Aceal's Journey

Vincent's Daughter

It had been a long time since a guy had asked me out. At nineteen years old, I had only ever had two boyfriends. Neither of them had passed my father's inspection. You already know my name and physical description, but what you have yet to learn is my father is none other than Vincent Macaleod. The most feared mafia boss in the state of Maine. You're now wondering what I am doing this far from home, as with any teenager, I got a job, and moved to another city. My hope was to find a man who wouldn't be intimidated by my eldest brother Lenny, and my father. Being my father's only daughter, meant him and my brothers are overbearingly protective. Hopefully Aceal wouldn't be afraid of my family's occupation.

The nerves had finally hit after my last tour of the night. I kept rubbing my hands on my dress, attempting to dry the sweat from my palms. Glancing at the diamond studded Rolex, that I barely wore to work, half past seven, he should be here any minute to get me. Turns out I only lived half a block from where his hotel was located, which meant walking everywhere would give us a chance for conversation without anyone around.

Two gentle rasps came through the wooden front door, not only was he nice, but he was also considerate. Two things that you couldn't find anymore in today's world. Pulling open the door, revealing his tall, slender frame, dressed in a pair of dark blue jeans, and a fresh white t-shirt. His striking sea-green eyes captivating me.

"Good evening." He said.

"You... You... You're on time." I stuttered.

"Is being on time a bad thing?" He questioned.

Being on time was never a bad thing, of all the guys who asked me out, they were usually late or never showed when they figured out who my father is. "No, I'm just not used to someone being on time is all." I responded, grabbing my purse hanging on the hook beside the door, before stepping out beside Aceal.

"You look marvelous." He whispered, brushing my hair from my face, revealing a blush that matched my deep crimson dress.

"Thank you." I replied sheepishly, staring at my feet, trying to hide my face. My usual pony tail had been replaced by gentle rolling curls, that cascaded down around my shoulders, while the split in my dress ran up my thigh, revealing more than I had wanted it too.

"Where to first?" He questioned, pulling my attention back to him.

"Oh, um I guess.... " I started as my stomach let out a low rumble. " I guess, food first." I laughed, finishing my sentence. The night was starting out more embarrassing than a first date should.

"There's this amazing burger place around the corner if you're up for that." He stated, acting nonchalantly about my stomach growling.

"Sure, I haven't had a decent burger in months." I said.

"What?! I mean granted burgers aren't part of my normal diet,, they are delicious!" he exclaimed.

His last remark made me curious. If burgers weren't part of his usual diet, where was he from? What do they eat? How do they survive? The only thing that crossed my mind was the stories my father would tell me. Stories of a fascinating female mercenary, who never missed a hit. A woman of morals and values, who turned out to be a wonderful friend. The only reason she had quit according to him, was because of her kingdom. Surely the man standing beside of me couldn't belong to her. The only resemblance he held to this mercenary, were his perfectly colored eyes. Eyes that demanded to hold anyone's gaze.

"You seem... distracted." His voice called out.

Shaking my head looking up at him, "No, just thinking, but you couldn't be, those were just made up stories my father used to tell me." I calmly stated.

"What stories? Maybe I could help piece them together." He responded.

"How could you? A magical kingdom, under water, mermaids with magical powers, and a woman mercenary." I laughed.

"Never know, maybe your dad was telling the truth." He chuckled.

The smell wafting from the back entrancing my nose, making my mouth water. Burgers may not be a regular part of his diet, but he was right, I was about to stuff my face with an amazing burger.

"What may I get you to drink?" The waitress asked, as she approached out table, "On second thought, I will be right back."

"That was oddly rude. I have never had service that like before." I stated, looking around in amazement, my jaw dropping to the floor as Aceal slid from the booth we shared chasing after the waitress. So much for a nice evening, I thought to myself as I stood up heading for the exit. I had wasted what little time I had given him on a cheater.

The ringing of my phone pulling me from my thoughts, drying my eyes as the screen flashed my fathers name and picture. "Hi, daddy!" I exclaimed, trying my best to hide that I had been crying, even if only momentarily.

"Princess, what's wrong? You're sniffling, and trying to hide something." My fathers demanding baritone voice rang through the speaker. Pulling the phone away from my ear, so he didn't damage my ear drum.

"Nothing is wrong daddy. Why do you always think something is wrong?" I inquired, still trying to steady my voice.

"Well, would you be crying if something, either good or bad, wasn't wrong?" My father questioned me.

"Daddy, I said I'm fine." I insisted.

"No, Celeste you are not ok, now what's wrong?" My father demanded, yet again.

"Just another asshole, expecting me to be ok with him cheating on his girlfriend." I finally broke, telling my father what had happened.

"Are you sure he was cheating, or are you jumping to conclusions?" He inquired.

"You should have seen the poor girl's face, daddy. Theres no way he wasn't single. The hurt painted across her face." I responded, my heart sinking into my stomach, as I replayed the poor girl's expression in my mind.

"Are you sure they didn't just break up, and seeing him with someone new so soon wasn't the problem?" My father asked.

"Well... No.... I'm not sure... Why do you even care?" Why are you defending him?" I inquired.

"Celeste there are always two sides to a story, my darling girl. You only know the version you have seen with your own eyes." He replied.

"How can what I see deceive me?" I questioned, knowing my father's next response, before he said it. He had always told me, your eyes only pick up what you want to see.

"It can, you're clouding your own judgement, by not allowing him to talk to you. I have always told you, your eyes only pick up what you want to see, and you want to believe the worst in him, before talking to him, based on previous experiences." My father stated.

"You never answered my question. Why do you care, and why you're defending him." I replied, backing my father into a corner.

"Do you remember the stories I used to tell you?" My father asked, pausing briefly before continuing, " Does this boy have sea-green eyes that demand the room's attention? Is he dignified? Does he respect others? Where does he come from?"

"He does have sea-green eyes, but those were just stories father. What does where he's from, or if he respects others have to do with your stories? He's no prince charming." I stated, my voice falling to a whisper on the last sentence.

"He might just be yours. Give the guy a chance. Your world might just open up a little, only you can make the choice. Good night, Princess." He calmly stated, before the line went dead.

Great! Now I'm supposed to believe that prince charming exists. Shaking my head as I unlock my apartment door, kicking off the bright red pumps I had been wearing. Tossing my purse onto the counter, before heading to bed. If my prince charming existed, his work was cut out for him. Earning my trust wouldn't be an easy feat. Yet, the nagging feeling of my father approving of Aceal, before meeting him, made me uneasy. Something wasn't right, but I could worry about it when I woke up, for now, sleep was my main concern.