A/U : Alright I know I am really late considering that i had promised AN EARLY chapter but well my laptop crashed and BAM all the files got deleted so had to re-Write all over again. Sorry for the delay. Anyhooww ENJOY !

CHAPTER 8- Reluctant Decisions

"okay so here goes…."

"Remember the time when your mom and dad had a heated argument over an issue right before their divorce Leese ? Your mother had become aware of the fact that Joe was working for a company and had been doing jobs which were not exactly… noble. By this I mean he was working for us Leese. Prior to that, he joined hands with my boss for a mission to wipe out the russian council 3 years back. The company promised that if he succeeded in his mission, they would allow him to retire and live a life far far away from all of this but unfortunately he failed. Their deal was broken and the consequence was suffered by Joe. He screwed over and got one of his collegues killed . Even if it wasn't exactly his mistake, he got blamed for it . None of the higher authorities figured out that the russian council had one of their men working for us who was supplying them with all the access codes and information due to which the Joe could not help but mess up the assignment. Since he did not live up to his part of the deal, he had to work for the company again but he tried hard Leese… infact very hard to keep you and your mother away from this side of him. He dedicated five long years of his life to finding out the culprit because of whom he failed to live up to his the spy was caught and it so turned out that he was one of the top managers of the company. This happened when I first joined this company Leese, I don't remember much if it but yes, I do remember that the higher authorites gave your father another chance. After having discussed the matter for 2 months they finally decided to let him retire with a huge sum of money, as his services to the company mattered a great deal to them. But that day, Joe clearly denied the offer. He wanted to work on more assignments, he wanted to gain back his position as the boss of the organsiation and so he did. I am working under him now Leese and if this makes you feel any better, your father is the best person to work with. His method of working has benifited the company in more than ways you can ever imagine. And now Leese, this mission on which he is currently working on invloves you and he is trying to protect you in every way possible."

Not getting a reaction from her throughout the whole one-way conversation, he glanced at her.

"Are you even listening to me Leese ? You better be because what I am about to tell you now is very important." Still not getting an answer he walked towards her and shook her by her shoulders.

"Answer me ,will you?"

Lisa could not register anything into her brain. She could not believe that her dad was just another man with no morals. He had murdered people just for money and that was the reason her mom had divorced him. She attempted to say something but she just couldn't. She floundered for words, something to express the shock that coursed through her, but nothing came. She was completely catatonic. She opened her mouth to speak but immediately snapped it shut. Then with a little more success she said something but it wasn't audible.

She just stared at him with her eyes wide. After taking a few deep breaths she finally spoke, "All this while I was under the impression that my mom had something to do with the divorce. I thought she was responsible for this and I hated her for that. I just spoke to her occasionally because of this. I dint even go meet her until my grandmother died and now… I realized that my dad is the one to blame. She never had anything to do with this. She was just trying to protect me and I chose him over her. I cant imagine what she must have gone through. "

"Lisa, you are partially right. But I wouldn't put it that way, I mean your dad left your mom because he loved her. He never wanted her or you to suffer because of him. He dint want you to stay with him as well since he knew that if he did anything wrong in future there was a chance that you might suffer. He tried very hard to hand you over to your mom but you just down-right refused Leese. I am not saying he dint want you to be with him Leese, he just did not want you to ever have any connection with him whatsoever just because he was thinking about you and your safety. He couldn't really change your decision and even now he never wanted to tell you about this because he knows how noble and caring you are towards other people. He knew you would be distraught after finding out that he had helped to muder many people in his whole career. He was also afraid that you might not want to talk to him ever."

" Well, he certainly is right. I am distraught after knowing this and yes I will not talk to him ever again. I DON'T WANT TO. I just want to forget that he was ever my has lost all the respect I ever had for him. I am disgusted at the fact that he actually thinks I will help him with this mission. I don't care if I am his daughter or we have a relation of some sort, I am NOT going to help you with this."

He had expected this sort of reaction from her. He knew that she was completely broken form the inside and was just trying to stay strong because she dint want anyone to see her in tears, especially not him. Her eyes were filled with tears but not one of them fell. She was removing all her anger and frustration by trying to fill her mind with hatred.

"I do not want to believe that my dad who pretended to be so caring and loving has anything to do with this. I dont want to believe that he is the one responsible for my situation right now. I dont want to believe that it is because of him that my mom is away from me and I don't even talk to her. Infact I don't know what to believe anymore."

"Lisa I don't know whether to comfort you or actually stuff this fact in you brain that your dad is fucking trying to protect you. You are not understanding his I failed the Keefe mission because of you, the company had issued an order for you to be executed on sight. It was your dad who convinced them to change their decision and despite all the risks, it was his decision to bring you here. You have no idea what he has done for you Leese. You should be grateful to him and here you are blaming him for everything that has happened in your life."

She abrupty stood up and came face to face with him. He could see the change in her behaviour. He could notice that her eyes, that were once filled with love and respect for her father now had feelings of hatred and antipathy for him.

" Right, so now I have to be grateful to him for saving my life? I am sorry I don't think that is possible for me to do that. He is murdering an entire family Jack. If the condition was for me to die and for Keefe's family to be safe I would have certainly chosen my death. What do you think he has achieved by saving my life ? Am I happy now ? Is everything ever going to be alright in my life after this? Will I even go back home alive after the whole mission is completed ?Will there be even one day on which I will not think about what happened to that innocent famly just because of me ? Huh? I don't think so . What garuntee do I have that you will not take revenge on me for messing up your mission ? How do I know I am safe when I am with you ? I don't and that's what he should be wo I will not forgive him for this. NEVER. You know it too Jackson,you are just not willing to admit it."

He could not believe her. His patience was wearing thin and he could no longer stand her was so damn adamant and stubborn. How can she not see that her father was just doing all this for her own good. Yes he agreed that his approach was wrong but he dint have any other choice anyway. Frankly he gave up after listening to her rant about Joe's so-called-mistake.

"You know what? He is coming here in 15 minutes so you can both talk out this issue. Dont hate on him without knowing the actual reason Leese. If I may say, you're the one to blame for your own position now. If you hadnt been engaged to Richard, I would have not brought you here at all. As a matter of fact you wouldn't have seen me every after the Red Eye. "

"How dare you ? Richard is a good man. He hasn't done anything wrong in his life. Maybe he has commited mistakes in the past but that's what PAST means isnt it ? He isnt wrong now and I trust him with all my have no right whatsoever to speak about him after being such a fucked human yourself."

After this wave of anger passed through her she could no longer take it. She proceeded to walk towards the door. Not taking any notice of Jackson, she attempted to yank the door open but he was just too fast. He swiftly crossed the distance and banged it shut.

"I am done with your crap here,let me go."

" You think I would let you go outside after what you just pulled up right now ? And even if I did , do you think you could make it out alive?I certainly don't think so but I don't get it, I mean how do you let your emotons take over you mind? Can't you think straight for once ? I guess thats the problem with you Leese, you either over analyse things or you don't at all. I mean your fucking extreams for god sake.

"I over analyse things ? Oh so its me at fault now? After everything that happened here, I thought I was the one who was forced into this. I never had a choice. Don't you think its completely normal for people like me to try and get away from creeps like you ? I am in this position here partly because of my dad and mostly because of you. After the red eye incident,Richard was the one who protected me, made me feel like everything can be alright in my life and it wont be as bad as how it was before. How can you- "

" You met him 7- 8 months much do you think you know him Leese ?

She stared at him silently not knowing what to answer. 'why Is he asking such a question?'

Looking at her stare blankly at him, he knew exactly what was going on in her mind. Yet,he asked her again."No I am asking you hasn't even been months since u've met him and you just decided to get married?i dint know it was so easy for that bastard to convince someone one like you with just looks and personality."

"I know him enough Jack. I don't need to give any reasons or explainations to you."

"How are you so sure that he is exactly how he pretends to be with you?

"I am not sure, I positive about it."

"How do you actually know that he is not involved in any crime? How much do you trust him Leese ?

" Do I need to repeat myself ? I trust him with my life Jack. Is that good enough for you?"

"I thought it was common sense to know almost everything about the person you are getting married to. Do you know anything about him? His past life? His work?"

"Yes , as a matter of fact I do believe in knowing about the person I am about to get married to. Well, he works for the government to catch criminals and assasins like you. His family was killed in a plane crash when he was 22 years old. He works with Keefe so I know he is definitely a good man."

"Well , seeing you so sure about him,let me enlighten you with some facts related to him then. Richard Peterson is not working for Keefe, he works with the Russians who tried to assasinate his family a long time before than we did. Even though he claims to be an Fbi agent in a case of to track out the company behind all these attacks, he himself is plotting a revenge on Keefe. Why ? Let me tell that to you as well. 10 – 12 years before your dad and Keefe were good friends. They were working with the russians to end the possiblility of an upcoming war between them. But however Keefe had his own selfish intentions of taking over as a president. That did not turn out well so he decieved the russians and framed your father. The owner of the russian organisation, Vladislav ALEKSEI blindly believed him due to some fake proofs and video footages which were a result of complete misunderstandings. So the guy you are getting married to is Vladislav's elder son. He is taking revenge for what happened with his dad. No one is aware of his identity except us Leese, and Vladislav cannot harm Joe because he is one of the best masterminds in our company and our company is comparitively stronger than theirs. All they had left was to target someone Joe loved very much. At first they targeted your mom but after knowing about this ,Joe divorced her for her own well-being and they hadtolet her go thinking she dint mean anything tohim anymore. And now its you Lisa. Richard's plan is to marry you and then use you as a bargaining point for the documents and papers we have about Keefe and his family. Don't you see it ? Everyone around here is fucking trying to protect you and you yourself are foiling these measures. So now you know why your dad always told you to stay away from him. You never even made an effort to listen to him even once Leese, you had go and be stubborn as always."

She dint how to react. Her body just shut down. She could not comprehend anything at that time. All his wordswere just floating in a free state in her mind. Her face went slack, mouth slightly open, body colour from her face had drained and she looked like she was staring wide-eyed at something which no one else could see. She felt herself freezing up to a point where she hardly feltlike breathing. Suddenly the shock melted down and everything returned slowly. His words, his explanations everything. The feeling was like a bombshell hitting down hard on her.

She caught hold of his collar and yelled staright at his face, "Stop with the false stories. I don't believe a fucking word you say you bastard. Don't try to defend my dad, his choices, his actions.. just DON'T. That will take you nowhere. You can't just make up anything and presume that I would believe you in an instant. If you thought that,I am sorry your mistaken. You are just wasting your time trying to make me believe what you want. That wont even happen in ages."

"When, Lisa have I ever lied to you ? When have I ever made any false stories to try and fool you, hmm ? Answer me. I do not underestimate you and so I wouldn't be so foolish myself to say some cooked up story and just expect you to believe me. And I,definitely would not have accused Richard of doing something so cheap if I wouldn't have gotten any proof. That son of a bitch is going to pay heavily for everything he did to you."

She let go of his collar and just took a step backwards, giving a sarcastic laugh.

" Oh so he is going to pay for making me fall in love with him ? He is going to pay for respecting me, protecting me and taking care of me? Or wait maybe because he made me feel so safe after such a long time ?Huh ?I never knew all those thing fall under the category of getting punished Jack. After everything I had been through, I felt that I could trust him with my life, I had this intution that he would not hurt me in anyway and so he dint."

"Did anyone ever tell you that your intutions and choices are pathetic when it comes to men."

"Unfortunately no one did. Maybe that's why I took up your offer in the airport. Had I known that you were nothing but a cold-blooded murderer, I would've ran the opposite direction. Infact anyone would I realized it a little later, after you threatened to kill an entire family and mine 's why I was so cautious even about Richard but when I got to know him, it was just perfect. So do not ruin it."

"Another HUGE mistake there. I am not surprised though. It's a little hard to keep track of all your mistakes lately."

"Looks like this is what you are trying to prove. I do not get it, what is your problem ? Is it that I trust him too much or is it that I do not give a flying fuck about what you say ?"

"It is a little of both Leese. That is exactly your problem. You are just too damn adamant on not seeing the truth when it is right infront of you. Why do you think Richard has not yet come to your rescue? Hasn't this thought ever occurred to you that maybe he does not care about you as much as you think he does?"

" Do not start this again Jack. You and I both know where this is going to end. Don't push your luck, as much as you are trying to manipulate me with your words, I am quite sensible not to believe anything what you say. Maybe I am not like the others who are mesmerized by you and your methods of persuasion. Consider me a different person. The faster you realize this, the better for me and you."

"Lisa Riesert, that is exactly what makes you my favourite target. Trust me, take some credit. You are nothing like anyone woman I've seen before and that is partialy a badthing because none of them piss me off as much as you do."

"I consider that as a compliment, I am proud of it."

He abruptly turned away and proceeded to walk towards the bed. He wanted to put a full-stop to it because if they started arguing it would definitely be a never ending one.

"Leese,this discussion is over and since I am in such a forgiving mood today I am not going to continue it further. Anyway apart from this, I wanted to inform you that your dad is coming here in sometime to meet you and then we'll be shifting to my place TODAY itself. I do not want you to create any fuss over it or you know that I am very well aware of ways to get my things done , the way I need It done and when I need it done. Have I made myself clear or not ?"

She slowly nodded after giving it a second thought on whether or not to create a mess was so firm on his words that she decided that it wasn't the time for any argument again. As far as meeting her dad was concerned, she did not even want to look at his face. Her connections with him were over. Against her better judgement of thinking her dad was not what Jackson potrayed him to be, she wondered if it was a wise decision to meet him once to clear out matters.

But then again, she let the anger of being kept in the dark take over and without even thinking she told Jackson,"I do not want to meet him. Can we leave to your house right now before he comes to meet me because if he is here I am pretty sure I am going to lose my head and I do not want that."

Jackson could not believe what he heard. 'Lisa does not want o meet her father whom she dearly loved ? Was she that upset by hoe everything had turned out because she wasn't among the ones who would take prompt decisions without thinking.'

" Do you know what you are talking about? Leese, instead of sorting out the matter , all you are doing is complicating it and I will not allow you to do this to Joe without even hearing what he has got to say about all of this."

" I don't get it. I need some time alright. Why don't you understand that? Why don't you respect my decision ever? I know that I may be wrong at this point of time but this is how I want it to be. Maybe I am overthinking or whatever but when I am saying I do not want to meet him, there is a reason for it. I know what I am doing. Are you going to respect that or not ?"

She questioned him straight on his face. Jackson thought it over. 'Maybe this is what she wants and even though it is wrong just this once he could side with her on this. He was very well aware of how she could be possibly feeling in such a situation and taking a decision to go alonw with him to his house over meeting her dad was indeed a tough choice she had decided to make. Anyway if she did not want to make any efforts to clear out matters, why should he interfere?

" Alright Leese since everything is packed already how about I just inform Joe that we have already left due to some circumstances ? You do not want to talk to him, I will not force you to do so. It has to be your decision so I am not going to interfere or try to convince you. Give me a mintue okay, let me call him up. You stay right here, I'll be back.

Lisa walked towards the window and stared at the houses again. ' I wonder if I have taken the right decision of going with him to his place.' She wasn't sure if she wanted to sort out the matters because considering the series of things which occurred in her life recently , she decided thatshe needed a change of environment even though if it was with Jackson whom she dint have even one percent trust on. She was still unsure. ' what if I regret going there? What excuse can I give myself then? But alteast I wont have anyone else to blame but me for it and hopefully this is the right thing I am doing .'

Jackson came into the room and stared at her. She was still standing there near the window staring at the distant houses. He did not want to waste any more time so he called out to her.

"Leese, are we ready to go ?"

" Hpmh.. not really, NO but I don't have any other choice so I guess that is your answer. Can we leave?"

" Are you sure this is what you want, because trust me I am not going to lie to you saying that your decision to stay there is better than the decision of sorting out matters, but since you are clearly hell bent on not talking to your dad you might as well be aware that one you go there, I don't know when you will be back. Its completely your choice. Are you ready for that?"

Lisa thought again. All the good memories with her dad came rushing in in her mind but then she reluctantly blocked it. ' The morei think, the more I am going to ruin it. I don't care, I have every right to not talk to him after what he did to me and mom.'

" When are we leaving?"

That was all she asked and Jackson knew what she wanted to say. He was sure that she was going to regeret her decision but he wanted her to realize the intensity of the situation herself. Walking silently to the door, he looked at her determined face. She did not have any intentions of backing down from her decision.

Finally looking at the room one last time to make sure everything was taken he said,

"Get ready for a new experience Leese. I hope you will have fun."