Chapter 55

Three months later

Damian's POV

"When will mum be coming home"  Alex asked, as I got him ready for school.

He is been asking after his mother and all my explanations to him has fallen on deaf ears. He is yet to get use to living with me alone. I am yet to get use to living alone.

"Soon buddy" I said.

Its been three months since Erica was poisoned by Sophia and her cohorts. Its been difficult going through everyday uncertain of what my next call will be about.

I tried to stay strong if for nobody, but for Alex, who has been constantly asking about when his mother will be coming back. That is a question I don't have an answered to, but hopeful that one day I will hold her in my hands again, and we would laugh and joke about all that we have been through.

Those days may look like a fairy tale for now, but I know it will surely come.

"Grab your bag and let's go" I said to Alex, as I head out to go drop him in school. I have since taken the responsibility of been his personal caregiver.

We got to the car and entered before driving off. Alex was relatively quiet all through the journey, his once bouncing personality has been replaced with moodiness.

Events of that unfortunate fake wessing day keeps replaying in my mind, I thought I had everything under my radar, I was told that I was the one, they planned to kill after the wedding ceremony to get hold of my properties.

What I didn't see coming was Erica been their target. They took her from me and I was going to do all within my reach to make them suffer.

"Alex be a good boy and don't talk to strangers" I said, after parking my car in the school parking space.  Alex, who has been quiet throughout the ride lingered on for some time. The once cheerful and playful son I had is now a shadow of his former self.

"Will mum be back by the time I come back from school"

"Alex, we have talked about this, and yes mum is coming home soon" I said

attempting a fake smile.

The truth is ever since that incident, I have not had any reason to laugh or smile. I feel so alone, I can't believe life gave me another opportunity of been with her and I messed it up. I really wish I was the one that got attacked and not her.

Alex came down from the car and I watched him held towards the class teacher who waved at me with a smile.

I drove out of the school heading to the Court, today is the day the court will be passing its judgement today. I got to the court room and found everyone was already seated. There were lots of media persons on ground all scrubbing for my thoughts as regards what the judgment would be, and wanting to know the health status of Erica.

I ignored them,  as I made my way to the empty space beside my lawyers. After some time the two culprit were brought in and I found myself hating the two of them with everything within me.

They were apprehended after Sophia fingerprint were matched with the ones found on the syringe that had the poison Erica was injected with.

Sophia later confessed of having an accomplice, which she later name as Cassandra.

Cassandra looked remorseful and sad, but Sophia's face was blank and emotionless. These two persons at one point in my life were very important to me both as family and friend.

Why would they want to hurt me? and steal my only source of happiness. the Judge came in and addressed the court, after which, the court became very quiet.

The people were also interested in what was going to happen to them. Many had thought that since Sophia was my step sister, that I may decide to withdrawn the case.

But, what they don't know is that, I had done enough for her. I had to let her go the first time she made attempt on Erica life, then, she did did it again when she framed Erica for alleging trying to kill her. She was even indicted for been an accomplice with the mum during the trial case for the murder of my dad.

I have always tried to reach out to her, because I got to know her way of life, after I returned home after my fathers death. She and her mother were two desperate social climbers who would do anything to raise to the top.

The judge asked the jury their decision before he finally passed his judgement.

Sophia got a life sentence after she was indicted in so many unresolved criminal and murder cases. And Cassandra got a 25years sentence for an attempted murder and also been in possession of hard drugs.

As soon as their sentences were read out, Cassandra broke down crying and pleading with her dad to help her.

How do good well brought kids turn bad?

I was about leaving, when I saw Mr Robinson walking towards me, his face covered in shame and regrets.

"I'm so sorry Damian, I knew she had her demons, but never did I anticipate that she was capable of murder" he said remorsefully.

"Its okay sir" I said.

"How is she" he asked

"She is good" I said, avoiding the rays of tears that threatens to run down my eyes. I have been told that it is shameful for a man to be seen crying. But my heart hurts and I get sleepless at night with constant heart aches.

The judgement passed on them didn't make me feel better, but I was relieved that the world was a better place with those two lock behind bars.

***

I drove down to the hospital, my most favorite place in the world for the passed three months.

I entered the private ward I got at the hospital, after I was told it would be risky to get all the medical supplies, and have her treated at home.

As soon as I opened the door, my eyes fell on her motionless body on the bed, fully equipped with different machines and her face looking pale, covered in oxygen mask.

I sat down there praying and hoping for sort of miracle. Tears dropped from my eyes as I thought of all I could have done right.

Her mother was by her bed side praying and she smiled at me immediately she saw. She is a strong woman, it must be difficult having her husband and daughter admitted at the same time.

Erica's dad got a heart attack after hearing of what happened to his daughter and they both were brought into the hospital the same day. Her mother has never left their side, she had most of her things moved to the hospital, just so she could take care of them.

After some time, Erica's mum stood up to go freshen up in the other room attached to the ward. She does that whenever I was around, since she bluntly refused any other person taking care of them.

Sometimes when I am at home with Alex, I do have a little peace of mind knowing that she is here with the love of my life.

It's very comforting and hopefully very soon, I might been able to repay her for her kindness and act of selflessness.

I took Erica's hand, placing tiny kisses on it and praying deep within my heart that if truly there is a God somewhere, he should make my Erica well so she can come back to me.

****

Erica's POV

I have been sitting here alone in this empty space covered in white, I can't seem to remember how I got here and there is no door to go out.

I sometimes hear my mother voice and that of Damian but I don't ever get to see them. why have I been locked up in here for so long?

Just then, I saw the wall split open and my dad walked right in smiling and looking really young and handsome.

I ran to him for a warm hug, it felt good to finally see some one I knew.

"Pumpkin its time to go" he said to me smiling.

"Go where? there is no going anywhere" I said smiling.

" its time for you to go, there are people who need you more on the other side" He said smiling

"I don't understand dad, what are you saying? I asked looking at his face.

There is time for everything, a time to sow and a time to reap, a time to born and a time to die, I'm afraid this is my time to take a bow pumpkin" he said smiling.

"No dad, please come with me" I cried as I felt him going further away from me.

******

Damian's POV.

I was resting my head on Erica's bed space half asleep, when I heard the machines beeping differently from the way it normally sound. My eyes instantly went to her to see she was moving her body.

"Doctor, someone call the doctor" I called out and within seconds, I had over ten doctors attending to both her and her dad.

I was asked to go wait outside.

After some moment of chaos, one of the machines went completely silent, the doctors removed the equipment on Mr Williams body and rolled his body out of the ward.

I was so confused as to what was happening as my eyes meant Erica's mother, who stood frozen on a spot, I walked to and hugged her tightly praying that Erica is safe if for nothing sake, but for her mother's.

Maybe I truly do not deserve her, her life was perfectly fine before I came in. I seem to get her into trouble when ever we come together.

After some time, the doctors came out and told us she was out of coma and was merely sleeping. A part of me was glad but the bigger part was sad with the fact that we just lost Erica's dad.

*****

Erica's POV

I opened my eyes to see that I was lying down on a hospital bed. my mother was sitting by me, her face sad and moody. Familiar sounds of beeping machines filled the room.

I remembered everything that happened and how I got here, but the misery seem to be the dream I just had.

"Mum" I called out to her, her face brightens up a bit the moment she saw me.

" so good to finally hear you call me mum" she said smiling as tears dropped from her eyes.

"How are you" she asked

"I'm okay" I answered.

"Where is dad?" I asked hoping whatever that was that I saw earlier was nothing but a bad dream. She looked at me and smiled

"He is in a better place now, God bless his soul" she said with a faint smile.

That moment, I wished I could hear him call me pumpkin, even if it was for the last time.

Just then, the door opens and Alex ran into the room, he looked taller than I remembered.

"Be careful Alex" Damian said after him, who came to seat by my side.

Damian looked at me and our eyes  held on each other. he was looking rough with his bears unshaved. He looked worn out and stressed, but I was very glad to see him.

"How are you" he asked, as his eyes sparkled with a mixture of love and gladness.

"I'm alive" I said smiling.