Chapter 95: Chapter 95
How did we find ourselves in this situation? The only thing that has changed is that we are sitting around the table eating as if nothing has occurred. I was just thinking about how I was going to let him free the other day. It wasn't until yesterday that I came across an article about him, which I read because I was frightened of seeing him someplace and didn't know what to do since I knew he couldn't contain his rage at me. I couldn't look at him because I was preoccupied with Athen, who was completely unaware of the animosity that existed between me and her father. She was oblivious that her father was sitting at the same table as us.
However, no matter how much I try to avert his gaze, he never takes his eyes away from me, and I can see what he is thinking about me. The thought of it made my heart race, and I prayed that Athen would be silent and continue eating and won't talk words that put us more in awkward situations. Also he was referring to "reward" as wanting to dine with us never dawned on me, which was strange considering he had no idea that Athen was his daughter. Or it's possible that he wanted to eat with me because he wanted to hold me responsible for everything that happened to him after I left. But, admittedly, he wasn't the only one who had to go through this. He wasn’t the only one who experienced hell.
But I was praying that Athen shouldn't talk since I knew her tongue had no brakes and I couldn't stop her from saying anything. However…
"What brings you here, Mr.?" Her fried chicken was still in her mouth, and I was glad that she didn't throw it out. In order to avoid feeling awkward in the face of Adonis' response, I gave Athen a tissue to wipe her lips with. Even though I tried to appear that I was disinterested in his answer, I couldn't stop my ear from listening to what he was going to say. It was tough for me not to shake my hand. I can't help but wonder whether he's here in hopes of meeting the woman he's seeing. Thinking about it, I was filled with dread, but deep down, I knew I had no right to feel that way— I already lost my rights a long time ago.
"I'm here to meet a person," he said. His words ended there. I raised an eyebrow at him and saw that he was keeping a fixed focus on me. To avoid his stare, I immediately returned my attention to the dish. I gulped down the water like champagne. My heart hurts, but I also want to laugh at myself because he sees things differently than I do now. I'm tempted to hit myself in the face to serve as a reminder and to declare that things have changed since then. The Adonis before had a warm and cuddly appearance; the one now is very cold, and I have no choice but to take the torture.
"Have you found her?" Athen had given up on food. I held her since she was already standing up in the chair and there was a risk of her falling. I couldn't help but gaze at Athen's father as she sat on my thighs and stared at him. That which; the way he gives me his eyes is already making its way into my soul. I gritted my teeth but waited patiently for him to respond to each of his glances at me.
“I did.”
"Then what's the point of you being here and not with her?" Athen questioned in a naïve way, and I felt sorry for her since I knew she would despise every word her father uttered if she only knew her father was here right in front of her. She didn't get the family she'd said she wanted, and she'd despise the two of us. While she sees other children with their fathers on our walks, I sense jealousy growing in her heart, and all I can do is watch as she wears a sorrowful expression.
Adonis didn't say anything and managed to continue to stare at me in the eyes. I instantly went looking for my card and took it out of my wallet. I rose to my feet and prepared to go to the counter without stopping to wait for the waiter, who was in my way. However, Adonis blocked my way. If he was tall before, he is far taller today, and he seems to me to be a towering figure. His hair had grown long as well, demonstrating that he deserved to be referred to as Adonis. My eyes widened as he grabbed Athen away from me, and I recoiled in horror at what he had done. Those few seconds were filled with a peculiar feeling of foreboding. He didn't seem to have any intention of returning my daughter, based on the manner he stole Athen in my arms.
I attempted to wrest Athen away from him, tears already building in my eyes, but his visage remained stiff and unmoving throughout the act. My knee is deteriorating, and it is possible that it may give way at any time. He didn't give up, and it's a pity that I would have suffered if it hadn't been for Athen's simple words, which returned my life back to its normal course. The tone of Athen's voice was still typical, but there was a hint of anxiety in her tone when she spoke to Adonis.
"Can you tell me what you're doing, Mister? You're making my mother panic."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude. Did I do anything wrong?" He looked Athen in the eyes, yet there was still a tinge of harshness in his expression. This is not the Adonis I was familiar with and loved before. He is a completely different person from the one I remember, and I no longer recognize him since every motion and word he makes fills me with anxiety.
Athen gave him a kind nod, and he carefully handed Athen back to me. After touching my kid, it was only then that I was able to find comfort. Prior to leaving the proximity of our faces, he muttered in my ear, which made my body stiffen in response to it.
"At this point, you understand what it's like when something is taken away from you. You have denied me. You brought my timid monster back to life, and now you understand how it all feels."