As I got older, I realized how's my life became sadder. I walk up from sleeping because I can't sleep properly tonight. I check the window, and it's still midnight, base on what I saw. The cold winter welcomed me as I walk back towards my bed. I hold my bedsheets tight and cover myself from a blanket. I attempted to close my eyes,, but I'm still waked awake. I was about to grab my phone at the study table when s memory suddenly pop up into my mind.
I saw my memory with my father. We'd bring up the meals that my mom burned and popcorn that my dad made me back when. I was six, celebrating my birthday with a complete family before my father committed a mistake that changed my life since then.
Suddenly, my tears fall from my eyes from remember that memory, a memorable one and a nightmare for me every so often.  I got a from bed and grab my phone. I looked at the time, and it's still 12:43 in the midnight. I exhaled and decided to text Ash Ron. Hoping that he's still awake. I was about to send the message when I heard a loud tud in the door entrance.
The whole house was filled with darkness, I walk slowly towards downstairs using my feet . I'm scared to create a noise, might the stranger or who's behind the door know that there's a person inside the house.
I was about to open the door when my phone suddenly vibrate, make me jump in shocked.  I received a text from Ralph.
From : Ralph
Open the door, it's me. I know you're still awake. I already know what happened. I can sleep over? I brought you 3 boxes of chocolate as I promised.
I inhaled and hold the door knob. I close my eyes tightly before I open the door and looked at the man who text me a while ago.
I saw him holding three boxes of different kinds of chocolates while smiling at me.
“ Hey, here's my peace offering. “
Ralph said, and he gave me the 3 boxes of chocolate.
I smiled at him and said.
“ Come in. “
Then open the door for him to enter and walked in.
He volunteered to close the door instead all I did is walked away as I heard him following me from behind.
The house is filled with silence and no one dare to speak. When we reach my room I sit on my bed and looked at him.
I saw his face soften and walk towards me. I can't help but to my sobbing and hug him tight.
“ I'm sorry, I didn't mean to imply those words. I love my father, I love him so much… I adore and idolized my father since I was a child but because of what he did. I start hating him. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to! “ I said and start to cry.
I tear is like river, the water is nonstop overflowing and no one can stop it. My hearts ache a bit and I can't help but to do At this moment is to blame myself.
“ Shh. “ He whispered to my ear.
“ Everything will be alright, and it's not your fault El. “ He added as he looked at my fave and wipe my tears away.
I nodded and start to cry as I hug Ralph and set out to calm down myself from crying.
An hour passed and we become silent again. I prefer not to talk because I will end up crying all of again because of the guilt, pain, regrets of myself.
Ralph grab my hand and hold me tightly. He smiled to me and said.
“ What should you do now? You will take over what he had started. All of it El. “ He uttered and gaze at me.
“ I don't know, I don't know any more Ralph. “ I answered and jump myself into my bed and
“ Hey, if you need anything you have me El, your mother and especially Ash Ron by your side. “
“ I know, thank you, Ralph. Can you put the chocolates in the ref plase? I'll take a bath for a while. After that, we will talk. “ I said and walk towards the Cr.
He nodded and left the room.
After I take a bath, I'm already in my pajama while Ralph is wearing a loose to shirt and pants. He sleep in the couch and make me speechless. This guy just sleep on me. We supposed to be talking right now.
Maybe he's tired and got a jet-lagged. I decided to lay in bed and let myself waited for my sleepiness to come.
-------
When I walk up for another day . The sun rise hit my face make me make me cover my face with my blanket. I heared someone said.
" Wake up El .
Your mother is missing. "
A man said.
Because of what I've heard I wake up immediately and look at him. Before I realized what he meant , my eyes become big and shock is written on my face.
" WHAT! " I shouted and run to the garage to start the engine.
" HEY , STOP WE WILL EAT FIRST! " Ralph shouted back at me.
I didn't turn around but instead I start the engine without any consent. He was shocked as me so he run towards the car and close the door .
" Elizabeth Del Acosta ,
What the heck are you doing! " He exclaimed.
" Finding my mother ofcourse ! " I replied and fully speed the car and let it go in no direction.
" She's in the police station right now. She is crying nonstop and beg those police to give justice to your father's death. " He explained and I just nodded my head in response.
" Why did she do that ? " I asked.
" You should be the one to asked that to her. I just received a call from a friend that worked in that police station department. " He added.
I didn't answer and after a minute , I stop the car Infront of the police station .
" Where's Ellie Acosta? " I asked the police who is busying typing on his computer without looking at me.
" In the office. "
He said and go back to work.
I exhale and walked towards where's my mother is. She is at the corner talking to a police. She is still wearing outfit , she wear yesterday. She didn't come home last night too.
When she saw me walking towards her , she stand up and hug me. Make me confused at this moment. I rise my eyebrows at my mom. What's wrong with her! I heared Ralph cleared his throat to catch my attention . He really know my attitude.
I looked at my mother and said.
" Mom. Lets go home."
I said and hold her hands.
My mom looked at her shoes and nodded her head. I turn around to the police and said.
" Sorry for the trouble.
We will go now. " I fake smile as I walked away holding my mother's hand.
Ralph decided to give me time with my mom so he would like to be drop off on their street a meter away from the Acosta Village.
" Call me if you needed some help. I'm always here for you El. " Ralph give me a kiss on my cheek before he closed the door of the car I was driving.
My mother is out of space. She is looking at the glass window with her empty expression reflected on the mirror that she is looking.
" Mom. " I stated.
She looked at me and then a tear fall from her eyes. A part of me hurt by what I saw.. I can't take it when I saw my mom crying because it's my greatest weakness at all.
Loosing a love ones is not on my list ,
Crying is not my option
But I become weak at hopeless right now.
Just like my mother , we both know we don't know what to do or where to start.
" El , Don't blame yourself of what happened. Be strong  okay? "
I smiled and hug my mother tightly. I wish after this everything will be fine as we wanted.
It's not that easy that you wont be able to blame yourself from what happened. We all experience it and I didn't know that it's coming. If I was aware on what will happen then. I should treasure those remaining moments with him. But no I'm not a god at all . I don't know nothing about it and I can't do nothing about it anymore.
I'll I can do is regret and blame my self because I'm stupid and careless on my words I speak. I hurt my father on his last remaining moments. I saw the pain written on his face before he manage to say his last words that he can uttered.
I saw how he fall down on his knees. Looking at me and smiled weakly.
The pain written all over his face
The last thing I saw is all become ea memory..
-----
Another Day **
I'm on the way to my father's private room bringing a pack lunch for my mother when I saw Mr.. Sam approaching me. I stop from walking and stare at him.
He bow at me and said.
“ I'm here to visit your father. It's nice to see you again, El. “
He said as he smiled at me.
“ I'm glad you're back, Mr. Sam , how's your vacation with your family? “ I asked while walking, he followed me as we are on the way to my father's room door.
“ It's a memorable vacation, thankful from your mother's offer. “ He said and then he stopped from walking.
“ Good to know, Mr. Sam. “ I replied as I enter the room and he followed me in.
The room was filled with cry, I saw my mother hugging my father's body. I heard my stepsisters crying and I saw a mid-age woman who have a light-brown hair hugging Alexandra, my youngest step-sister.
She must be Selena, the second wife of my father. She is wearing a green mossy dress with a shining collar that makes her face stand out. She had long wavy light-brown hair that matches her brown eyes, where Alexa and Alexandra's eyes inherit it.
“ El, your father passed away. “
My mom proclaimed.
I didn't react I even blink twice, thinking about the news I heard a while ago.
I couldn't believe what I've heard. I suddenly feel pain in my heart with the guilt and regret in additional.
I saw my mom wipe her tears away and go out with Mr.. Sam to process the bills and the
I heard Selena cleared her throat and said.
“ Rest in peace, my love. “
She whispered and smile widely.
---
I was scrolling in my phone as I'm waiting for my order to come.
A news spread around the world in instant that the famous successful businessman named Henderson Acosta died from a gun shot on his crest and rumors about the replacement or who is the new CEO of the company. I couldn't take this anymore so I dialed Mr. Villamor's Number and after a couple of rings he picked it up ang said.
“ El, what's the matter? Do you need anything? “
" I want you to clean the rumors about the campany and my father's death. " I responded.
" Is that so? " He added.
" Yes. "
I answered and end the call after .
I don't know what to do. I don't know what direction should I take. I don't know who is real and fake. I'm already got my trust issues that's why even if I will end up hurting my steps sisters , I don't really care. Yes maybe I accepted them because they are just the mistake that my father left me to be in charge .
" Don't worry El ,
I will help you in any way I can. Condolence . " Mr. Jonathan Villamor said and I saw a man approaching me from outside the coffee .
I grab my order and left the coffee shop but a man who is wearing a black cup shout my name. I stop from my track and froze in my spot.
" El wait up! " He shouted again and chased me from running away from him.
" Please let me explain! I have my reasons El. Swear I didn't cheat it's a dare only! Elizabeth please! " He shouted again but I didn't listen instead I walked towards my car and drive away.
Great ! I saw Lucas , my ex out of sudden..
---
Today is the second day of my father's funeral. I end up locked my self on my room. My mother understand me and let me. Instead he even call Ash Ron to accompany me while Ralph is with her today.
I'm inside of my room doing nothing. Just simply looking at the ceiling . What should I do now? I looked at the time on my clock . It's still 12:05 in the afternoon , Ash Ron knock on my door and as I open it there's a tray of food in the floor. I grab it and take it to my room so I can eat .
Ash Ron didn't say a word or tried to talk to me. He get that I need time alone also to think about everything and what happened. I can't still believe my father is now now. Leaving me a big responsibility that I didn't even wanted to have at the first place.