Loving Mr. Cary

Chapter 3 : Dinner

*Mr. Cary*

I sat next to Della on my office couch and placed the first aid box on my thighs. I opened it and pulled out an antiseptic wipe to clean the surface of her wounds.

She had a cut very close to her lips, and a scratch next to her left eye. As I wiped the blood stains off, I couldn't help but wonder how angry and betrayed she must have felt.

My eyes lifted from her lips and settled on her eyes. Her eyes were almond-shaped and brown. She was staring at me with her beguiling gaze. It was as if she was lost in a different world.

I knew she admired me and was looking up to me. At least, her eyes said so. My eyes slowly fell on her button nose which was just a few inches from her Cupid-bow, pink lips. I took my time to admire her skin. She was taking good care of it because of how smooth and soft it felt under my skin.

I forced myself not to look past her face and down to her neck and collarbone, feeding my eyes with more beauty. She was the definition of beauty.

I finished cleaning her wounds and bandaged them. I packed the box and put it aside.

She let out an affectionate smile and hid her face shyly. “Thank you, Mr. Cary," Della said in a feeble voice.

I nodded and stood up. “How do you feel?" I asked.

“I think I'm better now. Fighting with Emma and letting out my anger on her felt great. I wished we weren't stopped by the disciplinary chairman. I would have done more harm to her," she murmured angrily.

I nodded in amusement.

“Doing that would have been more dangerous, Della. I wouldn't say getting into a fight with her was mature, it was wrong. But the deed has been done, you were pressed against the wall. That is understandable. But you need to promise me that it won't happen again. If at all she appears before you, you'll just ignore her or you two talk it out like adults."

She heaved a loud sigh and nodded. “Okay, Mr. Cary. I'm sorry," she guiltily said and lowered her head.

“It's fine, Della. Let's get you home. I'm done with work for today." I picked up my briefcase.

She picked up her bag too and stood from the couch. Della headed out of the office and I followed behind her. As we were out, Evelyn, my secretary, stood up.

“Mr. Cary, are you leaving? We have a meeting scheduled…"

“Cancel it and reschedule it for tomorrow. I'm done for the day," I interjected.

She slowly nodded her head as her eyes fell on Della standing next to me.

“Let's head out, Della," I uttered barely above a whisper, as she nodded, making her way to the elevator that led to the car.

The moment we made it out of the building and to my car, I couldn't help but wonder what was going through her head. Between the distant looks and then smiles of gratification she had me conflicted.

Rounding the car I quickly opened it, waiting for her to get in.

“Do you do this to every woman you give a lift to?" Della asked, and I chuckled, shaking my head.

“I don't usually give any woman a lift, Della. Since I got divorced, you're the first woman I'm giving a lift to," I answered, still holding the door out so she could get in.

She let out a winsome smile and her head. She got into the car, and I shut the door behind her.

I hurried to the driver's side. “Mr. James' mansion… here we come," I muttered as I ignited the engine, and Della chuckled.

“Why does almost everything I do seem funny to you?" I furrowed my brows as I teased her.

“Because you are funny. I never knew an older man would have such great humor," she answered, and I chuckled.

“You love throwing around compliments. That's very sweet of you," I responded as I drove out of the company's parking garage.

***

I got home after dropping Della at home. I walked into the house and, to my surprise, saw my son, Dave, and my ex-wife, Angelica, sitting in the living room chatting.

They stopped talking when they saw me, and Dave smiled widely.

“Dad," he called with a cheerful smile as he stood up.

I furrowed my brows in confusion and moved closer to him. He looked so different and more mature than the last time I saw him. He now had facial hair, a more contoured face, and was almost my height.

“What are you doing here, Dave? Aren't you supposed to be in Mexico studying?"

“Oh please, what is with the stern look? Your son is back home and you can't even show him you're happy to see him," Angelica interfered.

Angelica on the other hand didn't change a bit. It was like she didn't age a day since we got separated. She still loved her natural makeup and her lips painted in red. Her always-straight hair was a different color this time around, it was blonde instead of brown, but it wasn't that bad. It fit her face so well too. You can't expect less from a model.

I ignored her and kept my eyes on Dave. “What are you doing here, son?" I further inquired.

He let out a disappointed sigh and sat again.

“I'm here because I have relocated from Mexico. I'm back in Santa Monica for good," he uttered and smiled at his mother.

“Why? Who did you tell before making such a huge decision?" I quarried him.

“I told Mom. She said she has missed me so much and doesn't see the point of me staying far away from home when I can be around her. So I'm back."

“And your studies? Didn't you think about that?"

“Of course I did, Dad. I will be going to a college here in Santa Monica. That wouldn't be an issue, would it? I can get in as a transferred student."

I sighed heavily and looked away. Though I was excited and surprised to see him, seeing Angelica with him was a big turn-off.

“Are you not happy to see me, Father?" Dave asked in a weak voice.

“No, your father isn't disgusted to see you. He is disgusted to see me, and maybe he is angry that you left Mexico for Santa Monica because you missed me, not him," Angelica answered sassily.

“Can you just shut up? Stop talking like you know anything about what I think or feel," I muttered through gritted teeth. She chuckled.

“You see, Dave? He hates me," she whispered to him, and I clenched my jaw tighter.

“I'm exhausted from today's work. I need to rest now," I uttered coldly and turned to leave.

“Let's have dinner together, Dad. Mom and I prepared dinner already. I know you hate the idea, but do it for me. I am your son."

I exhaled sharply and turned to look at him. I looked at Angelica too and she had a smirk on her face that made my skin crawl.

I hate this woman being around me.

“Okay. For you, son," I answered, and Dave grinned.

“Thank you, Father. You can freshen up and before you get back, the table will be set."

I nodded and headed to the room to take a shower.

After cleaning up, I walked to the dining table and met them, already seated. I sat quietly and dished out my meal. They had prepared pasta and meatballs.

We started eating amidst the awkward silence at the dining table. I could only hear our utensils slightly hitting the ceramic plates.

“I hate this silence. Don't you two have catching up to do? This dinner is too boring," Angelica groaned in frustration.

I paid no attention to what she said but just kept eating. She always knew how to start causing trouble.

“Dad…" Dave called, and I lifted my head for the first time to look at him.

“Uhmm," I moaned because my mouth was filled with meatballs.

“I have found the college I'd like to attend."

I swallowed the food in my mouth and nodded. “Which college?"

“Woodbury," he answered.

'Woodbury? That is Della's school,' I thought.

“Why Woodbury though? There are other schools…"

“Yes, I know, but I heard most of the rich men's children go to Woodbury. I want to go there too," Dave answered.

“So you aren't going there because of their educational background and standards, but because of the rich people there?"

“Dad, if they are not good academically, rich students wouldn't be there. I like the school. That's the school I want to attend."

“I love the school already. You have my approval," Angelica hastily answered before I could, and Dave beamed widely.

“Thank you, Mom. Thank you for always supporting me."

I gulped hard and took a sip from my glass of water. I knew if I disapproved, Dave would see me as the enemy.

“Fine. I'll do something about it, and you'll resume soon. But, you are going there to study, okay? To focus."

“Okay, Dad! Thank you," he responded excitedly.

“Excuse me," Angelica said as her phone began to ring. She stepped away from the dining room and walked to the front of the television in the living room before she stopped.

'Does she think I want to listen to whatever she wants to say over the phone?' I thought and scoffed.

She came back after a few minutes and picked up her bag. “I have to go now. Work calls," she uttered, and I smirked.

Like I care.

“Take care of yourself, Dave. I'll come to visit you often. And focus on your studies, just like your father said."

I kept my eyes on my food and uttered no words till she got out of the house.

“Dad, when are you two going to stop fighting? You never give each other the chance to talk things out to see if things may still work out."

“Dave, we are divorced. If things wanted to work out, they would have before we got a divorce."

“But…"

“Let's not talk about that anymore. Let's focus on you. Why are you really here? I know your mother's presence could have forced some things into your mouth…"

“No, Dad. Mom didn't force me to say anything to you. I said all of those things on my own because that's what I wanted. I know you sent me out of Santa Monica because of the drama between you and mom, but I'm not a baby anymore. I'm twenty-one, you don't need to protect me from what I am aware of already."

I sighed and nodded my head. “I want you to know that what I have done and what I'll keep doing is to keep you safe, Dave. I don't hate you."

“I know you don't. But it's time I make my own decisions, don't you think? Mom doesn't have to make me say things anymore. I want to stay in Santa Monica and need you to be happy about it. I want to attend Woodbury college. I need your support. Isn't that how it should be?"

“Yes, son. That is how it should be. I just want to be sure you are the one making these decisions and there is nothing attached to it."

“I am the one making them, Dad. You don't have to worry. Let's forget about my school for now and talk about you," Dave uttered with a smirk, and I creased my brows.

“What's with that look?"

“Do you have any woman in your life now? I mean, you've been divorced for years. Shouldn't you have at least a girlfriend by now?" he teased me.

I raised my eyebrows in surprise. “I am not used to you being an adult, Dave." I ground my teeth, and he broke into laughter.

“What's so bad about asking if you have a girlfriend?"

“Because that is the least of my worries. I have other things to think about."

“Hmm." He shook his head and continued eating. “Just so you know, I'll support you when you finally decide to have a girlfriend. Having two moms shouldn't be that bad."

“Dave!" I called as a warning and he laughed.

“Sorry," he said, and I smiled.

“Don't worry. I'll let you know when I finally have one," I answered with a chuckle.

I continued eating and just then, Della's face appeared in my head. I smiled faintly and sipped some water again.

I should check up on her before I go to sleep to make sure she's okay. It's the least I could do for her, and my best friend, making sure his daughter is okay after what happened today.