Thankfully, during breakfast, Melanie had calmed down. It helped to have food in her stomach. 505's cooking never failed to make her smile at least a little. His pancakes and omelets were delicious.
It was a relief on Flug's shoulders. Melanie had cried so much that they had to wipe off her smudged makeup. But once they had sat down and she had taken her new pill, which was a stronger ADHD medicine mixed with an antidepressant, she began to calm down.
On his end, Flug tried to tell the girl uplifting and happy things to keep her good mood going. It always worked on 505 and seemed to be working for Melanie so far, too.
Finally, when Melanie had calmed down around the end of the meal, Flug decided to talk about the agenda.
"So, Melanie, uh, you're going to have to watch the videos when you finish eating, but once you get through it, you can do something of your choice," said Flug.
"Okay, I guess that won't be so bad," Melanie said, trying to sound optimistic.
"Yeah, just think of that and about getting through the press conference," Flug said, trying to hype her up. "You'll be just fine."
Melanie's expression fell when she thought about the press conference.
"Oh, yeah," she said. "I guess I was hoping to forget about that. I've never been to one before. Do I really have to go?"
"Yes, you do," Flug replied. "You're the first child to ever be chosen to be Black Hat's ward. That's an important enough honor to deserve a public appearance. Don't you think?"
"It doesn't feel like an honor to me, Flug," said Melanie sadly. "It feels like I've been cursed. I don't want to be Black Hat's ward. I don't care about being in the spotlight. I just want to talk to my parents and ask them what they were thinking when they abandoned me here."
"Have you not been able to talk to your parents yet?" asked Flug.
"No, I tried calling my parents last night and this morning," said Melanie. "I texted them too. Every time there's no response."
"Well, that's strange," Flug said. "Your parents have been talking to me all day. They've even given me a message to pass on to you."
"Really?" Melanie asked, perking up considerably. "What did they say?"
Flug took a deep breath to pass on the news he was about to give, "Well, your doctor analyzed your tests with your records, and she has officially diagnosed you with autism."
Melanie paused and blinked, "What?"
"It's…uh…nothing to be ashamed of, Melanie," said Flug. "It's just like your ADHD. It means your brain is different, kinda like mine, but you'll probably need some more support in some areas. It isn't a bad thing at all. So, congratulations!"
Melanie paused, "Autism. Well, I guess it makes a few things make more sense."
"Really? Well, that's a good thing then," said Flug.
"Yeah, but that doesn't explain why they haven't been talking to me!" cried Melanie. "I mean, Dios Mio."
Trying to be chipper, Flug said, "On the bright side, your doctor said that since your social skills and grades have improved so much in your middle school years there's no reason to put you in special education classes. You can continue with the accommodations you have so that's a good thing."
"I don't care about that!" cried Melanie. "Why can't my parents tell me that news themselves? First, they hide the fact that they're abandoning me and now they can't even tell me I have autism themselves?!"
Flug sighed, "I don't know. Maybe it's a longer conversation your parents are hoping to have later."
"Maybe or maybe they've already abandoned me completely and don't want to talk to me anymore," Melanie said sadly.
505 moaned sympathetically and rubbed her shoulder.
"I don't think that's true," Flug said comfortingly. "Your parents have been sending me multiple files about your health and plan on sending us more of your belongings to make your room feel more like home to you. They have been very concerned about you and asking a lot of questions. In my experience, parents don't do that if they don't care about their children."
Melanie looked up from her finished plate and smiled, "I guess you have a point."
"Yes, since your breakfast is finished, it's time to get you ready for this press conference," announced Flug.
"Do I have to?" complained Melanie. "I'm still really nervous."
"I'm afraid so, but don't worry," Flug said, putting a hand on her shoulder. "It'll be fine."
"What's the hold-up?" a dark voice suddenly rasped among them.
Flug screamed and flinched so hard he practically jumped out of his skin, "Ahhh! Oh, hello, jefecito."
"The press is here," said Black Hat. "Is the girl ready?"
"Uh, well, you see…" Flug fumbled over his words.
Black Hat turned to Melanie and looked her over, "I told you not to cry, Melanie. Now, you've ruined your makeup. It has run everywhere."
"Well, excuse me if I'm not in a great mood," Melanie snapped. "I'll just wash it off."
In a flash, Black Hat gripped Melanie's wrist, pulled her to her feet, and leaned in so close that their faces were almost touching, "You do not use such a tone with me! Do you understand?!"
Melanie trembled in place and fearfully nodded.
Black Hat waved his hand over Melanie's face. In an instant, the makeup fixed itself to what it was before.
The demon then let go of his ward's wrist and summoned a mirror so Melanie could see her face.
"There, I fixed it for you," Black Hat said. "In the future, you will not mess up your face when we're going for public appearances. Presentation is an important part of being a villain, especially since you're going to be seen with me. You'd do well to remember that, Melanie."
Melanie looked over her fixed makeup and tried not to look impressed, "Yeah, whatever."
Black Hat scoffed and made the mirror disappear, "Come along, child. My publicist would like to speak with you."
"You have a publicist?" asked Melanie in disbelief.
Black Hat rolled his eye and pushed his ward towards a penguin in a top hat who was about as tall as she was.
"Hey…Oh, wow, uh, hi there," Melanie stumbled over her words upon seeing the penguin.
"Good morning, Melanie," said the penguin in a British accent. "My name is Pendleton. I'm here to prep you for your very first press conference."
"Uh, okay," Melanie said nervously.
"Follow me," Pendleton said, taking her hand in his flipper and leading her ahead.
Melanie followed behind bewilderedly.
Black Hat hung back with Flug.
"Flug, there's something I need to talk to you about," Black Hat said. "It is a financial matter."
"Yes, sir?" asked Flug.
"I need your advice on Melanie," said Black Hat. "How much money do parents set aside or pay their children for existing?"
Flug blinked, "Sir, I don't follow."
"You know, you idiot! The weekly salary parents pay their children from their own income to pay for their expenses when all the brats do is exist," explained Black Hat. "Kind of like how part of the company's income is set aside to pay for you and Demencia."
Flug finally understood, "Oh! You mean an allowance, Lord Black Hat."
"Of course!" Black Hat said, rolling his eye. "How much do parents normally pay their children for existing? I need to know how much to pay my ward into her bank account."
Flug pondered and fumbled over his words for the answers, "Well, that depends on the parents, sir…"
"A number, Flug, now!" exclaimed Black Hat impatiently. "Just enough so she doesn't have to bother me with her trifling needs."
"Well, since she's getting older, I suppose Melanie can be trusted with a modest amount of money that gets refilled every month or so," reasoned Flug.
"So, would $1 million be sufficient?" asked Black Hat.
Flug's mouth hung over in shock and he tried to speak up, "Oh, sir, that is extremely generous…"
"Good," Black Hat interrupted. "Go ahead and set up my grandniece's bank account. My ward and I have a press conference to attend."
In a flash, Black Hat teleported away.
All Flug could do was pull up the press conference live stream on his phone and hope for the best as he headed to his office to work on Black Hat's special request.