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He readily walked towards them, saying his excuses to his companions to go ahead while he made a quick stopover on another table. Besides, he did not plan to stay long. He just wanted a brief word with them.

“Dad, it is nice to see you here.” Haley immediately greeted him when she saw him approach their table. Although, she was not surprised since her father frequented this place.

He quickly walked to her side and kissed her cheeks as a form of respect. Then, he faced the man his daughter was dating. Her date seemed to take his time to stand up and acknowledge his presence.

He sensed something different about him. Most men would be thrilled to catch his attention, but not this man. But it quickly changed in an instant. This man abruptly masked his expression with a friendly smile.

“Mr. Rosley.” He extended his hand, finally showing some courtesy, but still, he seemed to be acting strange compared to their last meeting.

He remembered him as a man who did not take crap from anyone. It was the reason he liked him for his daughter and the position. But he thought they were on the same page. What had changed?

.....

But in the world of wealth, power, and politics, he could never show his entire cards to his allies, and especially his opponents. They had to maintain a poker face all the time, even when one was stubbing the other on the back.

“If you are seriously contemplating running for Governor, I think you should consider putting a ring on my daughter’s finger.” Mr. Rosley hated it when he had to spell out what was supposed to be obvious enough.

He had been gracious with his dealing with this man. Although he approved of his relationship with his daughter, he did not like that Gerald had ignored his summons to meet with him.

“Dad, what are you doing?” Haley finally joined the conversation, slightly embarrassed with how her father was behaving. “You don’t force anybody to marry me.” She heatedly spoke directly to her father.

Ignoring his daughter, he continued speaking about his displeasure with the man before him. “And not because my daughter likes you. You can reschedule me when it is convenient for you.”

He was not just anybody, and his words were not mere words. When he wanted something to happen, it would happen because he said it would. And now, this man seemed not to know who he was dealing with when he put him aside.

“Dad, you...” But Haley failed to continue again when Gerald held his hands out.

Haley could not understand why her father was acting out. It was like he was putting Gerald on the spot. She had nothing against marrying him. After all, she loved him. But she would prefer that it would not be a shotgun wedding.

Haley had discovered that Gerald was not the Casanova romantic type. But he had ways of showing that he could be sweet and romantic, too. But in his way.

If he was going to propose to her, she wanted him to be sure of himself and ready for the commitment. Not because her father forced him to make the grand gesture.

“I am sorry, Mr. Rosley. I did not mean to disrespect you, but my schedule had been hectic since our last meeting.” He stared at the man who had interrupted his dinner with his date, even if she was his daughter.

Between his legitimate career as a trial lawyer and his underground activities, freeing his time for the whim of this man was not exactly his priority.

But now that he had broached the subject of marriage and the state position in one sentence, he believed he had no more choice but to decide on it.

“Gerald, you don’t have to answer my father. He must have forgotten to take his pills. That is why he was acting crazy and mumbling words.” Haley narrowed her eyes to her father to stop it.

“I think your guests are getting bored, Dad.” She added before any of the two men could say anything else. She had enjoyed the evening so far. She hoped her father had not ruined it completely.

“Don’t worry, Mr. Rosley. I will make sure to include you tomorrow on my schedule.” Gerald informed the older man.

He had intentionally set aside his plans of meeting with Haley’s father. It was a carefully designed tactic to get what he wanted from the man. As far as he could tell, it might be working.

Now, he would proceed with the next phase of his project. But he had to be careful that no one learned about it because it might backfire on him. However, it paid that he was a few steps ahead of his opponents.

“I am counting on that.” Mr. Rosley showed signs of satisfaction. He might have thought that he had won. But the battle had not yet even started.

Gerald waved his hand to the retreating man before facing his date again, who seemed quite embarrassed at what his father had done.

“I am sorry about what Dad said. He did not mean any of it. At least about you marrying me.” Haley could not even look at him.

She might be getting old, not that old, but most of her friends were married now. Some already had kids, while others were expecting. Yet, she was still single. She had no clue if she would ever tie the knot.

“Hey darling, look at me.” Gerald extended his hand on the table and tilted her chin until she looked at him. “What do you think is happening here?” he pointed between them. “I am not playing games with you.” He assured her.

He could see the doubt in her eyes as if she had given up on the notion that someone would even take her seriously. He wondered why nobody had captured her heart and married her until now.

She was beautiful, intelligent, successful in her career, and passionate about life. Because most men saw her as a dollar sign due to her father’s wealth and power, his mind answered him. He included.