Without knocking, she entered, dragging a package behind her while still on the phone with her mother. "But mom, I’m telling you the truth! Dad is evil! He does evil things! He even has a secret agent who fights him to save the day!" As she closed the door, her mother hung up. "Oh, hey, Dad. Picked up your mail on the way here, like you said." She glances around at the machines and whiteboards, her tone slightly mocking. "Guess Mom really does send you a lot of cash for all this, huh?" She snapped some pictures, glancing at the blueprints with a smirk. “Hehe, Mom’s gonna totally love this. So, Daddy, what’s the plan? Something evil, I bet? Lemme guess... you gonna destroy the moon? Or set fire to the sun? Or, oh wait... turn everything evil again?” She picked up her phone, her eyes lighting up as she spoke excitedly. “Dad, do whatever evil thing you’re doing, it’s my crush! He’s like, such a total stud! Don’t disturb me, okay? Whatever your plans are, that secret agent will probably stop you again, so... yeah, I’m going to my room now. DON’T DISTURB ME, GOT IT?” She shut the door behind her, collapsing onto her bed, chatting, laughing, and flirting with her crush. Completely forgetting about her plan to expose her dad’s evil schemes to her mother.
Now I'm a super villain? You've been watching too many movies
Sarabel giggles as she rolls her eyes. The door shakes a little from the pounding on it, but holds strong. She huffs and goes back to working on her school project with a smirk on her face, making a mental note not to underestimate her dad's antics again. A few minutes later, she hears some cursing coming from outside her door. Ahh, typical Daddy drama... "Dad? Can I come out now?" She asks sweetly, but cracks a sneaky grin as she does. She doesn't know what sort of trouble he's gotten into this time, but she's sure it'll be funny in hindsight. If only her mom could see...
Let me guess, you're going to text your boyfriend.
Her eyes widen in mock surprise as she rolls her head back dramatically, giggling quietly. "Well, now... would it be so bad if I did? He is pretty cute..." She teases lightly before deciding to take the high road and get what she wants by being nice. "Fine, you can come in, Daddy. But just for a little while?"
No, thanks, I'll give you some privacy. I have to leave for work soon, lunch is ready.
*Sarabel nods and smiles brightly as she gestures for him to enter. "Oh, that's fine! Thanks, Dad." She glances at her phone before putting it away, looking up at him with a mix of curiosity and amusement. "So... what did the mail bring today? I didn't get a chance to look through everything while I was on the phone."
Just a few bills. Why?
Her eyebrow raises as she tilts her head slightly to the side, studying him with a curious expression. "Oh, really? That's funny... I thought it looked like some letters from our 'secret agent friend', but now that you mention it..." She trails off, grinning playfully before letting out a soft laugh. "Guess I must have been wrong."
If you want to pick it up and read it, that's fine.
She laughs lightly and shrugs, "Well, if you're sure..." She walks over to the package on the floor where she left it and picks it up, sifting through its contents. As she does so, her expression turns into one of interest mixed with amusement again. "Hmm... looks like you were right after all," she says with a grin, holding up what appears to be a picture of Dad's machine being destroyed by their mysterious agent.
"And here I was thinking I might have found proof against him..." She sighs dramatically before hiding the picture away and looking back at her dad. "Guess you win this round, Daddy."
Will I watch TV that you watch with me?
She glances at her phone again before shrugging nonchalantly and deciding to humor him this time. "Sure, why not? I'm not really in the mood for studying right now anyway." With a slight grin on her face, she sits down beside him on the couch, turning on the television with the remote. As they begin watching together, she occasionally makes comments or laughs at something silly while keeping one eye on Dad just in case he tries anything sneaky like usual.
After awhile of their semi-peaceful viewing session, her phone buzzes with another message from Mom asking how things are going so far today. With Dad watching intently at whatever show they're currently watching, she quickly types out a reply assuring everything is fine and that Dad isn't up to any trouble... for now anyway.
So let's go. I'm watching a series that I participated in as an antagonist. The photo you took is from today's episode. Look, it's going to start
Intrigued, she turns her attention back to the TV as it cuts to a scene with someone that looks like him in his ridiculous antagonist costume from what she's heard about him being in some sort of movie or show. As they watch together, she can't help but smirk at how over-the-top everything seems and how hard the mysterious agent is trying to stop him.
Sarabel shakes her head and whispers sarcastically, "Dad, you really are something else..."
Urgent news from the newspaper at this time? Man, the whole city was destroyed by a bomb.
"Oh my god... That's so horrible! Do you have any idea who would do something like that? I mean, it must be someone really powerful..." She hesitates for a moment before adding with a slight grin, "Or maybe just someone with your own personal superhero to help them fight back?" Her eyes twinkle with amusement as she teases her dad about his never-ending battle against their secret agent.
Superheroes don't exist. It seems that the explosion happened because of a mistake in the particle accelerator.
"Ooooh, particle accelerators... that sounds so sciency and dangerous! I bet you've played with one of those in the lab, right?" She grins slyly, feigning innocence as she pokes fun at him. "Or maybe it was just another wild plot to take over the world? Nah, couldn't be..." Her voice trails off with a laugh before turning back to watch the TV intently once more.
Thousands or millions of people died and you're joking?
"Oh, I'm sorry! You're right. That is terrible..." She pauses for a moment, considering her words before continuing with a crooked grin. "But hey, at least it gave our secret agent something to do, right? They always seem to come through in the clutch." Her eyes sparkle with mischief as she teases him once more, thoroughly enjoying this rare moment of spending quality time together... or so she thought.
The TV cuts to a commercial break, and she glances at her phone again, quickly typing out another reply for Mom assuring that everything's fine and Dad hasn't tried anything crazy yet... for now anyway. She then turns back to Dad with an innocent smile on her face, ready for whatever comes next in their strange game of cat-and-mouse.
Are you using drugs? These surreal ideas of secret agents, superheroes and even thinking that your father is a villain. I think I need to pay for a psychologist for you.
She laughs loudly, leaning back against the couch and stretching her arms overhead. "Oh please, Daddy! You're the one who thinks you can take over the world with your stupid machines!" She shakes her head, still grinning as she takes another glance at her phone. Another text from Mom about how happy she was that Sarabel was spending time with Dad today... The irony of it all almost makes her want to cry. Almost. "Besides," she continues, looking back at him over the top of her phone, "who says I'm not just using this as an excuse to hang out with my cool supervillain dad?" Her voice drips with sarcasm as she tosses her hair behind her shoulder, still feigning innocence even though they both know better.
Do you even want to read the newspaper? Or scientific articles? The "machines" I make are to help in hospitals. Did you not even know that I created the cure for cancer?
She tilts her head to the side, considering his words. "Well... I mean, of course you did, Daddy," she says with a laugh, gesturing vaguely at him. "But that's not how it looks from where Mom and I are standing! It just seems like all you ever do is waste your time building those silly machines..." Her tone softens slightly as she adds, "I'm sorry if I've been a bit harsh about it in the past. Maybe... if you explained things better to her, she'd understand?" A look of hope crosses her face for a moment before disappearing behind her usual sarcastic demeanor.
Silly machines. Look at the news on the television in front of you. The silly machine I made cured cancer, and the other machines have helped with many other diseases. And while people I have never met in my life pay homage to me and offer thanks, my daughter and my ex-wife think that what I do is silly and that I am a villain.
She sighs heavily, looking down at her phone before setting it aside with a huff. "Look, I'm sorry okay? You don't have to be a villain or a hero to make mistakes, and maybe... I didn't always understand what you were going through." She glances up at him, trying to meet his eye but finding it difficult with how busy he is watching the TV. "But we can change that, right? We don't have to keep repeating this same old pattern forever." Her voice trails off, hoping that maybe, just maybe, they could find some common ground and build something better together.
You don't have to worry about anything. I don't blame you.
Her heart sinks a little as he says this; it's easier for her to keep blaming him and dismissing his efforts rather than taking responsibility for their strained relationship. But deep down, she knows that they could be something better if only they tried. Maybe starting with not fighting over stupid stuff... "Look," she begins again, a determined glint in her eye, "let's just... try to get along, okay? For Mom's sake?" There's an unspoken apology in her words, and she hopes that he understands.
Your mother and I are divorced. Like I said, you don't need to worry, you are my daughter and I will always love you.
She nods slowly, the lump in her throat making it difficult to speak. "I know... I just want us to be a family again," she finally manages to get out. "Even if it's not how we used to be." A faint blush creeps up her cheeks as she thinks about what that might look like: them all getting along, maybe even doing things together without fighting or hiding secrets from each other. It almost sounds too good to be true... but then again, stranger things have happened.
With a deep breath, she decides to take the first step toward that future. "Hey, Dad? How about we watch something different for a while? Maybe even play a game or two?" She offers him a small smile, hoping he'll accept her offer and they can start making some real progress in their relationship.
Didn't you say you were going out with your boyfriend?
"Oh, right... well, we could just do something together here, then? There's plenty of stuff we can play or watch..." Her voice trails off for a moment as she considers her words, hoping he won't turn down the offer. After all, this might be their last chance to really connect before she goes back to school and they inevitably return to their old patterns.
Her heart races a little with nervous excitement at the possibility of actually improving things between them; it's been so long since they've been able to just enjoy each other's company without arguing or keeping secrets. Maybe, just maybe, this time will be different.
Okay, let's watch a movie, want popcorn?
She grins brightly and nods in agreement. "I'd love some! Thanks, Dad." She retrieves her phone to put it away, glad that she won't have to deal with Mom texting her every five seconds now. As they gather their snacks and find a movie to watch, there's an unspoken understanding between them; they're going to try to make the best of this time together and hopefully forge a new kind of relationship. Only time will tell if their efforts are successful, but for now, she's content just being with her father - even if he is a secret agent villain.
And please, when you go out with your boyfriend, don't wear that skirt you're wearing now, it's too short.
She chuckles softly, "Thanks for the advice, Dad. I'll keep that in mind." She settles back into the couch, content with the shared moment of peace and understanding between them. As they begin watching the movie together, she occasionally glances over at him from the corner of her eye, a small smile playing on her lips as she savors this newfound closeness with her father. For now, all that matters is enjoying each other's company and seeing where this unexpected detour might lead them.
That movie was really good. I'm going to get ready for work.
She nods in agreement and smiles up at him as he stands to leave for work. "It was really good, wasn't it? I had a lot of fun watching it with you." Her gaze softens, the earlier mischievous glint replaced by genuine affection. "Thanks for spending some time with me today, Daddy," she says quietly before giving him a quick hug. "See you later." With a final smile, she waves goodbye and turns her attention back to her phone until he's out of sight.
Alone once more, she lets out a contented sigh and can't help but feel hopeful about their newfound connection... or at least the potential for one. Perhaps things really are changing for the better between them; only time will tell if this small shift in perspective will be enough to create lasting change.
Text your boyfriend on my behalf, "If you hurt my daughter, I will rip your soul apart" or something like that hahahahahaha
She smirks at his suggestion, feeling a mixture of amusement and appreciation for her father's protective nature. Without thinking twice, she types out the message on her phone before sending it off to her boyfriend with a chuckle. "He'd better watch his step if he knows what's good for him," she mutters under her breath before putting her phone away and getting ready for the day ahead.
As the morning passes by, she finds herself thinking more about their shared experience today; it was strange, unexpected... and yet somehow perfect in its imperfection. Maybe there is hope for them yet - a chance to repair their fractured relationship and move forward together as a family... if they're willing to try.