CHAPTER 18: LIFE CHANGING MOMENT

The burial has ended. The throng of attendees was lessened now to only immediate family members, Michael and I. I asked Carol to take Michelle home, so she could rest properly as almost everyone was emotionally beaten after the said ceremony, except myself. I stayed along with them even if I didn’t want to, because it was of utmost importance that I have a word with my former husband with regards to my situation at hand.


I had finally decided not to prolong with the matters I had to deal with. Time was ticking and it is of high essence here. I couldn’t afford to lose a single day and I planned to be out of the country as early as this evening. I need to capture every minute for the sake of my real father. I mustn’t neglect this matter, because every minute counts. If what Attorney Sparks’ saying were true and that Alexander Hunt has only a year to live, the more that I should be by his side as soon as possible.


Even though this man was a total stranger to me and I haven’t had any knowledge about him since the night before, there was this burning desire inside my heart that cannot be neglected. I couldn’t put a word to what I am feeling towards this new revelation and towards the man who Attorney Sparks called as my father, but all I know is that this man needed me with all of his life.


I must be on the other side of the world as soon as possible, not just to meet the man who gave life to me, but to be reunited with someone who suffered the same amount of yearning and sadness as I did and was deprived of a family just like me for twenty four agonizing years. That thought alone was enough to stir a great emotion inside of me, because for the very first time in my entire existence, someone was in need of me and that someone is my real father.


All the perks that were attached to this new identity I had were merely bonuses. They are all side dishes to the main course. I would be pretentious if I say that the enormous wealth that goes along with this new discovery didn’t somewhat pique my interest, of course it did. But what really catches my whole attention and the sole reason why I was eager to get everything done with, is simply because of the realization that at long last I have a real family where I truly belonged.


The feeling was unexplainable and way too beyond belief. This may seem to be a little issue to many, but for me, this means a lot. The feeling of belongingness was something that I had never experienced all throughout my life. There’s no amount of money or any glitters of gold could ever match the joy and content I had inside my heart right now. And I’ll be damned if I let this privilege slip my grasp.


“Can I have a word with you, Michael?” I swiftly called after him the moment they started to walk away. He was in a stand, together with Pamela and the rest of their family, who gazed at me like I was some kind of a pest that keeps disturbing them irritatingly.


“What about? We are in a bit of a hurry to head back to your family’s residence as some of the attendees will be arriving there shortly.”


“This won’t be long. I am in a hurry as well” I was waiting for the others to distance themselves, but they seemed to be naive and didn’t move an inch, especially Pamela who clung at Michael’s arm as if someone might steal him away from her. After minutes that they still hadn’t moved along, my patience wore out. “I wish to speak to you in private, Michael, this is with regards to Michelle.”


He whispered something to Pamela’s ear as the latter nodded in obedience. I disregarded the sweetness I saw in them and did my utmost best not to be affected. The minute we were alone, he spoke up with urgency.


“This must be important, Penelope. Don’t try to waste my time on you. Speak up. What about my daughter?”


“I’d be away for quite some time and I’ll leave her to you during those times.”


“When would you be away?”


“Most probably this evening. I need to be away for some important business matters that I must attend to” I uttered seriously, which caused his eyebrow to arched as he looked at me in bewilderment.


“Some important matters huh? I never thought you were capable of doing such matters, specifically business” His words were laced with utmost belittling towards me. “What kind of business were you talking about?”


“There’s no need for you to know, Michael. Just look after Michelle for the time being until I return. Fetch her at home this afternoon, Carol would be there to assist you with anything.”


“Alright then. Anything else?”


“That would be it. I need to go.”


I didn’t wait for him to respond, I simply turned my back from him and walked away. The minute I was inside my car, my fingers hastily pressed Attorney Sparks’ number and waited patiently. Just in two rings, she answered my call.


“Good morning, Miss Watsons!”


“Hello, Attorney! I called to inform you that I have decided to fly to New York this evening. I already settled everything that needs to be done here, so there’s no more reason for me to prolong anything at all.”


“That’s good to hear, Mam. I will immediately book your flight and would also advise Mr. Hunt regarding this matter. I will keep you posted regarding the flight details and what your father’s course of action would be within this day. Keep your line open, Mam.”


“I will, Attorney, thank you so much” I swiftly ended the call, but didn’t start the engine yet.


My entire system was currently floating with the two words that Attorney Sparks had mentioned. It makes my mind swirling with endless thoughts and causes my heart to thump in a rapid pace. I couldn’t believe that those simple words could create such a massive impact on me now. There’s this unexplainable feeling that I felt within me that defies everything that’s around me, which gives rise to a different kind of warmth that enveloped my heart and spawned me to smile genuinely.


Your Father.


I ran the words repeatedly inside my head. I couldn’t come to a conclusion that all of these were actually happening to me now. It was really too good to be true. Everything seems to be like a dream, like I was inside a wonderland where everything was magical and unrealistically enchanting.


Who would have thought that after years of suffering and being battered with several adverse emotions, there would still be a shining light waiting for me and a good fortune intended for me to behold. I never thought my life would change like this, although I did wish for it, but I thought it was just wishful thinking and would never come to pass.


This was indeed the greatest breakthrough I had in my entire existence. These sudden changes in my life were beyond my wildest imagination, which I thought I would never get to experience. This was as a matter of fact a life changing moment and I would be forever grateful that I did come my way. Such a turn of events, not just for me, but for my beloved daughter as well.