SWNOVELS Chapter 79
Smiles walks out of the bath, with a white towel wrapped around her chest.
Checking on the drawer, there was no dryer, she sighs.
How could she have forgotten, it's Keane's room she's in and such should be the least she should have thought of. She was about to make her way out when her eyes caught sight of a black cloth, covering a board.
Her brows twist as she gently takes steps forward curious to know what's behind.
She pulled away the covers and was welcomed with a drawing of a beautiful young girl with curly cherry brown hair.
Her amber blue eyes, sparkling as the bright morning sun, and her smiles, were the most beautiful she'd ever seen.
She frowns at the strange yet awkward feeling she's having. The girl on the artboard looks exactly like her younger self... "but how?" She questions trying to understand the connection. It can only mean she's met Keane before... somewhere and she just couldn't remember.
Lost in her thoughts, she was brought to the present by his large palms circling around her waist, taking in her sweet scent.
He groans in satisfaction, turning her to face him.
He massaged her forehead, clearing the lines formed.
"I know you've got a lot in there but first, let's go downstairs... Dad wishes to talk to you" he places a light kiss on her lips.
She couldn't say otherwise as she nodded, turning to leave but was stopped by him.
"You don't have to go... your things are in here" he informs.
She stares at him demanding more explanation.
He chuckles, "Such a curious little one" he pinch on her chin, smiling.
"Come on now... let me get you dressed" he pulls her, pulling out the dryer from the right side drawer, and starts drying her hair.
She had no objections, she was loving it. Enjoying the comforting feeling of his hands, she closes her eyes with a beautiful smile plastered on her face.
In the living room, Mr Austin sat patiently on the royal blue sofa with his left leg crossed over the right.
Smiles and Keane walk down, taking their seats by the side.
It was strange as to why he wanted to see her. Ever since she came into Keane's mansion, she's never seen him, not even in the event Grandma Shiley and Grandpa Jimmy hosted. "Greetings, Mr Austin " she greets in a low and soft voice but he was able to get her.
He smiled sheepishly at her, "You can call me Dad, you are my daughter anyways" he said and she nodded, with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
With no reason, she felt awkward calling him dad. It just doesn't feel right.
"Destiny is indeed a tricky and cunning one" he mutters with a sad smile.
He can clearly remember how he chased Fiona, begging her to love him, to give him a chance to prove his love but that chance never came, not even when she was chased away by her husband, the person who swore to love and protect her. And here are their children, living their fate, his fate... what he's always and will forever dream of.
Keane faded with his attitude, it's unlike his dad's to be nice. He had no idea why he came but all he knows is he has to leave, as soon as possible. Being with him only brings back those memories he's never wanted to remember and that he hates.
He wants nothing to do with him, and most especially Smiles.
Keane clenched his jaw, "just get to it and stop bidding around the bush" his voice was firm with anger visible in his gray eyes.
Mr Austin couldn't banter words with his son, not like he couldn't but he just didn't want to.
There is so much he wants to do, to write his wrong. Because of his obsession and lust, he lost his family, and the wife he never cherished. And his son hates him to the core. He doesn't blame him for that because deep down, he knows he's at fault.
He cleared his throat, "I... I am here to make things right, to apologize and seek your forgiveness... both of you" he said.
Smiles turn to Keane confused about what is going on. Why was he asking for their forgiveness? She can't remember him offending her.
Keane could feel her questioning gaze on him, he squeezed lightly on her hands.
"What's going on?" She finally asked and was unable to take the silence. Both men kept on glaring at each other with Keane's glare being harsh and deadly. They seem to be trying to communicate with each other through their eyes. Mr Austin turns to Smiles, who has a pleading look on her face.
"I know it will be hard on you child, but I must tell you this" he was cut off by Keane with his trembling voice.
"Can you please for once, stop! Why don't you ever know when to let go?" Asked Keane with so much anger.
Before he went upstairs to get Smiles, they had spoken about this and he pleadingly asked his dad not to say a word yet he chose not to listen.
Keane knew it would break Smiles and that's the main reason he doesn't want her to know.
Mr Austin stares at him with an apologetic look. He just couldn't keep it anymore, his conscience wouldn't let him.
"I am the reason your mom was kicked out of her home, I was a fool thinking I would be able to get her through such a cheap way but I was wrong... I did the one thing I would have never thought of doing, I pushed her to her death" his voice was low. Silently engulf the entire living room. Smiles didn't say a word, her face was expressionless.
She wasn't clueless about his relationship with her mom but what she didn't know is he partook in chasing her mom out of her home.
"I'd always thought we were meant to be but I was wrong... she was never mind... But as stupid as I was, I ended up destroying my very own son's life" he turns to Keane whose gaze is on the floor. Keane's feelings now were mixed, no one knew what he was thinking.
Smiles felt his grip tightened on hers, she stared at him, silently begging him to look at her but he didn't.
Her gaze travels back to Mr Austin when he starts talking again. "She died all because of my selfish desires " he blames himself.
"What was your role... how did you get involved!?" She asked.
Silent reign for about a minute, before he spoke out, "I collaborated with Dorah to frame her... I was that man she was accused of cheating on her husband, your dad, with." He explains, sadly.