Chapter 29

The insistent ringing of my phone woke me up from the sleep I was having. I did not realize I had slept for a long time and the day was already bright. I checked the time on my wristwatch and it was 9:00 am..
"Oh my gosh!" I got up quickly from my bed, I checked my cell phone and I saw so many missed calls from my dads personal nurse and also calls from the doctor at the clinic. I quickly returned their calls.
I called my nurse.
"Hey maam, I have been trying to reach you, your attention is needed at the clinic immediately.
"What is the issue, how is my dad?" I asked her.
"I think the doctor will be in the best position to explain things to you." She said and I dropped the call.
Like someone chased by a ghost I ran to take my shower immediately, I wore my clothes and rushed out of the house. I called my driver Fabian to come drive the car because I was not in the best state of mind to handle the staring.
As we drove quietly to the clinic, I had different thoughts running in my head. I just wished and prayed that nothing bad had happened to my dad. Tbe urgency in the nurses voice put fear in me. I honestly do not want to believe that something was wrong because I do not think my heart will be able to take it if anything goes wrong or if anything happens to my dad.
I urged Fabian to drive faster, but he kept reminding me that we were exceeding our normal drive speed and we could be held by the traffic wardens so I maintained my cool. I said silent prayers in my heart, even though I am not religious but at that point I strongly prayed for a miracle to happen.
I was a bit relieved when we got to the clinic, I rushed to the office of the director taking care of my dad. I met him the office.
"Hey doctor," I greeted.
"Hello maam, he has been trying to reach you but you were not answering your phone" He said, so much worry could be noticed on his face.
"I am sorry doctor for not answering my phone calls,I did not know my phone was ringing, kindly tell me why the urgency" I said to him, as I was already becoming impatient with the suspense.
"I am sorry, I do not know how to break this news to you maam Erica"
He said looking down on his table.At this point I became fixed.
"What news doctor?" I asked him.
"I am sorry maam Erica, we lost your dad, he stopped responding to treatments, and when we checked the oxygen we found out that he had stopped breathing,I am really sorry,you have to accept my condolences." He explained.
The moment he mentioned that my dad stopped breathing, I felt like my legs could no longer carry my body. I felt dejected. I searched for tears but it was far from me.
I stood in the doctors office and cried my heart out ,he tried to console me but I refused to be consoled. I felt like my whole world had come to an end.
They asked me to come see my dad where he lay so that he could be finally taken to the morgue. I tried to put myself together.
I summoned up courage and followed them. I went into the room where they laid him covered, after I confirmed with them, he was moved directly to the morgue.
I did not know what else to do right now, so I called doctor Albert on the phone.
"Hey sweetie,how are you doing?"
He asked me.
"Albert,dad is dead"
I muttered.
"What happened to him,I thought he was already responding to treatments?"
He asked.
My eyes filled with tears again and I began to cry.
"Hey, please try to hold yourself together okay,where are you right now?"
He asked me.
"I am still at the clinic"
I responded.
"Okay, I will be coming there shortly.
He said.
Immediately, I ended my call with doctor Albert, I called my uncle, I remember it has been a while since we last spoke, and I wondered why he has not called since then, not even to go check up on dad in the new clinic. I guess he might be busy, I thought.
"Hello uncle"
I said as he answered his call,my voice was no longer clear due to excessive crying.
"Hi Erica, what is the problem with you?" He asked me, noticing my mood.
"Dad is dead"
I said.
"What happened to him?"
He asked me.
"I do not know,I am still at the clinic,I will text you the address to the clinic.
I told him and hung up.
ANTHONIOS POV
I became happy when Erica told me that her dad is dead. I felt a little guilty ,but I shrugged the guilt off. This is what I have been planning, everything is gradually falling into place. I went into my bar to pour myself a glass of French wine to celebrate another of my wins, I call it my little twins. After I must have been done with my drink I would head to the clinic to confirm if the news is true or not. I have everything playing out as I have planned it.
And once Erica goes to school Abroad,I will take over everything from her.
After I finished with my drink,I went to my room to get dressed and head to the clinic. I was over filled with joy.
Now that Tyler and his wife are gone, I would take over. Now that Ericas parents are gone I strongly hope she does not go against her fathers last wish of going abroad to study before she could be able to take over the company.
As I drove to the clinic deep down in my heart, I knew Erica would be another nut to crack . I hope she finally goes to her school. I have not been asking her about her school nor anything that goes on in her life for sometime now.
I think I would have to get closer to her, so that I could be able to know most of her moves.
ERICAS
Few minutes later, I saw doctor Albert drive into the clinic, immediately he stepped out of the car, I ran to embrace him.
I just wish someone could take away the sorry that I felt. It was hard to accept that my dad is dead now just like my mum.
I was already used to living a life of affluence even though my dead husband has lots of wealth and money left for me. It will still be difficult to accept that they are no more.
Albert opens his arms to receive my embrace. He stroked my hair as he tried to console me,I was happy there was a shoulder for me to cry on.
"How am I going to take this?" I asked no one in particular.
"It is okay baby, I am going to help you pull through this,I know you are a strong woman and I believe in you"
Albert comforted me with the most soothing words.
"So what is the plan now?"
He asked me.
"Well,I will be waiting for my uncle to arrive so that we can know what next to do"
I replied.
"That is okay, but I hope your uncle will not create a scene if he sees me, you know he doesnt like me?".
He asked.
"You do not have to worry, you are my boyfriend now so he has to accept you". I told him.
"Thank you," He answered.
I kept myself in Alberts shoulders, I felt the warmth and love. Kept comforting me and sure I stopped crying, he would occasionally crack me up with jokes,just to make sure that I smiled.
I was glad I have a boyfriend like Albert who would always be there for me.
Alberts phone kept ringing, his attention was needed at the hospital, I told him to go back to the hospital but he insisted on staying with me.
He called some of his trusted colleagues and tbe most competent person to come stand in for him at the hospital while he stayed with me.
It was a great relief for me, knowing that he will stay with me for a while because I was already feeling lonely.
I was already feeling a though I am left alone and all by myself in this world but all thanks to my sweetheart Albert knowing that he would be providing all the emotional support I will be needing, and that he will be here to akwt comfort me and help me through this particular phase of life.