Discarding myself

"Dad this video is all I need to demolish that demon. It needs to be eliminated immediately." Skylar said and smiled.

Robert Hall sat on the couch and shakes his head negatively. What is she planning to do? Upload the video on the NET or broadcast on TV? He watched her without replying.

Skylar noticed his quietness and walked to him.

"Dad, I'm about to do something huge." She announced happily.

"Don't get yourself in trouble." He uttered.

"Is that what you have to say? The video will prove your innocence and that scum will be punished." She replied.

"What do you want to do with it? It's better to avoid trouble." He said. Skylar frowned at his words. What did he mean by that? Should she keep quiet and watched that woman walk around freely? Why is her father protecting her?

"Are you scared? I already told you that I will handle everything. You don't need to worry at all." She said slowly.

"So you want me to sit and do nothing. I should just watch you?" He asked slowly.

"Exactly." She replied proudly.

He sigh heavily. Who knows what she might do now? Ana is his daughter and if Skylar make any mistake, her life will be in chaos.

"Just leave it. Forget it." He blurted out.

"Let Jelly be. I think that's the best." He added.

"What are you saying? Do you expect me to listen to you?" She snorted.

Skylar was angry. Her mood slightly became unsightly. She wished she could strangle Jelly to death. Her fearless father became meek, how did it happen? What did she do to him? The more she reasoned it, the more confused she is. She turned to him and sigh deeply trying to calm herself.

"Seriously dad? You really want to leave her alone. I'm still wondering why you say that. That lady caused you so much pain and you want to let her go." She said disappointed.

"Well, I think it's better." He said in a low voice.

"Dad, you have really changed. This is not the father that I know." She scoffed.

"If it's for the fact that I left, I don't think it's necessary. Please be yourself." She added.

"You came today and you're pregnant, please rest. That's what you need now." He advised.

She sucked in a breath of cold air. Jelly really transformed her dad. "What a surprise? My first day of arrival, she gave me a big surprise. Something I wasn't expecting. How ridiculous? I should have known better. No wonder she had nerves to talk back at me." She muttered.

Robert Hall didn't understand her but he cared nothing about what she said. He sigh deeply and watched his restless daughter. His worry was obvious but it was more for her child. He prayed the child is fine silently. Seeing she was still lost, he muster courage and broke the silence.

"I have decided to change. But I won't stop you from doing what you want. Don't get yourself in trouble or just return to the States." He said in a low voice.

Skylar clenched her hand, dipping her nails into her palm.

"I won't let her go dad." She remained adamant. She won't change her mind, at least not for that lady.

"You should be careful." He advised.

"I will be. Don't worry about me. I won't cause trouble for you. You know I'm a good girl." She said, easing herself. She can't be sad all day because of that lady.

"If you say so." He said.

"I'm expecting someone from the State soon." She announced and smiled. Jelly topic was boring to discuss and the air in the room is tensed. She should relieve it a little.

"Who's that?" He inquired.

"Someone special, you will meet him when he arrives. Till then I'm keeping his identity closed." She said and smiled.

"A guy? Is it a guy?" He asked. His cold gaze is almost boring a hole in her body.

"Why are you looking at me like that? What's wrong?" She queried. His gaze send chills down her spine.

"Answer my question." He commanded averting his gaze.

"Yes he is." She replied indifferently.

"You are married, what is your relationship with him?" He inquired.

"Dad, what has my marriage got to do with my friend?" She asked.

"Everything." He replied.

She scoffed

"Really? What if you hear something more disheartening?"

She wanted to tell him the truth but her father has a very stubborn character. He is very difficult in situations like this. He can frustrate you if possible.

"What is that?" He inquired. He seem prepared for anything she has to say.

"Well, I'm pregnant for....

She suddenly stopped and turned to look at her father. He was very interested in what she has to say. "Will he deal with me for this? Or just forgive me as his child? I don't know how to say it. I was quite confident before, what is wrong now?" She thought, biting her nails.

"I know you are pregnant." He interrupted her thoughts.

"Well.....The thing is....My pregnancy.....It's....

"Speak properly." He commanded.

He sigh deeply. Hope it's not what he's thinking? Is this man responsible for her pregnancy? She actually cheated on her husband. He looked at her with doubt all over his face.

"Tell me. I will listen to anything you say." He proposed first. Without assurance his daughter won't tell him anything. He understands her well enough.

"Well, he is the father of my child." She agreed.

He frowned in disgust. That's very embarrassing. He can't believe his daughter wasn't patient with her husband. She cheated on him.

"What punishment do you want for your deeds?" He inquired.

Skylar clenched her hand and bite her lips. She felt stupid for telling him. She sigh deeply and faced her father. It's time she lived her life without Jace. She has to stop fooling herself with false prophecies that the man loved her when he was a thorn on her flesh.

"It's not my fault. Jace abandoned me." She protested.

"You don't know the type of life I lived in the State because I couldn't tell you. I wanted you to stop worrying about me. I wanted to stop disturbing you like a child, you must be tired of me is something I thought of everyday. I was always crying in my room. No one to share my pains with. I smiled for people to see but I was dying internally. Do you think it was easy?" She queried.

Tears flowed out of her eyes. Sharing the past with her father was something she never imagined.

"Why didn't you tell me? Who told you I'm tired of you? You're my daughter, why won't I listen to you?" He chided. He felt bad that she was keeping a lot from him.

"I'm sorry dad. I was just being childish." She said.

"It's okay. But I'm not happy that you cheated on him. How will he feel? He left his family for you. You forced him into the relationship and you want to back out suddenly." He sigh deeply. He wonder what Jace is thinking now.

"He will go back to his family. Though we were married, he never cared for me. He still loves Jelly and I know he wants her." She said.

"Go and sleep. It's late." He said. His words were clear to her, the conversation is over is what he meant. She doesn't need anyone to explain it to her. She understands her father too well.

"Yes dad. Good night." She compromised. She don't want to continue with the conversation either. It was rather too disheartening than she imagined.

"I will leave first." He said and stood up. Not waiting for her reply, he strode past her. He was very tired and what she told him made him more weak. It's as though he failed as a father. Being a single parent wasn't easy.

Skylar watched him leave. She didn't say anything, not that she don't have something to say but she don't want to bother him. She isn't a child who seeks her father's protection anymore. She will be a mother soon, how will she face her child if she can't make simple decisions for herself?

She looked at the SD card on her palm. She almost forgot about Jelly. No she won't forget her at least not now. She will deal with her for messing with her dad. She stood up and walked towards the stairs. She has some important work to do. First she will contact her father's best friend, a TV analyst. Then every other thing will fall into place.

Jace was admitted because his bruised legs need more attention. Laying on the bed in his ward, he looked out through the window. With his focused gaze, anyone would think something captivating is happening outside.

All his attention were there. His mind was filled with various thoughts. On one hand, Skylar will divorce him and he can go back to his family. On the other hand, she is claiming his child for someone else. He can't take it easily. He isn't foolish.

He remembered that night when he touched her. He was her first. Johnny was her friend then, he knew. She's lying to him. He isn't blind and the handwriting is clear. That child is his, he won't let Johnny take it away. He won't divorce her till he proved the child belonged to Johnny.

He sigh deeply and his creased brows relaxed. Thinking too much can really kill a man. He turned his head to the door. He was alone in this VIP word. His father-in-law really knows how to impress him.

Olivia opened her eyes and saw someone dressing. She looked at the person carefully but her vision was quite blurred at the moment.

"Austin." She called. He's the only person who can be in her room this time.

"Yes, you are awake." He replied and turned to her. He walked towards the bed and kissed her forehead.

"Where are you going?" She asked and held his head. He squats so he can be comfortable.

"Well.....I want to go home, I.....

"Why?" She interrupted.

"Can't you spend the night here? Are you that busy?" She inquired.

"I need to get to the office early tomorrow. My house is closer than this place and my clothes aren't here." He explained.

"Seriously? Those reasons are not enough for you to leave. I won't let you go anywhere." She said and held him firmly.

"Will you go with me?" He asked. She blinked her eyes like a puppy looking for its mother.

"I don't want to. You will leave me in the morning and I will be lonely. Please stay here." She pleaded.

"No I can't. I don't want to be late. If I stay here, I won't get there on time." He explained. His legs were weak from squatting too long so he kept moving restlessly.

"Can't you see you're punishing me? I'm tired." He struggled.

"No, you won't go." She insisted, ignoring him.

"Stop being stubborn. My boss will be angry if I don't come on time. I already gave him my word." He said and removed her hand from him.

"You're really going." She pouted.

"I'm sorry. I need money. I can't do anything for you or myself if I don't have it. Please understand." He explained.

"Fine." She has no choice. If he don't work then she can't ask him for anything. He already promised to take her out of this house and without money he can't do it.

"Good night." He said.

"Good night." She replied faintly.

He sigh deeply and squat besides her. He held her head and kissed her.

"You shouldn't be angry with me." He said calmly.

His calmness soften her heart. She really want him to stay but money is what they needed desperately so she no longer wants to stop him from leaving.

"No, I'm not." She replied.

"Won't you smile?" He tickled her. She smiled and finally laughed. Then he lean forward and kissed her again. He broke away from her first and stood up. He walked to the mirror table and picked his wristwatch.

"That's mine." She protested.

He turned to her and smiled.

"Am I not yours too?" He asked.

She blushed but concealed it. He never cease to amuse her.

"Yes you are." She said. Her ears were red from embarrassment. If she was a teapot then hot steam could be coming out of her head now.

"Good night." He said and smiled.

She couldn't reply. Her blushed face was too obvious. She covered it with her palms preventing him from seeing her. She could be embarrassed if he noticed it. He walked to the door, opened it and closed it without going out.

He knew she will removed her hands to check if he's gone and what he just did was to fool her. She removed hands from her face and looked at the door blushing. She was surprised to see him still there. Like a lightening she covered her face back. She was embarrassed.

He saw her actions. It was funny watching her blush. She looked embarrassed and this attitude of hers attracts him. He laughed. She could hear him. Her heart beats could be heard closely. Very fast as if it want to stop any moment soon.

"I'm going now. Good night." He finally bade farewell and left.

He didn't play tricks this time. He truly left. It was late already and getting a cab will be difficult. He has no time for more games. She finally removed her hands and noticed he was truly gone. She looked around her room but he wasn't there. She smiled.

"What an embarrassment?" She pouted her mouth.