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CAUGHT IN THE ACT 2

“What do you mean, daddy asked you to pick me up? School isn't over yet.” Eunice had a puzzled expression imprinted on her face.

“Yes, I know that.” Miss Clara said. She had earlier tried to tell him but, he was too arrogant to listen. “I think something is wrong, but don't tell him you heard it from me. I love my job.” She placed her two hands together as she pleaded for Eunice not to say anything to her dad.

“Fine, if you feel it's so serious, you have to take an excuse from the principal.” She suggested and she nodded.

“Yes, I will.” They both marched to the principal's office, but to their surprise, she asked them what they were still doing in the school's premises.

“Your dad has taken permission, there's no need to worry, dear, you may go now.” The strict principal kept smiling like she had just won a lottery, and it bothered Eunice.

“Thank you ma'am.” She replied before coming out of the office with the secretary.

“Take me to my dad.” She requested in panic.

Her dad was very much interested in her studies and wouldn't interrupt it for anything in the world.

On her way to the company, she sat down in the back seat of the company's car, and her thoughts drifted to the problems in her household.

“Oh my, I just hope dad is okay.” She commented in worry. Her dad was the only person in the world who knew and understood her deeply. Her dad was like a hero who was always ready to save the day.

“Can you go any faster?” She asked, anxiety was starting to take a toll on her, and she couldn't stop stamping her feet.

“Don't worry, young boss, your dad is alright. Trust me.” He consoled Eunice, and she was finally able to calm down for a little while. Though, the secretary's smile seemed a bit scary.

The car was parked in the company's car parking lot, and Eunice didn't waste time carrying her bag and running into the company.

Everyone waved at her as she waved back at them.

To her surprise, her dad was ranting and yelling at everyone who crossed his path. His voice was so loud that she almost doubted it was her dad. And she just stood still.

“You do your work right!” He shouted and threw away documents brought to him by one of the staff.

“Clara, where is my daughter?” He gazed at her with angry eyes.

“She is… she is….” Stammering while pointing in a direction.

“Dad, I'm here.” She called his attention as she slowly approached him.

“Honey…” he called out, and she noticed the tone in his voice instantly shifted to the friendly one he normally used with her.

“Daddy, you're yelling at everyone. Are you alright?” She held on to his arms and hugged him tight.

“I'm sorry princess, I just want us to go home, just too…” he was interrupted by a hiccup.

“Okay dad. Let's go home, you don't seem so good.” She agreed with what he said. It was the best suggestion.

“Great, I'll drive.” He said and hurried into his office, Eunice followed behind.

“Yes, dad but, I would love the company's driver to drive us home. You know, I don't want you to stress yourself.” She was able to convince him enough, and he nodded without arguing. She has so much control on her dad.

“Okay, okay. Anything for you, my princess.” He hiccuped after his statement, and it looked as though he was about to vomit.

“You need water, then a good rest.” Eunice pulled him out of the office and handed the car keys to the company's driver.

“Could you please take us home?” Her gaze was like that of an angel and besides, it was his job to take the boss anywhere he wanted to go, so he took the keys from the little girl and helped the boss to get in the back of the car with his daughter beside him.

Everyone just stood and watched how a little girl had so much bravery. She walked up to Clara and whispered something to her before walking away.

“Dad, what's going on, why did you send for me to be brought home early?” She asked as she sat next to him in the car.

“Nothing, I just miss you so much.” He hugged his daughter like he wasn't going to see her in a million years.

“Awwn dad, I miss you too but next time, don't do that. I might miss out on the lectures, you know.” She faked a frown and he nodded.

“I'm sorry…” he was still half asleep and half awake.

“Dad, tell me what's really wrong. You smell just like mom when she walks into the house late at night. You drank at work?” She inquired.

“It's nothing sweetie.” He covered up, pulling his daughter to his chest, so she could feel his heartbeat.

Twelve years ago, at almost 6pm in the evening, Mark got a call from the hospital saying that his wife was in labor.

It was a Monday, and he had told his wife that he would work later than usual but would be home for dinner by 7pm.

“Okay, doctor, I'll be there as soon as possible.” He hung up the phone and rushed to the car, his child was about to be born and even when he wasn't the one in labor, he felt so much fear and anxiety. He couldn't wait to welcome his daughter into the world.

He was quick to arrive at the hospital, and he was given the privilege innately to watch his daughter be born.

“Oh God, she's so beautiful.” He held his daughter in his hands, which were covered in gloves. His hair was also protected with a blue surgical cap and his face, a face mask, so his little girl would be protected from gems.

“I will always protect you.” He whispered loud enough as she was sucking her fingers.

And now, she is someone who takes care of him more than he doesn't. He scoffed and rubbed his eyes.

“I'm sure of that, dad.” She chuckled, hugging him closer to herself than before.

The warmth of my daughter was all he needed. He knew that his daughter was his life and he was going to keep her for himself.

As he closed his eyes in the car, he didn't know when he drifted into sleep.

“Dad, dad, please protect me.” He saw his daughter being pulled away in a harsh manner.

“Leave my daughter alone, bitch.” He spoke to Emmie in the dream, hitting her so hard that she fell on the ground.

“Daddy!” The last scream pulled him out of the dream world.

“Hmm?” He looked confused and totally disorganized.

“We're home.” Eunice chuckled, taking the key from the driver.

“Baby, go in and shower, then do your homework. I'll whoop up something for you to eat.” He assured, but she wasn't willing to bulge.

“Just get enough rest, I'm fine.” She assured back, “I'll just order pizza.” She didn't want her dad to stress over her. The maids got recently fired by her mother and still, she doesn't cook at home.

“We'll both eat pizza tonight.” She smiled as she moved upstairs to take her bath and do her assignments.

Meanwhile, not still able to shake off the fact that he just got his wife to cheat, he grabbed another bottle of wine and popped it open.

“What are you doing, your daughter is looking up to you, what would she say if…” his thoughts were interrupted by his daughter?

“Dad, what kind of pizza do you like?”

“Pepperoni.” He replied, hiding the bottle of wine away from her.

“I'm going to order it now.” She commented before going back to her room.

He was so disappointed. He arrived back home with his daughter, yet no sign of his wife.

“Did she really show remorse?” He raised his brow, picking up the wine he had hidden away from his daughter.

A few hours later, the pizza man had arrived and Eunice ran downstairs to get it. She paid him in cash and then she came to sit with him to know if he was interested in the pizza.

“Dad, here.” She offered him his soda, but he refused.

“I'm fine, thank you. You should eat enough and get rest. Tomorrow is another day.” He managed to say calmly.

“Where is mom? You said she was going to be early.” She gazed at me in a sad manner.

“I know, dear, something came up. She called me.” He had lied to lessen her curiosity.

The truth was that he had been calling his wife for a while but she hadn't been taking her calls.

"Alright, no more questions. Go to bed." He managed to push her away as he drank himself to stupor untill he passed out.

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