CHAPTER 11: Hi Dad.

SCARLETT'S POV

   'Sir Chairman, the young Miss is here.' The guard announced the moment we walked in and I seized my breathing.

Here goes nothing...

   I pursed my lips as I took in his features. He was tall and standing with his back to us, his hands folded behind his waist. His auburn hair had few stripes of gray at the side; either from aging or maybe a dye. The man was dressed in a tuxedo. 

I watched him with my heart beating hard against my chest and then...he turned around.

   His dark green eyes lit up the moment he saw me and for a moment, he looked dazed. 

   'You look so much like your mother.' He smiled but I noticed the tears that clouded his eyes as he said those words. I swallowed nothing as I struggled within me for words _for the right words to say at such a moment.

Was I supposed to say thank you? Hello? Hi? Good morning or whatever? Gosh! Someone tell me what to do...

   'Hi...uh...uhm Da..dad?' I stuttered between words. My father chuckled softly and walked across to me. The guard was long returned to his post.

   'Relax Scarlett, you don't need to force yourself now. I understand you're still edgy with all that's happened of late. But I can assure you I'm not for...' His words stopped mid air when I suddenly ran to him and hugged him. 

Yes I did! 

Even though I'm not used to all these yet, I've secretly always wanted a Dad ever since I was young. My dead mom left me details of how he's like in her journal and boy, she's so right!

   'Dad,' I smiled tearily when I felt his tensed body relaxed and his arms wrapped around my shoulders.

And then, dad cried. I wasn't expecting it but he cried so convulsively that my heart ached for him. 

It must have been really hard without Mom...

   I can't judge him for whatever happened between him and mom's bestfriend as I understand from what my mother wrote down for me in her journal, Harriet's plans concerning him.

There's no denying that she must have seduced him and gotten pregnant. If dad loved her, he would've had her registered as his legal wife but no, he didn't. And that screams a lot! 

Harriet was just his wife because she gave birth to his children and he probably didn't want them living far from him. 

Well, we'll deal with that later but for now....

My Dad soon released me but his hands still rested on my shoulders.

   'Thank you, thank you Heidi for accepting me easily into your life. This means a lot to me.' He said. I smiled and he hugged me once more.

Heidi is my middle name. I also recently found out. In mom's journal she said that's the name Dad planned on giving me and that I shouldn't be surprised when I hear him say it in the future.

Well, she was right again.

   'Do you mind completing your tour around this city with your old man?' Dad asked and a very excited grin spread across my face.

   'Of course I don't mind Dad, that would be awesome.' 

Touring the city with dad is like a Christmas wish, come true. Now I can't wait. 

I wrapped my arms on his back as I smiled.

Okay, I love this development now. Is that bad?

ASHTON'S POV

   'You can't find him at the office?' I stopped my workout and sat up to stare at Toby, my right hand man. 

   'Yes Boss,' he replied. 'I'm sorry boss, when I got to the company, the chairman was gone.' He apologized and I frowned. I hate disappointing mother. 

   'He isn't home either. Did you check the private villa at Erdington?' I asked, picking up the water bottle by the side. I opened the lid and drank from it before tossing the empty container towards the trashcan.

I'm my father's only son, so of course I know ninety nine percent of his private properties.

   'No Boss,' He said and I glared at him, trying my best to resist the urge of yelling at him.

   'And you come here to tell me you can't find my father? C'mon go take a discreet look at the villa and report back to me.' I sighed and continued my workout.

   'I'm sorry Boss,' He bowed and soon left the private gym in my father's mansion.

The sudden ringing of my phone made me pause but I didn't take a look. It's probably that Cora girl again. Doesn't she realize that if I needed a whore, I know just where to find one?

I continue lifting the dumbbells while sitting up on the gymbench but finally decided to take a look at my iPhone on the fifth ring. 

I only know two people who would continuously ring my phone till I pick up or switch it off; Rhys and Logan, my best friends. My third best friend, Dexter is always busy chasing the opposite gender to care about ringing my phone in that manner.

I was right; it was a call from Rhys.

   'Hey bro,' I said immediately I'd accepted the call.

   'Idiot, it's me Dexter.'

   'What? How are you with Rhys phone? Wait...don't answer that.' I said and I pictured him rolling his eyes. 'Why are calling with Rhys phone? Is everything alright?' I was hearing the background music and I could tell they were at a bar.

   'Because I felt like it.' He said and I shake my head. He's always like that. But I noticed he sounds a bit too serious today. What could be up? 'Do you mind joining us at the bar? Something's up with Logan and we need your help.' He said as though he read my mind.

I just knew it...

I stood up instantly, wiping the sweats off my forehead with a small towel.

   'Of course, I'll be there soon.' I said and he ended the call.

I hurriedly walked out the gym and down the hallway to my room. However I met mother along the way.

I hope he's fine...

   'Ashton? Why are in you in such a hurry? Everything alright?' I heard her say but I didn't stop.

   'I'm fine mother, you needn't worry. I just have to step out for a while.' I said as I hurriedly took the flight upstairs to my room.

SCARLETT'S POV

 I listened attentively as Dad told me the history of the Birmingham art museum, while we took leisure steps around the exquisite building, checking out the various pieces that got my interest.

   'Heidi, make sure you tell me about any painting you desire to have, I'll get it for you.' Dad said and I smiled.

Did I tell you my dad's gorgeous? Well, now you know.

   As Dad said, I found quite a few unique paintings I'll love for a keep. And as I told dad about them, I didn't fail to notice the many pair of eyes watching us in the art museum. They were staring like we're some rare eye-catching piece of art. 

   I don't blame them though; just few days after the whole story of me showing up at the canal and the rumors already going round that I might be related to Chairman Grey _which is a fact by the way_ only for me and the chairman to be seen on a tour where literally anyone could identify us, without being bothered but Instead checking out paintings in a lovely father to daughter manner and attracting the curious stares and interest of the citizens.

I can already imagine the next headline on every paper today...

   'Dad, how about this one?' I asked, referring to a painting with my voice slightly raised. 

Hehe hehe... Of course, I did that intentionally. What do you think?

They needed to know; since they're damn curious, that I AM MY FATHER'S DAUGHTER!

  However, I was greatly pleased when I saw the sparkingly glint in Dad's mesmerizing green eyes and the supportive smile on his elegant face when he understood my intention.

   'Go ahead baby girl, I got you.' He smiled.

ASHTON'S POV

   It took me not more than a couple of minutes before I found all three of my friends, sitting at a corner of the noisy but classic bar. Like me, they were from wealthy families in Birmingham city. I made my way across to them, ignoring the girls sitting at a corner and ogling me.

   'Oh no! Logan, what happened to you??' I exclaimed immediately I got to them and saw the bruises and patches over his face. His lips were bursted, his chubby face red and he had few patches on his forehead and close to his eyebrow. His eyes were swollen and red.

   'Guess,' Rhys chuckled. I sighed and sat down beside him.

   'He was in a fight with some dude again because of Amelia Mills, was he not?' I looked at him.

   'That round head fool attacked me first but of course I had to retaliate otherwise Amelia would think lowly of me.' Logan defended.

   'Here, have some wine.' Dexter offered him mockingly and he glared at him, while Rhys laughed.

   'Logan, who was it this time?' I asked. Dexter and Rhys began coughing unnecessarily while Logan had an uneasy look on his face. 

   'Will you guys quit with the suspense already? Isn't that why you called me? If you won't talk how am I supposed to help?' I queried and Dexter sighed.

   'Tristan Millan,' He said. I arched a brow at him. 'Yes, same guy, the former CEO of your dad's company.' He added. I shot a glance at Logan instantly. He avoided my eyes.

   'I swear I didn't know his identity from the start.' He said.

Well, that dude wasn't in Jail because of dad's kind gestures even after he embezzled over a billion pounds. He was merely removed from office and asked to refund the money. But that doesn't mean he was now vulnerable. Dude's still got a strong network of connections, thanks to his years of being a CEO at the company.

Seriously what was Logan thinking...

   'What did you do to him? The same thing he did to you or more?' I asked him, running my eyes over his wounds.

   'More. I also smashed his car and the idiot promised to press charges.' He admitted. 'I'm sorry bro, but if you'll just help me out this one time, I promise I won't let you down again.' 

   'You know better than to believe a lovesick man.' Rhys chuckled.

   'I know right. Isn't this the fifth time already? Logan won't give up on Amelia Mills, everyone knows that. Not yet, at least.' Dexter laughed.

   'Well, I'll see what I can do. But if my position as general manager of the company doesn't deter him, then I might use my authority as my dad's only son.' I said and they all let out a sigh from relief.

   'Thanks so much bro. I know you don't disappoint.' Logan praised, his sullen countenance gone and now replaced with excitement. 

   'Of course he doesn't. If things work out for you and Amelia, just know it's all thanks to Ashton.' Dexter said. 

   'Yes, I believe he'll make a great CEO soon.' Rhys added. I smiled smugly as my friends praised me.

   'Have a glass dar-ling Ashton.' Logan drawled, passing me the glass of champagne. The guys laughed.

I raised the glass to my lips but the vibrating of my phone in my pocket made me pause. I dropped it back at the table and picked my phone. It was Toby, my right hand man calling.

   'Yes,' I said as I received it.

   'Boss, the chairman's not at the villa...'

   'And?' I asked.

   'I made secret enquires and one of the guards informed me the chairman left on a tour around the city with that lady that looks like his first wife.' I stood up immediately.

   'What?!'

NARRATIVE

   Imogen let out a small moan as the lady's skillful hands work the way expertly about her body.

   Few minutes earlier, she was at home with her friend Yori; a red haired pretty round-faced girl, tall and slender and the daughter of an affluent man, when she got a call from KK's secretary informing her of yet another rescheduled appointment. She was so upset and was beginning to verge her wrath on the poor workers in her father's mansion that Yori had to suggest a visit to the spa, to which she readily obliged.

  They opted out the renowned classic 'Clair David's Exceptional Touch' health resort in city center. This spa was truly famous and exceptional as its name imply and only the affluent could go there.

   Having agreed to Yori's suggestion, the girls had found themselves at the grand deluxe room and were receiving the best massage treatment at the top floor of the exquisite building while having their girlie talk.

   'That's how this dude, kept saying this or that. Can you imagine, nigga was offering to pay for my drink. Bitch gotta get up and leave. Mehn...he wasn't my spec but no matter how many times I'd mentioned it, he was just too clueless or rather stupid to relate. Anyway, I called Bruce and canceled attending his party. Of course he wasn't pleased. I'd promised to make it up to him soon,' Yori said and Imogen laughed.

   'You mean the usual...' She turned slightly on her side and the girls exchanged knowing glances, cackling as they did.

While they went on to talk about several other things, two young women walked in the grand deluxe they were in, both much engrossed in a conversation.

   'Hmm I'm trying to imagine how Harriet Grey would feel when she hears or sees this.' The short chubby woman with the bobbed hair and fringe said. 

Imogen paused on her conversation with Yori when she heard her mother's name being mentioned. She became alarmed instantly as she turned to look at the women.

   'I agree. She must be unaware about the latest events. Otherwise she probably won't sit still and watch this happen. I mean, with the legendary tale of how she stole her best friend's man.' The second woman having long brown hair and blue eyes said. 

A frown and a menacing glare replaced Imogen's initial alarmed expression. She sat up instantly, shoving the woman attending to her away. Yori ran her big obsidian eyes over the women and clicked her tongue.

As far as she was concerned, those bitches just got themselves free tickets to jail. Except, a miracle happens. Because, Imogen would never settle with anyone who dares to talk ill about her mother.

   'Hey stop there! What do you mean just now?!' She thundered.