Cloaked Hearts

Prologue.

"Dad but why?! Why can't I just attend events with you like everyone does, why is it so wrong?" Ava said, almost close to yelling at her dad to which he just ignored her pleas again, like always.

"Dad! I am talking to you!-" She said, her voice increasing by a few decibels that made her dad shoot a sharp glare at her, enough for her to momentarily shut up.

"Ava, you know why I am not allowing this. I have never said no to you for anything, have i? You do whatever you want but why is it so hard for you to understand this is not safe, not for you, not for me and not for ANYONE." Her father said with a stern voice but took a deep breath to calm himself.

"But dad..even Anna used to go to events and galas with you when she was of my age like an elder daughter and you never said no to her! But why is it different for me??" Ava said earning a scoff from her dad.

"Ava..how can you bring up your sister, your dead sister into this! Again. She is dead Ava! And the reason I am saying no is for the better of you! Anna didn't have a peaceful life like you do, i failed to protect it and i don't want to repeat it yet again, the answer is still No." Her dad said, clearly pissed off by his face changing colours.

Ava looked at her dad, her fist clenched by her side and tears brewing in her eyes that didn't just fall yet. "Dad, is it because I am not capable enough? Are you embarrassed to take me out and be shown in public? You don't want people to know or see the youngest daughter of the kim family? Am i a disgrace to this family?-"

She was suddenly cut off by her dad yelling her name and his hand raised midway, almost as if wanting to slap her but he didn't. But Ava flinched away, squinting her eyes close waiting for the impact that never came. Her dad's eyes widened upon realising what he was about to do and immediately lowered his hand and for the first time, Ava saw tears in his eyes.

"You're no disgrace to the family, my sweetheart. You're the treasure of the kim family and you're my precious child. I don't want any danger to be coming near you and I don't want anyone to take away this innocent smile from your face..after I lost Anna, you're my only hope and comfort I have now and i would do anything just to protect you, but you're making it so hard for me by being feisty.." Her father said, his voice breaking from holding back tears before he brought his daughter into a soft hug. "You're my precious angel, if i failed to protect you..i would never be able to forgive myself, my princess"

Ava couldn't hold back her tears either and continued sobbing in her dad's embrace, his words meaning so much but she was a little taken aback after her father almost hit her, for someone whose father never raise a voice, this was something unexpected.

"But since you're being this feisty, Fine, I will take you with me to one of the prestigious events but in one condition, only after your 20th birthday." Her dad said cupping her face. "Got it?"

Ava's eyes glistened with excitement with the tears still evident but now getting replaced with a joyful glee. "Really?!" She asked getting a nod in return.

"I want you to have a certain maturity in age before stepping out in the world, so you have to listen to me and not argue till then" Her dad earning a soft chuckled from her making him ruffle her hair gently. "And if, god bless, not but still if any danger comes in the way, you will come to me first. Ok?" Her father said with a firm voice, holding her shoulders giving her a light shake.

"Got it got it papa, I will and you still think I'm immature or a kid to not handle these situations eh?" She said with a silly face making her dad hold back a laugh "You're always a kid for me, now go back to your room and decide your birthday dress, no more crying ok?" He said, pinching her cheeks before letting go off her.

Ava nodded, clapping her hands in joy excited for her 20th birthday but more excited for what it'll bring to her life afterwards.

------- x --------

"Yeah sure, give me the list of the guests as soon as possible. Not a single one should be omitted from the list, make sure to get everyone in it." Jay said sounding more strict than ever in the call before hanging up.

The subtle creaking of the door opening made him pick his head up with his eyebrow raised. "What it is?"

"Sir, Mr. Park wants to meet you" said his right hand, Jake. "Tell him I will be there in a minute or two" he said with rather a frustrated sigh.

Jake gave him a small nod before taking his leave, doing what he asked him to do.

After a few minutes, Jay rose up from his seat and went to his father's office. Upon reaching, he opened the door not having to knock like the others of course.

Standing with his hands in the pocket, he cleared his throat to get the attention of his dad who was sitting there with a newspaper in his hand and legs crossed.
"What's the matter dad?" He asked rather sounding uninterested, already assuming things he would say or ask.

"How's everything going? Is the planning going accordingly or any problems with it?" Asked his dad, taking a few more seconds to put the newspaper down and finally making an eye contact with him with a smile, no where near innocent.

"Everything's fine, we are preparing the guest list currently and I am sure it'll be done by tomorrow morning if not, afternoon" Jay said keeping his tone professional.

"Make it quick, don't delay things we already have a short time" Jay's dad said with a hint of seriousness. "Have you invited everyone? By that I mean our worst enemies to the bestest partners. No one should be left and make sure not a single thing is left out for the event, everything should be PERFECT. Got it?"

Upon hearing this Jay scoffed with an airy laugh that lasted for a second. "Dad, I am not a child and I have been managing this event for 2 years now, do you still think I don't know how things work huh?. I know how to conduct things, better than you and i don't need your timely advises each time. I get it what you want and will be done accordingly" Jay said slightly annoyed.

"Calm down child, don't stress yourself out now. I know you well" Said his dad with a chuckle. "But it's just, i don't trust you wholly and this event is not a joke to ne played around with, that's why I keep nagging you so you do your best as always"

Jay just rolled his eyes in response, too stressed with all the event plannings already and now his dad was getting on his nerves again but he kept his cool. "If you're done with your lecture, I've tons of work to do. Excuse me now" He said before walking out of the office with a frustrated sigh letting the door close behind him on his own.