Broken Innocence

17. "Its done"

Mia had waited until the bell rang and the crowds of students had cleared out of the hallway. Once the loud chatter and rumblings had died down she made her way to Autumn's locker.

For a few moments she just stood there, looking at it. The grey paint had started to chip around the gold plate with the numbers 472 imprinted in black.

Despite knowing the combination, she decided to reach over to the little hole in the vent and slip the envelope inside. Regretting it instantly.

It was sealed when Roger had given it to her so Mia had no idea of the context. She didn't know why Roger insisted she received it anonymously or what it was about. But the look in his eyes that night,the tone in his voice, that scared her.

Maybe he was right though, she shouldn't really question him. After all he did take her in, he did keep her off the streets. She did sort of owe him. But at what cost of her own? Of Autumn and Reece?

What Mia didn't know is that Roger and his pathetic need for authority and power found pleasure in searching his children's rooms to find anything that he could punish them for. Although he didn't expect to find something that he did.

Tucked away was a little purple book decorated in hearts and swirls. Inside, his precious daughter had scribbled her own fantasies down, in the form of a name.

Roger was outraged, jumping to thought of his daughter and an older man. His own thoughts clouded his mind causing him to miss what really was his daughter's biggest secret.

...

Mia felt absolutely terrible about what she had done, it couldn't have been good, could it? Not if it was a such a big secret to Roger. Nothing about Roger is ever good.

She had left school early by saying he felt ill and made her way back home. Well, Roger's home.

Once she got in she walked the hallway towards Roger's office. No one was aloud in Roger's office. Yet she knocked anyway, knowing he was home.

"Amelia" he answered, "should you not be at school?" The girl stood tall with no emotion across her face.
"It's done. Autumn has the note" a smile crept onto the older man's features. Knowing his plan was set. This was just what he needed.

"Thank you Amelia," he pulled out a folded collection of notes from his pocket, "something for your trouble" Mia took the money and looked back up at the man,
"£200?"
"To keep quiet. Rest assured Amelia, you won't breathe a word of this to anyone. Especially my children"

"Why? What is this all about?"
"Do not question me Amelia. Why don't you come in?" Mia was even more confused. Her, Reece and Autumn were forbidden to go into Roger's office. Now he was moving out of the way and inviting her in?

Everything in Mia told her to leave. Yet somehow she found herself sat on the chair.
"We have things to discuss" Roger sat down on his chair behind the desk before continuing, "my children"
"What about them?"
"Amelia, you know that I see you as my daughter, sometimes I even wish Autumn was more like you"
"Autumn is a way better person than I am" she replies, causing a chuckle from the man.

"Maybe. But you, Amelia, are something different. It's a pity your father is away to see it"
"Don't talk about my father"
"Why ever not? Do you even know where he is?" Mia looked down at the floor, staying silent.

She didn't know where her father was. She hasn't seen or heard from the man since she was eight years old.

"He left you. Your mother doesn't care much either, does she?"
"What's your point?"
"My point is that you don't really have anyone. You and I both know Reece would chose Autumn over you. Your father chose someone else over you. Your mother chose herself over you"

It was true. And Mia hated it. She really didn't have anyone. When it really came down to it. Who would pick her? The question is what was Roger getting at.

"I'll choose you Amelia. I can give you everything you ever wanted"
"Why would you do that for me?"
"Your like a daughter me, I want too"
"You're not my dad and you never will be" Mia stood up from the chair and turned around "Just leave me alone"

Just as she places her hand on the door handle to leave, he called out something she never thought she'd hear
"I know where he is"

Mia slowly turned around,
"What?"
"Your father. I know exactly where he is. I know where he works, his home address, right down to the number plate on his car"
"How?"
"Like I said, Amelia" Roger stands from his own chair, "I am a very resourceful man. I can give you everything you ever wanted"
"For what? What's the catch?"
"All you have to do, is a few small things for me when I need them. You've already done so well as my little helper" he began to walk closer to the girl. "What do you say?"

Mia thought about it. She had no idea what he was talking about. What kind of help he wanted or what kind of trouble she was getting into. She hated keeping secrets of Reece and autumn. She couldn't stand the thought of messing anything up with them.
But this is her father? She could finally find him. Ask him all she ever wanted to know and why he left her. Why she wasn't good enough.

Despite braking her heart before any man could, her dad was still her dad. She loved him. She needed him. She wanted him. Could she really turn down the information she'd been begging for since she was a child?

"What do you want me to do?"