A Trillionaire’s Revenge

As I walk down the hall of my home, I feel nostalgic as I remember all the moments I'd spent in the house, mostly with my father
and Aunt Ruth. A few drops of tears fall from my eyes but I compose myself as soon as I get to the front of my father's room. I
take a few deep breaths and adjust my hair. I enter the room without knocking.
"Daddy?" I see him laying on the bed, newspaper in hand. He looks up from his paper. Unconsciously, my left hand goes over
my mouth as I prevent myself from sobbing. I hug him for a long while. No words are said as he hugs me back.
"I know there's a lot of explaining to do, but first, I just need to know you're fine, dad. Are you?"
"Yes, Natalie, I'm better. Now, you need to tell me where the bloody hell you've been." He states and we both laugh. Bloody hell.
I sigh and rub my temple. I had thought my mother would be decent enough to tell my father all the horrible things she'd done
while he was in coma or even give him an acceptable explanation as to why I had gone missing in action. "I need you to be
totally understanding and supportive of what I'm about to tell you." I say as I get up from the bed.
I rub my temple again. "I got married." He takes off his glasses. I put my hands forward to prevent him from saying anything, "I
did that because I thought it was right, and although I did have regrets, I do not, not anymore. It happened so fast that I couldn't
see it coming and there was no way for me to stop it."
"You're just twenty, Natalie!" He exclaim. "We're you pregnant? Your mother consented to this?" He gets up, "Did your mother
force you to do it?" He asks, a frown forming on his face.
I nod, "No, no, no. Mom had nothing to do with this, it was solely my decision and I'm an adult, dad. I believe I can make my own
decisions, and I wasn't pregnant."
"You are, honey, but to me, you'll always be a child—my child. I will always worry about you, your decisions because that's what
parents do. I don't approve of this."
"You should teach your wife some of these things, you know, and daddy, it's too late for that now. You were in a coma, and I had
to do it." I say as I go in for a hug. A tear drops from my eyes.
"I can't believe this. Is that why you couldn't visit? Your mother said you visited severally while I was unconscious." He says, and
I'm amazed that she could do something decent for once.
"I'm here now, Dad, and I'm happy. That's all that matters. I say.

****
We are gathered at the dining table, ready to have lunch. Luke is understandably quiet and my mother, as usual, has a fake
smile plastered on her face. Dad joins us and I stand. "Dad," I say and I notice Luke getting up too. "This is Luke." I say,
gesturing to my husband.
"Luke, my dad." I say smiling, but I notice his face- expressionless. He smiles- a gesture I wonder if is genuine. I shrug it off and
face my father as he approaches Luke. He stretches his hand out for a shake and Luke takes it, respectfully. "Mr. Richardson,
my pleasure." He says and I feel butterflies. This man was really mine.
"What a fine young man. Respectful too." Dad says to everyone and I let out a giggle. "Oh, daddy, please sit." I say as I hold his
arm, leading him to sit.
We are halfway into dinner and my mother speaks, "So, Natalie, tell us about your home. Do you like it there? Do you attend
parties?"
Dad coughs, "Natalie doesn't like parties, Judith and her husband doesn't look like he would either."
She sips her wine, "Oh, Francis, but your son-in-law is a socialite, a very rich one at that." She says, her signature smile on her
face.
"I have a very lovely home, mother, thanks for asking" I drink my wine too, "My home is much more exquisite - unlike your house.
No offense, daddy" I say. Dad smiles knowingly, "None taken."
Mother smiles to me, raising her flute in the air. "So, Luke, hows everything?"
I have a very lovely home, mother, thanks for asking" I drink my wine too, "My home is much more exquisite - unlike your house.
No offense, daddy" I say. Dad smiles knowingly, "None taken."
I roll my eyes internally as I hear her question. This woman really irked me.
"Very fine, thank you. Your daughter has been a source of support to me." Luke says. He takes my hands in his, and places a
kiss on my fingers. I give a small smile. He made my heart flutter and his voice, sent heat up my legs.
"So, what do you do?"

Luke is about to speak but mom's wine flute falls on the floor and in the process, spills on her. "Sweet Jesus," She continues,
"Luke, dear would you come along with me while I wash this off in the kitchen?"
"No," I get up, "Why don't I escort you, mother?"