"Belle's father?"
Yago furrowed his brows. Isn't Carl Belle's father?
"Yes. Her father." Carl confirmed. "Arabella isn't my biological daughter."
Yago kept quiet for a while, trying to digest what Carl just revealed. It was a very complex issue. From what he heard, Carl left Dianna and dissolved their engagement back then because he found out Jane was pregnant with his child. And now, he's saying that the child wasn't his? Did he already know about this from the very start but still went to marry Jane?
"And when did you find out all these?" Yago couldn't resist and asked.
"Back then, I really thought the baby was mine, so.... I eloped with Jane and married her. I loved her for many years and I didn't suspect her of anything. She died without telling me her secrets. It was only later after my remarriage that I found out everything. Belle fell sick that time. Her platelets was depleting and she needed blood transfusion.....I offered mine, but the doctor said I can't donate blood because she's a B negative while I'm an A positive." Carl retold it like it was someone else's story. He was calm and casual.
Back then, a lot of strange things were taking place. Dianna became sickly. The company was not doing well either, his two daughters wouldn't stop fighting. He blamed it all on his remarriage. He even thought that, if his second marriage was really jinxed, then divorcing Dianna will make things right. It was very chaotic. He became short-tempered and blamed it all on Dianna. The poor woman endured his cold treatment for many months. In his mind, he just wanted to get rid of her. Then Belle also fell sick. He blamed Dianna more.... until he found out the cruel truth about Belle's parentage.
"You know that not all offsprings will have the same blood type as their parents, right?"... Yago commented.
"You don't understand. She's a B. Both Jane and I have type A positive blood. I my self couldn't believe it at first, so I arranged for a DNA test for us." Carl explained. "When the test came with a negative result, I asked a friend to investigate Jane's past. It was then that I found out who Belle's real father is, and how close he was to my family. My assistant back then: Howard Finn."
Yago thought for a while. So this Howard Finn was the threat in Arianna's life? Back then, Yago asked Carl why he was keeping Dianna hidden in the Green Valley country club. She's already doing well. Why not take her back home? He said the person who poisoned her and tried to kill her was still at large. In the meantime, she can't come out in the open yet. Turns out, the killer was Belle's father? But why?
"He hates me, Yago. Back then, he tried to destroy me. He wanted to destroy my company, my family...." Carl stated. His voice becoming more emotional now. "I don't know what happened back then but after I announced Dianna's sudden death, Howard Finn just disappeared along with a large sum of embezzled money from my company. Now that I caught wind that he's back, I'm not sure what his next move might be..."
Yago took a deep breath. Arianna fought his battle for him. It's time to return the favor.
"Don't worry about it, Carl. I'll take care of this for you."
"Thanks. I owe you this one." Carl said before hanging up.
Yago shook his head. Just this one? He owed him big time! He's been taking care of his family in his stead since he was a teenager! But it's alright. Just his daughter would be enough if he wants to pay him back.
But wait....
With this new problem cropping up, he needs to delay taking Arianna back. Roy has hidden her so well. Perhaps, it's the best place for her to be.... or is it not?
***
"Yanyan! I brought your meal!", Jenny announced as she wheeled a table trolley full of food into Arianna's room.
The aroma of various savory food assaulted Arianna's nares. Even if she can not see the table of food, she can easily tell that Jenny brought her a sumptuous meal for dinner.
"What's the occasion? What's with all these luxurious food?", she asked with furrowed brows.
"You can tell?", Jenny said as she approach her. "The doctor said you can eat normal food now. So Master Dylan asked the kitchen to prepare all these. I think he really likes you a lot."
Arianna held her forehead. Jenny has been saying this nonsense all the time, but who could blame her? This Dylan sends flowers, clothes, and now gourmet food to her. Does he really have a crush on her? That would be scary.
"This is unnecessary. I'm more accustomed to just simple kinds of food. Please tell Master Dylan." She stood up from the edge of the bed and walked towards the table Jenny was adorning with gorgeous meals. She pulled a chair and sat on it. "But I'm very grateful for this treat. Thanks." she added with a smile.
Jenny watched as Arianna move around so naturally. It's like she could see her surroundings. She didn't need help at all. It was awesome!
"Jenny, please join me!", she said.
Jenny sat down across Arianna and stared at her. "How do you do that? It's like you're not blind at all." She said at she watch Arianna scoop her soup.
Arianna lifted her head and look straight at her, making Jenny's heart skip a beat. It was like Arianna was really looking at her face. She put down her spoon and tilted her head.
"It's because I'm smart." she teased her. "I can perceive things with my mind. I can memorize distance and locations, sense objects and people better than others."
Jenny nodded her head. " Oh... so that's why you're not that scared of becoming blind." she remarked.
Not scared? Arianna could only smile. Of course she's scared. She is so scared that she doesn't want to contact Yago just yet. She's so scared of disappointing him. She has always been excellent. The smartest, the bravest, the toughest confidant Yago ever had. But now she's just a blind woman. How low her value dropped!
"What's the date today, Jenny?",she asked, trying to change the topic of their conversation.
"Today is tuesday. January 14." the nurse replied.
Arianna nodded. So... it's been almost three weeks since she went missing. Should she come back now? She can't hide here forever, can she? And she's not a coward. Whatever happens, she still needs to face the reality and come back to the real world.
"Jenny, please do me a favor.... I would like to have a talk with Mr. Dylan. Please help me meet him." she requested. She doesn't know if this Dylan would let her leave. But she needs to try.