by BrettJ Β© 2012
Due to the interference of her overpowering mother, Blair Harper had not seen her father since she was 5 years of age. Millie would never tell her daughter the reason why she had left Adam Milligan, but whenever she spoke of him, her entire body would stiffen and you could hear the bile forming in her voice.
Blair knew she would never find out from Millie, so she contacted her closest family all, her aunt Val. Over lunch, Val came clean. "I can tell you the main reason they broke up," Blair's aunt Val told her "Adam wasn't at all intimidated by our family's money and wouldn't kowtow to your mother. He worked hard at his career and if he disagreed with
Millicent
β and oh, she hated when he called her that β she just got pissy as hell. It's a shame, really ... our Daddy liked Adam a lot and your father is gorgeous," Valentina told her niece. "Your grandfather was really upset when your mother called off their engagement. Daddy loves your mom, but she's a spoiled brat. Thank God you didn't turn out like her," she complimented her niece.
Blair decided that she could trust her aunt and outlined her plan. The lovely brunette gave her a hug and vowed to do all that she could. With the resources of the Harper family behind her, Valentina could do a lot to help the young girl. "I've put some of Daddy's investigators on the case," Valentina told Blair. "Your father lives in New York in a very spacious apartment complex. He didn't know anything about your whereabouts; he hadn't heard a word from Millie since she broke their engagement and took off with you. He was sure if he tried to interfere, the Harpers would make trouble and knowing Millie, he was right. Needless to say, he's not too thrilled with your mom. He wants to meet you and I'll arrange for you to fly out any time you want to go."
"Could I go after graduation?" Blair asked in a meek tone that wasn't much like the gregarious girl. After wanting to be reunited with her father for so long, she didn't want to wait any longer.
"I don't see why not," Val told her favorite niece. "Are you still intent on joining the family business?"
"I don't see why not," Blair teased. "The law is fascinating; you and Grandfather do some good work. Unlike some people ..." She knew Valentina would understand to whom she was referring.
"Your mother is β who she is," Valentina sighed while she still tried to be civil. In part, she wholly agreed with her niece. "Our mother spoiled her rotten and filled her head with art and theatre. She never took to the law the way I did."
"Her marriages don't seem to work out, either," Blair snorted. "This is number three and I bet he won't make it until the end of the year before he's running for the hills. Why does my mother keep picking these jackasses?"
"Because she keeps trying to replace your father and that ain't gonna happen," Valentina said as she hugged the girl. "You'll see why when you meet him. Dang sweetheart β if
I
had met him first, I'd never have let him get away and you'd be my kid."
"He's THAT impressive," Blair asked.
"Oh yeah β Adam is all that and more," Valentina sighed.
Blair stood in front of the large apartment complex, wondering what she would say to this man she hadn't seen in nearly 14 years. She hadn't let Valentina call ahead as she had wanted to do. Blair wanted him to react to her in an honest, open manner and not have time to prepare a performance. Her ticket was open-ended. If things didn't work out, she could fly out in the morning. The building was beautiful, despite its age; it was well kept and clean in appearance. She kept staring at it when a bosomy brunette walked by her and noticed her staring.
"Is there something wrong, sugar?" The woman asked as she pushed her sunglasses down her face. She appeared to be about 40 years of age and was very attractive. Her clothes spoke that she knew how to dress and wasn't afraid to flaunt it a bit β she had a very nice body and showed off nice legs in killer 4-inch stiletto heels.
"Does β does Adam Milligan live here?" She asked the woman. The woman stared her up and down.
"Are you another one of his
girls?
" She asked Blair. The pretty blonde didn't understand and it must have shown in her face, because the woman re-phrased the question. "Are you a girlfriend of his?"
"Me? Oh goodness, no."
"Good. I sure as hell don't need more competition," the older woman said, putting out her hand. "I'm Teri Windgate. Yeah, he lives here β why do you need to know?"
"I'm Blair ..."
Teri's brown eyes went wide open. "Holy fuck β you're his DAUGHTER. He couldn't believe it when your family's attorneys called him." She unexpectedly gave the girl a huge hug and looked at her again. "Shit β you've got his eyes. I have got to see his reaction, I'm his girlfriend β
sorta
β and I'm taking you inside. I am not missing out on this."
Blair nodded and let the woman show her the way. The inside of the building was as nice as the faΓ§ade. She found Teri a bit brassy, but she seemed nice enough. They reached the third floor apartments and Teri knocked. "Your dad has a huge place, I'm sure you can stay with him. Come on Adam, open the door!" She banged again. The door opened and a large, broad-shouldered man with dark, lightly-graying hair appeared there.
"Some of us are still sleeping because after last night's fun and games, Teri ..." He then saw Blair standing there. She couldn't say anything because her father was standing right in front of her and he was even more impressive than she had thought he would be. Aunt Val was right, he was gorgeous. "Hello, who might-you-be ...?" He started at her intently and then his jaw dropped and he shook his head. Blair nodded and he threw open his arms and hugged her until she started to cry. "Don't start that sweetheart or you'll have me bawling," Adam told his daughter. "I can't believe it β you're here, in the flesh. Teri, I think we're going to need some time alone, you understand?"
Teri nodded and gave Blair another quick hug. "Come and see me sugar, I'd love to be your friend, too. Lover, I'll see you later," she winked at Adam.
"She seems β nice," Blair said as her father escorted her into his apartment. She gasped β it was huge and very tastefully decorated. The detectives that had worked for her aunt Valentina had told her he was still a bachelor and this didn't fit the image of any bachelor apartment she had ever seen, including a few of the college guys she had gone out with. "Daddy β I mean ... should I call you that?"
"You bet," Adam said as he hugged her again. "It's nice to hear that again."