Page 36 of One Night With My Grumpy Professor Daddy

Chapter twenty

Drake

Tonight is a who’s who kind of event. I stroll in, playing it cool. The tailored suit wraps around me like a second skin, concealing the chaos I’m keeping under wraps. The room buzzes with voices and the clinking of glasses, but nothing can distract me from the thoughts racing through my head. My gaze sweeps the room, searching for familiar faces. I have specific people in mind. My mom and my little angel, Zoe.

After the call from her school, I called my mother, who had assured me my daughter was alright. A girl had made fun of her for being deaf, and my daughter was going to pour hot cocoa on the other girl when the teacher noticed and stepped in.

While searching the room, my gaze freezes, and there stands Ava, her auburn locks tumble over her shoulders and that dazzling smile working its magic as she chats it up with a guy I instantly recognize as George. My heart does a twist, a whole mix of feels churning up inside. What is she doing here? And why does she look so intimate with him? Are they together? Is Ava on a fucking date with George?

I don’t have time to think about that right now. I see my mother, beautiful and composed as ever, standing with Zoe, holding tightly onto her hand. Zoe has her head down, and she’s fiddling with her feet. Her hands clenched beside her, and the thought of those tiny little fists hitting someone breaks me. I get through tonight the best way I know how, tucking my turmoil to the deepest part of me and approach them. I offer a polite kiss on my mother’s cheek, my lips curving into a small smile, and reach for my little girl.

“Hey, Mom, you look lovely... how are you?” I say, trying to seem warm. I must have pulled it off because she replies brightly.

“Oh, Drake, love, everything is wonderful. Zoe begged to be here, and you know me, I had to oblige. Even if it is just to do the red carpet— but I’m sure she’s ready to head home now. Did you have fun dear?”

“Uh-huh,” Zoe says with a nod.

It was slight and barely there, but I noticed the change in Mom’s voice when she referred to Zoe. I also get the message she’s doing anything Zoe wants just to make her happy.

Zoe meets my gaze. “Hey Dad,” Zoe signs. It’s the first time she looks up at me all night. Her beautiful eyes are heavy, speaking volumes of the troubles on her young shoulders. “Hi, sweetheart.” I kiss her on her forehead and give her a good squeeze, “how are you, honey?” Standing behind my mother, my father postures, but I ignore his presence completely. Instead, I focus on what’s important, my little angel. I smile, showing her it’s ok, I want to let her know that whatever happens, I’m always on her side. “Let’s get you home.” I scoop her up, not caring if it’s ‘public worthy’ for this kind of scene, and snuzzle her to my chest. Then I turn towards the car and drop her off with the nanny waiting patiently inside.

“Sweetheart, we’ll talk about what happened when I get home— but it’s gonna be ok... ok?”

“Ok.” She pecks my cheek and climbs in the car.

Knowing that my dumpling’s safe, I turn around and rejoin the event. I told myself not to, but I can’t help it. My gaze shifts to Ava and George, and they’re in their own little world, locked in conversation, making eye contact —with laughter sparking between them. Damn, it hits me like a ton of bricks, jealousy surging through my veins. I know I don’t have a claim on her, but we do have a history, and I can’t stand to watch another man entertain her.

Ava looks up towards me, and for a short-lived moment, our eyes lock. Her eyes flicker for a second before her smile fades, looking like she’s just seen a ghost. I take a step up the stairs leading to the entrance to see her eyes grow wide, colder with every step. A knot twists in my chest, and a nagging sense of something being off, pulls at me.

It stings like hell seeing her with George, but what’s really getting to me is how she’s actively avoiding me. And why is she looking at me like that? Am I overthinking this? Not able to withstand her intense glare any longer, I stride toward them, every step brimming with agitation.

“Ava, George, looks like you two are having a good time,” I remark, my voice steady, though my clenched fists betray my inner turmoil.

Her shoulders stiffen; she doesn’t even try to smile. She didn’t expect me to come. For a second, George just looks between us, confusion on his face, before stretching his hand to me. I take the hand but keep my eyes on Ava.

She takes a deep breath before she speaks, “George was just telling me about the crazy experiences he’s had with clients at his law firm. I won’t ever be bored if I end up interning there,” she says, her gaze avoiding mine. George, ever the astute observer, attempts to ease the tension with a friendly nod. “Yeah. Just the same old stories, you know.” I narrow my eyes slightly as I search her face, the hurt now undeniable. There’s something she’s keeping from me. Something that gnaws at me, and I don’t want to waste time with small talk, so I get straight to the point. “Ava, we need to talk.” My voice is firm. I don’t exactly like George right now, but I’m grateful he can take a hint. He nods. “I’ll catch up with you guys, there’s a few people I need to talk to,” and steps away.

I move towards her, and she takes a step back, her body language defensive. Our eyes lock, and the agony in her gaze is unmistakable. She looks towards the door where Zoe just exited and then back to me.

“Who was that?”

“She nods behind me, but I don’t need to look back. I think I know who she’s referring to. That’s my mother and daughter, and my—“ I stop myself before I say my father because it’s pretty obvious who he is if that’s my mother. Her face blanches, and I wonder what’s wrong. The only reason I can think of is…. is that what this is about? My daughter? That I didn’t tell her about Zoe? Is that why she’s looking at me like I’ve committed a war crime? She mutters, “I can’t believe this. I can’t do this right now.” “Wait, I was going to tell you about it?” I would have told her about Zoe eventually if we’d had more time together. We just never defined what we had, and now I’m not even sure where we stand.

“Of course, you were.” Her words are like venom, and for a second, I don’t understand why.

“Ava—“

“Don’t take a step closer to me right now. Don’t touch me.” She pulls her hand away.

“What is going on?” Before I can react, she’s gone. My neck heats up, and the room closes in around me—the lingering irritation casts a shadow over my night. I don’t see her for the rest of the night. And by the time I get home, I’m contemplating whether to send her a text. But thinking about the look on her face, I know this isn’t a conversation to be had over the phone.

I need to see Ava in person.

The next day, I walk through the ivy-covered archway of the University with my resignation letter tucked away in my briefcase, determined to do this. What happened last night gnaws at me, but I have to get this out of the way first. Teaching here was a second chance, a way to make amends for past mistakes. But now, I have to let it go. I still don’t know if it’s possible to move on from what happened with Sarah. All I know now is that with or without Ava, she’s gone. And the only way for me to gain an ounce of redemption is to continue to be the best father to Zoe I can be. I knock on the door, and a stern voice calls, “Come in.” Dean Walter looks up, his piercing eyes give me a knowing look. A thin smile forms on his lips.

“I was really hoping you wouldn’t go through with this, Drake. You’re here for the resignation, aren’t you?”

“Unfortunately so, sir. It’s been a long time coming.”

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