Who's Your Daddy?

[Minisode] #5: Father Daughter Flight

“What the fuck is this about!?” Becca asks her father angrily as Becca sees her father press the ‘H’ on the private elevator, signifying they’re on their way to the helipad. Becca realizes that her father isn’t just taking her somewhere within the city, or even back to the offices, since he only uses the helicopter-travel going to one place — they’re probably on their way to the airport.

“I asked you a fucking question!” Becca shouts at her father as the doors open and they both exit the elevator.

“Watch. Your. Tone.” Mr. Hoffman says emphatically, after turning back towards her. Becca freezes in place. Her ingrained reaction when her father talks to her like this.

“I will not tolerate you talking to me like I am one of your sniveling little whores that you boss around.” Mr. Hoffman venomously tells his daughter.

“Do you understand me, child?” Mr. Hoffman asks Becca in his most authoritative and intimidating voice, and Becca can’t do anything other than nod. Mr. Hoffman sighs at the sight of his defeated daughter, with her head down in defeat. He uses his hand to raise Becca’s head to look at him, before rubbing her cheek with his thumb.

“Don’t be saddened, my dear. You’re about to get your wish.” Mr. Hoffman tells her in a caring tone. As if he wasn’t the one that made her feel small in the first place.

“Vegas is yours.” Mr. Hoffman tells her with an encouraging smile, and Becca’s eyes light up in hope.

“I thought you wanted to oversee that project yourself?” Becca asks, her hope reverting back to confusion. Becca has campaigned for her father to give oversight over that casino project to her, as it falls within the Hoffman Hotels and Restaurants subcorporation; but her father said it was too important of a project to give to anyone else. Becca’s confusion is as to why her father suddenly decided to give her the project now.

“I’ve realized that if you’re going to be the next head of Hoffman Enterprises, then this is the perfect project to prove yourself.” Mr. Hoffman tells her proudly, making Becca’s eyes light up once more.

“That’s what I’ve been telling you.” Becca replies with a wicked grin, a wicked grin that her father returns. The rotors of the helicopter finally spring to life, making a conversation with these loud noises impossible.

Mr. Hoffman offers his hand to his daughter, which Becca accepts, and they both board their luxury helicopter to make their way to the airport.

“My father presented me with the opportunity of a lifetime. I can’t compromise this by angering him with prodding questions. I’ll secure my position as the overseer of this project first, before I do so. I promise to update you once I know more.” Stella reads aloud Becca’s text as you drive to Paige’s home from the gala.

The eight of you stayed a few more minutes at the gala, but with Becca no longer present, you all felt like it was time to go home. You said goodbye to Mrs. Sachs, after introducing Maddy to her, for some small talk; and also said goodbye

“What do you want me to say?” Stella asks.

“Tell her congratulations… and that we understand it’s best for her not to risk angering her father just to check on a theory.” You tell your daughter.

“Okay… sent.” Stella tells you.

…

“She says — We’re on our way to the airport now, and will travel to Las Vegas overnight. I’ll probably be back by Monday. We can talk about planning our date when I arrive back. I’m glad to hear you're excited about it too.” Stella reads Becca’s text message.

“Oh, tell her to have a safe fly-ay-t… wait a minute. What does she mean I’m excited about going on a date with her?” You ask Stella.

“Aren’t you excited, Mr. Craig?” Paige asks from the back, and you glance at the rearview mirror to look at Paige. You also see Cassie still on her phone, trying to make a call.

“I mean, yeah. Of course. Excited. Nervous. All that stuff. I’m just surprised she’d bring it up after what I replied.” You answer Paige. “Wait… what did you reply, baby?” You ask Stella accusingly.

“I replied ‘What about our date though?’” Stella admits.

“STELLA!” You shout at your daughter, getting her and Paige to laugh. “Alright, give me back my phone.” You tell her, which she does while still laughing.

“Fuck! She still won’t answer!” Cassie shouts in anger.

“Relax, Cass. It’s probably the time difference. Your mom’s probably asleep by now.” Stella tells her.

“I don’t fucking care!” Cassie shouts, distraught. You look at the rearview mirror, and Paige wraps her arms around Cassie and rubs the side of her arm to comfort her. You wish you could stop the car and be able to comfort Cassie yourself; but you understand that the sooner you get back to the apartment, the sooner you can help comfort Cassie properly.

“Cassie, I think you should probably stop trying to call her. You’ll just continue to build your anger and frustration the more you can’t contact her.” Paige advises Cassie in a calming voice. “Leave her a message and wait it out for the morning. She can’t avoid your calls forever.” Paige adds.

“Breathe, Cass. Listen to Paige. Your mom’s going to have to answer your call eventually.” Stella says in support of Paige.

“Breathe, baby. We’ll be home in a few minutes and we can all address this together.” You finally add on as well. You hear Cassie take a deep breath through her nose, and exhale through her mouth to calm herself down; listening to all three of your advice.

“Yeah. You guys are right. What more should I have expected from my mother other than lies.” Cassie says, her voice failing to hide the hurt she’s feeling.

“Of course she knows who my dad is. I’ve always had a feeling the accounting didn’t add up. She couldn’t have made enough money with her lone concierge job to afford the apartment growing up and still have enough left to party every fucking night.” Cassie starts deducing.

“What’re you saying, Cassie?” Paige asks her.

“I’m saying mom’s been getting child support checks from my father!” Cassie shouts her conclusion, making her huff and puff in the back seat. Paige continues to comfort Cassie in the back, and you realize waiting to get back home is no longer an option.

Thankfully, you just arrived on the street of Paige’s apartment building. Stella’s the one who points out to you where you can park, as Paige is still comforting Cassie. As soon as you park your car, you get off the driver’s seat and make your way to Cassie in the back.

Paige doesn’t exit the car despite arriving at her place, as she continues to comfort Cassie. You take Cassie’s hand in yours, and place your arm around her waist as Paige still has her arm around Cassie’s shoulders. Stella takes off her seatbelt, and turns to look at the three of you in the back seat. Nobody says anything, and all of you just stay silent as Cassie tries to calm herself down.

…

You glance at Stella, and it seems like she’s been trying to get your attention from the front seat for quite some time now. She gives you a look, like you should say something to Cassie. Of course you should say something, but you’re not exactly sure what to tell Cassie that’s going to make a difference.

“I know this is a lot to process, baby; but know that we’re here for you.” You tell Cassie honestly. Although you feel like it’s just you forcing yourself to say something so you go with a pretty obvious statement.

“Ugh.” Stella grunts from the front, and you see her roll her eyes as you glance towards her direction. You guess she didn’t like your approach with Cassie.

“Cass.” Stella calls out to her best friend, but Cassie doesn’t budge. “Look at me, Cass.” Stella tells her, and Cassie slowly obliges Stella’s request, and looks in Stella's direction. The two girls stare into each other’s eyes, and you can see that Stella has the most caring look on her face for her best friend.

“Who’s your Daddy?” Stella asks her in a serious voice.

“STELLA!” You automatically react, as you can’t believe Stella’s making light of this situation. Stella looks at you, and she sees the confusion and anger in your eyes for making a joke right now. Stella on the other hand directs her eyes towards Cassie, then back at you, then back at Cassie, making you glance Cassie’s way too.

Then you see it…

Cassie’s looking at you. A small smile on the corner of her lips.

“Who’s your Daddy, Cass?” Stella repeats, and Cassie actually chuckles this time; getting you, Stella, and Paige to chuckle with her.

“Okay~. I’m sorry I’m being a drama queen again.” Cassie says, unable to hold her chuckle any further.

“Oh come on, Cass. That’s not what I’m saying.” Stella reacts. “I don’t know what’s going on in your head, but I can only assume it’s a ton of ‘what ifs’. I’m just trying to remind you of ‘what is’.” Stella explains.

“Once your mother answers you, admits to you she knows your father, and maybe you meet him and get to know him; it doesn’t change the fact that he’s just your father… but not your Daddy.” Stella assures Cassie, and you finally understand why your daughter asked Cassie the question. She definitely could have phrased it better, but you doubt it would have worked any better. The quiet moment is broken by Paige’s snort as she tries to stifle a laugh.

“Sorry. I just understood the reference.” Paige explains, still trying to stifle her laughter; but it does make Cassie comfortable enough to laugh with her.

“Okay, Mary Poppins, you’ve made your point.” Cassie tells Stella with an appreciative smile, and you can’t help but chuckle at how easily Stella can get Cassie to cheer up when she’s feeling emotional. The four of you stay here for a while until Paige asks if you want to come up to her apartment, but you decline and tell her that you should head back home. Once Paige enters her building, you decide that you’d rather stay with Cassie in the backseat to continue to comfort her.

“You want to drive, baby?” You ask Stella, and she excitedly switches to the driver seat.

“Actually, you’re not the only one here who needs to talk to their parents. I have to tell my parents what I found out about my sister.” You point out to Cassie. “I’m not saying it’s the same thing, but whatever happens with all these things with our separate families, it shouldn’t… and wouldn’t affect what’s going on with our own family.” You assure her.

The terminology you used seems to resonate with your two girlfriends, as it shows them how important you truly see your relationship with them and your other girlfriends.

Speaking of your other girlfriends…

All three of your phones give message pings as it seems your girlfriend group chat has received a message. You check your phone to see that it’s actually Viv who sent the message. You read it silently, as does Cassie, and both of you have a laugh at what Viv sent.

“Why’re you guys laughing? Is it Viv’s message?” Stella asks, and you both confirm that it is. “Why? What’s it say?” Stella asks.

“You three better not be introducing Paige to an orgy without me.” Cassie reads aloud.

“Ooh! Tell her… tell her she should come find us if she wants to join.” Stella suggests. As payback for not sending Becca the message you wanted to send earlier, you decide to disregard your daughter’s suggestion and call Viv instead.

“Hey, Viv. We just dropped off Paige.” You tell Viv after she answers your call.

“So I’m assuming there’s no orgy with Paige tonight?” Viv jokingly asks.

“With Paige? No.” You answer Viv. “I’m not ruling out another round of what we did last night though.” You jokingly add.

“Oooh~. I’m already wet, Daddy.” Viv sultrily replies, making you laugh in response.

“Good thing you don’t have to wait long then. We’re on our way.” You tell her.

“On our way?” Viv asks.

“Don’t you mean… you’re coming?” Viv asks naughtily.

“And have you tease me for being a premature ejaculator? I already know your tricks Vivian Nguyen.” You jokingly reply, getting a big laugh from Viv from the other end of the phone. Your response does get Cassie look at you weirdly, and have Stella audibly ask “What?” in confusion.

“We’re on our…” You begin to reply, before pausing to correct yourself.

“I’m coming.”