Direct And Linear Relationships

Chapter 23: Plain Ticket

My hair fell in front of my eyes as I dropped my head taking a deep breath in.

“Why would you think Ms. Minatozaki has anything to do with it?” my words lacked the confusion I was trying to portray in attempt to keep playing it safe. The light snicker was proof he didn’t believe me.

“Sometimes I think the women in this house forget what I do.”

Oh trust me, we haven’t forgotten.

“You said so yourself, it’s been on my mind since last year. Way before she came into the picture.”

“That may be, but it doesn’t answer my question.” dad replied. Stepping in front of me a gentle touch was felt on my chin as my head lifted. Eyes beaming with pride he tucked some hair behind my ear. “She is an attractive woman.”

What should I do? Again he’s giving me an opportunity to be honest...do I take it?

“Nobody has influenced my decision.” I couldn’t tell him yet. We’ve always had an open relationship but that was before I was doing something illegal. He’s a cop for fuck sakes, yes as his daughter he’d probably want me to be happy but it’s also his job to uphold the law even under the most conflicting of circumstances.

“You’d tell me if someone did?” his lips pursed while the protective tone surged in his voice.

“Yes.” Directing a forced smile at him I pulled my head away from his grasp.

Nodding his head dad took the spot next to me while a weighted sigh reached my ears. Broad shoulders rose and fell as his arms crossed over his chest.

“You know I’ve only ever wanted you to be happy.”

“I know.” I replied, turning my body around to rest my elbows on the bench.

“Are you?”

I let my vision go blank as I stared through the water heater, ugh, this man is trying to fucking hard right now.

“Overall, yes.”

“Then that’s all that matters.” mimicking my stance dad placed his cheek on the palm of his hand. “Listen to me Hyun, I’m a cop but a husband and father first, no matter what. I will always protect you no matter what, especially when it comes to things you can’t control. Like feelings.” as he spoke I shifted my curious gaze to him wondering how far this conversation would go. “You can’t help who’s attracted to you or who you’re attracted to all you can do is live your best life. You and I, we’ve always been close and as you get older and life gets even crazier, I want you to know you can always come to me.”

Taking a moment to pause for a breath dad gave me a look with his pleading eyes. His guard is breaking and I can see the hurt look cross his features. My lies have officially hit a toll with him and it fucking kills me to know that.

“Dad, it’s just...” resting my forehead on my hands I closed my eyes. “Hypothetically speaking if I did know what you were talking about you wouldn’t understand anyway.” I finally said.

“Okay, hypothetically speaking, I’ll tell you what I do understand and you tell me if I’m missing anything. Deal?”

I shook my head yes as I cradled it in my hands.

“I understand that there are two people who seem to really like each other, for the ones outside looking it may seem as though they fit together perfectly. Only they have had the odds stacked against them from the start. One person is probably having a tough time dealing with their morals the other is most likely lying to their friends and family in fear of the repercussions, maybe in fear of what society thinks. Their attraction however is too strong to deny so they hide in the shadows.” Damn, right on the money with that. “Sound about right?”