The early morning of the next day was mostly deserted. The air was crisp and morning-clean, the leaves already thickly covering the pavement in sheets of red, gold, and dark green. Mark kicked them aside as he made his way under the stone archway at the north end of the military base to the cemetery where Owen's was buried.
In a blink of an eye, he was standing before Owen's grave and feeling a complete pain and guilt eat him up in addition with a tense one unfurling in his chest. If he should play the blame game, his betrothed was responsible for Owens death, but he didn't. He felt completely disappointed as to how Hannah was able to make a fool out of him.
But still, If not Owen's made it a necessary prerequisite that he marries Charity Wakins granddaughter, all this wouldn't have happened....
"I'll ensure I send her to come join you in your new world...." Mark promised and then forcefully took a deep breathe of fresh air.
He turned to look at his left and then his right. There were few other people around - National guards guarding the perimeters and other soldiers already going to start their early morning training and jogging.
With a shaky breath, he dropped a piece of silver on Owen's grave and then left.
Meanwhile, Diana's Triplets were already up awake, getting ready to go join the president general in his abode.
The three little Rugrats were all excited as they walked to their mum's room to wake her up. She had told them to, peradventure she doesn't wake up early. She was overstressed from supervising the junior officers, thus, she knew the exhaustion could make her sleep pass time.
Otani took out a dagger and raising it high, he slashed it across Mark's face without an ounce of hesitation.
"Don't worry brother. I'll ensure everything you have ever loved fades away like a stream!"
"No!!!!!" Diana shouted on beholding the sight, Mark was tied to a chair and Otani was holding a sharp knife that he was obviously going to use on Mark.
Diana abruptly jolted out of the bed, her back and pyjamas drenched in cold sweats.
"Mummy?"
"What's wrong mummy?"
The kid's needed no extra body to confirm their mum had just woken up from a terrific nightmare.
In a flash, the three little Rugrats were all over their mum, gazing at her in utmost concern. She was wondering if the fear she felt and was feeling was showing in her face, she didn't wanted to get her kids worried.
As Diana glanced around the room at the familiar furnitures and the three little Rugrats beside the bed, she gradually gathered her wits about her.
"Oops! It's just a nightmare. Otani can't possibly hurt Mark right? Mark is in deep trouble... But..?" She thought, her heart slamming against her chest heavily.
"I hope Mark is okay?" Eagerness, curiosity, worry and concern crept into her in unison immediately. She felt Mark was in danger. " The Dream felt so real!"
Hugging her children tightly, she reassured them in a choked voice, "I'm fine. I had a nightmare. A terrible one, but don't worry I'm fine!" She felt a bit relieved when she sensed the warmth of her adorable triplets.
The sense of the triplets warmth reminded her of six years ago. How Jake betrayed her for his selfish gains... How he cheated on her with his best friend Hannah... how she ended up in a bar and had sexual intercourse with man, she thinks is Otani. When she got to the reminder point of the man she had the one night stand with, she felt a sharp pain echo in her head that every image got blurred. It took her a moment to recollect herself...
"Let's get ready. We'll be moving to the president generals ward!" She said as she got off the bed.
Today happened to be the day, the court case was re adjourned to. Otani was already well Informed and he won't let Jake take custody of his kids. He had came with Diana to sterling city to rescue his mum from his captive and now he has found one more good reason for him to have been here.
Same as, Mark. He won't let anyone take CUSTODY of his kids and to even sum it up, he was not afraid of Otani taking them, though intimidated by him. He was only afraid of Jake who is keeping his mum captive. What would he do if he kills her?
Mark had already made arrangements for some well trained medical doctors to follow them to the court should in case he needed to prove he is the kids father, he felt so confident now that he has already contacted Dr James who reassured him. And also, he already gathered a squad of soldiers to nab Jake ones they gat their eyes on him. To Mark, he was a criminal and a kidnapper! and that's a simple truth.
Richarlison was out of Sterling City to bring Danny back!. Richarlison's absent was also one of the reasons that prompted Mark to appoint a personal vice assistant, Diana..... She could possibly substitute for Richarlison's aid untill he returns.