Knock knock... 

“Come in.” I said rubbing my temples.

I just arrived from my second job and still can’t have peace in this house.  

Claire, one of the two maids or should I say my dad’s maid entered the room. My dad doesn’t allow them to help us with any of my chores, though I don’t mind that. I love to do everything myself.  

“Miss, Mr Smith has asked you to see him in his study.” She said. 

I nodded nervously before she left. 

Why does dad want to see me? It can’t be anything good. We live in the same house but rarely meet each other. He would have long back asked me to leave his house but he then he won’t be able to take the money I earn, it’s the so-called rent and food that I am supposed to pay with my whole check though I try to save little just to send it to my brother. I don’t care about money, to be honest, I just hate money and rich people. I know that’s hard to imagine, someone hating money! But then, if they have a dad like mine they too would hate even this word. I just want to run away from here but I can’t leave my brother and he needs dad to pay for his university. I can endure anything for him and his happiness. 

I can’t make him wait or he will get angry. I hurried downstairs to his study. 

I took a few deep breaths to calm myself before knocking on the door and entering inside. I closed the door behind me. 

Dad smiled as soon as he saw me.  

Ok, this is not good!  

“You wanted to see me, dad?” I said trying to retain my composure. 

“Oh my dear, Mia!” He said getting up from his armchair and hugging me. I held my breath in horror. 

I know it might seem overreacting but then you don’t know what my dad can do or have done. I am so afraid of him because I know he can even kill me if I am of no more value or use to him. 

“You don’t seem happy to see me?” he said breaking the hug and looking at my face. 

“I am happy, dad. I am just surprised that you suddenly wanted to see me.” I said forcing a smile. 

“Oh! Come on! You know how I am so busy earning money but that doesn’t mean I have forgotten about my precious daughter.” He said smiling. 

Something is definitely fishy by the way he is talking. He never yells at me and always has a smile on his face but I know him wanting to see me is never good news, not after he sent me to hospital in a life-threatening condition when I tried to keep half of my paycheck after my first salary. I thought I would take my brother and run away but I didn’t know he would be keeping an eye on me. I had just graduated high school then so I thought I could outsmart my dad. But now I know better, that’s why I work extra shifts that he doesn’t know about just to earn little extra money to send Liam, my brother.  

“I guess you are free right now?” He said with a constant smile on his face. 

I gulped loudly, nodding my head in a yes. 

“Wonderful! Here! I got you a dress, get ready in half an hour. We are going to a really important place and I want you to look your best.” He said handing me a shopping bag. I hesitated. 

He grabbed my hand and forced the bad into my hands. 

“Half an hour. Go.” He said and smiled again. 

I ran to my room and closed the door behind me. Tears started rolling down my eyes because of how scared I was. Where is he taking me? It can’t be a good place but I don’t dare to defy him. I wiped my tears and went to take a shower. 

“That’s my daughter! So beautiful!” My dad said as I walked down the stairs. I kept my head lowered. 

“What? Aren’t you happy that your dad is taking you out somewhere?” He said raising his eyebrows. 

“I...I am happy, dad.” I said forcing a smile. 

“Good. Let’s go.” He said and I nodded following behind him. 

“You are so lucky that your dad values you so much. That’s why you should also do everything that I say.” He said when we reached the car. 

I nodded my head and kept it lowered. 

“I didn’t hear anything.” He said. 

“Yes, dad. I will do whatever you tell me to.” I replied choking on my words. 

“That’s my daughter.” He said totally satisfied. 

We kept quiet the whole ride and I kept my head lowered.  

The car stopped suddenly and I looked outside the window. It doesn’t look like the entrance but more like the backdoor. 

“Do you need someone to open your door now?” I heard my dad’s voice and hurried out of the car. 

“Mr Smith! We were waiting for you.” A guy said coming towards us. He is tall and well built. The kind of guy one should never mess with. 

“Well...good things take time.” My dad said shaking his hand. 

“Follow me in.” He said and we followed him to a room. 

“So? Where is it?” He asked curiously. 

“Really impatient? Are we?” Dad said and chuckled. 

“Come on, I can’t help it. It’s the star of this event!” He said shrugging his shoulders. 

“It’s her.” Dad said pointing towards me. 

The guy’s stare landed on me and I automatically looked down. 

“Are you sure?” He asked doubtful. 

“What? Are you saying my daughter is not valuable enough?” Dad asked mad at him. 

“She is your daughter?” He asked shocked. 

“Umm...don’t get me wrong but are you really sure about this?” He asked completely shocked. 

“I am! But if you don’t want it then we are leaving.” Dad said holding my hand. 

“Mr Smith! Don’t be like this. This is going to be the best event I have ever conducted.” He said smiling and dad let go of my hand. 

What exactly is this event? And why has dad brought me here?