A Villain's Story

Chapter 4: Bonding Time

~Chloe's P. O. V.~

I leaned back and waited for my dad. It's so weird. I know it wasn't his fault. It wasn't mom's either. I am sure she had her reasons for not saying anything. I mean, if I were just a bar tender, I wouldn't have. The headlines would have been scary enough. 'Girl Gives Birth to Balinor's Next Heir.' Ugh. I can already feel a headache coming on. I looked around this room. It was really pretty. There was a huge television in front of me. The paint on the walls was a light gray. The couches and chairs were leather and black. The tables were glass tables and the floor was made of, I think, granite. It had a very modern feel to it. He is right, though. Even if I wasn't kept a secret from him, this is where I should have been. I didn't want to do this with him. No, I wanted to get to know my dad before I might lose him again.

He was drying his hair and wearing civilian clothing when he came in. "Sorry that took so long."

I shook my head. Patting the seat next to me. "Dad? I don't want to do this without knowing who my dad is. We just found each other. I don't want to lose you because of a dangerous situation."

He smiled a little and sat next to me. "It makes me happy hearing you call me that. What would you like to know?"

I pulled my legs up to my chest. "I don't know. What was mom like?"

He sighed and looked at the t.v. "She was very beautiful. Spunky. Hard to catch off guard. She always had this thing where she would lean on a wall. Sound familiar?"

I lightly laughed at that. "I guess so."

"She always had a smile on her face. But when she didn't, she got scary. Her ability was telekenisis. She would lift a drunk out of the bar and threw them into the park's fountain. She did that to me more than once." I was kind of cool hearing about mom like this. "I didn't pursue her, though. She and I met at a different bar, things got heated and then, you happened."

I laughed again and shook my head. "She sounded amazing."

He pulled me closer to him. "She was. Just like you. But she was part of a world I couldn't be in. We had our one night and went our separate ways. You look so like your mother. I am sorry that you didn't get to know her."

I shook my head. "That's okay. At least, I can know you."

He got up and handed me a photo album. Who uses printed out pictures these days? "This is our family, Chloe." I took it and opened the book. It was dated back to the 17th century. "That there is your ancestor Helina." She was really pretty. I continued through the book. Until I got to my grandparents. "My mom and dad. Victor and Janice." Those are very old-fashioned names. I finally got to where he was. "Ah. Back in my younger years."

"You look so dorky." I giggled.

He lightly pat my head. "That was when I got my first hero job. It wasn't easy." I loved looking at them. My family. I traced grandma's face. "She would be so upset to know what you went through."

I was saddened that I didn't know them either. "What happened to Grandma and Grandpa?"

He shook his head. "My father came down with a bad illness. It was worse than the plague." He took the book from me. "Worse than Cancer." He pulled out the photo of grandpa. "My mother, she became depressed and eventually took her own life to join him in death." I felt bad for asking. "I bet that if they were alive now, they would spoil you to the core." We laughed together at that.

I leaned against him. "I wish I grew up with you and mom. I wish that I had you in my life."

He rubbed my arm. "I know, honey. I am very proud of you. Yes, you are in fact a villain. But you did it to live. Not out of pettiness. You survived. A fighter. Just like your mom."

I closed my eyes. "Thanks, daddy. I only had Timber with me." My heart sank. I missed my dog.

"We will avenge him, sweetheart. Animal abuse doesn't sit well with me." He clicked his tongue. "After all," A few barking noises came down the hall. "I own dogs too."

They were massive. "Great Danes." The three of them sniffed me and started to lick me. I was laughing and their excitement. "Easy, there." I get my love of animals from him. That's awesome.

"The one licking your face is Belle. The one wagging his tail is Hades. And the third one trying to climb on you is Gerdy. She's a sweet old lady." He got up and moved them off me. I was laughing and wiping their drool off.

"Their beautiful dad." Hades suddenly started growling. He turned his attention to the door. My heart stopped.

"So, this is where you took her, eh?" It was the leader of the Hellhound Syndicate. "Azazel."

Dad stood and got in front of me. "Rick." They know each other.

Rick took out a pipe. "Chloe. My dear sweet, Chloe. It's a pleasure to meet you finally."

Dad blocked my view. "You are not to say another word to her, Rick. She is in my care!" The dogs all got defensive.

Rick laughed a little. "Undergod. She is 23 years old. She doesn't need you."

I looked back at my dad. "Even so, she is my daughter."

I heard Rick tap his cane. "And my granddaughter. It seems we are at an impass." Wait what?

"How do you know who she is?!" Dad yelled at Rick.

I heard him sigh and tap his cane more. Clicking his tongue. "Shawna and her were living with me, remember?" I narrowed my eyes.

"I didn't know you were her grandfather, Rick. But I am sure as hell going to keep her from getting mixed up in Hellhound."

"Tsk, tsk, Azazel. I went back to find my daughter dead and my grand-baby missing. What can you do for her?"

I stood and looked at him. "Rick, was it?" I was getting pissed off. "If you are my grandfather, then why did you leave mom to die and me to be in villainous homes!"

Both men looked at me. "You were lost to us, Chloe."

I shook my head. "We were having a good time, Rick. I will come to you when I feel it is the right time. Let me bond with my dad."

The two looked at each other in hate and rage. "Very well, Chloe. I expect to see you on Friday. Family dinner." He turned to ash and was swept away by the wind.

I sat back down and held my head. "That asshole. Now? Of all times?" I looked up to my dad. "I-Is it true?"

He sat with me. "Yeah. I didn't know Shawna was his daughter, though. Not until I found you. I wanted to keep that information from you so you didn't hate her."

I nodded and understood. "I get it. Am I angry? f**k yeah, I am. But I get it." I do. It was to have me look at my mom in a good light and not a bad one. I also got that it was to protect me. "Okay, now that I know where and who I come from."

My dad rubbed his face. "I'm sorry, Chloe."

I shook my head and leaned against him again. "It's not your fault, dad. Stop apologizing." I took out my phone. "Here." I looked up at him. "They are the only photos I have, but, I think I did a decent enough job." He took my phone and scrolled through photos of me and Timber.

Hades, Belle and Gerdy curled up next to me. I started petting them. "You loved him a lot, didn't you?" I nodded. Hades licked my hand.

"He was my best friend, dad. And the Silver Dolphins killed him to get to me." He held me close as I remembered taking Timber to the vet that night. I started to cry. "He was a good boy, dad. And they killed him. I want revenge on them."

He started shushing me. "We will get justice for him, kiddo. I won't let it go unpunished." Turning around, I hugged him as I cried. He was holding onto me. "We'll get them, baby girl." I nodded as I sniffled. "For now, why not have Hades as yours until you are able to have another dog?" Hades whined and barked once at me. I pet his head. His dark brown eyes were so expressive.

I wiped my tears and smiled at this dog. "I can do that. He's a good boy too."

After that, we just sat and talked about everything and nothing. I am happy to have my dad in my life now. Maybe, just maybe, I can live with him until I get back on my feet. Timber, we will get justice for you boy. He promised. And I promise. Goodbye, my good boy.