Featuring Walid only (he's a dad🥰)

Mama I'm chasing a ghost, do I look like him?

I felt my smile widen as Ahmad played the piano effortlessly. The audience was quiet. Attentive. My son was a genius.

At fifteen, he was doing more with his life than I had ever done. I was proud, more than proud actually.

"You did great, honey. Your music sounded so good!" I gushed as he rushed into my arms as the concert ended.

"What did dad think?"

I blinked at his question and my smile dropped. The first thing out of his mouth and he's asking about his father.

I wanted to roll my eyes but pointed to Walid. He was busy on his phone. Business as usual. I cleared my throat to get his attention.

He stood up in his Tom Ford suit. Ever since his business went viral ten years ago, he had changed. From street hustler to businessman.

Ahmad smiled showcasing his braces, "How'd I do?"

He wanted praise. I prayed that Walid would give it to him.

Walid kept his face stoic. He fixed Ahmad's tie, "Your tie is crooked."

Ahmad's face fell as he dad brushed lint off his small shoulders. I could see the light dim from his eyes.

I placed a warm hand on Ahmad's shoulder, trying to ease his disappointment.

"Do you want to celebrate your winter concert?" I asked keeping my eyes on him.

He looked at his father, "Can you come with us to get dinner? We can go to that diner you and mom love."

Walid's jaw ticked, "I can't. I have to attend a meeting."

"At eight in the evening?" I questioned.

Walid's brown eyes glided to mine, "Yes."

I tugged Ahmad towards me, "Okay. Ahmad, let's go. Say goodnight to your dad."

Walid watched as I tugged our son towards the concert hall doors. Internally, I wanted to cry for my son. His father was an asshole and emotionally unavailable.

•••

Ahmad stirred the straw in his milkshake. His fries sat barely touched. My heart ached at the sight.

"I'm sorry about your father, sweetie." My voice was strong and heavy. It had to be for him.

"Why does he hate me so much?" He questioned with teary eyes.

"He doesn't hate you."

I looked at my son crumble in front of me. His light skin matched his father's. His curly hair sat in a neat ponytail, just like how his father wore his hair to the office.

"Why did you pick him? Does he even want to be my father?"

"I-"

He cut me off, "Can we just go?"

•••

I waited for the front door to creak open. Walid stepped into our foyer shrugging off his coat. It was covered in snow flakes.

"Fucking bastard." I cussed following him into his study.

Walid ignored my outburst reaching for his bottle of whiskey.

"What is it now, Y/N?"

"For once can you not be like this?" I snatched the glass from his hands and set it on his desk with a slam.

Walid sighed finally looking at me, "He'll learn."

"Learn what? To be emotionally tormented by his father?" I pushed his chiseled chest.

A flicker of anger crossed his face as he grabbed my wrist gently, "Ahmad is soft. I'm building him up. He's a people pleaser."

I gasped, "He's sensitive and empathetic. He's a gentle soul and that's okay!"

Walid rolled his eyes, "This is what I'm talking about. Grow up, Y/N."

"How could you say that? Do you know why Ahmad is like that? Because he's looking for approval from you? Every day he asks about you, what you think. He dresses like you, his hair is always like yours." I could hear my voice raise an octave.

I continued staring at my husband, "He's chasing a ghost with you...trying to be you. And he keeps failing because he cannot live up to your impossible expectations."

Walid's hard exterior finally broke when the tears fell down my cheeks.

"I'm tired of watching him be disappointed. I'm tired of seeing him cry behind closed doors. He's miserable. Be a father, you only have one chance."

"What do you want me to do, Y/N. I swear I'll do it?" He whispered wiping my pain away.

"Go apologize to him for starters."

He nodded and for the first time I could see him crack a smile.

"I'll go now. Is he still up?" Walid asked looking at the time.

I nodded, "He's probably writing his next piece of music. He's such a perfectionist. Just like you."

Walid was silent as he kissed my lips. I felt myself melt into him. This was who I married, not some hardcore incompetent man.

"Wait up for me?"

I blushed as he rubbed my backside, "I'll be in our room. Now go."

"I promise I'll do better, love."

Authors Note:

In honor of Like Him by Tyler the Creator

I haven't updated in months and it feels good. Enjoy!

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