Not One, But Two!

Chapter 26

Alissa felt a chill running up her spine, and she turned around. When she saw the look on her father's face, she shivered. "Did someone get on your nerves, Daddy?"

Your mother, duh. Greg did not say that out loud, however. He patted the girl's head gently. "I have to handle something, so can you play by yourself for a bit?"

"Are you going to fight Mommy again?" Alissa asked.

Greg paused. How on earth did she get to that conclusion? He asked, "Why do you ask?"

"Because I feel like you and Mommy aren't on good terms. You guys always fight. Daddy, did you make Mommy sad? Or did you cheat on her five years ago? Is that why she took us away and didn't let you know about us?"

Alissa was young, but her questions were sharp. "Um, I'll answer those when I come back."

"Okay. Don't forget it." All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

Since Alissa was agreeable and adorable, Greg believed her. "Sure. Why don't I take you with me? We can get something to eat on the way back."

"Okay!" Alissa cheered up.

They went to take a shower and get changed before they went out. Greg looked at the cars in his garage. The car he liked the most was trashed, and it would take some time before it could get repaired, so he picked another one and went to the mall with Alissa.

Jonathan came to the mall in a hurry after he found out that Abigail was there as well, so he came earlier than Greg did. When the staff told him what happened, he felt angry. This probably isn't the first time Emma has used my name to get what she wants.

He suddenly had the urge to break up with Emma. In fact, he had that idea ever since Abigail returned. He ignored Emma and didn't tell her family that she was arrested, then he went to the control room and found out where Abigail was. He quickly went to her. "Abbie!"

His voice attracted the attention of the rich ladies.

"Hey, that's Jonathan, right?"

"Emma said he's Abigail's ex, but he's here to see Abigail instead of busting her out? What's going on?" Someone sniffed the air. "I smell gossip. A fresh one at that."

They, once again in the span of three chapters, had another discussion.

Abigail frowned when she heard his voice. Man, he is unrelenting. She went ahead, ignoring him.

Jonathan was unfazed. He quickly came up to her and smiled. "What would you want? I can buy them for you."

"No. I can buy it myself." She looked down, and she went on a trip down memory lane. When she was little, Sasha and Emma would bully her, so she never had any good clothes to wear. All the clothes she owned were hand-me-downs from Emma.

Then, she met Jonathan, and he was nice to her. He brought her to the mall on her eighteenth birthday, and he said the exact same thing to her. She still remembered that day, for it was the first time she could wear her favorite white dress. It was then she truly saw him as her boyfriend.

Abigail poured her heart out in that relationship, and because of that, when she found out that Jonathan broke up with her without even bothering to look into the case, she lost all hope in relationships. So why is he trying to get back into my good books? Who does he think I am? A pushover? She came to a halt.

Jonathan didn't notice her stopping, and he bumped into her back. "Sorry, Abbie. I didn't see that. What is it? Saw something you like? Are you buying it for your girl? This one's nice, and it's the latest this season. It'll be beautiful on her," Jonathan explained happily.

Abigail looked at him. He was the one who was by her side during her teenage years, and she still remembered all the good times, but it was shattered by his distrust in her. And now he's Emma's boyfriend. "When did you start to date Emma?"

Jonathan froze up. He didn't know why she was asking that question, but he answered quietly, "Five years ago. Ever since I knew that you went abroad to study."

"Heh." Abigail thought that was ironic. She was down in the gutters for a long time because of this relationship's failure. She couldn't even develop any affection for men over the last five years for fear that they would hurt her. But the man who says he loves me gets another girl right after we broke up? Is this the difference between how men and women treat relationships? Her heart started to freeze up again.

"Abbie, let me explain—" Jonathan noticed the look on her face, and he wanted to explain, but she stopped him.

"Whatever you want to say, it has nothing to do with me. Our time is up, Jonathan. It's been up for five years. We aren't even friends now. I can't ask you to pay for me. Do please stay away from me."

Abigail's distant attitude upset him. "Please don't say that, Abbie. I know you're angry at me. It's not my fault. Emma came to me. She slept with me when I was drunk, and my mom and the elders saw us, so

—"

"Spare me the explanations. I'm not interested in them." She knew that was something Emma would do, but Abigail had no interest in knowing. She took the kids' clothes and the boxing gloves, then went to the counter.

Jonathan was really panicking at that point. "Abbie, we are childhood friends no matter what. Please don't push me away, alright?"

Greg came just in time to see Jonathan harassing Abigail. Ah, so he needs a more painful lesson before he can learn, huh? He looked at Greg coldly.

Alissa sighed. "Daddy, you suck. You let that guy harass Mommy for so long?"

Greg felt embarrassed that his daughter insulted him, so he called Troy. "I don't care how you do it, I want Jonathan out of Harrion this instant! Do not let me see him ever again!"

Troy could see that he was in a bad mood, so he quickly went through the projects and cut off the one where the Frasers were involved.

Jonathan wouldn't stop talking, and Abigail was getting impatient. She started clenching her fists, and if he would not stop talking, she would hurl him out of the store. Just when she was going to fly into a rage, Jonathan got a call, and his face fell.

"Impossible! I'll be right there! Get me the tickets, stat!" Then he told Abigail, "I need to settle something at the company, Abbie, so I have to go on a business trip. Wait for me. I'll explain everything once I come back."

Abigail heaved a sigh of relief. Finally, I don't have to deal with him anymore.

Jonathan realized that she was still angry, so he said, "Put these on my tab."

"Then I don't want them anymore."

She threw the items on the counter and left.

"Abbie!" Jonathan wanted to go after her, but he got another call, so he had to leave the mall immediately.

The moment Abigail came out, a little girl pounced at her. "Mommy!"

Abigail reflexively opened her arms to catch the girl. "Oh, slow down! You're going to break me!" Abigail complained, but she held the girl with a smile nonetheless.

Alissa curled up in her arms, smiling. "No I won't. You're a superwoman."

"I think you forgot to add 'annoying'." Abigail knew that was what her daughter had in mind.

Alissa stuck her tongue out and made a face.

"You cheeky girl."

Abigail picked her up, and when she looked ahead, she saw Greg coming over, his arms extended. "I'll hold her."

Oh, yeah. Alissa was at his home. Now that she's out, he's out too. Abigail's mood was marred.

"Why are you here? You're supposed to get treated. If someone is going to treat your condition later, you'd better stay away from us. I don't want to see things that should be unseen."

Greg's face fell. "Do you have any idea how much that car costs, Abigail?"

"I'll just stay around to pay for it, duh. No big deal." She shrugged. It's just a Bugatti. I can afford it.

Greg smiled. "You're going to stay around, huh? Fine. I'll draft up the duration after we get home."

Abigail was stunned. Huh? Something's off with that. She thought about what she said earlier, and her face fell. "What were you thinking, Greg? You know what I was trying to say."

"I know. You'll stay around, right? Alissa,isn't that what your mother said?" Greg quickly dragged the girl into this mess.

Alissa nodded cutely. "Yes, she did say she'll stay around, but she didn't say how long. How long do you want Mommy to stay for, Daddy?"

"Shut up, Alissa!" Abigail was frustrated. This girl is nothing but trouble.

Alissa stuck her tongue out and hopped into her father's arms. Scary. I like to stay with Daddy. Feels a lot safer.

Abigail felt annoyed that the girl she raised was getting so close with Greg. "Get down and walk!"

"No! I want Daddy to hold me."

The girl hugged her father's neck tightly and kissed him loudly, much to Abigail's chagrin.

"Alissa, you little—"

Before she could finish, she noticed the look of horror on Greg's face. "Run!" he said, and he took Alissa with him, looking as if he was chased by a ghost.