Chapter Fifty Eight

"You are late!"He yelled as I walked into the house. I was pissed that he had destroyed my plans for the day. My flight was due and I would not make it to Albany even if I left his house early enough. Why do I have to obey him?

That's a question I keep asking myself. It's a question even my subconscious gets silent about. There's simply no more reasonable answer than "fear". I can't help it. No one can.

He was at the dining table, busy at his laptop. I slumped onto the couch and put on the TV. That was a reflex action, to distract my mind from getting unnecessarily sad.

"Are you here to watch TV?"He said. I ignored him.

"I called you for a reason."

"I know,"I finally said. 

"I see you're pissed."He joined me on the couch.

"Do you...want to talk about it?"

What the hell?! You never know this man. I was quiet.

"Okay. I'll get straight to the point then."He said. "The TSI group is our biggest competitor. I have a plan. And I need your help."

I was surprised. He never talked about the company with me. I suddenly craved to hear what he had to say.

"What is it?"

"Tristian Tsee, the older son of the Tsee family wants you."He stopped, allowing me enough time to think of what he said to myself.

I understood but wouldn't let myself believe it. I took the TV remote and increased the volume.

"I'm still talking."

"Thought you were done."I hissed.

"You have a date tonight. Supposedly a blind date. I'm telling you about it because you're not only my niece but my daughter. Trust me when I say I will protect you. I know you don't have a boyfriend yet and I think he's the best. He contacted me some days ago. I think he tracked your home address. Little boy in love. " He laughed.

"You don't mind if I have a boyfriend?"

That's strange. Jude would never have allowed this if he didn't have a motive. And I knew what the motive was. He has an evil plot against the TSI group and all he wants to do is use me.

"I don't mind if you get engaged with Tristian."

"Engaged?!"I shrieked.

"Yeah."

"I don't know Him and I'm not ready for relationships!"I pointed out. "Is that the reason you called me? Oh then, I'll take my leave now!"

I stood up to go. When I got to the door, I was stopped by his fiercely looking body guard. Has he suddenly become more heartless that he'll send thugs to me and even his body guards to mishandle me?

"Get the fuck out of my way!"

They were quiet. 

"Come on baby girl, sit down and listen to me. They won't let you out until I ask them to." Jude Kam announced behind me. I gave up and went to sit.

"All you need to do is win his heart more. Don't turn him down Then I'll give you further instructions later."

"Are you trying to use me here dad?!"

"Keep your voice low. It's "uncle" not dad."He snickered. Then I realized the body guards I saw were new faces, not the ones we had in Albany. What happened to those? He definitely can't fire them just like that when they owe most of his secrets. Jude Kam! Did he kill them too?!

"You are going too far dad. This ain't right!"I must have said that for another reason but he didn't understand.

"You don't have the right to advise me. Just do what I say."

"What if I don't like him?"

He retrieved a tobacco pipe from his pocket and sniffed.

"You don't like who?"

"Tristian Tsee."I spoke with my teeth. Really, the name sounded awful to my ears already.

"You don't have to." he said. "Unfortunately the one that you liked is dead. You should give your damn heart a chance to love someone else..."

"I..."I wanted to argue.

"You don't have to lie to me. Do you know how much I spent to save your damn ass when you destroyed your organs yourself? Do you know how many days I spent travelling from one hospital to another? I had the pictures. You looked horribly dead, Paige. I almost had an heart attack seeing you in that state. I expected that damn memory to get erased after those surgeries but no! You still have that guy in your head..."

I allowed him to vent. It was quite unlike him, talking to me about guys, about relationships. He always said he'd have me for himself alone. What now?

All this isn't genuine. That is it.

"He is long gone! And you have to use your usual charm on Tristian! You don't have a choice!"

Did he just say I have charm? How many surprises today?

"I know I don't."I muttered.

I wished I could spell it out for it that Damien wasn't dead.

"I'll send you the address. Nine o' clock tonight. I got some clothes. "

"You're crazy, Kam!"I shrieked.

"You can say that again."He blew smoke tobacco smoke into the air.

"I'm just nineteen, dad."

"Oh you are?"He laughed. "Sorry, but you know you don't look it. So far You're an adult."

I needed some time alone, to think. All these just doesn't make sense!

"Can I go now?"I stood up.

"C'mon, you can't just leave like that."He chuckled. "Come to daddy baby."

I frowned. Damn! He wants me engaged and still wants...

This life that I live is too complicated. I thought of Damien, his questions. 

This isn't right!

Lord, help me.

 "I have lectures in five minutes." I lied.

"Well, lectures are cancelled today then. Come on. Meet me upstairs."He walked away.

I took an evil glance at him. Then his fierce body guards. The door's remote sitting at the edge of the couch. It's fingerprint locked. There's no way out of this place.

I placed a call on Ria. She wasn't picking up. At practice, of course. I left her a voice message.

"Hey, I won't be home tonight. I couldn't get my car from your boss's house. There's a spare key in my drawer, please help me... drive it home. Bye."

"C'mon Paige!"He yelled.

Tch...