Page 57 of Taeja

When it finally opened, Jerry’s brows furrowed after seeing Damon. “Who are you?”

Taeja opened her mouth to say something, but Damon beat her to it. He extended a hand. “Damon Stark, her boyfriend.”

“Oh! It’s my pleasure to meet you.” Jerry gave Damon’s hand a firm shake. “Please, come in.”

Taeja and Damon entered the foyer while Jerry closed the door behind them.

“Can I get you anything to drink?” Jerry offered.

Damon shook his head. “No. Thanks.”

Jerry nodded. “Very well then. You can make yourself comfortable in the living room. I would like a little privacy to speak to my daughter.”

“I’m not leaving her.”

“Damon, please… It’ll only be a minute,” Taeja begged, not wanting the situation to turn ugly.

Damon’s eyes fixated on her and Jerry, his indecision evident in the furrow of his brow, until he caved. “Okay.”

She smiled, standing still while Jerry led Damon to the living room, then returned a moment later. Jerry scowled at her before lowering his voice. “I thought you were seeing that guy you brought here this morning. He was rude, and did not have the decency to let me see his face. How long have you known this young man?”

Her jaw clenched. “Why yu neva ask him when him out here?”

“Because I know how you are,” he stated, and she sighed.

“What do you want, Jerry?”

“Where did you meet him?” Jerry pressed.

She didn’t want to say she met him at a club, so she twisted the truth. “A social event.”

Jerry nodded. “Oh, I see. Well, he looks a bit too old for you, but he is well-spoken and manners-able, so I guess I can look past that.”

Taeja gasped. Was her imagination running wild or did Jerry just say that?

Shock couldn’t describe what she was feeling.

Taeja pinched herself.

Feeling the sting, her eyes widened.

Wow, this was reality. Her father approved of someone she was dating.

She didn’t want to push her luck and say Damon was one of her boyfriends, so she took advantage of the moment. It wasn’t every day she had a civil conversation with Jerry. She smiled. “I’m glad you like him.”

“Maybe if you keep your legs shut this time, you can keep a man who is good for you.”

The words crashed into her like a truck, sending her flying head-first off her high. If Jerry’s goal was to hurt her with his harsh words, he succeeded.

Taeja asked tiredly, “Wa Teddy seh to yu?”

“Teddy wanted to talk to you about your unacceptable behavior because I cannot control you.”

“Controlme?” Taeja laughed dryly. “I’m twenty. Nuh try put in the effort now.”

“That is completely your mother’s fault.”

“How is it Cassedi’s fault when you’re the one I’ve been with the most? Hmm?” she asked, but Jerry didn’t answer. Taeja scoffed, angrily looking away to a painting on the wall as she blinked away tears. “Exactly.”

---