Silence screams across the dinner table louder than any argument ever could. I take a small sip of my water and watch my daughter’s passive face as our butler, Randolph, wheels in our meal.
He offers me a small smile as he places my dish in front of me. “Lavender really outdid herself tonight, sir.”
I chuckle. “I’m sure she did.”
He gives Tiara her plate and begins to wheel out the cart. She makes a face at the vegetables heaped on the side of her plate and opens her mouth to object.
“Randolph,” I say, cutting her off. “Would you like the rest of the evening off?”
He turns to me with a confused expression. “Sir?”
“Go home and be with your family.” I smile and wave my hoof. “It won’t kill Diamond and I to clear our own dishes for once.” He nods happily at me and trots out the door.
“Dadddd…” I glance back at my daughter. “Picking up dishes is, like, icky.” For once, I don’t laugh. It’s not endearing anymore. Instead, I simply begin eating my food.
I’m not sure if I have the ability to speak to her right now.
I study her expression as Cheerilee’s words continue to assault my head. Despite all that I have heard, I am still unable to see the monster I would have expected from a child that picks on others. Part of me wants to pretend this morning never happened… the rest of me can’t.
“How was school today? Learn anything new?”
She shrugs. “I guess.”
The silence presses down on me. “Like what?”
“I don’t know. I think we were studying the Crystal Empire’s history, or something.” She blinks. “Oh… and I got a D on yesterday’s math test.”
I sigh. “Diamond, you promised me that you’d study.”
She snorts. “It’s not my fault that my tutor’s a grouchy old idiot.”
Her tutor is only a few years older than me, and the best mathematician in Ponyville. “Diamond… You do know that even with a tutor, you still have to… try, right?”
My daughter’s lip quivers as her eyes go wide. “Are you saying I’m not trying?”
Yes. “No.” I say. “I just… I worry about you, that’s all. If you don’t like your tutor than I’ll help you with your math homework. I’m sure brushing up on my multiplication and division wouldn’t be bad for me.” My laugh dies in my throat as she rolls her eyes. “A-Anyways, what did you and Silver Spoon do after school?”
“We went to SugarCube Corner. I wanted to go to that nice café near the library, but it was closed.”
“If you want, we could always go there for lunch tomorrow. I’ve got some business at a couple shops in that part of town in the morning, but if you wouldn’t mind coming with me-“
“No thanks, Dad.” She says, before pushing her plate away. “I’m done.” She hops off her chair and trots towards the stairs.
“Diamond,” I call after her, and she turns. “I… Good Night.”
She nods and places a hoof on the first step before looking back at me. “Dad?”
“Yes?”
“Would you remind Lavender that I don’t like carrots?”
I sigh. “Of course, dear.”
I carry in the last of the dinner dishes and place them in the sink, turning on the hot water. Lavender has already left for the night, not that I mind. Slowly, I scrub each of the plates, cups, and bowls clean, savoring the calm sound of the running water and the occasional squeak of the almost empty dish-soap bottle.
Eventually, the thoughts that I attempted to drown out with work reach me.
Why didn’t I say anything?
I can’t just ignore it. I must have been ignoring something all this time to never properly see the truth that Cheerilee had to force into me. It still makes my sick to my stomach.
Any other parent would ground their child, at least. I’m not above punishing my daughter when she misbehaves… So why couldn’t I confront her about it?
I’m afraid.
The horrible fact resounds throughout me. I’m afraid… because deep down, I know somehow it must at least be partially my fault. Studying my reflection in the water, I fight the urge to yell at it, like some kind of fool. I don’t know what I did wrong, but I must have… right?
I dry the last dish and wipe my hooves clean. Through the kitchen and into the dining room, I turn and follow the old oak staircase upstairs. It’s the same one as when I was a colt, one of the many things Diamond says needs updating. As I reach the top, I slowly open the door to my daughter’s room.
She looks so peaceful, so innocent. I quietly cross the room, and just watch her breathing peacefully. I was right, all those years ago, her hair did turn out to be curly. I lean down and kiss her forehead. No matter what I may discover tomorrow, or the next day, or any day after that, I love my daughter... No matter how much it might hurt me later.
Even though it is late, when I reach my room I am too uneasy to sleep. Instead, I open my desk and pull out some files for the shops I’m checking up on tomorrow, forms for deliveries, notes from my manager at my other Barnyard Bargains in Manehatten, even the constant letters from my ex or her lawyer, promising to have my money and my daughter. Anything… Anything I can find to avoid being alone in bed with my thoughts.
I fire off letters, make notes, and when there is nothing else to do, I sit and work out each order for apples or pears, pencils or pens by hoof. Normally I would use a calculator, but I am in no hurry to be finished.
The numbers fill the silence.
Finally nice to see a sequel
*internal screaming* I love it already due to it being a sequel to numbers!
It's here!
Love the viewpoint from one of my favourite background characters
Yeah. The sequel is here. I can't wait for the next chapter. Please hurry.
Normally I only like random comedy, but this fic was just too amazing to pass up reading! So, not much else to say, except for, thank you ma'am, for blessing the site with this fanfiction! I know that's a bit much, but yeah. Can't wait for chapter two! (Three, if ya count the prologue)
Filthy rich should really hive dt a good switching
Just... Just...
There is no words for this masterpiece
Maybe some emoticons though...
I have to wonder. How old was Diamond Tiara when she lost her mother? How long was Mrs. Rich Diamond Tiara's authority figure? How long has Mr. Rich only really had to worry about his business and rely on somepony to tell him what his daughter needed? How long has he just given Diamond Tiara what she wanted?
Mr. Rich now has to do what he doesn't know how to do...be a parent.
God damn you Filthy, can you not see your tolerance of your daughter's actions is going to kill her!? I fear the consequences of his over tolerant attitude of her... I fear them overly...
What a wimp of a father.
He has to talk to her. He has to put his hoof down. He doesn't want his child to stay a little monster and grow up into a big monster. He needs to speak with her.
He should go seek the sage advice of Granny Smith
You managed to express Filthy's internal conflict perfectly. Keep doing what you're doing.
Saw two minor typos while reading.
4454705
Of that I agree. particularly since the two are on good terms, and technically the Apple Family ARE the source of his family's wealth.
4454705 You know, I didn't even think of that?
This looks interesting. I shall follow it and see where it leads me.
- LF
To know you're kid has poor behavior is never easily accepted by most parents.
It's not something that Rich can easily control, Tiara is capable of making her own decisions but she needs guidance. Something that her father really hasn't put time away just to teach her morals. She strikes as one of those kids that honestly act out so viciously just to make sure that someone around her notices she's there and doesn't want to be left alone anymore. I'm not defending her but I think we should at least take a look from how she may perceive things.
Hmmm, so far I am really liking this delve into Rich's character. Hope we see more. But what I am really looking forward to, is the confrontation.
How did you make this guy Likable!
I really like Filthy Rich in this story. He's just so broken up inside about his daughter, he doesn't know what to do anymore, which makes him a stronger character.
I liked the first story, and I'm loving the second. Keep going!
4452522 well I think he said he lost her about 11 years ago or something so I assume that she was like 1 or 2 at the time though I could be completely wrong
4452522
4457158
Actually, Diamond is 11 years old. Her parents got divorced when she was... Well, let's just say that her mom hasn't been around for quite a while. She will show up eventually in the story though.
I'm looking forward to future chapters. Keep up the good work.
I hope Filthy does something soon.
I'm a read on
See, now I'm interested... A fave for future chapters!
It's arrived!!!!
Oh yeah! You have no idea how much I been looking forward to this sequel.
Beautifully written so far! I feel for Filthy. I'd really like to see more.
I wonder if Tiara´ special talent allow her to exert some influence over others, something she exploits to avoid the consequences of her attitude.
Don't worry, Mr Rich. She'll get nowhere near Ponyville, or even Diamond Tiara.
fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/1377507_10152275458853362_1772439114_n.jpg?oh=be8a5bdd260f84c089a372020676ec3e&oe=53E831A9&__gda__=1407473667_f50c42f08afe04436226f1a81f6c1a5a
4460688 Well, I we we've got that covered!
I'm a little confused as to why you changed from third person POV to a 1st person one. That said, you handle this POV 'style' just as skillfully as you did the other so I'm not complaining. I could proabbly go on for a while about the various things that make this story stand out from others (Mastery of the 'inner voice', clever approach to Filthy Rich's personality, the overall story concept) but as I am short on time right now, I'll simply say "Do not stop writing or you will make me very sad." You don't want me to be sad right? *psycotic grin*
Hope you like it.
4463049
Well, when I agreed to the sequel, I stated I'd keep the story first-person and in present tense. However, when I tried to write the prologue, I felt it just flowed better in third-person. I figured since it was a flashback/intro sort of thing it still worked, so I left it. Don't worry, though, I intend to stick to first-person for the rest of the story.
>Insert "It's Happening!" gif here
As the single father of a 5 year old I can only laugh at this fic.
The prologue made me "d'awwwwwwwwwww!" and the next chapter made me think "Diamond...you little diva -.-" (I'm officially not a diva anymore, it gives me a right ) but overall its a great story
4465707 media0.giphy.com/media/rl0FOxdz7CcxO/giphy.gif
Poor Rich, getting stuck with such a b*tchy daughter. Update when you can!
Please please please please please update this story. I'M BEGGING YOU, PLEASE!
Man, I sure do beg a lot .
The scribe demands an update, thank you
Okay, wow. Just...wow!
It's been a while, and I'm wondering if you're going to update this story. It's really good.
I'm not trying to pressure you, I would just like to know more.
4699282
Yes, I'm working on the next update. I'm just... really slow (I've still got some stories I haven't updated since February).
Due to this being my most popular pending story, I'm giving it my full attention, but as I mentioned in my last blog post (not gonna hold it against you if you didn't read it), I'm at a summer course at UVA all of July.
So... my summer writing plans have kind of been cut short.
I'm still writing the next couple updates, and am even hopeful to *possibly* have the enxt chapter finished before the end of this week...
But it just really depends when I have time.
I'm glad that you seem to really like this story, so hopefully that means you like it enough to be willing to be patient with me.
4699339 Not to worries, I can wait.
I hope there will be more updates.