LOVE ME ONE MORE TIME

I'm Not Who You Think

Alaia

I opened my my laptop to continue looking for houses in Chicago. I already contacted a real estate company to sell this house. It’s registered in my name and my mother’s. She has unconditionally supported the decisions I’ve made. We’ll just figure out her job and my studies when we’re there.

Unpleasant feelings welled up inside me when I saw the photos of Nick's wedding to Barbara like it was the biggest news of the year. I took a deep breath, refusing to be swept away by those feelings.

I closed the window that suddenly popped up and continued my house hunt. Suddenly, I heard a car pull up outside. I stood up and saw the SUV. I smiled. I'm always happy to see him, although I couldn't help but feel apprehensive about his reaction to the news that I have to give him. I feel a knot in my stomach. I left my room and went downstairs. By the time I got there, my father was already opening the door.

“Dad!” I said. He immediately smiled when he saw me.

“How’s my girl?” he asked cheerfully. I’ve always been his little girl, even though I’m not anymore.

“I’m fine,” I said hesitantly.

“Patrick,” my mother greeted.

“Paula.” He nodded. Their relationship is cordial; let’s just say they get along.

“How was your trip?” I asked.

“Exhausting. These trips take years off my life,” he muttered. I laughed, shaking my head. My mother and father are young and good-looking.

“Let’s go to the table. I have everything ready. Help me, honey,” my mother requested. Together, we went to the dining room. We talked about his work at a communications company where he was doing very well.

Once we finished lunch, I decided it was time to tell him the truth.

“As always, exquisite, Paula.” My father wiped his lips with his napkin and set it aside as silence fell over the table. My mother looked at me, knowing what I was about to do.

“Dad,” I said. He looked up at me.

“There’s something I need to tell you,” I said. He waited in silence. “I’m pregnant,” I immediately say before I choked on my words.

I swallowed hard as I looked at his face turning sour. His face turned red down to his neck, and he nodded, looking very upset.

“Paula, can we talk?” He stood up abruptly.

“Dad,” I stood up, too. I was so nervous. What was his reaction? What was he feeling? Was he angry or something?

“It’s okay, honey.” My mother walked with my father to the study area. I didn't understand my father’s reaction. He should be talking to me.

It was not long before I heard them both shouting, and I couldn't make out what they were saying. I approached the door. They were talking about me, after all.

“You were supposed to take care of her! This changes everything,” I heard my father say, blaming my mother.

“And I did, Patrick, I took care of her, but I couldn’t avoid the inevitable. Alaia has become a woman, whether we like it or not. Love was bound to come into her life at some point. She fell in love. You can’t blame her for that.”

“And where is the imbecile? The man she fell in love with? Why isn’t he here showing his face?” my father snapped.

“It’s complicated. She’ll tell you about it,” my mother explained calmly. I could hear my father’s footsteps like he was pacing back and forth.

“Dad,” I called, opening the door. “I don’t want you two arguing on my account. This is my responsibility. My mother isn’t to blame. I’m 20 years old, and I made my own choices, for better or for worse. Now I’m going to take responsibility for them.”

My father stopped and looked at me for a second.

“I have to get out of here. I need some air.” He shook his head before leaving the study. A few moments later, we heard him slam the front door.

“He’ll be okay, honey. It’ll pass. He had a lot of plans for you. I’m sure you’ll be able to achieve them, even with your babies.” I felt like my mother just spoke to me in Chinese. “You’ll talk when he gets back. It’s understandable; you’re his only daughter. He needs a little time.”

We left the study together.

The afternoon went by, and I helped my mother prepare the dinner after she assured me that everything was just fine. We decided to cook a British dish. My mother’s mother migrated to this country when she was young, and they’ve taught me about the culture.

My father came home that night, and we had dinner in silence. He seemed a little calmer, but I knew that we still had a lot to talk about. We finished dinner and went into the living room to continue this afternoon’s conversation.

“I know I took the news very badly,” my father began. “But you know that a father wants his children to get a professional qualification before thinking about a family, and that’s the case with me, Ali. But as much as I’d like to, I can’t change what’s happening or interfere with your decisions. I see that you’ve decided to continue with the pregnancy since you’ve decided to tell me.”

“That’s right, Dad,” I affirmed. My mother took my hand. “I’ve decided to do it alone. The father won’t be present,” I clarified without further explanation.

My father ran his hand through his hair and nodded

“And it’s not something I want to talk about right now. All I know is that I don’t want to live in this city anymore. I was thinking about Chicago,” I said. My father tensed up as he looked at my mother.

“Patrick,” my mother said.

“I think this is the time, Paula. We can’t keep hiding it anymore.” They were speaking in code. I looked at them one by one.

“What’s going on? What can’t you hide from me anymore?” I demanded, making them stop and turn to me.

“Honey… I don’t know where to begin.” My father massaged his forehead. “I… I’m not who you think I am.” He rested his elbows on his knees.

My mind thought about several possibilities of what that sentence could mean.

“Who I think?” I looked at my mother, who to expect my confusion while my father couldn't bring himself to look at me.

“My family…” He cleared his throat. “Owns a huge company… called T-World. We have some offices here in the United States, but the headquarters is in the UK, where I currently reside. I don’t live in Chicago, honey.”

I blinked. I looked at my mom, unable to believe what I was hearing.

“You’ve lied to me my whole life?” I asked in disbelief. I stood up.

“It’s my fault, honey.” My mother came over to me and touched my arm. “I decided it was best to hide the truth from Darius, Patrick’s father. He would have done the same thing as Killian if he had known about your existence. I wanted a normal life for you.”

“I accepted it at the time; however, when I decided it was time to bring you into my world, your mother absolutely refused to let me change your life.”

“Forgive me, honey.” My mother came closer and cupped my face as I stood there, reeling from this whole truth. “But I didn’t want you to belong to a world where people think they can control your life on a whim.”

“Paula…” My father looked at her.

“You know it’s true, Patrick,” my mother replied angrily. They stared at each other in silence.

Then I thought about the things that happened to me all these years, the unlimited shopping sprees, how I never, ever went without anything. Whenever I wanted something, it appeared in my hands. The private school and college are paid for by the company my father owns and where my mother works.

I felt a little dizzy. I slumped heavily onto the sofa while my parents looked at each other and then at me with concern.

“The unexpected news of your pregnancy only brought forward the revelation of this truth a little, honey. I just came to talk to you, to both of you.” Dad looked at both of us. “I think it’s time you took everything that belongs to you, Ali…”