That trip back from Osaka kicked my ass. Dinner with Daddy was all well and good, but I just wanted to go to sleep. And if anyone knew what my tired face looked like, it was him. Daddy wouldn't hesitate to act on it either. The two of us walked back to my building. I say the two of us. Daddy walked to my building while I rode on his back. I didn't exactly get my height from him. Thanks, Mom, for sticking me with the short gene. But I did get to be super leggy because of her, so…Fair trade.
I wasn't going to complain. My feet hurt like a bitch and something about being on Daddy's back again put me at ease. The only way this night could've ended any better would've been if Ritsu could've tagged along and became quick best friends with Daddy. But I can't always get what I want, can I? No matter how much I have Daddy wrapped around my finger, he still occasionally has the power to say no. He and I walked back into my penthouse and immediately into my bedroom.
Pajamas. I needed a pair of pajamas. Because sleeping in what I wore today wouldn't exactly be the most comfortable thing. The band of this skirt was already cutting off circulation, but that could also be from the tremendous food baby I had in my stomach. I grabbed a t-shirt and a pair of shorts and quickly changed. When I popped the button on my skirt, I swear in that moment, I saw the curvature of the Earth. I saw the planets come into perfect alignment. I had reached inner peace. That…Was fucking phenomenal.
"You know, Rei," Daddy sat at the edge of my bed, pulling the blankets over me, "It feels like it's been ages since I tucked you in like this."
"It hasn't been that long," I figured, "It's only been maybe a month and a half, Daddy. And that's because we're in two different countries."
"On two different continents," he added, "And there's a damn ocean and most of the US still between us after that."
"I know," I curled my head into his hip, "But this was for my safety, right, Daddy?"
"That's right, baby," Daddy ran his hand through my hair, "Are you going to be ok by yourself tonight?"
"I think so," I dug underneath my pillow and pulled out a shiny toy, "Just like Wu-Tang."
"You are definitely nothing to fuck with," he giggled, "That's for damn sure. Oh, I miss having you around, Reila. I really do."
"When can I come home?" I wondered.
"Not for a little while yet," Daddy reported, "When's your next break?"
"Probably not until the winter," I assumed, "I don't care if I have to miss two weeks of school. There is no way in hell I'm missing Christmas back home."
"I wouldn't allow it," he swore, "Besides, I'm sure you'll have off anyway. But are you sure you'll be ok here by yourself, Rei? You don't need me to stick around?"
"I'm sure," I promised, "I pray for the man who stupidly decides to walk into my house and try to do something. It'll be his funeral."
"That's right," Daddy kissed my forehead, "Good night, princess."
"Good night, Daddy," I smiled a little, "I love you."
"I love you, too." He killed the lights on his way out and I shut my eyes, falling into the best night's sleep I've had since I moved here. And I knew the exact reason why. It'll be the same reason why I'll sleep like shit for a few days after Daddy leaves. I'm back into the same routine I was in before I left New York. Dinner. Catching up about the day with Daddy with the occasional sprinkles of business. Getting tucked in with a kiss goodnight. There was no going wrong. The world seemed to shine just a little brighter.
When I woke up the next morning, I still stood by that statement. Why? Because I smelled breakfast. And I knew damn well it wasn't Ritsu's cooking. This smelled far too complex to be Ritsu's cooking. Besides, if it was Ritsu, he'd still be wrapped around my waist. My entire penthouse smelled like Christmas morning and I loved it. I pushed myself out of bed and shuffled my way into my seldom used kitchen, laying my face into Daddy's back.
"Good morning, princess," he spun around and wrapped his arms around me, "How'd you sleep last night?"
"Like a damn rock," I shoved my fist in my eye.
"You really need to grocery shop better, Rei," Daddy pointed out, "Your cabinets were practically empty with the exception of a few granola bars and a can of coffee."
"Those are essential food groups," I took a seat at my island, "Am I wrong?"
"You didn't even have any milk, Rei."
"That's because milk is a liquid abomination," I argued, "Unless it's in a bowl of Frankenberry or we're making sauce, I see no use for it."
"My God, child…" Daddy sighed out, shaking his head in disappointment, "One day. One day, I'm sure I'll get you to drink a glass of milk."
"Or steamed," I added, "Steamed milk in a chai latte or in my flat white is delightful, but I don't have anything to steam milk with. And in small doses, chocolate milk is ok. Sometimes, strawberry in a pinch, but straight milk is vile and you cannot convince me otherwise."
"You have a half gallon in your fridge," he pointed out, "I suggest using it once in a while."
"What's the expiration date on it?"
"Reila…"
"Yes, Daddy," I let it go, "I'm sure it'll be gone before then. By the way, when did you get here?"
"About an hour ago," he thought, pulling a cookie sheet of cinnamon rolls out of the oven, "I didn't wake you, did I?"
"No," I shook my head, "I woke up on my own."
"Fantastic," Daddy took the pot of what looked like frosting off the burner, drizzling it across the cooling racks. Looks like someone did go shopping this morning. Damn, Daddy. I didn't need half this shit, but I'm not complaining, "I hope you're hungry, baby."
"I hope I can invite six of my closest friends," I stared down the bounty stretched across my kitchen counter. Cinnamon rolls (from scratch because anything less would be an insult), a big ass frittata, and by the looks of it, a dozen strawberry banana muffins. I love when Daddy gets the sudden desire to bake.
"Do you even have six close friends here, Rei?" he wondered.
"I do," I nodded, "Well…Kind of. I have seven friends under my protection."
"Under your what?" Daddy perked up, "Excuse me? Reila, is there something you need to tell me?"
"It's not nearly as bad as what you think," I settled him, "Did you take your blood pressure medication this morning?"
"Before I left my hotel room," he glared a hole through me, "Reila Ann, what kind of shitstorm have you gotten yourself into?"
"Nothing bad," I promised, "There was this bitch that walked into where my friends and I meet after school for our club meetings thinking she was hot shit, right? And she was practically a tree compared to me. Anyway, she walked in, thinking she owned the place and I had to knock her ass down a peg or two. So, I got in her face…as much as what I could anyway…and I told her where the bear shits in the woods. But see, she also thought I was just playing tough until I grabbed her by the wrist and let her know as gently as possible how tough I could play. So, she backed off. She almost transferred me schools against my will."
"Jesus Christ, Rei," Daddy gasped, "You're making a name for yourself, aren't you? Where was she going to transfer you to?"
"Lobelia."
"To think," he chuckled under his breath, "I damn near sent you to Lobelia."
"I know," I remembered, "I was there. But they didn't have a kendo program and I needed a class dedicated to beating the shit out of someone with a stick."
"How is your kendo class going?" Daddy asked, quickly changing subject.
"Great!" I beamed, "On day one, I took out the biggest guy in class."
"That's my girl," he praised, "Playing by prison rules, I see."
"That's not all," I went on, "Not only was he the biggest guy in class, but he was also the best out of all the kendo classes."
"That's my girl!" Daddy grinned, his heart bursting with pride, "You really are Daddy's little Bam-Bam, aren't you, Rei?"
"I try," I blushed a little, "But there's even another plot twist."
"Do tell."
"We're friends now," I peeled off a piece of cinnamon roll and shoved it into my mouth. Oh, I miss Daddy's baking, "Like…Good friends. He's in the same club I am."
"Really?" Daddy thought it over for a moment or two, "I might have to meet your friends while I'm still in town."
"I don't know about that," I winced, squelching that before it could materialize into anything, "I don't think they're ready for that yet, Daddy. It's not a you thing. It's a them thing."
"What do you mean?" he brushed it off, "They might surprise you."
"Daddy," I explained in the simplest terms possible, "They're afraid of Ritsu. They have no clue I'm a mafia baby. Except for the one, but that's beside the point. You don't think they're going to see someone like you walk in and be able to keep a clean pair of shorts? No. That's not happening."
"They don't have to know," Daddy shrugged, "I could just casually stop by. Or they could always come here. I'm sure you've had someone here before other than Ritsu."
"They've all been here." Twice. The first time, I didn't know they were coming and the only reason they knew where I lived was because of Kyoya's hacking. The second time was still practically unannounced, but that was because they wanted to pry at my love life. If that's what it even was at the time. I got up from my barstool to answer the knock at the door, hoping to God it wasn't time number three, "Just trust me, Daddy. They won't be able to handle that kind of excitement."
"If you say so."
Sure enough, I threw the door open and could breathe a little easier, "Hi, Roy."
"Good morning, Rei!" Roy chimed, looking over my shoulder at the rather large man standing at my island. He quickly threw his arm around me, almost as if he were trying to shield me, "Rei…Is he good?"
"For Christ's sake, Roy," Daddy rolled his eyes, "I'm the one that signs your goddamn paychecks. If I can't be in my daughter's penthouse, then we have a fucking problem."
"Oh!" Roy threw himself at Daddy's feet, "I'm so sorry, sir. I didn't realize you were coming. Forgive me."
"You're forgiven," Daddy let it go, "You did what you were paid to do. Your gut reaction was to keep Rei safe. And we never have met face to face, so I can let this one slide. Just this once. It happens again and things are not going to be pretty for you."
"Now, Roy," I wiggled out of his arm, "What's up? What did you want?"
"I'm just checking up on you," Roy reported, "It is that time of the day again."
"She's fine," Daddy assured, "I got her taken care of. Now, do you think I could spend some quality time with my daughter, Roy?"
"Yes, sir," Roy bowed, "I'm so sorry I mistook you as someone that meant her harm."
"Roy…"
"Yes, sir?"
"Get the hell out of here," Daddy ordered, already done with him.
"Yes, sir!" Roy sprinted out of my penthouse and threw himself in the elevator.
"Rei," Daddy pulled up a chair at the island, "I want you to be completely honest with me."
"Of course, Daddy," I sat next to him. Sounded serious, "What is it?"
"Is that seriously what you've been dealing with on a daily basis since you've been here?" he scoffed, "Because if that was the case, I'm sorry in advance."
"He was a pain in the ass to get used to," I admitted, "But I did get used to him. And every once in a while, I might slip him. I know you hired him to keep me safe, Daddy, but more often than not these days, I'm out with Ritsu and I have no doubt in my mind he could rip someone in half like a phone book if it meant keeping me safe."
"I can't blame you for wanting to run off on him," Daddy allowed, "But don't do it too much, ok? I still want to see you come Christmas time."
"And you will," I promised, "Besides, even if I'm by myself, I never leave the house without my knife on me and if all else fails, I can kick someone's ass, too. You've seen me do it."
"I've seen you spar against your uncles," he pointed out, "And occasionally beat the shit out of some assholes trying to fuck us over. I know you can protect yourself, baby, but the extra protection couldn't hurt. Although, hearing that about Ritsu…I know I'll sleep better at night knowing you're hanging around him."
"Good," I think that was Daddy giving his approval. It sure as hell sounded like it.
"Now that we have that out of the way," Daddy asked, "What are we doing today, baby girl?"
"What do you mean?" I gave him a look.
"Well," he elaborated, "I'm only in town for a couple days. And you know Tokyo better than I do. It's not like either one of us can sit around at home with our thumbs up our asses. You know damn well what I'm thinking, princess. Let's go get into some trouble, yeah?"
"Ok." Who was I to say no to Daddy? His word was law and the whole family knew that. So, if Daddy says let's get into trouble, we're going to go find some trouble to get into.
A/N: Oh, boy! What kind of fun can a notorious mob boss and his little princess get into? Probably bowling. They're totally going bowling. I would. I'm really good at Wii Bowling, but other bowling, I suck something awful. That's me with most sports, though. Wii Sports? Crush it. Real sports? Crush me. But here nor there. So, Daddy's looking to meet the host club, is he? That could either be fine or a dumpster fire. No inbetween. Now, before I end up giving spoilers for Friday's chapter, I'm going to go over here and do a thing. See you next chapter! xx