The Prince's Indentured Bride

Father's comfort

People and a few humans with hatred towards me in their hearts will think I am over exaggerating right now, but I really am busy to the point that today I had to leave everything in Yash’s hands and come to dinner because Daddy dearest wanted to have some quality time with me.

‘Dear BBQ’ was located very near to my office and Daddy being the sweetest angel of my life choose this place and I wasn’t yet sure if Jules was included in this quality time or was it me getting some juicy incidents from father, again.

I’m not complaining though. The last time he had shared about why he was okay with people calling him a Puppet Chairman and never going against Grandfather’s wishes, I was really contemplating to actually like Grandfather.

‘Age gives you experience; good or bad, and that makes you eligible to grab the right opportunities. So, never think old man talks are just nostalgic and ego booster events. Always listen and scrape out the ones useful to you.’ No doubt I asked it, why? ‘Because life is a cycle and at one-point ideas need to round back to its roots for the tyres to move forward.’

I checked my watch sitting in the central booth of the place and waited for Daddy dearest to arrive. He is never late though. The most animated man of time.

‘A human not being disciplined is a castle built of daydreams and regret.’ He had once quoted when I was late to our Christmas family photo session the last year.

The door of the restaurant opened and I smiled seeing father make his way hurriedly towards where I am sitting. I got up and gave him a hug immediately. There should be no time to waste in the matters of food!

“Daddy you were late!” I teased him as he released me from the hug, complaining – “You just strangled me Vhrea!”

“I did not.” I sat down pulling my chair – which gave an embarrassing creek and grabbed attention from a few other customers – to sit away from the smoke and protect my precious face.

“You did. Do you like enjoying BBQ here or at home?” He asked waving for the waiter to come and take some orders is what I thought but – “Can you play Shape of you, Ed Sheeran, the next song?”

The waiter nodded to my father and I simply laughed knowing this is one of the reasons Daddy dearest loves to come to a crowded place – where he stands out of place due to his handsome looks and sexy dress ups – just to enjoy normality like other human beings.

“You love this place Daddy!” I pointed out, “Shall we order? Is Jules coming?” I said making sure I didn’t end up keeping my phone near to the coal box, because one time I did put and we had to witness an expensive technology explosion.

Father called the same waiter again and gave the orders not before enquiring if the song was going to be played or not. If yes, then when?

Seeing him being all of himself and still the sweetest person to me pushed away the haunting remarks of Jules which almost fooled me, for being a real worry.

After a few minutes our meat was delivered and, in the meantime, father had managed to heat up the grill for the feast. He loved getting attention because where people generally choose discrete corners to enjoy some quality time, he wants to be in the middle of everyone and assure himself that this life is real.

“Vhrea did you get that parcel which your mother sent last week?”

“Of course! It was a disaster because she had written the wrong flat number. I can’t believe Omma still doesn’t know my floor. It is 1701 not 1601!” I shouted in sudden unbelievable frustration remembering how awkward it was when the grandmother downstairs knocked on my door to give me the opened parcel, because of her poor eyesight she thought it was her delivery and never thought of checking it back, and it was so embarrassing to know that the contents were books – Sensuality and s*x, another one was – How to dominate in the bedroom?

Daddy dearest just laughed.

When I asked Omma why did she send me those and her ordering these wasn’t even making sense!

‘Mrs Jay’s daughter had ordered them online but she purchased two sets by mistake so she gifted them to me and as I love my daughter, I have sent it to you. Have fun but remember the line!’ Was her so reasonable and affectionate answer.

My phone rang and my stomach grumbled as the aroma of the food being cooked raked my nostrils.

I picked up a yet to be full cooked meat piece and answered the call from Jules. “Hello.” I said with a muffling voice and devouring moan of the tasty food. “My song.” Daddy dearest shouted in excitement.

“We are at Dear BBQ, if you want to join hurry up and don’t you dare let Omma know.” I invited him to which he grandly accepted, only that it would take him an hour to come and by then we would already be finished.

And like expected an hour passed and there was no sign of Jules arrival so we asked the waiter to pack our last batch of grilled meat which father has especially made for Jules.

I felt pride in paying the bill, being able to treat our parents with one’s money is always special, and after doing so we walked together to the parking lot.

“Daddy where is your car?” I asked looking around for his Velvet Benz.

When not finding it in the usual place, he also started to scan around. “Did you come with Blyton?”

Yes, mechanical Blyton was still with us and now is the vice head of the security team at Ashtrick Jewellers office.

“No. I came alone.” Father replied quickly.

Why so?

There was no time to ask this question when the lights in the cellar started to flicker. I turned around towards the gate, which was too far from J6, the spot where we were standing at right now. Switching on my torch light for stabilized lighting I found my car.

“Daddy let’s ask the security for the car and report it.” I said knowing I was being too fast forward with the situation but if something was wrong then the quicker the action, earlier we find solace.

“Yes. Let me just check once with Ravi.”

“Hey little lady! Daddy!” I heard Jules shouting to us from three blocks away where he had probably just finished parking his car.

“Why is there so much traffic – Daddy watch out!” Jules scream made me turn around and it was terrifying as a long lengthy bomb’s cracker was on fire.

I closed my ears at every ‘pat’ and ‘pit’, as smoke filled around me while I could still hear Jules shouting, “Daddy!”

And then there was a loud cry of pain, from Daddy dearest as I tried to open my eyes and in midst of the smoke which was making my eyes fill with tear.

I could hear running footsteps of Jules, towards us and then I saw it. A black hooded man walking towards Daddy dearest with a knife. I made a run towards him, throwing my heel on him which hit him but then there was a gunshot.

I wasn’t sure where it was coming from but I knew where it passed through; Father’s forehead.

My foot froze as I dangled on one heel less foot and then the knife man stabbed father through the heart, once, twice and then again!

Jules ran past me pushing me aside which almost made me fall for I did not know what was happening.

Father lied on the ground in a pool of blood from his heart and a third eye.

I fell face first to the ground in an endless darkness knowing only one thing.

Daddy dearest, my angel, was dead.