FOR LILY

MARTHA'S POV

Breakfast was lively! Two chairs that were not part of the dining set had to be added - Seth broke one with his carelessness. The smiles shared around the table were genuine and there was a particular moment Marcus had laughed so hard, he began to choke. Lily had swiftly moved to his aid and jerked him from behind by wrapping her arms around him. He had coughed out a whitish substance which I bothered not to investigate - could have been the undigested remains of an omelette.

"It has been a long time since I was in the midst of youngsters who tease each other without a care!" said Daddy Two as he stabbed at a sausage.

"Youngsters? I agree, they are just behaving like children. I wish they could be as coordinated as I am. No wonder they acknowledge me as their Senior"

"Coordinated my butt!" blurted Seth.

"Senior, my wrong hack. You have been the one instigating and itching for a quarrel on everything that has been said here!" said Michael and I rolled my eyes at him as I watched him stand up to grab another bottle of water from the fridge. Lily, my dad and Daddy two smiled at the banter that went on while Marcus humbly shook his head. It felt like he was being cautious of laughing, lest be chokes again. Lily would definitely torture him for being the one to save him later on. I was sure to hear things like…

"You should not speak to me like that. If it was not for me, you would be in heaven by now. Oh no, what am I saying? Hell, by now!" or, "Don't you think you are toiling with the life I used my all to save. By now, you could have been dead Marcus Ranks. It would do you a load of good to bear that in mind! I. Saved. You!"

Lily would definitely not let him have the last talk in any argument they got into. She was cool with everyone and loved to settle any form of arguments but with Marcus, she loved to bring out her conflict skills. It was amusing to watch!

As we continued our meal, I noticed a form of sad look on Daddy Two's face. I placed my hand over his, since I was sitting by his side and he looked at me and gave a sad warm smile.

It seemed everyone on the table sort of noticed and their eyes were on us.

"Pardon me! I was just wishing this joy could be shared with Nathan!" said Daddy Two and his eyes turned to Lily.

Nathan?! Why should he mention that name? My stupid heart missed a beat by the hearing of his name. Stupid! Stupid! I definitely was not interested and I doubt the prestigious Nathan Martin would love to be in such a setting. We could appear too rowdy and uncultured!

Daddy Two and Lily's eyes met and because Daddy Two did nothing to avert his eyes, Lily awkwardly looked back to her plate and I noticed that the grasp she had on her fork tightened and slightly shook. I wondered why Daddy Two was looking at her - specifically and unwaveringly! But, it suddenly clicked!

Gabriel Martin is a busy man and if there was a ranking, he would be ranked as one of the top ten busiest men to exist in the world.

He could, but for this very moment, he had not come to our residence, because he just wanted to see me or my father. My dads had planned this just to get some sort of information from Lily. They were going to watch her actions, demonstrations, body language, down to the batting of her lashes and involuntary swallow of her oesophagus. Such scrutiny! What were they thinking?

If Lily belonged to any organisation that could be harmful to me, my family or the organisation, I could have sensed it. I would have known, they just have to stop! I even think Lily has suspected that they were on to her for something.

Amidst the joy and serenity that existed during the meal, my fathers have been stylishly hinting at some things, with their words!

I gradually stood up from my chair and took some baby steps and my dad's eyes directed to me. Worried as always!

I walked to him and he understood that I wanted to see him.

"Excuse me ladies and gentlemen!" said my dad with a smile and the wrinkles at the corner of his eyes deepened. His seat scraped the tiles as he stood up.

We walked to the centre of the living room before I stopped walking.

I turned to face my dad, "why is Sir Gabriel here?" I purposely did not call Mr Gabriel by my nickname for him because he is my father's boss and my boss's boss! This was a matter of the organisation and professionalism was required.

"You should not stand or walk for too long. You still aren't fit!" said my dad rather calmly.

"That is not the answer to my question, dad." I said as I folded my hands with a knowing look in my eyes. My dad's face became more serious.

"You should leave this to us Martha. I do not want you to worry about such things." I knew he understood what I was speaking about.

"Oh really dad! I worry more, as long as it involves Lily. She is my friend and you and Sir Gabriel are making her uncomfortable." I said and slightly raised my voice.

"You would not talk to your father that way because of an outsider who could be a link to an organisation that wants to destroy us!" said my dad, his voice also slightly raised.

Us?

I gnashed my teeth as I tried to restrain spewing hurtful words at my father. I knew he was trying to do this for me and for the organisation but I would be more hurt if Lily gets hurt based on speculations and baseless theories.

"Martha!" a firm voice from behind.

I knew who that was, I knew that voice…it was Daddy Two.

"Daddy Two!" I mouthed.

He walked over to us and when he was close enough, he looked me straight in the eye. That look was not one of a Father, it was one of a commander. I knew and understood and so I straightened my haughty look.

"I could have sent anyone or used anything Martha Jordan, but I did not! Why? Because, The Heart is in a critical state right now. Some persons have forbidden me from revealing everything to you, for the time being but I want you to understand that this does not just have to do with you or your friendship with that girl. If we leave things the way they are, the organisation could sink, taking everyone with it…Down! Is that what you want?" Mr Gabriel asked.

"No Sir!" I answered in cooperation.

"I know how you feel but we are working with the little links that we have and these links have to do with your friend. Bear with us my darling!" said Daddy Two as his facial expression softened lovingly. He knew I had understood and he also wanted me to stop blocking their words, questions or acts around Lily. I was being too much of a shield.

"I understand!" I said in surrender.

I gave a slight bow to Daddy Two and my dad before leaping to join my brothers and friends at their almost finished meal.

"What's up guys?"

"Oh, she is back again!" said Seth and I slapped the back of his head as I got to his chair.

"Serves you right pequeño!"