Chapter 16: You Two Absolutely Cannot Be Together!
"No matter how much money you have, I won't let you get close to my daughter. You two aren't right for each other, so stop dreaming."
Frank stood at the doorway like a guardian, blocking Steve from entering.
"A drunk who never gave a damn about his family suddenly cares about his daughter?" Steve laughed bitterly. "That's rich."
"I'm not the same Frank I used to be," Frank replied firmly. "I'll do everything I can to protect my daughter."
"I can tell—you're not what you seem on the surface. Deep down, you're not a good man. My Fiona is a good girl. I won't let you hurt her or waste her time."
"As long as I'm here, don't even think about getting near her!" Frank warned.
Just as the two were arguing, a police cruiser pulled up. A tall, handsome young white officer stepped out in uniform.
"Morning, Frank. Steve." The officer greeted them casually.
"Tony," Steve said, his expression souring.
This officer, Tony, was the third point in Fiona's complicated love triangle.
Frank gave Tony a quick once-over. Compared to Steve, Tony made a slightly better impression.
Steve looked like your typical slick pretty boy—charming, perhaps, but untrustworthy. Tony, on the other hand, gave off a strong first impression of honesty and decency. He looked like the kind of guy you could rely on.
In simple terms: Steve was a player, and Tony was the nice guy.
As a father, Frank naturally preferred Tony between the two. But since both were interested in his daughter, he wasn't exactly thrilled about either. His demeanor toward Tony remained cold.
"Did Fiona get the flowers?" Tony asked, wanting to come inside, but hesitated when Frank made no move to let him through.
"She got them," Frank replied bluntly. "She said thank you—they were lovely. Was there something else?"
"Nothing much. If she's heading to work, I thought I could give her a ride," Tony offered.
"No need. You're not going the same way," Frank dismissed him immediately.
"…Alright then." Tony gave the house one last, lingering look before reluctantly heading back to his cruiser and driving off.
Seeing Tony leave, Steve didn't bother sticking around either. He glanced up at the window where Fiona stood, watching from behind the curtain. Their eyes met briefly before she turned away.
With a sigh, Steve climbed into his sports car and drove off.
"Thanks," Fiona said as Frank stepped back inside.
Whether it was Steve or Tony, Fiona didn't want to deal with either of them right now. Having Frank ward them off gave her a much-needed sense of relief.
"Did you like the flowers? I had a great time last night. I'd been looking forward to it for so long—it was my first time…"
Her phone rang. Tony's voice came through.
"…You took Tony's virginity?" Frank asked, surprised, after Fiona quickly hung up.
From the note on the bouquet and the tone of the call, it was obvious something happened between them the previous night. Something intimate.
Apparently, despite being in his twenties and attractive, Tony had still been a virgin—until last night.
No wonder he came running over so early, Frank thought. He even wore cologne.
In the West, personal lives are often more open, and kids mature fast—many look seventeen or eighteen by the time they're fourteen or fifteen. In neighborhoods like this one, early pregnancies in high school aren't uncommon.
For someone like Tony to still be a virgin at his age was practically a miracle—like spotting a panda in the wild.
Judging by Fiona's stunned expression, even she didn't know until just now.
"Do you like Tony?" Frank asked.
"He's… a good guy," Fiona replied cautiously, clearly dodging the question. She didn't really like him.
"And what about Steve?" Frank continued.
"…" Fiona remained silent.
Frank's heart sank. Just as he feared—Fiona truly had feelings for Steve.
Maybe, just as Steve had said, Fiona was using Tony to try and forget him. When Steve was in the house earlier, Frank had noticed her conflicted eyes despite her words of disdain.
No. I can't let them end up together, Frank thought.
Even if Fiona hated Steve right now, she still liked him deep down. If Steve didn't give up, it was only a matter of time before they got back together.
But Frank would never let that happen.
His daughter was beautiful, responsible, and kind—Steve wasn't even in the same league. He was like a toad lusting after a swan.
Though Frank hadn't known Steve for long, his instincts—honed from years of life experience—told him Steve wasn't trustworthy. Despite the flashy car and wealth, something about him was off. Until Frank figured out what it was, he would never approve of their relationship.
For Fiona's sake, I can't let them be together.
Frank had made up his mind, like so many protective parents before him.
"I've got a busy day today. Can you watch Liam for me?" Fiona asked, massaging her temples. She wasn't in the mood to dwell on her love life. Real life came first.
"Don't worry. I'll take care of Liam and handle the gas bill too. You focus on work," Frank said reassuringly.
"We're not giving you any money," Fiona said immediately, eyes narrowing with suspicion.
She assumed Frank would try to take their money for the gas bill, and based on past experience, that money would disappear into his drinking habit, never to return.
Although Frank had been acting differently lately, the image of the old Frank—decades of selfishness and irresponsibility—wasn't something she could forget in a matter of weeks.
"…Forget it." Frank didn't bother explaining.
He was used to the kids' distrust by now.
They were good kids. None of this was their fault.
It was all the fault of the man he used to be.