Off Limits
Telling Robert
"Troy…I can't," Gabriella said nervously as Troy was about to open the door to Robert's office. He cupped her face in his hands and looked into her eyes.
"No matter what happens, it wont change the way I feel about you. I love you Gabi. Nothing is gonna change that." She smiled and kissed him lightly. "You ready?" She took a deep breath.
"I think so," she said. He kissed her on the forehead and opened the door to Robert's office.
"Hey guys," Robert said from his desk as they walked in.
"Hey can we talk to you about something?" Troy asked.
"Of course," he said not looking up.
"It's kinda important," Troy said.
"Okay," he looked up. "What's up?"
"Umm…well…Dad...you see…umm…" Gabriella stuttered nervously.
"Gabi? What is it?"
"Umm…"
"I lied to you Robert, and I cant apologize enough for it but…" Troy said nervously.
"Troy, what could you possibly lie to me about?" he asked in shock.
"Well you know yesterday, when you asked me if Gabi is seeing anyone, when I told you she isn't I lied…truth is…" Troy stated.
"Gabi you are dating someone? Who is he?" Robert asked in shock.
"Uhhh…." She said speechless.
"Me," Troy said. Robert's jaw dropped.
"Wh…what?" he asked in shock.
"Me and Troy are dating," Gabriella said nervously.
"Wait…" he said standing up, beginning to pace back and forth, "I am sorry. I must have heard you wrong. For a second I thought I heard that my 22 year old daughter is dating a 29 year old who works for me."
"I'm sorry, but you didn't hear wrong," Troy said.
"How long?" he asked coldly.
"6 months," Gabriella mumbled.
"Let me get this straight. For 6 months you guys have been sneaking around behind my back! You of all people Troy. I trusted you, after all that I have done for you this is how you repay me? I mean I have practically treated you like my own son," Robert asked Troy upset.
"I know, and I cant thank you enough for that, and I regret lying to you, but…"
"But what Troy!" Robert exclaimed.
"Think about it Dad!" Gabriella exclaimed with tears in her eyes. "Not only does he love me and I love him, which should be enough in the first place, but you trust him! You know he is a great guy! Isn't that what a father wants for his daughter? Isn't that what you want for me dad? To be happy? Troy makes me happy Dad."
"He's seven years older than you Gabriella, you graduated college 4 months ago!" Robert yelled at his daughter.
"Dad, you trust Troy! You said it yourself. You even trust him with this company! Who else would you want me to be with than someone who would do anything for you! And more importantly anything for me! I know I am 22, but in the end what does that matter?" she cried.
"Gabi I would like to talk to Troy for a second…alone," Robert said sternly.
"But…" Gabriella protested.
"Its okay Gabs," Troy reassured her.
"Fine, but before I go, Dad I love Troy and he loves me back. Nothing you say will break us apart," Gabi said before walking towards the door. As soon as she opened the door she turned around and looked at her father. "And by the way, mom knows and couldn't be happier!" She walked out and slammed the door. After the shock wore off Robert he turned to Troy.
"You're smart, successful, attractive, could get any girl you want, and you chose my daughter," Robert said coldly.
"Yes, I did," Troy said seriously.
"What the hell were you thinking!"
"I was thinking she is smart, funny, has a heart of gold, and the most beautiful woman I have ever seen!" Troy exclaimed. "If you want more reasons why I fell for her and why I love her, we could sit here until the crack of dawn cause I could go on all day. I mean seriously, can you really blame me for falling in love with a girl like her?"
"She is my daughter Troy! My 22 yr old daughter!"
"I know that! I know how protective you are of her. She is your only daughter I get it. But she is a grown woman now."
"I just don't want her to get hurt Troy!" Robert shot back.
"I would never ever do anything to hurt her! The thought of her in pain kills me. And what is it about me that would hurt her more than any other guy!" he exclaimed and Robert was silent. "I know it must be hard for you to see your daughter with a prominent man in your life that isn't you," Troy said lowering his voice, "especially one that is 7 years older than her. But at some point you are just going to have to learn to deal with it. Gabs and I didn't come in here to ask for your permission, we came here because we were sick of lying to you. I understand that it might take you a while, but you are just going to have to accept the fact that I am in love with your daughter, and I want to spend the rest of my life with her." Robert didn't say a word so Troy just turned around to walk out. "And you know what, if you really don't like that fact that your daughter is dating someone who works for you, fire me, cause I rather be fired then be without her," Troy said turning around looking at Robert. He then walked out and slammed the door behind him. As soon as the door closed, Robert fell into his chair and sighed.
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