CHAPTER 30
(Andre's POV)
Auntie Alessia squeezed my hand. "I promise, Andre, this fruit is going to be a game-changer. You'll be feeling better in no time." I smiled, trying to believe her. "Okay, Auntie Alessia. I trust you." She smiled back, her eyes shining with warmth. "I'm so proud of you, Andre. You're the bravest kid I know." I blushed, feeling happy. Auntie Alessia always knew just what to say to make me feel better.
Just then, Mom came into the room with a tray. "Hey, sweetie! I brought you some lunch." I looked up at her, hoping... "Is it the fruit?" Mom nodded. "Yes, it is. But don't worry, we'll all try it together." Auntie Alessia stood up. "That's right! We'll be like a fruit-tasting team!" I giggled, feeling a little more excited. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.
(Luna's POV)
I walked into Andre's room, carrying a tray with the special fruit. My heart swelled with love and worry as I looked at my little boy, lying in bed. Alessia was sitting beside him, chatting and laughing. I smiled, grateful for her support. "Hey, sweetie! I brought you some lunch," I said, trying to sound cheerful. Andre looked up at me, his eyes uncertain. "Is it the fruit?"
I nodded, setting the tray down. "Yes, it is. But don't worry, we'll all try it together." Alessia stood up, smiling. "That's right! We'll be like a fruit-tasting team!" I smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Alessia. She always knew how to make Andre feel better. I sat down beside Andre, taking his hand. "We'll face this together, okay?" Andre nodded, looking up at me with those big brown eyes. My heart melted.
(Luna's POV)
I gently picked up a piece of the fruit and brought it to Andre's lips. "Here, baby, just try a little bit." Andre hesitated, then opened his mouth. I placed the fruit inside, and he chewed slowly. His face scrunched up in concentration, then suddenly relaxed. "It's not bad!" I beamed with pride. "See? I told you it was good!" Alessia laughed. "I think we have a fruit convert!"
Xavier walked into the room, a smile on his face. "How's it going?" I nodded, feeling hopeful. "Andre's trying the fruit. And he likes it!" Xavier's face lit up. "That's amazing! I'm so proud of you, buddy!" Andre grinned, looking happy. "Thanks, Dad." I felt a lump form in my throat as I looked at my little family. We were in this together, and that's all that mattered.
I smiled, feeling proud of Andre for trying the fruit. But as I turned to leave the room, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, seeing Desmond's name on the screen. My heart sank, wondering what he wanted now. "Excuse me," I said to Luna and Alessia. "I need to take this call." I walked out of the room, searching for a quiet place to talk. I finally found a small alcove down the hall and answered the call. "Desmond, what's up?" I said, trying to sound calm.
"Xavier, we need to talk," Desmond said, his voice serious. "I've been investigating some things, and I think I've found a lead on your father's case." My heart skipped a beat. "What kind of lead?" "I'd rather not discuss it over the phone," Desmond said. "Can we meet in person?" I hesitated, wondering if I was ready for what Desmond might tell me.
"Okay, fine," I said finally. "Where do you want to meet?" "There's a coffee shop downtown," Desmond said. "I'll meet you there in an hour." I nodded, even though he couldn't see me. "Got it. I'll be there." I hung up the phone, feeling a mix of emotions. What had Desmond found out? And why did he want to meet in person? I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. I needed to focus on Andre right now, not get caught up in the past. But as I walked back to Andre's room, I couldn't shake the feeling that my life was about to change forever.
(Desmond's POV)
I sipped my coffee, glancing around the bustling coffee shop. Dami was already here, typing away on his laptop. "Find anything interesting?" I asked, nodding towards the screen. Dami looked up, grinning. "Just going over some notes. But I think we're onto something big, Desmond." I raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? What's that?" Dami leaned in, lowering his voice. "I think we can connect Xavier's father's case to a larger conspiracy. One that goes all the way to the top."
I whistled softly. "That's huge. But we need solid evidence before we can take it to Xavier." Just then, the door swung open and Xavier walked in, scanning the room until his eyes landed on us. "Hey," he said, walking over. "Sorry I'm late." "No worries, Boss. We just got here ourselves."
Xavier nodded, sitting down. "So, what's this about?" Dami dropped his laptop on the table, a serious look on his face. "We've found some new information about your father's case, Xavier. And it's big."
Xavier's eyes widened as Dami dropped the bombshell. "What do you mean, the Counselor of Country C was involved?" Dami leaned in, his voice barely above a whisper. "We have evidence that suggests the Counselor was working with Mr. Anthonio to cover up the circumstances surrounding your father's death." Xavier's face went white. "That's...that's treason."
I nodded grimly. "It gets worse. We think the Counselor may have been using your father's research for their own gain." Xavier's eyes flashed with anger. "What research?" Dami hesitated before speaking. "Your father was working on a top-secret project, Xavier. Something that could change the course of our country's history." Xavier's mind was racing. "What was it?"
I glanced around the coffee shop, ensuring we weren't being overheard. "We're not entirely sure yet. But we're working on it." I watched as Xavier's eyes widened in shock. "A water factory?" he repeated. "What do you mean?" I nodded, taking a deep breath. "Your father was working on a project to drill a massive water factory, one that could supply clean and purified water to all countries. It was a revolutionary idea, one that could change the world."