The Fated Match

“You’re supposed to swim in the water not drink it” I laughed as Scott coughed rather dramatically at the end of the pool.

We started training early this morning as most of them had their interviews for the next year.

Apparently, Ryan likes to sit down with each of his students and discuss their goals and aspirations for the next year, some of them look forward to it so I’m guessing that’s why he does it.

“I know that” He wheezed. I grabbed a water and handed it to him. “Here wash that chlorine down with this and you should be done for the day” I was happy with his session, he was swimming better.

My smile dropped from my face when he disappeared. I had to put on a face for them but honestly, I just couldn’t be myself. Today was the day I would meet my dad and I haven’t seen Theo at all.

I hope he didn’t forget.

Bryony silently warmed up in the pool. Guilty after what happened the other day but she was too proud to actually speak to me about it. I wasn’t going to be the one to initiate it, she needed to come to me.

After 15 agonising minutes of training with Bryony, we exited the pool. I turned into my office, once I closed the door and leaned my head against the door and sighed.

” Tired?” I turned around sharply after hearing Theo’s voice. I placed my hand on my chest. “Can you warn me next time that scared the shit out of me”

He simply just smiled, it was only when he started walking towards me that I saw that he was coming of coffee and a small paper bag.

You really didn’t have to I already ate this morning.

This technically was a lie I eat at 2 o’clock this morning if that counts as breakfast.

Theo quickly tore the paper bag revealing 3 chocolate mochi balls. Oh, you have got to be kidding me.

A close my eyes I knew I didn’t have the energy to refuse the mochi balls that looked beautiful. I almost didn’t want to eat them and ruin their perfect form.

“Sorry I was late I got caught up at home but I hope you still want me here with you today”

I stared at Theo for the 4th time in the last 15 minutes. He wasn’t saying anything, he was just resting back his head tilted towards the ceiling. I think we both knew that I was clearly wasting time here in the office doing God knows what.

” We should probably get going,” I said standing up but Theo didn’t move.

” Theo, shall we go” I tried again, only for him to not move.

Is he sleeping?

I resorted to tapping him lightly on the shoulder. I swear we were talking a few minutes ago what happened. His eyes snapped open, I smiled down at him.

” You ready,” he said standing up, he zipped up his sports hoodie. I just had to smile, he completely ignored the fact that he fell asleep.

“Yeah” I mumbled. I followed after him and locked my office. I already let the team know I’ll be out for a few hours. I didn’t think i would be in the mood to come back to work so quickly after meeting my dad.

Theo drove us in his car, mom and Jay sent me messages to make sure that I was fine with doing this, they even gave me the option to pull out but I knew that I would have to sort this out with my father.

” Seriously” Theo groaned.

Oops, I didn’t think he saw that. I decided to eat one the of the Mochi’s and it was a little too runny which meant a spilled some down me and onto the seat.

“Don’t cry about it, it comes right off” I swiped the chocolate off his leather seats.

” I’m not crying” he grumbles his eyes on the road. I leaned back in my seat chewing on my snack. I liked how we were somewhat back to normal. Well somewhat back to normal.

Theo pulled into the car park for the cafe we were supposed to meet at. When he told me where we would be meeting i ended up smashing a glass against my kitchen wall.

He’s defintely trying to get in my head, to try and win me over i mean why else would he suggest meeting at this particular cafe.

When my parents were together they would take me here because it was child friendly and i always loves the pieces of art in here.

This is what made mom think that i wanted to some type of artist. That quickly backfired when she saw my paints in the bin outside.

Flashback

“Mom, how many times, i didnt steal her paints” Little Elle was just hiding in her room listening to her older brother get told off.

” well where are they” she said her tone getting angrier by the second.

Elle tried not to laugh, but she did enjoy it when her brother got into trouble. Elle rolled around on her bed playing with her toys.

Elle’s actioned stopped immediately when she heard the sounds of her brother crying. No matter how much she enjoyed this she didnt like hearing him cry.

Elle slowly opened her bedroom door.

” Oh hey princess sorry about the shouting” Her mom apologised as she she stepped away from her son.

Elle’s eyes moved to Kalen who was wiping away a few fallen tears. It was rare that she saw her brother cry as hated to look weak, something he developed when he also saw his father get rough.

” Come with me mama” she whispered as she reached for her mothers rough hands.

Kalen followed behind them as they walked outside.

Elle lightly tapped the big black bin.

” well, that makes sense” She muttered seeing the box of paints and pencils in the bin.

From that moment she gave up on buying her daughter paints, pencils and anything to do with art.

“I’ll be quiet but the minute he shows any sign of anger or violence towards you i wont hesistate” he said as we stepped out of the car into the street.

He placed his hand on my arm. ” He’s never hurt me before” i muttered. That may seem strange but i have never understood why he hurt my mom. The woman he claimed to love till they day he died.

“I wont risk it” Theo whispered.

I nodded as we walked inside. Instantly i was hit with a lot od nostaligia.

Theo stood prtectively behnd me as we approached him in the back corner.

As soon as he saw us walking towards him he stood up. I took a few seconds to look over him. His attire was similar to Theo’s in the aspect of it beeing sportswear. I knew that my love for sport came from my father.

” Hey Elle i’m so happy you came” He stepped forward, for a moment he looked like he was going to actually hug me but i shook my head.

” what do you want to say, we’re busy people” i said sitting down in the oppositte chair.

I needed hiim to know that this didnt mean anything i doing this purely to get him off my back.

“That’s no way to speak to me Elle” he said firmly. He shook his head before turning to Theo who sat silently beside me.

“I see you bought your guard dog, you know i wont hurt you” He said giving me that sinister smile ive seen so many times before.

I placed my hand on Theo’s thigh to stop him from reacting, thats exactly what he wanted.

” Maybe not physically but you sure as hell hurt me and Kale mentally” i replied to him. Did he think i was going to make this easy for him. Yeah, not a chance.

He rolled his eyes at me. ” I just want a relationship with you two. I have a right since I’m your father, your real father not that fucktard of a lawyer” he said with distaste.

” I think your right vanished when you left and didnt come back until now. Tell me dad how much money do you need” i said leaning forward.

Props to the confidence today, Jai would be proud. I may have inherited my sport skills from this man right here but i definetely learnt a few things from Jai.

” It’s not about money”

I grinned when Theo started to cough. Dad didnt like that very much as he shot a hard look at Theo, but Theo was unphased like i expected.

” Just give me a chance. I’ll even make it up to your worthless brother”

” Don’t even think about talking to them. The best thing you can do is stay away” If he wanted to do anything towards actually being a dad he should stay away.

” That wont be happening, I’ve got nothing else to lose”

Why did I feel like he was hiding something big from me.

” well I dont want you in my life, just leave me alone please” Great, so now I was resulting to begging.

He looked almost guilty when he heard me.

” Dont make this difficult, just let me have my daughter. Even if it’s one visit per month please elle”

I wanted to understand him. What did he want now that he didn’t all these past years.

” Look, I cant forget what you’ve done its impossible but if it’s just a day per month” was I actually saying this.

I felt Theo wrap his fingers around my arm. I shook my head, I knew what I was doing. He was telling me this was a bad idea.

I knew it was but right now I didn’t have a better option.

” Theres the daughter I know” He smiled i hated seeing him smile. He was getting what he wanted and that annoyed me.

” yeah well dont expect anything, I really have to go, we have tingo” I stood up. He stood aswell.

” right okay, just want to to know that I’m really proud of you ”

I tried to hold back rolling my eyes.

To any other girl, her father saying that would be the best feeling in the world but it means nothing to me.

” Thanks” I said simply. I watched him walk out with us and get in his car driving off instantly.

Theo touched my arm and that seemed to have done it for me.

Theonwrapped his arms around me pushing my head to his chest.

” Just let it go Elle, I’ll take care of you” he whispered softly as he rubbed my back.

I cried into his neck. I dont know what kind of person could have gotten through that and be fine after.

I was so calm on the outside but inside, well that was a completely different story.

” you dont deserve him Elle, yours incredibly brave for doing that” he said lifting my chin up.

I wish I felt brave. Right now I just feel weak.

” come on, let’s get you home”

Home, yeah that sounds like a good idea.