“News flash report. Aphrodite Blythe Villarreal was once again reported for being kidnapped for the third time. This was confirmed by the Villarreal family spokesperson... the young lady is quite famous not just here in our country but also internationally for being their clan's one and only heiress and the succesor of all her family's business and properties all over the world.”

“Can you please increase the TV's volume Evian? I can't hear the news properly...” Mom requested while she's currently busy adding some rice to Marie's plate.

“Of course, excuse me.” I agreed as I started to stand up from my seat and went straight infront where our TV is located.

I immediately grabbed the TV's remote and pressed the button where it allows the volume to go higher. And just like what it's expected, the television's volume is now louder than earlier so I turned to my back again to ask mom.

“Is this enough, mom?”

She turned her gaze to me for a while and then nodded as she smiled sweetly. “Yes, Evian. Now come back here again and start eating.”

“Coming.”

I immediately put back the remote to where it's place earlier and walked back to the table. I was just in the middle of pulling my chair back again to sit down when someone suddenly entered the kitchen.

“Good evening, everyone...” Dad greeted to us as he immediately went straight to us.

“Finally you're home. We thought we won't be able to eat dinner with you, again...” Mom stated with a lower tone and a hint of sadness in her voice.

I sat back again as I watched dad back hugged mom who's now holding his arms that's surrounded to her waist now. He seems tired and all, well obviously that has got to do with his job as being the leader of all the security guards of the daughter of one of the wealthiest family in the world.

Dad let out a deep sighed as she kissed the back of mother's head. “I'm sorry sweetheart, trust me! eating dinner with you all is one of my most favorite thing to do in this world but--”

“I know, Michael. And we all understand how hard and sometimes dangerous that job of yours...” Mom faced him and gently carresed his cheeks. “So you don't have to be sorry, okay?” She added lovingly as she kissed his forehead.

“May I now continue to eat again?” Marie suddenly interrupted causing us to giggle because of how adorable she is for asking that.

There's still even pieces of rice grains around her mouth, she's really a messy eater and of course our adorable bundle of joy... after that scene, the both of them finally sit down so the four of us were now facing each other. This is just one of the rarest times where we got to eat dinner together... just like dad, this is one of my most favorite thing to do...

“The police are already doing their best to track down the kidnappers for them to communicate and asked the culprits of what they want. Specifically the kidnap ransom. We all hope for Aphrodite's safety and we'll pray that just like before, she'll managed to comeback home alive. This is Alice Mia Jones, reporting live here at the Villarreal mansion.”

After that, another TV commercial ended up the news. We're all now facing the dishes mom cooked earlier for us, I threw a glance at dad and I can clearly see the sadness in his eyes as well as how dissapointment is written all over his face. I bet he's doubting his skills again and blaming his self.

“Sweetheart are you okay?” Mom asked hesitantly, she's really worried.

“Dad, why do Aphrodite always get kidnapped?” Marie suddenly asked curiously and innocently. “I'm worried of her dad, is she gonna be okay?”

I saw how mom and dad looked at each other as they both plastered smiles on their faces. They're trying really hard to make Marie think that it's nothing. Well I get them, everytime Marie asked them about stuffs like this they will always do their best to divert Marie's attention to other things. Marie's already nine and she will grow even more as well as her curiosity.

“D-don't worry honey, she'll be fine soon... right Michael?” Mom implied as she gave dad a 'just say yes to her look'. I smirked.

“Owh yes, mommy's right honey, she'll be home soon... dad and the others will save her. Okay?” Dad assured as he pat Marie's head.

“Of course! because you are her hero!” She happily exclaimed as she get back to eating again.

They never changed. They're still doing their best to make Marie believe that we're living on a fairytale world. When will they let her grow? when will they teach her about the reality of this world? that there are no prince charmings and such because the truth is, we're living in a cruel world who'll never let you have your happy ending...

After we all finished eating. Mom immediately send Marie to her room to have her sleep early for she still has a class to attend tomorrow. Now it's only me and dad who's left in the kitchen. I'm currently in the sink washing dishes while he's drinking alcoholic drinks on the table. Here he is again with that drinking habit of him everytime he's facing a problem.

“I know I already asked you for a thousand times this dad but, how can drinking alcoholic drinks fix your problems?” I asked with a sarcastic tone. I didn't bother to pay him attention anymore, i'm too fucos of what i'm currently doing.

I heard him sighed deeply before he laughed like I just said something funny. I shook my head. Is he already drunk?

“And I already told you too a thousand times that this is my way of relaxing, you know giving myself a break of all the stress and problems i'm dealing with...”

“So what happened?”

“Of what?”

“Why did the brat got kidnapped again?”

He laughed again with a hint of mocking in his voice. “Oh come on! aren't you worried of your future wife?” He then laughed again causing me to immediately get annoyed.

“I already told you dad, i'm not gonna be part of that crazy plan of her family!” I blurted, totally pissed. I will never involve myself of such ridiculous idea!

“Fine! fine! after all you still have one month more to decide--”

I harshly looked at him with my brows furrowed and creased forehead. “Dad...”

He laughed again mockingly as he raised both of his hands in the air as an indication of him, giving up on this senseless argument of us. Finally...

“Well, she got kidnapped when she secretly sneaked out again to go somewhere. I don't know how she always managed to escape from us... that lady is just pure stubborn and--”

“Bratty!” I interrupted.

“It's not like that, maybe she just wants to experience living freally... you know, she grew up being a prisoner of her family's wealth and--”

“But she's causing trouble, specially to you and her other security guards who's only doing their job. Tsk.” I finally finished wiping the last cup and return it to the cupboard.

I fixed myself and wiped my kinda wet hands and proceed on cleaning the sink.

“But there's no need to worry. Even her own family is not worrying about it for they're too confident of their daughter's skills. I bet tomorrow or next day, she'll be home on her own...” He confidently stated and then laugh again. He's literally getting crazy...

Well dad's right. That news report about her, being kidnapped is nothing but a show for the public to think that they're worried of her where in fact they aren't. I bet they're more worried to the kidnappers! she's known for being incredibly-no. Unbelievably good at escaping from her kidnappers and dangerous situations like that... she's trained with different kinds of martial arts and using weapons so she's really capable of protecting herself.

“You know what dad? sometimes I really think why they need to give her hundred of bodyguards when she's completely fine alone.” I stated while i'm now infront of him, cleaning his mess.

“Me too Evian, me too. But thanks to that me and the other ninety-nine mans have job.” He was just about to grab the last bottle of beer but I already have it. “Come on! that's the last one!” He cried like a child.

“No. You're already drunk, you should rest now dad. I bet mom's already waiting for you there...” Raising a parent is not really that easy. Specially dad...

“Okay! my bossy son!” He's literally drunk. Tsk.

He finally stand up and even almost lost his balance but he just laughed for the nth time while i'm just looking at him in disbelief and dissapointment at the same time.