Rose p.o.v

Quitely I sat in the living room coloring in one of my coloring books when Daddy came up to me. I could hear his footsteps from afar and excitement only grew in me. After my last punishment, he became even more distant to me and more involved with Olivia. 

Olivia came by more and more disagreements began to arise between me and Olivia and me and Daddy. She only brought stress and conflicts here, in the house. But now, now she was gone for a couple of days and I had Daddy all to myself again. 

Daddy and I even watched a movie together yesterday and snuggled some. It wasn't for long, still, I loved every minute of it. 

I had hoped Daddy would come and join me. Sadly, I was being disappointed. Again.

"Rose, go upstairs to Stella." 

"Why Daddy?" I whined. I knew this was bad news. 

"Nathan is going to pick you up in thirty minutes." I turned my head around and saw Daddy being busy fixing his tie.  

He looked smart, having a three set piece suit on in the color dark blue. I was wondering what was so important he had to go to that he dressed like that. 

"Where you going, Daddy?" 

"Nothing important." His distant attitude made its appearance again and it bugged me. He always told me to speak the truth, yet here he was standing in front of me, not even bothering to make up a lie, just bluntly ignoring me. 

I stood up. "Daddy where are you going?" 

"Nothing that concerns you. Now go upstairs and get ready. Be a good girl for once." If it were me just of the streets hearing these words, I would back down immediately. 

Only, during my time here and with Anna and Max I had learned to gain confidence, and with, ironically, the help of Olivia I became more articulate. I knew now better how to voice my thoughts and feelings. 

And it was now, that I was over naive me and had to grow up and face the man in front of me. Little me was being pushed back in my mind to protect her and the grown-up young adult Rose made its appearance. 

"You be honest for once." I huffed. 

Daddy sighed. I could see the battle in his eyes and I hoped his good and caring side for me, would for once, win. 

"I got an important meeting and...and after I go to Olivia." I had just witnessed he actually did have some conscience, but I could also clearly see he did not listen to it. 

"But you will have great fun, baby. You will go to the pool." 

I crossed my arms. "I don't know how to swim. You know that. Can't you just stay with me? We barely spend time together anymore. I miss you..." I became quieter as the lonely and sad feelings that I had bottled up the last couple of weeks started to overflow. 

I needed my safe place and he, the tall man that had taken me in, was my safe place. 

"Rose, I explained this over and over to you. Olivia is my girlfriend, of course, I am going to spend more time with her. I don't understand what you don't get?" He taunted. 

My heart broke when I realized that he wouldn't, ever, understand how I felt. Feeling like someone who stands at the sideline, someone who sits on the bench waiting to be called over when needed and be seated when not. 

"So, what am I doing here then?" I asked lowly. 

"You are my baby girl of course!" Daddy exclaimed, like a matter of fact. 

Hot tears settled in the corner of my eyes. "It doesn't feel that way. Not anymore." 

He didn't respond. He just stood there not knowing what to do or what to say. He looked like a completely different man from the day I met him. 

Then he was my hero. Now he acted like my biggest villain. 

"Well then, I am going. See you later." He turned around hesitantly and made his way over to the foyer. 

"Wait! Please stay. Show me you are my Daddy. Please?" I begged him. I didn't want to lose him. I couldn't lose him. How much I hated him right now, I need him. He was my only anchor. I didn't know who I was without him. 

"Rose, I am not starting this conversation again. I am already late as it is. I got to go."  He speed-walked to the door as he looked on his watch. 

I couldn't let him go. I couldn't. 

"So you want me to go back to the streets?!" 

He halted in his steps. Shock was clearly written all over his face. He opened his mouth but nothing came out. We just stood there for a minute, looking into each other's eyes. 

"Never. I don't want you to go back to that horrible place, ever." He almost whispered. 

The silence between us was interrupted by his phone. The moment the phone was lifted from his pocket I could see it was Olivia who was calling. 

He let the phone ring. When silence fell between us again he turned around ready to leave the house. 

"Please don't go, Derek," I mumbled. 

The moment his name left from my lips, I could hear how the front door was being opened and shortly after that was being closed. 

Silent tears streamed down my face. 

~~~

Twenty minutes later I stood together with Stella and a bag with clothes, towels, and toys on the driveway waiting for Nathan. 

I felt empty, numb. 

I wanted to disappear from the world, hiding my face in pillows, covering myself up with blankets. 

I no way I was excited to go to the pool.

The first person I learned to trust, the first person who took my hand to guide me had betrayed me and confirmed even more how ugly the world can be. How ugly people can be.

Stella had noticed my sad demeanor and wrapped her arm around me to give me some type of comfort. 

I could hear the rumble of an engine in the distance and soon the fire red car of Nathan drove in front of us. The broad men barely managed to get out of the car and greeted us with a big smile. 

"Greetings ladies!" 

Stella was so polite to greet him for the both of us as it was difficult for me to utter even one word. 

The moment he saw me Nathan's bright smile was turned upside down and a frown was placed on his face. 

He walked up to me and took my bag and put it in the car. Then he exchanged some pleasantries with Stella, said hello and goodbye, when after he took my hand and guided me to the passenger seat. 

Normally we could never sit in that seat, but I had a feeling he noticed I wasn't even near my little space and was totally out of it. 

As we drove off the driveway Nathan asked, "Do you want to talk about it?" 

I shook my head as I wiped some newly fresh tears away. 

"That's all right, but I do want you to know if you do want to talk, I am all ears." 

I managed to croak a small 'thank you' out and remained quiet during the remainder of our drive to the pool. 

Just before we arrived Nathan spoke up, "If you are wondering, Ellis took Anna and Max to pool already as we both live nearby it." 

"Okay," I mumbled. 

I opened my door as we finally stood still in the parking lot of the very much popular swimming pool. I could already hear children and teenagers screaming and yelling outside the gates. It was a sunny and warm day. So I could only imagine how busy it would be. 

Nathan took our bags out of the car and led me to the register to buy a ticket. He got us both one each and together we sought for Ellis, Anna, and Max. 

After ten minutes we had finally found them huddled under a tree to seek some cover from the hot sun. 

"There you are! I thought you both got lost," Ellis joked. 

Nathan politely laughed and was soon hugged by Max. "Daddy! I missed you so so so much!" 

"Oh did you? I thought you said you wanted to swim alone today as I don't like to go down any slides." Nathan and Max kept on biggering and joking with one another after that. 

"Why aren't you in your swimming suit yet?" Anna asked as she came up to me. 

I couldn't answer as Ellis followed with directions where I could go and change. When they both were finally done speaking I responded, "I don't know how to swim, so..." 

"Oh, really? Why didn't Derek inform us about this, then we would have done something else." Ellis spoke, more to Nathan than to me. 

"No, I don't wanna go," Max whined but was immediately quiet after a short warning glare by Nathan. 

I could hear him whisper in Max's ear, "Be nice, we are not going." 

The smaller boy was in an instant happy again as he clung to his Daddy's arm. 

Little me wanted to have Daddy here as well, but adult me wanted him gone. I was about to cry again when Anna brought all the attention to her. "But mommy we can't stay. What is Rose gonna do? Everybody should have fun." 

"I know honey. Well, we have a couple of games with us and we will get ice scream soon." Ellis then turned to me. "I know it isn't much but this is the best I have now." 

I nodded my head. "It's alright. I am not in the mood anyway." 

I was glad when Nathan followed me by opting that Max, Anna, and Ellis should go for a swim while he would stay with me and made sure we would cover ourselves with lots and lots of sunscreen. 

The three didn't object and were off to the large pool. 

When it was Ellis's turn to stay with me she tried to talk to me. I didn't budge. I was in no mood. She finally gave up and ended up saying, "I am sorry." 

I got confused. "Why are you sorry?" 

The tall woman shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. I just have a feeling you need to hear those words from someone." 

I got quiet. I indeed needed to hear those words but not from Ellis. 

It was a struggle to get Anna and Max both ready to go as they had too much fun yet to go. Max needed two warnings and Anna needed a promised punishment to get going. 

I was brought home by Nathan again. He waited until the front door was opened and then drove off on his way home. 

It was Stella that greeted me. She gave me a small smile and a pitied look. 

What was going on? 

I walked further into the house when I heard two people laughing. I walked in the direction of the sound and found Derek and Olivia both sitting in the living room with two plates on the coffee table and a movie playing on the big television screen. 

"So you couldn't even wait for me to eat dinner?"

When my presence became known both of them looked quite shocked. 

Before Derek could make an attempt to answer, Olivia spoke up, "We thought you would come home later." 

I didn't pay mind to her as I kept my eyes locked with Derek. "Nathan nor Ellis said there were any plans I would have dinner with them. You could have at least called them, or tell them I can't swim." I spat. 

"Watch your mouth," Olivia warned. 

"So you let her now speak for you too?" 

When Derek stayed silent, I made up my mind. "I see how it is. Derek, thanks for letting me stay here. But do know you aren't a hero to me." 

With that, I ran out of the house. 

A/N: Thank you all so much for your support for this book. I love to read your comments and once this book is finished I will reply to them in regards to explaining the story more. 

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