Forty Two
ππ Unugwππa
I scoffed and dropped the phone. Come outside and meet the son of Eden Alberto who wants me dead. I'm not that stupid
A knock came on my door. Definitely a maid.
Me: come in
The door opened and Anibe walked in
Me: when did you learn how to knock and wait for me to tell you to come in
Anibe : I didn't knock and wait for you Missy. I was about opening the door immediately I knocked but my phone began to ring so I had to check the caller
Me: whatever
He chuckled and walked towards the bed. I shifted back and leaned on the headboard while he laid down close to the end of the bed with his legs still touching the floor
Me: read this text
I slid the phone on the bed to him. He dropped his phone and picked it up. He knows my password so no need to tell him.
He pressed gently on the screen and began to read the message
Anibe : go out and meet your Knight in shining armor
He chuckled and I scoffed
Me: Dark Knight
Anibe : do you know if he has plans with his father?
Me: I don't think so. Daniel is too rebellious to work with his father
Anibe : but the two of them get along quite all right
Me: maybe they do. Maybe they don't. Maybe they pretend to be okay with each other. Because Daniel never says a word when with his father. He only starts talking when his father leaves
Anibe : that doesn't seem like getting along to me. Maybe they actually don't get along but pretend they do when you're around
I breathed out and crossed my arms. I took the phone and replied him
β I'm sorry but I'm not at home
Anibe : what did you tell him?
Me: I'm not at home
My phone beeped
β tell me where you are. I'll come there
β Daniel just go! I don't want to see you and don't even make the mistake of going into the house because no one there will let you enter
After I sent it, I switched off the phone and dropped it on my bedside table
Me : so have you told dad?
Anibe : yes. Mom actually told him first then he called me for more details. I took a picture of the car and sent it to him
Me: so what next?
Anibe : we stay indoors until he comes back on Monday. He said the conference is very important and he can't miss it.
Me : so there's no school for me on Monday?
He shook his head
Me: Andy. I need to see Andy
He looked at me
Anibe : one reason I was never in a serious relationship. Now look what you're thinking. Andy
I stood up from the bed and walked to my window. I need to see Andy
Me: let me call Loretta and ask if he's awake
I took my phone, switched it on and called Lorette but she didn't pick. I called two more times but she still didn't pick so I dropped the phone.
ππ Danielππ
I banged my fist on my car and groaned. Unugwa is making things hard for me. I know she's at home
I just want to apologize for making her angry and she's not even giving me the chance. Why can't she just come outside? What's so hard in coming outside?
I looked at their house one last time and entered my car. I drove home and parked my car. Then I saw that another car had followed me inside. I noticed that car when I was going but I didn't care about it. And now it's following me back in.
I hope it's not what I'm thinking. That dad is having me followed. But why?
ππ Claireππ
Early on Sunday morning, I headed to the hospital where Andy was admitted. I had to skip church because of him. I actually had a crush on him back then but I had to give way for Ugwa. Those two are destined to be.
As I arrived at the hospital, I saw some men wearing black leather jackets and black boots and trousers. They were putting on dark shades and I thought they might be security personnel. I entered inside and luckily, Loretta arrived too
Me: good morning dear
Loretta: hey Claire. You came
Me: I had to come.
Loretta: thanks for coming
Me: is he awake?
Loretta: no. Come in and see him
She held my hand and we entered his ward. He was lying with a drip connected to his body
Me: poor thing. He's always ending up in the hospital
Loretta: I hope this stops
Me: is any of his family here?
Loretta: his mother slept over. She called me to come that she was going home to get some things
Just then the door opened and two men entered. The same men I saw outside. I looked down at their hands and I saw guns but I quickly looked up. I don't think they noticed that I saw them. They also quick hid them
Loretta: good morning. You must be the guards Andy's father sent here
They looked at each other then one answered
Man: yes. We just wanted to check on Andy. How is he?
Me: he's fine. Just waiting for him to wake up
They nodded
Man: we'll just go and wait outside. If you see any strange movements here, just call on us and whenever you're about to leave the ward, call us to take over. Okay?
Loretta: okay. Thank you
They smiled awkwardly and left. I waited for about ten minutes before I spoke up
Me: are you sure they're guards?
It was in a whisper
Loretta: I don't think so. They're weird
Me: text his mother and ask her if she's aware of any guards
Loretta: okay
I heaved a nervous sigh and walked outside the ward. I didn't see them anywhere. I walked through the hallway and into the lobby then I asked the receptionist if she saw two men with black outfits. She said she didn't. I began to suspect them even more
ππUnugwaππ
We skipped church because of the insecurity issues and my morning was so boring. If not for Anibe's presence, it would have bored me to death.
Anibe : you've been sitting like that since morning. What's wrong?
He hoped on the dinning table while I was sitting on one of the chairs
Me: I'm bored
Anibe : when did you start getting bored at home? I thought you always had something to do
Me: well today nothing interests me
Anibe : if only grandma was still here, it wouldn't be boring
Me: if she was here she'd be scared to death about what happened to us
I ran my fingers through my hair and leaned against the chair
Me: Anibe
Anibe : hmm
Me: do you think Daniel knows what his dad is up to?
Anibe : we've talked about this. Maybe he knows, maybe he doesn't
Me: sometimes I think coming to the Philippines was a bad idea
Anibe : you never really wanted to come
Me: that's true
Mom walked in with trays filled with cakes and two bottles of yoghurt
Anibe: whoah! This is the reason I missed home. Man!
Mom chuckled and dropped it on the table
Mom: I suspected you guys might need a little mouth exercise
Anibe took one and began to eat
Anibe : you see that man called Samson, he didn't try for me. I would have married you instead
Mom laughed and hit him on the head
Me: where's Chubi?
Mom: he has a cold. He's in bed
Me: okay. Thanks for this
Mom: don't let Anibe eat it more than you
She left and I looked at him
Anibe : please, people in bad mood don't like to eat. They lose their appetite.
He picked the whole tray and carried the bottles. He wanted to move out but I dragged him back and pushed him into a chair.
Me: don't even try anything silly
I took the tray from him and dropped it on the table then took one of the cakes. The chocolate one
My phone beeped and it was another message from Daniel
π© I have something very important to tell you. Please allow me to see you
I scoffed
Something important my foot!
ππ Danielππ
As I paced around my room waiting for her reply, my door opened and a maid entered
Me: don't you know how to knock? Or do you think this is your room?
Maid: I'm so sorry. I didn't know you were in. I just wanted to clean up
I looked her over then scoffed and walked out. As I entered the hallway, I saw my dad coming towards his room
Dad: Daniel, come with me. We have something important to talk about
Me: yes we have something important to talk about. You have to tell me why you had me followed last night
Dad: come with me
I followed him to his room and closed the door behind us. He opened a drawer and brought out a bar of cigar and a lighter.
This old man is going to smoke in front of me?
Me: why did you have me followed?
Dad: how is the black girl? Have you seen her since you came back?
Me: why did you have me followed?
Dad: I ask the questions Daniel!
I scoffed and looked away
Dad: how is the black girl?
Me: she's fine
Dad: good. Why don't you invite her over for dinner tonight?
Me: what do you want her to do this time? Convince her father to partner with your company again? After you've been kicked out?
He laughed and let out thick smoke
Dad: something even better than that. Her father thinks he's smart. He doesn't know that he's a dog in another man's house. He has no power to bark
Me: what are you planning to do? Don't even think of doing anything stupid
Dad: I want his daughter
Me: why?
Dad: I know you want that girl. I got information that you knocked down Andrew Del Solo when you heard she was dating him. You're in love with her and I can help you get her if you comply to my plans
I chuckled at the mad man looking at me. But I decided to play along and see what he was up to
Me: and what do you plan to do?
Dad: get rid of Lewis once and for all. If possible, hit him where it would pain him most. Take his son away and I know you would like that.
Me: I possibly would never care about Andy but what does Unugwa have to do with this?
Dad: if Andy is gone, who else would she run to to console her?
I was quiet
Dad: and I want her because she can give me what I want. More money from her father's company so I can finally build that underground lair I always wanted.
Me: and you can't do that with your money?
Dad: your girlfriend's father is filthy rich in dollars. Dollars is way ahead of peso. He has enough money to buy my company and every other company in the whole of Cebu City.
Me: and how do you intend making Unugwa get you the money?
I know dad said he asks the questions but I am now the one asking questions
Dad: by kidnapping his daughter. His precious daughter. He would give anything in the world to get her back and I would get everything I want before I give her back. And when she'll be ransomed, you'll be the one to free her and help her escape to her parents. She would think you're her Savior and you can get her trust and love. By then, Andy would be long gone. I already have men at his hospital. He'll be gone sooner than you expected
He took in the cigar and blew out smoke.
Dad: now this all starts with you. Get me the girl
