The wedding was tedious and boring. The only entertainment was Alex fuming each time Nathan and I got close, like the times he whispering something in my ear or the brief dance we had. 

I take off the dress I wore, which Nathan had made sure was ready for today. A white dress, with baby pink streaks in its skirt.

There's an untold rule, never wear white at a wedding. Because white is for the bride and no one else's. I took great pleasure in seeing Everly's face turn red when she took me in.

I'm damn sure I was way prettier than the bride.

Overall, it was a success. For Nathan and I.

Finally throwing aside the heels, I allow my feet to enjoy life again as I remove my makeup. Once more, I walk to my study desk and grin at the signed papers. I now have eight percent of Nathan's business' share. It's a great start.

I glance at the watch and scramble around the desk, finding my scrunchie under a pile of papers. Quickly, I tie my hair up and adjust the hem of my shirt before slipping into my coat and once again hurry out of the house.

After what happened yesterday, I have to talk to Dad again. I haven't decided how I'm going to tell him I landed this eight percent share, but once I come up with a decent lie, I'll tell him. Because I'm damn sure he wouldn't approve of the actual way.

Last night, until early morning today, I studied the book Wright gave me with more precision and greater focus. Googling the interesting stuff, taking notes, and everything.

The subway ride goes by quickly as I mull over my newly learned knowledge about business and the options I have.

Soon I reach my parents' building. Just as I approach it, I catch Dad stepping out.

Before I can move, his eyes land on me and a smile curls his lips. I grin back as I walk towards him.

"Hey, Dad."

"Gracie!" he pauses and glances between me and the door. "I didn't know you were coming, I was about to go on a walk until your mom and brother return from the physiotherapy... wanna join me?"

"Definitely." Still smiling, I lock my arm with his, just like when I was younger, and we set down the street.

He glances at my hand then surveys the area. The old building, uneven ground, people in washed-up clothes going on about their lives.

"Do you remember the first time you wore heels? You didn't let go of my hand for one second the entire night," Dad says with a sad smile.

I laugh. "I do. It was so hard at first."

"And you refused to change no matter what we said," he chuckles, shaking his head.

"I wanted to look like Mom, and you know how proud grandma was! She constantly kept saying I've finally grown up and I did look like every other woman in that party. I just couldn't let her down."

Dad nods. "You're a lot like your mother." A beat later he adds, "You both are."

"Mason?" I ask with surprise. "Not at all. He's just like you."

"I hope not," he lightly says and I giggle.

"You two always end up fighting because you're just like each other. But Mom always says our stubbornness comes from you."

A corner of his mouth lifts up. "She does."

We fall into a comfortable silence. Light wind breezes past us. I focus on the ground, careful not to trip. The sky is a brilliant blue, with the sun slowly inching towards the west. Aside from the noises of the cars and people talking and the general bustle of a city, everything else is peaceful.

"How was your... dinner last night? With your friend," Dad suddenly questions, taking me by surprise.

I suppress a grin. "It was fine. Actually it was quite productive. We talked, updated each other on stuff. It was good." I nod to myself.

"Do I know this friend?"

"Nathan."

He raises his eyebrows and nods. "I didn't know you were still in contact with your old friends."

"Just recently I began seeing a few of them."

"Be careful about them." He looks at me, concern swimming in his blue eyes.

"I am, don't worry." I wave my free hand dismissively. "Anyway... Dad, I actually came because I wanted to see you and talk to you."

His eyebrows jump in surprise as he glances at me sideways. "Is something wrong?"

I shake my head. "No, no. In fact, it's good." I brightly smile at him and feel him relax beside me. I nibble on my bottom lip, stringing the words together back in the metro was much easier.

"I've been reading this book, it's about business, gives a general idea about everything in management and whatnot." I peek at him from the corner of my eye. He only nods.

"And, I have a couple of ideas. They need to marinate in my head so I can't tell you right now, but I think they're good. So I was thinking maybe you and Mason should start thinking too, begin doing research, step into a completely different zone from your previous business. In fact, I was also considering making Mason learn a few things in programming and see what we can do with that. Just a couple of months from now."

"Gracie," Dad softly interrupts me but I shake my head and ramble on.

"No, you just have to wait till summer, until my university ends so I'll have loads of free time and then we can draw a loan. By then Mason has to be better too. I've noticed how can move his fingers much better than he could a few months ago. Even if he doesn't want to be a part of it, I think you and I together can start a new business. It'll be great."

He sighs. "It's not that simple."

"But we have to start from somewhere. And it's much better than working for someone else. I'm learning things about managing a business. I can help. We can do it together."

Dad stops forcing me to halt too. I take a step away and push my hands into my pockets.

"Things are more complicated than you think. Than I've let on."

I frown and blink a few times with confusion.

"I know Mason, and probably you too, think I haven't tried or done anything to get us out of this situation... but Ben is too rich for us to go against. He wanted to ruin me, and I know he won't stand by and let me rise again." He turns to me, his shoulders falling, dejection clouding his features.

Silence settles between us. I look away, staring at a crack on the wall behind Dad, as I go over idea after idea in my head, anything that can help us get out of this mess.

"I'm sorry I let you down," he mumbles.

My heart shatters into thousands of pieces and my gaze jumps back on him.

"You didn't. It's just a tough situation... I'm sure we'll find a way. There's always a way. You always said that."

He forces a weak smile to his face. It barely reaches his dull eye. "I did. And I'm so proud of you for staying strong and fighting for finding a way."

I return his smile with a brighter one. "I just know we'll get through this."

"We should go back, your mother and Mason will be back soon."

With that, we turn and set down the path we came as I talk about the details of my plans and try to come up with ways to ensure Uncle Ben won't be an obstacle and all the while Dad patiently listens to me.

Too soon we reach to the familiar old building and we slow our pace until we stop before its door.

"I won't come inside, I have to catch up with a few assignments for tomorrow," I tell Dad.

He nods as we stand in front of each other. Pride gleams in his eyes as he takes me in. I can't help the grin that spreads across my face.

"You've grown up so much," he says. Something in his tone implies to the hidden sadness he has buried deep within himself. "It's like you can take on the world all by yourself."

I playfully roll my eyes. "I'll never stop needing you, though. No matter how old or strong I get."

"I'm really proud of you, I couldn't have asked for a better daughter."

I giggle as a blush forms on my cheeks. "Dad." I throw my arms around him in a tight hug.

"Know I'll always love you, Gracie," he says softly and my smile falters.

The finality in his voice makes me uneasy. It's like he's saying goodbye. My mouth goes dry and my heart thuds dully in my chest.

Questions creep up from the back of my head but stick to my throat. I want to ask him what's wrong, if he's okay but I don't. If it was a few weeks ago, then this behavior might have been worrying, but he's been doing well.

I'm making a big deal out of nothing. And so I brush it off. I'm just overthinking.

"Take care child." He kisses the top of my head before loosening his embrace.

His gaze scans me from head to toe as if noting every little thing about me, engraving it in his memory. The way you look at someone when you know it's the last time you'll be seeing them.

"I love you too Dad."

A slow smile arches his mouth, the sadness is still present in his eyes, but as he lets out a huge breath, I note relief in them too.

"Goodbye, Gracie."

"Bye, Dad," I reply weakly.

With that, he turns and unlocks the door, I watch him as he goes before I spin and walk down the street, unable to shake off the weird feeling settling in the pit of my stomach.

I inhale sharply and push aside a strand of hair fallen from my tie. I'm probably being paranoid.

∞ ∞ ∞

Well, do you think something's wrong? Or is Gracie just overthinking?

Anyway, thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed it, don't forget to vote if you did and comment your thoughts!

Next chapter will be up tomorrow

Stay safe, lots of love, happy reading! <3