Chapter 4
"Phoebe! How are you my love?" asked Gail as she welcomed me home as I dropped my suitcase on the floor, a young brunette man grabbing it and swiftly disappearing.
"I'm fine thank you, Gail. But I'm looking forward to your food again!" I said happily.
"Phoebe. My study," demanded Christian and I sighed, turning and moving towards his gaze. I wondered up the stairs to see that Christian had beaten me to it. As I reached his door a man left his study in a black suit, with scruffy dark brown hair falling about his brow. He was... amazingly handsome. I gaped at him as he passed me, smiling softly at me and turning back to get a second look.
"That's Johnson, new Security. Taylor's cousin," he muttered, smiling as he saw him wonder down the stairs.
"How long has he been working here for? What's his name?" I asked, entering his study and sitting down opposite his chair. Surprisingly, he sat beside me and smiled, crossing his legs casually.
"Five months now. He's amazing at his job, like his cousin." He smiled and looked down. "He's called Daniel, but he prefers Dan. You call him Johnson though." I smiled and nodded.
"So, what did you want Dad?" I asked casually. I took one of his pens off his desk and began to study its features carefully, attempting to take my mind of Ian but it didn't work.
"What's going on? Tell me. You can't hide your secrets from me, Miss Grey, and you never have been able to. Come on." It's true. He was the first person I told everything to. Boy problems, school work, and more. Despite the fact that he could act a little over the top at times, he would calm down for me.
"Well... it was all thanks to Ted really. He saved me."
"Saved you?" asked Christian, horrified at the fact that his tough daughter needed saving.
"Dad, let me finish. I was... vulnerable, and very drunk. I know you hate people drinking but it was my last night at Harvard and everyone was out. I went with Ian and he got a little out of hand... well when I say a little..." I glanced up to see my Dads eye opened wide with horror and anticipation. He gulped and nodded, wanting me to continue.
"Well, he wanted to have sex with me and I refused, so he obviously didn't take that very well and so he... well nothing happened thanks to Ted. Ted punched Ian," I finished.
"Well... that explains the black eye," he muttered. "I think you need to thank your brother. And Phoebe, don't get that drunk again. I know you're an adult now and I can't punish you as much but I want you to be safe." He smiled as I rose from my chair, kissing his stubbled cheek softly.
"OK, Dad. Love you," I whispered, leaving his room feeling somewhat lighter and happier. I was glad to get it off my chest and let someone else know, apart from Ted. He knew everything there was to know about me, and I did him. So whenever Ted and I had a little argument I always knew how to shut him up; and it worked every single time.