Mr Bale walked through the door like clockwork. He was right on time as he was every afternoon, six o clock sharp. Mrs Bale walked over to her husband and gave him a big wet kiss on his lips as she hugged him tightly. She took his small blue lunch bag and helped him take of his coat, so he could wash up and join them for dinner. She never could get enough of her husband. He was devilishly handsome for his age. His silver Grey hair highlighting his fine features. Not a wrinkle to be seen on his smooth cleanly shaven face. His mannerisms were that of a gentleman and his charm was intoxicating. Mr and Mrs Bale had made the most well suited couple. Mrs Bale felt she was the luckiest woman alive to have Mr Bale in her life. There were very few men in this world with a heart of gold.

They all say down for dinner. Dick sat across Jessica at the big brown antique dining room table. The room was well lit with the crystal chandelier the hung in the centre of the room. The yellow wallpaper made the round cherry wood table look exquisite in the fairly large room. It gave it an elegant yet homely feel.

"The food is delicious, Mrs Bale", Dick complimented,breaking the ice in the room. Mr Bale agreed, nodding his head whilst Claire licked her lips. Mr Bale wasn't a fan of Dick Weedle. He felt that the twenty one year old boy was rather immature and had some psychological problems. He felt this young man was not suitable for his princess and wished she would finally see his point of view and leave him. He did not want to interfere in his daughter's life, he has always let her make her decisions and learn from her mistakes. Mrs Bale accepted the compliment with a smile. Although she was hungry, she couldn't bring herself to eat. She felt pangs of guilt swirling in her stomach.

"My dear, are you not well?", Mr Bale asked. He was genuinely concerned.

"Just a little bit nauseaus. Could be the Wasabi flavored nuts I ate earlier", Jessica lied.

"Have a few more bites", he coaxed her and she indulged herself in the stew, taking a few more bites. She found it hard to swallow but she did it with a smile. She did not want Mr Bale to worry about her health.

Dick excused himself from the table and washed his hands at the sink. He was feeling rather aroused after the conversation with Mrs Bale. He wanted to be satisfied now, but knew he would have to wait until Mr and Mrs Bale are asleep, and if he could not persuade Claire his alternate was a sock and a pornography video. He looked at Claire like a hungry beast as she ate nibbled on the dumplings from the stew.

Mr Bale studied Dicks face. After all he was a man and knew that the look on his face was nothing sweet and innocent.

" Well I guess it's getting late, don't you think so Dick?", Mr Bale asked projecting authority. He knew Dick needed to know his place on the Bale family. He needed to respect boundaries, and Mr Bale would make sure of it as long as Dick dated his daughter.

" It's not that late Mr Bale", Dick said with a grin on his face.

His attitude caused Mr Bale to become infuriated. His nostrils flared and his eyes became dark and cold. " He dare speak back to me", Mr Bale thought. He never liked this boy from a few years back. He lacked basic morals and respect. His whole family was known for being disrespectful, disgraceful and psychologically impaired. No matter how much Mr Bale tried he could never bring himself to like this fellow and wished desperately that Claire would find someone worthy.

"Good night Dick", Mr Bale said loudly, " it is now my family time with my family. It was nice having you for dinner but I think it's time you go home and spend some time with the Weedles".

Dick leaned over and whispered in Claire's ears, "I will see you later on tonight. Message me when your parents are asleep, I will come over".

Claire gave him a tight hug and bid him good night. She looked at her father who watched them closely. She knew she wasn't in the mood for what Dick was suggesting because she knew his intentions. She knew that if she did not message him to come over, tomorrow would be a messy argument. Sometimes she felt his love was based on sexual interests and nothing else. But she also felt that he loved her, he made her feel special but at the same time he made her feel miserable with his demands. But her heart had fallen for him and she could not just let go. This was her first boyfriend, her first kiss, her first touch. Once he had broken the seal of her virginity, she felt a sense of attachment, guilt that no other man would want her as he had said. He had claimed her as his.

Dick bid them good night and left for the evening. It was seven thirty and Mr Bale sat down to watch the news.

As old as Claire was, she plonked herself on her father's lap and hugged him tightly.

"Claire, that boy is no good for you!", Mr Bale said in a concerned fatherly voice," I am saying this for your own good, my child".

Claire felt annoyed but held her tongue. She did not want to argue.

Claire smiled as she replied, " You always say don't judge a book by its cover".

" Well, I'm not judging this book by its cover. I am judging this book by its contents", her father replied calmly. He didn't want to ruin the afternoon, especially the time with his family,"we will leave this discussion for a later stage in your life, when you are all grown up".