Falling: It brought upon the sensation of unparalleled dread. Everyone had that one distinct memory of falling in a dream. No understanding of what awaited one when they finally hit the bottom – mostly due to the panic of waking up, heart racing due to that very feeling. Daniel Parker, however, was dealing with a different type of ‘fall’. A fall that he may never truly ‘wake up’ from. And no, not that physical type of falling. Rather, Daniel Parker’s mental sanity had taken a dip down critical recently and it truly was just one issue after another as of late. Perhaps the incident at Candice Clarke’s funeral was just one example of how much control he was slowly losing. And maybe… just maybe that was only the tip of the iceberg because what Daniel had planned next… well… it was probably worse than speaking ill of the dead.
Daniel watched as the maids and caterer fixed his dining room table – always an extravagant affair when the Parker family had a dinner – even if it was just the three of them. They weren’t ever the type family to sit together by the tv and watch a game while eating hot wings and fries – not like that even sounded entertaining. No, they were the family to meet up once or twice every month and exchange pleasantries about life. Though Daniel and his father were closer, having more to talk about with technology – his mother was on the opposite side of the spectrum. She challenged him with what they both knew about the world, and, in particular, how they both could read people – in a sense. So, as Daniel instructed his staff to set a fourth plate – he was glad to use the excuse that it was for Jessica as she had returned… or his mother would have known something was off. Usually, Daniel would have been worried about his cousin’s wellbeing, though he had tracked her phone and found that she was at the DeLoughrey’s – which he wasn’t necessarily happy about either – though with what he had planned, it was for the best that she be away.
So, Daniel sat there with his parents, casually wearing sweatpants and a white tee, which, despite contrasting with the overly decorated room and steak that would be served in the next few minutes, was a usual for him. His father and him were having a lighthearted discussion about the newest phone his company was releasing in the next few weeks and the specs that went along that while his mother discussed having a meeting in North Korea to discuss a treaty agreement alongside the president. That was, until, the ringing of the doorbell indicated their guest had arrived… or at least… Daniel’s guest. “I got it,” Daniel stated to the maid that had started moving towards the door – his parents likely thinking it was Jessica. Oh… would they be in for a surprise.
A hand in one of his pockets, Daniel opened the door and almost immediately all of his dogs, especially the traitors Scout and Einstein, ran up to the girl that had arrived. “You made it,” Daniel smiled, attempting to maintain a casual expression hinted with excitement. Though he didn’t really have to hide the excitement, as there was something in the works. “Come on in – I hope you don’t mind. I know we usually do this stuff in the living room but I thought the dining room would be better for… that particular conversation we’re going to have,” Daniel explained leading her to the dining hall to which – surprise – his parents were waiting in, shocked at the girl making an arrival. Really only because they weren’t expecting her, the girl was already considered practically family in his household. Oh… Little did they know.
“Opps… did I forget it was a family dinner. Emphasis on the family?” Dan questioned, smiling as he watched her expression on her features as he took a seat. “Hope you don’t mind mum, dad. I just thought since Jezebel was basically family it wouldn’t matter,” Dan explained to his parents as the food started coming out. His parents greeting the girl they thought of as a second daughter to join them.
“So, Jezebel… if you don’t mind me asking. How’s life at home?” Daniel asked casually, taking a drink of water as he looked towards her with a knowing smirk. Yes, Daniel was going to make the girl squirm.