loping along through the cosmos

43: EMERGENCY MEETING WITH THE VALENTINES

"Who gave you that wig? It's hideous," Philip said minutes after a tense silence.

Jade instantly touched her bangs. "You really have to remind me about it, Dad, huh? I already forgot about this wig when we were in that house." She looked at her father. "And it's JP Blackburn who bought this wig. Please beat him up for me."

Philip chuckled. "I'll make sure to have a serious talk with that lad. But your bangs, really... I can't help it. It's too... Short." He grinned. "You once cut your bangs like that too. You were, like, around 9, I guess? You got hold of a pair of scissors because you were bored from waiting for your mom to finish her call."

She smiled bitterly. "I can't remember, Dad. I'm sorry."

"It's okay. Your mother and I still remember those memories. We can tell you about it from time to time."

"But I promise... I killed no one," she looked at him in all seriousness. "I would never."

"I know," he said. "But if that's the only way you could defend yourself, go."

She gasped dramatically. "Father, that is so out of character. Might I remind you that you are a doctor, a licensed professional, a person who should save lives?"

"Lyra Jade, I only want your safety. If that would mean someone has to die, then so be it. I want you safe with your mother."

"Kieran and his brothers are here for a reason. He saved from that man a while ago."

"Easy to say when the other side is unarmed. We can never be sure when they're armed. Even with Kieran and his brothers fully trained, the other side might have trained better than them. We're always walking on eggshells."

"Is that why you don't want Theodore and Justin to be my bodyguards anymore?" she asked. "Because you're scared of what their parents might feel if they're harmed? Because of me?"

Philip gripped the steering wheel tightly. "We don't have to involve others in our family problems. I hope you understand why Theodore had to do that."

"I understand," she replied. "I saw his mom's eyes when she hugged me in the hospital. She looked tired and worried. I don't want to see her looking like that again. Especially when it's because of me."

"You still remember the parts of the body that you can hit, right?" he glanced at her for a second before returning his gaze to the road ahead. "The one I thought you when you were 16?"

"Of course. I'm a smart girl. I can easily recite them-"

"And yet you're failing your every class." He quickly gave her a glare. "Your aunt told me. Stop doing that on purpose, Jade."

"I don't want to take that course, Dad. You know that I like Literature. I want to be an author!"

"I'll talk to your mom about it again," he replied. "But if she were to agree, you'd have to enroll as soon as possible."

Jade grinned. "Yes! Thank you!"

"But you have to tell me everything first."

She huffed. "Okay. Let's start with... I remember where I hid the thing that these people are trying to find."

Philip almost pressed on the break with the information revealed. Luckily, his body still knew that they were now on a main road, where there were cars following behind them.

"You know what they're after? What is it?"

"A map. You know what's another shocking news, Dad?"

"Sweetie, you need to stop with the thrill. Just drop the -"