Antonio sighed and stood up from the floor, turning back to Gisella, Desmond, and Lizzy. Gisella stared at her father with teary eyes which just burst out of joy– Her lips slightly twisted and she raced to embrace him; thorn between tears and chuckle. Desmond and Lizzy stared at her as she buried herself in his arms.
Antonio hugged her, comforting, "It's okay, honey. Everything is finally over. " He slowly withdrew her from his embrace and curbed her cheeks with his hands; a faint smile dazzled on his face. " I'm so sorry for not listening to you, dear. I'm sorry for everything, baby"
Silent tears dripped down his eyes which Gisel instinctively dried up with the back of her hand, embracing him in a warm hug, a faint smile spontaneously formed on her face.
" It's okay, dad– I've already forgiven you for everything and I'm so sorry for not saving you" She sobbed. " Forgive me, dad, forgive me for returning so late from the hospital " The tears she tried to hold back finally burst out.
Antonio kissed her forehead and hugged her again, brushing his hand through her hair.
" It's okay, honey, it's okay–Don't blame yourself so much for what happened." A chuckle escaped his lips. " I'm so happy to see you grow so strong and brave, fighting for yourself and those you love. I couldn't do that for those I love, I'm proud of you, honey".
They hugged each other in tears. She giggled faintly amidst tears, redrawing from her father's arm.
" I want to ask for one last thing dad"
" Huh, what is it, dear, anything for you "
" I want you to stay with me, dad. I promise to be a good and strong girl. I'll make sure no one hurts you again, please dad " She announced, her fixed gaze expectantly glued at him.
Antonio glanced at her with sealed lips and tears trekked down his cheeks; he seem to have suddenly lost his voice.
" You'll stay with me, right, dad? – Please talk to me, don't remain silent like this, please " She pressed on.
He briefly took her hand in his, caressing it as she glanced up at him with tears in her eyes. Lizzy and Desmond stared at them and the emotional scene between father and daughter brought tears which freely trekked down their eyes.
" I'm so sorry, baby, I wish I could stay for you but I can't. It's already too late to return– I'm no longer a part of this world." He sobbed. "I hope you understand."
Gisel instinctively tilted her head in a no response, insisting on her words. " No, dad, please "
Just then, a bright light flashed through the hall from nowhere which made them instinctively shade their eyes from its rays.
" What's that light?–where did it come from" Desmond cried.
Antonio held Gisella and kissed her cheeks.
" I've got to go now dear, I know you'll be alright. Look there" He turned, pointing in Desmond and Lizzy's direction. " You've still got those lovely people who still love you so dearly no matter what. You're a fighter and a warrior, you'll still be fine without me. Keep on fighting, okay?"
She held onto him, shaking her head in tears.
" No, please, don't do this to me again. Please don't leave me here all alone, please" She sobbed.
" I'm sorry dear, there's nothing I can do now but I promise to always watch over you. I love you, baby ", he replied, fading away.
" No !, no – this can't be happening" She profoundly shook in tears, nervous. " No !!, No!!! dad!!!!"
" Goodbye, honey " He waved goodbye and diminished along with the light.
Gisella screamed and faint to the floor, falling unconscious. Desmond rushed and scooped her into his arms, preventing her from hitting her head on the floor.
" Hey, Gisella, come on, wake up, dear. I'm here, please wake up. " He trembled, shaking her nervously.
" No, no, you can't do this to me, Gisel. Please wake up." He swiftly turned to Lizzy.
"Aunty, what's happening to her ?" He screamed in a tone that betrayed his anxiousness. Lizzy quickly checked her pulse and stood up, anxious.
" Hurry, Desmond, let's get them to the hospital now before it's too late else we'll lose them ", cried Lizzy.
" Okay, let's go"
Not wasting any more time, he quickly scooped her in his arms and rushed out to the car after which he returned for Agnes and sped out of the mansion in a hast as they veered onto the road.
LORETTA'S HOUSE
Loretta had been receiving threatening letters and texts from Bello for his balance which she refused to pay after their last encounter.
She couldn't tell anyone apart from her friends, Paola and Bianca who advised her to just pay him off but she still insisted, saying the job was not completed.
Loretta was having lunch with her parents when she heard a peep sound from her phone. She nervously glanced at the phone and back at her parents. Noticing their attention was still fixed on their meal, she instinctively reached for it as she checked what it was. It was a message from, Bello and it read.
" CHOOSE TO PAY ME OR PAY WITH YOUR LIFE. DON'T THINK OF ESCAPING BECAUSE I'VE GOT MY EYES ON YOU AND I KNOW YOUR EVERY MOVE".
She unconsciously dropped the phone, looking all depressed, devastated, and tensed. This, in turn, drew her parents' attention.
" Hey, honey, are you okay? – Is everything alright with you?" Ciara queried which startled her in the process
" Uhm, yes, yes, I'm okay" She fumbled.
" Are you sure, honey? " Her father pressed.
" Yes, dad, don't worry about me, I'm okay. "
She swiftly rose to her full height as she dragged back the chair and moved over to their end, forcing a smile.
"I've got to go now, I'm meeting Paola and Bianca for an assignment, see you guys later."
" Won't you even wait and finish your meal?", asked Ciara in a worried tone.
" No, mum, I'm full and already late." She kissed them on the cheek and added on an impulse "Love you, bye"
She quickly stormed out of the house before they could say any other thing.
" Love you too and call us if anything, okay?" Ciara shouted.
" Okay, mum" She responded and drove out.
" Why has she been acting so strange lately? –We need to find out what she's hiding" Ciara uttered.
" You're right dear, I'll call my guards to take care of that" Ben answered and sighed. He took his phone and shrugged out of the kitchen, worried.