Tiffany's POV
As beautiful as that was, I had to leave. Especially knowing that I can never truely have that type of relationship again. My parents are gone. I can never have that feeling of helping them, to look after them. To have family dinners with them, birthdays, Christmas. Greta and Darryl have been fantastic stand ins, and I love them dearly, but they aren't my real parents. I took a seat on Greta's deck swing, it looked out over the yard, giving me full view of the Sydney streets and the vague hint of the moon and stars.
I didn't even bother looking up when I heard the door open. I had the feeling I knew who it was. Cain stepped over and came and sat beside me. Giving it a slight push so it started to swing. His hand rested along the back of the seat behind me. But I just ignored it. It was nice just sitting here in silence like this.
"Hey Tiff, you ok". He finally asked. I half smiled, giving a slight nod. He noticed but didn't seem to be impressed with my lack of speech.
"I want you to name what you want. You have helped me more than anyone, I want to repay that. So please name anything". He was looking forward as he said it. I just shook my head. What could he give me that I already didn't have. With my continued silence he continued.
"I mean it, anything. A town house, millions of dollars, a holiday home, or business…. to marry me". I choked on that one. I stared at him in complete disbelief. He just smirked at me.
I rolled my eyes at him, turning back to my original position.
"Is there anything I can help you with". I shook my head. A lightbulb moment occurred.
"How about you let me stay behind". He took a breath, with a face of disappointed.
"I thought we had already worked this out, I could really use your help with these few projects. This is a must".
I sighed. I really didn't want to go anywhere, especially on a plane.
"It may be fair enough Cain, but I really am not looking forward to this". I looked him straight in the eyes as I spoke.
"I have spent every Christmas with your parents without fail. I've always been contactable for when they need me. I don't need anything else, I've been happy. This is the closest I can get to feeling like I'm not an orphan. You know my fear of planes, why I don't fly. I just…" I felt tears slip down my cheeks. But I continued.
"As for money, I don't need it. You know as well as I do, that I've been a millionaire since I was thirteen years old, I'm not proud of it. I know the price I had to pay to gain that, and I would give it all back if I could just have my parents back". His jaw tightened. He knows this is a touchy subject.
"I would have helped you. You know I would have. I could…" I was cut off.
"I know you would have, but I wanted to accomplish this on my own. I wanted to become stronger, more dependable. Now I have finally reached that. I'm now a multi-millionaire with multiple franchises all over the world. I accomplished all that, even though it came with the price of lost time with my family. With you". I scoffed, ready to stand up and walk away, when I felt Cain's hand grab mine and pull me back down.
"I want to make it right. I know I hurt you, it was hard for me too". He made small circles on my arm as he held me close, but all I could feel was my temper flaring.
"For two years, I sent you birthday messages and Christmas messages, not to mention the other random amount of messages and calls, I never once heard from you. You never once acknowledged my existence in the whole seven years. After the heartache of trying to get some form of contact from you, I just gave up. I wasn't going to just sit around and wait for someone who abandoned me so easily. So tell me now; if this whole stupid business trip is some form of plan to get together, just don't bother. I don't want to be manipulated. Understand". I stared him down. He was hurt, I know he was, his eyes said it all. But I just can't go through that again. He broke my heart. I felt his grip lighten.
"I'm sorry for everything Tiff, I really am. I got all your messages, I saved them. I just couldn't bring myself to answer them, because I wanted to come back to you. It was hard, but I didn't want you to be a part of everything I went through starting up. It wasn't easy…" He emphasised the easy. Making me guess it wasn't all rainbows and unicorns. Maybe it was dangerous. I felt my heart ache. In one sense I understood, but in the other I could have made it easier, maybe I could have helped in some way. I just sighed. The past is the past.
"What does it matter for now? You didn't trust me to help you then, so why now?". He hesitated.
"Because now I know I have the power to protect you". I snorted. What the hell do I need to be protected from.
"What from? A paper cut. Geez…" I clearly wasn't getting anywhere. He went to say something, but paused when my phone started to ring. Thankfully, saved by the tone. I stood, putting some distance between us, while pulling out my phone. It was Tyson, he must have gotten my message finally. I answered.
"Hey babe, sorry I missed your call. I was….busy". I raised a brow at that random pause.
"I just wanted to let you know that I have to go away on a business trip". I waited to see what he would say.
"Ah, really thats a shame how long are we talking". He seemed pretty calm, almost happy.
"It's for three months". This would have to get some decent reaction.
"Wow, dam thats a while. Oh well, more money in the bank I suppose". I could hear him start to chuckle on the other end of the phone, and what was that?. I could hear some very faint giggles in the background. Was there someone else there.
"Are you alone?" He started to panic before saying.
"No babe I actually have a few of my good mates around, you know just hanging with the boys". Hmm hmm. I wasn't sure at how much I actually trusted him. We have been going out for about six months now but a couple of months back he started to get a tad bit secretive, nosey, and suspicious. He very rarely answered my calls or messages anymore.
I sure know how to pick them. He must have read into my silence.
"Tell ya what babe, why don't I come over to your place, and we get some take out and have a night in. It is the last night together for three whole months after all". I rolled my eyes.
"I would have loved that, but I'm at my parents place for dinner, so I have already eaten. Besides I have an early morning in the morning. Thats why I tried to get on to you earlier'. He scoffed, getting defensive.
"Well I can't help that I had other things to do. Tell you what, I'm actually not far from your parents place, I'll walk down and we can go back to your place, even just for a quick randevu so to speak. Just some fun before you leave me. So I'll see you soon". I didn't even get a chance to protest. The only answer I got was the boop boop of the disconnected call. I just looked at the phone. Frowning. Something doesn't feel quite right about him lately. I feel conned. I better make some back up plans before going anywhere. Something feels off.
I heard Cain cough behind me, making me remember that I wasn't alone. I walked away without so much as acknowledging him. I could hear him calling me but I just ignored him, he's not my boss at the moment. Walking inside I found Greta and Darryl with Brownie and I gave them both a hug and a thank you.
"I love you guys. I wish I could be here for Christmas with you". They both smiled happily.
"It's ok sweetheart, we understand. You both have a big job to do, we will still be here when you get back. We can do something big then alright". I nodded, trying to hide the tears welling up in my eyes. I gained another hug. Once I was released, I picked up my cuddlepup and snuggled him. Giving him some kisses.
"You better be good for grandma and grandpa, mister". The wigglebutt just went tonguehappy trying to get at my face. I just laughed, before placing him back on the floor.
"I better get going, apparently Tyson is coming". I seen them frown but they were quick to mask the looks, but I caught them. I gave them a half smirk.
"Thats lovely dear". Greta tried to say. She wasn't fooling anyone. She hasn't really been into him since day one. I'm thinking I may have had rose coloured glasses on at the time also.
"Ok guys I better get going. Dad would you mind coming out with me, I've got Brownies bag and food in the car".
"Sure honey". The old man walked with me out of the house. Greta followed behind slowly stopping at the door. When we exited the building we were met with a stand off. Tyson had arrived and he had met Cain. Oh what fun…