Chapter 18: The antidote

Angelic paced the floor of her father’s hospital room, her mind racing with worry and frustration. It had been two weeks since Arthur had slipped into a coma, and despite their efforts, she and Marcelino had found no solid leads on the mysterious man who had poisoned him. Angelic’s phone buzzed in her pocket, and she pulled it out, staring at the unknown number flashing on the screen. Her instincts screamed at her to ignore it, but something compelled her to answer.

"Angelic," the voice on the other end was chillingly familiar. It was the same voice she had heard that fateful day. "You want to find me, right? Come alone to the café, and you will find me there. Remember, you're under my surveillance. Come alone now. Don't call or do anything, or else you will not get the medicine for your father's illness. My instructions are clear. Now, go with peace."
Her heart pounded as she absorbed the man’s words. She knew she couldn’t risk involving Marcelino or anyone else. Her father’s life was at stake, and this man held the antidote to the rare poison that no doctor could identify. She grabbed her coat and headed out, determination burning in her eyes.

The drive to the location was tense, every second stretching into an eternity. The address led her to an imposing private estate, surrounded by high granite walls and a wrought iron gate that loomed nine feet tall. As she approached, the gate creaked open, seemingly of its own accord. Angelic drove through, her mind racing with possible scenarios.
The grounds inside were meticulously maintained, with elegant landscaping and rare plants, some of which she recognized as highly poisonous. The sight of these plants only heightened her anxiety, knowing the kind of person she was about to meet.

She parked her car and followed the winding path to a grand building that looked more like a palace than a café. The façade was a blend of old-world charm and modern luxury, and the entire place exuded an air of exclusivity. As she approached the entrance, her phone buzzed again.
"Go straight to the top floor," the voice commanded before the call abruptly ended.
Inside, the café was anything but ordinary. The lobby floor was covered in pure gold, reflecting the dazzling light from the diamond chandeliers above. It was a spectacle of opulence; each detail meticulously crafted to impress and intimidate.

Angelic took a deep breath, steeling herself for what lay ahead. She knocked on the heavy door three times, each sound echoing ominously. The door swung open, revealing a man who exuded raw power. His muscular frame and towering height made the massive door seem almost weightless in his hands.

"Welcome," he said, his voice a low rumble. "Follow me."

He led her through a series of lavish rooms, each more extravagant than the last. The final room was a vast, open space inspired by European design. The floor was made of jade, and the chandeliers hanging from the ceiling were pure ruby, casting a rich, red glow that bathed the room in an ethereal light.

"Ah, so you’re here, Angelic," the voice she dreaded spoke from the shadows. A man stepped forward, his presence commanding the room. "This place isn't mine. It's merely one-third of the properties owned by my master."

Angelic squared her shoulders, trying to mask her fear with anger. "Why did you do this to my father? What is your motive? Did he do something to you?"

The man smiled, a cold, calculating expression that sent chills down her spine. "Leave Marcelino. He was your enemy from the start. You don't know who Marcelino really is. Don't believe in his acting skills."
"What do you mean?" she asked, confusion and fear mingling in her mind.

"You will know it very soon," the man replied. "And if you don’t follow my simple command, your twins will be the next targets."

His words echoed in her mind, freezing her blood. Her twins, Monic and George, were her pride and joy, her precious gems. No one could hurt them. Her eyes narrowed with a fierce determination, but she was acutely aware of her powerlessness in this territory. A large, bulky man loomed behind her, ready to strike if she made a wrong move.

"Alright," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil within. "For the sake of my father's life and my children’s safety, I will. But give me the antidote so that I can leave this place."

The man laughed, a mocking sound that grated on her nerves. "I’m starting to like you, Angelic. You’re brave. If ever you want, you can join us and be part of our family."

"No need. Just give me the antidote," Angelic replied, her eyes blazing with resolve.

The man reached into his pocket and pulled out a small bottle. "You have one hour before the poison kills your father. You just need to hurry," he said, his eyes mocking her.
Angelic nodded, knowing she had no other choice. The man waved his hand dismissively, and the large door opened behind her. "Go now. Time is of the essence."

As she drove back to the hospital, her mind raced with the implications of the man's words. What did he mean about Marcelino? Could she trust him? Her father’s life was in the balance, and now her children’s safety was at risk too.

When she arrived at the hospital, she rushed to her father’s room. The doctor was already there, waiting. "Dr. Castillo, I have the antidote," she said, handing him the bottle.

Dr. Castillo quickly administered the antidote, and they waited in tense silence. Minutes felt like hours as Angelic watched her father’s vitals, praying for a sign of improvement.
Finally, Arthur’s breathing steadied, and the color began to return to his face. Dr. Castillo smiled reassuringly. "He’s stabilizing. It’s working."

Relief flooded through Angelic, but her mind was still reeling. She needed answers about Marcelino. She needed to protect her children. She needed to unravel the truth behind this conspiracy.
Marcelino arrived shortly after; concern etched on his face. "Mariam, what happened? Did you find anything?"

Angelic looked at him, her emotions a tangled web of confusion, fear, and anger. "We need to talk, Marcelino. Now."

They found a quiet corner of the hospital, away from prying eyes. Angelic took a deep breath, steeling herself for the conversation. "The man called me. He told me to leave you, that you’re my enemy and not to trust you."

Marcelino’s eyes widened in shock. "What? That’s not true, Mariam. You know I care about you and your family."

Angelic’s gaze was piercing, searching his face for any sign of deception. "He said I’d find out the truth soon. What aren’t you telling me, Marcelino?"

Marcelino ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident. "I don’t know what he’s talking about. I’ve been nothing but honest with you."

Angelic’s heart ached with the weight of uncertainty. She wanted to believe him, but the man’s words had planted a seed of doubt. "I don’t know what to believe anymore," she admitted, her voice trembling. "I can’t let anything happen to my children."
Marcelino’s eyes widened in shock. "Children?"
Angelic felt a sudden jolt of realization. She had never told Marcelino about Monic and George. The shock on Marcelino's face was unmistakable.