Desire

(23) Park

"And then the puppy picked up all the ice cream." Kimberly giggled. "It was all over his nose."

"Puppies are adorable." Dale smiled at his daughter. She was telling him about a show she had been watching while he was at work. He had not long got home and it was still light out so Dale offered a walk in the park to which Kim gratefully accepted.

They were working around the fountain where lots of birds sat, attempting to get a drink of the running water. "Daddy... could I-"

"You want ice cream?" Dale smirked, already knowing what his daughter wanted. "I'll go get you some."

"Could I possibly wait here? I like watching the birdies." She knew her father never liked leaving her alone, but it was sunny out and in a very open area. Nothing could happen.

Dale looked around and let out a strained sigh. "Fine. But only because it's a five minute walk away. Don't speak to anyone, okay?"

"Of course." She smiled and took a few steps back, allowing herself to fall on a park perch. Her father flashed one last smile before he hurried off to the ice cream truck that was always parked in the same spot at the entrance of the park.
—
"And Mr. Peplo made thirteen sales today, that's one of the highest we've had in the last month." Robert and his son were sat in his home office discussing the work ethic of the day.

"I still thinks he smells like cheese and tobacco." Caiden wasn't paying attention much to the conversation, instead his eyes were glued to his phone.

"Well-"

"I'll be back." He hurried to stand from his chair to his feet. Before Robert could even process a thing Caiden was out of the home and into his car, a large smile on his face as he continued to watch his phone.

It showed a small red dot on a map. That red dot was at the park, and the red dot was indeed Kimberly.

While she was staying at the Mitchell household, Caiden decided he needed something else, a different way to keep close to her. So that's what he did. He purchased a tracker the size of an ant and he knew exactly where to place it.

Caiden took careful steps down the hallway just outside the door to Kimberly's room. His hand gripped the handle and slowly turned, allowing a small bit of light into the room, accidentally shining across her face. Beautiful. He left the door open a crack so he could see what he was doing, but not wide enough that the light would wake her.

Kimberly wore a locket around her neck every day, she showed Caiden the inside after he noticed the gold, heart shaped jewellery. "My daddy for it for me. It has a photo of my mum in it." She spoke proudly, opening the little charm and showing a very small photo of her mother smiling.

He hoped and praised that she didn't sleep with it on, he even warned her that it could be dangerous to sleep with such jewellery around her neck in hopes she'd take it off at night. And to his luck, she did. It sat on the small table besides the bed, perfect for him to grab.

Caiden had a small pair of tweezers in his pocket which he used to lift up the dainty photo so he could play the tracker inside. It fit perfectly. No one would ever know there was a small tracker inside.

Caiden sped through the streets so he'd get to the girl in time, skidding his car to a halt as he saw the fountain, and Kimberly on a bench near by. Dale was walking away, giving the perfect opportunity for Caiden to get the girl alone.

Once the older man disappeared behind the bushes Caiden took his chance. He quickly hopped out of the car and jogged into the park, but soon slowed down once he got close enough for Kimberly to see him. He decided to play it cool, as if he didn't see Kimberly, and wait for her to speak to him.

He slowly walked past her, right in front of her gaze, only six feet apart. But did she notice him? No.

He furrowed his brows. How did she not notice me? He then decided to walk around the fountain and try again. But she once again didn't notice.

He tried one more time but the frustration grew. He decided he'd have to make the first move this time. "Kimberly! What're you doing here?" He faked his shock. "Where's your father?"

"Oh, hi Caiden! My Dad is getting us ice cream." She smiled happily. "How're you here?"

Caiden froze. I didn't think this far. "Well I had a stressful day at work and thought I'd uh... get some air."

"But you have a huge garden." She titled her head to the side in curiosity.

"Yeah... but my father would only annoy me." He made his another lie. "Enough about me. How long have you been here alone? Do you want me to stay?"

"No thanks. I like that he trusted to leave me alone." She shot him down quickly. "You can get on with your walks it's fine."

Caiden went silent. Did she just just me down?" "Oh... okay. Well I guess I'll see you soon."

"Bye bye." Her smile didn't leave her face, showing she wasn't trying to be mean but simply spoke her mind.

He crushed slightly to her sight on the bench and took her face in his right hand. "bientôt tu seras ma princesse." He smirked.

"ce n'est pas agréable de traiter une fille comme un objet." She placed a finger on his nose and pushed him away. "je choisis mon propre prince."

Caiden stood up straight and scratched the back of his neck. "You know french, huh?"

"I have a lot of time in my hands." She shrugged.

"Well... I'll see you soon. Goodbye." You stupid fool.