Daddy's Girl

Chapter thirteen - I found him

Lizzy's POV:

Dad and I are starting to get close. It's not easy for me to accept him back, but I'm trying my best. I still haven't told my mom anything. I want to stop hiding things from her, but I can't. I won't give up on my dad. It took us so long to be where we are today. I want to spend some time with him. The thing is that I don't want him to leave me. There are so many things that we haven't done together. Well, if he has time for them. As I see it, his job will always be more important. I understand him. Dad has his priorities. I can't blame him. Also, he is not doing something illegal. It looks like this from the outside. He is not a horrible person. That's why helping people every day is something good. I have seen kids my age using drugs at parties. I can't understand why this is satisfying to them. These are expensive and terrible for your health. You might die from them. For some reason, people still sell and buy them. Of course, I haven't told this to my dad. He will think I have used them, which is not the truth. I will never do this to myself, even if I'm desperate. I have parents who love me and take care of me. I can't do this to them. The other reason is my little brother Ben. I hope that I will have the chance to spend more time with my dad without getting in trouble.

I wish I had a vacation. That way, I can spend it with my dad. It's not like he has much time for this. I can try to help him, but he won't let me. Also, I'm not allowed to ask questions about his work. Adam called me yesterday. He said he had good news for me. Hopefully, it's not what I think. We are only friends. I'm sure he has other things in mind. I met his mom outside. The woman looked drained. It's not easy to raise a kid alone. The other thing is that he is not helping her at all.

Adam and I came home from school an hour ago. We started with our homework. I asked him about the good news, but he didn't want to talk in school. I mean, as if it's a secret. I think he is more excited than me. It's better if I don't ask. After the homework, we started with the lessons. There is no way that he will concentrate. I closed his books and made him look at me. The smile on his face won't fade away.

- What is going on? Why are you smiling so much?

- You won't believe it.

- I won't until you don't tell me.

- I found my dad.

- What? How?

- I was walking the other day and bumped into a man.

- Let me guess. He told you he was your dad.

- Yes.

- And you believed him?

- No. This is why I took him home. Mom confirmed it. He is my dad.

- What is his name?

- Devan.

- Last name?

- I don't know. It's not like mine. He has changed it.

- So a man comes up to you and tells you he is your dad. He doesn't say anything about himself.

- Exactly.

- How is this good news?

- I found him. I found my dad.

- So? You don't know anything about him.

- That is not true.

- Did he tell you something?

- No, but he showed me his house. It's like a mansion.

- What? Don't tell me you fall for that.

- What do you mean?

- He wants to take you away from your mom.

- That is not true.

- Are you sure?

- He only showed me his house. He didn't invite me to live with him. - Adam said and got a message on his phone

- You spoke too fast.

- Why?

- Check your phone.

- Oh, I see.

- Will you go with him?

- I don't know. His place is good. Also, he has more money. I can finally feel better.

- So money makes you feel better.

- Don't say it like that.

- This is how it sounds to me.

- I will think about this.

- You can't leave your mom. She does so much for you.

- I know.

- You have no idea how much effort it takes to care for a kid alone. She might not earn as much as your dad, but she does everything with so much love.

- Let's talk about something else.

- Why? Because I ruined your mood.

- I didn't say it.

- There was no need for that.

Adam didn't say anything. His dad won't take care of him. This man only wants to take him away from his mom. I won't let this happen. I can't let his mom suffer. She doesn't deserve it. I mean, not after everything she did for him. After some time, we walked out. Mom was at home. She said she would take care of Ben. I plan to invite Adam's mom for dinner. The woman is alone. The other reason is that I want to talk to her. We went to a diner for drinks. There were two men. One of them left. I ordered a vanilla and chocolate milkshake. Adam told me to sit. Soon, he came with the man.

- This is my dad.

- Oh, hi, sir.

- Hello. My son has mentioned you.

- I see. How are you?

- I'm good, thanks.

- Since when are you here? I haven't seen you before.

- From a few weeks.

- I see. What is your job?

- Lizzy. - Adam said

- What? I'm curious.

- It's ok. I have a company in another city. I decided to open a few offices here. I'm still working on this.

- It's good that the business is growing.

- Yes. The past few years have been great here.

- Here? You said you didn't have an office here.

- I meant in the city I live. I still can't get used to this town.

- It's ok. Soon, you will get used to this. Adam said you have a big house.

- It's not that big.

- Your son compared it with a mansion. - I said, chuckling

- Adam, it's not that big.

- Are you sure? The company should be successful.

- It is, but I don't want to brag about it.

- For sure, you don't. - I mumbled

- What?

- Nothing.

- It's better if I leave you. I have some things to do.

- It was nice to meet you.

- Me too. Hopefully, we can see each other again. Think about my offer, kid.

- Sure.

I looked at my friend without saying anything. He already knows what I think. His dad is hiding something. The mistake he made gave it away. I believe he has been in this town longer than a few weeks. For some reason, I don't trust him. After some time, I went home. Adam had some plans. I texted my dad to see if he could come for dinner. Mom agreed to invite Adam's mom.

- Thank you for inviting me.

- It was Lizzy's idea. - mom said

- I won't deny some company.

- I thought Adam would be with you.

- He went to visit his dad.

- Are you ok with this?

- I can't stop him from visiting his dad.

- I'm afraid that he wants to take him away from you.

- What? Why?

- I don't trust him.

- Did you meet him?

- Yes. He is not a good guy.

- Why do you think like that? If it's because he left me.

- No, no. It has nothing to do with that. I feel like everything he says is made up. Nothing of this is true.

- I believe you have a reason to think like this.

- I was asking him questions, and he messed up his lies.

- Oh. That is interesting.

- Please, don't let Adam go with him. He won't take care of him the way you do it.

- We can talk, but I can't tell him what to do. He is a grown-up boy.

- Do it for me. I tried to talk to him, but he looked so excited.

- How can't he be? Look at what his dad has. I can't afford that.

- I believe that this money is not clean.

- What do you mean?

- There is no company. He is earning his money in another way.

- How?

- I don't know. I don't trust my intuition all the time. Today, I will do it. Tell Adam to stay away from his dad.

- I promise to talk to him. That is the only thing I can do.

- It's better than nothing.

- Don't worry. Nothing will happen to your best friend. I won't permit it.

- Thanks.

We kept talking for some time. Dad was late. He came an hour later. Of course, my mom gave him dinner. I think he can help me. The good thing is that I managed to take a picture of Adam's dad. The moment he started talking, I knew something was off about him. Dad is a police officer. He can find out something about this guy. I waited for him to finish dinner and dragged him into my room. I can't talk about this in front of my mom.

- Lizzy, is everything ok? Why are we here?

- I need a favor from you.

- Sure. What do you need?

- Your skills.

- My skills? About what?

- I want you to find everything you can about Adam's dad.

- Why?

- Because I don't trust him. I'll send you a picture of him. - I said and pulled out my phone

- Lizzy.

- Here you go.

- Lizzy, listen. I can't do this now.

- Ok, then give it to someone else. Please.

- What do you want to know about him?

- Everything. He claims to have a company in another city. That's a lie. I bet he has been living in the town for a longer time.

- So? This doesn't prove anything.

- He wants to take Adam away from his mom. He can't do that.

- We talk about his dad. He has the right to do it.

- But it's not fair. She does so much for him.

- I will try my best but can't promise anything.

- Fine. At least you will try.

- I don't think I have seen this man before.

- Isn't it weird how he appeared out of nowhere? One day, he is hiding. On the next one, he comes out.

- Look. I understand why you feel this way. The thing is that you can't accuse him of anything. You have no proof.

- I will have if you do your job.

- Don't rely on that. You can't talk with your friend about that.

- I won't say a word. Otherwise, he will think I am against his dad.

- You are.

- But he doesn't need to know this yet.

- True. I will try my best to help you. Well, probably I will give this to someone else.

- This doesn't matter. I want the truth.

- As always.

- We are the same.

- I know. You don't need to remind me.

I kept talking with my dad about this. He thinks I'm worrying too much. How am I not supposed to do it? Look at what my friend is doing. He might trust his dad, but I don't. Something is going on with this man. He is acting weirdly. I can investigate on my own, but I might get in trouble. Dad won't be happy about this. If Adam goes to live with him, I can go for a visit. That way, I will check his house. I won't go to every room, but I will search for something unusual. Let's see what he is hiding. It can't be anything good. I'll prove it. I hope that this won't cost me my friendship.