I stood and watched as these two grown adults play goo goo eyes with each other knowing that I'm still in the room watching. I was almost tempted to say something smart but I couldn't figure out why my dad seemed so smitten with this chick. She was pretty however my dad had no room in his life for the woman who he once called his wife. He's got a girl holding his heart. Me!

  "So should I let y'all I don't know get a room or something?" I asked as I snapped my dad back from his daydream.

  "Carlyn. This is-"

  "The ex wife. I know. Nice to finally meet you. I guess." I sneered at her as I looked her up and down.

  "It's very nice to meet you too! Are you here for the dance party or-"

Now I had to check this bitch IMMEDIATELY.

  "Actually no! I live here." I abruptly said cutting her off.

  "Oh! You live here as in-"

  "As in I'm his daughter. My brother is in his playroom upstairs. His name is Joey. Wanna meet him?"

She looked shocked. Yeah as you should. Check mate. Bitch. I know I don't know her that well to call her a bitch but she seriously gives of a bitch vibe! Even I know when to be nice and at least pretend to act like I'm a caring person and not a small minded- we'll get to that part later. As my dad gave me a rather approving smirk of standing my ground he placed a hand on my shoulder.

  "Mani this is my daughter. Carlyn why don't you and your brother start getting ready for dinner tonight."

Daddy couldn't take his eyes off of the woman that left him in the dust. I think he should she gave up her spot when she slapped him with a surprise divorce.

  "Dad you sure?" I asked giving the ex woman of the house the hardest side eye.

  "Don't worry mama I'll be alright. Tony will send for you and Joey when we're finished."

I gave my dad a hug and before I let him go I gave him one word.

  "Nope!"

I smiled and turned to Manuela gave her a slight wave and a mental middle finger and went up to find my little brother. Luckily I didn't have to look too far because he came out of his playroom with one of his toy trucks.

  "Joe boy quick come here!" I whispered as he came up to me.

  "What's the matter Carly?" He asked me.

  "Remember that episode of that show we used to watch back at the orphanage where the kids pretended to be secret agents?" I asked him. He thought for a second then his face lit up quickly.

  "The Backyardigans! Yeah! I remember. Why?" He asked puzzled.

  "Well I think it's time we pretend we're secret agents."

  "Really?"

  "Yup! And we already have our mission. We are gonna spy on daddy and find out who this mean old lady is that came to see him."

  "What mean old lady?"

  "Come on I'll show you!"

I took Joey by the hand and we went down to the main floor quickly and quietly to find my dad and this woman sitting in the small party room just a few doors away from the kitchen. We sat and listened to what appears to be a conversation about their divorce. I don't always get myself involved in adult business by this is my dad we're talking about and I'll be damned if she thinks she can waltz her way back into his life especially without my say so. When we start accepting applications for a mom we definitely will (not) give you a call. As Joey sat on the floor with his ear to the cracked door I stood just above him listening in.

  "What do you really want Mani? It's been six months since we spoke last. How's the guy that wants to be me?" I heard my dad say to her.

  "Oooooh how'd you like that burn!" I whispered excited.

  "Carly shhhhh! We're secret agents!" Joey said to me.

  "Right! Sorry!" I smiled at him and kept listening.

  "Prince it wasn't that simple. I want my husband to be with me when I need him. Ya shouldn't be the other way around. You were never around with the restaurant in Vegas and your residency there, then with you always in the studio working. What was I supposed to do?"

  "You couldn't wait for me? You act like we were never married at all. I still had to make a living just like you did and I told you I was willing to make sure you were taken care of. You were my wife and I wanted to keep things simple at home. When I'm out on the road and taking care of business I'm not out there fooling around."

  "You could have fooled me with the two twin dancers you seemed to be so infatuated with." I heard Manuela snap.

  "You know damn well it wasn't like that. I helped get them to where they are and you know how I am when I get excited about new talent. It should be appreciated to its fullest potential."

  "Right. What about Tamar?"

  "Her mother works for me and she's a beautiful girl who has talent! If you really didn't like any of this why waste our time?"

  "Because I thought I could change you!"

Me and Joey both looked at each other confused. We knew our dad was generous and there was nothing wrong with that. Why would anybody want to change him?

  "I'm sorry that I wasn't the man you wanted me to be to fit your life. I will never change for anybody. Not even you my dear. I was happy before you and I'm happy with out you." He said.

  "Being a father to two kids that don't have your blood?"

  "They seem happy and well adjusted and their happiness is all I care about."

  "What made you want to adopt? You said you wanted children of your own."

  "I have children of my own. Their names are Joseph and Carlyn. By blood they are not mine but the love I have for them makes them mine. That for certain will never change. I see you had started planing a family after you left me though. How far along are you?"

  "Very funny."

  "I'm sorry that was mean of me."

  "Well I guess you're very happy now that you have what you wanted."

  "What I wanted was a loving wife as well as my children but I can't have everything I want now can I?"

The room fell quiet and the sudden sound of quick footsteps made their way towards the door.

  "Run!" Joey shouted as we took off for the steps to the second floor.

We watched out of breath from the balcony as Prince showed Manuela to the door. She walked out and didn't say a word to him. He seemed pretty content with that.

  "Joey go get ready for dinner ok?" I said softly.

He ran to his room like I had asked him and closed his door. My dad was about to head back to the party room when I called him from the top step.

  "Daddy?"

  "Hey mama." He sighed as he looked up at me.

  "She wasn't the one for you anyway." I said giving him a comforting smile.

He smiled back and shook his head.

  "Get ready for dinner. Everyone will be here soon." He said.

I went to my room and got dressed with the thought of my poor dad getting g his heart crushed once again by this irrelevant airhead. Hopefully he can keep it together before uncle Andre finds out.