𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡

𝟓 | 𝐧𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬

"Are you going somewhere?" I asked a question addressed to my father. At the same time, I was thinking of ways to find out the details about my grandfather's planned visit without having to tell him I've been in the director's office.

Mrs. Green said she will inform him about today's inconvenience, but if he didn't know how stupid I was, then my chances of success would be higher.

As always, my father replied:

"I have to take care of something." The given answer didn't surprise me, but still, I wanted to know more.

"Is that all?" I asked, irritated. "Aren't you gonna tell me anything else?" I leaned against the doorframe, my forehead furrowed. My father was packing his things in a travel bag laid on the couch with me watching him. Weapons. Lots of weapons.

"I have nothing to tell you," he said calmly. "It's all you need to know. The rest is not your business." I rolled my eyes and didn't even try to hide it.

"Why am I even asking..." It was always like that, and I was getting tired of it. I'm his daughter, damn it! Why was he keeping so many secrets from me? "Can you at least tell me how long you'll be gone?"

"If I knew, I'd tell you," he said irritably, stroking the fine beard with his hands.

I looked at my phone's display. Apart from father's sudden departure, there was one more thing that bothered me. Maybe he knows something...

"Do you know where mom is? She's not picking up her phone and she should have been here a long time ago... Father?" I said cautiously, watching Lucifer swallow dryly. "Something happened?"

"She called to tell you she won't be able to make it tonight," he replied, sounding like a complete stranger. Then he tossed his cell phone into the bag and zipped it as I bounced off the wall with my feet.

"That's bullshit!" I protested, shaking my head. "Last night, she sent me a text message saying it's 100% on and she was very happy to meet me." Father clenched his jaw. It seemed kind of...weird to me.

"Something came in her way," he said, shrugging. A heavy sigh escaped my mouth. Looks like I won't get any more information out of him.

I've decided to take things into my own hands. From the hanger in the hall, I took a black jacket, along with the keys.

"Where are you going?" This time, father was the one asking.

"To her place," I said. "Find out, what's so important that she had to cancel the plans with her only daughter," I explained, getting even angrier every second that has passed. My father stopped me, and I immediately got déjà vu. Shits are about to go down, I could tell.

"Sit down," he commanded with terrifying calmness, "you're not going anywhere."

"You can't forbid me to meet my own mother," I snorted mockingly, getting more and more vivid illusions from the night Clark's have been killed. There's no way things will end up the same. Or worse. This time I'm going to do something. No one will die today.

"I can," he muttered. "So go to your room and study."

"It's Friday," I said as this pointless information could change his mind. Nothing could.

"I DON'T CARE what day it is," father snapped. "Don't object and do what I tell you. I don't want to see you stick one foot out of this house, understand?" he said with a raised voice. "I want to make sure you don't do anything you might regret later. Not like last time." The blood in my veins froze. "Yes, Ria, I know you listened to my and Clark's conversation. If you think hiding on the stairs was wise, I must deny it to you. That's why I'm calling someone here today." My face's reaction was the same as if someone has slapped me.

"You mean like...a babysitter?" I asked in a shock. "You're kidding, aren't you?"

"Do I look like it?" He really didn't seem to have the time or a desire for joking. My own father won't let me see my mom, and I can't do shit about it? This is nonsense!

At that moment, I wished I could be a small child again. Everything was easier then. If I didn't like something, I started crying. Can you imagine the fun my father would have if I started shedding crocodile tears in front of him now?

A dangerous restlessness inside of me began to build up. How else should I deal with this stupid situation, if not by arguing or shouting?

"I doubt you'll find someone who would be interested in spending Friday night guarding an eighteen-year-old girl," I said through gritted teeth, trying to keep my temper in balance. I had to prove to my father that I am an adult, and I can resolve disagreements in an adultery way. Like with a school fistfight, right? I contradicted myself.

Father raised his right eyebrow. I was sure he took my words as a challenge. A smile appeared on his lips.

"I'll get someone," he assured me.

"Someone?" I repeated. I knew my father's acquaintances well. None of them was a saint. "Which of your mafia friends will get the honor?" A long list of cold-blooded killers appeared in my head. "Daniel? Alfie? Leo?" With the last name, the corners of my father's mouth widened.

"He should be free today," father thought out loud. Doesn't he understand what I was trying to say with my statement or is he just playing stupid?!

"You wouldn't do that!" I blurted out as my cheeks were red with anger and blood hot like boiling water.

"You probably still have no idea what I'm capable of," he said, victory flashing in his eyes.