SOUNDS OF ROAMING DANGER

"Last moments?" I snap at her. "Who told you this is his last moment?" My blood is boiling.


How dare she insinuate that? Is this bitch sick or something?

Damian's soothing hands on my shoulders calm me down. That bitch! They will die first before everyone! They will witness neither my nor my father's deaths. It is them that we are going to bury first! Bitch!

"Leave her be," Damian soothes me, pulling back to him before I can slit this whore's throat.


'Nelly, I think you should respect Mr. Riccaford's request. You should leave," Damian says.

"You all can rot in hell!" She turns on her heels and walks out, leaving me with my hands clenched into fists!


"Ellie, my dear?" I turn to Papa. "You should be careful when around them and learn to control your temper."

"Why, Papa? Do you know something that I don't? Their fake masks infuriate me to the core!" I state.

"Just be careful, my dear."

Huh? That is all. I should be careful. Why? Because there is something, right? He knows, and he is concealing it from me. I can smell too much of an of an unnerving aura from these witches. Is there something that I don't know?

"Why did you want to see me, Mr. Riccaford?" Damian speaks and adds. "Are you sure it can't wait? I won't go anywhere. I promise!"

"Listen, we don't have much time, and nothing is certain in this case."

That stings! Why is he sounding like the bitch that just left?

"I only have one thing for each of you," he states.

"What is it, Papa?" I ask, clenching on to Damian's hand. At this point, I need to sample a little bit of strength because I am shaken by why my father had to prioritize this over the surgery. This must be serious, and it is scaring me.

"To you, my daughter, just be happy," he clenches to my free hand, the one that I hadn't intertwined with Damian's. 'You will make me and your late mother both happy and delighted that way. I also did something that I wanted you to know. I wanted you to hear it right from me."

Huh?

"I am listening, Papa. What is it?" I stammer a whisper.

"I amended my last will and testament. You both are the sole heirs of everything I own."

Shock!

"I have transferred my shares of the company to Damian. He will now be the CEO of Ricca's hotel chain until the time stipulated in the will." Triple shock!

What? But, why?

"Damian, my daughter is in your hands. Protect her well, my son. Let no harm ever befall her."

As I drag my gaze to Damian, teardrops are falling. My face is a mess of confusion, bewilderment, shock, and, most of all, panic.

Damian?! He is as confused as I am. Speechless and thunderstruck!

Why does this sound like my father is preparing us for the worst? And why entrust everything to Damian? What battles lay ahead of us?

"Mr. Riccsford? But why?" Damian asks, and I turn my gaze to Papa.

"You will know the reasons sooner, my son. Just promise me that my daughter and everything that I have entrusted to you will be safe with you. That is all I need from you."

Why is he speaking like he is saying goodbye, huh? Why do all these happen so suddenly?

"I give you my word, Mr. Riccaford!" I turn to Damian, relishing the pleasure of watching him take a vow. "Your daughter will always be safe with me. I will protect her with my life if need be, always. I give you my word!"

God, please! What's going on? Send me some light in this dark tunnel, please!

"I can be at peace now. Be happy, you two. Be happy!"

At peace? God, please! What's going on? Send me some light in this dark tunnel, please!

"I can be at peace now. Be happy, you two. Be happy!"

"Pa... Papa?" Why the heck is he quiet so suddenly? "Dad? "

He finally breathed out a heavy breath before I could succumb to fear. He pats my hand, perhaps telling me that I worry too much. "You can tell Dr. Lemuel that I am ready now!"

I heaved out a deep sigh to placate my pulse at his words. He can't scare me like this. I almost thought he was dying, given how he all of a sudden fell silent. Gosh! My heart virtually exploded into pieces.

"Do you want to give me a heart attack, Pa? Who will watch over you after the surgery if am not here?" I ask as my heartbeat resumes its normal slow beating.

"I am sorry, my dear. I am so weary of this bed already so let's get this over and done with. Tell them I am ready," he says, and he indeed looks tired.

I nod my head. "Okay. I will let Lemuel know. I will be back," I say.

I fling to leave, but he still clasps my hand captive in his. Actually, they are both of them because, ostensibly, Damian is caging the other one in his too. I didn't even realize he hadn't let go of me all this time. I glance between them, signaling that I can't leave my hands with them. Damian lets go, and my father pats the one he is holding, gives it a peck, and whispers... "I love you, my dear. Whatever happens, be brave, and always know that you mean the world to me."

Meant-past tense. Where will he be?

A cold chill tickles! The mood feels so threatening all of a sudden! I feel a sudden surge of tension that threatens to paralyze my spine! I am feeling my hand tremble in his hold, and my legs weakening.

I should be strong!

Nothing will happen. Papa is just terrified, and I understand him. This isn't easy for anyone. It can't be easy for anyone. I should be strong for him. For both of us. Maybe that will give him strength and assurance that everything will be alright—he will be alright.