Sky couldn't help but snigger quietly to herself from her makeshift bed behind the wardrobe as she heard Karen get increasingly agitated.

"This girl will make me old before my time," Karen said to herself as she exited Sky's bedroom. She closed Sky's bedroom door behind her. "Lisette!"

"Yes, ma'am?" Sky heard footsteps rushing down the hallway outside her room.

"Command the entire household to put their current chores on hold and to search for Sky. If she's late again, her parents will have all of our heads."

Sky tutted quietly to herself. She couldn't care less, but if her mother were to witness Karen mention her name without a title, she was certain her mother would have her head regardless of whether they found her.

"Of course, ma'am." Sky heard feet scurrying away this time and also the sound of Karen sighing and mumbling to herself as she walked in the other direction.

Sky heaved a sigh too as she pulled herself out from behind her wardrobe; she liked Lisette and didn't want to put her under the burden of having to find her. Besides, she was already awake now and knew she wouldn't be able to fall asleep again.

Knowing they wouldn't re-enter her room any time soon if she hadn't been here the first time, she picked out an outfit and got changed at a leisurely pace as feet continued rushing around outside her room.

Sky patted down the floral dress she'd put on as she looked at herself in the mirror. This attire wasn't her usual style, but she wore these uncharacteristic things to protect herself at these high-profile events. It was important for her to make herself unrecognisable on camera for the lifestyle she led behind this glamorous facade.

Though she had to admit, the dress looked surprisingly good with her red hair.

Announcing her presence within her room was too tedious for Sky, so she simply opened the door before seating herself in front of her makeup table to wait for a maid to arrive and do her makeup.

Sky was ready to relax on her phone for a while when a maid appeared too fast for her liking.

"Miss Sky! Where have you been? You've sent the entire household into disarray!" she said as she entered the room, opting to turn off the lights and going to open the curtains to let the sunlight brighten up the room.

Sky smiled tightly. "I've noticed. Anyway, we're running late, right? Help me with my makeup."

"But Miss, I should tell them—" the maid started.

"Sure, go tell them, it won't be my fault we're late then at least," Sky said nonchalantly as she took out her phone and unlocked it. Her words clearly affected the maid, who hesitated only for a split second before she rushed to Sky's side; Sky put away her phone and looked forward into the mirror.

The maid worked in silence but instructed the next maid who arrived to inform everyone that Sky was now having makeup put on her.

Only a few minutes passed until the news reached the head maid, who arrived with another maid in tow.

"Janice," Karen barked upon her arrival. "What do you think you're doing?"

The maid working on Sky's makeup took a few steps back and bowed in apology upon her arrival. "Apologies, ma'am, but we were running late, and I didn't know where to find Jess to do the makeup for her."

Karen scowled as she walked further into the room; Sky watched her walk closer. Much to Sky's distaste, Karen grabbed her by the chin and looked at her face from every angle. "Could be worse," Karen said as she retracted her hand. "Thank you, Janice. You may both take your leave."

The two maids bowed and rushed out of the room, leaving Sky and Karen to themselves.

"If we weren't running so late, I would talk to you about the consequences of your actions." There was a hint of agitation in Karen's voice as she grabbed a light jacket from Sky's wardrobe.

But we both know it wouldn't change anything, they thought as they shot each other a glance.

"Come along, Miss Sky; the car is waiting out front." Karen left the room without saying another word and expected Sky to follow, which she did for once. Sky hated charity events or anything she had to do to make her parents look good, but animal events were another matter; it was the only time she'd put up with it because the animals were worth it.

It was easy for her to keep up with Karen with her large strides. At one point she debated just heading out to the front since the older woman was much shorter and so much slower than her, but she decided against it; she didn't want to appear too keen.

After an agonising three minutes of alternating fast and slow walking, they reached the front door where the car was waiting. Karen turned to Sky and held out her jacket. "Have an enjoyable time, Miss Sky."

Sky said nothing as she took the jacket and descended the front steps. Her chauffeur was just as silent as her, and they barely acknowledged each other as she walked past him and into the car. The drive itself was also silent; only the radio was talking.

The event was happening at a park which she frequented. She realised she'd never seen it in daylight before when they arrived; the bright green colour of the leaves was a pleasant contrast to the dark grey tint she saw at night.

She didn't regard the chauffeur as he bowed in farewell when she left, and she made her way over to the so-called reception desk of the event. "Good morning," she greeted in words that seemed foreign to her tongue; the petite looking girl looked up from what she was doing and smiled at Sky, ready for her question. "Could you please tell me where I can find the person responsible for the event?"

When Sky didn't return the smile, the grin on the girl's face faltered but returned to its friendly demeanour at once. "Of course. Mr Evergreen is over next to the stage. Wearing a red blazer; you can't miss him."

Sky nodded and left without thanking her, leaving the girl behind her wondering who this impolite girl was, but her smile returned as she turned to help the next visitor and she quickly forgot Sky.

An almost literal sore thumb amongst the crowd, the man was hard to miss with his red attire. She'd intended to make a direct beeline for him to get this event underway, but a German shepherd puppy put a dent into her plans.

She diverted to the right without hesitation and walked over to the elderly man who was evidently struggling to keep him under control.

"Hello," she greeted, forcing a smile onto her face.

"Hello, dear," he responded with a smile which reached his eyes. "How are you doing today?"

"I'm doing well," she replied, looking from him down to his puppy. "Would you mind if I pet your dog?" she asked then, getting straight to the point.

He chuckled. "Of course. I think it's all he's been looking for since we got here."

She smiled then - an honest smile. Sky tied her thin dress up into a knot at the side to avoid getting paw prints on it and in doing so revealed the shorts she was wearing beneath, causing anyone who was looking in her direction to become flustered for a moment. She bent down and held out her hand. The puppy seemed uncertain at first, but upon sniffing her hand he bounded around too fast for her to keep up with him. She laughed.

"How long have you had him?" she asked the elderly man.

"About... Hm, 2 weeks now, I believe. My son got him for me so I wouldn't be so alone all the time," he responded, happy that the young girl and his puppy were enjoying themselves. "Though I wish he would have gotten one a little older; this puppy is way too lively and energetic for me. I told my son that, but he said it had to be this one; this pup spoke to him when he and his wife went to pick out a dog."

Sky petted the top of the young dog's head one last time before she straightened up and untied her dress. "I'm sure your son had a good reason for picking him then," she said. "If you'll excuse me, I have somewhere I need to be now." She excused herself and left, leaving the old man confused at her sudden departure and the young puppy looking after her with his tail wagging.

She approached the stage now, neither rushing nor taking her time, and once again spotted Mr Evergreen without a problem as he was looking around and constantly checking his wristwatch.

"Mr Evergreen?" He looked up from his watch at once upon hearing her words.

"Ah, you must be Miss Simmons," he responded, rushing over and sticking out his hand. "Perfect, just in time. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Sky eyed his outstretched hand, unsure what to make of it. When she didn't move, he awkwardly moved his hand outwards to the right, indicating the backstage, as though that was the original intention for his hand movement. "If you please, follow me this way."

He led the way backstage and Sky almost let out an audible sigh but followed him.

For the animals, she reminded herself with a brief nod of her head.

"Please wait for here a moment," the older man said once they'd reached backstage. This time Sky let out a huff of air in annoyance as he scuttled off and left her by herself. She crossed her arms to show her distaste for the current situation. Could he not have done whatever it was he was now doing while he was waiting for her?

He returned after a mere minute and signalled for her to follow him; she did so with no audible complaint. As she stood beside him, she zoned out as he called for attention and gave a quick speech; she only zoned back in upon hearing him speak her name.

"... Sky Simmons and her parents for making this fundraising event possible with their very generous donation, we'd like to present them with this award."

Although she'd missed the first half of the sentence, she assumed this Mr Evergreen had been thanking them, so she put on her fake smile and turned to him, taking the award from his outstretched hands. "Thank you." She was speaking so many foreign words today.

He smiled at her and indicated for her to go to the microphone. She panicked for a moment, realising she didn't know what to say, but she knew she could bluff her way through it. She walked to the mic with the award in hand.

"Thank you," she said once more, wincing at how often she'd had to say that word combination today; she wasn't entirely sure who she was thanking this time either. "Have a good time everyone."

There, bluffed, she said to herself proudly. With a slight bow, she walked off the stage and upon reaching the bottom of the stairs she expected to exchange a few last words with Mr Evergreen before she went back to the animals.

Instead, when she turned around, she came face to face with...

"Father."