Robbie's POV

I was lying on my bed swiping through the pictures sent to me by the assistant. I couldn't get them out of my head. I felt like barging into Tony's place and asking him about the guy but I also knew that I didn't have any right. Despite being bonded to him, I tossed him away. On top of that, eight years have passed. He must have met a lot of guys and perhaps become close to one or even fall in love with him. What hope did I have that he would keep loving me after what I did to him? The only reason they can't be together is his bond with me. 

When I bonded with him during high school, it was more hormone-fueled than true emotions. I didn't know the gravity of that action but I kind of ruined his life doing it. Even if I broke the bond, he would still be forced to stay without any mates all his life. A friend-with-benefits relationship was the closest he could get, but not a soulmate.

This Alpha-Omega bonding concept definitely sucks. However, right now, some part of me is glad about it. Because of the bonding, I felt he belonged to me. No matter how close someone gets to him, he can't be theirs completely.

I put my hand over my face feeling disgusted by my own thoughts. As I was never able to move on, I kept hoping he would not be able to either. But life doesn't work like that. 

My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. I asked moving my hand off my face,

"Who is it?"

"Robbie? You there?" a male voice called. It was my dad.

"Dad? Come in" I said, quickly sitting down.

A man in his fifties entered the room. He was quite tall, had a salt and pepper look, a sharp jawline, was moderately built, and had small shrewd eyes.

"Good evening!" he said smiling jovially.

"What is it? Did you come to ask about the update on the project?" I asked, feeling a sense of foreboding.

"Can't a dad simply meet his son?" he asked, pretending to be hurt.

If he was not here for some business, I’d eat my hat. Dad was not one of those loving types. He was always busy and anytime we met, it would always be because he had something important to talk about. Dad must have noticed the doubt in my eyes and said in a surrendering voice,

"Okay, Okay! Yes, I have something to ask you" he started rather politely. This was so unlike him that it was making me cringe. He would normally speak in a formal business-like tone, "I met Ms. Lucy from the HR department. I heard you asked her to refuse the resignation of an employee. Is that true?"

My stomach did a double-take. Who was this Lucy? I clearly told everyone on the HR team to keep their mouth shut. Why did she still go around blabbering? But then again, Dad was the Chairman. She would rather obey Dad than me. S**t, what do I say?

"It was the company's fault for not addressing his complaint. He was resigning because of the incompetence of the company. I couldn't tolerate that a talent was leaving because of dissatisfaction with our company not dealing with his grievance. So, I addressed his problem and he agreed to stay" I lied from the skin of my teeth trying my best to divert his attention away from Tony. I can't let Tony become the target of Dad.

Dad frowned deeply making me break out in cold sweat. Please don’t notice anything weird!! I could see it in his eyes that he didn't buy my story but he did not probe further.

He sighed and continued, "So, it was like that. I thought you had some personal connection with the employee," he said smiling so widely that I started feeling uncomfortable, "You should know that our company only prioritizes talents which is the base of our reputation. Any personal connection leading to the incompetence of our staff won't be tolerated," he said patting my back.

It seems to me that he had more meaning behind those words than he was revealing. 

Damnit! I have to quicken my pace and get the hell out of my dad's shadow before it overwhelms me and reaches Tony.

"I heard you turned down Sarah again?" His smile vanished, as he asked seriously.

I looked at him eyebrows raised, "Did Sarah say that?" I asked.

"Yes. I asked her to meet you and help you out as this is your first project and a very heavy one at that. Since she has dealt with businesses like this before you, I thought you could both work together on it." Dad said, looking disappointed

"I don't want her help” I replied, infuriated, “I believe I am competent enough to do the project on my own. Furthermore, I refuse to take her as my life partner as I don’t have any feelings for her" I clarified in a crisp and clear tone.

"Feelings?!! What do you want to feel? Do you think that one fine morning you will wake up to find the girl of your dreams? It's time to abandon such fantasies, son," he scolded, lightly.

Standing up, I walked a short distance. Although it was awkward to talk to Dad about this, I must take a stand.

"I don't want to dedicate my entire life to someone I don't even love," I said

"LOVE??!! Every one of our statuses marries seeing benefits in the marriage! There is no place for all this childish sentimentality. What do you not like about her? She has an excellent business mind, is very competent, and beautiful, has a high social status, and is also an Alpha like you. Who can be a better partner for you other than her?" Dad almost yelled at me.

True, she was an all-around woman and any man would be lucky to marry her. But my heart has already been given. I have nothing to offer her. I said with as much levity as I could possibly bring in my voice,

"Why do you even want me to marry her? Didn't you tell me his father is pretty much a criminal whom the law is never able to shackle? Why do I have to be a part of such a family?  Is it because of her father’s political career? Or, because he was your childhood friend? Or is it because of that unspoken reason you cannot share?”

“ROBBIE” he bellowed but I was in no mood to let him have his way with me this time.

“I have never gone against your word, Dad” I spoke firmly, “I attended whatever school you wanted me to attend, I transferred when our business went south, I switched colleges according to your preference, even my career path was determined by you. I have let you decide everything in my life, but I’ll choose my own life partner. It is I who is going to spend my entire life with that person, not you. So, this is one thing, I won't let you choose for me"

My dad stared at me as if he was looking at a criminal. I am almost certain that he never expected me to talk back. I didn’t back down and stared back firmly. I could see his ears and nose turning red, and his eyes bulging with anger. He stomped towards me ferociously. It wouldn't have surprised me if he had struck me then, but instead, he walked past me, got out of the door, and shut it with a loud ‘BANG’.