Lila's POV
{Kelsey's Residence. 7:45 AM}
If Daddy had just told me he was a bad cook, that would have been easier.
Instead, we nearly burned the whole kitchen. Thank goodness he found the fire extinguisher in time.
Mommy had gone for her morning run about an hour ago. It's like a daily routine for her. She used to do it all the time when we lived with bad grandpa. I didn't think she'd keep up the habit here. I hoped she'd feel safer now... Like she didn't have to act like before.
After she left, I went to Daddy's room. I found him on the balcony doing a workout.
He and Mommy are the same. Always doing extra stuff in the morning.
He was sweating, doing push-ups like a machine. When I came in, he looked my way but didn't stop.
"Let's cook," I said.
He smirked and started counting.
"97"
"98"
"99"
"100"
He stood, grabbed a towel on the railing, and wiped off his sweat before gently guiding me away from the chilly air outside.
"Lila, you shouldn't be entering a grown man's room... any man's room, no matter how old."
"I know," I said, waiting for him to say something about what I asked.
"You're not listening, kid. Next time, knock first. Got it? Promise?"
"Fine. I promise!" I raised my hand and he ruffled my hair before turning toward the bathroom. I rushed ahead, stretching my arms to block him.
"I said, let's cook!"
"What?" He tilted his head.
"Mommy went for a run. Let's surprise her with breakfast,"
"I can't cook," he replied plainly.
I rolled my eyes internally.
'Of course, boys can't cook,'
"Did you say something, Lila?"
Oops. Maybe it showed on my face. I lifted my chin proudly and tapped my chest.
"I'll cook. You'll help. Let's go before mommy gets back,"
I grabbed his hand and tugged him along. He paused just long enough to throw on a shirt before we rushed downstairs.
Cooking couldn't be that hard, right? I'd seen Mommy do it plenty of times.
Okay, maybe that was a lie. I was usually asleep and Mommy cooked alone. The first time I actually watched her, she made it look too easy.
We settled on pancakes.
After digging around the pantry, we found a mix with 'JUST ADD WATER' on the front.
Daddy stared at the package like it was a puzzle.
"Just pour some into a bowl, add water and... uh..." I tapped my chin, trying to remember what came next.
"Then we fry it," I said confidently.
"O...kay?" Daddy still looked unsure, but we went for it anyway.
Even from the beginning, I could tell we were making a beautiful disaster. The batter turned out too watery, so we dumped in more flour.
Then came the frying part, when it all went downhill.
Neither of us knew how to light the gas stove.
I'd seen Mommy do it, but did she twist the knob first or light the fire? I had no idea.
By the time we got a flame going, the kitchen was a war zone. Smoke everywhere. Things nearly caught fire.
And that's how I ended up trying to clean the mess before Mommy came back.
"What happened here?"
Yay! Mommy's back!
Wait! Mommy's back?
I spun around and saw her in her joggers and sweatshirts. Smoke clung to the air, black smudges covered the wall.
"Lila... What happened here?" She asked again. Her voice was calm but her face... very not calm.
"Well... Daddy and I were trying to make you breakfast?"
"How nice," she said with a smile.
"Thanks, mommy..."
"It wasn't a compliment, Lila. Go upstairs and call your daddy. You're both getting punished for this mess," she said, cracking her knuckles.
Uh-oh.
No time to argue. Without wasting much time, I bolted upstairs to call Daddy.
I reached Daddy's room and saw the door slightly open. His voice floated through, cool and serious.
Was he on a call?
"... there's no need for interrogation. Once they're caught, kill them!"
My hand shot up to cover my mouth. Kill who?
Who exactly was Daddy?
An assassin?
No. That couldn't be right.
"Yes, Marshal!" Came the firm replies from his laptop.
Marshal? Daddy is a Marshal?
Wait... What's a marshal?
"General?" Daddy's voice called, sharp but calm.
And a tired and lazy voice responded.
"Yes, Marshal?"
"I'm handing the case to you. Find the spies. All intel goes through my lieutenant. You've got two days,"
"But Marshal... You were already working the mission,"
"You dare to complain?" Daddy's voice dropped cold instantly. It is more dangerous. I felt chills from the hallway.
The man apologised immediately.
"You'll be punished after the mission. I've got something more important now."
The line went silent.
They must be wondering what's more important than that kind of mission.
Then I remembered... Mommy! She'd come up soon if we didn't head down.
I pushed the door wide open and ran inside.
"Daddy, Mommy's downstairs, and she's mad we burnt the kitchen..."
He turned, a little surprised. His call was still up.... the video was off on his end. I stared at the laptop screen, seeing the confused look on their faces.
They didn't know Daddy had a wife and daughter.
Well, now they do.
"What's going to happen once we go down?" He asked me, calm as ever.
"She'll tell us to kneel," I muttered.
He cleared his throat and turned back to the laptop.
Maybe I shouldn't have said that out loud.
"That's all... You're dismissed," he said firmly, then picked me up into his arms.
"You were standing outside, weren't you? You heard everything," He asked as we walked out of the room.
"You're a Marshal? What's a Marshal?"
"Someone who does good things in a bad way..." He said with a smile.
"Like killing people?" I tilted my head.
He didn't answer. He looked like he had given up explaining to me.
Whatever Daddy may be, I know for sure that he's the only one who can protect Mommy from bad Grandpa.
After all... he's my Daddy.