Chapter 18
766words
Tara frowned and tried to pull her hand back forcefully. “Don’t…”
He leaned closer, his deep voice vibrating softly by her ear. “Do you want to draw attention?”
Tara glanced around, noticing a few passengers starting to look their way.
Not wanting to cause a scene, she relented. Maybe he didn’t think much of the women’s watch or it probably wasn’t his style.
The watch ended up back on her wrist in no time.
Clearing her throat, Tara offered, “Well, once we’re off the plane, I’ll transfer you something. How about ten million?”
The man’s expression darkened slightly. “No need. I enjoyed that night too. Let’s call it even.”
Tara felt thoroughly awkward. Clearing her throat, she mumbled, “Well, you saved me. Without your… intervention, um… things could’ve gone really badly.”
The man hid a smile behind his fist, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “Intervention in what way, exactly?”
Her face turned bright red, and she decided it was better to just stop talking altogether.
Forget it. Once they landed, she would see her dad and let him handle things. She would repay this favor and move on. They would part ways like strangers.
The man didn’t push the conversation further, but his actions spoke plenty. Sitting in the aisle seat, he helped with everything—accepting meals from the flight attendant, opening drink bottles.
He was polite, well-mannered, and undeniably charming.
And he was even better-looking than Leo. That, coupled with his demeanor, left a decent impression on Tara despite everything.
After drifting in and out of sleep throughout the flight, they finally landed.
The man kindly reached up to retrieve her luggage from the overhead bin, handing it to her.
“Thanks!” Tara said with genuine gratitude. “Come with me. My dad will be there to pick me up. He’ll thank you properly.”
The man smiled but didn’t say a word.
As she moved ahead, she assumed he was still following her off the plane.
Without a phone number, Joe had made sure to wait in the first row at the arrivals gate to avoid missing her.
Tara’s eyes instantly filled with tears the moment she spotted him.
“Dad!”
“Hey, my sweet girl!” Joe greeted her with a warm, loving smile, though his concern and worry were hard to miss.
After everything she had been through, he couldn’t imagine the emotional toll it had taken on her.
Tara quickly ran out from behind the barricade, like a bird returning to its nest, and threw herself into his arms.
“Dad!”
Joe wrapped her tightly in his arms, holding his child who had braved so many storms. “There, there. Don’t feel upset anymore. Dad’s here now.”
Tara’s heart ached with overwhelming emotion, and she wanted to cry again.
But this was the airport, and the curious stares from passersby reminded her to hold it together.
Suppressing her emotions, she said, “Dad, I want to introduce you to someone…”
She turned to look for the mixed-heritage man, but amid the bustling crowd, he was nowhere to be seen.
Joe asked, “What’s wrong?”
Tara turned back, shaking her head. “Nothing. Let’s head home.”
Since the man had left, she decided against sharing her embarrassing and difficult experiences with her father.
Joe didn’t press further. “Alright, let’s go see your mom.”
Joe’s assistant took care of her luggage while Tara clung to his arm as they walked toward the airport exit.
She noticed the streaks of white in his hair and felt a pang of sadness.
“Dad,” she began softly, “it’s been so many years since Mom passed. If you wanted to remarry, it would be completely understandable. My brother and I wouldn’t oppose it.”
Joe’s eyes reddened slightly. “My thoughtful girl, you’ve grown up so much.
“But remarrying comes with complications, especially concerning inheritance. I don’t lack companionship, and a bit of money can settle things. There’s no need to bring unnecessary trouble into your and your brother’s lives.”
Tara blinked, speechless for a moment.
Men!
If it had been any other man, she would have called him a scumbag. But since it was her father, somehow it made perfect sense. How was that fair?
Joe patted her hand reassuringly. “Your brother’s busy preparing the estate for your wedding. Tomorrow, we’ll go check it out together. Your fiancé will be there, too.”
Tara obediently replied, “Alright,” though unease stirred within her.
She never thought an arranged marriage, decided without her input, would happen to her.
What kind of future awaited her?
