He said with a confident smile, "Just it's still good to hear it from one time to another." He added as he tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear.

"And since you're pouring your feelings out, tell me more, come on, feed my ego baby."

I chuckled and shook my head, "I have my limits, that's enough for today."

"Come on cupcakes." He added whining like a kid. "Please."

I let out a sigh and looked at him, "Okay so-" I started , but I didn't know what to say.

Damn I am so bad when it comes to talking about my feelings and shït.

Gosh, I am such a bad person.

"So ?" He said ushering me to continue.

I looked away, "So- um-" I paused then looked back at him, he was giving his full concentration, "I can't, I can't okay, you placed me under the spot, I can't talk now." I added with an irritated tone.

He chuckled and shook his head, "I don't know why I love you."

I slapped his chest and shot him a glare, "Shut up."

He chuckled more ,"Hmm Okay now let’s say, for example-" He started, " God forbid, but let's say I died, what will you do ?"

My eyes widened and I slapped his chest again, "What the f*ck are you saying ?"

For some reason, my heart pumped harder against my chest when he said those words, "Don't ever say that again !" I added as I lightly punched his chest.

"Okay, okay, calm down, I said for example." Alex said with a chuckle and caught my hand before i would punch him again.

"Don't say then !" I added while glaring at him, my heart dropped in my stomach as i recalled what happened almost a year ago, "You reminded me with the time when you got shot and you were in the hospital and i thought-"

I paused unable to even make the word leave my mouth, "I thought you were going to die, and that was the hardest thing to ever happen to me."

I shook my head as I recalled those days, I looked back at him feeling new tears threatening to fall, "I've never loved anyone like I love you and it scares me, it really scares me, that's why I don't always talk about how I feel, because saying it makes it more real and that-"

I don't know why I felt my throat closing up as I talked further, "-it scares me, because I know if anything ever happened to you, I would go crazy."

Alex was silent as I talked, and when I finished, he broke into the brightest smile, "Why you're smiling ?" I said raising an eyebrow. What's so funny about what I just said.

He tightened his arms around me and pulled me closer toward him, "Oh cupcakes-", He chuckled, "You're in deep shït, you're soo in love with me."

I involuntary smiled as I laid my head over his chest. Unfortunately, I am.

"Can I ask a question though." He said, his tone changed a bit.

I nodded in his chest, "You always ask me if I would ever leave you, can I ask this question this time ?"

I lifted my head and looked at him, "Will you leave me ?" He asked, he wasn't joking or smiling or anything. He looked so serious asking me this question.

"Well if you screw things up, of course I will leave." I said with a shrug, he raised an eyebrow and snapped , "What the f*ck !"

"What ? What if you cheated on me or something, of course i am going to leave you." I added in a matter of a fact tone.

He kept on glaring at me, "I would never cheat on you, you stupid."

I smiled, "Then I would never leave, you stupid." At my words, his smile came back.

"I love you." He said as he pecked my lips, "And for your information, if you ever thought of leaving, then I am leaving with you." He said and raised an eyebrow, "I am never letting you leave alone."

I smiled and nodded, "I like that."

And then out of nowhere, it hit me , "Wait, where is Katherine and Ashton ?" I said knitting my eyebrows.

"Oh, I kicked them out." He said nonchalantly.

My eyes widened, "What ?" I said and punched him again, "What the f*ck is wrong you ?"

"What ?" He said acting all surprised as I continued punching his chest, "You weren't okay so i told them to lea-"

"Will you stop hitting my chest." He said and removed my hand away.

I clenched my jaw and stood up, "Ugh, you have no manners, how did you kick them out ! " I said not believing him, then I started looking around for my phone to call Katherine, she'll probably be worried now.

"AHH !" I screamed when I was suddenly lifted off my feet, "What are you doing?" I said, my eyes wide as Alex started walking holding me in his arms in a bridal style.

"PUT ME DOWN." I snapped while he just chuckled in return.

"PUT ME DO-" I didn't continue my sentence as my back hit the mattress of the bed.

I narrowed my eyes as he hovered over me, "What are you doing?"

"I will show you exactly how I have no manners at all." He said with a wink before his face inched closer and roughly took my lips in his.

Sigh.

I will just insult him later.

Hmm. Yeah , definitely later, let me concentrate on this now.

*********

Next day

Did I ever mention how much i hate traffic ?

Oh, I didn't. Then let me.

I FREAKING HATE TRAFFIC.

I finished my work an hour ago, but still i am stuck here in this stupid traffic.

Damn.

I couldn't be any happier when the cars in front of me moved a bit.

Now, I just have to escape from the highway and take the other way around.

So, once I reached the crossroad, I took a turn to my right and drove away from traffic.

This would take longer for me to arrive, but no traffic at least.

I got more relieved as I drove further and barely saw any car.

I turned on the radio and continued driving.

The car driving behind me grabbed my attention from the rearview mirror, my eyes widened a bit as I recognized as the same black car that always follows me.

It suddenly sped more and passed just right beside me.

My heart knocked it up a notch when it turned around right in front of my car and suddenly stopped, parking the car horizontally.

My eyes widened and I directly pressed the break so hard, to save myself from crashing into it.

My heartbeats calmed a bit when my car stopped right one meter away from the other one.

Angrily, I went down , "What is wrong with you ?" I snapped at the man who came out of the other car.

He was so tall and masculine and for a moment i got really scared, since i am here all alone in this place.

He walked closer toward me, the look in his eyes hard. I didn't process how all of a sudden, he took a hold of my wrists and pinned them behind my back and pulled me closer to him. My back against his front.

Panic crawled under my skin, I directly tried to fight against his hold, but he was so much stronger than I am.

"LEAVE ME !" I snapped as I tried to kick him with my legs.

"You're pregnant, so I don't want to hurt you." He said beside my ear, his voice sending chills down my spine, "Just follow me to the car without fighting."

My eyes widened, I lost control over my heart and mind. Oh my god, he is going to kidnap me.

Oh my god. Oh my god.

"LEAVE ME , LEAVE ME !" I screamed as I again tried to free myself.

He groaned when as I stepped on his feet and pressed hard. His hold over my wrist just tightened making me wince in pain.

I think I heard the voice of a car nearing, so I screamed very loud, "HELP !" I screamed again , "HEL-" My voice came muffled as he placed his other hand over my mouth and started dragging me away.

A pile rose up in my stomach and my heart was no longer under my control as he pushed me closer toward his car.

I didn't have time to process how he was suddenly pulled away from me. I stood glued in my place as he was pushed into the ground. The one who saved me landed a punch over his face followed by another.

I gasped; my hand flew to cover my mouth as I saw it's no one but him-- my father.

"What the fück you think you're doing ?!" He snapped at the other guy as he pulled him from his shirt and slammed his body against the car.

How can he do this ? He is much stronger than his age. And the weird thing the other guy is not even fighting back.

He wrapped his hand around the other guy's neck and pressed hard, "What do you want from her ?"

"It's boss's orders." The other guy said ,barely even able to let the words out.

At his words, my dad let go of the guy's neck and ran his hand in his hair, "Fück !" He cursed; his jaw so tight.

He pointed his finger toward the other guy, "You go tell him that I am fücking working on it, he doesn't have to interfere."

What ?

My eyebrows pulled together. What's happening over here ? They know each other?

"Tell him if he ever tries to lay a finger on my daughter, he will regret the moment he was born." My dad added with a threatening tone.

He looked so different. So angry, so strong, so-- dangerous.

The other guy nodded and looked down, "Okay sir." He said.

My eyes widened more.

Sir ?

They fücking know each other !

The guy who was almost going to kidnap me knows my dad.

Coincidence ? I don't think so.

"Now get the fûck out of here  and remember if I ever see you near her again, I won't go easy like this time." My dad said and the other guy nodded and went inside his car and immediately drove away.

My father walked closer toward me, his eyes checking me carefully ," Are you okay ?" He asked as his hand went toward my arm.

I directly backed away, "What the hell just happened ?" I asked.

He pressed his mouth in a thin line and looked away, "Cara, we need to talk." He said as he looked back at me.

"I think i made it clear I don't want to talk with you anymore." I said, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Did you not just see what happened ?" He said , his voice raised a bit, "You're in danger ! We have to talk, there is many things you need to know."

I stood silently not knowing what to say. I looked down unable to meet his eyes.

I don't want to talk with him, yet I want to know what in hell is happening.

"I can explain." He said, his tone calmed a bit. "You have to let me explain."

"Please ?" He added, I lifted my head and looked back at him, his eyes pleading me to say yes.

I didn't say anything. I don't know what i want and what I don't.

He let out a sigh and rubbed his eyes, "I am leaving in two days." He said and I don't why i felt a weird ache in my chest.

What did you think you stupid Cara !

You thought he came back for you, you thought he came back forever. He was probably just in town and decided to pass by.

He is going to leave again. Like he always does.

Feeling my tears threatening to fall, without a single word, I turned around and started walking toward my car.

"You can ask whatever you want." He suddenly said , his words made me stop, "You can ask why I left."

I swallowed the lump in my throat, "I won't lie." He added but I didn't turn around as I felt the first tear trickle down my cheek.

I shook my head and opened the car's door, before i could enter , he talked again, "Tomorrow morning i will be waiting for you."

"I will send you the address." He added, "And i will wait the whole day long if I need to."

"Just please come."

With that I directly went inside my car and without wasting a second, I drove away.

When I was far away from him. I stopped the car and parked aside. I tried to breath, i tried to calm my racing heart.

And tried my best not to cry.

But I couldn't. This is my weakness.

He is my weakness.

It is a thing I can't fight. No matter how much i tried.

I was snapped out of my thoughts when my phone buzzed beside me. I sniffled and wiped the tears on my cheek away as I checked it.

I saw a message from an unsaved number. It was an address.

It's him.

He knows my number?

Of course, he does. He also came to my house; how did he know my address ?

I have no freaking idea.

Another message came.

'I will be waiting for you.' It said.

I stared at the phone's screen having a debate with myself.

Should i or should i not ?

You're in danger.

What's happening? Why that guy wanted to kidnap me ?

It's boss's order.

Who is boss ?

I want to know. He said I can ask him whatever I want. He said he will answer and explain.

Okay then. I will go. I will see what he has for me.

I just hope I am not doing a mistake by meeting him, by talking with him, by seeing him again.

********

The day passed like any other day, I didn't tell anyone about what happened earlier, nor about my father.

I decided to keep it to myself for the time being.

On the next morning, when Alex went to work, I changed my clothes and drove toward the address my father sent.

I stood at the restaurant's door having another debate with myself to whether I should enter or just leave.

If I left , I would probably never see him again since he's leaving in two days. Which is good.

But if I entered, I may finally get an answer. An answer for the question that I always asked to myself, for the past twenty years.

With a deep breath, I made my way inside. I directly spotted him on the table beside the window.

He's actually waiting for me. I didn't trust him to do that at least.

Okay Cara let's do this.

With determination I walked toward his table. Once he spotted me, he directly stood up. I can say he is kind of surprised.

"You came." He said as if not believing it.

I directly sat down on the chair facing him, "You wanted to explain, so I am here to listen." I said pulling the blank act.

He nodded and sat down as well, "Do you want something to drink ?" He asked.

I shook my head, "I am just here to get my answers."

"Okay." He nodded, "Ask whatever you want."

I looked at my hands as I nervously played with them, "Why did you leave ?" The words came as a mere whisper out of my mouth. For a moment I thought he didn't even hear me.

I lifted my head and looked at him, "Your mother asked me to."

I clenched my jaw, my hand curled into a fist, "You said you won't lie."

"I am not lying." He said, "Look Cara, my work is kind of-" he paused for a while as if trying to find the best word.

"Kind of different, and when your mother knew what i exactly do, she asked me to leave, to get out of your lives, she said she doesn't want you to be raised in such a dangerous environment, she wanted you to have a normal life."

"I hated that she was right, and i hated that i had to do that.

Maybe you don't remember but one time you were in real danger just because of me, because of what i do."

My eyebrows pulled together and I felt so lost. I didn't understand.

"What is your work then ?" I asked , "What do you do ?"

He shook his head, "We'll talk later about that."

Later ?

"You're leaving in two days, when we gonna talk about it ?" I said with a raised eyebrow, "Or you're planning on coming again after another twenty years."

He looked unsatisfied by the way I am talking with him, but I don't care. I can't find it in me to respect him.

Let's say my mom actually told him to leave, why he didn't come back even once ? Just to check on us, or just to say hi ? Did he not get worried that something would happen to us?

If he was a real father, nothing that I, or anyone could have said, would've made him leave.

"That's why I needed to talk with you." He said pulling me out of my thoughts. My eyebrows knitted in confusion not understanding what he means.

"I am leaving in two days." He said, "And I want you to come with me."

I laughed. I actually laughed; I couldn't not laugh.

He is so funny. Isn't he ?!

"Cara !" He said in a warning tone, "I am serious."

"And why exactly I would leave with you ?" I said raising an eyebrow.

"Because you have to." He added, his tone showing there is no place for negotiation, "You saw what happened yesterday."

"There is people who are more powerful than me and you and if you don't come with me, they will do more, they're capable of doing much more."

I shook my head, "No." I simply said.

"What no ?" He asked.

"No, I am not going with you." I said, "You expected me to say yes !"

What's wrong with him. I don't understand this man, I really don't.

"Staying here is not an option !" He said , "You have to come with me, alone."

"You need me." He added.

I looked at him with unbelievable look. "You really don't understand, do you ?"

His eyebrows knitted together in confusion. He really doesn't understand.

"I came here because a part of me was thinking you may at least say sorry, you may at least tell me that you regret it, that you feel guilty about it." I said, my tone calmer than it should be. I wanted to scream at him but I couldn't.

"You don't understand that it's too late now, you're wrong , I don't need you. Not anymore, I taught myself not to." I said, "I don't miss you now, I don't even love you."

"You know why ?" I asked as i felt the tear escape my eye, but I didn't care in hiding it this time, "Because you weren't there when i needed you the most."

"Cara-" he started to say but I directly shook my head , "No, dad, no, you were supposed to take care of me, to protect me from other men, not be the very first man to ever break my heart."

"So you can't just come now, after twenty years and tell me , I should go with you." I shook my head, my voice raising because I couldn't take it anymore, "Because i won't."

"I am not like you." I said and shook my head, "I won't leave the people i care about behind me and go."

"But if you don't come, these people will get hurt." He said.

After everything I said, this is the only thing he came up with ?

"Are you threatening me ?" I said, my eyebrows pulled together.

"If I have to then yes." He simply said.

I really don't know what to feel anymore.

"I am so stupid." I said as i grabbed my purse angrily and stood up, "I am really so stupid."

"You will regret this Cara."

"The only thing I regret is being your daughter !" I snapped at him. My anger taking the best of me at the moment.

"I thought we can solve this like civil people." He said as he stood up as well, "But your obliging me to show my other face."

Oh really.

"I don't want to, but if i have to, then i will hurt them, starting from your dear husband."

"So, I advise you to act more wisely, because leaving them is better than seeing them dead." He added bitterly as he slammed his hand over the table grabbing other's attention in the process.

This time when he talked, I saw a whole new different person.

A dangerous one. A one I felt so scared of.

But I won't show him that.

I shook my head, "I don't care about your threats." I said, I didn't want him to see that i am scared. "I am not leaving them like you left me."

"Put this one thing in your mind-dad.", I said before I turned to walk away-

"I fell far from the tree. Very far."