Fake Fiancée - Season 1 - Episode 25

5 years ago

Fake Fiancée - Season 1 - Episode 25

He laughed bitterly at that. “I used to try
drawing, cleaning his office and buying
him the best birthday presents. But it
was never enough.”

“But things kind of changed. When I
was about thirteen, my father had a new
business associate. She was always over
at our house with my dad.”

I blinked as I slowly realised where this
was going. Saying another woman was
always over with his dad was not a
good sign, but I didn’t interrupt while
he continued talking.

“Well anyway, one day mom, April and I
went ice skating and I twisted my ankle.
Mom wanted to bring me home but I
insisted that she stay with April and
have a good time. So Mom called Bernice
to pick me up and tend to my ankle at
home. After she did, I had to limp up the
stairs to my room … but I wanted to visit
my father. So I opened the door to his
office and …”

Henry had stopped and his fists were
clenched. His eyes had turned dark and
he bowed his head out of …
embarrassment? Shame?

“And?” I prompted gently, hoping he
wouldn’t cry. I would hate to see Henry
cry when he was so full of confidence all
the time.

“He … he was with … his business
associate. With her.”

My teeth ground together. What scum Mr
Parker was! Arianne was a perfect wife
and he had cheated on her! I hated men
like that – they pissed me off so much. I
was going to let out a string of
profanities, but seeing Henry’s tortured
face made me stop.

“I’m so sorry,” I said, putting a hand
gently on his shoulder. Henry had looked
up to his father, who was a cheater. I
guess that pretty much s----d.

“He made me promise not to tell anyone.
He said it was a mistake. So I did. I
wanted my father’s love. But god, I felt
so horrible. Every time mom did
something nice for him, I felt like
screaming out his secret. But a few
years later … maybe around when I was
seventeen, I saw him with another
woman. I realised what a fool I had
been to keep his secret. So when I
threatened to tell mom, he …”

I don’t know why, but I had the huge
instinct to wrap my arms around him.
And I did. I could tell he was surprised
but he didn’t say anything. “You don’t
have to tell me,” I murmured.

“Nah, I want to get this out,” he
answered with a small, sad laugh. “He
punched me in the face and threatened
to do more than that if I said another
word. But I said no and he got angrier.
He then threatened he would do the
same to April and … my mom and my
sister are weaknesses. I couldn’t. So I
kept it secret. I know he still cheats on
my mom, but I just … I don’t want him
hurting April or mom. Ever.”

I gasped. I hadn’t expected that out all
things. Mr Parker was horrible! Oh lord,
and I had bought him a birthday
present! Now I really felt like punching
him in the face and breaking the watch
in front of his stupid face.

“You know that caterer from last night?”
Henry asked.

I nodded and frowned.

“Yeah, well … she was that woman with
my father when he punched me. She just
stood there, scared out of her mind that
my mom would find out,” he said darkly.
“Whenever she sees me she’s so scared.”
My eyes widened. “Her? She was with
your dad?!”

He nodded and I grimaced. Ew, just ew.
“You know, you’re not alone,” I said
quietly, thinking of how my mom was an
absolute s--t.

Henry frowned and looked at me. “What
do you mean?”

My eyes met his and I smiled a little. “My
mom throws herself at every hot guy,
even if he’s my age. It’s disgusting.”
Henry’s eyes widened slightly at my
confession. He then looked down. “I’m
sorry.”

I waved a hand, accepting his apology.
“Don’t worry. But you know, no offence
… but I think your dad and my mom
would suit each other,” I joked. I always
had the tendency to lighten up the
mood.

“You’re right actually,” Henry agreed, a
bit amused by the idea.

I smiled slightly as I looked at Henry. My
relationship with Henry had changed
majorly. He had decided to tell his secret
to me out of all people. “You know … for
a peanut, you aren’t so bad,” I said with
a small laugh, digging my toes into the
sand.

Henry’s face, which had been
emotionless, cracked into a wide smile.
“You aren’t so bad either pancake.”
We both laughed at how awkward this
situation was. Suddenly, his phone went
off and he rolled his eyes. “Way to ruin
our moment,” he muttered. He picked
up. “Hello?”

I watched as the happy expression on
his face fell. I wondered who he was
talking to and what had happened. As
soon as he shut his phone off, he turned
to me.

“We have to go.”
“Why?” I asked, bewildered as he
pushed himself up from the sand and
brushed it off his jeans.

Henry’s eyes darkened and he ran a
hand through his dark midnight hair.
“Because Mom is making my father’s
birthday dinner today since he’s come
home from New York.”