#LOVE_OVER_BLOOD
©Sir Zach
EPISODE 47
“Mom? Dad? Where are you going?” little Erika was wiping her sleepy eyes. she came out from their room when she heard some noises outside. She can hear feet rushing up and down the stairway. She and Emily just turned six years old that time.
“It’s none of your business! So just go back and sleep, tweak!” The man yelled at the child. Emily was a little scared.
“Stop it!” her mother shouted at the man then she knelt. She held her shoulders, “Erika, I and your father nee-ds to go somewhere, we’ll be back tomorrow, okay.” she lied.
“Ehm.” Erika was so innocent not to notice anything.
“Erika, promise me you’ll take good care of your sister Emily while we’re gone, okay? we’ll be back before you notice it.” she smiled then ki-ssed her daughter’s forehead.
“Yes Mom.” Erika yawned. The night was still young so she felt sleepy.
“Cherry!” they heard the father called from the kitchen, “Time to go!”‘
“I’m Coming!” she answered, “Be strong and be good okay. always remember that mom loves you so much no matter what happens, okay?” she held her tears.
“Yes mum.” Then she ki-ssed her goodbye. Erika went back to the room and laid back to bed.
The last thing she heard was the screeching of the tires but she was so sleepy to even look outside the window. She dozed off.
“uMma! UMma!” Little Erika woke up by a weak voice. She wiped her eyes and looked around.
“uMma!” she heard Emily.
“Emily? Are You okay?” she tried to wake her sister but her sister continued to mutter the same word over and over again. Despite shaking her sister, Emily didn’t even open her eyes.
Why is she sweating that much? She tried to wipe her face. She’s hot and shivering? Wait, she knew this. She once experienced it before. Yes! she remembered. She was suffering from colds back then but her mom was there to take care of her.
Erika went out the room to call her mom.
“Moma!Moma! Emily is sick!” she was yelling. “Moma!” she continued. She knew that when her father hears her shouting, he’ll probably punish her like before. But it’s okay. it’s for her sister anyway.
She went to her parent’s room and tried to knock but she didn’t receive any response. She knocked again and again and again. Her father will definitely get mad but it’s okay, it’s for her sister Emily.
“Moma! Moma! Emily is sick!” she kept knocking on the door and yelling at the same time but no one answered. Hmm, they should have woken up due to her loudness. Then she tried to twist the doorknob. she was surprise to find that the room was not locked. She opened it wide but to her surprise, there is no one inside.
No pillowcase, no bedsheet, no blanket. She can’t even see her mother’s make-up collection on the table. She’s feeling unease all of a sudden. She walked towards the drawer and opened it. where are their clothes! Erika was not that stupid not to realize the possible scenario. She’s smart and a quick learner. Did their parents abandon them? No! impossible! Her mom loves them so much!
Then she remembered what happened last night and what her mom told her. they will be back today! she believed it in her heart. Since they’re not yet here, she nee-ds to take good care of Emily. But what will she do? she tried to recall what her mom did when she was sick.
She took a w£t towel and wiped her sister’s sweat, after that, she helped her change her clothes. Erika went to the kitchen to see some food. She found their leftovers in the fridge. She took some bread and poured an amount of milk in a small glas-s then went back to their room. she tried to awaken her sister to feed her but she was sleeping soundly..
Days pas-sed but she never saw her parents again. Emily’s fever raised and Erika doesn’t have the slightest idea as to what she nee-ds to do. she went from her neighbors to asked for help. An elderly woman came and found an unresponsive Emily so she called the emergency hotline.
At the hospital, they tried to call the parents of these children. They nee-d to discuss her condition but they can’t reach them. Not even one of their relative. The doctors took the children’s name and asked helped from the social workers in hope that they will be able to locate their whereabouts. Leaving two helpless kids at home for a week is definitely not a good idea. What can a six years old child do at home alone? They looked petite. Emily developed a heart problem due to her convulsion the past days.
The doctors tried to find any relative but to no avail. Then after three days in the hospital, they received a report that the children’s parents died in a car accident a week ago. This news devastated Erika who was left alone to tend her sick sister. the doctors don’t want to discuss her sister’s condition but she was a bit nosy. She heard them.
“Emily, don’t worry I’ll take good care of you just as I promised Moma. I will never leave you.” She as-sured her twin sister.
The Social Worker took them in an orphanage. It was then that Erika taught herself how to be strong and independent.
One night, Erika had a nightmare.
“Moma! Moma! Don’t leave us, moma!” Erika was screaming. She was crying pitifully. She looked at her bloody mother. “Moma!Momma!”Someone help! Please help my moma!” the six-years-old held her mother’s unconscious body in her arms.
“What have you done, Erika? You killed your mom! It’s your fault!” she turned around to see her father glaring at her.
“No, It’s not me!” she screamed her heart out.
“You murderer! It’s no doubt! You will be the cause of the death of the people around you sooner or later!” the father was outraged.
“No, No, No!!!” Little Erika was wobbling and shouting.
“Hey! Wake up! Aisha wake up!” She can hear someone calling her Aisha. “Wake up!” someone shook her. she woke up.
“C-Caleb?” she was surprised. she was gasping for air as if she run a hundred-mile race. Her dreams, or should we say nightmare came into her remembr@nce. What was that? Is it a nightmare or a part of her childhood memories? She’s not sure.
“You were yelling with your eyes closed. I thought you were having a nightmare so I woke you up.” He explained.
“Thank you.” She mumbled. Then she looked around. She looked over the window, the sun was shining bright. This isn’t her room! she looked at her self, why is she wearing a hospital gown? why was there a bandage in her arm?
“Where am I?” she caressed her temples.
“You’re in the hospital. you fell asleep while the doctor was cleaning your gunshot wound!”
“A sniper!” she exclaimed. Then she immediately recalled what happen last night.
“Ethan? Where is Ethan?! How is he?” She held Caleb’s arms. Caleb’s lively face suddenly turned pale.
“Caleb, where is he? How is she?” she tried to calm her nerves.
“Aisha, Ethan is — he is…” he bowed his head then closed his eyes as he pursed his li-ps.
_________
The news about what happened last night during the Annual Symposium was all over the news. Hearing Ethan got shot, the media folks flew to where he was confined to get an information about his health. However, Master Omni told the security not to allow any form of media to get near his grandson.
“Ethan Saphiro Williams, the CEO of the Saphiro Gentz Empire is in comma.” It was the information that Larry told the news reporters who has been waiting outside the hospital for how many hours now.
“Is he really in a comma? Or was he dead?”
“I think he’s already dead. He was unconscious when the ambulance came.”
There was division of opinions both in the social media and in the business world.
On the other hand, Silver Gray was watching television early in the morning. He was overjoyed to hear some reports and speculations about the Williams.
“Did you do it?” he heard Sherry asked while walking down the stairs.
“Oh, you’re well dressed up honey, where are you going?” He grinned from ear to ear.
“I’m going to the hospital.”
“Hospital?” he crea-sed his brow.
“I’m going to visit Ethan.” She casually said while she sat opposite him. Silver’s jaw dropped.
“Why should you?!”
“Silver it’s necessary! Don’t you think that you are the number one suspect for what happened to him?”
“And so? Let them think that way cause my game had just begun.” He smi-rked.
“Whether you like it or not, I’m going.” Sherry insisted.
“Do you think they will receive you wholeheartedly? It’s just as you say, we are the number one suspect.”
“It’s worth the try.”
“Okay. it’s up to you.” Silver stood up annoyingly.
She was looking at the unconscious man before him. She went near him. she held his cold hand. She tears up.
_____
Master Omni came near her and tapped her shoulder. “Let him rest for a while.” He comforted. “You should also rest. Eat and fixed yourself. you won’t like Eli to see you like that, right?”.
Aisha nodded. “Just a little longer, please grandpa.” She pleaded.
“Okay.” then Master Omni left the room. Caleb was outside the room talking to his uncle Rio who went home early morning. He was tasked to report how Aisha was doing currently.
“I have asked someone to check all the CCTV cameras in the hotel last night so we could figure out who did this gruesome thing. But don’t ever mention this to her.” Rio commanded on the other line.
“Not a problem uncle.”
“Just watch over her for now.”
“Yes Uncle.” Then he hung up. As soon as the call got disconnected, he saw Master Omni came out from Ethan’s room. Caleb saw him closed the door with hesitation.
“Master Omni…” he looked at him.
“I’ll be back tonight. We should transport him as soon as possible.”
“I un-derstand.”
Then Master Omni went off.
Last night, while Aisha fell asleep, they talked about the incident. Master Omni was suspecting Silver, same as Rio. But Caleb was thinking that it could also be the bounty hunters. They were not sure who their real target is—is it Aisha or Ethan. But Rio was able to discover that they have a mutual enemy –Silver Gray. He doesn’t know the story as to why but he’ll know it soon.
It was also Master Omni’s idea to disclose that Ethan is in a comma. Well, he is not. The operation last night was successful, thank god. But they have to be cautious though. That’s why they have to present to the media that Ethan is in comma. They might as well give a partial happiness to their enemies.
She was looking at his pale face.
Tears escaped her eyes as she pulled his hands close to her cheek.
“I’m sorry. I’m really very sorry. I failed to protect you.” She sobbed
“I swear from the bott-om of my heart that I will end this as soon as possible. I will find whoever did this to you and I’ll make sure that person will regret the day he pulled the trigger.” Her voice was firm.
She laid beside him as she embr@ced him. she was careful not to touch his wound.
Caleb was standing outside Ethan’s room for a while now so he decided to peek inside. Looks like Aisha fell asleep so he decided to leave them for a while. He asked some of their men to guard the entrance of the room.
He was at Aisha’s room when the door opened.
“Lisa?” he was shocked. Then he saw a little boy who peeked behind her. aww, he’s so cute.
“I-I’m sorry for not knocking.” She blus-hed. Eli looked at Lisa then to Caleb. he smi-rked.
“Aunty, is he your boyfriend?”
“N-No! he’s just a friend. He is your mom’s best friend.” She smiled at the young boy.
“Where’s mom?” Eli suddenly asked.
“Uhm, she’s at your dad’s room. she’ll be here anytime soon.” Caleb as-sured him. Eli sat at the couch facing a wide LED television.
“Do you want to watch while waiting for mommy.” Lisa offered.
“Ehm.” He nodded. Lisa took the remote control from the drawer and picked a good children’s show. Eli can’t possibly watch the news right now.
“Have you eaten yet?” Lisa asked Caleb.
“Not yet.”
“I brou-ght some food. Help yourself.”
“Later.”
Lisa stared at him questioningly.
“What?” Caleb raised a brow in curiosity.
“Eat!” Lisa shoved the food tray to Caleb.
“Fine! Fine!” Caleb dejectedly took the tray of fruits. Since when did he surrender his will to this woman?
“You haven’t eaten anything yet since last night. take some at least.” Worry is visible in her eyes. “also, your shirts are in that bag.” She pointed out the black paper bag on the couch. Caleb knitted his forehead.
“Are you sure it will fit me?” he sneered. Lisa glared at him.
“Just be thankful that Sophie handed those to me, if not, I would have bought you the worst ones, like what you did to me before — remember?” her eyes hint an annoyance.
“Okay, okay. just calm down.” he chuckled.
After a moment, Lisa asked Caleb if they can see Aisha at Ethan’s room. Caleb looked at Eli while thinking. Eli stared back at him as if he knew Caleb’s dilemma.
“I’m okay. I can handle it Uncle Caleb.” Eli smiled sheepishly.
“Okay. as you wish little pal.” He caressed the boy’s hair.
Lisa took the things that she brou-ght for Aisha. she definitely nee-ds to change into a nice clothe. They rather eat at Ethan’s room as well.
The three was nearing the door when they heard a commotion inside Ethan’s room. Caleb knitted his brow. When they opened the door, they were stunned to see a woman standing opposite Aisha. they were glaring at each other intensely.
“You! Take yourself out of here!” Aisha’s tone doesn’t nee-d to explain her emotions. She is mad. Very mad.
WATCHOUT FOR EPISODE 48