100 Days to Seduce the Devil

Day Seventy-Two…

~~*****~~

"I'll just go change first, and then we can head over to your house," Jane said with a warm smile as she gestured for Nathan to take a seat on the sofa. She ascended the staircase, leaving Nathan in the cozy living room.

As Nathan found himself alone, an unexpected presence made itself known as Mr. Hiroshi emerged from his hiding spot. It turned out that the old man had been discreetly observing their interactions. He approached Nathan and joined him in the living room, a sense of purpose in his demeanor.

Mr. Hiroshi cleared his throat, signaling his desire for a private conversation with Nathan. "While we wait for my daughter, would you mind accompanying me to the garden?"

Nathan nodded affirmatively, rising from his seat to follow Mr. Hiroshi. Together, they made their way through the house and into the garden, where they could converse in peace.

Standing side by side, Nathan and Mr. Hiroshi took in the serene beauty of the flower garden that surrounded them. It was Mr. Hiroshi who finally decided to break the silence, his voice carrying a tone of earnest concern.

"So, you're here to visit my eldest daughter, Jane, not Abigail," Mr. Hiroshi began, his gaze fixed on Nathan. "Allow me to be direct with you, Nathan. I'm here to inquire about your true intentions towards Jane. I don't want Jane to get hurt. Are you sincerely interested in her, or is this just a passing fancy?"

Mr. Hiroshi was aware of Nathan's previous feelings for Abigail and the difficulty of moving on from a heartbreak. He couldn't help but be worried that Nathan might merely be using Jane as a means to fill a void left by his past relationship.

At that moment, Nathan couldn't help but empathize with Mr. Hiroshi's concern. As a father himself, he understood the natural instinct to shield one's child from any potential pain or heartache.

He looked Mr. Hiroshi squarely in the eyes and began to speak earnestly, "I won't deny that there was a time when I loved Abigail deeply, and yes, there's still a lingering confusion in my heart. But, Mr. Hiroshi, one thing I can assure you is that I harbor no ill intentions toward Jane. I'm not using her as a means to fill a void or escape from the past. My desire to get to know her better and to build something meaningful with her is absolutely genuine."

Nathan's voice carried sincerity as he continued, "There's something about Jane that draws me in, something that goes beyond words. It's like an unspoken connection that I can't quite explain. I want to be there for her and to see where our journey together leads us. I understand your concern, and I want you to know that I genuinely care for her well-being."

Mr. Hiroshi made a concerted effort to mask his smile, determined to maintain a facade of seriousness. Deep inside, he couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment upon hearing Nathan's heartfelt words. He sensed the authenticity in Nathan's sentiments, which eased his concerns. 

Then, he arched his eyebrow, a glint of curiosity in his eyes. "Building something meaningful with her?" Mr. Hiroshi repeated, a touch of intrigue coloring his voice. 

"What precisely do you mean by that, Nathan? Are you actively pursuing a relationship with my eldest daughter? Is this a courtship in progress?" Despite his probing questions, Mr. Hiroshi managed to maintain his stoic poker face, leaving Nathan to provide further clarification.

Nathan found himself momentarily caught in a dilemma. The weight of Mr. Hiroshi's scrutiny pressed upon him, and he couldn't help but ponder whether revealing the truth might elicit a negative reaction from Jane's father. Nonetheless, he recognized the importance of transparency in this conversation. Mr. Hiroshi was seeking genuine answers, and Nathan felt obligated to provide them.

As he deliberated his response, Nathan understood the significance of this moment. Jane's father was conducting a thorough interrogation, and it was mandatory for Nathan to be completely forthcoming. Any half-truths or evasions could potentially lead to disappointment on Mr. Hiroshi's part.

With a deep breath, Nathan chose honesty as his guiding principle and began to speak, "Mr. Hiroshi, to be entirely frank… Jane and I have actually skipped the courting stage. We are already in a dating relationship."

Mr. Hiroshi: "..."

The pause that followed was evident, as Mr. Hiroshi struggled with the revelation. Nathan had just dropped the bomb. He didn't expect that the two already brought their relationship to that level. His youngest daughter was about to get married, and now, his eldest daughter had entered a romantic relationship! A swirl of emotions welled up within him, and he found himself momentarily speechless.

In that silence, Mr. Hiroshi couldn't help but entertain a touch of envy for the two men who had captured the hearts of his daughters. The complexity of emotions coursing through him was undeniable as he navigated this new chapter in his daughters' lives.

Mr. Hiroshi let out a deep sigh, his voice tinged with a hint of wistfulness as he spoke candidly to Nathan, "Sigh. It's striking, isn't it? My daughters have truly become adults now. I find myself wondering if they still need me. I've been absent from their lives for several years, and I've missed out on witnessing their growth. That is my single greatest regret in life."

As he confided in Nathan, Mr. Hiroshi's tone carried a mixture of nostalgia and remorse. He was grappling with the sense of loss that often accompanies the passage of time, particularly when it comes to the profound changes in the lives of his beloved daughters.

Nathan gently reached out and gave Mr. Hiroshi's shoulder a reassuring tap, his eyes filled with empathy as he sought to console the father who was wrestling with his emotions. "You know, Mr. Hiroshi, your daughters, Jane and Abigail, have always longed for the day they could reunite with you. They cherish the idea of having you back in their lives," Nathan said with sincerity, his voice soft and comforting.

He continued, "Please don't be disheartened. Dave and I aren't here to take your daughters away from you. We're here to complement the love and care they receive from their father. Our intentions are to build a future where all of us, you included, can play a meaningful role in their lives. Your presence and guidance as their father are invaluable, and they treasure it deeply."

Nathan's words were meant to alleviate Mr. Hiroshi's worries, assuring him that their intentions were rooted in love and a desire for unity rather than separation.

Mr. Hiroshi could only give him a grateful look in his eyes. Nathan managed to console him and feel at ease with his comforting words.

Unknown to Nathan and her father, Jane had been discreetly eavesdropping on their heartfelt conversation. Her lips curled into a warm, affectionate smile as she observed Nathan's compassionate efforts to comfort her father. Witnessing this soft side of Nathan filled her heart with admiration, and she couldn't help but feel a surge of pride.

At that moment, Jane quietly commended Nathan in her own thoughts, her voice barely a murmur, "Hmm. I'm going to have to reward him later. He's such a sweet-talker." She let out a soft giggle.

As she contemplated how to express her appreciation to Nathan, Jane's heart swelled with affection for the man who had not only captured her heart but had also endeared himself to her father through his genuine care and understanding.