Lisa's P.O. V.
"Where are you? You and Chris were supposed to be here 10 minutes ago!" Dad's voice boomed from the speakers of my car as I raced towards the restaurant, praying Chris was on his way.
It's already been a week since Davis saved me from him that night. He made good on his promise, teaching me to fight and keeping me safe. I found myself staying at his house with dick buried inside of me all night, every night. I'd long since run out of my own clothes, using clothes Davis bought Izzy that she never wore.
It felt odd being dressed in clothes he chose for his daughter, so today I had left the confines of his house and went to my apartment. I was getting clothes together to take back to Davis' place when dad called to remind me of Chris and my date with our fathers. I had forgotten that they wanted to meet with us every few weeks to see how we were getting along. I gritted my teeth at the thought of having to pretend to like Chris.
I pulled into the parking lot, spotting Chris' car in the lineup. I parked beside his, finding him waiting in his car. There were some faint bruises on his arms, but they were hiding just below his sleeves. It seems Carter and Liv were smart as they beat him. His nose still had that cut from Davis fist and I smirked as I saw it. I quickly schooled my face as I got down from the car.
"Let's get this over with," he sighed, holding his hand out for me to grab.
I bit my tongue and took his hand, feeling disgusted by the touch of his skin. We walked hand in hand towards the restaurant, seeing my Dad by the front door. The scowl on his face told me he had grown very impatient waiting on us. I just hope Chris' father is nothing like my own. Otherwise, I'll be sitting at a table with 3 abusive men that don't know how to handle their anger with prides the size of Texas.
"There you are Chris. I was beginning to worry. Your father is waiting inside, would you mind if I stole my daughter for a moment? I just need to have a quick word with her."
Dad didn't look at me as he spoke to Chris. It angered me that he was asking Chris to speak to me instead of asking me. It was like he thought I was Chris' property now, some slave that belonged to him. Chris let go of my hand with a friendly smile.
"Of course I don't mind. She's your daughter, sir. I'll see you inside, sweetheart."
Chris was audacious, taking this chance in front of my father to kiss me. I couldn't react the way I wanted to ask his lips parted mine for a moment. Thankfully, Chris didn't drag it out, pulling away from me within a few seconds. He winked at me as if to say 'I dare you to say something'. I kept my face void of my true emotions as I plastered my fake smile on.
"See you in there."
As soon as Chris was inside, Dad's attention turned to me. His scowl was back only it was 10 times worse. He was furious and it was all directed at me.
"Why haven't you been at the apartment?"
I had to try hard not to show the great that suddenly gripped me. Of course he's keeping tabs on me. I should have figured as much.
"I've been staying with Chris," I lied hoping he would believe me.
"You have?"
He sounded surprised, sending an instant relief through me. He wasn't watching Chris' house at least. Dad smiled, seeming pleased by the answer.
"Good, for once your whorish ways seem to be doing me a favor."
His words stung more than I thought they would. I should not care about his opinion of me in the least, yet for some reason my heart did. My heart wants the approval of my father even though he's a stuck bastard that's caused me nothing but misery.
What's wrong with me?
"Gee thanks Dad, just what a girl wants to hear."
I rolled my eyes at him, stupidly. He hates when I do that it only makes him angrier. I saw his fists coils at his sides before he shoved them in the pockets of his blazer.
"Just keep your mouth shut while the men talk. Don't embarrass me, Lisa."
His voice was soft, but his tone was cruel with a very deep threat hidden in it. I took deep breath, exhaling with sigh before I nodded my head in agreement. I'm forever grateful that Davis is saving me from this hell. This would have been my life daily, for years to come, had I stayed with Chris that night. If Davis would not have carried me away that night I'm not sure what kind of state I would be in right now.
Dad led the way inside, having me follow closely behind, but never allowing me to walk by his side. He had to lead the way and I had to follow like a dog. I kept my head held high, despite Dad's best attempts to break my spirit. He seemed to want to degrade me any chance he got. Maybe he thought that was how he would keep me in place. Who really knows what goes on in a twisted mind like his?
"So sorry to keep you waiting Daniel. This is my daughter Lisa."
Chris' father Daniel was a handsome man, but that was no surprise as Chris was good looking. Daniel stood to greet me with a warm smile, but I won't be fooled again. These Darnells seem to be two faced sneaky little devils. The apple doesn't usually fall far from the tree.
This apple is pretty rotten so I can only imagine the state of the tree.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you Lisa." He extended his hand out as he greeted me. I shook it with that ever present fake smile of mine.
"Likewise."
We all took our seats, and of course I was seated beside Chris with Dad across from me. Everyone looked over their menu as I sat and watched them all. My appetite had vanished the moment Chris' lips touched me. My stomach still felt sour, turning further at the memory of it. He literally made me sick to my stomach. I was staring up at the glass ceiling, admiring a cloud shaped like a turtle when the waiter came by. Dad ordered first, as usual, followed by Daniel and then Chris. All eyes fell on me and I just asked for a water. Dad's eyes narrowed at me suspiciously as if I were up to something.
"Are you alright dear?" Daniel asked me after the waiter collected our menus and left. "Surely you must be hungry."
"I'm fine, really, just not very hungry."
"Lisa's trying to slim down for her wedding dress," Chris lied.
I hated that lie more than anything. I have never been one to worry about my weight. My weight is healthy and my body is beautiful. I take care of myself by eating well and exercising. There's no one here that could call me fat, yet the way Chris' comment sounded was as if he thought I could stand to lose some weight.
Assface.
"Nonsense, you're perfectly beautiful the way you are now. I'll flag the waiter down so you can order. You won't starve yourself on my watch," Daniel informed me as he motioned for the waiter to come back before I could even respond.
I felt extremely embarrassed when the waiter returned. I flushed as I was forced to look at the menu and pick something. When I tried to order a small salad, Daniel denied me. He told me he would order me a juicy burger if I didn't pick an actual meal. Finally, I chose the salmon,
feeling I could stomach seafood the best. When that was done and over with I noticed Dad was silently fuming. I guess I had embarrassed him. How was I supposed to know that Daniel would actually care about what I ordered?
"Dad, your going to spoil my soon to be wife at this rate," Chris joked, but I knew he was actually serious.
Daniel had been paying me compliments and asking me many personal questions throughout lunch. I felt a bit put off by his behavior as I tried to eat. Honestly, if Dad and Chris weren't here I would think that Daniel were flirting with me. The questions he asked seemed like the ones you ask someone on your first date. Dad was growing increasingly irritated as lunch went on, since he hadn't gotten a word in business wise. He'd told me to let the men speak and it seemed the man of the hour wanted to hear all about me.
"She should be spoiled, son. I hope you realize what a fine beauty you have there. She's got a good head on her shoulders, a great company to inherit, and beauty like no other. You know a lot of these girls just try to get with you for your money, but you don't have to worry about that with this one" Daniel pointed to me with his fork as he spoke. Chris just sat back, seeming annoyed with his father as if this were some kind of antic he did often.
"I know that, Dad. That's why I asked Lisa to move in with me, and she agreed."
This fucking snake.
"What?" Dad and Daniel both asked at the same time.
"She did?" Daniel sounded so surprised.
"That's great news!" Dad was a bit too overly enthusiastic about it.
"Are you sure it doesn't seem a bit rushed? I know you guys are due to wed in a year's time, but you don't have to rush this quickly. You could wait until you've dated at least 6 months." Daniel was oddly being a voice of reason. I can't quite decide if Daniel is a creep or if he's a genuinely concerned father.
"I am sure if she didn't want to move in she would have told me no, Dad. Lisa definitely likes to speak her mind."
"That she does," Dad agreed, shaking his head almost disappointedly.
"Good, maybe she can talk some sense into you from time to time." Daniel smirked at me, giving me a little wink. It sent an odd feeling down my spine.
"Doubtful," Chris retorted, poking his food a bit too aggressively with his fork. "I would like for you guys to come and visit us. Come see how Lisa has settled in with me at home."
"What a great idea!" Dad agreed happily.
"Yes, I'll swing by tomorrow in the morning. We can all have breakfast." Daniel gave a curt nod of agreement.
It seems like I am going to have to make it look like I live there now and come very early in the morning tomorrow. I don't know what Chris is playing at with this lie, but I know it's not good.
I can't wait to be away from him again.
Dad finally got to talk business after that, so by the time lunch ended, he sported a smug smirk. They were completing the merger between the companies once Chris and I marry. Little do they know there won't be a marriage, or at least I hope not. Davis and I are going to meet with his friend Derek when I get back. He's apparently hit a dead end, but has an idea that involves me.
I guess we'll see what it is.