Bloom

Bloom ignored her father's stare as they ate dinner that night. She reached for the shrimp dish, but he moved it away. Sighing, she attempted to grab the chicken, only for it to be moved as well. Exasperated, she closed her eyes for three seconds and continued eating her rice.

"So, no explanation for what happened today?" He asked, pushing the dishes back to her.

Ignoring him, she picked up the roasted fish beside her.

"Bloom."

She grabbed another piece of fish and stuffed her mouth.

"Fine, then I'll find them and get an explanation myself." He stood up and walked out of the dining room.

Bloom paused, staring at his back. Would he really search for them? Her mind flashed to her father's methods of extracting information.

Shaking her head, she dismissed the thought. No way he would kidnap and torture innocent people just to be petty. She took a big bite of her favorite shrimp, but it tasted like sawdust. A second later, she dropped her spoon and chased after him.

"You can't touch her!" She yelled, bursting into his study.

He held a book, ignoring her outburst. Licking his finger, he turned a page with a serious expression, as if afraid she wouldn't notice he was ignoring her.

Bloom sighed in her mind. How did she get such a childish man as her father? Sometimes she was sure he had a double personality because, on one hand, he ruthlessly tortured traitors, and on the other, he drew beards and a unibrow on her face when she fell asleep. It's one of the many reasons she grew to become a light sleeper.

She walked towards him and snatched away the book, slamming it on the table. From the corner of her eyes, she caught sight of something that made her face turn red. She picked up the book and tossed it in the trash. He actually read such obscene things!

While she was embarrassed, Sullivan was busy cackling. He poked her cheeks.

"I didn't know our family's block of ice could blush."

She slapped his hand away but missed and instead hit her own cheek, making it redder, causing Sullivan to laugh even harder until he held his stomach.

Bloom glared at him. Dumb daddy!

"I'll tell Nanny!" She retorted. That shut him up.

He smiled down at her. "A big girl like you can't be a tattletale, right?"

"I'll be who I want to be!" Bloom paused in thought. This could be a good chance; she sighed as if relenting. "But...I'm not petty. If you agree not to look for them or cause trouble, then I won't tell Nanny you showed me obscene things."

Sullivan's lips twitched in amusement. He didn't know whether to laugh or be upset; his daughter was learning to be sneaky. He was so proud.

"How about I add another condition?" He looked at her, the amusement gone from his eyes, wearing the face he used on his enemies that had them spilling the truth.

"Can you tell me why you not only pretended to be dumb but also denied me, almost causing me to be arrested?"

Bloom frowned, his face not scaring her. She shook her head. "No, thank you."

"Ah." He leaned back into his seat and slowly swiveled it left and right. "Then I'm afraid we have no deal."

"I'm your daughter!"

"I separate business and pleasure."

"You really don't, else I wouldn't be alive!"

The chair stopped, and Sullivan turned to her. "What did you say?" His voice was low and dangerous.

Bloom didn't reply. Her eyes turned red, and she looked about to cry. Sullivan stood up and raised a hand to pat her head, but she stepped away. Her small shoulders shook, and she ran out of the study, slamming the door behind her.

Sullivan ran a hand through his hair and sighed in frustration. He pulled open a bottom drawer and took out a box of cigarettes, an expensive gift from a business partner that he had tossed in the drawer since he wasn't one to smoke, but he needed it now.

He dialed a number on his phone, and as the call rang, he lit the cigarette, taking a long drag. When his eyes tingled, he slowly released the smoke.

The call connected, and Vito's tired voice was heard. "This better be important, Sullivan."

"Did you..." Sullivan knew it was stupid to think Vito would tell Bloom the truth of her conception. He sighed.

"Did I what?!" Vito snapped impatiently over the line.

"Bloom, she somehow found out about...well, how she came to be."

There was the sound of rustling clothes, and then Vito's voice came out calmer. "How?"

"I don't know," Sullivan sighed. "She never asked about her mother before, so it never occurred to me that she could find out."

"No, I mean how did you know that she knows?"

Sullivan frowned. "We had a tiny argument about something. It's a long story."

"And I'm sure it's your fault."

Sullivan wanted to laugh but instead closed his eyes and breathed in the rich fragrance of the cigarette.

"She's growing up, Vito. I can feel a distance between us," he sighed.

"I know; she's a guarded child. For now, just let her do whatever she wants. When she calms down, you can talk to her."

Sullivan tried for three days to talk to her. The days turned into a week, then a month. Suddenly, she walked into his study. He was busy organizing files for an important auction. When she walked in, he closed the folder and pushed it aside.

"Bloom," he called.

She sat on the couch away from him.

"Good evening, father."

Sullivan's lips twitched. What's with the form of address? But he played along.

"Good evening, daughter."

Bloom frowned. "I want us to get a family portrait. With you, me, grandmother, and Nanny in it."

Sullivan looked at her in surprise. "I'm sorry, what?"

Bloom remained silent, staring at him.

In his heart, Sullivan complained. Usually, when he pretends not to have heard her, she would reply with a disdainful "I didn't stutter"; now she couldn't even be bothered. The little girl must be really upset. Forget a family portrait; if she wanted the moon, he would contact NASA!

"All right," he nodded.

Bloom's eyes widened comically in surprise. She was not expecting a refusal, but she was sure he would mess with her for a few days before agreeing. Subconsciously, her lips curled up in a smile.

Sullivan was speechless. Did a family portrait mean that much to her? She looked like a happy little girl. Bloom walked out of the study still smiling. When she shut the door behind her, her grin became a smirk. A tiny evil smirk that seemed out of place on her cute face.

She whispered as she stared at the study door, "Time to get a wife for my dumb daddy."