Director Mason loved two things in life:
1. Cinema
2. His five-year-old daughter, Lily
Lily was his pride.
His joy.
His emotional support human.
And she, being five, loved two things as well:
1. Candy
2. More candy
So Mason always kept a stash of special candy in his office drawer—rare imported lollipops he gave her after long workdays.
It was his father-daughter bonding ritual.
It was sacred.
It was pure.
It was also about to be destroyed.
By Aria Lane.
Lily's Visit to the Set
Lily toddled into the soundstage wearing sparkly sneakers and holding a stuffed rabbit.
The entire crew melted.
"Awww…"
"She's so cute."
"Mini Mason!"
Mason hugged her proudly.
"My baby! This is Daddy's movie set. Want to see the monitors?"
She nodded eagerly.
Aria, passing by, paused at the sight of the child.
Lily gasped.
"You're the pretty lady!"
Aria blinked.
"…Thank you."
Lily held out her hand, offering a tiny pink lollipop.
"For you!"
Daniel stiffened.
Julian blinked.
Mason smiled proudly.
Aria accepted the lollipop with impeccable politeness.
"Thank you."
Lily clapped.
Mason's heart grew three sizes.
This was fine.
This was wholesome.
This was normal.
But fate had other plans.
Two Hours Later
Mason returned to his office with Lily, opening his drawer to present her the special candy stash—
—and froze.
The drawer was empty.
Completely.
Not one candy.
Not one lollipop.
Gone.
Vanished.
Stolen.
Mason blinked.
Then blinked again.
"...Lily sweetie… did you take Daddy's candy?"
Lily shook her head vigorously.
"No! I didn't eat them!"
Mason whispered.
"No.
No no no no—
NO—"
There was only one creature on set bold enough…
fast enough…
snack-driven enough…
To infiltrate a locked drawer.
Mason stormed out of his office dragging Lily gently behind him.
"WHERE IS SHE?!"
He Finds Aria
Aria sat on a folding chair.
Peaceful.
Calm.
Eating a lollipop.
Not the one Lily gave her.
A different one.
A rare imported one.
From Mason's drawer.
Mason froze.
Lily pointed at the candy in Aria's hand.
"That one was Daddy's!"
Aria paused mid-lick.
"Oh."
Daniel facepalmed.
Julian coughed to hide laughter.
The Confrontation
Mason stomped toward her.
"MISS LANE.
WHY—
ARE—
YOU—
EATING—
MY DAUGHTER'S CANDY?!"
Aria blinked.
"…It was in your drawer."
"YES. IT WAS IN MY DRAWER FOR MY CHILD!"
"Oh."
Lily tugged Mason's sleeve.
"Daddy, she didn't know."
Mason gasped, betrayed.
"LILY! Whose side are you on?!"
Aria extended the half-eaten lollipop to the little girl.
"Do you want it back?"
Everyone screamed:
"NO!!"
Lily giggled,
"No, you can have it!"
Mason collapsed emotionally.
Julian Tries to Help
Julian stepped forward, gently placing a hand on Mason's shoulder.
"Mason… she didn't mean harm."
Mason stared at him with wild eyes.
"She robbed my child."
Julian shrugged slightly.
"Your drawer wasn't locked."
Daniel pointed at Aria.
"She PICKS LOCKS!"
Mason shrieked.
"YOU PICK LOCKS?!"
Aria blinked.
"I opened it quietly."
"WITH WHAT??"
"...A hairpin."
The entire crew screamed.
Julian looked at her, torn between awe and concern.
"You carry hairpins?"
Aria shrugged.
"For emergencies."
Daniel shrieked,
"WHY ARE YOUR EMERGENCIES ALWAYS CRIMINAL?!"
Lily Makes a Decision
Lily walked right up to Aria and held out her rabbit.
"You can hold Mr. Fluffles."
Aria held the rabbit gently.
"He's soft."
Mason stared in disbelief.
"She steals your candy and you REWARD her?!"
Lily nodded.
"She's nice!"
Mason clutched his chest.
"No…
No, sweetie…
She is NOT nice.
She is CHAOS with a FACE."
Julian smiled warmly at Aria.
"She's… interesting."
Daniel whirled on him.
"STOP CALLING HER INTERESTING!"
Aria's Attempt at Apology
Aria stood up, approached Mason, and bowed slightly.
"I am sorry.
I thought the drawer was… communal."
"COMMUNAL?! WHO SHARES A SECRET DRAWER?!"
Aria handed Mason a new lollipop—from her own bag.
"For Lily."
Lily gasped, delighted.
"Daddy! She gave me candy!"
Mason stared at the lollipop.
Then at Aria.
Then at the ceiling.
He whispered to himself:
"…I am too old for this."
Final Blow
Aria turned to Lily.
"Would you like more candy?"
Mason screamed:
"NOOOOOO!!"
Lily shouted:
"YES!!"
Julian laughed.
Daniel cried.
Aria opened her tote bag.
Lily's eyes sparkled.
The entire crew backed away in fear.
Mason fainted.