The Boy Who Didn't Love

44 - the party

"He asked me about a month before he proposed, I believe. You thought your old dad couldn't keep a secret, huh?" Andre smirked smugly, and she shook her head.

"Well, anyway, I found this vintage T-shirt in a thrift shop of that jazz band you used to like. I've been meaning to give it to you. I forgot it in the car though, so I'll be right back," Ali said before gesturing everyone towards the table. "Hey, you guys can sit now. Feel free to try the appetizers."

She glanced over her shoulder as everyone settled down, then scurried outside into the parking lot. She quickly unlocked the car, then grabbed the shirt from the backseat. Her eyes caught her reflection in the rearview mirror, and she took a moment to fix up her curled hair.

Once she was satisfied, she rushed over to the entrance of the restaurant and stepped inside. She paused midway, whispering an obscenity under her breath, before stepping back out to lock her car.

And at that same moment, she spotted the eminent man climbing out of his own vehicle.

He looked up and locked eyes with her for a few seconds, then made his way towards her. She pursed her lips, surprised that he came regardless of the fact that she was the one who urged Sawyer to invite him. It had been a while since they had last seen each other; in fact, they hadn't seen each other since the incident that almost caused the couple to break up. Both father and son avoided each other after that.

"Hello, Mr. Price," Ali said as she stood in front of the entrance and crossed her arms. Neither of them wore their signature smiles, as opposed to any of their other interactions.

Mr. Price peered at her with a cryptic expression on his face. "Ali. I certainly didn't think that the next time I'd see you, you'd be engaged to my son."

"Might that have to do with the discussion you had with him the day he told you about us?" she asked calmly, her tone holding no hint of contempt yet also no amiability. Her words caught him off guard, she noted, although it wasn't so blatantly obvious. But after living with a sociopath for so long, even a slight twitch couldn't go undetected.

"So he told you about that," he replied with a sigh, while she continued to stare at him. His eyes quickly swept over their surroundings before returning to her and cocking his head slightly. "You puzzle me, Ali. Why are you willing to put in so much effort on a person like my son, with his condition? As his father, I know he is not easy to live with, so it makes me wonder why you would voluntarily choose to stay with him—potentially for the rest of your life, as a marriage usually promises."

  "The reason is not so complicated as you may think, Mr. Price. I simply love him enough to accept his flaws, and instead of belittle him for it, I try to understand. I try to help when I can, or think of a way to compromise. Just as you would do for any issue that arises in a relationship, whether one has a mental disorder or not."

  Mr. Price scoffed. "I see, so you claim that love fixes everything. If only it were so black and white. I suppose you and my son will learn the truth the hard way after a few years of marriage, and you'll both finally heed my words when you divorce."

  Ali did not respond for a moment, internalizing the disgust that stirred within her, as she studied him. Much like his son, his expression was also unreadable, hidden behind a mask, but it was more difficult to conceal one's habits—especially when they were done unconsciously. Her eyes dropped to his left hand, where his thumb was absently rubbing against a phantom wedding band on his ring finger.

  That was when the pieces started to come together.

  "Have a good rest of your day, Mr. Price!" someone shouted from inside of the store, catching her attention. Her eyes shot to the entrance, where the eminent man appeared with a briefcase in hand and a charming smile adorning his stubbled face. He waved to whoever had called out to him, then turned around and started towards his vehicle. Oblivious to her watchful gaze, he let his guard down.

Ali's eyes widened when Mr. Price's face relaxed into a familiarly cold expression as he stared ahead blankly. She continued to watch him in absolute shock until he drove off without noticing her at all.

  "Your wife," Ali suddenly said, causing his face to harden instantly. "You seem to be so certain of how my marriage will end, almost as if you've experienced it yourself with your wife."

  "I lost my wife to a brain aneurysm, not to a divorce," he spat out, and she narrowed her eyes at him.

  "Who's to say she wasn't planning on divorcing you before she died?"

  Mr. Price recoiled, offended. "On what grounds—"

  "On the grounds that you, too, are a sociopath."