The minutes and hours clashed together as I paced inside my room, my perfectly shined shoes burning a hole in the floor. I sighed, looking at my watch for the thousandth time. If Lily didn't make an appearance in the next 10 minutes, I was going to call a search party. Just as I took my phone out of my pocket to call Everett and see where in the world he is,Lily came bursting into the room.
"Daddy! Look! Everett bought me a new dress! Do you like it?" Lily exclaimed, spinning to display the new pink dress her uncle bought her.
"Yes, you look beautiful, princess." I said smiling as I walked to grab her coat. I put it around her and nodded at her to go wait in the playroom while I talked to Everett. She raced to her room as I turned to face my brother.
"What took you so long?" I asked as I adjusted my cufflinks.
"Your mini-me wanted to stop at every store to make sure her outfit was perfect." Everett explained, locking the door to the apartment.
"Next time you will inform me if you are going to be home late while my daughter is in your care." I said, glaring at him.
"You know, you could treat your brother better." Everett said, his tone becoming playful.
"The only person who I care about is my daughter, you are simply a tool for me to use."
"You don't have to be cold." He whined like a child. If he wasn't such a good help with Lily I would kill him. I walked to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and a juice box for Lily.
"Princess! We must hurry if you want to see the ceremony!" I yelled as I grabbed the car keys. Lily comes running in the room and smiles at me. I walk to the car, Lily trailing me as I buckle her into the car seat. I close the door and then turn to face Everett.
"Make sure that nothing happens while I'm gone." I said as I walked to the driver side of the car. Everett nods and walks back inside. I get in the car, driving away from the apartment. Once we got to town hall I parked and unbuckled Lily from her car seat.
"What's the rule of coming here princess?" I asked, bending down to be at her height.
"Stay beside you." She said as she ruffled my hair. I chuckled and nodded, fixing my hair. I grabbed her hand and led her inside. Once we got inside I led Lily to the first row of chairs and sat down, handing her the juice box I grabbed earlier. I shushed her as the ceremony started. One by one ladies and gentlemen scan their hands and receive their powers. The ceremony went on for hours. Finally everyone gave up, leaving.
"Princess, do you want to leave like everyone else?"
I whispered to Lily. She shakes her head and I sigh, turning my head back to the stage. Just then a pretty girl, about 20 years of age, stepped on the stage. Her honey-brown hair flowing down her back, curls that framed her face. Her white dress matched her olive skin perfectly. Her eyes were an icy blue, innocents shining in them. My heart skipped a beat as I feasted upon the vision. She smiled and I swear I could watch that smile all day. I didn't even know her name, Didn't know what she liked. She was just pretty, that's why my heart was doing this, I told myself. She placed her hand on the scanner and the word "Error" Appeared everywhere. I watched as she got drug away, handing her in a manner that no one should ever treat a woman. I looked around at what must be her family, who stood there faces twisted with horror. That's when I recognized her. Acealine Giordano. Daughter of one of the most powerful men ever. The daughter of the man I swore that one day I would kill. I sucked in a breath as I caught sight of Antonio Giordano, Hatred filling my core. I looked at Lily, her green eyes looking into my dark brown ones, silently asking questions. I shook my head and stood up. I grabbed Lily's hand, leading her to the car. I wish I could say my focus was on getting Lily home safely, but my mind was elsewhere.
If I could win the favor of Antonio's daughter, I could finally get my revenge. But how do I win the favor of a girl I barely know? I would have to watch her. Everett could do some research. Everything came together. As I pulled up to the apartment, the plan fell into place. I Everett was waiting at the entrance, most likely to get Lily. I must admit he is fond of her. One more reason to keep him around I guess. He grabs Lily out of her car seat and I motion for him to take her upstairs. I texted Everett that I had work to do and drove off to the abandoned warehouse on the edge of the city. It's not the best place for my work, but it's the least inconspicuous. I turn on the light, watching as everything comes to life. I sigh, walking over to the giant screen on the far wall. I sat at the chair, and started doing my research. If I was going to try and win the girl's heart, I had to know what I was doing. After hours of research, I knew her life in and out. I was confident that I could reach my goal. Before I left to go home I made sure everything was hidden. Everett sent me a text saying Lily requested I tuck her into bed tonight, so I made my way home. Once I got home and tucked Lily in bed, I ran over my plan once more. Once I was completely satisfied, I drifted off to sleep.