When Bloom woke up from her siesta, she noticed the room was empty. She rubbed her groggy eyes and got down from the bed. When did Esther leave? Bloom walked towards a big teddy bear in the corner of the room. She tapped its red nose, and the teddy's eyes glowed before a projection was sent to a small white screen across it. Using her remote, she fast forwarded the security footage.
Her eyes widened a little in happiness when she saw her father walk in. Her glee barely lasted five seconds when she saw him kick Esther out. She frowned in annoyance. This man will be the death of her! At this rate, even if she stretched the painting period to a year, he would still end up single.
Slowly pushing them together and allowing their feelings to naturally blossom was a stupid plan! The best way to make two people fall in love is to trick them into it, and the best person to start with is her old man.
She turned off the teddy bear projector and entered the bathroom. After washing up, she met with her father in his study.
"You're back," she nodded slowly as she shut the door. Sullivan raised his head and took in her pretty pink dress matched with bunny ears headband.
A wide grin nearly split his face in two. "Baby," he cooed.
The corner of Bloom's eye twitched, but she didn't shut him down like she usually would. After all, she was about to make a rather unreasonable request.
She saw he looked quite surprised. "Are you sick?" he blurted out.
Bloom felt her head throb. This man! He calls her mean whenever she rebukes him and asks if she's sick when she doesn't! There was no communicating with a crazy person.
She sighed and restrained her annoyance. "I want to talk to you about something important," she said while taking a seat across from him.
Sullivan leaned into his seat and watched her through narrowed eyes. "And what might this be? Are you not satisfied with the painter?"
Bloom shook her head. "There's nothing wrong with her."
She paused a second before continuing with a serious expression. "I'll go to school."
There was a short silence after her announcement. Sullivan looked at her expressionless face through half-lidded eyes. "I'm guessing that is not all?" he finally said.
Bloom nodded with feigned difficulty. "I agree to... go to school on one simple, easy condition."
"Go on eight dates with Esther."
Bloom saw him frown, first in confusion then contemplation.
"Why eight?" he asked.
Bloom wasn't sure. At first, she planned to tell him... or rather make him date Esther for three months, but she had a feeling he would not agree.
She had no particular reason for choosing eight dates; she just figured in the period of time they would go out on eight dates, she would figure out a way to get them together.
She shrugged and raised her brows. "So...deal?"
"Fat chance," Sullivan scoffed.
He smirked, ready to tease her. "Why don't you give me a few months to think about it?"
Bloom stood up. "You! You're so lame."
She sniffed, and tears slowly filled her eyes, but she stubbornly glared at him. Her small lips quivered.
Sullivan was taken aback. He stood up and going around the table, he came to her.
"Don't cry," he said. His voice was low, and his dark eyes studied her. He sighed a second later.
"Isn't just a few dates? I'll go, okay?"
Bloom looked up at him with wide eyes, her voice quivered. "*Sniff sniff* Really?"
Sullivan added quickly, "...but don't expect anything to come out of it."
Bloom nodded. She dipped her hand into her pocket, retrieved a pink slip of paper, and shoved it into his hand.
Her voice was extremely clear as she said, "You have to woo her yourself, of course. Here are a few rules to maintain during and after the dates, bye."
She turned and zipped out of the study before Sullivan could blink. As she shut the door behind her, Bloom spied Esther going down the stairs.
"Ah ah," she called. Esther didn't hear her. But the few maids cleaning the corridor turned to her with odd expressions. They probably thought she was crazy. Even she regretted it a little; why did she pretend to be a little mute? She could have simply been a cute girl, but she had wanted extra sympathy points, and now there was no turning back.
She glared at the staring maids and chased after Esther.
It was a little late, so breakfast had already been served. Esther sat at the table and was looking around. Bloom smiled happily. She was waiting for her.
"Ah ah," Bloom tapped Esther on the shoulder. Esther turned in her seat and smiled at her.
Looking at the smiling woman, Bloom mentally nodded in satisfaction. She was very pretty, fit to be her new mom.
Esther held Bloom's hand and guided her to the seat beside hers.
"Good morning, Bloom."
Bloom picked up her notepad and scribbled a good morning with a little heart beside it. Esther patted her head. "Good girl, let's eat."
A maid came and served breakfast: fruit juice with eggs, toast, and bacon for Bloom. Esther ate the same, except she took coffee instead. As Esther picked up her fork, Bloom held up her notepad.
"Let's wait for daddy," it said.
Esther's fork clattered onto the plate, and she looked, what Bloom felt could be described as aghast.
Bloom cursed in her mind. How the hell has her dad been treating Esther! She hasn't even been here a week and she's already scared bloodless at the idea of breakfast with him.
A few minutes later, they heard the sound of heavy footsteps descending. Bloom toned down her cute aura towards Esther and glared at her father. Sullivan frowned, wondering what he did wrong. And that too considering the cheeky little girl had just tricked him.
Esther stiffly stood up from her seat. "Good morning, sir."
Sullivan nodded coldly without sparing her a glance. Bloom watched their interaction and realized why Esther was so afraid. If he wasn't her father, she would also be wary of him.
Still despite their earlier deal, he continues to act like a heartless block of wood.
"Miss Powés," Sullivan suddenly spoke during the meal.
Esther, who had been tense throughout, nearly jumped out of her skin. "Y-yes, sir?"
Sullivan droned, "I will be taking you out for lunch tomorrow, so be prepared."
Esther froze in her seat in shock, meanwhile he nonchalantly continued eating like he hadn't just dropped a bomb on her.
Bloom nearly spat out her juice. How was that wooing???