REGRET
Elena’s sleep was disturbed when a large hand stroked the top of her head. The hand felt warm with regular gentle movements. Even in her sleep, Elena could recognize who the owner of the big hand was. The hands that had been cradling him since he was born into the world had been cradling him with great love. Even though he never gets angry or yells when he makes a carelessness or mistake. He was a man she never wanted to hurt. But last night he actually hurt the man knowingly and deliberately.
“Honey, wake up, let’s pray at dawn first!” The man spoke while continuously giving gentle strokes to her head.
Elena stretched until the blanket covering her body fell down, revealing Elena’s sexy appearance. The girl was only wearing a suit that could only cover her chest to thighs. All the curves of the body were so clearly displayed there. The man growled in annoyance when he suddenly remembered his daughter’s innocent confession while sleeping with her best friend Devan the other day. Did Elena wear inappropriate clothes like this that night?
“El darling, come on, get up!” the man repeated with regret because all this time he had neglected to remind his daughter to dress modestly in front of other people.
Indeed, when outside the house Elena always wears polite clothes even though the girl doesn’t want to wear the hijab like her Mommy. But Jeremy completely forgot to never remind Elena what kind of clothes to wear to bed. If you were at home it wouldn’t be a problem, but a few days ago Elena was with Devan and Erick, her teenage sons.
“Wait a minute Daddy, El is still sleepy,” answered Elena, still closing her eyes.
“Get up! Daddy wait downstairs, let’s pray together!” Jeremy said gently but firmly. “After prayer Daddy wants to talk.”
Jeremy’s last sentence succeeded in driving away Elena’s sleepiness, who was still hugging her tightly. The hazel eyes suddenly opened wide, staring at Jeremy’s body who had just moved. Elena watched Jeremy leave until he disappeared behind her bedroom door with a pounding heart. Especially if you don’t ask about last night’s event with his friends. Elena’s brain suddenly stopped. Unable to think of anything other than forcing his brain to work extra hard. He has to give an answer later. Are you honest or are you lying again?
Two equally difficult choices. If we are honest, the road to freedom that has just opened is over. What a lie. How could she continue to lie to the man who loved her so much? Elena doesn’t want to be a disobedient child but her ego is struggling to demand freedom.
***
Because it was Sunday, all the Seivaz family members were at home. Elena relaxed on a chair by the pool while watching Ivand and Viero who were swimming in the warm water pool. Enjoying Sunday mornings with her whole family is the most enjoyable thing for Elena. But that doesn’t mean they will be at home all day. After breakfast they usually go somewhere according to Ivand or Jeremy’s wishes or recommendations. Most often they will visit their grandparents’ house or gather with Aisya’s extended family, her older sister. If they are reluctant to go, they will fill their time with self-defense training or shooting in the studio that Jeremy has provided.
So apart from the garage and swimming pool on the ground floor there is a special studio for martial arts and shooting training. The fitness area is located on the second floor next to Jeremy’s work room and family room.
“Sis El here!” called Viero, inviting Elena to join them.
“No, I’m in a bad mood!” Elena answered unenthusiastically.
“Cie cie, after going on a date with your crush, why are you in a bad mood,” said Ivand, deliberately teasing. Suddenly Elena’s eyes widened and then looked around to look for her parents.
Earlier, after morning prayers, Elena survived Daddy’s interrogation. It was his uncle’s call from Ardan that saved him. It’s all just a matter of time. Since last night, someone has been postponing his conversation with Jeremy.
“suttt… Vand shut up!” warned Elena while giving Ivand a sharp look.
“Eh cie.. cie..”
“Everyone shut up!” Elena said when Viero contributed to her annoyance.
Elena quickly got up from her place and moved to sit on the edge of the pool. She stretched out a pair of long, smooth white legs into the pool and spoke softly. “Vand, how do you know?” Elena asked curiously. As far as he remembered, no one knew he was gone last night.
“Hahahahaha… Surprised, huh?” Ivand asked back after managing to suppress his laughter. I swear to God, his brother’s face looks cute and adorable when he’s scared like this.
“Vand, I’m serious. How do you know?” Elena inquired because her freedom was now increasingly threatened. If Ivand opened his mouth to his parents, he would be finished. You can be sure Daddy will prepare a new and sturdier gold cage for him later.
“Sis,” Viero called when he saw Jeremy walking towards them.
“Vand, please, don’t complain!” Elena, unaware of Viero’s warning, pleaded with Ivand, who continued to smile mischievously.
“Kak… Daddy is behind you!” Viero warned, splashing water on Elena’s face.
Elena’s body froze instantly. Her back suddenly felt hot. In a panic, Elena’s heart contributed to her increasing nervousness.
“After breakfast, we’ll go to Grandpa and Grandma’s house,” Jeremy said, successfully relieving Elena’s breath. “Oh, El, come with Daddy for a moment; you owe Daddy an explanation,” Jeremy continued, instantly turning Elena’s beautiful face pale.
“Okay, Daddy,” Elena replied weakly.
Wherever Jeremy went, Elena followed until they reached the family room. Mommy was already there, busy with her phone, and the TV was on.
Jeremy then sat next to Vanessa, while Elena sat on a single sofa in front of both of them. Right now, Elena wished she could disappear. Neither telling the truth nor lying was a viable option because both had significant risks for her future.
Vanessa smiled meaningfully, observing Elena’s nervousness, while Jeremy maintained a stoic expression. An expression that shouldn’t have been able to instill fear, but it was different this time.
“From now on, Daddy will give El complete trust. But it doesn’t mean Daddy is letting go of control,” Jeremy said while sliding the car keys intentionally placed on the table since earlier.
Elena’s lips and eyes widened instantly. She couldn’t believe what was happening. Why did Daddy suddenly change and give her what she had wanted all along?
“Mommy hopes El won’t break this trust. Mommy believes El understands,” Vanessa added with a gentle smile.
In fact, Jeremy and Vanessa had prepared a new car as a gift for Elena a week ago. After a heated debate, Vanessa finally managed to convince Jeremy. Her husband agreed with certain terms and conditions.
“You can drive yourself to school, but you’re not allowed to go out at night without Daddy, Ivand, or other family members,” Jeremy emphasized, still unable to snap Elena out of her frozen state. Elena’s mind was reprocessing every word Jeremy uttered.
“El, listen to Daddy, okay?” Vanessa’s words jolted Elena.
“Mmmmmmm Daddy and Mommy are not having amnesia, right? Or maybe hallucinating?” Elena replied, still confused.
“No, dear. From now on, Daddy and Mommy are giving permission. But El also has to be able to keep our trust,” Vanessa explained, then patted the empty space on her right.
With an incredibly happy feeling, Elena stood up and hugged her parents. Truly, this was the most beautiful surprise in her life. A surprise that she wouldn’t dare to dream about.
“Wait!” Jeremy untangled himself from the hug of his daughter.
“Here!” Jeremy handed over Elena’s driving license and the car registration.
Since attending 10th grade in high school, Elena had been able to drive a car smoothly. However, Jeremy deliberately waited for the right time to give her this freedom. Jeremy had equipped all three of his children with self-defense skills from a young age. Among them, Ivand was the most proficient. Ivand’s spirit was exactly like his when he was a teenager.
“Oh, El, you also have to be honest wherever you want to go. Daddy and Mommy never agree with lies, no matter what the reason is,” Jeremy emphasized, immediately dispelling the happiness in Elena’s face.
Regret? Certainly. But everything had happened, and Elena couldn’t turn back time.Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.