CHAPTER 64: BAD OMEN

Come next morning, my eyes woke to the sight of several people all patiently waiting and gazing at me. Except for Michelle, who I supposed was still past asleep and Nicole, who I doubt would show herself at me, Lewis, together with my father and Mr. McConnery gathered around my bed. They all stared at me gawking, which slightly made me anxious and conscious of my appearance.


I was about to sit up when Lewis promptly aided me, which automatically made me glance at my father whose face can’t be figured out because of the voidness of his expression. He was simply sitting on his wheelchair while watching Lewis’ every move.


“How are you feeling, Baby?”


I had to swallow a lump of timidness at my boyfriend’s vulgar display of endearment as my eyes never left my father’s. I am examining his reaction at what he obviously heard, but he remained wordless and poker faced.


“My foot’s still a bit achy, but not much like the night before” He gently caressed the top of my hair, which made my eyes diverted at him. Just like last night, his eyes were still encompassing deep affection and wrapped with indescribable joy, they were sparkling like I was seeing the galaxy in them.


“I’ll check your ankle first, change the bandage then bring you your breakfast. You mustn’t force it to walk, so we can prevent it from further contraction” I simply nodded as my eyes lingered at his face.


I couldn’t snatch my sight away from him. He seemed to appear more appealing now from the previous day that had passed. I was seizing every part of his handsome face like it was the first time I beheld him. Every angle of his didn’t escape from my line of sight. I was deeply engrossed marveling at him as if I was starstruck. He seems to glow in my eyes, that I barely remember the others who were with us.


He administered my right foot. He was doing it professionally but evidently with intensive care. His touch was like feathers, gentle and light. Even while he was at it, my eyes bore at his actions, eyeing his every motion with gratification and gladness. Once done, our eyes met. He smiled sweetly at me. A smile that says a thousand words, full of promises and unfathomable love, which made my heart skip a beat.


“Thank you, Lewis,” I was supposed to address him in his chosen endearment for us, but decided not to since we were not alone.


“I’ll go get your breakfast” I nodded delightedly at him and watched him as he went.


“Gregory, send servants here to assist my daughter with her bath,” My father immediately ordered, which Mr. McConnery immensely complied, leaving just the two of us alone in my spacious bedroom. “When do you intend to disclose to me about your relationship with Lewis, Penelope?”


“How did you know, Dad? Did he mention it to you?”


“No, he didn’t, but solely judging his actions and yours this morning, I could roughly conclude something out of the ordinary was happening. So when do you plan to tell me about it, princess?”


“It just happened the night before, Dad, even before we reached the charity ball. I was planning to tell you today, but you knew it beforehand. Don’t tell me you’re against it.”


“Of course not, I am delighted with it actually. I was just surprised, but nonetheless, I’m glad it was him. Congratulations, princess. He is a rare piece, and so are you. I can't wait for another grandchild soon.”


“Dad!” My eyes protruded at his remarks before looking past him. I didn’t wish Lewis to hear what my conceited father just uttered, it was embarrassing if ever he heard him say those words.


“What? I want several grandchildren, Penelope. No one would give me that, but you. I wish this mansion to be filled with little angels before I depart this world. So Lewis better be quick with it, the sooner the better.”


“Oh Dad, stop it. What will Lewis say if he hears you say that? Give me some decency here.”


“He has to know it, I’ll talk to him about it as well.”


My eyes grew bigger, “No, Dad! Don’t! That’s embarrassing! Oh my God!” I could feel my cheeks flushing crimson at the audacity of my father.


“That will be my ultimate wish, aside from walking you down the aisle, Penelope. Don’t withhold me from that final request. So you better work things out with Lewis, that way, our family could have a new member soon.”


My head simply shakes at my father’s daydreaming. None of what he stated would happen soon. Lewis and I had just started a relationship, I don’t intend myself to get pregnant right away. I wish to enjoy us first before we go through that stage. Besides, I doubted if Lewis wanted us to have a baby sooner.


I immediately disregarded the thought when my boyfriend reappeared, carrying a fully loaded tray with him. I diverted the topic by conveying the meeting I supposedly have today with my father.


***


I never thought Mr. Hunt would have a word with me right after we left his daughter’s room. Although I also desired to talk to him with regards to my relationship with Penelope, I wasn’t expecting him to take the initiative ahead of me.


“I want you to know, Lewis, that I appreciate the care you are extending to my daughter. I can vividly see how much you cherish her, which I am truly happy about.”


“Just like what I once told you before, Sir, I love your daughter and I would do everything for her, as well as for your grandchild.”

“I learned that the two of you already leveled up your status. This extremely delighted me, Lewis. You don't know how exuberant I am with this development.”


“I am as exuberant as you are, Sir.”


“Have you dealt with your issue about Nicole?” I was literally taken aback at what he mentioned. I am of full knowledge of how diversely wide the scope of his power was, but it never occurred to me that he would also be aware of my personal struggles. I’m surely amazed by this wonderful man. He was certainly one of a kind, just like her daughter was.


“I’ve already cleared things with her, Sir, although she didn’t take it well, but I have settled everything with her prior to my relationship with your daughter.”


“She must have been devastated by it. She had been acting strange and not in her best mood lately. I presume she hated my daughter more than she hated you. Should I relieve her as my personal assistant, Lewis? Would she be a threat to you and to Penelope?”


“It’s up to you, Sir. Although you may certainly be right about her hating us, but I don’t think she could do anything about it, the more be a threat to Penelope and I.”


“I see. I just don’t wish my precious daughter to be hurt once again. She had a rough life, Lewis. It pained me gravely reliving those years she wasn’t with us. She suffered a lot, treated differently by her accustomed family, which made her live her life miserably. I never desire for her to live that life ever again.”


“I am not fully aware of her past, Sir, but what I saw in her eyes the time she cried in front of me, were more than enough to make me realize that she had suffered tremendously in Michael’s hands. Forgive my words, Sir, but I wanted to kill that man for hurting Penelope severely.”


The veins in my body were bulging with rage as I remember all those tears Penelope had shedded every time she talked about her ex-husband. She may not detail it to me word by word, but her agonizing tears were enough to make my blood boil in extreme solely for the man who caused her such pain and misery.


“We both felt the same, Lewis. I don’t wish to see Michael Smith anymore. If not for my grandchild, who I am mindful of her love for her father, I would have nailed that bastard long ago. But since I'm heedful of Michelle’s feelings, I would simply let God deal with his sins to my daughter. Anyways, what I really want to convey to you about was not because of that, Lewis.”


My eyes gazed at him with seriousness as he stared at me in a business-like manner. “What is it about then, Sir?”


“No one could foretell how long I would remain alive, Lewis. Although I fear dying now unlike before, because of Penelope and Michelle, we still can’t be certain if I will live longer and be with them in years to come.”


“But, Sir, your health is slowly progressing. We shouldn’t lose hope now, not when your status is improving.”


My feet swiftly cut our distance as he slowly started to stand. I helped him on his feet as he clung to my arms. “I am fully cognizant of that, young man, but still I have to prepare for my loved ones’ future, especially Penelope’s.”


I looked at him deeply baffled. “What are you saying, Sir?”


“Marry my daughter the soonest, Lewis. I want her to be in good hands. Save her from all those pains she experienced, make her forget all those sufferings inflicted to her. Make her happy, both her and my grandchild, give her what she deserves in life. Do this for me, fulfill my last wish. I want them to be in safe hands before I die.”


“You won’t die yet, Sir, not with your health status now.”


“Say you will, Son. I want to hear it directly from you. I want you to guard them with your life, protect them at all costs and be with them always.”


I am utterly confused at the moment on why all of a sudden he was speaking as if he has only minutes left to live. This severely bothered me, although I knew that his condition was far from dying, but what he was conveying now deeply alarmed me.


“What are you feeling, Sir? Are you having some contractions now? Short of breathing? Pains? Let me have you check now, Sir,” I exclaimed, panicking.


“Nonsense, Lewis, I’m fine. There’s no need for you to panic” He uttered laughing before patting my shoulder, which somehow relieved me.


“Don’t scare me like that, Sir. You are like a father to me, so I would be extremely hurt if something unexpected happens to you” He slightly grinned before looking away from me.


“I will be fine, Lewis, don’t worry. Promise me you will fulfill my last wish, Son. Could you do that for me?”


“I will, Sir. With all my heart, I promise you I will marry your daughter soon and will protect them at all costs.”


“Thank you, Lewis, I am most certain you will. Now I can finally rest. But first, take me to Michelle’s room. I wish to spend ample time with my little munchkin.”


“Right away, Sir.”


I took heed of what I was ordered to do, but while we were on our way to Michelle’s room, thoughts about what he mentioned continued to circulate inside my head. There was this peculiar feeling in me, which gravely bothered me and was making me laboriously anxious. I hate to think of it, but it was as if he was bidding his farewell. My body hair instantly raised as coldness enveloped me with thoughts of Penelope grieving for the loss of her father filled me. This was certainly a bad omen, which I sincerely hope would not come to pass the soonest.