Page 51 of Past

"How about a tattoo? I know it's permanent, but Elliot has always been in your life. I know you wanted a tattoo for a while, so why not?"she says with a shrug. I look her over, wondering if she is hiding a load of tattoos under her baggy clothes. That wouldn’t surprise me. It’s always the quiet ones.

"That's brilliant." I grin, and we make our way to the tattoo parlour. I book the tattoo for the day before his birthday, so he won't see it until it's his birthday. It’s only a few months away now. I buy him a new shirt in black, which has a Harley on it. I don’t think he will like it, but it’s so he has something to open. I buy Sebastian some naughty cards, they have different sex positions on them and I think he will find them funny. I also get him a multi-shop gift card so he can buy himself something.

We stop for coffee, and my phone starts ringing. I frown when I see it’s my dad.

"Hey, dad," I answer with a tense voice.

"Alexandria, how are you? You’re not still upset over that fighting dog, are you? I believe you’re smarter than that," he asks, and my hand tightens around the hot coffee. The urge to punch my dad is high right now, and I'm glad he is on the phone and not in front of me.

"Yes, I am upset still," I grind out.

"Well, don't be. Elliot was always quick to find girls, so I'm sure he has moved on by now. I remember the first girl he kissed. It was my girlfriend at the time, and he couldn't keep his hands off of her. Now do you understand why I wouldn't want my sweet daughter with trash like that,"he tells me, acting like he is a caring father.

"I'm not that sweet, Dad, and Elliot isn't trash," I tell him. My anger is coming out through my words, and I realise I might have just shouted that at him.

"Don't forget my warning, Alexandria. I'm not a man to go back on my word, and I would like an excuse. Those King boys are asking for me to teach them who is in charge," he says in an almost bored tone.

"Sorry, Dad. I didn't mean it," I say quickly. I glance up as Emilia scowls at me before holding my free hand in an attempt to comfort me.

"Yes, I am aware. So how is university? And that brother of yours? He isn't answering my calls," he tells me.

"He is your son, too, and I will call him. Tris must be busy. University is great," I say in a plain tone. I can hardly stand to answer him.

"Good. Yes, do get him to call me,"he replies.

"I have to go, Dad,"I say.

"All right. I will be back home in two weeks. Business was great here," he says with a happy tone. Knowing what kind of business he does, I can't help but be worried about what he thinks is great. Call me a coward, but I don’t want to know.

"Bye, Dad. I guess I will see you soon,"I eventually reply.

"Bye, Alexandria," Dad says before ending the call.

I pull my hand away from Emilia to rub my face so I can calm down. I spend a few minutes looking out the window. Everything is going wrong, I don’t know what I’m doing, and risking Elliot like this is crazy.

“What’s going on, Allie?” Emilia asks, trying to get my attention.

"Nothing," I mutter, knowing I can't talk to Emilia about this. I need to tell Elliot, really, but I don't want him to worry. This is so fucked up.

"Allie, the last few weeks you looked so happy; happier than I ever seen you. Then your dad is mentioned and you freeze up. Allie, I can help if you–" I cut her off with my hand raised in the air.

"No, you can't. My dad is, well, fucked up, and please, I don't want to talk about him,"I say.

"All right, but I know how to help you if you ask," she says quietly.

"Trust me, there's nothing you can do. So how about we buy you some new clothes? I love you, Em, but you’re so hot. Wearing jeans and hoodies all the time doesn't show that off,"I tell her.

Emilia glares at me, pulling her hoodie up over her messy, brown curls.

"I like them."

"Why?" I have to ask because I've never seen her in much else. I have no idea why she hides her body with those oversized clothes. I know it's not a money issue because she drives a Porsche.The rent on our apartment isn’t cheap, and I know she has a job, but it wouldn’t pay for her car.

"No reason," she says, looking away.

"We both have secrets, huh?" I laugh, and I see Emilia’s big grin.

"True, but I love you anyway." She laughs this time with me.

---