" Hey baby girl, how are you feeling" Lorenzo had a habit of using affectionate names for Viviana, with "baby girl" being his favorite, symbolizing his enduring view of her as his cherished little girl.
While he showered Viviana with affection, he balanced it by being strict regarding her studies, extracurricular activities and martial arts training. Ensuring she wasn't spoiled, but disciplined in these areas.
Raising both of his children with a firm but fair approach, using the stick and a carrot method, but Lorenzo couldn't but acknowledge his partiality towards Viviana
Whenever Matteo accused him of playing favorites, he always denied it, making excuses and claiming he treated Matteo and Viviana the same way because, according to him, it is wrong for parents to have favorites that they should love all their children equally, but everyone in his family knew it was a lie because he obviously favored Viviana over Matteo.
Well, it isn't a big deal, as he wasn't the only father who would pamper his daughter more.
"Daddy…" Viviana said with an excited voice,
"I'm alright, a tad dizzy, but overall, I'm doing okay," Viviana reassured, her emphasis on 'okay' paired with a delightful smile aimed at her father. Her stunning green eyes gleamed like the most brilliant emeralds, radiating joy and charm.
Viviana had beautiful green eyes which always shone like jewels. Capturing the beautiful essence of lush green leaves on trees during spring, filled with life.
Viviana and Matteo both had striking features like silky ebony black hair as dark as night with full volume which they got from their father and emerald green eyes that are very hard to miss and extremely captivating.
One can get lost staring into their eyes because of how beautiful it was.
It was believed they inherited it from their mother, as Lorenzo had lovely silver eyes instead. The siblings also have red full lips which makes you think of vampires after sucking blood with a sharp pointed high nose.
Viviana's waist-length hair was her signature, often styled in a high ponytail. Her eyes, perpetually brimming with innocence, joy, happiness, excitement, and intelligence, were her distinctive feature.
Matteo, on the other hand, had his hair groomed into a proper male haircut, with some slightly covering parts of his right eye. His eyes were filled with pride, intelligence, and tricks. At times, he gives off this dubious playful and friendly vibe, that's why he easily attracts people.
He also had dimples which Viviana lacks, making him have a very gorgeous smile. Viviana was also envious of his dimples because she didn't have them.
The entire family had exquisite looks and well-defined features, and you don't even need a DNA test to prove they are related.
" Nice Okay" Lorenzo then paused his statement and took a deep breath because ever since the doctor informed him of Viviana's condition. He had been thinking of the best way to break the news to her. He then continued,
" Well, you see, I don't really know how to put this to you, but things are complicated...
I assure you I will do everything within my power to make sure we all get through this in one piece."
The siblings's total attention was drawn to their father because finally, he was about to drop the bomb. The news they dreaded to hear, but had no choice but to wait.
Lorenzo saw the expectant looks on his children's faces and had no choice but to finally get everything off his chest.
" Viviana has a very rare deadly genetic disease mostly caused by a genetic mutation which has a low survival rate of less than 1 percent called cystic fibrosis xx in short C F X," Lorenzo paused to draw a deep breath in because of breaking out the news to his children, especially Vivian. It felt so hard that he felt like there was a hard rock stuck in his chest and was difficult to move, but he continued,
" It is a slow killer that normally takes one to ten years to kill its victims, but don't be scared as there have been very few cases of survivors and I Lorenzo Marino will make sure you are among those survivors," Lorenzo reassured,
"It has many symptoms which vary among patients, but generally, it disorganizes your nervous, digestive, and respiratory systems. According to the doctor, some early common symptoms are splitting headaches, chest pain, breathing difficulties similar to an asthmatic attack, bleeding nose, misjudged nervous response, or slow or total lack of nervous response," Lorenzo tried breaking things down to his children.
As he spoke, Vivian's smile wore off. She could not believe what her Dad was saying.
It was a lie, right? Yeah.yes it should. It's impossible to have that sickening sickness in her. Maybe her dad was just playing a game like he always did before.
"In its late stages it has paralysis and slow brain function which makes its victims end up in comma before they eventually die".
Lorenzo said slowly so that Viviana can process everything. He saw all the complex emotions going through both Vivi's and Theo's faces. Theo was left speechless at the thought of the possibility of losing Vivi or ending up in a vegetative state.
Viviana was trying to fight back the tears that threatened to fall from her eyes. She found it hard to believe. How could she just leave all her well-planned-out dreams just like that?
She had big plans for this year and the future. Multiple gymnastics competitions she planned on participating in and most importantly the youth Olympics which would hold in 2 years time where she having been dreaming of performing at ever since she was very little. Everything would be going down the drain as she had to put in her all to fight for her life.