Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 294: Adorable Father

Chapter 294: Adorable Father

Talia was too stunned to say anything. Talks about illness and death, especially if it concerned those who are close to her always gave her a bitter feeling, making her freeze.

But Arthur, little more composed than she is, kept on asking questions to his father and he seemed to know what he talked about. Talia was surprised of his knowledge about heart conditions, but realised he must have learnt it all since he took care of her grandfather who has heart issues.

Her heart filled with warmth looking at the side profile of the man, who was hiding his worry in front of his family and now starting to say comfortable words to assure everyone else.

My man!

"You’ll definitely get better soon, Mr. Sinclair," Talia gathered her thoughts and spoke out. Now is not the time for her to be silent, no matter what the reason is. She needs to voice her support.

"Aww...that hurts!" Gregory held his chest and Talia went entirely pale.

"Dad! What is it?"

"Pa!"

Roderick and Arthur shouted at the same time and Emily who was panicked, stood up. Arthur almost cussed out when he saw his father chucking the next moment.

"Oh dear... It hurts to hear a young lass like you much less my son’s girlfriend calling me Mr. Sinclair, like I’m a distant stranger. Call me daddy, " he paused and smiled.

Talia blinked her eyes and didn’t know what to say. That phrase is not a very good phrase she knew since it could be considered harassment in many cases, but the way Fred’s father said it, expressed that he intended it in a straight way. She looked at Arthur and he placed his hand on his forehead, shaking his head.

"Dad! You can’t say that!" Emily who was shocked by what he said, talked first. She is a lawyer and she knew it is inappropriate.

"Why not? You can call me daddy too. I know you call your father,’ daddy’." Gregory genuinely smiled. He was in a good mood, but his children’s reaction made him doubtful.

"Pa, it is a fad among women to call their boyfriends ’daddy’ these days and if you ask a girl to call you ’daddy’ it is considered harassment," Arthur explained.

"Wha-" Gregory’s eyes widened with shock. "Even today one of the interns asked me if she could call me daddy. I really thought she wanted me to be her father... Or because... She was very young, younger than...." he pointed at Talia, "Talia even... probably still in college... No wonder she gave an odd wink at me... Geez! Why would no one tell me what it meant? They all had an odd smile-"

"Pa!" Arthur coughed trying to hold back his chuckle. His father seemed very cute as he was petrified. "What did you answer her?"

"I... I think I left without saying anything. I thought... There were some women who talked to me this way, but I always assumed that they were eyeing Frederick but... They were eyeing me? Really?" Gregory’s bewilderment turned to a wide grin and Talia held back her chuckle.

He really looked very impressed by the fact that there are women who are trying to get his attention. She could see where Fred got his silliness from.

How adorable! Why is stupid Fred keeping away from his father who is this adorable?

Roderick was having none of it. He couldn’t understand how everyone can be this calm. And how did the atmosphere turned from sombre to joyful in just minutes? Father is sick! "Dad! Now is not the time to joke around! You’re sick! Just stay in rest. Take a vacation or better yet, retire-"

"Why should I? I’m going to have my heart fixed and going to have my second spring! Who knew! I still got game! I’m a chick magnet. Who knows? You guys might get a step-mom younger than your wives," Gregory laughed out loud and stood up. "Come on... The kids will be waiting at the table..." he still couldn’t stop chuckling and walked in the front with a skip in his steps.

Talia looked at Arthur who was smirking. "See our family men are so good looking, we get offers even when we are in our sixties," he whispered. Talia felt like twisting his ear but since she is here as a guest, she felt like she needed to maintain her bearing.

But Arthur’s wide grin didn’t help her and she felt like snort-laughing. She turned to her side rubbing her nose with her finger to stop herself from making a fool out of herself. It was then she noticed Roderick staying behind and he didn’t seem like he was in a good mood. Emily was whispering something to him and she looked worried while Roderick seemed to be controlling his emotions to compose himself.

"... I’m so sick of-... I hate..."

Talia barely heard what he said . But she pretended she didn’t see or hear anything and looked to her front. The last time she met Roderick, he had a very warm smile, but this time, he seemed a little distant. She wondered if there is something bothering him, but then she decided that he must be tired, and he might not have time to accept that their father is sick.

As they entered the dining room that had a long rectangular table that could seat twelve, Talia somehow felt cold. The settings seemed formal as if it their father wanted a formal get-together. There was no specific seating arrangements and the kids, seeing Talia, wanted to sit beside her. So with both kids by her side and Arthur to her front, Talia took her seat. Roderick was seated beside Arthur and Emily beside her husband.

The plates were already set and as they sat they started to serve. Arthur’s father who still was in a good mood, looked at Talia.

"We still haven’t established what you’re going to call me, Talia"

"Well..." Talia smiled. She’s not going to call him ’dad’ or ’daddy’. Maybe she has ’father issues’ since she never was close with her father, she doesn’t feel comfortable calling anyone else as ’dad’. She cannot call him by his name either. "Since Fred calls you ’pa’, I’ll call you ’papa’." Saying this, she felt smooth and she thought ’papa’ suited him more than the distant ’father’ or ’Mr. Sinclair’.

"Well, I love it!" Gregory was all smiles.

"Thank you... papa," Talia blushed as she said it. Gregory looked stunned. Arthur had a pleased smile.

The excitement was short lived for Talia as she noticed the staff who was filling her water glass, carelessly trying to topple the glass. Talia immediately held the glass, and the young man apologised with bowed head. Everyone in the table were looking at Talia and Talia had to accept the apology although she felt like he did it purposely.

"Be careful, Drew," Gregory said and he apologised once more. As he turned, Talia was stunned to see the snarky smirk in his face and Talia looked at everyone else and no one noticed it.

First that maid and now him?

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