EXTRACT FOR
Mistress Bride
(Mistress Daria)

I had thought we settled everything on Caroline's last, whirlwind visit, but I was wrong. Since she left, our correspondence has been less and less. I realize that she's my dad's wife not to mention a billionaire heiress with all kinds of parties, projects and ventures to manage. I also know that she travels all over the world, luckily she has a private jet, or otherwise running such an empire would be inconceivable. Not to mention, she now had Dad by her side, but he's only running the charitable activities out of her vast list of obligations. 



But still, what about me? In a way I felt guilty for even feeling this way. I wish she would just tell me how I fit into all of this or let me go so I could go on with the rest of my life. How could I enjoy all there is to college life, especially since she had made sure that I was without want, when she was always there in the background of my thoughts, my dreams?



Funny, the first time I had come home I was expecting to see Dad at the airport and to spend time with him which didn't happen. Now this time, I had expected to be greeted by Caroline and to spend time with her, but that was not to be....



"Aw.... hi dear! It's so great to have you here. I know the last time you were home we barely had time for each other, but I hope to make up for it now." Dad said. 



"You mean that you barely had the time." I grudgingly thought to myself.



"But, at least you and Caroline got to know each other much better." he continued. 



"What do you mean?" I asked, a little surprised "Did he suspect anything" I thought to myself.



"Well, Caroline had mentioned that she had specifically taken time away from her busy schedule in order to get to know you more, especially since we had known how busy it was going to be last time, during the holiday season. We had discussed it together beforehand, knowing that this whole transition, moving in together, my new duties etc. would be a bit overwhelming for you." he explained.



"I didn't know." I said quietly, a little surprised at the fact. "She didn't say."



"Well Caroline is a woman of few words, her actions usually speak for themselves." he said.



"They sure do." I thought.



"Oh sweetheart, I have a wonderful surprise for you!" he exclaimed.



"What?" I asked.



"Well, I was hoping that we would be able to bring you the good news together, but since Caroline's in Europe and I can't wait any longer, I...."



"What Dad?" I interrupted.



"We're getting married!" he shouted.



"What!" I said in shock.



"Yes sweetheart and I'm on cloud nine!" he answered.



Over the next few days, Dad and I spent a lot of time together. In fact we hadn't spent this much time together since I had left for college over a year ago. But somehow it wasn't the same. I wish we had spent this much time together when I had come back at Christmas. How things could've been different. Maybe I wouldn't have had that run in with Caroline while trying on her lingerie in their bedroom on that lonely winter's night when my life changed seemingly forever. I missed that bond that we had once, but everything felt emptier now.



"You miss Caroline, don't you?" he asked.