Angelica

I finished my dinner in silence. There was no one to speak or disturb me with questions about my school and studies. It was an austerity that I wished since my first advent to this mansion. Yet the solicitude doesn’t feel welcoming anymore. Suddenly the house felt empty and deserted. The cooks and the serving staff would leave the house ones the dinner was laid on the table. As a result I was the only one left in this huge mansion completely alone and abandoned.

I waited for Robert to come home but there was no trace of him even after past mid night. My optics felt drowsy and with the passage of time my eyelids close automatically. Resting on the sofa of the drawing hall, I woke up next morning with the chirping of birds outside the window just beside the comforter I was sleeping.

I rubbed my eyes to get rid of the remaining sleep and got ready to go to school. But immediately my brain started questioning. Who will drop me at the school? As I was finishing my last quarter of the breakfast in utter seclusion the door bell rang and a driver stepped in. He was instructed to be my personal bodyguard and also my driver for the school by Robert.

My eyes started to well tears ones I discern my dad’s concern towards me and my outburst over him yesterday night but I brushed away the crazy feeling swiftly. He was just acting well and I am not foolish like my mom to fall for his ways. I begin to chant the same mantra to put my kernel at ease and placed my lunch in the back pack to get into the car with no emotions at bay.

********

Two more days pass by after dad’s absence from home. Today is my birthday and as per my wish there was not even a trace of him in the house. I wait for him the whole day and ask my driver to take me to him but he whisks my words away saying my dad was out of station.

Days turn to weeks with no trace of ‘him’. It has been a mere drill to get up in the morning, get ready, have breakfast and go to school. In the evenings I would finish my homework, have dinner, take bath, brush my teeth and go to bed. The maids and cooks spoke to me only when I ask them for something exactly how I wanted it to be but strangely I am not feeling happy with it. I miss my dad so much.

Now the only thing that I want is to confront him. Why did he leave me and mom to die in our own hell hole when he loves us so much?

It was Friday night and also the weekend night. I finished my homework early so that I could have time to watch my favourite movie ‘Cinderella’. I was half way done viewing the movie when I could hear the entrance door screech open and in walked my dad wobbling over to the sofa on the porch. I came out of my bedroom and immediately climbed down the stairs to reach him. His eyes catch me immediately and tries to stabilise himself on his walk.

Why is he not able to walk properly? Is he injured somewhere?

I walk swiftly to him so that he doesn’t fall. He tries to walk normal but fails miserably. I go near to hold him and I could stench the stinking smell of alcohol. He struggles to speak natural, trying hard not to give me his drunken view. “Princess, go to your room and rest. You are not supposed to see me like this.” He states but I did not miss the glint of contrition on his face. “I will be fine by tomorrow morning.” He tries to assure me by dismissing off at the easiest possible way.

I look at him into the eye with welled tears peering at his disabled state. He gives me a sorry look. Raising his hand he tries to wipe away my tears when I hear the opening of the front door again. Both of us look to our sides and what I saw gave me a full blown shock.

I could see a scantily dressed woman entering inside the house. She was a blonde and had a short red dress hardly covering her body. Her make-up was overdone and she had cherry red lipstick on her lips. “Lily...” My dad looks at her in disbelief. She waddles in her steps towards dad but he pushes her away immediately. “I told you a thousand times not to get inside the house. My daughter is now residing here.” He speaks to her firmly trying to get rid of his drunkenness. “But Robert...” She reaches him tracing his upper arm with her long fingers but he pushes it away clearly showing his annoyance. Before she speaks further he admonishes. “Get out and remember always. This house is now out of bounds for you forever.”

She gives me her dirtiest glare and speaks to him in a pique. “You slept with me all this while and now you are ignoring me because of this little mutt. I will see to it that this bijou hound gets out of this house very soon.” She screams with her big boobs plunging out of her neckline. I stare at my dad in dubiety. Was this all he was doing staying away from the house.

Angelica

The moment Lily cursed me dad’s countenance became red with rage. Without saying a word he took the phone out of his pocket with his staggering hands and called the security while she was blabbering her way out. In a matter of few seconds the security took over the charge and she was dragged out of the house. After her whole drama calmed down dad shambled himself to the stairs and reached his bedroom to drop on the bed.

I looked at the resting form of my dad standing at the entrance of his bedroom. This time I did not bate looking at him. I understood that he loved me and he is my dad, the only person in this world upon whom I can have my back. I didn’t like to see him helpless and immobile. I always saw him to be very strong, energetic and a powerful person. He is the superman of my life, just like the superman in the movie ‘Superman returns’ who can freeze the hell and make the impossible happen. I missed him so much during the time he wasn’t there with me.

A few minutes later, I went back to my room. I changed into a comfortable night wear and rested on the bed to have a good night’s sleep. I rolled inside the covers for a few more minutes but every time my eyes felt drowsy, I dreamt the defenceless picture of my dad struggle a midst of dangerous people. Never am I going to let my dad lose the battle. I will stand by his side to protect and save him. I am not always going to be small. My hands and legs will one day grow big and strong and I am going to save my dad from whichever threat that befalls on him.

I move out of the covers and go to my dad’s bedroom to doze. I sleep beside him and lay my head on his chest but couldn’t drowse because of the stench of alcohol oozing from his body. I try to get rid of the irritable feeling and snuggle deeper to him. He moves his hand to my back and kisses my head to mumble “my little princess.”

I raise my head from his chest and look at his profile to find out he was awake. Meeting his eyes I pout clutching my nose with my fingers “dad, you smell alcohol.” He freezes ones I call him endearingly and immediately takes care of my requirement. Dragging himself out of the bed the shower starts to work in the bathroom instantaneously. After a while I see him neatly dressed in a sweat shirt and pant. He lies down beside me to pull me closer and mutters “now sleep my little princess.”

I inhale deeply to smell his refreshing sandalwood scent and close my eyes with a satisfied smile on my face.

********

Rubbing my eyes I get rid of the sleep and squat on the bed to look at my dad fully dressed and all set to go to work. He was standing in front of the dressing table making his tie. “Good morning Princess.” He beams looking at me the moment I am awake. My dad had the best smile in the world. His eyes were forest green always covered with spectacles. His perfect black hair was invariably gelled and combed to perfection with a few strands of grey here and there. I could see the platinum wedding ring adorning his ring finger while he picked up his Rolex watch from the table nearby. Mom had a similar ring. In spite of living away both of them still held their wedding bands which was a symbol of their undying love for each other.

I greet my dad back and ask him the one question which kept bothering me all night. “Dad! who was the woman in our house behaving like a wife to you? Are you married to her after you and mom got separated? She looked bad and evil just like witch in the Cinderella movie.” I give him my distasteful face clearly showing him my repugnance. He turned back to look at me with guilt embracing his features. He sits beside me and cups my cheeks with his big warm hands. With an assurance in his voice he speaks to me “Princess that was the last time you saw her in our house. Daddy says sorry to you for everything that happened yesterday night.”

I hug him tight with my arms wrapped around him. “Daddy, why did you leave me and go all of a sudden? I am sorry. I behaved like a bad girl and hurt you so much. But mom says if I say sorry I will be forgiven.” I slowly raise my head to look at him with expectancy. He smiles looking at me. His large fingers gently wipe away my tears. “Daddy forgives you princess but on that day daddy felt very sad. I love both of you so much princess. I did not betray you and your mom like you thought. But your mom wanted to stay away from me and I desired to fulfil every wish of hers. That is why I stayed away from both of you which broke my heart into pieces every time I thought of you.”

I look into his eyes welling tears and my lips slowly turn downwards. “I don’t want to see you drunk anymore daddy. It scares me so much to see you talk and move in the house like a disabled.” I shake my head in affliction and burst into tears which couldn’t be controlled anymore. He quickly lifts me off the bed and places me on his lap. Hugging me tight he whispers “daddy will never drink and will behave well. It’s his promise to you.” I lift my head out of his chest. Looking into his eyes I lift my little finger “Pinky promise?” He smiles gazing lovingly at me and attaches his little finger to mine “Yes pinky promise.”

Robert

My heart broke into pieces with my daughter’s confession. She loathes me with passion. I am a failure in every relation of my life. My wife left me because I lied to her about my businesses. My parents did not want me as I betrayed their wishes on marrying Margaret. I had no one in this world. Nipping out of my mansion, I lighted a cigarette and allowed the smoke to pass into my system. I took the phone from my pocket and dialled the number which would instantly rid me of the pressure. “I am coming. Be ready in your most sexy wear.”

I drove my Rolls Royce straight to the ‘night queen club’. It was one of the oldest clubs that I owned right since the time I took over my dad’s mafia business. Drugs were freely traded here and many war weapons were smuggled candidly. The club was always unfurled with slappers at every place you have your vision. It was the hub for all my underworld activities.

Lily worked as a stripper here and she was my first fling when my marriage broke with Margaret. She gave me the physical gratification I required and relaxed my senses. Since then I became a man whore. Every day a new girl warmed my bed. I expected nothing from them except to satisfy my physical needs and no strings attached. With the jilt from my daughter I returned back to the place I was before doing meaningless sex.

I went straight to the bar and ordered a bottle of Bacardi 151. It is one of the strongest alcoholic rum available in the world. After a few drinks I began to feel light. Lily came to me after a while swaying her perfectly shaped hips. She was wearing a bright red short lacy frock which hugged her body almost like a second skin. The lacy material on her bust area hardly covered her breasts with her assets plunging out of her neckline.

Exhaling the smoke coming between my lips I kissed her alluring lips covered in the cherry red lipstick and took the sip of the drink resting in my hand. She pulled me out of the bar area to one of the executive suites in the second floor of the club. Sitting in one of the comforters of the opulent room I put my cigarette between her lips as my hands worked on her alluring bristols. I took a sip of the alcohol and attached the glass to her lips as I begin to nip on her southern private area. After a while both of us were pulsating satisfied on the bed.

Days scrolled into weeks and weeks to months. During the day I worked on my businesses and at the night I abused sex but would never miss the track concerning my beloved princess. I appointed a driver for her and took care of her necessities starting from a drop. I was reported everyday by my staff concerning everything about her from what she ate for today’s breakfast to the colour of the pillow on which she slept in the night. No matter what my daughter stamps me for, I will always be her caring dad ready to satisfy every wish of hers on her beck and call.

It was Friday and almost midnight. By now my princess will be fast asleep and so I can silently finish my work and get out of the house. I needed to collect some documents required for my business. My daughter did not want to see me. The thought devastated me but I cannot stop loving her. If I need to stay away from her to make her happy then I will do it with my entire acceptance. Hell I am ready to jump into the ocean and die for her if that makes her happy.

I was not in a position to drive my car. I had no plan to go home so I sent my driver away. It was midnight and it unprofessional to call him back so I asked Lily to drive me home to finish my work. I told her to stay outside the house. I did not want any slut to enter my abode especially when my daughter is staying there. I wanted the place to stay sacred but what I saw before my eyes completely paralyzed my state.

My daughter saw everything but to my surprise I found her different. She was loving and tender towards me. Unlike earlier she was concerned about my health and well being just like the daughter that I always wished to have. The next day I promised her that I will be a changed man, a doting father that she wanted me to be. I am now blessed with all riches in the world. I won my daughter’s everlasting affection for me.

Few months later....

It is Thursday morning. I am yet to go to office today as I am still in the kitchen making my daughter’s favourite chocolate cookies. Yesterday my daughter came to my lap when we were having dinner and asked me to feed her. She has sometimes these weird yearnings. I smile at her in affection and started feeding her the chicken nuggets with spaghetti noodles that rested in my plate while I continue to feed myself. After she finished her dinner she did not go to her bed as her usual but leaned to my chest resting her head on my shoulder. I gently ran my hand on her back and asked her what she desired. “Daddy tomorrow is my class picnic. We are going to Keuka Lake. Everybody brings their favourite dish and I want to bring Chocolate cookies. Please can you bake some for me? My daughter asks giving me the surmise of her big blue eyes innocently looking at me. There was no way that I am going to turn down my little princess’s wishes, anything for her. And so here I am in front of the oven baking cookies for my little mistletoe her favourite chocolate cookies. I cherish my new life. Though I miss Margaret, my daughter has a significant role in healing my past wounds without even knowing about it.

My parents decided to call off their disownment for me. Now they are frequent visitors to our house. They spoil my daughter rotten agreeing to her every wish. Not that I am running on a different path. My little princess has a charisma of reining everyone’s heart. The way she giggles pushing her little hands to her lips when she is caught doing something naughty, or it is the time her eyes twinkle when she sees something interesting. She is cute, mischievous and a whole amount of work for me to deal with 24/7. She brings in me the light which I thought I long lost in my life.

Now I am a relived man with a caring daughter and a loving family.

Two years later....

I was holding a meeting in the office briefing everything to Carson who is my right hand and the other members of our gang. My new project is hacking the accounts of Sunrise industries, nullify all their bank accounts and bring them to paupers looking for a begging bowl.

Xavier Martin the CEO of Sunrise industries is my biggest enemy in the world. Xavier and his parents had been family friends to Margaret's family for last many years. He was the person who was responsible in breaking our happy marriage. He put his detectives behind me, collected data about all my illegal activities and directed Margaret in dissolving our marriage. He not only shattered our lives but also shambled the life of our little princess in pushing her to a broken family.

Angel's class teacher called reporting her sick while I was working in my office looking at the files of Sunrise Industries. Panic struck my system as I receive the message. I immediately ran to the parking lot and fled my vehicle to reach my sick daughter. I called our family doctor on the way and instructed him to be at home while I bring my kid.

I was not going to office as I wish to attend my ailing daughter. There was a lot of labour which required my detailed supervision. So I had to take care of the tasks functioning from home. Working on the study table across my bed it was past mid night when I hear the shuffling of the door knob. My anxiety flared expeditiously. Peeling out of the chair I reach the door briskly.

My daughter enters the room covered in a light pink sweater. Her nose was turning red because of excessive sneezing. Below her eyes were traces of dried tears and her chestnut hair was a mess. Rubbing her eyes with her hands in little fists, "daddy" she cries. My stance tore to fragments in a fleet. I bring her closer hugging her to me. "I cannot breathe, daddy." Her hands wrap around my waist while her head rests of my middle. Putting my palm on her forehead I check upon her temperature.

I cautiously lift her into my arms and rest her head on my shoulder. Her hands instantly encircle my neck. "Baby, don't cry." I coo to her softly kissing her wet cheeks. "Daddy will take care of everything." I console her rubbing my hand on her back to ease her wheezing. She sneezes ones again spitting all over my shirt. Picking a handkerchief from the cupboard I clean her nose and bring out a red liquid from the drawer which smelled like strawberries. Had it been any other person in the world I would have taught him a lesson before he blinks but for my princess I don't disgust even to clean her snot.

For the world outside, I am a dangerous don who doesn't hesitate to kill people within a glimpse of a second. But for my daughter I am as soft as a teddy bear. At times I transform to a super man who can drive away the demons under her bed at night. Sometimes I would to be her friend to listen to her princess fantasies. When she grows older I will be her shield to protect her from all the Casanovas of the world. My daughter is never going date. It sometimes frightens me that she is growing older and one day a handsome prince will take her away from me.

Administering the medicine in her system I pat her back softly taking rounds in my bedroom clasping her to my warm body. I sing to her softly lulling her. After sometime her hold loosens around my neck and I sense her to had fallen asleep. Placing her on my bed gingerly I slip out of my shirt making use of a new one and slide beside my little daughter to pull her to my warm chest covering us in a blanket.

Few days later....

My daughter finished her exams and I was informed by her class teacher to visit her school for a PTA. Clutching her grade sheet in my hands I was extremely happy. My princess excelled in all the subjects. Holding an unrestrained smile on my face, I walk towards the school playground where my daughter was playing with her best friend Sasha.

It was raining heavily since last few days and the school ground was covered with small pools of mud water here and there. I caught the glimpse of my daughter from a distance while my feet moved to her swiftly. She was playing while jumping into a sludge holding a lollipop in her hands while her friend watched clapping hands at her achievement. I see my daughter's big blue eyes twinkling bright as she does her naughty little thing. Her uniform had patches of mud in every place while her long curled ponytails had speckles of dirt all over. Oh she is having a lot of fun doing mischief up my sleeve.

Jumping continuously into the pit her leg twists as she falls down into the slush with a thud and instantly begins to cry. "Ouch" I shout but before my voice reaches my ears I hear another soft shout. Two teenage boys smoking cigarettes were inclined to their bikes observing the girls. One of them throws down his cigarette and immediately rushes to my daughter to lift her up. He brings her into his arms saying soft words into her ears. Grabbing a sucker from his pant pocket he hands it to her. My little girl's teary eyes sparkle in happiness looking at the candy as she stops crying abruptly.

I walk to the place hastily in dread. Plucking away the sucker from my daughter's hands I threw it in a trash can. She begins to cry instantly. I grab her from the young man's arms. I peck her chubby cheeks holding her and tell her. "Princess, daddy will get you a big box of lollipops once we get home but before that you will promise me one thing. You will never accept gifts from strangers. Will you do that for your daddy? She looks at me for a second with her tearing eyes and then nods her head. I push a few tendrils of her hair behind her ear and peck her cheeks ones again.

A few moments later of assessing my daughter in my arms I take a note of the young man standing in front me. I warn him in angry words. "Hey man, my daughter is too young to enter into your teenage bullshit. Stay away from her or else I will chase you like a wild boar and rip the flesh out of your bones." He looks at me miffed but doesn't hesitate to reply. "Sir have respect while you speak to others. I am not a paedophile to run after young girls. She fell down into slush and I was just helping her out of it." Caring two hoods about his resent I glare challenging him to speak further. He looks at me in affliction but before he was about to speak his friend beats to it. "Sorry Sir, I will take care of this." He says and pulls his friend away.

Bloody hubristic juvenile.

While the boys were a few feet away l heard one of them speak to the other. "Augustus, from where did you get the candy for that little girl? I thought you only had cigarettes in your pocket." Augustus shrugs and smiles at his friend. "I bought it for my little sister but felt that blue eyes girl required it more."

Thank god! They weren't thinking of kidnapping my princess.