Bloody Lovely chapter 4: Dinner

“Kat, are you ready?” the stranger asked me I was leaning on the kitchen wall, thinking about what I had just witnessed. “Kat? Are you alright?” he said walking up to me and putting his hand on my forehead. “You don’t have a tempter. Are you feeling alright?”1

“I’m fine, Clovis.” I said stepping away from him. I didn’t dare to call him my father. How could I? “Lets just get this over with I said walking to the door but before I could escape him he spoke.2

“What did you just call me?” I could already see the expression on his face be for I turned around to confirm it; shocked. 3

“Are we going to go or are we just going to stand her all night?” I didn’t care if he would be mad at me or not. Its not like I can say that I over heard every thing. Now he was nothing more to me then a stranger.4

“I won’t have you talking to me like that young lady.” She said in a stern voice which made what he said sound final.5

“Or what, Clovis? You’re going to punish me? Go right ahead; I don’t care any more.” I looked at him strait in the eyes and saw my own reflection. For a second it felt like I was in school saying all this to Marina instead of the kitchen with him.6

“Katharina what is wrong with you today. I’m your father, you can tell me anything.” He said gently like it would be something that was supposes to touch my heart. But it wasn’t. In fact all I wanted to do then was to yell at the top of my lungs ‘you aren’t my father! I don’t know who he is because you never told me!’7

Instead I just turned back to the door and said, “I’ll be waiting in the car.” I left the room before he could say anything else. When I got to the garage I opened the passenger door to the black convertible. I didn’t have to wait long till he came and sat in the drivers’ seat.8

The car ride was long and quiet. Not one sound came out of our mouths; complete silence. It was two hours, and ten minuets of suspense and mental pain for us both. But finally the car came to a stop in front of Monique De Café, the place was huge.9

I was about to open the door when he grabbed my hand. “Sweet heart pleases understand when I tell you this… I will always love you, and you will always be my daughter no matter what they say. What happens tonight wont change any of that. After tonight though I think it would be best if you never call me father any more.” He whispered. His voice had broken on the last word. I looked closer at his face and saw tears.10

I had never seen him cry. I never even seen him wimpier or complain about anything. What have I done!? The only man to ever care for me and I hurt him. His hands wee shaking in mine and I felt tears come down my face too.11

“Hey, you know what they say pretty boys don’t whine and handsome men don’t cry. So stop crying.” I said trying to cheer him up a little. “You’re still my father no matter what right?” I wiped his tears and then my own.12

“You’re a pure hearted girl Katharina I want you to remember that. Don’t change for anyone but yourself.” He let go of my hand and kissed the top of my head. “Alright now let’s go in.” we got out of the car and walked arm in arm into the café.13

“Do you have reservations?” the hostess asked. I wasn’t really paying attention to her. I was to busy listening to my fathers response.14

“We’re with the Dawn party.” Dawn? Was that the guy he was talking to on the phone?15

“Oh yes, of course please this way to the V.I.P room Mr. Campbell.” She led us in to the very back to a room with decorated doors that gave it an authentic look. There were two door men who had opened the door for us. My heart was beating a mile a minuet. Who was this guy that was so important that he had a V.I.P room? Or was it going to be a whole crowd of people there waiting for us. 16

Blue eyes were the first things I saw. My grip tightened around my fathers’ arms as I saw Zero sitting at the head of the long table. His hands were folded under his chin and he was looking strait at us… no, not us but at me.17

“Clovis! It’s been far too long!” a female voice yelled. I tore my gaze off if Zero and looked at the women who was standing behind him. She was beautiful! She had long silver-blond hair that looked like a gold river and a perfect complication. Her skin was a soft pale that went well with her purplish eyes. He dress was ice blue and looked like it was painted on her, just so that only she could fit it correctly. That lady had to be at least 23. She couldn’t be older then that. 18

“Hello Dawn. It’s been far too long indeed. You look well.” He sounded kind of mean but shy. Was there something going on between—what am I thinking? This lady is Dawn?! This was the person he was talking to on the phone earlier?! The person who he said could be the cause of ruining my life?19

“My, the years have done you well you look even handsomer then when I last saw you. You always did have a skill for getting younger other the years.”20

He cleared his throat. “As do you Dawn.” He said more coldly. 21

“Now Clovis, it’s been ten years since we last saw each other are you going to treat me like that?” she said teasingly22

“Dawn I don’t believe you’ve meet my daughter Katharina. Kat this lady is Dawn Aegle, a firmer college of mine.”23

“Oh my, she looks just like them… how lovely.” she gave me a worm smile and walked up to me to shack my hand. “Oh dear, Zero has told me that you looked beautiful but he left out so much detail! You’re absolutely gorgeous. No wonder Zero—” 24

“Dawn! Shut it would ya!” Zero said getting up and walking to a door that I guess must have been the restroom.25

“Well isn’t he just a charming.” Miss Dawn said, and then her attention went back to me. “You truly are beautiful Katharina. You look exactly like your—”26

“Perhaps Zero was correct, Dawn. ‘Shut up’ really would be appropriate.” Dad said getting in-between us and shielding me like I was about to get hurt or something.27

“No dad, its okay Miss Dawn pleases continue.” I urged when I looked at her face she looked like she was in complete shock. Then she soon recovered.28

“Well how about we save that for when we have our meal? Come sit.” she said gesturing me to the table. I stepped around my father and followed her. She pulled out a chair for me and I sat down. My dad sat next to me and Miss Dawn sat in front of me. “Now when will that boy come out?” she laughed. And as if on cue he came out of the bathroom and sat next to me at the head of the table. 29

It felt weird to be sitting there with all of them. I mean what was there problem? They were all just staring at me and it really crepe me out. “Excuse me, sir.” A waiter said, getting there attention. Thank gowd; I’ll have to give that guy a tip later. “My name is Franklin and I’ll be your waiter tonight. Might I suggest the grilled salmon?”30

“Yes I suppose I’ll have that then.” Dad said to the waiter then he looked at me. “What would you like to eat Kat?” 31

“Oh I’m fine I’m not that hungry” I lied. I couldn’t really think about my empty stomach with my head spinning so much. Plus I don’t know who’s paying so I’d better play it safe. Especially if what my dad said was right about this lady. I can’t let her ruin my life.32

“Are you sure honey? You can get what ever you want. There’s no need to be shy.” Miss Dawn said. For a second she sounded like the mom I never had.33

“It’s okay I don’t have that much of an apatite.” I lied again. Thank gowd I have a good poker face. I took a sip of water and smiled convincingly. 34

“Well alright but if you change your mind let us know.” She turned her attention back to the waiter “I’ll have the salad for now and a glass of wine if you please.” Then she looked at Zero for his turn. “Zero what would you like?”35

I turned my head slightly towards him. He wasn’t looking at anyone but me. He had a look of amusement on his face that strangely got my heart pounding against my ribs. Oh, why did he have to be so hot?36

“She’ll have a steak and make it rare. I’ll have the same and two Coke-a-Cola’s” he said not even looking away from me. And what is he talking about I thought I said I wasn’t hungry why would he order for me?37

“No, I’m not hungry I wont be needing anything thanks though.” I said trying to get myself out off this. I looked from the waiter who now looked confused and then back to the hot and now smirking Zero. 38

“Nice. You were able to convince them, but not me Kitty.” Then he looked at the waiter “don’t listen to her you can go now.” The waiter left and we were all staring at Zero in shock. He was just looking at me again. “I’m surprised Kitty I thought I was the only one who could really lie to them but I guess you can too.” He continued, Okay I didn’t care if he is hot or not but right now I wanted to slap him.39

“Zero what’s the meaning of this what do you mean.” My dad said. It was obvious that he and Miss Dawn are confused now.40

“You still don’t know Clovis? Man you really have gotten old staying in an office all these years.” He said smugly “Kitty here was lying about not being hungry. Duh, it was completely obvious.”41

“Katharina?” Miss Dawn questioned “is this true?” I couldn’t speak. It was impossible. No one has ever seen through my poker face, not ever. I was too shocked at first but then I felt eyes on me waiting. My shock turned into rage. Who dose he think he is?! 42

“Katharina?” my dad said. It was plain obvious that my silence was confirmation that what Zero said was true.43

“Now, now Clovis she was probably just trying to be cautious, isn’t that right Kitty-Kat?” he said. 44

Anger was just tingling through my body. I got up and slapped him right across his face. “WHERE DO YOU GET OFF?!” I yelled at him “you really got some nerve. I’m school you acted like you didn’t even know who I was and now your just gonna sit there and talk like you know everything about me?!” I stared at him waiting for an answer. But then I had just realized what I had just done. 45

I started to run towards the door. But then a firm hand grabbed my wrist. “Katharina, have you been lying to us?” my dad asked46

“Like you’re so noble...” I said under my breath.”47

“What?” Miss Dawn said I pulled my arm out of his grasp and down to my side? 48

“I just want to know who I am” I said louder. I ran out the room and out the restaurant. I turned the corner and went into an ally behind the restaurant. I leaned back on the wall and slid to the ground.49