Daddy Dominant's Good Girl

Chapter 9 : Mixed Drinks and Mixed Feelings

I suddenly realized that it was a bad decision to come here tonight.

I watched him continue to lean in, and my heart raced. For a moment, I panicked and didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t be unfaithful to Carl!

I tried to shove him away by his chest, but he was too strong for me.

However, he didn’t kiss me. His lips were next to my ears, and his breaths were warm. “Now, you may ask your question,” he said in his deep, low voice.

I felt as if electricity ran down my spine. I was stunned for a moment.

Ellis chuckled in my ear, stopped and pulled away from me with a playful expression, “Or did you just want to have another dance?”

“No, of course not.” I shook my head, “Let’s… let’s talk about Carl.”

“Alright then, please take a seat,” Ellis led me to the couch and poured himself a drink.

“Why were you so negative about him?”

He sat down next to me and replied, “Carl is... a womanizer. He often has more than one girlfriend at a time.”

My eyes widened. I gripped my arms in my hands, and peered at him.

I didn’t know what to think. Jenny had warned me about Carl, now even hearing this comment from Carl’s own father… it was still hard to swallow.

“Are you sure…? There must be some misunderstanding,” I murmured, shaking my head. I didn’t want to believe what Ellis said.

Carl said he loved me. It was hard to believe everything he said was a lie.

I remembered that during the welcome party for freshman students, all the guys were gathered around Bethany. I went out to get some fresh air, and was bothered by a troublemaker. It was Carl who came to me and protected me.

I asked him why he was there. He said his friends were with Bethany, but he wanted to introduce himself to me and ask me out. To him, I was more important than Bethany. That was why he was able to show up in time to help me.

He got himself injured in the process, but he said he was grateful it occurred, so that he could have had the opportunity to be with me.

Even till this day, I remembered how grateful I was towards him. He’d been treating me well ever since.

Now, how could I believe that same man was lying to me?

“Miss Richardson, you are a smart girl, you’ll be able to make the right choice. Sorry that my son has troubled you, and as his father, please accept my apology on his behalf.”

His words were sincere, and I shook my head. “No, you didn’t need to apologize.”

He sighed, “If he was raised by me, I would have made sure he’s at least an honorable man.”

“You didn’t raise him?” I was curious.

“No, he grew up with delinquents and gangsters.”

I felt like I didn’t know my fiance anymore. For all I knew, he might be an entirely different person from what I thought. I heard him continue, “Unfortunately I didn’t know about him until he was dropped on me when he was sixteen, and it’s hard to fix some of his problems by then.”

I started breathing heavily. Ellis noticed. “You alright?”

“I just—I didn’t expect to hear all of that about someone like him.” I took more deep breaths.

“Would you like some ice water?” Ellis went to get up, and I stopped him.

“No, no, I’m alright. Thank you though. You don’t need to.” I waved him away. “So, what happened when you ended up with him?”

“I sure as hell didn’t give him money if that’s what you’re trying to ask,” Ellis laughed and sat back in his chair.

“I gave him a job and the resources to start up a business. I wanted him to learn how to make something out of nothing.” He scoffed, “The boy had more of a jumpstart than me. I had nothing to begin with and amassed an empire. He should feel lucky.”

I didn’t know what to feel.

“Can I ask you something and have you be completely honest with me?”

“Maybe, but it might cost you,” Ellis teased, and this time I knew he was.

“Mr. Peterson, seriously?”

He let out a short laugh. “You’ve learned my ways, I see.” Ellis leaned his elbows on his thighs and gave me his full attention.

“I love him and care about him.” I watched something in his expression fade away and die, as he relaxed back with a sigh. “If you were me, would you give him a chance?”

“Honestly, if you had to ask… I think you already know.” Ellis gave me a serious expression and tone. He walked to the door and opened it for me. “You’re a smart woman, I know you’ll make the right decision.”

I stared at him and I knew he was sincere. “Thank you for talking to me, Mr. Peterson.” I was ready to leave.

He went to open the door for me. “No need to thank me. Equal trade,” he said, “Dinner should be served soon. Enjoy it.”

I realized that he was putting on his coat jacket and asked without thinking, “You won’t be eating with us, Mr. Peterson?”

Perhaps, subconsciously, I didn’t know how to face Carl alone in this house anymore.

“No, I have a dinner meeting. I’ll see you around.” And with that, we parted.

I left the library with mixed feelings. I was more on edge and confused about everything. The tears that I had held back fell down my cheeks. I wiped them away immediately, hoping no one would see them.

“There you are!” Carl called behind me like he had finally remembered I existed; my sister, Bethany, followed close behind. “I’ve been looking all over for you! Dinner is ready, let’s go!”

I managed to smile at him and replied, “I’m glad you’re able to make time to eat.”

Carl laughed, “Of course! I’d always make time for you, honey!”

For some reason, hearing that didn’t make me happy at all. By the time I got to the dining room, I realized that Bethany would be joining us too.

Carl pulled out the chair for me.

“Thank you,” I curtsied and sat down, allowing him to push me in.

“You’re welcome,” Carl replied sweetly and sat back down in his own chair next to me.

Bethany sat across the table and I looked at her, taking in her manicured appearance.

She cleared her throat and I noticed how perfect her hair was styled. How her make-up was always done in the most professional way. She was a beauty for sure. No wonder people loved her so much.

I peered over at Carl and smiled, “How did the call go?”

“It went great, honey. I’m glad that I finally get to spend some time with you though,” Carl laughed. “You know how it is since you are busy learning about business and fine arts. I’m sure you’ll be just as busy when you get your own LLC for your jewelry brand.”

“Still a long way to go,” I sighed as the first course was served.

“Olivia wants to be a designer to start with actually,” Bethany chimed in and beamed, digging into her food. “She wants to open up her own jewelry line.”

“I didn’t know that,” Carl commented. “That sounds like a solid plan.”

Talking about my passion made my mood lighten up a bit. “It’s just a dream really, but that’s why I’m going to university.” I smiled with a blush before daintily taking a bite of the food.

“Olivia, it’s not a dream! You’re so talented, and we all know it!” Bethany was thrilled by what I wanted to accomplish in the future. She always supported me with everything I did.

At that time, Ellis walked by.

“Mr. Peterson, are you not joining us for dinner?” Bethany asked politely. She was always well mannered.

“No, but thank you for asking. I have a dinner meeting,” Ellis replied just as politely. However, his gaze turned a bit cold. Then I realized that Carl’s hand had reached out to my thigh.

I tugged my leg away before he could touch it, and Carl scowled at me with an irritated expression like it was weird for me to reject his touch.

Ellis’ gaze burned into my body, as I felt him staring at me and his son. However, he immediately turned around and left the room, making me think that it was all an illusion that he had sneered.

The rest of the dinner was quite uneventful. Eventually, we finished up our food and I excused myself after thanking Carl for the delicious meal.

After a nice hot shower, I relaxed on the bed, reading a romance novel that I brought.

Suddenly, as I just got to where my favorite couple was about to make love, a knock sounded on my door. My heart sped up in my chest when I thought it was Carl coming to tell me goodnight.

“Coming!” I marked my spot and set the book on the nightstand before I went to open the door.

However, it wasn’t who I thought it was.

Standing outside of the door was Ellis.

The first three buttons of his shirt were opened, his hair was messy and a smirk slowly appeared on his lips, as he teetered on his feet.

Clearly, he was drunk off wine or something stronger, and the way his warm eyes burned into mine made my heart pound against my ribcage.