ɪɴᴛʀᴏ

Sixteen-year-old Caprice sneered at the Father's Day invitation she had received. It wasn't that she was angry; more like, the day made her sad. She could barely remember her father's face. All she ever heard were stories of his greatness and how she should strive to be follow his footsteps.

She supposed that she wanted to. A part of her imagined what would it be like if her father was around. Would he be strict? Would he comfort her? Would he praise her? Would he get ice cream with her?

What if he was different than her abuela?

"Oy!"

Caprice flinched as Indiana Zobel flicked her ear. She glared at him in reflex. The boy had a penchant for getting on her nerves.

"What?"

The two of them had flown to California for a business prospect. It was her Abuela's idea. A test. She was certain of it. Caprice was used to her games and her training techniques.

And yet, she loathed that she had to go with her least favorite person.

"Are you even listening?" he asked. He gestured to the papers on the wooden table in front of them. "I've been talking here for ages!"

She rolled her eyes and grabbed a brochure. Caprice stared at the picture of a Ferris wheel surrounded by green fields and colorful flowers. "What is this? An amusement park?"

"See? You weren't listening at all!"

"Then, talk."

Indy sighed. "Aeon wants to build a clubhouse here."

The girl frowned. "Clubhouse? For what?"

"For us."

Caprice's heart skipped a beat. She had liked Aeon since the day she met him. She admired how he could stand up to her grandmother. If that wasn't enough, Aeon was apparently richer than the del Fuegos. He was elusive, but powerful.

And a man like that had protected her.

"You're blushing."

She kicked Indy in the shin. "That's preposterous!"

"I see it," he continued to tease.

Caprice gritted her teeth and tackled the man, adamant on scratching his handsome face.

It was at that moment that Aeon entered the room. He let out a small laugh.

"He started it!" Caprice burst out, crossing her arms.

"Brat," Indy murmured.

Aeon's dark eyes twinkled with mirth. "It looks like you're having fun."

Indy leaned back against the sofa. "This girl wasn't cooperating."

Caprice rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "I don't understand what you want with this Aeon. Abuela said this was important. But a clubhouse is just a place for exclusivity."

"You get it." Aeon sat in front of them. He wore a black turtleneck that fit his toned body well. "It's exclusive for us."

Caprice licked her lips. There were times that she couldn't understand Aeon.

"I want a place where we can gather Priz. Away from the old geezers prying eyes." His golden earrings sparkled as sunlight got past an open window. "Don't you want that, Caprice?"

She nodded.

"You two should start thinking about the future as well. Complacency is a sin, and forever is just a word. Think about what you can do, and it will serve you well in the future especially what we can do to protect ourselves. People are ruthless when given a chance, so I won't ever give them that chance."

Indy met him with challenging eyes, while Caprice felt fear. She did not want to have power like the two of them wanted.

She wanted to be normal and happy, and---

"I'm sorry," she muttered. "Maybe... I will hold you back."

"Caprice." Aeon called out. She looked up and their eyes connected. The man smiled. "It's okay. You know, I've always been by myself in this world. I had no one. I always did what I wanted and I have to be responsible for myself. But you don't have to do that." He reached out and touched her hand, making comforting circles. "Because you have me."

Caprice let out a relieved sigh. Like the burden of responsibility was lifted up her shoulders.

"As long as I am here, you can take your time. For as long as you want." The man chuckled and ruffled her hair. "Want to get ice cream?"

She nodded and smiled.

Caprice didn't have a father but she has someone who would comfort her and get ice cream with her.

She has Aeon.