"What do you mean she's missing?" We stood poised at the open doorway when we heard that angry yell.
My little Cass suddenly went hiding at my back and gripped my hands tighter.
"He's angry." She mumbled at my back.
"Well, not directly at you little Cass. He's just scared and worried about you." I reassured her.
"Is he going to hate me?"
"Never. You're his little girl, aren't you? He loves you and you should trust in that."
She spoke of her father on our way here and he doesn't sound bad like I first thought of him. He's just a bit of a workaholic and from what I can tell, he doesn't have any clue how to raise a girl. It's clear he loves his daughter and dotes in her. Cassidy told me her times with her dad, although it was always short and not nearly enough time to devote on a child, was always full of happiness and cherished moments.
She never spoke of a mother from our conversation and I wasn't callous enough to ask her about it. So I let her chatter about her life, her daddy, and even her nannies. Yes, nannies with -ies. She has three of them.
"It's because I run away?"
"You didn't run away, you just needed some space. But it is bad that you went outside without telling anyone. So you will have to apologize to your daddy and also to your nannies and promise them that you won't do it again."
"Okay."
"That's a good girl. Outside is very dangerous."
"It wasn't. I do it all the time and I didn't see any danger. But I always go home before dinner." She told me with determined eyes.
I felt my hackles rise up at her words. All the time? Alone without any adult to watch over her. My mind instantly conjured thousand of scenarios with her getting hurt, kidnapped, or anything bad happening to her without any help.
I felt my anger soar once again and it was him that took the brunt of it.
---------------------------
"Who the fuck are you and what are you doing in my house?" He roared as he spotted a woman he didn't know lurking at his fucking open doorway.
What the hell do I pay these people for if they can't even keep an eye on a single child and even let strangers into the house. For the hundredth time, he thought about firing them all. He wasn't the one who hired them but his brother's widow, Catriona.
But he can't since he's so busy right now because of an important deal that could take their company higher than it is now. Even if he managed to make the time, he doesn't even know where to start looking for replacement.
Cassidy isn't complaining about anything and if he meddle, he might end up making things worse. Like picking the wrong person or traumatizing the child if her father suddenly sent away all the people she's been with all her life.
"Good evening to you, too." Although she said it with a smile in her face, there's no mistaking that anger in her voice.
Now that I look at her closely, she's actually beautiful that I would've been tempted to ask for her number if we met anywhere else. With her long straight jet black hair that hugs up to her ass and that piercing blue eyes that glaring at me right now. I can already tell she packs a great deal of attitude in her little body. I went right at her and invaded her personal space and look down at her as I warned her.
"I'm not in a good mood right now so you better spit the reason why are you in my home or else I'll call the cops on you for tresspassing."
Instead of being scared at my 6'2 feet, at my words, her smile widens and her eyes went harder in response.
I instinctively step back.
"Are you fighting?" That small voice snapped me in attendance and I saw my little girl holding her hand and looking up to her with worried eyes. I almost sagged in relief as I saw her whole and fine even if a bit dirty. Almost.
"No, little Cass." The woman went down and clasped my little girl's hand as she reassured her and made excuses for my bad behavior towards her.
I felt like the asshole I am right now.
I looked around at the floor and that's when I saw a backpack and large suitcase near them. It must've belong to this stranger but why are-
"Your Daddy wants to say sorry to you now for being late at your birthday party. "
Wait- what?
My confusion must be obvious in my face because she raised her eyebrows at me and smiled.
"Go on now. Tell her you're sorry." It wasn't a question. That was an order, clear as day. I must be overworked or sick because I just obeyed her. There was also warning bells going on in my mind that the consequence of not doing that is something I wouldn't like.
Although with that 5'2 body of hers, I don't know what I'm being wary for. Thinking about her body made me think of inappropriate things that involved her, me and the nearest wall I can pound on.
Definitely not something to think about near your daughter. Maybe after she's asleep or in school, me and that woman can explore each other.
"I'm sorry Cassidy. Daddy wasn't able to attend your party because of work stuff. But I'll make it up to you. I planned a special birthday dinner date together with my little girl and got a very huge present for her, what do you think?"
"Really? Is it the big pink teddy bear I saw in the store?" She asked excitedly as she bounced up and down.
"I don't knooow. Why don't you hurry up to your room and clean yourself up first. I think I saw an Elsa's gown in your closet."
"Is it pink?"
"Very pink."
She clapped her hands and giggled. "Thank you Daddy and sorry for..." She looked back at the woman.
"For leaving the house without telling anyone."
"...for leaving the house without telling anyone." She repeated.
"That's okay. I forgive you as long as you promised to always ask me first if you want to go somewhere." I told her seriously.
"I promise. I forgive too Daddy."
"Thank you, baby." I kissed her forehead.
"Change your clothes and we'll eat your birthday dinner."
She ran excitedly but suddenly stopped at the bottom of the stairs. "Can Big Cass join our date Daddy? Will you stay, pleeeeeease?"
She asked the both of us.
"She seems busy..."
"I'd be glad to." She replied at the same time.
"Sure. Whatever the birthday day girl likes." I smiled in her direction.
"Yehey!! This will be the best birthday ever."
She shouted with a big smile on her face.
"So Big Cass..." I turned toward her with frost in my voice. "How much do you need?"
"Excuse me? Who the fuck do you think you are to ask me that, asshole."
So the angel has a potty mouth. "Let's be blunt here. I know you're after something and I want it clear bet-"
"Eew. Yuck. Please stop. Ugh... I can't believe how much of an asshole you are." She shuddered as she she looks me up and down.
My temper suddenly rise up.
"What do I expect from someone who can't even bothered to arrange his mussed up hair and zip up his pants. Work, my ass. Can't believe you missed your daughter's party just to hook up with someone. Poor Cassidy." She shakes her head in disappointment.
"What the fuck are you blathering about?" I was about to go to her face and scream some sense into her when my little girl interrupted.
"Big Cass, Daddy, hurry up! I wanna open my present!"
"This isn't over." I warned her
"It's a pleasure to meet you, too." She smiled sweetly and sashayed her sweet ass at me as she walked past.