Chapter 36: Visiting dad

KRIS:

It's been two years since I lost my dad.

Kneeling beside his tombstone, I stared at the picture on it. It was taken at the time we went on a family vacation when I was sixteen.

He had been smiling so hard you could practically count his complete set of teeth.

The picture brought a sad smile to my face.

My dad was a very lovable man. He was always busy with work but his family was always top priority.

His death brought a little distance between my mom and me.

My mom never visited his grave after he was buried. Maybe the memories were too much for her or it's just her own way of dealing with the grief.

"Mom and I miss you dad.” I finally said, a lone tear rolling down my cheek.

"It's never been the same with you gone.” More tears fell now.

"I wish I could go back in time and stop you from going on that trip.”

I could still remember vividly the events of that day like it was yesterday.

I woke up feeling weird. I told him I didn't want him to go out and that I didn't feel good about it but he only laughed it off saying I just wanted to spend more time with him.

He ended up going and the next time we saw him was with a bullet wound on his forehead.

Tears streamed down my face in endless torrents at the memory.

Lucian who was standing behind me had to give me a handkerchief to wipe them.

He had insisted on coming with me. Not that I could stop him. For once, it felt good to have someone here with me even if he wasn't family.

My dad would have loved him. A small sad smile formed on my lips at the thought.

"Someone is taking care of me like you would have done dad. If only you had met him.” I muttered the words, sparing a glance at Lucian.

I stayed there for another hour reminiscing about old memories.

When I was ready to go, I dropped the white roses I'd brought before standing to my feet.

I turned towards Lucian and he wrapped me in a warm embrace, rubbing my back gently.

We stood there for a minute before walking back to his car.

Getting in the car, my phone beeped but I wasn't in the right frame of mind to check it so I ignored it.

Lucian must have understood I didn't want to be alone so he took me to his place.

We got to his place and I went straight to his room.

Changing into one of his t-shirts, I laid on the bed.

He placed a kiss on my head before going to get me food from the kitchen. I hadn't eaten the whole day and I was famished.

I lost my appetite but he wouldn't let me stay hungry.

Remembering my phone had beeped on my way home, I checked it to see a text from an unknown number.

Unknown:

I have something you'd want to know about.

Seeing this, my curious mind went to work instantly.

But then, what does this person have that I might possibly need?

Deciding I needed to know who it was first, I replied.

Me:

Who are you and how did you get my number?

I got an instant reply.

Unknown:

My identity is not important. How I got your number is also not important. Are you interested in knowing what it Is?

What is it that he can possibly know about me? I thought to myself before texting my reply.

Me:

What is it?

Unknown:

I'll only give out the information on two conditions.

If he's going to make demands then I don't think I want to know. I mean, what could be so important? I asked myself, frowning.

Me:

If it has conditions then I'm not interested.

His next reply had me developing interest in whatever he had to share.

Unknown:

What if it's about your dad?