Elide went out of my office without looking back, I was tempted to run after her and stop her, but I didn't.
After all her reaction was understandable, this was way more important for her than it was for any of us.
I sough looking for some moments at the door to then went back at looking at my daughter.
"Dad, you need to believe me, I know is going to be hard for her but I will prove her, I won't backstab you guys. "
"Tiffany..."
"Dad please"
"I trust you" I said squeezing her hand.
"But she doesn't"
"Try to understand her, the way you were behaving at lunch, the fact you didn't tell her everything and you know so much but she doesn't know enough, she can't trust someone that acts like that"
"But you do?"
"Tiffany, I know everything, I know why-"
"Yes, yes, I get it"
"But this is not the point, the point is that I want her to trust me."
"Maybe next time don't hide valuable information from her and don't give her a smug smile every time you talk to her" she looked at me for some seconds and then nodded slowly.
"How did you discover so much?
"I have my ways " she said shrugging.
"You see Tiffany... 'I have my ways' isn't enough of an explanation this is exactly why Elide don't trust you"
"Well is true I have my ways!"
"Okay then, if you don't have anything else to say I have some work to do, Tiffany could you please leave?" I asked glancing at my computer.
"Fine" she said getting up from the chair finally leaving my office.
Trying to ignore what I did with Elide and the conversation I had with Tiffany I started working for some hours until I was interrupted by a knock on the door.
"It's open." I said not giving attention to the person that entered my office.
"I'm a little bus-"
"Dad." I looked up to see Andrew, standing in the center of my office with a smile on his face.
"What do you want?"
"Dad, dad, dad" he repeatedly said shaking his head.
"Andrew I'm busy if you don't have anything to say please leave my office"
"You are still pissed, aren't you?" A grin plastered on his face but any glimmer of grief or regret could be perceived on his expression.
"Pissed?" I scoffed shaking my head, I ignored him and started working again.
"Then if you are not pissed what are you?" He asked in a demanding tone probably upset by the fact I wasn't giving him the attention he craved.
"You see Andrew I could ask you the same thing... what are you? Are you proud of yourself, did you convince your twisted mind that you are a good and innocent person? What kind of sick man are you? "
He looked at me without replying and sat on one of the chairs of my office tapping lightly with his fingers on my desk, I took a deep breath suppressing my anger.
"Now, may I know the reason why you are here? You are no longer a part of my company and you are wasting time I could invest in doing something more productive than being here talking with you"
The arrogance his eyes showed some minutes ago was replaced by hostility, he looked at me like what I told him was outrageous and utterly disrespectful.
But then his expression changed again, and then his stupid grin appeared on his face once again.
"I wanted to tell you that I'm a changed man, I treat Elide in an amazing way, just as she deserves and I love and respect her"
"Stop being mad, leave the past in the past, Elide is happy, don't you think? Don't do anything you might regret" he smiled and he left my office.
Was he aware of everything?
I immediately grabbed my phone and texted the only person that could help me at that moment.
"Do, what you have to do"
"I will, sir"
This time Andrew wasn't going to get away with it.
I went out from my office locking the door to search Andrew or Monique, walk through the large corridors of the house I hoped to see at last one of them.
But then I noticed something, I looked in the direction of Elide's room and saw my wife.
"I hope you will understand " the door drifted open and Monique came out of it.
"Thank you for the small talk Elide "
My wife was looking at her with a large smile on her face, I then look at Elide, she was forcing a smile.
"Honey? " I asked walking in her direction, she looked surprised to see me but her smile was doing an amazing job with concealing it.
"Oh, you are here!"
"Yes, I was actually searching for you" I stared for a moment at Elide that was looking down at her feet.
"Well you found me, let's go I'm cooking something new and I need your help"
"Okay then" before going down Monique whispered something in Elide's ears and she slowly nodded.
"Well thank" Elide said with tenderness in her voice and closed the door.
"What you and Elide were talking about " I asked trying to sound as casual as possible.
"Women stuffs" she shrugged.
"Now, come and help me" she grabbed my hand and pulled me to the kitchen.
For the entire time I was helping my wife my mind drifted to Elide, wondering what she and Monique were really talking about.
I tried not to be affected too much by my thoughts and helped my wife, we cocked in silence as usual, and when we were done cooking and it was the time for everyone to come and eat we sat next to each other waiting for the others.
"Food!Food!" Tom yelled running down the stairs followed by Tiffany.
"Please Tom don't run you will hurt yourself " Monique said.
"Oh right I'm sorry"
"I'm here." Andrew announced his presence and for the first time, he and Elide came on the same time hand to hand.
Elide avoided my gaze and sat next to Andrew.
"Thank you for the food." She said lowly to Monique and me.
"No problem, once in a while you can come and help me"
"Sure" she said with a smile.
We all began to eat, the room was filled with an awkward silence.
Andrew was the first one to finish, I guessed he would just retire himself for the night but before doing that he kissed Elide and stroked her cheek before going upstairs.
What was all that about?