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Chapter Three: Setting the Plan in Motion


ASH

My dad got home around 11am the next morning. Paul is still sleeping, but I'm up. I am kind of scared that the girl Paul was with will tell Dawn, who will tell her dad, who will most likely come here personally to kick our asses big time. But now that my dad is here, I feel safer; he'd definitely defend us.

I walk downstairs to see my dad sitting down at our cherry wood dinner table seated comfortably for sixteen. He is reading the newspaper; no doubt the politics section.

"Hey dad," I greet him walking to a seat closer to him.

"Good morning Ash," he replies, not like he actually looks at me, he keeps his eyes on the paper.

I sit on the chair two seats down on his left.

"Read anything interesting?"

"More like disturbing." His voice is a bit more upset now.

"What's so disturbing?" I'm actually afraid to ask, but my curiosity gets the best of me.

"Wanna know what's disturbing?" His voice is louder now, but he has yet to even glance my way. His hands just grip the sides of the paper tightly. "The fact that I leave town for two fucking days and Cyrus is ahead of me on votes by ten fucking percent!"

Wow, that party sure did wonders for the guy. Before my dad left, he was six percent up on Cyrus.

I just stay quiet. Soon enough, the cook comes out with a superb breakfast; two sunny-side up eggs with potatoes, bacon strips, and a large glass of milk. I thank him as he walks back to the kitchen.

Soon after, Paul walks through the archway into the dining room in his dark blue jogging pants and purple t-shirt.

"What's with all the damn yelling at this hour in the morning?" clearly, he's annoyed.

"Dude, it's 12:30pm."

"Like I said!" he hisses.

I give him a dirty look and then resume eating.

"Paul, good morning," says my dad putting down the paper. Of course, he actually acknowledges Paul.

"What do you want?" Paul asks in a demanding voice. Paul gets away with these things.

"Nothing," he claps his hands together and entwines his fingers, "can't a father have a little morning chat with his son?"

I could strangle the guy. I crave his attention while Paul gets it instantly. It bothers me how much I try and nothing ever happens, and all Paul has to do is breathe and dad will always be there.

"No," Paul carelessly replies.

"That's no kind of matter to speak. How do you expect people to like you when you become prince?"

Ah, and there's that.

If my dad becomes king, Paul will be prince and then king when our dad is no longer with us. What do I get?

Nothing

The second son gets nothing; I'll always just be Ash.

Boring isn't it?

I agree.

"Whatever, become king first."

A smile appears on my father's face. "That kind of attitude is what I like, that kind of attitude is what I need. Come with me son," my dad says as he walks out of the dining room.


PAUL

He's cracked.

Of course I'm used to this sort of behaviour from him. I could cuss and talk back to him all I want and he wouldn't care. But him needing me, this is different.

I shoot a weird look his direction but follow him. This leads me to the ballroom.

"Close the door," he orders.

I did as I was told.

"I need you Paul."

"You already said that!-"

"I need your indifferent, arrogant, and cold-hearted ways."

"You sure qualify, I question why you need me," I say as I cross my arms.

This makes his arms tense as they are holding each other behind his back. He has yet to look at me since we got into the ballroom.

"It would be my pleasure to do what I'm asking you to do, but unfortunately I can't because it would be too… obvious."

This definitely peaks my interest.

"What do you need me to do?"

He finally turns my way, an evil grin apparent on his face. "I need you, to be my hit man."

My eyes widen. Is this guy serious? He wants me to kill someone! "I'm not a murderer."

"What if it's to help this family strive to greatness? I need you, like Sinnoh needs me."

This guy is absolutely mental.

"Look Paul, this family has gone through tough times in the past, and right now, this family needs revenge."

"Revenge?"

"Let's just say there's a reason that we went through extremely hard times in the past and there is one man to blame for that."

That's true. When I was younger, we were pretty much in the poor house. We started well off, but then my dad lost his job and everyone shunned us, I don't know why, but the Sicara's were like public enemy number one. Things turned around for us seven years ago, when dad joined politics.

I frown, "and who's that?"

"Cyrus Berlitz."

No way. I didn't actually think there was a person behind our past. I cannot believe Cyrus intentionally made our lives so hard to live.

I am furious. We were almost launched into the streets, and all because of Cyrus.

"I'll do it." My father smirks at me.

"Deception, Paul. They won't just let you in. Earn their trust, and when the time is right, strike. But before the elections of course." He walks up to me and puts his left hand on my shoulder. "I know you'll make me proud Paul."


DAWN

You know what I hate?

A little thing called over protection.

I understand why but I doubt the Sicara's will be out to personally hunt me down. How could they be? One of them kissed me.

It's not that I don't trust my dad. To some extent I believe that the Sicara's were the reason for my mother's death. But he lacks evidence, and that's what Giovanni said too. This is how he got back on top. Everyone believed my dad when he said that they were the ones responsible because my family is so well respected. Everyone loved my mother, so they all just took dad's side. And then apparently the Sicara's lost everything.

Anyway, I really want to break away from the whole protection thing. I'll be eighteen soon and I'll be an adult, I don't need twelve bodyguards surrounding me. My dad doesn't understand this though.

So I decide to take matters into my own hands. While everyone is with my dad in the conference room learning about my dad's new security plan, I decide to sneak out.

Even though I have a beautiful little white Fiat, I don't take it. I'm not going to go far, besides, my dad will notice if my car is missing. So I'll just go to the street mall a few blocks away.

I carefully open the gate, close it, and then run till I can't see my house anymore.

Freedom; it feels so great.

I continue walking toward Weston Boulevard when an older woman around her 30's comes running towards me. My initial reaction is to run and hide.

"NO~ WAY~! I seriously cannot believe that you are Dawn Berlitz!"

More squeals, I am no longer afraid.

The woman rummages through her purse to take out a pen and notepad. "Can I pretty please have an autograph? I am a huge fan of your father's. I really hope he becomes the new king of Sinnoh."

I smile while taking her pen and notepad, "That's so nice! Thanks for the support," I say while signing her notepad.

When I hand it back to her she quite excitedly hugs me and says thank you. She then continues on her way.

I look back at her while she walks away. I don't understand why daddy thinks the world is dangerous. I'm right, I don't need bodyguards.

When I get to the busy high fashion street mall of Weston Boulevard, that's when things start to get hectic. There were a few news reporters there, one of them catches sight of my and runs towards me with his camera crew, the rest follow suit.

Crap, crap, crap.

Unfortunately, I freak out too much to move and they catch up to me. The only reporter I really recognize is John Fillis; he's the reporter from the television news crew of TEnews. The TE standing for "top elite", they only broadcast in the richer parts of Sinnoh.

"Why are you alone?"

"Did you get kicked out?"

"Your father is up on votes, do you think he'll stay on top?"

Oh gosh. "Erm… uh… no comment." That's when I sprint away from them. I run into an alleyway which I regret so, so much.

"Hey pretty lady," says the voice of an older man a couple feet behind me.

Fuck

I turn around slowly. "Hi…" my voice is as shaky as ever.

The man has a torn buttoned up black shirt and dark pants which are also torn up. His hair is brown and messy. He also has a lot of facial hair to complete his wrinkly face. He looks like he could be in his late 50's. He isn't the easiest to set eyes upon either.

"Hey~. Aren't you that girl~… Cyrus' daughter?" He's obviously drunk.

"Y-yes." I am afraid of this man.

He laughs, "Do you think he'll miss you if you're gone?" He steps closer to me, "do you think he'll pay up big if it means his daughter gets to be back in his arms… unharmed?"

Anything I answer at this point will have the same result.

As he gets closer my mind yells at me to run, and that I do, until he grabs my wrist to prevent me from doing so.

Oh God. "Please… let go!"

"Not with all that money I could get from you."

I close my eyes shut. I regret leaving home. I regret going against my father's wishes.

Regret.

My mind is full of it.

Just then my wrist falls loose and all I hear is a bang.

My eyes shoot open in surprise.

The next thing I know, the man is buried in garbage cans.

"Come on!" He takes my wrist and runs.

Paul

What is he…? How is he…? Why is he…?

what?

This scenario makes no sense. Paul is… saving me… he's… helping me. I doubt it. Everyone around here will only help you out if it involves a favour in return. There is definitely another side to this gig.

"Get in!" he says as we approach a black sports car. He yanks his keys out of his pocket and unlocks the door.

I get in as I'm told.

*&^%

For the first bit none of us says anything. I decide I need to.

"Thanks."

He doesn't even look at me. "No problem," he says slowly.

I can't help but ask, "why?"

"You were in trouble. I'm not just going to look over something like that because our dad's hate each other." This gets my lips curving upwards just a bit.

"Thanks," I say again.

"Look Dawn," he seems hesitant, "I sorta need your help."

I knew it.

I sigh, "What do you need?"

"A place to stay."

My eyes grow wide. How damn insane is this guy?

"Paul, my dad would never let you. He hates you guys." My house beings to appear in sight.

"Please Dawn, I really need this." He parks before the front gate.

"Why?"

His eyes wonder everywhere except for my face. "I got kicked out," he finally says.

I raise an eyebrow. He almost gets a laugh out of me. almost. "Your dad, kicked you out?" I rephrase, not believing a word of it. I guess that's apparent because he shoots a dirty look at me.

"Oh come on! Everyone knows that if your dad wins this you become prince. Why would he kick you out? You're probably his trophy son."

"How about you, princess?" he shoots back, "If your dad wins this you get the same treatment and I still pulled you off the streets."

I give him a dirty look, but I admit I deserved it. "Why did he kick you out?" I ask dropping the previous feud.

"If you must know, he found out that I went to the enemy's masquerade ball," he pauses, "he's really disappointed in me. But that might actually be an understatement since I'm here with you right now."

I look at him with a hint of sympathy in my eyes. I know that this isn't going to fair well with my dad.

"I'll see what I can do."

He simply nods at me.


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