Page 72 of Kiss Me

“You have nothing to apologize for.” He pulls me into a fierce hug again. “This is my fault. I should’ve known. Should’ve been more aware. Not as your damn manager but as your father.”

I hate the guilt and self-blame I hear in his voice.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

He pulls back and cups my face, smiling down at me. “Merry Christmas, Ace.”

A genuine smile sprouts on my lips. I love being his Ace.

“Merry Christmas, Daddy.”

He kisses my forehead, but then I pull back as a new question emerges.

“Daddy?”

“Yes?”

“Can I ask what brought about this sudden change? I mean, I’m glad you’re here of course, but just two days ago when I asked you to come …” I trail off because I don’t intend to bring down the mood.

Even if my heart is still heavy over other matters.

But my curiosity gets the best of me.

Sadness invades my father’s eyes. “I had a little push in the right direction.”

“A push?”

“From someone you know, apparently.” My father steps to the side, and that’s when my heart constricts.

It’s only been around twelve hours since I last sawhimand I can’t believe how much I missed him.

But then I remember the reason why we didn’t wake up to one another on this Christmas morning.

“Get out,” I tell Taehyun, turning my back on him.

CHAPTER 19

Taehyun

Damn, I knew this wouldn’t be easy. I figured Tania wouldn’t take one look at me and instantly fall into my arms. But still, I’d hoped for it without even realizing it.

Last night was the hardest damn night of my life. I’d looked forward to surprising her by bringing her father here last night.

But then his flight got delayed, and Tania overheard that stupid conversation between me and Dae and got the completely wrong idea.

Instead of spending the night and Christmas morning with the woman I’ve fallen for, I spent it wondering where the hell she was while also hunting down the son of a bitch who talked to Collander and making them pay for outing her.

“Get out,” she says before spinning, turning her back to me.

It feels as if a fist clutches around my chest, seizing my ability to think, to breathe, or speak.

Somehow, I manage to snap out of it, though. I won’t let her walk away from me. Not now or ever again.

“Tania, wait,” I call while reaching for her.

“I don’t want to speak to you. You lied to me,” she whips around and accuses.

“I never lied.” I shake my head. “Not once. Not to you.”

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