His Secret Obsession
Chapter 92

(Asher)

I felt blindsided..I felt betrayed and I felt lied to. This was a f*****g trap and I was pissed off..no..I was boiling with rage and yet I couldn't even show it.. I couldn't let that man win..I couldn't let him see the effect he had on me because he shouldn't make me react like this. He should be just another stranger to me, right? Just another person I have seen a few times in my life that I don't really know. That's all he ever was..that's all he will ever be.

"Baby, I...I didn't know..I thought.." Emery began and I looked down at her..I knew she didn't know..I knew the moment I looked into her eyes after we walked into this room..the woman I felt betrayed by was my own flesh and blood. Emery wouldn't do this to me..I can see the pain in her eyes because of what this has caused.

"Asher, sit down." My mom ordered, making my eyes snap up to hers as Emery's head hung slightly.

Not only did my mom betray me..she used my fiancee to do it. She used the one person who would never hurt me, who I trusted with my damn heart and soul..she used her to get to me. "We are leaving." I announced firmly, gripping Emery's hand as I went to pull her out of the room.

"Stop right there Asher James McNeal." My mom barked in a serious tone, making me freeze as I gripped the flowers I was still holding tightly, trying not to squeeze Emery's hand instead. "What?" I hissed without turning around, refusing to look anywhere near that asshole who is suddenly claiming me as his son.

"We will have one meal together, one fucking meal and you will sit and listen to what your father has to say. One meal and then you can never see him again if that is what you choose to do." I had never heard my mom curse like that..so I was a bit taken aback, to be honest.

I could see Emery was trying not to cry, she felt horrible..I can tell she was blaming all of this on herself.

"If you apologize to my fiancee for using her to get me here, then I will give him ten minutes." I spat back, knowing I was being disrespectful towards my mom but she disrespected not only me but my future wife first.

"I'm sorry Emery, it was the only way to do this. Asher refused every time I asked him to meet with us but this had to be done. We need to clear the air..we need to move on past this." She spoke softly, her words almost pleading as I let out a shaky breath and looked down at Emery who was now staring up at me.

"We can leave right now if you want. You don't have to do this." She whispered so only I could hear and I couldn't help but pull her into my arms..my body was still tense and full of shock..but I needed her..I needed her here for this. If I was really going to sit here she would be my anchor, she would be my f*****g rock, and the fact that I thought for even a second she might have been a part of this seems like a betrayal of my own towards her. Emery would never do something to hurt me..never in her life.

I pulled away and turned towards my mom and dad who were staring at me with wide eyes. I don't know what my dad was thinking because he never saw me or knew what I was truly like..but my mom had to be shocked by the affection I was showing Emery, because yeah..I never did that with any of my previous girlfriends in public.

"Let's sit down. You need to eat anyway." I tried speaking as nicely as possible toward Emery, to show I wasn't mad, and that I loved her but I don't think I could show the same courtesy toward my mom and that asshole.

"Thank you son, I know I don't deserve this but..." My dad began and I shot him the coldest glare.

"I'm not doing this for you, I'm doing it for Mom. Even if she is pissing me off right now." I muttered the last part, making my mom shoot me a look as she c*cked her eyebrow.

"What was that?" My mom asked in a warning tone making me stare her down as Emery wriggled in her seat nervously before fidgeting with her napkin.

"Well, either way..I appreciate it. And it's great to meet your beautiful fiancée..." My dad added, making a bored expression fill my face. Seriously..he is going to act like he fucking cares now? Just as I was about to go off, I felt Emery's hand slide across my thigh as she held me protectively. She knew me too well..

Emery just nodded toward my father and smiled politely, making me even more pissy. He doesn't deserve one of her smiles... Kevin McNeal deserved much much worse.. I couldn't help but notice Jen was really quiet. In the past, she had always tried to act as a bridge but so far she hadn't said one word. Maybe since Mom was here she felt put of place? Or was it just me in general?

An awkward silence filled the air as I glared at my dad who was looking at my mom who was glaring at me. Then Emery and Jen were pretty much looking down at the table..how much more dysfunctional can this family get?

"Are we ready to order?" Our server came up and Emery lifted her head, glancing toward me as I nodded.

"Yes, me and my fiancee would like to order our meals to go if that is possible." I asked, not fibbing about only staying for ten minutes.

"Of course sir, would that be the case for everyone?" The guy asked, looking around the room with confusion. He was probably wondering why the hell we were taking up one of their most requested rooms..Don't worry buddy, I'm wondering the same thing. "No, we will be dining here." My mom said with annoyance, her eyes not leaving me once.

After the server took our orders, I gripped Emery's hand under the table and took a deep breath, preparing myself for whatever shit this is about. There has to be a reason my dad is reaching out because it makes no damn sense to me. He wouldn't just all of a sudden decide to be in my life because he really cared..too little too late anyway.

"So, why are we here..let's just get this over with now so we aren't wasting anyone's time." I said bluntly, making my mom gasp.

"Asher, I did not raise you to be like this. Can you not show your father some respect?" My mom barked, making me want to punch something..seriously..she was going to do this to me?!

"Tina, it's okay..you don't have to defend me. Asher is right, we shouldn't waste anyone's time here." My dad began, his words surprising me almost more than my mom defending him...almost. Since when did she stop hating him? That's news to me.. "I wanted to meet with you because I feel you have the right to know..I wanted to tell you in person. I owe it to you..I know I haven't been the best dad..I know I abandoned you son..but just know I thought about you every day." He began, making me grit my teeth and bite my tongue so I didn't scoff or roll my damn eyes. I didn't want to react at all..it was more satisfying that way to show I didn't give a shit.

"But what I need to tell you is that I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I will be starting treatments in a few weeks..." My dad's voice cracked, causing me to look up at him as I saw Jen gripping his hand tightly before wiping a tear away from her face. The word loomed above us as fear filled the pit of my stomach. That word no one wants to hear..the word that is so scary it seems like a death sentence before you even know the details.

"Baby, it's okay, I'm right here." Emery choked out, her voice filled with emotion and pulling me out of the hole I was free falling into as I cleared my throat and looked at the man before me. I tried to see it, I tried to replace the illness but he looked the same to me..a lot older since the last time I saw him, but the same.

"The doctors said there is a new treatment they are offering. We...we have decided to try it. I won't be able to travel much, and..I just really wanted to see you before..before I start the treatments." He managed to say, his eyes filling with tears as I heard a low sob escape my mother.

I didn't know what to think...I didn't know what to feel or say but I felt bad. I felt bad for him because I knew he had a family, I knew he had people who loved him and depended on him but I didn't quite feel like I belonged in that group. I guess I felt bad for the life I know we never had..the relationship that we never formed, the bond that never came naturally. I was angry with my dad..I was mad and full of resentment but this, I would have never wished this upon him.

"So, I know I don't exactly deserve this..but I guess I just wanted to see you one last time. To see your future wife and to say I am proud of you, that I have always been proud of you. Even though I had a shitty way of showing it, I guess I just never felt like I was good enough, that you deserved more..that I should have been better for you. I'm sorry son..I'm really sorry." He broke down, making my brow furrow together as I looked at the table.

"You act like you are going to die..the treatment could work..it could give you a chance.." I began and my mom cut me off this time.

"Ash, the treatment..it will just give him a little bit of time..his diagnosis, it's terminal." My mom spoke gently, the word terminal hitting me hard as I nodded my head and looked at my dad once more.

He looked scared and for a moment all of that resentment I felt for him dissapeared and all I saw was a man with a lot of regrets..a man who is afraid and now having to face those things most of us would struggle to accept. He looked so fragile..so vulnerable.. Suddenly Emery spoke up, saying the words I was struggling saying..

"I am sorry you are going through this...I know it must be hard." She didn't say much, but hearing how she meant it almost broke me down. She hadn't even met my dad before, and yet she was here crying..she was here holding my hand and feeling these emotions with me.

Before we could say anything else, the server walked in, placing our food containers down as the room filled with a thick silence. I guess our ten minutes are up..

"Baby, do you think we can eat here? I didn't realize how hungry I was." Emery asked carefully, making me nod my head tentatively as my dad glanced up, meeting my gaze.

I know this doesn't make everything okay..I know I still hold that resentment towards him and now even some with my mom it seems..but I also know this could he the last time I see him. This could be the last time I have to say what I need to and you know what..he made his choice, he made mistakes and he had to live with them. But I don't want to add to the suffering..I want to break the cycle. I don't want regrets either..

"Yeah, we can eat here." I stated, looking between my mom and dad as they both seemed to visibly relax.

I don't know if this is the last time I will see my dad..but I guess I owe it to him..we owe it to eachother to have one family meal together. I'm just glad Emery is here to do it with me..because without her here, I never would of showed up and I know deep down that in the end, that would of eaten me up alive.