Chapter 249

“What? No!”

Gabriel was one of the many exes who my dad had scared away. He wasn’t that ‘friendly, and neither was my brother. If it were up to them, I would remain single until the very day I died.

According to them, no one was good enough for me. “How could we even reunite when you scared him off.”

“Oh,” My dad spoke, flustered. “You’re right. I did scare him off.”“

He took a sip from his tea and went into deep thoughts. “What could you possibly be hiding from me?” He mumbled.

Nothing, dad, the only thing I’m hiding from you is that I’ve emailed one of the people you despise the most-a felon.

“I was buying your birthday gift. It wasn’t meant for your eyes.” I teased him. Even though he was liculous, I couldn’t help but feel bad and didn’t want him to crack his brains over nothing. “Birthday He smiled, relieved. “I can live with that.”

ill you be home for dinner tonight?”

No, I told him. “I’m working a late shift, so don’t wait up for me.”

I felt terrible for abandoning him, but he was breathing in my neck, and it was slowly getting on my nerves. I loved my dad and brother, but their overprotective behavior on top of their occupation didn’t exactly help me.

The fact that my dad and my brother were DEA agents had always embarrassed me. Whenever I told anyone that my family worked for the government, they didn’t hesitate and took their distance from me, “Do you want me to leave you dinner?” My dad asked in a sad tone. I hated whenever he made me feel bad. “I’m good, thank you,” I turned him down. “I think I’ll be leaving early today-”

“Because you’re sick of me?” My dad joked. The unfortunate thing which he hadn’t realized was that it was the reality. I needed my space, and I couldn’t be stuck in a house with him any longer. “You got me,” I smiled. “I’m sick of you.”

Just by looking at his face, I could tell my dad probably thought I was playing along with his joke, and I was not about to ruin his fun. He gave me a wink and finished his tea in one go.

“In that case, please have a nice day at work.”

“That was the last table.” I smiled at my boss, Rona. She looked over the counter and scanned the tables with her eyes. “You’re finished. You can go home.”

“Thank you!” I nodded gratefully. I was exhausted and couldn’t keep up with the number of people who I had served for the day. We worked with eight other people, but I was the manager of this place which meant I carried the same responsibilities as Rona.

“I’ll be stuck here for a while,” Rona spoke. She wasn’t that much older than I was, and we got along well. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to show off my skills.

It had only been around three months since I had started my job, but I enjoyed it here. It was better than sitting behind a desk all day, that was for sure. I was mainly here for my skills as a mixologist. I had always created my own recipes, and they always seemed to perform well.

“Do you really want me to go?” I spoke awkwardly. I hated the fact that I was such a good person, and I did not have it in me to leave her alone.

“Just go,” Rona spoke once again. “I only have to count the money, don’t waste your time and enjoy your night.”

I ignored her words and sat down. “You know you want me to keep you company!” I smirked. Rona let out a laugh. “Okay, got me.”

“You could’ve just asked so.”

“What’s the point of asking if I knew you were going to offer?” Rona commented. “Don’t worry. I’ll make it quick.”

“Don’t bother.” I calmed her down. I was not in the mood to see my dad at the kitchen table while he waited for my return. I didn’t mind staying away for a little longer. “Take your time, Rona.”

“You’re such a good person,” Rona praised me. I knew I was, but it felt good to hear it from someone else. “Maybe I can show you some of my new recipes after we’re finished.” I smiled.

“Maybe you can,” Rona spoke.

“So, any new stories to share?” She asked. “What did you do today?”

“Oh, I wrote a prisoner!” I shared with her. She was an excellent person to talk to and always listened to whatever I had to say. Rona stopped what she was doing and looked at me with big eyes.

“A prisoner?”

“Yes, remember that bet I told you about?” I freshened up her memories. “Yes.” Rona nodded. “You mean your friend who called you boring and dared you to do something which your dad would never allow?”

“Yes, that one!”

“So you decided to write a prisoner?” Rona laughed out loud. “You never fail to amuse me.”

“But I won the bet.” I shrugged at the end of the day. It was all that truly mattered. I always had the urge to show everyone that I made my own rules, regardless of my dad and brother, Alex.

“How does something like that works?” Rona wondered. It was something I also didn’t know until Victoria showed me how. “You create a profile, take a look at the message board and look for someone to write,” I explained. “I chose to send an email, but you can also send a letter.”

“Crazy,” Rona sighed. “Yes, apparently, they print out the email and give it to the prisoners.”

“Sounds serious.”

“It does.”

“I chose one of the worst guys. He had a list full of crimes and was all under the tattoos-my dad would’ve dropped dead if he saw him.” I laughed. “He’s in there for murder, drug trafficking, and god knows what else.”

“Oh, no,” Rona spoke with a slight pout on her lips. “This guy probably knows what you look like-so maybe you should’ve gone for someone a little less…criminal-ish?”

I felt flattered by Rona’s concerns, but that wasn’t necessary at all. “This guy has a life sentence. He won’t be coming out anytime soon.”

“Wow, it only gets worse.”

1 laughed at Rona’s over-the-top reaction. I wouldn’t be that stupid to email someone who was not on life without parole. “It isn’t as if we are going to become besties or anything. It was just a bet.”

“Who knows.” Rona shrugged. “You have a pretty face. I don’t think any guy would swipe you to the left.”

“Swipe me to the left? It’s not a dating app.” I clarified. Why would anyone willingly want to end up with someone who would not be seeing any daylight anytime soon?

“Thank god, imagine.” Rona chuckled. “But still, imagine if he actually writes you back.”

“Nah, he’s not going to write me back.” I spoke as I thought about the ‘kindergarten’ email and the childish riddle. Inmate Marvin whatever his name was, did not seem like the guy who would waste his time solving a riddle.

“Why not?” Rona continued. Unfortunately, my point did not come across. I loved living in reality, and I wasn’t ready to move out of it?

“Why would he write me back?”