Chapter 6 : My safe zone

*Della*

I trudged from school back home. It felt unusual walking alone. Typically when I walked home, I would be accompanied by Emma, Richard, or Sarah, depending on what their schedules were like.

But now, I was on my own and it hit differently. I would have taken a cab or even driven one of my dad’s expensive cars, but I didn’t want to. I wanted to think about how things were in my life, and if possible, try to get them sorted as I walked.

I got home in the evening, and I met my father. I know this shouldn’t be a big deal, but it was for me. Since my birthday party, my father has barely slept at home. He is always so busy with work and sometimes I feel he has forgotten he has a daughter who needs his attention.

I stood in the living room and stared at him as he arranged the dining table. That was pretty strange too.

My father? Making dinner? It sounded unbelievable.

“Hey, my little rabbit! Welcome. How was school today?” he asked with a large smile. As soon as he saw me, his countenance changed. “What happened to your face?” he rushed to me.

I sighed and moved closer to him. “School was awful, Dad. And my face is no big deal. You have no idea because you’re always busy with work. What’s with the dinner anyway?”

“Well, I thought it’s been a while since both of us sat at the table to eat. So, I came up with the idea to cook us dinner to remind you that I still love you,” he responded and patted my head.

I smiled and slowly moved my head away from his hand. “I’m not a baby anymore, Father. You don’t have to tap my head.”

“I’m sorry, Della, but you’ll always be my little rabbit. Here… have a seat,” he uttered and pulled back the chair so I could sit.

If only this could happen every day, I’ll be the happiest daughter in the whole of California.

I sat and pulled the chair closer to the table. I stared at the different delicacies in front of me and giggled in amusement.

“Did you make all of these? I know you’re a bad cook, so don’t lie to me,” I muttered, and he pouted like a baby.

“Why couldn’t you let me have this moment?” he murmured, and I broke into laughter.

“I’m sorry, Dad. But making all of these at home is impossible. You are even too lazy to make your own coffee,” I teased as he sat on the chair opposite mine.

“Okay, that’s enough teasing for tonight, okay? I had to order different kinds of meals for you because I wasn’t sure which one you'd like.”

“Hmm,” I responded with a smile.

“Ghisallo, Socalo, Berbere, Citrin, and Mēlisse… just pick the one you love the most and eat until you’re full.”

I nodded, scanning the food again to see which one would catch my eye first. I reached for the Ghisallo dish and put some on my plate. I took a bite and looked at my dad who was staring curiously to know what I felt about the meal.

“And…?”

I giggled and nodded my head. “It’s great!”

“Yes!” he uttered joyfully and also took some for himself. “So, tell me, what happened to your face? What has been making school so awful? Tell me everything.”

I heaved a sigh and gulped. “Well, it all started at my birthday party when I caught Richard and Emma making out in our backyard…”

“What. Hold on… Richard and Emma, your boyfriend and best friend?” he cut in with raised brows.

“Uhm.” I nodded my head and took another bite from my food.

“What the hell? How could they do such a thing to you?! I thought Richard was a good guy.”

“Well, apparently, he’s the worse,” I answered coldly, and I heard him exhale loudly.

“I’m sorry, Della. I promise you I’ll make him pay for hurting you.”

“No, Dad. You don’t have to do anything. Making him pay won’t change anything. Just let him be. I’ve had enough these past few days.”

He nodded his head reluctantly and said, “Tell me more.”

“When I saw them together, I couldn’t go close to them. They had no idea I saw them until I got to school the next day. I tried to ignore them but I couldn’t when I heard her talking about it to her friends like it was nothing. I got so angry and we got into a fight. Luckily, I wasn’t suspended.”

“So, that is where the bandages came from? The fight?”

“Yes. And then today at school, there was a viral leaked video of both of them having sex in our backyard, and everyone believes I did it. Even the backstabbers themselves,” I muttered.

“Oh my… this must be so hard for you, Della. I’m so sorry. If you want to change schools to avoid all this drama, I can do—”

“No, I am not changing schools because I got my heart broken. I should be way stronger than that. I’m mature now, and I should be able to face my fears, don’t you think?”

He nodded sadly and lowered his head. “I’m so sorry for not being here the whole time, Della. I know it is frustrating and exhausting,” he said in a sympathetic tone.

“It’s fine, Dad. At least you tried making up for it by preparing dinner for us. I’m happy you’re around and I can share this with you,” I answered with a feeble smile.

He nodded his head slowly and gulped hard. I creased my brows, wondering why he had such a strange look on his face.

“What’s wrong? What is in your mind?” I asked with concern.

He looked at me with sad eyes and reached for my hand. He gave it a slight squeeze before saying, “I’m very sorry, Della…”

“For what?” I curiously asked.

“I… I have to embark on a month-long business trip tomorrow, and my flight leaves in the morning.”

“What?!” I pulled my hand away from him.

“I’m sorry, Della. I would have told you before today but I’ve been very busy and…”

“Of course, you’re always busy! You choose your business over me all the time! I just told you how rough my life is right now and you’re leaving for a month? When will you ever choose your daughter over your job?” I cried and stood from the chair.

“Della, please, I need you to understand that I am doing this for you. To make life comfortable for you.”

“No! You’re doing this for yourself! I never asked you for any of this! What I want from you is you! Be there for me anytime I need you. Money isn’t everything.”

Tears filled my eyes and began to slide down my cheeks. I was trying so hard not to cry after the drama at school, but my father made it worse.

“Della, I promise you that after this trip, I’ll be with you and we’ll spend so much time together. It’s a promise.”

He tried reaching out to me, but I took a few steps back. “Don’t come any closer. You say that almost every time and you never keep them. Don’t make promises you can’t keep, okay?” I uttered, my heart squeezing in my chest.

“Della…” he muttered with worry and sadness.

“No. That’s enough for tonight. I lost my appetite.” I picked up my bag and before he could stop me, I ran up the stairs to my room.

I heard him constantly calling my name and apologizing but I turned deaf ears to him.

‘He will never change,’ I told myself.

I rushed into my room and slammed the door behind me. I jumped on my bed and buried my face in the sheets, crying even more.

It felt like the world was against me.

After crying for minutes, I remember Mr. Cary and his charming smile. His ability to calm me down in my worst moments and make it feel as though I can breathe properly comes to mind. He was the only one that wasn’t against me. At least, that’s how I felt.

I picked up my phone and texted him. ‘I’m crying again. My father is so annoying.’

After sending the message, I watched it deliver and I saw him typing back.

Isn’t this how it’s supposed to be? How is he always online to respond to me, but my father is never online? Their businesses are alike, but Father acts like he manages heaven and earth.

Mr. Cary’s text popped in and I read it almost immediately.

‘Oh, you don’t have to tell me about James’ annoying attitude. I’m his best friend and I can proudly say he can be a douchebag sometimes. Don’t tell him I said this.’

I giggled softly after reading his first text and moved down to the second one he sent.

‘Are you okay though? What did he do to you? Would you like to talk over the phone? I’m in my bed, ready to sleep, but you’re more important. So let’s video call!’

I could feel his eagerness to speak to me behind his words. I was so excited and responded instantly.

‘Yes, I would love to talk over the phone.’ After texting him back, I hurriedly sat up and arranged my scattered hair.

I picked up my handy mirror and checked out my face. I think I look okay. The sound of my phone ringing cuts through my thoughts.

I nervously answered the call and smiled faintly when I saw his handsome face on the screen.

“Hi, Mr. Cary,” I answered shyly, trying to stay calm. He looked so handsome, and the way he stared at me made goosebumps spread across my skin.

“Hey, Della. How are you?” he answered. His voice over the phone sounded thick and mature.

“I’m good, I guess,” I replied.

“Ignore James, okay? He’s a pain in the ass to everyone. What did he do anyway?”

I exhaled loudly and lay properly on the bed, covering my body with the duvet.

“He’s going on a month-long business trip after I explained to him how rough my life has been at dinner. He never has time for me, Mr. Cary. He loves his business more than me.”

Mr. Cary let out a disapproving look and shook his head.

“Don’t say that, Della. As much as we both agree that your father can be annoying, he loves you so much. When we are together, he never stops talking about you.”

“Maybe after you all have finished talking business,” I retorted, and he shook his head again.

He also turned to lie on his side and stared at the camera. It was like he was staring into my soul.

“No, Della. You need to understand that James is very busy. Very, very busy. Sometimes, I may not speak to him for weeks or months. He’s way busier than I am, you know.”

I sighed hopelessly and nodded my head. ‘What was I expecting? That he betrays his friend in front of me?’ I thought.

“Let’s forget about that, Mr. Cary. I met your son, Dave, at school today.”

“Oh… Yes. Dave. He insisted on moving here from Mexico to attend school, and he chose Woodbury,” he answered.

“I was surprised to see him because I never knew you had a son. But I must say he’s very much like you. The younger version of yourself.”

“Really? That’s the nicest thing I’ve heard today. Thank you.”

I laughed softly and felt my heart starting to melt at the sweet sound. I stared at his face with admiration and could feel I was blushing hard. There was silence between us and all we did was stare into each other's eyes.

“Del,” he called, making me abruptly break my eye contact with him.

“Del?” I asked with a grin.

“You don’t like the name? I can stop…”

“I love it,” I responded almost immediately, and he chuckled and nodded.

“Be strong, Del. If you feel lonely, try writing your book,” he suggested, and then I recalled that I told him about my love for writing.

“I’ll try that,” I answered.

“And if you’re still not feeling it, you can talk to me. I’ll help you out.”

I smiled and stared at him for a few minutes. “Thank you so much, Mr. Cary. For everything.”

“No, don’t thank me. It’s the least I can do. Now, go to bed. It’s late already.”

I nodded in agreement.

“Bye, Del. Take care of yourself.”

“Bye, Mr. Cary. Take care of yourself too.” I waved at my camera and he did the same. I chuckled shyly and hung up.

I exhaled loudly and hugged my phone to my chest as I stared at the ceiling.

‘Mr. Cary is my safe zone,’ I thought to myself.