CHAPTER 130: ONCE IS ENOUGH
I was temporarily lost out of words at what I heard from Lewis. What he said made me think quickly, reliving inside my head what happened to my father and what we did in order to locate Nicole’s whereabouts. I remembered the time I headed to a local network company and had myself be aired in a live broadcast. I also remembered that this was my first resort the minute I discovered Michelle’s abduction, but Lewis interfered and told me to wait for the abductor’s demand. Now he wishes us to move in accordance to the steps we did that led us in capturing Nicole. Why?
Why did he suddenly change his mind and would rather take the same course we did before after what happened at the arena a few days ago? Does this have something to do with what happened to me, which causes me to be confined for a day in the hospital? Was that the reason why he chose to change our strategy to retrieve Michelle? Was that why he acted differently over the line and challenged those kidnappers? But the huge question now is, will this work out? Does placing a bounty on the abductor’s heads will help us to get my daughter and resolve this sickening problem we are facing now?
“Why do we have to change our strategy? Why not stick with our first plan?”
“Simply because these criminals cannot be trusted, Penelope. See what happened the other day? It was their intention not to comply with what you’ve talked about. The truth was slapped on us. They are just after the money and don't desire to hand over Michelle. They would probably be asking for more if they got the ransom from you the other day, and perhaps after a second ransom in which they knew you will still be willingly to give, then they will finally hand Michelle to us. If they almost successfully did it once, they could do it again on their second demand. So do you think we should trust them again after what they did? Hell no, Penelope! Once is enough.”
“Do you believe this will work?”
“It worked with your father’s murder case, right?”
“What if it didn’t work now? Will they give us Michelle this time if ever we settle with this kind of step? What if they don’t? What if they got pissed and decided to kill Michelle instead? I cannot risk that, Lewis!” There was doubt and torment laced in every word that came out of my mouth.
“They will not hurt her, Baby. Believe me.”
“WHAT IF THEY DID? HOW SURE ARE YOU THAT THEY WILL NOT HURT HER? We can’t be complacent with this, Lewis, because Michelle’s life is at stake!” I hysterically shouted before swiftly standing and moving away from him.
“BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT, PENELOPE! TRUST ME! THEY WILL NOT DO SUCH A THING TO YOUR DAUGHTER!”
“I can’t trust your words, Lewis, I simply can’t. As much as I wanted to, I just can’t!” Frustratedly, I combed my hair before slumping on the bed.
***
I took several deep breaths, exhaling every negativity and heaviness I was feeling, before timidly walked towards her and sat beside her. My hand gently touches hers and grip it with love and care.
“Trust me, Baby. If we succeeded before, then we will succeed again now. You know why I am most certain of it? Because it’s a thousand million dollars we’re talking about here, Penelope. Each and every individual who will see and hear your bounty reward would die to have it. I bet even these crooks would be more than tempted to disregard and betray their comrades, just to have this money all to themselves.”
She looked at me. This time her facial reaction changed. She must have realized my point as she started to smile gradually, then after a few more seconds, laughing out loud and swiftly hugged me from behind.
“You’re such a genius, Lewis! Oh my God! You are definitely right! Not a soul could suppress the urge to have that kind of money. How do you even think of that now? With every commotion and stress that we are dealing with now?”
I lovingly gazed back at her, eyeing her straight in the eye before smiling with satisfaction. “Because I love you, Baby, and I almost died that night at the arena. I don’t want any of that to ever happen to you again.”
“Really?” Her gingerly smile made my heart skip a beat.
“Yes, Penelope. I love you so much that is why I really thought hard to find a way to outwit these psychos. Now, they could no longer control us, instead, we will be the ones who are in total control of the situation. And they have no other option but to return Michelle to us.”
She kissed me passionately for seconds and afterwards, utter the most sincere and heart-melting words that truly light up my world. “I deeply apologize for my behavior recently, Lewis. I hope you can forgive me for my shortcomings. It’s just that, with all that is happening now, I am aware that I fall short most of the time. I’m so sorry, Baby. I love you so much.”
“That’s alright, Penelope. If I was in your shoes and Michelle was my daughter, I would have reacted the very same thing or most probably worse. So don’t worry about it, I understand you perfectly.”
“Thank you so much, Lewis. You are really an angel right from the very start.”
“I will do everything for you, Penelope, everything at all.” With that, our lips once again intertwined and it was the sweetest kiss I’ve tasted from the last time I could remember.
This truly surprises me and at the same time marvels me, which remains a mystery for me to analyze. That amidst the situation and problems that both of us are facing together, love does find its way to ease things up and to somehow settle our troubled hearts. And I am truly grateful for that love, because it continues to strengthen our relationship and make our every journey meaningful and memorable.
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