Pascal smiled inwardly impressed by Alia's response.
"Ouch! That stings. But, as long as you're safe, I'm good." Lin's smile didn't get to her eyes, as she clenched her fist behind her back. "Please, co with . Your father is waiting."
"Kindly lead the way." Alia gestured forward.
"Sure." Lin turned around, the plastered smile on her face vanishing like it was never there.
"Hello, Alia."
"It's good to see you, Alia."
"You look aweso, Alia."
So of her father's subordinates greeted her warmly as she made her way towards her father's office.
"Boys, this is as far as you go. You are not allowed to enter the senator's office unless you're one of us." Lin pointed at the couch inside the senator's secretary's office, a hint of mockery lacing her tone.
Alia turned to Pascal and Clay who looked like they were about to punch their fist into Lin's face.
"I can take it from here guys. I won't be long."
"Yes ma'am."
"Ma'am..pff..." Lin scoffed under her breath as she led Alia into her father's massive and well-furnished office.
Senator Gregory was busy signing so docunts on his desk when Alia walked in.
"Hello, Dad," Alia forced a smile on her face even though she was deeply hurt by her father's betrayal.
"Alia...." Senator Gregory dropped his pen on the table and took off his reading glasses. "...you ca." He stood up and hurried around the table to go receive his daughter.
"Dad..." Alia's words caught in her throat as her father pulled her into his arms for a warm embrace.
"Thank you for honouring my call."
"It's fine, Dad." Alia pulled free from her father's squishy hug.
"Sir, I will be waiting outside in case you need anything," Lin said in a monotonic voice.
"That's fine, Lin. Inform my secretary to get my daughter so blueberry muffins and so pineapple juice."
"There's no need for that, Dad. I won't be staying for long. Thank you, Lin." Alia said, signalling her to leave.
'Insufferable b*tch.' Lin smiled through her teeth and left the office, shutting the door behind her.
Let's sit down." Senator Gregory led his daughter to the white double-seater sofa in his office and they both sat down.
"Alia..."
"Dad...."
Both of them said at the sa ti and chuckled.
"You go first." Senator Gregory said as he took both of his daughter's hands into his, stroking them tenderly.
"Dad, I have decided to end things with Jerry."
"So I have heard." A crease appeared on the senator's face. "I was inford by Regina that he stopped by the house earlier today claiming that you divorced him. Don't you think you are being irrational? There are better ways to settle this instead of opting for divorce."
"I'm not being irrational, Dad" Alia's brows furrowed, clearly disgusted at the ntion of Regina's na and her dad's choice of words.
"You don't expect to remain married to Jerry after he cheated on not once, twice or three tis with my stepsister. This thing between them didn't just start overnight. After speaking with Gwen at the office today, I'm convinced that she is in love with him and I'm just doing her a favor to step out of the picture. Or would you have stay in an unloved marriage and a dysfunctional ho?"
"No...but..."
"There is no but dad." Alia cut her dad off pulling her hands away from him. "Jerry and I are history. I'm moving on with my life. He can marry Gwen for all I care. I just want to be happy or don't you want to be happy after everything that has happened?"
"Of course I want you to be happy darling."
"Then it is settled." Alia's eyes were filled with determination breaking her father's initial resolve. "I just need you to support in this Dad. At least you owe this much for what happened two weeks ago."
"What about your grandma? What about the rest of the family? They all think you're making a huge mistake?"
A deep crease lined Alia's forehead. "It's my life, Dad, not theirs and I'm not making any mistakes, leaving a man who clearly doesn't respect as his wife. I'm freeing myself from a possible toxic relationship."
"Hmmmm..." The senator released a long and defeated sigh. "Alright, I will stand by you if this is what you truly want."
A smile replaced the frown on Alia's face as she involuntarily launched herself into her father's arms. "Thank you, dad."
"Does that an you have forgiven for my past mistake?" The senator pressed a kiss on the centre of her head, beaming.
"Maybe..." Alia pulled away from him, her cheeks glowing. "...maybe not. Just know you owe ."
The senator laughed heartily. "Alright, my love."
"So what were you going to ask ?"
"Umm..." The senator hesitated before saying. "It's about your sister and you firing her from your company because of her affair with your husband."
"Ex-husband, Dad." Alia corrected. "Rember we already divorced."
"Yeah... I'll try and get used to that."
"Well, the truth is that Gwen made a lot of bad decisions that placed the company at risk of bankruptcy. And breaking my trust in her isn't sothing that can be overlooked. As a businesswoman, I can't afford to run my company based on empathy."
"That is a solid point." Her father nodded his head.
"I'm sure with her vast knowledge in marketing, you could help her secure a job in other companies." Alia's voice was laced with a hint of mockery.
"Sure, I'll speak to so of my friends."
"Then it is settled." Alia picked up her back, standing up.
"Are you sure you will not join for..." The senator checked the ti on his phone, "...an early dinner at your favourite restaurant?" He asked rising up to his feet.
"So other ti, Dad." Alia leaned closer and pecked him on the cheek. "I have to run along."
"Alright, my sweetie. Stay safe and call on if you ever need anything."
"Sure thing, Dad." Alia kissed him as she left his office unburdened.
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