Arianna tightened her grip on the armrest of her chair. She has been sitting on this armchair for a while now, facing the darkness of the night from where she sat on the balcony. It's a bit late in the night now, and her old friend Gwen and his husband must already be resting in their room by now. They stayed the night, waiting for her decision; to undergo the treatment or not, that's a big dilemma to solve. Tomorrow, they will be boarding the plane Dylan arranged for them. The only question left was... will she be leaving with them or not...
Arianna looked up as if staring at the sky. She imagined watching the moon and the stars twinkling in the vast darkness. She already know what she wanted. She already chose to refuse treatment as she can't take a gamble and risk her child's life. She was told the treatment method might harm her still developing baby. How can she prioritize herself over her child? But she still needs time to process and accept her own decision. Refusing treatment now might mean she would never regain her eyesight again. Delaying treatment might mean she would be forever blind and won't be able to see the face of her child ever. By the time she gives birth to the baby, it might be too late for her to start the treatment. As doctor Lee said, the earlier, the better. She knew all these and she wanted so badly to save her vision but she needs to convince herself that she can't save both.
Arianna sighed. This child came at a very hard time. She wished she can be a hundred percent ecstatic upon receiving the news, but her worries overlaps the joy in her heart. What would happen to the both of them afterwards? Can she even take care of her baby when she's like this? It was just too frightening.
"Yanyan," She heard Jenny call for her. She then felt something warm being laid over her lap. "It's getting cold out here. Cover yourself with this blanket."
"The phone?",she asked.
Arianna then felt something placed on her hand. "Here it is. I'll head inside first. Don't take to long outside or you might catch a cold."
Arianna nodded and then held the phone. She frowned as she felt it though. Was she really holding a phone? It's very lightweight and very thin! It's small like a toy phone! It can easily fit inside a small wallet! But when her fingertips felt the Knox's insignia on the back of the thing, she knew Dylan arranged this one for her. The insignia was like two letter K, but the first was a reversed K. She tapped on the screen but nothing seemed to happen. "How do I use this thing..." she mumbled.
"Please give orders." The phone lit up along with the male robotic voice. Arianna raised her brows out of amusement. It was wrong of her to ask Mr. Knox to design her bracelet for her. She should have asked Dylan!
"Alright. Call Yago Evans." she ordered.
"Searching for contact details of Yago Evans...please wait a moment..... Contact details found. Now calling Yago Evans....."
Arianna furrowed her brows. The contact details aren't stored? What kind of a monster invention was this?
After a few ringing sounds, the call successfully connected. Arianna's heart skipped a beat as she heard Yago's voice again after a long time. A short "hello" made her speechless.
"Who's this?" she heard Yago asked. But it was like she choked on something. She can't utter a word. "Is this a prank call? It's not funny."
Arianna covered her mouth as tried to muffle the sound of her cries. How he missed this man on the phone. She wanted so much to see him right now.
"Rian.... is that you?" he asked after a while of silence. "Are you still upset about the gift? I'm really sorry. Can you please talk to me right now? I missed you so much..." she heard Yago confessed.
Tears came running down her face as she found her own voice. "I miss you too." she replied with shakey voice. "But I'm sorry I can't go home yet."
"It's alright. I trust you. I know you can take care of yourself. But, how are you doing? Aren't you having a hard time? I'll send you help wherever you are. Just say it if they're not treating you right out there!" Yago seemed emotional. Should she tell him the truth.
Arianna took a deep breath. "Well, I live in a mansion owned by a billionaire friend. It's like a luxury vacation actually. My friend is really generous."
"Friend? Is it a male or a female?", she heard him ask. Arianna couldn't help but chuckle. She wiped away her tears with the back of her hand and calmed her breathing.
"A male." she answered. "A ten year old boy. Does that threaten you?" she jested.
"Who's threatened? I'm not! I'm just worried about you. You can't trust men! They are all predators!" he exclaimed.
"I know.... Well, you know what, I'm doing great right here. So you don't have to worry about me. All you have to do is focus on your work. Once everything is settled, then you can come and pick me up." she coaxed him. In her heart though, she wasn't entirely sure if that's possible. After all the troubles, would she be able to return to Yago's side like before? But that's a thing for the future. Right now, she wants Yago to focus on his work and reach his goal. She didn't want to be a burden. Not now, not ever.
"Call my name please..." like a small child, Arianna heard Yago plead. She smiled and uttered his name. "Yago..."
A short silence came after. Yago was unable to speak for a while. Just when she was about to call his name again, she heard him call hers.
"Rian.... please tell me you love me, too... " he mumbled.
Arianna closed her eyes as she let go of a few tear drops. "I love you, Yago." she replied. "More than you'll ever know."
***
"Sir, the old master is now on his way." the man said before putting down the phone.
Roy Vander didn't move an inch from where he was sitting. A moment ago, his men called to report that the private plane escorting his father home just landed. His supposed destination was Dan city. But according to his deal with Yago Evans, he must not allow his father to set foot to Dan city so here he was, waiting for his father's arrival in this huge mansion located at an island in the pacific, after he intervened and intercepted his flight. He can't wait to see his father's reaction when he realizes he was deceived.
"Is he conscious?", Roy asked.
"I believe he's not." the man answered. "They put him to sleep after he boarded the plane. Should I instruct them to wake him up?"
Roy Vander nodded. He wants to welcome the old man home. It won't be fun if he's asleep. He has been waiting for this day for so long. He can now take revenge against the man who ruined his mother. He will make him pay for all his crimes. The first on his lists is imprisoning him in this house for the rest of his life. His only freedom will come after his death.
After a good fifteen minutes, a car entered the garage. Roy smiled as he patiently waited for his father to walk-in. He didn't have to wait for too long as six men escort his father in.
"Dad, long time no see! I came here to welcome you home." he greeted as he watch his father enter the living room.
The old man's eyes darkened at the sight of his son. "I was wondering who have the guts to abduct me. Turns out it's my good for nothing son. Where have you taken me? Where is this?" he roared, but Roy wasn't fazed.
"Don't be angry dad. It's bad for your health." he said with a smile. "I took you here because... your doctor said you need a peaceful and quiet place to stay for quick recovery. I'm doing this for your own good!" he explained as he sat lazily on the couch. "Don't worry about Rojo. I have full control of it now. It helps that the council found out you're to sick to lead the group. And about your company... I'm sorry dad. I wasn't able to save it." Roy's words were full of concern, but his smile was full of mockery. He didn't try to hide it from his father. He wants to infuriate him; enrage him til he lose control of himself.
"What did you do?",he asked.
"Nothing. The dela Vega lad wants it so I gave it to him." he answered nonchalantly.
The old man's eye widened. He can accept that his son has taken over Rojo! Anyway, he's his son and has the right over it. But the dela Vegas are hid enemies! How could he do this!
"Those are my enemies! What do you mean by all these? I have dedicated my whole life just to destroy them! You know that!",he yelled. He can't believe his son would do such a foolish thing!
Roy didn't change his attitude and remained nonchalant. He turned away and acted like he didn't do anything wrong and showed that he didn't care at all. "Yes, I know. You hated the whole clan because they didn't put your name in the genealogy, and so didn't inherit anything.... blah, blah, blah.... but your mother was a mistress! She was even a prostitute! I've heard you're not even blood related to them, dela Vegas!", he stated.
The old man's face turned red in fury. He pounced on Roy to give him a punch but the bunch of men behind him restrained his arms. "You have no right to insult my mother! You unfilial brat! She's your grandmother!", he yelled.
Roy chuckled at his remark. "My grandmother? Do you really think I'm your son?", he said smiling. "You know what I just found out?", he paused for a while studying his father's facial expression. He then smiled, satisfied with his pale complexion. "I found out you're sterile. I wonder who my real father is..."
The old master's face became even paler as he shook his head in disbelief. A moment later, he fainted and the guards have to catch him from falling.
Roy sighed as he watch the guard lay his father on the couch. "Take him to his room." he ordered. "Dad is really getting old. He can't even take a joke now." he said and then chuckled.