Return to the Shack - A Dipcifica Story (Book 1)

Chapter 8: The Empty

My name is Preston Northwest and for the past year or so, I've been trying to get back on top, in terms of royalty. At first I thought we had enough to where we can return. But it's all proven to be nothing but a fruitless effort. Much to my dismay, they've proven to be incredibly hypocritical, even though they claimed to have my back and where we would watch out for each, it was a lie.

Instead, they are the most selfish people I have met in my life. Despite that code we had, it meant nothing to them. Not even saving the goddamn world got their approval. I was brought on like I was a brother to them but now I'm dead to them. My wife Priscila has had conflicting feelings for me since the Weird-Mageddon. Not that I place the blame entirely on Bill, it just makes me think of what I've done.

Hell, I basically got my marriage on a yachting competition. She's a literal trophy wife like an object, so naturally you can see why we've been having marriage trouble. But the only reason why we've been trying to work things out is because our daughter: Pacifica.

If my marriage fails, and I hope it doesn't, I want to give her the lesson that if she were to have a family of her own and if she were to have the same problems as mine, I would want her to stay with her husband to their kid(s) together. So often do children believe that the divorce was their fault but I don't ever want to ever her to think it's her fault. It's mine and mine alone.

And you may be asking yourself "Why the sudden change, Northwest?" Well the answer is simple: our reputation doesn't matter anymore. Back when we were rolling it in cash, we were only caring about our rep but I realize that it doesn't matter. Those guys don't care about us.

Whether we'd be rich or poor, the higher class don't give a damn about us. All they care about is being the best and in the top spot. So there's no point in getting on top anymore, which is fine by me.

I can focus on my family without having to worry about the Northwest name. Not anymore at least. I just hope none of us have a bad rep like a serial killer or something. Though we have been close a few times when I was a kid.

Pacifica came through the front door, looking a little giddy. I can assume she got a call from her boyfriend, Philip. God, that is such a weird thing to deal with now. I remember her being my little girl (as terrible of a job as I did) but she's in a relationship. She's growing up now.

"Hey, Dad. How are you?" She asked in her new usual... goofy self. I dunno, she's more upbeat now.

"I'm doing good, sweetie. Thanks for asking."

She came over to me and gave me a hug from behind. Since her time with the Pines family and other people who were helping her, she's become more compassionate with me, Priscilla and others. If there's any downsides to the current lifestyle, it's that taxes and other commoner tasks are rather annoying and tedious. Not to mention that the political system is rather broken and completely contradicts itself. Being rich has its perks.

Which leads us to now. I'm now at my relatively new two story house, doing my taxes on my couch. To be fair, taxes piss everyone off but thankfully Soos and Ford have taught me how to properly perform these sorts of errands. For once, I'm living a normal life. Then my phone vibrated...

Pacifica and I looked down at the phone, at hung both of our eyes.

"Is that your job interview calling back?"

"I hope so."

God, I really hope so.

She left and went to greet her mother and went up to her room. I waited until she was out of sight. I didn't make any sudden movements until I hear a CLICK. Her bedroom door was closed. Priscila approached me, slipping her arms behind me. Her fingers ever so comfortingly stroking my hair.