Chapter 36

Lila's POV:

"Tessa!" I screamed again, tears stinging my eyes. "H-how did you get her?"

"As always… I have my ways…" Nikita Snickers sounded through the phone.

"Now if your mom doesn't stop with whatever she's doing, trust me, you're not just going to lose Tessa but Chad as well."

"Please stop…" I begged, my voice quivering and tears streaming down my eyes. I couldn't take it any longer. "I'll do anything… Just stop hurting us."

"Great. Now make your mom promise me she'll stop whatever she's doing." She ordered.

I stared at my mom, sniffing.

"Mum please…" I begged. My mom grimaced and scoffed.

"Okay…" she said at last. "I won't call the cops."

"She's said she won't call the cops." I said into the phone.

"That's not all…" Nikita continued.

"You also have to promise me, you'll stop the investigation as well and everything that you've done so far and I'll make sure of that!"

"That's impossible! You have to pay!" My mom blurted out, and we all stared at her.

"Mom!" I scolded. She recoiled.

"Well, well, well… I was expecting you to say that…" she said, and the line went silent.

"Hello? Hello?"

Another scream pierced through the phone again, this time much louder and pain filled.

"Tessa!? What did you do to her!"

"Nothing… Just cut off her pinky finger… and more will follow if you don't stop! Will you stop?"

I was really desperate now, if another person got hurt because of this it wouldn't be good.

"Yes, please… Just let Tessa go!"

"Very good girl… Very good." And just like that, the line went dead.

The phone slips from my hand and I crouched, crying my heart out. Barely getting a hold of myself, I stood up again and lashed out at no one in particular.

"When I told you to stop and give Nikita what she wanted, why didn't you! Now Tessa is hurt because of that!"

My mom tried to console me, but I shrunk away from her and ran away, crying all the way. I was so heartbroken.

***

Ellen's POV:

I watched my daughter run away as I felt tears trickling down my eyes. You could tell she was really pained with all that was going on around her. I glanced at Natalie and she looked really confused.

"The call…" I began, "is it recorded?"

"Yes, but I don't think there's much we can do now since we already promised Nikita that we would drop all investigations."

"That snake!" I missed underneath my breath. She is so going to pay for all that's she done to us.

"We might have to put all of it on hold for now. That Nikita is more dangerous than she looks."

I sighed, disappointedly. Is this how everything is going to end?

***

(One week later)

Lila's POV:

Lying on the bed in my room, I felt like a statue. It'd been a week since I'd gotten a call from Nikita, and I didn't know if the coast was clear or not. I'd been so scared of going out 'cause I thought she might harm me again or someone close to me. I even avoided talking to everyone all together.

But I have to get up, don't I? Somehow I needed to move on from this. Moving at the pace of a snail, I finally got out of bed and went over to have my shower. Once I was through, I wore my clothes and headed to the living room.

My mom was the first to see me and when she did, she rushed over to hug me. She had to. I refused to come out of my room for the past two days.

"Oh my gosh, Lyric, are you okay? You had me so worried."

"I'm fine mom, really."

"You sure?" Nico asked. "You look really sick."

I managed a small smile.

"Don't worry about me." I said.

"I made breakfast, why don't you come over for a small…"

"Never mind." I interrupted. "I have to go see Tessa."

"Tessa? For what now?"

"It's the least I can do since I'm the reason she got hurt."

"But you have to at least eat something… You didn't come out from that room for the past two days!"

"Okay… I'll eat, but after that, we have to go see Tessa, okay?"

"Okay. Now come in over to the dinning, you should be able to find something to work with your appetite." My mom said, dragging me along. I sighed and let her pull me along.

***

Breakfast was done and dusted and it was time to see Tessa, I brought my coat along and we drove out if the house.

As they whizzed past streets, I stared out the window and reminisced. I just hope Tessa doesn't hate me by the time we get there, it'll really break my heart.

Before long, we got to their house, and we got out of the car. Taking in deep breath, I rubbed my palms together and proceeded to the porch. It's my first time back ever since I ran away. I rang the doorbell and waited for someone to answer. I heard Mrs. Stella voice answer and soon enough the door opened, revealing her.

One glance at me, and she immediately frowned.

"Yes… And what are you doing here?" She asked, anger edging her voice. I pursed my lips and made to say something.

"I'm sorry, but I really want to see Tessa." I said. She hissed, and her gaze landed on my mom.

"And what are you doing here?"

"Like she said, we just want to see Tessa. Can you let us in?" My mom asked.

After debating for a long time, she finally opened the door, letting us in. Tessa was sitting on the couch, watching TV. On seeing me, she beamed and rushed to hug me. I hugged her back, pressing her tightly to me. I really missed her.

"Lila! You came to visit!"

"Yes, I did." I replied, pulling away from the hug. I held her hands and tears immediately clouded my eyes. They really cut off her pinky finger. It was all bandaged up.

"I'm so sorry Tessa, this is all my fault." I said, my voice trembling.

"Wait… How is what happened last week your fault?"

"I'm… I'm the reason you got hurt. Can you forgive me?"

"Yeah… But I still don't understand. Why did I get hurt?"

I sighed.

"It's a long story."

"And I'm willing to hear all of it."

Just like that, I began narrating to her, even to Mrs. Stella.

"That's why you got hurt. Nikita was trying to stop me from revealing to the world that I'm CG'S real daughter."

"Did you just say Nikita, Ximena mom?"

"Yes… Sadly there's nothing I can do anymore. I already promised her I wouldn't pursue the case anymore. Too many people close to me have gotten hurt already, I'll never forgive myself if another person does."

"Did you just say Nikita tried to harm my daughter because you're CG'S daughter?" Mrs. Stella asked. It was the first time she'd spoken since I started narrating. As for my mom, she'd been quiet throughout, staring at the family picture on the wall. Her gaze seemed skeptical, but I couldn't figure out why she was skeptical about it.

"Y-yes," I cautiously answered.

Mrs. Stella's eyes widened.

"Oh my gosh…" she muttered to herself but we all heard it.

"What is it, mom?" Tessa asked.

"Yeah… What is it?"

"No wonder he adopted you!" Mrs. Stella suddenly exclaimed, taking everyone in the room by surprise.

"Who?"

"My late husband. That scoundrel. I know this sounds unbelievable but…" She trailed off, hesitant.

"But what?" I urged, impatient.

"But my husband once worked with Nikita… When CG was still alive."

"He did!?" we all exclaimed everyone shocked. My mom clapped her hands.

"I knew it! No wonder his face is familiar."

"If he did, what did he do?"

"He… hmm… He was part of the people that facilitated CG's death." She muttered.

"Wait… You knew this?" I asked, bewildered.

"No, he told me some things, but not the full story. Before he died, he'd said to me when the time is right, I'll understand. I guess this is the time."

I couldn't believe it. The other man I saw as a father figure had a hand in my real father's death.

What is going on!?

***

Zoey's POV:

I walked into the hospital, heading straight to Chad's ward. I have been doing that for a while now, although I only come when the rest of the crew is not around. It's kind of weird meeting them and explaining you're only visiting because you like him.

Once I was sure the coast is clear, I pushed the door to his room open and quietly walked. He laid on the bed, unconscious, but still very handsome. I looked at the flowers I brought and smiled. I hope he likes it. Quietly, I walked towards his bed and place the flowers on the table, sitting close to him. I watch him as he slept, his chest rising and falling evenly. I gave in to the urge to touch his face. Very soft. Eek!

I quickly withdrew my hands and suppressed a giggle. This is a foolhardy thing to do! But I liked it.

"So handsome…" I whispered." Even when unconscious."

A few minutes later, his lashes began fluttering and his hands twitching. I quickly stood up from the bed and stared at him, unable to do anything. After a while, he opened his eyes. His gaze was unfocused for a long time, but it eventually settled on me. I held my breath, my heart racing.

Oh my gosh! Chad's looking at me!