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“Tonight, babe, it’ll be a special one when we get back. Stripping you of this dress and leaving nothing but those heels and this jewelry will make for a night to remember.”
“Aren’t all our nights a night to remember?” She posed her question innocently, but the spark in her eye made me growl at her, making her laugh.
“We have to go before I say fuck it and take you now.”
The event had the red carpet outside that we didn’t have to deal with. My father preferred to have us by his side, but Chan stayed inside no matter what. I questioned taking her to the club last night but tolerated it since we were indoors and had three bodyguards surrounding her. However, here, outside, in front of all these photographers, no, wasn’t going to happen. which was a crying shame because, hands down, I had the most beautiful woman on my arm.
The premiere was for all the paparazzi and reviewers, so it was more business than anything. I showcased Chan and introduced her to people from the industry I had known my whole life. We schmoozed with the co-stars, who Chan got pictures with because she wanted to show Kailey and Ella. I chuckled because I knew most of the actors she only knew because Kailey had mentioned them in their gossip sessions or forced Chan to watch the movies when they were living together.
Chance came in from the carpet, played doting father, and gushed over Chan, re-introducing her to everybody I already had. My girl was a great sport about it, though.
“I appreciate you both being here. I know you have classes, but this means a lot to me,” my father told us again, putting on a show for Chan’s benefit. He required me to be at all his events. Showing us off as a loving, devoted family was his thing. Long ago, sure, it might’ve been true, but no longer.
“It’s okay. We messaged the professors, and I brought my schoolwork and am working off the syllabus. We wouldn’t miss this,” Chan, ever the sweetheart, said.
After we watched the boring movie, my dad had another suite like ours booked in the hotel and threw his traditionally large after-party. We went to his suite with the invited crowd, and people started drinking heavily, but I didn’t leave Chan’s side until she mentioned she wanted something to drink.
“I’ll go get us something. Do you want a drink-drink, water or soda?”
“Can I get a lemon club soda?”
“Coming up.” I kissed her head.
“I’m going to use the bathroom.”
The hallway to the one bathroom had a line, so I whispered in her ear. “Go use the main bathroom. Nobody should be in there. Meet back here.”
Chan nodded and walked toward the master suite, and I noticed a couple of men eyeing her appreciatively, but they stayed where they were. I waited until the bedroom door closed to make sure nobody followed her. Pleased when nobody did, I went to the bar and got Chan her drink.
When I returned to where we said we’d meet, I was concerned Chan wasn’t waiting. I was longer at the bar because he served a few people before me. Sipping at my bourbon, I waved and said a few words to people who passed by me, but my gut churned. Many people were around, and having Chan out of sight made me extra nervous.
Without waiting longer, I moved toward the master suite and swore I heard some struggling, but the music was loud. I opened the door to find Chan in a fight with my father. Her dress had been pulled down, her strapless bra showed, her hair tangled and no longer held by the clip, her makeup was smudged, and she had the pin-weapon from her hair lodged in my father’s shoulder as he moved on top of her. Chan cried and fought him off.
“Gloria, what are you doing? Stop, Gloria.”
The glasses dropped from my hand, and I ran toward Chan, pulling my father off her. I punched him as hard as possible, and he fell onto the bed. Blood leaked from the wound Chan inflicted, and I grabbed her and pulled her away from the bed, checking her over.
“Are you hurt? Oh, fuck, baby.”
“I’m okay. He didn’t get far. Is he okay? I stabbed him like you showed me how.”
I yanked her into my arms as a little crowd formed at the open door. I ignored them, moving my body so nobody saw anything on my girl. “Who gives a fuck if he’s okay. You did so good, baby. Thank you for protecting yourself.”
“He’s really drunk. He kept talking like I was my mom. He kept calling me Gloria.” Her voice hitched, and I slowly pulled her dress up to cover her chest while I held her close.
“It’s no excuse. You did what you needed to do. I’m so proud of you. Are you sure he didn’t do anything else?” Her dress had been up, and my father was on her when I walked in. I didn’t know when he started his attack against Chan.
Chan’s voice got barely above a whisper, and the music had been shut off. Somebody shouted they called 911, but my attention remained on Chan and what she needed. I’d kill my father if he went that far. Actually, I wanted to kill him now. “No, he didn’t do that. I promise.”
A woman came over and handed me a blanket. I thanked her and wrapped it around Chan. Her torn dress didn’t cover her with the broken zipper.
The ambulance arrived, and the paramedics got to work on my dad. I had moved Chan into the bathroom so she didn’t have to stand around with people staring. She kept worrying about whether she was in trouble for hurting him. The shock had her shaking, and she didn’t stop asking if she was in trouble, but like I’d let anything happen.
A female cop got her statement, and I only left because my father yelled for me, and he sobbed repeatedly, asking if she was okay.
“Chan’s my little girl. I’d never hurt her. She was Gloria. I swear, Abel, she was Gloria.”
Chance reached out and held onto my arm, but I had no sympathy. My father attacked the woman I loved, and nothing would fix it.
